The Blade Master
DISCLAIMER: I credit JanusJones for making the warrior monk guide, which is the most fun build I have ever done and the muse for this guide. I make several references and comparisons to warrior monks here, and I am in no way saying either is better in all areas, and this build IS NOT MEANT FOR UBER TRISTRAM. Thanks, and enjoy...
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Ah, the blade master. A character so vile and powerful that few can't help but flinch at the thought of one of these trained killers. Yet, to many, they have never even actually seen one, and thus cannot imagine what one must look like.
They would say that it was a stealth, yet well-built ninja, and he was a force to be reckoned with. Who would have ever thought this dealer of destruction would actually be...
... a woman.
I am making a warrior monk, and having quite a bit of fun with her. I, and I'm sure most, warrior monks focus of their kicks, and use the one-point-wonder skill Blade Fury as an effective ranged or alternate attack. Don't get me wrong, I love my warrior monk, but there was always this little desire of mine, an attraction if you will, to her blades.
Clean cutting, elegant, shiny steel discs; Ready to, in an instant, take the life of the poor soul who wanders too far into the shadows.
The blade master is an idea to maximize damage output on blades, and make sure they hit. Period. There is no messing around with traps, no dabbling in stun techniques such as Mind Blast, and no using some silly Shadow Master. This is a true lone killer, made to not only be a killer from the shadows, but a dangerous mistake to take on head to head.
Stats:
This is a straight up dex build. Not only for the max blocking, but also for the fact that your main skill has no fancy attack rating bonuses to virtually promise every hit. Blades miss, but when they do, it's over.
So the usual, enough strength for gear and the rest vitality. But you definitely want around 250 dexterity.
Skills:
A bonus for this build is that, despite it being focused on pure damage, it has great ways to defend itself. More on that later...
For now, Shadow Masteries:
Venom: 20
Fade: 20
Cloak of Shadows: 20
Prerequisites: 3
Traps:
Blade Fury: 20
Blade Shield: 20
Prerequisites: 3
That's right, 106 points. Few builds require nearly a fully level 99 character, and this is one of em. To finish this build off, you need to be level 95. Here's the deal:
As for the Shadow tree, it's obvious. Venom = damage, a great source of damage in fact. Since blade fury is locked at 6 frames, and Venoms poison speed hits at around 10 frames, every two blades that hits deliver the full poison damage, as well as reset it. At level 20, Venom does around 400 poison damage. Good damage and it prevents monster heal.
Fade is perfect because it makes up in resist what gear will lose to damage. Also, the physical resist is great, for the same reason. The lower curse duration is gravy and makes Baal runs less Decrepifying.
Cloak of Shadows is fantastic. Not only does it do the whole Demons ignore you gig, but it increases your defense and LOWERS THE OPPONENTS'! Crucial to a blade master and her lack of attack bonus!
As for the Traps:
Yes, we max Blade Fury. We do it as a one point wonder in our warrior monk builds, but this one isn't pussyfooting around. MAXIMIZE DAMAGE OUTPUT. PERIOD.
Blade Shield may also seem like a waste, and damage wise it sort of is. The ebst defense is a good offense, right? Well here you go. A shield that damages close prey almost as much as the Blades themselves. Also, they leech, and transfer crushing blow. Choice! Oh yeah, but we max it because the duration is lousy.
There you have it for skills. The idea is to take it to the max. After a prebuff, you will have high defense, high resist, better chance to hit, high poison damage, and more physical damage on a ranged attack than a warrior monk could ever hope to have.
Now gear, which is important. For all of the gear, we must consider a balance. Well today, I am saying fvck that. We got our resists and defense from our skills. The rest of our gear will come from the core of Hell, forged with the Killforge Hammer by Chuck Norris himself and marinaded for a thousand years in a tub of Whoop A$$.
