06-15-2012, 01:02 AM
I played Normal and Nightmare using a cold-themed build. I had a lot of fun with it (though late Act III and Act IV were becoming pretty difficult), but it will definitely not be viable in Hell and beyond. Before I start, yes, I know about Elective mode: I choose not to use it.
Primary: Shock Pulse/Piercing Orb. Sadly, no cold options here. Shock Pulse was great fun in Normal, and Piercing Orb kept it a strong option through Nightmare. I assume it will continue to be good across the rest of the game, but no one seems to use it. Is there some bad point I am failing to notice?
Secondary: Ray of Frost/Snow Blast. I use this on single targets or tough targets I need to selectively remove ASAP (eg Soul Lashers). The inability to kite makes it a lot harder to use than the omnipresent Arcane Orb, but I have been able to work it into my playstyle so far. Is it Hell/Inferno viable?
Defensive: Originally Frost Nova/Cold Snap, now Diamond Skin/Crystal Shell. In Nightmare, I was finding Frost Nova was not covering enough situations well enough and switched. Based on MongoJerry's comments, Diamond Skin sounds perfectly viable in Inferno.
Force: Blizzard/Frozen Solid. I will likely change the rune when I unlock more, but for the moment this is pretty good. A chance for an opponent to take more damage? Hell yeah! I have been laying corridors of Blizzards that enemies walk through, while pelting them with Shock Pulse. Definitely not as easy/powerful as the conventional Hydra strategy, but will it remain viable in higher difficulties?
Conjuration: Ice Armour/Crystallize. I have had a lot of fun with this rarely-utilised skill, but I do recognise it is too unreliable for the higher difficulties. I hate both Magic Weapon and Energy Armour on principle (they should just be passives!), but do I have to use one of them? Has anyone used Familiar at higher difficulties? Are the Runes all fairly viable, or very situational?
Mastery: Archon/Teleport. I recognise Mirror Image is probably necessary in Inferno difficulty, but Archon is just so much fun to use! Would I be able to continue through Hell with Archon, or is Mirror Image too important to leave out?
Passives: Blur, Astral Presence, Cold Blooded. All pretty self explanatory, really.
I currently use a one-hander and a source, but anticipate I will need to switch in a shield. Will I need to do so ASAP, or is that more of an Inferno concern?
Primary: Shock Pulse/Piercing Orb. Sadly, no cold options here. Shock Pulse was great fun in Normal, and Piercing Orb kept it a strong option through Nightmare. I assume it will continue to be good across the rest of the game, but no one seems to use it. Is there some bad point I am failing to notice?
Secondary: Ray of Frost/Snow Blast. I use this on single targets or tough targets I need to selectively remove ASAP (eg Soul Lashers). The inability to kite makes it a lot harder to use than the omnipresent Arcane Orb, but I have been able to work it into my playstyle so far. Is it Hell/Inferno viable?
Defensive: Originally Frost Nova/Cold Snap, now Diamond Skin/Crystal Shell. In Nightmare, I was finding Frost Nova was not covering enough situations well enough and switched. Based on MongoJerry's comments, Diamond Skin sounds perfectly viable in Inferno.
Force: Blizzard/Frozen Solid. I will likely change the rune when I unlock more, but for the moment this is pretty good. A chance for an opponent to take more damage? Hell yeah! I have been laying corridors of Blizzards that enemies walk through, while pelting them with Shock Pulse. Definitely not as easy/powerful as the conventional Hydra strategy, but will it remain viable in higher difficulties?
Conjuration: Ice Armour/Crystallize. I have had a lot of fun with this rarely-utilised skill, but I do recognise it is too unreliable for the higher difficulties. I hate both Magic Weapon and Energy Armour on principle (they should just be passives!), but do I have to use one of them? Has anyone used Familiar at higher difficulties? Are the Runes all fairly viable, or very situational?
Mastery: Archon/Teleport. I recognise Mirror Image is probably necessary in Inferno difficulty, but Archon is just so much fun to use! Would I be able to continue through Hell with Archon, or is Mirror Image too important to leave out?
Passives: Blur, Astral Presence, Cold Blooded. All pretty self explanatory, really.
I currently use a one-hander and a source, but anticipate I will need to switch in a shield. Will I need to do so ASAP, or is that more of an Inferno concern?
May the wind pick up your heels and your sword strike true.