Tyr's **0.11.1** Pure Elemental Bow Spec

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Vertraag wrote:

How do you deal with reflect elemental damage mobs? At level 62 I'm dominating everything, but if I accidentally AoE a pack of mobs with reflect elemental damage aura, I one-shot myself. It's not exactly fun or practical to mouseover each rare mob to see if they have this aura before I start attacking.

^This. Oh God, so much this.
Sometimes when you're farming, you'll run into these elemental reflect mobs. They're annoying and, for all purposes, the bane of your existence. A common problem I have is shots chaining to mobs off screen with that aura. I almost one-shot myself and go "What in the hell just hit me?"
I'm not sure about everyone else but I run Hatred, Wrath, and Clarity. I have enough mana to fire off about 4-5 Ice Shots before I'm dry. Even with ~30 Mana Regen per second, I have to be careful about where I'm aiming. It's also useful because you're taking a lot more concern in what's going on around you. If you see your Health drop sharply after shooting at something, look around for that aura lingering around slightly off screen.

That's really the only advice I have for this. I single out the rares with that aura and tank them with Rejuv Totem and my single target DPS skill.

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Ritchey92 wrote:

Good to see TY is reading this as I type this up.
At levle 43 is 700 life and 100 shield awful?
Or am I just bad at avoiding things, I am getting killed in 2-3 shots from a snake dude in act 2 cruel.

Those snake things are fucking annoying. They move so fast and the hit-box for the lock-on is so goddamn small. To be fair, we're picking up a good amount of life/ES passives but some of those don't come until later on. Until then, you have to be clever or passive.
Rejuv Totem has 2 uses: 1) The HP Regen can save your ass and 2) You can distract enemies with it. For instance, if you're in a dungeon and there's a bunch of mobs camping the door, toss a Rejuv Totem in there and start mowing them down while they're taking out the Totem. For Rares, you can often tank them outright with Rejuv Totem and a Flask.
For other enemies, consider Kiting and spacing out your shots. For example, farming in Fellshrine on Merciless can be a drag when you unexpectedly run into a big group of archers that get the jump on you. Side step, shoot, repeat. They won't hit you and you're AoE mowing them down fast as hell.

For certain rares, Temporal Chain can be a huge bonus. For rares that get Frenzy stacks on attack, drop a Rejuv Totem, Temporal Chain, and start blasting away. You can always link Life Leech to your single target DPS skill.

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SabreWolf wrote:

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Friend you are nowhere close to the compounding elemental damage that will occur in 15 levels & excellent high ilvl elemental dps gear. This is the aspect I have tested for months in CB that has yet to be realized fully so far in OB. You will seee....

This is why I'm keeping my DH and Chain.. just in case they eventually do become useful. Unfortunately, at the moment, they simply can't compare to my current setup.

I think it's mainly just a matter of situation. Unfortunately, I also get really pissed at DH missing single targets. On groups, however, I find DH+Chain to be unmatched. The sheer AoE clusterfuck and hitting 6 targets with 1 click is just beautiful. I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping another bow in your alternate set for single targets. If you can achieve higher single target DPS with it, I don't see a problem.

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SabreWolf wrote:

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jdonk wrote:

Thanks for the continued activity Tyr.

Managed to get a 118% DH ilvl 60, burned my jewelers getting a 5 socket, no luck with 6 socket, then burned my fusings getting a 4L.

Few things, I was using a 1.71 grove bow from 35 to 65 (lol), I also used Faster Attacks on my single target so I'm finding the change of attack speed quite jarring. Whats your current attacks per second and what do you typically aim for?

Still getting used to using chain, atm I've got Ice Shot w/ Chain + WED + Mana Leech(3%) and on my Lightning Arrow I have Faster Attacks + WED + Culling. My LA with these setups seems vastly superior to chain but I can't tell if its my attack speed or not.

Last thing, how do you get over the arrows splitting perfectly, missing the single target mob? This is infuriating to me.

Another reason why I have trouble using DH.. the slow attack speed and the arrows splitting completely missing single targets is nothing short of annoying.


EDIT: I also just checked my DH's ilevel.. 68 :D After 14 jewelers only got 4 sockets :(

It took me 50+ Jewelers to get 5 sockets on mine, don't feel too bad. Like I said, the slow attack speed, at least to me, isn't too much of a problem on big groups. For rares/bosses, you can always get an alternate bow with higher single target DPS and attack speed. The main benefit from DH is the extra arrow, combined with Chain, it's perfect for melting groups. However, you'll probably achieve higher single-target DPS with another bow.
Don't forget that this is mostly a PvE/Farm build, you'll almost always find mobs in groups. Often times, 1-2 shots is all it takes. At that point, attack speed doesn't really matter.

Hey all!! And TYR, first of all, Thanks for all of your hard work in theocraftin here to bring us a build which to the looks of it, has had its share of users !

