"Grim Dawn": Soldier Build Guides for Beginners

ARC SOSANGYO

Arc is a self-help author/speaker and AI thinker currently working as IT Manager in a tech company. He also make apps as a side hustle.

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Soldier is a physical damage dealer that can either be played as tank or heavy hitter. The mastery is also not limited to melee combat. Some of soldier’s skills works with a range weapon as well.

Due to its skill Squad Tactics from Field Command, Soldier can be easily integrated to other masteries.

To describe what Squad Tactics does, the skill increases all damage and attack speed to you and your allies.

Now lets explain what all damage does, because thats what really matters in this skill. Basically, the game has 9 damage types: physical, pierce, fire, cold, lightning, vitality, chaos, acid and aether. Then another 8 dot (damage over time) types: internal trauma, bleeding, burn, frostburn, electrocute, vitality decay and poison. All damage increases the power of all the above mentioned damage types. This means that any masteries you play will benefit from it.

Note: Recommended Devotions are not in order. Meaning, it is up to you what constellation you should learn first. Just in case you don’t know, devotion points can also be re-assign in order to meet certain requirements.

When it comes to gear components, resistance to different damage types should be the priority for your character to survive on higher difficulty.

1. Forcewave Commando (Soldier + Demolitionist)

High damage, high survivability, melee to mid-range build. This setup relies heavily on Forcewave as its attack skill.

Attributes

After you assign some points on spirit for item requirement purpose, put everything on physique. You may also put some on cunning but its not recommended.

Skills Soldier

• Mastery Bar (50 points)
• Forcewave (16 points) – Tremor (1 point) – Rending Force (12 points) – Internal Trauma (12 points)
• Oleron’s Rage (12 points)
• Blitz (1 point)
• Field Command (12 points) – Squad Tactics (12 points)
• Fighting Spirit (12 points)
• Menhir’sWill (16 points)
• Military Conditioning (10 points)
• Decorated Soldier (8 points)
• Scars of Battle (1 point)

Skills Demolitionist

• Mastery Bar (32 points)
• Flame Touched (1 point) – Temper (12 points)
• Vindictive Flame (16 points)
• Blast Shield (12 points)

Devotion

• Lion
• Bull
• Hammer
• Anvil
• Empty Throne
• Lotus
• Kraken
• Dire Bear
• Ulzaad, Herald of Korvaak
• Autumn Boar
• Oleron

Note: Since you only have Forcewave and Blitz as offensive skill. Its up to you what devotion skills you’ll be attaching to those.

Equipment Priorities

Equip two-handed melee weapon that grants damage bonuses to physical and internal trauma.

How to play?

Simplicity of playstyle is another good thing about this build. Use Blitz to close the gap between you and your opponents. Then destroy them all with Forcewave.

2. Rifle Commando (Soldier + Demolitionist)

The real commando that you deserve. This build uses two-handed range weapon to kill enemies with your deadly pierce damage.

Attributes

High amount of cunning is needed for damage and weapon requirements. Then spirit for accessories requirements. Its up to you how much physique you’re planning to distribute.

Skills Soldier

• Mastery Bar (50 points)
• Cadence (16 points) – Fighting Form (12 points) – Deadly Momentum (12 points)
• Field Command (12 points) – Squad Tactics (12 points)
• Oleron’s Rage (12 points)
• Markovian’s Advantage (12 points)
• Zolhan’s Technique (12 points)
• Decorated Soldier (8 points)

Skills Demolitionist

• Mastery Bar (40 points)
• Flame Touched (1 point) – Temper (12 points)
• Canister Bomb (12 points) – Improved Casing (10 points)
• Blash Shield (12 points)
• Flash Bang (2 points) – Searing Light (1 point)

Devotion

• Order Crossroads
• Harpy
• Assassin’s Blade
• Assassin
• Kraken
• Hydra
• Bard’s Harp
• Chariot of the Dead
• Harvestman’s Sickle
• Azrakaa, the Eternal Sands

Note: Put the remaining 2 devotion points on Empty Throne.

Equipment Priorities

Valdun’s set especially the rifle one fits perfectly for this build. But while you’re collecting the Valdun’set, go with items that increases pierce damage.

How to play?

Throw Canister Bomb first, then continously fire your weapon using Cadence. If you need to control the crowd, you have a flashbang to do that.

Once you have Valdun’s Rifle, don’t forget to use Fragmenting Rounds. Like Canister Bomb, the skill is also good in cleaning up mobs.

3. Retaliation Warlord (Soldier + Oathkeeper)

The set of attack skills in this build gets its major damage from retaliation.

Attributes

Almost all of your attribute points should go to physique. But you can assign some points on spirit when needed for gear requirements.

