ThornCrash Crusader (2.6.1 Thorns of the Invoker Set Build)

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by Dante ShadowRoadz last updated Jul 8, 2018 ( Patch 2.6.1 )

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Skills

Punish Retaliate
- 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.
Retaliate

When you block with Hardened Senses active, you deal 140% weapon damage as Holy to the attacker.
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.
Akarat's Champion Fire Starter
- 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.
Fire Starter

Dealing damage burns enemies with the power of Akarat, dealing 460% weapon damage as Fire over 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.
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%.
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.

Fervor
- Fervor
While wielding a one-handed weapon, your attack speed is increased by 15% and all cooldowns are reduced by 15%.
Finery
- Finery
Gain 1.5% Strength for every gem socketed into your gear.
Holy Cause
- Holy Cause
The amount of damage dealt by your weapon is increased by 10%.

Whenever you deal Holy damage, you heal up to 1% of your total Life.
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.

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
Hellfire Amulet

Legendary Amulet
Heart of Iron

Legendary Chest Armor

87 - 107 Armor

Primary Stats

+130 - 149 Vitality
+812 - 1242 Thorns Damage

Secondary Stats

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

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Sanguinary Vambraces

Legendary Bracers

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 1.5–2.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

+3–4 Thorns Damage
Chance on being hit to deal 1000% of your Thorns damage to nearby enemies.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+24–29 Dexterity

+24–29 Strength

+24–29 Intelligence
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

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
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
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
Unity

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Increases damage against elites by 12 - 15%
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 3.5%

Secondary Stats

All damage taken is split between wearers of this item.

+ 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
Akarat's Awakening

Legendary Crusader Shield

9 - 10 Armor

Primary Stats

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

+8% Chance to Block

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: Str Vit AR Thorns
Shoulders
- Burden of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Arcane Res Thorns
Amulet
- Hellfire Amulet
- Moonlight Ward
- The Ess of Johan
- Stat Priority: Socket CHD CHC Str
Torso
- Heart of Iron
- Aquila Cuirass
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Thorns
Wrists
- Sanguinary Vambraces
- Shackles of the Invoker
- Nemesis Bracers
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Thorns
Hands
- Pride of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Thorns
Waist
- Belt of the Trove
- Angel Hair Braid
- The Witching Hour
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Thorns
Legs
- Renewal of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Thorns
Feet
- Zeal of the Invoker
- Stat Priority: Str Vit AR Thorns
Rings
- Justice Lantern
- Unity
- Ring of Royal Grandeur
- Stat Priority: Socket CHD CHC Str
Weapon
- Hack
- Pig Sticker
- Swiftmount
- Stat Priority: Dmg % AS CHD Str
Offhand
- Akarat's Awakening
- Vo'Toyias Spiker
- Hallowed Bulwark
- Stat Priority: Str Vit Armor + Life

Legendary Gems
- 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)
- 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)
- Simplicity's Strength
  Simplicity's Strength
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Increase the damage of primary skills by 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
Angel Hair Braid

Legendary Belt

165 - 179 Armor

Primary Stats

Ignores Durability Loss

Secondary Stats

Punish gains the effect of every rune.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Angel Hair Braid
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

Uses full 6 piece Thorns of the Invoker class set, with a Diamond in the Helm for cooldown reduction or an Amethyst for total Life percentage, then all Rubies in the Torso and Legs. All armor pieces having Thorn damage is a priority, as well as All Resist and total Life percentage when possible after all other highlighted affixes.

For Amulet choice, a Hellfire Amulet for additional offensive/defensive passive would work well, whereas Moonlight Ward would work as supplementary melee range damage and Ess of Johan for enemy grouping. For Rings, Justice Lantern and Unity greatly help boost the build's defensive potential, Justice Lantern being worn for maximum Block Chance added whereas between Unity and Ring of Royal Grandeur, whichever one rolls with better stats can be equipped and the other one Cubed.

Legendary Gems directly support the build's damage and survival functions, Boyarsky's Chip adding a huge amount of Thorns to the build and granting Taunt effects for primary skills, the damage and healing potential added to by Simplicity's Strength. Bane of the Trapped works as a well rounded damage boost in the same radius of the build's Thorns and Punish damage auras to guarantee boosts to all outgoing damage. Simplicity's Strength could be swapped for a more direct healing or defensive option such as Molten Wildebeest's Gizzard or Esoteric Alteration.

Sanguinary Vambraces greatly multiple Thorns on taking damage when they trigger, whereas directly wearing the Shackles of the Invoker would remove the necessity for the Ring of Royal Granduer for another option in the Cube, such as an alternative Amulet choice. Nemesis Bracers are more of a speed running option for Rifts that don't require the build's full Thorns damage potential.

For Belts, Belt of the Trove is the best direct option for more frequent use of Bombardment to maintain the 4 piece damage reduction effect, though Angel Hair Braid could be worn directly rather than Cubed with Belt of the Trove in its place. Witching Hour is a final well rounded offensive option.

