Vortex Gaming

· This is a starter build guide for the new 'Blood Knight' class in the Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred expansion.
· The Blood Knight can utilize four Soul Cores – Legion, Vanguard, Strategist, and Ritualist – allowing for diverse build configurations.
· The build we're introducing today uses the 'Strategist' Soul Core and focuses on Shadow damage for all skills.
· Most Shadow skills can stack 'Unholy Aspect' charges. The Soul Core's effect increases skill damage and movement speed while Unholy Aspect is maintained.
· Using the mobility skill 'Shadow Step' allows for high movement speed from the early leveling stages.
· It synergizes well with revealed unique items and set amulets. Pre-release reviews confirm its effectiveness in clearing Torment Tier 12 bosses. Expect strong performance in both leveling and end-game content.

· Basic Skill: 'Siphon Blood' - Deals damage to enemies and applies a Hemorrhage. Hemorrhage can stack up to 3 times, increasing Shadow skill damage taken by affected enemies. Additionally, the more enemies affected by Hemorrhage, the more Fury you generate.
· Core Skill: 'Thorned Grasp' - Consumes Fury to launch multiple grasping thorns at enemies, dealing damage. Use skill variations and specific attributes to increase Critical Strike Damage and boost overall damage. Utilizing the Ambush effect and the ultimate skill 'Blood Mist' allows for sustained high damage while stealthed.
· Mobility/Defensive Skill: 'Shadow Step' - Teleports to a target location, granting Unholy Aspect charges, a movement speed bonus, and a short damage reduction.
· Minion Skill: 'Frenzy' - Utilizes a giant transformation as a cooldown skill. You can cast 'Gorefeeder' to deal high damage to elite enemies by consuming Dominance. The Soul Shard bonus effect applies Hemorrhage to enemies when using skills.
· Ultimate Skill: 'Blood Mist' - Transforms into a demonic form. While in demonic form, maximum life and Demonic skill damage increase. Choosing 'Bloodhowl Demonic Transformation' enhances other Shadow skill ranks, maintains stealth, and increases damage based on bonus life.
· Soul Core (Unlocks at Level 30): 'Strategist' - Increases damage and movement speed. Using 'Burning Sacrilege' applies Hemorrhage to enemies and increases damage when casting Frenzy. The 'Larish's Demonic Summon' skill passively applies Vulnerable, Weakened, and Slow effects to nearby enemies, and when cast directly, creates a zone of fear that replenishes Unholy Aspect charges.
· Skill Tree Summary: Place the six introduced Shadow skills in your slots. After unlocking variations and specific attributes, prioritize mastering 'Thorned Grasp', 'Blood Mist', 'Frenzy', and 'Shadow Step'. For the end-game, consider using 'Sunder' instead of 'Siphon Blood'.

· Essential Stats: You must prioritize 'Willpower' and 'Maximum Life' on all gear slots. Skill ranks, Critical Strike Damage, and Fury generation are also important.
· Aspects: Utilize aspects that significantly boost the build's power. (Names may change upon official release.)
· Runes: Recommend 'Kurld's Shield' for survivability and 'Garrul' for critical strike chance.
· Gems: Use 'Amethyst' for weapons, 'Sapphire' for armor, and 'Diamond' for jewelry.
· Unique Items:
- 'Eldruin': Expected to be a must-have item this season due to its excellent stats and unique effect.
- 'Regret of the Damned': Upgraded to 80% Critical Strike Damage.
- 'Shako of the False Dead': Reworked into a defensive item.
- 'Ring of the Starless Sky': Best suited for builds that continuously consume resources.
- 'Horazon's Seed': Increases Demonic skill damage and damage reduction per resource owned. Enhances performance when used with Maximum Resource stats.
- 'Moment of Viscera': The item that most closely boosts the performance of the main skill 'Thorned Grasp'. (Equip slot not yet revealed.)
· Talisman System:
- Consists of Seals and Charms. The central Seal unlocks Charm slots, making farming Seals that open many slots important.
- 'Harashi's Shadow' Charm: The most powerful Charm, providing a 350% increase in skill damage with its 5-set effect.
- Charms with skill ranks enhance build performance.
- Unique Charms can also be crafted using Horadric's Cube.

· Mercenary Recommendation: Set 'Sobbo' (map monster display) as the main mercenary and 'Eldkin' (damage reduction) as the witness mercenary.
· Leveling Route:
- After character creation, activate your mercenary and pet, then proceed through the main campaign to unlock new content like Horadric's Cube.
- Simultaneously complete seasonal leveling quests to develop your character, obtaining additional skill points, paragon points, useful items, and materials as rewards.
- Upon reaching Level 70, complete Tempering and Imprinting, then enter the Torment tiers through the Abattoir of Zir.
- Afterwards, increase farming efficiency with the War Plan system, test your stats in the new end-game content 'Mephisto's Affliction', and aim for the leaderboards by climbing the towers.