Hatchet and Spear PvE Build (2024)

Last updated on Feb 23, 2023 at 12:00by Lemoni12 comments

The following is a PvE physical damage melee build that will use either the Hatchet or Spear forsingle-target damage depending on whether or not Slash or Thrust damage need to be prioritized. Both weaponsare single-target focused, but do have AoE viability. The Spear is great for applying Rends and other debuffs.The Hatchet adds not only damage, but its amazing survivability.both the Hatchet and Greatsword forhigh single-target damage. These weapons can be used interchangeably as both will find single-target success.On AoE fights, the Greatsword is a great option for burst output. In all, this is a high damage build withgreat survivability.

In PvE combat a player can take advantage of the crowd-control, Rends, and damage over timeeffects of the Spear and combine it with the single-target damage and of the Hatchet. This build istop-tier for speed clearing expeditions quickly. Each weapon can be used as a primary weapon dependingon the expedition you are running.

• Berserk — This is your main DPS cooldown. Try to activate this before large burst damage windows.It will also provide movement speed and self-healing.
• Raging Torrent — This will be your only real active weapon ability. It has great single targetdamage when used with maximum empower stacks, and does have AoE damage potential as it can hit multiple enemies.
• Rending Throw — This is your main source of Rend. It is only able to hit one target at a time, butit results in increased damage and is great for boss fights.

• Sweep — This provides an AoE crowd-control ability that knocks a enemies down, allowingthem to be clumped together and killed quickly.
• Perforate — This is a major source of damage that aplies the highest amount of Rend.It is important to use this on cooldown.
• Skewer — This is a high damage ability that also applies a bleed to increasecritical hit chance and apply extra damage pressure.

It is commonly debated as to whether or not you should take Sweep or Vault Kick. Havingthe AoE crowd-control for trash packs with a Sweep is typically better than single-target stuns.

In PvE you want to play with as little Constitution as possible. As such, it is best to play around50-100 Constitution.

Your primary attribute distribution depends on the content you are in. If you are maining your Hatchet, youwill maximize Strength and scale Dexterity as your secondary, and the opposite is true if you are needing yourspear as your primary weapon.

The Hatchet does have Defy Death so you are able to play a bit more risky than normal!

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Spear	Vicious Keenly Empowered Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Cut Pristine Diamond	-	Dexterity	Crafted/BoE
Hatchet	Vicious Keenly Empowered Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Cut Pristine Diamond	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Helmet	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Chest	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Medium	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Gloves	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Pants	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Boots	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Amulet	Health Divine Protection Perk (Mutator Specific)*	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Ring*** (Hatchet)	Slash Damage Keen Awareness Leeching	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Strength	Named Drop***
Ring*** (Spear)	Thrust Damage Keen Awareness Blood Letting	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Dexterity	Named Drop***
Earring	Refreshing Toast Purifying Toast or Regenerating Refreshing	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE

*: The type of Bane and Ward that you slot into your gear will be dependent on the expedition youare in and the type of enemy that you are facing. For example, if you are fighting Angry Earth enemiesin Genesis you will want Angry Earth Bane and Angry Earth Ward. Your amulet protection perkwill be similar. Depending on the elemental type of the Mutator you are in, you can wear an elementalprotection amulet for more defensiveness instead of completely switching your gems.

**: The only ability perks that you need are Enfeebling Skewer and Refreshing Torrent. If you take Vault Kick you will need Keen Vault Kick.The optional perks you can take are Keen Berserk, Bleeding Sweep,and Fortifying Perforate.

***: Legate's Ring is a best in slot drop from Grave Offerings in Brimstone Sands. You canpick this up during a chest run, or focus specific locations. It is best because Slash Damageand Keen Awareness cannot normally be on an item together--you will use this in a Hatchet primarysetup. If you are using a Spear as your primary, this same perk exception applies to Heart of Anhurawakfor Thrust Damage. Since you do not need Hearty in PvE, these are the best.

Overall with gearing, this is the ideal loadout of perks for a best in slotbuild. With that being said, be sure to refer to the Spear Perks guide orSpear Perks guide or Hatchet Perks guide orHatchet Perks guide to have abetter understanding of other flexible perk options to fit into your build. Youcan decide what you are most comfortable with.

For more specific information on optimizing your gems in PvP and PvE pleaserefer to our dedicated guides.

Use Brutal Heartrune of Detonate in PvE for maximum damage output.

Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines and Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform are secondary utilityoptions.

Your Heartrune will be used similarly in PvP and PvE scenarios. As such,please refer to our Spear guide orHatchet guide for tips on how itcan be used most effectively.

• Use Perforate to apply Rend.
• Use Skewer to apply Bleed.
• Use Berserk to increase damage.
• Use Rending Throw to increase damage output.
• (If you are NOT using Refreshing Torrent Use Raging Torrent.
• Light attack until Berserk falls off and goes on cooldown.
• (If you are ARE using Refreshing Torrent) Use Raging Torrent to reduce cooldowns.
• Light attack with Hatchet on single-target fights.
• Swap to secondary weapon on AoE fights.
• If you are about to die, swap to your Hatchet, even when stunned, to use Defy Death.

• Use Perforate to apply Rend.
• Use Skewer to apply Bleed.
• Use Berserk and light attack with Hatchet until it is finished.
• Light attack with Spear.
• Use Rending Throw if you are not able to reach Rend cap.
• Swap to Hatchet use Berserk and Raging Torrent on AoE.
• If you are about to die, swap to your Hatchet, even when stunned, to use Berserk or Defy Death.

• Use Sweep when enemies are stacked together.
• Use Perforate on clumps.
• Use Berserk and Raging Torrent on clumps of enemies.
• Light attack until abilities are active again.
• Repeat

When using the Spearor Hatchet in PvP and PvE there are manysimilar aspects that go into gameplay decisions and rotations. To learn more abouthow you can improve your gameplay, use certain secondary weapons, oradditional information on specific abilities, please refer to the Gameplaysection of the Spear page orHatchet page.

For more information on the most frequently asked Spear or Hatchet questionsplease refer to the FAQ section of the Hatchet,or Hatchet, for answers on PvP and PvE topics!