Thorns Horsepower [T13 Speed/Grift70+ Farm]

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by user-100024499 last updated Nov 18, 2017 ( Patch 2.6.1 )

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Hybrid

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Skills

Shield Glare Subdue
- Shield Glare
Cooldown: 12 seconds

Light erupts from your shield, Blinding all enemies up to 30 yards in front of you for 4 seconds.
Subdue

Enemies hit by the glare are Slowed by 80% for 6 seconds.
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.
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%.
Laws of Justice Bravery
- 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.
Bravery

Active: Empowering the Law also grants immunity to control impairing effects to you and your allies for 30 seconds.
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.

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.
Heavenly Strength
- Heavenly Strength
You can wield a two-handed weapon in your main hand while bearing a shield in your off hand.

Your damage dealt is reduced by 20%.
Finery
- Finery
Gain 1.5% Strength for every gem socketed into your gear.
Iron Maiden
- Iron Maiden
Your Thorns is increased by 50%.

Items

Crown of the Invoker

Set Helm

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

+2401–2880 Thorns Damage
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+626–750 Dexterity

+626–750 Strength

+626–750 Intelligence

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 35% 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 800% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.
Burden of the Invoker

Set Shoulders

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

+5334–7696 Thorns Damage
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+416–500 Dexterity

+416–500 Strength

+416–500 Intelligence

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 35% 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 800% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.
Talisman of Akkhan

Set Amulet

Primary Stats

+626 - 750 Strength
+626 - 750 Dexterity
+626 - 750 Intelligence
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 7 - 10%

Armor of Akkhan
Helm of Akkhan
Pauldrons of Akkhan
Breastplate of Akkhan
Cuisses of Akkhan
Sabatons of Akkhan
Gauntlets of Akkhan
Talisman of Akkhan
(2) Set: Reduce the cost of all abilities by 50% while Akarat's Champion is active.
(4) Set: Reduce the cooldown of Akarat's Champion by 50%.
(6) Set: While Akarat's Champion is active, you deal 1500% increased damage and take 50% less damage.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Breastplate of Akkhan

Set Chest Armor

51 - 68 Armor

Primary Stats

+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence
Sockets (1)

Armor of Akkhan
Helm of Akkhan
Pauldrons of Akkhan
Breastplate of Akkhan
Cuisses of Akkhan
Sabatons of Akkhan
Gauntlets of Akkhan
Talisman of Akkhan
(2) Set: Reduce the cost of all abilities by 50% while Akarat's Champion is active.
(4) Set: Reduce the cooldown of Akarat's Champion by 50%.
(6) Set: While Akarat's Champion is active, you deal 600% increased damage and take 15% less damage.

+ 4 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
Gauntlets of Akkhan

Set Gloves

42 - 55 Armor

Primary Stats

+626 - 750 Strength
+626 - 750 Dexterity
+626 - 750 Intelligence
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 7 - 10%

Armor of Akkhan
Helm of Akkhan
Pauldrons of Akkhan
Breastplate of Akkhan
Cuisses of Akkhan
Sabatons of Akkhan
Gauntlets of Akkhan
Talisman of Akkhan
(2) Set: Reduce the cost of all abilities by 50% while Akarat's Champion is active.
(4) Set: Reduce the cooldown of Akarat's Champion by 50%.
(6) Set: While Akarat's Champion is active, you deal 600% increased damage and take 15% less damage.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Belt of the Trove

Legendary Belt

Primary Stats

+81–85 Resistance to All Elements
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Reduces damage from melee attacks by 4.0%
Every 6–8 seconds, call down Bombardment on a random nearby enemy.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Cuisses of Akkhan

Set Pants

33 - 38 Armor

Primary Stats

+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence
Sockets (1)

