Storm Mage Infernalist Build Guide

Table of contents

Intro

The Storm Mage Infernalist is a powerhouse of both AoE clear and single-target damage, leveraging the devastating power of Skeletal Storm Mages. These mages cast Arc, which bounces between enemies for widespread elemental destruction. With strategic buffs and curses, this build excels in offense and defense, allowing you to annihilate maps and bosses alike while maintaining unparalleled survivability.

Core Playstyle

The build revolves around:

  • Skeletal Storm Mages for consistent lightning damage and debuffing enemies.
  • Conductivity to lower lightning resistance.
  • Eye of Winter for critical strike synergy.
  • Pain Offering to amplify minion damage.
  • A massive Energy Shield pool bolstered by Grim Feast, providing incredible durability.

This build is perfect for those who want a dynamic playstyle with exceptional map-clearing speed and reliable boss damage.

Skills

Primary Minions

  • Skeletal Storm Mages
    • Deal massive lightning damage through Arc.
    • One setup focuses on raw damage using Elemental Focus, while another is optimized for shock application and Lightning Exposure with support gems.
    • Use two gem setups for optimal results: one for damage, one for utility.

Support Minions

  • Skeletal Clerics
    • Heal and revive other minions.
    • Use one or two Clerics; the rest of your Spirit should go to Storm Mages or other utility.
  • Summon Infernal Hound
    • Reduces incoming damage by 20% and applies Ignite to nearby enemies.
  • Skeletal Warriors (Optional)
    • Tank and apply debuffs if available on your Sceptre.

Utility Skills

  • Conductivity: Reduces enemy Lightning resistance for increased damage output.
  • Eye of Winter: Applies the Critical Weakness debuff to boost critical strike chances for your minions.
  • Pain Offering: Sacrifices a minion to increase damage and cast speed for all remaining minions.
  • Grim Feast: Doubles your Energy Shield pool during maps, providing unmatched durability.
  • Blink (Optional): Offers instant repositioning and minion teleportation.

Skill Rotation

  • Buff: Start with Pain Offering to empower your minions.
  • Debuff: Apply Conductivity to reduce enemy Lightning resistance.
  • Stack Debuff: Cast Eye of Winter two to three times to stack Critical Weakness.
  • Reposition: Use Blink (or weapon swapping) to teleport and reset your minions’ positions.
  • Engage: Let your Skeletal Storm Mages and other minions handle the damage.

Passive Tree

Key Stats

  • Minion Reservation Efficiency: Increase the number of active minions and buffs.
  • Maximum Energy Shield: Scale survivability to incredible levels.
  • Critical Strike Bonuses: Boost damage via critical hit chance and multiplier for your minions.
  • Lightning Damage: Amplify elemental damage output.
  • Faster Energy Shield Recharge: Improve recovery during intense fights.

Notable Passives

  • Illuminated Crown: Boosts Helmet Energy Shield.
  • Ancient Aegis: Increases Body Armour Energy Shield.
  • Branching Sparks: Enhances projectile chaining for Arc.

Ascendancy

  • Loyal Hellhound: Grants an extra minion and 20% damage reduction.
  • Altered Flesh: Adds Chaos Resistance and reduces Physical Damage taken.
  • Beidat’s Will: Increases Spirit and offensive potential at the cost of life reservation.
  • Beidat’s Hand: Enhances survivability further or adds life nodes for flexibility.

Gearing

Offensive Scaling

  • + Levels to Minion Skills: Top priority for boosting minion damage.
  • Increased Spirit: Boosts minion count and utility.
  • Critical Strike Chance/Damage for Minions: Adds significant damage potential.
  • Minion Cast Speed: Improves DPS and smoothens combat flow.

Defensive Scaling

  • Energy Shield: Focus on high bases and modifiers.
  • Resistances: Cap Fire, Cold, Lightning, and Chaos Resistances.
  • Block Chance: Use shields like Oaksworn for additional defense.

Weapon

  • Minion Sceptre: Prioritize modifiers like:
    • +# to Minion Skill Levels.
    • Increased Spirit.
    • Increased Minion Damage.
    • Increased Critical Strike Chance/Damage for Minions.

Helmet

  • High Energy Shield Base: Look for mods that increase Minion Skill Levels and Energy Shield.

Body Armour

  • Expert Altar Robe: The best base for Energy Shield scaling.
  • Look for:
    • +#% to Elemental Resistances.
    • High Energy Shield values.
    • Spirit or Life bonuses.

Shield

  • Oaksworn: A solid choice early on, later replaced with a high-tier rare shield.

Jewels

  • Prioritize Sapphire Jewels with:
    • Minion Damage.
    • Critical Hit Chance/Damage.
    • Energy Shield Recharge bonuses.

Atlas Passives

  • Focus on monster-dense mechanics like Breach and Ritual.
  • Avoid map mods that reduce Maximum Elemental Resistances.

FAQ

When Should I Switch to Storm Mages?

After completing the campaign. Ensure you have proper skill setups and gear with Sapphire Jewels.

How Do I Solve Attribute Issues?

Use passives and gear with bonus Intelligence to meet requirements.

How Can I Boost Survivability?

Cap your resistances, stack Energy Shield, and use Grim Feast effectively.

Summary

  • Use Skeletal Storm Mages for devastating Lightning AoE and single-target damage.
  • Combine Conductivity and Eye of Winter for maximum debuffs.
  • Scale Energy Shield with Grim Feast for unparalleled durability.
  • Equip high-quality Minion gear and optimize attributes for consistent performance.
  • Explore efficient monster-dense map mechanics with a high-clear build.

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