I'm pretty bored of fire, so i wanted to get some insight from you guys if you have a moment. Has anyone had any success with an elemental build that is NOT fire since 2.1 release? "Success" itself is a tricky description, so here is what i compare it to: I'm currently running an ever-changing setup based around Chainpocalypse, basically toying with fun ideas. I can easily destroy a T6 regular rift and i can successfully solo GR30 - GR32 when i feel so inclined. I know i'm no where near the bleeding edge of progression, but i'm okay with that. I just don't want to get knocked back to T2 or T3 by switching to ice or lightning.
The trouble I've been having is that i never really find anything that is even remotely close to my Woh Builds. I have a Furnace, so i know i can go the whole Furnace / Hydra / Apocalypse build, but i really want to try something outside of fire. Gear isn't a real issue, i have most of the hard-to-find toys with the exception of Rimeheart and Hexing Pants (DAMN YOU KADALA!!!). I have full sets of Tals and Vyr's, so those are options as well.
So, does anyone have a personal experience with viable non-fire builds since 2.1 came out?
I was doing OK(ish) with Star Pact for Melee-Arcane, gaming crits up to 300-400M, but it fell apart after GR30. Too much HP on monsters, too much incoming damage.
To react to the damage scaling I played around with Cold since it's great CC. I really wanted to make it work with Rimeheart, Frostburn, Magistrate, Light of Grace, etc., and while survivability was really high it just couldn't put out enough damage and ability to constantly move forward to compete with Fire. Similarly didn't get deep in GRs with it.
Haven't tried Lightning, but generally seems exceptionally lackluster.
The problem with progression right now is that it's entirely based on being able to dish out massive damage while staying mobile (read: not getting 1-shot) and pushing forward. Arcane can put out damage, but lacks mobility. Lightning and Cold can CC to stay alive, but the damage for either isn't conducive to keeping moving forward. Fire with Firebird can do all of the above.
~GR30 is where other elements are capped atm. After that you just run out of substained damage as you really need to start dodging and kiting. Some hydra based spec might work for a bit higher, but yeah few more levels even 100% maxed uptime on damage ain't enough.. other specs need "Firebird like" set as well to make them work higher, maybe there is a change coming to firebird to make it work for all elements, but for now Fire is the king.
My main build has always been around tal'rasha, so i did try to make it work,
The max i could go with it was gr33 completed, after that i had to change to boringbird to raise my gems past that level... sucks :\
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Those Who Do Not Know True Pain Cannot Possibly Understand True Peace...
highest i gotten without a firebird spec was 31 with an arcane archon build using both vyr and talrasha bonuses. my main beef was staying alive since i ended up having to tank alot of dmg all the time... archon specs arent very kite freindly :<
I'm pretty bored of fire, so i wanted to get some insight from you guys if you have a moment. Has anyone had any success with an elemental build that is NOT fire since 2.1 release? "Success" itself is a tricky description, so here is what i compare it to: I'm currently running an ever-changing setup based around Chainpocalypse, basically toying with fun ideas. I can easily destroy a T6 regular rift and i can successfully solo GR30 - GR32 when i feel so inclined. I know i'm no where near the bleeding edge of progression, but i'm okay with that. I just don't want to get knocked back to T2 or T3 by switching to ice or lightning.
The trouble I've been having is that i never really find anything that is even remotely close to my Woh Builds. I have a Furnace, so i know i can go the whole Furnace / Hydra / Apocalypse build, but i really want to try something outside of fire. Gear isn't a real issue, i have most of the hard-to-find toys with the exception of Rimeheart and Hexing Pants (DAMN YOU KADALA!!!). I have full sets of Tals and Vyr's, so those are options as well.
So, does anyone have a personal experience with viable non-fire builds since 2.1 came out?
Thanks!
To react to the damage scaling I played around with Cold since it's great CC. I really wanted to make it work with Rimeheart, Frostburn, Magistrate, Light of Grace, etc., and while survivability was really high it just couldn't put out enough damage and ability to constantly move forward to compete with Fire. Similarly didn't get deep in GRs with it.
Haven't tried Lightning, but generally seems exceptionally lackluster.
The problem with progression right now is that it's entirely based on being able to dish out massive damage while staying mobile (read: not getting 1-shot) and pushing forward. Arcane can put out damage, but lacks mobility. Lightning and Cold can CC to stay alive, but the damage for either isn't conducive to keeping moving forward. Fire with Firebird can do all of the above.
Wizards are far weakest class with the absence of firebird build
The max i could go with it was gr33 completed, after that i had to change to boringbird to raise my gems past that level... sucks :\
Those Who Do Not Know True Pain Cannot Possibly Understand True Peace...
Any kind of competitive GR forces Firebird and blizz/hydra.