The Certain Death Tournament.

Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Great progress Ancalagon, hp_sauce and HanShotFirst! :thumbup:

Morathi said:
@Kavarin. Great progress man! Can’t believe you have made it this far with a melee character. I am very impressed!
Click to expand...

Cheers Morathi! It's not as bad as you might expect with > 750 life and 3 seconds of stun from Warcry, just a little slow. Mind you, I'm still expecting deeds at any minute, at least when I'm playing.

# --

DeadTwo has made a little progress since last post and now having bagged the Glacial Trail waypoint is ready to deal with the traitor Nihlathak. The most dangerous moments were a couple of evil urns (in the frozen river I think) that released gloams. Yuck!

I've been thinking about upgrading my gear for a while so I tried my hand at some crafting. The results were not good.

(useful affixes only)

Blood mesh belt #1: 3% ll, 6% ow, +11 life
Blood mesh belt #2: 1% ll, 5% ow, +18 life, 14% cr, 10% fhr
Blood ring #1: +13 life, 1% ll, 10% lr, 7% cr

Yeah, I know. Moan moan. Whinge whinge! :whistling:

Meanwhile the game drops me a barb helm of the whale with +92 life that I can't use (it must have seen I didn't have enough) and an echoing ammy of life (+3 warcries / 4dr).

I've also been shopping for shields and landed the following:

Chromatic Barbed Shield of Amicae (25 res all / 12dr)
Perfect Chromatic Bone Shield of the Wolf (30 res all / 20 life)
Jade Gothic Shield of the Tiger (24 poison res / 29 life)
Prismatic Gothic Shield of Negation (20 res all / 5 mdr)

Which one of these should I take to Larzuk? :scratchchin: I'm leaning towards the Chromatic Bone Shield of the Wolf.

[HIGHLIGHT]DeadTwo, Level 70 BO Barb with Azrael the Mighty Desert Guard, Glacial Trail[/HIGHLIGHT]


 
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Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Urgh, had a very brief run at this. Was killed by a trap while looking for the cube. Was poisoned and I ran far away and made a TP and bam, dead. I had pretty good luck MFing with this char as well, found a biggons bonnet and torch of iro. Ah well. Good luck to those still alive!
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Awww crap. Shatterproof finally shattered.

The bloody foothills were even worse than they had been in NM, and she had about 4-5 NDEs before she bought the farm, including one where she slivered so I could barely see the red. She spent more time running from volleys of enemy fire than shooting back, and even ran out of stamina a couple of times. The burning archers were terrible, but the slingers were even worse. At least the valk and decoy could tank the archers, but the javelins passed right through them. They were fairly fragile, and actually died reasonably quickly, I just couldn't stand still long enough to kill them most of the time.

I drank 6 of the 8 fat purples I was carrying before getting further than a screen away from harrogath, so I stopped trying to full clear and just hugged the wall for awhile, which was easier. Then, after getting hit with a slinger javelin and getting taken to about 1/4 health, I decided to drink a red instead of a purple while I ran, so I wouldn't run out. Then I got hit with another javelin in the back while still running away and it was all over. All told, I don't think I got farther than 3 screens away from Harrogath.

[highlight]ancalagon, Statterproof, strafer, level 80, RIP Bloody Foothills(H)[/highlight]

Lessons learned: Don't save your fat purples "for later" in HC. Also, although I liked my idea of using chippy rerolls on weapons, it is no replacement for MF and luck.

I think I'm going to come back with that trapsin I started, but haven't got to Andy yet.
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Sorry for your loss, anc... I've been following your updates and crossing my fingers. Best wishes for the sin.
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

RIP Shatterproof. Good luck with the 'sin.

Nice progress everyone. Makes my update seem trivial. :)

Freddie was last updated after making it to the Kurast Docks.

He is still using a bow, so really safe as long as the merc stays alive, and he has only died a few times.

Found some nice items in Kurast Bazaar:
My first unique: Kite Shield Steelclash (I don't carry any MF.)
Rare Ring: 92AR / 26%CR / 17%PR
Glowing GC of Life: +13 life / 1-9 lightning

Bremm dropped Sigon's Gauntlets

I gambled in A3 what I thought was a very nice circlet, but it was unusable:
84AR / +60 life / +15 mana / 37%CR / MDR2 / 24MF

Hellforge dropped a Thul rune, a perfect diamond and lesser skulls. Not bad for normal.

Diablo dropped Sigon's Armor

I am currently sitting at the Frigid Highlands waypoint, preparing to go save my brothers. If they can't figure their way out of a wooden cage, how am I going to help.

