Most OP build for the new and casual player after 1.1.4 changes?

[myeqchars]

Between two jobs and a family I only have like an hour a day to play, and I don't really have the experience to be called a "skillful" Grim Dawn player! So after the most recent patch and nerfs/adjustments, what would be an easy, non-Pet build for me to try?

I'm new to ARPG and GD, obviously, and was going down the Inquisitor/Purifier path (lvl 11) but just read that after the patch that Purifier is now nerfed to the point of being a Support role, that Word of Pain is now "word of lame" so I don't want to invest more of my limited time to it. I tried the Crucible and it did take a lot of time to kill mobs from 1-10.

Is there any build more powerful at this point, without having to grind for the proper equipment and items? I don't have a preferred playstyle, just want to kill mobs fast since I don't have hours to play per session :)

[powbam]

Originally posted by myeqchars:

but just read that after the patch that Purifier is now nerfed to the point of being a Support role, that Word of Pain is now "word of lame"

I don't know where you're reading this stuff at but being as you are "new" I'm going to caution you on getting too caught up in "high level" discussions concerning mechanics you likely don't fully understand.. much less the context and subject matter that was likely being discussed was probably concerning gameplay well beyond anything you know of in the game at this time.

When in-depth conversation occurs on Grim Dawn boards that are "nitpicking" skills (and gear) it is usually done in reference to high level Crucible and SR gameplay. Not much ever gets nerfed in Grim Dawn so bad that it can't defeat the game on ALL 3 difficulties (within reason), and if it ever does it is very rare and usually rectified quite quickly.

So, until you know what you are reading I'd advise you to put high level nitpicking out of your mind.

Start with the game guide:
https://www.grimdawn.com/guide/

malawiglenn’s guide on game mechanics for beginners:
https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/malawiglenn-s-guide-on-game-mechanics-for-beginners/84347

Grim Dawn Build Compendium IX (Ashes of Malmouth)
https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/build-compendium-ix-ashes-of-malmouth/47681

Grim Dawn Build Compendium X (Forgotten Gods)
https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/build-compendium-x-forgotten-gods/49673

[Midnightoker]

https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/dw-melee-beginners-forgotten-blademaster/50586
this is a good starter build and low needs.

[Ghigi]

Ritualist (shaman+necro), all pets. And tet the game play by its own, basically.

[powbam]

Originally posted by Ghigi:

Ritualist (shaman+necro), all pets. And tet the game play by its own, basically.

Originally posted by myeqchars:

what would be an easy, non-Pet build for me to try?

[talonblade3]

Make a soldier and focus on Forcewave. There are several builds that are fairly easy to gear for with the move and it tears through the mobs quickly.

[sarcastic_godot]

I found Conjurer (Shaman/Occultist) comfortable.

Focus is on Swarm and Vines, and Wendigo Totem, with Savagery and Bloody Pox for the big ones. Curse of Frailty for debuffing enemies. Vitality and Bleed are the damage types I focused on. Grasping / Entangling Vines gives you a nice huge-footprint AoE damage + CC, which makes defense easy, the Shaman-passives give you a good buff to all 2Hdd weapons. Possession buffs your base damages well. And I had little to no issues running through the game with self-found stuff.

[Coffeefiend]

High lvl (beyond) end game discussions have a tendency to degrade into skills are either bis or trash. In a decent tier list the worst category is along the lines of not that great/can't kill everything and/or gear dependencies (<-worst offender).

Started out with a Purifier myself, total glass cannon build, didn't care about or even know any mechanics, still made it into elite...well things got kind of nasty there. Made a Warder afterwards, game got actually easier on higher difficulties with him.

So...I'd suggest a Warder for a casual approach. Cockroach lvls of survivability, not that gear dependent and you can go with pretty much any weapon type you like.

[Halcyon]

Purifier is great, it's just not 'melt-your-face-amazing' like it was when Ashes first came out. Lots of people ♥♥♥♥♥ about nerfs/buffs/changes just because they lost 1k dps on their favorite build or some other skill gained 2k dps on a different build and is now 'better' than their favorite build.

Powbam's advice is totally on point, don't worry about being in-meta or care at all about what people are saying about level 100 builds designed to pulverize Shattered Realm 70+ or solo Gladiator Crucible in 30 seconds with their eyes shut. Until you get to level 50-60 range, you will be fine with basically anything, and after that you can probably figure out how to improve with minor tweaks no matter what class combination you have.

Purifier, in my experience, is an offensive powerhouse that you have to be careful when playing unless you put some focus on your defenses. If that sounds fun, then by all means continue using it. If not, check out Soldier+anything, possibly Soldier/Oathkeeper or Soldier/Occultist in particular.

[madrigal]

All the classes in this game are legit, but some are easier (less complicated) to play.
Thinking back to when I first played this game, I had the easiest time with 2-handed weapon (ranged and melee) builds. So I suggest Shaman plus whatever looks interesting. I agree a Warder is a good casual choice. Shaman has pets but you don't have to use them.

