Whirlwindsin Build

The Whirlwind Assassin does not exist until you obtain Chaos. Typically, once you are in the position to use this item, you have already completed the game, so the Whirlwind Assassin is an endgame build. That being said, being able to Whirlwind as an Assassin is something every player should try at least once in their life, as it is quite unique.

• 1 point to all prerequisites

• 20 points to Venom — Adds a lot of poison damage to your attacks, required

• 20 points to Claw Mastery — Increase damage and Attack Rating, required

• 1 point to Weapon Block — Can block all types of damage including elemental, required

• 1+ points to Burst of Speed — Great for movement and a prerequisite for Fade, required

• 1+ points to Fade — Great Resistances and damage reduction, required

• 1 point to Cloak of Shadows — Can help in scary times, required

• 1 point to Mind Blast — Can stun enemies for great crowd control, required

• 1 point to Dragon Flight — Teleports you to monsters, required

• 1+ points to Fire Blast — Synergy and prerequisite for Lightning Sentry, required

• 1+ points to Shock Web — Synergy and prerequisite for Lightning Sentry, required

• 1+ points to Charged Bolt Sentry — Synergy and prerequisite for Lightning Sentry, required

• 20 points to Death Sentry — Invest skills here first when maxing Traps, required

• 20 points to Lightning Sentry — Invest skills here for solid damage, required

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

How much Strength Does a Whirlwind Assassin Need?

Enough for gear — Runic Talons require 105 Strength. This number may change based on the gear you are using, though, so make sure to always double check the requirements for each piece of gear you have as well as how much Strength each piece will provide once equipped.

How much Dexterity Does a Whirlwind Assassin Need?

Enough for Gear — Runic Talons require 105 Dexterity. More or less may be required depending on your weapon of choice. Otherwise, Dexterity is best invested into Vitality; the Attack Rating and Defense return per point is too low to be worth considering seriously.

How much Vitality Does a Whirlwind Assassin Need?

Everything else into Vitality — 250+ points. 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. Not only does this increase your Life total, but this also increases the chance for Healing Potions to crit, doubling their healing output. Further, additional Life reduces the chance that you will be put into hit recovery.

How much Energy Does a Whirlwind Assassin Need?

Nothing — Allocating attribute points to Energy in a final build is universally considered sub-par for almost every character due to the widespread availability of Mana Potions. While leveling, if you find yourself struggling with Mana you can allocate a few points to Energy that you can then remove with a respec later on.

You can either hire a Defensive (Holy Freeze) or Offensive (Might) Desert Guard Mercenary in Act 2, Nightmare difficulty, depending on whether you want to slow monsters for added safety or improve the overall damage of your Mercenary.

• Weapon: Pride or The Reaper's Toll

• Body Armor: Ethereal Fortitude

• Helm: Andariel's Visage socketed with a Ral Rune