Lightning Strike, 1H Sword + Shield (Updated)

Hi guys, I'll updated the build cus I acquired a decent 1h sword & Shield and thought about the build.

Lightning Strike how does it works?
-50% of physical weapon base is converted to Lightning Damage.
-70% of the physical weapon base + the converted lightning damage are applied to it's projectile.
-When used on a melee target the initial projectile does not hit the melee target.
-Iron Grip does affect it's projectile damage but again only 70% effective.



Lightning Strike, 1H Sword + Shield Build

(83 point):

(93 point):

(109 point):

Head for Iron Reflex & Resolute Tech before going for Static Shock/sword damage nodes.

Gem Choice:
Single Target
3L -> Double Strike + Faster Attack + Melee Physical Damage.
4L -> Double Strike + Faster Attack + Melee Physical Damage + Added Lightning/Fire/Life on Hit/Life Leech.

OR

3L -> Shield Charge + Melee Physical Damage + Added Fire.
4L -> Shield Charge + Melee Physical Damage + Added Fire + Weapon Elemental damage.

Multiple Targets
4L -> Lightning Strike + LMP + Pierce + Faster Attack.
5L -> Lightning Strike + LMP + Pierce + Faster Attack + Weapon Elemental Damage.

As you can see, if you get a decent quality Lightning Strike it pierces and you could take of Pierce for Weapon Elemental Damage.

Utilities
[Tank] Decoy Totem
[Curse] Enfeeble/Projectile Weakness
[Traveling/Add-on Attacks] Whirling Blades/Viper/Flicker Strike + Faster attack
[Buff] Molten Shell
[Auras] Reduce Mana + Grace + Wrath (Optional)+ Anger (Optional)

Gameplay
For most parts of the early game in Normal mode use Cleave & dual wield/2h axe/sword until you think that it starts to get dangerous close up & use Lightning Strike + LMP + Pierce.

Double Strike when you could handle rare/boss with Decoy/Enfeeble to help out.
If not, use Shield Charge to slowly kill them.

Lightning Strike, make use of the projectiles by first Decoy to lure then curse mobs with Projectile Weakness to increase your projectile damage as well as chance to pierce.

Wow, i really want to try this. after you head down in the tree do you head left for Blood magic and all that or go to the right for all the other stuff first?

Your first 4 points are wasted as duelist, that's why ranger is better.

"

rekked wrote:

Wow, i really want to try this. after you head down in the tree do you head left for Blood magic and all that or go to the right for all the other stuff first?

Life nodes is always the priority, so go to right to get the life nodes then back to left for Unwavering Stance and Blood Magic.

"

Aggnog wrote:

Your first 4 points are wasted as duelist, that's why ranger is better.

Yup that's right, you can save 2 points off by starting a Ranger, but Ranger doesn't have much of the gems needed to freshly start your character.

You might end up with abit more STR which in-turns abit more life compared to Ranger.

This looks preety good

"

AvuArg wrote:

This looks preety good

Thanks, I've made another LS variation on Marauder with Scepter instead of Rapier.

1h Scepter/Shield:
http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/66093

Looks pretty good, might try this for another char.

Id like to know if one were to start fresh, say for open beta, what would one use for lightning strike since duelist doesnt get it until Cruel Hillock. would we have to trade for it or run a templar through or would there be other substitutions?

"

Thregenbeck wrote:

Id like to know if one were to start fresh, say for open beta, what would one use for lightning strike since duelist doesnt get it until Cruel Hillock. would we have to trade for it or run a templar through or would there be other substitutions?

Start with Templar, not that hard to get through Brutus with Phase Run and Heavy Strike, also you can get Weapon Elemental damage from Merveil.

nice build!
don't understand why you're not picking up Steel Skin if you're going for IR...