Do you want to be able to wipe through a horde of monsters in seconds. Do you want to attack faster than the flash. Do you want to have the highest DPS possible! All that can be achieved with this build. The main focus is to maximize your DMG output so you can have as high of DPS as possible. There is a lot of flexibility in this build so if you want to have higher DEF at the cost of ATK that's fine. If anyone has ideas on how to optimize even further, feel free to leave a comment. I would love the feedback.

I want to mention that some of these ideas were inspired by "Pandarian's Guide to Maximum DPS." but there are some big differences.

• His is very outdated and doesn't account for anything after Mount Bloom (Including Tai Ming).
  
• This guide is also a little more involved and expands more on the different aspects.
  
• I recommend different skills, talents, and items.
  
• I plan to be more active in updating this guide.

This guide would not have been possible if it weren't for Pandarian. Lots of credit to him for an amazing job. I would link his guide here but it appears that it has been taken down.

The first couple skills are necessary for the build, however after that there is a lot of flexibility. An important thing to note is you can ONLY use one-handed items. Also never forget that your main damage is in basic attacks, not weapon/magic skill attacks.

Quick mention that the stats on the skills below are assuming you use them at gold charge, or have put full skill points into them.

Also something important to note! In the .911 update, you can turn excess Skill Points into Talent Points. It's very expensive, but it's a good way to get more talent points, which are much better at the late stages of the game.

-Shadow Clone:

Summons clone(s) which increases your DMG every hit. Also they have a 70% chance of applying any status effects that you are capable of inflicting. This is the base for the entire build. Once you activate the skill it becomes a passive effect (as if using a summon) and blocks EP.

-Static Touch:

Summons orbs which while active increase your DMG by anywhere between (230%) and (260%) of your MATK. This is a good DMG boost.

-Haste:

Increases your ASPD and CSPD by 15% for 15 seconds. The faster the better

-Empower:

Increases ATK and MATK by 20% for 15 seconds. Damage is key

Everything past this point is optional. I tend not to be able to use them a lot. If you have enough money I would recommend turning the skill points into talent points instead.

-(Mobility):

The three mobility skills are Piercing Dash, Dodging Strike, and Blink. It's up to your personal preference, but since basic attacks are the main damage of the build I would suggest Blink.

-Fortify:

Increases DEF by (28%) Shield Regen by (100%) and EP Regen by (15%) for 15 seconds.

-Barrier:

Summons a barrier which prevents incoming DMG until it has blocked 25% of your MaxHP or has lasted for 20 seconds. ALWAYS blocks at least 1 hit, but also has a 15 second cooldown.

Like I said, there's a lot of skill flexibility, especially after you get the first few, so it doesn't really matter what you put your points into because basic attacks are the main damage dealer.

After the first few skills, skill points become less useful. But you'll almost never run out of talents.

You should start by putting 1 point in each of the Important talents. Then you can fully start fully upgrading them. Afterwards, do the same with the Status Effect Talents.

Once those are fully upgraded, start maxing out the Melee Boost talents and Defensive Talents. I've listed them in the order that I usually prioritize them, but you might find that a different order works better.

If you notice your DPS is lacking, you can try investing into the Melee Boost talents before the Status Effect Talents.

If at any point you decide you're dying too easily, invest as many points into the Defensive Talents as you need to.

Once you've unlocked all the above talents, you can pretty much get whatever you want. I personally choose the ones in the Other Talents category. After that, there's not really other talents that function with the build.

Note: Whenever it says LVL it means the talent level, which is how many points you've put into that talent.


You should start by getting 1 point in each of the following talents. Then you can fully upgrade them.

-Backhander: Every other basic attack in a chain does 10% extra DMG per LVL (Total of 30%)
-Last Breath: While HP is under 20% increases ATK by 10% per LVL (Total of 30%)
-Brawler: Each basic attack landed gives you a 5% per talent level (Total 25%) defense buff for 3 seconds.
-Combo Starter: If a basic attack hits, for 2 sec, CRIT is increased by 10 per LVL (Total of 30)
-Bloodthirst: After killing an enemy, for 3 seconds, get 10 ASPD per LVL (Total of 30)


Start by putting 1 point in each of the following talents. Then max them out in the following order.

