PoB: https://pobb.in/0_IMhhPI7bZM

3 leagues ago, I delved to 4.3k with normal Molten Strike Pathfinder, had to stop due to lockstep freeze (too many projectile hits). So this league I started and completed 6k delve with normal Molten Strike Slayer for closure, it had 400m dps, 400m might sound like a lot but post 6k it will feel sluggish, so I made my current build – Molten Strike of the Zenith Champion.

Comparing to the very popular strength-stacking Juggernaut, up & coming Inquisitor, Champion seems like an afterthought ascendancy choice, but when I compared the numbers, it’s quite competitive.

Offense:

1.      Champion doesn’t use the Crown of Eye helm like Juggernaut and Inquisitor, this opens the option for “8-link” Blizzard Crown as the main skill link

2.      Molten Strike of the Zenith really shines with high attack speed, outside of usual Blood rage/Silver Flask, Frenzy charge and ascendancy, I’m using 2 12-passive large cluster jewels

3.      With worthy Foe, Champion doesn’t have to invest in any accuracy (will need to swap in additional accuracy support gem for monster cannot be taunted map modifier)

Defense:

1.      15 Fortification from Fortitude ascendancy node. It may seem underwhelming to people that don’t do deep delve, but this is the only way to get consistent fortification in deep delve, any other fortifying hits will not generate any meaningful fortification due to high monster’s ailment threshold in delve.

2.      Physical Mitigation: Outside of 7 endurance charges, Arctic Armour, flat pdr/pta on rare chest, Progenesis and Adrenaline, I’m also using aspect of the crab in conjunction with 81% evade chance. Physical max hit is not foolproof in this build, so you need to choose when to press Immortal call sometimes.

3.      Elemental Mitigation: Using the very popular sublime vision/purity of fire setup with Arctic Armour, for spell max hit, I capped suppression with very little investment into gear affixes and skill point. On top of all these, I’m using the 5% reduced ele damage taken essence affix as well.

Weakness:

1.      The build has many conditional active/defensive layers (Endurance charges, adrenaline, conqueror ascendancy node, progenesis), so sometimes you could get killed very easily when running into a delve node

2.      The build has no meaningful recovery outside of instant leech & life gain on hit, so you really need to know what you are doing/where you are standing. If the focus is mapping, I’d swap to Slayer. For bossing, I’d use Redblade Banner to do weapon swap Enduring Cry during downtime.

Closing Thought:

I delved to 11k delve in Affliction league with Battery Staff Penance Brand of Dissipation Hierophant, that’s a busted skill on a busted interaction with battery staff reverse snapshot, but after using Molten Strike of the Zenith to10k delve this league, I think it is just as strong as PBoD. (PBoD edges out due to it’s a ranged spell)

PoB: https://pobb.in/0_IMhhPI7bZM