Life is 316 with his level 2 BO.
Currently have 6 in warcry, 7 in howl and battle cry.
Resists are F45 / C49 / L50 / P46
Stats are S77 / D122 / V25 / E60

[highlight]Freddie Mercury, Singer, Level 36, Frigid Highlands[/highlight]
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Hp, nice progress. I probably would have died to your stairtrap. ;) Oh well, the Countess would have dropped an El anyway. (I find that the treasure on the way to the Countess is generally better than her actual drop.)

Ganoidyn, welcome to the tournament and the forum, man! I recommend making an introduction post. Enjoy your stay here and good luck. :)

scr, RIP for Enchilada. :( Honestly, I does the poison really hit that much faster than the cold nova? I bet you just got a bad roll on the nova. Care to have a ninth go? :) (You are currently in the lead for this, I believe.)

Han, WOW at that CV! I guess the Str req is too high, but is that usable if you mule it off? If only it had attack speed. I've never seen a rare with damage that high! (although that has alot to do with my inexperience) Nice updates, too. I almost dropped dead just looking at Coldcrow. Loved your Fangskin Battle description. Getting past him is a nice milestone in Hell. :)

kav, I'd wait until Hell until using your socket quest. Then you will know exactly what resists you need. Honestly, I wonder how difficult it will be to "max" your resists at 50, which means I would lean toward the highest-life shield possible. Nice progress, by the way. :) And nice point about the swiss-army knife. Between your barb's crowd-control skills, Malice, and Generals, you have quite a toolkit!

skoolbus, ack, sorry for that death. those are disappointing. I'd like to add you to the table -- I just need your character's name/build/level.

anc, wow, really sorry for that death. I thought you were going to make it, too. :( Honestly, from the way you described the action, it sounds like you would have died even if you hadn't saved the fat purple. I know how hard those javelins are too see. How much range does slow missiles have? That might make them dodge-able, but I doubt you could get close enough before you got killed. I can't think of any other ideas though. (Anyone else?) Good luck with your Assassin.

Mourn, that's an amazing circlet. Not usable here, but you can mule it off at least!:thumbup:

