These two builds focus mainly on HC Crucible farming and aim to be comfortably tanky while having enough damage and sustain to overcome the Gladiator difficulty.
The only new nemesis i have found was Kubacabra and it was relatively easy with the small kiting in Cadence setup.
Grimtools : http://www.grimtools.com/calc/L2JmxwEN (Current Setup)
With Blitz : http://www.grimtools.com/calc/4NOQemdV
Alternative Setup : http://www.grimtools.com/calc/RZRAe4jV
All necessary constellations minus last Revenant node : http://www.grimtools.com/calc/d2jepKmN
Why Commando and why a 2Hander
I have done Crucible with several characters, utilizing different builds but regarding HC the only build i used was the Lightning Totem/Devil Warder.
If HC is to be the main point then i can’t really help but leaning towards Soldier. Overall the best class to combine with everything, boosts any combination to emerge with immense survivability and tankiness.
Using Burn damage was my base interest and wanted to see how using a melee skill would perform in the light of people’s sentiment for generally using shield is better and being able to reach a satisfying attack speed with as a 2H without having to do unpleasant sacrifices in builds way too hard.
Also Blast Shield + Menhir’s Will…
Why Cadence for Burn damage instead of Fire Strike as it’s name suggests
I have tested this before expansion and Cadence always triumphs for several reasons.
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Quite higher weapon damage compared to FS therefore ables us to blow chunky burn dots.
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Deadly Momentum is impeccable especially converting the stacked physical damage is way easier instead of stacking Fire/Burn damage. We end up with higher Burn damage taking that path.
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Doesn’t require deep investment in mastery bar compared to FS and performs way better with minimal skill point investment since we already deal with the issue of scarce points to distribute.
Gear choice
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Starting first, i didn’t use any rares or MI’s since i didn’t felt the need for it. I didn’t feel any legendary is out of place in the setup.
If anyone wishes to use MI’s instead, pants and boots are the first options for some MI’s with good combinations followed by rings. -
Justicar as a 4 piece grants amazing bonuses in our direction. From resistances to %damage and flat damage along with tankiness.
Completion bonus is quite good, total speed boost is immensenly needed for us since AS directly increases our Cadence procs.
180% is the average AS with Burning Justice proc on and occasionally shoots up 190% when fighting wave after wave is a common sight. -
There isn’t much of a choice for medal since our focus is HC and MoD is irreplacable for the tankiness it offers along with a precious cheat death against nasty surprises and sudden shotguns.
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Mythical Infernal Brimstone has the highest flat Burn damage in the game which is exactly what we want, plus Rain of Fire when combined with Meteor Shower is the most satisfactory thing to behold.
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Korvaak’s Deception is another important part in the build. Blazing Charge is another important source of Burn damage with high weapon and flat damage and frees a skill point off of Blitz although both can be used if demanded.
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My amulet choice was mostly for the +4% to Max all resists along with capping resistances easier without having to do other unpleasant sacrifices in components/augments.
Amulet and Ring choices can be changed according to liking. Judicator rings, double Reign of Ice and Fire, Peerless Eye of Beronath, Thread of Mortality are good options.
Although i’d advise to have least 20% ADCtH either through items/components or constellations.
I will test other options and consider BiS choices when i have more time to spare.
Devotions
Pre expansion i mostly tested defensive focused setups like LoE and ToL with single offensive proc but killing things faster is probably the safest and best way than trying to tank and sustain damage for a longer period time.
Stacking as many Burn/Fire nodes as possible for both AoE and damage should be the priority.
Behemoth and Chariot are secondary defense against shotguns and helps our sustain with their average CD’s.
Revenant was fully for extra ADCtH and AS. Current tree isn’t hindered if one wishes to spec out of it and get Magi or Solael’s Witchblade instead.
Skill Optimization
It is up to player’s preference to fully invest into either Blitz for more damage/bursting or BWC to mainly reduce enemy damage output. Overall build isn’t hindered if we chose to squeeze out points from couple skills to pour into those.
I would advise to pick either one of them to pour points into and focus seperately to utilize them in max efficieny.
