[1.3] Compulsive incinerator [Guide]

1. Just why?
2. Mechanics, Keystones & Synergy
3. Pros & Cons

4. Introduction
5. Core tree
6. Classes

7. Modules compendium
7a. Righteous Fire
7b. Energy shield pool
7c. Auramancer
7d. Armour
7e. Physical immunity
7f. IIR/Q
7g. High cost links

8. Gems
8a. Incinerate supports
8b. Auras and buffs

9. Gear
10. Low Life
11. Particular situation & map mods

12. My gear and setup
13. Evolution and alternate setups

14. FAQ

D. Deprecated
N. Change log

I intended to make a low life build for Rampage league since the end of Ambush/Invasion.
Initially I wanted to use the regular Cybil’s Paw setup to sustain incinerate. The build got buffed insanely with the 1.2 Mortal Conviction change and the introduction of Elreon’s jewelry prefix. While leveling with this, I eventually wondered if RF would fit in the build, it did.
I am now posting the guide as is with some thoughts about it.

By stacking a lot of aura nodes along with the Blood Magic (BM) keystone (and Mortal Conviction notable), we can run many auras simultaneously with a very high benefit from each both offensively and defensively. We run the four Purities, Grace, Determination, Discipline, Vitality, Haste auras and the Herald of Ice (HoI) buff to boost flat damage.
Doing so, we meet the Low Life condition by keeping our life below 35%. This allows us to benefit from the Pain Attunement (PA) keystone and get 30% more damage.

Having a low amount of life, we rely on our Energy Shield (ES) pool which we keep up via several means:
- We get high maximum resistance from purity auras along with aura efficiency.
- We get a reasonable amount of armour using Iron Reflexes to convert evasion (from both stuff and grace) to armour which we boost via determination.
- We get Stun immunity from Unwavering Stances keystones loosing almost nothing as we don’t have any evasion.
- We get Ghost Reaver to leech back some of our damage to raise our ES.
To boost our damage output, we use Righteous Fire (60% more damage) which we sustain getting Zealot’s Oath with a ton of life regeneration to get a matching ES regeneration.

While casting uninterrupted, Incinerate will stack up to 3 time its damage buff for a 300% more damage bonus. All build considered, you benefit from an overall 8.32 damage multiplier which apply to both base flat damages (HoI) and increased damages (tree and gear) bonus.

At this point, we have no mana (BM) and a non-regenerating 10 or so life pool, so we just throw in jewelry with Elreon’s prefix to get rid of the skill cost, problem solved.

Trying to figure this out on a schema end up like a plate of spaghetti, this is pretty much the point I consider the synergy is great.

Pros:
- Simple & fun play style
- Overly flexible build with many variations
- Overly adaptive, can run every single map mods
- Can be played from day 1 (character & league)
- Accessible on a budget
- You can carry auras for the whole party everywhere
- You will get the Specialist achievement

Cons:
- Might be squishy depending on gear
- Require care or reactivity on several situations (check further)
- Casting all the auras…

I have been playing with this build for a while now and there are just too many variations and possibilities to fit them in one build/tree. If you are looking for a premade tree to follow, you can look at my current setup (see point 12).

What I will do here is provide a core tree and present the options of the build as modules (with extra skill trees). You can then pick the ones you want for your character.

All the skill trees I will post here will be based on Scion because it is the class with the shortest starting path to the core tree. There is a class analysis (see point 6) to help you set your choice.

Here is the core tree, it cost 49 points plus the class starting points (see point 6).
The core tree includes the notables and keystones passives mechanically needed. It is used as a base on which you can add modules to your convenience.

As the core tree is spreading pretty much everywhere around, you can pretty much pick up the class you want and play a character you like the entire game.
From a strategic point of view: Scion (offensive) and Witch (defensive) are the most solid choices.

Scion: 4 offensive points to the core tree
Scion is a solid choice with the shortest path to the core tree and no early wasted points. If you intend to run the RF module, it only cost 1 starting point.

Witch: 12 points including 10 defensive ones and 2 'wasted' nodes to the core tree
This is the best defensive class as it include many early ES nodes. It also allow to switch to Low Life at 24 points.

