Thorns Revisited.

Rating

by Cronk169 last updated Oct 3, 2017 ( Patch 2.6.1 )

Seasonal

Hybrid

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Skills

Punish
- 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.
Slash Zeal
- Slash
Generate: 5 Wrath per attack

Ignite the air in front of you, dealing 230% weapon damage as Fire.
Zeal

Gain 1% increased Attack Speed for every enemy hit for 3 seconds. This effect stacks up to 10 times.
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%.
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.
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%.
Steed Charge Draw and Quarter
- Steed Charge
Cooldown: 16 seconds

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

Bind 5 monsters near you with chains and drag them as you ride, dealing 185% weapon damage as Holy every second.

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%.
Fanaticism
- Fanaticism
Increase the attack speed of Punish, Slash, Smite and Justice by 15%.
Hold Your Ground
- Hold Your Ground
You can no longer Dodge, but your Block Chance is increased by 30%.

Items

Crown of the Invoker

Set Helm

21 - 24 Armor

Primary Stats

+626 - 750 Strength
+626 - 750 Dexterity
+626 - 750 Intelligence
Sockets (1)
+2401 - 2880 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 350% 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 15000% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Burden of the Invoker

Set Shoulders

59 - 68 Armor

Primary Stats

+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence
+5334 - 7696 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 350% 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 15000% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Hellfire Amulet

Legendary Amulet
Heart of Iron

Legendary Chest Armor

87 - 107 Armor

Primary Stats

+416 - 500 Vitality
+5334 - 7696 Thorns Damage
+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence

Secondary Stats

Gain Thorns equal to 250 - 300% of your Vitality.

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Shackles of the Invoker

Set Bracers

8 - 10 Armor

Primary Stats

+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence
+2401 - 2880 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 350% 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 15000% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Pride of the Invoker

Set Gloves

42 - 55 Armor

Primary Stats

+626 - 750 Strength
+626 - 750 Dexterity
+626 - 750 Intelligence
+2401 - 2880 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 350% 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 15000% 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
Depth Diggers

Legendary Pants

398 - 472 Armor

Primary Stats

+51 - 60 Resistance to All Elements

Secondary Stats

Primary skills that generate resource deal 80 - 100% additional damage.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Zeal of the Invoker

Set Boots

30 - 35 Armor

Primary Stats

+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence
+2401 - 2880 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 350% 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 15000% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
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
Stone of Jordan

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Increases damage against elites by 25.0–30.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties
One of 6 Magic Properties (varies)

+8–10 Maximum Discipline (Demon Hunter Only)

+7–8 Maximum Fury (Barbarian Only)

+7–9 Maximum Arcane Power (Wizard Only)

+105–119 Maximum Mana (Witch Doctor Only)

+13–14 Maximum Spirit (Monk Only)

+7–8 Maximum Wrath

One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence

One of 7 Magic Properties (varies)

Physical skills deal 15–20% more damage.

Lightning skills deal 15–20% more damage.

Cold skills deal 15–20% more damage.

Fire skills deal 15–20% more damage.

Arcane skills deal 15–20% more damage.

Poison skills deal 15–20% more damage.

Holy skills deal 15–20% more damage.
Hack

Legendary Axe

3.25 Damage Per Second

Primary Stats

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

Secondary Stats

75 - 100% of your Thorns damage is applied on every attack.
One of 7 Magic Properties (varies)

+(1199 - 1490) Physical Damage

+(1199 - 1490) Fire Damage

+(1199 - 1490) Lightning Damage

+(1199 - 1490) Cold Damage

+(1199 - 1490) Poison Damage

+(1199 - 1490) Arcane Damage

+(1199 - 1490) 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
- Crown of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: CHC Str Vit AR
Shoulders
- Burden of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: CDR Str Vit AR
Amulet
- Hellfire Amulet
- Stat Priority: CHD Thorns AS Socket
Torso
- Heart of Iron
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR
Wrists
- Shackles of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: CHC Str Vit Physical %
Hands
- Pride of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: AS CHC CHD
Waist
- Belt of the Trove
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Thorns
Legs
- Depth Diggers
- Stat Priority: Socket Str Vit Thorns
Feet
- Zeal of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: Vit Str AR
Rings
- Justice Lantern
- Stone of Jordan
- Stat Priority: CHC CHD Physical % Str
Weapon
- Hack
- Stat Priority: Dmg % AS CDR Socket
Offhand
- Akarat's Awakening
- Stat Priority: CHC CDR Vit

