Scorpion Blade Assassin

This guide is outdated and actively detrimental to players that are new to the build if you attempt to follow skill/stat suggestions and gear choices. If you know what you are doing, there still may be useful information below, proceed with caution.

► Show Spoiler

Scorpion Blade Assassin

Why Scorpion Blade in 2.0?

I've played Median off and on for about ten years and in that time the play style that has kept me here the most has been that of the Scorpion Blade Assassin. It's a glass cannon farmer that is highly effective with easily farmable gear, meaning you can play it and be effective with no TG investment and without twinking at all. Due to various buffs and a nasty bug fix, Scorpion Blade is in an even better place than it was in 1.0, more damage and more variety in skill setups. Just keep in mind you are NOT a tank, you need to be mobile and you need to dodge. End game ubers can be difficult without game knowledge and patience. I've cleared all ubers up to and including Uldy on beta server and no changes were made to the build between that and it hitting the 2.0 live patch. There are two different variations to the build, one more effective for farming and one more effective for bossing. The farming variant can still kill bosses, just much less effectively. Don't blow through all your respecs going back and forth, follow the farming variant until you reach a point where you want to start trophy farming, then you can respec into the bossing setup.

Pros
Large AoE Damage for easy farming
Great Teganze Farmer
Sub 5 minute Dunc Clear on new/bigger map
Easily playable untwinked 1-135
Functional farmer with mid-game gear - no real need for expensive SUs/SSUs/RWs

Cons
Lacks Single Target DPS in farming setup
Can be very squishy depending on how you build it
Very reliant on positioning and dodging enemy skillshots
Not a lab character
You won't kill Samael/Deimoss

Small Showcase of Vids from 1.0 – Farming Vids are more or less the same to showcase playstyle – May update to 2.0 vids later
[spoil]Duncraig

Fautzinville

Teganze

Triune
[/spoila]

Gear and Build

Early Game - Leveling/Early Ubers
[spoil]Stat Distribution
Strength: Enough for gear
Dexterity: Enough for gear
Vitality: None
Energy: Remainder

Skill Distribution
The order in which you put your skill points in will depend on your playstyle. I prefer a much more offensive playstyle so I prioritize putting points into sklls that will increase my damage instead of my survivability, hence why I put Perfect Being and Prismatic Cloak so far down on the list. If you wish, you can prioritize them more highly to have a more comfortable playthrough.
Meditation: 3 pts
Scorpion Blade: Max
Queen of Blades: Max in Groups of 3
Way of the Spider: Max
Pinnacle: Max
Perfect Being: Max
Beacon: 1 pt
Prismatic Cloak: Remainder

Gear
Gear can be very forgiving while you level this build because a ton of the damage is built into the kit. I was able to level making the base RWs in each socket and slowly transitioning my gear on the way to Hell. Starting runewords are optional, however, they provide much needed elemental resistances in the early game.

Helmet:

Honor

Honor
Helms
'Tal'
Runeword Level: 20
7% Movement Speed
+7% to Spell Damage
Elemental Resists +7%
Poison Length Reduced by (10 to 15)%
-7% to All Vendor Prices

->

Ra

Ra
Helms
'ShaelThul'
Runeword Level: 35
Living Flame Gives +1% Fire Spell Damage per 8 Character Levels
+1 to All Skills
+10% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
35% Cast Speed
-(7 to 10)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-(7 to 10)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Attacker Flees after Striking (11 to 15)%
Cold Resist +25%
Poison Resist +25%
(7 to 13)% Gold Find
7% Magic Find

Weapon:

Shark

Shark
Weapons
Except Necromancer Daggers, Assassin Claws
'Eld'
Runeword Level: 8
5% Chance to cast level 9 Bloodlust on Kill
+(7 to 9)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
20% Attack Speed
+5 to Maximum Damage
+0.125 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
1.5% Bonus to Attack Rating (Based on Character Level)
+(24 to 35)% Enhanced Damage
-1 to Mana

->

Chrysopelea

Chrysopelea
Throwing Knives
'Shael'
Runeword Level: 35
10% Chance to cast level 20 Lorenado on Kill
+(26 to 35)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
+(8 to 10) to Minimum Damage
+(30 to 57)% Enhanced Damage
-(6 to 10)% to Enemy Poison Resistance

