Impale ninja (Hybrid)

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by Midknite last updated May 13, 2016 ( Patch 2.4.1 )

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Hybrid

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Skills

Impale Ricochet
- Impale
Cost: 20 Hatred

Throw a knife that impales an enemy for 750% weapon damage.
Ricochet

The knife ricochets to 2 additional nearby enemies within 20 yards of each other.

Impale's damage turns into Lightning.
Vengeance Seethe
- Vengeance
Cooldown: 90 seconds

Turn into the physical embodiment of Vengeance for 20 seconds.

Side Guns: Gain 4 additional piercing shots for 60% weapon damage each on every attack.
Homing Rockets: Shoot 2 rockets at nearby enemies for 80% weapon damage each on every attack.
Vengeance: Gain 40% increased damage.
Seethe

Gain 10 Hatred per second.
Shadow Power Blood Moon
- Shadow Power
Cost: 14 Discipline

Draw in the power of the shadows, gaining 26821 Life per Hit for 5 seconds.

Life per Hit gained is increased by 25% of your Life per Kill.
Blood Moon

Double the total amount of Life per Hit gained.
Vault Rattling Roll
- Vault
Cost: 8 Discipline

Tumble acrobatically 35 yards.
Rattling Roll

Enemies you vault through are knocked away and Stunned for 1.5 seconds.
Companion Wolf Companion
- Companion
Cooldown: 30 seconds

Active: Your raven deals an additional 500% damage on its next attack.

Passive: Summons a raven companion that pecks at enemies for 100% of your weapon damage as Physical.
Wolf Companion

Active: Your wolf howls, granting you and your allies within 60 yards 15% increased damage for 10 seconds.

Passive: Summons a wolf companion that attacks enemies in front of him for 150% of your weapon damage as Physical.
Bolas Thunder Ball
- Bolas
Generate: 4 Hatred

Shoot out an explosive bola that wraps itself around the enemy. After 1 second, the bola explodes dealing 160% weapon damage as Fire to the enemy and an additional 110% weapon damage as Fire to all other enemies within 14 yards.
Thunder Ball

Increase Hatred generated to 7.

Thrill of the Hunt
- Thrill of the Hunt
Enemies hit by your Hatred spenders are Slowed by 80% for 2 seconds.
Cull the Weak
- Cull the Weak
Increase damage against Slowed or Chilled enemies by 20%.
Leech
- Leech
Gain 18507 Life per Hit.

Heal amount is increased by 75% of your Life per Kill.
Ambush
- Ambush
You deal 40% additional damage to enemies above 75% health.

Items

The Shadow's Mask

Set Helm

21 - 24 Armor

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 50000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
The Shadow's Burden

Set Shoulders

59 - 68 Armor

Primary Stats

+51 - 60 Resistance to All Elements

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 50000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
The Traveler's Pledge

Set Amulet

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Damage Increased by 51 - 55%

Endless Walk
The Traveler's Pledge
The Compass Rose
(2) Set: While moving, damage taken is reduced by up to 50%.
While standing still, damage dealt is increased by up to 100%.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
The Shadow's Bane

Set Chest Armor

51 - 68 Armor

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 50000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Wraps of Clarity

Legendary Bracers

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 1.5–2.0%
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Your Hatred Generators reduce your damage taken by 30–35% for 5 seconds.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+24–29 Dexterity

+24–29 Strength

+24–29 Intelligence
The Shadow's Grasp

Set Gloves

42 - 55 Armor

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 6 - 6.5%

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 50000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Chain of Shadows

Legendary Belt

6 - 7 Armor

Primary Stats

+201 - 230 Vitality

Secondary Stats

After using Impale, Vault costs no resource for 2 seconds.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
The Shadow's Coil

Set Pants

33 - 38 Armor

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 50000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
The Shadow's Heels

Set Boots

30 - 35 Armor

Primary Stats

+78 - 83 Vitality

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 50000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
The Compass Rose

Set Ring

Endless Walk
The Traveler's Pledge
The Compass Rose
(2) Set: While moving, damage taken is reduced by up to 50%.
While standing still, damage dealt is increased by up to 100%.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Elusive Ring

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 3.5%

Secondary Stats

After casting Shadow Power, Smoke Screen, or Vault, take 50 - 60% reduced damage for 8 seconds.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Karlei's Point

Legendary Dagger

Primary Stats

+(858–1049)–(1028–1304) Cold Damage
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Impale returns 10–15 Hatred if it hits an enemy already Impaled.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+626–750 Dexterity

+626–750 Strength

+626–750 Intelligence
Holy Point Shot

Legendary Quiver

Primary Stats

Attack Speed Increased by 15 - 20%

Secondary Stats

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
Impale throws two additional knives.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties

