Dual Blades might be the most dramatic change with respect to how Crate is rebalancing physical resistance, armor, and monster physical damage. While Aspect of the Guardian and Aura of Conviction have had their physical resistance values nerfed by roughly 20% (10% to 8% at soft cap), Dual Blades has gone from 10% physical resistance at soft cap to 0% physical resistance and 20% armor. I have a lot of nightblades sitting around, so I thought I’d do a bunch of SR 32 runs and see how they felt. Some of these builds are quite old and haven’t been updated in a long time (though if I saw some points that could be reallocated to Phantasmal Armor, I did shift things around a bit but not too much). All DW melee nightblades that I have at the moment have been tested (Edits relate to adding new builds and adding conclusion after testing done).
My overall conclusion based on playing all of these characters, all of which had previously run SR80 (old 32) on 1.2.1, is that the change to dual blades whereby it increases percent armor as opposed to percent physical resistance – combined with any balance changes to physical damage which aren’t precisely disclosed – has been done in a way that does not make nightblade feel squishier overall. I am not going to randomly throw HC characters at celestials or push too far in SR, so this is based around a SR32. It’s possible that against the hardest tier of content in the game, the loss of phys res will hurt more than the armor buff helps, but at least as far as SR32 is concerned, this is not the case.
Chillheart Cold EoR Dervish (Dervish, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Felt fine. A few things hit hard and probably don’t want to push much further on HC. I think 34 is doable with appropriate caution.
Pierce RoS Spam Infiltrator (Infiltrator, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Didn’t test as it is basically unplayable due to energy issues resulting from RoS consuming almost twice the energy it did on prior patches. Will test if this energy cost increase is unintended and is reverted.
Malkadarr Reaper (Reaper, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - One of the scariest SR runs I’ve had in awhile. Somewhat surprised I didn’t die between low DA, minimal physical resistance, and not a lot of armor. This reminds me I need to make a proper Malkadarr Reaper.
Chillwhisper Reaper (Reaper, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - This is probably in the can do SR34 with great caution category. SR32 didn’t feel too bad, but I was aware of my squishiness. Cold Ravenous Earth and Blade Spirits do give this a bit of kitability.
Loxmere Cold Spellbreaker (Spellbreaker, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Very smooth. This build continues to feel very good and can likely push a good bit further.
Chillstrife Cold Spellbreaker (Spellbreaker, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Very smooth. Should be similar to Loxmere in terms of its ability to push further in SR.
Lightning Shadow Strike Trickster (Trickster, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - This one is going in the can do 34 with a reasonable amount of caution category. The lack of circuitbreakers and no real panic button make me nervous about pushing too far.
Malkadarr Spellbreaker (Spellbreaker, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Very smooth. Should be similar to Loxmere in terms of its ability to push further in SR.
Pusquill Witch Hunter (Witch Hunter, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Not as scary as the Reaper, but I think SR32 is as far as I want to push this one. Not going to try SR34 with caution but also didn’t think I was going to die repeatedly.
Chillflame Evoker Saboteur (Saboteur, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Very smooth. Could be randomness, but this build felt better than I remembered previously.
Noctirn Pierce Shadow Strike Infiltrator (Infiltrator, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Very smooth. This one gets 4.2k armor in its current setup between Dual Blades, Vigor, and Phantasmal Armor. SR Set and Aura of Conviction keep phys res respectable.
Ember’s Calling Fire Spellbreaker (Spellbreaker, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Similar to the Pusquill Witch Hunter. SR32 is doable but is getting close to the limit of where I am comfortable.
Stormstrife Trickster (Trickster, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - You can kite a bit with this due to the totems, but clear speed is better if you are taking advantage of melee combat while totems are attacking. I think this can push to 34 with caution, so 32 is not the limit.
Dunefiend Witch Hunter (Witch Hunter, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Being shadow strike focused reduces AOE a bit, but solid enough single target that I think it can push to 34 with careful play.
SR Set Aetherbreaker (Spellbreaker, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Very comfortable in SR32. Feels very sturdy and tanky. Can push a good bit further.
Deathmarked Spellbreaker (Spellbreaker, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Okay, okay, who did the fast Crucible run that got this set needlessly (IMO) nerfed? Still a fun build, but the loss of damage isn’t really offset by an increase in tankiness. Can push to SR34 with caution but I don’t see it going beyond that.
Rah’Zin Witch Hunter (Witch Hunter, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - This felt fine and I think it can push to SR34 or so with careful play. I’ve always felt Rah’Zin is better at single target encounters versus clearing large packs of mobs. The extra HP compared to the SC Rah’Zin builds I see does help make SR less scary.
Veilkeeper Aetherbreaker (Spellbreaker, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Combination of reasonable tankiness, high regeneration, and good leech made SR32 a breeze. This is definitely one of the builds that can push deeper without too much danger.
Elemental Bargoll Root Infiltrator (Infiltrator, Level 100 (GD 1.2.1.3) - Grim Dawn Build Calculator) - Hardcapped Inquisitor Seal covers some tankiness sins that would otherwise be more problematic. SR32 was fine and I’d be comfortable pushing to around SR34 with careful play.