Both Hilbs17 and Jaetch have very valid points about the specs and end game. WoH creates a spec just like Mirrorball, these two items are pretty much the only two items that truly does that for the Wizard class. Each class has items or sets that create very powerful specs. What makes WoH stand out is a nostalgia feeling of how powerful EB was in Vanilla D3. The major difference between the two specs is not so much how powerful they are but the fun factor difference. True enough every spec will get boring after long use but the WoW-type (one button) spec are quite boring.
The problem with the Wizard class is they bring nothing to the table in a group. The other classes has something, some more than others, Wizards are the only class that brings nothing truly useful to the table. This creates a divide between the classes that makes Wizard players want to play solo most of the time. While playing solo there are challenges that has to be dealt with. The major challenge is the lack of support from the other classes. Wizards make up for that with powerful solo specs. (I.E. Fire/Archon and WoH)
Furthermore, while in group Archon is superior to a non-archon fire spec because of the AoE capabilities of Archon form. This is why players focus on the non optimal CDR because lets face it the power of the Archon explosion in groups is worth it for faster group clearing. This shows the divide between the classes because a standard Fire DH which is extremely powerful can spec for a wolf which trumps the power of Archon via the group buff it provides. *End Rant lol*
I completely disagree about Wizards bringing nothing to the table in groups. With this spec wizards bring:
- CC in the form of Black Hole on an extremely low cooldown
- 20-30% Damage for the entire group via Strongarm Bracers with an almost 100% uptime, as it is activated by Black Hole.
- 20% Damage from Elemental Exposure for the entire group (cold damage + lightning on Thunderfury, Fire, and Arcane from Spellsteal Black Hole).
- Extremely High Burst Damage on Elite Packs, especially in very dense rifts with lots of trash mobs surrounding the elite packs, allowing you to stack the Archon buff very high. In certain situations, it's not uncommon for me to 2 or 3 shot elite packs in a four person group.
So that's 40-50% damage for the entire group, excellent crowd control, and high burst damage. That being said, of course an Archon Wizard isn't going to out-damage a fully-geared Jade WD, but I believe that stacked up against any other similarly geared class/spec, that Wizards do just fine. Lately, I've been running T6 RiF groups with a Jade WD, and an EP Monk. I also personally have my own fully-geared Jade WD, and I duo quite often with the same EP monk. When we are playing as a group of three, all the extra damage to the group that my Wizard provides cuts down on clear times drastically, and generally makes the ability of the Jade Doctor to one shot packs more consistent. Personally, I believe that Wizards and Barbs need a slight damage buff across the board to bring them in-line with other classes, and possibly open up options for other specs, but I don't believe the damage gap between Wizards, and say a Demon Hunter or Crusader is as large as people might think given end-game gear.
The issue at hand isn't one of solo play versus group play, or nostalgia versus ease of play. The issue is what is better, and MM/Archon is better. Archon does more damage than Explosive Blast with Wand of Woh, I've personally tested it and I know it to be true. One spell simply doesn't match the damage output of the other. If someone wants to use a Wand of Woh build, that's great and it's certainly their perogative, and they can certainly clear T6 with it. However, any assertion that it can clear faster than an MM/Archon build given similar conditions is simply false.
When I say nothing I am talking in terms of special attributes, that would make a Wizard more appealing than the other classes. (This won't be the case) If nothing changes with any of the classes current balance we can expect Tiered rifts to be comprised of WD's, Monks, and DH's. Each class has something specific they bring that other classes cannot. That is what I meant by Wizards offer little in terms special abilities. Sure a Wizard can equip strongarm bracers but so can a monk. The difference is a monk can also bring Cyclone Strike and Exploding Palm. These two abilities greatly reduce the difficulty of high torment levels. Furthermore, every benefit you listed about this specific spec is matched in excess by one class. Wizards have no specialized abilities that other classes cannot provide or do better. Damage wise I believe Wizards are in a great place so I disagree with you there. When I made my comment about DH's i was saying that they are also very strong dps classes but they can bring group buff/s that the wizard cannot and/or synergies better in certain situations.