Shadow: 8 points including 6 offensive ones and 2 ‘wasted’ nodes to the core tree
With early access to GR & PA keystones, you can switch to Low Life very early (18 points, yes I did this). This is the first class I played with this build.

Ranger: 11 points including 6 aura nodes and 5 'wasted' nodes to the core tree
Ranger is mainly viable with the auramancer module.

Duelist: 5 ‘wasted’ points to the core tree
You’ll get early access to BM and US keystones allowing early switch to low life (without GR).

Templar: 5 ‘wasted’ points to the auramancer tree or 2 'wasted' nodes to the RF tree.
You don’t get any particular benefit nor severe downside as long as you go for the auramancer or RF module.

Marauder: 6 'wasted' nodes to the core tree
You’ll get early access to BM and US keystones allowing early switch to low life (without GR). Marauder allow to sustain RF earlier, however, it will not be optimal with some endgame stuff improvement (see point 7a).

Under construction

Righteous fire module allows you to sustain Righteous Fire spell and will boost damage heavily. It also helps defensively by providing maximum fire resistance (very useful against reflect) and ES regeneration.

Tree:
It cost up to 36 skill points.
However, when you get better gear, the cost will go down: higher ES/life ratio and higher maximum fire resistance will lower the life regeneration needed.
> The 3 nodes under Shaper and the 3 on the right of Sanctity are the least individually profitable nodes and should be removed when possible.
> The ‘Arsonist’ wheel provide mostly damage and a little regeneration, it is good but not the best choice if you are struggling with sustaining RF.
> You might not want/need both Sanctity and Golem’s Blood clusters. The first one might be better with a classical tree while the second is very good with the Armour module (see point 7d).

Gear:
Considering how Righteous Fire works, you want a high ES pool, a low maximum life, a high maximum fire resistance and a ton of life regeneration (applied to ES with ZO).
Early on, Rise of the Phoenix is needed :

This is a progressive module pointing out the Energy Shield clusters you might want to get. ES is very important, the more, the better. Basically you want to throw any point you aren't using in another module in this one. Cluster choice depends on other modules you are using and how many point you are planning to invest.

Trees:
> [7.25%/pt] The Deep Wisdom & Arcane Focus path is very good, it provides 87% and 34 base ES for 12 points. It is included if you start as a witch.
> [7.5%/pt] The Written in Blood wheel let you grab 15% for 2 points. It also gives life bonus so it will be counterproductive if you are using RF module.
> [6.25%/pt] The Melding wheel can give you 25% for 4 point if you don’t use RF module.
> [6%/pt] The rest of the Foresight wheel gives you 6% per point up 6 points (36%).
> [6%/pt] If you have the Auramancer module, the Unnatural Calm wheel is correct and provide up to 48% ES along with a bonus lightning maximum resistance.

Gear:
Basically, you want as much ES as possible on your gear. This is more important because of the need for some unique items for the build or modules. Keep in mind that mixed Ar/ES and Eva/ES pieces can provide a correct base ES along with armour and be easier to color the right way.

This module allows you to raise the limit of auras and buff you can host and boost their efficiency. At the moment ‘Mortal Conviction’ is very strong and reduce the need for mana reservation passives.

Trees:
> Sovereignty wheel: 6% reservation and 22% aura efficiency for 12 points.
> Charisma wheel: 12% reservation and 6% aura efficiency for 6 points.
> Inner Force wheel: 21% efficiency for 6 points, might not be compatible with RF module.
> Sovereignty other nodes: 8% reservation for 2 points.
> Leadership extra node: 4% reservation for 1 point.

Gear:
Alpha's Howl unique helm reduce reservation by 8% (2 passive points!) and boost some auras levels. There is also a huge bonus stat giving freeze immunity.

This module let you stack some armour in order to deal with physical damages. It allocates 'Iron Reflexe' keystone and rely on auras to grant armour.

Tree:
It only costs 6 points.
Along with RF module, you can alterate the pathing and get direct access to 'Golem's blood' for just 1 point less.
Gear:
With IR allocated and some Armour and Evasion % from passive tree or gear, you can reach a good amount of total Armour just with Grace and Determination auras.

