How do you beat giant specific iron wizard levels?

[Doomerang]

I'm at 109 iron wizard levels completed, but the map is polluted with maps where you only fight giant wave after giant wave with your piddly starter mana before your first bolt / beam can even charge. I can't see it being possible.

I got crit, poolbound and armor tear (no chain hit) and quickly get swarmed before I can even respond. How do you do these many maps?

[BilboCGL]

What starting gem (grade?)
Please provide a screenshot of your skill-distribution.

[Doomerang]

Here is my current set up http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198026221093/screenshots/?appid=296490 I like to start with a level 4 gem usually, but 2 waves of giants at the start just plow right through it making me lose almost immediately starting the giant maps.

[Ivan247]

You probably want to have at least a G5 gem to start the field if the field is heavily populated with giants. Drop every skill except True Colors, Fusion, Mana Stream, Yellow and White to 0. Have TC at 12 or 15 and others at 6, 9 or 12. Also consider building your defense closer to your orb so you have more time to prepare your spells (not possible on some fields).

[BilboCGL]

I agree with IvanYiu, the only difference is: I won't spend points on crit.
Use dual-gems yellow/white. Build them like this: (y+w+2y)+(y+w+2w), that results in slightly stronger gems than y+w!
As soon as you have the opportunity, build a managem (least hit points, or shielded when there are shielded swarms) and use beam on it

[Doomerang]

I just beat 4 of the giant exclusive maps one after the other with this info, thanks to you guys. Iron wizard mode is in the bag for me at this rate. Very useful info on how to distribute my skill points.