So now that the game guide is almost 100% updated, I thought I'd take a stab at set pieces, set bonuses and how they compare; which element prefers which set, and legendary pieces that probably favorable to a set item. This is not intended to be a "BiS" list. This is intended to be a hard look at how set pieces compare to each other at End Game and to other non-set legendaries. Couple things to note is Tal Rasha *does* scale to 70 so stats are the exact same as Vyr's and Firebird's, and it will be *very* hard for a non-set legendary to complete with a +500 int 2-peicie set bonus in most cases;
BELT http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-brace only Tal's set has a belt slot; so Tal's in the one you want. It helps that it's pretty easy to get Vit/Int/All Resist and Life % tal's belt, which translates into a nice +toughness boost.
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-down or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/vyrs-fantastic-finery Vyr's is superior is most cases here, unless for some reason you use a signature spell end-game you Firebird happens to roll. Additionally, Vyr's set is harder to equip due to the limited set choices; Long story short, if you find set pants, hope it's Vyrs and not Firebirds - unless you are Fire.
Shoulders: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-pinions. One choice. You probably want Vitality as your +additional affix, If your build does not utilize Black Hole, you may chance your BH affix to Life % or +All Resist.
Nice guide in general, but on the belt slot I REALLY think that tal rashas can't compare to Harrington Waistguard. It's a beast of an item and the uptime is fenomenal tbh, there are only a very few times you wont have the buff up when it matters and then you can always kite kite kite until you find a chest/body/rock to turn over.
100% damage increase is just to insane to not have.
Whole bunch of if, and, but permutations here. I picked one element, and tried to optomize all the gear with % damage to that element and picking up all the set bonuses I could from that point on. Harrington's might indeed warrant consideration in addition to other items like Odyn Sin, Gloves of Worship and Favorite Legendary Item X ;-)
Loot 2.0 is really hard to math out, esp. to someone with my meager math skills. I'd have more luck throwing my computer AT an equation then solving it.
Awesome summary! Agree with everything in your OP, but just wanted to add that I think at some points you focus too much on sets. I personally want 4pc Vyr's bonus, but other than that I might prefer legendary items for my favorite element, Arcane. Here's my wish list (I don't expect to get there ever but well... I can dream, can't I):
I think the Tal's bonuses or Firebird's bonuses aren't worth it in my opinion if you look at "best possible endgame gear" when it comes to Archon (of course, for other specs this is entirely different). I'm also a huge fan of -elite damage received and +elite damage dealt because this is what makes progressing difficulties easier; if you have no such gear the gap between trash mobs and elites is insane (at the time that elite mobs take less than 5-10 seconds, all white mobs are almost instakills). If you don't need or don't have the Ring of Royal Grandeur, I'd even consider a 15% Unity ring (wearing that right now since I don't have SoJ yet).
Awesome summary! Agree with everything in your OP, but just wanted to add that I think at some points you focus too much on sets. I personally want 4pc Vyr's bonus, but other than that I might prefer legendary items for my favorite element, Arcane. I think the Tal's bonuses or Firebird's bonuses aren't worth it in my opinion if you look at "best possible endgame gear"
Some Replies!
The preliminary numbers I have currently, is Tal's set bonus is a 15-20% DPS buff depending on Attack speed. (Thanks, Loroese!); in your specific scenario, as Archon build Andarials has the curious position of probably being the best helm; because +Disintegrate damage doesn't affect Archon's disintegrate, but +% ARCANE damage DOES. Any other build with the +15% spender with 500 int would outweigh +20% Element % buff on Andarials. Possibly this should have been included.
Winter Flurry was indeed omitted (I thought it was crafted and thus did not scale.) Maximus is not viable for a Wizard when compared to Burning Axe + Firebird's Eye/set, but may work in the interim until the set is completed.
I hadn't heard Strongarm worked with Black Hole; that's interesting. As far as Bracers go, Reaper's Wraps is the best pair of bracers, assuming you can roll a good pair.
Chantodo's Offhand is either bugged or purposely terrible; it may only roll up the three primary affixes instead of four. Utter garbage, unfortunately.
