D2R FOH Paladin Build Guide

Since Patch 2.4, the Fist of the Heavens Paladin has become much more viable in PvM Content in Diablo 2: Resurrected. Let's explore this powerful build, the core skills and gear you'll need to make it happen, and the breakpoints that can help you maximize your character's effectiveness. With updates to FOH and the new Holy Bolt dispersion, FOH Paladin’s have become an effective Chaos and Baal running character due to the high density of undead and demon minion types. 

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Fist of the Heavens Paladin Skill Build

The following are the core skills you'll need to create a Fist of the Heavens Paladin.

Fist of the Heavens Paladin Stats and Attributes

When it comes to stats for the Fist of the Heavens Paladin, we recommend allocating enough strength to wear gear, enough dexterity for maxblock (after Holy Shield), and the rest into vitality. 

Fist of the Heavens Paladin Gear

When gear selection time comes around for your Fist of the Heavens Paladin, you have two main builds to choose from:

Damage Build

For maximum damage output, you'll want to roll with the following gear:

Magic Find Build

For those who want to roll with Magic Finding, you'll need the following gear:

Optimal Mercenary Gear

Since the Fist of the Heavens Paladin runs Conviction, Infinity is not necessary. For optimal Mercenary Gear, you'll want the following:

Fist of the Heavens Paladin Breakpoints

In Diablo 2, stats that affect action speed (known as frames) for attacking, casting, blocking, and recovering from a hit can almost never be taken literally. To achieve faster actions, certain breakpoints must be reached. The tables below list how much of a given stat is required to actually improve the action speed of the class for the stated action:

Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints

Faster Cast Rate Breakpoints

Faster Block Rate Breakpoints (No Holy Shield)

Faster Block Rate Breakpoints (With Holy Shield)

General Playstyle: 

1. Start your farming session by casting Holy Shield, and recast it as needed. For mobility, use Vigor and Charge as your primary options, and switch to Teleport for walls and obstacles. Keep Vigor up in town to quickly run to Portals, Waypoints, and vendors. Take advantage of the high range of Fist of the Heavens by name-locking your target and finishing them off before selecting the next one. Use Holy Bolts to quickly clear large densities of Undead/Demon types. If your Mercenary engages an Immune monster, switch to Holy Bolt and target them to keep their life topped off. Keep Undead/Demons in line with your Mercenary so that the piercing bolt hits them. Your Conviction Aura is higher level than any hostile version you encounter, which negates the effect on your Character, reducing the need for over-capping your Resistances. When playing with other Paladins, employ Salvation, Cleansing, or Vigor to benefit from more Auras.

Immunities

Undead/Demon monsters can always be damaged by Holy Bolt, even when they are immune to Magic. The damage output on single targets outperforms Fist of the Heavens because of its Cast time For Lightning Immunes, your Mercenary (or Holy Bolts) become your primary damage source. Use an EBOTD to drastically increase their DPS though lightning Sunder and Conviction should be effective in almost all instances.

Late-Game

Before you cast Holy Shield at the beginning of your farming session, cast Battle Command and Battle Orders. Refresh the buffs as needed on longer sessions. Enigma gives access to Teleport and becomes your primary mobility option outside of Town. Use Vigor in town and while moving before engaging any monsters.