* * * *​

Code: 
Forum Name     Character       Class            Location               Level
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tarantella     Damasque        Skirmisher       (H)World Stone Keep L.1  84
ancalagon T.B. Shatterproof    Strafer          (H)Bloody Foothills      80 RIP
Mursilis       Jaheira         Trapsin          (H)Spider Forest         78 RIP
HanShotFirst   Hadriela        Frozen Orb/TK    (H)Kurast Docks          82
Drystan        Argoel          Sorceress        (H)Palace Cellar L. 3    80 RIP
scrcrw         Soapbubble      Strafeazon       (H)Far Oasis             78 RIP
Hp_Sauce       AlreadyDead     Trapper          (H)Black Marsh           74
HanShotFirst   Mara            Traps            (N)Throne of Destruction 73 RIP
scrcrw         Kaiko           Blade Fury Asn   (N)Throne of Destruction 72 RIP
Tarantella     Amarantine      Skirmisher       (N)Throne of Destruction 72 RIP
kavarin        DeadTwo         BO Barb          (N)Glacial Trail         70
jiansonz       Morte           Mojo/Bonemancer  (N)Plains of Despair     65 RIP
Ohomemgrande   Josephine       ES/FO sorc       (N)Pandemonium Fortress  64
Lozhinge T.U.  WitherBow       MS/FA Bowazon    (N)Pandemonium Fortress  63
HanShotFirst   Ulquiorra-san   Bone Necro       (N)Mephisto              64 RIP
LozHinge T.U.  WitherStick     Psn Daggermancer (N)Mephisto              62 RIP
soulmanz       SparkyPancakes  Novawaller       (N)Great Marsh           58 RIP
wakiki         Shadow_Salad    Crse/Prisnmancer (N)Kurast Docks          60
Drystan        Argoel          *1.13 Sorceress  (N)Kurast Docks          59
scrcrw         Becalmed        Wind Druid       (N)Kurast Docks          58
Alfonso T.G.   TheAragorn      Ranger Paladin   (N)Tal Rasha's Tomb      59 RIP
Morathi        Drake           Fire Druid       (N)Arcane Sanctuary      58 RIP
scrcrw         Enchilada       Entrantress      (N)Coldworm The Burrower 55 RIP
HanShotFirst   Helen           FA/Strafer       (N)Halls of the Dead L.1 54 RIP
MOOsaccre      Zapsarrap       Orb/Fireball     (N)Dry Hills             53
scrcrw         Jenna           Poison Java      (N)Radament              53 RIP
Morathi        Iago            Fury/Rabies      (N)Pit Level 2           50 RIP
Bluechip       Inevitability   Sorceress        (N)Black Marsh           44 RIP
Thomh          Uzumati         Fire Claws Bear  (N)Dark Wood             49
kavarin        Roadkill        Fire/Wolf        (N)Underground Passage   49 RIP
NagisaFurukawa Rin             Strafer          (N)Underground Passage   46 RIP
Tarantella     Mortiphye       Summoner Hybrid  (N)Cold Plains           48
jdkerr         Lifeless        Wind Druid       (N)Rogue Encampment      48
crazy_bear     Britta          Trapsin          (N)Rogue Encampment      48
cenyth         Teff            ES Sorceress     Baal                     48 RIP
Alfonso T.G.   Fishyzon        Fishyzon         Baal                     48 RIP
Mournblade     Svelte_Savage   Spearazon        Baal                     41 RIP
EmperorMoo     MELIKECAKE      Concbarb         Crystalline Passage      37 RIP
Mournblade     Freddie Mercury Singer           Frigid Highlands         36
Ohomemgrande   GeneralJoe      Summon Necro     Bloody Foothills         32 RIP
MOOsaccre      Wallerina       F-wall/T-storm   Diablo                   36 RIP
HanShotFirst   Scorn           Fire Druid       Diablo                   34 RIP
Mournblade     Mouse           Golemancer       Diablo                   31 RIP
Brutass        Tane            Summ/Fire Druid  Diablo                   30 RIP
nermind        EatMyBones      Bonemancer       Chaos Sanctuary          34 RIP
EmperorMoo     FineFingers     Strafezon        Chaos Sanctuary          31 RIP
wakiki         BathtubPancake  Charge/H.Freeze  River of Flame           34 RIP
pepitosari     SassyAssasin    Assassin         River of Flame           33 RIP
Brutass        Icybiatch       Frost Maiden     Mephisto                 29 RIP
Brutass        Sparkles        Lite/Orb Sorc    Bremm Sparkfist          27 RIP
MOOsaccre      Moossacre       Bowzon           Ruined Temple            32 RIP
Zelator        WitchOfEndor    CE/Curse Necro   Flayer Jungle            29
soulmanz       SwayBabySway    Passivezon       Kurast Docks             27
Cor Blimey     Sir_Healzealot  Cowardin         Kurast Docks             25
Morathi        Blake           Zerker           Tal Rasha's Tomb         28 RIP
scrcrw         of_Worlds       Light Sorc       Tal Rasha's Tomb         26 RIP
Docturnal      Zmeli_Khat      Necromancer      Tal Rasha's Tomb         26 RIP
JayeM          Glassjaw        Barbarian        Tal Rasha's Tomb         25 RIP
Bluechip       Vitamin         Throwbarb        Tal Rasha's Tomb         23 RIP
Lostprophet    Cody            Blaze/G.Spike    Harem Level 1            24
PepitoSari     Kratos          Barbarian        Fangskin                 25 RIP
Brutass        Jezabelle       Javazon          Lost City                23
scrcrw         Clodius         Throwbarb        Maggot Lair level 3      21 RIP
Morathi        Sibella         Cold Sorc        Maggot Lair              24 RIP
JayeM          Glasscannon     Assassin         Maggot Lair              20 RIP
Shaandore      Fastpoison      Rabies/Summoner  Halls of the Dead L.2    23
JayeM          Trixie          Bladesin         Rocky Waste              20 RIP
scottasin      Todetta         Amazon           Rocky Waste              21
holiecows      HolieTraps      Assassin         Lut Gholein              21
pepitosari     KillAll         Sorceress        Lut Gholein              21
QuickDeath     CandleintheWind Javazon          Lut Gholein              20
scottasin      Toddetta        Amazon           Lut Gholein              20
Jason Maher    Lurz            Summoning Druid  Lut Gholein              20
Morathi        Alice           Valk/Ga/Fury(?)  Lut Gholein              20
Bluechip       Murderherder    Hunter Druid     Lut Gholein              19
scrcrw         Summer          Blizzsorc        Andariel                 19 RIP
EmperorMoo     Magrat_Garlick  Trapsin          Andariel                 18 RIP
Myth           RAWR            Throwbarb        Inner Cloister           19
JayeM          GlassEye        Necromancer      Jail Level 2             17 RIP
Galningen      KingLeoric      Bonemancer       Jail Level 1             19
UllaV          Tilsit          Blizballer       Jail Level 1             18 RIP
sirpoopsalot   QuestionMarks   ES/GS Sorc       Barracks                 18 RIP
Brutass        Snatch          Trapsin          Barracks                 18 RIP
Bluechip       Sickness        Poison Javazon   Barracks                 15 RIP
MOOsaccre      VikingJoe       Conc/Find Item   Outer Cloister           17 RIP
NagisaFurukawa Isumi           Trapper          Forgotten Tower          15 RIP
Docturnal      Toxarys         Strafezon        Black Marsh              15 RIP
XxUberStarxX   Inevitable      Chargadin        Stony Field              12
mattinm        TomCruise       Leap/Howl/Ward   Stony FIeld              12
Docturnal      Papa_Bear       Wearbear Druid   Cold Plains              12
NagisaFurukawa Kirei           Bonemancer       Cold Plains              8
Lostprophet    Bill            Fred Phelpsin    Cold Plains              8
Galningen      Blade           Bf/Light Traps   Cold Plains              6
EmperorMoo     BraveSirRobin   Mojomancer       Cold Plains              6
MOOsaccre      Kharne          Fireclaws Bear   Cold Plains              6
Brutass        Sparky          Lite/Orb Sorc    Den of Evil              6  RIP
Kefka          Fergie          Trappa           Rogue Encampment         1
maareek        DeathtoCurtains Berserker        Rogue Encampment         1
Machete        Benny           Bow Barb         Rogue Encampment         1
Zefimas        Susannah        Bowzon           Rogue Encampment         1
EmperorMoo     Circe           Sorceress        Rogue Encampment         1
cenyth         Cytohu          Windy Druid      Rogue Encampment         1
Docturnal      Zmeli_Khat      Poisonmancer     Rogue Encampment         1
Morathi        Aisha           Thrower/MB Asn   Rogue Encampment         1
Ganoidyn       Arvon           Psn Novamancer   Rogue Encampment         1

