The Trap Assassin, also known as the Trapsin, is a popular and effective build in Diablo 2 Resurrected. This guide will provide you with the D2R essential skills, items, and strategies to create a powerful Trap Assassin for Ladder Season 8.
Skills
Traps
• Lightning Sentry: Max this skill for high lightning damage.
• Death Sentry: Max this skill for corpse explosion and additional lightning damage.
• Shock Web: Invest points here to synergize with Lightning Sentry.
• Charged Bolt Sentry: Invest points here for additional lightning damage synergy.
Shadow Disciplines
• Burst of Speed: One point for increased attack speed and movement.
• Fade: One point for resistance and damage reduction.
• Shadow Master: Max this skill for a strong minion to assist in combat.
Gear
Weapons
• Heart of the Oak (HOTO): For +3 to all skills and resistances.
• Spirit Sword: A budget-friendly alternative with +2 to all skills.
Armor
• Enigma: For teleportation and mobility.
• Chains of Honor: Offers resistances, life leech, and damage reduction.
Helm
• Shako (Harlequin Crest): Provides life, mana, and skill bonuses.
• Griffon’s Eye: For increased lightning damage and faster cast rate.
Accessories
• Mara’s Kaleidoscope: For resistances and skill bonuses.
• Stone of Jordan: For mana and skill bonuses.
• Arachnid Mesh: This is for faster cast rate and skill bonuses.
Strategy
1. Trap Placement: Place Lightning Sentry traps strategically to maximize damage output.
2. Corpse Explosion: Use Death Sentry to explode corpses and deal massive area damage.
3. Mobility: Utilize Burst of Speed and Enigma’s teleportation to stay mobile and avoid damage.
4. Shadow Master: Summon your Shadow Master to tank and distract enemies.
Veteran Key Insights
Trap Effectiveness: The Trap Assassin is more effective than Martial Arts builds, especially for beginners, making it a recommended choice for new players. This simplicity allows for easier progression through the game’s difficulties.
Skill Progression: Starting with Fire-based traps and transitioning to Lightning traps at level 35 maximizes damage output, as fire resistance becomes prevalent in higher difficulties.
Gear Recommendations: Securing two-socketed items is crucial for crafting essential Runewords like Stealth and Leaf, significantly boosting survivability and damage in D2R.
Crowd Control: Utilizing skills like Mind Blast allows players to control the battlefield effectively, providing distractions and reducing incoming damage from enemies.
Potion Management: Early investing in Energy can enhance potion effectiveness, ensuring the Assassin can maintain trap deployment without running out of mana.
Mercenary Selection: Choosing the right mercenary enhances survivability and damage output throughout the game. A defensive mercenary can significantly aid in crowd control during tough battles.
Endgame Viability: The Trap Assassin remains a strong choice in the late game, particularly in Hell mode, where effective management of immunities and using traps can lead to successful monster clearing.
Conclusion
The Trap Assassin is a versatile and powerful build that excels in both solo and group play. With the right skills, gear, and strategy, you can dominate Ladder Season 8. Experiment with different setups to find what works best for your playstyle, and enjoy wreaking havoc on your enemies!