PvP Poison Nec help
So... I'm presently trying to put together a pvp poisonmancer mostly for pub duel owning. I <3 necs lately and the originality aspect (non-cookie-cutter hammerdin/sorc/zon/barb/trapsin/etc.) appeals to me as well. Also I know novamancers can be a very tough opponent with the correct build/gear. But I'm having a hard time deciding which direction I want to go with him... I've read many guides but there are some conflicting views and I want to make sure I'm goin for the most suitable skills/stats/gear/socketables.
First off to clear up any confusion about breakpoints and such:
75%fcr = 10frames
125%fcr = 9frames
86%fhr = 6frames
152%fhr = 5frames
Presently I'm using (actually I'm only using Trang Belt ATM b/c I'm lvl 76 and cant use arach yet):
-Shako (+2skills, +life/mana, +10%dr) (socketed with 5/5psn death facet)
-Crafted Ammy (+2skills, +20%fcr, +str, +resists)
-DShroud Enigma (+2skills, +5%max life, +8%dr)
-HoTO (+3skills, +40%fcr, +37 all res, +15%max mana)
-Spirit Monarch (+2skills, +35%fcr, +55%fhr
-Trang Gloves (+25% Psn Skill Dmg, +20%fcr)
-Arach Belt (+1skills, +20%fcr, +5%max mana)
-Rare boots (+30%fr/w, +20%fhr, +str, +resists)
-2x SOJ (+1skills, +25%max mana)
Switch:
-CtA (5BO)
-Spirit Monarch
Stash:
-NTorch (+3skills, +20attr, +15 res)
-Anni (+1skills, +12attr, +10res)
-Several FHR & All Res charms
-ZERO P&B GC's at the moment
So with this setup I achieve 135%fcr, and can achieve the 152%fhr breakpoint, while still maintaining a high number of +skills and therefore nova damage. However, I still have some questions:
1) Death's Web? Well -50% enemy psn resistance is huge, and I could socket with a psn facet to make it even more effective... but without other major changes in the setup (primarily a +2/20fcr circlet which is not easy to find) I will not be able to hit the 125%fcr breakpoint. Is this a big deal? There is a very noticeable difference between the 75% and 125% breakpoints, but will it make a difference in pvp?
2) Lower Resist Is this skill anything more than a 1-pt wonder? To me it seems like maxing this curse would not be a bad move at all. Anybody know what -res it gives at about sLVL 40?? I think if you had this skill maxed, it would help big-time in PVM and also to totally negate res stackers in PVP. If I maxed this, and also used DWeb, my effective psn damage would be through the roof...
rop: I think... Or maybe I wouldn't even want to use DWeb b/c it would be overkill... Any suggestions?
2) Block%. The 'Spirit' RW monarch I have gives me a ****ty %block without major points in dex. Should I sacrifice the many VIT points I have to get my %block to near max? Or should I try using Homonc? If I use Homonc then I lose the 35%fcr from spirit and the 55%fhr, which are both major factors, but gain the extra block% and other mods, which ends up equalling more life b/c of less stat pts in dex. Or maybe SS for the high %DR and block% and +resists and lose the skills and fcr and fhr???
3) Strength what's the deal with strength requirements? I could theoretically leave base str and equip +20attr Ntorch, and +20attr Anni, giving me enough str to equip Breast Plate Enigma, which would add significant STR and most likely allow me to equip the rest of my gear. My issue is (1) looking stupid to other chars - If I get all my str from +str gear, doesn't it make me look like I'm wearing practically nothing? For whatever reason I think that looks dumb... (2) body popping - I can not afford to have this happen so I need more info on exactly when this occurs and why.
4) Socketables What are the most appropriate/effective socketables for this build? As I stand, I only have Shako available for a socket b/c I'm using RW's for other items, but if I were to swap out socketable items (DWeb, Wizzy, SS, Homonc, etc) I would have some sockets to use up. I know the answer would vary based on the build, but I'm torn between psn facet/um/shael/cham for my shako at this point. I do not have any "Cannot Be Frozen" mod on anything, which is a problem and I do not want to swap out SoJ for a Raven...
Well there are more issues but I can't really think of them at the moment. Sorry for the huge post but hopefully I'm asking questions that many others have encountered in trying to make a pvp novamancer. Lets get some good discussion going here. I've asked quite a few questions and I think these are some controversial issues so if you see advantages/disadvantages in different setups, be sure to note them.
