Volks build is correct for all builds with a budget less than the 10k mark (my only objection is the 30/15 jewel in merc helm - with Treachery 40ed/15ias is better
). Once you have access to perfect inventory’s / 08 boots etc. then Eschuta can outperform CMooN but not before.
Regardless of whether you play HC or SC though, max block, stacking physical, cold and poison red is undesirable. If you are dying to cold enchanted then you need to learn how to play - you should probably stay away from hardcore. If you think that getting stuck in block animations is better than progressing your run, then once again it’s time to learn a bit more about the game.
All the best players are softcore realms. The fear of death on hardcore leads to lots of suboptimal gear choices and an unwillingness to take risks - which means that hardcore players will never push their game play and efficiency to the limit and are therefore less skilled. Play softcore to begin with if you want to get good. Once you learn how to avoid death with no block or dr, then you can switch to hardcore.
If you're really after top gear setup:
Quote (draftw3dr @ Jun 25 2019 06:49pm)
Disclaimer: This is a theoretical setup and I am not telling anybody to spend tens of thousands of FG to buy these items.
Helm: Griffon’s eye + 5/5 Lightning Facet
Amulet: 2 Sorceress Skills / 30 Strength / 60 Life / 90 Mana / 20 All Resistances / 20 Energy
Weapon: +3 Lightning skills / +3 Lightning / +3 Lightning Mastery / +3 Energy Shield / 20 FCR / 80 Mana / 2 Socket Orb + 2x 5/5 Lightning Facet (I find Energy Shield useful in some very niche situations - alternatively you can use +3 Teleport or +3 Thunderstorm - at 99 you will have enough skill points either way)
Armor: 4 Socket / 100 Life Archon Plate + 4x 5/5 Lightning Facet
Shield: Spirit Monarch
Gloves: Upped Magefist
Belt: Arachnid Mesh
Boots: 30 FRW / 10 FHR / 60 Mana / 40 Fire Resist / +5% Max Mana / 10% Mana Regen
Ring: Stone of Jordan
Ring: Stone Of Jordan
Weapon Switch: Call to Arms Crystal Sword
Shield Switch: Spirit Monarch
Inventory:
Annihilus
Hellfire Torch
9x 45 Life Lightning Grand Charm
10x 5 All Resistances / 20 Life Small Charm
Merc Helm: Ethereal Andariel’s Visage + 40 ED / 15 IAS Jewel
Merc Armor: Ethereal Bugged Treachery Sacred Armor
Merc weapon: Ethereal Infinity Giant Thresher
On non-ladder servers, you have access to some other interesting options - 08 tri-res boots which can roll over 45+ fire/lite, Wizardspike Gloves / Armor on West, Bugged Mana SC's on East etc. There's also Hybrids like Spirit of Phoenix but these generally don't increase the PvM efficiency of your build.
This post was edited by draftw3dr on Jun 26 2019 07:47am