Melee Tal Wizard

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by Zero(pS) last updated Apr 27, 2015 ( Patch 2.2 )

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Skills

Electrocute Arc Lightning
- Electrocute
This is a Signature spell. Signature spells are free to cast.

Lightning arcs from your fingertips, dealing 138% weapon damage as Lightning. The lightning can jump, hitting up to 2 additional enemies.
Arc Lightning

Blast a cone of lightning that deals 310% weapon damage as Lightning to all affected enemies.
Teleport Calamity
- Teleport
Cooldown: 11 seconds

Teleport through the ether to the selected location up to 50 yards away.
Calamity

Cast a short range Wave of Force upon arrival, dealing 175% weapon damage as Arcane to all nearby enemies and stunning them for 1 second.
Hydra Mammoth Hydra
- Hydra
Cost: 15 Arcane Power

Summon a multi-headed Hydra for 15 seconds that attacks enemies with bolts of fire dealing 165% weapon damage as Fire.

Only one Hydra may be active at a time.
Mammoth Hydra

Summon a Mammoth Hydra that breathes a river of flame at nearby enemies, dealing 330% weapon damage per second as Fire to enemies caught on the burning ground.
Blizzard Frozen Solid
- Blizzard
Cost: 40 Arcane Power

Call down shards of ice that deal 1075% weapon damage as Cold over 6 seconds to enemies in a 12 yard radius. Multiple casts in the same area from the same caster do not stack.
Frozen Solid

Enemies caught in the Blizzard have a 100% chance to be Frozen for 2.5 seconds.
Magic Weapon Force Weapon
- Magic Weapon
Cost: 25 Arcane Power

Imbue your weapon with magical energy, granting it 10% increased damage. Lasts 10 minutes.
Force Weapon

Increase the damage bonus of Magic Weapon to 20% damage.
Ice Armor Crystallize
- Ice Armor
Cost: 25 Arcane Power

Surround yourself in a barrier of ice that reduces damage from melee attacks by 12%. Melee attackers are either Chilled or Frozen for 3 seconds. Lasts 10 minutes.

Only one Armor may be active at a time.
Crystallize

When you are struck by a melee attack, your Armor is increased by 20% for 30 seconds. This effect stacks up to 3 times.

Arcane Dynamo
- Arcane Dynamo
When you cast a Signature spell, you gain a Flash of Insight. After 5 Flashes of Insight, your next non-Signature spell deals 60% additional damage.

The following skills are Signature spells:
Magic Missile
Shock Pulse
Spectral Blade
Electrocute
Elemental Exposure
- Elemental Exposure
Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause them to take 5% more damage from your attacks for 5 seconds. Each different damage type applies a stack, stacking up to 4 times.

Elemental damage from your weapon contributes to Elemental Exposure.
Illusionist
- Illusionist
When you take more than 15% of your maximum Life in damage within 1 second, the cooldowns on Mirror Image, Slow Time, and Teleport are reset.

When you use Mirror Image, Slow Time, or Teleport, your movement speed is increased by 30% for 3 seconds.
Unstable Anomaly
- Unstable Anomaly
When you receive fatal damage, you instead gain a shield equal to 400% of your maximum Life for 5 seconds and release a shockwave that knocks enemies back and Stuns them for 3 seconds.

This effect may occur once every 60 seconds.

Items

Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom

Set Helm

398 - 472 Armor

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 3.5%
Sockets (1)

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Homing Pads

Legendary Shoulders

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

+9–10% Extra Gold from Monsters
Your Town Portal is no longer interrupted by taking damage. While casting Town Portal you gain a protective bubble that reduces damage taken by 50–65%.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+18–23 Dexterity

+18–23 Strength

+18–23 Intelligence
Tal Rasha's Allegiance

Set Amulet

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Damage Increased by 51 - 55%

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit

Set Chest Armor

Primary Stats

+220–349 Vitality
Attack Speed Increased by 5.0–6.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.
Ancient Parthan Defenders

Legendary Bracers

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Each stunned enemy within 25 yards reduces your damage taken by 9–12%.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+85–108 Dexterity

+85–108 Strength

+85–108 Intelligence
Tasker and Theo

Legendary Gloves

Primary Stats

Attack Speed Increased by 5.0–6.0%
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Increase attack speed of your pets by 40–50%.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+330–524 Dexterity

+330–524 Strength

+330–524 Intelligence
Tal Rasha's Brace

Set Belt

Primary Stats

+81–85 Resistance to All Elements
+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.
Tal Rasha's Stride

Set Pants

398 - 472 Armor

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Nilfur's Boast

Legendary Boots

Primary Stats

+81–85 Resistance to All Elements
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Increase the damage of Meteor by 200%. When your Meteor hits 3 or fewer enemies, the damage is increased by 275–350%.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Unity

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Increases damage against elites by 12 - 15%
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5 - 6%
+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence

Secondary Stats

All damage taken is split between wearers of this item.