Thanks guys, cheers.
So... I'm presently trying to put together a pvp poisonmancer mostly for pub duel owning. I <3 necs lately and the originality aspect (non-cookie-cutter hammerdin/sorc/zon/barb/trapsin/etc.) appeals to me as well. Also I know novamancers can be a very tough opponent with the correct build/gear. But I'm having a hard time deciding which direction I want to go with him... I've read many guides but there are some conflicting views and I want to make sure I'm goin for the most suitable skills/stats/gear/socketables.
First off to clear up any confusion about breakpoints and such:
75%fcr = 10frames
125%fcr = 9frames
86%fhr = 6frames
152%fhr = 5frames
Presently I'm using (actually I'm only using Trang Belt ATM b/c I'm lvl 76 and cant use arach yet):
-Shako (+2skills, +life/mana, +10%dr) (socketed with 5/5psn death facet)
-Crafted Ammy (+2skills, +20%fcr, +str, +resists)
-DShroud Enigma (+2skills, +5%max life, +8%dr)
-HoTO (+3skills, +40%fcr, +37 all res, +15%max mana)
-Spirit Monarch (+2skills, +35%fcr, +55%fhr
-Trang Gloves (+25% Psn Skill Dmg, +20%fcr)
-Arach Belt (+1skills, +20%fcr, +5%max mana)
-Rare boots (+30%fr/w, +20%fhr, +str, +resists)
-2x SOJ (+1skills, +25%max mana)
Switch:
-CtA (5BO)
-Spirit Monarch
Stash:
-NTorch (+3skills, +20attr, +15 res)
-Anni (+1skills, +12attr, +10res)
-Several FHR & All Res charms
-ZERO P&B GC's at the moment
So with this setup I achieve 135%fcr, and can achieve the 152%fhr breakpoint, while still maintaining a high number of +skills and therefore nova damage. However, I still have some questions:
1) Death's Web? Well -50% enemy psn resistance is huge, and I could socket with a psn facet to make it even more effective... but without other major changes in the setup (primarily a +2/20fcr circlet which is not easy to find) I will not be able to hit the 125%fcr breakpoint. Is this a big deal? There is a very noticeable difference between the 75% and 125% breakpoints, but will it make a difference in pvp?
2) Lower Resist Is this skill anything more than a 1-pt wonder? To me it seems like maxing this curse would not be a bad move at all. Anybody know what -res it gives at about sLVL 40?? I think if you had this skill maxed, it would help big-time in PVM and also to totally negate res stackers in PVP. If I maxed this, and also used DWeb, my effective psn damage would be through the roof...
2) Block%. The 'Spirit' RW monarch I have gives me a ****ty %block without major points in dex. Should I sacrifice the many VIT points I have to get my %block to near max? Or should I try using Homonc? If I use Homonc then I lose the 35%fcr from spirit and the 55%fhr, which are both major factors, but gain the extra block% and other mods, which ends up equalling more life b/c of less stat pts in dex. Or maybe SS for the high %DR and block% and +resists and lose the skills and fcr and fhr???
3) Strength what's the deal with strength requirements? I could theoretically leave base str and equip +20attr Ntorch, and +20attr Anni, giving me enough str to equip Breast Plate Enigma, which would add significant STR and most likely allow me to equip the rest of my gear. My issue is (1) looking stupid to other chars - If I get all my str from +str gear, doesn't it make me look like I'm wearing practically nothing? For whatever reason I think that looks dumb... (2) body popping - I can not afford to have this happen so I need more info on exactly when this occurs and why.
4) Socketables What are the most appropriate/effective socketables for this build? As I stand, I only have Shako available for a socket b/c I'm using RW's for other items, but if I were to swap out socketable items (DWeb, Wizzy, SS, Homonc, etc) I would have some sockets to use up. I know the answer would vary based on the build, but I'm torn between psn facet/um/shael/cham for my shako at this point. I do not have any "Cannot Be Frozen" mod on anything, which is a problem and I do not want to swap out SoJ for a Raven...
Well there are more issues but I can't really think of them at the moment. Sorry for the huge post but hopefully I'm asking questions that many others have encountered in trying to make a pvp novamancer. Lets get some good discussion going here. I've asked quite a few questions and I think these are some controversial issues so if you see advantages/disadvantages in different setups, be sure to note them.
Thanks guys, cheers.