[2.6] Detonate Dead Elementalist (HC viable, life-based, zero budget needed and pretty hipster)

***3.0 update: The general consensus is that burn damage is dead, so I don't know if this build will work after the update. That said, DD was believed to be dead a long time ago, but I still thought it's quite ok. I didn't have access to beta, so I'll have to wait until the patch is deployed and test it out then. I will try to make it work, but I cannot give a guarantee.***

Hey,

ToC:
1.) Introduction
2.) Pros and Cons
3.) Gear and video
4.) Gear priorities
5.) Links
6.) Tree and leveling
7.) Tip for people that really wanna do Atziri or Lab runs

1.) Introduction
I'm playing a DD build in Legacy HC and wanted to share it, because I think it's pretty fun. It's not "clearspeed meta" crazy, but that means you probably won't die to Bearers on the upside. I'll just say what everyone is thinking: Yes, CI Flameblast would be faster, but it's also more boring and it costs more currency to get started. This build is made for new leagues or SSF or to just take a breath and relax while blowing stuff up with corpses.

2.)
Pro:
+ SSF viable because cheap
+ very forgiving due to being tanky without going CI
+ can do all map mods
+ reflect is a non-issue*
+ active playstyle
+ good damage scaling, because we do damage based on enemy HP
+ awesome for breaches (check the end of the video)
+ Decoy Totem

*DD gem states that the damage is not reflected, so blast away!

Soso:
~ not a lab runner (doable but takes long because of Izaro's life pool is huge opposed to the mobs in lab)
~ not an Atziri runner (doable, but Atziri is ignite immune, so it will take longer)

Con:
- doesn't clear Shaped Strand in 1.5 minutes
- clearspeed sometimes limited by the CD of Desecrate
- Uber/Shaper not doable
- Guardians probably not doable (Phoenix not doable for sure)

3.) Gear and video

Shaped Arachnid Tomb (I am not ele weakness capped in fire)





4.) Gear priorities
In general:
Resistances (until 169% in hideout)>Life>Strength/Mana>Armor>Stats>ES

Weapon:
Only elemental and fire damage as spell damage does NOT work on DD! Don't get a weapon with "Adds fire damage to spells" as this will screw your Elemental Equilibrium! Best in slot is Doryani's by far.

Boots:
Movement speed is the most important. I would drop a life roll for 30% ms.

5.) Links
6L (in order or importance): DD + Chance to Ignite + Fire Pen + Increased AoE + Conc Effect + Faster Casting/Increased Burning Damage
4L: CWDT(low level) + Inc Duration + Immortal Call + Vortex
4L: Orb of Storms + Increased Critical Strikes + Curse on Hit + Flammability
3L: Flame Dash + Desecrate + Faster Casting (you can also use Shield Charge with Faster Attacks*, but link Desecrate to Faster casting it's much nicer)
Wherever: Arctic Armour, Clarity, Lightning Golem, Flame Golem, Decoy Totem

*make sure you don't have gear with "Adds fire damage to attacks" in this case!

General playstyle:
Move, see mob cluster, cast Desecrate, cast DD, move to next. On bosses or tough rares, drop the Decoy Totem, run near him, drop Orb of Storms and then Desecrate + DD.

6.) Tree and leveling
I leveled with Firestorm into as Dual Flameblast Totem rushing Elemental Overload and Ancestral bond, then I picked the Templar AoE and life nodes.
Tree around lvl 30

Pick MoM, get Constitution and some Damage.
Tree around lvl 50

More Life and AoE and some damage.
Tree around lvl 70

At this point you should get your ascendancies up to Merciless. I did merci lab at 68 with around 3.5k life and it wasn't a problem. After that, you can switch to DD, even in a 4L. If the damage is too low, swap Increased AoE for Conc Effect.
Tree after swapping to DD

Endgame, get all the life and jewels
Endgame tree

7.) Tip for the brave people:
Atziri should be easy if you know the fight. Vaals and Trio are ignitable so they are easy. For Atziri herself, swap Chance to Ignite to Elemental Focus. It will still take longer than other bosses, but if you know the mechanics you should be ok.

Izaro is a really long fight with this build, be prepared to kite, use your Decoy Totem a lot. No gem swaps needed here, because ignite still works. You can swap the gem for Argus as he is immune to ignite.


Have fun!

Hey, this looks fun. Does anything need to be changed for the current patch?