Ikafati wrote:So I finally switched to the Stormclash setup, running the core pieces and some decent crafted stuff. The build feels great, damage is very nice, currently working on more expensive SSUs. However, I immediately ran into 2 problems - 1. Defense is still lacking. While I die rarely, I still feel like it would be nice to pump higher numbers. 2. Mana regeneration. I can cast the spell only for a few seconds before my mana gets depleted, even with mana pots running. Is this solved by harder uber charms which I don't have yet? Cause having 174 fcr and 6fpa is nice and all, but I don't feel like the investment is worth it, since I can't utilize this huge cast speed very efficiently
More or less all of your problems will be solved when geting more charms/ diving into Endgame / getting nice SSUs like HotB:
Defense:
Lifeshield's TCD Bonus is evolving with slvl (15% per) so getting more Druid/all skill charms/gear will boost that part. To utilize this TCD Bonus well, it is important to get high overall flat defense on gear. The core Items
Forest Defender
Forest Defender
Antlers (Sacred)
Defense: (2277 - 2562) to (2474 - 2783)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 500
Item Level: 105
Spiritual Alignment Adds 5% Lightning Spell Damage per Base Level
Spiritual Alignment No Longer Adds Fire/Cold Spell Damage
+2 to Druid Skill Levels
20% Cast Speed
20% Movement Speed
-(20 to 25)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(15 to 20) to Stormclash
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
Maximum Lightning Resist +1%
(35 to 50)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)
and
Nor Tiraj's Wisdom
Nor Tiraj's Wisdom
Heavy Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (2805 - 3315) to (3029 - 3580)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 687 to 937
Item Level: 105
+100 Spell Focus
-(20 to 25)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(15 to 20) to Lightning Shield
+(15 to 20) to Stormclash
+(120 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
Maximum Mana +10%
(10 to 50)% Bonus to Defense
+2% to Experience Gained
Requirements +(10 to 50)%
Socketed (2)
already come with good ED values. If you run a crafted Armor atm a high ED roll is mandatory to boost your total defense. 200k Defense is possible in a standard Storm endgame setup. However the defense is not the most important defensive layer
HP:
Lifeshield provides 100 base HP per slvl. So getting more all/Druid skills will push your HP siginificantly. Jewels with 40+ HP affix are also nice. 14k+ total HP should be achievable in endgame. High HP prevents you from getting in hit recovery that often. Another stat that helps with it is:
Physical resistance:
While the core item + TA trophy only provides 10-15 % PR you have several opportunities to getting higher values here.
Hide of the Basilisk
Hide of the Basilisk
Chain Mail (Sacred)
Defense: (5807 - 6817) to (6568 - 7711)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 120
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
30% Cast Speed
+(25 to 38)% to Lightning Spell Damage
-35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(13 to 16) to Thunderstone
+(130 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
+250 to Mana
Maximum Lightning Resist +4%
Physical Resist 15%
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (6)
is the BIS Body Armor for this build (if you not running Labs - then a gg rolled Nats is better). If you feel you need even more PR then you can try
Angel's Wrath
Angel's Wrath
Chain Boots (Sacred)
Defense: (1625 - 2217) to (1762 - 2403)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 575
Item Level: 120
+(0 to 2) to Paladin Skill Levels
+(0 to 2) to Sorceress Skill Levels
+(0 to 2) to Necromancer Skill Levels
+(0 to 2) to Druid Skill Levels
+(0 to 2) to Barbarian Skill Levels
+(0 to 2) to Amazon Skill Levels
+(0 to 2) to Assassin Skill Levels
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(120 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
Maximum Life +5%
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (4)
with +2 Druid skills. It provides no caster stats but a huge survivability boost (10% PR, 10% max HP - scales well with Lifeshield and the base HP and TCD boost).
A much more costly variant of getting PR is
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)
+
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)
+
The Moon Crystal
The Moon Crystal
Mystic Orb
Right-Click to Apply
10% Cast Speed
Regenerate Mana +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Cold Resist +15%
+10 Required Level
.
Avoid: While 20% from Symbiosis Synergy with Elvensong is the standard on caster Druids you can push the Avoid to 40% + in endgame when choosing Faerie Fire Uber skill. With gg gear/jewels you can cap the Synergy without the Strength factor from FoN. Since the Avoid only scales with slvl and has high dim returns even one point into this skill can provide the additional 20%+ Avoid in endgame.
Mana issues:
25% mana regen on rings and amulet should be enough. If you have mana problems early on use mana sweep on swap from Runeword
Laadan
Laadan
Druid Staves
'VexCham'
Runeword Level: 83
+(6 to 7) to Druid Skill Levels
100% Cast Speed
Mana Sweep Cooldown Reduced by 6 seconds
+(26 to 29) to Mana Sweep
Slows Attacker by (16 to 20)%
Maximum Life +5%
+250 to Mana
Maximum Mana +(3 to 6)%
Requirements -10%
. Use -req jewels on high req gear to put more points into energy. Charms with flat or % attr will help with that, too.
A fully geared/charmed out Storm Druid can spam lvl 90+ SC with only 75% mana regen from gear.
