Difference between revisions of "Archon"
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− | [[File: | + | [[File:IconArchon.png|left]] |
− | '''Archon''' is a [[Wizard skill]] | + | '''Archon''' is a Mastery [[Wizard skill]] unlocked at [[clvl|Level]] 30, which transforms the Wizard into a being of pure energy. While in Archon form, the Wizard has access to a powerful set of unique Archon skills. |
+ | |||
+ | Archon form is the most damaging spells and attacks possible for the Wizard. The DPS output is massively increased and it's a great way to transform and take on [[Elites]] in the higher difficulty levels. It is not exactly a [[panic button]] though, in the way that the Barbarian's [[Wrath of the Berserker]] transformation is, since the primary boosts for the Wizard are offensive, not defensive. You can quite easily die while in Archon form, and the limited skills available decrease the Wizard's strategic options considerably. | ||
+ | |||
<br><br><br>__TOC__ | <br><br><br>__TOC__ | ||
+ | ==Background== | ||
+ | [[File:Archondisintegrate2.png|thumb|200px|Archon in action.]] | ||
+ | Calling upon the most powerful elemental forces, the Wizard channels the power of an Archon, gaining a set of unique skills and a massive damage increase for a short period of time. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==Skill Rune Effects== | ||
+ | Refer to the [[Archon rune effects]] article for thorough descriptions of all five rune effects in this skill, including screenshots, videos, strategy tips, and other related information. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | {{skill description header}} | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard">Archon</skill> | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard" rune="Combustion">Archon</skill> | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard" rune="Teleport">Archon</skill> | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard" rune="Pure Power">Archon</skill> | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard" rune="Slow Time">Archon</skill> | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard" rune="Improved Archon">Archon</skill> | ||
− | == | + | ===Archon Abilities=== |
− | + | The following abilities are only available while in Archon form. Other normal Wizard skills can *not* be used while in Archon, so there is a trade off to this form; much higher damage, but with a limited variety of offensive skills, and little or no defensive/movement skills. | |
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+ | {| width="100%" style="border-collapse: collapse;" | | ||
+ | | width="200px" | [[Arcane Blast]] | ||
+ | | {{c_gold|Cooldown:}} {{c_lime|5}} seconds<br><br>Release an explosion of pure energy dealing {{c_lime|115%}} weapon damage as Arcane to all nearby enemies. | ||
+ | * Available with all Archon skill runes. | ||
+ | * Can be cast during and does not interrupt Disintegration Wave. | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Arcane Strike]] | ||
+ | | Strike the ground in front of you, causing {{c_lime|250%}} weapon damage as Arcane to enemies in the area. | ||
+ | * Available with all Archon skill runes. | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Disintegration Wave]] | ||
+ | | Thrust a beam of pure energy forward dealing {{c_lime|300%}} weapon damage as Arcane. | ||
+ | * Available with all Archon skill runes. | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Slow Time (rune effect)]] | ||
+ | | {{c_gold|Cooldown:}} {{c_lime|20}} seconds<br><br>Project a bubble of warped space and time that moves with you, slowing the movement and attack speed of enemies by {{c_lime|40%}} and the speed of projectiles by {{c_lime|60%}} for {{c_lime|10}} seconds. | ||
+ | * Available only with the [[Slow Time (rune effect)]]. | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | [[Teleport (rune effect)]] | ||
+ | | {{c_gold|Cooldown:}} {{c_lime|10}} seconds<br><br>Teleport through the ether to the selected location up to {{c_lime|20}} yards away. | ||
+ | * Available only with the [[Teleport (rune effect)]]. | ||
+ | |} | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | ==Skill | + | <!-- |
+ | ==Skill Design== | ||
Unknown. | Unknown. | ||
+ | --> | ||
+ | ==Synergies== | ||
+ | The following [[Wizard passives]] provide a benefit to Archon, runed or not: | ||
+ | {{skill description header}} | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard">Evocation</skill> | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard">Glass Cannon</skill> | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard">Temporal Flux</skill> | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard">Critical Mass</skill> | ||
+ | <skill class="Wizard">Arcane Dynamo</skill> | ||
− | == | + | ==Development== |
− | + | '''Archon''' was first seen at the [[July 2011 Press Event]], where it was a level 29 skill. Unfortunately, no information about the skill's function was available at the time. | |
+ | |||
+ | ===BlizzCon 2011 Arena Demo=== | ||
+ | The skill was first available to players in the BlizzCon 2011 PvP Arena demo. The Eliminator talked about some of the Archon skills in his PvP demo report:[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzcon-2011-pvp-demo-the-wizard] | ||