Whew, alot of updates. Thanks, guys. Hope I got everyone.
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Freddie was begging to go save his barbarian brothers, so we did. Along the way, I noticed something

Being a barb, I have put 1 point in natural resists. I came across a skill shrine and that pushes my resists up past 50. I assume this is ok, since the resist shrines are allowed. Let me know if it is not allowed. Anyway, the shrine timer runs out and my resists continue showing as they were with the shrine. All in the low-mid 60s. I'm assuming this is a known bug?

The real question:
Are my resist truly higher until I quit the game and re-enter, or just an example of why it's called the LCS?
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

ancalagon the black said:
Awww crap. Shatterproof finally shattered.
Click to expand...

Ah, sounds as though you got a really unlucky roll on the monsters :( . My first tournament character died in Hell Act 5 and all I’ll say is those deaths are hard to forget. Best wishes for the trapsin (mine was fun, hope yours is too).

As for Hadriela, she made it through Hell Act 3 but lost the full clear in the process. Hell Act 3 began pretty well as there were no CI’s in the Spider Forest. Players 3 was used and Hadriela and Azrael were able to advance swiftly and safely. The Flayer Jungle was found before the Great Marsh (but that really didn’t matter because Hadriela was going for the full clear). Soon after locating the Flayer Jungle Hadriela located the entrance to the Great Marsh and was instantly greeted by a group of CI Thrashers :unimpressed: and a salvo from a group of Gloams :shocked: . The salvo from the Gloams erased around half of Hadriela’s hit points and sent her into a speedy retreat (Brave Sir Robin! Brave Sir Robin)! Okay, so decision time. Hadriela really had no reason to go into the Great Marsh (except for maybe the xp, the items, and the full clear OCD). However, xp and items don’t really do you any good if your dead . . . so, that leaves the full clear OCD . . . is it really that strong. Yeah, it is. It is.

So into the Great Marsh Hadriela charged encountering CI Thrashers a plenty and a great number of dangerous Gloams (cursed, cold/fire enchanted, and my personal favorite . . . the cursed/mana burn unique :crazyeyes: ) and of course, regular Gloams were plenty dangerous too. Hadriela’s general Gloam tactics consisted of teleporting everywhere (so that Azrael stayed close). Retreating as soon as Gloams were spotted (usually before they could even get a shot off). And lastly, never fighting more than one Gloam at once (once Gloams were spotted Hadriela would extremely cautiously approach and retreat so as to ‘pull’ the Gloam groups apart). Hadriela’s extremely cautious approach meant that she rarely got hit but when she did it really hurt. I probably should have bypassed the area but didn’t and amazingly didn’t end up paying for it . . . after much stress (and several near heart attacks) the Great Marsh was fully cleared. (Oh yes, and the xp was none too bad and dig the amazingly great items . . . oh well).

The Flayer Jungle and Dungeon was much easier (the Flayer Dungeon didn’t even have Dolls)! The Swampy Pit was pretty easy too (though there were Dolls and Gloams on the same level but indoor Gloams really don’t seem to be as dangerous in my opinion . . . more things to hide behind :thumbup: ). The Swampy Pit Level 2 was where Hadriela had her best drop . . . a unique amulet . . . that turned out to be Atma’s Scarab (I hadn’t found this in SP yet so I was pretty happy)!

