This is the build I’m working towards right now. I’m way too early to have any idea if it’s going to work out during the end game. So far, it’s working quite well with very sub par gear and incomplete paragon.
maxroll.gg/d4/planner/tv930zgu
It’s a hybrid Blizzard and Ice Shards build. Blizzard is used with Biting Cold on a staff to freeze, proc the ice shards enchantment and apply vulnerable. The staff comes with substantial damage bonuses to crowd controlled and vulnerable enemies. The build uses the standard firebolt enchantment and burning passives/paragon. Additional damage comes from applying immobilize via Flame Shield and Binding Embers Aspect plus Invoked Lightning Spear to stun enemies. Both are enhanced with Shared Misery. These three all work with Aspect of Control on the amulet. Additional damage comes from the Conceited Aspect and Piercing Cold Aspect.
I’ve got increased crowd control duration on an aspect, my helm and amulet. This boosts both damage from allowing more ice shards to proc and survivability by keeping enemies chilled, frozen, immobilized or stunned for a longer period of time. This also helps a lot with survivability. Other sources of survivability come from Snowguards Aspect, Shimmering Teleport and multiple sources of barriers. Teleport cooldown is low which allows pretty good movement, 30% damage reduction and helps with barrier up time plus procs of the Prodigy Aspect for mana regeneration.
Another survivability aspect (and also damage) comes from being able to utilize terrain effectively. I can stand outside of a door and stack several blizzards just inside the door. The enemies run towards me and choke through the door then are frozen almost instantly. In more open areas, I run and cast blizzards behind me while the enemies follow me through the blizzard. After 3 blizzards are down, I either flame shield + run or teleport behind them so they turn around and stay within the blizzard for a longer period of time.
Bosses go down pretty well due to being staggered quickly. Ice shards will apply vulnerable to bosses as well so no issues there. I can stay away and dodge attacks while using Blizzard. Barrier uptime is no issue with all the defensives and different cooldowns.
To speed this build up for farming, I use the Iceheart pants to proc Frost Novas because the extra survivability isn’t needed for Helltides.