Hey guys, thanks for checking out our Crusader Leveling Guide! Crusaders have a bad reputation for slow leveling – but this isn’t the case! Crusaders have an extremely good leveling speed as long as you let go of the shield!

I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU OPEN our D3 Leveling Process (all classes). It answers the usual leveling questions. “Leoric’s?” “Grinding?” There’s a ton of supplemental info there.

S28’s Altar of Rites VASTLY affects leveling

S28 is the ‘Season of Massacre Leveling’ due to Node A in Alter of Rites:
“Double massacre exp bonus and duration”.
Every other method is made worse by this. Also, Node C is “no item level requirement”…

First of all, see our Altar of Rites guide / order to get a clearer picture of what I’m talking about. Basically, this hinges around “Opening your first Challenge Rift Cache”, and if you want to take it ASAP. Also, there couple notes on Node C there, specifically how to get Node C with or without the cache.

Challenge Rift Cache woes

Every season, you should be doing the Challenge Rift, and opening the cache to get a huge boost in your leveling speed. However, this season, opening the Challenge Rift cache BLOCKS you from progressing the Altar of Rites past 15 nodes “until the next monday”  since you NEED a challenge rift cache to unlock the 15th node.

To Cache or not to Cache? To open or save? 

Open?

Opening the cache makes your leveling better, no doubt as it gives you the resources to fuel the usual seasonal tricks. Not only do you get Node A (double massacre bonus and duration), you also get to craft high level items to use alongside Node C, AND the usual shenanigans with Rift Caches. It’s a wild bonus. However, you must wait “until the upcoming monday” to go further down (15+) the Altar of Rites, which is a non-issue for many. For the season start, it’s just a few days wait.

Opening is a no-brainer for relaxed players, or if you don’t really plan to nolife week 1.

You also get a considerable boost as you step into 70, as you get 1 or 2 good legendaries.

Save?

Saving the cache vastly slows your leveling speed (in comparison), but you still get the huge bonus from Node A. If you’re getting boosted? save the cache is your best bet – you simply don’t need the EXP and power boost to leveling. You DONT have to wait to completely unlock your Altar of Rites.

Saving is a no-brainer for those getting boosted, or giga-grinders for Week 1.

People forget that massacre sucks for items, and without the cache you’ll be weak at 70.

I’ll be pasting this reminder in all leveling related content. GL leveling your sader in S28!

Crusader Leveling – Quick Navigation:
FULL Leveling BuildSummary/Reminders | Leoric’s Crown? | Notes | Fresh Level 70!

!!! Challenge Rift Material Spending !!!

As mentioned in our general all classes leveling guide, you SHOULD be doing the Challenge Rift and WISELY be spending the resulting materials from it. TLDR: Challenge Rift -> Attempt Deaths Breath upgrade and Blood Shard gambles for a good legendary.

For a leveling Sader, the chances are pretty slim…

Death’s Breath

Upgrade 1H Flails. Hopefully, you get something good (Gyrfalcons, Johannas, Darklight). The chances aren’t so hot as 4 of 7 1H Flails are pretty much junk.

Blood Shards

Gamble for Shields at Level 1 to 15. Hopefully, you get a Guard of Johanna. It’s the only possible legendary shield at this level.

Alternate Strategy: Blood Shards for Heart of Iron (Chest L15). It’s 50% easier to get compared to Johanna’s Guard with shards, but is far less OP…


Crusader Leveling: FULL BUILD per Level

This build is not SUPER optimized for MASSACRE (S28, you should be doing it)|
but it doesn’t need to be, given how easy it is to level.

Put your level in the box on the upper right – or hit back / next found in the bottom right! If you don’t have a great legendary shield… LET GO OF THE SHIELD! Use a 2H Weapon WITHOUT Heavenly Strength! It’s a huge help to DPS! But if you have a great 1H Weapon, you might as well use Fervor.

