I'm using http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/witch-doctor#aZTdSU!ZYV!aaZZaa right now and I love the spec. I do feel forced into Gruesome Feast to help manage mana cost of the spec, but it gives DPS at same time so I am happy with it overall. (Thank god I don't have to use VQ cause I hate that passive).
I don't mind the range on Locust Swarm most of the time because Pestilence makes it spread like wild fire so I just put it on the closest mob and run back to shoot darts. I don't require the Gargantuan as Hex is a very nice spell imo, but I like seeing the big dude enrage so I would like to see his survivability be buffed some.
I've tried some other specs before and I dislike:
Zombie bears (range of spell + VQ dependant)
VQ (pigeon holed into CD's, limiting other spell choices)
zombie dogs (die too easy)
Spirit Barrage (Animation too slow + low damage vs darts yet higher cost)
Considering he has cleared all of inferno, I wouldn't consider him a shame. Maybe if he'd just done Act 1, but you clearly can watch him kill belial and such with the build which gives it credibility. Just be happy there are options for the class. There isn't anything wrong with Diversity!
I've been looking at belts since mine needs upgraded and with current AH prices I would put the belts around 1-1.25 mill each but not sure on the necklace.
There are a lot of times when you get hit in between smoke screens or back up plan doesn't proc on preparation. Mobs have a swing timer, even if you just try to slide by to go back the other direction sometimes you get hit. You can't avoid all damage 100% of the time. You also won't get hit by same mob twice between the usage of smoke screen. If you get hit several times, it means you either A. got cornered, B. standing still or C. no discipline + A or B. There are times when you will get cornered for whatever reason either it due to not enough kiting room or frozen/jailor/waller/fast/shitty mob type forced you into a bad situation and being able to take just one hit gives you 1-2 seconds longer to try to get out of that situation.
This is why I think gearing with some defense is better than all out offensive. As for reflect damage, I plan to save up and buy a Xbow with IAS/socket/LoH. With LoH, reflect damage isn't a problem anymore, you will heal after taking that 1 hit your defensive stats allowed you to take and you still get IAS and double crit damage stats from being xbow and having a socket.
I was a glass cannon build but I felt like I died ALL the time. Invisible naga's and such land one hit on you and you are dead. That's not very fun in my book when you get elites that are mortar/frozen/reflect damage/fast etc on already annoying mob types and you end up skipping elites because you can't survive. He is obviously tired of dying so saying Burn it before you die doesn't help in Act 2. Not saying go full tank spec but it makes a world of difference to be able to take just 1 hit.
I actually completed Act 2 with 47k dps WITH sharpshooter, 360 resist all, 28k hp. Nothing could one shot me with this set up including elites/mortar which allows a margin of player error when kiting so you don't die.
The whole point is to get gear. Currently enough gold GUARANTEES you an upgrade. Why risk dying/potions/ etc for 40 mins just to get 40k and shit you can't use? I can make 40k off Sorkath in like 5 mins if I get lucky on cellar being open.
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I don't mind the range on Locust Swarm most of the time because Pestilence makes it spread like wild fire so I just put it on the closest mob and run back to shoot darts. I don't require the Gargantuan as Hex is a very nice spell imo, but I like seeing the big dude enrage so I would like to see his survivability be buffed some.
I've tried some other specs before and I dislike:
Zombie bears (range of spell + VQ dependant)
VQ (pigeon holed into CD's, limiting other spell choices)
zombie dogs (die too easy)
Spirit Barrage (Animation too slow + low damage vs darts yet higher cost)
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i'll go 200k on #1.
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This is why I think gearing with some defense is better than all out offensive. As for reflect damage, I plan to save up and buy a Xbow with IAS/socket/LoH. With LoH, reflect damage isn't a problem anymore, you will heal after taking that 1 hit your defensive stats allowed you to take and you still get IAS and double crit damage stats from being xbow and having a socket.
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225 strength
88 vitality
28 arcane resistance
246 armor
Regen 194 life per second
I will be accepting bids here and will take highest offer at midnight CST time.
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