,Thu, Jun 1 2006, 07:23am]
Quote (MrShowtime @ Wed, May 31 2006, 07:17pm)
@Wuben: I am not a fan of CoA druids. They require more strength and you lose out on some damage to your Tornados (5 skill levels). I prefer the Stormshield and 2/20/2x shael circlet for when block needed. You really only NEED to go into block mode at certain times. I go against suicide branch for the lack of resistance. You lose too much resistance to make up with other gear and I would rather have 80 more resistance (When wizzy is 15/7'ed) then 1 more skill and 40 more life. Also my build is meant to be block/non block depending on circumstances so you are going to use the dex anyways.
I don't build HLD characters anymore, but if I did I think 90% of my builds would wear a CoA. The mods are simply too GG to pass up on. You lose 4 skills to Tornado and 1 to the rest; big deal. You gain 30 FHR, nice resists, 15% DR and 2 sockets.
Some druids don't think that block is necessary, and I tend to believe them. I don't speak from experience, but I can see where they are coming from. If I'm totally wrong, please say so, but I would build a non-block windy if I would build one.
Sure, suicide branch has 65 less resists, but on a non-block build you save on the dex, plus you gain a skill (yeah, big deal), 40 life and some extra mana (although the mana boost from wizzy could be higher; depends on rings mostly). Wind druids don't need that much of resists. FoH is blocked by cyclone, blizz is blocked by cyclone, meaning that you don't have to stack that deep. Actually, you can get along with a Lo Lo CoA (and Vex Vex) and 85 res from gear. That's easily obtained with charms. Maybe even Gul Gul if you hate plaguers/ww sins.
BTW; the FHR breakpoints are different for druids when wielding a wizzy. Didn't see that explicitly in your guide.
Sure, suicide branch has 65 less resists, but on a non-block build you save on the dex, plus you gain a skill (yeah, big deal), 40 life and some extra mana (although the mana boost from wizzy could be higher; depends on rings mostly). Wind druids don't need that much of resists. FoH is blocked by cyclone, blizz is blocked by cyclone, meaning that you don't have to stack that deep. Actually, you can get along with a Lo Lo CoA (and Vex Vex) and 85 res from gear. That's easily obtained with charms. Maybe even Gul Gul if you hate plaguers/ww sins.
Okay First of all Rare Pelts> Coa for a druid. FCR FHR mad skills All resist(not as high as coa) but you will have max resist anyway, Life and str greatly owns over coa. Plus thats 18 more str required for the coa. Which is 18 less you can put is vit which makes a significant difference to some.
Second you can just hel or -15% req/nice mod the wizia and its not that much more dex required.