The Knight is TBH's premier tank and the foundation of every competitive party. With the highest base HP and Armor in the game, the Knight absorbs damage that would delete squishier classes. Beyond raw survivability, the Knight brings party-wide defensive utility — Aegis Field shields the entire party, and Retribution Strike turns every blocked attack into counter-damage. A well-built Knight doesn't just survive; it contributes meaningful DPS through block retaliation while keeping the rest of your party alive.
Active Skills Priority
Skill
Type
Priority
What It Does
Aegis Field
Active
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Creates a party-wide damage absorption shield. The Knight's signature defensive skill. One point unlocks it; invest more for stronger shields. Essential for boss fights and Hell+ difficulty.
Retribution Strike
Active
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Counter-attacks when the Knight blocks. With 30% block chance from passives, this procs constantly. Transforms your tank into a passive damage dealer — the more enemies attack, the more damage you deal.
Indomitable Will
Active
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Powerful defensive cooldown. The Knight's ultimate skill (requires 40 skill points invested to unlock). Provides a massive survivability boost on activation. One point is enough — the effect is powerful at base level.
Piercing Thrust
Active
⭐⭐⭐
Direct physical damage attack. Your basic active skill. Max this for the hybrid DPS build; leave at 1 point for pure tank.
Sacred Blade
Active
⭐⭐
Weapon-based attack unlocked at Tier 4 (30 skill points). Invest after core defensive layers are solid. Optional for hybrid builds.
Shield Charge
Active
⭐
Gap-closer with minor damage. Utility skill for repositioning. One point is enough — the damage scaling isn't worth additional investment.
Passive Skill Priority
Priority
Passive
Max Level
Effect at Max
Why
1
Max HP
8
+120 HP
The single most important defensive stat. More HP = survives bigger hits = fewer deaths. Always max first.
2
Defense
8
+80 Armor
Directly reduces physical damage taken. Stacks multiplicatively with high HP.
3
Block Chance
10
+30% Block Chance
30% chance to halve incoming damage. Also procs Retribution Strike counter-attacks. Available at Tiers 3 and 6.
4
HP Regen/sec
5
+500 HP/sec
Sustains the Knight between Priest heals. Critical for long AFK sessions.
5
HP per Kill
10
+30 HP per Kill
Excellent sustain against dense mob waves. Each kill tops off the Knight's HP.
6
Attack Damage
8
+Attack Damage
Only invest after all defensive passives are maxed. Damage is secondary to survival for the Knight.
Pure Tank Build
Best for: Pushing hard content, Nightmare/Hell/Torment difficulty, boss fights, and any situation where your other party members provide all the damage.
Skill
Points
Notes
Max HP
Max (8)
Core tank stat. Always max first.
Defense
Max (8)
Armor directly reduces physical damage.
Block Chance
Max (10)
Tiers 3 + 6. 30% block = 30% damage halving.
HP Regen/sec
Max (5)
Sustain between heals.
HP per Kill
Max (10)
Mob wave sustain.
Aegis Field
1–3 pts
Party shield. 1 point unlocks, more for scaling.
Indomitable Will
1 pt
Ultimate defensive cooldown.
Retribution Strike
1 pt
Counter-attack on block. One point is enough for the proc.
Hybrid DPS Build
Best for: Farming content you've already outgeared, speed-clearing Normal/Nightmare stages, and situations where faster kills > maximum survivability.
Skill
Points
Notes
Max HP
Max (8)
Still the most important stat.
Defense
Max (8)
You're still the tank. Don't skip defense.
Block Chance
Max (10)
Now also boosts Retribution Strike DPS.
Retribution Strike
Max (5)
Now maxed — this is your main damage source. Every block becomes a counter-attack.
Piercing Thrust
Max (5)
Maxed for direct damage contribution.
Attack Damage
Max (8)
Now worth investing — boosts both Piercing Thrust and Retribution Strike.
Sacred Blade
1–3 pts
Additional damage active. Optional.
Aegis Field
1 pt
Party shield at base level.
Gear and Stat Priorities
Pure Tank stat priority:Max HP → Armor → HP Regen → Block Chance → All Elemental Resistance
Hybrid DPS stat priority:Max HP → Armor → Block Chance → Attack Damage → Crit Chance
Gear Slot
Item
Desired Stats
Weapon
Sword
Max HP, Attack Damage, Block Chance
Offhand
Shield
Block Chance, Max HP, Armor
Helmet
—
Max HP, Armor
Armor
—
Max HP, Armor, All Elemental Resistance
Gloves
—
Max HP, Attack Speed (for Retribution procs)
Boots
—
Max HP, Movement Speed
Accessories
Amulet, Earring, Ring, Bracer
Max HP, Armor, Block Chance — defensive stats on all four
Best Party Combinations for Knight
Knight + Priest + Ranger — The gold standard. Tank, healer, consistent DPS. Handles all content.
Knight + Hunter + Slayer — No healer. Aggressive. Only with well-geared Knight and high HP sustain.
Core principle: A dead Knight is a dead party. Every gear choice, every passive point, every positioning decision should prioritize keeping the Knight alive. Damage is secondary. Survival is everything.
TBH Knight Guide