Hello fellow Grim Dawn players! Patch 1.2.1.0 brought some large changes, especially in terms of tankiness, so it is time to update the build a bit. As per last update the justicar setup has been discarded, if you are looking for it, you will find it in the legacy section.
>>>[1.2.1.0] GrimTools Markovian<<<
Performance tests conducted in 1.2.1.0:
- Callagadra (2 runs, buff potions, 2 min average kill time) Calla proof pic
- SR85 passed (3 runs, no buff potions) SR85 proof pic
- Cruicible 170 3+4 (4 runs) 3+4 proof pic
Gameplay and gear notes for 1.2.1.0:
I compared the Markovian with Justicar set in 1210 and Markovian still wins in terms of consistency, tank and damage output while being lower requirment in terms of green items, which brings us to the double rare belt.
I crafted some 3000 belts for that one to drop, but you can just take a single rare, take priority in fixing resistences and attribute boni, as long as you get those, any affixes are fine. But the belt itself is fairly unnegotiable. Balthazar’s crest is imo the best medal for a tank and the commando prefix is a hard requirment. It should be fairly easy to get, i got mine long ago and during recent visits Balthazar frequently dropped it for me.
The big adjustment to physical resist lead me to up the defenses a lot, including taking markovian’s defense and soft capping shield skills. Surprinsingly the damage output is still very good and will get you through all game content in hardcore extremly comfortable due to the massive increased survivablity.
Pros of this build:
- Generalist setup allowing comfortable completion of all endgame content in HC
- Surprisingly high dmg for the tank offered
Cons of this build:
- Slow in crucible, this is a 5:30 tank build
General notes for Endgame content:
Celestials
Big changes are the sunder attacks, you need to dodge out of those! You can not face tank celestials while being sundered! For Callagadra just doge when she is doing her wingflap, aside from that just keep attacking. The tank can absolutely keep up with her damage and she should fall in around 2 min with pharma.
Crate of entertaiment remains untested since 1.1.2.5 because his encounter and the process of getting to him is a massive pain in HC. However due to the short contact requirment of double blitz and the massive IT damage you can apply, it is in theory at least possible now with the setup.
Shattered Realm
SR75-76 is a breeze. SR85 is quite frankly also a piece of cake and can be done without buff potions. Just don’t pull all 4 bosses at once and you should be fine. I actually feel confident pushing for SR90, maybe i’ll takle it later.
Crucible
Okish time for a tank. However sub 5 min runs are pretty unlikely, I can generally get 4 runs and 30 sec to spare before the blessings run out. The main issue is the lack of aoe, while blitz technically is an aoe, it just dosen’t cover enough and it is prone to CC which will simply cancel the attack, negating your damage and start the skill cooldown for nothing. All in all, generally sub 6 min runs, but basically no risk.
That’s it! Hope you enjoy! Feedback and Advices are welcome!
Vintage Links and Builds from the past
The original
The mad_lee improved original
Original Mogdrogen setup, Original Proof pic
Original Ravager setup, Original proof pic
Original Callagadra setup, Original proof pic
Original Crate setup, Original proof pic
[1.1.5.2] 2 Mortars hybrid, stats screenshot
[1.1.6.2] 4 Mortars version, stats screenshot
[1.1.8.0] Double-Blitzer pre physical change, stats screenshot
[1.1.9.3] Double-Blitzer post physical change, stats screenshot
[1.1.9.8] Markovian setup, stats screenshot
[1.1.9.8] Justicar setup
