Helms Worth Keeping in Diablo 2

Helms in Diablo 2 have a little bit of variety when it comes to them. Some helms like Tiaras, Circlets and Diadems (as well as class specific helms) can come with +Skills on them. Peasant Crown War Hat (above) as well as Harlequin Crest Shako and Lore Rune Word are all helms that come with +Skills.

Typically Casters prefer the helms with +Skills on them and Faster Cast Rate; both makes it a great helm. Melee want Attack Rating with other useful stats like Strength, Dexterity or even Faster Run and Walk. As always, Resists (Fire, Lightning and Cold) are great to get on a helm as well. Most helms can have 2 sockets but some helms can have up to 3.

Best Caster Helms:

+Skills
+ Faster Cast Rate

If the caster helm has both of those on it and some other useful stats like resists or sockets, count yourself lucky.

Best Melee Helms:

+ Visionary (+ Attack Rating, based on character's level)
+ Dexterity or Strength
+ % Bonus to Attack Rating or a high Attack Rating roll

 

 

Important Notes: Life Stolen Per Hit & Mana Stolen Per Hit both only work on physical attacks. Life Replenish and Mana Replenish aka Mana/Life After Each Kill work for all attacks including spells. Any of the +% Damage to Undead/Demon or in general only apply to physical damage as well. +Fire, Lightning or Cold damage do not apply to spells, only melee attacks.

 

Hammerdin

Req: +2 Paladin Skills
Req: +20 Faster Cast Rate
Rec: 30 Faster Run/Walk, Dexterity or Strength, Energy, 2 Sockets, All Resistance, Single Resistance (Cold, Fire or Lightning), Life or Mana

Hammerdin helms want caster oriented stats. The Minimum Damage on the helm above is totally useless for a Hammerdin (as an example). As are both Life Stolen on Hit and Mana Stolen on Hit; both of these only work on physical attacks and Blessed Hammer is magic.

 

Sorceress

Req: +2 Sorcerer Skills (Or Fire, Lightning, Cold Skills)
Req: +20 Faster Cast Rate
Rec: 2 Sockets, Strength/Dexterity, All Resistance, Single Resistance, Life or Mana, Energy, Mana After Each Kill, Life After Each Kill, Physical/Magic Damage Reduction

For a Sorceress helm you'll want Skills and FCR along with useful caster rolls. Life, Mana and Resists are typically the best "recommended" rolls that you can get on a caster's helm. Mana based on Character's level is typically better than just flat mana and Mana After Each kill also called Mana Replenish is one of the best additional rolls you can get.

 

Necromancer

Req: +2 Necromancer Skills (Or Poison and Bone Skill)
Req: +20 Faster Cast Rate
Rec: 2 Sockets, Strength/Dexterity, All Resistance, Single Resistance, Life or Mana, Energy, Mana After Each Kill, Life After Each Kill, Physical/Magic Damage Reduction

Necromancer helms use the same rules as all caster helms. Most importantly you want +Skills with Faster Cast Rate. For the other rolls on the helm you typically want Life, Mana, Resists or Mana Replenish (Mana after each Kill). Mana based on character level is generally a better roll than getting just +Mana.

 

Elemental/Caster Druid

+ 2 Druid Skills
+ 20 Faster Cast Rate
+ 20 Dexterity or Visionary (+ Attack Rating, based on character's level)
+ 50 Life or more
2 Sockets
Additional Bonuses: 2 Sockets, All Resistance, Single Resistance, Faster Run/Walk, Strength, Mana Replenish, Life Replenish, Mana, Teleport Charges, Energy, Physical/Magic Damage Reduction

Druids who specialize in the Elemental tree will want a mostly caster based helm. +Skills and Faster Cast Rate (FCR) are the most important qualities followed by Life, Mana and Resists. As with all other caster helms mentioned on this page, Mana Replenish (Mana after Each Kill) as well as +Mana based on your character level are both exceptionally good rolls.

 

Melee/Shapeshifter Druid

+ 2 Druid Skills
+ 30 Faster Run/Walk
+ Visionary (+ Attack Rating, based on character's level)
+ 60 Life or more
2 Sockets
Additional Bonuses: 2 Sockets, Life Leech, All Resistance, Single Resistance, Faster Run/Walk, Strength, Attack Rating, +Min Damage, +Max Damage, Mana Replenish, Life Replenish, Mana, Teleport Charges

Shapeshifting Druids are going to be dealing mostly melee damage and for this reason will want a slightly different helm. +Skills is still typically a must on their helms along with the Visionary roll (+Attack Rating based on your character's level). Life Replenish as well as Life Leech are both extremely good as well.

 

Warcries Barbarian

+ 2 Barbarian Skills
+ 20 Faster Cast Rate
+ Visionary (+ Attack Rating, based on character's level)
+ 50 Life
2 Sockets
Additional Bonuses: 2 Sockets, All Resistance, Single Resistance, Faster Run/Walk, Strength, Mana, Energy, Mana After Each Kill, Life Replenish, Physical/Magic Damage Reduction

 

Barbarian

+ 2 Barbarian Skills
+ 10 Strength
+ Visionary (+ Attack Rating, based on character's level)
+ 20 Dexterity
2 Sockets
Additional Bonuses: 2 Sockets, Life Leech, All Resistance, Single Resistance, Faster Run/Walk, Strength, Attack Rating, Life Replenish, Mana Replenish, Mana or Life

 

(Javelin) Amazon

+ 2 Amazon Skills
+ 20 Increased Attack Speed
+ 20 Strength, Dexterity or Life
2 Sockets (Required)
Additional Bonuses: All Resistance, Life Leech, Single Resistance, Faster Run/Walk, Strength, Mana or Life, Energy, Mana After Each Kill, Life Replenish, Physical/Magic Damage Reduction, Faster Cast Rate

 

(Bow) Amazon

+ 2 Amazon Skills
+ 30 Faster Run/Walk (Required)
+ 20 Dexterity
2 Sockets (Required)
Additional Bonuses: All Resistance, Single Resistance, Life Leech, Faster Cast Rate, Strength, Attack Rating, Mana or Life, Energy, Mana After Each Kill, Life Replenish, Physical/Magic Damage Reduction,

 

Other Helms Worth Keeping