− | + | <blockquote>''The most popular skill in Archon form was the Beam. It worked just like a much more damaging Disintegrate, though it had a shorter range. I don’t know if the skill does critical hits, because I can’t remember ever seeing any when I used it. The beam did do a low of 900 to a high 1300 a second. That was without things being hit by Arcane Torrent or being Frozen by Frost Nova. If they had either debuff on them they died fast.</blockquote> | |
− | '' | ||
− | |||
− | + | The Eliminator also shared some general advice: | |
− | |||
− | '' | + | <blockquote>''It only took one encounter with an Archon to know you don’t want to mess with a healthy one solo. One that was at about half health would go down rather fast from a WoTB Barb and a few Hammers. An Archon Wizard really felt like a game changer, but they weren’t unbeatable if you dealt with them quickly, and since the Wizard does not have Teleport in Archon form, they could be avoided as well.</blockquote> |
− | Archon form | ||
− | + | That demo presented a souped up version of Archon, with Slow Time and Teleport both available. In the release client, these are only enabled by rune effects, and players can not have both at once, forcing a more discrete choice between defensive or movement capabilities. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | == | + | ===Beta=== |
− | + | {{Beta skill notes}} | |
+ | With the Patch 13 changes, Archon was classified as a Mastery skill and moved to level 30. | ||
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Archon can be seen in action on video here: | Archon can be seen in action on video here: | ||
* [[Skill Animations Videos#Wizard Video|Video: August 2011 Wizard Skill Animations]] | * [[Skill Animations Videos#Wizard Video|Video: August 2011 Wizard Skill Animations]] | ||
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You can find pictures in the Diablo III screenshot and picture gallery: | You can find pictures in the Diablo III screenshot and picture gallery: | ||
* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/ Diablo III screenshots and pictures] | * [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/ Diablo III screenshots and pictures] | ||
* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/search.php?keywords=Archon&cat=all '''Archon''' specific gallery contents] | * [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/search.php?keywords=Archon&cat=all '''Archon''' specific gallery contents] | ||
− | |||
− | |||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
− | Image: | + | Image:Archondisintegrate2.png|Disintegration Wave, original form. |
− | + | Image:Archonexplode.png|Archon explosion, original form. | |
− | Image: | ||
− | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
− | |||
− | + | A video showing the massive potential of this ability when paired with great equipment can be seen below. This video is somewhat deceptive as it only shows a few excerpts of locations when Archon is most effective; against slow enemies, without ranged attackers, when there are numerous targets to keep refreshing the duration, etc. But it's still an amazing killing spree for shortly after release, when [[Inferno]] was still unbalanced and too difficult for most players to survive at all. | |
− | + | <youtube>aWRO5BNYBek</youtube> | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
+ | <br> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
− | * [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7960229#post7960229 Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report] -- IncGamers | + | * [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7960229#post7960229 Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report] — IncGamers 1st Aug 2011 |
+ | * [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8007624#post8007624 Silva's Wizard Runestone Effects] — IncGamers 5th Sep 2011 | ||
+ | * [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzcon-2011-pvp-demo-the-wizard Blizzcon 2011 PvP Demo: The Wizard] — IncGamers 28th Oct 2011 | ||
+ | * [http://us.battle.net/d3/en/class/wizard/active/ Wizard Active Skills] — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Skill navbox Diablo III|Wizard|mastery}} | ||
− | + | [[category:Active skills]] | |
+ | [[category:Wizard skills]] | ||
+ | [[category:Wizard active skills]] |
Latest revision as of 18:27, 16 April 2015
Archon is a Mastery Wizard skill unlocked at Level 30, which transforms the Wizard into a being of pure energy. While in Archon form, the Wizard has access to a powerful set of unique Archon skills.
Archon form is the most damaging spells and attacks possible for the Wizard. The DPS output is massively increased and it's a great way to transform and take on Elites in the higher difficulty levels. It is not exactly a panic button though, in the way that the Barbarian's Wrath of the Berserker transformation is, since the primary boosts for the Wizard are offensive, not defensive. You can quite easily die while in Archon form, and the limited skills available decrease the Wizard's strategic options considerably.
Contents
Background[edit | edit source]
Calling upon the most powerful elemental forces, the Wizard channels the power of an Archon, gaining a set of unique skills and a massive damage increase for a short period of time.