Lower Kurast didn’t have any CI’s so was cleared at Players 3. The Kurast Bazaar and Upper Kurast both had CI’s so Players 1 was used. The Sewers had Guardians and Dolls :\ . . . so you guessed it, Players 1. The False Tombs were done at Players 1 (good thing too because the Forgotten Temple, Ruined Fane, and Disused Reliquary all had traps). The Forgotten Temple and Ruined Fane were both pretty easy to breach . . . the Disused Reliquary was a different story . . .

The Disused Reliquary had CI might enhanced archers camped out at the front door :shocked: . Hadriela and Azrael entered, a second later Hadriela exited (Azrael stayed behind). Considering how fast Azrael had died it was pretty clear that Hadriela should run away and never return . . . but the power of the full clear OCD could not be undone. Azrael was resurrected and pumped full of potions and Hadriela headed back for more . . . BAM! Azrael dropped dead and Hadriela was sent scrambling with next to no health remaining. You might think that I’d stop at this point . . . nope. Azrael was resurrected and pumped full of potions and Hadriela headed back for more . . . this time Hadriela entered and instantly blind tele’d into the room to the SE . . . directly into the middle of another group of CI might enhanced archers :crazyeyes: . . . but she got extremely lucky and managed to tele to the entrance and escape. You might think I’d stop at this point . . . nope. Hadriela entered again and instantly tele’d into the room to the NW . . . and it seemed to be clear . . . then CI Salamaders and CI might enhanced archers began to appear . . . again she got extremely lucky and managed to tele to the entrance and escape. I then considered attempting to perform an even more dangerous blind tele to one of the more distant rooms but snapped back to reality and decided against it. The full clear had died, but Hadriela would live to fight another day.

Travincal and the Council was then pretty easy (the biggest problem turned out to be numerous CI blizzard casting Heirophants). The Durance Level 1 and 2 both had Blunderbores, Zombies, and CI Vampires (but no Dolls!) and was therefore relatively easy and safe. The Durance Level 3 had a great many CI Vampires but by this point Hadriela had a Level 19 Firewall and plenty of experience using it :alright: . Mephisto got hit by the Kelpie Snare / Static combo and was defeated in seconds (so good thing I didn’t commit suicide in the Disused Reliquary because Hadriela’s still going strong)!

Mephisto dropped no set/uniques. Set/uniques found elsewhere (and not yet mentioned) included: Sigon’s Armor, Leadcrow, Milabrega’s Shield, Lycander’s Ceremonial Pike, Raven Claw, Radament’s Sphere, and an IK Helm. The best rune drop came in the Sewers and was a Sol Rune (they do exist)! This is Hadriela’s first found Sol Rune and only my second of the tournament (and I’ve been doing full clears) :doh: .

Here were Hadriela’s stats at the end of Hell Act 3.

[highlight]Hadriela, Frozen Orb/TK, (H) Pandemonium Fortress, Level 83[/highlight]

@ wakiki – I was thinking the same thing about the Colossus Voulge and yes it is stashed and I’m trying hard to think of some stylish build that could benefit from it. Also, thanks again for all your table updating! :wave:


 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Well, Act III was a dream for some MF and rune hunting!

Throughout the forest and temples of Kurast, Argoel ripped from the icy remains of demon bodies a Shael, a Dol, and a Lum rune. After finding the Shael, Argoel went in search of a 2os Shield, and stumbled upon this Combat Shield, that would be interesting with a couple of sockets.
In the end, a Rhyme was made for the extra MF and resists.

Also inside one of the temples, these nice glowing gloves dropped - I wonder what use they could be for a sorceress...

Tal's Swirling Crystal. Unfortunately though, this isn't too useful, as she's using a 32% FCR Spirit Sword.

There was some danger for Argoel though. This doll was one of two unique dolls inside one of the dead end rooms, which I almost ended up luring from behind me.

Despite defeating Mephisto with ~240 MF, his drops lacked a quality of items.

Act IV was short and sweet, with a second Lum from the Hellforge. That's a Hel, Lum, and all I need is a Fal. ;)
There was one brute who I couldn't damage, but went down to telekenesis and merc prodings.

This is when early game MF'ing pays off. While there is still luck in it, accumulating and improving upon MF as early and often as you can increases the chance of dropping things like this! Definitely end-game worthy here, and with MF around 240%.

Diablo went down quickly, and dropped little of value.

Argoel has already started Act V, so I won't post a stats update until after NM.


@Ancalagon and Shatterproof - Commiserations, and a big congrats on making it so far! RIP, and good luck getting some revenge.

@Hans - 'Grats on the Grailer! Oh, and you are insane for even considering, let alone attempting that stair trapped temple, not twice, but four times! Lol, but seriously glad you eventually came around, and let it go! Best of luck with the final two Acts!
 
