Reaper Endgame 11-6-3 bear

[Gilga1]

Post U45 bear became a true beast. Wolves have been hunted for extinction, and bears have taken their place at the top of the food chain.
Fun thing, there are a lot of top tier bear builds. Most are based on 11 barbarian levels, and on half orc or wood elf as race.
Half orc bear monk is also amazing, but the MRR cap hurts a lot.

The build I’m playing, object of this thread, is Scourge Barb 11 Cleric 6 Druid 3 in LD .

I chose this build because I wanted healings hands. I like to be able to save other party members when needed. I don't always do it, but the thought of being able to do it makes me look like a good person :D
So, scourge was a forced choice. In addition to hands, scourge provides some decent benefits like 5% doublestrike and some hamp. And Silvanus ofc.
Cleric 6 is mandatory for +2 threat range with mauls, and animal domain is always good for some extra hp.
Now, the ‘real’ choice was: 8-6-6 like the old tremor wolf or 11-6-3? I had no doubts: 11-6-3.
Dire bear is good for the extra strikethrough and you can get Greater Maul, but beyond that it offers no real benefits. Compared to barb 6, barb 11 offers +2% reduction, improved uncanny dodge and greater rage (including +10 melee power).

Character Sheet
Here are my self buffed stats in reaper. I have all the PLs and full reaper trees.

https://i.imgur.com/vnXKiFI.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/vnXKiFI.jpg)

Feats
This build is feat starved... you need the THF line to access Angry Arms and Mad Munitions in FB tree. I managed to keep Stunning blow and Completionist slotting melee alacrity on my gear setup.

Enhancements

https://i.imgur.com/bS3eORK.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/bS3eORK.jpg)


ED
I like LD, it’s so old school! And still solid despite the nerf. By far LD is the best destiny for this build: so many synergies! Haste boost is a huge boost for bears and +1 threat with x5 multi is gold.

https://i.imgur.com/lJiqMgr.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/lJiqMgr.jpg)

Fatesinger is the plan B and can be used for specific content.

Twists
Using a twist for strikethrough is questionable, but I like to have 200% in quest, mainly because multi target stun and trip.
So, while a “standard bear” twist setup is hymn, symmetric, meld and dance, I had to drop symmetric for a 4-3-3-1-1 setup: hymn, meld, malicious weapons, primal scream and dance.

Equipment
My current setup is:
Helm Legendary Executioner's Helm (Insightful Deception +7, Relentless Fury, Seeker 17, Quality Combat Mastery +4, Reaper stats)
Goggles Legendary Precision Lenses (Manslayer, Insightful Strength +9, Melee Alacrity 15%, Action Boost Enhancement)
Necklace The Family’s Blessing (Quality Assassinate +2, Insightful Armor-Piercing - 16%, Deadly +17, Doublestrike 24%)
Trinket Echo of Ravenkind (Eternal Holy Burst, True Seeing, Constitution +20, Improved Deception)
Armor Legendary Enforcer's Coat (+15 Enhancement Bonus, Fortification +214%, Physical Sheltering +54, Competence Healing Amplification +85, Hit Points +81)
Cloak Charune, Grand Burden of Fury (Strength +22, Quality Seeker +5, Armor-Piercing - 36%, Raging Strength 3)
Wrist Legendary Sunken Chains (Quality Strength +5, Insightful Seeker +10, Shatter +23, Stunning +23)
Belt SL (Wisdom +17, Deception +14, Shatter +20, Quality PRR +11)
Ring Legendary Band of Insightful Commands (Profane Well Rounded +2, Insightful Accuracy +13, Quality Deadly +4, Intimidate +22)
Ring Circle of Malevolence (Improved Harm 3 /Day, Resistance +14, Vitality +60, Insightful Sheltering +23, Intimidate +25, Incite +53)
Gloves Legendary Hammerfist (Insightful Doublestrike 11%, Cannith Combat Infusion, Seeker 21, Insightful Deadly +8)
Boots SL (Sheltering +45, Accuracy +28, Vertigo +20, Quality Constitution +4)
As always, I consider super important reaper/mythic boosts on items, especially melee power for melees. So i did choose my equiq according to the boosted items I have.
In example, I have +6 melee power on Ravenkind so - for my bear - Ravenkind is a nice option.

Weapon damage and critical profile
This is where this build really shines! 16-18 x5 19-20 x7 critical profile, coupled with huge weapon damage. Compared to Tail, Tremor is 1d10+6 vs 2d4+4. If you add a lot of +W (Raging blows, Dance of Flowers, Crazy Strike, Improved Power Attack, Combat Brute....) the difference becomes even more significant.

Doublestrike
Another strong point of this build compared to half orc bears. Wood elf bears have good doublestrike too but they need quality doublestrike on trinket to come close to 100%.
I have 98% standing. 103% with cannith combat infusion proc.

Melee Power
No tier 4 nature warrior means that this split is 12 mp behind vs bear splits with more druid levels. Anyway, on this build I have 333 sustained melee power counting full stacks blitz. 383 with prowess (haste boost). Melee power is good.

