In this section, we will go over levelling with Hammer Throw and how exactly to transition to Warpath. Check the "Build Variants" section to see the gear we will be using with Hammer Throw.
Levelling With Hammer Throw (~levels 1-50)
As soon as we unlock the ability to specialize a skill, we do so with Hammer Throw. We head straight for the Hammer Vortex 1/1 node so the hammers orbit us. Then we max out Ballista 6/6 for cost reduction, then the last point in Catapult 2/2 for 3 total hammers.
You must look for 2 Silver Rings or Gold Rings with PrefixThrowing Damage and Reduced Mana Cost of any level. This will reduce our Hammer Throw cost to 3, making OOM situations very rare.
Rings and Gloves can also roll PrefixThrowing Attack Speed, and Jade Amulet has this implicitly.
Helmets and Body Armor can roll PrefixIncreased Hammer Throw Damage as well from very early on. You can also look for anything with PrefixThrowing Damage.
The only one-handed weapons that actually affect Hammer Throw implicitly are Iron Hammer and Morning Star, since Hammer Throw doesn't benefit from melee damage modifiers in any way. We look for one of these weapons with PrefixPhysical Damage and SuffixHealth On Kill, since it is the most reliable source of healing as we are not speccing into Battle Rouse.
Upgrade your armor bases and resistances as you go through the levels. Don't be afraid to shatter gear for Resistance shards!
Note: Specialize and level up Warpath, Holy Aura, and Smite as you level. Swap Hammer Throw for Javelin after transitioning.
Transitioning to Warpath (~level 50)
At level 47, you can start looking for a good Spriggan Branch (or Astrology Wand if you want to transition later) base with PrefixFire Damage, and either PrefixSpell Damage or PrefixElemental Damage. You want these at T5. If you can also craft a SuffixChance to Blind on Hit of any tier, the wand is ready to use.
Next, you need Gold Rings or Silver Rings and high-Armour Gloves like Plated Gauntlets with high SuffixBlock Chance and Effectiveness.
At level 50, we need a Kite Shield with PrefixHealth Gained on Block and PrefixBlock Chance, and your total block chance should be around 50%.
Once you have all this gear stored away in your stash, you're ready to make the swap.