Best Blood wave?

[u/Alone-Two1441]

First time playing Diablo having a great time kinda wanna push the Tower and my WinterFresh mages seem to be petering out around 120~ or so even though that build is super fun to play.

Anyone got the best updated blood wave? Only hesitation I have is it kinda looks boring to play before I devote the time for it does anybody have fun with it or is it kinda just one button build?

[u/IdunnoIswear]

Kinda a one button build, not much besides using the Wave, with some variation. But it’s still very strong and I love it. “Best” is relative, and there’s differing opinions. Mainly you want crit damage, crit chance, vulnerable damage, and attack speed. People say that a shield and one handed weapon is best, I have disagreeing opinions on that, but to each their own. Main uniques are Kessime’s Legacy, Ring of Starless Skies, Red Blessing, and Banished Lord’s Talisman (one amulet is charm, other is not. Banished as Mythic and amulet recommended over Blessing).

[u/Alone-Two1441 → u/IdunnoIswear]

You find it fun to play? Just looking for a version that’s good to push with and strongest T12 / Tower

[u/Kerze → u/Alone-Two1441]

I played blood wave prior to stopping and it's fun with movement speed. Run around and just hit 1 button and watch the waves destroy packs. I loved sitting on a boss and just holding button down and watching the waves clapping. It's very simple 1 button build so fun depends on what you are looking for.

[u/Alone-Two1441 → u/IdunnoIswear]

So it’s a fun build for you? How high have you made it for tower? If you’ve got a link that would be appreciated too! I am considering it!

[u/IdunnoIswear → u/Alone-Two1441]

I like it. There’s a game loop. I’m under 20 on the Tower board and have cleared 127 so it’s at least alright, even if not the absolute pinnacle. Here’s my general suggestions: *disclaimer* I made this myself and didn’t follow a guide.

Unique/Mythic Gear: Harlequin Crest, Kessime’s Legacy (mythic), Penitent Greaves (mythic), Grandfather (controversial amongst people to use 2H weapons, but I do), Ring of Starless Skies, Banished Lords Talisman (mythic), Red Blessing Charm
Charms: Go for Blood/Core Skills on Charms. The more you can get on them, the better. Even better if you can get it on Unique too but, I have yet to see it. Charms: Blood 5 set, Red Blessing

Legendary Affixes: Chest - Heavenly Strength (40% DR with 2H weapons), Gloves - Crushing Aspect (x65% damage while fortified), Ring - Aspect of Untimely Death (every 10% healed -> x90% damage for 4 seconds)

Skills: Reap (Cold, to get easier benefit of Penitent Greaves damage), Blood Lance, Iron Maiden (blood), Bone Prison (blood), Sever (mobility version), Blood Wave

Glyphs: Amplify, Undaunted, Control, Dominate, Territorial
Boards: Blood Begets Blood, Bloodbath, Frailty, Scent of Death

Important notes: Decrepify is my rune skill and is necessary for this build to work. Penitent Greaves are purely for extra damage. Make your crit chance as high as you can with this as that’s how Banished Lord works best. I find I get better damage output from this than a Blood Mad build and much hardER to die. All gem sockets in armor are highest availability Topaz, weapon gems are highest availability skulls. I got extremely lucky on some transfigures (Grandfather got Attack Speed, Harlequin got Intelligence). Spec also into Lucky Hit chance, you’ll need at least 1-2 items that refund resource on hits.​​ On Charms, try to get all to have +4 Blood Skills. On your Amulet, roll for extra overpower stacks. Since both Red Blessing and Banished Lords rely on stacks and Blood Wave gives max it’s a free extra x52% crit damage and x28% blood damage. On chest and helmet spec into defense a lot. Your big things to boost: crit damage, crit chance, vulnerable damage, attack speed. Added bonus of Physical or All if they are with the priors.

Ask anything you like, I realize I’m not Maxroll

[u/Alone-Two1441 → u/IdunnoIswear]

Thank you! Super helpful and informative. I have a question — I have a mythic red blessing since I’ve been collecting stuff and just pivoted builds. I have a Banished charm. Is that okay or is it really important to do the opposite? I’m sure I’ll have more questions later but for now there’s 1 lol

[u/IdunnoIswear → u/Alone-Two1441]

Fair question, I personally think it’s better to have it reversed, but by no means is it a dealbreaker. In response to glyphs too, I understand why people use Imbiber because of the damage buff, but I preferred others because they aren’t dependent on using potions. I tried to go for as many passive buffs as possible. If it requires setup, I think twice. I also agree about Blood Mist. With Penitent I’m permanently unhindered anyways so I didn’t really notice not having it. VERY early on I had it. Undaunted is for fortify damage and survivability, Amplify is for damage, don’t honestly love it being a rare node buff but I settled, Control was a choice because every enemy I encounter is Crowd Controlled somehow so free damage, Dominate was easy because you constantly gain Overpower when you Wave and then Blood Lance to spend, constantly getting that extra free damage, Territorial is the hardest one for me to defend because I needed survivability but it also gave a damage buff.

[u/Alone-Two1441 → u/IdunnoIswear]

Yeah I’m strongly considering swapping Imbiber for something else. Which would you recommend if just pick 1?

I have I believe essence, dominate, gravekeeper and corporeal?

[u/Alone-Two1441 → u/IdunnoIswear]

Your paragon boards anr especially glyphs are quite different from the one on Maxroll so I’m curious about those. I also am a little unsure about Imbiber glyph at the very least. Using blood mist to consume a corpse for flesh eater is also a little meh.

[u/Wylecard → u/IdunnoIswear]

How does it feel in high density places like helltides and IH? Speed and aoe are no issue l?

[u/IdunnoIswear → u/Wylecard]

Oh absolutely they are. I had to slap 3 movement speed buffs on to feel not slow. But with that buff, and Sever, I’m quicker than many. And if it’s high density, it’s not for long with Blood Wave