Auradin Charms

[KTang]

So the Guide was suggesting that we don't relaly need charms other than the cores, with life being an alternative.

How about stacking tons of toxic charms (which I know isn't aided by conv but ^^)?

How efficient is the additional damage? It won't be affected by IM but is it even worth it? I was thinking about getting say..15 or so Toxic Charms, and maybe 10 Life charms.

KT

[Alash]

Which guide are you referring to? There are several Auradin guides out there, and they weigh differently on the melee aspects of the build, which also changes the effect of the Toxic charms you're considering. :)

[KTang]

Ah, sorry.

I mean Clervs PVM one, I couldn't find another PVM so.. :)

KT

[Alash]

An interesting guide, and an even more interesting build. I got to try this out once my Fanatic Zealot is done.

Why do you want to spend slots on improving melee performance? This character thrives on his pulsing damage, not his Zeal attacks, and everything that focuses on his Zeal attacks reduces his chances of delivering pulsing damage. With the amount of charms you suggested you'll be dishing out 300 extra damage per second, which, compared to the 4k-or-so ticks from your aura's is peanuts, and could be spent much better increasing your survival.

It's a different story if we're talking about a multishot Bowazon with 40 x 451 Poison SC's. :)

[KTang]

Well the guide emphasised that zeal was most definately important, otherwise there would be no emphasis on 4fps if it wasn't really needed. Would it only equate to 300 extra damage per second?

By having those charms I would in no way lose any aura damage, but yes I could be increasing my survival, valid point indeed. However, I like to play Glass Cannons ;) And 20 lifers are oh so much more expensive. I definately will get charms to meet max res, but I'll consider actually using the scs.

Thanks for the input!

KT

[Alash]

You ask an interesting question: does poison damage from the same source stack if reapplied within its duration? I don't know, but my guess is that it doesn't. 15 Toxic small charms adds up to 1500 Poison Damage over 5 Seconds, which translates to 300 DPS - before monster resistances/immunities play their part. If it is indeed stackable then I guess a 4fpa attack would make the difference somewhat noticeable, but my guts tells me that with everything into play there's very little to gain from the poison damage.

I haven't actually bought any of these Toxic small charms, but aren't they roughly the same price as a 20 Lifer? If they're not, then an 19 or 18 Lifer is equally good (value-wise perfected gear in Diablo 2 is so much bleeding edge it's rediculous), and a lot more available than a Toxic one.

As far as the glass cannon concept goes, I'm with you there. As Richard Hammond put it, "you only really feel alive when you're this close to death", but when you can die 1000 times and still live to tell the tale there isn't much sport in that. And so began hardcore playing... :)

[KTang]

They are TONS cheaper than a 20 lifer.

And I'm a perfect-gear bandit myself, I hate to admit it, you should see my ele druid :P

I've never tried hardcore, scares me. I die ALL the time.

Anyone else care to enlighten us? ^^

KT