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Diablo 4 Primary Stats & Effects Per Class Explained

We explain what the primary (core) stats are in Diablo 4, as well as the defensive bonuses per stat point and their effects on different classes.
Diablo 4 Primary Stats & Effects Per Class Explained

There is a tonne of ways to improve your character in Diablo 4, and many intricacies regarding Affixes, item rarity/qualities, the Codex of Power with Legendary Aspects, and more. This guide, however, focuses on Diablo 4's primary (core) stats.

We explain the defensive and offensive increases from Diablo 4's primary stats, with the latter being different for each class. Further, we discuss how reaching certain primary stat numbers on your character can improve class-specific skills, so let's get started.

Update on 19 July 2023: We've updated this article with the latest info on primary aka core stats in Diablo 4, and their effects on each class.

Primary Diablo 4 Stats & Defensive Increases

Diablo 4 primary core stats increase classes barbarian sorcerer druid necromancer rogue changes effects skills
Unique items in Diablo 4 boast some great primary stat increases. We just love that +all stats affix! (Picture: Blizzard)

There are four primary aka core stats in Diablo 4, which increase per level. These core stats can also be increased by equipping new items, and you can get a permanent primary stat increase for all your characters for every Altar of Lilith you find and interact with.

The four primary stats in Diablo 4 are:

  • Strength
  • Dexterity
  • Willpower
  • Intelligence

Each primary stat increase has an effect on the player's character in Diablo 4. For the purpose of this section, check out the defensive stats gained by increasing your primary stats.

  • Strength: +1 increase to Armor per primary stat point.
  • Dexterity: +0.025% increase to Dodge Chance per primary stat point.
  • Intelligence: +0.05% increase to All Resistance per primary stat point.
  • Willpower: +0.1% increase to Healing Received and +0.25% Overpower Damage per point

Please note: The defensive bonuses increase from primary stats are for all classes. The next section of our guide deals with damage effects/bonuses for primary stats, which are different for each class.

Diablo 4 Primary Stats: Damage Effects Per Class

Diablo 4 primary core stats increase classes barbarian sorcerer druid necromancer rogue changes effects skills
Each class in Diablo 4 is affected differently by primary stat increases. (Picture: Blizzard)

Different primary stats provide various types of increases for each class. At the time of writing, only the stat effects for the Barbarian, Sorcerer, and Rogue are known. We will update this section once the Necromancer and Druid stat effects get unveiled.

Check out the table below showcasing the primary stat increase effects on specific classes for offensive capabilities. Increases are per point of the corresponding stat.

Stat Type Barbarian Rogue Sorcerer Necromancer Druid
Strength +0.1% Skill Damage +0.1% Resource Generation     TBC
Willpower +0.1% Resource Generation   +0.1% Resource Generation +0.1% Resource Generation +0.1% Skill Damage
Intelligence   x0.02% Critical Strike Chance +0.1% Skill Damage +0.1% Skill Damage +0.1% Resource Generation
Dexterity +0.02% Critical Strike Chance +0.1% Skill Damage x0.02% Critical Strike Chance x0.02% Critical Strike Chance x0.02% Critical Strike Chance

When reaching certain amounts, primary stats can also provide additional, powerful effects for each class, which is what our next section is all about.

Diablo 4 Core Stats & Bonus Effects on Skills

Diablo 4 primary core stats increase classes barbarian sorcerer druid necromancer rogue changes effects skills
Gain additional effects on certain skills for your class when reaching primary stats targets to slay the hordes of the Burning Hells with ease. (Picture: Blizzard)

In your skill tree, you will see that certain nodes have specific additional effects for a skill in Diablo 4 if you meet the required primary stats. A good example of this is the Whirlwind Upgrade for the Barbarian.

In this example, if your Barbarian has 225 Strength and 225 Dexterity or more in total, you will get +1% Critical Strike Damage per second while the channeled Whirlwind skill is active. This can stack up to 20%, making your Barbarian a devasting flurry of death and destruction on the minions of the Burning Hells.

So there you have it, everything we know so far about Diablo 4's primary stats, their effects on different character classes, and even bonus effects on specific skills. We will, of course, endeavor to update this article once more information becomes available, specifically regarding both the Necromancer and Druid classes.

