It is totally different build but it is definitely working. I've notice the other day that out of sudden i do 600+ dmg achievements at level 10. Something modified my arcane combat lightning dmg!bpat wrote:I've also noticed that staffs work very well early but for a slightly different reason different reason. Staffs are really awesome because their accuracy bonus is proc damage.
As it turned out proc dmg affect ALL dmg channeled through weapons. That includes lightning / fire beam spells and any additional dmg that are included in your melee attack (for example dust to dust beam attack from artifact gloves etc and ofc arcane destruction is buffed too). It wont boost earthen missiles and it wont boost low level fire dmg. Projectiles are not the part of melee attack. (@Shibari Thanks for clearing this up)
I've checked arcane blade winners but all of them are using sword / dagger or dagger / dagger. I would argue that math favours staff and staff / shield builds but i failed to prove it
I made a few lightning heavy arcane blades but i simply suck with this class and all of them died in horrible ways :/ Someone with more experiance should definitely give it a shot and make a guide for staff + shield AB because this should be fun !400 base lightning dmg * 150% from dmg modifier * 250% from crits * 400% from accuracy = 6k arcane combat dmg
Add arcane destruction, GWF, weapon dmg, proc dmg bonus on any bonus dmg from your gear etc. I bet you will break 20k dmg per shield offense attack easily.
. Unfortunately, though, they also all have huge resists, but still 10-20,000 dmg was easy to get per bump.