Diablo 4 Season 8 is upon us, and with it comes a wave of excitement as players gear up to test new builds, experiment with reworked skills, and dive into the Public Test Realm (PTR). The PTR is now live, and players can already download the patch via the Battle.net launcher. This season promises to bring significant changes to the game, including new boss powers, reworked skills, and updated Diablo IV Items that could shake up the meta. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most anticipated builds for Season 8, focusing on the Barbarian, Sorcerer, and Spirit Born classes. These builds are not only expected to be popular but also represent some of the most exciting changes coming to the game.

Barbarian: The Return of Whirlwind and Mighty Throw

The Barbarian class has always been a fan favorite, and Season 8 is no exception. With significant buffs to Whirlwind and the introduction of new mechanics, the Barbarian is poised to dominate once again.

1. Whirlwind with Gore’s Devastating Grasp

One of the most hyped changes for the Barbarian is the rework of Gore’s Devastating Grasp, which now deals 600% damage (up from 80%). This massive buff makes Whirlwind a viable direct damage skill, potentially allowing players to ditch the traditional Earthquake build in favor of a pure Whirlwind playstyle. The new Wandering Death boss power, which provides a 50% damage multiplier and additional damage, synergizes perfectly with Whirlwind. This build could finally bring the "spin-to-win" playstyle back to the forefront, with massive explosions and area-of-effect (AoE) damage that clears entire screens.

However, there’s a note of caution here. While the pure Whirlwind build looks promising, it may struggle to compete with the still-strong Earthquake build. The PTR will be the perfect place to test this build and provide feedback to Blizzard. If the pure Whirlwind build falls short, players can easily transition back to the Earthquake build, which remains a solid option.

2. Mighty Throw Onslaught Build

Another exciting build for the Barbarian is the Mighty Throw Onslaught build, which leverages new gloves and aspects to deal massive damage. The new gloves provide a 7x multiplier every 12 seconds, while the Aspect of Delayed Extinction adds another 600% damage when placed on a two-handed weapon. Combined with the Kolon multiplier, this build can deal up to 10x damage with a single Mighty Throw. This makes it an excellent boss-killing build, capable of one-shotting bosses with the right setup.

While this build may not be ideal for speed farming, it shines in endgame content and boss fights. The ability to spawn a boss and obliterate it with a single Mighty Throw is both satisfying and powerful. However, this build’s dominance in boss fights may require some balancing to prevent it from trivializing endgame content.

Sorcerer: Ice Shards and Burning Builds

The Sorcerer class is receiving some exciting new tools in Season 8, with reworked skills and new items that could breathe new life into old builds.

1. Ice Shards Sorcerer

The Ice Shards build is making a comeback thanks to a new helm that provides significant bonuses to the skill. While the helm slot is highly competitive, the new Hail of Ver Glass helm offers a ton of ranks to Ice Shards, along with intelligence and maximum life bonuses. The Aspect of Piercing Cold further enhances this build, making it a strong contender for both single-target and AoE damage.

This build is particularly exciting because it harks back to the early days of Diablo 4, when Ice Shards was one of the strongest builds in the game. The visuals and playstyle are both satisfying, and the new overpowers mechanic with the Sanctuary Rune could add an extra layer of depth to the build. While there are concerns about its DPS potential, the PTR will be the perfect place to test and refine this build.

2. Burning Sorcerer with Andariel’s Flaming Skull

Another intriguing build for the Sorcerer revolves around the new Andariel’s Flaming Skull boss power, which adds a massive 1,800% base burn damage over 5 seconds. This build focuses on maximizing burn damage, using Incinerate to trigger the Wandering Death boss power and spamming Ball Lightning to stack burns. With the right setup, this build could deal insane amounts of damage, especially when combined with burn multipliers from the Paragon board and glyphs like The Eliminator and Flame Feeder.

The potential for this build is enormous, but it remains to be seen how well it will perform in practice. If the numbers hold up, this could become one of the strongest builds in the game, offering a unique playstyle that revolves around stacking burns and watching enemies melt.

Spirit Born: Firestorm and Reverse Flash

The Spirit Born class is receiving some much-needed love in Season 8, with new builds that could make it a top contender for speed farming and endgame content.

1. Firestorm Spirit Born

The Firestorm build is one of the most visually impressive builds in Season 8. By picking up feathers and creating massive Firestorms, this build offers a unique and satisfying playstyle. The new items and aspects make it easy to automate the feather pickup process, allowing players to focus on dealing damage rather than micromanaging resources.

This build has the potential to be one of the best speed farming builds in the game, especially if the DPS holds up. The combination of AoE damage and mobility makes it ideal for clearing content quickly, and the visuals are simply stunning. If the numbers are right, this build could become a fan favorite.

2. Reverse Flash Rushing Claw Build

The Reverse Flash build, which revolves around the Rushing Claw skill, is another exciting option for the Spirit Born. The new Rip and Tear aspect, combined with the Poised Rushing Claw mechanic, provides a massive multiplicative damage boost for each stack. This build allows players to permanently teleport around the map, dealing massive damage while staying highly mobile.

This build is reminiscent of the Dash Monk from Diablo 3, offering a fast-paced and exhilarating playstyle. It’s particularly well-suited for speed farming and could compete with the Firestorm build for the title of best speed farming build in the game.

Other Classes: Druid, Necromancer, and Rogue

While the Barbarian, Sorcerer, and Spirit Born are stealing the spotlight, other classes are also receiving updates in Season 8.

Druid: The Cataclysm build remains strong, and the Stone Bulwark build could also see some play. However, the Druid class doesn’t have as many exciting new builds as some of the other classes.

Necromancer: The Blood Wave build is still solid, and there’s potential for Summoning and Bone Spear builds to make a comeback. However, the Necromancer class doesn’t have as many standout changes as the other classes.

Rogue: The Rogue class remains balanced, with solid builds like Poison Trap and Trap Rogue. However, the playstyle can feel slow compared to the fast-paced builds of other classes.

Conclusion: A Season of New Possibilities

Season 8 of Diablo 4 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons yet, with new builds, reworked skills, and updated items that could shake up the meta. The Barbarian, Sorcerer, and Spirit Born classes are at the forefront of these changes, offering players new and exciting ways to play the game. Whether you’re a fan of the classic Whirlwind Barbarian, the visually stunning Firestorm Spirit Born, or the burn-focused Sorcerer, there’s something for everyone in Season 8.

The PTR is the perfect place to test these builds and provide feedback to Blizzard. With the new pit level scaling and increased difficulty, players will need to optimize their builds to tackle the toughest content. So, download the patch, jump into the PTR, and start experimenting with these exciting new builds. Season 8 is here, and it’s time to unleash your power in the world of Diablo 4.