This is my first post and first bow elemental shadow, and like you, I chose shadow because of its looks haha.

I just had a few questions though about it i'm hoping to get answered by you TYR OR! Anyone else that has knowledge with the build.

1. How does inner force help? I'm usually running all 3 damage auras but when I spec into Inner force I see no changes in damage on the auras or my abilities. I was told (possibly by someone who didnt know in trade chat) That inner force works with Auras as well.. Shouldn't that damage be increased then?

2. I have read from a popular ranger bow thread that Physical damage is the way to go for skills with Physical to Elemental ratio's such as Ice Shot, Lightning Arrow, and others due to the conversion is this true or false? ( and I know you mention you have not played a Physical Ranger but just hoping someone can answer here )

3. Which nodes are the most Important Damaging nodes other then Arcing blows and at what point should I even think about getting CI, In other words I would like to do more damage which is why im heading into the templar tree at the moment. I'll post my spec in the spoiler below and hope you can help me with a direction or even tell me if im heading in a good direction lol

4. I'll post my equipment in the spoiler below the first one, I think I'm heading in the right direction as far as equipment goes, although I'm sure I'll be getting one shotted in no time if I dont start picking up some health nodes haha. The QUESTION However is... I know I can switch out LA, PA, IS, And pretty much any other Arrow type ability. But a good buddy of mine just gave me a 10% Elemental Hit!! I was stoked! However has anyone tried this as a DPS Alternative? I usually put it on my Single Target with a Weapon Elemental Damage gem and with my current equipment I can get it up to damn near 570 DPS.. Will this be a good late game single target ability after I get ranged totem for my chain combo? Pop the Ranged Totem then wail away with elemental hit? Or, does Elemental hit tend to be a bit too random for sustainable dps? ( SORRY FOR WALL OF TEXT!! )


Anyway thats all the questions I can think of right now haha, I'll be looking forward to any answers indeed! Keep on Keepin on Shadows!

I noticed you took the "Increased effect of buffs" nodes. What buffs does that effect or not effect?

So I'm starting to get a few extra skill points laying around at 72 now. Got a stupidly lucky DH drop at around 35 so this build was fate for this character. Only 1.5k damage but I'm blowing everything over. The 90 point build is where I'm at and so my question is...what now? Or next. I've noticed a few easy access damage nodes like CrC and a 15% projectile damage which (I'm not sure how that calculates or includes ele damage or +ele damage) could be good. I don't know I feel survivability is just unneeded and I want more damage but I want it optimally from the tree. Perhaps you could suggest a 100 point build because you've done a stellar job so far.

Most fun I've had since D2.

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Ghandi256 wrote:

So I'm starting to get a few extra skill points laying around at 72 now. Got a stupidly lucky DH drop at around 35 so this build was fate for this character. Only 1.5k damage but I'm blowing everything over. The 90 point build is where I'm at and so my question is...what now? Or next. I've noticed a few easy access damage nodes like CrC and a 15% projectile damage which (I'm not sure how that calculates or includes ele damage or +ele damage) could be good. I don't know I feel survivability is just unneeded and I want more damage but I want it optimally from the tree. Perhaps you could suggest a 100 point build because you've done a stellar job so far.

Most fun I've had since D2.

I'd suggest picking up the elemental damage nodes north-east of the Witch Area. Heart of Ice and Stormcast, specifically. After that, if you really don't need the survivability, I'm not too sure. Haha. I suppose you could always pick up the ele damage nodes in the Shadow area. If you're having mana problems, you could go for Mind Drinker too.

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vercengetrix wrote:

Build looks really good. I found this bow recently and it inspired me to make an elemental bow shadow:

Will this bow have good synergy with the build?

Thanks!

You really need a harp, cause if not, you'd also have to use LMP, and that would increase the amount of links you need, and the mana cost beyond what soul siphon can support.

First off, thanks a lot for this build, Tyr. Currently farming merciless Ledge on my lvl 57 Shadow. I was lucky enough to find a chain myself and eagerly overpayed for the first DH I could get my hands on. This build really started to shine as soon as I got past the point where I linked the build in a circle and when I got my first 4 link running for ice shot. Now I am obliterating packs of blue mobs in 2 to 3 shots. Some yellow dudes and bosses can be a pain, but with the aid of some rejuv totems and bear traps, nothing has proven to be impossible. (With the exception of Piety on cruel, who cost me half an xp bar. Somehow I can't seem to target/hit the portals she walks into). I feel indeed quite squishy at times, but that is something to work on and, frankly, it keeps you on your toes.

All in all an extremely fun build. As someone above me also noted, haven't had this much fun in an ARPG since Diablo 2. In a way my shadow reminds me of my old javazon, but with the added benefit of having some range if I want.

So far with the praise and proof of quality of this build.

I have some issues/questions that I want to put forward to you, both Tyr and other fellows of the community who are tinkering with this build.