I really like the Purifier, I have 3 of them so far and they are all different. He can be squishy and some of the Inquisitor skills are tricky and more complicated to play. Expect to run around a lot so maybe he's not the best choice if you don't have a lot of time to play. The Demolitionist track is pretty fun and relatively straightforward. Blowing stuff up is very satisfying after a stressful day at work.

The Blademaster is pure fun and also a good casual choice and can be really powerful and fast.

Have fun!!!

[Æ𝐨𝐧]

I have done hardcore ultimate using Melty Cakes build, its a nice build at all

[Cthulhu's Email Server]

Originally posted by powbam:

Originally posted by myeqchars:

but just read that after the patch that Purifier is now nerfed to the point of being a Support role, that Word of Pain is now "word of lame"

I don't know where you're reading this stuff at but being as you are "new" I'm going to caution you on getting too caught up in "high level" discussions concerning mechanics you likely don't fully understand.. much less the context and subject matter that was likely being discussed was probably concerning gameplay well beyond anything you know of in the game at this time.

When in-depth conversation occurs on Grim Dawn boards that are "nitpicking" skills (and gear) it is usually done in reference to high level Crucible and SR gameplay. Not much ever gets nerfed in Grim Dawn so bad that it can't defeat the game on ALL 3 difficulties (within reason), and if it ever does it is very rare and usually rectified quite quickly.

So, until you know what you are reading I'd advise you to put high level nitpicking out of your mind.

Start with the game guide:
https://www.grimdawn.com/guide/

malawiglenn’s guide on game mechanics for beginners:
https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/malawiglenn-s-guide-on-game-mechanics-for-beginners/84347

Grim Dawn Build Compendium IX (Ashes of Malmouth)
https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/build-compendium-ix-ashes-of-malmouth/47681

Grim Dawn Build Compendium X (Forgotten Gods)
https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/build-compendium-x-forgotten-gods/49673

This^^^^

I have 25 or so level 100 builds of different natures and I can get through all 3 levels of the base game plus the 2 DLCs with all of them. Most of them can even get through SR 35 at least on solo. Some can go much farther. It takes a little thought on your build and paying attention at what causes you trouble. Some of my builds are great against mobs but not so much on bosses while others are the opposite. I have a few that wreck everything. Some can facetank while others can only kite bosses and Nemesis. Once you get the mechanics down, you can then plan your build to suit what style you want to play. Grimtools is a great tool for build planning and lets you view all available items/sets in the game to help with that.

My observation has been that a lot of beginners neglect defensive things like resistances being 80% or more after level 50, armor absorption less much than 100% and have like 2K DA at level 100. These things will get you a ticket to one-shot city as you move into the later parts of the game.

[Gilgamesh]

Warlord physical EOR is pretty one button brain dead build, highly recommand.

[Gilgamesh]

Originally posted by Cthulhu's Email Server:

Originally posted by powbam:

I don't know where you're reading this stuff at but being as you are "new" I'm going to caution you on getting too caught up in "high level" discussions concerning mechanics you likely don't fully understand.. much less the context and subject matter that was likely being discussed was probably concerning gameplay well beyond anything you know of in the game at this time.

When in-depth conversation occurs on Grim Dawn boards that are "nitpicking" skills (and gear) it is usually done in reference to high level Crucible and SR gameplay. Not much ever gets nerfed in Grim Dawn so bad that it can't defeat the game on ALL 3 difficulties (within reason), and if it ever does it is very rare and usually rectified quite quickly.

So, until you know what you are reading I'd advise you to put high level nitpicking out of your mind.

Start with the game guide:
https://www.grimdawn.com/guide/

malawiglenn’s guide on game mechanics for beginners:
https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/malawiglenn-s-guide-on-game-mechanics-for-beginners/84347

Grim Dawn Build Compendium IX (Ashes of Malmouth)
https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/build-compendium-ix-ashes-of-malmouth/47681

Grim Dawn Build Compendium X (Forgotten Gods)
https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/build-compendium-x-forgotten-gods/49673

This^^^^

I have 25 or so level 100 builds of different natures and I can get through all 3 levels of the base game plus the 2 DLCs with all of them. Most of them can even get through SR 35 at least on solo. Some can go much farther. It takes a little thought on your build and paying attention at what causes you trouble. Some of my builds are great against mobs but not so much on bosses while others are the opposite. I have a few that wreck everything. Some can facetank while others can only kite bosses and Nemesis. Once you get the mechanics down, you can then plan your build to suit what style you want to play. Grimtools is a great tool for build planning and lets you view all available items/sets in the game to help with that.

My observation has been that a lot of beginners neglect defensive things like resistances being 80% or more after level 50, armor absorption less much than 100% and have like 2K DA at level 100. These things will get you a ticket to one-shot city as you move into the later parts of the game.

beginners also dont know how damage conversion and RR works then start asking why every mob in his game is invincible.

[Aeonarx]

If you are not interested in beating high SR or Crucible and super bosses and just clear all base game ultimate content then anything will work really.

[TheQuestion]

Originally posted by Aeonarx:

If you are not interested in beating high SR or Crucible and super bosses and just clear all base game ultimate content then anything will work really.

Someone might be interested in that.