More Details

Head
- The Shadow's Mask
- Stat Priority: Dex CHC Skill: Impale Socket
Shoulders
- The Shadow's Burden
- Stat Priority: Dex Vit AR Life
Amulet
- The Traveler's Pledge
- Stat Priority: CHC CHD Lightning %
Torso
- The Shadow's Bane
- Stat Priority: Dex Vit AR Socket
Wrists
- Wraps of Clarity
- Stat Priority: Dex Vit CHC Lightning %
Hands
- The Shadow's Grasp
- Stat Priority: Dex Vit CHC CHD
Waist
- Chain of Shadows
- Stat Priority: Dex Vit AR Life
Legs
- The Shadow's Coil
- Stat Priority: Dex Vit AR Socket
Feet
- The Shadow's Heels
- Stat Priority: Dex Vit AR Skill: Impale
Rings
- The Compass Rose
- Elusive Ring
- Stat Priority: CHC CHD Dex
Weapon
- Karlei's Point
- Stat Priority: Dmg % Dex
Offhand
- Holy Point Shot
- Stat Priority: Dex CHC Skill: Impale Lightning %

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)
- Moratorium
  Moratorium
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  35% of all damage taken is instead staggered and dealt to you over 3.00 seconds.
  20% chance on kill to clear all staggered damage.
  (Requires Rank 25)
- Bane of the Powerful
  Bane of the Powerful
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Gain 20% increased damage for 30 seconds after killing an elite pack.

Kanai's Cube

Dawn

Legendary Hand Crossbow

Primary Stats

+(533–652)–(639–810) Holy Damage
+330–524 Dexterity
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Reduce the cooldown of Vengeance by 50–65%.
Dawn
Visage of Gunes

Legendary Helm

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Vengeance gains the effect of the Dark Heart rune.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+128–163 Dexterity

+128–163 Strength

+128–163 Intelligence
Visage of Gunes
Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Attack Speed Increased by 4.0–5.0%
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
Reduces cooldown of all skills by 4.0–7.0%.
Reduces all resource costs by 5.0–7.0%.
+1 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Ignores Durability Loss
Reduce the remaining cooldown of one of your skills by 1 seconds when you hit with a resource-spending attack.
Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac

Items and stats

*the items with stats listed as Free can be whatever you choose and are not critical to the build

Head

The Shadow's Mask

Primary

Dexterity
Critical Hit Chance
+% Impale Damage
1x Socket (Flawless Royal Amethyst)

Secondary

Secondary resist
Free

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Chest

The Shadow's Bane

Primary

Dexterity
Vitality
Resistance to All Elements
3x Sockets (Flawless Royal Emerald)

Secondary

Life after Each Kill
Free

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Waist

Chain of Shadows

Primary

Dexterity
Vitality
Resistance to All Elements
+% Life

Secondary

Life after Each Kill
Legendary Power

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Legs

The Shadow's Coil

Primary

Dexterity
Vitality
Resistance to All Elements
2x Sockets (Flawless Royal Emerald)

Secondary

Life after Each Kill
Free

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Feet

The Shadow's Heels

Primary

Dexterity
Vitality
Resistance to All Elements
+% Impale Damage

Secondary

Free
Free

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Shoulder

The Shadow's Burden

Primary

Dexterity
Vitality
Resistance to All Elements
+% Life

Secondary

Free
Free

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Hands

The Shadow's Grasp

Primary

Dexterity
Vitality
Critical Hit Damage
Critical Hit Chance

Secondary

Secondary Resistance
Free

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Neck

The Traveler's Pledge

Primary

Lightning Skills deal XX% more damage
Critical Hit Damage
Critical Hit Chance
1x Socket (Zei's Stone of Vengeance)

Secondary

Life after Each Kill
Secondary Resistance

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Wrists

Wraps of Clarity

Primary

Lightning Skills deal XX% more damage
Dexterity
Vitality
Critical Hit Chance

Secondary

Secondary Resistance
Legendary Power

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Ring 1

The Compass Rose

Primary

+XX-XX Damage
Dexterity
Critical Hit Damage
Critical Hit Chance
1x Socket (Bane of the Trapped)

Secondary

Life after Each Kill

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Ring 2

Elusive Ring

Primary

Dexterity
Critical Hit Damage
Critical Hit Chance
1x Socket (Taeguk)

Secondary

Life after Each Kill
Legendary Power

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Main-Hand

Karlei's Point

Primary

+XX% Damage
Dexterity
Vitality
1x Socket (Flawless Royal Emerald)

Secondary

Life after Each Kill
Legendary Power

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Off-Hand

Holy Point Shot

Primary

Lightning Skills deal XX% more damage
Dexterity
Attack Speed Increased by XX%
Critical Hit Chance
+% Impale Damage

Secondary

Maximum Discipline
Legendary Power

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Summary

You want Critical Hit Chance on every piece it comes on

You want Crit Hit damage on every piece it comes on

You want Life after Each Kill on every piece it comes on

You want Dexterity on every piece it comes on

You want to prefer All Resistance over *secondary* Resistance

Take secondary resist if it doesn't interfere with the above

You want to max the Caldesann's Despair on all of your gear (I recommend start with the lowest required per item slot or only with items that have the correct Stats on it to save yourself some time and effort)

Paragon Priorities

Core

Movement Speed
Primary Stat
Maximum Resource
Vitality

Offense

Critical Hit Chance
Critical Hit Damage
Cooldown Reduction
Attack Speed

Defense

Resist All
Armor
Life
Life Regeneration

Utility

Area Damage
Life on Hit
Resource Cost Reduction
Gold Find

Core

max out your movement speed to hit the 25% gear+paragon cap. Dump everything you have left into dex. (If your stats are allocated properly on compass rose and your shadows heels boots then all of your movement speed will come from paragon).

