09-24-2011, 02:47 AM
This is the original template for the Pure Melee Wizard that I will be playing at some point in DIII:
Melee Wizard
This is obviously completely melee. No arcane dumps. The name of the game here is complete control. As such I've runed Spectral Blades - Obsidian, Mirror Image - Alabaster, and Slow Time - Golden.
Mirron Image is the Primary escape tool and offers some extra damage along with the added stun. I've taken Illusionist which can refresh Mirror Image in a pinch, but this can easily be swapped out for Evocation if/when Illusionist is non-beneficial.
I've taken Galvanizing Ward to buff up Arcane Armor making this epically strong defensive skill even better. I am unsure how far Blizzard is going to be pushing the health orb aspect of the game, but the ability to regen health while fleeing/relocating/etc. could be absolutely invaluable. Blizzard's encounter and enemy design looks to be greatly improved in DIII, but I'm still expecting the more difficult sections to involve a lot of running in circles avoiding damage.
Which brings us to Diamond Skin. I disagree with Conc in that Slow Time and Diamond skin are interchangable. They both definitely have thier uses, but the possibility of a Duriel-esque boss that can essentially crush your face with one or two melee hits almost requires the massive defense of Diamond Skin.
Melee Wizard
This is obviously completely melee. No arcane dumps. The name of the game here is complete control. As such I've runed Spectral Blades - Obsidian, Mirror Image - Alabaster, and Slow Time - Golden.
Mirron Image is the Primary escape tool and offers some extra damage along with the added stun. I've taken Illusionist which can refresh Mirror Image in a pinch, but this can easily be swapped out for Evocation if/when Illusionist is non-beneficial.
I've taken Galvanizing Ward to buff up Arcane Armor making this epically strong defensive skill even better. I am unsure how far Blizzard is going to be pushing the health orb aspect of the game, but the ability to regen health while fleeing/relocating/etc. could be absolutely invaluable. Blizzard's encounter and enemy design looks to be greatly improved in DIII, but I'm still expecting the more difficult sections to involve a lot of running in circles avoiding damage.
Which brings us to Diamond Skin. I disagree with Conc in that Slow Time and Diamond skin are interchangable. They both definitely have thier uses, but the possibility of a Duriel-esque boss that can essentially crush your face with one or two melee hits almost requires the massive defense of Diamond Skin.