--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: This build guide hasn't been updated in a long time. It's probably not very good any more.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This build utilizes expensive legacy and league specific items, and you’ll probably hate it.(See the Temporary League Mini-Guide if so)The Endless Retch is a build that I have been playing since Ascendancy launched. It is a highly synergistic build that relies on 4 specific components to deal a significant portion of chaos damage to enemies. I’ve drawn a diagram below to outline how this works.Next is a chart showing damage dealt to another player, first without and then with The Retch equipped. Beneath each test, you can see the total percent damage increase simply from equipping the belt. I’ll caveat this section by saying that this is rough math, and that I’m simply deriving these percentages from the results of my testing on another player. I’m not necessarily saying that you will do 94% more damage in all scenarios to all monsters/players (however my results were pretty consistent!)Realize that this mechanic works with both. When leech is instant, the chaos damage is added to your attack or spell in the same way that flat elemental damage is added (think Herald of Thunder). I have chosen to use Cyclone as my primary attack, but I have tested almost every other lightning-based (or phys > lightning) gem and found success there as well. Refer to the "Build Variants" section below for some other top picks. The only requirement is that the ability can do Lightning damage. Of course, an ability which converts some physical damage to lightning (i.e. Lightning Arrow) or an ability that deals pure lightning damage (i.e. Spark) will deal even more Chaos damage due to higher % life leeched.Regarding flasks, note that because we are taking most flask nodes on the tree (and because of The Retch’s flask duration bonus), our flasks all last for 10+ seconds and refill more quickly (even overcoming the penalty on The Retch). Additionally, flask effects are boosted 38% from the Alchemist cluster and the Conqueror's Potency jewel. This is primarily to enable the mechanic discussed above with Vessel of Vinktar, but it greatly enhances the effects of the other utility flasks used in this build. It’s important to remember that this build is greatly diminished when flasks are not up. However, it is very easy to obtain 100% flask uptime in almost all situations.Below are some of the best alternatives to using Cyclone. I won't go into much detail, but I'll provide the 6L gems I use, a quick synposis, and a video. Skill tree is basically the same. Refer to the "Variant Gear" section above for gearing changes.For each of these except Static Strike, I recommend a swap weapon with a high single-target DPS setup like Cyclone + Conc effect, or Static Strike.Due to popular demand, I've created a mini-guide for people playing this build in a temporary league. Unless addressed here, everything stays the same as the primary build.(See "Build Variants" and "Temp League" for videos of each variant.)Thanks for reading the whole guide! If you have any feedback or see any errors, let me know.

This is a bit of a novelty ability, but it has its merits. I always favor point blank AOEs over directional attacks. With a total range of 78 (202% iAOE) combined with 4L HOA, it certainly provides full screen clear.Video: T16 Maze of the Minotaur (Sweep Edition) 6L Gems

Spectral Throw HoA Retch provides a fun and different play style. I would place it on-par with or slightly below most other variants, but it may be possible to push it harder/faster/stronger. The two extra projectiles from Dying Sun is a nice perk...Video: T16 Maze of the Minotaur (Spectral Throw Edition) 6L Gems

Ahh, Static Strike. The most underrated ability in the game. Even on non-Retch builds, nearly nothing else comes close to its 259% base damage. Add in the fact that we can now convert 100% of phys damage to lightning, and this is our single target king. Throw in some free aoe, and it makes a pretty decent map clearing gem too. This is my preferred single target ability these days, and I keep it on my swap weapon. It out performs even Conc Effect Cyclone, but of course makes you vulnerable to stun.Video: T16 Maze of the Minotaur (Static Strike Edition) 6L Gems

I created this variant mostly due to the popularity of Earthquake. Honestly, I don't care for the ability. Try it out if you'd like.Video: T16 Maze of the Minotaur (Earthquake Edition) 6L Gems

This build seems a little inferior to Leap Slam, due to the weaker base damage of Flicker Strike + built in Melee Splash from Slayer. Again, relying on the 4L HoA burn means that we want single large hits, not a bunch of little hits. It's still fun though, and pretty quick! Slap on a Blood Rage gem and off you go.Video: T16 Maze of the Minotaur (Flicker Strike Edition) 6L Gems

This basicaly transforms The Endless Retch into a ranged build. If you enjoy the "stop-and-click" playstyle, you'll really get a kick out of the 1.5 screen range of Lacerate with +200% iAOE. Follow the same 4L HoA strategy as the Leap Slam variant for added effect :)Video: T16 Forge of the Phoenix (Lacerate Edition) 6L Gems

This is my primary variant. If your DPS is high enough, its clearspeed rivals that of Cyclone in the primary build. The key to making this variant work is 4-linking Herald of Ash with 1) iAOE 2) Ele Prolif and 3) Enlighten. With enough overkill, the burn is almost instant and covers your whole screen.Video: T16 Maze of the Minotaur (Leap Slam Edition)[v3] 6L Gems

I've mapped with him extensively and he has no issues keeping up with the 2 fastest attack based clear speed builds in the game (LA and KB), in fact, its actually the reverse situation if I run out of quicksilver. slow down beef tornado!

one - mostly irrelevant note - the damage dealt by Retch is a 'reflect' damage. it does not add up to your attack nor is modified (further) by any of your attack related mods. there is a quote from Mark floating around there explaining how does this thing work and what is/isnt possible to with this setup

Try to get one ring with flat acc roll you have so much % acc from the tree it's a waste.

I wonder if this means that Shock double-dips with the retch. I think it does. Occultist seems like a great pairing, with both Void Beacon and Profane Bloom.This build is pretty cool. The Retch/Slayer interaction had occurred to me, but I didn't think to pair it with legacy Vinktar. You know a build is crazy when it abuses the best item in the game.One question, why no lightning pen? Your chaos damage depends on your lightning damage, right? Would Arcing Blows be better than Graceful Assault?

one - mostly irrelevant note - the damage dealt by Retch is a 'reflect' damage. it does not add up to your attack nor is modified (further) by any of your attack related mods. there is a quote from Mark floating around there explaining how does this thing work and what is/isnt possible to with this setup

I like so much this mechanic! Good job What is the dmg from the retch without the alchemist node?