So I did an experiment and started playing Ice Shards (Eternal). And I decided I wanted to play using only ice/cold skills (arguably the way it was intended to be played). I’m using the Avalanche key passive and all skills are cold/ice. And I gotta say, it’s been rough. This build is just all around weak no matter what I try.
I’ve spent about a full month testing aspects, different paragon layouts/nodes, gear affixes, triple master working, getting the right mythics, etc. and my build can only clear pit 79. Which is respectable I guess, but with the amount of effort it’s taken I feel like the build should be able to hit at least 90. The problem is simply damage output, mostly on bosses since they can’t be frozen/chilled. I’ve put almost everything I can into more damage output and sacrificed as much survivability as possible, to the point where I don’t use any defensive spells just so I can run aspect of Tenuous Destruction for the 50x mutiplier.
I haven’t really played any other classes except Necro. But compared to what I’ve played on Necro and the builds I see online, it feels like a damage buff at least to Ice Shards is well warranted. Especially after they nerf Enlightenment to the ground in S9 for those who play the build that way.
Or am I’m just crazy and I missed something along the way? Would love to hear other’s experiences with a full ice/cold Shards build.