Logged on for the first time in a couple of weeks since i saw .97 released.

Typical witch nerf. Lost 40% of my dps on my cold witch just like you hoe. I don't see how you can be surprised by it tho. We've been around long enough to know that all they do is nerf the witch class. Not that i have any problems in chaos still but i understand your reasons for being annoyed at yet another nerf to witches.

I then respeced my 2 melee chars and thought it was hilarious that my dps went up on both of those chars. Both of these chars had no problems soloing chaos before this patch and they get buffed? (also still solo chaos easily)

Just goes to show that ggg continues to listen to the idiots that have no idea how to build a character.

The same sad song I've heard since .91, melee chars are week and witches are op. I've had level 70+ melee and witch chars ever patch since .91 and neither was unable to handle chaos.

Witches cleared areas faster but were more susceptible to deaths.
Melee was slower but i only rarely died.

They listen to the melee characters complaining about the kill speed of witches and want to be able to achieve the same speed.

The real issue, however, is not the balance between classes. It is the lack of diverse enemies. You are able to clear areas fairly easily or you can't clear them at all. The difference in mobs is almost no existent. Sure some move slightly faster or slower or do slightly more dps or less than others but its such small variants that its almost not noticeable. Same goes with their hp.

If you want to make the game lasting the mobs need to be completely reworked. They have to be made in a way that players have to identify what they are fighting(i am aware that right now you have to identify reflect mobs but imho the reflect aura is just a gimmick and is just a lame attempt at doing what i suggest) and need priorities which ones they target first.

Mobs must be created that give certain builds an actual challenge. I.E. extremely fast low dps to get to a witch and disrupt spells.... also can swarm and box in melee and pin until the extremely slow mob that can 2 shot said melee char. That melee char must be aware of that big mob and cleave a way out of being boxed to move away from the big mob or use a skill such as leap slam to get clear. The game just lacks any thinking what so ever. You just spam your main attack with which ever build your playing and watch out for reflect. That is about as complex a play style as you need to clear areas.

The attempt to balance characters before you solve the main issue of unchallenging mobs is a complete waste of time.

Anyways just my 2 cents... probably won`t be back again till i see the next patch released.

Hopefully some substantial improvements to the mobs will be made.

MP spear is already the fastest farming method. Your proposing making it easier by losing the 30% dmg reduction from the mp gem along with freeing up a support gem slot?

GGG doesn't improve the witch class, they nerf it.