RF + Three Dragons + Flame Surge... Your thoughts?

So here's where I am currently: The design is done, the gear and character level aren't quite where I want them (char level 72). I'm at a point where I've hit a rough patch with gearing and have used up most of my funds (especially my chromatics). I'm wondering if you guys think the build is worth continuing. I'm thinking it will be worth it once I have my links and shit taken care of but second opinions could motivate me to push harder and gain those levels (or could convince me that the char is not worth it, I suppose). Tips are always welcome too!

Anyway, the build is based on the synergy between Righteous Fire, The Three Dragons and Flame Surge. RF boosts Flame Surge's damage both through the burning damage and through the extra spell damage. Flame Surge can't ignite, but with the Three Dragons, it can shock to increase damage for both RF and Flame Surge itself. Using a quality Added Lightning Damage gem gives flame surge a flat shock chance, as well as some lightning damage for a (somewhat short duration) freeze.

I started with ZiggyD's RF build and made some small changes to incorporate Static Blows. Also since I'm using Flame Surge, Elemental Equilibrium doesn't work with this build. The build has 296% life but I have a couple changes in mind to add more if I decide that it is ultimately needed.


Another thing is that I refuse to snapshot and really wanted this build to work without it. That's why when I list my gear, there won't be any snapshotting gear.

Gems are listed inside the spoiler tags.

Needs 3 red sockets. Currently over 800 chromatics in, but I am pretty fucking stubborn and have it set in my head that eventually I will RRR this. So I'm hoping it happens before I COMPLETELY wipe out my bank. The dagger is pretty much perfect. Global crit implicit helps Flame Surge shock. The attack speed makes whirling blades pretty fast. The +3 fire gems will give me a high level Purity of Fire (higher as I level/vaal the gems... I want to say 28 is the max I can get out of this). Getting those three red sockets though... *sigh*


RotP, obviously. That RGG was a bitch to get too, but I needed whirl/faster attacks/blood magic.


6L Carcass. Currently using my old 5L (Linked my backup today... was expecting 5L but got lucky) until I find the chromatics to color the new one. Not 100% sure on what supports I want to run on Flame Surge. I know currently I have to watch how much I use it or my life drops pretty hard. However I also have a decent amount of life left to pick up on the tree. I'm not sure if I'll ultimately need life leech or not. I'm also not sure if I should use concentrated effect or increased crit chance. Will base crit chance + 20/20 added lightning give me reliable shock stacks without the crit support? Conc is one I actually just thought about while typing up this thread. Without conc, it has much more range than RF so I assume that I'll be fine with conc but I'm not sure. I'm also not sure if it'll give me more DPS than having more frequent shock stacks.


Three Dragons obviously. RF in a 4L because IIR isn't really a big deal to me.


Decent pair of gloves. It was near the end of the league and they had nice life + tri res... So I exalted the +8 EV onto them. :( Oh well. Win some, lose some.


Yeah, I know, trying to get 4 off colors is gonna be a bitch. That's why I haven't even bought an extra pair yet. Those backup boots (the same except for quality) I found in my 1c recipe page... Not sure why the fuck I had them there but meh. Anyway, even with no res from boots, I'm still at 100+ all res. With Atziri I'll have 700 armor, 75 life, 30 movespeed and some spell dodge. I dunno about you but the idea of spell dodge with Iron Reflexes really turns me on ;) Also I won't be running dual curses unless I corrupt an amulet with +1 curse, so I don't actually need RRBB unless that happens. I can go RRBX until then. EDIT: And actually I don't really HAVE to have Searing Bond either, since Flame Surge can take care of anything that RF wouldn't be able to kill, so honestly all I really need is RBXX for now.


Nothing special. Bought all of them fairly cheap. The unset came vaaled, but the gold was my own fail vaal. :(

So, Marauder Forums, what are your thoughts?

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120 views, no comments. Harsh!

The idea is neat, because it means you would cumulate the more spell damage multiplier from the righteous fire and the one from the flame surge. Have you made any progress with this build ? I would enjoy to see how well it goes on maps =)

I wonder if you'd be able to shock well with the Three Dragons + Static Blows though... Another problem is the lack of elemental equilibrium, which would not work with static blows but adds a tremendous amount of damage to RF. You could still use a CWDT + Ice Nova or self casted Ice Nova (with blind ?) and switch between it and flame surge I think.

As for the defences. Shiton of life + armour ? How much armour can you manage to get with this setup actually ? (I mean with Iron Flesh + items + grace it's ok, but Physical Damage might still be an issue IMO, so you could get endurance charges and run with IC).

Why is it so critical to put the purity of fire gem in that sword? You have spent upwards of what - 10 exalts - for 1% additional max fire resists plus 7% extra fire resist before cap and 8% extra radius of the aura? Really, not sure about bang for the buck here.