LvlSlotSkillRune
1LPunish
1R
11
12
13
14
1Passive
1Passive
1Passive
2LPunish
2RShield Bash
21
22
23
24
2Passive
2Passive
2Passive
3LSlash
3RShield Bash
31
32
33
34
3Passive
3Passive
3Passive
4LSlash
4RShield Bash
41Shield Glare
42
43
44
4Passive
4Passive
4Passive
5LSlash
5RSweep Attack
51Shield Glare
52
53
54
5Passive
5Passive
5Passive
6LSlash
6RSweep Attack
61Shield Glare
62
63
64
6Passive
6Passive
6Passive
7LSlash
7RSweep Attack
71Shield Glare
72
73
74
7Passive
7Passive
7Passive
8LSlash
8RSweep Attack
81Shield Glare
82
83
84
8Passive
8Passive
8Passive
9LSlashElectrify
9RSweep Attack
91Shield Glare
92Provoke
93
94
9Passive
9Passive
9Passive
10LSlashElectrify
10RSweep Attack
101Shield Glare
102Provoke
103
104
10PassiveFlexible / Any
10Passive
10Passive
11LSlashElectrify
11RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
111Shield Glare
112Provoke
113
114
11PassiveFlexible / Any
11Passive
11Passive
12LSlashElectrify
12RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
121Shield GlareDivine Verdict
122Provoke
123
124
12PassiveFlexible / Any
12Passive
12Passive
13LSlashElectrify
13RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
131Shield GlareDivine Verdict
132Steed Charge
133
134
13PassiveFlexible / Any
13Passive
13Passive
14LSmiteShatter
14RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
141Shield GlareDivine Verdict
142Steed Charge
143Laws of Valor
144
14PassiveFlexible / Any
14Passive
14Passive
15LSmiteShatter
15RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
151Shield GlareDivine Verdict
152Steed Charge
153Laws of Valor
154
15PassiveFlexible / Any
15Passive
15Passive
16LSmiteShatter
16RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
161Shield GlareDivine Verdict
162Steed Charge
163Laws of Valor
164
16PassiveRighteousness
16Passive
16Passive
17LSmiteShatter
17RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
171Shield GlareDivine Verdict
172Steed Charge
173Laws of Valor
174
17PassiveRighteousness
17Passive
17Passive
18LSmiteShatter
18RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
181Shield GlareDivine Verdict
182Steed Charge
183Laws of Valor
184
18PassiveRighteousness
18Passive
18Passive
19LSmiteShatter
19RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
191Shield GlareDivine Verdict
192Steed ChargeSpiked Barding
193Laws of Valor
194Falling Sword
19PassiveRighteousness
19Passive
19Passive
20LSmiteShatter
20RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
201Shield GlareDivine Verdict
202Steed ChargeSpiked Barding
203Laws of Valor
204Falling Sword
20PassiveRighteousness
20PassiveFanaticism
20Passive
21LSmiteShatter
21RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
211Condemn
212Steed ChargeSpiked Barding
213Laws of ValorInvincible
214Falling Sword
21PassiveRighteousness
21PassiveFanaticism
21Passive
22LSmiteShatter
22RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
221Condemn
222Steed ChargeSpiked Barding
223Laws of ValorInvincible
224Falling Sword
22PassiveRighteousness
22PassiveFanaticism
22Passive
23LSmiteShatter
23RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
231Condemn
232Steed ChargeSpiked Barding
233Laws of ValorInvincible
234Falling Sword
23PassiveRighteousness
23PassiveFanaticism
23Passive
24LSmiteShatter
24RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
241Condemn
242Steed ChargeSpiked Barding
243Laws of ValorInvincible
244Falling SwordSuperheated
24PassiveRighteousness
24PassiveFanaticism
24Passive
25LSmiteShatter
25RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
251Condemn
252Steed ChargeNightmare
253Laws of ValorInvincible
254Falling SwordSuperheated
25PassiveRighteousness
25PassiveFanaticism
25Passive
26LSmiteShatter
26RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
261CondemnVacuum
262Steed ChargeNightmare
263Laws of ValorInvincible
264Falling SwordSuperheated
26PassiveRighteousness
26PassiveFanaticism
26Passive
27LSmiteShatter
27RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
271CondemnVacuum
272Steed ChargeNightmare
273Laws of ValorInvincible
274Falling SwordSuperheated
27PassiveRighteousness
27PassiveHoly Cause
27Passive
28LSmiteShatter
28RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
281CondemnVacuum
282Steed ChargeNightmare
283Laws of ValorInvincible
284Falling SwordSuperheated
28PassiveRighteousness
28PassiveHoly Cause
28Passive
29LSmiteShatter
29RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
291CondemnVacuum
292Steed ChargeNightmare
293Laws of ValorInvincible
294Falling SwordSuperheated
29PassiveRighteousness
29PassiveHoly Cause
