Assassin Elementalist Update

[skygoneblue]

Ok, so I went with my Martial Arts/Elementalist build, and I have made it this far:

Level 56

Skills
20 CoT
20 PS
5+ SM
1 into all Prereqs

As of right now, I am having no problem tearing through enemies with CoT and Bartucs (+6 to skills) as it does 3-3000+ damage per bolt with the PS synergy. My question is this:

How is this build going to hold up in Hell? Is CoT really going to do sufficient damage, or am I going to have to hack and slash every enemy of every group I encounter?

Also, any suggestions for further skill point distribution is welcome.

FoF for PS Meteor Synergy?
Venom for attack damage?
DS for explosions?

[Naliworld]

CoT will hold up in Hell, provided you have enough +skills. With 6-7 +skills, you shouldn't have many problems(don't expect to solo 5+ player games, but otherwise decent killing speed). I'd start working on FoF now, though, CoT will do nothing against LIs.

[skygoneblue]

Cool, then you and I agree! :yep:

I already have +6 to my MA skills from 2 Bartuc's, but with my full Nat's set and a Bartuc's, I will have 7 easily with a good amulet
(desperately want a Mara's).

So what about the trap or Venom ideas? Don't think they're worth it considering much it would take to make them worthwhile?

[BIGeyedBUG]

Venom and DS are both very handy one-pointers. Nali's right about the FoF synergy, but how soon it has to be maxed, I can't really say. I decided to go Venom and DS first, and max the fire synergy later. I'm pretty happy with the results, but I'm only just finishing act i Hell. Also, I'm playing untwinked, so my needs are bit different. I can say that a level 30 PS meteor with a few synergy points seems to do just fine on the LIs in act i. :)

I would try to get a few more +skills if I were you. What are you using for gloves and helm?

[skygoneblue]

Currently, I have
Sanders Gloves (IAS)
Duckdeep Full Helm (resists)

Dream setup:

Natalya's Set
Armor - 3Um
Weapon - 1Shael (open to suggestions)
Helm - 1? (O2S here too)

Upped Bartuc's or Firelizard's Talon

MARA'S!!!
RavenFrost
Ring w/ resistances, skills, leech (O2S)
String of Ears (have and using)

Does this all look good and gravy?

[Naliworld]

You may want to consider a replacing one Um in the armor with a Hel, or better yet, a -15% Req. Jewel with Fire Resist(since this is the only resist that the Odium lacks), to keep your STR low(this would earn you 66 life) and a Shael in the Helm, to reach the 5 frame FHR break (http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=538#Hit%20Recovery%20Frame%20Rates), together with a Bartuc(or Jade Talon).

Gloves: Try to look for +2 MA gloves w/ IAS, or perhaps Trang's Gloves, if you're using Venom. IMO the Life Tap on Dracul's Grasp doesn't trigger often enough with DC to be worth using, but YMMV.

[skygoneblue]

What about a Dwarven Star in place of the replacement Um in the armor?

Are Laying of Hands and Venom Grips not good choices?

[BIGeyedBUG]

LOH are great gloves for a lot of builds, but some nice rare +2 MA/20 IAS gloves with resists would be far better for you. You're an elementalist--you want +skills a lot more than +physical damage to demons. It will make a huge difference. Venom Grips aren't worth mentioning.

Oh, and get a skill helm until you're ready to wear the set. Resists really shouldn't be a problem unti Hell, and you always have the option of a circlet with all of the above.

[skygoneblue]

That is the thing - I think I am too paranoid about resistance.

I ALWAYS try to max them in Hell. And I hate taking damage from elemental stuff, even in NM.

What do you usually get your resistances up to?

[BIGeyedBUG]

In NM, anywhere from 40-75 for Fire and Lightning. As low as 15 for the other two. I think that works pretty well for Assassins because of their safety skills. Of course higher is better, but it's not worth too many sacrifices until Hell. Even so, my current MA's highest resists are around 60%. Not where I'd like 'em in Hell, but no major problems either.

I'm playing hc too. :lol: YMMV.