This module let you achieve physical damage immunity with a manual Immortal Call setup. This is especially useful if you plan to kill Atziri.

Tree:
- Exceptional Performance wheel give 45% duration for 3 points.
- Potency of Will can provide you 45% duration for 3 points if you run RF module.
- Vigor get you an extra Endurance charge for 3 points.
Bandit:
Helping Oak in merciless difficulty give you an extra endurance charge and extend your maximum immunity time.

Gear:
You need at least two 2L to make this work properly.
The first on is Enduring Cry - Echo to build charges. I do not recommend an automated Cast when Damage Taken setup; it might be inconsistent, provide less charges, and let you down when you need it.
The second one is Immortal Call - Increased Duration and provides the immunity. This can be further boosted by using an Enhance support gem.

Duration:
The two things that raise your immunity duration are gems levels and quality, and passives investment (charges and duration).
With the base 3 charges, a level 20 Immortal Call results in a base 2.47s immunity, 4.05s with level 20 Increased Duration, and 5.16s with one duration wheel. With still 3 charges but 20/20 gems, base immunity is 3.07s, 5.34s with ID, 6.72s with one wheel and 7.77s with Enhance (level 3).
If you go up to 5 charges with 20/20 gems, base duration is 4.95s, you then reach 13s with ID and both wheels, and 15s with Enhance.

These are just some hints on stuff that might help you if you plan to make a culler or just want to build up IIR.

Gear:
- Wondertrap boots give 100% increased rarity as we are low life, nothing else, but it’s still not negligible.
- Heartbreaker give you a free culling strike plus some spell damage and some base ES, it's a good piece.

The gems setup will vary widely according to preferences, stuff, and modules. The following subsections cover useful gems and various setups.

One of the main limit of the build is the one imposed to the Incinerate setup final mana cost. There are plenty of good supports for Incinerate and you can make up your choice according to your maximum allowed mana cost (which depend on your gear and passives).

Best supports:
- Lesser Multiple Projectiles [140%]: it provide area and shotgun effect.
- Spell Echo [130%]: incredible damage boost and faster stacking.

Good supports:
- Faster Casting [120%]: good damage boost and faster stacking.
- Fire Penetration [140%]: boost the fire portion of damage dealt.
- Empower [125%]: increase the base damage of Incinerate.
- Added Lightning Damage [130%]: provide some base damage, it need shock chance to be very good.

Cheap supports:
- Culling Strike [110%]: provide culling...
- Blind [100%]: free defense.
- Reduced Mana [90-70%]: lower a setup cost
- Curse on Hit [100%]: allow cheap damaging 6L setup with Elemental Weakness.

Leveling and useful supports
- Life Leech [130%]: until you get leech from stuff.
- Faster Projectiles [120%]: until you get enough projectile speed from stuff.

There are plenty of choices of auras and buffs, it is possible to use many of the simultaneously until you don't have any more sockets or life to reserve (remember you canbe culled if under 10%).

Offense:
- Herald of Ice [25%]: flat cold damages.
- Herald of Thunder [25%]: flat lightning damages.
- Vaal Haste: high punctual cast speed.
- Haste [60%]: cast and move speed.

Defense:
- Discipline [60%]: base ES.
- Moltn Shell: base armour.
- Grace [60%]: base evasion, provide base armor with IR keystone.
- Determination [60%]: heavily boost armour.
- Purity of Fire [40%]: fire base resistance and maximum resistance.
- Vitality [40%]: life regeneration, provide ES regeneration with ZO keystone.
- Purity of Elements [40%]: base all elemental resistance.
- Purity of Lightning[40%]: lightning base resistance and maximum resistance.
- Purity of Ice [40%]: ice base resistance and maximum resistance.

The only required piece of gear is a Solaris Lorica (of course, if you have a Shavronne's Wrapping, you are allowed to use it) to allow Low Life :

The rest of your gear can be either ES or mixed Eva/ES, Ar/ES gear to boost your pool with 4L sockets.

