Grift 55+ Solo Melee Tal Rasha perma lockdown.

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by user-18701906 last updated Apr 16, 2015 ( Patch 2.2 )

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Skills

Electrocute Arc Lightning
- Electrocute
This is a Signature spell. Signature spells are free to cast.

Lightning arcs from your fingertips, dealing 138% weapon damage as Lightning. The lightning can jump, hitting up to 2 additional enemies.
Arc Lightning

Blast a cone of lightning that deals 310% weapon damage as Lightning to all affected enemies.
Blizzard Frozen Solid
- Blizzard
Cost: 40 Arcane Power

Call down shards of ice that deal 1075% weapon damage as Cold over 6 seconds to enemies in a 12 yard radius. Multiple casts in the same area from the same caster do not stack.
Frozen Solid

Enemies caught in the Blizzard have a 100% chance to be Frozen for 2.5 seconds.
Teleport Calamity
- Teleport
Cooldown: 11 seconds

Teleport through the ether to the selected location up to 50 yards away.
Calamity

Cast a short range Wave of Force upon arrival, dealing 175% weapon damage as Arcane to all nearby enemies and stunning them for 1 second.
Hydra Mammoth Hydra
- Hydra
Cost: 15 Arcane Power

Summon a multi-headed Hydra for 15 seconds that attacks enemies with bolts of fire dealing 165% weapon damage as Fire.

Only one Hydra may be active at a time.
Mammoth Hydra

Summon a Mammoth Hydra that breathes a river of flame at nearby enemies, dealing 330% weapon damage per second as Fire to enemies caught on the burning ground.
Ice Armor Crystallize
- Ice Armor
Cost: 25 Arcane Power

Surround yourself in a barrier of ice that reduces damage from melee attacks by 12%. Melee attackers are either Chilled or Frozen for 3 seconds. Lasts 10 minutes.

Only one Armor may be active at a time.
Crystallize

When you are struck by a melee attack, your Armor is increased by 20% for 30 seconds. This effect stacks up to 3 times.
Magic Weapon Force Weapon
- Magic Weapon
Cost: 25 Arcane Power

Imbue your weapon with magical energy, granting it 10% increased damage. Lasts 10 minutes.
Force Weapon

Increase the damage bonus of Magic Weapon to 20% damage.

Elemental Exposure
- Elemental Exposure
Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause them to take 5% more damage from your attacks for 5 seconds. Each different damage type applies a stack, stacking up to 4 times.

Elemental damage from your weapon contributes to Elemental Exposure.
Illusionist
- Illusionist
When you take more than 15% of your maximum Life in damage within 1 second, the cooldowns on Mirror Image, Slow Time, and Teleport are reset.

When you use Mirror Image, Slow Time, or Teleport, your movement speed is increased by 30% for 3 seconds.
Arcane Dynamo
- Arcane Dynamo
When you cast a Signature spell, you gain a Flash of Insight. After 5 Flashes of Insight, your next non-Signature spell deals 60% additional damage.

The following skills are Signature spells:
Magic Missile
Shock Pulse
Spectral Blade
Electrocute
Unstable Anomaly
- Unstable Anomaly
When you receive fatal damage, you instead gain a shield equal to 400% of your maximum Life for 5 seconds and release a shockwave that knocks enemies back and Stuns them for 3 seconds.

This effect may occur once every 60 seconds.

Items

Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom

Set Helm

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
+3 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+330–524 Dexterity

+330–524 Strength

+330–524 Intelligence

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.
Death Watch Mantle

Legendary Shoulders

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

25–35% chance to explode in a fan of knives for 750-950% weapon damage when hit.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+85–108 Dexterity

+85–108 Strength

+85–108 Intelligence
Tal Rasha's Allegiance

Set Amulet

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Damage Increased by 51.0–100.0%
+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+330–524 Dexterity

+330–524 Strength

+330–524 Intelligence

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit

Set Chest Armor

Primary Stats

+220–349 Vitality
Attack Speed Increased by 5.0–6.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.
Ancient Parthan Defenders

Legendary Bracers

8 - 10 Armor

Secondary Stats

Each stunned enemy within 25 yards reduces your damage taken by 9 - 12%.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Tasker and Theo

Legendary Gloves

Primary Stats

Attack Speed Increased by 5.0–6.0%
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Increase attack speed of your pets by 40–50%.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+330–524 Dexterity

