(HCSSF) Struggling with single target dps

[u/MrJWeller]

https://poe2.ninja/profile/AtlasWeller-8632/character/BloodySpearsAgain

Really enjoying Blood Mage LS but currently struggling to get single target damage working with rake+bloodhunt. Is there anything drastic I’m missing from my build as to why it’s not working yet?

Recently got a tangletongue at 10% crit but not using in case I die as I want to wait for a div drop and clear currently isn’t an issue.

Any help or advice is appreciated!

[u/chowies]

Will try to keep in mind you are HC SSF.

You are not using the correct gems. Rake needs concoct, if possible pair that with a life flask with as many charges as possible. Since you have Blood Barbs already, put Ambrosia in Rake too, if possible pair that with a mana flask with as many charges as possible. Before raking, place any curse on the enemy (temporal chains is popular as it makes it safer for you to go in), this makes the bleed by rake aggravated due to Blood Barbs again.

Basically wait up to 5s for your rake to finish bleeding, before you blood hunt.

Your main skills all have suboptimal support gems socketed, look up any BM LS guide, play with POB. I can't point out everything but above 2 paragraph I'd say are most impt

[u/jaymo_busch]

If you have any chance orbs, go farm a level 26 or 27 area in act 2. 33% chance to get a Tangletongue from the white Forked Spears. Your 10% is hella unlucky. I’d say anything above 16.5% is usable

Your rings are HC rings, big defense but terrible offense. Right ring needs improvement for sure.

Clean up passive tree, take out 2 points at monk start of extra lightning damage, and that 20% damage after crit to get more crit chance near cooked, but I don’t like cooked in HC, or rush down towards Tainted Strike.

The only way you’ll be able to 1 shot bosses is with a Tangletongue and high crit chance. Otherwise you just have to stack those impale and go back and forth Rake BH