There is a tonne of ways to improve your character in Diablo 4, and many intricacies regarding Affixes, item rarity/qualities, the Codex of Power with Legendary Aspects, and more. This guide, however, focuses on Diablo 4's primary (core) stats.
We explain the defensive and offensive increases from Diablo 4's primary stats, with the latter being different for each class. Further, we discuss how reaching certain primary stat numbers on your character can improve class-specific skills, so let's get started.
Update on 29 March 2023: We've updated this article with the latest info on primary aka core stats in Diablo 4, and their effects on each class.
The Diablo 4 Open Beta has now ended and we look towards the game's full launch on 6 June 2023, or 2 June for those with Early Access.
Primary Diablo 4 Stats & Defensive Increases

There are four primary aka core stats in Diablo 4, which increase per level. These core stats can also be increased by equipping new items, and you can get a permanent primary stat increase for all your characters for every Altar of Lilith you find and interact with.
The four primary stats in Diablo 4 are:
- Strength
- Dexterity
- Willpower
- Intelligence
Each primary stat increase has an effect on the player's character in Diablo 4. For the purpose of this section, check out the defensive stats gained by increasing your primary stats.
- Strength: +1 increase to Armor per primary stat point.
- Dexterity: +0.025% increase to Dodge Chance per primary stat point.
- Intelligence: +0.05% increase to All Resistance per primary stat point.
- Willpower: +0.1% increase to Healing Received and +0.25% Overpower Damage per point
Please note: The defensive bonuses increase from primary stats are for all classes. The next section of our guide deals with damage effects/bonuses for primary stats, which are different for each class.
Diablo 4 Primary Stats: Damage Effects Per Class

Different primary stats provide various types of increases for each class. At the time of writing, only the stat effects for the Barbarian, Sorcerer, and Rogue are known. We will update this section once the Necromancer and Druid stat effects get unveiled.
Check out the table below showcasing the primary stat increase effects on specific classes for offensive capabilities. Increases are per point of the corresponding stat.
Stat Type | Barbarian | Rogue | Sorcerer | Necromancer | Druid |
Strength | +0.1% Skill Damage | +0.1% Resource Generation | TBC | TBC | |
Willpower | +0.1% Resource Generation | +0.1% Resource Generation | TBC | TBC | |
Intelligence | x0.02% Critical Strike Chance | +0.1% Skill Damage | TBC | TBC | |
Dexterity | +0.02% Critical Strike Chance | +0.1% Skill Damage | x0.02% Critical Strike Chance | TBC | TBC |
When reaching certain amounts, primary stats can also provide additional, powerful effects for each class, which is what our next section is all about.
Diablo 4 Core Stats & Bonus Effects on Skills

In your skill tree, you will see that certain nodes have specific additional effects for a skill in Diablo 4 if you meet the required primary stats. A good example of this is the Whirlwind Upgrade for the Barbarian.
In this example, if your Barbarian has 225 Strength and 225 Dexterity or more in total, you will get +1% Critical Strike Damage per second while the channeled Whirlwind skill is active. This can stack up to 20%, making your Barbarian a devasting flurry of death and destruction on the minions of the Burning Hells.
While you wait for Diablo 4's Open Beta weekends to begin or the game to fully release on 6 June 2023, you can check out the latest dev livestream update video below to learn more about the world of Sanctuary.
So there you have it, everything we know so far about Diablo 4's primary stats, their effects on different character classes, and even bonus effects on specific skills. We will, of course, endeavor to update this article once more information becomes available, specifically regarding both the Necromancer and Druid classes.
For more Diablo 4, be sure to check out our dedicated section or some of our Guides & Tutorials just below:
Diablo 4 Class Builds - Best Barbarian Build | | Best Necromancer Build | Best Sorcerer Build | Best Druid Build | Best Rogue Build | All Classes Tier List | Best Class For Beginners | Build Calculator |
Class Mechanics: Sorcerer Enchantment System | Barbarian Arsenal | Rogue Specialization | Necromancer Book of the Dead | Druid Spirit Animals
Items - Healing Vial | Item Slot Types | Transmogs/Wardrobe | Salvage Items | Durability & Repair | Trading Items | All Unique Items & Stats | Set Items | Item Quality/Rarity Levels | Elixirs | Butcher's Cleaver |
Features: Beginners Guide | Impressions From Beta |
Quests: Ritual Tower Key | Forgive Me Side Quest | Traveler's Prayer Side Quest | Secret Of The Spring Riddle | Raising Spirits Side Quest | Woodsman Of Nevesk |
General D4 Guides: Legendary & Gold Farming | Town Portal | Inventory Size | Stash Size | Beat Lilith's Lament | Beat Den Mother Boss | Beat Lord Avitus Boss | Beat Blood Bishop Boss | Reset Dungeons | Gathering Legions Guide | The Butcher Boss | Leave Dungeons | All Stronghold Locations |
Diablo 4 Tech Guides - Ray Tracing Support | Couch Co-Op | Server Regions | PC Requirements & File Size | Diablo 4 Servers Down? | Connection Issues Fix | Crashing Issues Fix | Unable To Install or Patch | Low FPS Fix | Error Code 34202 Fix | Disable Fog & Glare | Stuck in Queue Fix | Console Issues | PC Issues | Enable & Disable Chat Bubbles | Hit Max Level Fast | Best PC Settings High FPS | Error Code 395002 Fix | Error Code 316719 Fix | D4 on Steam Deck |
Crafting/Vendors - Jeweler | Gambling & Obols | Occultist | Alchemist | Blacksmith | | Monster Parts | Skins | Ore | Plants |
Legendary Aspects - Codex of Power | Sorcerer Legendary Powers | Barbarian Legendary Powers | Rogue Legendary Powers | Necromancer Legendary Powers | Druid Legendary Powers
Activities - Strongholds | Nightmare Dungeons | Silent Chests | Altars of Lilith |
Story & Lore - Campaign Length | Who is Lilith? | Who is Inarius | Deckard Cain | Secret Cow Level |
Zones - Fractured Peaks Overview | Scosglen | Kehjistan | Dry Steppes | Hawezar | All Waypoint Locations |
Stronghold Guides - Kor Dragan | Malnok | Nostrava
Mounts - Temptation Mount | Diablo 4 Class Dismount Mechanics | Unlock & Customize |
Seasons - Battle Pass Price | Diablo 4 Season Duration |
Gameplay Systems - Armor System | Clans | Primary Stats & Effects | Shrines & Buffs | Renown & Reputation | Max Level & Paragon Cap | World Tier Difficulty Levels | Followers/Mercenaries |
World Bosses - Ashava | Avarice | Wandering Death | Beat Ashava | Ashava Spawn Location |
Diablo 4 Misc - Statue of Inarius Price & Specs | Wolf Pack Cosmetic | Codes | Diablo 4 Free-to-Play? | Mother's Inked Title | Collector's Edition | How To Respec | Stagger Mechanic | Patch Notes | Asmongold Diablo 4 Beta Thoughts |
Challenges/Achievements - Necromancer Challenges | Barbarian Challenges | Druid Challenges | Rogue Challenges | Sorcerer Challenges
Diablo 4 PvP - Coming soon!
Our section keeps growing, so check for new guides daily! Don't forget to pick up one of the Diablo 4 Editions and join the fight to save Sanctuary soon.