UPDATE : I have tested both Blitz and BWC with High Potency, they both are phenomenal and advised to be used. I managed to beat HC Gladiator without using neither of them but now i can say it is a slight waste to not utilize any of them even though choosing not to use neither doesn’t hinder build’s capacity and power to beat HC Gladiator with relative ease.
I am leaning more towards the 17/12 BWC with High Potency in my current setup since it is another immense source of Burn damage plus debuff enemy OA and physical damage.
I would like to keep the original Grimtools link as it is but note that it is HIGHLY advised to use Blitz and BWC in the setup.
Play-style
Our high survivability, defensive procs allows us to fight and sustain inside crowded, dangerous packs.
Initiate with War Cry and stack Burn damage in enemies with different sources we have.
Although it is not hard to stay inside massive packs when forming a minefield around us along with high ADCtH, kiting playstyle is one of our key points.
Blazing Charge --> proc Elemental Storm --> throw Thermite Mines --> proc Cadence and kite if needed, enemies easily burn to death while adjusting position and fighting other enemies.
HC Gladiator WITHOUT extra spawns, NO Elixirs or Aether Clusters
Was quite the easy, fast run and haven’t dropped less than 12k HP. 149th wave was a nasty combo comprimising of Thalonis, Sentinel, Shar’Zul and Lucius, thats when i lost the bonus with kiting just to be cautious.
HC Gladiator 120-150 WITH extra spawn NO elixirs and aether clusters : https://vimeo.com/240726830
I dropped Revenant fully and got Magi and BWC to test those together. Had some nerve racking moments and especially 140-150 had horrible mutators, i even stopped at one point to see what the hell are those.
Video showcases how strong the build is overall such as thick Burn damage, great AoE and the sheer durability and sturdiness.
(Sorry if there are moments of throttle and derping, had to use my laptop since can’t have access to my desktop atm)
Extra - BWC/Mine Burn Version
Grimtools : http://www.grimtools.com/calc/4ZDO0JYV
Play-style
This version utilizes the High Potency transmuter of BWC and embraces a less active play style compared to the Cadence version.
Our main sustain and tankiness comes from Overguard and Menhir’s Bulwark’s damage absorption, mitigation and high HP regeneration bonuses. Flame Torrent is a major proc in this setup since it has weapon damage thus enables us to life leech with Lifegiver Signet. Using basic attack is also useful to leech while waiting CD’s.
General sequence is : War Cry --> Thermite Mine around us, simply form a minefield to proc Flame Torrent as much as possible --> Flashbang --> BWC --> Blazing Charge.
Use Overguard, it is a major reason of our tankiness but try to time it against important enemies. Don’t be shy to kite when needed and wait Overguard to go off CD. Dryad has a low CD and is a constant source of heal, bind it to a spammable, low CD ability like War Cry, Blazing Charge or Flashbang as advised.
Radiant Shield is incredibly useful against overcrowded packs and especially Nemeses that has high elemental damage like Valdaran or Moosilauke.
HC Gladiator WITH extra spawn, NO Elixirs or Aether Clusters
Had one or two close calls in that run and by that i mean where i dropped below 9k and proc’d Divine Light for once. Although i felt less relaxed throughout the run compared to Cadence version, it was way faster with this setup.
HC Gladiator 130-150 WITH extra spawn NO elixirs and aether clusters : https://vimeo.com/241236064
In Closing
I would ike to thank Zars since his old ‘Paladin of the Light’ build inspired me in the Cadence version and made me pin an updated version post expansion release.
Also JoV even though it was a different class combination/build, he showed people that BWC can be a top notch skill despite being labeled as weak and underrated at the time (he also showed everyone that shield + soldier wasn’t a necessity and casters can also be tanky but thats a different topic :rolleyes:)
And all the build makers that have contributed to the compendium, i can’t remember anyone’s name right of the bat i apologize.
I hope everyone can test these toons and have an enjoyable playtime in HC despite the stressful yet thrilling nature of it. These builds offers an enjoyable, relaxed HC session whether it be Crucible or vanilla.
I will definitely update with Crucible or nemesis fight videos when i have time…
