- Jun 11, 2018
- 654
- 9
- 3
Hmm, where to begin… I started playing Diablo 2 a while before LoD was released, but didn’t really “get it” and I gave up rather quickly. Once I got LoD and jumped on Bnet with some friends, though, I was hooked. I played on and off over the years and eventually migrated to single player. Fast forward 15+ years and here I am with a wife, house, career, and 3 kids (all boys, aged 3 ½, 2 ½, and ½), and I still love the game – I just have about 2% of the spare time I used to have.
I always have trouble deciding what to name my characters, so I decided to name and design one after each of my boys. After several iterations of theorycrafting and looking at my stashes, I solidified my plans for the 3 characters and visited Meph (from 93 to 94 with my Blizz sorc...) until he gave me the rest of what I needed. I didn’t aim for 100% character optimization and I tried hard to work with the materials I had on hand. I only sought out a few key pieces I thought were important for what I wanted to accomplish.
The goal for each character is to be moderately versatile and capable of beating all areas of Hell solo, with no monsters parked, and the rules of progression are fairly simple: Get all waypoints, complete all quests, kill all Super Unique monsters, and conquer all side areas (e.g., find the sparkly chest in every dungeon). Great way to get lots of XP and drops, and test versatility, without devoting nearly as much time as with full clears.
So without further ado, I present:
Patriarch Milo – Holy Shock Paladin
Milo is my youngest son, still honest and pure (unlike his brothers), so he had to be represented by a Paladin. Crescent Moon is easy to make, and I’ve always wanted to try it on a Holy Shock pally, so I went with that with a decent physical component and Fanaticism as a backup aura for fighting LIs.
Stats/Skills:
Name: Milo
Class: Paladin
Experience: 1487640810
Level: 89
Naked/Gear
Strength: 89/149
Dexterity: 119/138
Vitality: 317/347
Energy: 15/16
HP: 1167/1196
Mana: 147/199
Stamina: 469/469
Defense: 4265 (w/ Holy Shield)
AR: 4777/5907 (Holy Shock / Fanaticism)
Damage: 1067-6210/1404-2050 (Holy Shock / Fanaticism)
Fire: 177/137/77
Cold: 175/135/75
Lightning: 188/148/88
Poison: 209/169/109
MF: 66
Block: 56 (75% w/Holy Shield)
GF: 112
FR/W: 25
FHR: 50 (48% breakpoint)
IAS: 75 (4 FPA zeal breakpoint is 72%)
FCR: 0
Combat Skills
Sacrifice: 20/26
Zeal: 20/26
Holy Shield: 1/7
4 Pre-reqs
Offensive Auras
Holy Shock: 20/26
Fanaticism: 10/16
5 Pre-reqs
Defensive Auras
Resist Lightning: 20/24
Gear
Charms:
Mercenary:
I initially put 4 points in zeal and pumped RL until HS became available at which point I maxed Holy Shock-Resist Lightning-Zeal-Sacrifice in that order. The maxing of these 4 core skills was conveniently completed at level 76, when I moved to Hell difficulty. Max sacrifice gave me decent leach with Holy Shock running. I then fought to the Pits and leveled to 83 so I could wear Andarial’s Visage and my gear would be complete. At that point I respec’d to optimize with my final gear in place. I used a Might merc to further balance my lightning/physical damage. I also like to carry at least 50% MF when possible to hopefully find some goodies along the way. Highlights for this character include an intriguing melee sorc circlet, a 362% ED rare crusader bow, a 39% ED Ruby jewel, a 36/15 RJoF, my first (crappy roll) Ribcracker, two cold skillers (my MF sorc is appreciative), a 15% ED ethereal Silver-Edged Axe (no pic), and a perfect (130% ED) Schaeffer’s Hammer. Best non-forge runes were Fal and Um. NM hellforge was Lum and Hell was Gul!
