Withered KnightGreatswordTwo-handed
Wither Execute Knight
The Greatsword branch runs a two-step: apply Wither, then execute it. What makes it worth building around is that the game ships an affix, Burst, whose only function is to raise Withered Knight execution damage — it does nothing for anyone else. The Core Archetype tree then decides what the execution does, and Collective Punishment is the pick that turns a single execute into a chain.
Skill bar4 of the branch’s skills
- Withering MarkGreatsword
The applicator, and its talent lets it execute an already-Withered target immediately.
- Radiant RetributionGreatsword
Three wide slashes, and a talent makes the final one an execute.
- Breakthrough ChargeGreatsword
The gap-closer, with a second-stage branch that can execute on its own.
- ParryGreatsword
Negates the hit and returns Energy, which is what pays for the rest of the bar.
Talents that matter5 trees back this branch
Not a full tree — these are the points that change what the build does rather than adding a percentage to it. Fill the rest of the tree in whatever order your level allows.
- Greatsword SpecializationWeapon Specialization
One extra equipped skill while holding a Greatsword — a whole slot, for one point.
- Instant WitherWithering Mark Enhancement
Withering Mark executes on the spot, collapsing the two-step into one input.
- Collective PunishmentCore Archetype
The execution explosion reapplies Wither to everyone caught, which is how one execute becomes several.
- Righteous CreedMartial Arts 1
A successful execution raises Physical Damage, so the chain accelerates.
- WhiplashRadiant Retribution Enhancement
Radiant Retribution's last strike executes, giving the rotation a second detonator.
Affixes to roll for
In priority order. Affix rolls are random, so treat this as what to keep rather than what to expect.
- BurstOffensive
Raises Withered Knight's Wither Execution specifically — it exists for this build and nothing else.
- StrifeOffensive
Melee weapon damage under the whole rotation.
- PowerfulOffensive
Physical damage, which is what the execution scales from.
Greatsword weaponshighest combat value
Pulled from the catalog by combat value, not picked by hand — a new greatsword shows up here on the next import.
How to play it
- Wither first, always. An execute with nothing to detonate is just a slow swing.
- In a group, execute into the middle. Collective Punishment reapplies Wither to everyone in the blast — that is the build's real damage.
- Parry rather than dodge when you can. The Energy it returns is what keeps the rotation running.
- Take the extra skill slot early. One point for a whole slot is the best rate in the class.
Don’t take this if
Enemies die before Wither matures. Against low-health targets you are paying setup cost for a payoff that never arrives.