Skills Soldier

• Mastery Bar (50 points)
• Menhir’s Bulwark (12 points)
• Blitz (1 point)
• Counter Strike (16 points)
• Menhir’s Will (10 points)
• Military Conditioning (10 points)
• Overguard (12 points)
• Field Command (12 points)

Skills Oathkeeper

• Mastery Bar (32 points)
• Aegis of Menhir (1 point) – Avenging Shield (10 points) – Aegis of Thorns (1 point) – Reprisal (12 points)
• Righteous Fervor (1 point) – Consecration (12 points) – Retribution (12 points)
• Presence of Virtue (12 point) – Haven (10 points) – Rebuke (10 points)
• Ascension (12 points)

Devotion

• Hound
• Scarab
• Wolverine
• Tortoise
• Lion
• Spider
• Messenger of War
• Hyrian, Guardian of the Celestial Gate
• Alladrah’s Phoenix
• Shieldmaiden
• Obelisk of Menhir

Equipment Priorities

Use equipment that provides and multiplies your retaliation regardless of what damage type. As long as its retaliation, its good.

How to play?

You don’t need to wait for enemies to attack you. Just strike normally with your offensive skills.

If enemies hit you, then its good.

4. Cadence Blademaster (Soldier + Nightblade)

Blademaster that relies heavily on Cadence and activated passive skills during basic attacks.

This build can easily take down boss enemies.

Attributes

You priority first is cunning until you met the requirements for high level swords.

Put high amount of points in physique since this is a melee character. Then little points on spirit until you can wear high level accessories.

Skills Soldier

• Mastery Bar (50 points)
• Cadence (16 points) – Fighting Form (12 points) – Deadly Momentum (12 points)
• Field Command (1 points) – Squad Tactics (12 points)
• Oleron’s Rage (12 points)
• Markovian’s Advantage (12 points)

Skills Nightblade

• Mastery Bar (50 points)
• Dual Blades (16 points) – Belgothian’s Shears (8 points) – Amarasta’s Quick Cut (8 points) – Whirling Death (8 points) – Execution (8 points)
• Blade Spirit (16 points)
• Shadow Strike (1 point)
• Blade Barrier (6 points)

Devotion

• Tortoise
• Assassin’s Blade
• Assassin
• Blades of Nadaan
• Harpy
• Bard’s Harp
• Harvestman’s Scythe
• Azrakaa, the Eternal Sands
• Unknown Soldier

Note: Put the remaining 3 devotion points on Empty Throne depending on the resistance that you need.

Equipment Priorities

Sword is mandatory because you’re using Blades of Nadaan. For equipment attribute, choose items that increases your pierce damage.

How to play?

Initiate the fight with Shadow Strike, then attack continuously with Cadence and let your multiple passive skills triggers. When in danger, use Blade Barrier as your panic button.

Don’t forget to always summon Blade Spirit whenever its available to deal more damage to your enemies.

5. Elemental Tank Battlemage (Soldier + Arcanist)

A tank type build that strikes with elemental basic attacks.

Attributes

The primary attribute is physique. But you can also put some points on spirit or cunning if you prefer to boost your damage.

Skills Soldier

• Mastery Bar (50 points)
• Cadence (16 points) – Discord (3 points)
• Field Command (12 points) – Squad Tactics (12 points)
• Markovian’s Advantage (12 points)
• Blitz (1 point)
• Menhir’s Will (16 points)
• Military Conditioning (10 points)
• Fighting Spirit (12 points)
• Menhir’s Bulwark (12 points)
• Scars of Battle (8 points)
• Shield Training (1 point)

Skills Arcanist

• Mastery Bar (25 points)
• Iskandra’s Elemental Exchange (12 points) – Overload (12 points) – Elemental Balance (12 points)
• Maiven’s Sphere of Protection (12 points)
• Arcane Will (10 points)

Devotion

• Order Crossroads
• Primordial Crossroads
• Spider
• Tortoise
• Scholar’s Light
• Owl
• Rhowan’s Crown
• Chariot of the Dead
• Hyrian, Guardian of the Celestial Gates
• Behemoth
• Alladrah’s Phoenix
• Blind Sage

Equipment Priorities

Shield is required for this build. When it comes to boosting your damage. Choose bonus to elemental electrocute, burn, and frostburn damage.

How to play?

For maximum damage even as a tank, attach Blind Sage to Cadence, Rhowan’s Crown to Markovian’s Advantage, and Alladrah’s Phoenix to Blitz.

6. Force Blade Warder (Soldier + Shaman)

From the name of the build itself (which sounds cool by the way). This build uses Forcewave and Blade Arc as its main attack which unleashes painful internal trauma and physical damage.

Attributes

Same as Forcewave Commando.

Skills Soldier

• Mastery Bar (50 points)
• Blade Arc (16 points) – Clean Sweep (1 point) – Laceration (12 points)
• Oleron’s Rage (12 points)
• Forcewave (16 points) – Tremor (1 point) – Rending Force (12 points) – Internal Trauma (12 points)
• Fighting Spirit (12 points)
• Field Command (12 points) – Squad Tactics (12 points)
• Military Conditioning (10 points)
• Decorated Soldier (8 points)
• Scars of Battle (8 points)
• Menhir’s Will (5 points)

Skills Shaman

• Mastery Bar (15 points)
• Brute Force (12 points)
• Mogdrogen’s Pact (12 points) – Heart of the Wild (10 points)

Devotion

• Bull
• Lion
• Hammer
• Hawk
• Empty Throne
• Sheperd’s Crook
• Kraken
• Dire Bear
• Ulzaad, Herald of Korvaak
• Rhowan’s Scepter
• Oleron

Note: Put the remaining 2 devotion points on Crab.

