Even un-runed, Bola Shot is better than all runed Hatred Generators... I really want to use something else, but nothing comes close to it's damage, barrel-destroying-capabilties, and aoe damage...
I personally prefer Entangling Shot + Cull the Weak as a passive. It increases the damage of all skills on those that are snared, and it keeps most mobs from jumping on you too quickly. To be fair though, I've only used bola shot for a small period of time. I want to make a build using the stun rune or the % chance to gain discipline rune.
Hungering Arrow I tried on single target, and was sorely disappointed... It barely pierces, and when it does, it rarely comes back and hits the target. You're just left there left-click all the while going "come on pierce, pierce!"
I really wanna try out the Impending Doom Bola Shot rune, the extra damage would make it probably the best for single target as well as for packs of mobs. The double delay though, could be tricky... I hate getting hit in the 1 second in takes for Bola Shot to kill the target <_<
EDIT: Nevermind, I realized Entangling Shot-Chain Gang is AMAZING for Hell. Now I use Cull the Weak, along with Chain Gang and Web Shot Rapid Fire. Nothing gets close, and nothing gets away. And I switched my Preparation rune from Battle Scars to Backup Plan. I've had it proc 4 in a row, that's 30seconds of invulnerability o_0
Funny how it works with different people; I've actually switched AWAY from Entangling Shot/Chain Gang after reaching Hell, now using Hungering Arrow. I've just found that the slow, while nice, doesn't last long enough on the champion packs I run into. Any pack that's going to give me a serious run for my money tends to STILL give me a serious run for my money even with Entangling Shot. I would rather simply rely on Smoke Screens to give myself enough safety to take out mobs, and I'm actually doing quite well now with absolutely zero slows.
So far I am sticking with a set up of Bola Shot w/ the blast radius expansion rune, elemental w/ ball lighting and then one of my mouse buttons set to Rapid Fire w/ fire support. So far I wouldn't have it any other way as this tears up groups with speed and efficiency.
Now the set up above of entangling + cull looks interesting enough I might try it. But I just wanted to toss my own opinion that anything will have a hard time tearing me away from my current set up.
Bola/Impending Doom
Entangling Shot/Chain Gang
Caltrops/Torturous Ground
Spike Trap/Long Fuse
Vault/Rattling Roll
Chakram/Twin Chakram
This build is a lot of fun. It works rather smoothly, but the increased time on Bola Shot sticks out the most in my mind as the worst weakness. But without Impending Doom, you just don't get that ever-satisfying BANG BANG BANG with huge damage. And just when that starts, it's BANG BANG BANG from the Spike Traps. OMG 371% bombs are so tasty...
Personally I use Multi-Shot with Fire at Will rune. Allows me to spam to my hearts content, especially because I run Bat, and it is HELL of a lot more satisfying than using Ball Lightning <_<
Hungering Arrow I tried on single target, and was sorely disappointed... It barely pierces, and when it does, it rarely comes back and hits the target. You're just left there left-click all the while going "come on pierce, pierce!"
I really wanna try out the Impending Doom Bola Shot rune, the extra damage would make it probably the best for single target as well as for packs of mobs. The double delay though, could be tricky... I hate getting hit in the 1 second in takes for Bola Shot to kill the target <_<
EDIT: Nevermind, I realized Entangling Shot-Chain Gang is AMAZING for Hell. Now I use Cull the Weak, along with Chain Gang and Web Shot Rapid Fire. Nothing gets close, and nothing gets away. And I switched my Preparation rune from Battle Scars to Backup Plan. I've had it proc 4 in a row, that's 30seconds of invulnerability o_0
Not sure what your entire set up is, but if you add Caltrops (Jagged Spike), it destroys mobs that are close range, especially if you add in Cluster Arrow (Stun Grenade rune). They just sit inside the Caltrops, taking large amounts of damage. With Backup Plan, if you have the Discipline to spare, you can stack the Caltrops too, which is surprisingly effective at taking down Champion packs. Just make sure you have enough Discipline for s Smoke Screen should the need arise.
Entangling with chaingang damage and slow 4 each shot, making controlling the battle easy. Ele arrow for massive damage and fan of knives when in melee range after popping smokescreen. Never found a way to play with channeled abilities or without entangling shot. I never stand still for more than a few seconds, constantly slowing and carpet bombing everything with ele arrow from all different directions
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I can see what you see not. Vision milky, then eyes rot.
When you turn, they will be gone. Whispering their hidden song.
Then you see what cannot be. Shadows move where light should be.
Out of darkness, out of mind. Cast down into the Halls of the Blind
Coolest part of this thread, IMO, is that all of these are viable options. Way to go, DHs!
