Crushing Hand Spiritborn Endgame Build for Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred
Last update: 11/14/2024
General Notes
General Notes for the Crushing Hand Spiritborn Build in Vessel of Hatred
Note: This endgame build has been optimized for Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred (Season 6).
Crushing Hand is a Core Skill of the Spiritborn class, where two Shockwaves are generated in front of you, overlapping and causing massive damage. With the Aspect of Unyielding Hits, every third Crushing Hand in a row triggers ten additional hits, causing it to do enormous damage.
If you've been playing Quill Volley and are looking for a different build, I have good news for you: This version of Crushing Hand plays almost identically, so you only need to swap 1 item, 2 glyphs, your Spirit Hall, and a few skill points.
Crushing Hand plays even better against groups of monsters than my Quill Volley endgame build, because you don't have to get into position before attacking; your huge shockwaves hit everything in range with the same damage.
In combination with its high mobility, the Crushing Hand is perfect for quick activities such as Kurast Undercity, but it's also more than capable of taking on high Pits.
How well does this build perform in the Pit / Infernal Horde?
High Pits are not a problem at all, as the build does an enormous amount of damage and is also very mobile. The main issue is its robustness. Therefore, items with a lot of health are very important.
How well does this build perform against bosses?
The build is significantly slower than Quill Volley against tough bosses. However, you deal billions of damage due to the Overpower mechanic, so there is no boss in the game that you cannot defeat with Crushing Hand.
When is the build playable and which items do I need?
This endgame variant is only playable with the unique Staff of Kepeleke and the unique Ring of the Midnight Sun.
Note: There is, however, a Shattering Hand leveling variant on Vitablo.com that you can play very early on.
Playstyle
Playstyle for the Crushing Hand Spiritborn Endgame Build
Playstyle and skill rotation against monsters
Use Soar to get around and to make enemies vulnerable. Before starting the fight, use Ravager to increase your Resource generation and to make your Crushing Hand automatically jump to enemies. If you kill monsters fast enough, you should have Ravager active at all times; otherwise, you'll need to re-cast it from time to time.
Use your Ultimate Skill Hunter skill as much as possible, including for mobility, because your Key Passive refreshes the cooldowns. It makes you unstoppable and increases your attack speed and damage.
In higher level dungeons, you should regularly use Armored Hide to benefit from the damage reduction provided by Resolve.
Vortex is triggered by a Runeword, even if it is not on your skill bar. It is extremely important in higher Pits because it pulls enemies together and knocks them down.
IMPORTANT: If your items and glyphs are good enough and you get to 250 maximum Resources, you should use the Elixir of Resourcefulness to increase the maximum directly to 275! This way, you can Overpower with every attack thanks to the Unique Amulet Banished Lord's Talisman. However, the build is also playable with fewer Resources! Currently, there is probably even a bug that makes 240 Resources enough to Overpower with every attack. However, the bug could be fixed at any moment.
This is how you get 275 resources:
- Option 1: Staff of Kepeleke with Greater Affix on “Maximum Resource” + 12/12 Masterworking with a hit on Resource + Menagerist Glyph Level 96 + Elixir of Resourcefulness
- Option 2: Staff of Kepeleke with Greater Affix on “Maximum Resource” + 12/12 Masterworking with 2 hits on Resource + Menagerist Glyph Level 76 + Elixir of Resourcefulness
Playstyle and skill rotation against bosses
Bosses follow a similar skill rotation, with only one difference: since you're not killing monsters, Ravager isn't constantly active and you need to cast it. Its cooldown is reduced by your Key Passive as long as you keep using Crushing Hand. Without Ravager, you can't trigger the effect of your Staff of Kepeleke with every hit, so your damage is extremely reduced.
How to fix Resource problems
With the Staff of Kepeleke, you basically never have Resource problems, as Crushing Hand only consumes Resource when it is full.
