Guide to Diablo III critical mass wizard - but without boring Energy Twister and Explosive Blast. Instead, using Arcane Orb, which is more targetable and also works in larger radius. Key to this build is enough mana - that is provided by Shock Pulse [Lighting Affinity] and also by mana on crit bonus from Chantodo's Will weapon.
Honestly, I've never got to like the Twister + Blast combo, takes forever to kill anything and involves lots of clicking. With the Orb, you are more free, and yes, you can also run as you like! Guide to Diablo III critical mass wizard, patch 1.08 - but without boring Energy Twister and Explosive Blast. Instead, using Arcane Orb, which is more targetable and also works in larger radius.
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Key to this build is enough mana - that is provided by Shock Pulse [Lighting Affinity] and also by mana on crit bonus from Chantodo's Will weapon (or you can use any other Wand, which provides >10 energy on crit - but Chantodo is good, because of set with Force, which also has +10% crit chance, + it has also 15 bonus to max energy..). Also make sure to get high attack speed (from gloves, rings, etc.). Another item that could potentially help, is a wizard cap with max Arcane Power bonus, or with Arc. Power on hit - such as Stormcrow. Just in case you don´t wear Mempo of Twilight or Andariel's Visage.
UPDATE - this strat will be even stronger in RoS!
Apparently, you need a very high critical chance (30% +) to make it work. be sure to get good rings + amulet. Also, Pinpoint Barrier from Energy Shield helps a lot.
- you need critical hits to keep your cooldowns low and also to recharge mana (arcane orb eats 35point a piece)
Wonderful skill choice for that is
Frost Nova [Deep Freeze] - if you hit more that 4 enemies with the nova, your crit chance if increased by +15% - as well as your DPS. Than your are unstoppable.
So just make sure you have enough mobs around you.
Naturally,
Arcane Orb [Arcane Orbit] with its 20 yards radius provides maximum dmg output (has better radius than anything, and Meteor Shower at other hand takes 50mana and is only 100% weapon damage to a target). Shock Pulse [Lighting Affinity] is your backup plan - you only use it when your energy is drained - which will never happen in big fights. Gives 3mana per hit. Neat.
In case of fighting really large chunks of creeps, also Blizzard [Stark Winter] can be used as crit hits deliverer. Works wonders and you don´t need to click like idiot, as it is in action for 6 seconds, (8sec respectively if even Unrelenting Storm is used] passively.
This build is recommended with at least level 60 (30) + or with very decent gear, if you want to go at least MP5. The more enemies around you the better - you hit everything at once. Ranged opponents can be pesky, as well as for uber bosses, I would recommend other skills (guide coming soon).
If in doubts about your strength, you can use Astral Presence - Critical Mass - Prodigy (gives 4 mana per hit of signature spell) instead of my Astral Presence - Critical Mass - Cold Blooded (which increases dmg, even for other party members - today you nearly never play solo).
My complete skill tree:
And this is how it works:
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| Novas in action. |
Good luck and lot of fun with this build. For me personally, its much more enjoyable, that the classic wind freezer. Hopefully, this way will be even further buffed in upcoming 1.09 patch, which should be soon-ish (was already given +25% dmg in 1.07). Will see what Blizzard brings . . .
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