I know I am not the only one who read the new set bonus and though "HELL YEA!! SMITERDIN IS BACK!!" So I want to start this thread where we can start discussing the build that could go along with this set to achieve the most effectiveness. Here is my quick 5 minute build I threw together while here at work. The focus is on Wrath regen and minor CC because at a 100% additional Attack Speed, even with the Piro Shield, you will be eating wrath like crazy and you will be in the thick of everything so the potential to need to shield glare things to regen HP will be there.
I supposed a fire build because with the Piro combined with a well rolled Cindercoat you'll effectively have a 75% reduced wrath cost with, which leaves you the other five spots to fill with the set and a RoRG. The Gear I picture to be a perfect setup in my head is as follows:
Head - Set
Shoulders - Set
Gloves - Set
Pants - Set
Boots - Set
Chest - Cindercoat
Belt - Angel Hair Braid now that it has a cool new Leg Effect and I selected Punish for if we get wrath starved and Provoke and Shield glare is on CD. (I have a theory that we may be able to sub out provoke because the damage from this will be very nice to the point that we will want to use it anytime we are not bashing.)
Shield - Piro
Weapon - Maximus (prefered) for two hand or - Axe of Skanky for 1 handers (which means you'll also get the 15% IAS on top of the rest of the IAS and a 15% CDR)
Ring 1 - RoRG
Ring 2 - Fire SoJ
Neck - Not to sure on this one yet. Haunt is always nice and would coincide with Shield Bashes root (I think) or Ess of Johan would be nice.
I am at work so I cannot go into more detail. Keep in mind that this is ALL theory as I don't even know if the set it available on PTR yet.
Discuss -
Edit: One thing to note for you guys to keep in mind is the DR on IAS.
It's going to be pretty underwhelming considering what you would have to give up to be able to use it. Akkhan's 6pc is just too valuable while shield bash and sweep attack require you to be in melee increasing damage taken significantly versus firelight or holy shotgun. This will be even more exaggerated when scaling up to higher greater rifts.
It's going to be pretty underwhelming considering what you would have to give up to be able to use it. Akkhan's 6pc is just too valuable while shield bash and sweep attack require you to be in melee increasing damage taken significantly versus firelight or holy shotgun. This will be even more exaggerated when scaling up to higher greater rifts.
you wrong, Sweep Attack has more crowd control (stun, life for hit increses in 2.1, frozen attack) and SB you have more block.I think these buildings have more way to survive.
hopefully we will have more information on the PTR.
As Hybrido states, you need higher block chance with Shield Bash, and you can run the Renewal which procs life on Block. That on top of all the extra healing you get passively from gear (now that they buffed the crap out of it) should provide tons of natural healing gained by uping your defense. Also, Shield Bash hits like a truck, Single Target and Multi Target. Maybe not quit as hard Holy Shotgun but pretty close, and it will attack faster, and it will be cheaper. So effectively I think it will become on par if not superior to Holy Shotgun. This is all speculation of course. We won't know more until we get the 6pc on PTR.
I hope they add this set to a special vendor or something so we dont have to spend 80 hours on the ptr just to test it. I would like to try it with my baleful remnant and my lil avatar army.
You can combine SB and Sweep in a fire or physical build. Golden Flense as the weapon and Piro for the shield. 1 for single target and the other for aoe.
It's going to be pretty underwhelming considering what you would have to give up to be able to use it. Akkhan's 6pc is just too valuable while shield bash and sweep attack require you to be in melee increasing damage taken significantly versus firelight or holy shotgun. This will be even more exaggerated when scaling up to higher greater rifts.
you wrong, Sweep Attack has more crowd control (stun, life for hit increses in 2.1, frozen attack) and SB you have more block.I think these buildings have more way to survive.
hopefully we will have more information on the PTR.
Giving up 100% uptime of akarat's champion is most likely not going to be made up by the lack luster facets of shield bash and sweep attack. It will most likely be usable but with the current iteration of the set bonuses I feel that the set will lag behind any Akkhans based build sadly. I hope they do reiterate on it through the remaining amount of the PTR because otherwise I feel it will just be rather underwhelming in truly successful groups.
However without truly testing it and no math supporting this it is merely a fast assumption not supported by data so I may be wrong.
I think implementing new items, weapons, particularly for the construction of the SB or SA, we have a shield that reduces the cost to keep talking Akarat always active, we will give an increase of 35% damage, the new set we increased 100% dmg and may reach 100% asp.
The downfall to defensive side of SB, is your character has to block, AC/Prophet is increase to overall armor with the lack of needing to block.
I myself would love to see a more powerful SB builds, which is will be possible in T6 or lower content. Once you step into GRifts SB may see short comings very quickly
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/crusader#aZYdfQ!SRUa!aYbcYZ
I supposed a fire build because with the Piro combined with a well rolled Cindercoat you'll effectively have a 75% reduced wrath cost with, which leaves you the other five spots to fill with the set and a RoRG. The Gear I picture to be a perfect setup in my head is as follows:
Head - Set
Shoulders - Set
Gloves - Set
Pants - Set
Boots - Set
Chest - Cindercoat
Belt - Angel Hair Braid now that it has a cool new Leg Effect and I selected Punish for if we get wrath starved and Provoke and Shield glare is on CD. (I have a theory that we may be able to sub out provoke because the damage from this will be very nice to the point that we will want to use it anytime we are not bashing.)
Shield - Piro
Weapon - Maximus (prefered) for two hand or - Axe of Skanky for 1 handers (which means you'll also get the 15% IAS on top of the rest of the IAS and a 15% CDR)
Ring 1 - RoRG
Ring 2 - Fire SoJ
Neck - Not to sure on this one yet. Haunt is always nice and would coincide with Shield Bashes root (I think) or Ess of Johan would be nice.
I am at work so I cannot go into more detail. Keep in mind that this is ALL theory as I don't even know if the set it available on PTR yet.
Discuss -
Edit: One thing to note for you guys to keep in mind is the DR on IAS.
meh...just another 6p set...why not 4 like tal rasha??
Well, i have a question, the Shield bash affects attack speed in 2.1? If so shield bash would be the best option. (physical dmg)
Rememeber we have a passive skill +20% dgm SB +30% dmg in reforge. 150%!!! increases damage Shield Bash.
Thanks!
hopefully we will have more information on the PTR.
However without truly testing it and no math supporting this it is merely a fast assumption not supported by data so I may be wrong.
Hopefully more information from the ptr.
Roland's Legacy has been added to our builder! feel free to make theory crafting builds! http://www.diablofans.com/builds/create/crusader
I myself would love to see a more powerful SB builds, which is will be possible in T6 or lower content. Once you step into GRifts SB may see short comings very quickly
Can't wait to get my hands on this set, this is the Crusader playstyle I've wanted since release.
aaand still. not viable in GRifts after 30-35 lvl =(