Can you guys post the build you're using for this in A3? I haven't played my Wiz in a while but I do remember messing with a CM build a bit. Thanks. =)
A lot of people have attempted to make viable Battlemage (Wizard) builds and I think a lot have fallen short. I have been studying the character calculator since its inception and I have what I believe to be the best build.
This build has evolved over time, especially since they nerfed Obsidian Teleport duration (otherwise was a central defensive ability in my builds) and nerfed Hydra (which was my AP dump of choice).
Basic summary
Stack defensive stats and lifesteal mainly. If you can get crit super high and stay alive, take the lifesteal rune on Spectral Blade.
Extended Spectral Blade - The crit = life rune is good too but I think hitting as many baddies as possible with lifesteal as reliably as possible will be crucial. All other spells are taken assuming that Spectral Blade is the primary damage spell.
No-Timer Explosive Blast - What ever AP dump you choose has to be set and forget or minimal time to use, so meteor or other aimed spells are out. You need to spam SB as much as possible. That being said, EB is good (any rune really, but big well-timed blasts are probably best) because it is quick, no aiming involved, and since there is no "global cooldown" it seems you'll be able to spam EB to dump your AP between SB casts (lol acronyms).
Low-CD Slow Time - All the runes of ST are cool but having it up as much as possible beats any kind of additional utility. Battlemages will always have enemies right on them so any kind of AoE disable is king. Keeping ST up as much as possible keeps enemies slowed, keeps your mobility up, and helps with ranged mobs picking you off while you deal with melee ones. Before they changed the rune system, you could pair a max level rune with Evocation and have ST up near 100%. Now it will be about 58% with rune and evocation. This spell is pretty non-negotiable imo.
Diamond Skin Go-Boom - Diamond skin replaces my Obsidian Teleport (no viable uptime on buff anymore) as a supplementary defensive cooldown. I like it because while ST is good defense over a longer time, DS is great defense over a shorter time for those real "oh crap" moments. The "go-boom" effect I think is best because if you haven't eliminated the threat during the duration of DS, the boom will help clear things out for you. Low-CD Frost Nova can go in this slot too.
Lifesteal Magic Weapon - Magic Weapon is a given in this build, focusing on survivability, will benefit from Lifesteal more than anything. Before you freak out, yes, SB -will- benefit from this and all Lifesteal mods.
Really Sharp Ice Armor - I originally did some kind of Storm Armor in my builds because the ST + Obsidian Teleport was way more defense than I felt necessary but since our "overall defense" is still questionable, I think an Armor spell that features a slow is the best bet. I like this rune over the others because it offers huge damage on-hit as well as a respectable slow effect. Your armor of choice/situation can go in this slot otherwise.
Evocation - We need our CDs up as much as possible, a given.
Galvanizing Ward - I like the life regen, but if you want something else, go for it. Maybe the crit = lower CD would be a good substitute here.
Blur - A given, a great defensive passive.
In conclusion, this build or something styled like it is the only viable Battlemage. Too many AP dumps or too much focus on offense will not last in the late game. Wizards are utility-bloated and we need to maximize on that. Builds that don't feature and enhance Spectral Blade primarily are just not Battlemages at all. Is this build the best and fastest build for end-game? Probably not, but if you want to get all up in some demonic faces and still play a Wizard, this will serve you best!
As far as I've understood, since they are using real money that is unique to geographical region, you can't just "play on another country's server" for legal reasons. Either that or the AH you use is strictly dependent on your location. Or something. Thought I read something to the effect on the 8/1/11 interview about it on the main page. Too lazy to find a quote.
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http://us.battle.net...gXRf!gfU!cbYccb
This build has evolved over time, especially since they nerfed Obsidian Teleport duration (otherwise was a central defensive ability in my builds) and nerfed Hydra (which was my AP dump of choice).
Basic summary
Stack defensive stats and lifesteal mainly. If you can get crit super high and stay alive, take the lifesteal rune on Spectral Blade.
Extended Spectral Blade - The crit = life rune is good too but I think hitting as many baddies as possible with lifesteal as reliably as possible will be crucial. All other spells are taken assuming that Spectral Blade is the primary damage spell.
No-Timer Explosive Blast - What ever AP dump you choose has to be set and forget or minimal time to use, so meteor or other aimed spells are out. You need to spam SB as much as possible. That being said, EB is good (any rune really, but big well-timed blasts are probably best) because it is quick, no aiming involved, and since there is no "global cooldown" it seems you'll be able to spam EB to dump your AP between SB casts (lol acronyms).
Low-CD Slow Time - All the runes of ST are cool but having it up as much as possible beats any kind of additional utility. Battlemages will always have enemies right on them so any kind of AoE disable is king. Keeping ST up as much as possible keeps enemies slowed, keeps your mobility up, and helps with ranged mobs picking you off while you deal with melee ones. Before they changed the rune system, you could pair a max level rune with Evocation and have ST up near 100%. Now it will be about 58% with rune and evocation. This spell is pretty non-negotiable imo.
Diamond Skin Go-Boom - Diamond skin replaces my Obsidian Teleport (no viable uptime on buff anymore) as a supplementary defensive cooldown. I like it because while ST is good defense over a longer time, DS is great defense over a shorter time for those real "oh crap" moments. The "go-boom" effect I think is best because if you haven't eliminated the threat during the duration of DS, the boom will help clear things out for you. Low-CD Frost Nova can go in this slot too.
Lifesteal Magic Weapon - Magic Weapon is a given in this build, focusing on survivability, will benefit from Lifesteal more than anything. Before you freak out, yes, SB -will- benefit from this and all Lifesteal mods.
Really Sharp Ice Armor - I originally did some kind of Storm Armor in my builds because the ST + Obsidian Teleport was way more defense than I felt necessary but since our "overall defense" is still questionable, I think an Armor spell that features a slow is the best bet. I like this rune over the others because it offers huge damage on-hit as well as a respectable slow effect. Your armor of choice/situation can go in this slot otherwise.
Evocation - We need our CDs up as much as possible, a given.
Galvanizing Ward - I like the life regen, but if you want something else, go for it. Maybe the crit = lower CD would be a good substitute here.
Blur - A given, a great defensive passive.
In conclusion, this build or something styled like it is the only viable Battlemage. Too many AP dumps or too much focus on offense will not last in the late game. Wizards are utility-bloated and we need to maximize on that. Builds that don't feature and enhance Spectral Blade primarily are just not Battlemages at all. Is this build the best and fastest build for end-game? Probably not, but if you want to get all up in some demonic faces and still play a Wizard, this will serve you best!
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/thread?
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