This second post follows the state of Allagast across GD releases. All new releases are tested in-game before comment.
Patch Notes
Here is the lost and found for Allagast, based on the build in the OP (which should be pretty typical, insofar as these changes are concerned):
Version 1.1.2.0
- Maiven’s Sphere: 1-3% less damage penalty, 2-3% more absorption
A slight buff in our range for Maiven’s, albeit not substantial enough to change the gameplay experience on its own. Allagast remains too fragile and not very powerful.
- Maiven’s Sphere: 20% trap resistance
A very welcome buff that unfortunately doesn’t affect Allagast much: we already had it nigh-capped from Vigor and Hourglass, which are more or less required. Even so, it does introduce some potential wiggle room.
- Aura of Censure: lost 5% elemental RR
A well thought-out nerf, which unfortunately impacts the already not-so-powerful Allagast. Mitigated by the changes to Maiven’s.
- Arcane Will: 55 extra DA
The buff to Arcane Will, while welcome, does not alter my recommendation: AW remains unsuitable for heavy piece or set bonuses to Allagast. I still feel that no more than 2 points should be granted to it, and the remaining distributed to skills of global utility. I suspect AW is overall more beneficial to battlemages (if you can find 'em :P), high-lifesteal Spellbreakers or PRM/AAR, and the like, who can better afford a hit or two at lower health due to their much faster health replenishment rates.
- SFX: aether-green TSS
Yes, it’s strictly cosmetic, but I have to say TSS looks pretty in green.:P
Version 1.1.2.2
- TSS: 5% higher damage
A meaningful buff that nudges the impact of TSS. It doesn’t alter the general status of TSS (which I feel remains underpowered), but is a clear step in the right direction.
Other relevant threads
Any revision to Allagast should take into consideration potential changes to Arcanist skills or the Trozan’s Skybreach set. Here are threads which overlap with this one:
- Classic sets need more love (Trozan’s Skybreach)
- [Idea] Maybe it’s time to let damage penalty on Maiven’s Sphere go?
- Iskandra as a set for spammable TSS
Discarded from OP
TSS: double conversion
On TSS alone, shift conversions to retain DoTs, making aether spike rather than lightning.
- Convert 100% lightning to aether
- Convert 100% cold to lightning
Discarded because it didn’t work out in testing. We can’t hard-cap TSS and find enough +x% aether damage for the aether component to be worth its weight, at least not without heavy revisions to supporting items.