Rank 11 "The Thrill" GR45 Build

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by rankil last updated Jan 21, 2016 ( Patch 2.4 )

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Skills

Punish Roar
- Punish
Generate: 5 Wrath per attack

Strike your enemy for 335% weapon damage and gain Hardened Senses, increasing your Block Chance by 15% for 5 seconds.
Roar

When you block with Hardened Senses active, you explode with fury dealing 75% weapon damage as Fire to enemies within 15 yards.
Bombardment Barrels of Spikes
- Bombardment
Cooldown: 60 seconds

Call in an assault from afar, raining 5 spheres of burning pitch and stone onto enemies around you, dealing 2850% total weapon damage to enemies within 12 yards of the impact zone.
Barrels of Spikes

In place of the burning spheres, barrels of spikes are hurled. Damage of each barrel is increased by 200% of your Thorns.
Consecration Bed of Nails
- Consecration
Cooldown: 30 seconds

Consecrate the ground 20 yards around you for 10 seconds. You and your allies heal for 32185 Life per second while standing on the consecrated ground.
Bed of Nails

The consecrated ground becomes covered in nails. Enemies that walk into the area take 100% of your Thorns damage every second.
Laws of Valor Answered Prayer
- Laws of Valor
Cooldown: 30 seconds

Active: Empower the Law, granting you and your allies 15% increased Attack Speed for 5 seconds.

Passive: Recite the Law, granting you and your allies 8% increased Attack Speed.

Only one Law may be active at a time.
Answered Prayer

Active: While the Law is empowered, each enemy killed increases the duration by 1 second, up to a maximum of 10 seconds of increased time.
Steed Charge Spiked Barding
- Steed Charge
Cooldown: 16 seconds

Mount a celestial war horse that allows you to ride through enemies unhindered for 2 seconds.
Spiked Barding

The war horse deals 500% of your Thorns every second to enemies through which you ride.
Iron Skin Reflective Skin
- Iron Skin
Cooldown: 30 seconds

Your skin turns to iron, absorbing 50% of all incoming damage for 4 seconds.
Reflective Skin

While active, your Thorns is increased by 300%.

Indestructible
- Indestructible
When you receive fatal damage, you instead become immune to damage, gain 35% increased damage and gain 107284 Life per Kill for 5 seconds.

This effect may occur once every 60 seconds.
Hold Your Ground
- Hold Your Ground
You can no longer Dodge, but your Block Chance is increased by 30%.
Renewal
- Renewal
Whenever you successfully block, you gain 16093 Life.
Iron Maiden
- Iron Maiden
Your Thorns is increased by 50%.

Items

Leoric's Crown

Legendary Helm

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Increase the effect of any gem socketed into this item by 75–100%. This effect does not apply to Legendary Gems.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+18–26 Dexterity

+18–26 Strength

+18–26 Intelligence
Death Watch Mantle

Legendary Shoulders

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

25–35% chance to explode in a fan of knives for 750-950% weapon damage when hit.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+85–108 Dexterity

+85–108 Strength

+85–108 Intelligence
Countess Julia's Cameo

Legendary Amulet

Primary Stats

Attack Speed Increased by 3.0–4.0%
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Prevent all Arcane damage taken and heal yourself for 20–25% of the amount prevented.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+128–163 Dexterity

+128–163 Strength

+128–163 Intelligence
Aquila Cuirass

Legendary Chest Armor

51 - 68 Armor

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)

Secondary Stats

While above 90 - 95% primary resource, all damage taken is reduced by 50%.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Nemesis Bracers

Legendary Bracers

8 - 10 Armor

Secondary Stats

Shrines and Pylons will spawn an enemy champion.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
St. Archew's Gage

Legendary Gloves

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

The first time an elite pack damages you, gain an absorb shield equal to 120–150% of your maximum Life for 10 seconds.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+128–163 Dexterity

+128–163 Strength

+128–163 Intelligence
Belt of the Trove

Legendary Belt

287 - 319 Armor

Primary Stats

+91 - 100 Resistance to All Elements
Reduces damage from melee attacks by 500 - 600%
+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence

Secondary Stats

Every 6 - 8 seconds, call down Bombardment on a random nearby enemy.

