The most common difference between a "performance" laptop and a "gaming" laptop would maybe be the dedicated graphics card. Some performance laptops have one and some don't, but most gaming laptops will. This makes a large difference in rendering due to not having to steal memory or CPU cycles from the motherboard. While popular with gaming, any video intensive application would benefit from this. Your description of the topographical maps sounds like it would benefit from a dedicated GPU.
Another possible difference is the monitor size. A performance laptop doesn't necessarily need to go above the 15" models. However, for gaming, a 17" can be a big draw...at the cost of lugging around a heavier machine and usually less battery life. If, however, your mobility is from one desk to another, the full size keyboard and larger screen add up to productivity increases even in non-gaming applications. Personal concerns and usage patterns, then, have a lot to do with that choice. A good docking station at home can allow you to have a large monitor and regular kb/mouse for gaming with mobility if you will be using the laptop from your car instead of a remote office.
I've never seen a hammer build that does do well on single target. For that matter, outside of PTR Roland's that already got nerfed, I've never seen any crusader build that is not weak on single target. It's one of the main reasons such a high % are condemn/pony/zdps.
Plus, they are not mutually exclusive like DH attacks. You can hold down the generator while spamming condemn and take advantage of the regen while condemning. DH has to choose to fire one or the other for each attack.
Depends a little on your class and current gear. CDR is what you'd want for crusader and isn't bad for Raekor, so that seems likely the best option without knowing more about your toon.
By smash he means salvage at the blacksmith to get crafting materials from them. Legendaries with a special effect will usually be better than a rare. Sometimes a rare is just really well itemized and takes a while to find a replacement, but that should be the exception to the rule. Fire Walkers are not a part of any end-game build, but the fire trail is a bonus that should make them better than any but the best itemized rare, for instance. Blackthorne's Spurs don't have a special bonus on their own, but the bonuses for collecting the set make them better. Pick up the loot without looking at it and auto-salvage anything not legendary or set. The gains you make are VERY small when replacing a 70 rare with a 70 rare and not worth the time. Only compare the legendary and set pieces you find for upgrades. The time you save means more time killing, meaning more legendaries per hour.
Yes, if you intent to play this game to the best of your ability, some out of game research will be required. Find out which stats benefit you most or least. Find out if you have breakpoints to aim for on certain stats, etc. While leveling, it rarely matters much. End game, much of it is already mathed out. For instance, if you are playing crusader, attack speed has very minimal impact, but the sheet damage inflates the value, so you know a piece with attack speed is not worth as much as the tooltip claims. However, you need a total of 56% cooldown reduction. That isn't added into any of the tooltip calculations so a piece with CDR is worth more than the tooltip claims.
As a WD, you need to know the builds. Pet doc uses attack speed to increase the rate at which the pets attack. Jade does not because attack speed doesn't affect dots. The tooltips neither know nor care about those differences. They merely multiply damage by attacks per second and give you the result. Similarly, the int you naturally collect applies to your resistances. Armor, however, is increased by str or dex, so not something you would wear. This makes bonus armor actually potentially better than the tooltip indicates and resistance may be less useful. This can make the toughness on tooltips deceptive.
zDPS is a build focused on utility and support in groups that is typically incapable of doing the personal damage normally required for that level but is useful in groups for utility and buffs.
I have yet to see a Roland's build achieve perma-AC or even a decently high rift without extreme hp ping-pong. In my opinion, it's not, but neither of us is Blizz, so it doesn't really matter.
You are always better off with more, rather than less and balanced. 40/350 will be better than 35/350.
The rule is a simple guideline so you don't have to use a formula and have to choose between the two. You have a rorg with chc and one with chd, for example, the 1:10 ratio can ballpark which should be better.
One exception I can think of is almost irrelevant. While leveling or fresh 70, chd damage does very little for you unless you actually crit. Therefore, you usually build chc first.
There is no "right" answer. We are talking relatively minor differences. I would say you need to ask yourself, which is your bigger obstacle to progression, right now, damage or dying?
Long term, the weapon should be your top offensive tool, so I'd say roll the damage range. However, if dying or having to leave combat and heal up is a big problem for you, then there are not really any other sources for LPSS and it can be very useful.
1
The most common difference between a "performance" laptop and a "gaming" laptop would maybe be the dedicated graphics card. Some performance laptops have one and some don't, but most gaming laptops will. This makes a large difference in rendering due to not having to steal memory or CPU cycles from the motherboard. While popular with gaming, any video intensive application would benefit from this. Your description of the topographical maps sounds like it would benefit from a dedicated GPU.
