Difference between revisions of "Witch Doctor skills"

Revision as of 14:06, 19 September 2011

The Witch Doctor Skill Tree as seen in Blizzcon 2009. Skill are no longer presented in this fashion. Image by Muldric.

This page lists the Witch Doctor skills, with information that was current as of August 2011. This page is a quick listing; follow the links to the individual skill pages for full discussion of every skill, including first hand reports, Blue quotes, runestone information, and numerous screenshots and other images.

All character skills have undergone considerable changes during development, with the biggest change coming before Blizzcon 2010, when skill trees and passive skills were removed from the skill listing and Traits were introduced. See the Witch Doctor skill archive for information about skill changes over time.

Useful skill links:

Skills - General skill design and mechanics.
- Active skills - Skills where effects are activated by the player.
- Passive skills - Skills where effects are activated automatically, by the computer or by special events.
- Signature skills - Skills that define characters.
Mana -- The Witch Doctor's energy resource.
Runestones - Their huge impact on changing skills can not be over-emphasized.
Witch Doctor skill archive - Removed Witch Doctor skills.
Witch Doctor traits -- Passive skills in Diablo III were called traits for a while before reverting back.

Active Skills

Click to the individual skill pages for more details about these skills including numbers, screenshots, runestone information, blue quotes, and much more.

Physical Realm

Icon	Skill	Description

Poison Dart
Physical Realm
(Level 1)

[e]

Cost: 9.8 Mana

Fires a deadly poison dart that deals 100% weapon damage as Poison and an additional 40% weapon damage per second as Poison over 2 seconds.

Plague of Toads
Physical Realm
(Level 2)

[e]

Cost: 211 Mana

Release a handful of toads that deal 155% weapon damage as Poison to enemies they come in contact with.

Zombie Charger
Physical Realm
(Level 5)

[e]

Cost: 229 Mana

Call forth a reckless, suicidal zombie that deals 150% weapon damage as Poison to all enemies in its way.

Corpse Spiders
Physical Realm
(Level 7)

[e]

Cost: 473 Mana

Summon 4 spiders to attack nearby enemies for 38% weapon damage as Physical.

Firebats
Physical Realm
(Level 9)

[e]

Cost: 352 Mana per second

A swarm of fiery bats burn enemies in front of you for 130% weapon damage per second as Fire.

Firebomb
Physical Realm
(Level 11)

[e]

Cost: 264 Mana

Lob an explosive skull that deals 130% weapon damage as Fire to all enemies within 8 yards.

Locust Swarm
Physical Realm
(Level 19)

[e]

Cost: 352 Mana

Summon a plague of locusts to assault enemies, dealing 5% weapon damage per second as Poison for 3 seconds. The locusts will jump to additional nearby targets.

Acid Cloud
Physical Realm
(Level 22)

[e]

Cost: 528 Mana

Acid falls down dealing an initial 125% weapon damage as Poison, followed by 25% weapon damage per second to enemies who remain in the area.

Wall of Zombies
Physical Realm
(Level 27)

[e]

Cost: 352 Mana

A line of zombies emerge from the ground, attacking nearby enemies for 40% weapon damage per second for 5 seconds.

Spirit Realm

Icon	Skill	Description

Haunt
Spirit Realm
(Level 4)

[e]

Cost: 106 Mana

Haunt an enemy with a spirit dealing 500% weapon damage as Arcane over 15 seconds. If the target dies, the spirit will automatically haunt another nearby enemy.

You may have up to 3 Haunt effects active at once.

Horrify
Spirit Realm
(Level 8)

[e]

Cooldown: 20 seconds

Don a spectral mask that horrifies all enemies within 12 yards, causing them to run in fear for 5 seconds.

Spirit Walk
Spirit Realm
Movement (Level 12)

[e]

Cost: 176 Mana
Cooldown: 15 seconds

Enter the spirit realm for 3 seconds. While in the spirit realm, your movement is unhindered.

Your link to the spirit realm will end if you cast any spell or your physical body sustains 50% of your maximum health in damage.

