INTRODUCTION
Hello and welcome! This is a work-in-progress collection of my Hardcore builds.
I’m a Time Assassin enjoyer. I like time-related and assassin concepts in games.
So here in Grim Dawn:
- Nightblade, favorite mastery
- Shadow Strike, favorite skill
- Aeon’s Hourglass, favorite devotion
I’m making builds with a different damage type of Shadow Strike for each class with Nightblade mastery while using Aeon’s Hourglass devotion in Hardcore.
At first, my goal was to make builds with unique Shadow Strike damage type for each unique class with Nightblade. 8 damage types (Bleeding and Physical are excluded) and 8 classes with Nightblade so 8 builds then done. But who knows, maybe one day I’ll complete the progress table below. That is if I ever find the TIME to do so.
I try to be as creative as possible. Obvious synergies between classes and items are given lower priority. It is possible that similar builds are already done by other players but I always try to put my own spin on a build.
Some of my builds failed and died 
. For those who survived and conquered, I’ll include them in this collection. I’m not expecting to come up with the best and well-optimized builds but I’m experimenting on things that might work while having fun playing.
SIDE NOTE:
- This post includes contents from Ashes of Malmouth and The Forgotten Gods expansions of
Grim Dawn. - Majority of the builds shown here are for end-game. Some characters are leveled up to 94 with Lokarr’s set and 2 Leovinus’ Rings regardless of build. Skills, devotions, and items are later changed to the actual end-game build.
PROGRESS TABLE
| Chaos | Aether | Lightning | Fire | Vitality | Piercing | Acid | Cold | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blademaster (Soldier) | — | — |  |
— |  |
— | — | — |
| Saboteur (Demolitionist) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Witch Hunter (Occultist) | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Spellbreaker (Arcanist) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Trickster (Shaman) | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
— |
| Infiltrator (Inquisitor) | — | |
— | — | |
— | — | — |
| Reaper (Necromancer) | — | — | |
— | — | — | — | — |
| Dervish (Oathkeeper) | — | — | — | |
— | — | — | — |
SIDE NOTE:
- : done with Aeon’s Hourglass + Shadow Strike builds
- : done with other builds
- — : not yet done
- Clicking any or in the table should jump to its corresponding build category.
PERSONAL CHECKLIST
 |
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| OA | • ⪆ 3200 • Chance to Hit Lokarr: 100% |
< 3200 | |
| DA | • ⪆ 3050 • Chance to be Hit by Lokarr: ≤ 90% • Chance to be Crit by Lokarr: 0% |
< 3050 | |
| Shadow Strike and Nidalla’s Justifiable Ends hard capped (max level + 10 over) |
both | only 1 | none |
| Maxed Resistances | ≥ 35% over max on all resistances | all | not all |
| Health | ≥ 15000 | < 15000 | |
| Main Damage % Modifier | ≥ 2000% | < 2000% | |
| Main Damage RR | • many RR sources from skills and items • total RR can bring resistance down to or even below 0 (Lokarr is the main goal) |
• got a few RR from skills and items • can still defeat monsters with high resistance |
almost bare minimum |
SIDE NOTE:
- : Got what I was aiming for; if possible, the more the better.
- : good enough for me
- : we make do with what we have
- Checklist as of 1.2.0.5
- Numbers in the checklist pertain to in-game rather than Grimtools.
- character stats checked while Permanent + Temporary buffs are active
- Not diving deep in the game math, OA and DA thresholds are just estimates based on observed in-game stats (see examples below).
- % chance may vary depending on Lokarr’s level.
TIME ASSASSIN ROLEPLAY: AEON’S HOURGLASS + SHADOW STRIKE BUILDS
Notes about the builds:
- played in Hardcore
- class with Nightblade mastery
- Shadow Strike used as main skill and leveled as high as the build can
- Aeon’s Hourglass devotion completed and used
- done with Ultimate main campaign and can clear Skeleton Key dungeons
- clear Ultimate SR 65-66 (video recorded)
- defeat Lokarr (video recorded)
- OPTIONAL
- no rare/green MI in the final build
- clear Gladiator Crucible 150-170
CHAOS
Chaos Witch Hunter
- 2024-01-17
[1.2.0.3][HC][DW Melee] DW Bloodlord’s Blade + Conduit of Night Whispers [Callagadra, Lokarr, SR76, Cr170][vid]- FORUM POST LINK
This is currently my favorite build.
