Holy Caster endgame build TC

I'm trying to theorycraft endgame BIS Holy Caster gear but having a tough time figuring out what items would be the strongest.

Someone told me that spell focus does not affect the hydras because they scale with maximum mana instead. I also didn't feel like +skills affected the damage as much as it would with other spells either, but this would need testing. As of right now, the optimal stats to pursue appear to be %fire spell damage, %phys/magic damage, and energy/max mana. That being said, It feels like there are a lot of items giving spell focus, pierce, and only one of the two spell dmg which feels suboptimal.

It's challenging to find FSD + PMSD + mana/energy on each slot so I wondered if at a certain point should I focus solely %FSD and stop building PMSD? Or vice versa, where using something like black masquerade to push 4 to 6 projectiles could be more damage output than shifting to %fSD focus.

I also noticed that

Hadriel's Lore

Hadriel's Lore
(Paladin Dragon Set)

Hadriel's Avenger
Hadriel's Presence
Hadriel's Pure Heart
Hadriel's Wings

Set Bonus with 2 or more set items:
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
20% Gold Find

Set Bonus with 3 or more set items:
+100 Spell Focus
50% Bonus to Defense

Set Bonus with complete set:
+4 to Paladin Skill Levels
+60% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+60% to Fire Spell Damage
+200 to Vitality
+200 to Energy
+75 Life after each Kill
200% Bonus to Defense

set feels significantly stronger than the uniques I've tried. I have only tested elem disciple + ignis demonia but breaking the set was a huge set back (granted this was before having a replacement for set wep and boots). But the set feels pretty impressive.

If anyone has built holy caster in beta or right now, what would you suggest after the set?
particularly if you wanted to do 130-135 uber dungeons or try labs? Some of this content has different survivability requirements so I'm looking for overall BIS gear for damage output/general survivability.

As of now I was thinking:

Weapon:

Fire Hydra

Helm:

Veil of the Tainted Sun

Veil of the Tainted Sun
Blackguard Helm (Sacred)
Defense: (3042 - 3434) to (3680 - 4093)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 387
Item Level: 120
+(3 to 4) to Paladin Skill Levels
+150 Spell Focus
+(35 to 40)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(25 to 30)% to Fire Spell Damage
-(20 to 25)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(10 to 15) to Pentagram
+(160 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+(500 to 1000) Defense
Physical Resist -6%
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)

Black Masquerade

Black Masquerade
Bone Helm (Sacred)
Defense: (2420 - 2904) to (2622 - 3147)
Required Level: 80
Item Level: 120
+100 Spell Focus
+100% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(150 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+200 Life Regenerated per Second
Physical Resist (0 to 10)%
Requirements -100%
Socketed (4)

Body armor: unsure here.

Elemental Disciple

Elemental Disciple
Light Plate (Sacred)
Defense: (6034 - 7131) to (7246 - 8564)
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 650
Item Level: 105
+(1 to 4) to Paladin Skill Levels
+(1 to 4) to Assassin Skill Levels
+(1 to 4) to Druid Skill Levels
1% Base Block Chance
+(15 to 35)% to Fire Spell Damage
-15% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(15 to 35)% to Lightning Spell Damage
-15% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(120 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
Regenerate Mana +30%
20% Gold Find
Socketed (6)

Dragon's Blood

Dragon's Blood
Light Plate (4)
Defense: (241 - 284) to (487 - 573)
Required Level: 8
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 19
4% Chance to cast level 8 Wrath on Melee Attack
15% Cast Speed
+(19 to 30)% Damage to Demons
+(11 to 15)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 15)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Vitality
+(16 to 25) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (2)
Defense: (806 - 915) to (1526 - 1733)
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 65
Item Level: 36
6% Chance to cast level 18 Wrath on Melee Attack
25% Cast Speed
+(43 to 54)% Damage to Demons
+(16 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(16 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(41 to 45) to Vitality
+(36 to 45) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2057 - 2268) to (3809 - 4199)
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 228
Item Level: 59
8% Chance to cast level 32 Wrath on Melee Attack
35% Cast Speed
+(67 to 78)% Damage to Demons
+(21 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(21 to 25)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 55) to Vitality
+(56 to 65) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (5)
Defense: (3094 - 3380) to (5716 - 6245)
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 455
Item Level: 85
10% Chance to cast level 45 Wrath on Melee Attack
40% Cast Speed
+(79 to 90)% Damage to Demons
+(26 to 30)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(26 to 30)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 60) to Vitality
+(66 to 75) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (6)

Shield:

Tranquility

Tranquility
Paladin Shields
'ZolLew'
Runeword Level: 110
Gain 50% of your Maximum Mana as Defense
+(3 to 4) to Paladin Skill Levels
30% Hit Recovery
+(25 to 35)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(141 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+(30 to 50) to Vitality
10% to Vitality
+(51 to 100) to Energy
Maximum Life and Mana +5%
+60 to Mana
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%

Ignis Demonia

Ignis Demonia
Crown Shield (Sacred)
Defense: (4319 - 5070) to (5198 - 6102)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 782
Item Level: 105
6% Chance to cast level 40 Annihilation on Death Blow
+(2 to 3) to Paladin Skill Levels
+(30 to 40)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
-(15 to 25)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(130 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
(5 to 15)% to Energy
Maximum Mana +(5 to 15)%
Requirements +75%
Socketed (4)

The Collector

The Collector
Bone Shield (Sacred)
Defense: 965 to 1119
Chance to Block: Class%
Required Level: 110
Required Dexterity: 527
Item Level: 120
Gematria
(Bonus per Socketed Great/Elemental Runes)
+1 to All Skills
+10 Life after each Kill
+25% Bonus to Defense
+8% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
Orb Effects Applied to this Item are Doubled
Socketed (6)