->

Death Touch

Death Touch
Throwing Knife (4)
Throw Damage: 3 to 6
One-Hand Damage: 4 to 6
Required Level: 1
Required Dexterity: 17
Item Level: 1
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
2% Chance to cast level 8 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
(21 to 50)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(6 to 8)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +15%
Socketed (1)
Throw Damage: 10 to 11
One-Hand Damage: 8 to 9
Required Level: 18
Required Dexterity: 45
Item Level: 31
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
3% Chance to cast level 16 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
(81 to 110)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(11 to 13)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(11 to 13)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +25%
Socketed (2)
Throw Damage: 17 to 18
One-Hand Damage: 12
Required Level: 36
Required Dexterity: 109
Item Level: 51
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
5% Chance to cast level 24 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
(141 to 170)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(16 to 18)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(16 to 18)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +35%
Socketed (2)
Throw Damage: 22 to 23
One-Hand Damage: 14
Required Level: 45
Required Dexterity: 250
Item Level: 77
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
6% Chance to cast level 32 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+(4 to 5) to Assassin Skill Levels
(171 to 200)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(18 to 20)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +50%
Socketed (2)

Body Armor:

Akara's Robe (1)

Akara's Robe
Quilted Armor (1)
Defense: 74 to 100
Required Level: 10
Required Strength: 10
Item Level: 255
+50 Defense
+(6 to 10) to all Attributes
+50 to Life
Elemental Resists +(11 to 15)%
Cannot be Upgraded
Socketed (2)

->

Akara's Robe (3)

Akara's Robe
Quilted Armor (3)
Defense: 496 to 599
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 175
Item Level: 255
+1 to All Skills
+250 Defense
+(11 to 20) to all Attributes
+100 to Life
Elemental Resists +(21 to 25)%
Cannot be Upgraded
Socketed (5)

Shield:

Stone

Stone
Shields
'Thul'
Runeword Level: 28
+1 to All Skills
25% Hit Recovery
+(3 to 5) to Maximum Damage
5% to All Attributes
+(30 to 40) to Life
Cold Resist +25%
Cannot Be Frozen

->

Leoric's Legion

Leoric's Legion
Bladed Shield (4)
Defense: (64 - 72) to (127 - 144)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 8
Required Dexterity: 55
Item Level: 10
+(6 to 8)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(4 to 5)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(11 to 20) to Vitality
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (1)
Defense: (246 - 273) to (418 - 463)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 25
Required Dexterity: 81
Item Level: 36
+(11 to 13)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(7 to 8)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 40) to Vitality
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)
Defense: (631 - 687) to (1031 - 1122)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 43
Required Dexterity: 170
Item Level: 51
+(16 to 18)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(10 to 11)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 60) to Vitality
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (5)
Defense: (938 - 1014) to (1527 - 1652)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 52
Required Dexterity: 353
Item Level: 85
+(18 to 20)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(12 to 13)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(61 to 80) to Vitality
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (6)

Gloves:

Enlightenment

Enlightenment
Gloves
'El'
Runeword Level: 6
10% Combat Speeds
2% Life stolen per Hit
2% Mana stolen per Hit
+5 to all Attributes
+(3 to 5) Life Regenerated per Second
Lightning Resist +15%
+(4 to 6) to Light Radius

->

Vilehand

Vilehand
Leather Gloves (4)
Defense: 6 to 8
Required Level: 1
Required Strength: 25
Item Level: 1
+(3 to 5)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
+(6 to 10)% to Poison Spell Damage
Poison Length Reduced by (31 to 35)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: 70 to 75
Required Level: 17
Required Strength: 50
Item Level: 31
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
+(6 to 8)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
+(11 to 15)% to Poison Spell Damage
Poison Length Reduced by (36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: 176 to 184
Required Level: 34
Required Strength: 175
Item Level: 51
+1 to All Skills
+(8 to 10)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
+(16 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
Poison Length Reduced by (41 to 45)%
Socketed (3)
Defense: 243 to 258
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 350
Item Level: 77
+1 to All Skills
+(11 to 13)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
+(21 to 25)% to Poison Spell Damage
Poison Length Reduced by (46 to 50)%
Socketed (4)

Belt:

Rainbow

Rainbow
Belts
'Eth'
Runeword Level: 15
+5% to Spell Damage
+(6 to 10)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
Regenerate Mana +(5 to 10)%
Elemental Resists +(10 to 15)%
(6 to 8)% Magic Find
+2 to Light Radius

->

Moonwrap

Moonwrap
Sash (4)
Defense: (16 - 18) to (20 - 21)
Required Level: 1
Required Strength: 25
Item Level: 1
5% Cast Speed
+3% to Spell Damage
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Cold Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (119 - 129) to (131 - 141)
Required Level: 17
Required Strength: 50
Item Level: 31
15% Cast Speed
+9% to Spell Damage
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (331 - 353) to (370 - 395)
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 125
Item Level: 51
25% Cast Speed
+15% to Spell Damage
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (493 - 524) to (542 - 576)
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 250
Item Level: 77
30% Cast Speed
+20% to Spell Damage
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Cold Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)

Boots:

Epicenter

Epicenter
Boots
'Ith'
Runeword Level: 18
0.0625% Chance of Crushing Blow (Based on Character Level)
+(4 to 15)% Enhanced Defense
+(40 to 60) to Life
Elemental Resists +(3 to 5)%

