[1.0.0.6] May I re-introduce to you my lazy Tank/Retaliation & Reflection Oriented Warder - Hetzer, post release update. The no stress, unwaivering, invincible, high damage output, less mainstream build who comfortably completed all quests on all difficulties in hardcore without breaking a sweat using all self found gear. This build was meant for survivability with damage focusing on what’s normally a secondary channel being retaliation and reflect instead of the mainstream weapon/caster builds.
For anyone looking for a safe, less anxious way to advance in hardcore mode on all difficulties with little effort, minimal APS, and no real threat then I would recommend considering this Warder retaliation/reflect build. Plus it’s a great support & tank for multiplayer (though I solo’d from start to finish, not many multi’s on elite, and hardly any on ultimate for hardcore players yet).
Pros:
Invincible Tank! - Obviously, if you play hardcore, this is a biggy. But this guy simply doesn’t die.
Easy game advancement! - Pioneer higher levels with this guy to get gear for your other crew.
Low End Gear Works! - I beat this game with average gear on ultimate hardcore. Even in these videos it’s still average and because of that there is much improvement to be made.
Low Maintenance! - If you play hardcore than you know you spend a great deal of time watching your health bar and not the game. No need for that with this build!
No Stress! - After you’ve grieved the loss of a high up hardcore character it can be stressful (fun though) playing guys who live on the edge. This guy…is Mr. Safe.
Great Multiplayer Support! - Tank and keep your friends alive! Taunt skills on certain gear keeps the enemy attacking you. I’ve tanked BoC bosses and SoT bosses on Ultimate in Parties of 4. It’s actually easier because their buffs make me stronger and their damage makes it quick work.
Hardcore Ultimate Achievement! - Easy to get with this guy.
Very fast clearing! - Watch horde’s (see linked videos for example) die faster than the normal person can kill them. Why? Because they kill themselves. Other players have to kill all the enemies as fast as they can strike them. This guy kills enemies as fast as they can strike you (which is faster). (Depending on reflect amount, may be some troubles with ranged, see cons).
Lazy Compatible! - Does not require ‘edge-of-chair’ attention. Good for grinding or those easily distracted and multi-taskers. (However, see cons).
Minimal/No Respeccing Needed! - Tank from the start, weapon damage will carry through hardcore veteran. By then you should have some retaliation gear.
Built-in Circuit Breaker! - With Soldier’s Menhir’s Will skill (which requires a shield) you have a built in circuit breaker that heals you when your health drops (as I demonstrated in my fight vs Shar’Zul using subpar gear in the Bastion of Chaos). There are items that grant curcuit breakers like the mercy amulet or alchemist belt and guardian pauldrons. But this way you don’t have to have a dedicated circuit breaker item equipped (though you could for extra protection).
Finally a Use for Those Awkward Items! - Chances are if you have a cool item that doesn’t fit in with the normal builds, it likely belongs here. Not just those that compliment this build, but because this build is so freakin tough you can change a few items out for those weird ones that do weird things and have a laugh (soiled trowsers, gazer man, pretty great pants, etc.)
Cons:
Feel Like Your Cheating. - This guy is far removed from your normal characters and because he’s invincible and retains high damage through retaliation it’s little to no effort to beat everything in the game (see Royal Hive gameplay video below).
Boring at times. - Take pride in your crafting this build but understand that it’s not very dynamic. Facetanking is your skill. I’ve played chess on my phone while I’ve waited for bosses to die.
Weak vs Ranged (though doesn’t have to be, see tips below). - If you tailor toward more retaliation (which is recommended as 80%+ in this game are melee) you will find a lower reflect means ranged guys who are not damaged by retaliation but only by reflect are slow to die.
Tips:
Draw near to the enemy - Many ranged enemies will melee you when you’re close (like those bastard skeleton priests and witch doctors).
Get retaliation procs - Items that retaliate (doom bolt, vines, lightning in my build for example, see video) will help kill everyone on the map (not just those in melee range) and compliments your retaliation damage very well.
Collect Retaliation Gear AND Reflect Gear - Retaliation gear is more common and more valuable since 80% of your enemies are melee and retaliation has a much higher average damage output than reflect, but don’t neglect keeping reflect gear. Though more rare, and usually it’s a green item, reflect attributes will make dealing with ranged enemies easier at higher difficulties.
War Cry - If your gear isn’t killing as fast as you’d like. War Cry with it’s 33% reduction to health would be worth 1 point to help speed up the process. Plus this works on ranged.
Have fun! - It’s like going to get your head shave, difficult to screw it up
Updated Guide! - The next post now has been updated to include a leveling guide.
Videos:
Hetzer vs Ultimate Hardcore Cronley: https://youtu.be/Q6ughsWNcog
Hetzer vs Ultimate Hardcore Ilgorr (SoT): https://youtu.be/_JEP1efooos
Hetzer vs Ultimate Hardcore Alkamos (SoT Boss): https://youtu.be/-tAQoEmImSU
Hetzer vs Ultimate Hardcore Shar’Zul (BoC Boss): https://youtu.be/zSbDPfPJJS0
(Triggered a circuit breaker here if you want to see how that works).
Hetzer vs Ultimate Hardcore Loxmere Nightmage: https://youtu.be/mt8PMxGmYeQ
Hetzer vs Ultimate Hardcore Loghorrean (End Game Boss): https://youtu.be/KQvqTeyycis
Hetzer vs the Horde (BoC): https://youtu.be/pT9LVbinT-I
Ultimate Hardcore Royal Hive Gameplay: https://youtu.be/_bFZUBBD6i0
Hetzer vs Ranged (Weapon) Gameplay: https://youtu.be/AaWVxMjK5NA (Gear swapped from main gear to reflect gear.)
Hetzer vs Ranged (Caster) Gameplay: https://youtu.be/QYCaU_YfEQM (Gear swapped from main gear to reflect gear.)
Hetzer’s Average Retaliation Gear: https://youtu.be/nwZI-G87wMU
Hetzer’s Average Reflect Gear: https://youtu.be/QYCaU_YfEQM
Hetzer vs Ultimate Hardcore Rashalga, the Mad Queen: https://youtu.be/HFpZK4adB2s
GrimCalc:
http://grimcalc.com/build/UF8qtE
Configuration & Specs:
Stats Page 1 (See stats page 3 with buffs for average damage output through retaliation):
Stats Page 2:
Stats Page 3 (no temp buffs):
Stats Page 3 (with temp buffs):
Skill Mastery 1:
Skill Mastery 2:
Devotion Mastery Part 1:
Devotion Mastery Part 2:
I started this build in Beta and have adapted him with each new patch. More or less he hasn’t changed much and has remained completely viable throughout. Here is the original post from Beta:
This build has plenty of room to be improved on. While I’ve logged a good amount of time, not near as much as some of those on here. All my gear is average but I’ve seen in the item library items that would greatly enhance this build in many ways.
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