Helm: Giant Skull, Unique Bone Visage
106 Strength Required
350-477 Defense
+(250-320) Defense
+(25-35) to Strength
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
Socketed ((1-2))
Knocks Target Back
A perfect choice! It gives use great damage. Remember, every point into strength is +1% damage, and this one is a big boost! Plus, given it's low str requirement but large str bonus, it helms to get gear on! Some CB, and even knockback to tangle with hoards of foes. Plus, there are two sockets to help you for more damage, or some resist if you are desperately lacking.
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
+35% to Lightning Resist
Adds 1-30 Lightning Damage
20% Increased Attack Speed
+1 to All Skills
+0.375% Chance of Deadly Strike per clvl
Attacker Takes 15 Lightning Damage
We need two things here: A skill point, for extra damage and Fade, and deadly strike. Lots of deadly strike, in fact, when combined with the weapon, maxed deadly strike. The resist is gravy.
Armor: Fortitude (Archon Plate)
20% Chance to Cast Slvl 15 Chilling Armor when Struck
25% Faster Cast Rate
+300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+1.49 Life per clvl
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25-30
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes to Mana
+1 to Light Radius
Oh sweet and sour Jesus, the mother of armors for this build. Nothing, I mean NOTHING can touch this. Great defense, first of all. A little damage to mana, of which you won't use too much. Extra lightning resist is always goo.d But the real big points here are life, which is great since we spend most of the points on dexterity. Big damage! Yes! Also a chance to cast Chilling armor, for more defense, and it even has resist. I think I may cry if I weren't a cold blooded killer-for-hire.
Shield: Pheonix (Monarch)
100% Chance to Cast slvl 40 Blaze when You Level-up
40% Chance to Cast slvl 22 Firestorm on Striking
Slvl 10-15 Redemption Aura when Equipped
+350-400 Defense vs. Missiles
350-400% Enhanced Damage
-28% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+50 to Life
Maximum Lightning Resist +5%
Maximum Fire Resist +10%
+15-21 Fire Absorb
Okay, not much defense, and the - to fire resist sucks, but look again. +350-400% enhanced damage. O_O Yes please! And look at the extras, some life and even more lightning and fire resist!
Weapon: Death (Ethereal Berserker Axe)
Indestructible
100% Chance to Cast Slvl 44 Chain Lightning when You Die
25% Chance to Cast Slvl 18 Glacial Spike on Attack
+300-385% Enhanced Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+50 to Attack Rating
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
50% Chance of Crushing Blow
+0.5% Deadly Strike per clvl
+1 to Light Radius
Slvl 22 Blood Golem (15 Charges)
Requirements -20%
Oh yes, the big bad boy of the bunch. This weapon has some serious bite. The weapon bonus to your blades will be veyr big. Then, there is the CB, and one of the top sources of extra damage, Deadly Strike. This, combined with Gore Riders and Highlord's Wrath, will give you maxed out Deadly Strike, which means virtually every blade will do DOUBLE the listed damage. To top it off, you get some mana leech, and a nice bonus to attack rating.
----------
From here on, I won't list all of the stats since the rest of the items don't hold much importance and their bonuses are common knowledge.
----------
Belt: Thundergod's Vigor
The bonus to vitalirty helps. But wait Senshiki, this is a damage build! That's right, and the strength gives more, 20% more. The extra lightning resist, along with the other items, will max out at 90, and I thnk we all know lightning is the worst thing in the world. (MSLE, *shiver*)
Gloves: Steelrend's
Damage, defense, Crushing Blow. Nothing beats it.
*However, this pure damage item may wisely be substituted for Lavagout for the chance to cast Enchant and give you more attack rating. It's up to you.
Boots: Gore Riders
All the great damage modifiers. Thron into the mix, you should have full DS and at least 85% CB.
Rings: Ravenfrost
Since you want the DS from Highlord's and need the attack rating, I actually suggest dual Ravens. The extra dexterity and attack rating is perfect, with mana to burn.
Well there you have it. Max damage for your blades, a very fun build and one that is a bit of a challenge. At least you'll never fall victim to Oblivion Knights.
When asked what it was like for monsters to tangle with a blade master, she quietly replied:
"If they walk by, they can't see me, if they run, they can't outrun me, if they plan they can't outsmart me, and if they do, then they'll all die."