Very nice list, but I'm wondering, if sets are still BiS-material. They used to be better than legs in 1.0 but now with so many legs that have something better than a set bonus on their own, I have a hard time finding a use for my Royal Grandeur Ring.
If I find a Tal helm before Andariels, I might wear this and the belt for both the 2pc and 3pc bonus for a while, but I don't know if there are any 2 slots in which I wouldn't want a specific legendary.
So, I think, set bonuses could use some love. Same for any crafted leg/set.
However, I'd replace Vyr's gloves with Gloves of Worship (endless AP and constant fleeting shrine is sick!) and take Vyr's boots to complete the set. Also, lvl 70 Witching Hour instead of the crafted belt for more DPS. Weapons: Slorak's Madness for Disintegrate build and Thunderfury for Arcane Torrent build.
I don't have Gloves of Worship yet and given my RNG I'm pretty sure by the time I have them the 1 hour shrine bug is fixed ;-)
If not, ofc Gloves of Worship, yes! But also depends on how many pieces you have.
I haven't see a single level 70 WH yet, so kinda overlooked that. Thought it might be easier to go for the belt, I get like 2-3 crafting plans every day...
Don't forget the Legendary ring Royal Ring of Grandeur that will allow you to equip 1 less of each set (minimum of 2), so it will allow you to be even more flexible with what you take and still get your set bonuses.
Don't forget the Legendary ring Royal Ring of Grandeur that will allow you to equip 1 less of each set (minimum of 2), so it will allow you to be even more flexible with what you take and still get your set bonuses.
Don't forget the Legendary ring Royal Ring of Grandeur that will allow you to equip 1 less of each set (minimum of 2), so it will allow you to be even more flexible with what you take and still get your set bonuses.
It's in his list for all elemental specs ;-)
Hmm, didn't see it when looking over the Cold spec, which is the only one I'm interested in. ^^
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
And may the odds be ever in your favour. Emmo#2406
Oh yeah it doesn't display, forum bug (it's showing no ring right now). It's there though, he has SoJ and RoRG for all specs which makes sense. I guess he's gonna edit that in later, thanks for noticing.
An alternative cold weapon to Azurewrath would also be Utar's Roar, a crafted weapon.
Ironically, azurewrath is better and generally easier to obtain. Utar's roar is meant for a barb dual wielding cold weapons. That said, I will add it if Azurewrath eludes you.
On the belt slot I REALLY think that tal rashas can't compare to Harrington Waistguard. It's a beast of an item and the uptime is fenomenal tbh, there are only a very few times you wont have the buff up when it matters and then you can always kite kite kite until you find a chest/body/rock to turn over.
100% damage increase is just to insane to not have.
Had one of these belts in the bank, on first glance I didn't think the bonus seemed that great (thinking it was literally only chests). But from your approval of it I decided to go give it a try, and holy shit. That belt is game-changing. Procs on bodies, armor and weapon racks, loose rocks, things like cocooned victims (which are really just bodies), and of course, chests. In some places these things are everywhere.
I don't think I'll ever use another belt. I pop something, get the buff, and elites just melt in like 3 seconds (T1). Makes it feel almost comical, and that I need to step up the difficulty (and maybe start aiming for a little more Toughness elsewhere). Here's to hoping it doesn't get nerfed (cause it kinda feels like it should be).
HELM
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-guise-of-wisdom vs http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-plume are the set peices in the head slot. These are roughly interchangable; both with potential to be absolutely amazing rolls. The differences between them aren't much; Equipping tal's set is slightly harder to do, in exchange for it's superiority for Ice, Lightning and Arcane elements. Firebird's has the possibility of ApoC, which tal's helm cannot roll.
CHEST
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-relentless-pursuit or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-breast or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/vyrs-astonishing-aura are the choices here. Tal's and Vyr's are VERY close. On average, Tal's chest will roll better due to because it comes standard with Int, Vit, and 3 sockets - meaning you will always be able to pick up +% life or All Resist with a mystic if you didn't get it initially. Vyr's set is harder to equip, because it only has four peices to Tal's six, so the nod goes to Vyr's if you got an awesome roll. Fire will almost certainly go with http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/cindercoat if they don't require another peice of Firebird's.
