Kripp & Rarran's Freeze Control Pygmalien Build

How to Lock Down the Enemy

This strategy very much requires a persistent form of Haste in order to work. Without it, the build won't be able to act fast enough to stack up a longer length of Freeze.

It performs best against builds with a lower quantity of items as it can more consistently apply Freeze to the same targets (so long as Radiant isn't an issue). Though with the right components it can still contest against wider boards as well.

Unfortunately for Pygmalien, he really doesn't have access to many options within his own pool. This means you'll either need to get lucky and find a Turbo enchant, or search specialty shops and PvE Encounters for off-Hero items.

Pyg's already looking to do most of his shopping outside his pool, so while this isn't the easiest build to pull off, it fits nicely as another pivot along the way. You gotta stay optimistic!

Snow Globe

Snow Globe is the heart and soul of this build and the key source of Freeze. What's interesting here is that unlike most builds which utilize Snow Globe, this one only includes a single Property. Having only two instead of three Multicast wouldn't normally be ideal, but with this specific setup it's the way to go.

The rest of the board inclusions are necessary, and while an extra cast may be nice, it's not actually necessary so long as you keep up a reliable Haste engine.

Be sure to greatly prioritize your upgrades on Snow Globe. The extra second of Freeze is a huge deal in ensuring you can stack up an endless amount, thus fully shutting the opponent out of the game.

Kripp and Rarran went with a Heavy enchant on the Snow Globe. While Slow isn't really all that useful on items that are frozen, it does help up the total amount of crowd control. That way if items aren't frozen, they are at least (hopefully) acting at half speed.

Sapphire

Sapphire is a super powerful inclusion, extending the duration of the Snow Globe's Freeze. One extra second is a big deal, and is often why many Haste/Slow items rely on getting to that two second threshold in order to be reliable.

All that said, while upgrading the Sapphire increases its own Freeze duration, its passive ability is the main thing that matters. So don't worry if you aren't able to get it to a higher tier.

Haste Engine

Energy Potion + Powder Flask create an endless form of acceleration for the entire board. These two items have crazy synergy with each other, and both are completely usable without upgrades.

Aside from a Turbo enchant, you'll have to think outside the box to put something together. This combo is a fantastic inclusion if you find it, and could honestly fit into other builds if you happen to pivot away from Snow Globe.

Matchbox

Matchbox is the build's main form of damage, albeit a very slow one. The lockdown is the main purpose, while the Matchbox is mainly here to whittle them down over time.

Another option is to pickup a Lemonade Stand (if available), then hold onto it in case you get a Fiery enchant. This keeps your options extra open, as even if you decide to abandon the Freeze game plan, a Fiery Lemonade Stand + Matchbox makes for an extremely potent backup.

ATM

ATM functions as a fast acting Medium Property to enable Snow Globe and take up as little space as possible. There are very few options when it comes to this, so unless you've found a high tier Balcony for extra Cooldown reduction, ATM is likely the most reliable option.

While the overall game plan involves locking the opponent out of contention, it never hurts to have some extra Shield to ensure you survive until the frostbite takes effect.

Duct Tape

Duct Tape was an excellent find to further improve the build's defenses, although it did need some additional scaling to really perform. Various skills can help support it, but Kripp and Rarran made convenient use of the very unconventional Candy Mail.

So long as you manage to get at least a little bit of scaling, it'll generate a respectable amount of Shield, especially when placed between two very fast activators. The Matchbox is to its right, and to its left, another Multicast item...

Uwashiwali Bird

Uwashiwali Bird sits to the left of Duct Tape and helps provide extra support. It fits nicely with two Medium Properties, and while it may not be as effective in this build compared to others, it more than justifies its Small slot.

Kripp and Rarran happened to find a random enchantment and selected the Uwashiwali Bird to receive it. Fiery was the result, which does help stack with the Matchbox, though by no means required for the build.

Minimalist

Minimalist is a premium skill for those that can make use of it. Reducing the Cooldown of the entire board is incredibly powerful and can really help the Snow Globe chain Freezes.

While many of Pyg's exclusive skills are pretty worthless, given that this build has no need for Damage scaling, it's actually reasonable to select the Pyg skill vendor (during level-ups) in hopes of finding it.

Building Crescendo

Building Crescendo will stack up to 100% pretty much instantly with how many individual triggers this build can apply. It's the premium Crit scaling skill that can't be beat (at least until they patch it).

It's pretty much an instant pick if you don't already have reliable Crit scaling, as this skill alone can double your build's output.

Healthy Heart

Healthy Heart gives a bit of a safety net to help survive any initial burst that may come through. It can take a bit of time before the lock is established, so having this can be a nice recovery to fall back on.

The Cleanse effect also helps ensure your safety during the lockdown, as just because the opponent can't move doesn't mean you are immune to any remaining Burn/Poison.

Luxury Tents

Luxury Tents enables an entirely new enchantment-abusing strategy. Giving Multicast to Heal items allows you to capitalize on the Restorative enchant, so already strong pieces like Matchbox get even crazier.

It's very important to remember that Haste support is still mandatory for the build. While Luxury Tents can increase the heights of the build's potential, it takes up more space than ATM or Balcony and doesn't work with skills like Tall Buildings.

The Shielded enchant is not required, though it does provide a nice safety net on top of the regular 50% Health revive.

First Aiden

First Aiden helps fulfill the Haste requirement at twice the efficiency thanks to its synergy with Luxury Tents. As with most forms of Haste support, this one exists outside of Pyg's pool, meaning you'll have to get lucky to find it.

The Mod Squad and Weapons Platform PvE Encounters both offer a chance at First Aiden, if you're lucky.

Oinkment

Oinkment isn't particularly necessary on its own and is only used here for two reasons.

1. It's enchanted with Turbo, offering reliable Haste support.
2. It gets Multicast with Luxury Tents so it outputs twice the amount.