Comparison of Diablo 4’s Spiritborn Skill Tree vs Diablo 3’s Witch Doctor

Diablo 4 introduces the Spiritborn, an exciting new class featured in the Vessel of Hatred expansion, bearing considerable resemblances to the Witch Doctor from Diablo 3.

This Spiritborn class originates from Nahantu, the same lush jungle region that is home to Diablo 3’s Witch Doctor. Historically, this land faced a devastating assault by Diablo in Diablo 2, as he sought to liberate his brother Mephisto from imprisonment. The region suffered horrific destruction at the hands of Mephisto before he was sent back to the depths of Hell.

In the timeline of Diablo 3, the Witch Doctors from Nahantu dispatched one of their own to confront the Prime Evils. Armed with powerful voodoo magic and expertise in dark forces, they pushed back against Hell’s minions. With the return to Nahantu and the city of Kurast in Diablo 4, players aim to thwart another onslaught by Mephisto, this time aided by the emergence of a new warrior type—the Spiritborn.

Understanding the Witch Doctors

Witch doctor skills diablo 3 — Blizzard Entertainment

The Witch Doctor excels in the arts of voodoo.

The Witch Doctor class not only shared characteristics with the Necromancer but also took their place in the original iteration of Diablo 3. However, due to popular demand, the Necromancer was later reintroduced as downloadable content. Much like the Necromancer, the Witch Doctor had the ability to resurrect the dead and wield dark magic.

Essentially, the Witch Doctor functioned as a new form of summoner. They could summon zombie dogs, giants, and utilize an array of eerie ritualistic spells to defeat adversaries. This class felt like a hybrid derived from both the Necromancer and Druid classes in Diablo 2. Similar to the Druid, the Witch Doctor could control nature’s forces and turn them against Diablo’s servants.

Introducing the Spiritborn

Upon the announcement of Nahantu as the backdrop for Vessel of Hatred, many fans anticipated the return of the Witch Doctor class. However, Blizzard surprised the community with the introduction of the Spiritborn, a class drawing inspiration from the Witch Doctor while integrating elements akin to the Monk.

In Diablo 4, with the return of both the Necromancer and Druid as playable characters, the game already featured two summoners; hence, a third wasn’t necessary as the Witch Doctor’s role was effectively filled. Instead, Blizzard transformed it into the Spiritborn.

While many players were hoping for a Holy Warrior class like the Crusader, Monk, or Paladin to debut with the first DLC for Diablo 4, the developers opted to innovate—drawing influences from Diablo Immortal’s Tempest and Blood Knight classes to forge something entirely fresh.

Overview of the Spiritborn Skill Tree

The Spiritborn skill tree utilizes various attacks inspired by spirit animals.

In contrast to the Witch Doctor, who derived power from voodoo practices, the Spiritborn channels energy from spirit animals. By allowing the essences of specific animals to inhabit them, the Spiritborn can alter their fighting style based on the spirit they embrace.

For instance, by channeling the spirit of the Jaguar, they become swift and fierce. Alternatively, invoking the spirit of a Gorilla grants them immense strength and resilience.

Whereas the Witch Doctor embodied a grim warrior reliant on the forces of death and reanimation to defend Nahantu in Diablo 3, the Spiritborn emerges as a Holy Warrior filled with light. They harness shamanistic abilities to summon guardian spirits to fight alongside them.

It’s likely that the Witch Doctors continue to be a formidable presence in Nahantu, but with the arrival of Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred and Season 6, it’s the Spiritborn’s time to take center stage.

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