Foreword:
First time greetings to everyone here! I have recently picked Grim Dawn and am currently playing with a friend. I have recently hit lvl 95 on my spellbinder and was already attempting to conquer crucible. However, at some point I noticed that my times got worse, even worse than these of 5 levels prior. I decided to look into the changelog and found about recent changes to Star Pact. While I am not here to discuss that change itself, I am here to ask advice on the build I made as a sort of end-game aim, considering recent changes. I really like the Spellbinder class and still want to have it as an aether devastation build, not to mention we have a little role-play with my friend who plays as 2h ranged Purifier. I have read the guidelines and looked into a couple of builds, so one may consider this an exercise in theorycrafting.
(Regarding link restriction) Extremely sorry for this, but I am not making three useless comment posts just to be able to ask a question here.
The build: grimtools.com/calc/a2EQPdv2
So I have decided to drop Star Pact altogether, and go RP with Devastation and AAR (for this reason I have overcapped Mental alacrity, even past softcap). No more Bone Harvest nor damaging CT. Since focusing mainly on Arcansit, Iskandra looks like a good choice. Fire damage is converted with Decree of Aldritch + Cord of Violent Decay. Only 95% conversions total, although I suppose it is possible to have rolls for a couple percent better than average? Changed rings to Judicator’s signets for overall perfomance, and was really struggling to find good gloves - Cindertouch adds fire to Lightning conversion, which is not good.
Other questionable areas include devotions - Phoenix is no longer good because I dont need fire damage, So instead I got some stars from Dying God.
Overall, is this build Glad Crucible viable, or do I have some glaring faults I fail to notice because of my inexperience?
Sorry If I messed up somewhere. I will be glad to fix it!
I hope FG will add much more interesting stuff to the game (especially conversion-wise), and I am excited to play it!
Well 54% elemental dmg converted to aether, then 46% x 60% = 27.6%, so even maximum roll items only 80% fire dmg converted to aether, you may want a magelord ring sets for fully conversion, btw you dont need inferno as its RR is physical RR, drop it. Dont overcapped Conversion, save points for Decay, Siphon souls as you need some AoE and healing sources. Krieg grips/ Cindertouch / Mythical Soul’s touch/ Mythical Aetherreach your call, but I suggest Mythical Souls touch. Get Agrivix Malice relic, its BiS for Spellbinder. I will take a look at your Devotions path after.
I got the thing about physical RR, even dropped inferno for that reason, as forum still said I have no views.
So this has only 80% conversion? I thought fire damage conversion would be additive with elemental damage conversion, as I thought they occur simultaneously. Will take a look at conversion order again.
Where to begin… Probably by saying that the biggest mistake in making a binder these days is not making it CT Agrivix
Some ppl claim differently but I say Iskandra is trash-tier in general (after the nerfs). Anyways, it’s not the way to go for AAR.
AAR needs total support for it AND for Devastation to be even remotely viable. Look here for some clues on gearing. NOTE: the conduit can be replaced by Essence of Grim Down (but then whatever little sustain could have been be mustered goes to shit) and the green book can be replaced by Codex of Lies (much much worse though)
Skills and devotion bindings. NOTE: Mark of Torment used to be best at 6/10. Now, due to crucible buffs, it’s best to max it imo.
Devotions are a bit offy. You deal zero weapon damage so that Ghoul doesn’t help you one bit. Get the conduit+bat+haunted steel to get at least some semblance of sustain at least for a couple seconds. Or get Phoenix, maybe Turtle, and learn to use Iskandra proc in defensive chaining. Finish up Dying God. It’s real good.
So, here is the quick fix, with the Mythical Soul’s Touch as suggested, (they are really great!): grimtools.com/calc/62a4bdDN
Comments:
Siphon souls deals vitality damage, which I don’t have good % for. Modification for 70 aether is flat and does not depend on skill level. Neither does ADCtH % increase with skill.
I really like Foul eruption. Aside from good RR, It deals aether damage, therefore being good damaging skill here as well. I think I will cap it.
While Decay decreases enemy damage% My main defenses are already Ereoctes, MoT and procs from full Iskandra set and Mythical Wraithwalkers.
I can add 4 points to it by taking them from MoT, but I think this is the most I will add to it.
Unfortunately, getting magelord rings would mean loosing out on OA and other stuff, I didn’t think it was efficient. I don’t see other ways to convert though, So I am afraid it will be 80% max.
More specifically:
Judicator signets: 3469 OA and 2867 DA without procs (3663 OA and 3165 DA with procs)
Magelord rings: 3451 OA and 2884 DA (3451 OA and 2972 DA with procs)
And then I though that actually I might be able to change the belt after I get Magelord. I decided to take Mythical Phantom-thread Girdle, for its OA.
What I get with mage lord and phantom-thread is 3552 OA and 2884 DA (3552 OA and 2972 DA with procs). Well, more glassy, but still good OA.
My Aether dmg % mod is now better as well: 2775% with up to 3005% with procs.
Now, since I only have elemental to aether conversion, it should be additive and let me get 95% conversion or even 100+ with good rolls?
This build is much better now it seems. Thanks for input!
