Elemental 2H Cadence Tactician

The main attack, maxed alongside its Discord modifier. Also the binding target for Revenant's proc.

A DoT debuff attack. Temporarily holds Rhowan's Crown's proc, until it's later moved to Inquisitor Seal.

A deployable defensive ward, paired with the Runic Seal modifier that cuts its recharge and energy cost while wielding a two-handed weapon. It also has an offensive Rebuke component that punishes enemies who cross it, making it the eventual binding target for Rhowan's Crown's proc.

A debuff that lowers enemy damage output; its Terrify modifier also strips resistances.

A heal skill, paired with its Word of Arms modifier to boost survivability.

Inquisitor's exclusive aura. Always-on defense, plus Category-B resistance reduction that adds on top of Category-A sources like Terrify. Its own enemy-damage-reduction effect is the same type as War Cry's, though, so only the stronger of the two applies there.

The Tactician combo's signature skill, summoning a temporary NPC ally.

An always-on aura. Putting a single point in unlocks Squad Tactics.

• ▸Start as Soldier with a two-handed weapon, leveling on Forcewave up through Malmouth (in Hardcore, 1 point in Menhir's Will is a cheap safety net).
• ▸Once Tactician unlocks (on reaching Squad Tactics), put 1 point in Field Command to immediately max Squad Tactics, then invest in Forcewave's secondary nodes and the Inquisitor mastery bar. Start devotions with Scholar's Light, Eel, and Kraken.
• ▸Around the Necropolis/Loghorrean area, invest in Word of Renewal and its Word of Arms modifier. On devotions, complete Behemoth.
• ▸After reaching Malmouth, farm Fleshwarped Shard (weapon) and Ascendant Hood (helmet MI). For the helmet, work through the Malmouth Resistance bounty board until the Torraxsteria bounty appears, then kill her at Crown Hill (reset without turning in the bounty until she drops it).

• ▸Refresh Fleshwarped Shard by farming Malmouth Harbor. Once you have the helmet and weapon MIs, shift the build's core from Forcewave to Cadence (with its Discord modifier) and from Soldier to the Inquisitor mastery bar (plus Aura of Censure).
• ▸Pants: from the Guardian of Dreeg near Devil's Crossing. Boots: The Final March is ideal, or buy Elite Legion Greaves as a substitute if it hasn't dropped. Gloves: buy Elite Harvest Grips.
• ▸Shoulders: from "Chosen"-type hero enemies in the Forgotten Gods DLC. Chest: farm Galakros, the Mountain in the Malmouth sewers.
• ▸Rings and belt: source from Ugdenbog (buy from Vinelton, or farm Ancient Grove). Medal blueprint: buy from the Cult of Bysmiel in Forgotten Gods.
• ▸Amulet: craft Heart of Malmouth once its blueprint unlocks at Veneration reputation with the Malmouth Resistance (its +1 Arcanist skills line goes unused, but the casting speed and stun resistance still make it a solid leveling-to-midgame bridge piece).

• ▸Swing Cadence continuously, layering Word of Pain's damage over time on top.
• ▸Drop Inquisitor Seal on enemy packs to farm its Rebuke effect and Rhowan's Crown's proc.
• ▸Open with War Cry and Aura of Censure, then settle into trading blows.
• ▸Word of Renewal's long-duration buff keeps recasting to a minimum.

For resistance reduction, Terrify, Revenant's proc, and Rhowan's Crown's proc are Category A (only the strongest of these applies), while Aura of Censure is Category B and adds on top. Separately, War Cry's and Aura of Censure's own enemy-damage-reduction effects are the same type as each other, so only the stronger of the two applies rather than both stacking. Since this is a two-handed, shield-less setup, fill your own resistance gaps with components and gear affixes.

The guide is from v1.2.1.2 and hasn't been re-verified on v1.2.1.6. The SR65 result belongs to a separately upgraded spec with advanced components and legendary gear, not something the base budget build is guaranteed to reach as-is. The Ascendant Hood helmet requires reset-farming Torraxsteria, so early acquisition takes some time.

Farm Malmouth Harbor for Fleshwarped Shard, Torraxsteria at Crown Hill for Ascendant Hood, the Guardian of Dreeg near Devil's Crossing for pants, and Galakros in the Malmouth sewers for chest armor.