Arcanist or Occultist as 2nd Mastery for FS DW Demo?

Grim Dawn Gameplay Discussion
1

Hey guys,

So I am currently LVL 34 and have just finished maxing out Brimstone for my Dual Wield Fire Strike Demolitionist. Essentially, it is now time to choose my second Mastery and start investing in that one.

I have seen much discussion around which Mastery is better for this type of build - Arcanist or Occultist.

I was really hoping to reach out to the people that have explored both these Fire Strike build variants for opinions as to which Mastery they believe is optimal or superior.

The priorities I suppose that need to be satisfied are as follows.

  • Highest DPS
  • Greatest Survivability
  • Most enjoyable gameplay
  • Not clunky

Now I know that most enjoyable gameplay is very subjective, I include it in the hopes that, when giving suggestions, that people explain why either Mastery choice was their preferred as a result of X & Y.

Thanks for your guidance, guys. This is a big decision in the development of my Fire Striker and I hope that, once I read the (hopefully) many responses, that I will have a much clearer opinion on which road I will take.

Cheers!

Syn

2

COF + Exterminus is fun for me, I’m not good with mines

3

I really do not want to use Mines. Which playstyle requires that?

So you are recommending Occultist, Dekaron?

Syn

4

Im contemplating between arcanist and occultist as 2nd class for an FS build myself.
I have a 2h ranged conjurer and gotta say that CoF is a really nice skill to have. Large radius and slow and easy to cast. Not sure about mine, but mobs have to step on it to trigger it right?

5

I’m actually playing a Demolitionist, FS based (but with a 2H rifle).

The only advice i could give : Flashbang + Searing Light maxed… This is wonderful ^^

FS and all the line are enough for main attack, it is devastating for packs.

I linked “Meteor Shower” to FS, and “Fissure” to Flashbang.
Then, you just have to spam both…

As 2nd class, i took Arcanist, beacause of Ereoctes Mirror, and Sphere of Maiven, which are two very good way to increase survivability…

Ereoctes Mirror as “panic button” is a great way to neutralize the most tenacious mobs.

Sphere of Maiven once maxed grant a 20% damage absorption, it’s precious…

As a fire based character, I also maxed “Inner Focus”.

6

Basically it’s a toss-up between CoF and Thermite Mines since you’ll need some way to reduce resists. I’m going for Pyromancer because I prefer CoF, Thermite mines are hard to aim properly because they split up randomly, and CoF can debuff a group of mobs faster and more reliably. Aside from that, I prefer Chaos over Lightning as a secondary damage type to Fire (just for flavor), Occultist better supports that.
I do think both are equally viable though. They both have their up- and downsides.

7

On top of what others have said, you can’t apply the fire debuff from Olexra’s Flash Freeze if you can’t freeze the monster. As far as I know, the Curse of Frailty works on evething, even bosses.

8

Thank you for the responses. I think I will go with Occultist as I do not like placing Mines and I do enjoy Curse of Frailty.

If anyone else has anything further to contribute, please do! I love reading what people have to say.

Thanks again, guys!

Syn

9

Why are you guys talking about mines as if they’re part of Arcanist? Just because you have CoF doesn’t mean you can’t also have mines. Their resist reductions stack.

For me, the distinction is clear: Arcanist for survivability or Occultist for DPS.

10

COF triggers Exterminus debuff

11

im using occultist. blood of dreeg is just too god to pass. im at 1,3k health regen@ level 69.
he has possesion as well for damage absorbtion without reducing my damage like maivens but not sure if i go 50/50 right now. atm im 50/32 and its fine. even stronger than the calidor tempest build.