I’m curious about how snapshotting works in Diablo 4, particularly with abilities like Cataclysm and Quickshift. If I stack Quickshift and then use Cataclysm, will the damage bonus remain throughout the entire cast, even if I switch back to human form? Conversely, if I cast Cataclysm first and then stack Quickshift, will that not enhance Cataclysm’s damage? This also applies to buffs like Ancestral Guidance – if they are activated before Cataclysm is cast, do they persist for its duration? I’m trying to clarify if any buffs activated after Cataclysm begins have no effect on its damage output.
3 Answers
Just a heads-up: you can’t maintain Quickshift for too long. Make sure it doesn’t drop off to keep maximizing your damage. It’s a bit tricky since buffs can drop, so timing really matters!
There’s a lot of info on the Druid subreddit regarding this! Someone put together a comprehensive guide on optimizing Cataclysm builds and explained the ins and outs of snapshotting. It’s pretty detailed, but worth a read if you’re diving into this!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check it out to get more insights on how to optimize my setup.
You’ve got the right idea! Once you snapshot your buffs like Quickshift before casting Cataclysm, they stick around for your cast, even if you switch forms. However, if you cast Cataclysm first, stacking Quickshift afterward won’t boost its damage at all. It’s all about when you apply those buffs in relation to your big spells!
That’s really useful to know! I always thought I could just stack everything after casting, but it seems that’s not how it works.
Got it, I’ll focus on stacking it before my big casts! Thanks!