[2.2] Guide for Life based Crit Dagger Reave





Changes in 2.2:
After being overshadowed by Rangers for several expansions, the time has finally come to step into the spotlight and once again claim the title of being the Nr.1 class for melee phys attack builds.
With the introduction of the Assassin we are no longer forced to plan our skilltree around on taking every single crit node, but can instead focus on other important stats such as life.
Critical Strike Multiplier on items got a huge nerf. Since our overall crit multi value is now significantly lower, the Increased Critical Damage gem finally is good again.


The Addition of Blasphemy in patch 2.1 is a significant buff for this build. While aurafying Assassin's Mark might appear to be an obvious choice at first glance, the limited AoE does not allow a consistent PC generation. Therefore using a defensive curse in combination with Blasphemy is a superior choice, since it is not only more reliable than the often used CwDt setups but also offers higher damage mitigation than Fortify (which we can still apply with Whirling Blades).


2.0 introduced the era of Dual Wield. Going dual wield is now strictly superior to 1h & shield in every aspect. The main reason for this is the very convenient location of Twin Terrors combined with the shortened path to the Duealist starting area. It basically comes down to getting a 32% multiplier for free.


New Skilltree for 2.2

Skilltree

If you have good Jewels (7% life + 2 useful damage mods) it is worth it to replace two 5% nodes from the Scion life cluster with a Jewel socket.

Ascendency Tree
Assassin
Normal: Unstable Infusion
Cruel: Deadly Infusion
Merciless: Ambush



Bandits

Normal: Oak
+40 Life is clearly the superior option here

Cruel: Kraityn/Oak
The rewards from Kraityn and Oak are DPS wise almost identical.

Merciless: Kraityn
Frenzy Charges are incredible powerful now, which makes Kraityn the best choice.


Levelling & Skilltree Progression

You can tremendously accelerate your levelling speed by starting as a Trapper.
After you got Multistrike from killing Malachai in Normal, you can switch to a pDPS weapon and start using Reave.
While it might seem tempting to rush towards the Scion life cluster, those life nodes merely function as a safety net when pushing for endgame content and are not generally not needed before lv.90.



DPS

The ingame DPS tooltip is highly inaccurate for DW builds, since it calculates the DPS for alternating weapons and does not take into account that we are using a Reave incompatible offhand weapon. Also, many perks of the Ascendency classes are contingent on the situation (e.g. monster health) and as a reslut cannot be captured by the ingame tooltip.

Therefore I decided to create a tooltip calculator that represents your actual DPS based on your gear&passive nodes. You can find the Excel sheet here.

The calculator assumes you are using Deaths Hand, a 6L with 20/20 gems as well as Bloodrage and Ice Golem.

Depending on wether you are using ICD or FA, select Sheet1 or Sheet2 for your calculations.

Calculated DPS using my example gear

Edit: Crit multi nerfs happened. Down to ~290k DPS.



Defences

This build does not have any armour nor significant amounts of evasion/block, however this does not necessarily mean that we are not tanky!

By combining a Basalt Flask with Taste of Hate, we achieve 38% physical damage reduction. Since we are also permanently applying Enfeeble thanks to Blasphemy, our physical damage mitigation rises to incredible 59%. This is equivalent to 144k armour, when taking a 10k phys. damage hit!

On top of that we have a 40% chance to not even get hit by attacks (30% for spells) in the first place. Oh, and did I already mention that this build also has over 6k life?



Gear

For gems, go to the "Gem Setup" section below




Please note: You need neither Acuity nor a mirrored Dagger! When I started the build I was using Bino's + Maligaro's and it was still ridiculous strong.

Choice of off-hand weapon:
2.1 has not only had an influence on our gem setup and skilltree pathing, it also significantly influences our item choice for the off-hand weapon slot. While 2.0 offered a great variety of endgame off-hand weapons with similar powerlevel, 2.1 has a clear favourite: Death's Hand.


Jewels

Good stats for a jewel are:
- life
- dagger specific mods (phys dmg/ iAS)
- crit multi

Decent stats for a jewel are:
- one handed mods (phys dmg/ iAS)

You should aim for a high life roll + two useful damage mods.



New Patch & new Items


The changes to poison in 2.1 resulted in a passive nerf to this item. If you are playing in a temporary league, there are however still very few ways around this item, due to the horrible crit dagger supply. The poison caster meta forced another nerf onto Bino's in 2.2. Unless you can get it for really cheap, a rare dagger will offer you more value for your currency.


