Good class/build for Hardcore?

[TheBigHam]

Best build is the one that never gets hit

Great advice, right up there with “just get it” for farming

In all seriousness, though, there are a couple of things I’d look for in a first hardcore build:

1. Good survivability/safe to play. Basically I want something that performs consistently and is relatively forgiving of the mistakes that I will make.
2. Easy to assemble the gear. I want leveling gear and at least some serviceable version of endgame gear to be at least mostly farmable (monster infrequents, target farmable sets) or purchasable (faction items). Beginner build guides on the forum and, more centrally, the Beginner build guides compendium is a nice place to look both for clear leveling paths (gearing, skill point allocation, etc.) and for easy-to-assemble build ideas for endgame. Keep in mind that the endgame versions of the builds here are going to be held back a bit by the fact that they are only assembled with easily accessible gear and thus may not be able to tackle some of the game’s toughest content yet, but they can eventually be upgraded or rebuilt entirely provided RNG blesses you with the right gear. Also, a warning: depending on your skill and playstyle, not all beginner build ideas will necessarily be suited to a smooth hardcore experience.

Beginner build guides Compendium (for AoM + FG expansions)

[image] ▧ What and why is this compendium? Most of these builds are already included in the ”real” compendium but might be hard to find. From my experience on discord, reddit etc, most people do not even know that these build guides exists. Perhaps by moving them to a separate compendium can make these builds and guides a bit easier to find and link to. A common thing on the forum is to hide text within ”spoiler boxes”. To read what’s inside them, click on …

3. Fun to play. My personal picks for a first hardcore build, for example, are vitality caster Conjurer and forcewave Warlord, but these guys play very differently. There are a number of good options out there, so you should certainly be able to find something you enjoy playing. Don’t get too attached, though— it is hardcore after all.