Opinions of Snake-stun darts

[Hellmoon]

When I see builds with Poison Dart included, most I've seen have the multiple dart rune (spined). I've been using the dart rune where you now shoot snakes that have a chance to stun.

Might I add that they stun very frequently...I'm just wondering if other people have tried this and what they think of it as a CC aspect in a dps build!

[zUkUu]

I'd like to have 3 Darts available lol. Splinters for Damage, Snake for sinlge target stun and numbling for a spamable slow. Most of the time I stick with splinters as I need the dps for bosses and the damage =/
snakes are awesome tho. if you encounter a stunable creep and have enough attack speed they'll barely move.

[Hellmoon]

Most bosses are stunable and there really is a noticable difference when you are stunning with your dart along with other people (it felt like every 3-4 darts were stunning), in both fights with Diablo and the first boss in A4, my darts literally had him stunned the entire time- that means a lot less damage on people in melee range + a lot less special abilities (the first guy's charge, Diablo moving towards people, ect).

[Chaosmage]

They suck compared to Addling Toads, in almost every aspect. The problem it isn't reliable to use. With toads they will confuse the enemy eventually because there are so many, with the Snake it's a gamble it will save your life if you stun on the first hit, it could on the second but it wouldn't on the third.

The chance should be 100% or close to in order to be worth using.

[zUkUu]

They suck compared to Addling Toads, in almost every aspect. The problem it isn't reliable to use. With toads they will confuse the enemy eventually because there are so many, with the Snake it's a gamble it will save your life if you stun on the first hit, it could on the second but it wouldn't on the third.

The chance should be 100% or close to in order to be worth using.

yeah a 100% stun right... to be "worth using". lol don't balance ever a game bro.
also, toads are close range. the idea is to run and kite not to "be in their face and hope for it to happen". snake > toads by a huge degree.
it's good enough, in fact the chance is almost too high considering you can get up to almost ~3 APS.

the only problem is that on higher difficulties a 1.5 sec stun is reduced to close to nothing and that it overlaps with splinters.

[Chaosmage]

Well it's the consistency. Lets say you are up against a random yellow and you absolutely cannot allow it to reach you. If you use toads you can bet that you either get him or his minions to attack each other.
I would be fine if it were something like "every third shot stuns"

I tried the snake several times but it never saved my butt, the toads on the other hand did.
But maybe that is just me...

[Phillter]

I've been running with Splinters and Spined Darts through all of Normal and most of Nightmare. It took dying repeatedly to Big D to take a look at other skills and I tried the Snake rune on darts. That rune is the main reason why I beat that fight, hands down. I severly underestimated the value of stuns in this game, and now that I have seen how awesome stuns are, Act 1 Hell has been easier than Act 1 NM was for me. I love the Snake rune, it's a great utility skill. Not amazing for the damage compared to Splinters, but it doesn't matter how long it takes to kill something if they can't hit you!

[pcguy]

also, toads are close range.

The toads travel approximately 45 yards. I wouldn't call that close range.

You are right that it may not be worth it, though. They travel slowly and are prone to hitting walls and the like.

It depends on the environment and how many enemies you are facing.

[Xoxie]

Hmmm I've not considered the spines darts for bosses but I may in the future. I've honestly not been able to stray from firebombs with the 8%pool (forgot the name). The dmg is just too awesome