[2.3] (GR55+) Chain Reaction with Tal's 6 / Woh

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by Cratic last updated Oct 17, 2015 ( Patch 2.3 )

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Hybrid

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Skills

Magic Missile Glacial Spike
- Magic Missile
This is a Signature spell. Signature spells are free to cast.

Launch a missile of magic energy, dealing 230% weapon damage as Arcane.
Glacial Spike

Cast out a shard of ice that explodes on impact, causing enemies within 4.5 yards to take 175% weapon damage as Cold and be Frozen for 1 second.

Enemies cannot be Frozen by Glacial Spike more than once every 5 seconds.
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.
Energy Armor Force Armor
- Energy Armor
Cost: 25 Arcane Power

Focus your energies, increasing your Armor by 35% but decreasing your maximum Arcane Power by 20. Lasts 10 minutes.

Only one Armor may be active at a time.
Force Armor

Incoming attacks that would deal more than 35% of your maximum Life are reduced to deal 35% of your maximum Life instead.

The amount absorbed cannot exceed 100% of your maximum Life.
Black Hole Supermassive
- Black Hole
Cost: 20 Arcane Power
Cooldown: 12 seconds

Conjure a Black Hole at the target location that draws enemies to it and deals 700% weapon damage as Arcane over 2 seconds to all enemies within 15 yards.
Supermassive

Increases the Black Hole radius to 20 yards and damage to 1290% weapon damage as Lightning over 2 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.
Explosive Blast Chain Reaction
- Explosive Blast
Cost: 20 Arcane Power
Cooldown: 6 seconds

Gather an infusion of energy around you that explodes after 1.5 seconds for 945% weapon damage as Arcane to all enemies within 12 yards.
Chain Reaction

Instead of a single explosion, release a chain of 3 consecutive explosions, each dealing 520% weapon damage as Fire.

Audacity
- Audacity
You deal 30% additional damage to enemies within 15 yards.
Evocation
- Evocation
Reduce all cooldowns by 20%.
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

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
+3 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+330–524 Dexterity

+330–524 Strength

+330–524 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.
Death Watch Mantle

Legendary Shoulders

240 - 252 Armor

Primary Stats

+416 - 500 Strength
+416 - 500 Dexterity
+416 - 500 Intelligence

Secondary Stats

25 - 35% chance to explode in a fan of knives for 750-950% weapon damage when hit.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Tal Rasha's Allegiance

Set Amulet

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Damage Increased by 51.0–100.0%
+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+330–524 Dexterity

+330–524 Strength

+330–524 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 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.
Strongarm Bracers

Legendary Bracers

200 - 220 Armor

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 1%
+201 - 230 Vitality

Secondary Stats

Enemies hit by knockbacks suffer 20 - 30% increased damage for 6 seconds.

+ 2 Random Magic Properties
Tal Rasha's Grasp

Set Gloves

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 6.0–10.0%
+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+330–524 Dexterity

+330–524 Strength

+330–524 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.
String of Ears

Legendary Belt

145 - 164 Armor

Primary Stats

+201 - 230 Vitality

Secondary Stats

Reduces damage from melee attacks by 25 - 30%.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Tal Rasha's Stride

Set Pants

Primary Stats

+4 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.
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
Focus

Set Ring

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)

Bastions of Will
Focus
Restraint
(2) Set: When you hit with a resource-generating attack or primary skill, deal 50% increased damage for 5 seconds.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Restraint

Set Ring

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)

Bastions of Will
Focus
Restraint
(2) Set: When you hit with a resource-generating attack or primary skill, deal 50% increased damage for 5 seconds.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Wand of Woh

Legendary Wand

Primary Stats

+128–163 Intelligence
Increases Explosive Blast Damage by 75–100% (Wizard Only)
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

3 additional Explosive Blasts are triggered after casting Explosive Blast.
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
- Firebird's Plume
- Stat Priority: Int CHC Skill: Meteor
Shoulders
- Death Watch Mantle
- Firebird's Pinions
- Stat Priority: Int CDR AD Skill: EB
Amulet
- Tal Rasha's Allegiance
- Hellfire Amulet
- Stat Priority: Fire % CHD CHC Socket
Torso
- Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit
- Cindercoat
- Stat Priority: Int Vit Armor + Skill: EB
Wrists
- Strongarm Bracers
- Ancient Parthan Defenders
- Stat Priority: Fire % Int Vit CHC
Hands
- Tal Rasha's Grasp
- Firebird's Talons
- Magefist
- Stat Priority: Int CDR CHD CHC
Waist
- String of Ears
- Tal Rasha's Brace
- Vigilante Belt
- Stat Priority: Int Vit Life Armor +
Legs
- Tal Rasha's Stride
- Firebird's Down
- Stat Priority: Int Vit Armor +
Feet
- Nilfur's Boast
- Stat Priority: Int Vit Armor + Skill: Meteor
Rings
- Focus
- Restraint
- Stat Priority: CDR CHD CHC AD
Weapon
- Wand of Woh
- Stat Priority: Int Dmg % AD CDR
Offhand
- Tal Rasha's Unwavering Glare
- Stat Priority: Int CHC CDR AD

