Hey spont, here's my 2 cents, even though I do not main a Crusader.
Lightning#1121 (YOU KNOW ME SPONTSQUINT)
Pros: There aren't many pros of having the same build being the dominant one over several plus seasons. For the most part, people are attracted to results; if the LoN build is the top for several seasons, that is all people will use which causes the class to become stale. On a personal note, i've always liked the LoN set which allowed more creativity and diversity.
Cons: On that last note, this build does the opposite of what LoN is intended for. Essentially people are bottlenecked into using one build.
Opinions: Crusader has never really been an enticing class for me to play aside from a few of their skills, two of which are Falling Sword and Phalanx. What I have always thought would be awesome would be sets revolving around these skills and i'm not talking about activating it once for damage reduction. These are what I have though would be great sets.
Falling Sword: (damage numbers could use some tweaking) Raining Heaven set
2 piece: Falling Sword gains the effect of all runes and now pulls in enemies within 15 yards.
4 piece: Enemies killed by Falling Sword now also spawn an Avatar of the Order upon death for 5 seconds that deal 500% of your weapon damage as Physical. You also deal 500% more damage while Falling Sword is active.
6 piece: Enemies hit by Falling Sword now take 100% increased damage from all sources. Falling Sword cooldown reduced by 50%.
Phalanx skills redesigned to normally attack for 500% of your weapon damage. They will now cast abilities every 5 seconds. (Each rune gets a different element). 30 second Cooldown. 30 Wrath. 15 second duration.
- (Base) Summon 3 powerful avatars who charge forward to the targeted destination. Enemies caught in the charge path take 500% weapon damage as Physical.
- Bowmen rune: The avatars now shoot piercing shots that deal 500% weapon damage as Physical.
- Shield Charge rune: The avatars now charge enemies with their shield dealing 500% weapon damage as Holy. Enemies killed will explode as 200% weapon damage as Holy.
- Stampede rune (removed).
- (New) Knights rune: Summon 2 Phalanx horsemen that will charge enemies for 500% weapon damage as Fire. Enemies hit take 1000% weapon damage over 3 seconds.
- Shield Bearers rune: The avatars now move next to you and periodically reflect projectiles and block melee attacks. When this happens, enemies nearby take 1000% weapon damage as Physical.
- Bodyguard rune (removed).
- (New) Zealot rune: Summon a Zakarum priest who casts bolts that deal 1500% weapon damage as Lightning to target and enemies within 15 yards.
Phalanx: (Collective Strength set)
2 piece: Phalanx avatars last until they die.
4 piece: Enemies killed by Phalanx now turn into avatars (runed) that last for 5 seconds or until they cast their ability.
6 piece: Phalanx now deals 500% more damage for each avatar alive. (Includes those created from 4 piece).
Eternal Union redesigned: Avatars now use their enhanced abilities whenever you spend 30 Wrath.
Baleful Remnant redesigned: Phalanx now summons twice as many avatars.
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