Escape shot: freeze-build-up doesn't work

Since the update, (which should have buffed it), the freeze-buildup of escape shot seems broken.
I only build up 1-5% per shot/projectile...on white mobs!
Used this skill in 2 characters as emergency-get-out and it worked pretty well with the freeze-build-up-support-gem.

Is it possible, that something went wrong with the buff and it got unitentionally nerfed?
Anybody else same prob?

Its actually much worse for me. My mercenary doesn't cause any freeze build up at all. In fact, they seem to be completely and utterly immune to the ability in its entirety. It plays the animation and my character jumps backwards, but nothing seems to happen (even though it shows the whole frost nova and everything)

Is there some kind of passive node or equipment someone could accidently select or equip that makes freeze impossible? I'm not even certain if the skill is even doing any damage.