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Halo of Arlyse

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Your Ice Armor now reduces damage from melee attacks by 50–60% and automatically casts Frost Nova whenever you take 10% of your Life in damage.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Serpent's Sparker

Legendary Wand

Primary Stats

+128–163 Intelligence
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

You may have one extra Hydra active at a time.
One of 7 Magic Properties (varies)

+(32–39)–(39–49) Arcane Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Poison Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Lightning Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Holy Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Cold Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Fire Damage

+(32–39)–(39–49) Damage
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare

Set Source

Primary Stats

+(94–118)–(95–142) Damage
+330–524 Intelligence
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 6.0–10.0%
Increases Meteor Damage by 20–25% (Wizard Only)
+3 Random Magic Properties

Tal Rasha's Elements
Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
Tal Rasha's Brace
Tal Rasha's Allegiance
Tal Rasha's Stride
Tal Rasha's Grasp
(2) Set: Damaging enemies with Arcane, Cold, Fire or Lightning will cause a Meteor of the same damage type to fall from the sky. There is an 8 second cooldown for each damage type.
(4) Set: Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each increase all of your resistances by 25% for 8 seconds.
(6) Set: Attacks increase your damage by 750% for 8 seconds. Arcane, Cold, Fire, and Lightning attacks each add one stack. At 4 stacks, each different elemental attack extends the duration by 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.

More Details

Head
- Tal Rasha's Guise of Wisdom
- Stat Priority: Socket Int CHC
Shoulders
- Homing Pads
- Pauldrons of the Skeleton King
- Stat Priority: Int Vit Armor +
Amulet
- Tal Rasha's Allegiance
- Stat Priority: CHD CHC Socket Int
Torso
- Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
- Stat Priority: Int Vit AS Socket
Wrists
- Ancient Parthan Defenders
- Stat Priority: Fire %
Hands
- Tasker and Theo
- Stat Priority: Int AS CHD CHC
Waist
- Tal Rasha's Brace
- Stat Priority: Int Vit AR Life
Legs
- Tal Rasha's Stride
- Stat Priority: Int Vit AR
Feet
- Nilfur's Boast
- Stat Priority: Int Vit AR
Rings
- Unity
- Halo of Arlyse
- Stat Priority: Socket CHD CHC Elite %
Weapon
- Serpent's Sparker
- Stat Priority: Dmg % AS Int Socket
Offhand
- Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
- Stat Priority: Int Vit CHC

Legendary Gems
- Bane of the Trapped
  Bane of the Trapped
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Increase damage against enemies under the effects of control-impairing effects by 15.00%.
  Gain an aura that reduces the movement speed of enemies within 15 yards by 30%. (Requires Rank 25)
- Zei's Stone of Vengeance
  Zei's Stone of Vengeance
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Damage you deal is increased by 4.00% for every 10 yards between you and the enemy hit. Maximum 20.00% increase at 50 yards.
  20% chance on hit to Stun the enemy for 1 second. (Requires Rank 25)
- Esoteric Alteration
  Esoteric Alteration
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Gain 10.0% non-Physical damage reduction.
  While below 50% Life, your resistances to Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, and Arcane are increased by 75%. (Requires Rank 25)

Paragon Priorities

Core

Primary Stat
Vitality
Maximum Resource
Movement Speed

Offense

Critical Hit Chance
Critical Hit Damage
Attack Speed
Cooldown Reduction

Defense

Resist All
Life
Armor
Life Regeneration

Utility

Area Damage
Resource Cost Reduction
Life on Hit
Gold Find

Build Guide

This is based on Jaetch's melee Tal Rasha's Wizard mini-guide recently uploaded to his youtube. I have tried to write down most of his comments in the video, for the sake of reference here, so most of what you'll read below is a sort of quote on the video guide.

Description

A hybrid spec that excels both on melee and ranged scenarios, with high tankyness and capable of dishing out tons of damage, perfect for reaching high solo Greater Rifts. While it has the old-school Blizzard/Hydra combo at its core, its playstyle is more reminiscent like a CM Wizard.

Skill Choices

The main source of damage is your Mammoth Hydra buffed by Arcane Dynamo's bonus damage, which will last for the Hydra's entire duration.
Tal's Meteors are the secondary source of damage.
To get the most out of Tal Rasha's buff, you need all 4 elements on your skill bar.
Electrocute procs the Lightning Meteor and ramps up Arcane Dynamo.
Teleport with Calamity procs the Arcane Meteor and is your only survival/repositioning skill.
Blizzard procs the Cold Meteor and is an added crowd control mechanism.
Illusionist and Unstable Anomaly are cookie cutter passives.
Arcane Dynamo and Elemental Exposure have strong synergy with the build.

Gear Comments

Get +Hydra or +Meteor Damage where possible. Chest and Helmet are important slots for that.
Tal's Source could roll +Hydra damage before Patch 2.2, but now it always rolls +Meteor damage (and it cannot be enchanted).
Serpent Sparker is the best weapon. It's optimal if it has a 1.7 attack-speed breakpoint, but that's not necessary unless you're aiming for high GR groups.
Frozen enemies also count towards the Ancient Parthan Defenders' effect.
Try to ramp up the Tal's bonus damage whenever possible (activating the elemental stack), not necessarily before putting down a Hydra. The Tal's effect doesn't need to be snapshot by Hydra, the way Arcane Dynamo does.

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped is standard stuff
Zei's Stone of Vengeance bonus damage is calculated from the damage source, so even though you'll be in melee range almost always, the Hydras will benefit from the bonus damage
Esoteric Alteration adds lots of survivability against ranged mobs/elites

Follower - Templar

Your Follower's focus is crowd controlling enemies (to proc Ancient Parthan Defenders) and boost your survivability.
Unity + Enchanting Favor (immortal token)
Ess of Johan
Freeze of Deflection
Eun-jang-do
Attack-speed wherever possible

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Melee Tal Wizard

Skills

Items

Head

Shoulders

Amulet

Torso

Wrists

Hands

Waist

Legs

Feet

Rings

Weapon

Offhand

Legendary Gems

Paragon Priorities

Core

Offense

Defense

Utility

Build Guide

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