Soulwrest with Kitava's Teachings/Corpsewalker - non CWC

POB: https://pastebin.com/AZdP4L9X

Thought I would share my favourite build of the league since there is not too much on out there on this variation of Soulwrest. It uses Kitava's Teachings and Corpsewalker boots to maintain phantasms, and uses Triad Grip gloves to convert 75% phys to cold.

I have managed to get somewhere around 4.5M boss DPS when all buffs are up and is a very fun and simple build to play. Play style is run around and manage your minion placement with convocation - so either jump into the middle of a pack then summon, or skirt around the edges and pick apart from the outside. Use predator to aim and sniper's mark when needed. Both convocation and predator are instant, so you don't stop when casting which feels real good. Damage is 'death by a thousand cuts', so making sure your phantasm's are all shooting in the same direction is important. Gem swap LMP for Hypothermia for big bosses.

This approach allows you to be much faster compared to CWC (i.e. no cycloning) and works well with how you need to be constantly moving in the game to avoid damage. Other defenses include high regen (>25%), 17% phys to ele, 20k armour with flasks, 78% max res, and 75/66 block with GB and Rumi's, ailment immunity via AG.

The build can easily do T16's without an AG, but AG is pretty much needed for any juiced content. As density increases it is very important to manage minions, and sometimes a bunch of phantasm's die. When this happens it is should be simple to blink away and let them resummon. With the minion defense mastery 'minions recover life on minion death' all other minions are usually safe until phantasm count gets low.

For AG, I am using Gravebinds (curse on hit for high investment) and Legacy of Fury boots to help with clear, also 13% scorch. Sin Eater, Replica Victario Shield (which is almost useless), Crown of the Tyrant, and Gruthkul's Pelt - was using Leer Cast and Bloodbond on budget. I opt not to use Kingmaker since I don't crit and I prefer ailment immunity, but fortification would be nice.

Spectres are Carnage Chieftain (frenzy on bosses) and Baranite Cleric (phys as extra light and minor amount of shock). Arena Master would be good, but I prefer higher uptime Cleric.

Gearing is a touch difficult, as the weapon, gloves, and boots are non-negotiable so you have to prioritize somethings - like I am not using Darkness belt because there is not enough defence compared to a good sygian without crazy jewels. An Aul's amulet is required pretty much also unless you can get creative with your mana reservation, I couldn't get Devouring Diadem to work, plus I want armour not ES. Aul's for Haste or Hatred also helps with dex which is annoying to get. Thus, much of the DPS need to come from jewels. Also, perma phasing Watcher's Eye is pretty much mandatory for the playstyle.

At the start of maps it is annoying because phantasms are summoned one at a time (1/s), so I have a CWC set up in the off hand to speed up the start. This has the side benefit of casting Flesh Offering, which is a ~10% DPS boost - so you can cast before bosses, or during extended battles.

The POB is not min/maxed and there is room for improvement, both offensively and defensively. But with this configuration I have been able to do all content except ubers and a couple of the invitations (lot of AOE in the arena frigs the phantasms).

Hard to give a budget due to timing of trades, sniping deals, and self-finds, but I would say I spent around 100-150c on abyss jewels, 2 div Aul's, 3 div WE (25c for phasing only). Whatever the cost are for the awakened gems. Clusters were self crafted, but I think I payed between 50 and 80c for the ilvl84 bases.

Anyway, I have enjoyed this build too much not to share. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas to adjust or improve on this please share. Any questions let me know.