29Passive
30LSmiteShatter
30RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
301CondemnVacuum
302Steed ChargeNightmare
303Laws of ValorInvincible
304Falling SwordSuperheated
30PassiveRighteousness
30PassiveHoly Cause
30PassiveWrathful
31LSmiteShatter
31RSweep AttackBlazing Sweep
311CondemnVacuum
312Steed ChargeNightmare
313Laws of ValorInvincible
314Falling SwordSuperheated
31PassiveRighteousness
31PassiveHoly Cause
31PassiveWrathful
32LSmiteShatter
32RFist of HeavenDivine Well
321CondemnVacuum
322Steed ChargeNightmare
323Laws of ValorInvincible
324Falling SwordSuperheated
32PassiveRighteousness
32PassiveHoly Cause
32PassiveWrathful
33LSmiteShatter
33RFist of HeavenDivine Well
331CondemnUnleashed
332Steed ChargeNightmare
333Laws of ValorInvincible
334Falling SwordSuperheated
33PassiveRighteousness
33PassiveHoly Cause
33PassiveWrathful
34LSmiteShatter
34RFist of HeavenDivine Well
341CondemnAny
342Steed ChargeNightmare
343Laws of ValorInvincible
344Falling SwordSuperheated
34PassiveRighteousness
34PassiveHoly Cause
34PassiveWrathful
35LSmiteShatter
35RFist of HeavenDivine Well
351CondemnAny
352Steed ChargeNightmare
353Laws of ValorInvincible
354Falling SwordSuperheated
35PassiveRighteousness
35PassiveHoly Cause
35PassiveWrathful
36LSmiteShatter
36RFist of HeavenDivine Well
361CondemnAny
362Steed ChargeNightmare
363Laws of ValorInvincible
364Falling SwordSuperheated
36PassiveRighteousness
36PassiveHoly Cause
36PassiveWrathful
37LSmiteShatter / Surge
37RFist of HeavenDivine Well
371CondemnAny
372Steed ChargeNightmare
373Laws of ValorInvincible
374Falling SwordSuperheated
37PassiveRighteousness
37PassiveHoly Cause
37PassiveWrathful
38LSmiteShatter / Surge
38RFist of HeavenDivine Well
381CondemnAny
382Steed ChargeNightmare
383Laws of ValorInvincible
384Falling SwordRise Brother
38PassiveRighteousness
38PassiveHoly Cause
38PassiveWrathful
39LSmiteShatter / Surge
39RFist of HeavenDivine Well
391CondemnAny
392Steed ChargeNightmare
393Laws of ValorInvincible
394Falling SwordRise Brother
39PassiveRighteousness
39PassiveHoly Cause
39PassiveWrathful
40LSmiteShatter / Surge
40RFist of HeavenDivine Well
401CondemnAny
402Steed ChargeNightmare
403Laws of ValorInvincible
404Falling SwordRise Brother
40PassiveRighteousness
40PassiveHoly Cause
40PassiveWrathful
41LSmiteShatter / Surge
41RFist of HeavenDivine Well
411CondemnAny
412Steed ChargeNightmare
413Laws of ValorInvincible
414Falling SwordRise Brother
41PassiveRighteousness
41PassiveHoly Cause
41PassiveWrathful
42LSmiteShatter / Surge
42RFist of HeavenFissure
421CondemnAny
422Steed ChargeNightmare
423Laws of ValorInvincible
424Falling SwordRise Brother
42PassiveRighteousness
42PassiveHoly Cause
42PassiveWrathful
43LSmiteShatter / Surge
43RFist of HeavenFissure
431CondemnAny
432Steed ChargeNightmare
433Laws of ValorInvincible
434Falling SwordRise Brother
43PassiveRighteousness
43PassiveHoly Cause
43PassiveWrathful
44LSmiteShatter / Surge
44RFist of HeavenFissure
441CondemnAny
442Steed ChargeNightmare
443Laws of ValorInvincible
444Falling SwordRise Brother
44PassiveRighteousness
44PassiveHoly Cause
44PassiveWrathful
45LSmiteShatter / Surge
45RFist of HeavenFissure
451CondemnAny
452Steed ChargeNightmare
453Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
454Falling SwordRise Brother
45PassiveRighteousness
45PassiveHoly Cause
45PassiveWrathful
46LSmiteShatter / Surge
46RFist of HeavenFissure
461CondemnAny
462Steed ChargeNightmare
463Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
464Falling SwordRise Brother
46PassiveRighteousness
46PassiveHoly Cause
46PassiveWrathful
47LSmiteShatter / Surge
47RFist of HeavenFissure
471CondemnAny
472Steed ChargeNightmare
473Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
474Falling SwordRise Brother
47PassiveRighteousness
47PassiveHoly Cause
47PassiveWrathful
48LSmiteShatter / Surge
48RFist of HeavenFissure
481CondemnAny
482Steed ChargeNightmare
483Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
484Falling SwordRise Brother
48PassiveRighteousness
48PassiveHoly Cause
48PassiveWrathful
49LSmiteShatter / Surge
49RFist of HeavenFissure
491CondemnAny
492Steed ChargeNightmare
493Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
494Falling SwordRise Brother
49PassiveRighteousness
49PassiveHoly Cause
49PassiveWrathful
50LSmiteShatter / Surge
50RFist of HeavenFissure
501CondemnAny
502Steed ChargeNightmare
503Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
504Falling SwordRise Brother
50PassiveRighteousness
50PassiveHoly Cause
50PassiveWrathful
51LSmiteShatter / Surge
