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Fist of the Heavens Paladin Guide

Season 8

Last Updated:August 10, 2024|Change Log

The Fist of the Heavens Paladin (FoHdin) is an amazingly versatile Elite Sniper and Density Destroyer with powerful support capabilities. fistoftheheavens can be cast at max range and allows you to name-lock your target until they drop under your onslaught. The holybolts that launch out clear MASSIVE swaths of Demons and Undead!


Patch 2.4 MASSIVELY buffed this build to become a rival to the Blessed Hammer Paladin meta. Check the Tri-Brid Variant for an awesome Elite build!


Access to a max effectiveness conviction Aura breaks every naturally occurring Lightning Immune monster. holybolt makes short work of any Undead Elites you encounter, even if they are Immune to Magic. Your Mercenary helps to clean up packs when you activate your fanaticism Aura.

This build's high Faster Cast Rate, Max Block Chance, and Magic Find potential truly shines through all stages of the late-game.

Ideal Standard Setup
Ideal Standard Setup


fistoftheheavens


conviction


holybolt


fanaticism

This build guide assumes you have a Character at Level 75 before transitioning to it. Check out our Character Leveling Guide and our General Leveling Strategies to reach Level 75.


High Mobility ✔
Fast Paced Play Style ✔
Excels In New Level 85 Areas ✔


❌ Requires High APM
❌ Repetitive Skill Usage

Complicated Skill Mechanics


Sunder Charm Setup

This build does not benefit from the new Sunder Charm because the Lightning Damage from fistoftheheavens is irrelevant to the farming efficiency of the Build. The Magic Damage from holybolt is our primary damage type. The majority of monsters that are Immune to Magic are also Undead, so holybolt deals full damage regardless.

Terror Zones

The new Terror Zone mechanic combined with Sunder Charms open up a wide range of farmable areas. The following list highlights the best and worst Terror Zones for this build on the Starter setup. With the Sunder Charm Setup, more Terror Zones become accessible. Learn more about Terror Zones here and see how they stack up in our Terror Zone Tier List.

Best

Flayer Jungle + Flayer Dungeon - High Density, Easy Mobility, Many Elite Groups, No Immunities
Tal Rasha's Tombs - High Density, Many Elite Groups, No Immunities
Chaos Sanctuary - High Density, Easy Mobility, Many Elite Groups, No Immunities
Worldstone Keep + Throne of Destruction - High Density, Many Elite Groups, No Immunities
The Tower Cellar- High Density, Many Elite Groups, No Immunities

Worst

The Secret Cow Level - Immunities
Lost City + Valley of Snakes + Claw Viper Temple - Immunities
Far Oasis - Immunities
Kurast Bazaar + Ruined Temple + Disused Fane - Immunities, Tanky enemies
Spider Forest + Spider Cavern - Immunities

Skills

Put 1 Skill Point into each of the following Skills:
1. vigor
2. salvation
3. fanaticism
4. holyshield

Max out the following Skills in this order:
1. fistoftheheavens
2. holybolt
3. HOLYSHOCK
4. conviction (Enough to reach -150 Resistance)
6. resistfire/resistlightning (In pairs of 2 Skill Points)

Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression
Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression

Damage

Utility

Attributes

Note: This section provides you with the standard Stat Point allocation. Build Variants can require a different allocation!

Strength

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength to equip all of your gear. Take into account how much Strength your gear provides when equipped.

Dexterity

Allocate enough Stat Points into Dexterity to reach max Chance to Block (75%). More Dexterity is needed at higher character levels. In addition to Dexterity and character level, shield bases also affect Chance to Block.

Vitality

Allocate any remaining Stat Points into Vitality after meeting Strength, Dexterity and Energy requirements.

Energy

Don't allocate any Stat Points into Energy. This build gets enough Mana from gear, buffs, Charms, and Mana Potions.

Essentials

Gear Options

Farming Spots

Mercenary

Playstyle

Breakpoints

Hardcore

Build Variants

FoH Starter
Holy Bolt Starter
Standard
Tri-Brid

Setup

The Starter Variant of the FoHdin relies heavily on Skills and Faster Cast Rate to deal damage. Lore, Stealth, Spirit Crystal Sword, and Spirit Targe are easily obtainable sources of these stats. Life, Resistances, and Faster Hit Recovery are also great stats to help your starter setup. Check Charsi and Gheed in Nightmare for Gloves, Belts and Boots with these Stats.

Mercenary

Equip your Mercenary with a Body Armor and Helmet that provides Resistances, Life Stolen per hit, and Life. Insight is an easy Runeword to create that gives a great amount of damage and Quality of Life with Meditation. Hire the Holy Freeze Aura Mercenary to gain extra Crowd Control. Use fanaticism to increase his DPS against Immunes.

