Hardcore GR-62, reasonably safe build.

Rating

by user-6481543 last updated Sep 14, 2015 ( Patch 2.3 )

Seasonal

Hybrid

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Skills

Acid Cloud Slow Burn
- Acid Cloud
Cost: 175 Mana

Cause acid to rain down, dealing an initial 300% weapon damage as Poison, followed by 360% weapon damage as Poison over 3 seconds to enemies who remain in the area.
Slow Burn

Create pools of frost to deal 720% weapon damage as Cold over 6 seconds.
Spirit Walk Jaunt
- Spirit Walk
Cooldown: 10 seconds

Leave your physical body and enter the spirit realm for 2 seconds. While in the spirit realm, your movement is unhindered.

This ability does not start its cooldown until after its effects expire.
Jaunt

Increase the duration of Spirit Walk to 3 seconds.
Corpse Spiders Blazing Spiders
- Corpse Spiders
This is a Signature spell. Signature spells are free to cast.

Throw a jar with 4 spiders that attack nearby enemies for a total of 576% weapon damage as Physical before dying.
Blazing Spiders

Throw a jar with fire spiders that return 3 Mana to you per hit.
Wall of Death Communing with Spirits
- Wall of Death
Cooldown: 8 seconds

Raise a wall of zombies 28 yards wide from the ground that blocks enemies and attacks them for 1200% weapon damage as Physical over 6 seconds.
Communing with Spirits

Summon a circle of spirits for 6 seconds that deals 1200% weapon damage as Cold, Chills nearby enemies by 60%, and reduces their damage dealt by 25% for 3 seconds.
Piranhas Piranhado
- Piranhas
Cost: 250 Mana
Cooldown: 8 seconds

Summons a pool of deadly piranhas that deals 400% weapon damage as Poison over 8 seconds. Affected enemies will also take 15% increased damage.
Piranhado

The pool of piranhas becomes a tornado of piranhas that lasts 4 seconds. Nearby enemies are periodically sucked into the tornado.

Increases the cooldown to 16 seconds.
Soul Harvest Languish
- Soul Harvest
Cooldown: 12 seconds

Feed on the life force of enemies within 18 yards. Gain 3% Intelligence for 30 seconds for each affected enemy. This effect stacks up to 5 times.
Languish

Increase your Armor by 10% per harvested enemy and reduce their movement speed by 80% for 5 seconds.

Grave Injustice
- Grave Injustice
Gain 1% of your maximum Life and Mana and reduce the cooldown of all of your skills by 1 second when an enemy dies within 20 yards.

The range is extended by items that increase your gold pickup radius.
Spirit Vessel
- Spirit Vessel
When you receive fatal damage, you automatically enter the spirit realm for 2 seconds and heal to 50% of your maximum Life.

This effect may occur once every 60 seconds.
Jungle Fortitude
- Jungle Fortitude
Reduce all damage taken by you and your pets by 15%.
Confidence Ritual
- Confidence Ritual
You deal 25% additional damage to enemies within 20 yards.

Items

Helltooth Mask

Set Helm

Primary Stats

+626–750 Intelligence
+4 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket

Helltooth Harness
Helltooth Mask
Helltooth Mantle
Helltooth Tunic
Helltooth Leg Guards
Helltooth Greaves
Helltooth Gauntlets
(2) Set: Enemies hit by your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, or Wall of Death are afflicted by Necrosis, becoming Slowed, taking 1500% weapon damage every second, and taking 20% increased damage from your attacks for 10 seconds.
(4) Set: After applying Necrosis to an enemy, you take 60% reduced damage for 10 seconds.
(6) Set: After casting Wall of Death, gain 1400% increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, and Wall of Death.
Helltooth Mantle

Set Shoulders

Primary Stats

+416–500 Intelligence
Reduces cooldown of all skills by 5.0–8.0%.
+4 Random Magic Properties

Helltooth Harness
Helltooth Mask
Helltooth Mantle
Helltooth Tunic
Helltooth Leg Guards
Helltooth Greaves
Helltooth Gauntlets
(2) Set: Enemies hit by your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, or Wall of Death are afflicted by Necrosis, becoming Slowed, taking 1500% weapon damage every second, and taking 20% increased damage from your attacks for 10 seconds.
(4) Set: After applying Necrosis to an enemy, you take 60% reduced damage for 10 seconds.
(6) Set: After casting Wall of Death, gain 1400% increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, and Wall of Death.
Hellfire Amulet

