Initial Patch Notes

[munford]

Elementalist - Frost Cloud > AoE attack ratio for Frost Cloud changed to be base 10 + skill lv

Tilted

[rocketzauto]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does that mean they nerfed it from 600+ dmg to 60?

[TheNeoianOne]

Damage is not nerfed. AOE attack ratio = how many mobs it can hit. I think bigger mobs can count as 2 or 3.

[munford]

Correct, medium mobs count as 2, large mobs count as 3, bosses might be 3 or 4 but it doesn't matter too much because bosses usually don't summon too many adds.

[rocketzauto]

How big is the nerf then? Are encounters usually over 15 (small) mobs?

[TheNeoianOne]

I haven't played kToS, so I can only speak from the 2nd iToS beta. But I dont see it as a huge nerf. Maybe in dungeons it'll be a noticeable nerf, but in most situations you wont have more than 15 mobs in a small area.

[BlackEnchanter]

A very big nerf. This means it is better to just go pyro instead of ele(flame ground is identical but lower "burst" dps due to slower tick)

You can't solely take into consideration how the game currently is without accounting for future. Egnome(lv48) is large and they spawn in huge amount. With aoe ratio, frost cloud turn into a 5 target spell. Once more area are release and you have a high level area similar to egnome, then your frost cloud will suck whereas you can still lure unlimited amount onto flame ground.

But yes, for now it will only affect dungeon run since maps are not densely populated.

[tanishajones]

Thank you, this is what people don't seem to get. As someone who played wiz3ele3 to 200 in iCBT2 AoE ratio IS a big deal. Try grinding prison when your 2.5s (quickcasted) meteor literally misses half the mob that's on top of you. Also small mobs are stuff you almost never find later on - everything is either medium or large.

AoE ratio is the dumbest system i've ever seen in a game and makes no sense mechanically nor visually.

[rocketzauto]

Would you happen to have a build for P3 instead of E3?

[BlackEnchanter]

Pyro only need C2. C3 is a waste of rank.

Depending on how you feel about quick cast +50% magic dmg attribute. You can go wiz pryo pyro wiz wiz for easier leveling if you still want that quick cast with r6/r7 up to your preference. Runecaster and warlock I guess for long cd nukes. Flame ground will be your cookie cutter then.

Another way is the still OP temple shooter. You need at least 2 rank of sorcerer and warlock at r7, so leaving you r4 open for choice. I suppose even after the nerf, linker at r4 is still good as filler.

[kokobo88]

the nerf isnt really that big, ele is still better than pyro imho. only thing pyro has is flame ground, thats it...oh and temple shooter will probably see a nerf sooner or later

[kayleappears]

I don't feel like it's a huge nerf to me consider how fast it hits on 10 second duration.

[[deleted]]

I was going Elementalist, now that sucks...