So I was looking into making a bleed build with the sentinel. Currently what I’ve tried to put together I am very unsure since I’m still learning the game overall. I was looking to do something the rive fast attack speed setup with the on hit bleed stacking up consistently as well. I don’t know if there is already something out there created, tried looking around with no luck currently. If anyone has any suggestions on items to look into or any specific setups I should be doing, please do let me know. I am very curious on creating something in this area. Thanks
Paladin isn’t the only one but it’s probably better than Forge Guard for bleed.
Currently the bleed hammerdin is a very strong build. You might want to give that a try.
Afaik there’s no current patch Sentinel Bleed build that uses Rive or 2handers.
Forge Guard loses out on some Bleed related talents in the Paladin tree, however Forge Strike can be specced into no cooldown attack with up to 245% Physical Penetration for Bleed caused by Forge Strike, and it can make Stun Chance and Melee Stun Chance count as % Increased Damage over Time.
If you can solve the 35 mana cost of Forge Strike, it could be a thing. For example:
- Forge Strike specced for Bleed Pen and Stun Chance as mentioned.
- Rive specced into Attack Speed, Scrap Metal, mana gain and also to consume Ignite stacks.
- Healing Hands specced to proc on melee hits with Rive or Forge Strike. When not using it, it heals you AND generates Ward with each hit AND also does a little extra damage AND most importantly will also be applying Bleeds and Ignites. Plus you can use it as a Movement skill.
The idea is that you run in, Forge Strike until you’re out of mana, then use Rive to refill your mana back, repeat.
You apply tons of Ignites with Forge Strike + Healing Hands + 1st and 2nd strikes of Rive, then you consume the Ignites with 3rd strike of Rive to get 3 seconds buff for extra Phys Penetration. And you apply even more Bleeds with all of the above 
Two skill slots are still open 
So I did notice the Hammerdin build for that. its interesting although I was hoping to get a build that was built around fast melee attacking constantly building up the bleed stacks.
Basically face tanking with bleed stacks, fast attack speed and high health/health regen to withstand the face tanking.
AFAIK Rogue or Primalist is your best bet for that type of playstyle.
The thing with Hammerdin bleed is it can do all content in the game.
Melee bleed is going to struggle to get off the ground (into corruption and end game) there isn’t anything really enabling power in the build and you are gonna be problem solving a lot. Your damage will be lacking then your melee and Sentinel has a lot of defensive issues. So you are trying to get tons of armor, block, dot mitigation etc just to stay alive and then your damage is bad.
With that said items like Blood of the exile boots, Flayer’s pride shield, thornslinger belt are foundation of many bleed builds.
I really wish Bleed builds would get some love again and Melee needs some more buffs and additions. With that said I’m working on a melee build that is Dot based since I finished my Shield basher. I’m going the ignite route though. You will have far better options with ignite and it’s a dot.
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Here’s an idea I haven’t really tested out but plan to.
Rive spam focusing on the second strike which really speeds up the animation. The pull mana cost is pretty much countered by the mana generation node. Forge strike for more bleeds and Scrap metal procs(Although I am not sure if it would be better to setup as just a buff skill). HH ignites for more bleeds and healing. VR to boost DoT damage. RoS to reach 50% block and some healing + armor.
General idea is stacking bleed duration on gear and doubling the speed with Taste the blood(Insta consuming with abyssal echoes could work too but feels too clunky IMO). Flayer’s pride opens up the strong Forge guard DR and helps bleed chance (although the block stats on this shield are soooo trash you need block affixes on gear AND Ring of shields to just hit 50% block chance. EHG please buff this shield to a better base 20% block for a shield that drops at lvl 65 is ridiculous).
The amulet slot is free because one option is Xithara’s for 30% more bleed damage and then rely on healing from Healing hands and ring of shields and use a ring prefix healing effect and +2 HH on the helmet. If this doesn’t work out then just an Omnis/Nihilis/Bleeding heart/rare Jade or Oracle ammy would suffice and bleed chance on helm + phys damage on ring. Oceareon would also be a good legendary option.
Fair enough, would it be better to run a primalist or rogue for this idea id like to make? Or same situation with melee buffs being needed and not enough dmg output? I dont mind waiting for changes to come too just cutious if it be more viable on a different character before disregarding. Thanks.
I’m honestly not sure. I threw together a Bleed Bladedancer concept in 1.0 and just migrated it to 1.1, but I haven’t tested it yet.
If was part of my “plan a build for every career using the career skill” challenge
I think Beastmaster could have a good Swipe Bleed build, but I’d think Bladedancer with Crimson Shroud focus may be what you’re looking for in terms of “fast attack bleed Stacking.”
Though, that being said, Falconer has good options for Crimson Shroud and bleed Stacking.
Edit: figured I’d link the planner I just did a quick once over on mobile to change some things after the migration. https://www.lastepochtools.com/planner/QqqpR9kQ
I don’t bother with gear in my planners because I’ll never know what I’ll find. Concept is pretty basic, Dancing Strikes to build Rhythm for a +150% Global Bleed chance and free Shadow Cascades. (you can swap rhythm for arena if you play with other people). Shift casts shadow cascade as a guaranteed Crit with +150% bleed. Shadow cascade itself has 100% bleed chance by default (at max rhythm this is 400% bleed chance after a shift). Lethal Mirage has a chance to proc shadow cascade, apply bleed, and deals more damage per bleed stack. Smoke Bomb gives some flat damage, leech, spawns shadows, gives dusk shroud, and crimson shroud.
Passives convert dodge to glancing blow, and you use a shield instead of dual wielding. But you can adjust things for a dual wield build for bonus bleed w/ swords
This seems like a solid bleed melee Forge Guard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek2eo6M-S1g but I’ve heard Shield rush is wonky online so maybe better for offline.
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Nice I’ve also recently seen an ignite version as well. They use a 2hander though and no Rive.
I think Shield Rush and Shield Bash are in great spots and pinnacle of Melee because better Aoe and functionality. I don’t really consider Shield rush and true melee ability though.
Would love for Rive, Vengeance and those abilities to get some love so they are smoother to use. They need some better base Aoe, movement QoL.
i appreciate all the info guys, ill definitely continue to look into it more and see what i can make.