A build that focuses on the Thorns effect, using it along with extremely high Attack Speed to quickly kill all enemies around you.
Skills
This build mainly revolves around taking advantage of Thorns of the Invoker, greatly enhancing the typically negligible Thorns stat. It boosts its damage greatly and makes that damage AoE. However, the main source of damage will be Slash, as it will get an extreme damage boost from Thorns. Another important Skill is Bombardment, which will give a defensive boost with the set bonus and, when using the Barrels of Spikes Rune, will have a damage boost based on your Thorns damage.
Aside from these two Skills, other core Skills of this build are:
- Iron Skin – gives a boost to both offense and defense.
- Laws of Valor – gives a boost to Attack Speed.
- Akarat’s Champion – a staple in Crusader builds; it gives you a boost in both offense and defense.
- Steed Charge – gives a boost in mobility and helps keep enemies close to you.
Passives
- Fervor – gives both Cooldown Reduction and Attack Speed.
- Iron Maiden – increases your Thorns.
- Finary – gives a strong boost to offense and defense.
- Hold Your Ground – works with Akarat’s Awakening to help reduce cooldowns.
- Heavenly Strength – use if equipping a 2-Handed Weapon.
Equipment
The primary armor of this build will be the Thorns of the Invoker set. You will need five pieces of it for the full effect (if you Cube the Royal Ring of Grandeur). Omnislash will cause Slash to damage everyone around you. Both the Pig Sticker and Echoing Fury will keep your Attack Speed high. Akarat’s Awakening will help reduce all of your cooldowns. The Captain Crimson’s Trimmings set and Endless Walk set will increase both your damage and survivability.
Boyarsky’s Chip, Bane of the Trapped, and Bane of the Stricken are generally the best Legendary Gems, all of which further increase your damage.
| Slot | Stat Priorities |
|---|---|
| Weapon | 1. Socket (using Ramaladni’s Gift) 2. Attack Speed 3. Cooldown Reduction 4. Elite Damage 5. Life per Hit 6. Strength |
| Off-Hand | 1. Cooldown Reduction 2. Elite Damage 3. Thorns 4. Block Chance 5. Strength |
| Helm | 1. Socket (Flawless Royal Diamond) 2. Strength 3. Vitality 4. Life per Hit 5. All Resistance |
| Gloves | 1. Attack Speed 2. Cooldown Reduction 3. Critical Hit Damage 4. Life per Hit 5. Resource Cost Reduction 6. All Resistance 7. Strength |
| Shoulders | 1. Cooldown Reduction 2. Resource Cost Reduction 3. Strength 4. All Resistance 5. Vitality |
| Chest | 1. Sockets (3 Flawless Royal Diamonds) 2. Thorns 3. Elite Damage Reduction 4. All Resistance 5. Strength 6. Vitality |
| Pants | 1. Sockets (2 Flawless Royal Diamonds) 2. All Resistance 3. Thorns 4. Strength 5. Vitality |
| Boots | 1. All Resistance 2. Strength 3. Vitality 4. Thorns 5. Armor |
| Rings | 1. Socket 2. Attack Speed 3. Cooldown Reduction 4. Critical Hit Damage 5. Life per Hit 6. All Resistance 7. Thorns |
| Amulet | 1. Socket 2. Critical Hit Damage 3. Physical Damage 4. Attack Speed 5. Thorns 6. Strength |
| Bracers | 1. Physical Damage 2. Strength 3. Life per Hit 4. All Resistance 5. Vitality |
| Belt | 1. All Resistance 2. Strength 3. Thorns 4. Vitality 5. Life % |
Paragon Point Distribution
| Core | Offensive | Defensive | Utility |
| 1. Movement Speed | 1. Cooldown Reduction | 1. All Resistance | 1. Life per Hit |
| 2. Strength | 2. Attack Speed | 2. Armor | 2. Resource Cost Reduction |
| 3. Vitality | 3. Critical Hit Damage | 3. Life % | 3. Pickup Radius |
| 4. Maximum Wrath | 4. Critical Hit Chance | 4. Life Regeneration | 4. Area Damage |
- Prioritize Vitality if you need more survivability.
