Foreword
This build has been done before many times, so just a short guide. Been playing with different concepts in GDstash and decided to make a simple dual-wield physical Tactician that crushes content without any green items while being extremely tanky and resilient, but it was too slow (~11 minute Crucible) in my book. So went with Death Knight instead.
**For Warlord spec scroll down to the end of the post
The Build
<<<< GRIMTOOLS >>>>*
<<<< OLD GRIMTOOLS >>>>
<<<< EVEN OLDER GRIMTOOLS >>>>
*Craft all 3 items for Slow resist
**Similiar Reaper pants will also work.
***Use Azrakaa Sands devotion proc for Celestials and deep SR and Stone Matron’s Fist of Vire for everything else
1.2.1.3 Update
Latest patch brought some tangential buffs, so I changed the devotion map accordingly.
1.2.1.0 Update
Little tweaks according to DA meta. Cadence is a very serious melee build now.
1.2.0.2 Update
Decided to try out slightly different devotions and it allowed me to use better components/augments to squeeze out a bit more damage and tankiness.
1.1.9.8 Update
Decided to update this classic. Some interesting off-meta gear choices and comeback of Peerless Eye of Beronath amulet make it a very solid melee all-arounder.
1.1.7.0 Update
With the rework of Crimson Claws gloves this build becomes stronger than ever. About 30 seconds faster in Crucible on average.
1.1.6.2 Update
Tried my best to make it work. It somewhat does. Physical damage and Cadence are still a bit sad though.
1.1.5.1 Update
Decided to adapt this build to the current patch. Took quite a bit of reinventing to make it consistent in current Crucible. It is still slow because Crate refuses to take a proper look at Warborn Cadence meta, but at least it’s tanky. Good news: it can now farm 75-76 somewhat reliably.
1.1.2.3 Update
Shattered Realm amulet is no more so I have tested few other options and new Bloodsurge amulet (blueprint is sold at Cult of Solael) is just amazing. Uploaded new stats screenshots and a new Crucible video.
1.1.1.2 Forgotten Gods Update
Build got reworked and now is tailored to meet the new challenges new expansion throws at us. Build can do Shard 75 some % of the time but really shines at Shard 65-66 and Crucible Gladiator 150-170 farming. Also adding a Warlord spec of the build
Stats
With all permanent buffs
Cadence Damage with all the procs
Videos
1.2.1.3 Warborn Death Knight vs. SR 30-31 3:58 run (short rooms)
1.2.1.3 Warborn Death Knight vs. Ravager 58 seconds kill (OA augs)
1.2.1.3 Warborn Death Knight vs. Callagadra 1:23 kill
1.2.1.0 Warborn Death Knight vs. SR 75-76 4:51 run
1.2.1.0 Warborn Death Knight vs. Ravager 1:02 kill
1.2.1.0 Warborn Death Knight vs. Callagadra 1:28 kill
1.2.0.2 Warborn Death Knight vs. SR 75-76 5:24 run
1.2.0.2 Warborn Death Knight vs. Ravager 1:02 kill
1.1.9.8 Warborn Death Knight vs. Ravager 1:19 kill (no pharma/no cluster)
1.1.9.8 Warborn Death Knight vs. SR 90 3:55 run (no deaths)
1.1.9.8 Warborn Death Knight vs. SR 75-76 6:50 run (no short rooms)
1.1.7.1 Crucible Gladiator 150-170 5:26 run (by supertolik)
SR 95 boss room (by supertolik)
1.1.7.0 Shards 75-76 13:25 run (1 death, "Armored mutator)
1.1.7.0 Crucible Gladiator 150-170 5:53 run by supertolik
1.1.6.2 Crucible Gladiator 150-170 extra-spawn “naked” run by supertolik
1.1.6.2 Crucible Gladiator 150-170 6:56 run
1.1.2.3 Crucible 6:35 run
1.1.1.2 7:30 Crucible Run
9 Seconds Mad Queen Kill
Mercymaker’s 7 minute run (3blessings+1banner)
Crucible of Deeps under 9 minute run (really reckless playstyle)
Crucible of Death 9 minute run
Kra’vall facetanking
Why is this spec better?
First of all, it’s very tanky: it has ~3400 Armor and ~3020 DA with Ghoul, Mark of Torment and Prismatic Diamond. I chose devotion and items in a way that patches all important crowd control resists like Trap, Freeze and most importantly Slow, those are the ones that make melee builds most vulnerable in Crucible. Second of all, it’s very streamlined, very few buttons to press, Assassin’s Mark procs very fast because it’s bound to Cadence, it’s just very easy to set up and play and it’s super affordable. And thirdly, I tried to get as much flat damage as possible without making unnecessary sacrficies, so this build delivers when it comes to Crucible clear times. It can also go pretty deep in Shattered Realm with some skill and focus (I think 75 is possible but I haven’t tried it myself).
Craft at least two items for slow resistance crafting bonus to get Slow Resist above 55% mark.
How to
Build facetanks any combination of foes in Crucible, but you have to be extra careful when Grava’Thul is around. Ideally, you want to take him out first. If you happen to be in a big brawl with him and other nemeses, just stutter step to avoid his melee fumble debuff as much as possible. Use Mark of Torment generously during tough waves, it’s better to enter the next big fight with MoT on a cooldown then with both Ghoul and Prismatic Rage on a cooldown.
In Main Campaign just buy an extra Coven Storm Seal from Coven (get one with 4% DA and 5% attack speed), and use it with Ectoplasm and Hammerfall Powder augment from Malmouth’s Resistance. Craft everything at Angrim to get those juicy armor bonuses.
In Conclusion
I am rating this build 6,5 sacred strikes out of 10 and still not intending on leveling a soldier based character.
Bonus: Warlord Spec
<<<<GRIMTOOLS>>>>
Videos
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