->

Wake of Destruction

Wake of Destruction
Greaves (4)
Defense: (90 - 102) to (135 - 152)
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 17
Item Level: 19
+(4 to 6)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(11 to 13)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Energy
Requirements -20%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (333 - 369) to (462 - 512)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 36
+(7 to 9)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(15 to 17)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(26 to 30) to Energy
Requirements -25%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (854 - 930) to (1152 - 1254)
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 158
Item Level: 59
+(10 to 12)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(19 to 21)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Energy
Requirements -30%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1274 - 1378) to (1713 - 1853)
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 272
Item Level: 85
+(13 to 15)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(23 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (4)

Rings/Amulet: Whatever junk you find while leveling (skills > poison pierce > poison damage > stats > SF)[/spoila]

Mid Game - Transitioning to Sacred Gear/Farming Setup
[spoil]State and skill distribution remain the same as Early Game.

Approaching this in an SSF mindset, there are a lot of options for gearing which will just depend on what gear you find, shrines, etc., but I will only recommend gear that is generally easy to find or farmable. If you are playing SSF, this is where you will get stuck for awhile, but don't worry, the gear here can be very good and will let you keep farming and get those charms, you will just slowly upgrade gear as you can find it for an easier time.

Gear
Helmet:

Ra

Ra
Helms
'ShaelThul'
Runeword Level: 35
Living Flame Gives +1% Fire Spell Damage per 8 Character Levels
+1 to All Skills
+10% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
35% Cast Speed
-(7 to 10)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-(7 to 10)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Attacker Flees after Striking (11 to 15)%
Cold Resist +25%
Poison Resist +25%
(7 to 13)% Gold Find
7% Magic Find

-> Shimmering Craft Diadem
Weapon:

Death Touch

Death Touch
Throwing Knife (4)
Throw Damage: 3 to 6
One-Hand Damage: 4 to 6
Required Level: 1
Required Dexterity: 17
Item Level: 1
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
2% Chance to cast level 8 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
(21 to 50)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(6 to 8)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +15%
Socketed (1)
Throw Damage: 10 to 11
One-Hand Damage: 8 to 9
Required Level: 18
Required Dexterity: 45
Item Level: 31
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
3% Chance to cast level 16 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
(81 to 110)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(11 to 13)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(11 to 13)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +25%
Socketed (2)
Throw Damage: 17 to 18
One-Hand Damage: 12
Required Level: 36
Required Dexterity: 109
Item Level: 51
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
5% Chance to cast level 24 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
(141 to 170)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(16 to 18)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(16 to 18)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +35%
Socketed (2)
Throw Damage: 22 to 23
One-Hand Damage: 14
Required Level: 45
Required Dexterity: 250
Item Level: 77
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
6% Chance to cast level 32 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+(4 to 5) to Assassin Skill Levels
(171 to 200)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(18 to 20)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +50%
Socketed (2)

Body Armor:

Akara's Robe (3)

Akara's Robe
Quilted Armor (3)
Defense: 496 to 599
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 175
Item Level: 255
+1 to All Skills
+250 Defense
+(11 to 20) to all Attributes
+100 to Life
Elemental Resists +(21 to 25)%
Cannot be Upgraded
Socketed (5)

-> Shimmering Craft Quilted Armor
Shield:

Leoric's Legion

Leoric's Legion
Bladed Shield (4)
Defense: (64 - 72) to (127 - 144)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 8
Required Dexterity: 55
Item Level: 10
+(6 to 8)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(4 to 5)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(11 to 20) to Vitality
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (1)
Defense: (246 - 273) to (418 - 463)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 25
Required Dexterity: 81
Item Level: 36
+(11 to 13)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(7 to 8)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 40) to Vitality
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)
Defense: (631 - 687) to (1031 - 1122)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 43
Required Dexterity: 170
Item Level: 51
+(16 to 18)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(10 to 11)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 60) to Vitality
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (5)
Defense: (938 - 1014) to (1527 - 1652)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 52
Required Dexterity: 353
Item Level: 85
+(18 to 20)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(12 to 13)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(61 to 80) to Vitality
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (6)

Gloves:

Vilehand

Vilehand
Leather Gloves (4)
Defense: 6 to 8
Required Level: 1
Required Strength: 25
Item Level: 1
+(3 to 5)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
+(6 to 10)% to Poison Spell Damage
Poison Length Reduced by (31 to 35)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: 70 to 75
Required Level: 17
Required Strength: 50
Item Level: 31
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
+(6 to 8)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
+(11 to 15)% to Poison Spell Damage
Poison Length Reduced by (36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: 176 to 184
Required Level: 34
Required Strength: 175
Item Level: 51
+1 to All Skills
+(8 to 10)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
+(16 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
Poison Length Reduced by (41 to 45)%
Socketed (3)
Defense: 243 to 258
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 350
Item Level: 77
+1 to All Skills
+(11 to 13)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
+(21 to 25)% to Poison Spell Damage
Poison Length Reduced by (46 to 50)%
Socketed (4)

