TL;DR
- Spiritborn offers superior versatility over Hydra Sorcerer with active gameplay and top-tier endgame potential
- Evade + Quill Volley build provides exceptional mobility and consistent damage throughout progression
- Thorn-based endgame transformation delivers S-tier boss melting capabilities
- Controller-friendly design makes it ideal for relaxed or accessibility-focused play
- Stable performance this season with no significant nerfs to core abilities
Renowned Diablo 4 content creator Rob recently detailed his strategic approach to choosing a starter class for Season 9. Drawing from his extensive gameplay analysis and mechanical considerations, this comprehensive guide provides actionable insights to optimize your class selection decision.
🤔 The Two Finalists: Hydra Sorcerer vs. Spiritborn
- Hydra Sorcerer
- Pros: Minimal effort required—simply summon Hydras and allow them to eliminate threats autonomously.
- Cons: Passive combat style lacks dynamic engagement, which conflicts with Rob’s current preference for active gameplay participation.
- Spiritborn
- Pros:
- Top-tier endgame viability — consistently ranks among the most powerful builds across all content tiers.
- Solid leveling and farming using Evade + Quill Volley (QV) build provides reliable progression.
- Excellent controller compatibility and minimal input requirements perfect for relaxed gaming sessions.
Rob ultimately selected Spiritborn, highlighting its exceptional adaptability, formidable power output, and ease of control even with dexterity limitations.
Leveling Phase (1-60)
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- Utilize Quill Volley in combination with Evade, incorporating Thunder Spike to refresh Evade cooldown timers.
- Exceptional movement speed and efficiency accelerates Diablo 4 progression while maintaining consistency through Nightmare difficulty content.
Mid-Game Farming Transition
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- Progress with the Evade-QV configuration into Tier 4+ content to rapidly accumulate Diablo 4 currency and target farm legendary equipment.
- Experience remarkable mobility enhancements alongside sustained damage output throughout farming cycles.
Endgame Thorn Build Evolution
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- Upon obtaining critical unique items like Pants-Balazan’s Maxtlatl, transition into the specialized Thorn-based Spiritborn build.
- Delivers exceptional boss elimination and high-tier pit performance, universally recognized as S-tier configuration.
- Engaging yet powerful: Evade-QV delivers enjoyable, fluid combat with forgiving mechanics.
- Accessibility: Reduced input requirements make it perfect for casual gameplay or mobility-restricted scenarios.
- Robust scaling:
- Early gameplay emphasizes mobility and evasion tactics.
- Late game transitions into devastating Thorn configurations capable of rapidly eliminating boss encounters.
- Stable performance: Neither Evade nor Thorn mechanics received substantial nerfs this season.
- Ideal for efficient resource acquisition, character rerolling, or targeted Diablo 4 item farming operations.
Stage |
Build |
Playstyle Highlights |
Leveling |
Evade + Quill Volley + Thunder Spike | Rapid mobility, exceptional control responsiveness, beginner-friendly mechanics |
Mid-Game |
Evade starter variant | Seamless farming operations in T4+ content with minimal downtime |
End-Game |
Thorn Spiritborn | Maximum boss damage per second, elite dungeon clearance optimization |
Action Checklist
- Master Evade + Quill Volley rotation with Thunder Spike integration during leveling phase
- Transition to Tier 4 farming while maintaining core build mechanics for resource accumulation
- Farm for Pants-Balazan’s Maxtlatl unique item to enable Thorn build transformation
- Optimize Thorn Spiritborn configuration for endgame boss encounters and high-tier content
No reproduction without permission：GameCDjnh » Choosing a Starter Class for Season 9 – Sins of the Horadrim Master the Spiritborn class progression from leveling to endgame with this comprehensive Diablo 4 Season 9 guide