As a Zeus, should I max Static Field or Arc Lightning after Lightning Bolt?
Consider the following scenarios:
Scenario 1: Zeus, level 11, level 4 Lightning Bolt, level 4 Arc Lightning, level 2 Thundergod's Wrath, level 1 Static Field.
Scenario 2: Zeus, level 11, level 4 Lightning Bolt, level 1 Arc Lightning, level 2 Thundergod's Wrath, level 4 Static Field.
In both scenarios, the only relevant item Zeus has is a Veil of Discord, so mana issues should not be considered.
Now mind the following case: A team fight is about to happen, there are 3 to 5 heroes of both teams that are going to participate in this teamfight, leaving the number of heroes of both teams participating even, which make us consider allied damage. Assuming that the enemy heroes are in the level range of 8 to 12, with an HP pool ranging from 850 to 1300, and that Zeus is always safe from disables, leaving him free to dish out his spells, which scenario does the most damage to the enemy heroes in the teamfight?
Things to consider: Your goal is to kill enemy heroes and deal heavy damage to every enemy hero present in the teamfight, so please assume Zeus initiates with Thundergod's Wrath, then proceeds to Lightning Bolt a target and spam Arc Lightning while Lightning Bolt is on cooldown. Also, the enemy heroes are always in range of Static Field and near each other to be hit by every Arc Lightning.
Answers with numerical explanations are preferred.
Note: The answer does not have to calculate Veil of Discord damage amplification. Nevertheless, answers with Veil of Discord damage amplification are welcome too.
Best Answer
I think people misunderstand how much 11% really is EVERY SINGLE time you cast a spell. I would personally recommend you max Static field second, because it is so good to get people to low hp. Even though arc Lightning does a definitive damage and is easier to track. I think you'll find that with them starting at max hp it is much quicker and more mana efficient to just use level 1 arc's and level 4 lighting bolt to nuke them down with the help of static field.
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Answer 2
My favorite build is the second scenario (Static field lv 4 )
Here's a link of a spreadsheet with some numbers : https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiQVCF5pvZNFdDgzVFZvR3Q1ekdXcWtibGhEU19IV3c&usp=sharing
It assume there is only one ennemy with 1200 hp and 25% magic resistance, if your spot some error in the spreadsheet, i'll update it.
I'll add later more scenario if you want, but it depend on a lot of factor like :
- Number of ennemy in 1000 range
- Number of ennemy hit by arc lightning
- Ennemy's current HP
- Mana consumption
I think static field also hit invisible ennemy.
Answer 3
If you're not going to max Arc Lightning early (i.e. by level 10), it's usually advised to not level it more than once at all. Also worth noting is a new build that is emerging which maxes Chain Lightning at level 7 because of the incredible amount of damage it does on such a short cooldown. This is a very mana hungry build but it does insane amounts of damage in earlygame teamfights.
The answer to your question is highly dependent on the amount of health your opponents have. Against multiple heroes with high +strength/level gains, usually strength heroes, I'd probably prefer maxing static field. Against heroes with low health pools who won't impede your casts, such as against an enemy trilane that's not very stun heavy, I'd instead max Chain Lightning.
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