Feels like EK could be a little stronger.

I found low-life EK to be very effective for clearing maps while stacking MF (see my build http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/1136535), but it seriously lacks single-target DPS. Atziri and several map bosses are tough with it.

I think either its base damage should be buffed by 50% or so, or maybe it could be given a (limited) ability to shotgun. I don't know, let it hit a single target at most with 2-3 projectiles or something.

Using Life Leech gem on EK is plain silly nowadays, what with CwDT/Warlord's Mark, and CwDT/IC. That alone would boost your DPS by a ton if you start using Added Fire or Empower 3/4 instead.

I'd say over 25K on your gear, which is fantastic for a MFer.

That said, EK sucks for MF in parties since no Pierce. FP or LT are just so much better, or any other skill with built-in piercing or AoE.

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In any case, buffing the DPS of EK alone doesn't really solve the problem, and makes it all the harder to balance.

Thanks for the suggestions antripN. I have tried linking Warlord's Mark to Herald of Thunder, but that wasn't reliable enough. Never thought about CwDT/Warlord's, will give it a try today. Damage is already at 24k DPS btw (haven't updated the build forever), so 35k or so might be possible with a 70% spell damage mirrored shield and Added Fire / Empower lvl 4.

Anyway, not meaning to hijack the thread. How would you buff the skill without increasing its damage? Make it auto-pierce? Extended range?

"

CantripN wrote:

Using Life Leech gem on EK is plain silly nowadays, what with CwDT/Warlord's Mark, and CwDT/IC.

I wouldn't say it's silly. I'd feel really uncomfortable in hardcore without the Life Leech gem, especially since Warlord's Mark is situational and won't work on curse immune enemies. Also, IC is overkill. Enduring Cry is the important gem, and the way that interacts with CwDT may be changing.

"

habkor wrote:

How would you buff the skill without increasing its damage? Make it auto-pierce? Extended range?

Yup, about right. 30-40% MORE Projectile Speed build-in, and 2-3% Chance to Pierce per 1Q (40-60% total).

Tempada, I play like this on 78 maps without ever dying, I'd say it's safe. Sure, with 3K Life, you'll die, but with 5/6K Life and the full Acrobatics and AA? Remember you have Life Flasks, and Atziri's Flask, for backup.

"

CantripN wrote:

Tempada, I play like this on 78 maps without ever dying, I'd say it's safe. Sure, with 3K Life, you'll die, but with 5/6K Life and the full Acrobatics and AA? Remember you have Life Flasks, and Atziri's Flask, for backup.

With 5k life I was often worried without Life Leech in high level maps, and you know how tanky my build is. You do a lot more damage, kill enemies more quickly, and leech more life, so it's understandable that the Life Leech gem doesn't factor into your setup.

I'll revisit permanently losing Life Leech when 1.4 hits, although the possible change to EC has me worried. In the meantime I've been leveling that Dreamfeather character trying to hit 95 before the patch :P I have a feeling it's going to get harder to level characters in the near future with new map mods and enemies and such.

Anyway, good ideas in this thread. I hope GGG looks into range and pierce chance for EK.

One question, projectiles weaknes works wwith EK?

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marco150 wrote:

One question, projectiles weaknes works wwith EK?

Sure.

OK I fully switched to incinerate. Just destroys EK with the projectile tree Im using which should benefit both EK and Incinerate equally well. sadly EK is just junk by comparison. Even with fan GMP/LMP DPS incinerate is way better not to mention it can shot gun and wreck rares/bosses too.

http://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAAAgAAAx4EBwYjBx4IZw18DkgRLxFQEZYWvxslHNwdTx9BIcMnqSsKLKYsvy0fNAo1uTdmRwZJUUmxSshLrkyzV-FaUlxrXfJfKl9qbRl0VX_GhEiGrpDWkyeVIJUumZqbXaKjpyunNKiarJi0DLVItve31sCcwcXB88Nt18_ZW9vn34rjhOkC6rrrY-vk74jw1fKX9vz31_k3-WU=


Another huge deficit of EK is wands can't roll 1% phys dam life leech while Incinerate (fire) can..


Seriously double DPS is bare minimum I'd consider using this skill.

Oh and for those wondering this is will be my final tree for "immune to everything" build


Will run 23 purites and saffels for 100% elemental under flask
Will have a nice 8-9K ES
Will have chaos immune
Will have 7 sec immortal call phys immune


http://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAAAgAAAx4EBwYjBx4IZwx9DXwOSA5cEH8RLxFQEZYV1xa_Fy8bJRzcHRQdTx9BIcMksCepKPoqjSsKLKYsvy0fL280CjW5Ntg3ZkKjRXxFfkcGSRtJUUmxSshLrkyzVdZWY1fJV-FaUlxrXfJfKl9qZOdq-m0ZcLt0VX_GgKSCx4RIhq6MNo9GkNaTJ5UglS6Xl5mam12boZ1joqOksacrpzSomqyYtAy0OLVItve31sCcwcXB88Ntxp7Xz9kT2Vvb59-K44TlGeWO6QLquutj6-TsGOxV74jw1fFs8pf2_PfX-Tf5ZfrS-_U=