- FORUM POST LINK
| Rating based on checklist | |
|---|---|
| OA | |
| DA | |
| Shadow Strike and Nidalla’s Justifiable Ends hard capped (max level + 10 over) |
|
| Maxed Resistances | |
| Health | |
| Main Damage % Modifier | |
| Main Damage RR | |
AETHER
Aether Infiltrator
- 2024-02-05
[1.2.0.3][HC][DW Melee Caster Hybrid] Allagast’s Masterpiece set + Conduit of Night Whispers [No rare MI][Lokarr, SR65+, Cr170][vid]
| Rating based on checklist | |
|---|---|
| OA | |
| DA | |
| Shadow Strike and Nidalla’s Justifiable Ends hard capped (max level + 10 over) |
|
| Maxed Resistances | |
| Health | |
| Main Damage % Modifier | |
| Main Damage RR | |
LIGHTNING
Lightning Reaper
- 2024-02-12
[1.2.0.3][HC][DW Melee] Mythical Empyrion’s Mercy + Mythical Spark of Ultos [No rare MI][Lokarr, SR66][vid]
| Rating based on checklist | |
|---|---|
| OA | |
| DA | |
| Shadow Strike and Nidalla’s Justifiable Ends hard capped (max level + 10 over) |
|
| Maxed Resistances | |
| Health | |
| Main Damage % Modifier | |
| Main Damage RR | |
FIRE
Fire Dervish
- 2024-02-11
[1.2.0.3][HC][DW Melee] Mythical Ortus + Ember’s Calling set [No rare MI][Lokarr, SR66, Cr170][vid]
| Rating based on checklist | |
|---|---|
| OA | |
| DA | |
| Shadow Strike and Nidalla’s Justifiable Ends hard capped (max level + 10 over) |
|
| Maxed Resistances | |
| Health | |
| Main Damage % Modifier | |
| Main Damage RR | |
VITALITY
Vitality Blademaster
- 2024-02-14
[1.2.0.3][HC][DW Melee] Mythical Death Omen + Mythical Edge of Death [No rare MI][Lokarr, SR66][vid]
| Rating based on checklist | |
|---|---|
| OA | |
| DA | |
| Shadow Strike and Nidalla’s Justifiable Ends hard capped (max level + 10 over) |
|
| Maxed Resistances | |
| Health | |
| Main Damage % Modifier | |
| Main Damage RR | |
PIERCING
ACID
Acid Trickster
- 2024-02-21
[1.2.0.3][HC][2H Melee] Mythical Nightshade’s Reach + Acid Wind Devil [No rare MI][Lokarr, SR66][vid]
| Rating based on checklist | |
|---|---|
| OA | |
| DA | |
| Shadow Strike and Nidalla’s Justifiable Ends hard capped (max level + 10 over) |
|
| Maxed Resistances | |
| Health | |
| Main Damage % Modifier | |
| Main Damage RR | |
COLD
Cold Saboteur
- 2024-02-22
[1.2.0.3][HC][DW Melee] Deathmark’s Shadow set [No rare MI][Lokarr, SR66][vid]
| Rating based on checklist | |
|---|---|
| OA | |
| DA | |
| Shadow Strike and Nidalla’s Justifiable Ends hard capped (max level + 10 over) |
|
| Maxed Resistances | |
| Health | |
| Main Damage % Modifier | |
| Main Damage RR | |
OTHER BUILDS
Same as above except Aeon’s Hourglass and Shadow Strike are now OPTIONAL rather than being required. Some builds might be created and included here for a change of pace.
Possible builds in this section:
- Shadow Strike builds without Aeon’s Hourglass
- Aeon’s Hourglass builds without Shadow Strike
- Builds with neither Aeon’s Hourglass nor Shadow Strike
(highly doubtful)
LIGHTNING
Lightning Blademaster
- 2024-02-29
[1.2.0.3 - 1.2.0.5][HC][DW Melee] Stormrend + Mythical Spark of Ultos [No rare MI][Lokarr, SR66][vid]
| Rating based on checklist | |
|---|---|
| OA | |
| DA | |
| Shadow Strike and Nidalla’s Justifiable Ends hard capped (max level + 10 over) |
|
| Maxed Resistances | |
| Health | |
| Main Damage % Modifier | |
| Main Damage RR | |
VITALITY
Vitality Infiltrator
- 2024-02-27
[1.2.0.3 - 1.2.0.5][HC][DW Melee] DW Decree of Malmouth [No rare MI][Lokarr, SR66][vid]
| Rating based on checklist | |
|---|---|
| OA | |
| DA | |
| Shadow Strike and Nidalla’s Justifiable Ends hard capped (max level + 10 over) |
|
| Maxed Resistances | |
| Health | |
| Main Damage % Modifier | |
| Main Damage RR | |
"Okay so you like Aeon's Hourglass and Shadow Strike, we get it. But can you really make decent builds using both of them on every build?"
