Why would you use Arc over spark?

Hey guys, don't mean to complain but I really want to use arc and no matter how I look at it it's not worth it.

Reasoning: Spark does as much damage as arc per projectile, and has a faster cast speed and more crit chance, AND can hit the same target with multiple projectiles as well as hit them multiple times (if it bounces back).

Why does it do as much damage as arc despite its faster cast speed and multiplicative mechanics? Am I being delusional? I looked at Arc history of changes and it has gotten buffed many times but taking these factors into account it still doesn't compare to other skill gems, especially spark, another lightning gem.

All spark needs to work is a pierce gem, and it already is better AOE and single target than arc, and it only gets better with quality on it and ascendancy classes.

Arc really benefits from nothing than pure cast speed/damage supports and its only advantage is the innate shock chance which just isn't enough. I've read some arc build guides and any build can work with enough gear, but being mostly self-found I can't rely heavily on gear to make the skills I like viable.


So would you use arc over an alternative lightning skill and so why?

My response: I love using arc because of its auto-targeting mechanic, but it is not much of an advantage.

Arc is a strong skill. Saying "any build can work with enough gear" doesn't really do it justice, because for years it has been a go-to caster skill thanks to its combination of extreme range, good damage, auto-targeting and lack of need for any coverage support gems.

However, that doesn't mean I can give you a good reason to use it, because Spark feels overbuffed right now (both directly and through the Pierce buff), to the point where all that stuff I mentioned is irrelevant.

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viperesque wrote:

Arc is a strong skill. Saying "any build can work with enough gear" doesn't really do it justice, because for years it has been a go-to caster skill thanks to its combination of extreme range, good damage, auto-targeting and lack of need for any coverage support gems.

I know what you mean, it is a strong skill, until you compare it to other skills. I finished setting up my passive tree for a build and the idea was that arc does more base damage even though its not the best skill, making shocking high hp targets more likely. But then I looked at other skills to see just how much more damage and, to my surprise, it does about the same damage as a single spark projectile. Really did not expect that. I guess I should just ignore spark and use the skill I want but it's hard to justify doing this.

Arc is basically just for QoL. If you're too lazy to spark properly then just go for arc.

Also note that spark needs proper gear, and works better with particular ascendancy classes and skill trees. Arc is fine with pretty much anything, as long as you have spell damage.

There is also one specific situation where arc is considerably better than spark: when you are fighting exactly 2 enemies.

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Arc will chain to a random target within a specified radius centered on last target struck. Arc cannot chain back to the same target immediately, and must bounce one more time before chaining to the previous target.

You need actually 3 targets :)

Arc does not need proj speed + increased duration investment but many skills are grossly overshadowed especially cleave which desperately needs buffs.

It a different skill,t hat makes ur char feels differently, when u play. This is reason enough.

And it doesnt matter, that it may be outperformed by other skills, this will always be the case for most skills in most of their variations.

Same i can ask, why should i self cast any lighting skill anyway? Just use mjölner. Or any spell at all, CoC ftw.

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1337fun wrote:

Same i can ask, why should i self cast any lighting skill anyway?

Orb of storms.

Assassin hardcast crit arc has at least the same clear speed and overall strength as spark. Played with a buddy of mine, he was using this build, I was a well-geared cast on crit cyclone + arc + bladefall + EK (95% cyclone and EK crit chance, high crit multi) and he was clearing slightly quicker than me - the reason being, while I have to flicker/whirling blades on top of a mob and then melt it, he was basically instamelting everything without needing to even target. My build was stronger only against the toughest endgame bosses because I could facetank leech them (he was squishier).

Arc is easy to set up since all you really need for it is 4L Arc - light pen - echo - fast cast, 5L and 6L is just a bonus.

Spark on the other hand needs a lot more work.

Although, Arc is really terrible for boss killing.