Strongest single-target fire spell and recommended gem links?

I'm just running a leveling build with brands and so far it's great for mobs.

Sometimes, I need a fire spell which is more single target focused, especially for hitting fortress doors and Syndicate members. I chose Flame Surge, but I'm not certain if it's the best.

Any recommendations?

P.S. Don't mind my messy skilltree and haphazard gem links for other slots, I'm just mucking around and will probably respec for end-game.

Strongest is probably flame blast but Im not sure how well the skill tree and gear needed works with brands.

Flameblast requires great cast speed, but with the vaal skill it would help a lot on map bosses.
If you are crit based I'll try flame surge however. as brand of cd would keep enemy burning.

Else good old fireball lol with slow proj and emphasis on the burning part (more hit and run).

Try vaal lightning trap, it shocks it's a multiplier.

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galuf wrote:

Flameblast requires great cast speed, but with the vaal skill it would help a lot on map bosses.
If you are crit based I'll try flame surge however. as brand of cd would keep enemy burning.

Else good old fireball lol with slow proj and emphasis on the burning part (more hit and run).

Try vaal lightning trap, it shocks it's a multiplier.

I was using Flameblast with Spell totem, but it was a bit slow and I switched to Armageddon brand, worked really well.

In fact, if not for the need of single targets in Betrayal syndicates, I probably wouldn’t bother about another skill. Flame Surge worked really well initially, but after I properly linked my brand, it fell short. Thinking of either linking it proper or just forgetting about it altogether.

I do have a few fire damage nodes, hence I chose another fire skill.

Incinerate seems good too.
Will try a chieftain incinerate one day.