I have just started using the DK version of this build. I am going for the Forcewave skill and both transmutes. I am assuming that it would be best to head for Bull rush and bind that to forcewave to level and then go for trauma and physical devotions?
Switching over to using cadence much later. Definitely heading to kraken devotion and mostly trauma and 2handed devos before switching to defensive setup endgame ?
Any tips? Got 30 devotion points, but I kinda dont know for what to go here
Sure, do whatever you feel suits you. I don’t like blindly copying builds too. But these changes I find insignificant.
People say two-hand Forcewave with Tremor is better for leveling than Cadence. Blitz would be also be a good additional skill. Before anything else you should level Assasin’s Blade and bind Assasin’s Mark to your main skill. Resist reduction will amplify your damage more than anything else. Then go for whatever suits you most. Kraken is definitely a great devotion for a two-hander.
For 30 devotion points and a two-hander try something like this:
https://www.grimtools.com/calc/eZPmadPN
Also know that many people think that two-hand Forcewave with Tremor is better for leveling than Cadence.
Greetings. Some questions:
Lets say I am a first time gladiator farmer and I would like to farm only 100-150 Gladiator crucible (say without extra spawns and with buffs and/or banner(s) to be safe).
Which version would you recommend for this? The Death knight or the Battlemage? Or would say I should choose another build?
Would you choose the “old offensive” setup over the “new defensive” setup strictly for this?
Thanks! And yes, forcewave feels better and is a way more fun than cadence!
For what devotions should I go next? And should I max out internal trauma for leveling phase?
Now:
https://www.grimtools.com/calc/JVlkRWp2
Maybe you could post some example grimtools build links for a level 75/85 two-hander forcewave battlemage?
Thanks again, nice guide!
Thanks for the guide, but I still don’t understand why Mogdrogen’s Ardor for DK? It’s only +1 to some necro skills, while Menhir’s Bastion gives a lot of useful tanky things + a solid emergency buff.
They are both of the same power level. DK is easier to level and slightly easier to play. Both are top tier, builds that are considerably stronger do not exist 
So no need to recommend anything else. Well, anything you can find in my compilation thread in 150-170 section is good alternative.
I would choose offensive version for 100-150 myself, just because it will clear faster. But as you are new to this build you better pick the defensive one, it will forgive a lot of your mistakes and you won’t die.
You’re welcome!
If you go for forcewave check this, it is built around physical two-hand forcewave, so you can take ideas from it (especially devotions):
http://www.grimdawn.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64706
You’re actually right! I took Ardor for battlemage and then just copy-pasted the gear when I was doing the DK version. Since it worked great I didn’t bother changing anything.
So yeah, go for Menhir’s Bastion, why not.
My current plan for my DK 2hander devos is:-
Assassins Blade, Hawk, Scholars light, Sailors Guide, kraken, Panther, Stag, Ulo, Light of Empyrion, Tree of Life.
The only part I do not like is scholars light However, I could not see any other devotion that could replace it and give me the same amount of +green for just 3 points.
My thinking was Ass blade,hawk, kraken, pan and stag for attk and ulo, light, Sailors guide, solemn watcher and tree of life for defence. If I could change it around to remove scholars light, I would be very happy ;).
You sold me on that one 
Another question: the Hungering void proc is there only for the critical damage and total speed, right?
Yes. I don’t recommend using that proc if your resistances are not maxed because it costs you life. If monsters shred your resists and use their dots you may have a hard time.
Hi, thank you so much for your post. This build sounds amazing!
I usually play pet build, and I decided to try something new this time for AoM.
I decided to make the DK version since you said that it’s a little easier to control.
It would be really nice if there were a new step by step leveling guide for Devotion progress. It would also be nice to know which stats and mods I should prioritize so that I know which gears to put on while I level up. It doesn’t have to be long. Updating just the concise core part for this build in the front page alone would be really really helpful for us.
Thank you again for your post.
+1 for this, i would like to see the EXACT same ! This build sounds really fun, but im just too noob to play it without a decent leveling guide
Thanks!
Guys, seriously! This is a Soldier build, nothing in the whole game is easier than a Soldier build!
All advice you need for DK: level as a two-hander Soldier with Forcewave and Tremor transmuter. In necro mastery take Spectrath Wrath, it will amplify your damage greatly because of -phys resist. For the same reason in devotions pick Assasin’s Blade first and bind its proc to Forcewave.
Tips how to level as two-handed Soldier you can find in this thread (for example you can take devotions from there):
http://www.grimdawn.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64706
Good luck!
Thank you for your quick reply!