BELT
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-brace only Tal's set has a belt slot; so Tal's in the one you want. It helps that it's pretty easy to get Vit/Int/All Resist and Life % tal's belt, which translates into a nice +toughness boost.
GLOVES:
This is a hard slot. There's pretty good options here. http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/vyrs-grasping-gauntlets or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-talons are the set peices; but they are competing with http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/frostburn and http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/magefist It will likely break down to Ice prefering Frostburns, Arcane taking Vyr's, and Fire going Magefist. Lightning is free to pick up whichever peice they want.
SOURCE:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-unwavering-glare or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-eye are the set sources; Firebird's eye is obviously superior if you are fire; Tal Rasha's being the best if you are one of the other three elements. Depending on your build, you may prefer one of the legendary sources with a unique affix; the list can be here (http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/orb/#type=legendary)
PANTS:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-down or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/vyrs-fantastic-finery Vyr's is superior is most cases here, unless for some reason you use a signature spell end-game you Firebird happens to roll. Additionally, Vyr's set is harder to equip due to the limited set choices; Long story short, if you find set pants, hope it's Vyrs and not Firebirds - unless you are Fire.
Shoulders:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-pinions. One choice. You probably want Vitality as your +additional affix, If your build does not utilize Black Hole, you may chance your BH affix to Life % or +All Resist.
Amulet:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-allegiance is the only set choice here, with stiff competition from http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/moonlight-ward if Arcane. Other legendaries can be competitive here, but probably NOT optimal when you start factoring in set bonuses.
BOOTS:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-tarsi or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/vyrs-swaggering-stance here. Vyr's rolls a +spender skill while Firebird's rolls +Movement speed. Both are good stats and ideally you get your spender AND movement speed on whichever you use.
FIRE WIZARD OPTIMIZATION:
Chest: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/cindercoat Source: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-eye Gloves: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/magefist Amulet: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-allegiance (or Legendary if not Tal's) Belt: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-brace or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/the-witching-hour if no Tals' Boots: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-tarsi Shoulders: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-pinions Pants: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-down Helm: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-plume Ring:http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/ring-of-royal-grandeur-3qRFop 2: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/stone-of-jordan Weapon: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/the-burning-axe-of-sankis or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/wand-of-woh or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/maximus Bracer: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/artisan/blacksmith/recipe/reapers-wraps
COLD WIZARD OPTIMIZATION: Chest: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/vyrs-astonishing-aura
Helm: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-guise-of-wisdom Shoulder: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-plume Gloves: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/frostburn Pants: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/vyrs-fantastic-finery Belt: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-brace Boots: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-tarsi Source: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-unwavering-glare or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/winter-flurryRing: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/stone-of-jordan Ring:http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/ring-of-royal-grandeur-3qRFop Amulet: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-allegiance Bracer: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/artisan/blacksmith/recipe/reapers-wraps Weapon: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/azurewrath or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/artisan/blacksmith/recipe/utars-roar
Arcane WIZARD OPTIMIZATION: Chest: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/vyrs-astonishing-aura
Helm: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-guise-of-wisdom
Shoulder: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-pinions
Gloves:Vyr's/Firebird's Pants: Vyrs/Firebirds
Belt: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-brace
Boots: Vyr/Firebird's
Source: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-unwavering-glare
Ring: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/stone-of-jordan Ring: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/ring-of-royal-grandeur-3qRFop
Amulet: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/moonlight-ward
Bracer: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/artisan/blacksmith/recipe/reapers-wrapsWeapon: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/sloraks-madness (if Disintegrate) or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/gesture-of-orpheus
Lightning WIZARD OPTIMIZATION: Chest: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-relentless-pursuit
Helm: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/storm-crow
Shoulder: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/firebirds-pinions
Gloves:Vyr's/Firebird's Pants: Vyrs/Firebirds
Belt: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/thundergods-vigor
Boots: Vyr/Firebird's
Source: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-unwavering-glare
Ring: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/stone-of-jordan Ring: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/ring-of-royal-grandeur-3qRFop
Amulet: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/tal-rashas-allegiance
Bracer: Weapon: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/artisan/blacksmith/recipe/reapers-wraps http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/fulminator or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/thunderfury-blessed-blade-of-the-windseeker or http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/odyn-son
Loot 2.0 is really hard to math out, esp. to someone with my meager math skills. I'd have more luck throwing my computer AT an equation then solving it.