Another possible difference is the monitor size. A performance laptop doesn't necessarily need to go above the 15" models. However, for gaming, a 17" can be a big draw...at the cost of lugging around a heavier machine and usually less battery life. If, however, your mobility is from one desk to another, the full size keyboard and larger screen add up to productivity increases even in non-gaming applications. Personal concerns and usage patterns, then, have a lot to do with that choice. A good docking station at home can allow you to have a large monitor and regular kb/mouse for gaming with mobility if you will be using the laptop from your car instead of a remote office.
0
I've never seen a hammer build that does do well on single target. For that matter, outside of PTR Roland's that already got nerfed, I've never seen any crusader build that is not weak on single target. It's one of the main reasons such a high % are condemn/pony/zdps.
0
Plus, they are not mutually exclusive like DH attacks. You can hold down the generator while spamming condemn and take advantage of the regen while condemning. DH has to choose to fire one or the other for each attack.
0
PTR is starting season 3, so I don't think a season 2 will transfer as season any longer.
0
Depends a little on your class and current gear. CDR is what you'd want for crusader and isn't bad for Raekor, so that seems likely the best option without knowing more about your toon.
0
I personally could never get into hammers for that very reason, but i try to never discourage it because some people love them.
0
Yes. If you make a few friends they might be able to help you get there faster.
0
By smash he means salvage at the blacksmith to get crafting materials from them. Legendaries with a special effect will usually be better than a rare. Sometimes a rare is just really well itemized and takes a while to find a replacement, but that should be the exception to the rule. Fire Walkers are not a part of any end-game build, but the fire trail is a bonus that should make them better than any but the best itemized rare, for instance. Blackthorne's Spurs don't have a special bonus on their own, but the bonuses for collecting the set make them better. Pick up the loot without looking at it and auto-salvage anything not legendary or set. The gains you make are VERY small when replacing a 70 rare with a 70 rare and not worth the time. Only compare the legendary and set pieces you find for upgrades. The time you save means more time killing, meaning more legendaries per hour.
0
My fav when my crusader has no build defining gear:
http://www.diablofans.com/builds/5279-new-70-crusader
0
Yes, if you intent to play this game to the best of your ability, some out of game research will be required. Find out which stats benefit you most or least. Find out if you have breakpoints to aim for on certain stats, etc. While leveling, it rarely matters much. End game, much of it is already mathed out. For instance, if you are playing crusader, attack speed has very minimal impact, but the sheet damage inflates the value, so you know a piece with attack speed is not worth as much as the tooltip claims. However, you need a total of 56% cooldown reduction. That isn't added into any of the tooltip calculations so a piece with CDR is worth more than the tooltip claims.
As a WD, you need to know the builds. Pet doc uses attack speed to increase the rate at which the pets attack. Jade does not because attack speed doesn't affect dots. The tooltips neither know nor care about those differences. They merely multiply damage by attacks per second and give you the result. Similarly, the int you naturally collect applies to your resistances. Armor, however, is increased by str or dex, so not something you would wear. This makes bonus armor actually potentially better than the tooltip indicates and resistance may be less useful. This can make the toughness on tooltips deceptive.
0
Zero Damage Per Second
zDPS is a build focused on utility and support in groups that is typically incapable of doing the personal damage normally required for that level but is useful in groups for utility and buffs.
Edit:
A zDPS WD will focus on shutting down affixes by use of Horrify and Piranhado, plus adding Big Bad Vodoo buff.
A zDPS crusader focuses on Laws buffs and grouping mobs with Steed Charge and Condemn. Can also use Shield Glare and other abilities.
These, especially in combination, can let DH go FULL glass cannon leading to overall higher DPS and survivability for the group.
0
I have yet to see a Roland's build achieve perma-AC or even a decently high rift without extreme hp ping-pong. In my opinion, it's not, but neither of us is Blizz, so it doesn't really matter.
0
You are always better off with more, rather than less and balanced. 40/350 will be better than 35/350.
The rule is a simple guideline so you don't have to use a formula and have to choose between the two. You have a rorg with chc and one with chd, for example, the 1:10 ratio can ballpark which should be better.
One exception I can think of is almost irrelevant. While leveling or fresh 70, chd damage does very little for you unless you actually crit. Therefore, you usually build chc first.
0
There is no "right" answer. We are talking relatively minor differences. I would say you need to ask yourself, which is your bigger obstacle to progression, right now, damage or dying?
Long term, the weapon should be your top offensive tool, so I'd say roll the damage range. However, if dying or having to leave combat and heal up is a big problem for you, then there are not really any other sources for LPSS and it can be very useful.
0
This is the gearing build I used when I did not have build defining gear on my last 3 crusaders.
http://www.diablofans.com/builds/5279-new-70-crusader