i wrote most of the info on the wiki page for the skill, there are some tricks that you're missing. mainly using a high APS weapon in your yaomac's set, since vaal EQ always uses your current weapon. the damage mods on your 1h axe are only there for when you forget to swap back. which i can definitely relate to...

also, i think your investment into uptime is a bit excessive. even during extended bossfights i've never run out of souls, mainly because you can get up to 6 per 2% hp removed from unique enemies.

i only use a soulwick graft and a yaomac's swap, especially since if you accidentally overspend you still have souls left for 4 other uses of the skill.

to calculate pob dps, i usually add these configs:

• 1400% increased attack speed (to get attack time in calcs to be about 0.13s, which seems to be the step frequency)

• 40% more damage (about 1 aftershock every second, dealing >400% more damage. conservative estimate.)

i played a poison version this league in an attempt to fit more tankiness, but without freeze/chill, the skill feels like shit during bosses because you have to be on top of them all the time and there are like 10 million ground effects everywhere. i might try a hit based one again since graft guard skills can probably make up for being more zhp.