[3.8] Puncture / SA Gladiator (Budget, Tank, 1M+ DPS and Max Speed)

INTRODUCTION

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This is the build guide for my 3.7 Split Arrow / Puncture Gladiator. The build is very defensive, fast clearing as well as being fairly budget (2-3ex with room for luxury purchases).

Offensively, on a budget you are looking at around 1M single-target DPS, with potential to rise to 2-3M+ with extra currency and changes. At level 89 (without flasks), my build has 6k Life, 20k Armour, 24% Dodge, 77/76/76 resistances, Blind and a lot more other defensive layers.

With the +6 arrows from Split Arrow, +2-3 from the helm enchant, and +2 from Arborix, the AoE coverage is really great for this build.


VIDEOS

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https://youtu.be/TNLGkTdh7a4 (Forge of the Phoenix Run)


PATH OF BUILDING

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https://pastebin.com/mfXs1f6v


SKILL TREE (GLADIATOR)

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Passive Tree (For level 89)


SKILL TREE BREAKDOWN

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This is the current skill tree for the build. This tree has gone through several iterations, and I believe the current one is the most optimal. You will notice that I am running several 2H melee nodes, but these nodes actually have increased ailment damage with 2H weapons, so it works, since bows are 2H.

The skill tree has around 187% increased maximum life, but you will likely need more if you are in HC. I'm also running 154% increased armour, which I recommend because it is your primary defensive layer and you can't deal DPS if you are dead.

For the keystones, I suggest Resolute Technique, because this is a non-crit build and Iron Reflexes, because armour is really strong now, in conjunction with Molten Shell. With regards to jewels, you need a Lioneye's Fall in the top left jewel slot and I also recommend running a Watcher's eye with 10% Dodge with Grace, because defense is important (optional). This tree runs a bit short on Intelligence and Dexterity, so you will need to make adjustments on gear to compensate. For bandits, you will be taking 2 Passives, but Oak is also fine.


PANTHEON

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Soul of Lunaris + Soul of Yugul. Soul of Yugul allows you to run Phys Reflect maps if you drop Brutality from your setup. I definitely recommend getting all the upgrades for Soul of Lunaris, because it provides a huge defense boost to the build.


SCREENSHOTS

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DEFENSE (No Flasks)




GEAR

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GEAR EXPLANATION

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GEM SETUP

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Split Arrow / Puncture Setup

For Split Arrow and Puncture, we want the Support gems Brutality, Vicious Projectiles, Chance to Bleed, Deadly Ailments, Swift Affliction (in that order of priority). For Puncture, I highly recommend getting as much quality as possible, try to go for a 21/20 Puncture if you can.

I also suggest having two separate setups for Puncture and Split Arrow. One in the bow and one in the chest, this makes mapping a lot smoother, since you won't have to switch gems each time for single-target (if you can afford it).

Utility Setup

CWDT(1) + Molten Shell(10) + Increased Duration, is very important for this build, I would say it is mandatory, simply because it provides such a huge defensive boost. I also run Bloodrage for Frenzy charges and Blink Arrow for mobility. I also suggest an Enduring Cry setup to generate Endurance Charges (optional).

Aura Setup

The aura setup is quite important. I run Grace for defenses, but you can choose to run Malevolence instead if you want for increased DPS. Depends on how much you value defense, but I would still suggest using Grace, since you can't deal DPS if you are dead. War Banner + Generosity is necessary because Generosity works well with War Banner, and we don't care about the accuracy boost. We also want Flesh and Stone for the extra defense, and the Sand Stance allows us to generate Challenger Charges.


LEVELING

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Passive Tree (For level 30)

Passive Tree (For level 60)

Passive Tree (For level 89)

Early on, use Puncture + LMP to level. Use Silverbranch, Death's Harp, then transition to Infractem + GMP. With this build, leveling will be a breeze.

Ascendancy Order

Blood in the eyes > Gratuitous Violence > Arena Challenger > Outmatch and Outlast.


THE END

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reserved

Hello, can you add leveling section with progression in tree + some leveling unique/spell to use ?
What it can do in the end game ?

Thanks mate, cheers.

Well change belt asap to ryslathas coil. It gives so much bleed dps

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Awà escribió:

Hello, can you add leveling section with progression in tree + some leveling unique/spell to use ?
What it can do in the end game ?

Thanks mate, cheers.

Alright, I've added a leveling section near the bottom of the guide. Have fun. The build can do all map content and run all map mods. The video shown above was a T16 Forge of the Phoenix with damage mods.

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vekara escribió:

Well change belt asap to ryslathas coil. It gives so much bleed dps

To be honest, I'm not sure how Ryslatha's Coil will work with bleed because it says it increases Attack Damage, which is a different modifier to Ailment damage. I am getting conflicting reports from different players and Mark_GGG says that it doesn't affect bleed. I might do some testing later to see how it interacts with Bleed DPS.

thanks for leveling guide

Which bandit rewards did you choose?

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Aericura escribió:

Which bandit rewards did you choose?

2x Passives. But Oak is also an acceptable choice if you want additional defense. I have updated the guide.

How about legion mobs? they cannot explode by bleed gladiator right? so clear speed is pretty merr.. idk
Very nice build. i will try it when i have enough mony. thank you!

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BETTERPC escribió:

How about legion mobs? they cannot explode by bleed gladiator right? so clear speed is pretty merr.. idk
Very nice build. i will try it when i have enough mony. thank you!

In 3.7.2, they do explode. Either way the damage comes from the bleed, not the explosions. The explosions just help with AoE.

Generally speaking, you should be able to tag all the legion mobs because split arrow has great coverage and you only need to hit them once and they bleed out.