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i would choose my own religion and worship my own spirit, but if he ever preached to me i wouldn't want to hear it. i'd drop him, a forgotten god, languishing in shame; and then if i hit stormy seas, i'd have myself to blame.
I love the fact as well that we have so much variety to go on and that none of these is dismissable. Really shows how you can do your own playstyle here.
I have Rapid Fire tied to my mouse thumb button, and using Bola/Ball Lightning can clear out rooms fast. Rapid Fire is just that little extra umph when I just need it.
Thinking when I get it going to replace Brooding with sharpshooter.
I love the fact as well that we have so much variety to go on and that none of these is dismissable. Really shows how you can do your own playstyle here.
I loved that too, until u get into better part of hell and inferno, all (99%) demon hunters use smoke screen and preparation in their builds. Which is a big flaw. Jay Wilson said that he feels like vault needs to be in a build since it feels right for class, i agree with him but vault is more or less useless and bad in comparison to smoke screen in hell/inferno.
I haven't learned to love smoke screen/prep yet, but I have definitely learned to love vault. I use the root caltrop and vault (tumble) combination to kite elites and really enjoy that playstyle. It may be a touch riskier, but I still feel quite safe.
Like other have said, I am quite impressed in the variety of viable setups. slows, aoe and single target abilities can come from so many different places, although perhaps Elemental Arrow (Ball Lightning) may be somewhat universal at this point.
I can't stand any builder except Hungering Arrow. x.x Especially Bola Shot. I don't like its delay and it doesn't allow for spamming it against something not on your screen(like Butcher on Inferno for instance). I feel Hungering is needed because of its following mechanic. And the 50% pierce is just awesome.
I use 2 builds for Inferno(Act 2 right now). I know its not ideal because of Neph Valor, but it works very well.
Questing/AoE Build(http://us.battle.net...YdXV!YTe!aZZbZc)
-Hungering Arrow+Puncturing Arrow(50% pierce)[btw, did the math and this > 70% inc damage on pierces]
-Elemental Arrow+Frost Arrow
-Caltrops+ Torturous Ground
-Vault+Tumble
-Smoke Screen+Lingering Fog
-Preperation+Backup Plan
Boss/Single Target Build(http://us.battle.net...TdXV!YTe!aYZbZc)
-Hungering Arrow+Puncturing Arrow
-Cluster Arrow+Cluster Bomb
-Companion+Bat Companion
-Vault+Tumble
-Smoke Screen+Lingering Fog
-Preperation+Backup Plan
I love my AoE build because of the Frost snare and chill AND shatters bodies(no rezzing, etc). Caltrops is pretty essential as well for kiting rares/champions. For bosses, Cluster Arrow+CLuster Bomb does a ridiculous amount of damage. Like upwards of 60k per shot if all the bombs hit(which they usually do). Bat helps with hatred regen which is essential for Cluster Arrow. Then Smoke Screen+Prep w/ Backup Plan is just....essential. Everyone should use these! xD Anyway, hope yall like this. :3
Note: The AoE build works well against every boss I went up against except maybe Butcher. I only got to test it with a group on Butcher, not solo yet. I eventually tried the single target build when my Valor fell off and one of the members left. It worked well. I'll have to test AoE build for Butcher and let yall know!
Like a lot of people it seems, I was using Entangling Shot (chain gang), but then I fell in love with Evasive Fire (covering fire). It does a little less damage, but that back flip is wicked useful. I just send Elemental Arrow (ball lightning) down range and if any mobs make it through that, hit em with EF and backflip back out of range. Interestingly enough, attack speed seems to increase dramatically for the first shot after the backflip, at least with crossbows.
Of course, it is not always far enough or the mobs are a bit quick in closing the the short backflip gap. Depending on the pack/boss, I will switch the rune to displace. If I am still a little umcomfortable, that is where Caltrops or SS/prep comes in. I also toy with Vault a lot and I think it is a bit under-rated, but I am only on nightmare, so take that into account.
I am also a fan of caltrops/sentry kiting. Currently using it runed with Spitfire Turret, but thinking about trying chains of torment.
"Just google "diablo 3 gold guide" and magical rainbow covered demons will assault your eyes."