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Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

No new updates in 2 days? :(

I had screenied a few pictures beforehand, but Act V was exactly what you would expect of NM Act V. Slingers, weak imps, dodging spears etc - not very exciting screenies, as most if it was dodging and casting Orb. However, I quickly realised there were a few more Cold Immunes around the highlands. A quick trip to the Rogues provided Argoel with a nice little skill exchange. Argoel quickly became a masater of Frozen Orb, Mana Shield and Firewall. Convenient!

Anya and her captor, Frozenstein, were relatively easy for a change. No gloams!

Pindle's Garden provided a great NDE - this picture was around 3 seconds after being hit, so my health was a fair bit lower than shown.

The Ancients were relatively straight forward. Took all three on at once, casting Orb, teleport, Orb, teleport.

The WSK Lvl 2 providing an interesting challenge - Gloams AND Greater mummies. Great... Oh well, there's the waypoint! Time for a 'conveniently timed' break.
Guess what spawned in front of the waypoint after my 'conveniently timed' break. A Unique Gloam pack. And right behind them? A Unique Mummy pack Well, I guess I deserve that one for that 'convenient' break, but let's move on.

Ventar The Unholy was a fairly safe kill, for me. Haseen got burnt a few times, and required saving.

Enter the Demons, and preparations for Baal. Check!

Baal dropped nothing of value, even with 309% MF.

Grilled Burgers?
Moo, moo, moo!
Cow King drops

Stats at the end of NM

[highlight]Argoel 1.13* Sorc, (H) Rogue Encampment L74[/highlight]
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Drystan said:
No new updates in 2 days? :(
Click to expand...

I know it's traditional to blame Durf, but I'm going to make an exception and blame jiansonz for making me install D1 again. Well, that and a crazy work schedule for the last two weeks.

RIP Shatterproof

Han, you are completely nuts to risk your sorc like that, but impressive process.

Drystan" good luck in Hell!

As for me, Britta has only progressed slightly, not even finishing an act since my last update. She has gotten as far as the Black Marsh WP, and completed the Tower and hole in the black marsh as well. In this time she did find both Sigon's Boots and Shield, and she already had the belt from earlier, making for a tempting improvement to her gear. It may be a waste of a socket quest, but I used her normal socket quest to put a hole in the shield and put a p diamond in there, which made it much easier to sort out her resists, which now stand at 48/47/48/4, and it also improved her MF to 247 with the MF from the boots, and a switch to a 14% ring instead of a resist ring that she had to remove.
Countess dropped tir-nef.:thumbsdown: but she did find two gem shrines, one in the stoney field and one in the Dark wood! She had the same in normal making her probably the luckiest gem finder I've ever had. She'll have to try some crafting eventually with those!

Anyway, good thing it's not a race, but Britta is still going.
CB

Britta, lvl 50 Trapsin, NM Black Marsh.



 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

RIP Shatterproof. Also good luck in Hell, Argoel.

@wakiki I don't think I'll have another go at this. Not too much time and motivation for D2 at the moment and what little I have will go towards my very neglected yellow assassin. I might also start another D1 char.
My Certain Death graveyard (Summer's corpse got lost apparently) is depressing enough as it is ;)
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

...that is a frightening and very depressing graveyard.

Let us go in, Herodias, I begin to grow afraid.

My first run is a little embarrassing - I excitedly documented Arvon's progress with screen shots as he gave up his skeletons for a dagger, discovered himself a topaz, and another, and another, and another, found some excellent +MF gear, stung quickly with a dagger before running away...

...only to be slain in the Barracks at level 17 while clearing it out post-Smith, just before I would've gotten Poison Explosion (/p8 all the way). In a mild fit of misery I deleted the screenshots - and resolved to do it over again; Arvon, the Psn Novamancer - only harder, better, faster, stronger.

And more willing to run away before he's trapped in a corner!

Stay tuned.

Arvon, Lvl. 1 Psn Novamancer, Rogue Encampment
 
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Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Ganoidyn said:
...In a mild fit of misery I deleted the screenshots
Click to expand...
I know the feeling. Writing a huge update on a character that's dead anyway is hard and feels rather pointless. Condolences on Arvon's deeds and good luck with Arvon! (sounds like a "The king is dead. Long live the king." situation ;))

Don't be frightened by my graveyard, most of the deeds were entirely my fault (at least in the sense of not adopting a reasonable style of playing suited to no-vit-HC). I was joking on the depressing, it's more like a lot of fond memories (with some minor regrets).


 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

I guess! It was a pretty daunting experience that sent me straight back into my safe softcore Concentrate Barb for a while before I was willing to venture back in.

This time I promise to at least make it to where the Psn Novamancer actually has a poison nova!
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Yikes! Some unexpected Deeds occurring recently. My commiserations to those who suffered ... I was rather hoping that I will avenge them!

