HP cluster on the right side of the tree (around acrobatics)

Just wanted to give some input as to hp nodes at the acro side of the tree. I'm finding it a little tough as a shadow to try and get enough HP nodes efficiently, especially on the right side of the tree (near acrobatics). There is one frustrating cluster in particular (below diagram).



It would be great if you could join all 4 8% hp nodes and the 2 12% hp nodes together instead of separating them and forcing me to have to take an additional 3 attribute points to get the remaining 3.

Considering the scion has 9 8% hp nodes and 1 12% hp node near the starting area all joined up together, there is no reason why the above-said cluster cannot. This way, it'll also help provide another link between the ranger and the acrobatics side of the tree.

I'm sure it has something to do with balance in GGG's mind. Many builds would much prefer to go through that life than go through the attribute or charge nodes all around it. Assuming a life build, of course.

Life seems to be discouraged for Witches, and especially so for Shadows.

That cluster not joining is the price it pays for being 8/8/12 8/8/12 and being right next to Thick Skin. Pretty fair to me.

I've found with the rangers I've made that getting to that back path is a pain if you don't want a frenzy charge. You either go down then up or through the 30 stat passives to get through. If you don't need/want the 30 stat passives there doesn't feel like a good way to get there, which are some great passives on that route, designed for ranger type builds.

Even if it means dropping all those life passives to 8% to make up for the easy of travel I think it's worth it. Just imagine if the duelist golem's blood circle was similar and you were forced to take the end or frenzy charge to complete that ring.

imho the biggest problem with evasion users currently is that all combined evasion/max life nodes suck balls, and having one good node (thick skin) just doesn't cut it

I have to agree with Moos, almost all my builds end up taking the frenzy charge or else going all the way over the top which feels like wasted space.

Its just not worth getting both sides of that cluster, its the side you are on, and screw the other one

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CharanJaydemyr wrote:

because let's face it, EV/ES is *shit*.

I disagree with that, but it's quite off topic.

Joining those 2 roads in the tree are definitely a pain in the a** if one is not taking the frenzy charge, but I can find this same logic up near the shadow area, so this is intended I guess.

Now, maybe having an additional stat node in the middle of this cluster, joining both +12% life coul maybe work for GGG, I don't see them just joining it for free.

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CharanJaydemyr wrote:

Now tell me the logic to that! Witches, sure. Casters. Ranged. Typically.

Shadow? You're kinda meant to be the crit hit specialist, and that usually means daggers, and he's all about 'one good stab'. What if that stab fails? You're gonna need life, because let's face it, EV/ES is *shit*.

In a game where there is less, more balanced damage, especially in the enemy elemental damage department, I would agree that ranged having less HP wouldn't be that big of a deal. However, getting into higher level situations where even ranged characters need a bigger life buffer and do not have as many defenses as a melee character (shields and block chance)...it starts to become an issue.

HOWEVER, with that said, I do agree that EV/ES needs some work, and ironically you're better off (IMHO) starting off as a DUELIST and working your way up the tree if you want to go with a dagger build. It might take you a bit longer to reach the dagger and crit nodes, but the starting area is so much better than the Shadow's and you have access to a much superior EV/Armor base. Plus, easier to grab some shield block nodes along the way AND you get easier access to life regen nodes, which make a big difference the higher your level and HP pool goes.

As for the topic at hand...I think that HP cluster needs some reworking and should certainly be connected in a ring. If GGG is thinking that having such 'easy access' to an 8% X 4 and 12% X 2 cluster is 'too powerful' then maybe an extra node should be put in there for traveling purposes. BUT, do not lower the life percentages, unless that extra node either takes on some of the life percentages, or offers something else that maybe Rangers/Shadows could want and consider instead of going around the bottom or through the Frenzy Charge path.

I despise having to take a frenzy and duration node to leave shadow specifically.

As someone else already pointed out, with that 12% node you're effectively getting 3.5 nodes for only 3 points, which is pretty efficient. If linked they'd probably be nerfed down to 8%.

I personally don't have a problem with that cluster. It's only because of the visual proximity of the two life clusters that you're frustrated by it.
If for instance, the other three clusters were visually placed on the other side of the intersection near the wrecking ball notable, you probably would never have made this thread.

Same thing IMO for the arguments about connecting the inner and outer "rings". The duelist golem's blood and the two templar +20 strength notables are the only examples of the inner and outer connected by life. In all the other areas you have to either go around along a highway, go through charges (marauder, witch, shadow, ranger, duelist), or some other build specific nodes (eg fending/legendary swordsman, wandslinger's prowess/breath of rime). I mean, I probably would have taken whispers of doom more often if I could have got there easily through a big juicy 4x8 2x12 life cluster.

I think it's simply a matter of the fact that you want as many life nodes as you can get, and they are (visually) tantalisingly close yet out of reach. There are hundreds of places on the tree where if you just added one link between two nodes, it could make some arbitrary build I make way better.


If you have an argument about that area in general needing more life nodes, I'll listen, but at the moment I think you're all just getting trolled by the visual layout.