is my profile. My gear is not the best (especially using a str hellfire ring:D) and I would really appreciate some advice about builds. I've tried venom hydra/blizzard and it felt like I wasn't doing much damage, so I gave the build I'm currently using a shot, but it feels really lackluster, too, especially since we are running MP 6 or so with some of my friends, and I feel like a third wheel at times.
I would be really glad for any advice from fellow wizards, thanks and take care.
You can use Archon just fine in group play, though it suffers from a lack of group utility, and requires the group to be able to clear pretty fast (10-15s or less for most elites, trash mobs dying in 1-2s or less for most). With your dps on MP6 you're probably being carried as Archon. If you're having problems with archon falling off frequently then you are running too high MP with that group to use the build effectively.
If you want to keep Archon for group play, you need to raise your dps. I'd start with a high damage black weapon with OS+LS and CD if you can afford it, as well as a triumvirate with vit, preferably over 200 int, and as much average damage as you can afford. That should not only raise your dps but improve your survivability because of the extra LS. Then it's just a matter of upgrading pieces to raise your dps until you can keep Archon form active most of the runs.
Otherwise, if you want another group build, you have a few options. Sleet Storm (SS) is a decent option, and is a pretty decent build. For that you'll probably want a LS Skorn, though you can use a 1h+OH combo. You'll also want to get a Storm Crow, preferably with crit, to help you not run out of AP. The basic idea of the build is you stand in melee and channel SS. You can use Time Warp for group utility, which will make mobs take 20% more damage while under your bubble. There's a couple other options for extra group utility with the build too so if that sounds interesting I can show you a sample build.
I kind of prefer my Arcane Mines build for group play because the damage it puts out is pretty wicked. It does have some survival issues though, especially if none of your friends are cyclone monks or CMWW wizards. If one of them is, then it's a great build for burst damage and it tears up elites very well. There's a thread around here somewhere with my solo and group build, along with a few demo vids, and even some vids of me soloing MP10 Ubers with it. I don't recommend it for solo play. You can basically use the same gear as the SS build, namely either 2h with SC for APoC, or a 1h+OH with about 20 APoC, and preferably a SoJ appropriate for the build (-ap cost for mines, +RoF crit for SS).
I prefer the 1h versions of each build because I get more dps with my 1h+OH and high dps is important for Archon, so it's easier for me to switch around builds that way. The 2h build might be easier in terms of AP management and survivability though, but in the end you can make either work depending on your preference.
I suppose I will try you first advice first, that is, to try and get a better 1H + Triumvirate, I'll see what I can do with the money I have. However, SS build got me interedted in trying it, as well as arcane mines, is there some kind of amount of LS I should be aiming at? Should I use Blood Magic if I need more?
The more LS you can get the better, which is part of the reason some people run 2h with the build. That and lower APS makes AP management easier. With a 1h you will want LS weapon and BM. I'd get as much LS as you can, probably 2.5+, on the weapon. The high LS is needed to be able to face tank mobs and elites while you spam your damage spell. Having lower LS just means you'll probably need a bit more armor and resists.
So I took your advice and invested about 100m into various parts of my gear. I also gave sleet storm build a shot, but I run out of AP fairly fast, even with storm crow (unless there is a bazillion of mobs around me, which rarely happens).
Anyway, I want to ask - how do I increase my dps from now on, better weapon?
Yeah, you need another source of AP regen, at least. With a 1h+OH you'll probably need to use an APoC OH. You can either use a Triumvirate or an Oculus. The oculus can be pretty competitive in dps since you can get a double int+vit and high damage one for pretty similar cost, so if you want a little extra vit I'd look into that. It's what I use for my builds when I need APoC from the OH.
Personally I find Blizzard a bit redundant with SS so you could try switching that to EB for more dps. Unleashed is the most popular rune, but I prefer short fuse. However, I run with LL+AD so I have ways to get around running out of AP. Also, if you can afford the loss of melee reduction, switch your armor spell to Storm Armor - Reactive Armor. It works great for elites and it combines with LS to gain life back as you take damage so it has a little survivability in it.
I'd also consider dropping Time Warp for teleport - Safe Passage for more survivability and dropping Blur for CM to refresh EB and teleport. If you really don't want to use CM for whatever reason you can drop blizzard for teleport, keep slow time, and drop blur for Illusionist.
That's the version I use, but it makes some SS vets cringe because LL+AD only helps as long as you can channel which doesn't happen as much as I'd like against elites. It helps against trash if you're running high MP and they take a few seconds to kill. I also like the LL because of my high APS since I can run out of AP easier than if I used a 2h build. I need prismatic armor for high MP so I don't kill myself against RD, otherwise use reactive armor if possible.
