[2.0] SuperNova - whole screen 137K DPS Ice Nova | Atziri ez GGG featured

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Miothan wrote:

I was wondering if you could add a "recommended leveling gear" section, i am new to PoE so i actually dont have much knowledge of what equipment/weapon to look for and at what levels etc, it is the number one thing that kept me away from the game until now.

Something like "level 20 recommendations" "level 40 recommendations" etc with blue/yellow items would be great :)

Enjoying your guide, looks great.

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Kussler88 wrote:

Why don't you use Cold Penetration?

afaik, Monster ele-resistance was buffed, so pen would be good.

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brunowa wrote:

Heya,

My 2c on this build.

Firstly, it's awesome! I'm currently level 75 and the feeling you get from jumping into packs and shattering the whole screen in a split second is seriously awesome. I consider all of my builds complete at level 80 so I've only got a few more levels to go (grinding beyond level 80 for me is insanity... it takes forever to level for little reward.... plus there's too many other good builds to also try!)


LEVELING:
For those leveling, I used a Tabula Rasa +1 gems all the way until I equipped my Carcass Jack (level 62). I also just used two wands with high damage.

As OP suggests, level with flame totem. It's seriously the best leveling gem. I would chuck up a flame totem and then also use Ice Nova... but WITHOUT jumping into middle of pack - instead, Ice nova to side where you're still a little safe. Swap in Arctic Breath if you need extra damage against bosses.

To be honest, I started jumping into packs from about level 40... I can't control myself, it's a lot of fun. And if you die (very rarely) it's only 5% at this stage (Cruel) and you get that back super-quick. However, as OP suggests, if you're going HARDCORE/Tempest then DON'T jump into packs until way late game.


YOU DON'T NEED A WINDSCREAM
Windscream is nice, but for the price it wasn't worth it for me. Especially for that fact it's not even part of the final build.


WHAT ABOUT SUSTAINING MANA WITHOUT A WINDSCREAM?
You only need Windscream if you want to do super-damage. Instead of using Assassin's Mark on curse on hit, just use Warlord's Mark. Sure you might sacrifice some DPS, but it's fine and it saves you some currency.

The other way of doing it (which is what I did) is just use a mana leech gem while also using Assassin's Mark! With my 6L Tabula, slotting in a mana leech gem was a piece of cake and I never had any mana issues.

On your passive tree, just get the "Enemies Can Have 1 Additional Curse" node early so you can free up your mana leech gem. I think I did this around level 65 - the same time I could equip all the end-game gear gear and become super-insane.


THE 2 STAGES OF THE BUILD - MY TAKE
To me, there are 2 clear stages to the build, but they are NOT what the OP says.

For me, it was:
1) Level 0 - Level 65
2) Beyond Level 65

Up to level 65, you might struggle a bit with defence. If you're like me and use a Tabula you're leaving yourself exposed, but with smart play (eg Flame Totem) you'll be fine.

Beyond level 65 you become INSANE! This is when the build really starts to take shape.

WHY?

Because you can finally equip:
1) Carcass Jack
2) Pledge of Hands (or in my case, I use a Taryn's Shiver... again, you don't need to spend that much on a PoH).
3) Rime Gaze
4) You can start to equip any high-level gems you might already have leveled which adds MASSIVE DPS.


A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE
I know a lot of people are put off this build because of the price (~10EX)... I spent about 3-4ex on the build.

Here's a few suggestions:
1) DON'T get Windscream... see my alternative above
2) Use a Taryn's Shiver or other good, rare 5L staff (PoH is by far the best, but if you don't have the currency try an alternative as mentioned). My Taryn's is seriously kicking ass on level 70-74 maps.
That's about it... that'll save you some good EX.


AN AWESOME GEM ALTERNATIVE
Instead of using Concentrated Effect, use INCREASED AREA OF EFFECT!

ohhh myyyy gooodddd

Yes, concetrated effect adds on heaps of DPS, but seriously, you don't need that much DPS! The increased AOE that Carcass Jack + a high-level Increased AOE gem provide is seriously insane. My whole screen just blows up in the Ice Nova. The clear speed is MUCH higher in my experience using this method.

So, if you just want to see your DPS figure go super-high then use Conc Effect, but if you want to shatter your whole screen and have some serious fun while clearing maps faster, then use Increased AOE.

In VERY late game like where the OP is (level 90 build) then I'm sure Conc Effect becomes much more important because of the DPS. But in the meantime, you'll LOVE INCREASED AOE!!


DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 4,000 LIFE BEFORE JUMPING INTO PACKS?
NO!

Unless you're playing hardcore, then yes, play it safe.

But if you're just on Warbands or Standard like I am, then JUST JUMP INTO PACKS from as early as you can! It's super-fun!! 99.99% of the time you'll be fine... especially from level 65. I started jumping into packs without Flame Totem when I only had 2,500 life. It was fine.

If on that very rare occasion that you do die, WHO CARES?! You're clearing faster and you're having more fun while you level! That's what it's about!

It also helps you know what you need more of... DPS or Defence... or both? Don't wait. Just do it and tweak your build as you play along.

I'm level 75 and still don't have 4,000 life... I'm currently around 3,700 (but have about 800 ES)


WHAT ABOUT SINGLE TARGET?
What can I say, I'm a lazy player. I just play like a build is meant to be played, have some super-fun and can't be bothered switching gems.

Now that I'm in late-game, I no longer switch to Arctic Breath or Flame Surge for bosses.. I probably should, but I'm still using Flame Totem + Ice Nova and it still takes down the bosses.

With the Increased AOE gem with Ice Nova, you can cast a Flame Totem next to a boss, that will keep the boss busy while doing awesome DPS. You then stand AWAY from the boss casting your Ice Nova and because your radius is so massive you'll still be hitting him strong and take him down in no time.


MY GEAR
Below is my gear. As you can see I haven't even bothered to try get a CWDT setup going or anything like that yet. My gear is still very average... it's just standard stuff I've picked up a long the way that you will find too. Even with this gear I'm flooring everything.

I just want to point out the Mana Flask... it's AWESOME! When I warp into packs I simply pot the mana and double my evasion (which is massive with this setup) and then you 1) hardly get hit and 2) never run out of mana. IT's AWEESSSOOMMMEEE!


OVERALL
So overall, this build is wicked fun. It's seriously a SCREEN SHATTERER. Nice work to the OP.

For those considering this build or unsure how to do it with the high price or mana problems etc... hopefully the above helps!

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dzidek1983 wrote:

hi i just wanted to ask... i see some people arguing you need to jump into mobs to use the nova and i can't see why?

you have covered a lot of the screen with it, just fire it up and even the mobs from some distance will get hit

also has someone ever considerd using phase run with the skill or blind for more survival?
i mean blinding the creatures with one nova gives you alreadu 50% more chance of not being hit at all
then you can use phase run to get out of the biggest crowd (or even the lightning warp)