Hey Exiles! Are you ready to smash your way through the 3.23 Affliction League with the best melee league starter around? Let's dive into the world of the Boneshatter Juggernaut, from its exceptional clear and movement speed to its formidable tankiness.  Dive into the world of trauma stacking, learn about the essentials of gearing, and get ready to face bosses with confidence.

 

• Why Boneshatter Juggernaut?
• PoB Link
• Leveling and Early Progression
• Transition to BoneShatter
• Ascendancy
• Skill Tree Progression
• Basic Gear
• Skills and Links
• End-Game
• Final Thoughts

 

↖ Why Boneshatter Juggernaut?

• Clear & Movement: Exceptional clear speed and agility.
• Tankiness: Built like a fortress, with ample recovery mechanisms.
• Gearing: Straightforward, though crafting your weapon can be an art.
• Single Target Damage: Initially modest but scales impressively. You won't just face-tank bosses; you'll be breaking them down bone by bone.

 

It's all about trauma – the more you hit, the more damage you deal. But beware, it also hurts you. That's where the Juggernaut ascendancy comes in, turning what could be a downside into a formidable advantage.

 

↖ PoB Link

• Early: https://pobb.in/dEnkNgeXVXkF.
• Mid: https://pobb.in/YmE0e7c8HLVx.
• End: https://pobb.in/IDLYQHJcTMW0.

 

↖ Leveling and Early Progression

• The Foundation: Start your journey in Act One. Focus on melee damage, life, and accuracy.
• Accuracy is Key: Early on, accuracy is crucial for two-handed weapons. Marauder doesn't naturally get much, so invest in those nodes.
• Life Recovery and Stun Duration: Don't skip the life recovery nodes! They boost your Bone Shatter's AOE and overall survivability.
• Call to Arms and Onslaught: Grab Call to Arms early for quality of life. 'Hatchet Master' for a 20% chance at Onslaught boosts your movement speed, which is vital for leveling efficiency.

 

↖ Transition to BoneShatter

• First Lab and Tribal Fury: Transition to Bone Shatter around the first lab. Tribal Fury is essential for increasing your clear speed.
• Inexorable for Endurance: This node synergizes well with Bone Shatter, as the skill hits yourself, triggering endurance charge generation.

 

↖ Ascendancy

The Key to Bone Shatter: Untiring ramps up your recovery and mitigates the negative effects of Bone Shatter. It's your first Ascendancy node.

 

↖ Skill Tree Progression

• Juggernaut Ascendancy: After 'Untiring,' prioritize 'Undeniable' for accuracy and attack speed, then 'Unbreakable' and 'Unstoppable' for defenses.
• Navigating to Precise Technique: This node is crucial for maximizing damage. Balance your accuracy and life to keep accuracy slightly higher.

 

↖ Basic Gear

• Early Mapping Gear: Start with Justice Invictus or a budget axe. Focus on armor, life, and resistances. Key uniques include Tanuahi for armor and recovery.
• Flask Setup: Prioritize gaining charges on being hit and modifiers that benefit your build.

 

↖ Skills and Links

• Leveling Skills: Start with 'Ground Slam' or 'Sunder.' At level 19, switch to Bone Shatter. Seismic Cry and War Banner are essential for boosting your damage.
• Aura Setup: Determination, War Banner, and Pride are key. Blood Rage boosts attack speed.

 

↖ End-Game

• Skill Tree Adjustments: As you progress, focus on max resistances, damage, and getting aura nodes for late-game play.
• Finalized Gear: Upgrade to a higher DPS axe and aim for gear with resistances, armor, and accuracy. Key uniques remain similar, with a shift towards better flask setups.

 

↖ Final Thoughts

• Understanding the Build: This build offers a blend of power and defense, making it a top choice for league starters. Follow the provided POB links for detailed node selections and gear choices.
• Playstyle Tips: Remember, positioning is crucial. Stay mobile, utilize your war cries, and keep an eye on your health and resistances.

 

Whether it's your first foray into melee builds or you're a seasoned warrior, the Boneshatter Juggernaut offers a robust, enjoyable experience all the way through tier 16 maps and most endgame content. Remember, enjoying your build is crucial for a rewarding league start.