[3.1] JUGGERNAUT/BERSERKER 1H+Shield Max Block&Spell Block Tank, Atziri Killer+a BoR version

What about for a 5 Link ice crash? Which gems should I use?

Heya, nice build. I started working on my own build in preparation for ascendancy using free respecs i had saved up. I then saw this thread and incorporated some of it into my own builds. After spending about 2 ex worth of regrets testing different gear and specs, I've settled on a Marauder build that will transition into Jugg. Just wanted to stop in an share my current experience and gear. This is a Static Strike build because SS is just too good for single target and clear speed.
I tested 20/20 ice crash, 20/20 molten strike and Infernal blow. Molten is rubbish. Ice crash amd IB are definitely viable but suffer single target.

First, the gear. This is a hardcore build and the gear consists of old parts from all different old characters. All up it's worth maybe 8ex on standard. This is for hardcore:



As you can see, i opted for BoR. I've found the cheap 6 link too good and have found blind to be amazingly strong.
I tested Soul Taker vs Doryani's vs a 350 dps rare mace. After testing each again and again i had to settle on Soul Taker. It has allowed me to run arctic armor, hatred and HoA pushing out 22,000 tooltip dps.

At the moment im running 6 endurance charges. Come the expansion I'll be running 8 with Jugg. Even currently with 6 endurance charges + 67% block + arctic armor + fortify and 5900 HP @ lvl 85, I cant stress how tough this is. Literally un-killable by physical.

Next i found that more than 33% spell block just didnt end up being necessary. With the flask for deadly bosses, i believe that's all i need. I may consider rainbow strides to push Atziri or something, but for maps they arent needed. With max res + arctic armor + 33 sblock(45 with flask) + and my gem link setup I can jump into any caster pack no matter how large and ignore the damage. This is without 8% reduction from Jugg. Im face tanking the beyond bosses, caster bosses and never being in danger. If i need it, I swap the quicksilver flask to a relevant resist flask. Ive only done this once though.

What i think really makes the above build so survivable against casters though are my gem links.



The rest are pretty straight forward. I'm starved for sockets so that made settling on this configuration difficult. My IDEAL setup would be a 6 link Belly to free up the head slot. If I could do that I'd maybe add chaos golem + riposte + LoH.
Current passive tree at level 85. I may make some small adjustments later.
Passive skill tree build

By choosing Juggernaut this build will have a further 98% increased damaged on top of his current 22k (26k flasked).

Sorry for the length of the post. I just wanted to share my experience because this is by far hands-down the best hardcore viable melee build I've ever had.

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Jameszabiela08 wrote:

What about for a 5 Link ice crash? Which gems should I use?

You can find that information in the first post.

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Mastodonic wrote:

Sorry for the length of the post. I just wanted to share my experience because this is by far hands-down the best hardcore viable melee build I've ever had.

Thanks a lot for your post, it brings a smile to my face knowing ppl enjoyed playing it :)

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ComradeSerge wrote:

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Relytz wrote:

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So, who is better? jaggernaut or gladiator?

I was wondering this myself too. Currently the exchange can sorta be summed up like this: Juggernaut, more armor/+1 endurance charge.
Gladiator = More block, and frees up the Amulet/Boot slot.

In my honest opinion though, I think Gladiator is better since it allows you to cap spell block, as opposed to Juggernaut which would only be able to get 75%(x75%) block. Unless they add new uniques, that is.

Juggernaut will be a super tank, but inspite that, I think Gladiator is overall simply much better. You'll be able to achieve max spell block easily with Gladiator, plus, freeing the amulet slot and the boots slot is a HUGE thing. Juggernaut sort of compensates for that with all the tankiness, reduced ele dmg taken per endurance charge and DPS per end charge, but I'd still prefer Gladiator over it. Of course, it is a difference in style of play, so to someone else, Juggernaut might be more appealing, and that is completely legitimate.

Just wanted to point out that the Juggernaut perk Unrelenting gives a flat 8% ele damage reduction on max endurance charges, not 8% per endurance charge.

Was playing this build last league and loved it. Plan on making it this league again but decided to do gladiator instead of juggernaut. Glad to see that this is also a good choice.

I'm assuming another benefit would be extra passives that were spent on block chance, as the left side of gladiator ascendancy tree gives 16% block chance (Love those small nodes!), though I haven't actually done the math/looked into it at all.

Anyway, thanks for the build. Was my first HC char to get past DOM. Keep up the good work.

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GaiaX wrote:

Just wanted to point out that the Juggernaut perk Unrelenting gives a flat 8% ele damage reduction on max endurance charges, not 8% per endurance charge.

Was playing this build last league and loved it. Plan on making it this league again but decided to do gladiator instead of juggernaut. Glad to see that this is also a good choice.

I'm assuming another benefit would be extra passives that were spent on block chance, as the left side of gladiator ascendancy tree gives 16% block chance (Love those small nodes!), though I haven't actually done the math/looked into it at all.

Anyway, thanks for the build. Was my first HC char to get past DOM. Keep up the good work.

You are correct, thanks for pointing that out! Still a pretty nice tankines buff.

Variations are always doable, of course, and I always encourage ppl to experiment on my builds and change stuff according to their preferences. Nothing is written in stone :)

Thanks, and GL out there!

Hi ComradeSerge,

I'm plannig to start the upcomming Pernandus League with a super Tanky Shield Marauder. After fiddeling with the Skilltree I remembered that I read you guide a while ago. I want to run Ice Crash for the additional defenses provided by Chilling and Freezing enemies. I also planned on running Juggernaut because it has got a lot more Armour and Life + a Movespeed Bonus compared to the Gladiator (As far as I can tell). And block Chance is still quite high.

I made a quite similar version of a skilltree and now have a few questions:
Skilltree

Do you think I'll have enough DMG? And are 106 Points (LVL 85) realistic? I'm quite new to the game and my highest Char is @ lvl 80.
Do you think it's too greedy to go for the big Life Wheel via 1 Socket and Combat Stamina? My thoughts where that it greatly boosts Life and also offers a great way to advance after 106 Points. I already took those parts of the Wheel with my lvl 80 Marauder and liked it quite well.
How important is Unyielding (In the normal passive tree not the Ascendancy)?
Is the New Unique Jewel worth it given that I take Unyielding?
Would you prefer Belly of the Beast or a good Astral Plate given that I don't take Iron Reflexes?
Why do you use Seething Flasks and not Bubbling?

I Already have one Marauder in normal and I can highly recommend running Leap Slam with Faster Attack. This hugely boosts your Jump Speed thus highly increasing mobility. And if I'm correct when not Running BoR we have a 4-L available so one could run Leap Slam - Bloodmagic - Fortify - Faster Attack.

Thanks for the guide and I'm already looking forward to run it.
-Grantuu

Your passive tree is broken, so I cannot comment on that.

85 seems pretty realistic to me, but then again, I level most of my characters to level 92 - 94 :D

Unyielding isn't essential, but it's a nice survivability boost. If you have something that is more attractive to you, though, you can feel free to not take it.

Reckless Defence seems interesting, it might be worth it, but I'm not 100% sure.

Definitely an Astral Plate over Belly.

Because Seething flasks recover more life instantly.

GL!

Hey is all updated to 2.2 ascendancy skill tree etc. that i can use it tonight? the build is very fine

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kenshibqt wrote:

Hey is all updated to 2.2 ascendancy skill tree etc. that i can use it tonight? the build is very fine

Yes, everything is up to date, you can use it.