Hey guys, I finally reached a point where I can farm T5 solo in hardcore. Monks are my main but I've been exploring the crusader the last 2 weeks. I've created a 3 part progression guide along the way. If you are trying to break into Torment 5 in hardcore or would like too this is how I did. Enjoy.
Torment 2-3
We can skip Torment 1 completely when starting a crusader even in yellow gear. This build requires 0 gear, we will be relying on the huge burst damage potential on the crusader for elites and hammers for the trash.
Justice - Crack:This is our wrath generator / kiting skill.
Blessed Hammer - Limitless:Great for killing trash mobs with high returns for life on hit and very high damage per wrath spent.
Condemn - Vacuum:This groups monsters in position for hammers and bombardment along with good damage.
Bombardment - Impactful Bombardment:Our main damage dealer for elites.
Shield Glare - Divine Verdict:Used to freeze elites in place and increase the damage for Bombardment.
Steed Charge - Endurance:Mobility
Passives:
Finery:DPS / Armor buff
Righteousness:Wrath Generation and +max wrath for extending the period between health globe's for potential Reapers Wraps returns.
Insurmountable:For increase toughness while getting close with hammers.
Heavenly Strength:God mode...allows us to use a 2h as a 1h.
Strengths VS Weakness's:
Huge burst damage against elites. Sometimes difficult to aim hammers, hammers don't wrap around above ground level area's like Chakram (DH).
Torment 3-4
For Torment 3-4 I used a toned down version of the Heavens Fury build (if you don't have Fate of the Fell then run the previous build). This build does have a gear requirement....their are alternatives to run T3-T4....this is just what I found most effective. We will be juggling between all our wrath generation skills for maximum Heavens Fury spending.
Justice - Crack:This is our wrath generator / kiting skill.
Heavens Fury - Fires Of Heaven:Our main DPS skill.
Provoke - Hit Me:Used to generate wrath.
Akarat's Champion- Prophet: Save this for elites for defense and wrath generation.
Laws Of Valor - Unstoppable Force:Used to to reduce wrath for Heavens Fury.
Steed Charge - Endurance:Mobility
Passives:
Finery:DPS / Armor buff
Righteousness:Wrath Generation and +max wrath for extending the period between health globe's for potential Reapers Wraps returns.
Long arm of the Law:Increase our up time for Laws of Valor.
Heavenly Strength:God mode...allows us to use a 2h as a 1h.
Strengths VS Weakness's:
Huge damage. High gear requirement, constantly juggling between wrath generation can feel awkward in groups.
Torment 4-5
For Torment 4-5 we are running the full Heavens Fury build, Stacking high cooldown reduction but I did not maximize it. I feel adding more cooldown reduction after a certain point is wasteful compared to alternative gear / slot choices e.g. Captains set can be replaced for Harrington.
Heavens Fury - Fires Of Heaven:Our main DPS skill.
Provoke - Hit Me:Used to generate wrath during Akarat's Champion down time.
Akarat's Champion- Prophet: Try and keep this permanantly up.
Laws Of Valor - Unstoppable Force:Try and keep this permanantly up.
Steed Charge - Endurance:Mobility
Shield Glare - Zealous Glare: Used to generate wrath during Akarat's Champion down time.
Passives:
Finery:DPS / Armor buff
Indestructible:+1 life / anti DC.
Long arm of the Law:Increase our up time for Laws of Valor.
Heavenly Strength:God mode...allows us to use a 2h as a 1h.
Strengths VS Weakness's:
Huge damage. High gear requirement, allot of crusaders run the same build....but what class isn't like this.
Conclusion:
Its great to have a character that can efficiently farm blood shards without the need of Rift it Forward. I've been using my crusader to gear every class and would recommend making one as a back up or main to use when re-gearing your fallen hero's.
Torment 2-3
We can skip Torment 1 completely when starting a crusader even in yellow gear. This build requires 0 gear, we will be relying on the huge burst damage potential on the crusader for elites and hammers for the trash.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-sXz6w1-CA
Build:http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/crusader#UeYiOV!acYS!ZbaaYY
Skills:
Passives:
Strengths VS Weakness's:
Huge burst damage against elites. Sometimes difficult to aim hammers, hammers don't wrap around above ground level area's like Chakram (DH).Torment 3-4
For Torment 3-4 I used a toned down version of the Heavens Fury build (if you don't have Fate of the Fell then run the previous build). This build does have a gear requirement....their are alternatives to run T3-T4....this is just what I found most effective. We will be juggling between all our wrath generation skills for maximum Heavens Fury spending.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c3ymjgjbLI
Build: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/crusader#UldQfV!aYgS!ZccYYY
Skills:
Passives:
Strengths VS Weakness's:
Huge damage. High gear requirement, constantly juggling between wrath generation can feel awkward in groups.Torment 4-5
For Torment 4-5 we are running the full Heavens Fury build, Stacking high cooldown reduction but I did not maximize it. I feel adding more cooldown reduction after a certain point is wasteful compared to alternative gear / slot choices e.g. Captains set can be replaced for Harrington.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0EpeUKRhWg
Build:http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/crusader#lYdQfV!gdaS!cbcYYY
Skills:
Passives:
Strengths VS Weakness's:
Huge damage. High gear requirement, allot of crusaders run the same build....but what class isn't like this.Conclusion:
Its great to have a character that can efficiently farm blood shards without the need of Rift it Forward. I've been using my crusader to gear every class and would recommend making one as a back up or main to use when re-gearing your fallen hero's.