Soul Harvest
Spirit Realm
(Level 14)

[e]

Cooldown: 15 seconds

Feed on the life force of up to 5 nearby enemies within 15 yards. Gain 126 Attack for each affected enemy. This effect lasts 30 seconds.

Spirit Barrage
Spirit Realm
(Level 21)

[e]

Cost: 141 Mana

Bombard a target with a spirit bolt that deals 125% weapon damage as Physical.

Mass Confusion
Spirit Realm
(Level 24)

[e]

Cooldown: 60 seconds

Incite paranoia in enemies, causing some to fight for you for 8 seconds.

Support

Icon	Skill	Description

Summon Zombie Dogs
Command
Summon (Level 2)

[e]

Cost: 176 Mana
Cooldown: 60 seconds

Summons 3 zombie dogs from the depths to fight by your side.

Grasp of the Dead
Command
(Level 3)

[e]

Cost: 53 Mana
Cooldown: 8 seconds

Hands reach out from the ground slowing enemy movement by 50% and dealing 50% weapon damage per second as Physical for 8 seconds.

Hex
Command
Summon (Level 6)

[e]

Cost: 176 Mana
Cooldown: 10 seconds

Summon a Fetish Shaman for 8 seconds that will hex enemies into chickens. Hexed enemies are unable to perform offensive actions and take 20% additional damage.

Sacrifice
Command
(Level 16)

[e]

All of your zombie dogs explode, each dealing 200% of your weapon damage as Physical to all enemies within 12 yards.

Gargantuan
Command
Summon (Level 18)

[e]

Cost: 528 Mana
Cooldown: 120 seconds

Summon a large zombie follower to fight for you. The Gargantuan swings for 30% of your weapon damage as Physical damage with every swing.

Big Bad Voodoo
Command
Summon (Level 25)

[e]

Cooldown: 120 seconds

Summon a fetish to begin a ritual dance that increases the attack, casting and movement speeds of all allies in the area by 15% for 20 seconds.

Fetish Army
Command
Summon (Level 29)

Cooldown: 120 seconds [e]

Summon an army of Fetish creatures to fight by your side for 20 seconds. Dagger-wielding fetishes attack for 28% of your weapon damage as Physical.

Passive Skills

Passive skills replaced Traits during late game development in 2011. Many Traits were simply changed to passive skills, but some are all new. See the Witch Doctor traits page for a full list of those passives.

Template:Passive skill header

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[[{{{name}}}]]

10

{{{desc}}}

Vermin

(Level 10)

Your Plague of Toads, Corpse Spiders, Locust Swarm and Firebats abilities do 20% more damage.

{{{icon}}}

[[{{{name}}}]]

13

{{{desc}}}

{{{icon}}}

[[{{{name}}}]]

16

{{{desc}}}

{{{icon}}}

[[{{{name}}}]]

20

{{{desc}}}

{{{icon}}}

[[{{{name}}}]]

24

{{{desc}}}

{{{icon}}}

[[{{{name}}}]]

27

{{{desc}}}

{{{icon}}}

[[{{{name}}}]]
See:
Spirit spells

36

{{{desc}}}

{{{icon}}}

[[{{{name}}}]]

40

{{{desc}}}

{{{icon}}}

[[{{{name}}}]]
See: Pets

45

{{{desc}}}

Death Trance

(Level 28)

Reduce damage by 60% whenever you are below 25% of your maximum Life.

{{{icon}}}

[[{{{name}}}]]

55

{{{desc}}}

Development

The Witch Doctor's skills and skill trees were first seen at BlizzCon 2008, with only a few skills enabled and many showing nothing more than vague descriptions in the skill tree. The listing was fleshed out at Blizzcon 2009, but most of his skills, especially the summoning ones, remained NYI. The current information was revealed at Blizzcon 2010, with the passive skills removed (see the Witch Doctor traits and a near-final skill listing.

A large number of the higher level WD spells have still never been shown publicly, in contrast to the skills of the Wizard and Barbarian, almost all of which have been shown off.

