Fire or Cold - PvM

[JME]

I feel like my time in diablo is sort of reaching it's end. I've built nearly every character that I would like to build, sometimes more than once with only minor variations (such as axe and then sword frenzy barb). I'm thinking I'm only going to build one more and I think it's going to be a sorc. I've made a meteorb, a pure light, and a charged boltress/FO sorc. So now it's come down to pretty much this: Pure fire or Pure cold. I know I won't exactly be breaking any immunities but, frankly, I'm not opposed to the challenge of letting my merc handle some situations. So I'm thinking

20 fire bolt
20 fire ball
20 inferno
20 Meteor
20 Mastery
1 Warmth
1 Static
1 Tele
3 prereqs (firewall, blaze, telekinesis) =>106 points
Done at level 94

OR

20 Blizzard
20 Ice Bolt
20 Blast
20 Spike
20 Orb
1 Cold Mast (hoping +skills will tie me over here)
1 Warmth
1 Static
1 Tele
2 prereqs (Telekinesis, fnova) =>106 points
Done at level 94

If leveled to 95 I would likely throw in a point in cold armor.

Also, if you have any idea you consider unique or just think an enchantress is the way to go, let me know your experiences/damage etc. Yes, I've read the guides; I'm looking for opinions here.

[obiwansbane]

personally? id say go make a build that uses blaze as your main attack.

If you can do that and survive hell... my friend diablo has nothin to offer you anymore

[JME]

personally? id say go make a build that uses blaze as your main attack.

If you can do that and survive hell... my friend diablo has nothin to offer you anymore

I'm actually hoping not to get to this point.:wink3:
dave (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=480035)


Seriously though, does anyone have any suggestions or preferences?

[obiwansbane]

sorry for the last post :P

But i have seen people using Firewall sorc's way back... I havnt seen one for the past year though... maybe you'd want to try that? as you'd be different amoungst all the meteorb, lightning, cb, clfo's, etc...

[squiggle]

Ok a few things. Might be wrong but its how i see it :D

For the fire, Inferno isn't really worth maxing. Sure spend points here if you have nowhere else to put. But the burn dmg on meteor isnt worth it.

I'd go with a point in enchant. You never know when you might need it :D



For ice,

I wouldnt go max orb. I think Blizzard and Orb are both timered? Not spammable like ice blast or fireball. Instead of orb i would pump Cold mastery more. Or even get tele to higher lvl and open up your mercs weapon. Although he doesnt need insight. With 1 pt tele. I've never used it :D



Random crap up there ^^ peace

[JME]

For the fire, Inferno isn't really worth maxing. Sure spend points here if you have nowhere else to put. But the burn dmg on meteor isnt worth it. i.e. not many other choices

I'd go with a point in enchant. You never know when you might need it :D


Re-looking at the meager 3% I probably won't be as concerned with maxing this now. I will definitely invest at least 1 in enchant and put my 1 pt in cold armor sooner. I will still likely put a heavy investment in inferno though, since I'm pretty sure energy shield isn't the best for PvM. i.e. not many other choices


For ice,

I wouldnt go max orb. I think Blizzard and Orb are both timered? Not spammable like ice blast or fireball. Instead of orb i would pump Cold mastery more. Or even get tele to higher lvl and open up your mercs weapon. Although he doesnt need insight. With 1 pt tele. I've never used it :D
I've never found the need for a high lvl tele. After all, there are always mana pots and after +skills I seem to be fine. As for FO, I wasn't maxing it to actually use it (although I may in some situations). I was maxing it for the 5% synergy to glacial spike and 8% synergy to ice blast....I will be using spike right? As for cold mastery, if I assume 17 + skills with no grand charms(3 torch, 1 anni, 2 helm, 2 ammy, 2 armor, 3 wep, 2 shield, 1 belt, 1 ring) that gives a lvl 18 cold mastery or -105%. Isn't that more than enough?

Input appreciated.

[zarfen]

If you want to go only one element in PVM, I'd suggest blizzard over a firesorc. There are alot more fire immune than cold immune in hell, and blizzard is easier to get good damage with. Plus I looove my blizzer :hide: