The build's main loop revolves around entering Reaper Form, using Reap and Transplant to rapidly move between packs, and detonating enemies with Death Seal. While Death Seal is on cooldown, Rip Blood provides consistent damage and sustain, and Bone Curse helps both offense and defense in a wide area thanks to Last Epoch gold the Signet of Agony node.

Core Skills and Specializations

Reaper Form is the centerpiece of this build, but it does not become available until you have invested 30 points into the Lich passive tree. Before then, you'll rely on other early Acolyte abilities to bridge the gap. Rip Blood, the starting skill, remains useful even later in the game, and Bone Curse and Transplant are unlocked early, making them strong candidates for leveling.

In Rip Blood's skill tree, focus first on nodes like Hemomancer and Arcane Absorption for early power. Sustain comes from Quenching and Mana Feast, while Thirst helps maintain uptime. Later, the Rip Spirit node becomes important for scaling Rip Blood with the rest of the build. Splatter and Eviscerate offer extra area damage, though Eviscerate should be delayed since its higher mana cost can slow down early progress.

Once you unlock Reaper Form, prioritize the Unholy Dominion node so that Reap and Transplant no longer share a cooldown. This significantly increases mobility, allowing you to chain movement abilities and maintain Reaper Form longer by leeching health from enemies. From there, take offensive nodes like Reaper's Curse and Rapid Destruction, then balance your tree with defensive choices such as Mistress of Decay, Soul Shroud, and Vile Shroud. Finish the tree with Death's Door, but only after you have Death Seal and Deadlock active to ensure the bonus damage works consistently.

For Death Seal, begin with Corrupted Consciousness and Mortal Pulse for strong damage scaling, then move into Desperate Shroud and Deadlock. Deadlock automatically sets your health to 33 percent, which synergizes with multiple low-health bonuses in the Lich tree. On the right side, Doomcall dramatically amplifies damage, especially if you're lucky enough to obtain Marina's Lost Soul Unique Wand. Tachycardia adds even more offensive power.

Passive Tree

Your passive point distribution is split across the base Acolyte tree, the Warlock tree for supplemental Intelligence, and the Lich tree for core power.

Start with 20 points in the Acolyte base tree to unlock the Lich. Blood Aura and Bone Aura are the best early choices. If you're running Summon Skeletons during leveling, you can temporarily invest in Dark Rituals for additional damage. After unlocking Lich, respec to focus on Bone Aura and Forbidden Knowledge, with a few points in Stolen Vitality or Blood Aura depending on whether you need more defense or offense.

In the Warlock tree, spend five points each in Soul Stealer and Occultist's Mind for Intelligence and sustain. These are less urgent and can be added later once your Lich nodes are secure.

The Lich tree itself is where most of your investment will go. Dance with Death is the priority, giving massive damage while below 35 percent health-a state that Deadlock ensures. Apocrypha and Grasp of Fate fill out your early points, while Unclosing Wounds and Crippling Insight bring stronger midgame power. For endgame scaling, focus on cheap Last Epoch gold Deathbringer, Clairvoyant Insight, and Ageless Ascetic for damage, with Three Plagues, Elixir of Death, and Soul Maw for defense. Mind Over Body is another key node, helping maintain low health thresholds while improving Intelligence scaling.