51RFist of HeavenFissure
511CondemnAny
512Steed ChargeNightmare
513Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
514Falling SwordRise Brother
51PassiveRighteousness
51PassiveHoly Cause
51PassiveWrathful
52LSmiteShatter / Surge
52RFist of HeavenFissure
521CondemnAny
522Steed ChargeNightmare
523Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
524Falling SwordRise Brother
52PassiveRighteousness
52PassiveHoly Cause
52PassiveWrathful
53LSmiteShatter / Surge
53RFist of HeavenFissure
531CondemnAny
532Steed ChargeNightmare
533Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
534Falling SwordRise Brother
53PassiveRighteousness
53PassiveHoly Cause
53PassiveWrathful
54LSmiteShatter / Surge
54RFist of HeavenFissure
541CondemnAny
542Steed ChargeNightmare
543Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
544Falling SwordRise Brother
54PassiveRighteousness
54PassiveHoly Cause
54PassiveWrathful
55LSmiteShatter / Surge
55RFist of HeavenFissure
551CondemnAny
552Steed ChargeNightmare
553Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
554Falling SwordRise Brother
55PassiveRighteousness
55PassiveHoly Cause
55PassiveWrathful
56LSmiteShatter / Surge
56RFist of HeavenFissure
561CondemnAny
562Steed ChargeNightmare
563Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
564Falling SwordRise Brother
56PassiveRighteousness
56PassiveHoly Cause
56PassiveWrathful
57LSmiteShatter / Surge
57RFist of HeavenFissure
571CondemnAny
572Steed ChargeNightmare
573Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
574Falling SwordRise Brother
57PassiveRighteousness
57PassiveHoly Cause
57PassiveWrathful
58LSmiteShatter / Surge
58RFist of HeavenFissure
581CondemnAny
582Steed ChargeNightmare
583Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
584Falling SwordRise Brother
58PassiveRighteousness
58PassiveHoly Cause
58PassiveWrathful
59LSmiteShatter / Surge
59RFist of HeavenFissure
591CondemnAny
592Steed ChargeNightmare
593Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
594Falling SwordRise Brother
59PassiveRighteousness
59PassiveHoly Cause
59PassiveWrathful
60LSmiteShatter / Surge
60RFist of HeavenFissure
601CondemnAny
602Steed ChargeNightmare
603Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
604Falling SwordRise Brother
60PassiveRighteousness
60PassiveHoly Cause
60PassiveWrathful
61LSmiteShatter / Surge
61RFist of HeavenFissure
611CondemnAny
612Steed ChargeNightmare
613Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
614Falling SwordRise Brother
61PassiveRighteousness
61PassiveHoly Cause
61PassiveWrathful
62LSmiteShatter / Surge
62RFist of HeavenFissure
621CondemnAny
622Steed ChargeNightmare
623Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
624Falling SwordRise Brother
62PassiveRighteousness
62PassiveHoly Cause
62PassiveWrathful
63LSmiteShatter / Surge
63RFist of HeavenFissure
631CondemnAny
632Steed ChargeNightmare
633Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
634Falling SwordRise Brother
63PassiveRighteousness
63PassiveHoly Cause
63PassiveWrathful
64LSmiteShatter / Surge
64RFist of HeavenFissure
641CondemnAny
642Steed ChargeNightmare
643Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
644Falling SwordRise Brother
64PassiveRighteousness
64PassiveHoly Cause
64PassiveWrathful
65LSmiteShatter / Surge
65RFist of HeavenFissure
651CondemnAny
652Steed ChargeNightmare
653Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
654Falling SwordRise Brother
65PassiveRighteousness
65PassiveHoly Cause
65PassiveWrathful
66LSmiteShatter / Surge
66RFist of HeavenFissure
661CondemnAny
662Steed ChargeNightmare
663Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
664Falling SwordRise Brother
66PassiveRighteousness
66PassiveHoly Cause
66PassiveWrathful
67LSmiteShatter / Surge
67RFist of HeavenFissure
671CondemnAny
672Steed ChargeNightmare
673Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
674Falling SwordRise Brother
67PassiveRighteousness
67PassiveHoly Cause
67PassiveWrathful
68LSmiteShatter / Surge
68RFist of HeavenFissure
681CondemnAny
682Steed ChargeNightmare
683Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
684Falling SwordRise Brother
68PassiveRighteousness
68PassiveHoly Cause
68PassiveWrathful
69LSmiteShatter / Surge
69RFist of HeavenFissure
691CondemnAny
692Steed ChargeNightmare
693Laws of ValorUnstoppable Force
694Falling SwordRise Brother
69PassiveRighteousness
69PassiveHoly Cause
69PassiveWrathful
70'gratz!Fresh 70 Crusader Build Guide
Help! I can't use those skills because they're from the same category! - Turn On Elective Mode