Strikethrough
My goal was 200% strikethrough but sadly Natural fighting is 120% only and PTHF does nothing for bears. So Angry Arms and Mad Munitions are needed (20%+20%) and the remaining 20% comes from Malicious Weapons twist. 3 feats and a twist are a big sacrifice, but it’s worth it imho.

Fort bypass
Solid. 83% standing +20% Cracking attack +15% destruction +20% weaken undead

Tactics
Dire charge is no fail. Stunning blow and Trip are no fail almost everywhere. In Sharn I need to activate Ancient Tactics or to swap gear to reach no fail DCs.

Defenses
My gear setup is offense oriented: I have no insightful Constitution slotted (except the +2 augment), I have no parrying.
Hp are good, Animal domain helps. PRR is solid. MRR is decent, lower than pally ofc. 6% damage reduction is a nice addition.
Saves are ****. You have to live with it.
Improved uncanny dodge + Flight is like a second meld. Absolutly awesome to have.
In close quarters fights bear is more survivable than pally.

Playstlyle and fun factor
Imo bear is fun to play. It’s a click intensive build: every 60 seconds you need to deactivate/reactivate a lot of things. A lot! In addition to the basics (Divine might swap, frenzy, blood feast swap, displacement) there are some options like Animal Growth clickies (almost inexepensive, no larges are needed) and Divine Power clickies.
This build has useful active attacks (the amazing Cracking attack, Smite foe to get immediatly 4-7 stacks of vulnerability, Maul to grab aggro, tactics for cc etc).
On the defensive side you can count on the 1000 temp hp proc from Blood feast and on “nearly immortal” moments with meld and improved uncanny dodge + flight. Not to mention Thick skinned.

Feel free to ask for more informations :)

[tc12]

Tactics
Dire charge is no fail. Stunning blow and Trip are no fail almost everywhere. In Sharn I need to activate Ancient Tactics or to swap gear to reach no fail DCs.


So what is that Stunning Blow DC in the 'no fail almost everywhere' setup?

[Gilga1]

So what is that Stunning Blow DC in the 'no fail almost everywhere' setup?

Stunning Blow DC: 10 +56 Str Modifier +23 Stunning Item +4 Quality Combat Mastery +16 Divine Might +3 Fighter PL +6 Legendary Tactics +2 Tactician +2 Unusual Tactics +1 Guild Buff +4 Reaper = 127

Ancient Tactics active PL +6 = 133

Please note that you could also swap to a full CHA sentient weapon before activating Divine Might for a +2 increase.
I still have lag issues with weapon swaps so atm I'm just using Blood feast as swap. I hope U46 patch 2 will fix that.

As I wrote in another post a few weeks ago, imo melee tactics with strikethrough are overperforming. I'm playing a small bear, bigger bears have also access to Greater Maul.

[Mindos]

I used to play a Ranger Tempest because it could hit 4 targets at once with Dance of Death. Then they nerfed it when they came out with strikethrough, and it only hits 3 now. Then I see builds like this that do everything my Tempest could do but better. This is really impressive.

So the filigree set gives 1000 temp hp per barbarian rage, but what about LGS 1000 temp hp? Do those two stack?

[Gilga1]

I used to play a Ranger Tempest because it could hit 4 targets at once with Dance of Death. Then they nerfed it when they came out with strikethrough, and it only hits 3 now. Then I see builds like this that do everything my Tempest could do but better.

I totally understand. I see no reasons to play twf or swf builds except assassins.


So the filigree set gives 1000 temp hp per barbarian rage, but what about LGS 1000 temp hp? Do those two stack?

Yup, both stack.

[mraz]

looks awesome! but this is the reason why im not interested in this game anymore cause as soon as someone post an awesome build like this devs nerf it to the ground. happened so many times before and it will happen again.

[Quikster]

Stunning Blow DC: 10 +56 Str Modifier +23 Stunning Item +4 Quality Combat Mastery +16 Divine Might +3 Fighter PL +6 Legendary Tactics +2 Tactician +2 Unusual Tactics +1 Guild Buff +4 Reaper = 127

Ancient Tactics active PL +6 = 133

Please note that you could also swap to a full CHA sentient weapon before activating Divine Might for a +2 increase.
I still have lag issues with weapon swaps so atm I'm just using Blood feast as swap. I hope U46 patch 2 will fix that.

As I wrote in another post a few weeks ago, imo melee tactics with strikethrough are overperforming. I'm playing a small bear, bigger bears have also access to Greater Maul.

Interesting that you are still having lag issues. I haven’t had problems with my 20 barb. Weapon swapping can be delayed sometimes but I’m not getting any lag any more. Horc 20 barb. Swap for the extra 2k hp mostly.

[Seljuck]

Post U45 bear became a true beast. Wolves have been hunted for extinction, and bears have taken their place at the top of the food chain.
[..]

I play with quite similar build , 9 drd, 5brb, 6clr and I have to admit, for trash and orange named opponents,where strikethrough works, bear is far more superior.