As already mentioned in the gear section, 2.1 made Death's Hand BiS for off-hand weapons.


Initially Belly of the Beat was needed due to the severely limited amount of life on the skilltree. Since we are now able to get more %life passive nodes, the %life mod from Belly becomes consequently slightly less efficient, which makes room for other options, namely Daresso's Defiance or Lightning Coil. The choice ultimately depends on personal preferences, all three chests are insanely strong in their own regards.


Gem Setup


Main Attack [6L]: Reave - Multistrike - IncMeleeDmg - ICD** - Inc. AoE - PCoC***

Movement [4L]: Whirling Blades - FA - Fortify - Vaal Reave

Opening Attack/Finishing Move [4L]: Leap Slam - FA - Fortify - Culling Strike

Buffs [4L]: Inc. Duration - Vaal Haste - CwDt* - IC*

Buffs [3L]: Bloodrage - Enhance - Ice Golem

Auras [3L]: Hatred - Blasphemy - Enfeeble

* Gem is not fully levelled
** If you have problems dealing with reflect, replace ICD with FA
*** If you mainly play in mid tier maps, you can swap out PCoC for a different gem, since at that monster lvl Death's Hand will completetly take care of your PC generation.




How to play this build:
Be confident in your power level. Once you have the right gear, you will be able to outleech almost everything. That is why you are the most vulnerable, when you are not DPSing. Don't try to run away in a sticky situation, when you don't have a clear escape path! More often than not you will be able to turn the tables, if you stay your ground.



Player Feedback

"
nazeroth77 wrote:
Hey,

I've been playing this build in Warbands and so far it has been very fun with a great fast pace playstyle that is enjoyable.

"
mascArie wrote:
Doryani's Catalyst effectively boosted my clear speed by 2 or 3 times flat. It's INSANELY good. Before it I was running Crest of Perandus, and I was afraid to lose that block. Now I don't regret anything, because now there's nothing to block since shit dies.

"
Howdy,

I recently started leveling this build and felt that my impressions so far have deserved a comment. It is a fun build so far and I have found it interesting to work around not having a grinding guide included for a player that hasn't played this game in a while.

Mainly I wanted to say that after looking through several other reave based builds and videos I can only conclude that you have done an excellent job working with changes in the game. It would seem that you have a great understanding of the current game mechanics and how they work with your build. Your gear recommendations and active skill usage are quite different than many of the similar builds that are out there and after playing around I am finding it very creative and preferable to the alternative styles.

Kudos

"
Djangooo wrote:
Heya Candoerfer,

Thanks for the tips.

Pst: your build really works great. Did three levels today, without dying. Not used to that on my shadow. I used to play CI flicker crit every league, but that build really got destroyed this time, so I looked into something new. I'm plowing through the maps like it's nothing, even though I haven't found a single 76 map yet, so I haven't ventured into the heavy stuff yet.

Cheers

"
vick666 wrote:
Hi,

Very good build. Currently level 87 & no problem, no death, clear speed very good.

Thanks again for your build!!!

"
time2kickass wrote:
Hey,

Thanks for this amazing build. Started playing POE for the first time last week so bear with me. As I play more and search the internets for more info regarding PoE I managed to understand most of the choices for this build (gearwise + gemwise, etc) and have come to accept that what this build says is law :P.

Thanks for your time and thanks in advance for helping me out !

"
TheKush47 wrote:
Hey, thanks for the guide and build it is super fun to play even while leveling, I am enjoying it a lot.




FAQ

When should I get Vall Pact (VP)?

This build no longer has a VP version.


I have to few Int to equip my Dagger.

Depending on the base type of your dagger, you might need to get additional int. Getting a Lapis Amulet can help solving the issue of missing Intelligence. Benchcrafting is another way to obtain the required stats.

If I have 280kDPS, will I not constantly oneshot myself at reflect?

This build reaches it's DPS level by having insane attackspeed and not by mindlessly stacking critmulti (Abyssus says hello), so reflect rares are no problem at all.

You are not using EC, how am I supposed to obtain Endurance Charges for IC?

I don't generate endurance charges, in fact IC is only used as reflect countermeasure: 1 sec phys immunity protects me from the immediately following attacks, which is enough to leech back/kill the reflect mobs.