The Torso armor for the build can work offensively or defensively. Heart of Iron technically does a bit of both, granting up to 300% of total Life percentage for the Crusader as additional Thorns damage, so the more health stacked onto the build through Life affixes and the Amethyst in the Helm, the better the damage output, whereas the Aquila Cuirass grants 50% damage reduction when the Crusader's Wrath is at 90% or higher, and as this build doesn't expend Wrath whatsoever the effect would always be active.

For weapons, Hack is the best direct offensive bonus for Thorns to all forms of damage, whether from Punish, Bombardment, or the Fire element damage from Akarat's Champion, though Pig Sticker works on sheer attack speed potential as well. Swift Mount is a last option to get better use out of Steed Charge. Shield options are mainly between Akarat's Awakening for better cooldown potential, or Vo' Toyias Spiker for improved Thorns damage to Provoked enemies. Hallowed Bulwark is a more defensive option to grant additional Block Amount when using Iron Skin.

The Cubed items facilitate the damage output, Blood Brother granting further Block Chance and up to 30% additional damage after every blocked attack, and Angel Hair Braid granting all runes to Punish for improved health regeneration, attack speed, critical chance, and Fire and Holy damage auras on block. then Ring of Royal Grandeur or Unity. Blood Brother could feasibly be swapped with one of the better alternative shields like Vo'Toyias Spiker for better use of Thorns damage.

Paragon Priorities

Core

Primary Stat
Vitality
Movement Speed
Maximum Resource

Offense

Cooldown Reduction
Attack Speed
Critical Hit Chance
Critical Hit Damage

Defense

Life Regeneration
Life
Resist All
Armor

Utility

Life on Hit
Area Damage
Resource Cost Reduction
Gold Find

Paragon of 1000 or above required to push past GR60 range, priority on Strength and Vitality, especially in the use of Heart of Iron for defensive and offensive boosting alike. Movement Speed helps the build get around, Maximum Wrath isn't applicable to the build.

Cooldown Reduction is imperative for Akarat's Champion, Provoke and Steel Skin, Attack Speed facilitates everything and Critical Hit Chance and Damage improve all said outgoing damage.

Life Regeneration and Life total are just as important as outgoing damage boosts, and Resist All and Armor round out defense.

Life on Hit adds additional healing, Area Damage works with Thorns and Bombardment. Resource Cost Reduction and Gold Find aren't applicable to the build.

Build Guide

This build has been tested in the 2.6.1 patch and during Season 14 on the PS4.

The build works on piggybacking additional damage onto the greatly boosted Thorns damage from the 2 and 6 piece Invoker set bonuses in a Wrathless expenditure for all the skills, instead using cooldown skills and a priority on reducing the cooldowns as much as possible with a primarily dual offensive skill focus. Punish procs the 2 piece Thorns boost bonus via attacking and facilitating additional blocking, and is greatly increased in attack speed and Thorns damage output via the 6 piece bonus. Punish itself with the Retaliate rune sets it as Holy damage and grants an additional 140% weapon damage when blocking enemy attacks, though with the Angel Hair Braid in the Cube also grants 15% critical hit chance and attack speed, additional Life regeneration, and a 75% Fire element damage aura in 15 yards, all when blocking from Hardened Senses from Punish.

Bombardment with the Barrel of Spikes greatly boosts the damage of the skill by granting 200% of total Thorns to each individual barrel, taking all the boosted Thorns from the 2 and 6 piece set bonuses into account as well. This with the Belt of the Trove makes it the second damage dealing skill for the build and lets it automatically cast every 7 seconds or so to keep up the 50% damage reduction effect from the 4 piece set bonus. Both Bombardment and Punish, as well as all the Thorns damage from the Invoker can carry the 460% Fire damage over 3 seconds effect from the Akarat's Champion with the Fire Starter rune, making for a half-decent damage supplement as the Invoker set doesn't actually boost any skills in terms of damager percentage.

Provoke and Iron Skin work primarily for defensive boosting, as well as facilitating skill and set damage further. Provoke with the Hit Me rune greatly boosts block chance to facilitate Thorns boosting and triggering all the runes from Punish, and Iron Skin with the Reflective Skin rune grants another 300% Thorns bonus while active. The last skill, Steed Charge with the Spiked Barding rune grants the summoned warhorse deals 500% Thorns damage to all enemies ridden through, making it a viable offensive skill as well as a mobility skill.

The passives reinforce everything central with the build, Fervor granting additional attack speed and cooldown reduction, Finery granting 1.5% Strength for every socketed Gem, so having the weapon and shield socketed helps greatly, Holy Cause grants another 10% base damage boost and grants a 1% heal from all Holy damage, which with Punish with the Retaliate rune procs on every use and Indestructible works to keep from dying during tougher Rifts.

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