[2.6.10 PTR] Wizard Push & Multiplier Feedback

[Cratic-1413]

I have updated the OP with my LoD Cold Twister feedback. I was able to clear a GR132 in 12m43s (very good rift though), unaugmented, 12/13 ancients.

The recent changes to corner stacking and Twisted Sword have made this channeled playstyle a lot more engaging. I was having fun!

This is the highest pushing solo build for Wizard that I’ve tested thus far, and I’m happy with where the multiplier is at (for once).

However, I feel Valthek’s behavior is still an issue, and Wicked Wind is still slightly underpowered compared to the other runes in solo push.

@Cratic-1413

LoD Cold Twister

• Seasonal or Non-Seasonal Testing

Seasonal.

• Paragons and/or level of INT

~1.7kp / 10.7k INT.

Unaugmented, but with 12/13 ancients. Quite a lot of the paragon went into VIT; 600 points.

• Main Set or non-set used (Ex: DMO, LoD).
• Main Damage dealing Skill or Item Proc Used. (Ex: Hydra, Chantodo)
• Style of build (Ex: Archon/Non-archon, Channeled/Non-Channeled)
• Successful Clear on PTR in GRs (Ex: GR125), with clear time (MM:SS), if possible. Estimated number of Keys used on fish.
• Note 4th cube Option if Seasonal.
• Post a Build, d3planner, or video link if you have one.

LoD Cold Twister:

• Non-Archon. Channeled. Shielding.
• 4th: Twisted Sword or Valthek’s or Deathwish. Fits in the 3rd weapon multiplier.
• Completed: GR132 in (12:43) with ~125 keys. However, I got lucky with a double festering Conduit + Power on RG. I’d expect such a rift to take at least 250 keys on average to fish.
• https://ptr.d3planner.com/671164641
• A quick note about the build; Most players run with Area damage, I actually dropped AD in favor of more Attack speed + RCR. This seems to help both uptime of Aquila (toughness for Squirt’s) and allows more Twisters to be put out while simultaneously allowing more channeling uptime (Deathwish+Etched Sigil multiplier uptime). At least in solo this felt like a good combination.

• Estimated clear potential at higher (perhaps 2k?) paragons, augments, and perfected gear?

~GR139 @2kp.

• Feelings on how this compares to other builds and sets?
• Multipliers, if any, you think need to be changed?

Highest clearing build I’ve pushed with for Wizard at current, however, required a lot more fishing to realize that benefit at the higher end.

I think the damage potential for this build is actually in a good place, damage / multiplier wise.

I’d prefer if Valthek’s multiplier were placed on Twisted Sword instead. The 4 weapon / source multiplier configuration means we will lose a multiplier if the 4th cube slot is taken away.

I also don’t like Deathwish in general; but that’s a different topic.

Overall the build is performing fairly well. First build I’ve been able to say that about.

• If seasonal, and clones are active, how do you feel the Shadow Clones affected your clear?

Clone were helpful, but not overpowered. They did help kill trash and weaken elites on a push.

• Feelings about new item mechanics or changed item mechanics?
• Feelings on how the 4th cube option affected your build?

I really enjoy the changes made to both Twisted Sword, where it will allow the Raging Storm rune effect of combining Twisters, stacked up to 5 times. This is a great change. I also enjoy the increased control that the stacking behavior affords, as described below:

@Cratic-1413

However, now that we can combine Twisters up to 5, and Twisters redirect in the direction you were casting when combined, you can sort of ping pong combine Twisters into an area if need be.

Basically, the implementation of the higher stacking gave us slightly more control.

I’ve been enjoying the fact that we can run the cold rune for cheaper cost and to chill/slow enemies at range for proccing Trapped. Feels great to use a different element than Arcane.

I also enjoy that we can again Corner stack our twisters on terrain. It feels really good to be able to stack up larger twister counts.

Mechanically, I enjoy that corner stacking is now again allowed for Twisters. Especially when you combine this with the higher stack counts we can get with Twisted Sword combined Twisters now. Definitely makes the build more complex; but in a good way I feel.

However, there is still a large discrepancy for those players who don’t enjoy this mechanic. Players that want to run Wicked Wind will clear a few GRs lower simply because they chose a different rune and playstyle. I feel this is bad, and would like to see an increase to Wicked Wind damage. I was thinking 1150% would be a good place to start.

@Cratic-1413

As far as increasing the base rune damage of Wicked wind (and therefore the scaling value for stacking via Twisted Sword’s Raging Storm stacking mechanic), I am in support of this.

However, I think increasing the base rune damage of Wicked Wind to the same level as other runes makes it too advantageous.

I’d place it somewhere in between, at about 1150%. An increase, but not equivalent.

To be clear, I’d prefer balance between a Wicked Wind playstyle and a non Wicked Wind / corner stacking playstyle.

This way, players could choose which style they want, rather than be seemingly forced into one playstyle or the other.

Now on to what I don’t like: Valthek’s.

I feel the Twisters going in a straight line is not only detrimental to DPS in many situations, it downright feels bad to see your twisters just saunter off into the void. Requiring this skill modification via multiplier on the staff just feels bad.

Recommendation : Remove the multplier from Valthek’s and move it to Twisted Sword.

I just realized… Almost all the builds I’ve tested have been cold element. Haha! Either d3 team wants us to play cold or I just like it more.