Changelog:
15/08/14: Added alternate Skilltree
17/08/14: Added final Skilltree
19/08/14: Added Bandits
22/08/14: Added Leveling Progression; Added situational nodes
05/09/14: Added Dual Wield version; Added FAQ section
07/09/14: Added gear + ingame stats; Updated Bandits
05/12/14: Updated for 1.3 prepatch
13/12/14: Updated for 1.3
14/12/14: Added New Leveling Progression
24/12/14: Added Gem setup section
05/01/15: Updated Gear section
08/03/15: Slightly improved the Skilltree
13/07/15: Added 2.0 Skilltree; Added item discussion
14/07/15: Updated Gem setups; Added Strategy section
19/07/15: Transformed the build into Dual Wield; New Skilltree & New Items
26/07/15: Added Jewels to Gear section
30/08/15: Added Skilltree progression
08/12/15: Updated for 2.1 prepatch
09/12/15: Updated items; Added Player Feedback
02/01/2016: Updated for 2.1 postpatch
29/02/2016: Updated for 2.2 prepatch; Released DW Reave Tooltip Calculator
03/03/2016: Updated for 2.2
13/04/2016: Added section Defences
Pupicitas: lv. 100 Shadow
[2.1] Guide for Life based Crit Dagger Reave Shadow: /994474
EU Officer of Umbra Exiles: /732431
Last edited by candoerfer on Apr 13, 2016, 2:25:32 PM
Last bumped on Jul 20, 2017, 5:16:19 PM
Nice tree, I will most likely use this or a variant of this tree for my new build. Thanks :)
tree looks good
i want to play something very very similar, but i am thinking about going CI with this patch

I think this is a better build:

Spoiler
http://web.poe.garena.tw/passive-skill-tree/AAAAAgYBBX0F-QYjBx4JIRGWFr8brR6BH0EhAyLqI_YmlSmlKgss4S1VMgE2PTiWOrM94kcGSO5JUUp9S41Nkk4qUdlSDVVLVvVW-luvW_dd8mHiYqxl8WegbIxtbHBScFZw1XiufXV944Dhh3aJ04wLjDaNfY6Kj_qQG5UulwaX0JoTmyadqqLZo4qmf6c0rGawkrDYsbOyGbTFtUi3F7fTuT65fLt8u-PEos3qz3rQCdDQ037Xy9h22j3bbtvU2-fdDeJe53To1un-7LDtQe4O73rw1fPq9vz8xf66_xz_kw==
"What have you become when even nightmares fears you ?"
"
Faddei wrote:

I think this is a better build:

Spoiler
http://web.poe.garena.tw/passive-skill-tree/AAAAAgYBBX0F-QYjBx4JIRGWFr8brR6BH0EhAyLqI_YmlSmlKgss4S1VMgE2PTiWOrM94kcGSO5JUUp9S41Nkk4qUdlSDVVLVvVW-luvW_dd8mHiYqxl8WegbIxtbHBScFZw1XiufXV944Dhh3aJ04wLjDaNfY6Kj_qQG5UulwaX0JoTmyadqqLZo4qmf6c0rGawkrDYsbOyGbTFtUi3F7fTuT65fLt8u-PEos3qz3rQCdDQ037Xy9h22j3bbtvU2-fdDeJe53To1un-7LDtQe4O73rw1fPq9vz8xf66_xz_kw==

I didn't get the hybrid accuracy/ crit cluster, because it is ineffecient: I have to waste a point on stats to get it and only has 3 nodes.
As I have mentioned in the introduction part of the guide, I am using this build for my reave shadow. This is why I did not take ballistic mastery.
You skip Aspect of the Panther which is HUGE: 16% phys, 6 AS, 4% MS, +10 life.
You also waste points on int nodes in the top area, where you could have gotten a power charge instead, which is crucial for reaching crit cap.
Pupicitas: lv. 100 Shadow
[2.1] Guide for Life based Crit Dagger Reave Shadow: /994474
EU Officer of Umbra Exiles: /732431
I really like your tree. If you are going IR I think it's probably the best I've seen so far. However overall I think something like this: https://poebuilder.com/character/AAAAAgIAm40ILu2DGY4AXtN-eK5I7hutPeK309fLo4oj9u4OTZKNfVb6MHz8xX8rUUdnoNaK51SNv4d2JP0FtUp9_97UI-jWtMUwcSLqmyZirN2o2j0yAZ2qbIxLeAkhW_eyGTY9OkJSDc96bWzssLVIjAvz6rl8KgtwUonTcNVd8g5IY0MRlvLhkBsHHkcGd_1wVpUu2Hbb1JoT8NW5Plb1SVGsZttuLOGX0H3jjooegUuN_xymf-1BfXX-urvjxKKxsxa_JpVh4lVLjDb2_Kc0Yet6U-d0gOG3FziW4l4=