Removed Skills

References

Full Witch Doctor Skills
Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report -- IncGamers 1st Aug 2011
Witch Doctor Overview -- Diablo III 13th Sep 2011

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer primary

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer secondary

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer corpses

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer bloodandbone

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer reanimation

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer curses

Fan-made Classes			Fan-made Skills [e]
• Alchemist • Arcane Warrior • Artisan • Aurian Mage • Bard • Channeller • Dragon Warrior	• Flagellant • Giant (U) • Hollow Man • Nomad • Onaga Manji • Phase Knight	• Ranger • Slayer (U) • Techpriest (U) • Telepath • Untainted (U) • Zealot	Dragon Warrior Skills • Bow and Throwing Skill Tree • Dragon Disciplines Skill Tree • Martial Arts Skill Tree	Untainted Skills • Divine Skill Tree	Aurian Mage Skill • Holy Power Skill Tree • Shadow Spells Skill Tree • Nature Forces Skill Tree
(U) = Unfinished				Untainted Skills • Divine Skill Tree

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
-===Poison Dart===
+==={{c_gold|Physical Realm}}===
-[[File:IconPoisonDart.png|left]]
-[[Poison Dart]] is a Physical Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 1.<br>
-The Witch Doctor uses a blowpipe to fire a poison dart. A fairly slow attack that's hugely improved by runestones.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Fires a deadly poison dart that deals {{c_lime|46-67}} poison damage and an additional {{c_lime|57}} poison damage over {{c_lime|2}} seconds.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|176}} Mana
+{{Active skills header}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Poison Dart}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Plague of Toads}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Zombie Charger}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Corpse Spiders}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Firebats}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Firebomb}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Locust Swarm}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Acid Cloud}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Wall of Zombies}}
-===Summon Zombie Dogs===
+==={{c_gold|Spirit Realm}}===
-[[File:IconSummonZombieDog.png|left]]
-[[Summon Zombie Dog]] is a Support skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 1.<br>
-Better known as "Mongrels," Zombie Dogs are the basic Witch Doctor pet, capable of tanking and fighting effectively, though they are not meant for a long life, and deal their best damage when [[Sacrifice]]d.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Summons {{c_lime|3}} zombie dogs from the depths to fight by your side.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|176}} Mana<br>
+{{Active skills header}}
-'''Cooldown:''' {{c_lime|60}} seconds
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Haunt}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Horrify}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Spirit Walk}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Soul Harvest}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Spirit Barrage}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Mass Confusion}}
-===Plague of Toads===
+==={{c_gold|Support}}===
-[[File:IconPlagueToads.png|left]]
-[[Plague of Toads]] is a Physical Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 2.<br>
-The Witch Doctor summons several toads that hop forward like living [[Charged Bolt]]s and explode against enemies. Some dramatic [[runestone]] effects are known for this skill.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Release a handful of toads that deal {{c_lime|71 - 99}} Poison damage to enemies they come in contact with.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|211}} Mana
-===Grasp of the Dead===
-[[File:IconGraspDead.png|left]]
-[[Grasp of the Dead]] is a Support skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 3.<br>
-A powerful curse, this one deals damage as well as slowing enemies for a short duration.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Hands reach out from the ground slowing enemy movement by {{c_lime|50%}} and dealing {{c_lime|21}} physical damage per second for {{c_lime|8}} seconds.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|53}} Mana<br>
-'''Cooldown:''' {{c_lime|8}} seconds
-===Haunt===
-[[File:IconHaunt.png|left]]
-[[Haunt]] is a Spirit Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 4.<br>
-A ranged spell attack, this sics a ghostly entity upon the target, dealing [[DoT]]. The Haunt will seek a new target when its victim dies.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Haunt an enemy with a spirit dealing {{c_lime|355}} Arcane damage over {{c_lime|17}} seconds.  If the target dies, the spirit will automatically haunt another nearby enemy.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|106}} Mana<br>
