[S9] Thorns of the Invoker - Crusader Starter Set - Crusader - Diablo III Builds

Rating

[S9] Thorns of the Invoker - Crusader Starter Set

by DeathOfLuggage last updated Jan 12, 2017 ( Patch 2.4.3 )

Seasonal

Hybrid

BBCode Link

Edit

Skills

Punish Celerity
- 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.
Celerity

When you block with Hardened Senses active, you gain 15% increased Attack Speed for 3 seconds.
Steed Charge Endurance
- Steed Charge
Cooldown: 16 seconds

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

Increase the duration to 3 seconds.
Provoke Hit Me
- Provoke
Cooldown: 20 seconds
Generate: 30 Wrath

Taunt all nearby enemies and instantly generate an additional 5 Wrath for every enemy taunted. Taunted enemies will focus their attention on you for 4 seconds.
Hit Me

Gain 50% increased Block Chance for 4 seconds after casting Provoke.
Laws of Justice Decaying Strength
- Laws of Justice
Cooldown: 30 seconds

Active: Empower the Law, granting you and your allies 490 increased resistance to all elements for 5 seconds.

Passive: Recite the Law, granting you and your allies 140 increased resistance to all elements.

Only one Law may be active at a time.
Decaying Strength

Active: While the Law is empowered, any enemy who attacks you or your allies will have their damage reduced by 15% for 30 seconds, stacking up to a maximum of 60%.
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%.
Akarat's Champion Prophet
- Akarat's Champion
Cooldown: 90 seconds

Explode with the power of your order, increasing your damage by 35% and increasing your Wrath regeneration by 5 for 20 seconds.
Prophet

Gain 150% additional Armor while Akarat's Champion is active.

The first time you take fatal damage while Akarat's Champion is active, you will be returned to full health.

Fervor
- Fervor
While wielding a one-handed weapon, your attack speed is increased by 15% and all cooldowns are reduced by 15%.
Iron Maiden
- Iron Maiden
Your Thorns is increased by 50%.
Hold Your Ground
- Hold Your Ground
You can no longer Dodge, but your Block Chance is increased by 30%.
Finery
- Finery
Gain 1.5% Strength for every gem socketed into your gear.

Items

Crown of the Invoker

Set Helm

21 - 24 Armor

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)
+316 - 464 Thorns Damage

Thorns of the Invoker
Crown of the Invoker
Burden of the Invoker
Pride of the Invoker
Shackles of the Invoker
Zeal of the Invoker
Renewal of the Invoker
(2) Set: Your Thorns damage now hits all enemies in a 15 yard radius around you. Each time you hit an enemy with Punish, Slash, or block an attack your Thorns is increased by 140% for 2 seconds.
(4) Set: You take 50% less damage for 20 seconds after damaging an enemy with Bombardment.
(6) Set: The attack speed of Punish and Slash are increased by 50% and deal 5400% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Burden of the Invoker

Set Shoulders

59 - 68 Armor

Primary Stats

+812 - 1242 Thorns Damage

Thorns of the Invoker
Crown of the Invoker
Burden of the Invoker
Pride of the Invoker
Shackles of the Invoker
Zeal of the Invoker
Renewal of the Invoker
(2) Set: Your Thorns damage now hits all enemies in a 15 yard radius around you. Each time you hit an enemy with Punish, Slash, or block an attack your Thorns is increased by 140% for 2 seconds.
(4) Set: You take 50% less damage for 20 seconds after damaging an enemy with Bombardment.
(6) Set: The attack speed of Punish and Slash are increased by 50% and deal 5400% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
The Traveler's Pledge

Set Amulet

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Damage Increased by 51.0–100.0%
+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+330–524 Dexterity

+330–524 Strength

+330–524 Intelligence

Endless Walk
The Traveler's Pledge
The Compass Rose
(2) Set: While standing still, damage dealt is increased by up to 100%.While standing still, damage dealt is increased by up to 100%.
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
Shackles of the Invoker