But for red named/raid bosses im not so sure. It feals like white wolf is much better on a single target that cannot be stunned. Faster animation and 20 more attack speed gives nice dmg output even considerring you don't have strenght mod x3.

I'm to lazy to do math for that :) but my personal testings and feelings tells me that wolf still have some potencial and is better at that task.

[Komradkillingmachine]

But for red named/raid bosses im not so sure. It feels like white wolf is much better on a single target that cannot be stunned. Faster animation and 20 more attack speed gives nice dmg output even considering you don't have strength mod x3.

I'm to lazy to do math for that :) but my personal testings and feelings tells me that wolf still have some potential and is better at that task.

Just ask Tronko to teach you how attack quicker.

[Seljuck]

Just ask Tronko to teach you how attack quicker.

Wolf can twitch too ;) so nothing to learn..

My current wolf stats, self buffed. Note that I dont have all R points, im far from racial completionist and dont have so many items with mythic/reaper MP boost :)

https://i.paste.pics/3188767df4b95d5c4eb0fa7059af0a40.png
https://i.paste.pics/db6ca0b504d6de1e23edfe5b8234018b.png

[Gilga1]

Interesting that you are still having lag issues. I haven’t had problems with my 20 barb. Weapon swapping can be delayed sometimes but I’m not getting any lag any more. Horc 20 barb. Swap for the extra 2k hp mostly.

I think the issue can be related to the fact that I live in Italy and not in the USA. A lot of italian players I know have similar problems, but the american guys I play with only experience some light delay during swaps.


...my personal testings and feelings tells me that wolf still have some potencial and is better at that task.

Hey, wolf is not that bad... x1 stat to damage is terrible but you can rely on some sneak damage and good innate attacks.
Problem is, imho, that in general content not having strikethrough is a huge handicap compared to the current meta builds.
I'm sure some specialized single target dps builds can still contribute. Assassin is strong, wolf can be viable.

[Thrudh]

improved uncanny dodge + flight.

What is "flight"? Thanks

[Gilga1]

What is "flight"? Thanks

Nature's Warrior tree tier 2. Flight: Gain +20% Dodge for [10/20/30] seconds. (Activation Cost: 1 Wild Empathy. Cooldown: 90 seconds)

[Seljuck]

Twists
Using a twist for strikethrough is questionable, but I like to have 200% in quest, mainly because multi target stun and trip.
So, while a “standard bear” twist setup is hymn, symmetric, meld and dance, I had to drop symmetric for a 4-3-3-1-1 setup: hymn, meld, malicious weapons, primal scream and dance.


Isn't Sense Weakness worth taking anymore?

[Gilga1]

Isn't Sense Weakness worth taking anymore?

In my opinion, Martial hymn and Symmetric strikes are better options. Nowadays, dps is so high that helpless mobs are almost instantly killed. Hymn is +1 Strength +1 Dexterity +1 Wisdom +2 Sneak Dice +20 Hit Points +10 PRR and MRR, +5 AC and +10 Melee Power. My bear has +80% vs helpless. I prefer hymn to 30% extra damage vs helpless mobs.

[zimmer23]

Feats
This build is feat starved... you need the THF line to access Angry Arms and Mad Munitions in FB tree. I managed to keep Stunning blow and Completionist slotting melee alacrity on my gear setup.



Would you mind sharing your feat breakdown and/or class level breakdown? Returning to the game after a lengthy break so still getting back into the swing of things.

Thanks!

[Gilga1]

Would you mind sharing your feat breakdown and/or class level breakdown? Returning to the game after a lengthy break so still getting back into the swing of things.

Hey, sure. Feats are: 1) THF 3) Completionist 6) Natural Fighting 9) Natural Fighting 12) Natural Fighting 15) IC Slashing 18) Power Attack 21) Overwhelming Critical 24) Stunning Blow 26) Perfect TWF 27) Improved THF 28) Tactician 30) Greater THF L) Arborea
You will need to respec the FB tree at level 30 to grab Mad Munitions (requires GTHF).
As for levels, a +1 heart is needed to drop the ranger level. I left cleric last.
Natural Fighting requires Druid 3. I used sos/esoss as weapon until Tremor.

[zimmer23]

Hey, sure. Feats are: 1) THF 3) Completionist 6) Natural Fighting 9) Natural Fighting 12) Natural Fighting 15) IC Slashing 18) Power Attack 21) Overwhelming Critical 24) Stunning Blow 26) Perfect TWF 27) Improved THF 28) Tactician 30) Greater THF L) Arborea
You will need to respec the FB tree at level 30 to grab Mad Munitions (requires GTHF).
As for levels, a +1 heart is needed to drop the ranger level. I left cleric last.
Natural Fighting requires Druid 3. I used sos/esoss as weapon until Tremor.


Thanks for the info. I'm curious to why IC Slashing was selected? I guess if you were using sos/esos to level. Would you respec for Bludgeoning at 30?

Also, THF/TWF feats don't work on Bear correct? That's just taken for access in FB tree? This is also true for Perfect THF/TWF?

Thanks!