Belt:

Fuse

Fuse
Belts
'Mhal'
Runeword Level: 110
20% Chance to cast level 28 Ignis Fatuus when Struck
Adds 38-113 Fire Damage
0.375% to Fire Spell Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(7 to 12) to Path of Flames
+(143 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
5% to All Attributes
Fire Resist +(75 to 100)%
Level 5 Blast Wave (40/40 Charges)

Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse
Light Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (2091 - 2422) to (2171 - 2514)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 120
+2 to All Skills
+(51 to 60) Spell Focus
25% Cast Speed
30% Hit Recovery
+(10 to 15)% to Spell Damage
+(90 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(40 to 50) to Energy
+100 to Life
Elemental Resists +15%
+5 to Light Radius
Socketed (2)

Gloves:

Iblis

Iblis
Gloves
'TyrSur'
Runeword Level: 90
+40 Spell Focus if Sanguine Covenant is Active
+10% Maximum Mana if Solar Flare is Active
+(37 to 42)% to Fire Spell Damage
(25 to 35)% to Energy
Regenerate Mana +(10 to 15)%
Fire Absorb 4%
+10 to Light Radius

Lorekeeper

Lorekeeper
Light Gauntlets (Sacred)
Defense: (1018 - 1179) to (1159 - 1342)
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 300
Item Level: 120
+3 to All Skills
20% Combat Speeds
+(5 to 10) to Firedance
+(90 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
Regenerate Mana +(40 to 60)%
Requirements -50%
Socketed (4)

(note lorekeeper is elemental damage, %FSD only)
Boots:

Binding Treads

Binding Treads
Light Plated Boots (Sacred)
Defense: (2224 - 2538) to (3909 - 4256)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 105
+100% Duration to Solar Flare
+(1 to 2) to Paladin Skill Levels
(20 to 50)% Movement Speed
25% Hit Recovery
5% Life stolen per Hit
+(8 to 20)% to Spell Damage
+(120 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(500 to 2000) Defense
+(75 to 150) to Mana
Socketed (4)

Wake of Destruction

Wake of Destruction
Greaves (4)
Defense: (90 - 102) to (135 - 152)
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 17
Item Level: 19
+(4 to 6)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(11 to 13)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Energy
Requirements -20%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (333 - 369) to (462 - 512)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 36
+(7 to 9)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(15 to 17)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(26 to 30) to Energy
Requirements -25%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (854 - 930) to (1152 - 1254)
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 158
Item Level: 59
+(10 to 12)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(19 to 21)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Energy
Requirements -30%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1274 - 1378) to (1713 - 1853)
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 272
Item Level: 85
+(13 to 15)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(23 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (4)

Spirit Walker

Spirit Walker
Heavy Boots (Sacred)
Defense: 696 to 737
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 120
+1% Physical Resist per 18% Mana Regeneration
+2 to All Skills
+(50 to 100) Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
Jitan's Gate Cooldown Reduced by 1 seconds
+35% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
-15% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
Socketed (4)

Vision

Vision
Boots
'GhalOlYhamArc'
Runeword Level: 120
10% of Total Energy Gained as Life
+1 to All Skills
+15 Spell Focus
+10% Bonus to Spell Focus
-(10 to 15)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(141 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+10 to all Attributes
Maximum Life and Mana +(1 to 5)%
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Physical Damage Reduced by (10 to 20)

Amulet:

Witchmoon

Witchmoon
Amulet
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 100
1% Chance to cast level 17 Mana Sweep on Death Blow
+(1 to 3) to All Skills
+(10 to 20) Spell Focus
+(10 to 20)% to Spell Damage
Maximum Mana +(30 to 40)%

seems BIS, up to 40% max mana. or

Vizjerei's Necklace

Vizjerei's Necklace
Amulet
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 105
+(1 to 3) to All Skills
+(20 to 30)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
(10 to 20)% to Energy
Maximum Mana +10%
+(25 to 50) Life after each Kill

Rings:

Ras Algethi

Ras Algethi
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 105
2% Chance to cast level 44 Magic Missiles on Melee Attack
+(40 to 50) Spell Focus
+(15 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(15 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
-10% to Enemy Fire Resistance
Physical Resist -2%

2x, no question

Leveling one right now, how do the build works ? you can cast only one hydra and while you wait it go off cd, spam dragon jaws ? Also with elemental wisdom, dragons breath and maxed hydra i believe you don't need much more fire pierce and it doesn't seem to be a good farmer, more of a boss killer, not sure tho, maybe getting an fire oskill to use while hydras on cd

gigasbot wrote:Leveling one right now, how do the build works ? you can cast only one hydra and while you wait it go off cd, spam dragon jaws ? Also with elemental wisdom, dragons breath and maxed hydra i believe you don't need much more fire pierce and it doesn't seem to be a good farmer, more of a boss killer, not sure tho, maybe getting an fire oskill to use while hydras on cd

Yes you can spam dragon claws, I usually just walk around and focus on repositioning/dodging. It's a fantastic farmer and Annihilation gives you 160 pierce for free which is nice. The final passive gives Annihilation more projectiles and more AoE/splash based on physical/magic spell damage, so you want to get a good amount of PMSD.

http://www.twitch.tv/etup streams holy caster, I checked out his build and it looks like he has opted to get a ton of physical/magic spell for more projectiles. I imagine he still has good fire spell% though. I had not considered using 2 Yaerius set pieces

This is his build link:
https://clips.twitch.tv/PatientSparklin ... Lnd1hk9G-k