That's the more standard build used by 2h users, but feel free to switch sparkflint to the AP regen one and Power Hungry to Astral Presence if you want.
I recently decided to give D3 another shot, haven't logged in for a while so I'm not quite up to date with trends.
http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Boning-2281/hero/1034681
is my profile. My gear is not the best (especially using a str hellfire ring:D) and I would really appreciate some advice about builds. I've tried venom hydra/blizzard and it felt like I wasn't doing much damage, so I gave the build I'm currently using a shot, but it feels really lackluster, too, especially since we are running MP 6 or so with some of my friends, and I feel like a third wheel at times.
I would be really glad for any advice from fellow wizards, thanks and take care.
If you want to keep Archon for group play, you need to raise your dps. I'd start with a high damage black weapon with OS+LS and CD if you can afford it, as well as a triumvirate with vit, preferably over 200 int, and as much average damage as you can afford. That should not only raise your dps but improve your survivability because of the extra LS. Then it's just a matter of upgrading pieces to raise your dps until you can keep Archon form active most of the runs.
Otherwise, if you want another group build, you have a few options. Sleet Storm (SS) is a decent option, and is a pretty decent build. For that you'll probably want a LS Skorn, though you can use a 1h+OH combo. You'll also want to get a Storm Crow, preferably with crit, to help you not run out of AP. The basic idea of the build is you stand in melee and channel SS. You can use Time Warp for group utility, which will make mobs take 20% more damage while under your bubble. There's a couple other options for extra group utility with the build too so if that sounds interesting I can show you a sample build.
I kind of prefer my Arcane Mines build for group play because the damage it puts out is pretty wicked. It does have some survival issues though, especially if none of your friends are cyclone monks or CMWW wizards. If one of them is, then it's a great build for burst damage and it tears up elites very well. There's a thread around here somewhere with my solo and group build, along with a few demo vids, and even some vids of me soloing MP10 Ubers with it. I don't recommend it for solo play. You can basically use the same gear as the SS build, namely either 2h with SC for APoC, or a 1h+OH with about 20 APoC, and preferably a SoJ appropriate for the build (-ap cost for mines, +RoF crit for SS).
I prefer the 1h versions of each build because I get more dps with my 1h+OH and high dps is important for Archon, so it's easier for me to switch around builds that way. The 2h build might be easier in terms of AP management and survivability though, but in the end you can make either work depending on your preference.
Crusader DPS and EHP Spreadsheet, meant for Crusaders
My Wizard
I suppose I will try you first advice first, that is, to try and get a better 1H + Triumvirate, I'll see what I can do with the money I have. However, SS build got me interedted in trying it, as well as arcane mines, is there some kind of amount of LS I should be aiming at? Should I use Blood Magic if I need more?
Thanks.
Crusader DPS and EHP Spreadsheet, meant for Crusaders
My Wizard
Anyway, I want to ask - how do I increase my dps from now on, better weapon?
my profile again - http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Boning-2281/hero/1034681
Personally I find Blizzard a bit redundant with SS so you could try switching that to EB for more dps. Unleashed is the most popular rune, but I prefer short fuse. However, I run with LL+AD so I have ways to get around running out of AP. Also, if you can afford the loss of melee reduction, switch your armor spell to Storm Armor - Reactive Armor. It works great for elites and it combines with LS to gain life back as you take damage so it has a little survivability in it.
I'd also consider dropping Time Warp for teleport - Safe Passage for more survivability and dropping Blur for CM to refresh EB and teleport. If you really don't want to use CM for whatever reason you can drop blizzard for teleport, keep slow time, and drop blur for Illusionist.
http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/wizard#ZbQhSO!TgW!Ycabcc
That's the version I use, but it makes some SS vets cringe because LL+AD only helps as long as you can channel which doesn't happen as much as I'd like against elites. It helps against trash if you're running high MP and they take a few seconds to kill. I also like the LL because of my high APS since I can run out of AP easier than if I used a 2h build. I need prismatic armor for high MP so I don't kill myself against RD, otherwise use reactive armor if possible.
http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/wizard#ZhQjST!agW!Yaaaca
That's the more standard build used by 2h users, but feel free to switch sparkflint to the AP regen one and Power Hungry to Astral Presence if you want.
Crusader DPS and EHP Spreadsheet, meant for Crusaders
My Wizard