Skills

Put 1 Skill Point into each of the following Skills:
1. vigor
2. holyshield

Max out the following Skills in this order:
1. fistoftheheavens
2. conviction (Enough to reach -150 Resistance)
3. holybolt
4. holyshock

Attributes

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength to equip your gear. Put enough Dexterity to reach 75% Chance to Block. Put remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Setup

This holybolt Starter Variant of the FoHdin is specifically built to farm Areas with Undead/Demon monster types only. This allows you to also empower your Mercenary with a high level fanaticism Aura. You still have access to conviction to empower fistoftheheavens if other mob types spawn. Faster Cast Rate and +x to Skills are obtained from Lore, Stealth, Spirit Crystal Sword, and Spirit Targe. Life, Resistances, and Faster Hit Recovery are also great stats to help your starter setup. Check Charsi and Gheed in Nightmare for Gloves, Belts and Boots with these Stats.

Mercenary

Equip your Mercenary with a Body Armor and Helmet that provides Resistances, Life Stolen per hit, and Life. Insight is an easy Runeword to create that gives a great amount of damage and Quality of Life with Meditation. Hire the Holy Freeze Aura Mercenary to gain extra Crowd Control. Use fanaticism to increase his DPS against Immunes.

Skills

Put 1 Skill Point into each of the following Skills:
1. vigor
2. salvation
3. conviction
4. holyshield

Max out the following Skills in this order:
1. holybolt
2. fistoftheheavens
3. fanaticism
4. Vigor

Attributes

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength to equip your gear. Put enough Dexterity to reach 75% Chance to Block. Put remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Setup

This setup allows you to Elite Snipe anywhere and also clear all high value Undead/Demon heavy Areas with ease. Prioritize +x to Skills, +xx to Lightning Skill Damage, and -xx to Enemy Lightning Resistance after reaching the 125% Faster Cast Rate Breakpoint. You can also swap out some +x to Skills and add high amounts of Magic Find onto your kit.

Mercenary

Equip your Mercenary with Insight Giant Thresher for Meditation to help manage your Mana. Andariel's Visage and Fortitude Sacred Armor increases his DPS and survivability.

Skills

Put 1 Skill Point into each of the following Skills:
1. vigor
2. salvation
3. fanaticism
4. holyshield

Max out the following Skills in this order:
1. fistoftheheavens
2. holybolt
3. HOLYSHOCK
4. conviction (Enough to reach -150 Resistance)
6. resistfire/resistlightning (In pairs of 2 Skill Points)

Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression
Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression

Attributes

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength to equip your gear. Put enough Dexterity to reach 75% Chance to Block. Put remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Setup

We maximize the Magic Damage of fistoftheheavens/holybolt, gain a 14,000 Damage blessedhammer, and equip Heaven's Light + gorerider to gain 48% Chance to Crushing Blow. This Variant farms high value Players 8 Areas like Baal, Chaos Sanctuary, and other Undead/Demon only spots. All while maintaining the 75% Faster Cast Rate Breakpoint (125% on Weapon Swap), 48% Faster Hit Recovery, and ~200% Magic Find. You need a source of Cannot Be Frozen when fighting Baal and Diablo. It's all of the strength of a Hammerdin, a Smiter, and the new FoHdin!

Mercenary

Your Mercenary is hand-tailored to apply decrepify to increase Crushing Blow damage, and sanctuary to keep Undead grouped up for easier clear speed with fistoftheheavens.

Skills

Put 1 Skill Point into each of the following Skills:
1. concentration
2. salvation
3. fanaticism
4. holyshield

Max out the following Skills in this order:
1. holybolt
2. fistoftheheavens
3. blessedhammer
4. vigor
5. blessedaim
(Remaining Skill Points)

Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression
Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression

Attributes

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength to equip your gear. Put enough Dexterity to reach 75% Chance to Block. Put remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Video Guide

Video Guide by MacroBioBoi

Summary

  • Cast battlecommand and battleorders before you cast holyshield at the beginning of your farming session. Refresh the buffs as needed on longer sessions.
  • fistoftheheavens is an amazing single-target Skill when boosted by conviction. It has the fewest Immune monsters to deal with. It also shreds high densities of Undead/Demon monster types.
  • The Tri-Brid Variant gains a 14,000 Damage blessedhammer, and equips Heaven's Light + gorerider to gain 48% Chance to Crushing Blow. This version of the build can clear all content and quickly kill Bosses as well.
  • Your ability to Elite Snipe, and decimate Undead/Demon type monsters with holybolt gives you an unfair advantage at a massive range. Use this to your advantage.
  • Both the fistoftheheavens and holybolt variants slot very well into group play. This versatility between Single and Multiplayer makes for a very fun build to pilot.
  • You have the ability to carry group play with the holybolt support variant. When the group's done playing, go smash through Areas like the Crypt, Mausoleum and the Stony Tomb.

The FoHdin really brings a unique and rewarding gameplay experience to anyone that's willing to master this build. Whether it's shredding through hordes of Undead/Demons, or targeting Elites from max range, you're sure to be one of the most unique D2R builds in any game!

In Bocca al Lupo!

Credits

Written by MacroBioBoi
Reviewed by Teo1904

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