Hardcore & Softcore Builds
Crusader Top 5 Hardcore Guide
1. Thorns of the Invoker (Slash) Level 108+
The top spot goes to the Thorns of the Invoker Slash Crusader which was greatly buffed in Season 26 and is capable of well above 100 Greater Rifts on Hardcore.
Legendary Gems
Boyarsky's Chip
Gain Thorns damage and taunt the first enemy hit by your primary skills for 2 seconds.
Gogok of Swiftness
Increase attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gain dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
Equipment
Set: Thorns of the Invoker
(2) Set Bonus:
Your Thorns damage now hits all enemies in a 15 yard radius around you. Each time you hit an enemy with Punish, Slash, or block an attack your Thorns is increased by 90% for 2 seconds stacking up to 10 times.
(4) Set Bonus:
You take 50% reduced damage for 20 seconds after damaging an enemy with Bombardment.
(6) Set Bonus:
The attack speed for Punish and Slash are increased by 100% and deal 67,500% of your Thorns damage.
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Weapon: Pigsticker
Pigsticker is the fastest weapon in the game for the Thorns stacks from the Thorns of the Invoker set.
Crusader Shield: Akarat's Awakening
Gain a 25% chance to reduce all cooldowns by 1 second when blocking.
Chest: Aquila Cuirass
Gain 50% damage reduction above 90% primary resources.
Belt: Omnislash
Slash in all directions.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: The Compass Rose
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack rate this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is used for increased life and toughness with the Thorns of the Invokers set.
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Powers
Weapon: Echoing Fury
Engulfs the wielder into a frenzy that increases attack and movement speed.
Armor: Belt of the Trove
Call down a Bombardment every 4 seconds to trigger the Thorns of the Invoker defensive.
Ring/Amulet: Convention of Elements
Rotates through damage types and gives a 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Life on Hit
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > Life %
Hands: Strength > Vitality > Attack Speed > Cooldown Reduction
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Life on Hit > All Resistance
Feet: Strength > Vitality > Movement Speed > All Resistance
Amulet: Socket > Strength > Attack Speed > Cooldown Reduction
Rings: Socket > Strength > Attack Speed > Cooldown Reduction
Thorns of the Invoker Tips
1. You can reroll Thorns on your secondary modifiers for higher damage with this build.
2. This build is very strong offensively but somewhat weak defensively and is much more powerful once you have a significant amount of Vitality paragons.
3. When using the Thorns of the Invoker Set, Thorns Damage, Attack Speed, Strength, and Cooldown Reduction are your most important stats for damage. Thorns can't critical strike so you should try to avoid Critical Strike Chance and Critical Strike Damage on your items.
4. The Vo'toyias Spiker shouldn't be used for this build despite it's Thorns damage increase because it doesn't work with the Thorns of the Invoker 6 set bonus which is your primary source of damage.
5. The Unity ring which provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Thorns of the Invoker Set Crusader is capable of 108+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
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2. Armor of Akkhan Set with Captain Crimson and Aughild's Set (Condemn) Level 105+
The Armor of Akkhan set was changed to a Condemn build instead of a Bombardment build in Season 27 and takes the second place spot.​
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Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped
Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.
Enforcer
Increases pet damage and reduces pet damage taken by 90%. Also increases Condemn damage done by pets.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
Equipment
Set: Armor of Akkhan
(2) Set Bonus:
Judgment has no cooldown and gains the effect of every rune.
(4) Set Bonus:
Attacks from Phalanx Avatars reduce the cooldown of Akarat's Champion by 0.5 seconds, and apply Condemn when attacking enemies that are affected by judgment.
(6) Set Bonus:
While Akarat's Champion is active you deal 1500% increased damage and gain 50% damage reduction.
Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings
(2) Set Bonus:
Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.
Set: Aughild's Authority
(2) Set Bonus:
Reduces damage taken by 15% and increases damage dealt by 30%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Reduces damage taken from elites and increases damage dealt to elites by 30%.
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Weapon: Blade of Prophecy
Condemned enemies also trigger Condemn's Explosion and the damage of Condemn is increased by 800%.
Crusader Shield: Unrelenting Phalanx
Phalanx now casts twice.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: Eternal Union
Phalanx Bowman follow you indefinitely.
Amulet: Talisman of Akkhan
Completes the Armor of Akkhan set.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
This life on hit potion will help you survive and increase your life recovery.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for increased life percent and toughness.
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Powers
Weapon: Frydehr's Wrath
Condemn has no cooldown and its damage is increased by 800%, but instead costs 40 Wrath.
