Cull the Weak

Cull the Weak

Cull the Weak is an offensive passive that increases your damage against slowed or chilled enemies. It's thus one of the Demon Hunter's most reliable damage sources, provided your build brings slows or cold effects, which for this class is very easy via Caltrops, Entangling Shot, cold runes, and the Spider Companion.

That is exactly what makes it a near-universal slot: as soon as you regularly slow enemies, the bonus runs essentially permanently and boosts your entire output without being tied to a specific damage type. In cold builds it's a given, but physical or fire setups also benefit once they include a slow source. If you lack any form of slow, however, the effect goes to waste, so you should make sure your skills meet the condition.

One condition, two passives

The bonus is 20% damage against any slowed or chilled enemy. It gets interesting alongside Numbing Traps: that passive hooks into exactly the same condition and makes slowed or chilled enemies deal less damage. A single slow source then feeds both passives, offensively through Cull the Weak and defensively through Numbing Traps.

Cull the Weak and Ambush

Ambush rewards hits against enemies that are still mostly unhurt, while Cull the Weak rewards slowed targets. The two conditions don't exclude each other: a freshly engaged enemy that you slow right away meets both. Ambush works mainly in the opening moments of a fight, and Cull the Weak stays active as long as the slow holds, so together they cover fresh and worn-down enemies alike.

Cull the Weak next to Vengeance and Smoke Screen

Beyond the passives, Vengeance, Smoke Screen and Shadow Power show up most. Vengeance is the big damage window that benefits from every extra damage bonus, while Smoke Screen and Shadow Power keep you alive. Evasive Fire fills the bar as a Hatred generator. With every setup, check where your slow comes from, because without it Cull the Weak loses its value.

Cull the Weak can be slotted from level 20 on.

by eRnstl