Chaos inoculation - how to know when you can go for it and...

Chaos inoculation - how to know when you can go for it and what are things you need to pay attenetion too?

Im making my first CI character. I only play hardcore and self found. So im sitting on mediocre gear. When should I switch to CI? As in... how many ES nodes should you go for before it is "safe"?

Im currently planning on farming my witch to lvl50'ish then switch.


Im also concerned about things that could kill me. I know I need to watch out for mana flasks that spends life. Are there any dangerous skills/supports or other stuff I should be aware of?

Thx for any help! Im scared that CI may be too gear intensive but I was hoping enough ES nodes will make up for it :)

Generally lvl 60+ before stepping into merciless act 3. On standard, I'd aim for 2K+ ES. Hardcore, 3K+. Farm Fellshrine until you are comfortable to switch. Make sure you get used to CI in Fellshrine before stepping into act 3.

As for dangerous support gems, only Blood Magic is harmful for CI. Life Gain on Hit doesn't work with energy shield, and that's pretty much it. Be mindful of stuns and elemental status effects, such as freeze. These tend to kill many CI users. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR FLASKS FOR CAUSTIC MODIFIERS BEFORE USING THEM. Avoid doing unidentified maps without someone checking for the Blood Magic modifier first.

2500-3000 es before discipline to be safe. That will be very hard to achieve with self found only. I'd guess level 63-64 in fellshrine if you find the right gear.

switch before act 2 merci since act 1 doesnt has chaos dmg (except an exile that could spawn)
cruel is ok when you are carefull and use the respecpoints from qs to make the switch out of a few lifenodes into ci at the end of act 1 merci/before chaos dmg areas act 2 merci

On my current HC character I did not switch to CI until after piety was dead and I had grinded docks for a few levels. As long as you take a few life nodes or have some life rolls on gear its very easy to get through act Act 2 merc without dying to chaos -IF- you get help with weaver. That is the only real threat. Act 3 sewers (especially the path to barracks since it is several levels higher than other zones) is also a threat.

3K ES is when I would switch.

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reboticon wrote:

On my current HC character I did not switch to CI until after piety was dead and I had grinded docks for a few levels. As long as you take a few life nodes or have some life rolls on gear its very easy to get through act Act 2 merc without dying to chaos -IF- you get help with weaver. That is the only real threat. Act 3 sewers (especially the path to barracks since it is several levels higher than other zones) is also a threat.

3K ES is when I would switch.

To add to what reboticon said about the dangers of the Sewers, Sarn Slums is another very dangerous chaos damage area. ALL the snakes, of which the place is swarming with, deal RANGED, PIERCING chaos damage. Be mindful of this even when/if getting ran through the area. I thoroughly recommend going CI before stepping into act 3.

You can go CI when you don't fear stun anymore, either because you cannot be stun, either because you have dual totem.

2k es

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Malone wrote:

You can go CI when you don't fear stun anymore, either because you cannot be stun, either because you have dual totem.

Level 87 CI shadow. I have no stun resistance (chayula, unwavering stance) and I fair just fine. To be fair, if I was in hardcore I would probably go with a chayula over my current ammy though.

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KaTet wrote:

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Malone wrote:

You can go CI when you don't fear stun anymore, either because you cannot be stun, either because you have dual totem.

Level 87 CI shadow. I have no stun resistance (chayula, unwavering stance) and I fair just fine. To be fair, if I was in hardcore I would probably go with a chayula over my current ammy though.

Confirmed for playing a build that doesn't require you to be anywhere near mobs.

meanwhile actually playing the game