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Depth Diggers

Legendary Pants

Primary Stats

+81–85 Resistance to All Elements
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Primary skills that generate resource deal 80–100% additional damage.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Illusory Boots

Legendary Boots

Primary Stats

+11–20 Resistance to All Elements
+10–12% Movement Speed
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

You may move unhindered through enemies.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+24–29 Dexterity

+24–29 Strength

+24–29 Intelligence
Justice Lantern

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

+12–16% Chance to Block
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Reduces duration of control impairing effects by 35–50%
Gain damage reduction equal to 45–55% of your Block Chance.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+160–179 Dexterity

+160–179 Strength

+160–179 Intelligence
Stone of Jordan

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Increases damage against elites by 25 - 30%
+90 - 104 Maximum Mana

Secondary Stats

+10 - 12 Maximum Fury
+7 - 8 Maximum Discipline
+10 - 12 Maximum Arcane Power
Increases Spirit Regeneration by 1 - 2.166667 per Second
Adds 2 - 3% to Fire Damage
Adds 1% to Cold Damage
Adds 1% to Holy Damage
Adds 1% to Lightning Damage
Adds 1% to Poison Damage
Adds 1% to Arcane Damage

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Pig Sticker

Legendary Dagger

38.25 Damage Per Second

Primary Stats

+626 - 750 Strength
+626 - 750 Dexterity
+626 - 750 Intelligence

Secondary Stats

+15 - 30% Damage to Beasts
+15 - 30% Damage to Humans
Squeal!
One of 7 Magic Properties (varies)

+(1049 - 1304) Physical Damage

+(1049 - 1304) Fire Damage

+(1049 - 1304) Lightning Damage

+(1049 - 1304) Cold Damage

+(1049 - 1304) Poison Damage

+(1049 - 1304) Arcane Damage

+(1049 - 1304) Holy Damage

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Akarat's Awakening

Legendary Crusader Shield

9 - 10 Armor

Primary Stats

+10 - 20% Chance to Block
0 - 0 Block Amount

+10% Chance to Block
+626 - 750 Strength
+626 - 750 Dexterity
+626 - 750 Intelligence

Secondary Stats

Every successful block has a 20 - 25% chance to reduce all cooldowns by 1 second.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties

More Details

Head
- Leoric's Crown
- The Helm of Rule
- Blind Faith
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Socket
Shoulders
- Death Watch Mantle
- Pauldrons of the Skeleton King
- Homing Pads
- Stat Priority: Str Vit CDR AR
Amulet
- Countess Julia's Cameo
- Eye of Etlich
- Overwhelming Desire
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Socket CDR
Torso
- Aquila Cuirass
- Chaingmail
- Tyrael's Might
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Socket
Wrists
- Nemesis Bracers
- Sanguinary Vambraces
- Ancient Parthan Defenders
- Stat Priority: Physical % Str Vit AR
Hands
- St. Archew's Gage
- Stat Priority: Str Vit CDR AS
Waist
- Belt of the Trove
- String of Ears
- Blessed of Haull
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Armor +
Legs
- Depth Diggers
- Pox Faulds
- Hammer Jammers
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Socket
Feet
- Illusory Boots
- Boots of Disregard
- Ice Climbers
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Armor +
Rings
- Justice Lantern
- Stone of Jordan
- Nagelring
- Stat Priority: Str AS CDR Socket
Weapon
- Pig Sticker
- Doombringer
- Gift of Silaria
- Stat Priority: CDR AS Str
Offhand
- Akarat's Awakening
- Coven's Criterion
- Stormshield
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Block % CDR

Legendary Gems
- Bane of the Trapped
  Bane of the Trapped
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Increase damage against enemies under the effects of control-impairing effects by 15.00%.
  Gain an aura that reduces the movement speed of enemies within 15 yards by 30%. (Requires Rank 25)
- Boyarsky's Chip
  Boyarsky's Chip
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Adds 16000 Thorns.
  Taunt the first enemy hit by your Primary skills for 2 seconds. (Requires Rank 25)
- Bane of the Stricken
  Bane of the Stricken
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Each attack you make against an enemy increases the damage it takes from your attacks by 0.80%.
  Gain 25% increased damage against bosses and Rift Guardians. (Requires Rank 25)

