User:Samurai JM/Build:D/A Shadowstorm Tank

By using Shadow form, as well as enchantments that fully heal and regenerate you when removed, combined with the explosive mystic sandstorm, ALL while piling on damage with quick and powerful scythe attacks, you can go crazy in PvE. Shadowstorm Tank is designed to jump onto a boss(or any other enemy) and lay out enchanted attacks on up to 3 enemies at a time. Mystic Sandstorm then unleashes a huge spike on all nearby enemies, and also releases up to 500hp of healing enchantments to counter Shadow Form's nasty side effect. By the time this happens, half of your enchantments are ready to go so you can either mop up the remaining(if any) enemies around you, or escape to safety.

This build is similar to, but also very different(and in most cases better) than the Build:D/A Invincibomb. I added a full table of comparison at the bottom of this page to show you why, so please don't throw this away until you at least look.

Attributes and Skills

 * The attacks are up to you, I chose those two for their speed, low energy, and enchantment based power.
 * Optional Skills to replace Heart of Fury are listed below in Variants.
 * The original idea for this build is posted below as well.

Equipment

 * Armor
 * Try to get as much energy as possible(at least 40 is recommended, 35 is needed), and a Sup. Vigor rune is always a nice addition.
 * Weapon(s)
 * A max damage Zealous Scythe of Enchanting with the inscription "I Have the Power!"(+5 energy) is highly recommended for this build.
 *  The +20% enchanting mod will give you 25 full seconds of Shadow form when used with extend enchantments!

Usage
Getting There
 * Do your best to navigate around mobs of enemies on your way to whatever boss you want to fight.
 * If you NEED to go through a mob, simply cast all of the enchants from right to left, run through them, and then use sandstorm once you're clear to heal.
 * Continue this process, and use Vital Boon + Mystic Sandstorm if you need to heal quickly.

Taking Them Out
 * As you approach your target cast all of the enchantments in order from RIGHT to LEFT as quickly as possible.
 * Cast Shadow form just as you enter the mob, then use Heart of Fury as a cover and for 33% faster attacking.
 * Now target the boss(or any other creature/person) and spam the two attacks until you see ANY of your enchantments start to blink.
 * The enchantments should allow approximately 20-25 seconds of attacking before they run out if you applied the final enchant just as you reached the enemies.
 * In that 20-25 seconds you should be able to use each attack skill 5+ times, plus at least 2 normal attacks in between each set of those.
 * After any enchantment(This should be Extend Enchantments) starts blinking, attack until you have no more time and cast Mystic Sandstorm.
 * BOOOM!!! All nearby foes take 130 earth damage and are set on fire for 3 seconds from heart of fury.
 * But the best part of this is that you just gained nearly ALL of the health that you just lost from shadow form back!
 * At this point, one of two things should have happened:
 * The boss died and all of your skills are recharged, now simply rinse and repeat all of the above steps to continue your killing spree.
 * If not, then the three rightmost enchantments should have become available for use again, so use those combined with the attacks to finish off the boss and return to the above step.

See notes below for the near exact amount of health and energy you gain from the enchantment losses, as well as a full comparison to the Invincibomb build.

Counters

 * Non-targeting enchantment removal will KILL you. Literally. Well of Profane removes all enchantments, so you will be healed enough to retreat safely if it ever hits you.
 * Basic melee counters(blind, weakness, hexes, etc...)
 * Area of effect, touch skills, and some other damage still hit through shadow form.
 * Interrupts can be devastating at the wrong time.
 * To counter these counters, select your targets very carefully. Try to focus on melee based mobs.

Variants

 * Replace Heart of Fury with one of the following if you feel that you don't need the 33% faster attacks.
 * Deaths Charge or another shadow step skill for quicker access to the boss.
 * Zealous Renewal for instant max energy upon enchantment removal.
 * Harrier's Grasp to prevent kiting.
 * Mystic Regeneration if you find yourself in need of healing even with Shadow Form (aoe dmg, etc..).
 * In PvP areas try to fit skills such as Recall or Return in case you need to escape to safety.
 * Keep in mind that if you use a non enchantment skill, your attacks and mystic sandstorm will be weaker!
 * You can also replace Vital Boon or Balthazar's Rage if you find that you have too much healing!


 * Here is another Variant using Extend Enchantments:

Attributes and Skills

 * This build works exactly the same as the previous build, but it has a shorter enchantment time with Shadow Form and less powerful attacks. The only plus of this build is more healing when the enchantments end. This was the original idea for the build.
 * The same Equipment, Usage, and Counters apply as they did in the previous variant.