TL;DR Best Element
Frost is the safest all-rounder because it slows the most dangerous enemy in the game — the self-aim sniper. Fire has the highest pure damage. Hex is the keystone for any spell build (Hex Mark = +25%).
Matchup Chart
| Enemy | Best | Worst |
|---|---|---|
| Cultists (Armored) | Fire (armor melt) | Frost |
| Self-aim Snipers | Frost (slow) | Holy |
| Snake Nests | Holy (cleanse) + Shock | Fire (they don't cluster) |
| Undead / Ghosts | Holy | Shock |
| Lava Demons | Frost | Fire |
| Mine Tunnels (wet) | Shock (chains) | Fire |
| Bosses | Fire (DoT) + Hex Mark | — |
Per-Biome Element Pick
- Desert Town — Fire or Frost; cultists everywhere.
- Mine — Shock for chains in narrow tunnels.
- Swamp / Snake Den — Holy + Shock combo.
- Ghost Town — Holy is mandatory.
- Volcano — Frost; do not pick Fire here.
Hex is Not an Element — Read This
Hex Mark looks like an element in the UI but it is a debuff multiplier. It stacks on top of any element. Build any caster around it. See Best Spells.