+330–524 Strength

+330–524 Intelligence
Tal Rasha's Brace

Set Belt

Primary Stats

+81–85 Resistance to All Elements
+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.
Tal Rasha's Stride

Set Pants

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.
Nilfur's Boast

Legendary Boots

Primary Stats

+81–85 Resistance to All Elements
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Increase the damage of Meteor by 200%. When your Meteor hits 3 or fewer enemies, the damage is increased by 275–350%.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Halo of Arlyse

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Your Ice Armor now reduces damage from melee attacks by 50–60% and automatically casts Frost Nova whenever you take 10% of your Life in damage.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Unity

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Increases damage against elites by 12 - 15%
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 3.5%

Secondary Stats

All damage taken is split between wearers of this item.

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Serpent's Sparker

Legendary Wand

Primary Stats

+128–163 Intelligence
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

You may have one extra Hydra active at a time.
One of 7 Magic Properties (varies)

+(32–39)–(39–49) Arcane Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Poison Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Lightning Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Holy Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Cold Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Fire Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Damage
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare

Set Source

Primary Stats

+1.471363E-43 Maximum Damage
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 7 - 10%
+626 - 750 Intelligence

Secondary Stats

One of 1 Magic Properties (varies)
+1.443337E-43 Minimum Damage

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will grant immunity to that element and cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. This only occurs if the Wizard has Meteor on their action bar, and the same meteor cannot happen twice in a row.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 100% for 8 seconds. Attacking with Meteor reduces the cooldown of Teleport by 1 second.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 2000% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties

More Details

Head
- Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
- Stat Priority: CHC Int Socket Vit
Shoulders
- Death Watch Mantle
- Pauldrons of the Skeleton King
- Homing Pads
- Stat Priority: Int Vit AR Armor +
Amulet
- Tal Rasha's Allegiance
- Hellfire Amulet
- Stat Priority: CHD CHC Int Fire %
Torso
- Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
- Cindercoat
- Stat Priority: Int Vit Armor + Socket
Wrists
- Ancient Parthan Defenders
- Stat Priority: Fire % CHC Int Vit
Hands
- Tasker and Theo
- Tal Rasha's Grasp
- Magefist
- Stat Priority: CHD CHC AS Int
Waist
- Tal Rasha's Brace
- The Witching Hour
- String of Ears
- Stat Priority: Int Vit AR Armor +
Legs
- Tal Rasha's Stride
- Stat Priority: Socket Int Vit AR
Feet
- Nilfur's Boast
- Stat Priority: Int Vit AR Armor +
Rings
- Halo of Arlyse
- Unity
- Convention of Elements
- Stat Priority: CHD CHC Socket Int
Weapon
- Serpent's Sparker
- Devastator
- Sun Keeper
- Stat Priority: Dmg % Int Vit AS
Offhand
- Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
- Stat Priority: Dex CHC Int Vit Elite %

Legendary Gems
- Bane of the Trapped
  Bane of the Trapped
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Increase damage against enemies under the effects of control-impairing effects by 15.00%.
  Gain an aura that reduces the movement speed of enemies within 15 yards by 30%. (Requires Rank 25)
- Simplicity's Strength
  Simplicity's Strength
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Increase the damage of primary skills by 25.00%.
  Hits with primary abilities heal you for 4% of your maximum health. (Requires Rank 25)
- Pain Enhancer
  Pain Enhancer
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Critical hits cause the enemy to bleed for +2500% weapon damage as Physical over 3 seconds.

Item build: The item build is pretty straight forward. Aquire 6 piece Tal Rasha + Parthans Defenders and you are good to go for atleast 45+. The build does allow for some variation in item build as shown but the recommended items are the best setup and will allow for 55+ Grifts solo.

If you are not running a sparker tasker is an absolute must.

Other variation is to play without Unity if you get a perfect melee rift without any ranged mobs it may be possible to do so but wouldn't recommend it.

Legendary gems: Bane of the Trapped is a must. After futher testing I swapped out Molten Wilderbeest for Simplicity's Stregth as you can survive well enough without molten if you get used to it and at higher lvl simplicity will actually allow your primary to do more dps then your hydra with Arc Lightning change also due to electrecutes very high attack speed. Last gem can be whatever you want but Pain Enhancer will give the absolute best result and would call it mandatory too once/if you swap out taskers. You can still use molten as a comferter.