Will be stronger defensively and offensively. You have 30% less life and 4% less block, but you you gain acrobatics + ondars guile for defense (I think this is stronger, physical isn't the big killer in Merc/maps and can be mitigated with CWDT + 1 flask). Additionally this tree has 130% more crit chance and 25% more crit multiplier. Also it's 3 less nodes. What do you think?
IGN: Dmillz
I personally don't really like Acrobatics on melee builds as they have to tank alot (exception: Lightning Coil builds, then its pure awesomeness). Since your playing ranged (hence the balistic mastery pickup) I would definetly recommend your version as well.
Also my build is still work in progress (see notification in the intro), so I will probably modify it a bit when I can finally use DPS calculation tool from poebuilder.com.
Pupicitas: lv. 100 Shadow
[2.1] Guide for Life based Crit Dagger Reave Shadow: /994474
EU Officer of Umbra Exiles: /732431
"
candoerfer wrote:
I personally don't really like Acrobatics on melee builds as they have to tank alot (exception: Lightning Coil builds, then its pure awesomeness). Since your playing ranged (hence the balistic mastery pickup) I would definetly recommend your version as well.
Also my build is still work in progress (see notification in the intro), so I will probably modify it a bit when I can finally use DPS calculation tool from poebuilder.com.

That makes a lot of sense. I'll be keeping an eye on this to steal the IR version as an alternative in my ST build :P.
IGN: Dmillz
Hi I would like to join the conversation :)

I was thinking about a dual wield version maybe you guys can give me your thoughts.

https://poebuilder.com/character/AAAAAgYAsNii2VHZsJL_kxa_sbMmle1BYeKmf1VLtUhtbPPq53Q2PSoL6NadquywcFIi6psmYqxsjIwLidMhAzIBBfm5fHDVu3yyGRXwXfJl8c96-WMOSNAJo4pjQxGWLVUj9u4OTGDy4ZAb6f5Nko19VvoEsUcGcFYFffzFlWbQ0Nh29vyaE2eg3Q0Dh8_puT5W9ac029SHdluvcHIbrYJT646sZttuSn0Y204q034uCJP8LOGX0MGLFfa2QX11feOOitunYnk0k_66CVgABmNwXLDv49P8vqeMNm5phNllTRRSR34=

i do about 340k dps (including power charges and hatred and yolo abyssus helm) with two good binos (didnt have any better on standard to put in)

its with dual strike, multistrike, melee phys, faster attacks, melee splash, increased crit damage

with my gear it was at 3700 life but you should probably do it as a ranger and get close to 4k life. I also have an acrobatics version (which is prbably better) please gimme your thoughts :)
"
demogorg wrote:
Hi I would like to join the conversation :)

I was thinking about a dual wield version maybe you guys can give me your thoughts.

https://poebuilder.com/character/AAAAAgYAsNii2VHZsJL_kxa_sbMmle1BYeKmf1VLtUhtbPPq53Q2PSoL6NadquywcFIi6psmYqxsjIwLidMhAzIBBfm5fHDVu3yyGRXwXfJl8c96-WMOSNAJo4pjQxGWLVUj9u4OTGDy4ZAb6f5Nko19VvoEsUcGcFYFffzFlWbQ0Nh29vyaE2eg3Q0Dh8_puT5W9ac029SHdluvcHIbrYJT646sZttuSn0Y204q034uCJP8LOGX0MGLFfa2QX11feOOitunYnk0k_66CVgABmNwXLDv49P8vqeMNm5phNllTRRSR34=

i do about 340k dps (including power charges and hatred and yolo abyssus helm) with two good binos (didnt have any better on standard to put in)

its with dual strike, multistrike, melee phys, faster attacks, melee splash, increased crit damage

with my gear it was at 3700 life but you should probably do it as a ranger and get close to 4k life. I also have an acrobatics version (which is prbably better) please gimme your thoughts :)


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Pupicitas: lv. 100 Shadow
[2.1] Guide for Life based Crit Dagger Reave Shadow: /994474
EU Officer of Umbra Exiles: /732431

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