-Insult to Injury: Increases damage to enemies afflicted with status effects by 10% per LVL (Total 30%)
-Crippling Touch: Increases chance of afflicting enemies with status effects by 8% per LVL (Total 40%)
-Burning Weapon: Chance of burning enemies, is 5% per LVL, of 100% of MATK (Total 15%)
-Chilling Touch: Chance of slowing enemies is 5% per LVL (Total 15%)


-Fine Taste: Increases the bonus effect of potions by 12% per LVL (Total of 36%)
-Strength: Increases ATK by 2% per LVL (Total of 10%)
-Fencer: Increases ASPD by 2 per LVL (Total of 10)
-Brutality: Increases CRIT DMG by 10% per LVL (Total of 30%)
-Surgeon: Increases Crit Chance by 3% per LVL (Total of 15%)
-Adaptable: Increases ATK and MATK by 1% per LVL (Total of 5%)
-Knowledge is Power: Increases your ATK by 5%, per LVL, of your MATK (Total of 25%)


-Last Stand: Increases defense by 20% per LVL (Total of 60%) when under 20% health.
-Tenacious: Increases MaxHP by 2% per LVL (Total of 10%)
-Health Insurance: Increases amount of health gained from health globes by 10% per LVL (Total of 30%
-Lady Luck: Each talent point gives you a 2% chance of dodging an attack (Total of 10%) (Suggested by Feretatis)


-Utility Flow: For each Utility spell cast in a row (no attacks), the EP cost decreases by 5% per LVL (Maximum 15%). This effect stacks 3 times.

-Got you Covered: Increases the duration of buffs from the Utility page by 1 second per LVL (Total of +5)

-Alchemist: Increases the rate at which your potions refill by 5% per LVL (Total of 25%)

-Quick Reflexes: Increases the Perfect Guard activation window by 20% per LVL (Total of 60%)

-Intelligence: Increases your MATK by 2% per Talent Level (Total of 10%)

-Last Spark: When your HP is under 20%, your MATK increases by 10% per Talent Level (Total of 30%)

These are different pieces of gear that are most helpful depending on your focus. I usually provide an alternative option.



The Wooden Leg is the best 1-handed weapon in the game with a (90) ATK and (75) MATK. It also counts as a magic wand. It is obtained for completing stage 3 of the Spectral Party quest.

EDIT: After doing some research I found out that wands have a built-in penalty to weapon damage. That being said, it still might be more powerful than a normal weapon depending on how high your MATK is. You might have to experiment and find out what works for you.


Shiidu has 5000 shield health I mean it's the obvious choice...

Stop looking at me like that, I was just kidding.

The Mushroom Shield is the best shield in the game, with 500 shield health. The downside is blocking an attack creates a mushroom patch which can blind you. However the Shroomie Card turns this into a positive thing. Dropped by Shroomies.

If you don't want to deal with the mushroom patches, you could take the Crabby Shield. It only has 400 shield health, but it does give you 15 DEF.



Ornate Helmet has (13) CRIT and (25) DEF. It's the best of both worlds. Can be purchased at the blacksmith in Evergrind City.

If you don't need the defense and you're looking to push your DPS a little further you could take the Jester Hat for the (10) CRIT and ASPD. Can be purchased from Helmut in Port Monnaie.


The Blindfold gives (10) CRIT. Can be found in a chest in pumpkin woods.

The Evil Eye Mask gives (15) ATK and (20) ASPD. Obtained after killing the Evil Eye boss.


Ninja Suit has (15) ASPD (15) CSPD and (30) CritDMG. Found inside a chest in Lin Mei's house in Port Monnaie. Her house is the one at the top of the market.


Battle Sandals have (15) ATK and (5) ASPD. It can be found in the dragonbone dunes using the same phase trick course you used to get the translation tome.

Summer Greaves have (16) DEF and (+60) MaxHP. It's crafted with 5 broken greaves, 10 season shards, and 1 summer emblem.


Lucky Number 7: Increases CRIT and CRIT DMG by (7). Every 7th hit is guaranteed to be a CRIT. Found at the end of the second math tunnel in the desert.

This is an absolutely amazing accessory given how many attacks per second you make. Combined with other buffs to CRIT and CRIT DMG, this makes you incredibly powerful.


These are the accessories that best compliment the build. It's up to you which one you want.

Restless Spirit: Gives (14) ASPD and (22) CSPD. Go to the Haunted Ship. There is a secret room inside the room where Professor is, just before the Phase Course. Use blink to get inside the room, and then interact with the floating spirit.

Camera Lens: Increases ATK and MATK by (10) and CRIT by (12), and perfect guards amplify its powers. Obtained by completing Cammy's first quest.

Red Ribbon Brooch: Increases CRIT DMG by (25%) which is a great buff for a build that incorporates critical hits.

Golden Earrings: Increases gold drops from monsters by 30% Bought in Port Monnaie for 20,000 GP. Therefore you can have two of them. Use only when you're farming.


These are items that give you very powerful buffs, but also very powerful debuffs. You will kill enemies much easier, but they will also kill you much easier. Combining these will make you even more devastating, and you will also die 100x faster. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK

Daisy Armor (Armor): (10) ASPD (65) ATK (65) MATK and (-50) DEF. You have to use Super Fertilizer on the sprout in Pumpkin Woods. Take the right path, and interact with the tree. Then you have to bring Leafcifer to the almost identical tree in dragonbone dunes, the one to the left of the teleport plate.

