[3.0] Rippling Thoughts Blade Flurry CWC Glacial Cascade EZ mode facetank end game bossing/mobbing

Minotaur map/Kill in 27 seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR5zG6tVHQc
Chimera kill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7T1QDvxoi8&feature=youtu.be
Hydra kill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZyF_z9KkuM
Phoenix kill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgXDNsc1vRs&feature=youtu.be
Phoenix in 53 seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcgnbd0R2O4&feature=youtu.be
T15 Core map: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpKkMTEC_7g&t=3s
T15 Dark Forest maphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SW7vRqlKcA&feature=youtu.be
T15 Beachhead map: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zURn9QY3v0I

This is My first attempt at writing up a build of any kind, but I felt that it was the right time to do so. I've always wanted to make a build that would actually be able to handle the "end game" content, at the same time, be survivable, and more than anything, be user friendly. I've gone through My share of streamer builds, invest in it, and not be able to carry that same success over in My hands more times than I'd like to admit. With this build, you most definitely can face tank bosses such as The Minotaur!

My build is centered around the three AMAZING new items introduced in the 3.0 Harbinger expansion to inflict some serious damage, survive while doing so, and have a lot of fun in the process. This build really excels with FAST mobbing, AND bossing, so you won't have to worry about having TWO different characters to get the job done!
I wanted a lot of survivability, specifically something that would really bolster My life return since I wanted take advantage of Vaal Pacts great survivability coupled with the great Berserker ascendancy nodes. I decided to use Cast While Damage Taken, that way I could get some life leech from damage spells, get some debuffs on the enemies, and mitigate some damage with Molten shell. Using this concept is pretty important for this build, since you will spend most of your time with your feet firmly planted, channeling Blade flurry -> Glacial Cascade. Last but most importantly, we derive a TON of defensive capability, and the reason that we can tank just about anything is the Harbinger of Focus from the shield:

The Rippling Thoughts

*Required*

Not only is this a great weapon for this build because of its mods, but it is in my opinion, one of the easiest ways to apply multiple curses at the same time, and consistently because of the "trigger level 20 Storm Cascade when you Attack" mod. Every single time you attack, it will apply your curses when you socket the Curse on Hit gem in it. For a great increase in damage, I suggest socketing:

The Tempest's Binding

*Required*

This helmet is one of the very best unique helmets in the game. You get a decent amount of life (up to 80) all resist (up to 15), and a 6 link setup, in a helmet! A required enchant to really maximize the dps of this build is the "40% of Glacial Cascade physical damage converted to cold damage" enchant. However, all hope is not lost if you cannot afford the enchant, there is a budget alternative! It is:


The amazing benefit of this helmet for this build, is that We will yield more life return from the CWDT setup because of the "Socketed Gems are supported by level 18 Ice Bite, and Level 18 Innervate". In this gem setup you will run a max level CWDT setup: level 20 Cast when damage taken + level 20 Frost Bomb an extra source of damage (-20% cold resist, and 75% reduced life regeneration rate to enemies) (For additional Defense, you can replace level 20 Frost Bomb with level 20 Immortal Call) , Level 20 Shock Nova for more a higher lightning damage shock spell. Last but certainly not least Level 20 Molten Shell (deals good damage, 20% chance to ignite enemies, prevents 1508 total damage, and gives 943 additional armor!)

The Unshattered Will

*Required*

A great shield that provides up to 26% to all resistances, up to 80 life, additional block chance (with up to 50 mana gained when you block) is great for defenses with the mods alone, but the real reason that I chose to use it is the "Grants Summon Harbinger of Focus Skill" that the shield gives you. When you summon this minion, it is immortal(never dies or goes away), and when you are channeling, it will occasionally cast a buff on you that reduces the damage you take(20% damage reduction!), and makes you avoid ALLstuns, AND ailments! I cannot begin to tell you how amazing, and seriously underappreciated this shield really is! The amount of defense/damage mitigation that you receive from it goes above and beyond any other shield in the game period (disclaimer: In My very humble opinion). It is because of this shield, that you will be face tanking bosses. The gems that you will be socketing in this shield are: Shield Charge(for movement, and Fortify application) + Fortify + Faster Attacks(for a huge speed increase in your mobility) **If You are lacking some damage, you can use Lightning Golem for the extra damage from the wrath aura that it provides**

First Ring

*Recommended*

This is a great source of damage, but more importantly a source of life leech, and mana leech, not to mention, resistances as well. http://poe.trade/search/imekookinasori (around 1.5 ex)


*Budget Option*

For a budget price, this ring works out really nicely for us. 10% additional chance to freeze, and a decent amount of added cold damage when we chill enemies! http://poe.trade/search/imatarutowomon (around 10 chaos)


*Strongly Recommended*

The Taming is pretty expensive at the moment, but it's worth the price because we receive such a HUGE damage increase from it, get an additional 10% chance to freeze, shock, and ignite, and get up to 40 % all resists from it! It is definitely Our BIS ring, next to a Essence of Hatred crafted Opal ring. http://poe.trade/search/oneyahamahadon (currently around 8 Ex)


*Strongly Recommended*

Another great option is to just double up on Hatred Essence crafted Opal rings. That way you can get more life infused, as well as another source of resistances, if you are struggling for them.

Second ring

*Strongly Recommended*

A Hatred Essence crafted Opal ring is so amazing for us. With up to 25% elemental damage, and an additional amount of cold % damage from Hatred Essence, this is a very powerful ring. Getting one with life, and resistances really makes this ring shine!

