Is there a build that doesn't require item-trading?

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Caessa wrote:

Some builds to stay away from:

Wander

Why? You can make perfectly functional Ele Wander even with white weapon now that Auras and Added X Damage supports are so OP. Other gear only requires life, and since it's a ranged build it doesn't even require much life.

It really depends on luck, or willingness to grind. Suppose you go with the suggestion above to run an arctic armour gem. If you're going to be 100% self-found, for whatever reason, you've immediately cut out all marauder and scion builds. They can't guarantee the drop and it's not a quest reward. If you implement just a little flexibility and are willing to level another character through the first bit of act 1, you can do it. Or you could buy one for an alch or a fusing pretty much instantly by trading with another player.

So if you want to do self-found for a personal challenge, you can do that, but you probably should have enough experience with the game by the time you take on such challenges to figure out your own build. If you want to do self found because you don't want to worry about the expense of high-end items, realize that there are a lot of items and skill gems that can be had for very little cost. (I've spent 4 chaos and an alch to gear my most recent alt, and she's found at least that much value in currency along the way.)