Shadowhunter Leveling Guide
We recommend that you try out all the skills and play whatever is the most fun for you. However, if you just want to speed up the process (maybe that’s the most fun for you) or you’re tying to power through levelling an alt, follow this level by level breakdown of what skills to use and level up and which tripods to activate.
You can swap between saved skill tree slots whenever for free (even in combat as long as no skills are on cooldown). It’s recommended to use both your skillbook slots, choose abilities based on this: one for AoE (packs of normal enemies) and one for Single Target (Boss/Elites).
Shadowhunter Skill Priority
At early levels you will use Demonic Slash for damage and movement. Demonic Clone is great for AoE.
Cruel Cutter is top priority for getting to level 10; it has amazing damage. If you don’t run into mana issues, take nimble movement instead as the first Tripod slot. Secondly, Thrust Impact is the next priority for getting to level 10.
Demon’s Grip is great for pulling in enemies closer to you and has decent damage. Sharpened Cut has a good movement aspect to it.
Later on you’ll unlock Howl at level 40, it has great AoE damage. If you’re in a party, take the Tripod 3: Scream of Fury for a party wide damage buff.
You will have left over skill points at some levels and between levels not listed below, just put them into whatever you feel like or wait until the next checkpoint to save time removing points later. There are 7 skills listed in the chart below, as for the 8th skill, I personally enjoy Demon Vision, with the Tripod 1: Concentrated Release and Tripod 2: Encroaching Power.
Below is a Shadowhunter Skill Levelling chart that shows progression of skill points and their Tripods.
Level | Icon | Skill Name | Skill Level | Tripod 1 | Tripod 2 | Tripod 3 |
11 | ![]() | Demonic Slash | 4 | Excellent Mobility | ||
12 | ![]() | Cruel Cutter | 4 | Magick Control | ||
16 | ![]() | Thrust Impact | 4 | Wide Explosion | ||
20 | ![]() | Cruel Cutter | 10* (remove points from everything else) | Magick Control | Earth Attack | Encroachment Release |
21 | ![]() | Demonic Slash | 4 | Excellent Mobility | ||
22 | ![]() | Thrust Impact | 4 | Wide Explosion | ||
22 | ![]() | Demonic Clone | 4 | Vital Point Strike | ||
23 | ![]() | Demon’s Grip | 4 | Quick Preparation | ||
24 | ![]() | Thrust Impact | 5 | |||
30 | ![]() | Thrust Impact | 10* (remove points from Demon’s Grip and Demonic Clone) | Wide Explosion | Deep Thrust | Spectral Explosion |
31 | ![]() | Demonic Clone | 4 | Vital Point Strike | ||
32 | ![]() | Demon’s Grip | 4 | Quick Preparation | ||
34 | ![]() | Demonic Clone | 7 | Vital Point Strike | Fist of Destruction | |
36 | ![]() | Sharpened Cut | 4 | Enhanced Slash | ||
38 | ![]() | Sharpened Cut | 7 | Vertical Slash | Vertical Slash | |
40 | ![]() | Howl | 4 | Quick Preparation | ||
44 | ![]() | Howl | 10 | Quick Preparation | Law of the Jungle | Mighty Roar |
46 | ![]() | Demonic Slash | 7 | Excellent Mobility | Nimble Movement | |
48 | ![]() | Demon’s Grip | 7 | Quick Preparation | Piercing Hand |
Gear While Leveling
Just equip the highest Item Lv. item you find. Focus on Agility for increased movement speed, reduced casting time, and faster skill cooldowns. Secondly, your next best stat is Specialization.
Next Steps
Now that you’ve made it through this sub-guide, make sure you are ready for the End-Game once you hit level 50. Check out our End Game Shadowhunter Guide.
Also note that these sub-guides are also part of our full-scope Shadowhunter Class Guide which will encompass all of these sub guides.