Wizard - Builds/Discussion - Page 103

On June 04 2012 15:37 Inflexion wrote:


I did a lot of math over the weekend and figured most of it out. I'll post most of my findings here.

The DPS reading on a weapon is very deceiving (it doesn't show the 'raw' damage of the weapon but it calculates the bonus stats some weapons have - for example, increased attack speed).

A common mistake a lot of people do is 'sort the weapon list by DPS and then just assume that the highest dps weapon is the best.' This is entirely INCORRECT. I'll illustrate with an example.

We will compare two items, one I just found on the AH and the other is the one I am currently using.



This is the weapon I am using corrently. So how do you determine the raw damage of this item?

(1387 + 1813 = 3200) / 2 = 1600

THEN you take the base weapon speed at 0.9 and multiply that to the 1600 to get the 'raw dps' of the item which is

1600 * 0.9 = 1440.0 (which is displayed on the weapon)

(Two handed maces all have base weapon speed of 0.9; Two handed staffs all have base weapon speed of 1.0; Two handed swords all have base weapon speeds of 1.10 - If you want to find the base speeds of certain 1 handers, just look for a 1hander with NO INCREASED ATTACK SPEED as a modifier and it'll say the attacks per second underneath the damage))

This means that whatever Intelligence bonues you have, increased attack speed item you have, crit, crit dmg, crit %, force weapon, spark flint, etc. will be multiplied to this raw damage of the weapon.

So why is this important to know? Because if you're a 2 handed AO/Venom hydra user, then you want to his as hard as possible per cast. If you look at your 'dps rating' shown in the details tab, this is entirely inaccurate reading of your TRUE dps. As a wizard, you will NEVER be able to stand there and continually dps for 5 minutes. That's what DPS is, Damage per Second. The dps rating shown doesn't take into account kiting, arcane power usage, cd management, surviving, play style, etc.



One will look at this item and automatically assume, "Hey, it has a higher dps rating; therefore, it is better than the first weapon." In 99% of AO users or wizards, this is the incorrect conclusion. Let's take a look at the raw damage of this item and find out why this is.

(1141 + 1534 = 2675) / 2 = 1337.5 (wtf? lol what coincidence, it is 1337 dmg... LOL)

Don't forget the BASE WEAPON SPEED of TWO HANDED MACES which is...... 0.9!!!

1337.5 * 0.9 = 1203.75

But wait, how come it says 1493.0 dps? It is because of the 24% IAS.

1203.75 * 1.24 = 1492.65 Weapon Displayed DPS

So which item is better?

Weapon 1 has raw damage of 1440.0 and Weapon 2 has raw damage of 1203.75. As an AO wizard or anything where you are kiting and casting a 1 time spell Weapon 1 will ALWAYS beat out weapon 2 (even though most think weapon 2 will have the advantage because of the higher 'displayed dps'. This is exactly why Dfgj is 100% correct in taking raw damage over > int, generally.

*The 1.12 attacks per second on weapon 2 is simply calculated by taking the base weapon speed of 0.9 * 1.24 = 1.12

*******************************

Do not be deceived and simply choose the highest dps item on the AH, and assume you'll be the best because you have the highest 'displayed dps'.

I am doing Inferno siegebreaker runs with 70k dps and 31k hp using MM with attunement, Venom Hydra, AO with Tap the Source, Diamond Skin, Force Armor and Force Weapon (I can grab 5 stacks and down siegebreaker in under 30 mins, which isn't bad) with Weapon 1 and have these items for IAS: amulet = 15%, 2 rings with 15% each, and helm with 12% (andariel's visage). I am also switching in mf gear before last hitting elites and siege breaker (tyrael + 100k hp templar is completely broken, as even if I die with my mf gear on - I have really low hp with mf gear; tyrael still one or two shots the last few hit points of the elite or siege breaker).

How much IAS you use is truly what your playing style is, how well you kite, reflexes, ability to dodge projectiles, etc.

Personally, I like to be at ~1.50 attacks per second. Doing so allows me to abuse chokes, and with 12% move speed it is perfect to kite and cast AO. When I kite through a choke, either tyrael or my templar is able to tank and choke them up (sort of like a vortex), with my attack speed I am able to UNLOAD all my arcane power into AO which is sick damage. Most of the time, if they get caught in the choke for a few seconds even, I drop venom hydra and spam close to 6-7 AOs and most elites lose 50%-70% AND this is AOE btw.

I also like to use MM with attunement for siegebreaker runs as there are times when I do run out of arcane power; I shoot about 2-4 MMs (which 2 shots trash anyways) and am able to cast more AOs and maximize is OPness.

Again, it is up to you when it comes to IAS. But with AO, get a high raw damage 0.9 base speed item. If you find it too slow, then get a 15% ias ring. If it is still too slow, add another 15% from the amulet, etc. It is always to get a high raw damage 2 hander in 0.9 or 1.00. That way, you can grab items to increase ias if you're too uncomfortable with the speed.

When it comes to 1hander/offhand (which is totally viable as well), I find that it is most useful when in parties and you have a tank and are able to for longer periods of time and can spam MM (seeker or charged blast etc.). I haven't dont much testing with 1hander/offhanders but maybe someone can shed some light on this?

EDIT:

I forgot the mention that my passives are Temporal Flux, Astral Presence and Glass Cannon. This build I am using is specific for solo inferno siegebreaker runs (it is the most efficient for me, at least). Fighting Diablo in Inferno is entirely different beast as boss fights require more suvivability, better escape tools, move movespeed, etc.

Also forgot to show you guys how I got my 1.50 attack speed with my 0.9 weapon.
amulet = 0.15, ring#1 = 0.15, ring #2 = 0.12, helm = 0.12, gloves = 0.14

1+0.15+0.15+0.12+0.12+0.14=1.68

1.68 * 0.9 = 1.512 Attacks per Second