a day ago

Ascendancy ThumbnailLevel 96 Crit Cyclone of Tumult Slayer3.25

Life: 3,63374%
ES: 119
Mana: 111
eHP:
141,490
Resistances: 76%/75%/75%/73%
Armour: 28,952
DPS: 19,570,516
Speed: 7.61
Hit Chance: 100%
Crit Chance: 100.00%
Crit Multi: 491%
Config: Power
Bandit: Kill All
Pantheon: Soul of the Brine King, Soul of Ralakesh
WebOpen

Gear

Ezomyte StaffAbyssusGlorious PlateTitan GauntletsThe StampedeTurquoise AmuletUnset RingDiamond RingHeavy Belt
Divine Life FlaskAmethyst FlaskRumi's ConcoctionDiamond FlaskBasalt Flask
Large Cluster JewelMedium Cluster JewelThe Light of MeaningStormshroudCobalt JewelCobalt JewelMurderous Eye JewelMurderous Eye Jewel

Gems

General's Cry
Tectonic Slam of Cataclysm
Melee Physical Damage
Autoexertion
Pulverise
Desecrate
Cast when Damage Taken
Vaal Molten Shell
Flesh and Stone
Blood and Sand
Cyclone of Tumult
Impale
Shockwave
Pulverise
Brutality
Melee Physical Damage
Assassin's Mark
Mark On Hit
War Banner
Pride
Frostblink
Precision
Arrogance
Blood Rage
Leap Slam
Vulnerability

Tree Preview

Level 96 (119 passives)
Unwavering StanceUnwavering Stance
Versatile CombatantVersatile Combatant
Critical MasteryCritical Mastery
  • +25% to Critical Strike Multiplier against Unique Enemies
Leech MasteryLeech Mastery
  • 10% of Leech is Instant
Mana MasteryMana Mastery
  • 10% reduced Mana Cost of Skills
  • 12% increased Mana Reservation Efficiency of Skills
Rage MasteryRage Mastery
  • Nearby Enemies are Intimidated while you have Rage
Staff MasteryStaff Mastery
  • 30% increased Defences while wielding a Staff
  • Recover 2% of Energy Shield when you Block Spell Damage while wielding a Staff
  • Recover 2% of Life when you Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff

Notes

FAQ 

Why not Champion for 3.26 as a league starter?

I believe Champion is somewhat misleading as a league starter recommendation, while Slayer offers significantly higher damage output. 
To make fortification builds work effectively, you'll need costly unique items from trading, which won't be readily available or affordable early in the league. 
Additionally, you'll need to craft a chest piece with stun immunity because Unwavering Stance conflicts with Perseverance. 
In my opinion, suggesting Champion outperforms Slayer for league start (especially in the first few days) isn't accurate. 
A better approach would be starting with Slayer, then transitioning to Champion once you've acquired the high-value items needed to maximize its damage and defensive potential. 
Just expect to invest a substantial amount of currency.

Why not Axes or Maces or Swords, why Staves?

I'm not using Axes or Maces or Swords because I'm running Shockwave Support, which only works with Maces, Sceptres, and Staves. 
Out of those three weapon types, Staves are the clear winner since they allow me to scale Block for additional tankiness. 

Is the Stampede necessary? I'd rather move faster.

The Stampede is necessary because Cyclone of Tumult significantly reduces our movement speed, and these boots are the only effective way to counter that penalty.
If you prefer faster movement, you can certainly use regular Cyclone instead, but you'll sacrifice both damage and area of effect coverage.

What about the new Unique Starcaller?

Starcaller's physical DPS is too low for our purposes. It appears to be better suited for a Cast on Crit build.

LEVELING

In Act 1 use Spectral Throw with a physical 2H Axe until you get Sunder before Merveil. 
Use Sunder with a physical 2H Axe until Act 3 when we swap to Cyclone and General's Cry. Make sure you have a good physical DPS staff when you swap.
See the provided loadouts for gem suggestions and tree pathing.

REGEX

Vendors in Act 1/2: we mostly are looking for a G/G/R for Spectral Throw, a R/R/R for Sunder, a R/G for Leap Slam, as well as movement speed boots: 
r-r-r|g-g-r|g-r-g|r-g-g|g-r|r-g|nne|rint

Map modifiers to avoid:
om$ ur$ gen uct "s rec" rses non