Hardcore Frost Witch Guide (Last Updated May 8th)

Newbie here, so please excuse my question.
In-game it doesn't mention anywhere that Chaos Inoculation increases the Energy Shield. So what is true? Will it actually increase by 50%?

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Pesstrong wrote:

At later stages, doesnt some mobs got very high resist for some elementals - for example frost? what do you do as a Frost Witch then?

I always use Frost Bite and use Cold Penetration occasionally when there's a lot of frost resist. I haven't really had any problem with cold resist mobs.

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SpeciesXX wrote:

Nice build.

Can i ask why you taking a life node on the left (to the right from Body and Soul)
Is it merely to be able to take the 1% regen life node?
(is that 1% of base life, or 1% of max?)

Yes, it's just for the 1% regen node, and it's 1% of your maximum energy shield if you've picked up Chaos Inoculation (or maximum life otherwise).

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Statscowski wrote:

Newbie here, so please excuse my question.
In-game it doesn't mention anywhere that Chaos Inoculation increases the Energy Shield. So what is true? Will it actually increase by 50%?

No, it does not increase your energy shield at all.

I'm starting to get a lot of questions. I'll do my best to answer them in my next update to the guide.

have you messed around with spell totem at all, as in putting ice spear on it with mods or something and seeing if it's viable?

i kind of want to throw a spell totem into the mix but don't know what spell to put on it for the most efficiency

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Antiself wrote:

have you messed around with spell totem at all, as in putting ice spear on it with mods or something and seeing if it's viable?

i kind of want to throw a spell totem into the mix but don't know what spell to put on it for the most efficiency

I believe spell totem is optional, but very useful if you can put it on your gear :) I'm currently using spell totem that casts frostbite curse, but I will later try to make it cast ice spear. Maybe there are more useful options too but my point is that if you can, you should use it.

Hey, great build and explanation.

I have a question regarding armor choices, do you consider taking armour/es armor aswell if it rolls good resistances, since you have quite some 8% armour nodes?

Appreciate your guide :) Currently trying it, will notice if I hit a wall!

I can verify that Spell Totem with Ice Spear is viable. It will take all of the buffs you would get for casting it yourself. However, 1 totem with 1 Lesser Multiple Projectiles doesn't do a great job of dishing the damage out. You'll have to change the spec to go for Dual totems and need to spec for crit multiplier. You're essentially relying on the 600% crit chance buff for ALL your damage. Actually, the ice witch dual totems triple traps is one of the most active threads on this server. Same build with lightning instead of cold is starting to catch on though. Video of soloing last stage of act 3 merciless will do that. I think the biggest advanage of going lightning instead of Ice is not having to gimp your damage for multiple projectiles. Thinking of rerolling for the spec myself, actually.

What is the ideal offhand if wielding a mainhand wand? A second wand?

Hello!

I'm starting a new cold witch and I have a question.


Seeing as we go for Energy Shield gear we will have a really small ammount for armor.
Will we get totally floored by one melee hit? Or will our ES be able to stand atleast one hit from anything? Elemental dmg will be fine combind with our resistances ofc.