GR 100+ ZDPS WIzard: Ray of Frost Edition (2.4.2)

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by Hilbs17 last updated Aug 28, 2016 ( Patch 2.4.2 )

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Skills

Ray of Frost Sleet Storm
- Ray of Frost
Cost: 16 Arcane Power

Project a beam of frozen ice that blasts enemies within 5 yards of the first enemy hit for 430% weapon damage as Cold and Slows their movement by 60% for 3 seconds.

Ray of Frost damage is increased by 405% weapon damage every second, up to a maximum total of 1240% weapon damage as Cold.
Sleet Storm

Create a swirling storm around you that grows up to a 22 yard radius, dealing 300]% weapon damage as Cold to all enemies caught within it.

Ray of Frost damage is increased by 220% weapon damage every second, up to a maximum total of 740% weapon damage as Cold.
Black Hole Event Horizon
- Black Hole
Cost: 20 Arcane Power
Cooldown: 12 seconds

Conjure a Black Hole at the target location that draws enemies to it and deals 700% weapon damage as Arcane over 2 seconds to all enemies within 15 yards.
Event Horizon

The Black Hole also absorbs enemy projectiles and objects from Elite monster affixes within 15 yards.
Energy Twister Gale Force
- Energy Twister
Cost: 35 Arcane Power

Unleash a twister of pure energy that deals 1525% weapon damage as Arcane over 6 seconds to everything in its path.
Gale Force

Enemies hit by Energy Twister take 15% increased damage from Fire for 4 seconds.
Frost Nova Bone Chill
- Frost Nova
Cooldown: 11 seconds

Blast nearby enemies with an explosion of ice and freeze them for 2 seconds.
Bone Chill

Enemies take 33% more damage while frozen or chilled by Frost Nova.
Slow Time
- Slow Time
Cooldown: 15 seconds

Invoke a bubble of warped time and space at your target location up to 60 yards away for 15 seconds, reducing enemy attack speed by 20% and movement speed by 60%. This bubble also slows the speed of enemy projectiles by 90%.
Teleport Safe Passage
- Teleport
Cooldown: 11 seconds

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

For 5 seconds after you Teleport, you will take 25% less damage.

Cold Blooded
- Cold Blooded
Enemies chilled or frozen by you take 10% more damage from all sources for the duration of the chill or Freeze.
Conflagration
- Conflagration
Fire damage dealt to enemies applies a burning effect, increasing their chance to be critically hit by 6% for 3 seconds.
Evocation
- Evocation
Reduce all cooldowns by 20%.
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

Crown of the Primus

Legendary Wizard Hat

Primary Stats

+270–299 Intelligence
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Slow Time gains the effect of every rune.
Empty Socket
Mantle of Channeling

Legendary Shoulders

59 - 68 Armor

Primary Stats

+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence
+416 - 500 Vitality

Secondary Stats

While channeling Whirlwind, Rapid Fire, Strafe, Tempest Rush, Firebats, Arcane Torrent, Disintegrate, or Ray of Frost, you deal 20 - 25% increased damage and take 25% reduced damage.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
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
Aquila Cuirass

Legendary Chest Armor

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

While above 90–95% primary resource, all damage taken is reduced by 50%.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+49–60 Dexterity

+49–60 Strength

+49–60 Intelligence
Ranslor's Folly

Legendary Bracers

8 - 10 Armor

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 1%

Secondary Stats

Energy Twister periodically pulls in lesser enemies within 30 yards.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Fierce Gauntlets

Set Gloves

Primary Stats

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

Delsere's Magnum Opus
Shrouded Mask
Dashing Pauldrons of Despair
Harness of Truth
Leg Guards of Mystery
Striders of Destiny
Fierce Gauntlets
(2) Set: Casting Arcane Orb, Energy Twister, Explosive Blast, Magic Missile, Shock Pulse, Spectral Blade, or Wave of Force reduces the cooldown of Slow Time by 3 |4second:seconds;.
(4) Set: You take 60% reduced damage while you have a Slow Time active. Allies inside your Slow Time gain half benefit.
(6) Set: Enemies affected by your Slow Time and for 5 seconds after exiting take 3500% increased damage from your Arcane Orb, Energy Twister, Explosive Blast, Magic Missile, Shock Pulse, Spectral Blade, and Wave of Force abilities.
Hergbrash's Binding