The build is all about getting full Resources as quickly as possible to get the bonus damage from the Staff of Kepeleke.
You can achieve this with a well-rolled Ring of the Midnight Sun and Resource Generation from Tempering Manuals, skills, and various Paragon Nodes. In the best case, you have full Resources after each attack.
Skills
Skills for the Crushing Hand Spiritborn Endgame Build
Skill tree notes:
- Reinforced Counterattack is triggered by the Ring of the Midnight Sun, even if you don't put it into the skill bar as an active skill.
- Vortex is triggered by a Runeword, even if you don't put it into the skill bar as an active skill.
Spirit Hall
Spirit Hall for the Crushing Hand Spiritborn Endgame Build
Primary Spirit Hall: Jaguar
Every X. time you deal direct damage to an enemy with a Jaguar Skill, unleash additional slashes dealing X% of the damage dealt in the last X seconds.
All Skills are now also Jaguar Skills.
Secondary Spirit Hall: Eagle
For every X meters you move, your Critical Strike Chance increases by X%. This bonus is reset X seconds after you Critically Strike.
Hinweis: Du benötigst drei verschiedene Geister für den einzigartigen Helm Harmonie von Ebeweka. Adler wird als zweite Wahl genommen, um den dritten Geist zu erhalten und für Boni von Glyphen und passiven Fertigkeiten, obwohl der Geist an sich keinen Effekt für diesen Build hat.
Note: You need three different spirits for the Unique Helmet Harmony of Ebeweka. Eagle is taken as the second choice to get a third active spirit and for Glyph and Passive Skill bonuses, although the spirit itself has no effect for this build.
Aspects
Aspects for the Crushing Hand Spiritborn Endgame Build
Duelist's Aspect
Maximum Ferocity increased by X.
Unrelenting Aspect
Every X. consecutive Crushing Hand smashes an additional X times around you dealing X% of its Base damage per hit.
Aspect of Disobedience
You gain X% increased Armor for X seconds when you deal any form of damage, stacking up to X%.
Only in combination with the Aspect of Unyielding Hits, otherwise use the Aspect of Power.
Aspect of Unyielding Hits
Casting a Gorilla Skill adds X% of your Armor to all attacks for X seconds (capped at 1,500 weapon damage).
This aspect is only worthwhile in the endgame with a good roll and over 3,000 armor. Otherwise, the Aspect of the Moonrise is preferred.
Aspect of the Moonrise
Damaging an enemy with a Basic Skill grants you X% Attack Speed for X seconds, stacking up to X times. Upon reaching maximum stacks, you enter a Vampiric Bloodrage, gaining X% Basic Skill damage and X% Movement Speed for X seconds.
If you have not optimized your armor above 3,000 for the Aspect of Unyielding Hits.
Aspect of Might
Basic Skills grant X% Damage Reduction for X seconds.
If you don't use the Aspect of Unyielding Hits yet.
Items & Affixes
Items & Affixes for the Crushing Hand Spiritborn Endgame Build
Note: With the Aspect of Unyielding Hits, the armor limit of 1,000 no longer plays a role. The more armor you get, the higher your weapon damage will be. If you play without the aspect, you can put your focus back on life and skill ranks, when it comes to item affixes.
Harmony of Ebewaka
All Stats
Movement Speed
Damage Reduction
Ranks to Velocity
According to your secondary Spirit Hall choice, your Skills are all additionally Jaguar, Eagle, Gorilla or Centipede Skills. Your Skills deal X% increased damage per Spirit type they have.
