After getting slightly dissapointed in 2h melee Bone harvest, I realized nuke bone harvest is better off as a ranged skill. I also wanted to make a build around Soullance because it looks so cool and fit very nicely with the Blood Knight set(Also if you didn’t know it is the only gun/crossbow I know of that makes wraith noises when shooting instead of the usual gunshot/arrow, this effect is linked to the illusion so it can be put on any weapon BTW). I decided to share my results testing the build as I feel it has very good potential for an underused weapon.
Only normal buffs
Consecration and Soul Harvest
DG+CotG+Ascension
The build used for all below tests (missing augments and using Reaper leggings): https://www.grimtools.com/calc/0V0dvORV
Slight optimizations : https://www.grimtools.com/calc/a2ExanbN
Build Pros:
- Sick DPS for a Vit autoattacker (in my experience)
- Hybrid DoT + Flat dmg (will tick enemies down even when you kite)
- Monster lifesteal as a Vit build
- True ranged playstyle(keep moving to avoid DoTs and autoattacks)
- Can be made less button intensive
- Sick undead army with minions that scale with player damage
- Cool Wraith gun and looks badass
Build Cons:
- Kinda dependent on greens for OA/DA
- Lack of CC res is disturbing (depending on Ascension is also risky)
- Not the greatest phys res (I mean 34% with 2.2k armor is pretty good imo but…)
- No Ghoul (I doubt ghoul’s lifesteal would make a difference but the phys res is missed)
- No flashy procs
Few notes on my build choices:
- I was conflicted on whether to go all in on Decay or all in on flat or if
but I feel current state as hybrid is pretty good. +1 oathkeeper belt (myth crimson lotus) and a second signet will get 24 RF(for the final charge level) but I highly doubt its worth it. Similarly I doubt maxing Dread for more decay is worth it. - Build is pretty starved on skill points, I would love to be able to softcap Haven and MoT, maybe even the WPS, CotG and Dread.
- Grava’thul legguards should be a direct upgrade to reaper ones (6% RR) I didn’t do the swap before testing because I was too lazy to search through my other chars for them.
- Freeze res and CC res in general are pretty bad and the main weakness of this build. Typically I finish off high cc enemies like Moosilauke within Ascension or kite and kill when ascension is up. CC res can also be managed by better greens or pharma when required.
- CotG can be skipped but I feel it is a decent boost for 1 point even if you just spam it on cd.
Gameplay:
Fairly simple gameplay you just spam RF and bone harvest when it is off cooldown, use Ill omen for bosses, Ascension/MoT if things are getting dicey and Wendigo rush to run/reposition. Call of the grave is a nice dps boost for 1 point(I just spam it on cooldown but it is better to time with Ascension and DG). The way I play this build is much more ranged than most other ranged builds(constantly repositioning and stutter stepping) since you don’t have seal to stand on or need to keep enemies on thermite mines or such and just keep enemies within Bone harvest range. This allows to dodge DoT pools, autoattacks and so many more attacks which increases survivability by a lot. The large amount of decay also synergizes well with ranged gameplay as enemies and bosses will tick down even if you run away.
RF,BH,Ill omen and Wendigo rush is enough for most content making the build very less key intensive. Ascension and MoT is needed for higher content like SR, Ravager and Cr. CotG and Bloodthirster are optional keys but very good if you can squeeze them in.
For SR: Ranged gameplay is particularly good here, kiting makes bosses like Kuba and Grava so much easier than for other builds and makes groups of enemies easier too. Facetank is better for few cases like Iron maiden as her blitzes can hurt but other than that she is easy. Fabius is PITA higher up in SR with his garbage SS->BB->SS combo while his unkillable spirits keep shredding you. Keep Ascension up for Moosi and kite when its down or just use a Hoarfrost pot that I am too lazy/arrogant to use. Build can probably go higher in SR but me lazy.
For Ravager(Minds): First phase can be facetanked pretty easily just keep Ascension up when Ravager’s Presence is active. Second phase is a bit tougher as he can kill through Prismatic rage+ascension+bloodthirster if RP is active, so tank RP with MoT in second phase and kite RP if you suck at timing MoT like me or if it is on cooldown.
Achievements-
SR 85-90
SR 90-91
Crucible 150-170 3 runs in one set of blessings(I am no speedrunner but hopefully this gives an indication of times)
Ravager of Minds
Callagadra (Doable but not recommended)
Crate down fairly easy fight almost laughably easy compared to the others but impossible if you die as too many crates by then
Video crate kill - https://imgur.com/a/6rtM7Wi
