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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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Diablo 3 Aegis of Valor Crusader (2).jpg

 

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.

​

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.

​

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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Diablo 3 Roland Crusader (4).jpg
Diablo 3 LoD Crusader Blessed Shield (2)
Diablo 3 Thorns of the Invoker.png
Diablo 3 Akkhan's Crusader X_edited.jpg

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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.

​

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

Monk Top 5 Hardcore Guide

Necromancer Top 5 Hardcore Guide

Witch Doctor Top 5 Hardcore Guide

Wizard 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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