Cold Mastery, is it true...

[bslapshot]

that you only need 17 skills in cold mastery with plus skills?

If you think this can you show some proof? I really need to know.

[darzog]

The answer is Yes.
The answer is also No.

YES:
At skill level 17, your CM will be -100% cold resists. The minimum resistance that a monster can have is -100%. So if a monster has no cold resistance, anything above level 17 is a waste. Let's assume you go to level 20 and get -115% to resists and a monster has no resists. 0 - 115 = -115 but since lower limit is 100, they are set to -100% cold resistance. In this circumstance, anything above skill level 17 is a waste.

NO:
Some monsters are resistant to cold. Particularly Bosses. So let's take Hell Meph at +75% resistance to cold. If you have skill level 17: +75 - 100 = -25%. This is not nearly maximized. In fact you would need skill level 32 (I believe) to maximize damage against Hell Meph. Skill level 32 gives -175% (I believe) so +75 - 175 = -100%. This has been focusing on PvM only. In PvP I believe there is no limit to -resist, so the more the merrier.

The limit of slvl 17 usually is applied in dual and tri builds where skill points are VERY limited. For example using a Meteorb, every extra point in CM is a point you can't put into a Fire synergy. By assuming +8 skills and only putting 9 points into CM instead of 20, you've saved 11 skill points for Fire Mastery or Fire Bolt.

Taking these pieces of info into account:
PvP: Get as much as you can!
PvM Pure Cold: Max CM to optimize damage against bosses.
PvM Dual/Tri: Stop at slvl 17 (-100%) because you need to spend as many points synergizing other skills as possible.

Hope that clears it up. Also if you read the Meteorb Guide (http://www.rpgforums.net/showthread.php?t=254070), it goes into some of this logic along with some computational examples.

____________________
Darzog

[melianor]

Darzog this is about the most clear explanation for when to max CM and when slvl17 is enough, that i have yet seen :thumbsup:

I will sticky this just as a reminder and slightly alter the topic.

[bslapshot]

Yea thanks I get it now. Too bad I can't find a webpage on blizzards website with monster resistances. Just wondering to make sure, how does the guy know that meph has 75%.

I just would like too be sure.. Anyways your probably right.. ok so off to make sorc and max cold mastery. :howdy:

[TheAlfheim]

To get the info on monsters, go to:
http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/

Specifically for Meph:
http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-mephisto.shtml

Out of interest, does anyone have info on the cows? I cant find it on any of the sites....