Necromancer — Bone Spear & Corpse Explosion nerfs
Necromancers still pack a punch but Diablo 4 Items face slower clear speeds. Bone Spear and Corpse Explosion, once dominant for AoE, have received damage nerfs, pushing players to adapt.

Why it struggles:

Heavy reliance on corpse mechanics now bottlenecked.

Horadric Powers for Necromancer lack some of the damage punch of other classes.

Scaling issues with new itemization.

3. Paladin — Defensive, but Low Offense
Paladins continue to be tanks but struggle to compete for DPS. Defensive builds remain reliable, but their offensive capabilities lag behind the new bursty Horadric meta.

Why it struggles:

Lack of powerful offensive Horadric spells.

Reliance on auras and buffs doesn’t scale well in PTR challenges.

Gear options don’t synergize as strongly yet.

What’s Next? Predictions & Advice
Meta Evolution
As Season 9 progresses, we expect:

New Horadric Components: Additional Catalysts and Infusions will likely add more diversity and balance to underperforming classes.

Item Balancing: Legendary item tweaks could boost weaker builds.

Class Skill Adjustments: Further tuning based on PTR feedback.

Community Theorycrafting: Creative combinations of Horadric Powers will emerge, changing the meta rapidly.

Tips for Players
Experiment Early: Use the PTR to test new Horadric Spells and build combos.

Follow Patch Notes: Stay updated with Blizzard’s balance changes.

Join Community Hubs: Discords, Reddit, and forums are goldmines for meta info.

Don’t Fear Adaptation: Be ready to pivot builds as the season unfolds.

Conclusion
Season 9’s PTR introduces exciting changes that refresh Diablo 4’s build meta. While some classes surge forward with new Horadric Powers, others face growing pains—but that’s the nature of a living, evolving game. The real winners are players willing to explore the new system and experiment with build creativity.

Stay tuned for more updates as the PTR rolls out and Diablo 4 gold Season 9 officially launches—Sanctuary’s darkest challenges await.