I look forward to experimenting with this build next season and am looking to learn some tips from others who have already played it.

I know it won’t be the fastest or strongest build, but am going to try it out purely for fun and a new challenge next season. Any ideas ranging from skill allocation to gear setup to play style and farming zones is welcome.

I intend to play this on hardcore and will be hybrid with some lightning Java mixed in for cold/phys immunes

Splendid idea, OP. Don’t forget to wear a schachko.

You crazy?? Tarnhelm plz

Tarnhelm 1 skill schachko 2 skill
Tarnhelm grey szachko green
Tarnhelm a helmet tzsachacko is hat
OP pls

I own 3 Shakos and 1 Tarn Helm
Use Shakos for PvM and tarn helm for budget char PvM mf

Vouch this makes every build legit

Plz sir

Tarn helm = gold

I'll preface this by saying that I don't play HC, but if you are set on using the ice runeword I would make it in a matriarchal bow since it is a fast bow and can have up to +3 bow skills. A good breakpoint to aim for is 8 frames which is obtained with 75 increased attack speed (unless you equip faith on an a1 merc or somehow manage to get 142 ias). Here's how your ias gear could look:

bow: ice in a +3mb (20 ias from the shael)
helm: nightwings veil or a groovy +2 zon circlet (socket with a 15ias jewel. One with mana after kill would be a nice prefix for the jewel, or resistances). Valkyrie's wing is also viable.
gloves: Something with +skills. Could be bow or jav depending on how you want to make the build, but it must have 20ias. Laying of hands isn't horrible since it has a bunch of fire resistance, but no +skills.
ammy: highlords for +skills and 20ias. The deadly strike and lightning resistance are also nice.

Razortail will also greatly improve your damage output with the additional 33% chance to pierce. 100% pierce is pretty awesome on a bow/java hybrid, assuming you use lightning fury. Also, you almost certainly will need a raven frost for the cbf, unless you have a super epic 2 socket helm with room fot a cham rune.

In general, I think you'll really enjoy freezing arrow for HC. It lieterally stops (most) non-cold immune monsters in their tracks. Decoy and valyrie are also incredibly useful sklils that will help keep you safe. Cast either off in the diatance, lets monsters swarm, then blast away with freezing arrow (or lightning fury).

Bow skills: 20 into freezing arrow and 20 into cold arrow (1 into ice for prereq). I don't find ice arrow to be useful, so the bow side of the build is complete with 41 skills points, unless you want to use the physical bow skills as well. A point into strafe can be useful as a monster locater, but be careful since it locks you in place.
Jav skills: 20 into lightning fury (3 prereqs). Your choice if you want to pump a synergy. Charged strike comes to mind if you feel comfortable standing next to a monster and/or want a boss killer.
P&M skills: 1 into each, then get pierce up to level 9 after +skills, assuming you're wearing razortail.



Although this is not the worst choice, I don't recommend it. There are better helms to be worn.



Not this either.

Great notes, appreciated

Is hybrid ice/fire bowa viable along with mist runeword that gives 100% pierce ?