Stop making most average builds need more than 100% life nodes. I'd be fine with 80% life nodes max.

Really.. this all seems really low to me. Maybe it's because I play melee and SSF but I pretty much am in the 150-200% of life nodes. I can't imagine having way less then that.

Years ago when I first started playing, I watched a bunch of "Ziz" videos and I think I remember him recommending 150% to 160% target for life builds on the passive tree. Maybe the OP was referring to that.

But that was years ago. With a lot more flat added life and % Increased life on items now I don't think it matters as much imo. I think more folks just shoot for a targeted total life amount however they get there.

I do believe he has a point though about diversity but I think it has more to do with mana reservation then anything.

Right now most builds running Grace, Determination, Defiance Banner, Purity of Elements, etc. Almost all mana reservations needed for defensive auras. There's nothing left for any offensive auras so only skills that can have enough dps without those auras are viable.

Use to be you took one or two defensive styles, like: Dodge, Block, Armour, Energy Shield and specialized on that part of the tree. It left mana for 1 or 2 added offensive auras that really help a lot of the more marginal skills with dps.

Now I'm not saying the game shouldn't change over time. Some change is good. But beefing up mobs to the point where a player must build multiple layers of defense to survive also comes at a cost.

Finally, don't succumb to the trolls. If you choose not to list your builds as public then don't. Most of these guys just want to build shame. They've got nothing constructive to say.

I must be an anomaly because I've played a life-based Tornado Shot character all league long. I was never a glass-cannon either despite not having close to this "mandatory ~140% life nodes" or whatever. There were 4 pivotal build-gearing progression points represented by the following PoB's.

https://pastebin.com/XWBPdfR8 - 74% life from tree (3-6ex budget)
https://pastebin.com/92xidsPC - 74% life from tree (15-30ex budget)
https://pastebin.com/rLX3XVv2 - 69% life from tree (100-200ex budget)
https://pastebin.com/DDULvpkU - 86% life from tree (3+ mirror budget)

Honestly though, Headhunter/IL buffs carry defense like nobody's business this league. Without them it would still be alright, though.

Yea, they made most starting locations such. I still can't believe they removed life from Ranger.
Everyone just goes around the first 4-5 nodes now.

But, I don't think I've made a built under 160%. General target is 5.5-6k

Does not matter how much %life or defense you have. When you meet void jagaur, you DIE.

I dont really care much on this life%, i have more issue that building fluff on character is ussually not worth it (fluff - uniqueness, weird stuff).

This fluff is most fun part of the build, for me at least. There are a bunch of interesting yet trash unique items/passives/combinations.

It feels like the only variations on great builds is just main skillgem.

160-200% for HC, I'd honestly run anything on SC I've seen really tanky builds with 4k life that feels safe and effective, I've also ripped a 9k life HC character that was just garbage :p there is alot that goes into it.

Only thing i'd say on this topic is ranger/shadow still needs its nodes buffing slightly or an extra wheel adding, its very hard to get to 160-200% on shadow without cluster jewels as the areas are slightly weaker than others.

just checked the 3 life based builds i have equipped atm. including jewels theyre at 197%, 195%, 222%.

another big thing for life builds are vermillion rings,resi are so easy to overcape and depending on the passiv tree these rings with high flat life + catalysts are just crazy compared to other rings

sure iolite and opal rings are very strong too,but they are a very powerfull option if it improves you passiv tree pathing

its simply a balance thing you either take it on gear or the passive tree

good rolled life cluster jewels can be an option too again depending on pathing/value of big cluster jewels for the build

there are options,but a lot of ppl are obsessed with takeing dmg gear/nodes