1.3 The Community's Molten Strike, Face Melting Build!! 1h+shield and 2h variants available

Finals are over and back to playing...

Devised two crit versions, a dual wield and a sword and board set up. I want you the community to pick what one I follow. As a note, dual wield starts strong as a ranger then a marauder.

So tell me community:
1) DW
2) S/S

SS

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Kartikdon wrote:

Finals are over and back to playing...

Devised two crit versions, a dual wield and a sword and board set up. I want you the community to pick what one I follow. As a note, dual wield starts strong as a ranger then a marauder.

So tell me community:
1) DW
2) S/S

Crit will do even more DPS than normal Molten Strike. S/S, you'll need the shield.

Okay, I'm confused!

I recently started my second build in the two-week charity event and made it a marauder, which is basically what I want to play with long term once the event is over. Being new to all this I'm basically happy if I can just get the current build to the high 20's before I either die or retire to try and finish off act 3 of Merciless in my first build, but I'm starting to think long term regarding what to do with a marauder build. I don't have the time to get the necessary PHD to fully understand the mechanics of the game (I sit in awe of the lengths some of you go to in this game to fully grasp all of the math) so I was just hoping to find a really good cookie-cutter guide that I could put my faith in and simply follow step-by-step.

Out of the countless 'mine's the best' claims out there this and the alternative by Dmillz seemed like good choices and fairly straightforward, yet after working my way through all the posts here my head started hurting with all the claims and counterclaims, even down to whether a single-handed weapon should be used, or a two-hander! I realize that one of the nice things about it all is that there's so much scope to tailor a build to suit specific needs or wants that there may well be no 'perfect' model, but I tell you, for a novice like me it all just adds to a lot of uncertainty over which direction to take, because I obviously don't have enough experience or knowledge to make a call one way or the other!

One of the other things I don't get is the frequent references to GMP and LMP. I used GMP for much of normal and most of cruel with my first character, but after a while I just found that the hit to DPS that you sacrificed for all the additional projectiles really wasn't worth it - it just started becoming more and more ineffective to a point where it seemed like a complete liability. I've seem end game clips of people using either, but how they manage to do it and maintain a balanced build I don't know.

Also, would I be right in assuming that the total cost in standard for the items mentioned would run to about 6 - 8 exalts? Being new I'm fairly poor currency-wise, but if I can sell off a good portion of the stuff I've stashed away I may be able to come up with the necessary funds.

Go 2h while leveling up (around when Geofri's Baptism loses its luster).
Once you get a solid 1h weapon towards end of merc. difficulty jump to 1h + shield. You don't need the dps of a 2h anymore, its overkill.

People assume GMP and LMP are uber for this gem since it has projectiles and more = better. This gem is about quality not quantity so you were right to toss it.

this build requires ZERO investment. The items listed are just suggestions. Are some of them worth buying? Hell ya. the catalyst is amazing. DPS near that of a 2h weapon + you can use a shield. I am actually doing a variation of the build and will roll 100% self found.

In regards to crit molten strike, really finding it hard to get the same overall results as the resolute technique set up. Most viable one I can get to allow only the crazy HC players who have no will to live run is sitting at around +355% Crit +240% HP running daggers. So we would still need volls or PCOC taking up either a gem slot or replacing lightning coil which I find to be a massive defense boost.

It is fun watching everything catch on fire though.

What is the consensus on linking slower projectiles to MS?

As far as the passive points go, there is already much invested in enhancing projectile damage, as well as the use of concentrated effect; would it make sense to go the extra step and further increase projectile damage with the addition of slower projectiles?

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Ptyochromis wrote:

What is the consensus on linking slower projectiles to MS?

As far as the passive points go, there is already much invested in enhancing projectile damage, as well as the use of concentrated effect; would it make sense to go the extra step and further increase projectile damage with the addition of slower projectiles?

How would this result in a DPS increase over another gem?

"

Ptyochromis wrote:

What is the consensus on linking slower projectiles to MS?

As far as the passive points go, there is already much invested in enhancing projectile damage, as well as the use of concentrated effect; would it make sense to go the extra step and further increase projectile damage with the addition of slower projectiles?

it wouldn't help. Conc. effect is the only gem used explicitly to enhance the projectiles and it does so in 2 ways.

1. It brings the projectiles closer to the user. This means Point Blank becomes close to (if not 100%) fully effective.
2. It provides More damage. More means final damage is multiplied by the more damage.

slower projectiles may possibly do the same as #1 although I imagine their arc would take longer to hit the ground but it's an Increased damage. So, it's not as good.

All other projectile only modifiers are on the tree in iron grip and point blank.

Thanks for the prompt reply. Your build looks like a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Just one point - 'when Geofrie's baptism loses its lustre' is a little confusing when you also mention that a 2-hander and its greater DPS will be overkill after a while, so I don't really get how GB becomes so unattractive that I should give it up because its increasing potency is unnecessary. It's like telling me that I need to give away my Tiger tank because it's mowing down 20 - 30 Sherman tanks with ease and needs to be throttled back. Do you mean that in relation to the fact that other points to the build - like defense - will start screaming out for attention and require/suggest a shift to single-hand and shield?

I'm getting near the end of merciless on my first build and have yet to pick up a decent 1-handed sword. Hopefully things will be better leveling up the marauder. That or I'll have to try and buy one.

Congrats on all the work, and for sharing it around.