Caster class takes a sword and goes offensive
1.1.9.3 update
Decided to update the build with Smite helmet and RF axe. With new Rebuke flat value one green axe is better than the second Balzeheart, even a single rare item.
The build is quite tanky for such squishy dmg type and class and can do up to SR85 and Crucible without buffs/banners.
If someone asked you what’s the best fire melee in the game, you wouldn’t put your money on Sentinel, wouldn’t you?
In the past its melee potential was overlooked, and even outside of melee the class is not very popular. I don’t know why, actually. Limited itemization?
Resitance reduction is very valuable for Grim Dawn’s endgame, and Sentinel offers double RR debuff for not 1, not 2… 5 damage types. Five!
Anyway, from the mastery stand point today’s state of the class is pretty solid. Oathkeeper is still going strong, and Occultist became the strongest support class for melee in the game, in my opinion: lots of resitances, including phys, lots of flat to convert and a strong universally usefull exclusive skill.
The build
dps in Righteous Fervor, all permabuffs on
Dual Blazehearts and Justicar set is usual for a fire based melee. In here they give us just enough flat to sustain the fights against multiple bosses and Nemesis.
Nevertheless it’s a fire base, many enemies that are dangerous to melee are also fire-resistent. You might wanna kite for a bit against combos like Grava+Maiden or even wait for Ascension to recharge while your proc do the work.
Gear
Most of the items are obvious.
- Harmony pants and Magelord boots are a pile of stats.
- Chaos ring is there for flat (sustainability). It can be changed to Light’s Oath if you fancy a stronger Fire Bat ( © @mad_lee)
- Amulet is for RR and tankiness. Hail conduits!
- Covenant of the Three is a very strong helmet for the class. The proc has high dmg and much needed OA shred.
- Serenity completes the build for tankiness pass.
Craft items for stun and freeze.
Skills and Devotion
Skill distribution is tuned for dmg. But if you feel you want more survivability you have and option to go for Bloody Pox and Possession for more -OA and absorption.
Smth like this should make the character nearly immortal: Sentinel, Level 100 (GD 1.1.5.2) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator
Devotion map is also kinda defensive but… it turned out to be offensive as well. Scales, Bat and Eye of the Guardian all have adcth independant of your flat, and two of them are passive.
And they don’t just leech, they do tons of dmg. Together with usual offensive fire procs they create some heavy proc mayhem. Most things die without having a taste of your blade.
Leveling:
This is an endgame build with no leveling section. But in my opinion the best way to level a Sentinel is Dark One’s set. Seal of Consumption, Bloody Pox and Judgement with Path of the Three exclusive should be a strong combination for MC.
Gameplay
There are some things you need to do to maximize your dmg and survivability (in the order of importance):
- Cast Curse of Frailty on different packs of mobs in ~0.5 sec interval to let your Guardian’s Gaze produce as many eye as it can
- Try to travel with Vire’s Might in the area where most monsters will pass. Increased chance to proc Fissure works really well with Volcanic Stride
- In shards and MC use the skill from the rune on cooldown to have constant Meteor Shower. In Crucible binding meteors to the Guardians is a valid option because you get stunned or trapped more often during the blink and the proc is wasted.
- Remeber that Eldritch Fire is bound to Judgement. Don’t waste it on a lone pack of trash mobs.
- Use Ascension wisely. Some enemies need to be approached with Ascension up to ensure safety. enraged Mad Queen can kill this char without flat absorption in an instant.
Performance
A good Crucible run in 4:38 mins (buff timer). Usual time with cautious play will be about 5:30-6:00 mins.
After the storm beacon’s nerf the times will be slower as flat RR is only in Scales, and on hit proc.
Shards 75-76 video. As always, the shards run is random and lazy for the purposes of stress testing.
Conclusion
More Sentinels!