[Gilga1]

Thanks for the info. I'm curious to why IC Slashing was selected? I guess if you were using sos/esos to level. Would you respec for Bludgeoning at 30?

Yup, I used sos/esos to level. Tremor has impact, so respec is not needed.



Also, THF/TWF feats don't work on Bear correct? That's just taken for access in FB tree? This is also true for Perfect THF/TWF?
Thanks!

Yes. THF feats are just prerequisites. PTHF does nothing for bears. PTWF gives 5% doublestrike as usual.

[Aglabac]

Hey, sure. Feats are: 1) THF 3) Completionist 6) Natural Fighting 9) Natural Fighting 12) Natural Fighting 15) IC Slashing 18) Power Attack 21) Overwhelming Critical 24) Stunning Blow 26) Perfect TWF 27) Improved THF 28) Tactician 30) Greater THF L) Arborea
You will need to respec the FB tree at level 30 to grab Mad Munitions (requires GTHF).
As for levels, a +1 heart is needed to drop the ranger level. I left cleric last.
Natural Fighting requires Druid 3. I used sos/esoss as weapon until Tremor.

Could u detail ur build for just heroic, I would like to use ur build for grinding Racial Past Life. what class for each level? I imagine first lvl barb...If I understand previous message I wont need THF tree, right? I´m a bit lost, but I want a melee build (and ur build seems really strong)
Starting stats please

[Soulfurnace]

Could u detail ur build for just heroic, I would like to use ur build for grinding Racial Past Life. what class for each level? If I understand previous message I wont need THF tree, right? I´m a bit lost, but I want a melee build (and ur build seems really strong)
This particular build is an "Iconic". It CANNOT give racial past lives.

You can do similar for racial past lives, but ANY race that can give a racial past life is unable to be "sylvanus", aka the entire point of this bear split.

For racials, something like 11/4/5 might be better
Take 2 barb, 3 druid, 1 cleric, then 9 barb, 1 druid, rest cleric.
2 barb for blood tribute, 3 druid for natural fighting, 1 cleric for nightshield/PFE, 9 barb for 11 barb "upgraded" rage, 1 druid for fatal harrier, rest cleric for the fun of it.
That sort of bear is also viable at cap, but the 11/6/3 doesn't make sense for racial past lives. You don't get the damage buff.

[Aglabac]

This particular build is an "Iconic". It CANNOT give racial past lives.

You can do similar for racial past lives, but ANY race that can give a racial past life is unable to be "sylvanus", aka the entire point of this bear split.

For racials, something like 11/4/5 might be better
Take 2 barb, 3 druid, 1 cleric, then 9 barb, 1 druid, rest cleric.
2 barb for blood tribute, 3 druid for natural fighting, 1 cleric for nightshield/PFE, 9 barb for 11 barb "upgraded" rage, 1 druid for fatal harrier, rest cleric for the fun of it.
That sort of bear is also viable at cap, but the 11/6/3 doesn't make sense for racial past lives. You don't get the damage buff.

Ty a lot for ur clear and quick answer. U helped me. Let me a last question maybe u can clarify my way for next Racial lives:
Is a pure palad?*n (or some splash) a better option for a melee nowadays?

[Soulfurnace]

Ty a lot for ur clear and quick answer. U helped me. Let me a last question maybe u can clarify my way for next Racial lives:
Is a pure palad?*n (or some splash) a better option for a melee nowadays?
Pure paladin is fine, but typically bear or barb is better in heroics. A lot of paladin is back-ended, so they kinda suck to level. Doable, but not great.

[tpbtoc]

How is the self healing on this build besides the LoH?

[Gilga1]

How is the self healing on this build besides the LoH?

Hey, in high skulls this build is not able to self heal at all. Healing hands are useless for self healing. Save your hands to save your party members ;)

[Thrudh]

Hey, in high skulls this build is not able to self heal at all. Healing hands are useless for self healing. Save your hands to save your party members ;)

Yes, the trick with this kind of build at end-game in high reaper is temp hp.

Hit Displacement clickable
Swap to a sentient item with the Prowess Set and get 1000 temp hp when you rage
Dire Charge the mobs with a LGS Affirmation item in hand to get another 1000 temp hp (usually procs right away)
Switch to real weapon and go to town
Blood Tribute gives another 400 temp hp

With Dire Charge and Stunning Blow and Roar (with at least two stacks of Killer Instinct), you can keep a lot of opposing mobs stunned.

The few that can swing back will hit you, but your temp hp will absorb a lot of that, and if you get in trouble, you can hit Meld or Uncanny Improved Dodge.

After a fight or two, you'll have to dismiss rage, cast lessor restoration on yourself, and reapply everything.

If you're just looking for racial TRs, I suggest 12/8 Druid/Barb... I'm doing a half-orc 12/8 Druid/Barb right now, and it's pretty fun... I'm using the Druid T5 enhancements for a change of pace... I like the Bear Charge to knock everything down.

But yes, for end-game high reaper, this 11/6/3 build looks very good. My 12/7/1 barb/cleric/fighter PDK was rock-solid in end-game high reaper, but I was interested in adding bear to it, and this build design looks good.