Kanai's Cube

Hack

Legendary Axe

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

75–100% of your Thorns damage is applied on every attack.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+128–163 Dexterity

+128–163 Strength

+128–163 Intelligence

One of 7 Magic Properties (varies)

+(32–39)–(39–49) Arcane Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Poison Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Lightning Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Holy Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Cold Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Fire Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Damage
Hack
Heart of Iron

Legendary Chest Armor

Primary Stats

+18–23 Vitality
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

+2 Thorns Damage
Gain Thorns equal to 250–300% of your Vitality.

One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+18–23 Dexterity

+18–23 Strength

+18–23 Intelligence
Heart of Iron
Convention of Elements

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Gain 150–200% increased damage to a single element for 4 seconds. This effect rotates through the elements available to your class in the following order: Arcane, Cold, Fire, Holy, Lightning, Physical, Poison.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Convention of Elements

Hack - Essential for applying Thorns damage to your basic attack and making it more capable for single target damage/
Heart of Iron - A large boost to your Thorns damage based on your Vitality/
Aquila Cuirass - A Thornsader never loses Wrath, so maintaining the 50% damage mitigation is easy/
Justice Lantern - A great source of block and damage mitigation in one single item.
Nemesis Bracers - While not required, I would almost say they are. These will save a lot of time with free champ packs that grant more progress globes to help with the rift progression. This will greatly decrease the fishing needed and allow you to complete the conquest faster.
Belt of Trove - This will greatly boost your burst damage. You could probably complete it without it, but you're giving up a significant amount of damage without this belt.

Recommended Items

Leoric's Crown or Helm of Rule - Bonus cooldown reduction from your Diamond or more Block Chance if you cannot find a high block shield.
St. Archew's Gage - Giving a shield upon facing a champ pack is always a good thing to have.
Depth Diggers or Pox Faulds - While not an amazing damage boost either way, they still are adding free DPS which is always good.
Illusory Boots - Good for getting yourself out of a sticky situation when surrounded by enemies and your Steed Charge is on cooldown
Boots of Disregard - You'll be standing still a lot, so might as well gain some life per second to help keep yourself alive.
Ice Climbers - If you happen to get these, keeping yourself from being stunned will greatly improve survivability.
Convention of Elements - This is a high up on the recommend list and can make the entire rift pretty trivial if you have it. I did not need it to complete the conquest, so I put it as recommended and not required.
Pig Sticker - Fast attack speed to apply thorns damage from the hack proc faster. Also, the bonus of 5 primary stats as well as bonus damage to beasts and humans makes this the most desired weapon to have.
Doombringer - A well rolled Doombringer is a close second. 20% physical damage and 5 primary stats as well make this a good weapon to have if you do not have a Pig Sticker.
Akarat's Awakening - Like Convention of Elements, this one is arguably a game breaker for completing the rift but not really required due to the chance of finding it. If you cannot get this, get as many cooldown reduction rolls on gear as you can.
Coven's Criterion - Found in the Act II Bounty Cache, pairing this with high block gives a very good damage reduction if you cannot find an Akarat's Awakening.

Paragon Priorities

Core

Vitality
Movement Speed
Primary Stat
Maximum Resource

Offense

Cooldown Reduction
Attack Speed
Critical Hit Chance
Critical Hit Damage

Defense

Resist All
Armor
Life Regeneration
Life

Utility

Life on Hit
Area Damage
Resource Cost Reduction
Gold Find

Core - Going for Vitality first will improve survivability. Movement Speed is made up with Steed Charge, so it is not needed at this point.
Offense - Cooldown Reduction is key to keeping skills off colldown, place the remaining points into Attack Speed. Crit and CHD is not needed as they do not benefit thorns damage.
Defense - Resist all is primary followed by armor to improve mitigation. Life Regeneration over Life% due to trying to maintain healing over time through high mitigation
Utility - Life on hit is the active form of survivability in this build. Area Damage will help boost damage with AoE packs, the focus of killing in this build. Resource Cost Reduction and GolD Find are not

Build Guide

Hello everyone, Rankil here with a patch 2.4 guide for Season 5's conquest "The Thrill" and a Crusader build to beat it.