Armor of Akkhan
Helm of Akkhan
Pauldrons of Akkhan
Breastplate of Akkhan
Cuisses of Akkhan
Sabatons of Akkhan
Gauntlets of Akkhan
Talisman of Akkhan
(2) Set: Reduce the cost of all abilities by 50% while Akarat's Champion is active.
(4) Set: Reduce the cooldown of Akarat's Champion by 50%.
(6) Set: While Akarat's Champion is active, you deal 600% increased damage and take 15% less damage.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Sabatons of Akkhan

Set Boots

30 - 35 Armor

Primary Stats

+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence
+416 - 500 Vitality

Armor of Akkhan
Helm of Akkhan
Pauldrons of Akkhan
Breastplate of Akkhan
Cuisses of Akkhan
Sabatons of Akkhan
Gauntlets of Akkhan
Talisman of Akkhan
(2) Set: Reduce the cost of all abilities by 50% while Akarat's Champion is active.
(4) Set: Reduce the cooldown of Akarat's Champion by 50%.
(6) Set: While Akarat's Champion is active, you deal 600% increased damage and take 15% less damage.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Unity

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
Increases damage against elites by 12.0–15.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

All damage taken is split between wearers of this item.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 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
Flail of the Charge

Set Two-Handed Flail

8.8 Damage Per Second

Primary Stats

+946 - 1125 Strength

Secondary Stats

One of 7 Magic Properties (varies)

+(1439 - 1788) Physical Damage

+(1439 - 1788) Fire Damage

+(1439 - 1788) Lightning Damage

+(1439 - 1788) Cold Damage

+(1439 - 1788) Poison Damage

+(1439 - 1788) Arcane Damage

+(1439 - 1788) Holy Damage

Norvald's Fervor
Flail of the Charge
Shield of the Steed
(2) Set: Increases the duration of Steed Charge by 2 seconds. In addition, killing an enemy reduces the cooldown of Steed Charge by 1 second.
Gain 100% increased damage while using Steed Charge and for 5 seconds after it ends.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Shield of the Steed

Set Crusader Shield

9 - 10 Armor

Primary Stats

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

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 7 - 10%
+626 - 750 Strength
+626 - 750 Dexterity
+626 - 750 Intelligence

Norvald's Fervor
Flail of the Charge
Shield of the Steed
(2) Set: Increases the duration of Steed Charge by 2 seconds. In addition, killing an enemy reduces the cooldown of Steed Charge by 1 second.
Gain 100% increased damage while using Steed Charge and for 5 seconds after it ends.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties

More Details

Head
- Crown of the Invoker
- Helm of Akkhan
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Thorns
Shoulders
- Burden of the Invoker
- Pauldrons of Akkhan
- Stat Priority: Str Vit CDR Thorns
Amulet
- Talisman of Akkhan
- Stat Priority: Physical % Thorns Socket
Torso
- Breastplate of Akkhan
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Thorns
Wrists
- Shackles of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: Physical % Thorns Str
Hands
- Gauntlets of Akkhan
- Pride of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Thorns CDR
Waist
- Belt of the Trove
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Life Thorns
Legs
- Cuisses of Akkhan
- Renewal of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Thorns AR
Feet
- Sabatons of Akkhan
- Zeal of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Thorns AR
Rings
- Unity
- Justice Lantern
- Convention of Elements
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Elite % Thorns
Weapon
- Flail of the Charge
- Stat Priority: Str Vit CDR Elite %
Offhand
- Shield of the Steed
- Stat Priority: Str Vit CDR Thorns

Legendary Gems
- Bane of the Trapped
  Bane of the Trapped
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Increase damage against enemies under the effects of control-impairing effects by 15%.
- Esoteric Alteration
  Esoteric Alteration
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Gain 10.0% non-Physical damage reduction.
  While below 50% Life, your resistances to Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, and Arcane are increased by 75%. (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)

Kanai's Cube

Blood Brother

Legendary Two-Handed Sword

11 Damage Per Second

Secondary Stats

Grants a 15 - 20% chance to block attacks. Blocked attacks inflict 30% less damage. After blocking an attack, your next attack inflicts 30% additional damage.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)
+66 - 132 Minimum Damage
+88 - 176 Maximum Damage
+10 - 15% Damage

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Blood Brother
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
Aquila Cuirass
Ring of Royal Grandeur

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Attack Speed Increased by 5 - 6%
+152 - 224 Life per Hit

Secondary Stats

Reduces the number of items needed for set bonuses by 1 (to a minimum of 2).

