Chaos Cubed Occultist Poet’s Pen: Essence Drain/Contagion UPDATE for what I did in 3.10 soon

"

Praeter wrote:

"

Cyrix1337 wrote:

I do not think you will be able to take this specc much further.

Poet's Pens negate the low inherent damage of their socketed spells (due to only 2 support gems) with a crazy high attackspeed derived from the Attack spell (usually frenzy or barrage) with whom you trigger them.

Neiter ED nor Contagion benefit much from hitten multiple times - both spells most damaging components lie in their DOT Damage - not the initially hit. You might see it already at bosses - but it will only get worse from their on out.

Your damage will not increase a lot more with gear withouts some serious 'more' multipliers. Multipliers which you are imo unable to get.

I think I agree with you. I've been unable to test in t15 and up maps in Flashback, but so far it works t12-14 with some boss kiting. Not using blight at all. It was very fun as a short league build.

Cyrix1337, how did you like the pens/arc build?

"

0piate wrote:

I haven't done a Poet's Pen build but I know the mechanics of Essence Drain and Contagion fairly well. Contagion literally does nothing when you cast it multiple times. It is only good for spreading the debuff of Essence Drain which only requires one cast of Contagion. Contagion has no on-hit effect, only damage over time. So if the damage over time is already taking effect, casting it again won't do anything.

The plus three levels on your Essence Drain is no where's near going to have damage comparable to a six link Essence Drain. The only benefit I can see is that you only have to click one button and the Poet's Pen will trigger almost everything else. Maybe it's good if you don't like clicking two or three different buttons every time you attack? I can see how it can help with clear speed when there are nothing but white monsters and you don't need much damage anyway. But this is probably one of the weakest Essence Drain builds that you'll find. You will just make it more difficult trying to kill bosses and level up. And you will probably die more often due to the lack of a shield.

"

I'm hitting multiple times because I have Life Gain on Hit and Culling Strike on my Frenzy, I know Contagion only triggers once :P

Not sure what you mean about only white mobs as in the vids I clearly take out magic and rare mobs in one hit. It was a blast to level and yes, the ST damage is weak, that's why I posted looking for help.