Thorns are an offensive stat which deals damage to enemies that attack you in Diablo 4 (D4). Read on to learn what are Thorns, how to use Thorns, and see a list of Thorn Effects in the game.

What are Thorns?

Deals Damage to Enemies Directly Attacking You

Thorns are an offensive stat that deals damage to enemies that hit you with direct attacks. This effect only happens when you are hit with direct attacks and does not proc when hit with attacks that deal damage over time.

How to Use Thorns

Level Up Skills or Equip Aspects and Gear With Thorns

Depending on the class you're currently playing, you may level up Skills as well as upgrade gear with Aspects to use Thorns. Examples for these are Sorcerer's Spiked Armor skill that gives you 16 Thorns and Barbarian's Death Wish Aspect which gives you Thorns while Berserking.

In addition to Skills and Aspects, players can also utilize Thorns by equipping any Gear with this stat.

Skeletons and Golems also Inherit Thorns

The Necromancer's summons (Both skeletons and Golems) inherit 30% percent of the Necromancer's Thorns stat. While this may not seem massive, what this means is if an enemy hits 5 skeletons with a single hit, each Skeleton will return 30% of the Necromancer's Thorn stat back at the attacker which can theoretically make a Necromancer Thorns build work.

How to Increase Thorns

Equip Shields

Shields have a natural Thorns stat attached to them which makes them a great starter gear to consider if you wish to build Thorns on your character.

Aim for Thorns Affix Rolls on Gear

Aside from Shields that have a natural Thorn stat attached to them, you can also aim for rolling the Thorns stat on your specific gear. Below are all the item types that can possibly roll Thorns on their affixes:

Equip the Razorplate

Equipment Info
Razorplate	Class	All Classes
	Equipment Type	Unique Chest Armor
	Req. World Tier	WT3+
Effect
Thorns has a 10% change to deal 100-200% increased damage.

Crafted by the cannibal Armoda, each piece of this interlocking armor has been sharpened into a knife's edge. Even a century after death, the plate remained on her corpse, unable to be removed safely.

The Razorplate is a Unique Chest piece that doesn't grant a multitude of affixes. However, what it does give is a massive amount of Thorns for your character. Consider aiming for a Razorplate with high Thorns stat roll if you want to build a Thorns-focused build

Razorplate Unique Effect and How to Get

List of Thorn Effects

List of Thorn Skills

List of Thorn Aspects

Diablo 4 Related Guides

Glossary: List of Diablo Terms

Glossary Term Guides