I’m thinking about trying a build that will convert damage to aether, and I’m looking at either the Dreadscorcher (https://www.grimtools.com/db/items/8754) or the Vortex of Souls (https://www.grimtools.com/db/items/9405).
How would you guys go at it? I’m set on Demo, the passthrough on the weapons would be awesome with Brimstone. What other class would work the best? I’m thinking Arcanist or Necro.
If you want to go full on aether, probably Arcanist is the best pick for a second class. Reckless Power is an awesome bonus for aether, and lets not forget that the Dreadscorcher also converts chaos (meaning a full aether Fabric of Reality, which sounds really great to me).
Well, I would personally go on GT and search ‘converted to aether damage’ in the item database.
That will quickly yield all the items available to you.
Classwise, you can consider arcanist like Valkez mentioned for reckless power. You can also consider star pact for CDR (one of the most valuable stats to get, and one of the hardest ones to come by). Starpact would be taken preferentially if you’re a caster (e.g. devastation).
I would, however, intuitively lean towards necromancer. You have flat aether damage from spectral binding, nice OA, as well as aether resist reduction, and flat hp. So much love from 2 nodes. Mark of torment is a reliable defense boost (admittedly not as good as mirror from arcanist), and master of death gives you incredible OA and DA. Would recommend NOT taking harbinger of souls unless your OA and DA are solid (2.8k minimum for newer players).
For devotions, I would refer to aether based deathknight builds for ideas. Haven’t really played aether based builds myself, I can’t advise you too much on this aspect. That being said, arcane bomb, attak seru seem particularly tasty to me.
P.S. feel free to PM me with any questions. Damage conversion is a topic which deserves a proper conversation and is by no means straightforward.
Thanks for the tip, Valkez!
Thanks, Spanks. Are you thinking I would choose my second class based on fitting items? Or just general advice in building the, eh, build?
That’s a difficult question to answer. It depends a lot on your playstyle, and your overall design of the build.
100% Dreatschotcher purifier. It would be easy to turn the desolator one I posted into an aether one
I love the Deolator one but Dreadscorcher should be a beast too no doubt, and with an extra bit of fon from 30% chance to pass through
I’ve started thinking about this build again, and I seek the infinite wisdom of the official forums.
https://www.grimtools.com/calc/q2mKBXmZ
Constructive criticism is most welcome!
Foul Eruption works only upon enemies’ death afaik, so you better invest these points in Decay to reduce targets’ damage
Honestly i think Defiler is weak for Aether FS, Krieg Set should be used for Demo + Arcanist or even Necro + Arcanist + Vortex of Souls, but some auto-attack replacer would be needed.
Just realised something: Would Brimstone proc on several targets after piercing through, like Primal Strike does? 'Cause if it doesn’t, I’m not so hot on building with Demo either xD
Yes. if u have piercing through effect weapon work on every default skill.
I actually have a Dagallon purifier, I just couldn’t remember. Had to test it now, and you’re absolutely right 
After FG dropped I think the Dreadscorcher got even better with 25% weapon damage to (though I don’t remember specifics), so I’m looking into this build again. Anyone got anything to chip in with?
If u have pass through and is maxing out brimstone, u might want to reoptimise ur grim dawn graphics setting to lower settings. My pass through arcane weaver purifier firestrike dumped my frame rate so much that I ended up skipping a few options that would max out brimstone.
Nice, thank you!
Defiler is always known as meme class,but since termite mines supports aether now,how about FS Def with necro wps?
Oooooooooh