Backhand Blade Bleed Build: A Comprehensive Guide for Maximum Carnage

Introduction

The Backhand Blade Bleed build is a devastating melee playstyle in the popular action role-playing game Path of Exile. Utilizing the unique mechanics of the Backhand Blade skill and Bleed status ailment, this build excels in inflicting sustained, heavy damage over time to multiple enemies.

How it Works

The Backhand Blade is a one-handed axe that grants a unique bonus to Bleed damage. When using this skill, each hit inflicts stacks of Bleed on the target, which deal damage over time based on the target's maximum life.

Core Mechanics

• Backhand Blade: A melee skill that swings the axe in a wide arc, damaging nearby enemies and applying Bleed stacks.
• Bleed: A status ailment that deals physical damage over time to enemies, based on a percentage of their maximum life.
• Gladiator Ascendancy: This Ascendancy class provides significant bonuses to Bleed and physical damage, as well as defensive capabilities.

Skill Tree and Ascendancy

• Passive Tree: Focus on allocating nodes that increase Bleed chance, damage, and duration. Key nodes include:
  • Iron Grip: Increases physical damage with one-handed axes.
  • Reaper's Pursuit: Increases Bleed damage and chance.
  • Flesh and Stone: Provides various defensive bonuses and grants a chance to apply Bleed on hit.
• Ascendancy: Choose the Gladiator Ascendancy and its following notables:
  • Gratuitous Violence: Grants more Attack Speed and Bleed chance.
  • Flesh and Flame: Increases physical damage and grants a chance to deal Bleed on critical strikes.
  • Brawl: Enhances block chance and grants additional Bleed damage when blocking.

Gear and Items

• Weapon: Backhand Blade or a similar high-physical damage one-handed axe.
• Helmet: Vis Mortis (unique): Grants increased physical damage and bonuses to Bleed.
• Body Armour: Belly of the Beast (unique): Provides substantial life and resists.
• Gloves: Haemophilia Gloves (unique): Increase Bleed chance and damage.
• Belt: Stygian Vise (unique): Grants increased maximum life and Bleed damage.
• Boots: Lioneye's Paws (unique): Enhances movement speed and grants a chance to apply Bleed on hit.

Playstyle and Strategy

• Engage: Position yourself close to enemies and activate Backhand Blade to initiate the attack.
• Maintain Bleeds: Continuously hit enemies with Backhand Blade to apply and refresh Bleed stacks.
• Defend and Block: Utilize Gladiator's defensive capabilities to block attacks and mitigate incoming damage.
• Target Selection: Prioritize larger enemies with higher maximum life to maximize Bleed damage.
• Movement and Positioning: Utilize movement skills and defensive layers to reposition yourself and avoid dangerous attacks.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages:
  • High damage output over time
  • Synergizes well with physical damage modifiers
  • Provides a defensive layer through Gladiator's abilities
• Disadvantages:
  • Requires precise positioning to maintain Bleed stacks
  • Can struggle against enemies with high Bleed resistance
  • Requires specialized gear to reach full potential

Variations and Customization

The Backhand Blade Bleed build can be customized to suit individual preferences and playstyles. Consider the following variations:

• Dual Wielding: Use two Backhand Blades for increased Attack Speed and melee range.
• Spectral Throw: Utilize the Spectral Throw skill to apply Bleed stacks from a distance.
• Vaal Double Strike: Enhance burst damage with the Vaal Double Strike skill to unleash a barrage of Bleed-infused attacks.

Conclusion

The Backhand Blade Bleed build is a potent and versatile melee option that rewards precise gameplay and specialized gear. By leveraging the devastating power of Bleed damage, players can conquer even the most challenging encounters with sustained carnage.