If you’re not allowed to put two skills on your bar because they’re from the same category – FEAR NOT! This isn’t a bug or a permanent in-game restriction.

You simply have to CHECK ON ELECTIVE MODE, via Esc > Options > Gameplay > Elective Mode!

Binding Force Move to Mousewheel up & down is a value change that every player should make IMO. It prevents misclicks and skill misfires, and forces you to move to where otherwise an enemy might be.

Imagine the times I did that before I discovered shield-less! Support us!

Crusader Leveling Skills & Reminders Summary

Lvl SlotNotes
!!!!!!Set this in Hard mode
DO NOT FORGET to hire Templar when you can!
1(L) Punish (Auto)
2(R) Shield Bash (Auto)
3(L)Slash
4(1) Shield Glare (Auto)
5(R) Sweep Attack
9
(L)Slash - Electrify
9(2) Provoke (Auto)
10(P1) Irrelevant / Any
11(R) Sweep Attack - Blazing Sweep
12(1) Shield Glare - Divine Verdict
13(2) Steed Charge
14(L) Smite - Shatter
14(3) Laws of Valor (Auto)
15!!!Gems now drop! Use RED for EVERY SLOT!
16!!!CRAFT a 2H Axe (Yellow) from town. It's no Shield-sader time!
16(P1)Righteousness
19(2)Steed Charge - Spiked Barding
19(4) Falling Sword (Auto)
20(P2) Fanaticism
21(1) Condemn
21(3)Laws of Valor - Invincible
24(4) Falling Sword - Superheated
25
(2) Steed Charge -Nightmare
26(1) Condemn - Vacuum
27(P2) Holy Cause
30(P3) Wrathful
32(R) Fist of Heaven - Divine Well
33(1) Condemn - Unleashed (Again, rune is preference)
33!!!Build is "FINAL" at this point
(L): Smite - Shatter
(R): Fist of Heaven - Divine Well
(1): Condemn - ANY
(2): Steed Charge - Nightmare
(3): Laws of Valor - Invincible
(4): Falling Sword - Superheated
(P1): Righteousness
(P2): Holy Cause
(P3): Wrathful
37(L)Smite - Surge (or Shatter)
38(4)Falling Sword - Rise Brothers
42(R) Fist of Heaven - Fissure
45(3) Laws of Valor - Unstoppable Force
61!!!IMPT: Craft a new L61 2H Axe for a HUGE BOOST.
70!!!Fresh 70 Crusader
Help! I can't use those skills because they're from the same category! - Turn On Elective Mode