Legendary Belt

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Reduces the Arcane Power cost of Arcane Torrent, Disintegrate, and Ray of Frost by 50–65%.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+85–108 Dexterity

+85–108 Strength

+85–108 Intelligence
Leg Guards of Mystery

Set Pants

Primary Stats

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

Delsere's Magnum Opus
Shrouded Mask
Dashing Pauldrons of Despair
Harness of Truth
Leg Guards of Mystery
Striders of Destiny
Fierce Gauntlets
(2) Set: Casting Arcane Orb, Energy Twister, Explosive Blast, Magic Missile, Shock Pulse, Spectral Blade, or Wave of Force reduces the cooldown of Slow Time by 3 |4second:seconds;.
(4) Set: You take 60% reduced damage while you have a Slow Time active. Allies inside your Slow Time gain half benefit.
(6) Set: Enemies affected by your Slow Time and for 5 seconds after exiting take 3500% increased damage from your Arcane Orb, Energy Twister, Explosive Blast, Magic Missile, Shock Pulse, Spectral Blade, and Wave of Force abilities.
Striders of Destiny

Set Boots

Primary Stats

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

Delsere's Magnum Opus
Shrouded Mask
Dashing Pauldrons of Despair
Harness of Truth
Leg Guards of Mystery
Striders of Destiny
Fierce Gauntlets
(2) Set: Casting Arcane Orb, Energy Twister, Explosive Blast, Magic Missile, Shock Pulse, Spectral Blade, or Wave of Force reduces the cooldown of Slow Time by 3 |4second:seconds;.
(4) Set: You take 60% reduced damage while you have a Slow Time active. Allies inside your Slow Time gain half benefit.
(6) Set: Enemies affected by your Slow Time and for 5 seconds after exiting take 3500% increased damage from your Arcane Orb, Energy Twister, Explosive Blast, Magic Missile, Shock Pulse, Spectral Blade, and Wave of Force abilities.
Oculus Ring

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Chance to create an area of focused power on killing a monster. Damage is increased by 70–85% while standing in the area.
Empty Socket
Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Ignores Durability Loss
Attack Speed Increased by 5 - 6%
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 3.5%

Secondary Stats

Reduce the remaining cooldown of one of your skills by 1 second when you hit with a resource-spending attack.

+ 1 Random Magic Properties
Aether Walker

Legendary Wand

Primary Stats

+626–750 Intelligence
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Teleport no longer has a cooldown but costs 25 Arcane Power.
One of 7 Magic Properties (varies)

+(981–1199)–(1175–1490) Arcane Damage

+(981–1199)–(1175–1490) Poison Damage

+(981–1199)–(1175–1490) Lightning Damage

+(981–1199)–(1175–1490) Holy Damage

+(981–1199)–(1175–1490) Cold Damage

+(981–1199)–(1175–1490) Fire Damage

+(981–1199)–(1175–1490) Damage
Stormshield

Legendary Shield

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Reduces damage from melee attacks by 25.0–30.0%
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+330–524 Dexterity

+330–524 Strength

+330–524 Intelligence

More Details

Head
- Crown of the Primus
- Stat Priority: Vit Life Socket
Shoulders
- Mantle of Channeling
- Stat Priority: CDR Vit Life Armor +
Amulet
- Hellfire Amulet
- Overwhelming Desire
- The Ess of Johan
- Stat Priority: CDR Socket Vit Life
Torso
- Aquila Cuirass
- Stat Priority: Vit Life
Wrists
- Ranslor's Folly
- Stat Priority: Vit Armor + AR
Hands
- Fierce Gauntlets
- Stat Priority: CDR Vit Reduced Resource Cost
Waist
- Hergbrash's Binding
- Stat Priority: Vit Life Armor +
Legs
- Leg Guards of Mystery
- Stat Priority: Vit Armor + AR
Feet
- Striders of Destiny
- Stat Priority: Vit Armor + AR MS
Rings
- Oculus Ring
- Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac
- Stat Priority: CDR Vit Life Socket
Weapon
- Aether Walker
- Pig Sticker
- Stat Priority: CDR Vit Reduced Resource Cost Socket
Offhand
- Stormshield
- Stat Priority: CDR Vit Life

