Murakai's Axe & Shield Build

*Last edited by Murakai on April 15, 2012


DISCLAIMER: As many of you out there are new to the game, so am I. If you are seeking for a perfect build this is surely not the thread you are looking for. This thread is more than a diary of my in-game experience which I am glad to share with you all. Note that I've only reached level 45 with my first maurader which ended to be deleted as I didn't liked the way I've distributed my points and most because I didn't took the elemental resistances from the bandits quests. I am a 1H & Shield build capable to solo in chaos (if possible bosses) and be versatile in party.

Please do contribute with your feedback, criticism and ideas. Thank you! :)


New build version: Murakai's Axe & Shield Build v0.5



Old/dead versions:

Murakai's Axe & Shield Build v0.4

Murakai's Axe & Shield Build v0.3

Murakai's Axe & Shield Build v0.2

Murakai's Axe & Shield Build v0.1



Overview:

Before I delete my character I was following my build v0.4 but soon I realized that Resolute Technique was not worth it. Why? Because you need to use a too many skill points to get it and in the end you are unable to do critical hits (not that important though). But the skill point investment is huge and can be used in better offensive/defensive passives if you roll a dex build.

I am currently rolling a new maurader (level 30 now) and I'm following build v0.5. So far I can tell you guys it's a huge difference in terms of leveling up. If you like this build, I recommend following the path I'm doing bellow:


Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5




Skillbars:


This is my newest skillbar.



Left mouse button: normal attack.

Middle mouse button: Phase Run - helps you move quickly to the next pack of monsters. Check the dexterity requirements of this skill before leveling it up.

Right mouse button: Cleave - good against big mobs. Totally recommend to use Cleave with a Faster Attacks and a Life Gain On Hit support gems so you can quickly recover your health in tight situations and quickly deal damage to big mob packs.

Q: Heavy Strike - since Flicker Strike deals more damage, this is my secondary dps skill, but to kill bosses this one is better.

W: Flicker Strike - amazing skill to catch ranged monsters, specially casters. Also when a boss is isolated use this skill over Heavy Strike as it deals more damage. Check the dexterity requirements of this skill before leveling it up.

E: Warlord's Mark - nice extra life & mana leech. Very important to drop this curse when there's a big pack of mobs.

R: Hatred - my highest dps aura so far. Check the dexterity requirements of this skill before leveling it up.

T: Tempest Shield - 4% extra block and damage to everyone who hits you. Plus, the shield skin is pure awesomeness :)



Old skillbars:








Attribute Points:

360 Strength
104 Dexterity
84 Intelligence



Pros:

a) High physical damage
b) High hp
d) Good elemental resistances (must pick all +8 elemental resistances from bandits quest)
e) Good armor bonuses
f) Good shield bonuses: shield defense, block chance, and block recovery
g) Low chance (12%) to block spells
h) Enough dexterity to equip end game axes
i) Hopefully, enough accuracy (needs to be tested)
j) Great mobility without movement penalty


Cons:

a) Medium attack speed. Your attack speed is not as high as it could be, but this sacrifice can be mitigated with extra IAS % of your axe.
b) No life leech or mana leech (unless you get from skills)
c) Vulnerable to stun



Level 30 equipment:





Level 40 equipment:




Level 50 equipment:

i think you need some work on your passives.. but thats my opinion. i wouldn't get resolute technique since your using 1H axes, youll need to get dex instead rather. and id also skip the potion increase skills as well. id pick up precision as well & lava lash.

you should aim towards blood magic and life.

So I've did some research and found out that Infernal Axe, a level 69 axe, requires a maximum of 65 dexterity. You can check weapon requirements here.

With this new build I've managed to get 64 dexterity, which probably can go even lower with dexterity bonuses from equipment. I've raised more DPS and IAS, but shield block or critical chance % are also great options.

The reason I didn't pick Blood Magic is the fact I have 124 intelligence points meaning I won't have any problems with mana management, even if I stack auras (which for those that don't know yet, auras reduce your maximum mana for like -30% max. mana for each aura - and yes you can stack auras!). Plus Blood Magic is a better investment if you design your build with life leech and life regen skills, which is not the case here.

Here is my suggestion for an axe/shield fire damage build. I've gone for less shield block and more one handed damage (all converted to fire damage!). Any thoughts appreciated!

Petrov's axe and shield fire build

Petrov.

PS: Can someone help me get a unique web address or the passive skill tree - I cant work out how to "save" my build per se...? Thanks!

"

mrpetrov wrote:

Here is my suggestion for an axe/shield fire damage build. I've gone for less shield block and more one handed damage (all converted to fire damage!). Any thoughts appreciated!

Petrov's axe and shield fire build

Petrov.

PS: Can someone help me get a unique web address or the passive skill tree - I cant work out how to "save" my build per se...? Thanks!

You forgot to add the url of your build mate :)

I know it's lame but I cant work out how to get a unique url for my build - my browser just has a generic url for the passive skill tree...

Anyway, has anyone thought about using the Avatar of Fire passive skill for a marauder...along with the elemental damage tree near it?

Petrov.

That's how my Lvl39 Marauder's passive tree looks like at the moment. I use a 1H/Shield setup.

http://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAAAQEBAJbF5wd3v20KqDEdD0i74hDClTMSIY8jFxUX1heHlYcbzk5NK8a8yTGTSfc-wEW7QowxWUkQeMVlEXK1crKlbnfPAll4TQG6fCxXeoDJM9WPiBFZlYSSLpktYbebHUlAm29CSqI3qHaodrQ9qgU6VqoOCjCrZVXSr5igjrei0Gq55T-9u6_foMDmWG_HQaqWy9UXz82xIFfRND3X0z_we9SLxKvjK2hF5K_cDvDdSHQ=

I have a good mix of elemental offence, defense, and life.

I'm still pondering whether to take AoF or not...
Later I will invest in weapon specific +damage once I have a proper end-game weapon.

I mostly use Lightning Strike, Infernal Blow and Cleave.

"

blenderr wrote:

That's how my Lvl39 Marauder's passive tree looks like at the moment.

You might have problems when mobs have multiple elemental resistances in later difficulties.

I prefer to stick with the maximum physical damage I can have and if I find a mob resistant to physical damage I'll use Elemental Hit skill and both Anger and Hatred auras.

with resolute strike i might read it wrong but does it mean no one can crit strike you. or does it mean you can not do crit strikes?

Sorry for stupid question

p.s if it does stop you from hitting mobs for crit strikes wondered why you added points into cruelty
Reading further into you build seems you wasted alot of points adding crit strike dmg. :o

why do you have + in crit damage but you use that skill that removes crit?

pretty stupid :)