I'm doing the 12/8 druid/barb right now for a racial PL (and to play with bear for the first time), then I may try this build. Lots of different attacks though to keep track of when you add in Bear.

Gilga, do you use the stun from Roar at all?? I love the ability. Seems to have a HUGE AOE range. Probably the main reason I would splash bear.

[Gilga1]

Gilga, do you use the stun from Roar at all?? I love the ability. Seems to have a HUGE AOE range. Probably the main reason I would splash bear.

No. Dire charge, stunning blow and trip were my only source of cc.

[Thrudh]

No. Dire charge, stunning blow and trip were my only source of cc.

Yeah that makes sense... I'm still leveling my bear, so I don't have Dire Charge yet... so I'm using stunning blow, greater maul, and roar...

But setting up roar is a bit of a pain, you have to use Shred and Maul first...

These kind of builds have a lot of hot buttons already...

So I can see ignoring it, especially at cap once one has Dire Charge.

[Soulfurnace]

Save your hands to save your party members ;)

Save them? I use my LOH to make creepy-ish remarks to my party members, about putting my hands on them.
I think we're doing it differently...

[tpbtoc]

Hey, in high skulls this build is not able to self heal at all. Healing hands are useless for self healing. Save your hands to save your party members ;)

That's true. I was looking at bear builds. The 18 bear 1 Fig 1 Fvs is great for healing people, but the DPS can't be compared to the 11/6/3 split. Damage is so much higher but even on hard raids you have to rely on the healers. Choices.

Btw, how much % dps is the difference between the 2 builds?

[Gilga1]

Btw, how much % dps is the difference between the 2 builds?

The dps difference is big imho.
18-1-1 best option is Tail, so 2d4+4 base dice and 15-18 x3 19-20 x5 crit profile
11-6-3 uses Tremor, so 1d10+6 base dice and 16-18 x5 19-20 x7 crit profile
Also, FB provides +3W and 20% more fort bypass.

[tpbtoc]

The dps difference is big imho.
18-1-1 best option is Tail, so 2d4+4 base dice and 15-18 x3 19-20 x5 crit profile
11-6-3 uses Tremor, so 1d10+6 base dice and 16-18 x5 19-20 x7 crit profile
Also, FB provides +3W and 20% more fort bypass.

No doubt much higher

[henttarl]

Post U45 bear became a true beast. Wolves have been hunted for extinction, and bears have taken their place at the top of the food chain.
Fun thing, there are a lot of top tier bear builds. Most are based on 11 barbarian levels, and on half orc or wood elf as race.
Half orc bear monk is also amazing, but the MRR cap hurts a lot.

The build I’m playing, object of this thread, is Scourge Barb 11 Cleric 6 Druid 3 in LD .

I chose this build because I wanted healings hands. I like to be able to save other party members when needed. I don't always do it, but the thought of being able to do it makes me look like a good person :D
So, scourge was a forced choice. In addition to hands, scourge provides some decent benefits like 5% doublestrike and some hamp. And Silvanus ofc.
Cleric 6 is mandatory for +2 threat range with mauls, and animal domain is always good for some extra hp.
Now, the ‘real’ choice was: 8-6-6 like the old tremor wolf or 11-6-3? I had no doubts: 11-6-3.
Dire bear is good for the extra strikethrough and you can get Greater Maul, but beyond that it offers no real benefits. Compared to barb 6, barb 11 offers +2% reduction, improved uncanny dodge and greater rage (including +10 melee power).

Character Sheet
Here are my self buffed stats in reaper. I have all the PLs and full reaper trees.

https://i.imgur.com/vnXKiFI.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/vnXKiFI.jpg)

Feats
This build is feat starved... you need the THF line to access Angry Arms and Mad Munitions in FB tree. I managed to keep Stunning blow and Completionist slotting melee alacrity on my gear setup.

Enhancements

https://i.imgur.com/bS3eORK.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/bS3eORK.jpg)


ED
I like LD, it’s so old school! And still solid despite the nerf. By far LD is the best destiny for this build: so many synergies! Haste boost is a huge boost for bears and +1 threat with x5 multi is gold.

https://i.imgur.com/lJiqMgr.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/lJiqMgr.jpg)

Fatesinger is the plan B and can be used for specific content.

Twists
Using a twist for strikethrough is questionable, but I like to have 200% in quest, mainly because multi target stun and trip.
So, while a “standard bear” twist setup is hymn, symmetric, meld and dance, I had to drop symmetric for a 4-3-3-1-1 setup: hymn, meld, malicious weapons, primal scream and dance.

