*When Mad Lee releases a new build and you have to code a new hotfix nerf over night
(Many thanks to @Tararihen for the great picture)
Foreword
This wasn’t the first time Harra has tasted defeat. Only this time defeat tasted a lot like blood mixed with sharp, burning cold icicles. She had aching frostbites all over her body. Olexra finally had her revenge. Harra couldn’t understand why her blades weren’t penetrating Olexra’s new armor. It seems like Imperial Inquisition had turned its back on Harra too: her powers and her connection to elemental magic seemed to be waning. She could feel the power of enchantment slowly seeping out of her infamous suit of armor once tailor-made for her by Inquisiton’s best craftsmen.
She barely escaped into the portal that had suddenly appeared before her right at the moment when Olexra was ready to deliver a killing blow. Harra suspected that some higher forces were helping her out and they never help unless they want something in return. She felt a powerful presence slowly approaching her.
So I have never really intended to make Demonslayer’s build, but @omnitrio’s recent Dervish Demonslayer inspired me to do one when I saw what kind of potential Dervish has there. There is also @Nery’s Dervish Demonslayer which I honestly saw only after I completed my build (and in my opinion it’s a bit outdated and underoptimized).
The Build
<<<<GRIMTOOLS>>>>
*Try to get relevant resists/stats on greens. If you don’t have a green with “Formidable” affix, do use an extra Seal of Might.
**Craft for Slow resistance and healing effects
1.1.7.1 Update
Decided to update this old guard. Had to reinvent the build from the scratch since Phantasmal Blades have been overnerfed and shifted the focus to Blade Spirits. Build is an absolute beast and a pleasure to play. Green items are easily attainable too (no specific affixes are needed).
1.1.5.2 Update
Made a minor improvement to the spec thanks to @sir_spanksalot. Build is both tankier and more damaging now. Updated Grimtools and added a new video.
1.1.4.2 Update
Build is still a beast capable of consistent 6 minute Crucible farms. Despite all the nerfs. So no changes to GT. Added some videos of Crucible runs.
1.1.4.0 Update
So this build was target nerfed in 1.1.4.0 patch. Changed shoulders in grimtools link. From Crucible runs build’s power dropped by 10-15%, but can’t say how much of it is buffed Crucible and how much of it nerfs to the build. Uploaded new screenshots. New videos coming soon.
The burning questions
But Bat devotion…
Nope, no place for it here.
What about Mythical Grasp of Unchained Might gloves? More casting speed and a good source of flat RR!
Tested it too, 10-15 seconds slower on average.
Gear/Skills/Devotions
Every piece of gear is best in slot here, I have tested quite a bit of different variations. Devotion map is super strong with three tier-3 devotions + Ghoul. I opted for gameplay fluidity and minimalism in active skills so nothing disrupts our Phantasmal Blades spam.
Gameplay
DO NOT spam Ring of Steel, use it conservatively only versus melee heavy hitters like Reaper, Grava, Iron Maiden, Fabius etc. or when swarmed by mobs (or to refresh Hungering Void).
In Crucible try to herd as much mobs together as possible including Nemeses waves and wave 169. Build facetanks anything, just be mindful of your position and don’t stop spamming those blades. Remember that more mobs being pierced by our PB-spam = more adtch for us and faster clearing times. Sometimes Energy potion is needed. Use mobility skills generously. With some practice you will never ever die in Crucible.
In Shattered Realm use mobility skills even more generously. Speed farm 65-66, expect to die ocassionaly at 75-76. Never facetank Mad Queen in Shattered Realm. Spam her from distance and always be on the move with Vire’s Might and Amatok’s Breath against her. In Main Campaign build can facetank her, but stay as close as possible, cast Ring of Steel ONCE just to proc Dying God and spam PB. Watch your Ascension uptime especially carefully versus Iron Maiden, her stun lock can be deadly. Expect to die sometimes.
Levelling
Check out some great Beginner’s/Levelling guides by @Nery @malawiglenn @Stupid_Dragon and others. Don’t level with Phantasmal Blades. This build becomes this build after you have all the gear/augments/skills devotions at level 100. This is the endgame build.
Stats
General with Pneumatic Burst and Ascension (75
% of the time up)
Magical with Ascension
Defense with Ascension up
Videos
1.1.7.1 Shards 75-76 Supertolik’s 6:15 run
1.1.7.1 Crucible Gladiator 150-170 4:17 run
1.1.7.1 Supertolik’s Crucible Gladiator 150-170 6:48 “naked” run with extra spawn
1.1.7.1 Shards 75-76 7:10 run by supertolik
1.1.7.1 Crucible Gladiator 150-170 4:33 run
1.1.7.1 Shards 75-76 9:02 run (one death)
5:26 Crucible run - 1.1.5.2 spec test
5:38 Crucible 1.1.4.2 run in Uber Offensive spec
5:57 Crucible 150-170 1.1.4.2 run
6:02 Vitality res mutator 1.1.4.2 Crucible run
6:31 Vitality res mutator 1.1.4.2 Crucible run
Shattered Realm 65-66 run with Vitality resist mutators both times
SR 65-66 run with good mutators but one death
In Conclusion
“You are a tough one, child, your father should be proud of you”, said Solael leaning over Harra. “I killed my father when I was 15, stuck a kitchen knife deep in that pig’s chest”, retorted Harra. “Bastard had it coming the way he treated me and my mother”, she spat out a blood clot that was stuck in her throat. “Here is something that I picked up from the corpse of one Menhir’s followers who was foolishly chasing me thru realms thinking I was some kind of demon”, Solael made few subtle passes with his hands, clearly a bit disgusted by her mannerisms. He looked divine and heavenly and yet Harra felt a certain contempt and disdain coming from the Witch God, like the whole ordeal was another chore that he wanted to get over with as soon as possible.
“Your quest is mine now”, were the last words she heard him whispering before she passed out.