Since you need to complete two conquests to unlock your additional stash tab, I feel this conquest is most fun and challenging to do. To complete "The Thrill" a player must complete a greater rift 45 (Torment X equal) rift, without using set items. Unlike the Legacy of Nightmare set bonus, which allows you to wear set items as long as you don't wear more than 1, this conquest does not allow you to run any set items at all.

For this build, there is a list of required items that I feel are absolutely needed to complete this conquest. Recommended are desired items in the slot, but not necessarily needed. Adequate items will fill the roll and be a better choice if you can not get the suggested items. The primary stats to roll on all items will be Strength and Vitality to boost your DPS with thorns damage. Since thorns damage does not benefit from critical hit chance or critical hit damage, it is not needed for this build which eases the gearing requirements and allows for a more defensive build.

Overall, the build is heavily defensive in nature and relies more on passive damage of your skills and cooldowns and depending on heavy mitigation, high block rate, and life on hit to keep you alive. It's by no means meant to be the best/easiest, it's just a guide to show a bare minimum needed to complete the conquest if you don't have stellar gear. With a build similar to this, I was able to get rank 11 on the Season 5 conquest leaderboards with the RNG cards I was dealt the first night of the season.

Gameplay

Gameplay on this build is simple, gather up monsters in large groups surrounding your hero. Always use Punish on larger targets and let the Bombardment and Consecration with your thorns reflecting kill off the remaining enemies. Use your Steed Charge to find Pylons to summon a champ pack. Power, Speed, Channeling and Shielding shrines will all benefit killing monsters surrounding and give you more rift progress. If you spot a pylon, drag any mobs you can to before activating it.

Skills

Punish - Roar: A bit odd choice, this is chosen to help large group killing as opposed to single target boost that Celerity would give. 75% weapon damage doesn't seem like a lot, but hitting every enemy within a 15 yard radius adds up when you have close to 75% block and 20 enemies around you.
Bombardment - Barrel of Spikes: This a large boost to burst damage and gains amazing synergy from Belt of the Trove to constantly give your enemies the Donkey Kong treatment.
Laws of Valor - Answered Prayer: Keeping this buff active long enough for the cooldown to pop back up is rather easy. This is mainly used for single target DPS. If the build seems to be lacking defensive, Laws of Justice with Immovable Object or Decaying Strength are good laws to choose.
Iron Skin - Reflective Skin: A staple for the Thornsader, increasing thorns damage by 300% gives you viable burst damage. Make sure to time the application of the buff when your physical rotation is up on your Convention of Elements.
Consecration - Bed of Nails: Sharing the same 30 second cooldown timer of Iron Skin, apply this at the same time and stand inside to gain the benefit of health over time and constant damage to the enemy. With a boost from Iron Skin and Convention of Elements, the damage becomes a good AoE ability to enemies surrounding you.
Steed Charge - Spiked Barding: I choose this strictly for mobility and closing the gaps between packs. Since time is against you and Nemesis Bracers make you out on the hunt for pylons throughout the rift, having a speed boost to remove yourself when surrounded and unable to pass through mobs if you do not have the Illusory Boots equipped.

Passives

Indestructible - Having a cheat death is beneficial to completing the rift on time. Saving yourself from resurrection timers is time saved to complete the rift.
Iron Maiden - A free boost of 50% to thorns, enough said.
Renewal - Healing for 16,093 health per block really adds up with high mitigation that Crusaders have. This, combined with life on hit on gear will be keeping you alive.
Hold Your Ground - 30% block gained helps reset cooldowns if you have an Akarat's Awakening or reduces incoming damage with Coven's Criterion. This also benefits with Renewal to help heal yourself more.

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