The River of Flame is one of my favourite areas (unless I'm running a Summonancer and I meet Maggots - yawn!) and proved to be a breeze here. Hephasto was no sweat, the Hell Forge provided me with my sixth (sixth!) Hel rune drop. The game clearly expects me to make a lot of mistakes socketing my gear :)

Unfortunately, the RoF leads to the Chaos Sanctuary, which is not one of my favourite areas. Unless I'm playing a Bowazon of course. That's not so bad. Lord de Seis and the Grand Vizier were no match for us. The Valk died to the Infector and his pack, twice, but otherwise was durable, even when IM'd (although I had to pull her away once or twice when she was so cursed).

Seal time, and my dreaded appointment with NM Diable. Not feeling too confident about this and so ...

Diablo is beaten! A roller-coaster battle at /P1, ducking a diving all the way. The Valk survived the battle, WitherBow even survived being Bone Prisoned - a job for rubber pants if ever there was! Never really got tagged by the lightning, nor the fire - a handy Lightning shrine gave us some extra margin for error. The drop was rubber pants, too.

In Harrogath, an excess of cash led to a mini gambling spree. After this little heart-breaker, I was consoled with this. But how will I overcome my resists issues in order to equip this beauty?

Skills
Code: 
Cold Arrow    20
Ice Arrow      1
Freezing Arrow 5
Magic Arrow    1
Multiple Shot 10

IS, SM, Decoy  1
Valkyrie       9 (17 with Harmony & Pre-buff)
D/A/E          1

CS & Pierce    5
Penetrate     10

FA will be maxed, if I survive ...

[highlight]WitherBow, MS/FA Bowazon, Level 66, Harrogath (Nightmare)[/highlight]
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Drystan said:
No new updates in 2 days? :(
Click to expand...

Im still here!

Progress with Alice is good and steady, currently clearing out the Canyon of the Magi before we enter the false tombs.

The reason as to why progress has been slow with Alice, is that i have changed my playing style. Something i should have done with all my previous characters!

Usually 99% of my deeds have been due to lack of patience, or, over confidence in my build. I have let both of these things overshadow what i should be doing. Taking it slow, steady and taking an extra couple seconds to think about the situation.

You know how the saying goes, "Slow and steady wins the race". Well i think it fits perfectly for HC play, especially in a tournament like this.

For example:You can have a strong build that kills everything in 1 hit and progress through the game at lighting speed, but one false move could result in deeds. Meaning... all that time you spent progressing has been wasted (to some degree) and you have to begin from scratch!

As apposed to taking it slow, thinking about the situation at hand and slowly progress through the game, all the way to Hell Baal and becoming Guardian.

I seem to be repeating what everyone here knows, but it's something that hasn't really struck home to me, as of late. Now i am trying to implement this with Alice and hopefully i can see her to Hell and beyond! :)

PS. Condolences to all the fallen :(.



 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

@Loz Ugghhh, 1 pt of life too much on the heart breakin' amulet. Bummer.

Freddie has finished most of Act 5. Sitting at the WSK2 waypoint. Baal will wait for next session. Too tired to be trying that this evening.

Freddie no longer uses a bow and has picked up a sword and shield. Now that he has a decent length stun to his war cry, it's not too scary to melee. For bigger crowds, I typically war cry everything down, and the merc and I clean up the stragglers. I let the merc engage, taunt any ranged to me 1-2 at a time.

The toughest battle was Niles. He would summon his minions, the merc would get distracted by them, even when I howled them away, and Niles would hit me with his arctic blast thing. Used a fair amount of pots, but never really got too low on life.

I was really worried about the ancients, but they hardly scratched me or the merc (Emilio - A2 defense). Just took awhile whittling them down. Freddie has maxed blocking, and decent life for this tourney. 338 with his level 2 BO. Resists are right close to 50 with the 1 pt in nat resists, Steelclash shield (15 to all) and my scintillating circlet (15 to all) I have a few small resist charms to round them out. I have the resist scroll still saved in my stash, will use it right before traveling to nightmare. That is assuming I survive Baal and the cows.

[highlight]Freddie Mercury, Singer, Level 46, WSK2[/highlight]
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

I may have forgotten to mention that back in the Arreat Plateau I shopped a ferocious lance of the wraith (180%ED) for Azrael. Well, I found it a bit slow and switched back to the trusty green Bill but the thing just didn't do enough damage. So I tried the Pierre Tombale again and the thing does do nice damage - it is easily enough for A5NM players 8. Maybe I was mistaken during the first testing. So Azrael switched over to that full time.

# --

The Halls of Anguish were quite okay, even these champions. Find item continues to deliver better items than are dropping normally. Well, it aint useful here but it is on the right track at least.

The Hall of Pain took ages. Blood maggots and Flesh Spawners. Hack hack hack, slash slash slash (actually, more bash bash bash). I think I've saw a spawn like this in act 4 and I wasn't happy then either.