Skill Rune Effects[edit | edit source]
Refer to the Archon rune effects article for thorough descriptions of all five rune effects in this skill, including screenshots, videos, strategy tips, and other related information.
Name | Level | Description |
---|
<skill class="Wizard">Archon</skill> <skill class="Wizard" rune="Combustion">Archon</skill> <skill class="Wizard" rune="Teleport">Archon</skill> <skill class="Wizard" rune="Pure Power">Archon</skill> <skill class="Wizard" rune="Slow Time">Archon</skill> <skill class="Wizard" rune="Improved Archon">Archon</skill>
Archon Abilities[edit | edit source]
The following abilities are only available while in Archon form. Other normal Wizard skills can *not* be used while in Archon, so there is a trade off to this form; much higher damage, but with a limited variety of offensive skills, and little or no defensive/movement skills.
Arcane Blast | Cooldown: 5 seconds Release an explosion of pure energy dealing 115% weapon damage as Arcane to all nearby enemies.
|
Arcane Strike | Strike the ground in front of you, causing 250% weapon damage as Arcane to enemies in the area.
|
Disintegration Wave | Thrust a beam of pure energy forward dealing 300% weapon damage as Arcane.
|
Slow Time (rune effect) | Cooldown: 20 seconds Project a bubble of warped space and time that moves with you, slowing the movement and attack speed of enemies by 40% and the speed of projectiles by 60% for 10 seconds.
|
Teleport (rune effect) | Cooldown: 10 seconds Teleport through the ether to the selected location up to 20 yards away.
|
Synergies[edit | edit source]
The following Wizard passives provide a benefit to Archon, runed or not:
Name | Level | Description |
---|
<skill class="Wizard">Evocation</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Glass Cannon</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Temporal Flux</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Critical Mass</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Arcane Dynamo</skill>
Development[edit | edit source]
Archon was first seen at the July 2011 Press Event, where it was a level 29 skill. Unfortunately, no information about the skill's function was available at the time.
BlizzCon 2011 Arena Demo[edit | edit source]
The skill was first available to players in the BlizzCon 2011 PvP Arena demo. The Eliminator talked about some of the Archon skills in his PvP demo report:[1]
The most popular skill in Archon form was the Beam. It worked just like a much more damaging Disintegrate, though it had a shorter range. I don’t know if the skill does critical hits, because I can’t remember ever seeing any when I used it. The beam did do a low of 900 to a high 1300 a second. That was without things being hit by Arcane Torrent or being Frozen by Frost Nova. If they had either debuff on them they died fast.
The Eliminator also shared some general advice:
It only took one encounter with an Archon to know you don’t want to mess with a healthy one solo. One that was at about half health would go down rather fast from a WoTB Barb and a few Hammers. An Archon Wizard really felt like a game changer, but they weren’t unbeatable if you dealt with them quickly, and since the Wizard does not have Teleport in Archon form, they could be avoided as well.
That demo presented a souped up version of Archon, with Slow Time and Teleport both available. In the release client, these are only enabled by rune effects, and players can not have both at once, forcing a more discrete choice between defensive or movement capabilities.
Beta[edit | edit source]
The Diablo III Beta started in September 2011, and while it ran, all of the skills continued to undergo extensive iteration. Skill changes varied from changing the levels the skills are unlocked, to changes in resource cost, damage, and even function. A few skills were removed altogether, and a few new ones were added. Also, the entire skill system received an overhaul with the Beta Patch 13 update in February 2012, with physical runes replaced by rune effects that automatically unlock at various levels for the different skills.
With the Patch 13 changes, Archon was classified as a Mastery skill and moved to level 30.
Media[edit | edit source]
Archon can be seen in action on video here:
You can find pictures in the Diablo III screenshot and picture gallery:
A video showing the massive potential of this ability when paired with great equipment can be seen below. This video is somewhat deceptive as it only shows a few excerpts of locations when Archon is most effective; against slow enemies, without ranged attackers, when there are numerous targets to keep refreshing the duration, etc. But it's still an amazing killing spree for shortly after release, when Inferno was still unbalanced and too difficult for most players to survive at all.
