[3.27] The sturdy Ice Nova Templar

This build is inspired by the Svalinn Lazy Nova build, but it has its own twists ... I had a level 99 Templar on standard that was sitting around, actually my second character ever, and I decided to switch it to Ice Nova of Frostbolts in my own way. The build doesn't include popular artifacts like Atziri's Foible Amulet or the Cloack of Defiance Armor, and the general idea is using Armour not Evasion as the main defense besides Svalinn.

PROS:

- Very good Durability -> about 1.3 million eHP
- Can do almost all content

CONS:

- Only decent damage, since Ice Nova was nerfed
- requires Mageblood to really shine

Some feats of this build include ~60k Armour and ~88% Elemental Resists plus the usual Svalinn benefits, the huge spell block @90% and attack block @71%.

I am using the synergy between Gloves, Helm and Boots with armour and energy shield, and the mastery that provides 100% bonus to the defense provided by the body armor. I have a torso that provides 4k armor, and 800+ ES, and having that skill along with determination makes the armour really reach top level.

For the resistances the key is having a Ruby Flask, a Topaz Flask and a Saphire Flask in my Mageblood. They provide +9% to max resistances plus their usual ~80% to all resistances. I am also using a Honored Tattoo of the Makanga which provides +2% to maximum resists.

Most of the rare artifacts are crafted by me ... and they can be improved of course.

I will continue writing the guide, on public demand, but for now without further delay here is the POB:

https://poedb.tw/pob/Ywa4E0TeCO

And optimezed for damage version, still keeping nice durability:

https://poedb.tw/pob/kf7ODWhJR2

Interesting take, but not optimal I think.

I played Icenova for a couple leagues in a row. Back in Necro and Settlers I played a version that didn't use either foible or cloak of defiance, but also didnt use svalinn. In necro I went armor based, but realized it was sub-optimal and in settlers went evasion to allow for suppression cap.

POB:

https://pobb.in/k6h8d5jyFNzr

After Settlers and the icenova nerf, I swapped to svalinn. With svalinn, cloak of defiance is used because the passive skill points needed to path of Mind over Matter excessive, and point usage is very tight.

With your current set-up, you are missing a large cluster, which is a big boost to dps and provides an easy source of life leech.

You also dont have a watcher's eye, which is huge, providing mana regen from clarity, additional 10% MoM, added dps, etc.

As well as missing ailment immunity

"

Piousqd#0073 wrote:

Interesting take, but not optimal I think.

I played Icenova for a couple leagues in a row. Back in Necro and Settlers I played a version that didn't use either foible or cloak of defiance, but also didnt use svalinn. In necro I went armor based, but realized it was sub-optimal and in settlers went evasion to allow for suppression cap.

POB:

https://pobb.in/k6h8d5jyFNzr

After Settlers and the icenova nerf, I swapped to svalinn. With svalinn, cloak of defiance is used because the passive skill points needed to path of Mind over Matter excessive, and point usage is very tight.

With your current set-up, you are missing a large cluster, which is a big boost to dps and provides an easy source of life leech.

You also dont have a watcher's eye, which is huge, providing mana regen from clarity, additional 10% MoM, added dps, etc.

As well as missing ailment immunity

There are ups and downs to all setups, of course MoM on Cloack of defiance is good but ... The upside with this one is almost 5k ES, 60k armor and other defenses. It does have ailment immunity on the flasks.

"

EmpRadu#4619 wrote:

There are ups and downs to all setups, of course MoM on Cloack of defiance is good but ... The upside with this one is almost 5k ES, 60k armor and other defenses. It does have ailment immunity on the flasks.

oof, 2 suffixs for ailments, but yes I see it now. I was just looking for a stormshroud jewel.


I understand everything has a tradeoff, I am just pointing out that I think you have traded optimization for being different. The armor isnt tankier than a suppress setup, and much less damage.

"

Piousqd#0073 wrote:

"

EmpRadu#4619 wrote:

There are ups and downs to all setups, of course MoM on Cloack of defiance is good but ... The upside with this one is almost 5k ES, 60k armor and other defenses. It does have ailment immunity on the flasks.

oof, 2 suffixs for ailments, but yes I see it now. I was just looking for a stormshroud jewel.


I understand everything has a tradeoff, I am just pointing out that I think you have traded optimization for being different. The armor isnt tankier than a suppress setup, and much less damage.

Maybe you are right, maybe you aren't. Try making a 3.27 setup and you'll see a damage drop for supress setup as well.

Plus I do not have top of the top gear ... A helm like yours costs 1 mirror for instance, with +1 max power charges and life leech.

"

EmpRadu#4619 wrote:

Maybe you are right, maybe you aren't. Try making a 3.27 setup and you'll see a damage drop for supress setup as well.

Plus I do not have top of the top gear ... A helm like yours costs 1 mirror for instance, with +1 max power charges and life leech.

You are playing in standard, with legacy choices, but i understand there are changes across the board that came with 3.27.


Yes, that helm is very nice, I corrupted it myself, doing well over 100 foil kitavas that I divined prior to temple.

The budget setup generally used is to use a +1 power charge helm, and a large cluster jewel with doryanis notable for leech.

I upgraded the build dps wise, almost to double, while somehow keeping the durability. Some extra damage comes from finally getting a Haunted By Tormented Spirits Wand, some from redesigning the tree, giving up 2% to all max resist, and some mana cost reduction. On normal maps, I rarely have mana problems. Simulacrum might show mana problems though...

https://poedb.tw/pob/zPKBvnXveI

Annointing Mind Drinker on amulet will solve all mana problems for mapping/simu, and allow you to do mods like "cannot regen mana".

"

Piousqd#0073 wrote:

Annointing Mind Drinker on amulet will solve all mana problems for mapping/simu, and allow you to do mods like "cannot regen mana".

Probably ... I was quite fond of sageguard as it gave 90% spell block, but without it I have over 85%. Anyway I have to change the artifacts, as I currently have too much resistance (+30% over the limit). I might squeeze another extra 50% dps or more if I get good arties.

"

EmpRadu#4619 wrote:

"

Piousqd#0073 wrote:

Annointing Mind Drinker on amulet will solve all mana problems for mapping/simu, and allow you to do mods like "cannot regen mana".

Probably ... I was quite fond of sageguard as it gave 90% spell block, but without it I have over 85%. Anyway I have to change the artifacts, as I currently have too much resistance (+30% over the limit). I might squeeze another extra 50% dps or more if I get good arties.

30% over isnt a bad thing. If you are running eldritch influence in maps you want to get ~60% over for the resist that on targeted by downsides of the alters.

Eater: Lightning/Cold
Exarch: Chaos/Fire

and ~12-15% over on all is always nice for monsters that afflict you with exposure to an element.