Difference between revisions of "Witch Doctor skills"

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[[Image:Skill-tree-blizzcon09-wd-muldric.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The [[Witch Doctor]] Skill Tree as seen in Blizzcon 2009. Skill are no longer presented in this fashion. Image by [http://forums.diii.net/showthread.php?t=739038 Muldric].]]
 
[[Image:Skill-tree-blizzcon09-wd-muldric.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The [[Witch Doctor]] Skill Tree as seen in Blizzcon 2009. Skill are no longer presented in this fashion. Image by [http://forums.diii.net/showthread.php?t=739038 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.
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This page lists the '''[[Witch Doctor]] skills'''. Follow the links to the individual skill pages for full discussion of every skill, including first hand reports and screenshots.
  
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.
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'''Useful skill links:'''
  
'''Essential skill links:'''
 
 
* [[Skill]]s - General skill design and mechanics.
 
* [[Skill]]s - General skill design and mechanics.
* [[Witch Doctor traits]] -- Passive bonuses and other character modifications.
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** [[Skill rune]]s - The huge skill customization and improvement system.
* [[Mana]] -- The Witch Doctor's energy resource.
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* [[Witch Doctor]] - A [[ranged]] class who also relies on [[pet]]s.
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** [[Mana]] - The Witch Doctor's energy [[resource]].
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** [[Witch Doctor skills]] - A list of all the Witch Doctor's active skills.
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*** [[Pet]]s - [[Summon]]ed creatures that aid the Witch Doctor.
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*** [[Physical realm spell]]s - Details to come.
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*** [[Spirit spell]]s - Details to come.
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** [[Witch Doctor passives]] - A list of all the Witch Doctor's passive skills.
 
* [[Witch Doctor skill archive]] - Removed Witch Doctor skills.
 
* [[Witch Doctor skill archive]] - Removed Witch Doctor skills.
* [[Runestones]] - Their huge impact on changing skills can not be over-emphasized.
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* [[Witch Doctor traits]] - Passive skills in Diablo III were called [[traits]] for a while before reverting back.
* [[Signature skill]]s - Skills that define characters.
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* [[Active skill]]s - Skills where effects are activated by the player.
 
* [[Passive skill]]s - Skills where effects are activated automatically, by the computer or by special events.
 
  
  
 
==Active Skills==
 
==Active Skills==
Click to the individual skill pages for more details about these skills including numbers, screenshots, [[runestone]] information, blue quotes, and much more.
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Click to the individual skill pages for more details about these skills including numbers, screenshots, [[skill rune]] information, blue quotes, and much more.
  
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===Primary===
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{{Skill description header}}
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<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Poison Dart</skill>
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<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Corpse Spiders</skill>
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<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Plague of Toads</skill>
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<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Firebomb</skill>
  
===Summon Zombie Dog===
 
[[Summon Zombie Dog]] is available 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.
 
* '''Description:''' The Witch Doctor summons a level X zombie dog to aid him. Can have up to X zombie dogs out at a time.
 
  
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===Secondary===
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{{Skill description header}}
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Grasp of the Dead</skill>
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<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Firebats</skill>
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<skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Haunt</skill>
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<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Locust Swarm</skill>
  
===Plague of Toads===
 
[[Plague of Toads]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 1.<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.
 
* '''Description:''' Release a handful of toads that explode on contact with an enemy, dealing poison damage.
 
  
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===Defensive===
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{{Skill description header}}
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<skill subcat="Pet" class="WitchDoctor">Summon Zombie Dogs</skill>
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<skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Horrify</skill>
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<skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Spirit Walk</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Hex</skill>
  
===Grasp of the Dead===
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===Terror===
[[Grasp of the Dead]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 2.<br>
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{{Skill description header}}
A powerful curse, this one deals damage as well as slowing enemies for a short duration.
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<skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Soul Harvest</skill>
* '''Description:''' Hands reach out, slowing enemies by X% and dealing X-X damage per second for X seconds.
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Sacrifice</skill>
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<skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Mass Confusion</skill>
  
  
===Haunt===
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===Decay===
[[Haunt]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 3.<br>
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{{Skill description header}}
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.
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<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Zombie Charger</skill>
* '''Description:''' Haunt an enemy with a spirit dealing X arcane damage over X seconds. If the target dies, the spirit will automatically haunt another nearby target.
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<skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Spirit Barrage</skill>
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<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Acid Cloud</skill>
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<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Wall of Zombies</skill>
  
  
===Zombie Charger===
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===Voodoo===
[[Zombie Charger]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 4.<br>
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{{Skill description header}}
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.
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<skill subcat="Pet" class="WitchDoctor">Gargantuan</skill>
* '''Description:''' A reckless, suicidal zombie deals X-X poison damage to all enemies in its way.
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Big Bad Voodoo</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Fetish Army</skill>
  
  
===Hex===
 
[[Hex]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 5.<br>
 
A curse of sorts, this one causes damage and blocks the afflicted's ability to attack.
 
