Shaman-ize me captain! Queries!

[cakepimp]

Me again, this time bothering the pros of the druid strategy instead of the necromancer pros :p (seems I've got a love-affair with classes that summon). Anyway, I've taken to making a PvP Shaman (fire skills, grizz) and I'm having some equipment doubts. I've looked quite a bit for guides and discussions and I've cultivated a reasonably good idea of the "ideal" gear (all easily attainable by my standards) but I see possibilities for perceived "improvement". Only problem is I have 0% (yes, zero) experience PvP and with a Shaman Druid. Case in point, my being here. So, let's get it started

Level 85 druid

Str: 30 // 150
Dex: 35 // 72
Vit: 390 // 452
Erg: 20 // 69

20 in Grizzly, Volcano, Fissure, Molten Boulder (80)
8 (and possibly rest) in Firestorm (8+)
1 in oak sage, heart of wolverine, dire wolf, raven and spirit wolf (5)
[I realize I have yet to complete all skill quests]

Equipment

Helm: Ravenlore (with an open socket, either cham [cbf] or shael [20 fhr])
Armor: Enigma
Weapon: HoTo (34 res@)
Shield: 35 FCR Spirit Monarch
Belt: Thunder Gods
Boots: 10/15 Treks
Gloves: Magefists
Amulet: Maras (assuming 20 res@)
Rings: Ravenfrost/SOJ or BK/SOJ

Totals:
FCR: 95
FHR: 75
Res@: 109
+skills: 10 / 11
max mana: 40%
regen mana: 20%

So with this setup, I fail to reach the 99% FCR breakpoint, forcing me swap either the bk/raven for a fcr ring or the maras for an fcr amulet. Upside is obviously the +10 skills (not counting any inventory) but fact of the matter is I'd likely be going the route of cham'd ravenlore (is that even worth the cham?)

Here's another setup I'm thinking of (gotta love wizzy)

Helm: Ravenlore (open socket, same as other)
Armor: Enigma
Weapon: Wizardspike (open socket, funky jewel or io/fal for vit/str)
Shield: 35 FCR Spirit Monarch
Belt: Arach
Boots: 10/15 Treks
Gloves: Magefists
Amulet: Maras (assuming 20 res@)
Rings: Ravenfrost/SOJ or BK/SOJ

Totals:

FCR: 125
FHR: 75
Res@: 150
+skills: 8 / 9
max mana: 45%
regen mana: 35%

This setup isn't really much different from the first, although it does grant me way more res@, mana, mana regen and max mana, as well as breaking that pesky 99% FCR breakpoint quite smashingly. Problem of course is that I lose +2 skills (potentially +3 if i swap arach for tgods for annoying pvpers that need sorbing :p)

Now, here's the thing: I also realize that my current skill point setup forgoes armaggedon completely. I've heard this skill is still very much worth it with 1 point in it. I would rather not waste 6 skill points on it (which could go to firestorm, synergy for both molten boulder and fissure) but I'm afraid of racking up a bill of multitudes of hrs if I go looking for a +2 skill, +1 armaggedon dudu pelt with other interesting mods (res@, fhr, fcr, sockets, etc). That's where I'm stuck =/ There are still some essentials I need to secure (spirit shield, maras, rings) but other than that I'm just twiddling my thumbs wondering if I should stick with hoto and worry about fire res (I do not attain 75% fire res with first setup) as well as FCR or go for the second option that drops a few +skills (1 at the very least, 3 at most) but sets me straight with res@, mana, regen, fcr

basically... help! Any opinions, comments, etc are extremely appreciated :)

thank you!

[claniraq]

Belt:
Tgods ---> Arachnids

Helm:
Ravenlore ---> Rare Helm
+2 druid / 3 volcano for cheap
+2 druid / 3 volcano / 3 grizzly / 1 armageddon for expensive
if it has a point in geddon, you save many many points
but if it doesnt, you MUST put a point in geddon

Rings:
Soj/Soj or Bk/Soj or Bk/Bk
But NN for ravenfrost

I don't quite see how you forgot about arachnid mesh O_o


But I'll save you any queries and tell you right now, as the person who came up with the build: Geddon is absolutely worth it. You need 1 point in it, whether its a hard point or from your rare helm. Its a much desired stat on a rare helm for a shaman, else its worth the 6 less points into firestorm.


Ravenlore is worse than any +2/3 helm. You should keep a ravenlore, +30/30 crystal, and possibly 20/20 monarch in your stash as switch gear for dueling more troublesome barbs/pallies who you think you can pierce. Besides that, however, your 1st setup with the items I listed as changes is the ideal gear.

Balancing your skiller charms is difficult, I personally opted for 5x elemental, 4x summoning. I think something around 8500 grizzly damage is 'enough to make a point'. I don't have any copies of my original guide, but you can find Flames (much better) guide here:
http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=610846

And a video of it in action, here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a243RcXW3Eo