Storm Nimbus line

[Hadrian]

I have a question regarding Storm Nimbus and it's interaction with Heart of Frost and Static Charge.

Everyone around here says that the +X% cold/lightning damage from HoF and SC affect everything of that element.

The "Knowledge" thread by Phillip Marcus, however, seems to indicate that those modifieres *only* work on the base damage that Storm Nimbus applies.

Which is correct?

EDIT: For clarification, here is what is said in the "Knowledge" thread stickied in the Spoilers section.


Modifiers

The general rules of thumb for 'does this skill affect that other skill or weapon' are fairly simple.

If a skill is passive, it affects everything you do
If a skill is an activated buff or a constant aura, it affects everything you do (and potentially everything your teammates or pets do)
If a skill is a modifier for a base skill, it ONLY affects that skill.

This would support that, since HoF and SC are both modifiers of "a base skill" (Storm Nimbus in this case), that it would only have an effect on that skill.

Thoughts?

[Lillis]

Yeah, I read through the knowledge thread the other day and noticed this too. I'd very much like to have a definitive answer to this one.

[Hadrian]

Someone could run a few tests I suppose. I may copy my low-level Stormcaller, pump up Ice Shards a lot, then see if Heart of Frost improves it's damage output at all. I'd be surprised if it did, truthfully.

[Prito]

The thing is I dont think they consider Storm nimbus to be a "base skill" but rather an activated buff/constant aura. Hence effecting everything you do. I tried it alot and you can deff notice static charge effecting my chain lightning and squall. (Meaning heart of frost deff also affect ice shards for instance).

Logically for me I think of it more of a buff/constant aura rather than a base skill, but of course this is individually. Its certianly possible to argue that it also can function as a base skill but I imho i think its best categorzied as a buff/aura kinda thing.

[Hadrian]

I think by "base skill" he means anything at the bottom of a branch of the skill tree. Nimbus leads to HoF and SC, for instance. Squall leads to Obscured Visibilty. Dual-Wield leads to Hew, Cross-Cut and Tumult. I think that anything at the bottom of one of these is what is considered a "base skill". I could be wrong, though. I'm going to test Ice Shards with Heart of Frost sometime tomorrow, so we'll see I suppose.

[Prito]

Well its easy noticable that static charge and Heart of Frost actually make a difference hence my logic argument. I fully understand how your reasoning, but if what you say is true, that the bottom branch is considered a base skill, then what are left over to be considered as active buff/constant aura (and being at the bottom of the branch tree)? Are you then classifying all bottom of branch trees base skills and not constant aura/buff?

I think that if a skill can be considered
a) a constant buff/aura then it cannot be classified as
b) base skill. And vice versa of course.

Then the argument would be, is Storm Nimbus an activated buff/constant aura OR a base skill? I personally consider it a constant aura/buff

If I understand you correct you argue that all bottom of branch tree skills are base skills. Then I also asume that earth enchantment according to you doesnt effect spell dmg? But then Eye of storm buff from wisp, does it only refer to its base skill the wisp? I mean most classify that as a constant buff affecting everyone.

I think a base skill is leaning more to the "offensive and active" side as opposed to a constant buff being more "defensive support & utility". Thats how I look at it atleast. Clearly rally for instance is support (effecting everyone), but ice shards are offensive (hence its upgrades only affect shards itself. This is an easy one. The slow effect and pass through enemies clearly doesnt effect rest of your spells nor your arrows).

Try out how static charge affect lightning dmg, its easier to notice than ice shards/Heart of frost. If you max out squall, observe how much hp monster have after 6 secs of 1 squall. Then use static charge and notice how it makes a difference.

[Hadrian]

After some testing, Prito is indeed correct. My max hit with Ice Shards prior to putting 3 points into Heart of Frost was 56. Afterwards, with everything else held equal, my max jumped to 69.

Thanks for the help Prito. I had never really played with Nimbus before, I guess because I misunderstood it. Now I think it's much better than before, and I'll devote some points to it for sure.

Cheers.

[Prito]

Glad I could help!

I think ice shards are fun, but i wish they got some bump up in dmg personally. I even tried it with warfare / storm (to wear 2 x Perseon Caress with +110% cold dmg each and +100 regen per sec!). Yes it clears good, but unfortunately it pails in comparison to -100recharge and chain lightning.

cheers
Prito

[szuko]

Hi ;)
hey... what crazy comments!
what do U consider about it?

[Infares]

Hi ;)
hey... what crazy comments!
what do U consider about it?

If you're one of the guys that's been spamming crap, I consider the crazy comments to be worthless crap.

[Batman]

OK, I am going to have to close this thread as we have deleted 9 spam posts in a thread that only has 10 posts in total.
Plus, it seems as though the topic was dead anyways.

THREAD CLOSED