I need a teensy bit of help on my PvP Singer

[ColonelCool]

So, I started a singer because I think it's cool to be different, but I kind of expected it to be at least half decent. I tried dueling in a few public games and got my *** handed to me. I don't think I've won one duel so far.

I'm not sure if I just need practice, or if my build is inherently flawed. Alright... here it is:

2 X Wizardspikes (one of them has a FHR jewel with minor mods)
Enigma Breast Plate
Shako (P. Sapphire)
Waterwalks
Frostburns
Mara's
SoJ
10% FCR ring with 78 mana
Arachnid's Mesh

6331 life
1396 mana
lvl 38 Warcry (1280-1320 damage)

I know I have a bit of extra FCR. It's from when I used HotOs. I switched because another nice singer helped me out a little, especially teaching me about the importance of mana.
I'm thinking I need a shield, and I could probably squeeze a Stormshield in there.
I'm also a bit short on charms. I'm missing 4 WC charms, and a few FHR ones to reach the bp.

In terms of dueling strategies, I tried doing the stuff mentioned in this guide:
http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=167748
but I die really really quickly, before I can do anything.
I have a lot of trouble getting close enough to use WC, and even if I do get one off, for some reason, I can't seem to get them stunned long enough to do much damage.

Thanks in advance.

[inanefedaykin]

You MUST have 200% fcr to force them into enough block animations to keep them there.

[Tankmobile]

so throw out the frostburns for some trangs (or magefists) for 150%
then get a fcr singer hat (another 20%)
then another cast ring for 180%
then a 20% ammy
for your 200%

[sirwhere]

hum.. checking the FHR tables, I see 200% fast cast is nice but 1300 warcry damage seems lowish. One can reach 1800 warcry no problem with dual hotos. Even 2000 should be reachable with full synergies and good equip. That's considerably less casts needed for a kill.

[inanefedaykin]

You're completely missing the point of a singer sirwhere, the damage is a joke no matter what you do with it. You MUST have 200% fcr or the other guy WILL get out of the lock.

[DIEnamic]

200 fcr wc with crap for dmg will eat through your blue bulb and 30 mana pots before they die. I had much more success with hotos than wizspikes. either way, you won't beat anything but sorcs no matter what your fcr is.

[sirwhere]

daykin, opps will only get into hit recovery if the pvp damage is 1/12th of their total life. For an opponent with 2000-3000 life you need to be doing like 170-250 damage after penalties. With 2000 warcry damage you will stun-lock an opp with 2000 life and 50% reduce, or 3000 life with 30% reduce. With 1300 warcry damage you won't be stun-locking anything :)

[jakotaco]

as long as the enemy is stunned you would be stunlocking if you did 1 point of damage...

[sirwhere]

ah, yes. ur rite ^^

Still, I think more damage = good.

[ColonelCool]

Switching from HotOs to Wizardspikes dropped my damage from 1600ish to 1300ish, but I don't it's that big of a deal.

Aside from that, I don't think hitting the 200% FCR mark will hurt me in terms of damage at all; it'll just be way out of my price range.

It's possible for a magical circlet to spawn with +3 Warcries and 20% FCR, right? With two extra sexy sockets? >_>

Anyway, I think I'll have to hold off on completing this character until I have the funds. There's no way a +barb skills / 20% FCR amulet is cheap either.

[sirwhere]

a +1 babo, 20 fcr should be cheap to get, though.

[DIEnamic]

it would probably do you more good to get a 2 barb skill, 20% fcr, mana circlet to lower your mana pot consumption if you plan on running 200 fcr.