Question: Lightning Strike vs. Shock Arrow vs. Lightning Javelin.

I'm setting up one of my Elementalist heroes as an air spiker. Many build I've observed have used Lightning Strike. However, I was wondering what recommendations the other 5 Energy Low Recharge/Cast skills (Shock Arrow and Lightning Javelin) receive from more experienced Elementalists and in relation to the AI.

Shock Arrow has the least damage, but the shortest recharge. Lightning Javelin does the most damage, can interrupt and has a moderate recharge rate. Lightning Strike has moderate damage and the slowest recharge.

Initially, Lightning Javelin seems best to me. But so many people seem to stick with Lightning Strike. Is this because the javelin can be dodged? Is this much of an issue in PVE?

Since energy can be an issue, I was wondering if it would matter when the hero has +12 energy from a focus item, full radiant gear, two attunement runes, 13 energy storage, and the following build:

1 - Lightning Strike/Shock Arrow/Lightning Javelin
2 - Enervating Charge
3 - Lightning Orb
4 - Lightning Hammer/Blinding Flash
5 - Aura of Restoration
6 - Elemental Attunement
7 - Air Attunement
8 - Res

Also, any suggestions on an air spike build for a hero are welcome.

Lightning Strike is often preferred due to the fact that it's not a projectile - therefore, it doesn't have a chance to miss like the others.

For an air build in PVE, invoke lightning and chain lightning are very usefull. Lightning orb is a must for its huge damage output, and then I une lightning strike and lightning bolt as it does a lot of damage against moving fores. And from what i've seen, hero AI is good enough to use lightning bolt on moving targets.

[skill]lightning strike[/skill][skill]lightning bolt[/skill][skill]lightning orb[/skill][skill]invoke lightning[/skill][skill]chain lightning[/skill][skill]glyph of lesser energy[/skill][skill]air attunement[/skill][skill]resurrection signet[/skill]

Use air attunement and Gole for a heroes energy management, they will need them both.

The + energy equipment is useless, because once its gone its gone. Elem heroes will usually be fine with attunement and gole, upgrade their armour with something more useful like +10ar while enchanted.

Elemental attunement and aura of res are huge mistakes. Most mobs in NF have enchant removal anyway, and taking elem attunement will mean you dont have enough damage. As a result, obviously dont use lightning hammer.