DISCLAIMER: I credit JanusJones for making the warrior monk guide, which is the most fun build I have ever done and the muse for this guide. I make several references and comparisons to warrior monks here, and I am in no way saying either is better in all areas, and this build IS NOT MEANT FOR UBER TRISTRAM. Thanks, and enjoy...
----------------------
Ah, the blade master. A character so vile and powerful that few can't help but flinch at the thought of one of these trained killers. Yet, to many, they have never even actually seen one, and thus cannot imagine what one must look like.
They would say that it was a stealth, yet well-built ninja, and he was a force to be reckoned with. Who would have ever thought this dealer of destruction would actually be...
... a woman.
I am making a warrior monk, and having quite a bit of fun with her. I, and I'm sure most, warrior monks focus of their kicks, and use the one-point-wonder skill Blade Fury as an effective ranged or alternate attack. Don't get me wrong, I love my warrior monk, but there was always this little desire of mine, an attraction if you will, to her blades.
Clean cutting, elegant, shiny steel discs; Ready to, in an instant, take the life of the poor soul who wanders too far into the shadows.
The blade master is an idea to maximize damage output on blades, and make sure they hit. Period. There is no messing around with traps, no dabbling in stun techniques such as Mind Blast, and no using some silly Shadow Master. This is a true lone killer, made to not only be a killer from the shadows, but a dangerous mistake to take on head to head.
Stats:
This is a straight up dex build. Not only for the max blocking, but also for the fact that your main skill has no fancy attack rating bonuses to virtually promise every hit. Blades miss, but when they do, it's over.
So the usual, enough strength for gear and the rest vitality. But you definitely want around 250 dexterity.
Skills:
A bonus for this build is that, despite it being focused on pure damage, it has great ways to defend itself. More on that later...
For now, Shadow Masteries:
Venom: 20
Fade: 20
Cloak of Shadows: 20
Prerequisites: 3
Traps:
Blade Fury: 20
Blade Shield: 20
Prerequisites: 3
That's right, 106 points. Few builds require nearly a fully level 99 character, and this is one of em. To finish this build off, you need to be level 95. Here's the deal:
As for the Shadow tree, it's obvious. Venom = damage, a great source of damage in fact. Since blade fury is locked at 6 frames, and Venoms poison speed hits at around 10 frames, every two blades that hits deliver the full poison damage, as well as reset it. At level 20, Venom does around 400 poison damage. Good damage and it prevents monster heal.
Fade is perfect because it makes up in resist what gear will lose to damage. Also, the physical resist is great, for the same reason. The lower curse duration is gravy and makes Baal runs less Decrepifying.
Cloak of Shadows is fantastic. Not only does it do the whole Demons ignore you gig, but it increases your defense and LOWERS THE OPPONENTS'! Crucial to a blade master and her lack of attack bonus!
As for the Traps:
Yes, we max Blade Fury. We do it as a one point wonder in our warrior monk builds, but this one isn't pussyfooting around. MAXIMIZE DAMAGE OUTPUT. PERIOD.
Blade Shield may also seem like a waste, and damage wise it sort of is. The ebst defense is a good offense, right? Well here you go. A shield that damages close prey almost as much as the Blades themselves. Also, they leech, and transfer crushing blow. Choice! Oh yeah, but we max it because the duration is lousy.
There you have it for skills. The idea is to take it to the max. After a prebuff, you will have high defense, high resist, better chance to hit, high poison damage, and more physical damage on a ranged attack than a warrior monk could ever hope to have.
Now gear, which is important. For all of the gear, we must consider a balance. Well today, I am saying fvck that. We got our resists and defense from our skills. The rest of our gear will come from the core of Hell, forged with the Killforge Hammer by Chuck Norris himself and marinaded for a thousand years in a tub of Whoop A$$.
Helm: Giant Skull, Unique Bone Visage
106 Strength Required
350-477 Defense
+(250-320) Defense
+(25-35) to Strength
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
Socketed ((1-2))
Knocks Target Back
A perfect choice! It gives use great damage. Remember, every point into strength is +1% damage, and this one is a big boost! Plus, given it's low str requirement but large str bonus, it helms to get gear on! Some CB, and even knockback to tangle with hoards of foes. Plus, there are two sockets to help you for more damage, or some resist if you are desperately lacking.