Legendary Gems
- Iceblink
  Iceblink
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Your Cold skills now apply Chill effects and your Chill effects now Slow enemy movement by an additional 5.0%.
  Enemies you Chill have a 10% increased chance to be Critically Hit. (Requires Rank 25)
- Gem of Efficacious Toxin
  Gem of Efficacious Toxin
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Poison all enemies hit for 2000% weapon damage over 10 seconds.
  All enemies you poison take 10% increased damage from all sources and deal 10% less damage. (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

Etched Sigil

Legendary Source

Primary Stats

+(6–7)–(7–8) Damage
+128–163 Intelligence
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 3.0–4.0%
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Your Arcane Torrent, Disintegrate, and Ray of Frost also cast one of your other damaging Arcane Power Spenders every second.
Etched Sigil
Strongarm Bracers

Legendary Bracers

Primary Stats

+220–349 Vitality
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Enemies hit by knockbacks suffer 20–30% increased damage for 6 seconds.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Strongarm Bracers
Ring of Royal Grandeur

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Attack Speed Increased by 2.0–3.0%
+27–60 Life per Hit
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Reduces the number of items needed for set bonuses by 1 (to a minimum of 2).
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+24–29 Dexterity

+24–29 Strength

+24–29 Intelligence
Ring of Royal Grandeur

Some quick notes on gearing:

Strongarms and Ranslor's are obviously interchangeable, cube one and use the other.

Hellfire Passive = Blur (or Temporal Flux if you feel you are extremely strong)

We much prefer to use Aether Walker with this build, mainly because we have to forego Illusory Boots to utilize Mantle of Channeling which has major synergy with the build.

On every piece of gear, the optimal roll on the main stat will be either Strength or Dex for more armor, but Int will work just fine until you can get your hands on more optimal ones.

Resource cost reduction isn't as needed with this particular version of the build, so don't stress on it.

Diamond in the helm and diamonds in all other sockets as well.

If you feel you are low on CDR (in which case I wouldn't really recommend playing the build at all) you can use Gogok instead of Esoteric to attempt to make up the difference.

Paragon Priorities

Core

Vitality
Movement Speed
Maximum Resource
Primary Stat

Offense

Cooldown Reduction
Attack Speed
Critical Hit Chance
Critical Hit Damage

Defense

Life
Armor
Resist All
Life Regeneration

Utility

Resource Cost Reduction
Life on Hit
Area Damage
Gold Find

Build Guide

This is a variation, and more specifically what I believe to be a better version of the new ZDPS Wizard build floating around in the current meta.

The build is very easy to play, you simply keep up your slow time bubble on top of the group for damage reduction and various damage bonuses to the group via having every slow time rune available from Crown of the Primus, while at the same time spamming Frost Nova to stun mobs and add 33% bonus damage to your DPS. Black Hole to proc Strongarms and as needed to remove harmful affixes on the ground with Event Horizon.

Primarily though, where this build differentiates from the previous ZDPS Wizard builds is that instead of relying on resource cost reduction to be able to cast Black Hole and Gale Force to buff damage, we simply channel Ray of Frost: Sleet Storm with Etched Sigil in the cube throwing out black holes and energy twisters for free and as such we barely have to worry about managing our resource bar at all. We lose String of Ears for Hergbrash's Binding which keeps us full on AP to take advantage of Aquila Cuirass, we take off Illusory Boots (which are not needed when we are using Aether Walker) to keep our 4 pc Delere's bonus, and in a corresponding move our shoulders change to Mantle of Channeling which gives us 25% more damage reduction when channeling Ray of Frost.

I believe this particular build to be far superior to the cookie cutter ZWiz builds being thrown around, this is the next evolution, enjoy

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