[outdated] Caustic Arrow Solo Map MFer (20/300+)

* Life, resistances
* Nope

Just read new dev manifesto (about poison mechanic) PA RIP? D:

PA is NOT changing; it just isnt getting buffed with the new poison skills; they will change the name of PA to something more fitting to the skill.

Although I wouldn't go so far as to say that they won't change PA, still. Just because they never mentioned anything about rebalancing PA, doesn't mean that they won't.

We'll have to wait about 5 weeks probably before we know for sure.

What build we can use if they nerf PA? Mb Low Life SRS or EK?
I hope PA will be fine :D

I haven't decided yet. In part because I'm waiting to see what new gems might come out.

I'm also going to test a couple different variants of things in the couple weeks for existing skills.

I can say definitely crit FT with Sire of Shards is about on pace with clear speed with PA, so that's the leading choice for now as much as I hate Flame Totem.

PA will probably be fine though. The only thing I can see them doing immediately is changing the quality on PA to damage rather than AoE coverage, and reverting the 10% buff they gave it during Beta.

Usually meta builds last for at least 2 challenge leagues. So I anticipate we'll be fine for the next bit.


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Edit: Looks like PA's going to be untouched. But don't take it to the bank.

From Reddit:

Greendude:

"

Any reason why you guys didn't opt to make Poison Arrow part of this new system and instead removing old buffs like Projectile Damage %?

It makes much more sense to scale a "poison cloud" with % poison damage than it is with % projectile damage since the cloud is not a projectile.

I feel like the projectile damage buff to PA was more a temporary bandage to allow the build to become viable, but now we have the full blown poison element supported. Thoughts?

And Rory's response:

"

There were a few reasons, my personal main reason was that people are using and enjoying Poison Arrow at the moment; A mechanical rework would cause confusion and potential dismay if players build for the old mechanics without realizing the new options that are available to them.

There are other reasons like problems with Poison stacking with poison arrow clouds, the values we wanted to put on Poison passives, and more.

We're adding general support for Damage over Time and Chaos Damage that will apply to Poison Arrow as well, for those that want to invest in the skill further.

In other words, it looks like the implication here is that with the changes to Poison as described in yesterday's manifesto post, they're probably going to leave PA (the gem itself) untouched while they balance out the differences between chaos and poison damage; PA gets an indirect buff by having more support options.

So they'll give us a chance to investigate poison/chaos damage in general and then rebalance afterwards.

At least that's my interpretation. Don't quote me.

Hey Serleth, just I've updated some more of my gear. I'm now using a +3 6l Thicket with a lvl2 empowered. My PA shows 14367.8 chaos damage per second. I think I'm at the point where I need to start investing in some life% gems and removing some of the life nodes from my tree, what do you think would be my best route from this point?



Not the best bow. I wish it had dual resist, but it does get the job done. I figure I can scour it later and add resist to it when I build up some more currency

Yeah not a bad plan, you have two jewel slots to work with. Insofar as you get jewels with minimum life + one damage roll or life and one resistance so you can start moving out of the scion resistance nodes or clotch & chain and transfer them over to the projectile damage side.

Ideally you'd get tri-affix to make that even more worthwhile (obviously) and allow you to start switching points into the frenzy charges as well. You're definitely on the right track with your planning.

I am about level 53 or so in act 3 Cruel, I feel very... weak, not just in squishiness (which I am) but I am not 'feeling' the power I was expecting to. Things just dont melt and die instantaneously like I was expecting. I mean they die fairly quick, but not quick enough to prevent them getting a hit or two in. Now I realize I am bother underleveled, probably undergeared, but I do at least have a 4L +2 bow and I just expected the dmg output to be higher. I am right about the 1000 dps from poison dmg. I *do* have the +dmg clusters already.

Is my expectations unrealistic here or does the damager really ramp up alot in later levels? or is it simply that it doesnt get feasible until you are running the 5L with empower?

Am I missing something?

(This is not a criticism at all, genuinely curious)

Can you unlock your characters so I can see them and analyze gear / tree?

Hank and El got it covered.