Beast in the Ice
Spiritborn
Chest Armor
- Armor
- Life
- Dexterity
- Duelist's Aspect
Worldly Endurance
- Maximum Life
- Total Armor
- Dodge Chance
Eagle Innovation
- Thunderspike Size
- Vortex Size
- Soar Size
Gloves
- Ranks to Crushing Hand / Core Skills
- Armor
- Life
- Attack Speed
- Dexterity
- Unrelenting Aspect
Worldly Finesse
- Critical Strike Damage
- Vulnerable Damage
- Overpower Damage
Eagle Innovation
- Thunderspike Size
- Vortex Size
- Soar Size
100% maximum
Pants
- Armor
- Life
- Ranks to Basic Skills
- Dexterity
- Aspect of Disobedience
Worldly Endurance
- Maximum Life
- Total Armor
- Dodge Chance
Eagle Innovation
- Thunderspike Size
- Vortex Size
- Soar Size
100% maximum
Yen's Blessing
Maximum Evade Charges
All Stats
Movement Speed
Resistance to All Elements
Resource Generation
Casting a Skill has a X% chance to cast a Non-Mobility, Non-Ultimate Skill that is currently on Cooldown. Can only occur once every X seconds.
Lord Zir
All Classes
Banished Lord's Talisman
Resistance to All Elements
Maximum Life
Attack Speed
Overpower Damage
Ranks to Core Skills
After you spend X of your Primary Resource, your next Core Skill is guaranteed to Overpower. Your Critical Strikes that Overpower deal X% increased damage.
Duriel, Andariel
All Classes
Rings
- Attack Speed
- Life
- Dexterity
- Aspect of Unyielding Hits
Worldly Finesse
- Critical Strike Damage
- Vulnerable Damage
- Overpower Damage
Jaguar Efficiency
- Thrash Resource Generation
- The Hunter Cooldown Reduction
- Incarnate Cooldown Reduction
- Counterattack Charges
If you are not getting full resources with every hit, you can temper resource generation instead.
Ring of the Midnight Sun
Fire Resistance
Lightning Resistance
Dexterity
Critical Strike Damage
Cooldown Reduction
Ranks to Mirage
When you Critically Strik, you regain X% of the Vigor you've spent in the last X seconds. Gain Counterattack's Passive Effect.
Grigoire
Spiritborn
Rod of Kepeleke
Block Chance
Maximum Vigor
Critical Strike Damage
Chance for Core Skills to Hit Twice
Ranks to Velocity
Your Core Skills are now additionally Basic Skills, free to cast, but deal up to X% reduced damage based on their Vigor Cost. When cast at Maximum Vigor, your Core Skills consume all Vigor to return to full damage, cast at their largest Size, and become guaranteed Critical Strikes, with X% increased Critical Strike Damage for each point of Vigor spent this way.
Duriel, Andariel
Spiritborn
Shroud of False Death
+1 Ranks to All Passives
+160 All Stats
+800 Maximum Life
+333% Damage on Next Attack After Entering Stealth
11.1% Resource Generation
If you haven't attacked in the last 2 seconds, gain Stealth and 40%(+) Movement Speed.
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
All Classes
Runewords
Runewords for the Crushing Hand Spiritborn Endgame Build
Note: If you are missing the required Runes, you can use Gemstones in the meantime.
1st Runeword (Chest Armor)
Xol
Gain: 150 Offering
Evoke power from another Class.
Kry
Required: 300 Offering
Cooldown: 3 Seconds
Evoke the Spiritborn's Vortex, dealing damage and Pulling In enemies.
2nd Runeword (2H Weapon)
Poc
Gain: 5 Offering
Spend X% of your Maximum Resource.
Que
Required: 300 Offering
Cooldown: 1 Second
Evoke the Druid's Earthen Bulwark, granting yourself a Barrier. (Overflow: Increased Duration)
Note: The 1st Runeword is triggered by Earthen Bullwark from the 2nd Runeword.
Gemstones
Gemstones for the Crushing Hand Spiritborn Endgame Build
WeaponEmerald
Weapons: Critical Strike Damage
Armor: Dexterity
Jewelry: Poison Resistance
As long as you don't have the required runes yet.