Now, when comparing MM to WoH I remain unchanged on the fact that WoH spec are played, mostly, for the fun/nostalgic aspect. The MM spec at high gear level virtually eliminates the need for Archon. It is a stronger spec and players can go pure dps instead of having to Min/Max around a CDR. Adding in Archon with some CDR ,but not enough to gimp the spec, is an added bonus. So as I said in my post in more words, I agree that MM and MM/Archon are currently the Wizards strongest specs. That said if I want to have fun outside of fast clears and big numbers (don't see why I would) then I would spec a WoH spec and remember now fun/powrful CM/WW was.
Both Hilbs17 and Jaetch have very valid points about the specs and end game. WoH creates a spec just like Mirrorball, these two items are pretty much the only two items that truly does that for the Wizard class. Each class has items or sets that create very powerful specs. What makes WoH stand out is a nostalgia feeling of how powerful EB was in Vanilla D3. The major difference between the two specs is not so much how powerful they are but the fun factor difference. True enough every spec will get boring after long use but the WoW-type (one button) spec are quite boring.
The problem with the Wizard class is they bring nothing to the table in a group. The other classes has something, some more than others, Wizards are the only class that brings nothing truly useful to the table. This creates a divide between the classes that makes Wizard players want to play solo most of the time. While playing solo there are challenges that has to be dealt with. The major challenge is the lack of support from the other classes. Wizards make up for that with powerful solo specs. (I.E. Fire/Archon and WoH)
Furthermore, while in group Archon is superior to a non-archon fire spec because of the AoE capabilities of Archon form. This is why players focus on the non optimal CDR because lets face it the power of the Archon explosion in groups is worth it for faster group clearing. This shows the divide between the classes because a standard Fire DH which is extremely powerful can spec for a wolf which trumps the power of Archon via the group buff it provides. *End Rant lol*
Don't forget that in RoS there is the mystic and she can reroll stats on gear. For instance, right now i have 2 sky spitters with perfect stats for a wizards, High Int, High Vit, and IAS. When RoS comes out I will be able to change the Int roll to Str and it will be just as potent on my Barb or Crusader.
Your idea is a very good one! But, not entirely necessary plus it will cause players to play like they did in D2. In D2, most players had a certain class for MF. Most played a Hammerdin or Cold Sorc because they were the fastest and most efficient. The results won't be exactly the same but I think it can be agreed upon that currently the most efficient class atm is the WIzard.
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Now, when comparing MM to WoH I remain unchanged on the fact that WoH spec are played, mostly, for the fun/nostalgic aspect. The MM spec at high gear level virtually eliminates the need for Archon. It is a stronger spec and players can go pure dps instead of having to Min/Max around a CDR. Adding in Archon with some CDR ,but not enough to gimp the spec, is an added bonus. So as I said in my post in more words, I agree that MM and MM/Archon are currently the Wizards strongest specs. That said if I want to have fun outside of fast clears and big numbers (don't see why I would) then I would spec a WoH spec and remember now fun/powrful CM/WW was.
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The problem with the Wizard class is they bring nothing to the table in a group. The other classes has something, some more than others, Wizards are the only class that brings nothing truly useful to the table. This creates a divide between the classes that makes Wizard players want to play solo most of the time. While playing solo there are challenges that has to be dealt with. The major challenge is the lack of support from the other classes. Wizards make up for that with powerful solo specs. (I.E. Fire/Archon and WoH)
Furthermore, while in group Archon is superior to a non-archon fire spec because of the AoE capabilities of Archon form. This is why players focus on the non optimal CDR because lets face it the power of the Archon explosion in groups is worth it for faster group clearing. This shows the divide between the classes because a standard Fire DH which is extremely powerful can spec for a wolf which trumps the power of Archon via the group buff it provides. *End Rant lol*
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Your idea is a very good one! But, not entirely necessary plus it will cause players to play like they did in D2. In D2, most players had a certain class for MF. Most played a Hammerdin or Cold Sorc because they were the fastest and most efficient. The results won't be exactly the same but I think it can be agreed upon that currently the most efficient class atm is the WIzard.