Theorycraft - Hardcore Venomancer Cabalist - Grim Dawn: Ashes of Malmouth

Channel:

Wes Oldenbeuving

Subscribers:

1,770

Published on August 23, 2018 4:00:01 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BzlK55-cpI

Game:

Grim Dawn (2016)

Category:

Let's Play

Duration: 41:45

8,074 views

88

(Check the description for a build guide and GrimTools links!)

This Venomancer build focuses on Ravenous Earth and Bloody Pox, with a smattering of defensive skills and a boatload of aggressive poison-themed devotions. Damage absorption, life regeneration, procced heals and weakening enemies with "curse" like effects is going to be the defensive aspect of this build.

Contrary to previous series, this won't be a Let's Play series, but I'll give periodic updates to show you what the build is like at various points in time.

Series playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?playnext=1&list=PLPo00Kvl9Ha0io8foavcQzd2wL8nFEfvK

# Build outline

Skill tree and Devotions:

* Endgame build with possible items: https://www.grimtools.com/calc/YVWKE3dV

# Skills outline

This build uses Bloody Pox to weaken groups of enemies and Ravenous Earth to deal with stronger foes, or tougher groups. Curse of Frailty's Vulnerability helps against stronger foes, while Ill Omen might prove helpful to send some weaker mobs running to their friends after you Bloody Pox them. The Blight Fiend is a walking curse, attracts some attention and might actually do a little bit of damage. This is not a pet build, so don't expect too much from the smelly zombie pet.

Blood of Dreeg provides health regeneration, so you want to keep it active at all times. Due to the duration being longer than the cooldown, you can use the heal on use effect as a combat heal. Mark of Torment is a panic button to help you get some damage absorption if you're getting attacked a lot. Devotion procs such as the Behemoth's heal and regen, and Tortoise's shield further aid you in staying alive.

Spectral Binding and its Spectral Wrath proc are incredibly strong early on: if you max it early, you'll have a lot of extra health, and you'll wreck most trash mobs with Spectral Wrath.

# Gear choices

Endgame you'll want the Dark One's Gift mythical set, which boosts Bloody Pox and Ravenous Earth. While leveling, focus on:

* Resistances (you want to max your own)
* Relevant skill bonuses and bonuses to all (class) skills
* Blue/purple gear with interesting/relevant procs (damage absorption shields, heals, relevant enemy debuffs)
* Health
* Offensive / Defensive ability
* Acid/poison/vitality damage

Good sources of skill bonuses tend to be:

* A relic
* Amulet
* Helmet
* Belt

Other gear slots usually give bonuses to individual skills instead of to all.

# Relics

There are not a lot of poison-based relics, so you'll need to focus more on utility here. Some to consider:

Level 25

* Gluttony
* Corruption
* Sanctuary
* Fervor

Level 35

* Mortality

Level 50

* Blight

Level 60

* Impurity
* Malediction

Level 70

* Dreeg's Affliction

Level 90

* Deathstalker
* Eldritch Pact

# Attributes

You're not going to wear heavy armour, so aim for enough Physique for gear and put the rest into Spirit for damage.
I'll probably aim for 900-1000 physique.

# Devotion Tree

This is the order in which to pick and refund devotion points. Don't forget to attach procs to skills!

+ White
+ Turtle
- White

+ Green
+ Akeron's Scorpion
- Green

+ Red
+ Jackal
- Red

+ Blue
+ Behemoth

+ Lizard
- Blue
+ Murmur, Mistress of Rumours

+ Eye of the Guardian
+ Manticore
+ Affliction
+ Oklaine's Lantern
+ Purple
+ Crab (shield proc only)

# Other Necromancer videos

- Summoner Ritualist (series): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPo00Kvl9Ha0ZBsKwi9ksjR7MPXxVd1RQ
- Drain Essence Death Knight (hardcore series) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?playnext=1&list=PLPo00Kvl9Ha2gxq2Gh04OyrzH0jVhCVR3
- Bloody Pox Cabalist: https://youtu.be/gxjUroWKd5c
- Essence Drain Cabalist: https://youtu.be/ltna68g4FYY
- Bone Harvest Reaper: https://youtu.be/PTAqq6_Dkhw

# About Grim Dawn

Grim Dawn is an Action RPG set in a world where the zombie apocalypse happened, where humanity is scattered and under attack from all sides. Technology seems on par with fantasy victorian times: there are guns, but there is also a lot of magic.

- Game website: http://grimdawn.com/
- Steam store page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/219990/
- Ashes of Malmouth expansion: http://store.steampowered.com/app/642280/Grim_Dawn__Ashes_of_Malmouth_Expansion/

# My Info

- YouTube: https://youtube.com/narnach
- Twitch.tv: https://twitch.tv/narnach
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/narnach
- Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/narnach?sub_confirmation=1

I record Let's Play video game series about Action RPGs and strategy games. I love simulation and programming games as well, though they play a smaller part on my channel. I'm an analytical player, so my playthrough will be filled with English commentary analyzing the game, comparing and contrasting it with others, and trying to understand the mechanics behind the game. If you are a developer, feel free to reach out if you want me to look at your game!

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