ArmorEmerald
Weapons: Critical Strike Damage
Armor: Dexterity
Jewelry: Poison Resistance
JewelrySkull
Weapons: Life On Kill
Armor: Healing Received
Jewelry: Armor
Paragon Board
Paragon Board for the Crushing Hand Spiritborn Endgame Build
Important notice:
- Glyph Radius: To increase the radius of your Glyphs, you have to level them in the Pit. The starting radius is 3 boxes. At level 15, it increases to 4 boxes. At level 45, the radius is 5 boxes.
- Skill Order: Start with the ESSENTIAL LAYOUT and rebuild it COMPLETELY to quickly access all the important Nodes and Glyphs. Only then switch to the FINAL LAYOUT and add the missing Nodes.
Colossal
Rare Glyph "Colossal"
For every 5 Strength purchased within range, you deal X% increased damage with Gorilla Skills.
Additional Bonus: You deal X% increased damage for each stack of Resolve you have.
Legendary Bonus: You deal X% increased damage to Close enemies.
Legendary Node "Sapping"
When you cast 3 Gorilla, Jaguar, Eagle, or Centipede skills with the same spirit in a row, restore X% of your Vigor and deal X% increased damage for X seconds.
Rare Glyph "Menagerist"
Grants X% bonus to all Magic nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: Dealing damage with your Gorilla, Jaguar, Eagle, or Centipede skills increases all damage you deal by X% for X seconds, stacking once per spirit.
Legendary Bonus: Increase Incarnate skills damage by X%.
Legendary Node "Convergence"
You deal bonus damage equal to X% of your 2 highest bonuses to damage types combined, up to X% total.
Rare Glyph "Spirit"
For every 5 Dexterity purchased within range, you deal X% increased Critical Strike Damage.
Additional Bonus: Lucky Hit: Critical Strikes increase the damage an enemy takes from you by X% for X seconds, up to X%.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage to Elites by X%.
Legendary Node "Revealing"
Lucky Hit: Up to a X% chance to Knock Down Vulnerable enemies. You deal X% increased damage to Crowd Controlled enemies.
Rare Glyph "Headhunter"
Grants X% bonus to all Normal nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: You deal X% increased damage to Elites.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage by X%.
Legendary Node "Viscous Shield"
You do X% increased damage for each X% of your Maximum Life you have as a Barrier.
Rare Glyph "Talon"
For every 5 Dexterity purchased within range, you deal X% increased Damage with Eagle skills.
Additional Bonus: Your Eagle skills deal X% increased Critical Strike damage.
Legendary Bonus: Increase Lightning damage by X%.
Rare Glyph "Colossal"
For every 5 Strength purchased within range, you deal X% increased damage with Gorilla Skills.
Additional Bonus: You deal X% increased damage for each stack of Resolve you have.
Legendary Bonus: You deal X% increased damage to Close enemies.
Legendary Node "Sapping"
When you cast 3 Gorilla, Jaguar, Eagle, or Centipede skills with the same spirit in a row, restore X% of your Vigor and deal X% increased damage for X seconds.
Rare Glyph "Menagerist"
Grants X% bonus to all Magic nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: Dealing damage with your Gorilla, Jaguar, Eagle, or Centipede skills increases all damage you deal by X% for X seconds, stacking once per spirit.
Legendary Bonus: Increase Incarnate skills damage by X%.
Legendary Node "Convergence"
You deal bonus damage equal to X% of your 2 highest bonuses to damage types combined, up to X% total.
Rare Glyph "Spirit"
For every 5 Dexterity purchased within range, you deal X% increased Critical Strike Damage.
Additional Bonus: Lucky Hit: Critical Strikes increase the damage an enemy takes from you by X% for X seconds, up to X%.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage to Elites by X%.
Legendary Node "Revealing"
Lucky Hit: Up to a X% chance to Knock Down Vulnerable enemies. You deal X% increased damage to Crowd Controlled enemies.