References[edit | edit source]
- Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report — IncGamers 1st Aug 2011
- Silva's Wizard Runestone Effects — IncGamers 5th Sep 2011
- Blizzcon 2011 PvP Demo: The Wizard — IncGamers 28th Oct 2011
- Wizard Active Skills — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site
Classes of the Diablo games |
Skills - Active skills - Skill runes - Passives - Resource - Movement ability [e] Barbarian Demon Hunter Monk Necromancer Witch Doctor Wizard Followers Other Classes Fan-made |
---|
The Barbarian | Fury - Barbarian Active Skills (Archive) | Barbarian Passive Skills (Archive) [e] | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Primary Might |
Secondary Tactics |
Defensive Rage |
Pound of Flesh (10) |
Superstition (30) |
(X) = the level at which the skill becomes unlocked. |
Barbarian skill categories: Primary Secondary Defensive Might Tactics Rage |
---|
Bash |
Cleave |
Frenzy |
[e] |
Hammer of the Ancients |
Rend |
Seismic Slam |
Whirlwind |
[e] |
Ground Stomp |
Leap |
Sprint |
Ignore Pain |
[e] |
Ancient Spear |
Revenge |
Furious Charge |
Overpower |
[e] |
Weapon Throw |
Threatening Shout |
Battle Rage |
War Cry |
[e] |
Earthquake |
Call of the Ancients |
Wrath of the Berserker |
[e] |
Demon Hunter skill categories: Primary Secondary Defensive Hunting Devices Archery |
---|
Hungering Arrow |
Entangling Shot |
Bola Shot |
Grenades |
[e] |
Impale |
Rapid Fire |
Chakram |
Elemental Arrow |
[e] |
Caltrops |
Smoke Screen |
Shadow Power |
[e] |
Vault |
Preparation |
Companion |
Marked for Death |
[e] |
Evasive Fire |
Fan of Knives |
Spike Trap |
Sentry |
[e] |
Strafe |
Multishot |
Cluster Arrow |
Rain of Vengeance |
[e] |
Monk skill categories: Primary Secondary Defensive Techniques Focus Mantras |
---|
Fists of Thunder |
Deadly Reach |
Crippling Wave |
Way of the Hundred Fists |
[e] |
Lashing Tail Kick |
Tempest Rush |
Wave of Light |
[e] |
Blinding Flash |
Breath of Heaven |
Serenity |
Inner Sanctuary |
[e] |
Dashing Strike |
Exploding Palm |
Sweeping Wind |
[e] |
Cyclone Strike |
Seven-Sided Strike |
Mystic Ally |
[e] |
Mantra of Evasion |
Mantra of Retribution |
Mantra of Healing |
Mantra of Conviction |
[e] |
Necromancer skill categories: Primary Secondary Corpses Blood and Bone Reanimation Curses |
---|
Witch Doctor skill categories: Primary Secondary Defensive Terror Decay Voodoo |
---|
Poison Dart - Rune effects |
Corpse Spiders |
Plague of Toads |
Firebomb |
[e] |
Grasp of the Dead |
Firebats |
Haunt |
Locust Swarm |
[e] |
Summon Zombie Dogs |
Horrify |
Spirit Walk |
Hex |
[e] |
Soul Harvest |
Sacrifice |
Mass Confusion |
[e] |
Zombie Charger |
Spirit Barrage |
Acid Cloud |
Wall of Zombies |
[e] |
Gargantuan |
Big Bad Voodoo |
Fetish Army |
[e] |
Wizard skill categories: Primary Secondary Defensive Force Conjuration Mastery |
---|
Magic Missile |
Shock Pulse |
Spectral Blade |
Electrocute |
[e] |
Ray of Frost |
Arcane Orb |
Arcane Torrent |
Disintegrate |
[e] |
Frost Nova |
Diamond Skin |
Slow Time |
Teleport |
[e] |
Wave of Force |
Energy Twister |
Hydra |
Meteor |
Blizzard |
[e] |
Ice Armor |
Storm Armor |
Magic Weapon |
Familiar |
Energy Armor |
[e] |
Explosive Blast |
Mirror Image |
Archon |
[e] |
Followers | Kormac the Templar | Lyndon the Scoundrel | Eirena the Enchantress [e] | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 10: |
Level 5: Level 10: |
Level 15: |
Level 15: Level 20: |
Level 25: Level 30: |
Diablo III Other Classes | Diablo II Classes | Diablo I Classes [e] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Archetypes: |
Archetype sub-types: |
Other classes: |
Diablo II: |
Fan-made Classes | Fan-made Skills [e] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
• Alchemist |
• Flagellant |
• Ranger |
Dragon Warrior Skills |
Aurian Mage Skill | |
|