This is a T1 endgame build that focuses on buffing aggression from skill passives, offensive ability from min-maxing traits and gear, and CC to provide a clumping and dumping experience that will have your squad thankful.
It is likely not the highest DPS, most utility, etc. This is simply the standard for PVE that opts for flexibility and enjoyability without sacrificing too much of any one thing.
No secrets here. Get to 50 and start playing the game. Main story quest is your bread and honey. For catch-up points where a level is required, try removing the recommended area quests option under the "Gameplay" settings and pressing "N" to view the activity journal. Favorite all "Blue" quests that don't involve dynamic events. Do those.
We want as much strength as possible. Our itemization allows us to hit the 30/30 Strength and Dexterity breaks pretty early on. After you pick up more BiS items, this gets more impactful. Look to keep dex at 30 and Strength as high as possible. Any extra points we gather go straight to Perception. The increases to hit/cc chance, buff duration, damage, etc. outweigh what would be provided by meanial bumps to Strength and Dexterity.
Early on just use the codex to pick up weapons and armor. Offensive item stats that I look for go in order from importance: Raw stats > Base damage Hit chance (regular, heavy and critical) > Collision chance > Buff duration > Everything else.
I spent about 3 or 4 days grinding about 20% of the Lithograph out and can confidently say there are some amazing options out there to prioritize. Namely Extract: Violent Signet early on and Extract: Collar of Decimation for late game.
Extract: Cornelius's Animated Edge outperforms any SNS in T1 based on raw stats for damage. I find that, with this build, there is virtually zero content out currently that can't be tanked relatively easily. Thus getting damage increases where we can becomes increasingly important. We find it with this SNS due to its base damage and attack speed and range. We also get the highest block chance from any T1 SNS.
Coupled with the (4) piece Shock Templar set bonus, we get a whopping 39% block chance at max level.
Rutaine's set for jewelry is likely the most feasible option until you can start collecting your endgame options.
While traiting the SNS can be pricey, it can be opted out of for other options, Extract: Karnix's Netherblade being the obvious choice. I also really like the Extract: Sword of Striking for a budget/early option. Having 4 pieces of the Shock Templar set leaves an open option. I think a good fit is Extract: Ebon Roar Gauntlets though Extract: Gauntlets of the Infernal Herald work really well too and are likely easier to come by.
Basic skill rotation revolves around clearing out most of your active bar and lowering cooldowns with Morale Boost's collision.
I typically start by pulling in as many melee targets as possible using auto attacks or Cruel Smite, grabbing any stragglers with Controlling Rake and hitting Provoking Roar. This starts the active skill dump. Hit DaVinci's Courage for the AS buff, applying Gaia Crash's frost upgrade directly into Guillotine Blade and hoping you proc the AoE. By now Cruel Smite is probably back up but if not I go into Stunning Blow and Death Blow.
This all happens quite fast. If you have an opportunity to weave in Counter Barrier and Piercing Strike in between the skills then do so. If not or if you anticipate a lot of CC or defensive spam then you may wish to start with the barrier up. With enough aggro, Piercing Strike will refresh almost instantly. This makes it a potent damage and threat source.
Either way, once enough of your skills have been used utilize the cooldown reduction from Morale Boost by activating Strategic Rush and finding the nearest wall/terrain.
I typically save Stalwart Bastion to police high damage boss affects (such as Rex's rotations or Laquarius' red waves. DaVinci's Courage can also be pocketed in a similar manner to save the team from failed mechanics or misplays. My favorite use, however, is to save it to provide a not-inconsequential DPS buff with the 15% attack speed buff for like ~15 seconds with the appropriate traits/passives. Saving for a stun or boss recharge phase can really increase the amount of damage done.