Legendary Amulet

Primary Stats

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

+626–750 Intelligence

+626–750 Dexterity

+626–750 Strength
Helltooth Tunic

Set Chest Armor

Primary Stats

+416–500 Intelligence
+4 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket

Helltooth Harness
Helltooth Mask
Helltooth Mantle
Helltooth Tunic
Helltooth Leg Guards
Helltooth Greaves
Helltooth Gauntlets
(2) Set: Enemies hit by your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, or Wall of Death are afflicted by Necrosis, becoming Slowed, taking 1500% weapon damage every second, and taking 20% increased damage from your attacks for 10 seconds.
(4) Set: After applying Necrosis to an enemy, you take 60% reduced damage for 10 seconds.
(6) Set: After casting Wall of Death, gain 1400% increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, and Wall of Death.
Jeram's Bracers

Legendary Bracers

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 2.5–3.0%
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Wall of Death deals 75–100% increased damage and can be cast up to three times within 2 seconds before the cooldown begins.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+85–108 Dexterity

+85–108 Strength

+85–108 Intelligence
Helltooth Gauntlets

Set Gloves

Primary Stats

+626–750 Intelligence
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 8.0–10.0%
+4 Random Magic Properties

Helltooth Harness
Helltooth Mask
Helltooth Mantle
Helltooth Tunic
Helltooth Leg Guards
Helltooth Greaves
Helltooth Gauntlets
(2) Set: Enemies hit by your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, or Wall of Death are afflicted by Necrosis, becoming Slowed, taking 1500% weapon damage every second, and taking 20% increased damage from your attacks for 10 seconds.
(4) Set: After applying Necrosis to an enemy, you take 60% reduced damage for 10 seconds.
(6) Set: After casting Wall of Death, gain 1400% increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, and Wall of Death.
Belt of Transcendence

Legendary Belt

Primary Stats

+85–108 Vitality
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Summon a Fetish Sycophant when you hit with a Mana spender.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+85–108 Dexterity

+85–108 Strength

+85–108 Intelligence
Helltooth Leg Guards

Set Pants

Primary Stats

+416–500 Intelligence
+4 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket

Helltooth Harness
Helltooth Mask
Helltooth Mantle
Helltooth Tunic
Helltooth Leg Guards
Helltooth Greaves
Helltooth Gauntlets
(2) Set: Enemies hit by your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, or Wall of Death are afflicted by Necrosis, becoming Slowed, taking 1500% weapon damage every second, and taking 20% increased damage from your attacks for 10 seconds.
(4) Set: After applying Necrosis to an enemy, you take 60% reduced damage for 10 seconds.
(6) Set: After casting Wall of Death, gain 1400% increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, and Wall of Death.
Helltooth Greaves

Set Boots

Primary Stats

+416–500 Intelligence
+416–500 Vitality
+4 Random Magic Properties

Helltooth Harness
Helltooth Mask
Helltooth Mantle
Helltooth Tunic
Helltooth Leg Guards
Helltooth Greaves
Helltooth Gauntlets
(2) Set: Enemies hit by your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, or Wall of Death are afflicted by Necrosis, becoming Slowed, taking 1500% weapon damage every second, and taking 20% increased damage from your attacks for 10 seconds.
(4) Set: After applying Necrosis to an enemy, you take 60% reduced damage for 10 seconds.
(6) Set: After casting Wall of Death, gain 1400% increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, and Wall of Death.
Focus

Set Ring

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)
+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence

Bastions of Will
Focus
Restraint
(2) Set: When you hit with a resource-generating attack or primary skill, deal 50% increased damage for 5 seconds.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Restraint

Set Ring

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)
+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence

Bastions of Will
Focus
Restraint
(2) Set: When you hit with a resource-generating attack or primary skill, deal 50% increased damage for 5 seconds.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
SuWong Diviner

Legendary Staff

Primary Stats

+(39–47)–(47–59) Fire Damage
+3–4% Damage
Increases Acid Cloud Damage by 75–100% (Witch Doctor Only)
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Acid Cloud gains the effect of the Lob Blob Bomb rune.
One of 2 Magic Properties (varies)