* '''Description:''' Summon a fetish shaman for X seconds that will hex enemies into chickens. Hexed enemies are unable to perform offensive actions and will take X% additional damage.
 
 
 
===Corpse Spiders===
 
[[Corpse Spiders]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 6.<br>
 
Spiders emerge from a rotting zombie corpse and launch themselves at nearby enemies, dealing poison damage with their swarming bites.
 
* '''Description:''' Summon X spiders to attack nearby enemies.
 
 
 
===Horrify===
 
[[Horrify]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 7.<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.
 
* '''Description:''' Don a spectral mask that horrifies all enemies within X feet, causing them to run in fear for X seconds.
 
 
 
===Firebats===
 
[[Firebats]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 8.<br>
 
A short range spell attack, this sends flaming bats out in an [[Inferno]]-like spray, dealing damage to anything in their path.
 
* '''Description:''' A swarm of fiery bats burn enemies in front of you for X fire damage per second.
 
 
 
===Spirit Walk===
 
[[Spirit Walk]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 9.<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.
 
* '''Description:''' Enter the spirit realm, allowing unhindered movement for X seconds.
 
 
 
===Soul Harvest===
 
[[Soul Harvest]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 11.<br>
 
A buff that increases the WD's spell damage based on how many enemies are nearby.
 
* '''Description:''' Feed on the life force of nearby enemies. Gain X% increased spell damage per enemy within X feet for X seconds.
 
 
 
===Sacrifice===
 
[[Sacrifice]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 12.<br>
 
This skill causes a Mongrel to detonate in a huge spray of purple and pink smoke, dealing physical damage to all nearby enemies.
 
* '''Description:''' A nearby zombie dog explodes, dealing X damage to all enemies within X yards.
 
 
 
===Gargantuan===
 
[[Gargantuan]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 14.<br>
 
A large, powerful zombie pet that [[tanks]] for the Witch Doctor.
 
* '''Description:''' Summon a large level X zombie follower to fight for you.
 
 
 
===Locust Swarm===
 
[[Locust Swarm]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 16.<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.
 
* '''Description:''' A plague of locusts assault enemies dealing X damage per second over X seconds. The locusts will jump to additional nearby targets.
 
  
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==Passive Skills==
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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.
  
===Spirit Barrage===
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{{Skill description header}}
[[Spirit Barrage]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 18.<br>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Circle of Life</skill>
A [[DfA]] attack that's never yet been shown publicly. [[Acid Cloud]] covers a small radius, so presumably this one has a larger radius.
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Jungle Fortitude</skill>
* '''Description:''' A multitude of spirit bolts bombard enemies in the targeted area. Each bolt deals X-X arcane damage.
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Spiritual Attunement</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Gruesome Feast</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Bad Medicine</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Blood Ritual</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Zombie Handler</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Pierce the Veil</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Fetish Sycophants</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Spirit Vessel</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Rush of Essence</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Vision Quest</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Fierce Loyalty</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Grave Injustice</skill>
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<skill class="WitchDoctor">Tribal Rites</skill>
  
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==Skill Distribution==
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A useful player-made chart showing when the Witch Doctor gains access to skills, passives, and rune effects.
  
===Acid Cloud===
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[[File:Char-prog-wd.png|center|frame|Witch Doctor skill progression. Stats as of May 5, 2012.]]
[[Acid Cloud]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 19.<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.
 
* '''Description:''' Acid rains down dealing an initial X-X poison damage followed by X-X poison damage per second to nearby enemies who remain in the area.
 
  
 
===Mass Confusion===
 
[[Mass Confusion]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 21.<br>
 
A mind control spell that temporarily changes the alignment of some enemies.
 
* '''Description:''' Incite paranoia in enemies, causing some to fight for the Witch Doctor for X seconds.
 
 
 
===Big Bad Voodoo===
 
[[Big Bad Voodoo]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 22.<br>
 
No description is available.
 
 
 
===Wall of Zombies===
 
[[Wall of Zombies]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 24.<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.
 
* '''Description:''' Zombies erupt from the earth and attack nearby enemies for X damage per second.
 
 
 
===Fetish Army===
 
[[Fetish Army]] is available at [[clvl|level]] 25.<br>
 
The Witch Doctor is able to summon Fetishes, versions of the monsters from Diablo II, to fight for him. Never yet publicly seen.
 
* '''Description:''' Summon an army of fetish creatures to fight by your side for X seconds.
 
 
 
'''Note:''' The level of every skill is tentative as of August 2011 and likely to change.
 
