Dates and game state
| Field | Archive record |
|---|---|
| Start: source calendar date | 09 November 2017 |
| End: source calendar date | 11 February 2018 |
| Live patch | 2.6.1 |
| Season theme | Class and patch development without a global seasonal theme |
Platforms and timing boundaries
PC and supported console editions have separate platform leaderboards. Diablo III does not support cross-platform multiplayer. Do not assume PC fixes and console schedules were identical.
Nintendo Switch had not yet been released in this period.
Calendar dates are archive records, not live spawn calculations. Regional PC launches and the global console start can fall on different German calendar dates; the linked Blizzard announcement supplies the relevant rule.
What this season changes in play
Progress here is shaped by the contemporaneous live patch, new items and changed sets. Later global powers such as LoN, Ethereals or Sanctifications were not active. Dated profiles identify the skills and powers actually available at the time.
Patch changes and historical boundaries
2.6.1 increases many set and legendary powers. The archive therefore separately moves to dated HotA, Condemn, Impale, WoL, Firebats, Meteor and Corpse Lance versions.
Optimised class plans and seasonal adjustments
| Class | Dated build | Concrete adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Barbarian | Immortal King: HotA · 2.6.1–2.6.6 | Use the linked dated Barbarian plan with its complete skills, gear, stats and rotation. Seasonal loot or activity rules change collection or play, not automatically item introduction. |
| Crusader | Akkhan: Condemn · before the Phalanx rework | Use the linked dated Crusader plan with its complete skills, gear, stats and rotation. Seasonal loot or activity rules change collection or play, not automatically item introduction. |
| Demon Hunter | Shadow: Impale · classic Ricochet version | Use the linked dated Demon Hunter plan with its complete skills, gear, stats and rotation. Seasonal loot or activity rules change collection or play, not automatically item introduction. |
| Monk | Sunwuko: Wave of Light · 2.6.1 | Use the linked dated Monk plan with its complete skills, gear, stats and rotation. Seasonal loot or activity rules change collection or play, not automatically item introduction. |
| Witch Doctor | Arachyr: Firebats · classic melee version | Use the linked dated Witch Doctor plan with its complete skills, gear, stats and rotation. Seasonal loot or activity rules change collection or play, not automatically item introduction. |
| Wizard | Tal Rasha: fast Meteor channeling · 2.6.1 | Use the linked dated Wizard plan with its complete skills, gear, stats and rotation. Seasonal loot or activity rules change collection or play, not automatically item introduction. |
| Necromancer | Pestilence: Corpse Lance · 2.6.1 | Use the linked dated Necromancer plan with its complete skills, gear, stats and rotation. Seasonal loot or activity rules change collection or play, not automatically item introduction. |
Convert the starter set into the target build
The table shows the starter set, not automatically the linked endgame build. Open gifts on the intended class and follow period Journey objectives; early S5/S6 progression differs from the later Chapter II/III/IV scheme.
Activate the set bonus actually within reach first and collect its core weapon through Kadala, rare upgrades and Kanai’s Cube where those systems already exist. Do not replace useful pieces before completing the target bonus.
This season’s Haedrig sets
| Class | Starter set |
|---|---|
| Barbarian | Immortal King's Call |
| Crusader | Seeker of the Light |
| Demon Hunter | Natalya's Vengeance |
| Monk | Uliana's Stratagem |
| Witch Doctor | Spirit of Arachyr |
| Wizard | Vyr's Amazing Arcana |
| Necromancer | Trag'Oul's Avatar |
Optimise step by step
Step 1
Complete the linked profile engine: check six skills, four passives, equipped slots and available Cube powers.
Step 2
Test resources, protection and buff uptime a few rift tiers below the current limit. Only then reroll toward more offensive stats and test longer boss windows.
Step 3
Separate farming and pushing: fast elite chains use different gems and cooldown assumptions from long Rift Guardian fights. A source’s rift tier is no performance promise at other Paragon or on another platform.
Evidence and verification boundary
Linked profiles distinguish contemporary author bars, documented patch rules and explicitly added editorial slot repairs. No historical rank-one rating is asserted without an archived benchmark. German and English contain the same information.
Class builds for this season
Choose your class. Profiles state their historical version and full-setup requirements.
Immortal King: HotA · 2.6.1–2.6.6
Immortal King keeps Ancients permanent; Fury spending reduces Berserker cooldown. Istvan weapons, Gavel and First Men concentrate damage into rapid Fire hammers.
View buildAkkhan: Condemn · before the Phalanx rework
Akkhan and Prophet form the base. Blade of Prophecy/Frydehr scale manually cast Condemn; Focus/Restraint additionally need Slash hits.
View buildShadow: Impale · classic Ricochet version
Shadow, Karlei and Holy Point Shot form an elite-focused build. Karlei refunds require targets already hit by Impale; enemies that die too quickly create sustain gaps.
View buildSunwuko: Wave of Light · 2.6.1
Vengeful Wind supplies Sweeping Wind stacks for Sunwuko. Tzo moves the bell to its target; Kyoshiro and Incense Torch strengthen it while Air Ally covers Spirit spikes.
View buildPestilence: Corpse Lance · 2.6.1
Pestilence supplements manual Lances through corpse consumption. Brittle Touch builds critical chance; Reservoir and Shadowhook tie the burst to Essence.
View buildArachyr: Firebats · classic melee version
Cloud of Bats rewards sustained channeling near the pack. Arachyr, Bakuli and Chiroptera form the engine; Haunt and Locust satisfy the old Ring of Emptiness requirements.
View buildTal Rasha: fast Meteor channeling · 2.6.1
Tal Rasha uses four damage elements. Aether Walker speeds travel while old Etched Sigil casts Meteor through channeling; Deathwish and Nilfur scale the damage engine.
View buildYOUR NEXT STEP
Your checklist
Saved locally on this device, shared between both languages. This counter measures guide tasks, not game progress.
Sources & editorial reference date
Independently written guidance. Linked sources support verification of game systems, versions and described changes. Editorial reference date: 2026-10-23.
- D3Resource: Seasons, patches and Haedrig gifts d3resource.com
- Blizzard: Patch 2.6.1 Now Live news.blizzard.com