Equipment
My current setup is:
Helm Legendary Executioner's Helm (Insightful Deception +7, Relentless Fury, Seeker 17, Quality Combat Mastery +4, Reaper stats)
Goggles Legendary Precision Lenses (Manslayer, Insightful Strength +9, Melee Alacrity 15%, Action Boost Enhancement)
Necklace The Family’s Blessing (Quality Assassinate +2, Insightful Armor-Piercing - 16%, Deadly +17, Doublestrike 24%)
Trinket Echo of Ravenkind (Eternal Holy Burst, True Seeing, Constitution +20, Improved Deception)
Armor Legendary Enforcer's Coat (+15 Enhancement Bonus, Fortification +214%, Physical Sheltering +54, Competence Healing Amplification +85, Hit Points +81)
Cloak Charune, Grand Burden of Fury (Strength +22, Quality Seeker +5, Armor-Piercing - 36%, Raging Strength 3)
Wrist Legendary Sunken Chains (Quality Strength +5, Insightful Seeker +10, Shatter +23, Stunning +23)
Belt SL (Wisdom +17, Deception +14, Shatter +20, Quality PRR +11)
Ring Legendary Band of Insightful Commands (Profane Well Rounded +2, Insightful Accuracy +13, Quality Deadly +4, Intimidate +22)
Ring Circle of Malevolence (Improved Harm 3 /Day, Resistance +14, Vitality +60, Insightful Sheltering +23, Intimidate +25, Incite +53)
Gloves Legendary Hammerfist (Insightful Doublestrike 11%, Cannith Combat Infusion, Seeker 21, Insightful Deadly +8)
Boots SL (Sheltering +45, Accuracy +28, Vertigo +20, Quality Constitution +4)
As always, I consider super important reaper/mythic boosts on items, especially melee power for melees. So i did choose my equiq according to the boosted items I have.
In example, I have +6 melee power on Ravenkind so - for my bear - Ravenkind is a nice option.

Weapon damage and critical profile
This is where this build really shines! 16-18 x5 19-20 x7 critical profile, coupled with huge weapon damage. Compared to Tail, Tremor is 1d10+6 vs 2d4+4. If you add a lot of +W (Raging blows, Dance of Flowers, Crazy Strike, Improved Power Attack, Combat Brute....) the difference becomes even more significant.

Doublestrike
Another strong point of this build compared to half orc bears. Wood elf bears have good doublestrike too but they need quality doublestrike on trinket to come close to 100%.
I have 98% standing. 103% with cannith combat infusion proc.

Melee Power
No tier 4 nature warrior means that this split is 12 mp behind vs bear splits with more druid levels. Anyway, on this build I have 333 sustained melee power counting full stacks blitz. 383 with prowess (haste boost). Melee power is good.

Strikethrough
My goal was 200% strikethrough but sadly Natural fighting is 120% only and PTHF does nothing for bears. So Angry Arms and Mad Munitions are needed (20%+20%) and the remaining 20% comes from Malicious Weapons twist. 3 feats and a twist are a big sacrifice, but it’s worth it imho.

Fort bypass
Solid. 83% standing +20% Cracking attack +15% destruction +20% weaken undead

Tactics
Dire charge is no fail. Stunning blow and Trip are no fail almost everywhere. In Sharn I need to activate Ancient Tactics or to swap gear to reach no fail DCs.

Defenses
My gear setup is offense oriented: I have no insightful Constitution slotted (except the +2 augment), I have no parrying.
Hp are good, Animal domain helps. PRR is solid. MRR is decent, lower than pally ofc. 6% damage reduction is a nice addition.
Saves are ****. You have to live with it.
Improved uncanny dodge + Flight is like a second meld. Absolutely awesome to have.
In close quarters fights bear is more survivable than pally.

Playstlyle and fun factor
Imo bear is fun to play. It’s a click intensive build: every 60 seconds you need to deactivate/reactivate a lot of things. A lot! In addition to the basics (Divine might swap, frenzy, blood feast swap, displacement) there are some options like Animal Growth clickies (almost inexepensive, no larges are needed) and Divine Power clickies.
This build has useful active attacks (the amazing Cracking attack, Smite foe to get immediatly 4-7 stacks of vulnerability, Maul to grab aggro, tactics for cc etc).
On the defensive side you can count on the 1000 temp hp proc from Blood feast and on “nearly immortal” moments with meld and improved uncanny dodge + flight. Not to mention Thick skinned.

Feel free to ask for more informations :)

First of all thanks for sharing this with us because i just hit 30 today and the DPS is extremely superior to other 'top' melee builds i have been testing lately (PDK paladin, horc bear, etc) the bear damage paired with god-like silvanus berserker crit profile + pulverizer really feels like the best melee i've played ever, that being said i have a couple of questions:

How do you feel about the number of crits you get on high reapers? i feel like i'm getting low number of crits, although i have a few less fort bypass (20%) due to adapting your gearset to what i have/enjoy wearing, I use the reaper 15% fort bypass cause i got 100% base DS so that makes it a 73% for me most of the time.
Have you considered strength domain to get +2 str & str bonus to reflex saves, at the cost of 160 hp?
also why not removing 20% hamp from aasimar to 50% strikethrough on vorpals, that on my experience procs all the time while playing, looks like a good trade-off for me


Thanks in advance for responding and keep up with your awesome build threads!

