what would be better?

35 -5 fathom or 30 -30 CS?

or mine rn at lets say 33-5 fathom vs 30 -30 CS

anyone ever tested or would have an idea?

Cold -damage against monsters is capped at -100. That is why most sorcs don't even max their Cold Mastery skill. With all the +skills you reach the -100 quite quickly.

With fire or lightning lightning you need -res enemy monsters, cold sorcs need +cold damage instead.

Edit: DF does also +3 sorc skill and 20 faster cast rate. DF is way better

This post was edited by Satje on Jan 3 2022 02:04am

how about for dueling?

I know nothing about PvP, sorry

I also don't know almost anything about PvP, but if you need more damage because you think your opponent is going to overcap you, DF is better.

If you think you can stack more -ECR than your opponent can stack CR, then Doom should be the way to go.

So I really don't see a place for a 30/30 at first glance, but like I said probably a pvp player could give you a more definitive answer.

I didn't become an expert after 10 minutes searching, but the cold mastery is also affected by the +3 sorc skills. Every skill point is -5 enemy cold res.

The PvP player would need to give a definitive answer, but the +30/-30 does not look that good on first sight. +3 sorc skills gives a lot more damage, warmth, frozen armor and -15 enemy cold res. 20 fc could be needed to substitute parts out to get the 105 breakpoint.

Does the "100% Chance to Cast Level 37 Blizzard When You Die" help in any way? Is it a tie if that kills the opponent?

the facet normally doesn't do much in pvp, its possible it can kill after but not usually.

was thinking of trying a build that reaches -80% cold from gear to counter ppl who stack 400-500 cold resist and even ravens to counter

Comparison:
a perfect df offesr +3 skills 35-5,20% fcr! those +3 skills result in -15% in mastery so in total -20 and increases blizzard's base damage with df.
your cs offers 30-30 so you just win -10% cold resistance.

A typical pvp setup has got at least 105fcr. 20fcr from df, 20 from arachnid, 35 from spirit and 20 from magefist = 95fcr. For maximum damage, you ideally have got a +3 to blizzard +10fcr +other mods amulet so it adds up to 105fcr. This way you can wear 2x sojs (es) or 2x bks (vita version). 2x soj means additonal -10 cold res. With your sword, 20fcr are missing so you have to compensate somewhere else by sacrificing a soj or two in ring slots. Not worth it..

Overall, people don't have the equip to really counter - cold resistances , right now. So it's worth to get the priece wherever possible (not from a 30-30 crystal sword). When people have enough equip in their 5 stashes in 6 months or so, only pure damage counts. They're hit with damage first before they can absorb so going the pure damage route long term is better.

pretty much what he said

Df is Overall the best choice man