Need advice on elemantalist build

[Eldak]

I just got TQ and I'm working on an elementalist as my first char. So far my char is just level 5 and i've invested 10 points in earth mastery and 2 points in core dweller. What I'm looking for is advice as to what to do next? Should I put more into CD or should I invest in a damage spell? I'm also hoping someone can give me an elemantalist build thats good for someone starting out and can succeed without great equipment.

[Giest118]

Core Dweller is a nice skill to have - especially in Epic. But he isn't all that useful unless you can deal out loads of damage as well. The Volcanic Orb spell is one of the places in which Earth Mastery shines - I suggest putting a few points in there.

Since you're an elementalist, that means you also have a myriad of Storm spells to choose from as well. The most notable of the spells in there is Lightning Bolt - which you can't get unless you invest 16 of your previous skill points into that mastery. When you get to that point, however, the damage can be incredible. But until that time, Thunderball is also a viable option - stunning stuff is always useful.

And don't forget that if you ever want to change what you've done with your skill points, there's a mystic in every major town. (Unfortunately, they can start costing lots of money.)

[Ion Silverbolt]

Eruption is an awsome skill to have. After hitting monsters long range with lightning bolt and chain lightning, throw down eruption in front of you and the remaining monsters will easily die when they come after you. Throw down stone form if you can't run. Eruption only takes 12 sp's as well.

Squall is a great skill to have. It will lower all elemental resistence which will allow your big damaging skills to do more damage. It will also keep your core dwellar alive longer so you probably could skimp on points in him if you have some investment in squall.

Also don't overlook Earth enchantment and Static charge. They boost spell damage as well, not just weapon damage.

[BloodAndRoses]

If you're looking to ge by on mediocre equipment (at least at first) then I would suggest you go cold damage and not lightning, as lightning as rather high cast timers. Lightning does end up out-damaging cold, however, once you start getting some of the higher-end equipment with -recharge times.

Go for Volcanic Orb if you have the skill points to spare, Eruption if you're short. Whichever one you pick is probably going to be your main damage spell, with Storm for taking out enemeis that take it past the fire and/or small and weak mobs.

Eye of the Storm (the Wisp upgrade) is incredibly useful. The Wisp, not so much, so leave it at one point.

If you're looking for a quick way to make it through normal, you can try maxing Squall as quickly as possible. It's a bit of a cheap trick, but the damage and range of Squall scale a bit too quickly for normal difficulty, so if you cast a level 12 Squall during nearly any part of normal, it'll clear the screen.

[Ryn]

To be fair, so will a fairly well maxxed volcanic orb. Eventually.

[BloodAndRoses]

Yeah, but you can pretty much win the game in normal at level 20 if you can manage not to get hit.

Anyway, it's a good place to dump all your skills at lower levels and maybe remove them at higher levels with a mystic. Although then again, Squall remains pretty useful for the life of your character.

[Ryn]

Squall is pretty much invaluable to a caster from epic onwards

All those naughty arrows wreak havoc with your pitiful HP and defence

[Luhkee]

Squall is by far my favorite spell in the game. Nice looks, nice dmg, nice area, nice bonus effects. As for low level, I used ice shard or volcanic orb to get through. Ice shards are effective up through epic. Lightning I found less useful because of the long cooldown. I just used squall/shards. Volcanic orb takes a smaller point investment than shards if you feel like switching out later. And you may definately want to consider upping points in CD by the time you reach act 3 and Olympus since he will get destroyed without a mastery shrine in normal mode.

[Aensland]

Honestly in normal/epic you can get by with sloppy casting of any kind, but -recharge% is almost necessary in legendary, and when you do have that kind of gear you'll be served well respecing into just Squall and Lightning.