Archon HC Built: Possible?

[Kinmaul]

The CM build isn't viable at all until inferno (you need end-game gear to get the crit chance levels needed for the build to work), and it's very weak against range packs unless you have amazing crit. I could see it working in HC, but you'd need to have solid gear to pull it off.

[Karth]

The CM build isn't viable at all until inferno (you need end-game gear to get the crit chance levels needed for the build to work), and it's very weak against range packs unless you have amazing crit. I could see it working in HC, but you'd need to have solid gear to pull it off.

I was able to get it to work through most of Hell with a build like this. I was admittedly using a reduced level requirement wand (only ~450 dps but it had AP on crit and a little life on hit IIRC). I think I was also using a shield through most of hell instead of an orb.

[Kinmaul]

You did this on HC? The reason I ask is because the HC auction house isn't as flooded as SC due to a smaller playerbase. I suppose the build could start to take off in hell if you scoured the AH for crit chance and/or reduced level req gear.

[Karth]

I'm sorry, no, I didn't do that in hardcore. You could have significant difficulty finding the gear in hardcore; if I'm not mistaken, it was the most expensive set of twinking gear that I've bought so far.

Still... it is viable before Inferno.

[Dethklok]

The CM build isn't viable at all until inferno (you need end-game gear to get the crit chance levels needed for the build to work),

You can have 31.5% critical chance on a set of item level 45 stuff, assuming you have a Scoundrel merc. By item level 55 that improves to 36.5%. Level 51 items (usable immediately as CM becomes available) can give up to 8 AP on crit. It might cost a lot at the GAH (or even be unavailable), but it's not impossible. You can save money by skimping a bit on DPS, and by leaning more on the non-crit, non-APoC items for defensive stats.

and it's very weak against range packs unless you have amazing crit.

Use Mirror Image.

[Kinmaul]

Deth I didn't say it was impossible, I said it wasn't viable. Unless you were absolutely swimming in gold there is no logical reason to go hunting down perfect crit pieces at level 45 that are going to last you less than a day's worth of gametime. If he's that desperate to get CM rolling and gold is not an issue then I suppose you are correct, but I doubt that's the case. There are much cheaper ways to level from 51 to 60.

Also your comment about Mirror Image doesn't make any sense. The problem with ranged packs isn't the threat of dying; it's the frustration of trying to kill them with WW/EB while they constantly run away from you. If your crit rate is good and you can get them all together you can lock them down. If your crit rate is poor you are going to have a nice long fight ahead of you no matter what you do.