 


For more Diablo 4, be sure to check out our dedicated section or some of our Guides & Tutorials just below:

Diablo 4 Class Builds - Best Barbarian Build |  | Best Necromancer Build | Best Sorcerer Build | Best Druid Build | Best Rogue Build | All Classes Tier List | Best Class For Beginners | Build Calculator

Class Mechanics: Sorcerer Enchantment System | Barbarian Arsenal | Rogue Specialization | Necromancer Book of the Dead | Druid Spirit Animals | Unlock Golems

Items - Healing Vial | Item Slot Types | Transmogs/Wardrobe | Salvage Items | Durability & Repair | Trading Items | All Unique Items & Stats | Set Items | Item Quality/Rarity Levels | Elixirs | Butcher's Cleaver | Cry of Ashava Trophy

Features: Beginners Guide | Impressions From Beta

Quests: Ritual Tower Key | Forgive Me Side Quest | Traveler's Prayer Side Quest | Secret Of The Spring Riddle | Raising Spirits Side Quest | Woodsman Of Nevesk | Fiend Rose

General D4 Guides: Legendary & Gold Farming | Town Portal | Inventory Size | Stash Size | Beat Lilith's Lament | Beat Den Mother Boss | Beat Lord Avitus Boss | Beat Blood Bishop Boss | Reset Dungeons | Gathering Legions Guide | The Butcher Boss | Leave Dungeons | All Stronghold Locations | Hardcore Mode | Change Difficulty | Unlock/Launch Time | Balance Changes | Patch Notes

Diablo 4 Tech Guides - Ray Tracing Support | Couch Co-Op | Server Regions | PC Requirements & File Size | Diablo 4 Servers Down? | Connection Issues Fix | Crashing Issues Fix | Unable To Install or Patch | Low FPS Fix | Error Code 34202 Fix | Disable Fog & Glare | Stuck in Queue Fix | Console Issues | PC Issues | Enable & Disable Chat Bubbles | Hit Max Level Fast | Best PC Settings High FPS | Error Code 395002 Fix | Error Code 316719 Fix | D4 on Steam Deck | Offline Mode | DLSS 3 & NVIDIA Reflex

Crafting/Vendors - Jeweler | Gambling & Obols | Occultist | Alchemist | Blacksmith | | Monster Parts | Skins | Ore | Plants

Legendary Aspects - Codex of Power | Sorcerer Legendary Powers | Barbarian Legendary Powers | Rogue Legendary Powers | Necromancer Legendary Powers | Druid Legendary Powers

Activities - Strongholds | Nightmare Dungeons | Silent Chests | Altars of Lilith | Helltides | Endgame

Story & Lore - Campaign Length | Who is Lilith? | Who is Inarius | Deckard Cain | Secret Cow Level | All D4 Acts Listed

Zones - Fractured Peaks Overview | Scosglen | Kehjistan | Dry Steppes | Hawezar | All Waypoint Locations | Full World Map | Fractured Peaks Chests | Fractured Peaks Cellars

Stronghold Guides - Kor Dragan | Malnok | Nostrava |

Mounts - Temptation Mount | Diablo 4 Class Dismount Mechanics | Unlock & Customize |

Seasons - Battle Pass Price | Diablo 4 Season Duration | Battle Pass Differences | Get Favor | Next Season Start Date | Season Blessings | Season Journey | Diablo 4 Content Roadmap |

Gameplay Systems - Armor System | Clans | Primary Stats & Effects | Shrines & Buffs | Renown & Reputation | Max Level & Paragon Cap | World Tier Difficulty Levels | Followers/Mercenaries

World Bosses - Ashava | Avarice | Wandering Death | Beat Ashava | Ashava Spawn Location

Diablo 4 Misc - Statue of Inarius Price & Specs | Wolf Pack Cosmetic | Codes | Diablo 4 Free-to-Play? | Mother's Inked Title | Collector's Edition | How To Respec | Stagger Mechanic | Patch Notes | Asmongold Diablo 4 Beta Thoughts | Item Shop | Wings of the Creator Emote

Challenges/Achievements - Necromancer Challenges | Barbarian Challenges | Druid Challenges | Rogue Challenges | Sorcerer Challenges | Crafting Challenges

Diablo 4 PvP - Coming soon!

Our section keeps growing, so check for new guides daily! Don't forget to pick up one of the Diablo 4 Editions and join the fight to save Sanctuary soon.