If you want devastation get points from Mirror (leave at 8/10), Necro Mastery, and conversion (leave at 8/10) then dump to devastation. Equip Outcast’s Secret for better results. Shaves around 40s on my runs.
AAR is still shit
Edit: don’t get foul eruption it’s a trap. It only activates if RE is what kills the mob, so it is useless if RE is not your main skill.
Yes, I have read as much about Iskandra set here already. And about “anti-cdr crusade”. I may only guess everything will get better after expansion.
I have looked into it. This is some complicated stuff. I do get it better now, having attempted to change around different build for last two days, but still is difficult. I am afraid I will have to just copy a build from there, even if those items will require many times more farming for myself to get them. My only fear is that something will get nerfed again right after I finish farming a set (not much time to play, mainly weekends).
Got it, Ravenous Earth is better with arcane bomb, much more activations, and it leaves us to bind CT to TD.
I see, I will try to change it around so I will take something else then Ghoul. But it will take much more time to play around with, so I will just leave it for now. Maybe some other time i will tell what I did.
Hi x1x1x1x2, I have read quite some of your posts already.
Interesting build. Old version, but since it doesn’t use Star Pact it might still be as good.
I don’t see how can I pump any more points into devastation, it already has as much points as I can put into it, its about getting items and other stuff for overcap.
Wow, really? Why… I mean, it was not clear for me at all. Such an eye-opener.
I know, I know, any topic I go into I read this. But while we are still here, aren’t currently aether spellbinders not the most optimal?
But I do have this question then: I dont mind ditching AAR, if it is as bad as you all say. I only really want aether Devastation. But do tell me how do I make fully efficient aether CT+MoT+Devastation spellbinder after the recent change? I do guess it is more complicated then just switching Star Pact to Reckless Power, isn’t it?
I used https://www.grimtools.com/calc/mN4qxlx2 this binder, did 4 runs on one set of blessing+banner.
Star pact was only used on CDR binder, all spam-variant and autoatackers used Reckless power.
I see this is pretty much the same binder as the one posted by Mercymaker, with one minor change. Do tell me though, and excuse me if I’m stupid, but you say that Star Pact was only used by CDR binder, but I see this build uses it too. Is this binder also CDR binder? And you said 4 blessings+banner. Does it imply fully graded Wanguard banner? Or which one did you use?
Question on how all these conversions work together (esp. with Star Pact) still stands.
This is the setup I managed my fastest (non-prenerf-clairvoyaint) spellbinder clear ever but as you can see it has no da and energy is very tight. This would be a more balanced non-green option. Survivalist’s stoneplate grieves of kings would be nice here.
Star Pact still stands
It don’t. These runs by Mercy were made in 6.1, I guess.
Since there is no vid, I will ask for tips how to properly pilot this build. Specifically how do you manage your defence? You just learned to time Ereoctes and MoT perfectly? Is that enoguh? Is there more to it?
Yes, but the same build was posted by Ptirodaktill and his GrimTools link was for 1.0.7.1, so I just assumed that they both meant current, post-nerf build.
…
Wait, he deleted his post.
Okay, I guess you are right, that build is outdated now.
Even the Mercy’s video is for 5th of December, while nerf was on 15th, if I remember correctly.
Yes, but the same build was posted by Ptirodaktill and his GrimTools link was for 1.0.7.1, so I just assumed that they both meant current, post-nerf build.
…
Wait, he deleted his post.
Okay, I guess you are right, that build is outdated now.
It’s not outdated. Just move points from Star Pact to Reckless and learn to time your dmg absorb skills perfectly. Also, keep in mind positioning to maximize adcth. If you still die, use Ravager Eyes on the weapons and switch Fiend to Bat.
Sorry for nitpicking, but this would require some work, as with these particular greaves you poison resist drops to 62%. Or is this of no concern? I don’t really see how these boots are better then a legendary ones.
P.S. Wanted to edit my post, but I cant since you already replied. :rolleyes:
I see, thank you very much for advice! Will definitely try this build out. Just have no idea how much time i will spend farming…
And that MI from Anasteria will require a completely new char, since I have already befriended her on all 3 difficulties… Oh well…
It was posted last patch but if you wanna play without devastation then there’s absolutely no change needed. But seeing as you wanna play devastation then just follow what I said on my first reply. You won’t be able to get 26/16 devastation (only 23), in fact if you try your hardest to hardcap devastation you’ll just hurt the overall build. I can’t exactly link grimtools cause I’m at work.
If you were using Clairvoyant/Iskandra before then you switch pact to reckless power and your set into Agrivix and it’s done. If you’re looking for the most efficient then the my setup with the adjustments I mentioned is pretty much the best build I currently have in my pc. While CDR binder was nerfed so hard, Agrivix was buffed equally as hard. CT fire damage (where ~90% is converted to aether) was buffed, albrecht rings got a proc to replace the cdr (which we didn’t need).
As for defense management I just ask myself if the wave looks scary then if yes, press mirror, if it’s still scary afterwards press mark, if it’s still scary then just continue pressing CT while tanking till you remember you have ghoul and you’re still fine. But tbh most of them die even before Mark+Mirror is over.
Only one question - the build liked in your post ([1.0.6.1] No Devastation CT SpamBinder - EZ 8:25 170 clear (bannered)) has 27/16 CT. How does that even work?