Armor: Tasker and Theo
Increases your pets attack speed by 50%.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of the Royal Grandeur
One less set item to complete sets.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > All Resistance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > % Increased Condemn Damage
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > % Increased Condemn Damage
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Holy Damage %
Feet: Strength > Vitality > Movement Speed > Armor
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Armor of Akkhan Tips​
1. The Eternal Union ring makes Phalanx Bowman permanent so you shouldn't need cooldown reduction which allows you to focus more on critical strike for higher damage.
2. Tasker and Theo increases the attack speed of Phalanx and increases the number of Condemn explosions.
3. The Unity ring which provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Armor of Akkhan Set Crusader is capable of 105+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
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3. Roland's Legacy Set with Captain Crimson's Set (Sweep Attack) Level 105+
This set is strong offensively and defensively and has an extremely fast attack speed with Sweep Attack. This makes life on hit and life per wrath spent very effective for survival.​​
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Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped
Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.
Bane of the Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increases by 25%.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
Equipment
Set: Roland's Legacy
(2) Set Bonus:
Every use of Shield Bash and Sweep Attack reduces the cooldown of your Laws and defensive skills by 1 second.
(4) Set Bonus:
Increase the damage of you Shield Bash and Sweep Attack by 40,000%.
(6) Set Bonus:
Every use of Shield Bash or Sweep Attack that hits an enemy grants 75% increased attack speed and 15% damage reduction for 8 seconds stacking up to 5 times.
Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings
(2) Set Bonus:
Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.
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Weapon: Golden Flense
Sweep attack restores 6 Wrath for every enemy hit and has 300% enhanced damage.
Crusader Shield: Denial
Sweep Attack increases your Sweep Attack damage by 125% stacking up to 5 times.
Bracers: Strongarm Bracers
Enemies hit by knockback take 30% increased damage for 6 seconds.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: The Compass Rose
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack rate this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and additional toughness.
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Powers
Weapon: The Furnace
Gain 50% increased damage against elite enemies.
Armor: Aquila Cuirass
Gain 50% damage reduction above 90% primary resources.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of the Royal Grandeur
One less set item to complete sets.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > % Damage to Sweep Attack
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > Life %
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Resource Cost Reduction > Life %
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Fire Damage %
Feet: Strength > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Sweep Attack
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Roland's Legacy Tips​
1. Use Shield Glare with the Divine Verdict rune and Laws of Valor with the Unstoppable Force rune before using Sweep Attack for the 20% damage increase and 50% Wrath Cost Reduction.
2. Resource Cost Reduction will increase your toughness when using the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set by a significant amount and is highly recommended on your shoulders.
3. Laws of Valor with the Unstoppable Force rune counts as 50% Resource Cost Reduction when using the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set which will greatly increases your toughness for it's 5 second duration.
4. The Unity ring which provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Roland's Legacy Set Crusader is capable of 105+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
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4. Crusader Legacy of Dreams (Blessed Shield) Level 101+
The Legacy of Dreams Blessed Shield Crusader is a strong contender and is ranked fourth on the top builds for Hardcore Crusaders.
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Legendary Gems
Legacy of Dreams
Legendaries increase damage and reduce damage taken without sets equipped. Double this effect for Ancients.
Bane of the Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increased by 25%.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
Equipment
Weapon: Gyrfalcon's Foote
Removes the resource cost of Blessed Shield and increases its damage by 30%.
Shield: Jekandbord
Blessed Shield ricochets to 6 additional enemies and has its damage increased by 400%.
Helm: Leoric's Crown
Doubles the effect of gems socketed in this item.
Chest: Aquila Cuirass
While above 90% primary resources your damage taken is reduced by 50%.
Shoulders: Pauldrons of the Skeleton King
Chance on death to be restored to life with 25% health and cause nearby enemies to run in fear.
Legs: Blackthorne Jousting Mail
Gives up to a 20% elemental damage increase.
Bracers: Strongarm Bracers
Enemies hit by knockback take 30% increased damage for 6 seconds.
Hands: Stone Gauntlets
Getting hit increases your armor by 50% stacking up to 5 times. Negative effects are negated by Ice Climbers.
Belt: The Witching Hour
Provides attack speed and critical strike damage.
Boots: Ice Climbers
Immune to Freeze and Immobilize effects.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: Justice Lantern
Gain block chance and damage reduction equal to 55% of your block chance.
Amulet: Hellfire Amulet
Gain a free random passive skill from the character class that creates the amulet.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack rate this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond will provide cooldown reduction for all of your cooldowns.
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Powers
Weapon: Akkhan's Leniency
Each enemy hit by your Blessed Shield increases the damage of your Blessed Shield by 40% for 6 seconds.
Armor: Akkhan's Manacles
Increases Blessed Shield damage by 500% for the first enemy hit.
