DISCLAIMER
This is the first time ever, when I post a build on these forums, so, please, don’t be shy and bash the shit out of it.
And yes, purple is indeed my favourite colour. Which is probably the most significant reason why I thought I would give it a try.
INTRO
It is quite well known, that since rework Iskandra’s set was a very controversial topic and more often than not regarded as “underperforming” by many users:
I thought so too and even whined in dedicated threads about it. But since I mostly play Magehunter, I thought: “I always wanted to run a Druid with TSS set. But I’m too lazy. Now, this is clearly basically a TSS set for Magehunter or Sorcerer, so why not give it a try?”
The general thought process:
Iskandra is a damage oriented set with average damage, close to zero AoE and zero sustain.
BUT it has a nice built-in 75% aether-to-elem conversion.
- Crates buffed Arcane Currents devotion recently and now it is super-good, especially if you can convert elem or aether.
- Phoenix has aether and fire damage - lets take it too.
- Sage - decent for elem build. Check.
- Now I need sustain: Reign of Ice and Fire rings will suit nicely with its recently buffed procs.
- And probably some % weapon damage component for additional lifesteal. Seal of Destruction or Skies suits the build the most, having a good %WD and EPIC proc chance of Arcane Currents, though, Seal of Night might do as well (see appendix).
That’s already something, right?
And here’s what I’ve got after a few hours of testing:
GRIMTOOLS
Feel free to remove 40 points from spirit and put them into physique. The build doesn’t have any mana problems whatsoever - I just love spirit and put it into all my builds.
PROS
- Built-in powerful aether-to-elem conversion opens up options for some incredibly stronk aether-elem devotions like Attak Seru. Which partially solves the lack of sustain damage and AoE.
- Buffed Reign of Ice and Fire rings provide somewhat decent sustain.
- Seal of Skies or Seal of Destruction procs Arcane Currents really fast and also helps a little with sustain.
- Well, as per expected from TSS build – SPIKE DAMAGE. 400k crits are quite common in Crucible. 15% CDR reset serves as a “double crit”, and easily blows up to 1.5-2M of boss hp. And thanks to the respectable amount of native offensive ability from partial Eastern set, the crit chance is really massive.
- Surprisingly for an arcanist set, Iskandra has relatively decent protection, featuring 15% Phys resistance, 50% Slow resistance and quite respectable amount of resistances.
CONS
- Well, the build still lacks AoE, despite having Sage and Attack Seru. TSS just being TSS, bois. And this is the most significant of its disadvantages, IMO.
- Despite playing an elem build, and not having to worry much about resistances, the lack RR is probably the second most significant disadvantage of this build. Native 15% from the book is nice, but not enough. Elem Storm and Aura of Censure helps, but book’s RR could have been 25% at least.
- Aura of Censure - I couldn’t decide where to put it, as it’s both the blessing and the curse. It’s just too good to skip, as it provides so desperately needed RR and enemy damage reduction. But at the same time, it block us from taking the ungodly Star Pact.
- Sustain is oka-ish with rings and %WD from component, but could have been better, of course.
- As expected from Arcanist, build kinda lacks defensive ability and health. You can face-tank most of the combos in cruci, but expect to kite a little bit when 2 Reapers and Fabius come to join the party.
VIDEOS
- MAD QUEEN 8s
- CRUCIBLE 7:28, (4 buffs, 1 banner)
Which is quite comparable to Dmt’s TSS/Cataclysm Druid, displaying 7:09 time pre-Cataclysm nerf.
Also, I’m a relatively new to piloting Crucible solo, so I’m pretty sure, that 7:28 is not the best time one can achieve with this Iskandra build.
CONCLUSIONS
- While certainly Iskandra rework could have been a little more interesting, than yet another TSS set – it’s not as horrible and useless, as people think. In fact, it’s quite comparable to the Druid’s TSS set in clear time and survivability.
- On a Sorcerer with Star Pact and Thermites it will likely achieve even better clear times (while probably being a bit more squishy, though).
- Any real complaints should be directed towards Trozan’s Sky Shard skill itself, and not the sets, that support it. Despite all the recent buffs, the skill is in quite poor condition, relatively to other nukes (e.g. Devastation, kek)
Well, that’s it. Thanks for reading. And, as was mentioned earlier, bashing is welcomed. Choke me harder, daddy 
APPENDIX (EDIT)
After even more testing, both Seal of Destruction and Skies appeared to be similar in performance. Whele both are slightly superior to the Seal of Night.
Despite SoN having more dps on its own (only in melee range), SoD and SoS result in overall similar damage output (probably due to more useful stats), while having vastly superior Area of Effect. And, since Spikes miss quite often, SoD also provides more %WD overall and, in the end, more lifesteal sustain.
