[3.7] SC/HC - ED/Blight Trickster - Up to 10k eHP, Layered Defense, 3m DPS

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Nedieth wrote:

Now, when it comes to decay, let's do some math. I am basing this off base values, so it is easier to understand:

You are rocking a level 4 empower. This makes the ED dot tick for 1227.6 DPS as your ED is effectively level 24. Decay gets applied on hit and deals 750 DPS. Due to the modifiers on our ED skill, Decay scales with every single damage scaling stat we use, and is therefore just added to the initial hit. With decay, your initial hit will hit will apply a DoT that deals 1977.6 DPS with just one hit. This is very nice while mapping, as the first target dies a lot faster and you can get your regen and AoE damage going.

Poison on the other hand deals 8% damage based on the initial hit, which at level 24 is 354 to 530. On average the poison DoT will be 35.36 DPS, but since poison double dips with nearly all the damage we have (%increased/more damage over time does not double dip), the better gear and gems you have, the stronger poison is relative to decay. Based off a rough memory of some math I did earlier for my own character, I guess that your poison does about 3-400 DPS after double dipping at base values.

In conclusion, Decay deals double damage of poison, but poison stacks. Two guardians are immune to poison (Chimera and Hydra), so decay is superior there anyway. Decay also lasts for 10 seconds, and poison lasts for 2. It is first when we go low life that poison really starts to get interesting, since we are then able to run clarity which lets us rapidly cast ED without relying on mana flasks or leech. For Hydra and Chimera, using a decay weapon and shield is most likely your best bet, while on Phoenix and Minotaur, you might be better off with Consuming Dark and a shield. For Shaper on the other hand, things gets more interesting. While he is not using his giant beam of doom, we are mostly just running around. Decay really shines in this scenario. When he beams, he stands still for several seconds and we are given a great chance to spam EDs in his face. I have opted to dual wield for Shaper, and have been very happy with the results, although going with just your Consuming Dark will work as well. It is during the beam attack that we are really able to do significant damage.

I hope this clarifies a bit when it comes to Decay/poison, and good luck killing the guardians.

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Bunek wrote:

Is it viable to go straight into CI/LL without respec later? Or I will have problems with leveling/ low tier maps?

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Nedieth wrote:

BiS items for this build is extremely situational. Check the weapon setups section for weapons. +1 Shav's and +1 curse Presence of Chayula are the only uniques that make up for "BiS" setup. Rest is optional.