[Oracle] Reducing resistances question

[kmnWolfman]

Hi guys, just reached level 21 with my new char and I equipped him with some very nice jewelry farmed with my Guardian:
2 rings and 1 amulet with "Monkey King's Trickery",
but I didn't notice any improvement in the damage caused by my Ice Shards.

My question is this: is the 6x3=18 Reduced Resistance for 4.0 Seconds bonus too small to show, or something else like it doesn't work with spells?

I hope the bonus is to small because I already have a cold staff with "Shen-Nong's Dark Medicine" prepared for level 28.

[Poinas]

Ice Shard doesn't apply -resistances on monsters. Only weapon attacks do.

[kmnWolfman]

Now I'm really sad .

I think I read somewhere that Ternion Attack is a staff attack, does that mean that it works with reduces resistances?

Hope so at least I can still use my dream equipment, if not my dream spell .

[ConnorK]

Yes, ternion is a staff attack, so anything that is applied to normal weapon attacks is also applied to ternion attacks.

[kmnWolfman]

Using the search option I didn't find anything relevant, so does anybody know a link where I can find what effects actually carry over when using spells like Ice Shard?

Thanks to Poinas for his patience, as I did eventually find:
http://www.titanquest.net/forums/ski...lics-work.html

and to ConnorK for the quick reply.

[ConnorK]

Primarily only items that increase effects by a percentage will affect spells.

So if you have something that gives +x% cold damage, this will affect Ice Shards.
If you have something that gives +x cold damage, this will not affect ice shards.

Oh, and the items that reduce casting speed, reduce recharge time, etc will (obviously) affect your spells.

Not sure about anything else though.

[kmnWolfman]

So no "+10% Energy Absorption From Attacks" for spells??? I'm starting to dislike the spell system in TQ.

[Soranor]

Originally Posted by kmnWolfman

So no "+10% Energy Absorption From Attacks" for spells??? I'm starting to dislike the spell system in TQ.

No such effects work with spells. You can reduce their recharge time, their energy cost and increase their damage by +% damage items, skills and INT.

Energy Absorption works like this: You get hit by a spell and receive xx% of the energy that the monster that cast the spell spent. So yes, it's a rather weak option, as you won't even notice 10% of a 100 mana lightning that hits you.
But don't worry, there isn't much need for mana-leeching like in D2, because energy regeneration and -% energy cost is enough and casters can be very powerful with their spells.

[kmnWolfman]

I was way off with x% Energy Absorption From Attacks, I assumed it was x% from the damage you inflict.
So it comes down to:

Ternion Attack + average amount of x% dmg bonuses + average amount of other melee based bonuses
vs
Spells + maximizing the amount of x% dmg bonuses

It probably evens out eventually so it's up to the taste of each player. Thanks!

[kmnWolfman]

This is the continuation to my Oracle that is still using Ice Shard as his main skill:

I'm using the following items:
1. Stonebinders Cuffs of the Gryphon:
+1 all skills
+14% Elemental Resistances
+26% Elemental Damage
+3 Elemental Damage
+8% Attack Speed

2. Biting Archon Staff of Rime(42-52 Base cold damage):
+19% Cold Damage
+12-21 Cold Damage
+21 Cold Damage
+1.2 Energy Regen

What bonuses actually work on Ice Shards?

Is it just 26% Elemental Damage and 19% Cold Damage?

If so should I use a staff that does base lightning damage, but has better percentages to cold/elemental damage?