Set Bracers

8 - 10 Armor

Primary Stats

+316 - 464 Thorns Damage

Thorns of the Invoker
Crown of the Invoker
Burden of the Invoker
Pride of the Invoker
Shackles of the Invoker
Zeal of the Invoker
Renewal of the Invoker
(2) Set: Your Thorns damage now hits all enemies in a 15 yard radius around you. Each time you hit an enemy with Punish, Slash, or block an attack your Thorns is increased by 140% for 2 seconds.
(4) Set: You take 50% less damage for 20 seconds after damaging an enemy with Bombardment.
(6) Set: The attack speed of Punish and Slash are increased by 50% and deal 5400% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Pride of the Invoker

Set Gloves

42 - 55 Armor

Primary Stats

+316 - 464 Thorns Damage

Thorns of the Invoker
Crown of the Invoker
Burden of the Invoker
Pride of the Invoker
Shackles of the Invoker
Zeal of the Invoker
Renewal of the Invoker
(2) Set: Your Thorns damage now hits all enemies in a 15 yard radius around you. Each time you hit an enemy with Punish, Slash, or block an attack your Thorns is increased by 140% for 2 seconds.
(4) Set: You take 50% less damage for 20 seconds after damaging an enemy with Bombardment.
(6) Set: The attack speed of Punish and Slash are increased by 50% and deal 5400% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Belt of the Trove

Legendary Belt

287 - 319 Armor

Primary Stats

+51 - 60 Resistance to All Elements
Reduces damage from melee attacks by 400%

Secondary Stats

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

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Renewal of the Invoker

Set Pants

33 - 38 Armor

Primary Stats

+316 - 464 Thorns Damage
Sockets (1)

Thorns of the Invoker
Crown of the Invoker
Burden of the Invoker
Pride of the Invoker
Shackles of the Invoker
Zeal of the Invoker
Renewal of the Invoker
(2) Set: Your Thorns damage now hits all enemies in a 15 yard radius around you. Each time you hit an enemy with Punish, Slash, or block an attack your Thorns is increased by 140% for 2 seconds.
(4) Set: You take 50% less damage for 20 seconds after damaging an enemy with Bombardment.
(6) Set: The attack speed of Punish and Slash are increased by 50% and deal 5400% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Zeal of the Invoker

Set Boots

30 - 35 Armor

Primary Stats

+316 - 464 Thorns Damage

Thorns of the Invoker
Crown of the Invoker
Burden of the Invoker
Pride of the Invoker
Shackles of the Invoker
Zeal of the Invoker
Renewal of the Invoker
(2) Set: Your Thorns damage now hits all enemies in a 15 yard radius around you. Each time you hit an enemy with Punish, Slash, or block an attack your Thorns is increased by 140% for 2 seconds.
(4) Set: You take 50% less damage for 20 seconds after damaging an enemy with Bombardment.
(6) Set: The attack speed of Punish and Slash are increased by 50% and deal 5400% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
The Compass Rose

Set Ring

Primary Stats

+10–12% Movement Speed
+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence

Endless Walk
The Traveler's Pledge
The Compass Rose
(2) Set: While standing still, damage dealt is increased by up to 100%.While standing still, damage dealt is increased by up to 100%.
Justice Lantern

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Reduces duration of control impairing effects by 35 - 50%
+12 - 16% Chance to Block
Sockets (1)

Secondary Stats

Gain damage reduction equal to 45 - 55% of your Block Chance.

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Hack

Legendary Axe

3.25 Damage Per Second

Secondary Stats

75 - 100% of your Thorns damage is applied on every attack.
One of 2 Magic Properties (varies)
+66 - 132 Minimum Damage
+88 - 176 Maximum Damage

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Vo'Toyias Spiker

Legendary Shield

8 - 9 Armor

Primary Stats

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

+812 - 1242 Thorns Damage

Secondary Stats

Enemies affected by Provoke take double damage from Thorns.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties

More Details

Head
- Crown of the Invoker
- Leoric's Crown
- Stat Priority: Str Thorns Vit AR
Shoulders
- Burden of the Invoker
- Death Watch Mantle
- Stat Priority: Str Thorns Vit CDR
Amulet
- The Traveler's Pledge
- Hellfire Amulet
- Stat Priority: Str Physical % Thorns Vit
Torso
- Aquila Cuirass
- Heart of Iron
- Stat Priority: Str Thorns Vit AR
Wrists
- Shackles of the Invoker
- Strongarm Bracers
- Nemesis Bracers
- Stat Priority: Str Thorns Vit Physical %
Hands
- Pride of the Invoker
- St. Archew's Gage
- Stat Priority: Str Thorns Vit CDR
Waist
- Belt of the Trove
- Stat Priority: Str Thorns Vit AR
Legs
- Renewal of the Invoker
- Hexing Pants of Mr. Yan
- Stat Priority: Str Thorns Vit AR
Feet
- Zeal of the Invoker
- Illusory Boots
- Ice Climbers
- Stat Priority: Str Thorns Vit AR
Rings
- The Compass Rose
- Justice Lantern
- The Wailing Host
- Stat Priority: Str CDR LOH Thorns
Weapon
- Hack
- Swiftmount
- Doombringer
- Stat Priority: Str CDR LOH AS
Offhand
- Vo'Toyias Spiker
- Akarat's Awakening
- Lidless Wall
- Stat Priority: Str Thorns CDR Block %

Legendary Gems
- Boyarsky's Chip
  Boyarsky's Chip
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Adds 16000 Thorns.
- Bane of the Trapped
  Bane of the Trapped
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Increase damage against enemies under the effects of control-impairing effects by 15%.
- 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

Akarat's Awakening

Legendary Crusader Shield

Primary Stats

+128–163 Strength
+6% Chance to Block
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Every successful block has a 20–25% chance to reduce all cooldowns by 1 second.
Akarat's Awakening
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

NOTE: the armor power in the Cube is Heart of Iron

I can't get it registered in the build but it's a vital part so don't overlook this

Also note, for both the shield and the torso you are free to swap them with the other item listed (both equipped and used in the cube). The set-up I use here is to get the max values on the variable parts of the buffs for the shield and chest.

Gemming:
Helm - Diamond (for cooldown reduction)
Weapons - Topaz (DO NOT use crit gems!! As a thorns build you do not Crit, use a THORNS gem)

The rest - Ruby (for damage) or Diamond (for toughness)

Paragon Priorities

Core

Movement Speed
Primary Stat
Vitality
Maximum Resource

Offense

Cooldown Reduction
Attack Speed
Critical Hit Chance
Critical Hit Damage

Defense

Resist All
Life
Armor
Life Regeneration

Utility

Area Damage
Life on Hit
Gold Find
Resource Cost Reduction

The only thing of note here is to do Movement Speed only to the 25% cap!

Oh, and DON'T put any points in Maximum Resource EVER, it is completely wasted on this build!!

Build Guide

This will be my build for S9 to start off with. Mind you, this is a very solid Crusader build but if you want to push to the top, keep an eye out for Ancient items and safe them. You are looking for the items I listed here as "adequate". Once you have a fair amount of these as Ancient you should switch to this build: [S9] Legacy of Nightmares - Crusader Thorns/Bombardment

If you are like me and you at least want to start with the season set and see where it can get you, then this build is for you. If you want to push for the highest you can get, start with this build and collect the items needed for [S9] Legacy of Nightmares - Crusader Thorns/Bombardment

Note: I got my technical information from this build over at Icy-Veins. I listed it here for my own convenience because the DiabloFans builds are awesome to keep open on a second monitor. They give a very clear overview of the items you need.

My companion will be a Templar with the following set-up:
Skills: Heal, Intimidate, Charge, Inspire
Relic: Enchanting Favor
Rings: Wyrdward,Justice Lantern
Weapon: Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker
Shield: Freeze of Deflection

There is no Unity rings because there is simply no room in this build. Luck would have it that this build is high in survivability so it should not be an issue.

DiabloFans