 
 
 
==Passive Skills==
 
{| width="100%" style="border-collapse: collapse;"
 
! Name
 
! width="8%" | Req Level
 
! Description
 
|-
 
|[[Mana Regeneration]] || 3 || Regenerate X% of maximum Mana per second.
 
|-
 
|[[Mind and Body]] || 3 || Regenerate X% HP per minute.
 
|-
 
|[[Spiritual Attunement]] || 3 || Increase maximum Mana by X%.
 
|-
 
|[[Care of the Master]] || 6 || Increase the HP of pets by X%.
 
|-
 
|[[Quickening]] || 6 || Increase casting speed by X%.
 
|-
 
|[[Spirit Vessel]] || 6 || Health Globes provide X% of maximum Mana when picked up.
 
|-
 
|[[Aggression]] || 12 || Increases [[attack]] by X%.
 
|-
 
|[[Superior Skill]] || 12 || Increases [[precision]] by X%.
 
|-
 
|[[Expert Defense]] || 12 || Increases [[defense]] by X%.
 
|-
 
|[[Toughness]] || 12 || Increases [[vitality]] by X%.
 
|-
 
|[[Death Pact]] || 18 || When the Witch Doctor has under X% HP, damage taken is reduced by Y%.
 
|-
 
|[[Leader of the Pack]] || 18 || Increases damage dealt by Zombie Dogs by X%.
 
|-
 
|[[Ritual of Blood]] || 18 || X% of Mana costs for skills is taken from HP instead.
 
|-
 
|[[Ferocity]] || 24 || Increases pet damage dealt by X%.
 
|-
 
|[[Plagued]] || 24 || Increases Animal and Plague skill damage by X%.
 
|-
 
|[[Rituals]] || 24 || Increases damage by X% of HP.
 
|-
 
|[[Zombie Masters]] || 24 || Increases Zombie skill damage by X%.
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
  
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===Removed Skills===
 
===Removed Skills===
* [[Poison Dart]]<br>
 
* [[Firebomb]]<br>
 
 
* [[Pit of Fire]]<br>
 
* [[Pit of Fire]]<br>
 
* [[Parasite]]<br>
 
* [[Parasite]]<br>
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==References==
 
==References==
* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/full-witch-doctor-skills/ Full Witch Doctor Skills]
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* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/full-witch-doctor-skills/ Full Witch Doctor Skills]
* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7962606#post7962606 JudgeHype.com July 2011 Press Event Coverage - The Witch Doctor (Translated by Zediono)]
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* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7960229#post7960229 Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report] -- IncGamers 1st Aug 2011
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* [http://us.battle.net/d3/en/class/witch-doctor/ Witch Doctor Overview] -- Diablo III 13th Sep 2011
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{{Skill_navbox_Diablo_III|WD}}
  
{{Slave_navbox_Diablo_III|WD}}
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[[Category:Witch Doctor]]
 
[[Category:Witch Doctor skills]]
 
[[Category:Witch Doctor skills]]
 
[[Category:Skills]]
 
[[Category:Skills]]
[[Category:Witch Doctor]]
 
 
[[category:Featured articles]]
 
[[category:Featured articles]]

Latest revision as of 02:49, 6 March 2016

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. Follow the links to the individual skill pages for full discussion of every skill, including first hand reports and screenshots.

Useful skill links:


Active Skills[edit | edit source]

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

Primary[edit | edit source]

Name Level Description

<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Poison Dart</skill> <skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Corpse Spiders</skill> <skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Plague of Toads</skill> <skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Firebomb</skill>


Secondary[edit | edit source]

Name Level Description

<skill class="WitchDoctor">Grasp of the Dead</skill> <skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Firebats</skill> <skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Haunt</skill> <skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Locust Swarm</skill>


Defensive[edit | edit source]

Name Level Description

<skill subcat="Pet" class="WitchDoctor">Summon Zombie Dogs</skill> <skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Horrify</skill> <skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Spirit Walk</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Hex</skill>

Terror[edit | edit source]

Name Level Description

<skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Soul Harvest</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Sacrifice</skill> <skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Mass Confusion</skill>


Decay[edit | edit source]

Name Level Description

<skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Zombie Charger</skill> <skill subcat="Spirit spell" class="WitchDoctor">Spirit Barrage</skill> <skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Acid Cloud</skill> <skill subcat="Physical realm spell" class="WitchDoctor">Wall of Zombies</skill>


Voodoo[edit | edit source]

Name Level Description

<skill subcat="Pet" class="WitchDoctor">Gargantuan</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Big Bad Voodoo</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Fetish Army</skill>


Passive Skills[edit | edit source]

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.

Name Level Description

<skill class="WitchDoctor">Circle of Life</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Jungle Fortitude</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Spiritual Attunement</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Gruesome Feast</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Bad Medicine</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Blood Ritual</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Zombie Handler</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Pierce the Veil</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Fetish Sycophants</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Spirit Vessel</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Rush of Essence</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Vision Quest</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Fierce Loyalty</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Grave Injustice</skill> <skill class="WitchDoctor">Tribal Rites</skill>

Skill Distribution[edit | edit source]

A useful player-made chart showing when the Witch Doctor gains access to skills, passives, and rune effects.

Witch Doctor skill progression. Stats as of May 5, 2012.


Development[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]


References[edit | edit source]