I really wanna try out the Impending Doom Bola Shot rune, the extra damage would make it probably the best for single target as well as for packs of mobs. The double delay though, could be tricky... I hate getting hit in the 1 second in takes for Bola Shot to kill the target <_<
EDIT: Nevermind, I realized Entangling Shot-Chain Gang is AMAZING for Hell. Now I use Cull the Weak, along with Chain Gang and Web Shot Rapid Fire. Nothing gets close, and nothing gets away. And I switched my Preparation rune from Battle Scars to Backup Plan. I've had it proc 4 in a row, that's 30seconds of invulnerability o_0
Now the set up above of entangling + cull looks interesting enough I might try it. But I just wanted to toss my own opinion that anything will have a hard time tearing me away from my current set up.
Entangling Shot/Chain Gang
Caltrops/Torturous Ground
Spike Trap/Long Fuse
Vault/Rattling Roll
Chakram/Twin Chakram
This build is a lot of fun. It works rather smoothly, but the increased time on Bola Shot sticks out the most in my mind as the worst weakness. But without Impending Doom, you just don't get that ever-satisfying BANG BANG BANG with huge damage. And just when that starts, it's BANG BANG BANG from the Spike Traps. OMG 371% bombs are so tasty...
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Not sure what your entire set up is, but if you add Caltrops (Jagged Spike), it destroys mobs that are close range, especially if you add in Cluster Arrow (Stun Grenade rune). They just sit inside the Caltrops, taking large amounts of damage. With Backup Plan, if you have the Discipline to spare, you can stack the Caltrops too, which is surprisingly effective at taking down Champion packs. Just make sure you have enough Discipline for s Smoke Screen should the need arise.
SS+ Prep and just run around and place traps and marked for death. Large packs die without even using rapid fire or entangling shot
Entangling with chaingang damage and slow 4 each shot, making controlling the battle easy. Ele arrow for massive damage and fan of knives when in melee range after popping smokescreen. Never found a way to play with channeled abilities or without entangling shot. I never stand still for more than a few seconds, constantly slowing and carpet bombing everything with ele arrow from all different directions
My own build is http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/demon-hunter#WRYTjc!Yed!aabZab
I have Rapid Fire tied to my mouse thumb button, and using Bola/Ball Lightning can clear out rooms fast. Rapid Fire is just that little extra umph when I just need it.
Thinking when I get it going to replace Brooding with sharpshooter.
I haven't learned to love smoke screen/prep yet, but I have definitely learned to love vault. I use the root caltrop and vault (tumble) combination to kite elites and really enjoy that playstyle. It may be a touch riskier, but I still feel quite safe.
Like other have said, I am quite impressed in the variety of viable setups. slows, aoe and single target abilities can come from so many different places, although perhaps Elemental Arrow (Ball Lightning) may be somewhat universal at this point.
I use 2 builds for Inferno(Act 2 right now). I know its not ideal because of Neph Valor, but it works very well.
Questing/AoE Build(http://us.battle.net...YdXV!YTe!aZZbZc)
-Hungering Arrow+Puncturing Arrow(50% pierce)[btw, did the math and this > 70% inc damage on pierces]
-Elemental Arrow+Frost Arrow
-Caltrops+ Torturous Ground
-Vault+Tumble
-Smoke Screen+Lingering Fog
-Preperation+Backup Plan
Boss/Single Target Build(http://us.battle.net...TdXV!YTe!aYZbZc)
-Hungering Arrow+Puncturing Arrow
-Cluster Arrow+Cluster Bomb
-Companion+Bat Companion
-Vault+Tumble
-Smoke Screen+Lingering Fog
-Preperation+Backup Plan
I love my AoE build because of the Frost snare and chill AND shatters bodies(no rezzing, etc). Caltrops is pretty essential as well for kiting rares/champions. For bosses, Cluster Arrow+CLuster Bomb does a ridiculous amount of damage. Like upwards of 60k per shot if all the bombs hit(which they usually do). Bat helps with hatred regen which is essential for Cluster Arrow. Then Smoke Screen+Prep w/ Backup Plan is just....essential. Everyone should use these! xD Anyway, hope yall like this. :3
Note: The AoE build works well against every boss I went up against except maybe Butcher. I only got to test it with a group on Butcher, not solo yet. I eventually tried the single target build when my Valor fell off and one of the members left. It worked well. I'll have to test AoE build for Butcher and let yall know!
Of course, it is not always far enough or the mobs are a bit quick in closing the the short backflip gap. Depending on the pack/boss, I will switch the rune to displace. If I am still a little umcomfortable, that is where Caltrops or SS/prep comes in. I also toy with Vault a lot and I think it is a bit under-rated, but I am only on nightmare, so take that into account.
I am also a fan of caltrops/sentry kiting. Currently using it runed with Spitfire Turret, but thinking about trying chains of torment.
Current build:
http://us.battle.net...XVkY!eba!.aZbab