-{{c_gold|You may have up to 3 Haunt effects active at once.}}
-===Zombie Charger===
-[[File:IconZombieCharger.png|left]]
-[[Zombie Charger]] is a Physical Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 5.<br>
-A zombie is summoned, which charges straight in the direction specified, melting into nothing and dealing poison damage to any targes along the way. A runestone can grant the infamous [[Zombie Bears]] effect.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Call forth a reckless, suicidal zombie that deals {{c_lime|71 - 99}} Poison damage to all enemies in its way.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|229}} Mana
-===Hex===
-[[File:IconHex.png|left]]
-[[Hex]] is a Support skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 6.<br>
-A curse of sorts, this one causes damage and blocks the afflicted's ability to attack.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Summon a Fetish Shaman for {{c_lime|8}} seconds that will hex enemies into chickens.  Hexed enemies are unable to perform offensive actions and take {{c_lime|20%}} additional damage.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|176}} Mana<br>
-'''Cooldown:''' {{c_lime|10}} seconds
-===Corpse Spiders===
-[[File:IconCorpseSpiders.png|left]]
-[[Corpse Spiders]] is a Physical Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 7.<br>
-Spiders emerge from a rotting zombie corpse and launch themselves at nearby enemies, dealing poison damage with their swarming bites.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Summon {{c_lime|4}} spiders to attack nearby enemies for {{c_lime|7 - 21}} physical damage.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|282}} Mana
-===Horrify===
-[[File:IconHorrify.png|left]]
-[[Horrify]] is a Spirit Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 8.<br>
-A powerful curse, this one frightens nearby enemies into running away for a few seconds. The radius emanates from the Witch Doctor, not from the spot targeted when cast, so it only works on enemies who are very nearby.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Don a spectral mask that horrifies all enemies within {{c_lime|12}} yards, causing them to run in fear for {{c_lime|5}} seconds.
-'''Cooldown:''' {{c_lime|20}} seconds
-===Firebats===
-[[File:IconFirebats.png|left]]
-[[Firebats]] is a Physical Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 9.<br>
-A short range spell attack, this sends flaming bats out in an [[Inferno]]-like spray, dealing damage to anything in their path.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' A swarm of fiery bats burn enemies in front of you for {{c_lime|57 - 85}} Fire damage per second.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|352}} Mana per second
-===Firebomb===
-[[File:IconFirebomb.png|left]]
-[[Firebomb]] is a Physical Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 11.<br>
-Previously known as Skull of Flame, this is a ranged attack that's thrown like a grenade. It explodes on impact, dealing considerable fire damage. The projectile is a human skull, filled with an explosive liquid.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Lob an explosive skull that deals {{c_lime|64 - 78}} Fire damage to all enemies within {{c_lime|8}} yards.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|264}} Mana
-===Spirit Walk===
-[[File:IconSpiritWalk.png|left]]
-[[Spirit Walk]] is a Spirit Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 12.<br>
-A powerful movement/escape skill, especially useful in the [[Battle Arena]]. The Witch Doctor leaves his physical body behind as a decoy and can run freely, invisible, for several seconds.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Enter the spirit realm for {{c_lime|3}} seconds. While in the spirit realm, your movement is unhindered.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|176}} Mana<br>
-'''Cooldown:''' {{c_lime|15}} seconds<br>
-{{c_gold|Your link to the spirit realm will end if you cast any spell or your physical body sustains {{c_lime|50%}} of your maximum health in damage.}}
-===Soul Harvest===
-[[File:IconSoulHarvest.png|left]]
-[[Soul Harvest]] is a Spirit Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 14.<br>
-A buff that increases the WD's spell damage based on how many enemies are nearby.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Feed on the life force of up to {{c_lime|5}} nearby enemies within {{c_lime|15}} yards. Gain {{c_lime|126}} Attack for each affected enemy.  This effect lasts {{c_lime|30}} seconds.
-'''Cooldown:''' {{c_lime|15}} seconds
-===Sacrifice===
-[[File:IconSacrifice.png|left]]
-[[Sacrifice]] is a Support skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 16.<br>
-This skill causes a Mongrel to detonate in a huge spray of purple and pink smoke, dealing physical damage to all nearby enemies.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' All of your zombie dogs explode, each dealing {{c_lime|107 - 178}} physical damage to all enemies within {{c_lime|12}} yards.
