New player, looking for a more active gameplay build/class

Grim Dawn Classes, Skills and Builds
1

Hello,

I recently bought the game and reached level 20 with a Witch Hunter and somewhat followed a build based on lifesteal I found here that seemed rather fun. I can’t post the URL as I’m new here, but the title is “[1.0.0.9] Tri-damage Witch Hunter - Dual wielding Nemesis Slayer (13 sec Fabius, etc.)”

I quickly realised though that it only uses very few active skills, most of them being debuff, which for me is not as fun as damage skills.

Could you recommend a Witch Hunter build (or maybe I should switch to another class ?) that would suit my playstyle ?
I’d like to use various skills to be more engaged during battles, without so much auto-attack all the time.
The last Arpg I played was Diablo3, and I loved playing the Demon Hunter, because she has good mobility skills and fun damage/explosion skills.

Thanks in advance

2

I guess since I am a lazy player my best advice would be to steer you to the stuff I typically avoid.

Just about anything and arcanist is probably what you are looking for. Mage Hunter, Spellbreaker, Elemtalist, Sorcerer, Spellbinder, even Battle Mage probably.

I’m not sure which of those would be the busiest or most active to play but I’d consider looking at them.

Maybe someone else can chime in with a better opinion. Good luck and welcome to Grim Dawn.

3

If you want an active build and want to stay a Witch Hunter I’d say your only real bet is a Dreeg’s Evil Eye build. It’s not the most active build you can find but it’s active enough I’d say, you’d be debuffing enemies with Curse of Failty, casting Dreeg’s Evil Eye, Dreeg’s Infinite Gaze and Dreeg’s Afflicted spines on cooldown and if you’d want to also Shadow Strike and/or Amarasta’s Blade Burst. This guide might be a bit old but it should do the trick.

4

Cabalist, Ritualist, Conjurer, heavy on actives with lot of in built heal on skills along with active heals

Lightning casters- Vindicator, Warder, Druid

Good for starting, yet powerful with BiS items and lots of actives

5

Given what you say, you definitely need a caster build.

Grim dawn does not really a lot of mobility skills like the demon hunter in D3.

For what it is worth, i would compare your situation with modern fire weapon :
-auto attack build in Grim dawn are like heavy machine gun, they require you to stay static and release a lot of firepowe
-Diablo 3 ranged and melee build are more like shotgun and run : you press a lot of button for immediate effect and kite.

You should look for these masteries :
-demolionist (except fire strike)
-arcanist
-vitality shaman
-dreeg or doombolt occultist
-runes inquisitor.

I would avoid nightblade and soldier if you are looking for a fun pure caster

6

Thanks for all your advices =)

Maybe Occultist wasn’t the best choice for me, so I took a look at the ShadowStrike SpellBreaker and it seems quite fun.
Teleporting around and casting nice AoE effects seems great, and it has 5 active skills + 2 invulnerability.

7

It you are looking for a fun gear-independent build, then the DEE Witch Hunter is great, but two other build options are:

  1. Vallenhael’s [1.0.2.1]Ravenous Earth Ritualist Ult Ravager, Lokarr and 150 ex.spawn Crucible Down [HC Viable]

  2. Gutz’s [1.0.2.1]Elementalist - with the greatest power comes with great responsibilities

Those two builds just suggest you get a MI to drop that really improves the killing speed, but they are not necessary. However, they are pretty quick to drop and you don’t need any great affixes on them; you are just using them for the skill modifiers.

I’m playing the Elementalist right now and there are lots of skills to use plus it’s really flashy with all the procs going off. Give it a try!

8

I personally find the light’s defender stun jacks build very engaging:

http://www.grimdawn.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47324&highlight=defender

I am doing a purifier version of it which works well and has the added benefit of giving you maxed out run speed very easily.

It has a number of abilities to use and stun jacks itself is very versatile in its usage making it interesting.

The light defender set is for later, properly matured stun jacks build is perfectly fine with normal casting stuff for veteran or elite

9

Here’s a few I Enjoy:

Ranged:
http://www.grimtools.com/calc/0V0JQ51N
Fun Ranged build with lots of explosions. your throwing a flashbang and Grenado on CD, using Inquisitors seal tactically (for a defensive buff as well as a damage increase), and a very heavy duty auto attack as well. When I think of demon hunter in D3 this comes pretty close.

http://www.grimtools.com/calc/M2gWRrB2
A fun build I put together myself based on a standard pyro, with a unique aspect from a new amulet. Vitality based DW gunslinger. Every time I play this, I think of Jonah Hex. some DoT and debuff maintenance through Curse of Frailty and your relic power, and Flashbang for the debuff and Crowd control. It’s a bit more gear dependent since it’s a conversion build, but quite fun for a DW gunslinger.

http://www.grimtools.com/calc/vNQ9JxvN
this is my Hulksmash build. lots of ground-pounding fun. Charge in, smash the ground (a few times), and forcewave clears out packs fast. Wendigo totem for heals. It’s a bit more melee oriented then what you were playing before, but smashing mobs faces couldn’t be more fun. Auto attack is almost nonexistent in this build, it’s pretty much there as a filler.