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Diablo IIISeason & patch

Diablo III Season 38: Ethereal Memory · build archive

Dated complete builds for 7 classes, period patch boundaries, Haedrig sets and concrete seasonal adjustments.

ArchiveChecked 23 October 2026 · patch 2.8.0
Guide coverage

Historical season archive · explicit PC/console boundaries

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Dates and game state

FieldArchive record
Start: source calendar date27 March 2026
End: source calendar date21 June 2026
Live patch2.8.0
Season themeEthereal Memory

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 released during Season 15 in November 2018; later seasons also run there. PS5/Series consoles use the compatible PS4/Xbox One editions.

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

Three Ethereal weapons per class combine special fixed stats with a random class weapon power and passive. The rolled power determines the rest of the blueprint. The weapon name alone is insufficient; the wrong legendary power can remove a mandatory synergy.

Ethereals are temporary season weapons. Do not budget them as permanently available non-season items; collecting all 21 can unlock the associated transmogrification.

Patch changes and historical boundaries

This season uses the named theme on patch 2.8.0. Profile assignments use only items available at that time; later seasonal powers remain separately labelled.

Altar of Rites and Visions are permanent in seasonal play from Season 30. Unlocks must be rebuilt each new season; later Altar values are not confused with the original Season 28 version.

Optimised class plans and seasonal adjustments

ClassDated buildConcrete adjustment
BarbarianRaekor: Boulder Toss · new Weapon Throw engineRaekor: Doombringer with Arreat’s Law replaces Arreat’s Law; keep Three Hundredth Spear equipped and Furnace in the weapon Cube slot. This preserves overcapped Fury, Spear damage and Grandeur.
CrusaderAkkhan Phalanx/Condemn · Guardian progressionAkkhan: equip The Redeemer with Blade of Prophecy plus Unrelenting Phalanx. Keep Frydehr/Warhelm/Grandeur cubed; replace Heavenly Strength with Fervor because the weapon is one-handed.
Demon HunterDemon Hunter: GoD Hungering Arrow · dated set coreFor GoD: Buriza-Do Kyanon with Dawn power, Ninth Cirri offhand and Valla in the weapon Cube slot. This preserves the quiver power while Buriza replaces the former hand-crossbow pair.
MonkMonk: Tempest Rush with Patterns of Justice · dated set coreJustice/Flurry: Bartuc’s Cut-Throat with Won Khim Lau replaces Won Khim Lau; retain Vengeful Wind as the second weapon. Keep Balance/Mantle/CoE cubed. This preserves automatic Cyclone and the TR multiplier.
Witch DoctorWitch Doctor: Mundunugu Spirit Barrage · dated set coreGhostflame with Barber power replaces the equipped Barber; retain Gazing Demise offhand and Sacred Harvester cubed. A two-handed Ethereal would displace the essential mojo.
WizardTal Rasha: Star Pact · two-handed MeteorTal Star Pact: Wizardspike with Grand Vizier plus Tal orb; Smoldering Core replaces Vizier in the weapon Cube slot while Mempo and Grandeur remain. Despite six actual Tal pieces, Grandeur is still needed for Aughild’s three-piece bonus.
NecromancerTrag’Oul: Iron Rose Blood Nova · reworked setTrag’Oul Nova: equip Blackbog’s Sharp with Bloodtide and Iron Rose; Funerary Pick replaces Bloodtide in the weapon Cube slot. Keep Aquila and Grandeur; Siphon still triggers free Blood Nova.

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

ClassStarter set
BarbarianThe Legacy of Raekor
CrusaderArmor of Akkhan
Demon HunterEmbodiment of the Marauder
MonkInna's Mantra
Witch DoctorZunimassa's Haunt
WizardDelsere's Magnum Opus
NecromancerPestilence Master's Shroud

Optimise step by step

  1. Step 1

    Complete the linked profile engine: check six skills, four passives, equipped slots and available Cube powers.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

Diablo IIIClass build

Raekor: Boulder Toss · new Weapon Throw engine

The 2.7.3 rework connects Charge stacks with Ancient Spear. Arreat’s Law temporarily permits extra Fury; Three Hundredth Spear and Skular amplify the following Boulder Toss.

ArchiveBarbarianSeasons 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 · ab 2.7.3 / from 2.7.3
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Diablo IIIClass build

Akkhan Phalanx/Condemn · Guardian progression

Judgment marks targets; Akkhan Phalanx Bowmen trigger Condemn and reduce Akarat cooldown. Eternal Union makes Bowmen permanent while Blade/Frydehr supply explosion damage.

ArchiveCrusaderSeasons 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 · ab 2.7.4 / from 2.7.4
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Diablo IIIClass build

Marauder Cluster Arrow · new Sentry scaling

The 2.7.2 Marauder rework restores Sentry damage scaling. Bombardier and Custom Engineering permit five Sentries; Yang reduces high costs while Manticore scales Cluster Arrow.

ArchiveDemon HunterSeasons 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 · ab 2.7.2 / from 2.7.2
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Diablo IIIClass build

LoD Wave of Light · later bell core

Rabid Strike copies the bell attack during Epiphany. LoD, Kyoshiro, Incense Torch and the bracers must work together; later Blackthorne pants supply elemental damage without an active set bonus.

ArchiveMonkSeasons 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 · 2.7.4–2.8.0
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Diablo IIIClass build

Trag’Oul: Iron Rose Blood Nova · reworked set

Siphon Blood lets Iron Rose trigger free Blood Novas. Trag’Oul scales the Life-skill engine, Funerary Pick the channel and Bloodtide the Nova in density.

ArchiveNecromancerSeasons 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 · ab 2.7.4 / from 2.7.4
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Diablo IIIClass build

Tal Rasha: Star Pact · two-handed Meteor

Smoldering Core and Grand Vizier supply complementary Meteor powers; Mempo and Nilfur scale impact. Four active elements maintain Tal Rasha; Star Pact spends accumulated Arcane Power.

ArchiveWizardSeasons 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 · 2.7.5–2.8.0
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YOUR NEXT STEP

Your checklist

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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.

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