Equipment Priorities

Two-handed mace weapon that grant bonus to internal trauma and physical damage.

How to play?

Use Blade Arc first for its massive damage overtime followed by non-stop Forcewave. Repeat the process when Blade Arc is on cooldown.

7. Vitality Tank Witchblade (Soldier + Occultist)

Its just like Elemental Tank Battlemage. But this variant uses vitality damage instead.

Attributes

Same as Elemental Tank Battlemage.

Skills Soldier

• Mastery Bar (50 points)
• Cadence (1 point)
• Fighting Spirit (10 points)
• Blitz (1 point)
• Markovian’s Advantage (12 points)
• Field Command (12 points) – Squad Tactics (12 points)
• Military Conditioning (10 points)
• Menhir’s Bulwark (12 points)

Skills Occultist

• Mastery Bar (40 points)
• Bloody Fox (12 points) – Wasting (12 points) – Black Death (12 points)
• Solael’s Witchfire (12 points) – Second Rite (12 points)
• Blood of Dreeg (12 points) – Aspect of the Guardian (12 points)

Devotion

• Crossroads Eldritch
• Toad
• Bat
• Tortoise
• Gallows
• Lotus
• Jackal
• Typhos, the Jailor of Souls
• Revenant
• Wendigo
• Rattosh, the Veilwarden

Note: Put the remaining 5 devotion points on Affliction. Then choose the path that increases your Vitality damage.

Equipment Priorities

First thing that you should not forget is to wear a shield. All of your items should have increase vitality and vitality decay damage.

How to play?

Aside from being a tank, this build also relies its survivability on multiple attack damage converted to health skill so make use of those advantage.

8. Force Blade Tactician (Soldier + Inquisitor)

Just like its Commando and Warder counterpart, this build also uses 2 handed weapon that deals physical and internal trauma damage.

Attributes

Same as Force Blade Warder.

Skills Soldier

• Mastery Bar (50 points)
• Forcewave (16 points) – Tremor (1 point) – Rending Force (12 points) – Internal Trauma (12 points)
• Blade Arc (16 points) – Clean Sweep (1 point) – Laceration (12 points)
• Blitz (1 point)
• Oleron’s Rage (12 points)
• Field Command (12 points) – Squad Tactics (12 points)
• Decorated Soldier (8 points)
• Menhir’s Will (6 points)

Skills Inquisitor

• Mastery Bar (32 points)
• Word of Renewal (12 points) – Word of Arms (1 point) – Vigor (10 points) – Steel Resolve (10 points)
• Deadly Aim (12 points)

Devotion

Same as Force Blade Warder.

Equipment Priorities

Same as Force Blade Warder.

How to play?

These build has the advantage of Word of Renewal skill which has multiple uses. It can buff your damage and defense plus making you more mobile. The skill can also replenish your life, so its a good backup potion when health potions are on cooldown.

When it comes to attacking enemies, use Blitz for closing the gap, Blade Arc to soften them up, then finish them with Forcewave.

9. Pierce Shield Death Knight (Soldier + Necromancer)

Its a sword and shield build that takes advantage of pierce skills from both classes. Bone Harvest is the primary area attack while Cadence is the basic attack.

Attributes

Since this build uses a sword, get cunning first until you met the requirement for high level one handed swords.

Put some on spirit for ring and amulet requirements.

The rest should go to physique since this build is a melee.

Skills Soldier

• Mastery Bar (50 points)
• Cadence (16 points) – Fighting Form (12 points) – Deadly Momentum (12 points)
• Blitz (1 point)
• Oleron’s Rage (12 points)
• Fighting Spirit (12 points)
• Markovian’s Advantage (12 points)
• Menhir’s Will (15 points)
• Overguard (12 points)
• Field Command (12 points) – Squad Tactics (12 points)
• Military Conditioning (10 points)

Skills Necromancer

• Mastery Bar (20 points)
• Bone Harvest (16 points) – Dread (12 points)
• Spectral Binding (12 points)

Devotion

• Tortoise
• Assassin’s Blade
• Assassin
• Blades of Nadaan
• Harpy
• Bard’s Harp
• Harvestman’s Scythe
• Azrakaa, the Eternal Sands
• Unknown Soldier

Note: Put the remaining 3 devotion points on Empty Throne depending on the resistance that you need.

Equipment Priorities

And because you have Blades of Nadaan in your devotion, using sword is mandatory for this build. All your equipment should increase pierce damage which includes your shield that is also mandatory.

How to play?

Same play style as the other build. Clear mobs with Bone Harvest then attack with Cadence while its on cooldown.

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© 2019 Arc Sosangyo