1. Projectile Weakness curse
This curse is recommended by Tyr for this spec and I had been using it for a good while. I am not sure what the intended purpose was, but I had been using it on both single target high hp targets and on packs of blue mobs. In addition to other effects, this curse greatly improves your chance to pierce. A few days ago it was brought to my attention that this is probably a bad thing for us, seeing as a projectile that pierces a target, can no long chain from that target.

Since then I have been looking at some other curses to use and for now I have gone with elemental weakness, which I feel is really helping take down the harder packs and bosses aswel. I have also thought about using critical weakness (but my critchance isn't that high to begin with) or perhaps something like temporal chains, enfeeble or warlord's mark for some added survivability.

I am quite interested to hear your thoughts on this issue. Maybe there is still a good reason for using projectile weakness, which I am not seeing now.

2. Freezing/shattering mobs = less loot?
This shocking piece of information, I overheard in a twitch stream yesterday. Not much else was said about the matter, apart from the statement that 'mobs who die while frozen or while burning don't give (or give less?) loot'.

If true, this has huge implications for a farming build like this one. I find it tough to confirm this and nowhere else have I read anything about the matter, but I must say I have at times noticed a considerable absence of loot, after wiping away a whole screen of mobs in 2 shots. There are no bodies lying around, since everything shattered, but there is also a stunningly low amount of loot on the ground for the number of monsters I introduced to their maker.

Now I'll be this first to admit that experiences like these cannot just be taken as proof. I did however start leveling a lightning arrow skill and I have just begun to alternate lightning arrow and ice shot a bit. My initial feeling is that killing packs with lightning arrow in stead of ice shot, does indeed yield more drops.

I realise that this is something that needs to be tested systematically and thoroughly in order to be either proven or falsified, something which I am not really prepared to do. So I decided to put the matter before you guys. What are your thoughts on this statement? Have you noticed a decrease in drops when you freezeshatter mobs? Or is it just plain nonsense?

For now my plan is to use lightning arrow when I am farming easy stuff like Ledge and Fellshrine, while using ice shot for leveling when I need the crowd control more. At least to do some more testing myself or until I have some more conclusive information. Luckily lightning arrow gets the job done almost as well!

Whoever made it to this last line, thanks for perusing my wall of text.

@Tyr: Can't really tell at the moment, are we (we = this spec) viable for farming maps? I'm really worried about survivability :(

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I think it's mainly just a matter of situation. Unfortunately, I also get really pissed at DH missing single targets. On groups, however, I find DH+Chain to be unmatched. The sheer AoE clusterfuck and hitting 6 targets with 1 click is just beautiful. I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping another bow in your alternate set for single targets. If you can achieve higher single target DPS with it, I don't see a problem.

I don't want to start a battle of what's better than the other, I know DH+Chain is awesome. But I just want to throw this out there also for people who may not have DH+Chain;

My LMP + LA Hits 3 targets, those targets hit 3 targets each(LA AoE and maybe even 4-5 targets with increased AoE range passive?) and if it pierces, I can hit even more targets (x3) .. Not only that but a single arrow can hit a target, AoE 3 targets around him and then pierce and hit the target behind him and in turn that x3 AoE hits the initial target AGAIN. This can happen multiple times! At level 60 doing Waterfall runs (lvl 62 area) I can 1shot an entire pack on a crit. A crit roll happens on the initial shot, which means if I'm going to crit, EVERYTHING crits. The initial x3 burst, the following 3target (each) AoE (9targets) and any pierce afterwards will crit.

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Ghandi256 wrote:

So I'm starting to get a few extra skill points laying around at 72 now. Got a stupidly lucky DH drop at around 35 so this build was fate for this character. Only 1.5k damage but I'm blowing everything over. The 90 point build is where I'm at and so my question is...what now? Or next. I've noticed a few easy access damage nodes like CrC and a 15% projectile damage which (I'm not sure how that calculates or includes ele damage or +ele damage) could be good. I don't know I feel survivability is just unneeded and I want more damage but I want it optimally from the tree. Perhaps you could suggest a 100 point build because you've done a stellar job so far.

Most fun I've had since D2.

Whoa, awesome responses, thanks! I don't have much time right now but I wanted to respond to this cause it ties into a major change that I have tested extensively.

Get Static Blows & the additional 10% chance to shock bringing the chance to shock 20%. Im gonna post about this much more in depth later, but I believe there is a tweaked mechanic when shooting 2 LA & when they pierce. I think when one shocks, the other hits and hits again with the amplified shock damage. Im lvl 57 and am WRECKING The Cave, level 61. Static Blows has made all the difference. It works with any applied light dmg. So.,...ice shot totem bot is chaining everydamned thing, shocking them and then i whallop it all with LA.

Must have DH to test this. Almost certain the pierce is giving more hits than is intended. Test this, Ill post vids and comment on this much much more.

Again, get static blows. Everybody! Ill work up a build tweak as soon as I can.