[3.17] strTrader Max Block Bleed Lacerate Gladiator -- League Start & End Game v3.17.03.17.22

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drawmonster wrote:

So what's the actual endgame theoretical DPS we can get on this build? Tank looks awesome. But 1.3 million DPS in the POB brings back memories of bossing with ED/C.

Not going to lie, the bossing video you see is probably as good (pronounced as bad) as it gets (without heavy investment into a better weapon). Unfortunately, I don't think this build is significantly better at bossing compare to ED/C and objectively worse in terms of clear speed, however I do think this build gears faster than ED with CI.

Anyway, the survival of this build comes from true survival and not from one-shoting bosses (which will probably never be attainable).

There are builds similar to this that can net around 2.2-2.5M DPS with good investment. This is not a wongo-bongo one-shot super build, as with all melee tanky builds, there are limits. To push those limits, you'll need to land critical strikes and this isn't that type of build. This style of build (mine is a bit different and I have invested, at most, 15c into my "best piece") has gotten me into the league quite comfortably into red maps, including Maven encounters and delving. I tailored my skill tree and shield to get me to 75% block with Tempest Shield up (so I have 72% without it active) and will finish the rest of my skill tree into Max Life % nodes. I will target upgrades to try and get my HP around 6K while increasing my damage.

This build will "get the job done." There are definitely ways we can work to try and push its limits, it depends on how much time and currency and tinkering we invest into it. I'll ride this build out until the end of Ultimatum and see what I can make of it, but it'll really depend on my ability to farm up/craft up better items. I am not sure I will be able to push this too far starting only a few days ago and ending in about 3 weeks.

Hey man, One_Laugh_Guy here from reddit giving out some feedback.

To start off, this is a newbie feedback and I want to share my experience with the build. This feedback is mainly on levelling the acts 1-10 and which unique items to use.

Mana problems: Not sure how cheap these items are early in the league but I suggest using a https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/Thief%27s_Torment or a https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/Praxis when levelling.

Early levelling items: I had an available https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/Tabula_Rasa which is great. I went and just levelled all the 6-link lacerate skill gems recommended here. It feels really strong. Then I switched to a https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/Dialla%27s_Malefaction at level 37 which boosts red and green gems.

Early mapping items: Again, not sure how cheap these items are during league start but I had this available already. An https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/Abyssus and a https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/The_Anvil work great together. Even though the Abyssus gives you huge physical damage but more damage taken, what's good is that this is mitigated by the block mechanics of this build. And The Anvil gives an even more defense mechanism, lots of armor, mana and life gain on block, chance to block and reflect damage.

Other item suggestions: I have been using a https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/Relentless_Fury since level 29 and it feels decent. For the boots, a https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/Kaom%27s_Roots should fit this build since it utilizes leap slam for movement. Movement speed doesn't matter and the additional life is a good boost.

Transitioning from a Frost Blade Berserker to this build feels great. In some ways, they both play similarly. The FB Berserker is fast but lacks defense mechanism. I would say it is easier to league start. Once you have peaked enough, you can transition to this build. Most of the armor based items you have are already usable. I will continue to push the build and will most likely play this build again next league.

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Cendrid wrote:

I'll ride this build out until the end of Ultimatum and see what I can make of it, but it'll really depend on my ability to farm up/craft up better items. I am not sure I will be able to push this too far starting only a few days ago and ending in about 3 weeks.

I tested Jack, the Axe based on people's recommendation and the result is great. It should carry you to the end. I killed A9 Sirus and Uber Elder with it. I will add more detail in the guide.

Looks good just one thing listed under build defining:

"Painforged gives us +8% to block when hit meaning we can block cap with only 67% block chance. During leveling or gearing, we can socket a Tempest Shield for +3% block chance to further lower our required block chance to 64%."

Painforged is not build defining and rather a bad taxation node. It provides 8% block if you have taken a damaging hit recently. A block would count as being hit but is not considered a damaging hit. So this is a pretty harsh condition for the 8% block and Gladiator have no big problems going for straight block cap. The only build i saw where Painforged could be called build defining if Glancing Blows is being used.
As for stun i usually recommend to not rely on conditional stun immune but rather go straight for 100% stun immune for example with jewel implicits/Heart of Oak and benchcraft.

Since you need Painforged anyway to get to the real build defining node which is Versatile Combatant its not a big deal i just wanted to mention it.

As for the shield: The chances are high that you can roll a straight out better shield than The Surrender for 8ex with a bit of chaos spamming or Pristine Fossils. All you need are 2 mods: 8% block and 5% life on block.

Nice guide! Gotta try it on SSF next league. Shame it has no leveling guide.

Any thoughts about Haemophilia ?https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/Haemophilia
It should by pretty good an in trade league they should not cost more then 10c

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fubko wrote:

Any thoughts about Haemophilia ?https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/Haemophilia
It should by pretty good an in trade league they should not cost more then 10c

Haemophilia is always a solid choice for us as it provides decent bleeding damage. I can see using it until mid/end-league (budget dependent) if we can get a good implicit corruption (i.e. Curse Enemies with Vulnerability on Hit, with (40-48)% increased Effect).

Keep in mind, due to Physical DoT Multi nerf across Cluster Jewels, we probably want to switch to a rare glove with DoT Multi late game.

Edit: Alternatively, this glove might be interesting too but requires much more investment: https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/Blasphemer%27s_Grasp

How level this build?

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angrytorres wrote:

How level this build?

I can give you some ideas as the the new patch will affect the leveling experience as well.

With buffs to lacerate and other melee skills' effectiveness, I think we can start with lacerate as soon as we get it in Act 1. War banner and blood & sand are some good auras. Since Ruthless no longer supports Lacerate, we will probably use Chance to Bleed.

In Act 2, you can get Herald of Purity and/or Skitterbots for added damage. Which skill to reserve is really up to you. We also get Melee Physical Damage.

In Act 3, you can use start leveling Pride but probably not actively use it (too much reserved). Manually cast Vulnerability.

In Act 4, grab Multistrike/Brutality, I don't know how bad it is going to feel.

Beyond Act 4, you can rush through.

I think you can dual wield until you get some of the shield nodes when go 1-hand axe and grab the axe nodes.

The tree is pretty linear, you can grab points from right to left.