If you’re not allowed to put two skills on your bar because they’re from the same category – FEAR NOT! This isn’t a bug or a permanent in-game restriction. You simply have to CHECK ON ELECTIVE MODE, via Esc > Options > Gameplay > Elective Mode!

Binding Force Move to Mousewheel up & down is a value change that every player should make IMO. It prevents misclicks and skill misfires, and forces you to move to where otherwise an enemy might be.

Crusader Leveling & Leoric’s Crown – When, and is it worth it?

Review our D3 Leveling Process (all classes) for more notes on this. Summary:

It’s worth it || You must be minimum L16 (to be safe)
You must beat him in Campaign Mode || You must not have beaten him previously

This is still worth doing, but you have to wait until you’re L20 . Just make sure when you DO make this detour, you’re either A) Prepared to handle it as quickly as possible, or B) Just lookin’ for a change of pace from however it is you’re leveling it up.

Make it a mini-game! Get to Skeleton King as fast as you can! Steed Charge and Falling Sword while equipping a 1H and Fervor (Passive) should cut your travel time A LOT.

I dislike rushing to Leoric right at the season opener. It’s painfully slow without mobility and a fleshed out build. But alas, this is only my suggestions and observations…

Crusader Leveling Notes

Playing the Build

“Brainless AoE & Elite trashing”. While many builds rely on synergies and cute little interactions, this Crusader leveling build relies on raw BRUTE FORCE. It works, too.

Smite – Shatter  is an utterly brainless, imba AoE generator. It also heals you in tandem with Holy Cause. It does impressive damage while shield-less in a 2-Hander.

Fist of the Heavens is much the same. Once you get Fissure, the damage is just crazy. This and Smite take care of most generic encounters – but they kinda suck vs. elites…

Falling Sword, that’s where this comes in. The rest of the kit pretty much facilitates the BURSTING DOWN of elites. Condemn is much the same.

Steed Charge is essential in finding better fights for you (or hunting more elites to kill). While your single target damage isn’t exactly poor – it takes the same time to kill ONE guy and a CHUNK of guys (So you’d obviously want the chunk…). Don’t underestimate the DoT!

Laws of Valor-Unstoppable Force is great – and you should be popping it every chance you can get. More specifically, when you’re about to Fist (of the Heavens) them.

Followers – Hire them!

Templar is not only the best utility follower (Heals and Resource Gain), but Crusaders pick up strength gear which increase Templar’s DPS. “Take all the left skills!“, as their the best support choices. Periodically, give him your trash 1-handers, rings, amulet and shield.

Crafted Yellow Weapons

Craft 2H Axe (yellow) from the blacksmith in town. Every few levels, check if you have a new one to make. It should ideally have Strength on it, too. While any 2h weapon is OK, axe is recommended for its high weapon damage.

Level 61, don’t delay and make a new one. There’s a HUGE stat difference from previous ones. Needless to say, this should be the first thing you do once you hit 70 as well.

Crusader: Gems while Leveling up

Red Gems (Ruby)… good ‘ol red gems. Best for Helm (+EXP%!!!), Weapon (Flat Damage) and since Crusaders use Strength as their primary stat, any other socket too.