Skull Ring (Accessory): Gives (100) ATK and (100) MATK but decreases your DEF by (200). Found in chest during the trick-phase course on the third floor of the Ghost Ship

Boots of Bloodthirst (Boots): (+100) Attack Speed and (+100) Charge Speed. Anytime you use/charge up a skill or spell, or you make an attack. Your health starts draining rapidly. It stops eventually, until you keep using skills, spells, or weapons. You have to use Super Fertilizer on the sprout in Pumpkin Woods. Then you step onto a health orb, and some weird guy shows up and starts draining your health. Just stand there, until he gives you the boots.

You start out with 1 potion flask and you can later complete quests to unlock another 2 potion flasks. That means you'll eventually be able to have 3 potions selected at a time. You can also complete a quest that will increase your potion recharge rate by 25% and give you access to lightning potions.

There are several good options to choose from, it all depends on what you want to get out of it. This is the order that I usually prioritize them. The exception is the Lightning Potion because I haven't run enough tests with it yet.


-Health Potion

Restores 15% of your maximum HP. The Fine Taste talent increases this to 27%, 39%, and 51%

Useful for difficult rooms or boss levels. I almost always have this potion equipped. If you want to push your DPS further then you can swap it out for something else.


-Gale Potion

Increases ASPD and CSPD by 15 for 18 seconds. I think the Fine Taste talent increases this to 17, 19, and 20?


-Power Potion

Increases ATK and MATK by 15% for 12 seconds. The Fine Taste talent increases this to 27%, 39%, and 51%


-Precision Potion

Adds 20 CRIT for 15 seconds. The Fine Taste talent increases this to 22, 25, and 27


-Lightning Potion

Summons 4 Thunder Orbs. A level 3 Fine Taste increases this to 5. While the potion is on cooldown, drinking a different potion summons another 2 orbs.

Thunder orbs last for 15 seconds and deal 50% ATK + 50% MATK damage on each strike. I don't know if Fine Taste affects this damage. If it does, it would increase to 62%, 74%, and 86%


-Bounty Potion (Farming)

Increases the drop rate of enemy drops and cards by 20% for 20 seconds. The Fine Taste talent increases this to 32%, 44%, and 56%


-Wealth Potion (Farming)

Increases gold dropped from enemies by 60% for 20 seconds. The Fine Taste talent increases this to 72%, 84%, and 96%

Cards are similar to talents. All of them are useful, but some are better than others. Pretty much any card you get is bound to be helpful, but there are a few you want to look out for.


-Yeti

Basic attacks have a 5% chance of chilling enemies (slowing them). Works great with Insult to Injury and the Blue Slime Card.


-Blue Slime

Makes all chill and freeze effects last 15% longer. Only useful if you have the Yeti card or the Chilling Touch talent.


-Larvacid

When below 20% HP, increases your ASPD and CSPD by (10).


-Shroomie

Gives a whopping (25) CRIT increase while you're blind. Only really useful if you have the Mushroom Shield.


-Echo of Madness

Increases DMG dealt to enemies with high DEF


-Orange Slime

You get a stack every time you hit something. You can have up to 10 stacks which increase ASPD by 1 per stack. Stacks disappear after 5 seconds.


-Skeleton Warrior

Basic attacks deal 5% increased DMG



-ASPD

The Rabby, Brawler, and Knight of Seasons cards give attack speed.

-ATK

The Jumpkin, Guardian and Knight of Seasons card give attack damage.

-DEF

The Scarecrow, Guardian, Spinsect, Ancient Statue, and Knight of Seasons card give defense.

So there we go. You should be decimating almost every normal enemy in the game, and giving bosses a hard time. If you have friends that are also using this build, then I can't even imagine the carnage. This build is currently my favorite for farming for cards. I'll be polishing it up a little, but other than that I think it's mostly complete. Hope you enjoyed it.

-Planned updates:

• A better introduction and conclusion.
  
• A list of pros and cons.
  
• Post a video showcasing the build in action.
  
• Start working on new class builds?

-Version 3.5 (November 9th, 2022):

• Added the potions tab
  
• Reformatted the talents section and swapped around some of the talents.
  
• Replaced Hybrid Glasses with Evil Eye Mask

-Version 3 (November 8th, 2022):

• Added the changelog section so I don't keep filling up the comments with updates.
  
• Replaced several pieces of equipment with better options.
  
• Added new cards to the list.

-Version 2 (May 11th, 2021):

• Made a category for high-risk-high-reward items.
  
• Added Daisy Armor, Boots of Bloodthirst, and Skull Ring to the new category.
  
• Added Ninja Armor and Crabby Shield.
  
• Added "Lady Luck" to the Talents list as suggested by Feretatis

-Version 1.5 (March 5th, 2020):

Started adding specific stat numbers to the Items and Talents list. I finished adding most of them over the next couple of days.

-Version 1 (February 26th, 2020):

I created the guide and added most of the content.