Legendary Gems
- Bane of the Trapped
  Bane of the Trapped
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Increase damage against enemies under the effects of control-impairing effects by 15%.
- Molten Wildebeest's Gizzard
  Molten Wildebeest's Gizzard
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
- No Gem Selected

Kanai's Cube

The Furnace

Legendary Two-Handed Mace

Primary Stats

+(39–47)–(47–59) Fire Damage
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Increases damage against elites by 40–50%.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+192–245 Strength

+192–245 Intelligence

+192–245 Dexterity
The Furnace
Leoric's Crown

Legendary Helm

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Increase the effect of any gem socketed into this item by 75–100%. This effect does not apply to Legendary Gems.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+18–26 Dexterity

+18–26 Strength

+18–26 Intelligence
Leoric's Crown
Unity

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
Increases damage against elites by 12.0–15.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

All damage taken is split between wearers of this item.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Unity

Offensive Affixes
CHD, CHC, CDR, and Area Damage are the focus. Skill damage should not be skipped. EB is our main damage dealer, dishing out approximately 50% to 60% of our damage. Meteors will account for about 30% to 40% of total damage.
Shoot for at least 50% CHC and at least 425% CHD. Go for 30% Meteor damage and 30% EB damage.

CDR
I recommend reaching at least 64% CDR. In order to meet resource costs at higher CDR levels, you may have to slot something to compensate for negative flow of AP. With only the 10% RCR from paragon:
If <= ~64% CDR, AP expense will equal cost. If between ~64% and ~67% CDR, use Inspire. If > ~67% CDR, assign another regen mechanism.
To opt for skill regen mechanism go with Magic Weapon: Conduit. Otherwise, swap AD on source for APoC. Cindercoat is also an option.

Area Damage
In the 2.3 patch release, several existing bugs relating to area damage were fixed. The most important being that area damage now scales to match damage with multiplicative set bonuses (Such as Focus and Restraint, and Tal Rasha's). See the linked video to see area damage works.
Assign 90% to 134% AD, or 2-4 gear affixes (plus Paragon). Optimal placement for AD is on Shoulders and Source and / or Weapon.

Defensive Affixes
Armor should be the primary defensive affix assigned to Belt, Pants, and Boots. Chest can be rolled with Armor OR Reduced damage from elites.
Secondary elemental resistances on gear are key to gaining increased non physical damage reduction.

Other Required Items
Ancient Wand of Woh to allow cubed Furnace. For similar reason, wear Nilfur's Boast boots to cube items that don't share the boots armor slot. Closer to 200% is desired, but not necessary.
Diamond for Helm. Emerald for Weapon. Topaz for any other Gear sockets.

Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped: AoE multiplicative damage increase is the same radius as our EB.
Molten Wildebeest's Gizzard: Best gem for survival when combined with Force Armor. Allows us to take hits without getting one shot.

Third Gem:
For Non Seasons, Gogok of Swiftness is the best offensive choice. CDR gain from 15% allows other gearing options. Stacks are fairly easy to keep up.
For Non Seasons, Esoteric Alteration and Mutilation Guard are the best defensive options (depending on gear setup and preference).

Paragon Priorities

Core

Movement Speed
Primary Stat
Vitality
Maximum Resource

Offense

Cooldown Reduction
Critical Hit Damage
Critical Hit Chance
Attack Speed

Defense

Armor
Resist All
Life
Life Regeneration

Utility

Area Damage
Resource Cost Reduction
Life on Hit
Gold Find

CDR is king for offense. Balance CHC and CHD.
For defense, armor, then all resist. Life% will grant a surprisingly nice defensive boost and allow you to survive some of the bigger hits. This is why it is listed before life regen.
As mentioned above, RCR can become an important factor as CDR increases.

Build Guide

This build is aimed at maximizing the potential of Tal's 6 with Wand of Woh. It's a fun, tanky build that gets you in the middle of the action.

Notes: GR55+ capable. Will update if improvements are made. Build is easily adapted to non season.

Strategy

Use Magic Missile: Glacial Spike and Teleport: Calamity to stun. Use Illusionist when taking damage. Use Black Hole: Supermassive to group enemies into tight packs so that your blasts and AD have maximum effect.
Do not stay engaged with the same group of enemies (within 25 yards) for long. After about 6 or 7 seconds their CC resistance will kick in. Move around packs and use your Black Hole to aggregate clumps of enemies. If necessary, stay on the outskirts of groups and apply damage there.

Passives

Audacity - Required.
Evocation - Required.
Illusionist - Allows for high mobility and extra utility via run speed. Preferred. Makes the build work effectively.
Unstable Anomaly- Low CD sometimes allows reset. Best passive for replacement.

Additional Passives

Additional options when equipping a Firebird's 2 pc or Hellfire Amulet:
Blur
Elemental Exposure

Configuration

Use Teleport on left click to easily direct your character without activating force move. Use (force stand + teleport) to activate Teleport.
Use the num lock method on Explosive Blast. While the casting is not perfect (I notice a .3s gap between blasts), it is better than nothing.

Skill Swap

A favorable, fun skill swap that I have used in the past is to Swap Magic Weapon for Mirror Image:Duplicates or Mocking Demise. The images will taunt when summoned, which is very useful on boss fights. They also block ranged attacks and cast your black hole as additional CC.

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