-> Shimmering Craft Leather Gloves
Belt: Shimmering Craft Sash ->

Ashaera's Armor

Ashaera's Armor
Belt (Sacred)
Defense: 1687 to 1760
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 575
Item Level: 105
+(21 to 25) Spell Focus
+(11 to 15)% to Spell Damage
+500 Defense
(11 to 15)% to Energy
Elemental Resists +(10 to 15)%
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (2)

Boots:

Wake of Destruction

Wake of Destruction
Greaves (4)
Defense: (90 - 102) to (135 - 152)
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 17
Item Level: 19
+(4 to 6)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(11 to 13)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Energy
Requirements -20%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (333 - 369) to (462 - 512)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 36
+(7 to 9)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(15 to 17)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(26 to 30) to Energy
Requirements -25%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (854 - 930) to (1152 - 1254)
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 158
Item Level: 59
+(10 to 12)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(19 to 21)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Energy
Requirements -30%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1274 - 1378) to (1713 - 1853)
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 272
Item Level: 85
+(13 to 15)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(23 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (4)

Amulet/Rings: Low Level for lots of MO space -> Rares (skills > poison pierce > poison damage > stats > SF) ->

Angel of Death

Angel of Death
Amulet
Required Level: 90
Item Level: 123
2% Chance to cast level 33 Punisher Bolt on Striking
+(0 to 2) to All Skills
+(11 to 30)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(6 to 15)% to Enemy Poison Resistance

Astrogha's Moon
(Wyrd Set)

[/spoila]

Farming Setup
[spoil]Stat Distribution
Strength: Enough for gear
Dexterity: Enough for gear
Vitality: None
Energy: Remainder

Skill Distribution
As with the early game skill distribution, I prioritize damage over survivability and build it was stated below, however, you may want to prioritize Perfect Being/Prismatic Cloak higher than some of the other skills, at which point you may not want to skill into Specialization.
Specialization: 10
Scorpion Blade: 30
Queen of Blades: 30
Way of the Spider: 25
Pinnacle: 30
Beacon: 1 pt
Prismatic Cloak: 1 pt
Perfect Being: Remainder

Optionally, you can put points into Domain (further blink range) or Shadowrush (+MS while Shadow Refuge is active)

Gear
Helmet: Shimmering Craft Diadem or

Crown of the Black Rose

Crown of the Black Rose
Diadem (Sacred)
Defense: 870 to 983
Required Level: 110
Required Dexterity: 524
Item Level: 105
Orb Effects Applied to this Item are Doubled
+(2 to 3) to All Skills
+(20 to 30)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(10 to 15)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(14 to 20) to Black Lotus Strike
+(90 to 150) Life Regenerated per Second
Maximum Poison Resist +(2 to 3)%
(25 to 50)% Bonus to Defense
Cannot Be Frozen
Socketed (4)

(cheapest) or

Skull of the Viz-Jaq'taar

Skull of the Viz-Jaq'taar
Skull Cap (Sacred)
Defense: 746 to 789
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 275
Item Level: 120
Scorpion Blade: +2 Projectiles
5% Chance to cast level 40 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+(0 to 1) to Assassin Skill Levels
-(21 to 30)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
-500 Defense
+50 to Dexterity
(11 to 20)% to Dexterity
20% Magic Find
Requirements -50%
Socketed (4)

(More knives = good time) or

Indigo

Indigo
Circlets
'UnTaha'
Runeword Level: 110
+2 to All Skills
+100 Spell Focus
50% Cast Speed
-(15 to 20)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
-500 Defense
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Elemental Resists +(13 to 15)%
Requirements -100%

(Most dmg and survivability)
Weapon:

Death Touch

Death Touch
Throwing Knife (4)
Throw Damage: 3 to 6
One-Hand Damage: 4 to 6
Required Level: 1
Required Dexterity: 17
Item Level: 1
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
2% Chance to cast level 8 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
(21 to 50)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(6 to 8)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +15%
Socketed (1)
Throw Damage: 10 to 11
One-Hand Damage: 8 to 9
Required Level: 18
Required Dexterity: 45
Item Level: 31
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
3% Chance to cast level 16 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
(81 to 110)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(11 to 13)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(11 to 13)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +25%
Socketed (2)
Throw Damage: 17 to 18
One-Hand Damage: 12
Required Level: 36
Required Dexterity: 109
Item Level: 51
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
5% Chance to cast level 24 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
(141 to 170)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(16 to 18)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(16 to 18)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +35%
Socketed (2)
Throw Damage: 22 to 23
One-Hand Damage: 14
Required Level: 45
Required Dexterity: 250
Item Level: 77
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
6% Chance to cast level 32 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+(4 to 5) to Assassin Skill Levels
(171 to 200)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(18 to 20)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +50%
Socketed (2)