+192–245 Intelligence

+192–245 Dexterity

More Details

Head
- Helltooth Mask
- Stat Priority: Int CHC Vit
Shoulders
- Helltooth Mantle
- Stat Priority: Int Skill: WoD CDR
Amulet
- Hellfire Amulet
- Mara's Kaleidoscope
- Eye of Etlich
- Stat Priority: Skill: SS Socket CHD CHC
Torso
- Helltooth Tunic
- Stat Priority: Skill: WoD Int
Wrists
- Jeram's Bracers
- Stat Priority: Int CHC Cold %
Hands
- Helltooth Gauntlets
- Stat Priority: Int Vit CHD CHC
Waist
- Belt of Transcendence
- The Witching Hour
- Stat Priority: Int Vit Life Armor +
Legs
- Helltooth Leg Guards
- Stat Priority: Int Vit Armor +
Feet
- Helltooth Greaves
- Stat Priority: Int Vit Skill: Acid Cloud
Rings
- Focus
- Restraint
- Stat Priority: CHD CHC Int
Weapon
- SuWong Diviner
- Stat Priority: Socket Skill: Acid Cloud Int Dmg %
Offhand
- Stat Priority: None

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)
- Molten Wildebeest's Gizzard
  Molten Wildebeest's Gizzard
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Regenerates 10000 Life per Second.
  After not taking damage for 4 seconds, gain an absorb shield for 200% of your total Life per Second. (Requires Rank 25)
- Esoteric Alteration
  Esoteric Alteration
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Gain 10.0% non-Physical damage reduction.
  While below 50% Life, your resistances to Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, and Arcane are increased by 75%. (Requires Rank 25)

Kanai's Cube

The Furnace

Legendary Two-Handed Mace

Primary Stats

+(39–47)–(47–59) Fire Damage
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Increases damage against elites by 40–50%.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+192–245 Strength

+192–245 Intelligence

+192–245 Dexterity
The Furnace
The Grin Reaper

Legendary Voodoo Mask

Primary Stats

+240–269 Intelligence
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Chance when attacking to summon horrific Mimics that cast some of your equipped skills.
Empty Socket
The Grin Reaper
Convention of Elements

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Gain 150–200% increased damage to a single element for 4 seconds. This effect rotates through the elements available to your class in the following order: Arcane, Cold, Fire, Holy, Lightning, Physical, Poison.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Convention of Elements

Most of the gear is standard for a Helltooth Acid Cloud Witch Doctor. Since we are using only cold skills, % cold damage on bracers is required.

As the fifth passive on Hellfire Amulet I have Vision quest, which provides the extra 40% mana regeneration and hence more Acid Clouds. Optimal fifth passive would probably be Gruesome Feast though.

Convention of Elements can be swapped for Unity at lower levels, but I would recommend Acid Rain with bad medicine before losing CoE.

Paragon Priorities

Core

Movement Speed
Primary Stat
Vitality
Maximum Resource

Offense

Critical Hit Damage
Attack Speed
Critical Hit Chance
Cooldown Reduction

Defense

Resist All
Armor
Life
Life Regeneration

Utility

Area Damage
Life on Hit
Resource Cost Reduction
Gold Find

Everything as usual, just skip Area Damage during peak hours (evenings, weekends) as it seems to add to the lag problem.

Build Guide

With the still present Helltooth lag, I decided to skip using Wall of Death: Fire Wall, which seems to be the worst culprit of said lag. Commuting with spirits does less dps but has the advantage of reducing monster damage by 25% and is of the same element as Acid Cloud: Slow burn, which in turn does most damage of the Acid Clouds, especially on high rift levels where monsters stand in the AoE for a long time.

The way to play is pretty standard: Open with Piranahdo, follow by Blazing spiders and spam Wall of Death and Acid Cloud, while renewing Focus and Restraint with Spiders. During the poison phase of Convention of Elements leave yourself some mana and don't use Wall of Death, so that you can nuke with full power during the Cold phase. Don't use Piranahdo on small packs and don't worry about reapplying it after the initial cast. Your mimics will take care of that. A very good alternative to Piranahdo is Hex : Jinx, which does not cost mana, however its damage bonus lasts a little shorter and it does not have the advantage of grouping enemies.

You have to hug the monster groups pretty close in order to utilise your Grave Injustice but this is good for your Confidence Ritual, so unless an elite group is particularly awful, you will be standing quite close to them. You will still have your Fetishes between them and you, so unless it's a Mallet Lord or a Death Maiden, they should not hit you.

The biggest advantage of this build is that it is pretty safe, while still doing a lot of damage. With two defensive gems, Jungle Fortitude and Commuting with Spirits you won't be hit very hard by anything and can even afford to stand in poison or Thunderstorm for those few seconds, when you don't want to move during a cold phase of CoE. Also, it does not seem to cause the lag of the ever-stacking Wall of Fire.

This is my profile: http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Zubacz-2902/hero/66225085

I have a lot of paragon but only 4 Ancient pieces; weapon (yeah, you need that), ring, boots and gloves and the gear is generally far from optimal.

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