Offense

This is a crit focus build. Considering how slow you will be throwing out impales crit chance needs to be maxed first before going into crit damage. From there Cooldown Reduction and Attack Speed won't have much of an affect but if you can max it out then go ahead.

Defense

All Resist>Armor>Life>Life Regeneration

Most of your survivability with this build will come from your life per kill synergy (Life per kill, shadow power, gear and leech), But you might as well dump the paragon points into the stats.

Utility

Area Damage > Life on Hit > Resource cost Reduction > Gold Find (lol)

Just the basic paragon amount of area damage will benefit you without having to allocate your gear's stats for it and then life on hit to buff our Life per Kill synergy. After that just go into resource cost reduction but it's not mandatory for the items we've selected. And then...gold find.....lol

Build Guide

Playstyle

The build completely focuses around you being the single target nuker. Impale with this build has the highest single target damage per use of any class, spec, build or ability in the game and this build uses that to it's advantage in group play. You nuke down single targets (elite's, rift bosses/guardians, and highest value targets) while the other DPS in your group focus on the trash. Considering that you should be hunting for elites but only stopping to hit high value targets along the way.

1. make sure shadow power is activated when you enter the rift. (It resets whenever you enter a Greater Rift portal)

2. Hold down impale

3. Use shadow power every 7 seconds to keep up your damage reduction from elusive ring

4. Use Companion on cooldown (maximum down time while hitting targets is roughly 2-3 seconds)

5. Use Vengeance on cooldown (100% up time)

6. Use Bola Shot every 3 seconds to keep up your Wraps of Clarity damage reduction buff

7. Use vault to get out of situations quickly. (this is actually a better option than just simply running out because mid vault you are immune to damage).

Stat Focus

Life Per kill, crit chance and crit damage

The farthest we have cleared so far without area damage or attack speed testing is 78. This build is designed around running with a partner with a considerable amount of Crowd Control

Ricochet is a mandatory rune for impale. It refunds hatred for each enemy hit that is already impaled and grants life for each enemy hit so with the initial hit and two surrounding targets hatred is no issue at all since you are refunding 45 hatred and healing for 450,000 life per use of impale and then single target is easy when there is only one mob round. Just make sure you have good aim and that you aren't spam clicking or you will disengage the auto target follow and also find yourself quickly running out of hatred and scurrying to use bola shot to get your hatred up high enough and fast enough before your Taeguk stacks run out. Spamming is bad with this build. Hold and follow.

With the most recent hotfixes to vengeance it's now possible to have a 100% up time with vengeance without rolling cooldown reduction on any of your gear. Obsidian ring of the zodiac makes this possible and is by far the best ring option to maximize damage reductions and damage increases that you get from wolf companion and Vengeance. The gems have also been changed up a bit to reflect this. The idea behind this build is that with the vengeance seethe rune being up 100% of the time is that now you can cast impale every 2 seconds to keep your stacks of Taeguk throughout the entire time of the GR (as long as you don't die) . Make sure you cast impale right before clicking on the entry to the next GR floor. As long as you don't have issues with lag (dependent on mostly your internet and if D3 servers aren't having problems) you will keep your stacks of Taeguk up long enough while loading between levels and then quickly cast impale again once the loading screen is finished so that you can keep the stacks up. Aside from that you can use impale to keep your stacks and then vault twice for fast movement to the next mob/elite pack. Rinse and repeat. This build has good mobility with high damage reduction. Currently while testing with a Taeguk lvl 75 my sheet toughness with everything up (which is ridiculously easy) is around 506 million without dex augments at paragon level 900. This is also without highly optimized gear so you can imagine what this will do once it's properly itemized and maximized. You'll need this toughness for 80+ GR pushing.

Our current testing is for 2 player GR pushing with a Delsere Wiz

The build has been tested solo and so far it's capable of doing GR 75 without dex augments, missing roughly 28% lightning damage increase and missing ~6% crit chance without changing anything (even after the 2set nerf (from 1000% down to 600%)

Variation

Depending on group comp, if you have a support in your group that will allow you to use Bane of the Powerful you can drop thrill of the hunt for steady aim for Softcore or drop Ambush for Awareness if you are hardcore.

I Will keep this updated as more information becomes available or if anything changes.

Watch me and Cursedsteel push 2s GRs live on twitch.tv/midknite !

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