Archmage Voltaxic Spark (build update)

This is a build update from a post I made previously (here). The character is not completely minmaxed but the changes have greatly improved the build.

Pros:

* Can run almost every map mod

* Decent damage (7-8M dps)

* Decent recovery/ehp

* High crit

Cons:

* Oneshots (not very tanky)

* Niche build

* Little defences

PoB: https://pobb.in/Ry7YQm8BdznI

Trees: the current one and an experimental non-crit version.

Damage:

The damage scaling is maximum Mana, Critical Multiplier, Arcane Surge effect, minimum Power Charges, and increased damage taken (Shock and Wither).

Arcane Surge is linked to Arcane Cloak (on the left mouse button) and the Divergent quality enables 100% uptime (17s duration). By investing in Arcane Surge effect (190%), the buff grants 58% more damage and 58% increased cast speed (and 168% increased Mana regeneration). Clarity is used instead of Wrath (or a defensive aura) for Sublime Vision's effect.

The Hierophant enables easily getting 6 minimum Power Charges, and the minimum Power Charge cluster and Inner Conviction, grant 72% increased damage and 16% more damage (and 30% crit multi, 48% crit chance and 48% mana regen).

Shock is applied through crits since getting 100% shock chance is more complicated (see non-crit version).

Mana sustain:

The main Mana recovery comes from the Nexus gloves, "30% chance when you pay a Skill's Cost to gain that much", or on average 30% of Mana recovered per second (cost of skill is about 22% of Mana). The Mana Mastery, "10% chance to recover 10% of maximum Mana when you use a skill", or on average 6% of Mana recovered per second. And Mana regeneration which is around 1,5k/s or 19% of Mana per second (with Agnostic and Righteous Fire active). Combined, it's on average 55% of Mana per second (75% on full life). The Mana Mastery is also scaled by Mana recovery rate (36%) to 13% of maximum Mana. The build also get Mana recoup to reduce the impact of damage from MoM (55%). Unfortunately, there are no Mana mods on bow crucible trees.

Note: Pure Talent and Transcendent Mind in the witch/templar socket give a significant boost to Mana recovery.

Defences/recovery:

The build doesn't have any defences other than resistances and 50-60% MoM, which makes it very squishy. For life recovery, it uses Agnostic (60% of life per second) and Recoup (30%).

Gear:

Body armour: Cloak of Defiance for Mana and Mana regen

Weapon: Voltaxic Rift (crucible tree) for conversion and shock scaling

Quiver (feathered arrow or synth): Deafening essence of Scorn (global crit multi) and projectile speed (optionally pierce, stun avoidance). The Shattered Divinity is a good budget unique alternative.

Rings: Despair on hit (optionally minimum Power Charge), Essence of Misery

Amulet: Atziri's Foible (anoint Heart of Darkness) for Mana and Mana regen

Gloves: Nexus base for Mana recovery (or lower tier base), Life and Mana

Helmet: +3 Spark projectiles enchantment, %mana (optionally enemies have -% chaos res)

Boots: +2 additional pierce (optionally elevated pierce, elusive, tailwind, onslaught), movement speed

Belt: life and mana (optionally Life and Mana recovery rate, Stygian Vise base)

Jewels: Militant Faith, Healthy Mind, Transcendent Mind, Sublime Vision, Watcher's Eye, Thread of Hope, large lightning cluster

Watcher's Eye: a combination of Clarity mods (MoM, recoup, Mana recovery, chance to recover Mana)

Flasks: Zerphi's Last Breath (excellent life regen burst), Bottled Faith, Diamond Flask, Quicksilver Flask, Sulphur Flask

Note: my gear improvements are getting elevated pierce on boots, better rings, and a better belt.

Crucible tree:

The crucible trees enables Voltaxic Rift to have additional powerful mods that apply spells. I was able to hit a decent tree with 3 good nodes ( [all useful nodes](https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Crucible/p0kkWEef0) ).

The best combination (imo):

* t1: 60% global damage/20% increased mana cost

* t2: -3% crit/100% global crit multi

* t3/t4: supported by increased projectile speed support and +2 pierce or 55% increased projectile speed/30% reduced projectile damage (or flat dexterity)

* (No relevant t5)

The bow on the character has increased mana cost and projectile speed (dex is also useful).

Map mods:

The build cannot run no regen, and ele curse, reduced max res, and reduced recovery feel bad with Righteous Fire (so I don't activate it).

Improving the build:

Other than upgrading the gear, the build needs more mitigation or defences. I want to try and fit Petrified Blood since it can be used with Sublime Vision (not an aura). It would require getting the Life reservation Aura mastery and crafting a ring.