Fireblast on LS Trapper?

[sahlakh]

I guess this question has been debated at some point, but I couldn't find a thread with a quick glance. So forgive me. :)

I'm planning to make a comeback to D2 at least for a while when the reset happens, and I'm considering to build a pretty standard trapper as one of my first chars. The big question is: is Fireblast worth lots of skill points with ghetto gear?

If I wouldn't get Fireblast, I'd probably sink the rest skill points to a stronger master and Clawblock.

I'm not insisting on killing every lightning immune in the game, but I wouldn't mind a viable alternative against LI's besides the merc. What's your experience?

The char is build mostly for magic finding and just playing/exp. Hardcore.

[Sass]

in both pvm and pvp, I find it essential.

[maxicek]

PvM, definitely go Fireblast.

I have a PvP lvl 90 trapper, and I still have 9 point un-spent. I still haven't decided where to put them. I play single player PvP, so we have rules to limit absorb. Fireblast would make her a nice pit runner (but so does DS at low player settings), more clawblock and longer mind blast stun would be nice too though.

@Sass: Please elaborate - why essential PvP? When do you use it?

[Sass]

PvM, definitely go Fireblast.

I have a PvP lvl 90 trapper, and I still have 9 point un-spent. I still haven't decided where to put them. I play single player PvP, so we have rules to limit absorb. Fireblast would make her a nice pit runner (but so does DS at low player settings), more clawblock and longer mind blast stun would be nice too though.

@Sass: Please elaborate - why essential PvP? When do you use it?Well, FB is cast at a 9 frame attack, so it's pretty fast. Normally, I'd have a name lock with MB, which can stun well and KB, but it's not as fast, nor as strong. FB I use when telestomping and left click lock (to chain later). Maxed out with enough synergies, you're looking at anywhere from 5-7K, depending. Also, it's another element, and exactly why you'd use it in PvM ;)

[crawlingdeadman]

FB is especially needed on ghetto builds. what i usually do is put a few points into it early to make the low levels easier, then stop after you get charged bolt sentry. later after maxing lightning sentry and death sentry, i alternate points into FB and the other synergies. you damn near need it for LI's when playing untwinked. i know DS takes care of a lot of LI situations, but sometimes getting a body down is impossible w/o fireblast.

[sahlakh]

Thanks for the input all. Damage doesn't sound too bad for invested skill points, even though dealing with LI's isn't that important for me.

[AnimeCraze]

Fireblast is especially important in HC. Leaving enemies alive is a bad thing in HC, no matter what other advantage you can possibly get from a shadow or claw block. Remember, dead enemies can't hurt you the vast majority of the time.

[crawlingdeadman]

i like that "the vast majority of the time"

first thing i though of was the prowling dead guys. i hate them!

[AnimeCraze]

I was thinking of dolls + bodies + DS. Lost a HC trapper that way once, when a DS popped 3 champion dolls at once. Would have lived if there were no bodies for DS to blow up.

[mephiztophelez]

I was thinking of dolls + bodies + DS. Lost a HC trapper that way once, when a DS popped 3 champion dolls at once. Would have lived if there were no bodies for DS to blow up.

hehe, i once accidently took out nearly an entire pubby baal run by dropping a Death Sentry in a throne room chock FULL of dolls.

I survived (i was doped up on iDR through the wazoo along with claw block) and I think one or two others survived the resulting BOOM as the DS dropped every doll in there at once.

on topic: fireblast is awesome for ghetto PvM trappers.