

Screen shots of stats will go up when I'm home.



So, I am currently bored out of my mind in a political science class so I decided to write up my Onslaught Ethereal Knives, Life Based Marauder Tank. Unlike many other builds out there, my build is not flashy, it definitely does not produce an incredible amount of DPS, and it won't be the most OP late game Crem Boss facetanker. However my build is pretty cheap to run, simply to master, and an overall great newbie friendly starter.



Pros/Cons

Pros:

EK scales purely with levels and supports so 0 DPS nodes requried.

5.5k Life, Max Res, 18k armor makes this an extremely survivable build.

Runs fine on a 4L and extremely well on a 5L.

Gear requirements are minimal.

Can solo anything and run literally every map mod.

Can hold your own in endgame parties.

DOES NOT DIE TO REFLECT (unless you're playing cross-faded with a hand tied behind your back.



Cons:

With probably some of the best gear I can find, DPS is maxed out at roughly 5k.

Against Crem boss / Shrine Piety (Spellcasters) switching to Saffell's might not be enough with some mods.

Mods such as Enfeeble/Phys Res/Cold Res/Fire Res makes clear speed significantly slower

Unlike an Soul Taker Aegis Aurora build, definitely has more rip moments with mod combinations of Vulnerbility, Half Regen, x% damage as Ele, Minus Max.





Gameplay

The brunt of the gameplay involves holding down the EK key, casting Projectile Weakness (if solo), keeping up Enduring Cry, timing Immortal Calls, and the occasional moving leap slam. In terms of fun, this build probably requires more micro/focus than Totem based builds, Summoners, or Cleavers but less than Support Dual/Tri curse Arc/Shock Nova/Cold Snap Conduit supports. Basically because you're in the front lines, you always have to pay attention contrary to popular belief.





Skill Tree Tree



Explanation of Node Choices

No DPS Nodes?

Like I mentioned at the start of the guide, EK is a spell that scales extremely well by itself and with the right support gems. That being said, you can then build EK very similar to IB Facebreaker where you run around grabbing as many defensive nodes as possible.

Inner Force, I thought it sucks now.

This one is a toss up for most people. In my opinion, running Grace, Determination, Haste, Hatred and Purity makes running Inner Force worth it.

No Unwavering Stance

With 5.5k life, you have simply no need for this node. With the way stun works (based on damage dealt vs max life) and the stun duration (max life), you simply won't have the need for this node as you won't be stunned for long if ever. Stun chains don't even hurt you.

Iron Reflexes

Simply an amazing node. With the ability to run Grace off of Life (unnoticeable), you gain a free 2k armor (Inner Force). What's not to like? :D





Links

6L: EK, Faster Projectiles, Iron Will, Added Fire, Blood Magic, Life Leech (Many people suggest Faster Casting but it casting faster decreases survivability

5L: EK, FP, IW, BM, LL (AF if either BM/LL not needed.)

4L: EK, FP, IW, LL (Life Leech if you can out mana regen the cost, BM if you can out regen the cost, AF if neither are needed.)



4L: Reduced Mana, Blood Magic, Grace, Enduring Cry

4L: Projectile Weakness, Increased Duration, Immortal Call, Blood Magic

3L: Reduced Mana, Hatred, Haste

3L: Reduced Mana, Purity, Determination

4L: Leap Slam, Faster Attacks, Blood Magic (This is the most optional Slot. I use it for a movement skill.)





Leveling

Personally, I leveled as with EK from the get go to level my gem as quickly as possible as EK damage scales the most from Gem Level; however, if you want to hit the endgame faster, I recommend seeking one of the many Facebreaker leveling guides and doing that.





Gear Specifics

Weapon: You'll want a sceptre (low int req) over a wand. Stats in order of importance are Spell Damage, Projectile Speed, Cast Speed.

Shield: Ideally you'll want to grab a Lioneye's Remorse and Saffell's Frame. Lioneye's Remorse provides an incredible amount of armor for a cheap price while Saffel's is perfect for switching into on your offhand for spell damage bosses. (Piety, Crem Boss, Merveil daughters)

Helm, Gloves, Chest: Between these pieces you'll want to try get a good balance between life/armor/resistance. Life + Res gear is cheaper while tacking on armor mods gets much more expensive. I aimed for 70-80+ Life with at least one 35+ Res.

Boots: With the amount of Movement Speed reduction you'll have through your chest piece and Lioneye's Remorse, you'll want Movement Speed. Life should also be 60-70+ while Armor/Res are secondary.

Belt: Ideally a Rustic Sash is better than a Leather Belt because of the huge DPS boost. Life roll is great. Aim for Chaos here if you have good res from everything else.

Rings:Life, again is the main target. Cast Speed is nice here for the DPS boost but focus on res first.

Amulet: Life, as always. If your resistances are maxed/overcapped, aim for both Spell Damage and Cast speed, otherwise focus on the former over the latter.





Bandits

Normal: Oak (because life is life is life is life.)

Cruel: Oak (The physical damage applies nicely to EK.)

Merciless: Oak (The extra endurance charge helps against large hits like Kole, Vaal and small hits like Snipers.





My Gear for Reference







Afterthoughts

Ultimately, I would say this is a great cheaper build for new players to hit endgame maps without dying. Personally, I plan on eventually re-specing into a Aegis Aurora based build to become a true tank but that build is much more expensive. If you have stacks of exalts, I would recommend skipping this build, but if you are new, this is the build for you.





Reference

No videos yet but I can tell you I've facetanked double Kole extra damage on Colonnade, Overlords + Onslaught Kole, Maze Vaal with extra damage (I had Immortal Call up to be fair.), Vuln + Overlords Kole, GMP + Overlord's Temple Piety.





If you ever have any questions; feel free to contact me ingame ign: YoonaNoona, visit me on the reddit global channel /global 5055, or post here/pm me.



Disclaimer: First guide. Always open to constructive criticism and suggestions!Screen shots of stats will go up when I'm home.So, I am currently bored out of my mind in a political science class so I decided to write up my Onslaught Ethereal Knives, Life Based Marauder Tank. Unlike many other builds out there, my build is not flashy, it definitely does not produce an incredible amount of DPS, and it won't be the most OP late game Crem Boss facetanker. However my build is pretty cheap to run, simply to master, and an overall great newbie friendly starter.If you ever have any questions; feel free to contact me ingame ign: YoonaNoona, visit me on the reddit global channel /global 5055, or post here/pm me. Bloodlines: yoona

Standard: PrincessYoona

Vouch Thread: http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/495186

Last edited by 김태연 on Sep 24, 2013, 11:53:57 PM