every zakul build comes down to TSS + shadowstrike. the whole Siphon Soul + TSS combo on this set is completely underpowered and disappointing in SR settings compared to just using it for another shadow strike build.
Such a thematically fitting build, cold necromanacer with big frost damage, always lacked presence in GD, and this set is supposed to fulfill that. it’s so close, with just buffs on siphon soul part of the set can lift this to a viable level.
+1
I have been thinking about doing such a build myself, but I keep getting “distracted” but the next new shiny build.
Or those times GD Stash screws up a build rename and I get to spend the next 30+ minutes trying to rez the build 
Dont understand why they removed the slow build of Onslaught stacks from the Full Set bonus - its not like it was OP wow especially with the upcoming nerf to how much % each Stack adds as damage.
This should be reverted really, build was quite good but in no way OP or anything especially with the amount of perfect MIs it required.
It doesn’t require perfect MIs to get within 90% of peak output, and the only thing that benefits greatly from double rare are the loxblades.
Sub 30s ravager without TDM pot on a highly mobile setup was a reasonable nerf callout. Best to peel off the global bonuses and focus on the skills that are underperforming.
Dude it is a glassy mobile build and lets stop with the Ravager timing - this doesnt represent end game which is 95% full altar rogue like/Dread farm.
Playing a Zakull spellbreaker - most of the time I have 1-2 stacks accumulated before attacking - I actually never seem to just wait for the stacks to get to 5 then attack - it actually slows down the gameplay loop but for example on the Dread - you can kite him and get the stacks before SS then disengage etc.
Just saying that full set bonus was really unique without breaking anything - now we get 18% dmg reduction which is pointless considering you have a base line potion for 20% reduction.
At least add some Cold/Frostbite dmg to the Set bonus as well!
Between Maiven’s, the good armor values that are now typical with Siff rings plus good chariot uptime, and the luxury of phys res tuning on cold builds in present GD spellbreakers are more an average representation of durability even without a %DR source. And PTR is nerfing the threat presented by full altar ascendant.
On live patch, full altar nemesis farm is rather trivial for a fully geared Zakull SS build. Most simply die before they can use their dangerous attacks, and the trash clear for summoning the nems is above average.
If it’s deemed that shadow strike absolutely needs the damage the onslaught was providing it’s better for it to show up elsewhere - benefitting all SS builds - rather than further loading up the set.
Shadow Strike doesn’t do a lot for Spellbinder though.
Indeed damage comes mostly from Frostburn
so buff the non SS skills / skill mods, don’t look to global buffs?
I personally don’t play shadowstrike so i can’t speak of it.
but the siphon souls + TSS half of this set is so bad they could just quadriple on the changes they have on PTR and it still wont be as good as the shadowstrike half of the set.
TSS sucks but the main source of dmg for this build is Frostburn damage, not the comet hit itself. But in general TSS is in need of intervention outside of Frostburn which is in a good spot.
The damage difference of TSS between having it with rank 10 or maxed is so miniscule in the endgame that it is no wonder most Zakull builds have 1 point in there and max the Frostburn skill instead.
Why is it that TSS is in such a terrible state, yet there’s no attempt to enhance its base damage? Melee builds like Warder can clear 3637 far more safely and quickly.
They keep releasing the same Frostburn idea for the skill without exploring any of its other uses. The fact that there is lightning damage node on the skill with no support from items says enough.
Edit: I mainly mean that even tho TSS got a lot of associated items this expansion, all of its 3 nodes still feel very bad to put points into