Couldn't chose but you want to roll Hydra damage and Meteor damage% where you can. Once you get closer to full ancient gear or/and are comfertable with your toughness rolling Electrecute on legs and belt will actually be a significant dps boost with high Simplicity and in higher Grifts.

Paragon Priorities

Core

Primary Stat
Movement Speed
Vitality
Maximum Resource

Offense

Critical Hit Damage
Critical Hit Chance
Attack Speed
Cooldown Reduction

Defense

Resist All
Armor
Life Regeneration
Life

Utility

Life on Hit
Resource Cost Reduction
Area Damage
Gold Find

Pretty straight forward and only questionable option is life regen over life if you play with molten wilderbeest.

Build Guide

Other guides:

Check out my other guides:

Firebird group 60+ 2.2 The Phoenix is still alive.

Grift 55+ Solo Optimal Tal/Ranslor's Folly.

2.2 Elemental Speedster. Fastest T6/Grift 35+ build.[/header]

This build is all about being agressive in your fast and fast pased blinking all over the place and stunlocking everything to death.

The build is inspired by Spideru and his melee build guide here: http://www.diablofans.com/builds/53464-2-2-gr55-solo-a-melee-wizard-of-fire-and-ice that we both tested variations of a lot on ptr at the end of season 2 with 55+ result after Hydra nerf. Unstable Anomoly can be whatever you want really. Glass Cannon, Cold Blooded, Audacity or Conflagoration.

My build: is very similar but with some changes I found better and had overall more progress with personally. The biggest diference is this is not a flame blade vamp up build and uses electrecute instead (any lightning rune will do). This allowed me to put in 20% extra damage off the bat with force weapon instead of having to use a lightning skill. While flame blades can potentially vamp your fire/hydra dmg to insane heights I found the overall damage throughout the rift higher and faster paced with this setup and also allowed to deal with ranged mobs and Rift guardians better in my opinion.

Playstyle: The playstyle is very agressive and fast paced as mention and you want to move as fast as possible to as many mobs as possible. The basic playstyle is having 5 stacks of arcane dynamo up for your hydra and the get your 4 stacks of tal up as fast as possible while having all mobs locked down with calamity or frozen solid.

What I usuall do is get 5 stacks of arcane dynamo up, teleport in (calamity doesn't consume arcane dynamo but does proc both arcane meteor and add a tal rasha stack) drop hydra, pick my area to cast frozen solid and last use electrecute for last Tal Rasha stack and to be able to drop a 2nd arcane dynamo hydra + blizzard and electrecute before Tal Rasha buff runs out and be prepared for next pack.

Once you get the playstyle down it will come almost automaticly dropping 2x arcane dynamo hydras + 2 blizzards within the same full Tal Rasha buff and be ready to move on or repeat on elite packs. With very low paragon lvl you should have np managing your AP and extra blizzards can be cast if needed. Of course use Teleport to survive if you have to. This is the only thing that can really slow you down if having TP on cooldown but can be fixed in so many ways. Easiest by just changing cast order on next pack as long as you use arcane dynamo stacks on hydra. Small tips to get TP back up you can purposly step into minor elite affixes like electrified, molten, plagued and etc etc.

Seasonal: Only thing to say for seasonal players is Iceblink gem will be worth looking into and I will myself once seasons start. Tested and the 3 gems listed are by far the optimal use but Iceblink can be used also for possible change to snowbound rune instead if you spam blizzard that much or have trouble with your AP.

Anyways that's it for now. Will upload videa when/if I get the time. Good luck on your 55+ Grift progress and shoutout to Spideru inspiration on this build and testing it out alot.

Changelog:

09/04-2015

Swapped out Molten for Simplicity as you can survive without Molten and Simplicity helps too. And as a result changed primary to Arc Lightning to actually allow your primary to out dps your hydra once you get the simplicity gem around 40-45'ish. Also Changed back to Pain Enhancer as it futher boosts your Electrecute dps and hydras.

Changed Tal Rasha gloves to recommended as the optimal pick for the build is Sparker and will allow an extra slot to swap out of a Tal piece like a good rolled HF neck with either more dps or more defence passive on it for best choice since there are so many good passive to use in this build.

15/04-2015

Updated guide for better visability and clearer describtion of items and build.

Futher testing of missed items/spells making PE to almost mandatory category now.

Minor change to Paragon lvl moving Life per hit up to top as AP shouldn't not be an issue once you've collected the gear needed.

Electrecute damage on belt and legs added for higher lvl gear.

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