D2RHub
All Builds

Holy Freeze Zealot Paladin Build

Paladin · Best-in-Slot gear list · from MrLlamaSC's guide on Icy Veins

Best in Slot

Main Hand: Doom

Off Hand: Exile

Off Hand: Herald of Zakarum

Main Hand (Swap): Call to Arms

Off Hand (Swap): Spirit

Body Armor: Fortitude

Helm: Crown of Ages

Gloves: Laying of Hands

Boots: Gore Rider

Belt: Verdungo's Hearty Cord

Ring 1: Raven Frost

Ring 2: Raven Frost

Ring 2: Rare ring with % Life and Mana Leech per Hit

Amulet: Highlord's Wrath

Charm 1: Hellfire Torch

Charm 2: Annihilus

Charm 3: Small Charms with Maximum Damage, Attack Rating, and Life (such Charms are commonly known as 3/20/20s)

Charm 4: Small Charms with enough Resistances and Faster Hit Recovery to hit important breakpoints, depending on needs

Inventory
Doom
Exile
1/2
Fortitude
Crown of Ages
Laying of Hands
Gore Rider
Verdungo's Hearty Cord
Raven Frost
Raven Frost
1/2
Highlord's Wrath
Hellfire Torch
Annihilus
Small Charms with Maximum Damage, Attack Rating, and Life (such Charms are commonly known as 3/20/20s)
Small Charms with enough Resistances and Faster Hit Recovery to hit important breakpoints, depending on needs

Act 1 Mercenary

Mercenary inventory
Faith
Fortitude
Andariel's Visage

Act 2 Mercenary

Mercenary inventory
Infinity
Fortitude
Andariel's Visage

Gear list and guide text from the Holy Freeze Zealot guide by MrLlamaSC on Icy Veins, shown with his permission.

Full Holy Freeze Zealot guideBiS gear & runes

The Holy Freeze Zealot guide

Written by MrLlamaSC for Icy Veins, shown here with his permission. Read the original on Icy Veins· Skills and items link to their pages.

›Introduction

The Holy Freeze Zealot is a safer version of the classic Diablo 2 Zealot. It has a few options depending on whether or not you have access to Doom, but both ways are actually decent for playing through the game as Holy Freeze will slow the majority of monsters.

›Holy Freeze Zealot Skill Build
  • 1 point to all prerequisites

  • 20 points to Sacrifice — Synergy for Zeal, required

  • 20 points to Zeal — Main damage skill, invest into Sacrifice first for more damage or Zeal for more Attack Rating, required

  • 20 points to Fanaticism — If using Doom only, this is best option for most Damage

  • 20 points to Holy Freeze — If not using Doom

  • 20 points to Resist Cold — Synergy for Holy Freeze, required

  • 20 points to Salvation — Synergy for Holy Freeze, required

  • 1+ points to Holy Shield — Great to maximise chance to Block, required

›Holy Freeze Zealot Stats Discussion

The following section discusses how many attribute points should be allocated to each of the primary stats.

How much Strength Does a Holy Freeze Zealot Need?

Enough for gear — If using an Ethereal Vortex Shield this is 138 Strength. If choosing to use another shield with lower Strength requirements such as Herald of Zakarum, then 103 Strength for an Archon Plate is most likely necessary. This number always changes based on the gear you are using however, so make sure to always double check the Strength requirements of each piece of gear you have as well as how much Strength each piece will provide once equipped.

How much Dexterity Does a Holy Freeze Zealot Need?

Enough for max block — Between 130 and 170 Dexterity total is usually enough to reach the 75% maximum chance to block. For a typical Paladin wearing the Herald of Zakarum and using a fairly high level Holy Shield, 130 Dexterity should be enough. Always check your Character Sheet however, where you can track your current chance to block as you allocate Dexterity.

How much Vitality Does a Holy Freeze Zealot Need?

Everything else into Vitality — 250+ Vitality. Every excess attribute point should be allocated to Vitality, as long as you can meet the Strength and Dexterity requirements of your items by the time you wish to equip them, as well as the 75% maximum chance to block.

How much Energy Does a Holy Freeze Zealot Need?

Nothing — allocating stat points to Energy in a final build is universally considered sub-par for almost every character due to the widespread availability of Mana Potions.

›Holy Freeze Zealot Mercenary

You can either choose an Offensive ( Might) Act 2 Nightmare Mercenary or an Act 1 Mercenary with Faith if you are not using Fanaticism yourself for more damage.