Rare Glyph "Headhunter"
Grants X% bonus to all Normal nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: You deal X% increased damage to Elites.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage by X%.
Legendary Node "Viscous Shield"
You do X% increased damage for each X% of your Maximum Life you have as a Barrier.
Rare Glyph "Talon"
For every 5 Dexterity purchased within range, you deal X% increased Damage with Eagle skills.
Additional Bonus: Your Eagle skills deal X% increased Critical Strike damage.
Legendary Bonus: Increase Lightning damage by X%.
Mercenaries
Mercenaries for the Crushing Hand Spiritborn Endgame Build
Raheir
Valiance
When you would be damaged for at least X of your current Life at once, Raheir comes to your aid to negate the damage, Knock Down Close enemies for X seconds, and grant you Unstoppable for X seconds.
Shield Charge
Raheir rushes forward aggressively, dealing X% Physical damage and Taunting nearby enemies for X seconds. Selecting a Mercenary Core Skill alters their wielded Weapon and Basic Attack.
Weapon: Tower Shield
Basic Attack: Shield Bash
Raheir bashes enemies with a tower shield, dealing X% Physical damage and Fortifying you for X% of your Maximum Life.
Raheir's Guard
Raheir grants you X% Armor.
Vanguard
Raheir Slows surrounding enemies by X%.
Ground Slam
Raheir brutalizes the ground, dealing X% Physical damage and Slowing enemies by X% for X seconds. Targets in the center of the slam are Slowed by X% instead.
Raheir's Aegis
Raheir grants you X% Resistance to All Elements.
Draw Fire
When you use a Healing Potion, Raheir Taunts enemies around him for X seconds. Can only occur once every X seconds.
Provoke
Raheir Taunts enemies around you for X seconds. You gain X% Damage Reduction for each target, up to X%.
Mocking Lure
You deal X% increased damage to enemies Taunted by Raheir.
Iron Wolf's Ward
When Raheir's Valiance is triggered, he Knocks Back Close enemies and Taunts Distant enemies for X seconds. Raheir's Valiance Cooldown is reduced by X%.
Crater
Raheir strikes the ground 3 times, each burst dealing X% Physical damage and Pulling In enemies. The final burst additionally deals X Physical damage and Stuns enemies for X seconds.
Iron Wolf's Call
When Raheir's Valiance is triggered, your next X Core Skills within X seconds deal X% increased damage and cost no Resource. Raheir's Valiance Cooldown is reduced by X%.
Sundering Shield
Raheir's final Crater burst inflicts Vulnerable on enemies for X seconds.
Bastion
Raheir takes a protective position for X seconds, redirecting X% of the damage that would be dealt to surrounding allies to himself for X seconds. Bastion's initial cast also grants surrounding allies Unstoppable for X second.
Inspiration
Enemies affected by Raheir's Ground Slam take X% increased damage. Allies affected by Raheir's Bastion deal X% increased damage.
Iron Wolf's Virtue
When Raheir's Valiance is triggered, he Heals you for X% of your Maximum Life. Raheir's Valiance Cooldown is reduced by X%.
Shield Throw
Raheir throws his shield, dealing X% Physical damage and Taunting enemies for X seconds. The shield bounces up to X times and cannot bounce to the same target twice.
Iron Wolf's Arrival
When Raheir's Valiance is triggered, he also casts Ground Slam and Shield Throw. Raheir's Valiance's Cooldown is reduced by X%.
Consecrated Shield
Raheir's Shield Throw Consecrates enemies for X seconds. Directly damaging a Consecrated enemy Heals you for X% of your Maximum Life, once per target.
Varyana
Reinforcement
Bloodthirst
Trigger
Crushing Hand
Changelog
- 11/14/24 – Swapped Amethysts for Emeralds, because there is enough barrier generation already
- 10/18/24 – Fully optimized for the new Unique Shroud of False Death
- 10/16/24 – Optimized for Vessel of Hatred (Season 6)