Amulet

*Recommended*

You will want to prioritize getting Spell damage first, and then cold damage secondary. The reason being is that the spell damage will boost all of Our spells, versus Cold damage only boosting the cold spells. Next, shoot for as much life + strength(since we get +1 life per 2 strength) as possible to really help prevent getting one shotted. There really isn't a good unique amulet alternative that would provide us both damage and life, so a rare amulet is definitely our best option.

Body Armor/Armour:

*Recommended*

I would recommend using a rare 6 linked chest with as much life as possible, along with the resist(s) that you need. Socketed in the chest will be, in order of importance (in the event that you cannot afford a 6 link):
The reasoning behind using Blade flurry is definitely the mana cost. We also deal some elemental damage with Blade Flurry, so that's a nice bonus as well. As the build has evolved (I am constantly trying to make improvements) I shifted from using: added cold damage, and cold penetration, in favor of Controlled Destruction, and Elemental Focus. As the build has evolved, and improved the need for an overabundance of elemental/cold penetration has dwindled since we are getting penetration from 4 sources, the dual curse setup in Rippling Thoughts, Frost Bomb, the passive tree, and the Wise oak. The benefit of freezing enemies, and killing for the explosion from Herald of Ice for mobbing purposes was needed, but I realized that we can freeze enemies with the level 20 Storm Cascade that procs, each time we attack, so using elemental focus was a great increase/improvement for us. You can swap in Concentrated effect for bosses, and Increased Area of Effect for mobbing. I only spent 99 chaos on this chest, here's a link to the recommended mods (with dex/int requirements for easy coloring)on Poe.trade: http://poe.trade/search/ionamkoworusim

Gloves:

*Strongly Recommended*

I wanted to have another CWDT setup, and the best case scenario for me was to use/buy a pair of gloves (preferably Fingerless silk gloves because of the spell dmg) with the Essence of Hysteria https://pathofexile.gamepedia.com/Essence_of_Hysteria crafted on them. You will get an additional 175 to 225 additional fire damage added to the spells in these gloves! That equates to quite a bit of extra damage added to our lower level spells that will be going off all the time, which equates to life coming in consistently! You definitely want to get as much life as possible, and if you need it, a resist or two on there as well. I wanted to use area of effect spells that fired as many missiles as possible. Apart from the damage/life leech concept, the utility gem in the setup is Arc(used for its 20% chance to shock, that will proc constantly) That being said, these are the socketed gems, and the levels that you need to have them at (optimally 20% Quality gems of course): CWDT level 1 + Arc level 8 + Firestorm level 8 + Bladefall level 4.

**Budget Friendly Alternative to getting the "40% of Glacial Cascade physical damage converted to cold damage" enchant on The Tempest's Binding**


Belt

*Recommended*
Get a rare belt with as much life as possible IE: str + life, and resists.
Poe.trade link (Just add desired resistances): http://poe.trade/search/onisaokookasin

Boots

*Strongly Recommended*

These boots are the best in slot for the damage that they provide, and the extra critical strike chance for spells which helps us proc Elemental Overload. Definitely the best Enchant of course, would be the "Adds 45 to 68 cold damage if you've been hit recently" to really round out the damage from these boots. Socketed in these boots are: Hatred is a Giant increase in our damage, (alternatively if you need more defense, you can use Arctic Armour for additional layers of defense), Herald of Ice, Added Cold Damage for BIG damage explosions with our Herald of Ice, and augmenting Herald of Ice with Ice Bite for added damage, and frenzy charge generation.

Get Yourself at least one "Insta" recovery Life Flask. It could be your saving grace :D

You should focus on getting all three elemental resistances equal 75/75/75 so you will receive the damage, and defense bonus to all three elements that this flask provides.

This is a great flask that provides extra damage, and more importantly, provides an additional source of life leech.

This gives us 40% increased damage, and removes Freeze and chill on use.

**This will be your upgrade from the Sulphur Flask**

Much needed Physical damage reduction (I get around 26% physical damage reduction from this flask when active) and removing burning.

The mods that we are looking for on jewels are: increased physical damage %, increased cold damage or spell damage, max life %, and increased area damage. You can use jewels with 5% chance to freeze with freeze duration if you'd like to, three out of five of the jewels that I'm currently using have that mod on them. The trade-off of not having the freeze chance on the jewels, reduces your frenzy charge generation % a bit, and some of your defensive capability versus mobs.

Major god suggestion

Taking Soul of Solaris helps bump up our defenses vs physical damage against bosses, and vs area damage against mobs, AND bosses. You can prioritize getting Lady Stormflay, and Suncaller Asha since we are usually up close to enemies, especially when bossing.

Minor god suggestion

The reason I took Soul of Yugul with the Captured Asphyxia, is more reduced reflected damage taken (25%), and 50% chance to bounce freezes back to the enemy. More importantly, the Asphyxia Minor god gives us the 5% reduced cold damage "if we've been hit recently" couple that with taste of hate, and that bumps up our defense that much more.

Equipment/Gems/Skill Suggestions

Suggested starter Gear to get you going, and equipment improvements as you level.



Suggested gems for leveling


Suggested threshold jewel for leveling


Suggested movement/mobility gems


Suggested mana reservation gems


Leveling passive tree for every 10 Points Gained


Bandits


Ascendancy

Grants Summon Harbinger of Focus Skill: Summons an immortal Harbinger minion. While you are channelling, the minion will occasionally cast a buff on you that reduces the Damage you take, and makes you avoid all Stuns and Ailments.
The Unshattered Will is a buff that lasts 4 seconds, with a cooldown of 8 seconds, and grants the following benefits:
Immunity to status ailments
Stun immunity
20% damage reduction