Build Guide has been created! Find it HERE

EDIT 1: Gem changes are out, so I am now working on making final touches to gem adjustments, juggling some support gems around, and then pushing the build. I will make a new post (which will be the last one) here on the subreddit by tomorrow, maybe tonight if I get time. This will include a forum thread and a Discord server.

I have returned with an updated build guide! Make sure to look at the Notes section!

PoB: https://pastebin.com/51gbnDU1

Currently it looks like Shield Crush is still going to be a pretty good starter, but at the moment I am not sure how much we can push this build on an Impale end. I have not done much research into bleed variants of this build, but Bleed might have the potential to be the stronger variant depending on investment. We will have to wait and see.

The PoB is currently applying the changes to skill gems as much as I could, and the skill gem buffs/nerfs have been moved onto the Abyssal Jewel that is connected to the Stygian Vise. I have incorporated the Melee Physical support change, part of the Impale change, as well as an adjustment to the attack speed so we can see how fast Leap Slam is (it's still very fast and our map movement tool). I am also currently assuming that Shield Crush is going to have the same additive damage as shield charge, but it has the potential to be the same as SST. Once the 20/20 gems are shown, I will adjust this build and edit the PoB link appropriately.

Here are a few ideas that I have to push the build further than what I have currently. I haven't fully pushed these into PoB yet because I want to see the 20/20 gem first.

• Using Herald of Purity rings and swapping to Purity from Pride gives a great damage boost
• Impale effect watcher's eye also gives a giant damage boost. Using the double damage with attacks cheap version also helps with damage as well. We can't have both Purity and Pride, though.
• Another way to scale damage (mostly for bossing) is with a Frenzy Charge on Hit chest.
• Tombfist to apply both intimidate and maim, freeing up gem slots and increasing damage.

Key Changes and notable pieces of the build:

• Multistrike is currently not enabled with the PoB because Multistrike does not work with Shield Charge. We hit nearly 1m sirus DPS with cluster jewels on a 5 link. I am still tinkering to find some better optimization if more exists.
• Fortify has been removed from Shield Crush and moved to Vigilant Strike. This was done for the sake of more damage on Shield Crush. We have enough attack speed to make Vigilant strike feel smooth, anyways.
• CWDT has been dropped to 3L (no more increased duration) and Leap Strike has been graduated to 4L (for the Vigilant Strike slot). Vulnerability is still hanging out with CWDT as an option.
• Brinkmanship node has been rerouted up to the other Physical Damage node by Constitution. Life is also cut in the cluster variant to keep the Vanquisher node.

Levelling sections have been added! This includes both the best shield you can get from a vendor as well as what acts you get what links from.

Levelling trees have been added!

Levelling Uniques have been added!