I’ve written this guide for end game builds to give some recommendations but it’s based on experience and what you can sacrifice for certain build in order to function.
For leveling, especially in normal you have lot’s of ground for mistakes without stopping your progress. Still:
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Use components and later augments to cover your resistances and stats holes. Components ideally should be primarily for res and augments for DA/OA and damage. For example Survivor’s Ingenuity is universal low level jewel augment you should take.
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Max your main resistances. If you can’t cover them all, observe what damage enemies in the are do and cover it. For example you should max aether against aetherial enemies in Malmouth, against wendigo mobs/flowers you should have vitality, poison, bleed, against chtonics chaos, vitality, fire, etc.
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Have enough DA not be critted. Especially important for elite and ultimate. hover DA stat in-game after fighting bosses.
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Physical protection with physical res/armor is important, since most attacks do split physical/magic damage. Key in higher levels.
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Have damage reduction source. Important for your defense. Also some source of heal/leech. Bat, Scales, Wendigo and Ghoul devotions can be used. Standard combo is Bat+Ghoul.
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Resistance reduction is key for offense, take it from classes/devotions.
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Max your main offensive skill early on. Don’t spread yourself too thin on multiple 1-2 pointer offensive spells. Support skills though can work well initially at 1 points.
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Invest not only in skills but in mastery bar, it will provide your valuable stats.