How do you cast your vortex?

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The main problem, for me and maybe this is why, with your tree is that the required jewels are expensive and I’m 49 light on strength and 39 light on dexterity so would have to change a lot of gear or waste passives on might and agility.

If you decide to try at some point...

The cluster jewels provide ~15% of my dps, and a small bit of ES. In that regard they aren't critical. They do provide a big boost in ES regen when clearing, which is nice for denser, more dangerous maps. You can look at jewels with an additional small passive or two and save quite a bit. A Medium w/ 4 nodes like mine is generally a lot more expensive that one with 5 or 6.

My Str is about 10 higher than needed right now. The Dex is really needed for maxing Hypothermia, but you can get away with less if you don't max it out. Either way, it's just about shopping carefully for items with the mods. One reason I didn't go for a Mark of the Shaper + Elder ring is the need to juggle attributes and resistances. It takes a bit of work and I just didn't feel like doing it.

I do think it's a very solid all around build, and I happen to like the DoT style. Another favorite build is poison BV Assassin. It's faster and does more damage, but it's also less robust - which is ok as long as you don't mind moving fast all the time. But other than being faster and more buttons, it feels somewhat similar to play.