Viable builds without auras / mana reservation?

Most builds invest in reduce mana reserved nodes.
Are there builds that don't use mana reservation & are equal or superior to aura builds?
I feel like the game went from Path of Life to Path of Auras.

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FishThatSmell wrote:

Most builds invest in reduce mana reserved nodes.
Are there builds that don't use mana reservation & are equal or superior to aura builds?
I feel like the game went from Path of Life to Path of Auras.

blood magic keystone builds for bow users to name one.

trader/flipper build

EB/MoM Caster builds that just use clarity

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Invalesco wrote:

EB/MoM Caster builds that just use clarity

Is that really a thing, though?

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CantripN wrote:

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Invalesco wrote:

EB/MoM Caster builds that just use clarity

Is that really a thing, though?

I suspect clarity only is strictly weaker than aura nodes + clarity + discipline. The reason I suspect this is I have as much mana with discipline as without on my EB MoM scion.

Not sure what's your point, you don't want to use auras or reduced mana reserved passive nodes?

If:

Auras, then:
just don't use them, keep your mana for attacks.
Or if the mana is problem, pick up Blood Magic keystone or link your attack(s) with Blood Magic support gem.

Reduced mana reserved passive nodes, then:
Link Reduced Mana (lvl 18+ ?) support gem to your auras, you can run 2 auras of 60% reserved mana per each (Determination + Grace, example) with enough mana for attacks if you're not using Cyclone/Dominating Blow.

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Vesuvorus wrote:

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CantripN wrote:

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Invalesco wrote:

EB/MoM Caster builds that just use clarity

Is that really a thing, though?

I suspect clarity only is strictly weaker than aura nodes + clarity + discipline. The reason I suspect this is I have as much mana with discipline as without on my EB MoM scion.

Well I use acrobatics as well so there's no point in using discipline nor is there any point in grabbing any aura nodes at all with clarity being the only aura in use after all.

No build that doesn't use auras will ever surpass builds that do. Let's look at some examples why:

Clarity: Huge amount of base mana. This can allow for high mana regen builds that rely on things like Mind over Matter and Arctic Armor.

Determination: Gives a percentage increase to armor.

Discipline: Gives raw energy shield with can greatly enhance Chaos Inoculation builds or provide more mana for Eldritch Battery builds.

Grace: Gives a huge amount of raw evasion that can be used for either evasion or armor with the use of Iron Reflexes.

Haste: Additional source of speed. Can greatly enhance few select builds.

Hatred: Adds a percentage of your physical damage as cold.

Purity of Fire/Ice/Lightning: Increased maximum resistance means even less damage taken.

Vitality: Additional source of regeneration which makes a Righteous Fire build viable and workable.

That's ten of the thirteen auras. Huge boosts to keep in mind for the reservation they demand.

You're confusing base mana with mana regeneration (though ordinarily the two are linked): clarity reduces your base mana, in exchange for giving you additional mana regeneration.

Zero-aura builds' main advantage in my view is their ability to take best advantage of mana flasks (especially while leveling, which is the part of the game I enjoy most to begin with): since their bonuses only stop when you hit full mana, you have a lot more freedom when it comes to flask affixes and tiers. +20-30% elemental resists (or +50-100% armor/evasion) for the whole fight? Sure, I could go for that.