*famous game designer overbuffing Bloodrager set before throwing it into the nerf pit
Foreword
This is basically a spec that I discovered long before Forgotten Gods. I want to again give credit to Shoot2033 who back then made that spec more or less consistent by adding second Belgothian Sigil ring and Prismatic Diamond in helmet. Also I want to thank John Smith, prolific builder himself, who agreed to spend his time to test this build and record some videos.
The Build
1.1.4.2 Update
Build was semi-dead after numerous Bloodrager nerfs and consecutive Crucible buffs. I have tried all the possible weapons combinations but nothing gave the build consistency that was up to my standard. Turned out, answer was Wendigo Totem and tweaked devotion map with freshly buffed Empty Throne and Owl. And Bloodsongs, despite being nerfed many times felt like the best weapons still. Added couple of videos of Crucible runs.
<<<<<GRIMTOOLS>>>>>
*craft helmet for Stun Resist
Gear
Core of the build is freshly (over)buffed Bloodrager set. Every item and component is basically best in slot. Craft helmet with stun resist. That is all.
Skills and devotions
Devotion map is something that I created myself. It includes all the best Bleeding constellations as well as Ghoul and freshly buffed Jackal. All the skills that give Bleeding are maxed out. You can remove 2 points somewhere and overcap Shadow Dance, it scales pretty well after 1.1.2.0.
Leveling
This is an endgame build, it’s 100% gear dependable as all endgame builds are. For levelling guides I would strongly recommend searching this forum, there are plenty of great beginner’s guides around.
Gameplay
The most important thing is to always remember that this is a damage over time kind of a build. You don’t have to facetank anything, in fact, facetanking doesn’t add to your damage output. It takes about 2-4 seconds to proc all your skills/procs with bleeding, after that you should move on to the next target. Always changing your position is the key, that’s why build has two movement skills: one is Shadow Strike, one is from the rune. For example, after you take down Gargabol’s second stage to 90% of his hp you can just run away and he will bleed out and die after some time.
This build can farm Shards 65-66 somewhat consistently. Shards 75 and above would be a pure gamble.
Stats
With Savagery charges up (100% uptime in battle)
Bleeding with all the temporary procs and buffs up
Defense (with Savagery charges up)
Videos
1.1.4.2 6:06 run *actually died at 170 due to misplay and Korvaak being a bitch
What could’ve been <6m run - silly death @170 (patch 1.1.3.0 test)
6:00 run on my slow-ish PC (patch 1.1.2.5)
John Smith’s 5:13 run (with Rune of Displacement)
John Smith’s 5:07 run (Shoot2033 spec with Rune of Displacement)
Shoot2033 Greenless Spec test patch 1.1.2.0 (after nerfs) - 5:40
In Conclusion
Long live the King of Bleed.