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
+35% to Lightning Resist
Adds 1-30 Lightning Damage
20% Increased Attack Speed
+1 to All Skills
+0.375% Chance of Deadly Strike per clvl
Attacker Takes 15 Lightning Damage
We need two things here: A skill point, for extra damage and Fade, and deadly strike. Lots of deadly strike, in fact, when combined with the weapon, maxed deadly strike. The resist is gravy.
Armor: Fortitude (Archon Plate)
20% Chance to Cast Slvl 15 Chilling Armor when Struck
25% Faster Cast Rate
+300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+1.49 Life per clvl
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25-30
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes to Mana
+1 to Light Radius
Oh sweet and sour Jesus, the mother of armors for this build. Nothing, I mean NOTHING can touch this. Great defense, first of all. A little damage to mana, of which you won't use too much. Extra lightning resist is always goo.d But the real big points here are life, which is great since we spend most of the points on dexterity. Big damage! Yes! Also a chance to cast Chilling armor, for more defense, and it even has resist. I think I may cry if I weren't a cold blooded killer-for-hire.
Shield: Pheonix (Monarch)
100% Chance to Cast slvl 40 Blaze when You Level-up
40% Chance to Cast slvl 22 Firestorm on Striking
Slvl 10-15 Redemption Aura when Equipped
+350-400 Defense vs. Missiles
350-400% Enhanced Damage
-28% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+50 to Life
Maximum Lightning Resist +5%
Maximum Fire Resist +10%
+15-21 Fire Absorb
Okay, not much defense, and the - to fire resist sucks, but look again. +350-400% enhanced damage. O_O Yes please! And look at the extras, some life and even more lightning and fire resist!
Weapon: Death (Ethereal Berserker Axe)
Indestructible
100% Chance to Cast Slvl 44 Chain Lightning when You Die
25% Chance to Cast Slvl 18 Glacial Spike on Attack
+300-385% Enhanced Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+50 to Attack Rating
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
50% Chance of Crushing Blow
+0.5% Deadly Strike per clvl
+1 to Light Radius
Slvl 22 Blood Golem (15 Charges)
Requirements -20%
Oh yes, the big bad boy of the bunch. This weapon has some serious bite. The weapon bonus to your blades will be veyr big. Then, there is the CB, and one of the top sources of extra damage, Deadly Strike. This, combined with Gore Riders and Highlord's Wrath, will give you maxed out Deadly Strike, which means virtually every blade will do DOUBLE the listed damage. To top it off, you get some mana leech, and a nice bonus to attack rating.
----------
From here on, I won't list all of the stats since the rest of the items don't hold much importance and their bonuses are common knowledge.
----------
Belt: Thundergod's Vigor
The bonus to vitalirty helps. But wait Senshiki, this is a damage build! That's right, and the strength gives more, 20% more. The extra lightning resist, along with the other items, will max out at 90, and I thnk we all know lightning is the worst thing in the world. (MSLE, *shiver*)
Gloves: Steelrend's
Damage, defense, Crushing Blow. Nothing beats it.
*However, this pure damage item may wisely be substituted for Lavagout for the chance to cast Enchant and give you more attack rating. It's up to you.
Boots: Gore Riders
All the great damage modifiers. Thron into the mix, you should have full DS and at least 85% CB.
Rings: Ravenfrost
Since you want the DS from Highlord's and need the attack rating, I actually suggest dual Ravens. The extra dexterity and attack rating is perfect, with mana to burn.
Well there you have it. Max damage for your blades, a very fun build and one that is a bit of a challenge. At least you'll never fall victim to Oblivion Knights.
When asked what it was like for monsters to tangle with a blade master, she quietly replied:
"If they walk by, they can't see me, if they run, they can't outrun me, if they plan they can't outsmart me, and if they do, then they'll all die."
)...