[3.12] SSF Ascendant - Bleeding Steel Scion

This is a build still in progress made for the Flashback event, so I am not sure how well it does past level 43, but it levels fast and takes out bosses (including Metamorphs) fairly quickly. Ran through the first lab at level with 0 issues as well, even having the 3 buffs from the 1st trial present.

This build relies on Shattering Steel gem and melee damage once you make it past Merveil. Prior to that it uses Frost Blades with Melee damage and Chance to Bleed.

Build Idea:
A really effective bleed Scion who bleeds out her enemies quick hitting them hard.

Pros (as of level 61):
Levels efficiently
Kills (most) bosses effectively. I struggled a small bit with Vaal Overseer but he's the only one.
Fairly tanky

Cons (as of level 61):
Large Legion instances (though Blights can) can't be done well.
Large scale mob piles can drain life if not paying attention.
Sometimes the Vigilant misses if aren't aware which direction the character is facing, or if out of range.
Chaos resistance is non-existant after Kitava part 1.

See this build in action on my Twitch: Miz RogueGaming

Pre-Merveil:



After Merveil build:
Path of Building link (in progress as items are adjusted):

Gems

Gear

Passive Tree
For this build, you're going to want to head to the Gladiator Ascendancy node first when you do labs. For Merciless Lab, go straight for Juggernaut.




Gameplay Tips
It helps to always have the steel hovering behind you for a quick steel buff when attacking as that also aids in the pseudo-tankiness and blocking projectiles.

The first thing you want to do once you've made it this far, and to really boost that life is grab Coordination from Shaper. Once you have that, tree progression can go as you feel comfortable as you have a pretty solid tank like build, especially if you make sure to hit the enemies with Vulnerability, Vigilant Strike and then your steel shards. I personally went for Bloodletting after Coordination to really boost my bleed during leveling and boss fights, especially Piety. Along the way to Bloodletting I picked up Risk Awareness and a large Dex node.

Disclaimer I couldn't get it all one one page, so I had to do it in two. Not sure why as it just suddenly cut me off though the preview prior had been fine.

Build updated for Level 51

Level 61 updates

Level 78 updates.

While there are unique items here, I am 100 % SSF league in Flashback and have either found or crafted my uniques. For example, my amulet was crafted at the Menagerie.