[2.1] Blade Vortex aka The Lawn Mower [HC needs testing]

The idea behind the build is to make the best use of Blade Vortex as it is now... Extremely powerful. To do that, we have to max the duration and the area of the skill to make it efficient. But gosh, moving is making use lose so much time... And this is why we introduce Flicker Strike into the mix. Before starting the fight (the map, really), stack +/- 20 BV (2 seconds of casting), and run into the ennemies Flickering to death. You obviously have to recast a bit every now and then, but if you cast once or twice between each Flicker (each 3 'cause of multistrike) it takes 0.4sc (for 2 casts) and you're set for life, you'll never run out. Trust me, lovely filling. Especially when you add that if the 0.2sc of BV didn't kill the guys (and it will), the poison will. It hits like a truck.

Here is my current skill tree. I'm working on it. Don't think Phase Acro is required because of flicker and whirling blades. They'll never touch us with those anyway. For Hardcore, I think you might want to go for that life wheel faster and avoid a bit of damages. You already have tons with the basic spell anyway.

To level up, gear wise, try to find health and cap resists as soon as possible. You're still melee. For weapons, you can use any double wands with %spell damages for a while, I love to level up, as it gives free power charges and spell echo before the gem level. Equip Cybil's as soon as you can, the regen is OP. Finished Cruel with my gear from normal with it.

First, you have to adapt your tree depending on your gear, but focus more on defense than on offense for leveling. Damages is a bonus. I won't include bonus skill points from quests. If you got poison, go for the poison damages cluster sooner.
1-20


21-40


41-66

Well first, you got to cap those resists. Work on that. You're melee.

Chest : Carcass Jack. 20% area + 12% damages + life + GORE (!) + resists. Best in slot really.

Other gem options


Weapons : Cybils main hand for the awesome regen.


Bino's second hand for prolif and regen, and chaos rez, and multiplier, and +30% poison damages. Can be changed for more budget options, like another Cybils or even Mortem Morsu for its multiplier. Used it while leveling. In HC, you can go for the shield Rathpith Globe, but Acro will lower its effectiveness.


Helmet : Basic rare with life, rez, and maybe dex if you can. You'll lack a bit on the tree. Having a Vaal Cyclone in there because it's fun as hell and damn useful for those big open maps. It brings everybody on my blades, including those damn spirits. Others are free slots.

Gloves : Rares with life and rez.


Boots : Using Blood Dance because I don't like Blood Rage (low regen on the tree). The 30% chances of gaining a frenzy will take care of everything you need to use Flickering Strike all day long and will add to your damages on top of it. Plus the dex, lacking on the tree.


Accessories :

Belt : Rare, life, rez, flasks charges.

Neck : Totally open. Having a spell damages + Physical Damages + rez talisman atm.

Rings : One Doedre's Damning to allow double cursing, other is rare life rez.

Double Cybil's paw for weapons, or Mortem Morsu in off hand is great. Or a dagger with spell damages (+/-40% is great) and spell crit.
Anything in chest really, just try to get a 5L as fast as possible.
If no blood dance (+/-30c in Talisman Softcore), run Blood Rage. It will just stress your life bar a bit when not killing ennemies.
Double curse not required, just add damages. Run purity of elements if you can't cap your resists, or enfeeble if you lack HP instead of Assassin's mark.