Introduction:
This is an experimental build utilizing the Convention of Elements ring. We know already that the ring is better than SoJ statistically. However, I would like to further explore the potential of it.
One idea is to play a multi-element build with two to four spenders using different elements and spam the spenders when the corresponding buffs are up.
Construction of the build
Mana becomes an issue when playing such spender build. (Like the old Zbear build during vanilla D3.) Therefore, Haunt and Spirit Barrage together with Rush of Essence were picked. Paragon point Max mana and Resource cost reduction were maxed too.
After that, I began testing with four spenders. Unfortunately, the only physical spenders available to us are Pile on and Sacrifice. Pile on has the disadvantage of very short range and delayed damage. Sacrifice is not exactly "spammable" without zdog gear. Also, managing four different spenders is very messy. Therefore I reduced it to three spenders.
Three spenders is a lot more playable. Besides Haunt and Spirit Barrage, I tried several spenders for the last slot and found that the old Zombie Bears was suitable. The result is this build:
Gear
First, Convention of the Elements, of course! (I only have one with 167% though. )
2p Jade and Quetzalcoatl was included as Haunt was one of the key skills.
4p Zuni was included for the damage reduction.
An ancient 2-hander was picked, as fast attack speed with 1-hander might drain out mana too fast.
Gameplay
Piranhado or WoZ to gather mobs
Then check the buff rotation by looking at the buff icon or the graphic around my character:
poison: Zombie Bears
cold: Haunt
fire: Spirit Barrage
physical: wild card, no big different using any spenders. Though I usually cast Haunt to save mana
Kind of tricky to play. I had spent 2-3 rifts before I started get used to such skill rotation.
You can see the video link for the actual gameplay.
Conclusion
It is kind of playable but still needs further adjustment to make it good. I beat grift 32 with this build. (For comparison, my record with a typical MoJ pet build without SMK is grift 40.)
Discussion
Any other spenders combination would you suggest?
Primary skills were not considered at all because of their low damage. Their mana regen capacity was not good enough either even with Vision Quest.
A major limitation of this build is that it has no synergy with other gear besides Jade 2p and Quetzalcoatl. At least not one that I can think of. May need Blizz to add new legendaries / sets to make such build actually viable in higher grift.
If you have spare time and want to try something new (and kind of challenging), construct a similar CoE multi-element WD and tell me your experience with it!
About the build, the idea is to use 3 spenders doing 100+200%=300% damage in 75% of the time and 100% damage in 25% of the time = 250% overall damage. Right now, the problem with WD using this strategy is we do not have good spenders to choose from. Maybe if Blizz adds more gear that buff other spenders in the future, likes Jade 2p to Haunt, it will be viable.
Actually I have to agree with you about the synergy problem. Currently there is no other gear synergy with our spenders besides Jade 2p and Haunt. Hopefully Blizz will add gear for this purpose in the future, then multi-element WD build will be viable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLqAyWZkQRA
Introduction:
This is an experimental build utilizing the Convention of Elements ring. We know already that the ring is better than SoJ statistically. However, I would like to further explore the potential of it.
One idea is to play a multi-element build with two to four spenders using different elements and spam the spenders when the corresponding buffs are up.
Construction of the build
Mana becomes an issue when playing such spender build. (Like the old Zbear build during vanilla D3.) Therefore, Haunt and Spirit Barrage together with Rush of Essence were picked. Paragon point Max mana and Resource cost reduction were maxed too.
After that, I began testing with four spenders. Unfortunately, the only physical spenders available to us are Pile on and Sacrifice. Pile on has the disadvantage of very short range and delayed damage. Sacrifice is not exactly "spammable" without zdog gear. Also, managing four different spenders is very messy. Therefore I reduced it to three spenders.
Three spenders is a lot more playable. Besides Haunt and Spirit Barrage, I tried several spenders for the last slot and found that the old Zombie Bears was suitable. The result is this build:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/witch-doctor#klUgef!aVfW!YbcZZc
Gear
First, Convention of the Elements, of course! (I only have one with 167% though. )
2p Jade and Quetzalcoatl was included as Haunt was one of the key skills.
4p Zuni was included for the damage reduction.
An ancient 2-hander was picked, as fast attack speed with 1-hander might drain out mana too fast.
Gameplay
Piranhado or WoZ to gather mobs
Then check the buff rotation by looking at the buff icon or the graphic around my character:
poison: Zombie Bears
cold: Haunt
fire: Spirit Barrage
physical: wild card, no big different using any spenders. Though I usually cast Haunt to save mana
Kind of tricky to play. I had spent 2-3 rifts before I started get used to such skill rotation.
You can see the video link for the actual gameplay.
Conclusion
It is kind of playable but still needs further adjustment to make it good. I beat grift 32 with this build. (For comparison, my record with a typical MoJ pet build without SMK is grift 40.)
Discussion
Any other spenders combination would you suggest?
Primary skills were not considered at all because of their low damage. Their mana regen capacity was not good enough either even with Vision Quest.
A major limitation of this build is that it has no synergy with other gear besides Jade 2p and Quetzalcoatl. At least not one that I can think of. May need Blizz to add new legendaries / sets to make such build actually viable in higher grift.
If you have spare time and want to try something new (and kind of challenging), construct a similar CoE multi-element WD and tell me your experience with it!
Thanks for the reply!
Very good CoE indeed! Make me jealous.
About the build, the idea is to use 3 spenders doing 100+200%=300% damage in 75% of the time and 100% damage in 25% of the time = 250% overall damage. Right now, the problem with WD using this strategy is we do not have good spenders to choose from. Maybe if Blizz adds more gear that buff other spenders in the future, likes Jade 2p to Haunt, it will be viable.
Actually I have to agree with you about the synergy problem. Currently there is no other gear synergy with our spenders besides Jade 2p and Haunt. Hopefully Blizz will add gear for this purpose in the future, then multi-element WD build will be viable.