The Berserker - Bloodrage Double Strike Axe & Shield ( New CT Video - Cheap - Fun )

Hey there.


Decided to share a 1H Axe & Shield wielding Double Strike Bloodrage Tank build I'm trying out. I've always wanted to create this crazed berserker "thrive in combat" style of character, and finally got around to making one, as I'm much for styled characters ( all the way to item skins! ) I've fiddled with a ton of builds and I think this is the one I will continue developing as I enjoy it a lot.

I've played PoE from the end of closed Beta, late 2012. Previously I've been #1 in D2 HC Ladder in Season 2, and I've played many similiar games such as all of the Diablo, Torchlight and Titan Quest series.

Currently the character is lvl72 and I've been clearing maps with it since lvl64, has been fun. With certain expensive high-end items you can expect DPS go up to 10-15K, as I've been told by some who have tried similiar builds. Currently I'm doing 7.8K DPS with my less than average items. You can expect to have around 4-5k health with full build and half-decent endgame items, and 8-15k armor + 50-60% block.

I'm keeping the guide compact in size.


Here is a video from a rare cemetery map boss which was the highest damaging enviroment I cleared with this character at the time ( lvl64 ) multiple projectiles and increased damage for Gulls and Constructs was lulz. Using Bloodrage only at the end with Hatred to go manmode on boss:

http://youtu.be/AXLv0k9CfuA


And here is a newer video from Cowards Trial. Don't mind me using Grace, wasn't sure how my PC will handle CT+Fraps so took some extra armour without the need to craft Determination in. 3:07 OUR ARROWS WILL BLOT OUT THE WALL:

http://youtu.be/AVhC2yv6SRk



Passive Skill Tree:




PROS:

-Cheap, doesn't necessarily require uniques at all
-Straightforward ( really straightforward ) and fun playstyle
-Great damage output that reaches insane levels with expensive gear
-Map viable
-Can use 1 or even 2 Auras
-No real need to alternate between singletarget/aoe attacks
-Very tanky with good itemization and leeching
-Ignores most map mods with ease
-Manly

Cons:

-Requires spesific gearing ( you need atleast 4% manaleech and 40% regen for infinite attacks )
-Map mods that slow down your attackspeed can make your life difficult
-If you use Bloodrage at a bad time with some map mods you can kill yourself



Items




Bandits:

Help Oak.


Skills:




FAQ






I will be updating the guide at times as I progress or if great suggestions should arise. Take not this guide isn't a rigid one, you can fiddle with it to suit your style and needs best. It's also a living changing thing, bit like a diary I keep as I progress through the endgame content, studying and perfecting it over time.

I used a different max block build, I was running:

cleave + conc effect + melee physical + faster attacks + LL

I switched to your links using Double Strike and my dps went way up, I can clear maps 10x faster!

Thanks for writing this guide! :)

Updated:

-Added example IIR magicfinding itemization set

-Updated main attack: When using a 5L you can do just fine without Melee Splash, use Melee Physical Damage + Added Fire instead if you want more singletarget DPS. Packs still die all the same, but this just gives you a choice regarding more AOE or more singletarget DPS. Don't forget Life Leech is also viable if you keep dying, mix and match according to your itemization. Added description for when you want to play it safe.

"

Rich85 wrote:

I used a different max block build, I was running:

cleave + conc effect + melee physical + faster attacks + LL

I switched to your links using Double Strike and my dps went way up, I can clear maps 10x faster!

Thanks for writing this guide! :)

Thanks for your kind words Rich85. I had practically the same experience with Infernal Blow and Cleave, the moment I tried Doublestrike I realized I'm probably never going back.

That video was pretty dang manly. I'm interested in trying the build out! Did you play this char in Nemesis, Dom or what?

"

DustyLenz wrote:

That video was pretty dang manly. I'm interested in trying the build out! Did you play this char in Nemesis, Dom or what?

Thanks for your nice response, glad you liked the video. Especially considering the amount of Health and Armor, I must agree with you. They say you need 4k health to do rare maps, I say bollocks ( understandable for high level rares/hc ofcourse. )

The character is in the Domination -league. The build works for Hardcore aswell, but then you should use only defensive auras and Life Leech -in your main attack to stay safe, and probably itemize for maximum health and armor ( as with all builds when tuned to HC. )

I really have only died a few times in maps, and it has always been to either getting oneshotted or desync ( 10x elite Rhoas modded with increased damage charging your face feels good ) but all of the oneshots would've been avoidable if I didn't charge in like the lovechild of Chuck Norris and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Updated skills.

Updated build, having more passive armor and freedom of choice from Iron Reflexes and using Immortal Call is better than just having Endurance Charges. Also nicer to have with The Bringer Of Rain which I heavily intend to acquire, with the small added benefit of a newer player having an easier time crafting the needed colors into a 5L/6L arm+eva chest.

Ofcourse, should one have full armor-only gear and no need for anything else it should be specced out of. The older build works just fine with that.

Updated skills, finally found a nice 4L combo for the empty one:

Cast When Damage Taken - Detonate Dead - Molten Shell - Culling Strike

Also added new video from Cowards Trial!