I think i would also choose to use Balefire as main skill and focus on life after kill on gear. The Champions of the sun sound really great because they are like the only way to get resists on your minions. ( From this point in time im pretty sure minion resists% and putting points in the skill dont grant any resists to your minions since this is broken, so dont waste those MOs!)
i Would always choose to use a scepter + shield, because balefire adds a really hihg amount of %defense to your zon and along with balance (and a setzshield ofc) this really adds up (i know its only active while casting, but if you dont cast i assume there are no enemies and why would you need any defense then) Champions of the sun + that rw itself add up to 35% dr, which means that you dont rely too much on the below 1/3 life part. Craft your jewels to get a good amount of life after kill, use bloodstorm or lava pit to kill magic immunes.