The best set to build a paladin in Diablo II
Griswold’s Legacy is a 4-piece set designed for a paladin. Any class can use the helmet, armor, and weapon, but only the Paladin can use the class-specific Shield.
These are the four elements and their individual analysis in the whole:
Note: The partial bonuses for Griswold’s value and Griswold’s redemption are listed multiple times because you get a partial bonus for each of the other items in the set. For example, with Griswold’s Valor, you get +2 to Offensive Auras (paladin only) when you have another item from the set.
Griswold’s Heart (Ornate Badge Set)
Defense: 917-950 (varies) (Base defense 417-450)
Required level: 45
Required Strength: 102
Durability: 60
+500 Defense
Requirements -40%
+20 Strength
+2 to Defensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
Crimped (3)
Analysis: Griswold’s Heart has a decent defense and the lowered requirements mean you have more points to pour into Vitality. The main draw of this armor is the +2 to Defensive Aura abilities, which is useful for any Paladin, but especially those Paladins who don’t have enough points assigned to their Defensive skill tree.
Griswold’s Valor (Crown Set)
Defense: 249-290 (varies) (Base defense: 111-165)
Required level: 69
Required Strength: 105
Durability: 50
+ 50-75% Enhanced Defense (varies)
All resistances +5
20-30% more chance of obtaining magic items (varies)
Requirements -40%
+ (0.25 per character level) 0-24 absorbs cold damage (based on character level)
Crimped (2)
+2 to offensive auras (paladin only) (2 items)
Analysis: Helm is not as useful as armor. The boost to All resistances is only 5 points. The Magic Find bonus is good, but the helm lacks other useful mods. To get the most out of the helmet, you need to carry another item from the set and thus unlock the +2 skill to offensive auras.
Griswold’s Redemption (Set Cadaceus)
Damage: (111-125) to (129-146) (120-135.5 average)
Required level: 66
Required Strength: 78
Required Dexterity: 56
Durability: 70
Base weapon speed: [-10]
+ 200-240% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+ 250% damage to undead
Requirements -20%
40% increased attack speed
Crimped (3-4) (varies)
+2 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only) (2 Items)
Adds 10-20 Damage (3 Items)
Adds 10-20 damage (full game)
Review: Griswold’s Redemption is a very fast weapon, and with a base weapon speed of -10 plus 40% IAS, you will find it easier to break through the maximum break point. Put on another item from the set and you can unlock +2 for combat skills, good for any Paladin build that makes use of the skills in the combat skill tree.
Griswold’s Honor (Set Vortex Shield)
Defense: 290-333 (varies) (Base defense: 182-225)
Required level: 68
Required Strength: 148
Durability: 90
Chance to block: 69%
Paladin Punishment Damage: 5 TB 87
(Paladin only)
65% faster lock rate
20% more chance to crash
+108 Defense
All resistances +45
Crimped (3)
Analysis: This is a very good shield for paladins, especially those who make use of the Smiting ability. With 20% ICB, a whopping +45 to all resistors, and all three plugs, this is one of the most attractive items in the Griswold Legacy set.
Bonus set:
Partial set bonus
+20 Strength (2 items)
+30 to Dexterity (3 Items)
Full set voucher
+3 to Paladin Skill Levels
+ 30% faster hit recovery
+200 Attack Rating
+20 Strength
+30 to Dexterity
+150 to life
All resistances +50
Show Aura
Final summary of the Griswold legacy set:
Other classes in the game will not find the individual items in this set useful. Since it’s designed for Paladins, it’s no wonder only Paladins bring out the best from the Griswold’s Legacy ensemble. The biggest downside to this set is that there are no health and mana leeches, which are major mods for Hell difficulty, and individual items have a low drop rate.