(Ton of MO space) or

Warshrike

Warshrike
Flying Knife (Sacred)
Throw Damage: (151 - 166) to (171 - 186)
One-Hand Damage: (106 - 116) to (123 - 133)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 473
Item Level: 105
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
1% Chance to cast level 40 Punisher Barrage on Kill
+1 to All Skills
1% Base Block Chance
Adds 25-40 Damage
+(115 to 140)% Enhanced Damage
-40% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(7 to 10) to Way of the Spider (Assassin Only)
+(16 to 32) to Balance
Elemental Resists +20%
+(75 to 100) Life after each Kill
Socketed (2)

(Lots of pierce and reanimates) or

Piranha Swarm

Piranha Swarm
Flying Knife (Sacred)
Throw Damage: 59 to 61
One-Hand Damage: 38 to 39
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 473
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
Scorpion Blade: Always Explodes, Max Range -25%
+(4 to 7) to Assassin Skill Levels
+99% to Poison Spell Damage
Regenerate Mana +50%
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
+150 Life after each Kill
50% Magic Find
Socketed (2)

(moderate damage and good life after kill)
Body Armor:

Scales of the Drake

Scales of the Drake
Ring Mail (Sacred)
Defense: (5239 - 5921) to (5764 - 6514)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 120
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
30% Cast Speed
+(25 to 38)% to Poison Spell Damage
-35% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(14 to 18) to Lorenado
+(115 to 143)% Enhanced Defense
+300 to Life
Maximum Poison Resist +5%
Physical Resist (5 to 10)%
Socketed (6)

or Shimmering Craft Quilted Armor
Shield:

Leoric's Legion

Leoric's Legion
Bladed Shield (4)
Defense: (64 - 72) to (127 - 144)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 8
Required Dexterity: 55
Item Level: 10
+(6 to 8)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(4 to 5)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(11 to 20) to Vitality
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (1)
Defense: (246 - 273) to (418 - 463)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 25
Required Dexterity: 81
Item Level: 36
+(11 to 13)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(7 to 8)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 40) to Vitality
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)
Defense: (631 - 687) to (1031 - 1122)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 43
Required Dexterity: 170
Item Level: 51
+(16 to 18)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(10 to 11)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 60) to Vitality
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (5)
Defense: (938 - 1014) to (1527 - 1652)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 52
Required Dexterity: 353
Item Level: 85
+(18 to 20)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(12 to 13)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(61 to 80) to Vitality
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (6)

(Reanimates are Great Survivability) or Shimmering Craft Bladed Shield
Gloves:

Lamha Na Draoithe

Lamha Na Draoithe
Gauntlets (Sacred)
Defense: (1339 - 1506) to (1567 - 1763)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 120
+2 to All Skills
+150 Spell Focus
30% Cast Speed
+(16 to 20)% to Spell Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
+75 to Strength
-100 to Life
Elemental Resists +15%
Socketed (4)

Belt:

Ashaera's Armor

Ashaera's Armor
Belt (Sacred)
Defense: 1687 to 1760
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 575
Item Level: 105
+(21 to 25) Spell Focus
+(11 to 15)% to Spell Damage
+500 Defense
(11 to 15)% to Energy
Elemental Resists +(10 to 15)%
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (2)

or

Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse
Light Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (2091 - 2422) to (2171 - 2514)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 120
+2 to All Skills
+(51 to 60) Spell Focus
25% Cast Speed
30% Hit Recovery
+(10 to 15)% to Spell Damage
+(90 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(40 to 50) to Energy
+100 to Life
Elemental Resists +15%
+5 to Light Radius
Socketed (2)

(Much more expensive)
Boots:

Wake of Destruction

Wake of Destruction
Greaves (4)
Defense: (90 - 102) to (135 - 152)
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 17
Item Level: 19
+(4 to 6)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(11 to 13)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Energy
Requirements -20%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (333 - 369) to (462 - 512)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 36
+(7 to 9)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(15 to 17)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(26 to 30) to Energy
Requirements -25%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (854 - 930) to (1152 - 1254)
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 158
Item Level: 59
+(10 to 12)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(19 to 21)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Energy
Requirements -30%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1274 - 1378) to (1713 - 1853)
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 272
Item Level: 85
+(13 to 15)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(23 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (4)

or

Vision

Vision
Boots
'GhalOlYhamArc'
Runeword Level: 120
10% of Total Energy Gained as Life
+1 to All Skills
+15 Spell Focus
+10% Bonus to Spell Focus
-(10 to 15)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(141 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+10 to all Attributes
Maximum Life and Mana +(1 to 5)%
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Physical Damage Reduced by (10 to 20)

(Much more expensive)
Amulet:

Angel of Death

Angel of Death
Amulet
Required Level: 90
Item Level: 123
2% Chance to cast level 33 Punisher Bolt on Striking
+(0 to 2) to All Skills
+(11 to 30)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(6 to 15)% to Enemy Poison Resistance

Astrogha's Moon
(Wyrd Set)

(Common enough that you should be able to find a good roll) or

Gallowlaugh

Gallowlaugh
Amulet
Required Level: 110
Item Level: 110
+1 to All Skills
+50% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(20 to 30)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+1 to Sacrifices
Poison Length Reduced by 50%

(Most damage given via increase in poison duration) or

In For The Kill

In For The Kill
Amulet
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
2% Chance to cast level 20 Widowmaker on Kill
2% Chance to cast level 20 APF-20 'Maelstrom' MkI on Kill
2% Chance to cast level 20 Thunder Hammer Nova on Kill
20% Movement Speed
Elemental Resists -20%
(25 to 50)% Magic Find

(Eye candy and MF)
Rings: Rares or Lotto'd

Sigil of Tur Dulra

Sigil of Tur Dulra
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 105
+(1 to 2) to Druid Skill Levels
+(15 to 20)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
20% Cast Speed
-(1 to 10)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Elemental Resists +(20 to 25)%

(Duration is a good stat) or

Elemental Band

Elemental Band
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
+10% to Spell Damage
+1 to Path of Flames
+1 to Nova Charge
+1 to Lightning Arena
+1 to Hive

(Eye Candy) or

Black Hand Sigil

Black Hand Sigil
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
4% Chance to cast level 50 Shuriken Flurry on Death Blow
4% Chance to cast level 50 Drakemaw on Death Blow
4% Chance to cast level 50 Doom on Death Blow
Elemental Resists -25%

(Now we are just getting greedy)[/spoila]

Bossing Setup
[spoil]Stat Distribution
Strength: Enough for gear
Dexterity: Enough for gear
Vitality: None
Energy: Remainder

Skill Distribution
Specialization: 10
Scorpion Blade: 30
Lethal Incision: 15
Way of the Spider: 25
Pinnacle: 30
Beacon: 1 pt
Prismatic Cloak: 1 pt
Perfect Being: Remainder

Optionally, you can put points into Domain (further blink range) or Shadowrush (+MS while Shadow Refuge is active)

Gear
Helmet: Shimmering Craft Diadem or

Crown of the Black Rose

Crown of the Black Rose
Diadem (Sacred)
Defense: 870 to 983
Required Level: 110
Required Dexterity: 524
Item Level: 105
Orb Effects Applied to this Item are Doubled
+(2 to 3) to All Skills
+(20 to 30)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(10 to 15)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(14 to 20) to Black Lotus Strike
+(90 to 150) Life Regenerated per Second
Maximum Poison Resist +(2 to 3)%
(25 to 50)% Bonus to Defense
Cannot Be Frozen
Socketed (4)

or

Indigo

Indigo
Circlets
'UnTaha'
Runeword Level: 110
+2 to All Skills
+100 Spell Focus
50% Cast Speed
-(15 to 20)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
-500 Defense
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Elemental Resists +(13 to 15)%
Requirements -100%

Weapon:

Death Touch

Death Touch
Throwing Knife (4)
Throw Damage: 3 to 6
One-Hand Damage: 4 to 6
Required Level: 1
Required Dexterity: 17
Item Level: 1
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
2% Chance to cast level 8 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
(21 to 50)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(6 to 8)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +15%
Socketed (1)
Throw Damage: 10 to 11
One-Hand Damage: 8 to 9
Required Level: 18
Required Dexterity: 45
Item Level: 31
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
3% Chance to cast level 16 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
(81 to 110)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(11 to 13)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(11 to 13)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +25%
Socketed (2)
Throw Damage: 17 to 18
One-Hand Damage: 12
Required Level: 36
Required Dexterity: 109
Item Level: 51
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
5% Chance to cast level 24 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
(141 to 170)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(16 to 18)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(16 to 18)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +35%
Socketed (2)
Throw Damage: 22 to 23
One-Hand Damage: 14
Required Level: 45
Required Dexterity: 250
Item Level: 77
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
6% Chance to cast level 32 Scorpion Blade on Kill
+(4 to 5) to Assassin Skill Levels
(171 to 200)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
-(18 to 20)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Requirements +50%
Socketed (2)

(Ton of MO space)
Body Armor:

Scales of the Drake

Scales of the Drake
Ring Mail (Sacred)
Defense: (5239 - 5921) to (5764 - 6514)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 120
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
30% Cast Speed
+(25 to 38)% to Poison Spell Damage
-35% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(14 to 18) to Lorenado
+(115 to 143)% Enhanced Defense
+300 to Life
Maximum Poison Resist +5%
Physical Resist (5 to 10)%
Socketed (6)

Shield: Shimmering Craft Bladed Shield
Gloves:

Lorekeeper

Lorekeeper
Light Gauntlets (Sacred)
Defense: (1018 - 1179) to (1159 - 1342)
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 300
Item Level: 120
+3 to All Skills
20% Combat Speeds
+(5 to 10) to Firedance
+(90 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
Regenerate Mana +(40 to 60)%
Requirements -50%
Socketed (4)

Belt:

Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse
Light Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (2091 - 2422) to (2171 - 2514)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 120
+2 to All Skills
+(51 to 60) Spell Focus
25% Cast Speed
30% Hit Recovery
+(10 to 15)% to Spell Damage
+(90 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(40 to 50) to Energy
+100 to Life
Elemental Resists +15%
+5 to Light Radius
Socketed (2)

Boots:

Vision

Vision
Boots
'GhalOlYhamArc'
Runeword Level: 120
10% of Total Energy Gained as Life
+1 to All Skills
+15 Spell Focus
+10% Bonus to Spell Focus
-(10 to 15)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(141 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+10 to all Attributes
Maximum Life and Mana +(1 to 5)%
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Physical Damage Reduced by (10 to 20)

Amulet:

Gallowlaugh

Gallowlaugh
Amulet
Required Level: 110
Item Level: 110
+1 to All Skills
+50% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
-(20 to 30)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+1 to Sacrifices
Poison Length Reduced by 50%

Rings: Rares or Lotto'd

Sigil of Tur Dulra

Sigil of Tur Dulra
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 105
+(1 to 2) to Druid Skill Levels
+(15 to 20)% Bonus to Poison Skill Duration
20% Cast Speed
-(1 to 10)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Elemental Resists +(20 to 25)%

(Duration is a good stat)[/spoila]

Other Points & Faq
Shotgunning Bosses VS Lethal Incision
[spoil]Bosses and mobs will die much quicker using the farming variant over the bossing variant IF you can tank the boss and provide constant DPS onto them. You accomplish this by blinking on them, and just holding your right mouse button down until the boss is dead. The damage difference is night and day, however, once you get later into the game, bosses either move, teleport, or it becomes too dangerous to attempt to tank them, at which point it is safer and quicker to use the Lethal Incision variant. You can experiment with both and I do prefer generally using the farming variant since respecs are not common, but using Lethal Incision over extra knives can provide a safer boss fight.[/spoila]
When I'm farming, what is the general gameplay loop?
[spoil]Prebuff with Queen of Blades, Pinnacle, Beacon and Lethal Incision (if applicable), have Shadow Refuge on your left click and Scorpion Blade on your right. Make sure you attack enemies enough that Shadow Refuge is always up for the free Physical Resistance, and finish packs of mobs with Scorpion Blade. If you want to go full piano ssin mode, you can add Bloodbath into the rotation for more life after kill, but I find it wholly unnecessary.[/spoila]
It's taking me longer to farm than it should, why do you think that is?
[spoil]Poison damage functions as damage over time, meaning you should apply a lethal amount of damage to mobs and move on to start damaging the next pack. A lot of people will stand and attack a pack of mobs until it is dead, but it is a waste of time if you are using any damage over time abilities.
You should be playing ahead of the pack, meaning you poison a group, and while that group is dying, you run past them to poison the next group. Repeat until the dungeon is clear. This does take a lot of practice to get down well, mainly knowing where/when/how you can run through packs of mobs without dying, remember that Blink is your friend as well. You may have to backtrack to find loot that drops, but in the end you will save time if you play ahead of the pack, not behind it.[/spoila]
You can't kill bosses, don't fool me!
[spoil]This build indeed can, albeit slower than specs that are made to kill bosses. The videos from my 1.0 version of the guide still more or less show the ability to do so, albeit those are all going to be slower than current patch, due to buffs. You can follow this link and scroll to the bottom to see most vids.[/spoila]
Can I use item X instead of Y?
[spoil]You can do whatever you want, the skill kit includes a moderate amount of pierce, spell factor, and spell damage in itself. The gear I outlined in the guide isn't the end-all-be-all. In fact, in 1.0, I had a max block variant that could still one shot mobs in Duncraig/Teganze. Experimentation is fine, how I approached the guide/gearing is the most straight forward way I could think of.[/spoila]
Item X increases my character sheet damage by a ton, why shouldn't I use it?
[spoil]Poison damage is very easy to manipulate into giving absurd values on your character sheet, but it's a lie.[/spoila]
This build is really squish and I apparently didn't read that early in the guide even though it says it multiple times, what can I do?
[spoil]Most of the survivability from the build is going to depend on YOUR positioning relative to mobs and projectiles. Keep agile and dodge perpendicular to projectiles. Shadow Refuge is a great skill and that should be on your left click so you can keep up your free 50% physical resistance.
Beyond that, you can tweak the skill tree to make sure you can max Perfect Being and Prismatic Cloak and attempt to adjust your gear into having more life after kill, or attempt to make a max block variant.[/spoila]
Wow, this guide is the best! Can I support you?
[spoil]You can subscribe to my OnlyFans by following this link![/spoila]

Thank you for taking the time to put together this guide, there is often a high barrier of entry for mxl, and the ability for new players to just click on random updated/relevant guides definitely helps out.