And yowsers, Nilly nearly got me. I was just rushing forward to find item a corpse and suddenly there was no red in the life bulb. I honestly thought that was deeds for DeadTwo. He ended up chilled too, is that normal for CE or was it a combo with the an exploding guy? Yeah, that must have been it. Anyway, we obviously took sweet revenge.

The glacial trail was practically harmless. The spawn was some melee skeletons, some frozen bolt skeletons and some frozen horrors. With Azrael's 90% cold resist and cannot be frozen, he doesn't have any problems with that lot and Azrael just followed him peacefully. There was another area later on with a similar spawn which provided a second relaxing interlude.

I actually started using find potion in preference to find item when running low on potions. Greater healing potions just aren't as quick / safe as super healing potions in a pitched battle.

This exceptional unique I will use. Azrael likes his new headgear. I still think I've been a bit hard done by for S/U drops considering DeadTwo has full cleared at p8 since at least act 3 with more than 250MF (actually closer to 300). Still, beggars can't be choosers.

DeadTwo had another NDE in the Infernal Pit. Azrael was successfully holding off a cursed (not sure of the other mod) NightLord boss pack through strategic use of a bridge choke point and warcry. As he killed the first guy in the front row, the boss comes storming through and his life starts dropping. No worries I think, I'll tap him with the General's and give him a quick dose of Battle Cry. Wham wham wham, the boss starts frenzying on DeadTwo. Run away! I ended up howling the minions away and Azrael took the boss solo, just as we like it.

The extra areas provided a bit of fun. Cannot be frozen doesn't help much against holy freeze. These snakes were a bit painful. And taking out this PI frenzytaur cost a lot of heal potions and and fair bit of durability on the malice mace. DeadTwo got a nice charm upgrade somewhere along the way too.

Before tackling the ancients, I geared up with the following:

+2 BO, +15 life barb helm
+3 warcries amulet
+29 life amulet of the tiger
malice mace
teleport staff
lifetap wand
cleglaws gloves

900 life :)

(almost 3k for Azrael)

In the end I let Azrael take them all without getting close enough to slow with the generals or tap them with the malice. Life tap did the job.

Madawc and Talic were first, followed by Korlic. Not too bad at all.

WSK1 was annoying with the witches but not too dangerous. The last three waves of minions were tackled outside the throne room. Minions of Destruction are easy when stunned. Lister was a pushover without them.

And with 75% slow from Clegs and the General's, Baal didn't do much either. Back to full MF gear for his drop, but it was still useless.

# --

DeadTwo equipment at the end of nightmare

Artisan's Great Helm 3 PTopaz
4 socket gothic plate 4 PTopaz

Grand charm of sustenance +35 life (NM cows)
Rugged large charm of sustenance +21 life / +32 stamina
Smoldering small charm of vita 3-10 fire dam / +19 life

Sanders Taboo Heavy Gloves (+40 life, 20IAS)
Plated belt of the Tiger +29 life
Amber Light Plated Boots of Luck (32LR, 35MF)

Fortuitous Amulet of Luck (37% MF)
Nagelring (22 MF / +58 AR)
Wyrm's Ring of fortune (+53 mana / 20 MF)

The General's Tan Do Li Ga (NM Dark Wood)
Rhyme Bone Shield

On weapon switch
Berserker's War Sword (+2 Barbarian skills)
Echoing Kris (+3 Warcry Skills)

Toolkit

Echoing Amulet of Life (+3 Warcries / 4DR)
Amulet of the Tiger (+29 life)
Victorious Bone Wand of Life Tap (82 lvl3 life tap charges)
Malice Jagged Star (26-50 damage)

In the stash - only used against the ancients

*Fanged Helm of the Wolf (+2 BO, +15 life)
*Emerald Gnarled Staff of Teleportation (37 PRes, 41 lvl3 teleport charges)
*Stealth breast plate (for the 25FCR / 25FRW)


Azrael Might Merc

Pierre Tombale Couant Unique Partizan (178%ED, 110AR, 55%DS, 30%FHR)
Vampire Gaze Unique Grim Helm (12MDR, 18%PDR, 7%LL, 7%ML)
Hawkmail Unique Scale Mail (CBF, 15%CR, 15% max CR)

[HIGHLIGHT]Conqueror DeadTwo, Level 74 BO Barb with Azrael the Mighty Desert Guard, Hell Rogue Camp[/HIGHLIGHT]
 
Re: The Certain Death Tournament.

Certain Death has hit upon Jezabelle - she died while clearing The Tombs. While clearing the 4th tomb I got careless and she got mobbed by a Mummy and group of its minions and the rest is history

[highlight]Jezabelle, Javazon, Level 26, The Tombs - RIP[/highlight]
 
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