Hent

[Gilga1]

How do you feel about the number of crits you get on high reapers? i feel like i'm getting low number of crits, although i have a few less fort bypass (20%) due to adapting your gearset to what i have/enjoy wearing, I use the reaper 15% fort bypass cause i got 100% base DS so that makes it a 73% for me most of the time.

I found that my 83% standing +20% Cracking attack +15% destruction +15% reaper boost +20% vs undead was good enough.
Please note I didn't use to solo with this build, so including party members Expose weakness gives 50% more, Sunder gives 25% more etc...


Have you considered strength domain to get +2 str & str bonus to reflex saves, at the cost of 160 hp?

Strength domain gives +2+3 STR, so it's a valid option. I prefer 160 base hp since I already dropped insightful Constitution in my gear setup.


also why not removing 20% hamp from aasimar to 50% strikethrough on vorpals, that on my experience procs all the time while playing, looks like a good trade-off for me

I didn't invested points in the scourge tree... 14 points are "free" . If you want Focus Wide, probably the best option is to drop Improved Power Attack from ravager.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, have fun!

[henttarl]

I found that my 83% standing +20% Cracking attack +15% destruction +15% reaper boost +20% vs undead was good enough.
Please note I didn't use to solo with this build, so including party members Expose weakness gives 50% more, Sunder gives 25% more etc...



Strength domain gives +2+3 STR, so it's a valid option. I prefer 160 base hp since I already dropped insightful Constitution in my gear setup.



I didn't invested points in the scourge tree... 14 points are "free" . If you want Focus Wide, probably the best option is to drop Improved Power Attack from ravager.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, have fun!

Oh yeah forgot i still need couple racial lifes.. my bad
yup animal domain may be better honestly.

Do you mean you are not running this build anymore? if not what is your next killer?

[Gilga1]

Do you mean you are not running this build anymore? if not what is your next killer?

Right now, I’m playing a bear tank, 18-2... not so much a killer but I like it :)

[henttarl]

Right now, I’m playing a bear tank, 18-2... not so much a killer but I like it :)

you are playing a defensive oriented dps/hate tank i guess? with lots of AC and PRR and not-so-bad dps.

[Gilga1]

you are playing a defensive oriented dps/hate tank i guess? with lots of AC and PRR and not-so-bad dps.

Ehm no, dps is bad :) The focus is tank/healing/cc/buffs-debuffs.

[tpbtoc]

Ehm no, dps is bad :) The focus is tank/healing/cc/buffs-debuffs.

Talking about bear tanks, do you how shield feats and US buffs work on a bear wearing shield? Did you take shield feats?

[Gilga1]

Talking about bear tanks, do you how shield feats and US buffs work on a bear wearing shield? Did you take shield feats?

Shield mastery feats does not function in animal form. To be honest, I usually don’t take shield mastery/improved shield mastery in my tank builds anyway... 2 feats for 10/15 PRR, no thanks ;)

[unbongwah]

Talking about bear tanks, do you how shield feats and US buffs work on a bear wearing shield? Did you take shield feats?
Passive shield bonuses apply so something like Shield Prowess should work. But the shield mastery feats do nothing and you can't shield-bash in animal forms. Not sure about Shield Deflection.

[SouCarioca]

Hey, sure. Feats are: 1) THF 3) Completionist 6) Natural Fighting 9) Natural Fighting 12) Natural Fighting 15) IC Slashing 18) Power Attack 21) Overwhelming Critical 24) Stunning Blow 26) Perfect TWF 27) Improved THF 28) Tactician 30) Greater THF L) Arborea
You will need to respec the FB tree at level 30 to grab Mad Munitions (requires GTHF).
As for levels, a +1 heart is needed to drop the ranger level. I left cleric last.
Natural Fighting requires Druid 3. I used sos/esoss as weapon until Tremor.

I thought Bear needed to have IC Bludgeoning because no matter the weapon in hand, in Bear form you are considered unarmed. No?

[unbongwah]

I thought Bear needed to have IC Bludgeoning because no matter the weapon in hand, in Bear form you are considered unarmed. No?
That was the old days. Now you take the feat which matches your equipped weapon.

[SouCarioca]

That was the old days. Now you take the feat which matches your equipped weapon.

Ahhhh... Thanks. I read up the Wiki for a build I posted in Custom with Barbarian and Druid, and the links sent me to a thread that pounded the IC Bludgeoning thing into the reader's mind. I wonder if I have any other surprises awaiting me. I assume Occult Metalline would be useless for Druid Bear still, or...?

[Vissarion]

Hey Gilga, a bit off topic, but what's the split on the bear monk you mention in the OP?

[Stormraiser]

Playstlyle and fun factor
Imo bear is fun to play. It’s a click intensive build: every 60 seconds you need to deactivate/reactivate a lot of things. A lot! In addition to the basics (Divine might swap, frenzy, blood feast swap, displacement) there are some options like Animal Growth clickies (almost inexepensive, no larges are needed) and Divine Power clickies.
This build has useful active attacks (the amazing Cracking attack, Smite foe to get immediatly 4-7 stacks of vulnerability, Maul to grab aggro, tactics for cc etc).
On the defensive side you can count on the 1000 temp hp proc from Blood feast and on “nearly immortal” moments with meld and improved uncanny dodge + flight. Not to mention Thick skinned.

