Cyclone Gladiator Passive Skill Tree and Gem Links

Passive Skill Tree

This is our recommended Level 92 Passive Skill Tree.

Start by making a beeline towards Resolute Technique, which is essential for this build. While Critical Strike stacking is possible, it is absolutely not necessary or really worth it and does not play towards the strengths of the Gladiator Ascendancy, which is why we instead opt for a much cheaper, easier to execute, and punchy version of the build. The Endurance Charges are extremely valuable once you reach the end-game and early Maps, and allow you to greatly extend your Immortal Calls for nearly permanent 25% reduction of Elemental and Physical Damage. See the Leveling section at the end of the guide for more information.

Leveling beyond 92 you can opt for more damage, or simply fill out the Constitution wheel for more Life.

Gems

Cyclone is our main damaging skill, and requires a fair amount of Dexterity to fully level up. Since it does not really shine until the end-game, we prefer to use Sunder to level up, which has high base damage, prioritizes the same stats, and uses the same items. This allows for a quick and clean transition to Cyclone when you are ready with no respeccing or gear swaps — simply ensure that you are leveling a Cyclone gem while making your way through Acts 1-10.

Vaal Ancestral Warchief does exceptional damage and serves as our Vaal skill of choice, although the base totem, Ancestral Warchief, can also be potent for assisting with tough enemies and bosses. Warlord's Mark is used for additional Leech which is essential for this build. The 6 Endurance Charges that we have extend Immortal Call immensely, allowing us to maintain extremely high uptime on Elemental and Physical damage reduction.

Herald of Purity and Herald of Ash are used as our auras, as well as the new Blood and Sand. Blood Rage adds some additional damage and leech, while Vaal Double Strike also reinforces our boss damage even further.

Cyclone 6-Link

1. Cyclone
2. Infused Channelling Support
3. Melee Physical Damage Support
4. Pulverise Support
5. Fortify Support
6. Concentrated Effect Support / Increased Area of Effect Support

As you might expect, Concentrated Effect Support is far superior for smashing bosses, while Increased Area of Effect Support boasts much smoother clear. You can opt to swap them in and out as necessary, although Concentrated Effect is not usually necessary for Map bosses in average gear. It is highly recommended, however, that you use Concentrated Effect for tankier bosses, such as Shaper Guardians and above.

Sunder 6-Link

If you have not yet made the switch to Cyclone, you should set up your Sunder as follows:

1. Sunder
2. Melee Physical Damage Support
3. Multistrike Support
4. Ruthless Support
5. Maim Support
6. Concentrated Effect Support

Vaal Ancestral Warchief 4-Link

Vaal Ancestral Warchief can be used as necessary while clearing, but you should save some uses for the boss. The Ancestral Warchief itself does not need to be used, except for extremely tanky or long-lived enemies, where it should always be kept active to grant you the Melee damage bonus. It also does great damage on its own, which can be helpful when you need to move or kite around.

1. Vaal Ancestral Warchief
2. Multiple Totems Support
3. Melee Physical Damage Support
4. Concentrated Effect Support

Cast when Damage Taken Support 4-Link

Immortal Call‘s damage reduction will have 100% uptime, provided your Cast when Damage Taken Support is getting triggered, which adds a significant amount of safety in Red Maps.

1. Cast when Damage Taken Support (Level 10)
2. Immortal Call (Level 12)
3. Increased Duration Support (Level 20)
4. Warlord's Mark (Level 13)

Vaal Double Strike 4-Link

This is mainly here for bosses, allowing you a massive frontload burst of damage that will melt most Map bosses when combined with Vaal Ancestral Warchief.

1. Vaal Double Strike
2. Melee Physical Damage Support
3. Maim Support
4. Ruthless Support

Leap Slam 3-Link

A standard mobility link. Even though we have Fortify Support in our main link, it still pays to have it here for when you are hopping into fresh packs, preventing any unexpected bursts of damage.

1. Leap Slam
2. Faster Attacks Support
3. Fortify Support

Auras 3-Link

These do not have to be linked together, though it makes no difference.

1. Herald of Ash
2. Herald of Purity
3. Blood and Sand

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