Could you explain how the farming variant can "shotgun" bosses?
As far as I know, poison damage does not really stack from multiple applications (although it will prioritize the highest damage roll when multiple sources interact). I thought the whole point of the new lethal incision was to give Scorpion blade some scaling + single target.

CorralTheTroops wrote:Could you explain how the farming variant can "shotgun" bosses?
As far as I know, poison damage does not really stack from multiple applications (although it will prioritize the highest damage roll when multiple sources interact). I thought the whole point of the new lethal incision was to give Scorpion blade some scaling + single target.

So the thing about poison damage is that the first frame always hits with full damage (1/25 of the regular poison DPS). If you can shotgun with, say, 12 knives, that's 48% of your single knife poison DPS every hit. And at 7 FPA (3.57 attacks per second) x 12 knives you're at 171% of your poison DPS all told, added to the one poison that's actually running over time.

So 13+ knives actually does more damage than Lethal Incision, if you can stand still, facetank, and shotgun.

Siosilvar wrote:
CorralTheTroops wrote:Could you explain how the farming variant can "shotgun" bosses?
As far as I know, poison damage does not really stack from multiple applications (although it will prioritize the highest damage roll when multiple sources interact). I thought the whole point of the new lethal incision was to give Scorpion blade some scaling + single target.

So the thing about poison damage is that the first frame always hits with full damage (1/25 of the regular poison DPS). If you can shotgun with, say, 12 knives, that's 48% of your single knife poison DPS every hit. And at 7 FPA (3.57 attacks per second) x 12 knives you're at 171% of your poison DPS all told, added to the one poison that's actually running over time.

So 13+ knives actually does more damage than Lethal Incision, if you can stand still, facetank, and shotgun.

Thanks so much for explaining!
Can this be added to the poison damage wiki page? I guess there's a very real sense where Scorpion Blade is the only skill for which this makes a meaningful difference.
So in total you're doing about 2.7 times your Poison dps while standing still and face tanking. With specialisation mastery, lethal incision gets you pretty close at 2.55 times and can play defensively.

CorralTheTroops wrote:
Siosilvar wrote:
CorralTheTroops wrote:Could you explain how the farming variant can "shotgun" bosses?
As far as I know, poison damage does not really stack from multiple applications (although it will prioritize the highest damage roll when multiple sources interact). I thought the whole point of the new lethal incision was to give Scorpion blade some scaling + single target.

So the thing about poison damage is that the first frame always hits with full damage (1/25 of the regular poison DPS). If you can shotgun with, say, 12 knives, that's 48% of your single knife poison DPS every hit. And at 7 FPA (3.57 attacks per second) x 12 knives you're at 171% of your poison DPS all told, added to the one poison that's actually running over time.

So 13+ knives actually does more damage than Lethal Incision, if you can stand still, facetank, and shotgun.

Thanks so much for explaining!
Can this be added to the poison damage wiki page? I guess there's a very real sense where Scorpion Blade is the only skill for which this makes a meaningful difference.
So in total you're doing about 2.7 times your Poison dps while standing still and face tanking. With specialisation mastery, lethal incision gets you pretty close at 2.55 times and can play defensively.

While true, the main problem is that this build can't tank very well or for long periods of time, so LI more or less ends up quicker except for easy bosses like Butcher or act bosses, or fat asses like Azmo. Even then, there is no guarantee that *all* of your blades are going to hit, you usually lose some off the sides of the bosses. Also, the wiki page says Scorpion Blade doesn't scale with poison spell damage, but this is 100% false.

It didn't scale correctly. It's fixed this patch.

What I don't understand is how you can do Duncraig easily if the build is as squishy as you say.

Those barrels are really hard to spot 100% of the time, so aren't they going to get you - probably quite often?

Got this build to Act 2 normal & rerolled due to how unenjoyable it was.

Captcha wrote:What I don't understand is how you can do Duncraig easily if the build is as squishy as you say.

Those barrels are really hard to spot 100% of the time, so aren't they going to get you - probably quite often?

These barrels used to 1shot all builds, but the short answer is - don't get hit. I think op explained it already, you have high movespeed and blink, so it's up to you to avoid damage. This build is not for everyone, but some people enjoy this glasscannon style of play.

MeatSlinger3000 wrote:Got this build to Act 2 normal & rerolled due to how unenjoyable it was.

Come on man, you're playing the first level of tutorial and saying this build sucks. Revisit it later, when you have some gear, it will be completely different.