Feel free to ask for more informations :)

How would go about reducing the number of clicks and what's the drop-off in efficiency?

[unbongwah]

I assume Occult Metalline would be useless for Druid Bear still, or...?
Dunno but for this build it doesn't matter; it's all about taking advantage of Focused Wrath's +2 crit multiplier. OP mentions taking IC:Slash for SOS/eSOS while leveling, then switching to Tremor (https://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Tremor,_the_Breaker_of_Bones) for levels 28+. Since Tremor has Impact, you don't need IC:Blunt; and IC:Slash qualifies for Overwhelming Critical.

This is one of those builds which is fine-tuned for specific gear so if you're using a different set you need to adjust the build accordingly.

[Gilga1]

How would go about reducing the number of clicks and what's the drop-off in efficiency?

Divine might swap, frenzy, blood feast swap and displacement clickies are mandatory imho. You can skip the remaining buffs.

Cracking attack is +2W and 20% Fort bypass, you have to use it. Always every 12 seconds.
You can skip the rest if your party brings CC and vulnerability :)

[tipav]

My goal was 200% strikethrough but sadly Natural fighting is 120% only and PTHF does nothing for bears. So Angry Arms and Mad Munitions are needed (20%+20%) and the remaining 20% comes from Malicious Weapons twist. 3 feats and a twist are a big sacrifice, but it’s worth it imho.


Why do you say that perfect THF does nothing for bear ? I read it multiple times, and I see nothing saying it does not work for bear.

Thanks in advance for the clarification.

And all my thanks for the sharing. :)

[Gilga1]

Why do you say that perfect THF does nothing for bear ? I read it multiple times, and I see nothing saying it does not work for bear.

PTHF doesn’t work on bears at all. Why? I don't know, I'm not a dev and I have no idea if that was their intention...
But actually PTHF only activates when two handed fighting.

[unbongwah]

Why do you say that perfect THF does nothing for bear ?
Perfect Two Handed Fighting: "While two-handed fighting: You gain +30% Strikethrough chance. You also gain a +10 Combat Style bonus to Melee Power while two-handed fighting."

Animal forms do not count as two-handed fighting even if you have a 2H weapon equipped.

[tipav]

Perfect Two Handed Fighting: "While two-handed fighting: You gain +30% Strikethrough chance. You also gain a +10 Combat Style bonus to Melee Power while two-handed fighting."

Animal forms do not count as two-handed fighting even if you have a 2H weapon equipped.

Ty for the reply.

[xBunny]

The build I’m playing, object of this thread, is Scourge Barb 11 Cleric 6 Druid 3 in LD .

Cleric 6 is mandatory for +2 threat range with mauls, and animal domain is always good for some extra hp.


Sorry for naive question, I have very little experience with druid bears. What is druid 3 for in these builds. What is bear for in silvanus build? Strikesthrough chance is lower for bear from NFx3 feats line afaik taking into account PTH do not apply. Is this +10% ac and some bonuses to rage and defensive stance? Wouldn't 12 Barb\6 cleric\2 whatever be performing same well too? 12 Barb Frenzied Toughness will give 60 more hp 20hamp and 10prr to catch up one we loose not taking bear levels NP enchantments on cost of 2prr 12mrr 16hp. 2Ftr gives you 2 feats, +3 to hit 4 to dmg from enchantments and haste boost, should nearly compensate 2 str loss from bear + 2str and 2 dmg lost from Rams Might. Also can wear heavy Armour without breaking druids Oath.

Also do you happen to know if cleric Destruction Domain make possible to cast Cocoon while raged?

[Soulfurnace]

Sorry for naive question, I have very little experience with druid bears. What is druid 3 for in these builds. What is bear for in silvanus build? Strikesthrough chance is lower for bear from NFx3 feats line afaik taking into account PTH do not apply. Is this +10% ac and some bonuses to rage and defensive stance? Wouldn't 12 Barb\6 cleric\2 whatever be performing same well too? 12 Barb Frenzied Toughness will give 60 more hp 20hamp and 10prr to catch up one we loose not taking bear levels NP enchantments on cost of 2prr 12mrr 16hp. 2Ftr gives you 2 feats, +3 to hit 4 to dmg from enchantments and haste boost, should nearly compensate 2 str loss from bear + 2str and 2 dmg lost from Rams Might. Also can wear heavy Armour without breaking druids Oath.

Also do you happen to know if cleric Destruction Domain make possible to cast Cocoon while raged?
a) Heavy armour on a barb is a bad idea. With 11 barb, you get a bonus to prr from med armour
b) The 12/6/2 those defences are not worth the extra damage lost.
c) It's 10 melee power lost from natures protector
d) You'd lose flight, which works as a defensive clicky
e) Bear attack speed allows twitch fighting, whereas you can't twitch fight with THF any more - that's a definite nerf THF took.

Edit: Oh, and natural fighting feats also give melee power.