Zhuugus, the helpful link is the one you have listed in your “[1.0.4.1] Powerful builds of AoM era” post, isn’t it? Thank you so much for explaining the DK part! Now I can respec to try!
Started a battlemage first week I bought the game , put it to rest in it’s teens , gotta love altitis .
Now 1400 hours later and see this , decided to go for it and level him up , around lvl 60 atm and just going through the Coven in AoM veteran .
Just needed to know about Barrowholm , there is no need to be friendly with them is there ? All my char’s are friendly with them , would be nice to rip their heads off if I don’t need any augments from them 
Thanks , build turned around at lvl 50 when I could wear some real gear , having fun so far
For anyone who would like a different build to level up check out Nightmare’s Vitality Cabalist - I am currently leveling my Deathknight like that: Vitality damage with main damage skills being Ravenous Earth+Siphon Souls and Soldier skills for support (namely Blitz for movement with passives that do not require a shield). Devotions are from the guide - I went only up to Rattosh based on the guide, but you can fully follow through with the devotions for leveling.
I am currently at Darkvale in Elite and I was able to not die yet. I love Ravenous earth.
Also a note for newer players: if you find yourself struggling in Ultimate you can farm the Krieg set in Elite and even on Normal! I personally farmed mine in Elite, but tested Normal today - got the boots from Terrnox there.
Apart from augments you also lose some XP on quests and you get their nemesis instead of Ravager (I might be missing some differences). Also you miss a Wendigo spirit if you do not kill Laria if that matters to you…
If you truly do not need any augments from them - I would say that the choice it is up to you then.
Hey Zhuugus,
Thanks for this build and your compendium – really handy piece of work !
Surprisingly enough, I’m really enjoying your build - which is my first S&B build (I’m more 2 handed or 2-handed type usually).
As adverted regarding crucible, no sweat until wave 150. Lower dmg but pretty safer compared to my main build.
However after w150, complete different story. Especially at w160 where I get totally wrecked. Totally and properly rekt - my last try with obviously bad mutators lasted under 10 sec. While kiting : P
Hence a few questions for you since you adverted W150 to W170 - if you don’t mind of course:
1/ I’m running the DK version. Obviously you ran the battlemage version but did you try the DK one on waves 160 to 170 ?
2/ If yes, did you perform a few tries or more like a dozen runs ? What about W160 ?
3/ When taking 2 buffs, do you take dmg+CDR or dmg+HP ?
The idea here is not to sue you or anything of course, but to check if I’m missing something in the build/gameplay or if the dk version needs additional tweaking (which would be fine, I’m actually trying with higher DA atm).
N.B. :
Yeah this is the reason I asked , if this build does not need any augments from them , then it should be fine .
Sometimes builds level them up in elite , get a stock of augments then kill them in Ultimate . Just making sure before I kill them in all modes
I personally completely dislike the fact that devs made me side with those pieces of shit if I want augments and fight with Ravager. That is totally stupid. They are literally the same as cult of Ch’thon which is one of our 2 main enemies. Nobody suggests side with those for some reason! Why do we kill one sort of scum and side with other? This is my least favorite part of the game.
Look at my grimtools links, if there are no augments from barrowholm you can kill them. But it’s kinda risky because you may not have same gear and could still need some augment.
Thanks. I tested DK in 150-170. About 5 times, all successful.
First, you need updated version for 150-170, original does not work there. So, full defensive devotions+shield with 20% phys res.
Second, some boss combos on 160 and 170 do not allow you to facetank them. You hit 3 times with Cadence, hit with Blitz and kite until your Blitz recharges. Then repeat until one or 2 bosses die. That’s the tactics. You facetank when 2 out of 4 bosses remain.
Blessings are always damage+health, cdr won’t help you much.
Right, thanks for the answer.
Check.
Check – thanks for confirmation.
Yes, did some testing yesterday with dmg+hp and finally passed wave 160 (W156 was harder than W160 this time). I figured out that my problem is more about the insufficiently overcapped values of Poison/Vita/Chaos resists due to combos which crucible can throw at us and the resulting rr shredding.
I didn’t have time to take pics about the W160 where I got wrecked the other day (though they had Poisonous mutator), but for instance at wave 156 yesterday, Gabal’Thunn + Bloodlord Thalonis + Chtonians bloodletters were spiking me at -92 Vita, -87 poison and -77 chaos resist. With negative resists, even kiting needs to be precise
Anyway, since my problem was more related to my bad knowledge of W150>W160, this closes my wonderings - I will emphase overcap on those 3 resists instead of DA.
Thanks for your time !