Back in the game and playing HC. I’ve really been digging my EoR Oathkeeper. Especially enjoying Judgement + Hearth of Wrath + Fleshwarped Defender and all the fire damage. However, this is my first HC character, which means I’ll be heading to 100 and likely using it for farming. Malawiglenn recommends Physical Warlord because it’s easier to gear but a Commando just seems to synergize more with my current fast paced play style. However I’m worried that Blast Shield + Ascension just wont be enough to keep me alive thought Elite bosses.
Both Warlord and Shieldbreakers are sturdy if their build correctly. Warlord is the class everybody recommends for trouble less journey.
I will give you another example-Paladin. You still have Ascension, but on top of permanent Seal+healing spell, flat health and damage reduction from Censure.
But Seal is permanent and have nice damage absorb. Of course it requires precision to position it directly beneath you. Also it’s not super useful for fast speed style. But for defense it’s excellent mechanism. The question now is how much damage one can muster from Paladins’ offensive spells. But at least you have multiple options.
I don’t recommend either for HC. I have a few top geared warlords and SBs, speaking from experience. The ones that really excel in HC require quite a bit of gearing and aren’t good for first char play through.
I still stand by my original advice - commando. Slow? Yes. Reliable? Hell yeah!
I’ve made a clone of Aikimox’s Immortal Commando and was able to beat every celestial in the game. All in HC.
You need survivability that is not cooldown based or at least reduce the CD window to minimize risk of dying. Farming endgame gear with a char that can’t survive reliably is a bad idea. Not to say that it’s impossible. I’ve done it myself multiple times using glassy experimental builds. But I don’t recommend this for HC beginners.
If you are still locked on Warlords, go for speed then - Physical EoR