Chest: Vy'r Astonishing Aura
Helm: Andariel's Visage (with 20% Arcane damage and Diamond)
Shoulders: Aughild's Power
Gloves: Vyr's Grasping Gauntlets
Pants: Vyr's Fantastic Finery
Belt: Fleeting Strap
Boots: Boots of Disregard
Source: The Oculus or Cosmic Strand or Chantodo's Force
Ring 1: Stone of Jordan
Ring 2: Ring of Royal Grandeur
Amulet: Moonlight Ward
Bracers: Aughild's Search
Weapon: Solanium (not sure if this is any good) or Chantodo's Will (with Chanto's OH) or Thunderfury or Shard of Hate
I think the Tal's bonuses or Firebird's bonuses aren't worth it in my opinion if you look at "best possible endgame gear" when it comes to Archon (of course, for other specs this is entirely different). I'm also a huge fan of -elite damage received and +elite damage dealt because this is what makes progressing difficulties easier; if you have no such gear the gap between trash mobs and elites is insane (at the time that elite mobs take less than 5-10 seconds, all white mobs are almost instakills). If you don't need or don't have the Ring of Royal Grandeur, I'd even consider a 15% Unity ring (wearing that right now since I don't have SoJ yet).
Edit: Layout, boots, shoulders.
The preliminary numbers I have currently, is Tal's set bonus is a 15-20% DPS buff depending on Attack speed. (Thanks, Loroese!); in your specific scenario, as Archon build Andarials has the curious position of probably being the best helm; because +Disintegrate damage doesn't affect Archon's disintegrate, but +% ARCANE damage DOES. Any other build with the +15% spender with 500 int would outweigh +20% Element % buff on Andarials. Possibly this should have been included.
Winter Flurry was indeed omitted (I thought it was crafted and thus did not scale.) Maximus is not viable for a Wizard when compared to Burning Axe + Firebird's Eye/set, but may work in the interim until the set is completed.
I hadn't heard Strongarm worked with Black Hole; that's interesting. As far as Bracers go, Reaper's Wraps is the best pair of bracers, assuming you can roll a good pair.
Chantodo's Offhand is either bugged or purposely terrible; it may only roll up the three primary affixes instead of four. Utter garbage, unfortunately.
That's the amazing thing about loot 2.0. I don't care for this helm, but some people might consider it close to their personal BiS :-)
If I find a Tal helm before Andariels, I might wear this and the belt for both the 2pc and 3pc bonus for a while, but I don't know if there are any 2 slots in which I wouldn't want a specific legendary.
So, I think, set bonuses could use some love. Same for any crafted leg/set.
http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Sol77-2972/hero/66110450
However, I'd replace Vyr's gloves with Gloves of Worship (endless AP and constant fleeting shrine is sick!) and take Vyr's boots to complete the set. Also, lvl 70 Witching Hour instead of the crafted belt for more DPS. Weapons: Slorak's Madness for Disintegrate build and Thunderfury for Arcane Torrent build.
If not, ofc Gloves of Worship, yes! But also depends on how many pieces you have.
I haven't see a single level 70 WH yet, so kinda overlooked that. Thought it might be easier to go for the belt, I get like 2-3 crafting plans every day...
And may the odds be ever in your favour.
Emmo#2406
And may the odds be ever in your favour.
Emmo#2406
And may the odds be ever in your favour.
Emmo#2406
Updated.
I don't think I'll ever use another belt. I pop something, get the buff, and elites just melt in like 3 seconds (T1). Makes it feel almost comical, and that I need to step up the difficulty (and maybe start aiming for a little more Toughness elsewhere). Here's to hoping it doesn't get nerfed (cause it kinda feels like it should be).
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Spiral-1401/hero/65250518