Stats :
- Chaos resistance is a good bonus while maximum life should be avoided (see point 10). Other resistances are optional as you'll get a bunch from auras.
- Jewellry with Elreon's prefix is a must for the no-cost casting.
- Fire leech stuff is good, you can get it from a lucky corruption on amulet (which can also give you max res, which is good too) and Catarina at level 6 give you this as a craftable preffix.

You'll want at least one Ruby Flask and probably a Granite Flask plus the following affixes somewhere on your flasks :
- of Warding: Immunity to Curses during flask effect. Removes Curses on use.
- of Staunching: Remove Bleeding On Use.
- of Heat: Dispels Freeze And Chill (except if you opt for a freeze immunity piece of gear).

Depending on your starting point, the switch to Low Life can be done sooner or later with different benefit.
You can switch to Low Life either when you get the PA and GR keystones on the north-east of the tree using a Malachai Simula :

You can also perform the switch when you reach the BM and US keystones on the south-west of the tree to start running plenty of auras.

- Elemental reflect mob/pack: either use a Life Leech gem setup or curse it with Warlord's Mark while leveling.
Endgame, you will have build-in elemental leech and a very high Fire res, which you can boost to immunity with a Ruby Flask and face-tank burst the thing without really caring (the flask also free your regeneration).

- Corrupting Blood Nemesis mob: here is your worst enemy, if you aren't reactive enough, it can kill you. You will need a flask with Staunching to remove the 20 stacks as they'll go up very quickly. While fighting, using a Ruby flask will let make your regeneration effective and might let you enough time to get rid of the mob. You can also carry a Flameblast gem to deal with it.

- Freezing mobs : either keep a flask of Heat up or get a Freeze immunity piece of gear.

- Mirrored map (elemental reflect): doable with some leech (support or curse), you can also skip RF to fully benefit from the ES regeneration.

- Map of Elemental Weakness : it can be simply ignored once you reach a high extra-resistance pool (doable with auras and some gear), else just skip RF.

- Map of Vulnerability/Smothering/Exposure/stasis : just skip RF and go on.

- Reaching level 23 Purity of Fire will give you a higher maximum fire resistance (5% base further augmented to 8% by aura nodes). This can be achieved with a +3 fire gem weapon. If you can get a level 21 corrupted Purity of Fire, then you can also reach this goal with a +2 fire gem weapon or Alpha’s Howl (see further).

- Shavronne’s Wrapping is obviously a huge upgrade, it reduce the ES requirement form other pieces of gear and thus open plenty of possibilities for specialized gear.

- The Vertex helmet bring both high Evasion/ES and chaos resistance. Then, it gives a 50% mana cost reduction which can be used either to run expensive support on 4L incinerate or some mana hungry utilities (high level curses, manual enduring Cry & Immortal Call setup).

- Alpha’s Howl helmet has no ES but a good Evasion and gives you freeze immunity. It also bring +2 gem level and an extra 8% reduced mana reserved which can be an alternate solution to a +fire gem weapon with a corrupted 21 Purity of Fire and might allow more auras.

Q: Is there any guide around for your build ?
A: Yes, check thread 1053226.

Q: Where does that build name come from ?
A: When I first started with RF, I was unable to fully sustain it, so I had to run from pack to pack and leech back my ES as fast as possible, running everywhere in ashes.

Q: How fun is this to play ?
A: So much fun, really, incinerating everything everywhere.

Q: Is this hardcore viable ?
A: I honestly think so, defense stats are pretty good, probably not in my hands though.

Q: Is this Atziri viable ?
A: Why not ? Physical immunity module might help deal with the trio.

This is just old part of the thread that were remodeled or are no longer usefull. I just keep it arround in case I need it again, don't bother going through this.

13/09/14 [1.2.2b] : Guide creation.
17/09/14 [1.2.2c] : Added 'Evolution and alternate setups' section, added starting gear reference to RF section, added many links to stuff I mentioned, improved several section and overall readability.
21/09/14 [1.2.2c] : Updated '12. Current gear and setup' section.
27/09/14 [1.2.4e] : Switched to modular presentation.
10/12/14 [1.2.4e] : Updated all passive tree links for 1.3 update.
11/12/14 [1.2.4e] : Updated and added several section, ready for 1.3 update.

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