Hey guys, got a build that I think may have some merit here. I’ve spent way too long on this today and I’m starting to lose it, so hoping you’ve got a suggestion or two regarding something that I’m missing. The concept is fairly simple - use Ascension/Phoenix Fire/Messenger of War in tandem with Time Dilation to make Vire’s Cascade hit like a truck, with high uptime on all 3 buffs. Pretty happy with how it’s performing in SR30-31 right now but I feel like I’m missing a specific piece of gear or two that could really push it over the top. I’m aware that the medal needs replacing, would love a suggestion there. It’s a holdover from playing with shield initially. I’m also a bit torn about the bind for Time Dilation - I think it’s probably better to have it on Cascade for the sake of getting an easy double Cascade off, but Vire’s Might is super reliable for triggering it since it can proc off Volcanic Stride.
I will say that flat retaliation on gear is slightly less important than it might usually be for this sort of build, given the massive flat I’m getting from Brimstone and the buffs.
Grimtools: Shieldbreaker, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator
Updated: Shieldbreaker, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
at a glance: you’re missing witchfire
time dilation is fine on VM, as long as you remember to use it after your CDs - otherwise easy simple option is Judgment+HoW
unsure how comfy your healing is, but i’d probably consider slotting seal of blades if 1k regen+giant doesn’t feel totally chill. Aside from that oleron might actually be cool there on the greedy front (slight extra DR too)
Medal honestly seem fine if you’re focusing on Cascade anyway, ikrix/balthazar will have some slight direct utility, but you lose retal and neat passive stats
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Do you mean Eldritch Fire? I will absolutely concede the fact that the build would be stronger with it, but I have an irrational and deep-running hate for that constellation - I’ve started just taking it off of my fire builds. It’s kind of a stupid “principled” decision, but I feel like it’s super representative of the glaring RR flaw that nobody in the ARPG game has really figured out how to get around yet, because it’s an incredibly dull constellation, with poor affinity rewards, that everyone needs to shoehorn in somehow in order to achieve “optimal” performance.
Healing feels good with all the flat DR I have, but I think 5% more leech is probably warranted. I did look into Seal of Blades but part of me dislikes not converting the pierce from the aura (which doesn’t matter much, frankly). Could probably also look at using a Gargoyle Girdle instead of the belt I have now, it lacking resists has been a pretty big hurdle anyway.
I think the vitality resist on the medal is the main draw for me at the moment. It works, just doesn’t look particularly in line with the rest of the build outside of the flat retal. Thanks for taking a look.
yes eldritch fire sry/witchblade “witchfire” mixup 
and yes it was indeed remarked on because of “muh RR optimal” issue, it’s just a lot of dmg to leave on the table, moreso against resistants
converting the aura doesn’t really matter much i think/it was purely considered for the free lifesteal with the pierce res consideration
Vitality res seems like a relative easy fix, plating in shoulder, aug on ring or weap
*not that the medal is bad regardless of the vit res
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I’d personally just take a yellow medal like Watcher’s Crest and craft for a retaliation affix rather than stick with any of the unique medals out there. That way you’ll let a lot more resistances to cover up any holes you might have.
Some equipment changes I would do on top of that:
The amulet gives +1 to both your masteries while also having Attack Speed and Physical conversion so you can make more of Physical retaliation flat as well.
The pants give you a really great proc and covers up Bleeding resistance.
The Shoulders give you more Attack Speed and a way to nearly hardcap Ascension; as you’re going for the CDR + Time Dilation route, may as well take that skill as high as you can take it.
As for devotions, there’s no easy way to fit in Witchfire without sacrificing something like Hylian’s, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it if you’re that opposed to that devotion. I’d probably grab a component or two that give Cthonic racial damage, as I assume Grava and its fumble pools and high resistance will eat you alive. Other than that, you have a point in Safeguard, which doesn’t work as you have no Shield.
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