blue_myriddn wrote:
...I suggest maxing out Conviction even though it doesn't give as good a synergy boost...
Don't forget that the 16% synergy from conviction is applied to all 3 elements, so you could compare it as 48% synergy relative to HFire's 24%. Also consider that you'd be use Conviction to lower their res. With lowered res, the benefit from Conviction sort of gets multiplied in twice. This makes Conviction probably the very first skill to be maxed (along with HShield). After that, pump Vengeace for 12*3 or 36% bonus to damage. If you want to exclusively kill with Vengeance, then this is about the most efficient way to place your points.
However, another perfectly fine way to start the build would be to max HFire first, and play your char as a Ranger (exploding arrows) until you've been able to place enough points into HShield and Conviction to change your fighting strategy.
The best items for this build should be the same as any other phys-melee. Get a really big stick with lots of speed. Get lots of defence and block, and gets lots of absorbs. If you mainly play your characters at level 95+ (i.e. you rush until then) then any of the higher gear will satisfy all of those requirements. If you play yours chars before high levels, then select gear based on the qualities I mentioned. 4-Diamond Saphire crafted armor is a great choice that you can do from level 14 onwards (craft a lvl 1 armor using a lvl 1 char for a lvl 14-24 craft).