Legendary Gems
- Boyarsky's Chip
  Boyarsky's Chip
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Adds 16000 Thorns.
- Simplicity's Strength
  Simplicity's Strength
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Increase the damage of primary skills by 25.00%.
  Hits with primary abilities heal you for 4% of your maximum health. (Requires Rank 25)
- Esoteric Alteration
  Esoteric Alteration
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Gain +10% non-Physical damage reduction.

Kanai's Cube

Blood Brother

Legendary Two-Handed Sword

11 Damage Per Second

Primary Stats

+946 - 1125 Strength
+946 - 1125 Dexterity
+946 - 1125 Intelligence

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 8 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

+5 - 8% Damage

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Blood Brother
Angel Hair Braid

Legendary Belt

165 - 179 Armor

Primary Stats

Ignores Durability Loss
+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence

Secondary Stats

Punish gains the effect of every rune.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Angel Hair Braid
Ring of Royal Grandeur

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence
Attack Speed Increased by 5 - 6%
+7737 - 9214 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

This is simply meant to bring out the full potential of your actual damage. Everyone always saying this and that. Well, what if my Punish is dealing double damage at ludicrous attack speeds and reflecting damage on its own with Retaliate and Roar rune both of which can critical.

What if I add sources of damage to the entire equation instead of just a complete reliance on Thorns?

Hack applies its own separate thorns hit in addition to Invoker set for those that are unaware.

Notes: IF you feel too squishy. You can always drop heart of Iron for Aquilla. But, I haven't had any issues really.

Hellfire Amulet: Finery passive skill or any of the ones selected.

Justice Lantern: Do not roll off CC reduction for Thorns.

Stone of Jordan: You can roll of max resource for thorns. This would be optimal.

For the Gems!! I like to balance my gems always. So, 1 offense gem in this case being thorns. 1 balanced gem in this case being simplicity strength which increases damage output and gives you life on hit. 1 defense gem in esoteric alteration to further reduce damage taken from things you cannot block. Also, Chest and Legs are all Amethysts. Diamond in helm.

Paragon Priorities

Core

Movement Speed
Vitality
Primary Stat
Maximum Resource

Offense

Attack Speed
Critical Hit Damage
Cooldown Reduction
Critical Hit Chance

Defense

Resist All
Life
Armor
Life Regeneration

Utility

Life on Hit
Area Damage
Resource Cost Reduction
Gold Find

Movement... Vitality and Strength both increase you thorns.

Attack speed: More hits means more damage and sustain.

Critical Damage: Yes this because Punish and Slash count as something!

Cool Down reduction: Can compete with CHD if you are not rotating cool downs.

All resist because Strength does not do that.

Life because Strength does give you armor.

Armor because more Armor.

Life on Hit: Because sustain. If you chose area damage with Invoker set. I will now tell you, wrong. Thorns is area damage on its own before invoker amplifies it.

Area Damage: Because the rest are not needed.

Build Guide

Example Hit: Weapon damage, 800% thorns from invoker, 80-100% thorns from Hack.

Example Crit: MORE DAMAGE sheesh.

Example of you taking Hit: Thorns happens, Retaliate Rune happens, Roar happens. Both Punish runes are amplified by depth diggers and can crit.

I am bored now doing math. This will out damage other builds. Simply because there are now crits involved.

Cool down Rotation

Horsey: This is not just for pulling mobs. This is for moving your ass out of those things on the floor that bypass blocks.

Iron Skin should be saved for Elites and Rift Guardians. Not wasted on trash.

Law of Justice: We have these things? Use in any massive grouping. Even without an elite. Debuffing enemy to deal 15-60% less damage is better than Aquilla Cuirass.

Enemies grouped

Keep Punish active. This will maintain Roar, Retaliate, 15% attack speed, 15% critical, and some hp regen.

Slash the mobs to hit more than one unlike Punish. This will increase stacks of invoker faster.

This is for elite packs and grouped up things, assuming farming rifts.

Rift Guardian

Just spam Punish.

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