So... actually quite early on in 2.0.1 I found this strange helmet, and every now and then I try out some fun things to "create a build around it". The helmet goes by the name "Archmage's Vicalyke":
As you can see the rolls are quite crappy and I can only justify wearing it when using Arcane Torrent. So all I knew is I had to create a build that uses Arcane Torrent and Mirror Images. It turns out, with some APoC and using many of the AP regeneration skills/runes, you can sustain Arcane Torrent without using a signature spell. Looking through my twinks, I realized I had this fantastic legacy SoJ (this beauty) which made me become independent of the SoJ and give me a bit more freedom in skill usage (no Power of the Storm).
Note: If you get the helmet with APoC and/or +lightning damage, you can simply go for Power of the Storm and you won't need the SoJ. The SoJ is really just to cope with my bad luck for rolls in 2.0.1 so far and the fact that the Mystic isn't around yet.
So I was set: left mouse button continuously casting Arcane Torrent - Cascade (because it's the AT spell I like the most), with paragon specced area damage; right mouse button Mirror Images and casting whenever cooldown is over. Since I benefit from getting hit hard (Illusionist procs) and my Mirror Images are supposed to be killed fast to duplicate, this is a build that actually requires high Torment level. On Torment 1 or below it just doesn't work.
Here's build #1, just to see how it works; using Hydras for fun:http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/wizard#ekOjSi!dUX!cZcYYc
It's super awesome as group support for fire wizards. EVERYTHING BURNS. I didn't cast a single Hydra myself, yet have a look at the result:
Yeah, those are 6 hydras, and they're all from my Images (no other wiz in group and I didn't cast Hydra myself). It's just the best picture I found; there were some with even more Hydras, but didn't hit the screenshot button fast enough. I tried out the other Hydras as well but this was the funniest of them all. Unfortunately those Hydras don't do a ton of damage, so it's not like the Mirror Images do the killing for you. And spells cast by Mirror Images also don't trigger passives, so Conflag is not an option. Though I wonder if it works for Elemental Exposure come RoS. But it's a nice thing to play around with, just fun to see everything burn. I wonder if they would cast double as well if you had the Serpent's Sparker...
The second build, that I actually like the most, is a heavy crowd control build. Like I said, the damage of Mirror Images or their spells is negliglible, and they don't proc passives like Paralysis, but they do proc direct effects based on your skills's runes. So here it is:
http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/wizard#ekOjSl!dUX!cbcYbZ
I am dealing Arcane damage only and slowing everything to 80%. My Mirror Images cast Blizzard all the time, and freeze a lot. In addition, if a mob is dumb enough to kill one of my Mirror Images, they either die - stunning enemies for 2 seconds - or multiply, and cast 2 more Blizzards. Win-win. The movement of monsters is almost down to zero with this build, which makes it a super nice support build when I play with squishy people who want to play on higher Torment difficulties.
If you have the helmet, too, let me know what builds you came up with!
Yeah, I did try Slow Time a lot. To be honest, not too keen on it. Even if I use "Point of no Return" I do indeed get a million bubbles, but I feel it does not increase the stun rate anymore. It might just be an issue of hitting diminishing return limits or so. Also, I might be the only one who actually dislikes Slow Time in general: the only really useful bubble is +10% more damage, but almost every other skill you put in that slot will increase damage as well, probably even more, and not just within the bubble. Furthermore, the bubble often works against you, e.g., electrified mobs will totally kill you as all the electric sparks stay in place and make the entire bubble a zone of death.
Hm yeah, that's true. Well, I have never had anyone request the bubble ;-) If that would happen a lot, I would change my mind. I have actually people ask me to turn the bubble off just because Electrocute absolutely killed them and the bubble was perceived as "disturbing". I would really love to see the wizard getting some kind of group buff except for the bubble... but well, that's for a different discussion ;-)
LOL nice one. I guess Point of no Return rune, right? Does it stack? I feel that none of the Slow Time bonuses stacks, so it's a nice feature but doesn't really benefit from anything. Or did you experience something different?
i also have this hat, playing lightning trampoline jaetch build style. i usually had it ready when i face an elite so i switch it with my mempo. but most of the time the images didnt duplicated after killed by any monsters, except diablo, it also gives me problem because i believe the shadow clone also do have images because i had to kill so many of them
As you can see the rolls are quite crappy and I can only justify wearing it when using Arcane Torrent. So all I knew is I had to create a build that uses Arcane Torrent and Mirror Images. It turns out, with some APoC and using many of the AP regeneration skills/runes, you can sustain Arcane Torrent without using a signature spell. Looking through my twinks, I realized I had this fantastic legacy SoJ (this beauty) which made me become independent of the SoJ and give me a bit more freedom in skill usage (no Power of the Storm).
Note: If you get the helmet with APoC and/or +lightning damage, you can simply go for Power of the Storm and you won't need the SoJ. The SoJ is really just to cope with my bad luck for rolls in 2.0.1 so far and the fact that the Mystic isn't around yet.
So I was set: left mouse button continuously casting Arcane Torrent - Cascade (because it's the AT spell I like the most), with paragon specced area damage; right mouse button Mirror Images and casting whenever cooldown is over. Since I benefit from getting hit hard (Illusionist procs) and my Mirror Images are supposed to be killed fast to duplicate, this is a build that actually requires high Torment level. On Torment 1 or below it just doesn't work.
Here's build #1, just to see how it works; using Hydras for fun:http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/wizard#ekOjSi!dUX!cZcYYc
It's super awesome as group support for fire wizards. EVERYTHING BURNS. I didn't cast a single Hydra myself, yet have a look at the result:
Yeah, those are 6 hydras, and they're all from my Images (no other wiz in group and I didn't cast Hydra myself). It's just the best picture I found; there were some with even more Hydras, but didn't hit the screenshot button fast enough. I tried out the other Hydras as well but this was the funniest of them all. Unfortunately those Hydras don't do a ton of damage, so it's not like the Mirror Images do the killing for you. And spells cast by Mirror Images also don't trigger passives, so Conflag is not an option. Though I wonder if it works for Elemental Exposure come RoS. But it's a nice thing to play around with, just fun to see everything burn. I wonder if they would cast double as well if you had the Serpent's Sparker...
The second build, that I actually like the most, is a heavy crowd control build. Like I said, the damage of Mirror Images or their spells is negliglible, and they don't proc passives like Paralysis, but they do proc direct effects based on your skills's runes. So here it is:
http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/wizard#ekOjSl!dUX!cbcYbZ
I am dealing Arcane damage only and slowing everything to 80%. My Mirror Images cast Blizzard all the time, and freeze a lot. In addition, if a mob is dumb enough to kill one of my Mirror Images, they either die - stunning enemies for 2 seconds - or multiply, and cast 2 more Blizzards. Win-win. The movement of monsters is almost down to zero with this build, which makes it a super nice support build when I play with squishy people who want to play on higher Torment difficulties.
If you have the helmet, too, let me know what builds you came up with!