Fire synergies

Hey, GGG!

Great game, thus far. Thanks for the 400+ theory-crafting hours.
I have to tell you, leveling to 90+ isn't bad - a breeze. That's why I've decided to shelve my newer builds around level 80, before crafting another.
I'll save 90+ grinding for the Spear/Flail/sword builds.
That said, I'm struggling to synergize FIRE-based builds as easily as Ice/Lightning-based builds.
For example, I wonder why building a FIRE elemental Monk as successful as an Ice or Lightning Monk is so hard.
Or why a Sorcerer can use a Mace and Shield, but has no underlying support mechanism to wield them effectively.
Ever tried an Infernalist Monk? Haha - Pyromantic Pact might make your Ice Strike go "BOOM!"
There's the illusion of freedom-crafting...

Once they release new skills/classes/weapons/ascendancies it should open that door and let you do those fire builds you want to try. I felt restricted as well after 100 hours in. I'm just gonna wait a few months and come back when builds become more of "build how you want, not what your restricted to."

You can definitely feel the lack of theory crafting availability, but it's early access so it is what it is for now.

Yeah I think it's hard to judge fire right now
That's largely in the top left of the tree and both of the classes in that area aren't currently in the game. But I do hope it gets better. If they nerf lightning then ice might be pretty OK, but my fire tests never felt great.

100%

I think Ice and Lightning are fine, but Herald of Ash is underperforming in my testing and doesn't even take similar gems (Fire Penetration, Fire Infusion, Ignition, Immmolate, etc.) Ice and Lightning do.
It's weird.
It's as if it's designed to work only with War Cry and Maces.

+1

There is a cold-fire combo ; that ignite by consuming freeze (a support and a talent do that). But I didn't try building around it yet (full freeze build up and ignite damage). I've tried a stormweaver only fire+ignite ; it's kind of ok but being unable to stack ignite do suck. Alas, burning ground and cast on ignite goes brrrrrrrrr. I'd wish I could play the same build with the invoker, but the fire nodes are way too far.

But I'll try the freeze into ignite when the Templar gets out.