First, building around Shadow Strike is not an issue. Any player can choose whichever skill they want and still come up with several different builds because there are many possible damage types, mastery combinations, and item choices.
Next is Aeon’s Hourglass. We should look not only at the skill Time Dilation (TD).
(as of 1.2.0.5)
- Level 10/10
Time Dilation (20% Chance on Attack)
-6 Seconds to All Currently Active Skill Cooldowns
16 Second Skill Recharge
Yes, the skill is powerful but we should also look at other stars in the Aeon’s Hourglass constellation.
- +40 Physique
+40 Cunning
+40 Spirit - 25% Reduction in Internal Trauma Duration
25% Reduction in Burn Duration
25% Reduction in Frostburn Duration
25% Reduction in Electrocute Duration
25% Reduction in Poison Duration
25% Reduction in Vitality Decay Duration
25% Reduction in Bleeding Duration
25% Reduction in Life Leech Duration - 30% Reduced Entrapment Duration
50% Slow Resistance
+25% Reflected Damage Reduction - 20% Aether Resistance
15% Vitality Resistance
+4% Maximum Vitality Resistance - +45 Defensive Ability
6% Chance to Avoid Melee Attacks
6% Chance to Avoid Projectiles
At a glance, these are all generic stats so getting Aeon’s Hourglass on every build might not be the worst idea.
The use of TD is maximized when a build has high cooldown skills (e.g., Ascension [Oathkeeper], Mirror of Ereoctes [Arcanist], Mark of Torment [Necromancer], etc.). If a build only has low cooldown skills, it’s not the end of the world because TD does not suddenly become useless and also the stats from the whole constellation are already good.
In my case, Shadow Strike has relatively low cooldown but I have ways of using TD that are still satisfying. RR devotion skill is bound to Shadow Strike and TD is bound to a medal augment movement skill with debuffs.
For example, in my Chaos Witch Hunter build:
- Eldritch Fire (Solael’s Witchblade) is bound to Shadow Strike
- TD is bound to Upon Rylok Wings (Rune of the Dark Progenitor medal augment movement skill). Choosing this skill makes TD 68% chance on attack instead of 20%
Fighting Bosses or 
Heroic monsters best case scenario:
- Shadow Strike procs devotion RR
- Upon Rylok Wings reduces monster OA and DA then also procs TD which refreshes the cooldown of active skills
- Shadow Strike again for higher damage potential because monster resistance is lower and also higher chance to crit because monster DA is lower
- Upon Rylok Wings is ready to either 1.) be cast again on the monster to deal more damage and refresh the debuff duration or 2.) be used to retreat or dodge a monster attack
During exploration or SR runs:
Let’s say there are multiple groups of monsters.
- Shadow Strike to Group 1
- Upon Rylok Wings to Group 2 procs TD which refreshes the cooldown of both skills
- Shadow Strike to Group 3
- Upon Rylok Wings anywhere whether or not there are monsters nearby
- Evade is used anywhere in between
That’s a lot of space traveled in a short amount of TIME.
Variations depending on build:
- Active damaging skills (e.g., Ring of Steel [Nightblade], Bone Harvest [Necromancer], etc.) in between Shadow Strike and the skill that procs TD
- Different medal augment movement skill chosen for different damage type or different debuff
TL;DR:
Yes, it’s possible to come up with several good enough builds that use both Aeon’s Hourglass and Shadow Strike. Building around Shadow Strike is fine. Based on my experience, Aeon’s Hourglass will never be useless considering the way I play.
CLOSING
I cooked a lot and I may have started a kitchen fire in some instances 
. There are times when I overcooked, pushed the character’s limits too hard that it eventually died. But most of the time, I come up with interesting builds that are fun to play.
I’d like to thank:
Crate Entertainment for creating and still improving Grim Dawn- my IRL friends whom I sometimes get to play multiplayer with
- RektbyProtoss - I learned a lot from GD Basics Guides and livestreams
- Dammitt - Grimtools
- Mad_Man_Moon, eisprinzessin, powbam, and others I might have missed - I learned Forum Formatting from their posts
- Stupid_Dragon and everyone who contributed to Build Compendium X (Forgotten Gods) - It’s a list of builds already done so I know which builds to prioritize less
And I thank you 
for coming here. I hope you find something interesting here and I also hope you look forward to my upcoming builds. 