Ruins of Dawn Build Checklist

Use this Ruins of Dawn build checklist before you extract, inject, or reforge expensive pieces in RuinsofDawnDemo or the full game after August 14, 2026. Forging mistakes are permanent when donor items are destroyed — this static planner keeps your goals visible while you cross-reference the affix glossary, Forging builds, and class tier list.

Copy sections into your notes app or screenshot tables for co-op planning with Co-op groups pushing Rifts and Trials.

Phase 0 — Define Build Intent

Fill this header before touching the forge:

Field	Your plan
Primary class	Warrior / Mage / Warlock
Secondary class (optional)	For class switching nights
Content goal	Trash farm / bounties / trials / boss push
Demo or launch	RuinsofDawnDemo vs post-launch
Reference build	Link mentally to beginner builds page

Checklist — intent locked

• I know whether this build is for fast mapping or boss burst.
• I read Progression extract-destroys-donor rule this week.
• I checked skill tier list for bar priorities.

Phase 1 — Gear Slot Targets

Plan affix families per slot — not exact patch numbers. Adjust using gear items.

Mage mapping build (demo-era template)

Slot	Priority affix families	Minimum /5 feel
Weapon	Spell damage, projectile count, cast speed	High on weapon
Chest	Life, resist, shield proc	Mid-high
Boots	Movement speed, resist	High on movespeed
Gloves	Cast speed, crit or flat damage	Mid-high
Rings	Cooldown reduction, life, damage	High on CDR if found
Amulet	Skill transform (area skill), life	Transform high priority

Warlock pet farm template

Slot	Priority affix families	Notes
Weapon	Pet damage, dot bonuses	Pets do heavy lifting
Chest	Life, damage reduction	Safe affix reading
Boots	Movement speed	Kiting space
Gloves	Cast speed, curse bonuses	Faster elite kills
Rings	Life regen, resist	Lower potion stress
Amulet	Pet empowerment aura patterns	See affix glossary

Warrior boss burst template

Slot	Priority affix families	Notes
Weapon	High /5 physical or skill damage, crit	Forge centerpiece
Chest	Life, armor, burst mitigation	Phase survival
Boots	Movement speed, resist	Trial positioning
Gloves	Attack speed, crit	Scales burst window
Rings	Crit damage, life	Boss caller stats
Amulet	Skill transform on burst skill	Late S-tier skill synergy

Checklist — slots defined

• Every slot has at least one target affix family written down.
• I marked which slots accept neutral affixes for class swaps.
• I am not chasing low /5 legendaries over five-affix rares (legendaries guide).

Phase 2 — Stash Audit (Before Crafting)

Question	Yes / No
Do I have a five-affix base for the inject target slot?
Do I have duplicate donors at high /5 for planned extracts?
Do I have mats listed in materials for reforge backup?
Did I confirm transforms in affix glossary?

Checklist — stash ready

• Five-affix base set aside — not equipped on alt experiments.
• Donors are duplicates I am willing to lose.
• Emergency resist piece exists for harder Rift invasions.

Phase 3 — Forging Step Order

Recommended safe order for demo players (adjust per affix crafting):

1. Equip highest /5 upgrades without crafting.
2. Quality upgrade on stable chest or weapon if mats allow.
3. Extract one affix from a duplicate donor.
4. Inject into five-affix base when all target extracts ready.
5. Reforge only if inject result is close but not perfect.

Checklist — forging sequence

• Step 1 complete — no unnecessary extracts yet.
• Extract list written: affix name + donor item note.
• Inject only after donor list finalized.
• Reforge budget capped (one session limit).

Phase 4 — Skills and Bar Layout

Bar slot	Skill role	Book acquired?
Primary clear or pet	S-tier from skill tier list
Secondary damage	A-tier backup
Defensive / shield	Mitigation or dash
Boss nuke	Single-target
Utility	Curse, shout, or buff

Bind potions per Controls — Q/E/R — before optimizing damage keys.

Checklist — bar ready

• S-tier role filled for my content goal.
• Defensive skill exists before trial pushes.
• Town portal (H) muscle memory confirmed.

Phase 5 — Content Unlock Targets

System	Build-ready milestone	Done?
Bounties	Comfortable trash DPS	[ ]
Rifts	Resist profile + sustain	[ ]
Trials	Boss burst or pet safety online	[ ]
Ruins	Gem stockpile + survivability	[ ]

Log completions in the demo tracker so next session starts with a known gap.

Phase 6 — Co-op Sync (Optional)

Party role	Your build supplies	Teammate needs
Clear	Mage area damage	Warrior boss burst
Control	Warlock curses / pets	Mage speed
Boss caller	Warrior burst + mit	Everyone brings resist

Share this checklist screenshot before long co-op farms — see Co-op guide.

Post-Session Review

After each crafting session:

• Updated /5 fractions on equipped gear.
• Noted failed reforge mats in personal log.
• Re-read early game tier list if power feels flat.
• Adjusted class swap plan if stash supports Warrior boss nights.

Related Pages

• Affix glossary — decode tooltip wording.
• Getting Started — first-session habits.
• Demo review — forging depth vs legendaries.

This checklist does not auto-save — treat it as a planning scaffold. Ruins of Dawn rewards players who forge deliberately; rushing inject without Phase 2 stash audit is the most common demo regret reported in community threads.