Basic Builds: Battleaxe
This is the first of our Basic Builds series of guides for beginner-to-intermediate players. Each guide presents a suggested build and describes how its abilities work in tandem. You can try these out as-is, or use them as a starting point to create new builds of your own.
[h3]Characteristics[/h3]
This build is based around the Battleaxe, which is characterized by a self-sustaining ability called Blood Bandit that lets you throw your axe twice, dealing damage while also healing yourself.
The full build offers additional self-healing, a defensive ability with energy recovery, and additional mobility.
Here’s the full breakdown!
[h3]Equipment and Skills Used[/h3]
Adept’s Battleaxe
- Rending Strike/Rending Spin
- You can choose between two spells for your Q slot, one for single targets and one for area damage. They both deal damage and apply bleed stacks to your target(s).
- Adrenaline Boost
- Your W ability offers damage, attack speed and movement speed modifiers that help you maximize your damage and stick to your target.
- Blood Bandit
- The main ability allows you to deal additional damage at a range depending on the amount of bleed stacks on your target. This is a two-part combo, with the first cast dealing increased damage and the second applying a direct heal to yourself.
- Energy Shield
- Your cowl has a defensive spell that decreases your damage taken while recovering energy for every hit taken during its active time.
- Bloodlust
- The jackets active ability allows you to regain some health for every time you use an auto attack or damage spell.
- Refreshing Sprint
- Your shoes allow you to track down targets while lowering your cooldowns, they can also be used to run away from a fight.
Adept’s Bag: An accessory that increases your passive carry weight capacity.
Adept’s Cape: An accessory that increases your energy and passive energy regeneration.
Minor Poison Potion: A potion that inflicts a damage-over-time effect on a target and decreases their resistances for the duration.
Catfish: A buff food that greatly increases your health regeneration while out of combat. This allows you to get back to full health after clearing a pack of mobs.
Journeyman’s Riding Horse: A mounted horse that brings you swiftly across the map while adding more passive carry weight.
All items can be bought via the Marketplace, or crafted if the corresponding crafting node has been unlocked.
[h3]Build Pros and Cons[/h3]
Pros:
- Great sustain against strong enemies
- Good energy management
- Good clear speed
- Good chase potential
- Affordable
- Bleeds can put you in combat for an extended period of time
- Not applicable in large scale fights
[h3]Playstyle[/h3]
- Use your Q spell to deal direct damage and apply bleeds to your target(s). You can use direct attacks in between the spells.
- Your W ability can be used to buff your damage output for a short amount of time. It’s also a great tool that lets you stick to your target since its buff can be active for up to 7 seconds as long as you deal direct damage to a target.
- Blood Bandit can be used to deal additional damage, and the second cast can be used to recover some health when enemies have multiple bleed stacks on them. Try to use this ability before utilizing your jacket.
- When you’re low on energy or expect to take an increased amount of energy you can use your head ability. For every hit taken you will replenish some energy while generally decreasing the amount of damage you take.
- The jacket can be used to regain a substantial amount of health. It has a high cooldown so it is advised to be used in emergency situations. For every auto attack or direct damage you deal you will be healed by a certain amount, up to 7 times. Pairing this ability with battle rush will let you heal up faster because of the bonus attack speed.
- Shoes are generally a tool for mobility. You can use them to close a gap or to create distance between yourself and the enemy. Refreshing sprint additionally lowers your cooldowns which allows you to use your abilities more frequently.
That's it for this week - stay tuned for more Basic Builds guides coming soon!