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Ring of Royal Grandeur

Hi and welcome to my extensive guide on how to abuse the thorny horsepower.

This build is very versatile for both speedfarming and Grift pushing in HC with some minor changes.

I will go through them both below. Enjoy!

Understanding the fundamentals.
Ok, so both builds work around you having 5x pieces of Armor of Akkhan (reach 6set with ring)
together with 3x pieces of Invoker (reach 4set with ring)
So as you can see one of the key components is Ring of Royal Grandeur.
Easiest way to get that is doing bounties in atleast T6 once you get there, since then it is 100% chance to drop one of the bounty items.

So what I have done above is highlight both Akkhan AND Invoker, since some of the pieces are interchangeable.
And what I mean by that is, the only parts of each setup that are set in stone are Invoker bracers and Akkhan amulet.
Since those two lock down unique slots. So for the rest of the setup you just pick the gearpiece that has rolled the best according to stats above.

---AS LONG AS YOU STILL GET THE SET BONUSES YOU CAN SWITCH AROUND---

Paragon Priorities

Core

Primary Stat
Vitality
Movement Speed
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

Core
In my opinion the first 200 levels of Paragon are the only that really matter. Since Thorns doesnt get affected by many of the other stats.
Focus on Strength if your aim is to Grift push and you have chosen aquila in cube, for the extra damage and armor.
Focus on Vit if your aim is to speedrun with Heart of Iron for the immense buff in thorn damage.

Offense
COOLDOWN REDUCTION FOR THE WIN

Defense
Pick what you lack really, but in general All ress is a good choice combined with Life to abuse the amount of vitality we have.

Utility
Whatever

Build Guide

Sockets:
Head: Cooldown reduction (Diamond)

Chest: Strength (Ruby)
Legs: Strength (Ruby)
Weapon: Thorns Damage (Topaz) (roll away the damage portion of your weapon for any of the mentioned above)
(Optional) Shield: Strength/Vit/Res

The only real changes between the setups are the items in Kanai's Cube and rings.
Grift push I suggest the stated above.
And for Speedrun I recommend trying out:
Cube Weapon: Swiftmount
Cube Chest: Heart of Iron

Swap Unity ring for Convention of Elements or any other ring you have in mind.

--Grandeur will never change--

Rotations:
(I wont mention Akarats champion since our goal is to have that up ALL THE TIME)

For lower speedfarm and being lazy, just pressing the Steed will do.
For Elites and Riftguardians press first Iron skin then steed to really blow them up.
For higher Grift rotations I suggest using the shield glare in the moments you feel cornered without akarat or waiting for Iron skin cooldown and just "laying up for the pain train". Dont forget to say out loud "choo choo" for those moments.
If for some reason something is still alive, feel free to glare and drop that bombardment ontop of their crushed skulls.

TL:DR
So the synergy between the items. Brood + Lantern + shield + any other block value, by now you should have reached the cap or atleast be close to it.
The reason we are doing this is because of the 2set bonus of Invoker. We will always be on the steed more or less, so there is no time to use slash or punish for the thorn stack. So we are abusing the block version of the set. +140% thorn damage per block. This can stack really good at higher rifts where the minions are abit tougher and you are setting up for the Ptrain.

Another insane synergy that the entire build is around is Norvald's Favor. Your weapon and shield set. Once you steed over and pop those minions you reduce the cooldown of Steed by one second. This means you will always have this up. On top of that we get 100% bonus damage during and 2sec after the steedrush, WOW!

This build is still a work in progress, I just had to get it out there since nobody seemed to bring it up.
If not your endgame goal, this is a great started build to get your paragon and itemfarming on!

Comment any suggestions or improvements below.
Happy Hunting!

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