The main reason for Bitter Ice Blast being so late in the build is that it becomes available at a nasty period in my usual level progression: level 18.
However, by doing a little shuffling and taking one of the two support shields a bit later, I can actually fit it in AT 18 and not have to put off Stamina any.
However, shuffling a few slots around to give the single target blasts double damage IOs is easy enough. I usually stop at two level 50 IOs because those tend
to run right below the sweet spot of ED nerfage, and at least with Cold, Arctic has a bit of benefit from debuffs to make up the difference.
---
"Oh, silver blade, forged in the depths of the beyond. Heed my summons and purge those who stand in my way. Lay
waste."
However, by doing a little shuffling and taking one of the two support shields a bit later, I can actually fit it in AT 18 and not have to put off Stamina any.
However, shuffling a few slots around to give the single target blasts double damage IOs is easy enough. I usually stop at two level 50 IOs because those tend
to run right below the sweet spot of ED nerfage, and at least with Cold, Arctic has a bit of benefit from debuffs to make up the difference.
---
"Oh, silver blade, forged in the depths of the beyond. Heed my summons and purge those who stand in my way. Lay
waste."