-===Gargantuan===
-[[File:IconGargantuan.png|left]]
-[[Gargantuan]] is a Support skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 18.<br>
-A large, powerful zombie pet that [[tanks]] for the Witch Doctor.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Summon a large zombie follower to fight for you. The Gargantuan swings for {{c_lime|18 - 25}} physical damage with every swing.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|528}} Mana<br>
-'''Cooldown:''' {{c_lime|120}} seconds
-===Locust Swarm===
-[[File:IconLocustSwarm.png|left]]
-[[Locust Swarm]] is a Physical Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 19.<br>
-A ranged spell attack, this sends out a cloud of locusts that swarm over enemies, eating their flesh from the bones. Locusts will [[chain]] between nearby enemies, potentially consuming numerous targets per cast.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Summon a plague of locusts to assault enemies, dealing {{c_lime|25}} Poison damage per second for {{c_lime|3}} seconds. The locusts will jump to additional nearby targets.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|352}} Mana
-===Spirit Barrage===
-[[File:IconSpiritBarrage.png|left]]
-[[Spirit Barrage]] is a Spirit Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 21.<br>
-A [[DfA]] attack that's never yet been shown publicly. [[Acid Cloud]] covers a small radius, so presumably this one has a larger radius.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Bombard a target with a spirit bolt that deals {{c_lime|36 - 71}} physical damage.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|141}} Mana
-===Acid Cloud===
-[[File:IconAcidCloud.png|left]]
-[[Acid Cloud]] is a Physical Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 22.<br>
-Originally a Wizard spell, this one was moved to the Witch Doctor to provide a [[DfA]] attack with a small radius that melts the flesh from the bones of anything in the targeted area.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Acid falls down dealing an initial {{c_lime|57 - 78}} Poison damage followed by {{c_lime|14}} Poison damage per second to enemies who remain in the area.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|528}} Mana
-===Mass Confusion===
-[[File:IconMassConfusion.png|left]]
-[[Mass Confusion]] is a Spirit Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 24.<br>
-A mind control spell that temporarily changes the alignment of some enemies.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Incite paranoia in enemies, causing some to fight for you for {{c_lime|8}} seconds.
-'''Cooldown:''' {{c_lime|60}} seconds
-===Big Bad Voodoo===
-[[File:IconBigBadVoodoo.png|left]]
-[[Big Bad Voodoo]] is a Support skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 25.<br>
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Summon a fetish to begin a ritual dance that increases the attack, casting and movement speeds of all allies in the area by {{c_lime|15%}} for {{c_lime|20}} seconds.
-'''Cooldown:''' {{c_lime|120}} seconds
-===Wall of Zombies===
-[[File:IconWallZombies.png|left]]
-[[Wall of Zombies]] is a Physical Realm skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 27.<br>
-One of the showier Witch Doctor skills to be displayed in the early announcement, this one causes a wall of zombies to erupt from the earth. The WoZ blocks the progress of enemies as well as dealing physical damage to anything in range.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' A line of zombies emerge from the ground, attacking nearby enemies for {{c_lime|21 - 36}} physical damage per second for {{c_lime|5}} seconds.
-'''Cost:''' {{c_lime|352}} Mana
-===Fetish Army===
-[[File:IconFetishArmy.png|left]]
-[[Fetish Army]] is a Support skill unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 29.<br>
-The Witch Doctor is able to summon Fetishes, versions of the monsters from Diablo II, to fight for him. Never yet publicly seen.
-{{clear-left}}
-'''Description:''' Summon an army of Fetish creatures to fight by your side for {{c_lime|20}} seconds. Dagger-wielding fetishes attack for {{c_lime|14 - 25}} physical damage.
-'''Cooldown:''' {{c_lime|120}} seconds
+{{Active skills header}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Summon Zombie Dogs}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Grasp of the Dead}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Hex}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Sacrifice}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Gargantuan}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Big Bad Voodoo}}
+{{Witch Doctor Skill Fetish Army}}
 ==Passive Skills==

Difference between revisions of "Witch Doctor skills"

Revision as of 14:06, 19 September 2011

Contents

Active Skills

Physical Realm

Spirit Realm

Support

Passive Skills

Development

Removed Skills

References