Ring/Amulet: Convention of Elements
Rotates through damage types and gives a 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Area Damage > All Resistance
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Fire Damage %
Feet: Strength > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Blessed Shield
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Legacy of Dreams Blessed Shield Tips
1. The Ice Climbers boots negate all of the negative effects on the Stone Gauntlets.
2. The String of Ears belt can be used to add toughness in the place of The Witching Hour.
3. Blessed Shield is considered a projectile skill and some enemies such as Malthael, Sand Dwellers, and Dune Dervishes that can reflect projectiles back at you making you take a ton of damage very quickly so be extra cautious around these mobs on Hardcore.
4. The Hellfire Amulet can be changed to the Eye of Etlich amulet which is easier to obtain and provides an effect similar to a defensive passive.
Note: The Legacy of Dreams Blessed Shield Crusader is capable of 101+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
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5. Aegis of Valor with Captain Crimsons Set (Heaven's Fury) Level 100+
The Aegis of Valor Fist of Heavens and Heaven's Fury Hybrid Crusader was heavily nerfed in Season 30 and now comes in at the fifth place spot.​
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Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped
Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.
Bane of the Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increased by 25%.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
Legendary Gems
Bane of the Powerful
Gain a 20% damage buff after killing an elite and 15% increased damage/reduced damage taken against elites.
Gogok of Swiftness
Increase attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gain dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
Equipment
Set: Aegis of Valor
(2) Set Bonus:
Attacking with Fist of the Heavens increases Heaven's Fury damage for 5 seconds stacking up to 3 times.
(4) Set Bonus:
Hitting with Fist of Heavens returns 5 Wrath and reduces damage taken by 1% stacking up to 50 times.
(6) Set Bonus:
Increase the damage of Fist of the Heavens and Heavens Fury by 15,000%.
Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings
(2) Set Bonus:
Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.
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Weapon: Fate of the Fell
Heaven's Fury has 2 additional rays and deals 500% increased damage.
Crusader Shield: Shield of Fury
Stacking 25% increase to Heaven's Fury damage.
Bracers: Bracers of Fury
Heaven's Fury deals 400% increased damage against blinded, immobilized, or stunned targets.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: The Compass Rose
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack rate this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond is offensive and defensive and will give more uptime on Akarat's Champion.
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Powers
Weapon: Darklight
Fist of the Heavens now attacks twice and deals 1000% increased damage.
Armor: Aquila Cuirass
Gain 50% damage reduction when above 90% resources.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of the Royal Grandeur
One less set item to complete sets.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Heaven's Fury
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Resource Cost Reduction > % Damage to Heaven's Fury
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Holy Damage %
Feet: Strength > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Fist of the Heavens
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Aegis of Valor Tips​​
1. Use Judgment with the Resolve rune to gain 8% Critical Strike and a 400% damage increase from the Bracers of Fury, Laws of Valor (Critical) for a 50% increase in critical strike damage, and then cast Heaven's Fury. Judgment and Heaven's Fury both share a 20 second cooldown making them easy to use together.
2. Resource Cost Reduction will increase your toughness when using the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set by a significant amount and is highly recommended on your shoulders.
3. Fist of Heavens is considered a projectile skill and some enemies such as Malthael, Sand Dwellers, and Dune Dervishes can reflect projectiles back at you so be very cautious around these enemies on hardcore or your character could die in a few short casts of a projectile skill.
4. The Unity ring which provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Aegis of Valor Set Crusader is capable of 100+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
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Recommended Mercenary
Templar
Weapon: Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker
Slows enemies attacks and movement speed.
Templar Relic: Enchanting Favor
Follower cannot die.
Shield: Freeze of Deflection
Blocks have a chance of a 1.5 second Freeze.
Helm: Blind Faith
Chance of Blinding enemies on hit.
Shoulders: Homing Pads (Emanates)
Town portal is uninterruptable and while casting town portal you gain a protective shield.
Gloves: Gloves of Worship (Emanates)
Shrine effects last 10 minutes.
Bracers: Nemesis Bracers (Emanates)
Pylons spawn an enemy champion.
Waist: Cord of the Sherma
Chance to blind and slow enemies for 4 seconds.
Boots: Ice Climbers
Immune to freeze and Immobilize effects.
Ring 1: Unity
Splits damage with the wearer of this ring.
Ring 2: Wyrmward
Lightning damage has a 35% chance to stun.
Amulet: The Flavor of Time (Emanates)
Pylon effects last twice as long.
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Feel free to check out the other sections of the site for more on Diablo III Hardcore:
Diablo III Advanced Tips and Tricks
Barbarian Top 5 Hardcore Guide
Demon Hunter Top 5 Hardcore Guide
Necromancer Top 5 Hardcore Guide
Witch Doctor Top 5 Hardcore Guide
And that's all for the Crusader Top 5 Hardcore Guide. Better items await you in Greater Rifts!
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