Don’t be shy to slot Red Gems EVERYWHERE! DON’T SAVE THEM, combine them often!

Fresh 70 Crusader, now what?

Grats on max level Crusader! The end-game starts now! So, now you’re going to want to setup your fresh level 70 Crusader – and there’s a guide for that linked just below. But before you get all excited go ahead and Craft a level 70 2H Mace!

>> Fresh Level 70 Crusader Guide <<<

Other TeamBRG Crusader Guides

For more info on other D3 classes, go to D3 Directory Guide.

Crusader Leveling – Quick Navigation:
FULL Leveling BuildSummary/Reminders | Leoric’s Crown? | Notes | Fresh Level 70!

Grats on max level Crusader! I hope our Crusader Leveling Guide helped you out!

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21 COMMENTS

  1. Really like this for cursed chest/temple fallen or nephalim rifts. I combine it with thorns gamble level 1 to get heart of iron and cube it. Use iron skin reflection instead of condemn and barrel of spikes on horse, thorns scales off strength and vitality all the way through and makes elites/RG much smother doing this you can switch to master around lvl 30 and t1/t2 when you reach your level 70 weapon with reduced requirement.

  2. “IMPT: Craft a new L61 2H Axe for a HUGE BOOST.”

    Erm… craft a lvl 70 2H Axe at around 40 and reroll lvl reduction for an even BIGGER BOOST”.

  3. Hey guys,
    Been playing d3 os PS4 since release, but never took part in seasons. Using this guide for my first season and LOVING IT. Great build and a thorough guide make it easy to understand (so far. just hit L50). looking forward to the fresh 70 guide. keep up the good work, folks!

  4. The extremely low damage versus elites and guardians truly hampers this build and slows down clearing to a crawl. I’m not finding falling sword nor Condemn and their very long cooldowns in the leveling phase being enough to make up for this.

    Should probably stick to massacre bonuses I guess instead of bothering with nephalem rifts.

    • Thankfully this build works with massacres as well. Against guardians, you have to lineup your burst or it will be miserable. Nephing with this build shines at around 20+. The damage output was great when I last used this provided that you’re keeping updated with strong 2H weapons and NOT USING A SHIELD.

  5. Looks like a great guide and I’m going to start using it but I do have one question – What does it mean when it says (AUTO)?

  6. This really needs an update, many of the skills has been push one level and are therefore no more available at the recommended level e.g. shield glare and slash – electricty ;D

  7. Hi! Nice guide for a beginner like me. I am enjoying playing that Crusader. That being said, it seems that now (maybe due to a recent patch?) the Steed Charge is on the same key that Condemn. So I chose to discard Steed Charge and keep Condemn and am left to choose another skill between Iron Skin, Consecration and Judgment. I am currently using Iron Skin but yould you have a recommendation (skill + rune) consistent with your build?

  8. Started this, but I’m slow so I’m just at around level 20. Once I went 2H axe, I swapped shield glare for Iron Skin just because, I mean having an ability you use is better than an ability you can’t use. So far it’s nice. I don’t play often though so I’m not like rushing through or anything.

    • If you take Heavenly Strength as a Passive at Level 10 it allows a Shield with a 2 hander. Unfortunately the guide says the Passive at this level is “irrelevant”. Not if you want to use Shield Glare!

  9. The only problem I had with this build is that at 16 you say to pick up Righteousness and use a 2h axe, but that takes away the ability to wield a 2h and shield. The button 1 ability for 12-21 requires that you have a shield and you don’t get another button 1 ability until 21. Not to say you can’t replace that button with your own choice, but if you’re going for the all-inclusive leveling build you might want to add something in between 16-21 for button 1.

    • I just used this guide last night, worked great to get me to lvl 34 in a few hours. I didn’t even notice an issue with button 1 from 16-21.

    • Shield Glare is very irrelevant at 16+, it’s just a placeholder until you get Condemn. Once you hit 16 and craft a 2h axe and red gem it you will be instantly killing mobs with Smite-Shatter alone until 21 if you’re leveling on normal – expert (which you should be on fresh characters). You won’t even need Condemn for a while since you’ll still be killing elites really fast at 21 with just Smite-Shatter.

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