Thoughts on playing through Hell: Non-LIs went down without much trouble, and LIs were slow-going at first but gradually the Fanaticism plus decrepify (how broken is Reaper’s, by the way??) made them fall at a reasonable clip. Fanaticism is especially nice for speeding up the merc's decrep proc. Crescent Moon is a nice weapon despite the relatively low physical damage, and the CTC static is fantastic when combined with a little bit of CB from Duress and Guillaume's on the merc. Lava gout was used to boost my AR to non-pathetic levels when fighting bosses/champs/uniques and offset the -fire res on Andy's, plus I needed the IAS. There were several NDEs and one death. I really wanted to take these characters through without dying, but an amp witch got me in the Hell Throne of Destruction. So painful to make it that close! I probably would have rage quit for months had that been hardcore. I played normal and NM at /players8, then Hell Acts 1-2 at /players7 and acts 3-5 at /players5, including the ancients. I rerolled the ancients twice, once when an extra fast Madawc just wouldn’t bug off and did weirdly high damage to my merc, and a second time when I saw fanaticism. I was able to separate them on the third spawn and had no real problems. After getting the WSK 2 WP I went back to the Pits until I was close to 89 (starting from about 8_8.2), so I leveled on the way to Baal to call the build complete (a nice even 10 points in Fanaticism – if going for 99, it could be maxed as well).
What's next for this char? Probably retirement, to be honest. But he keeps his equipment in case I ever want to take him for a spin, as he was a pretty fun character to play (just not the most efficient at anything).
Some fun screenshots:
-Holy Death Lords, Batman! Fire resistance for the win.
-The only dual unbreakable immune I came across. Still killed it.
-The CTC chain lightning on Crescent Moon made for some nifty fireworks. Useless, but fun.
-Static Field + decrepify really helped speed up and increase the safety of fights like this (notice the static proc).
-Shenk's death animation was timed perfectly with a PN proc.
-Even with 75% block, lots of flayers = lots of PN procs.
-As mentioned, the ancients were pretty easy.
-Champ heirophants at /players5 in the WSK made for very drawn out fights. Once again, elemental resistances for the win.
-Baal's drop and LCS with Holy Shock and Fanaticism.
That’s an awful lot for a first post, so I should probably cut it around here (or a couple of pages ago). One question for the Druid aficionados around here: If, as a werewolf (lvl 20 werewolf), a character uses Tomb Reaver and gets to 90% total WIAS, that should give me 7 FPA Fire Claws and 7/4 fury, right? That seems to be what the German skill calculator says, but the skill calculator doesn't offer Fire Claws as an attack choice, so I assume the game uses normal attack for its speed calculations?
If you’re still here, thanks for reading! Happy to take any questions.
I always have trouble deciding what to name my characters, so I decided to name and design one after each of my boys. After several iterations of theorycrafting and looking at my stashes, I solidified my plans for the 3 characters and visited Meph (from 93 to 94 with my Blizz sorc...) until he gave me the rest of what I needed. I didn’t aim for 100% character optimization and I tried hard to work with the materials I had on hand. I only sought out a few key pieces I thought were important for what I wanted to accomplish.
The goal for each character is to be moderately versatile and capable of beating all areas of Hell solo, with no monsters parked, and the rules of progression are fairly simple: Get all waypoints, complete all quests, kill all Super Unique monsters, and conquer all side areas (e.g., find the sparkly chest in every dungeon). Great way to get lots of XP and drops, and test versatility, without devoting nearly as much time as with full clears.
So without further ado, I present:
Patriarch Milo – Holy Shock Paladin
Milo is my youngest son, still honest and pure (unlike his brothers), so he had to be represented by a Paladin. Crescent Moon is easy to make, and I’ve always wanted to try it on a Holy Shock pally, so I went with that with a decent physical component and Fanaticism as a backup aura for fighting LIs.
Stats/Skills:
Name: Milo
Class: Paladin
Experience: 1487640810
Level: 89
Naked/Gear
Strength: 89/149
Dexterity: 119/138
Vitality: 317/347
Energy: 15/16
HP: 1167/1196
Mana: 147/199
Stamina: 469/469
Defense: 4265 (w/ Holy Shield)
AR: 4777/5907 (Holy Shock / Fanaticism)
Damage: 1067-6210/1404-2050 (Holy Shock / Fanaticism)
Fire: 177/137/77
Cold: 175/135/75
Lightning: 188/148/88
Poison: 209/169/109
MF: 66
Block: 56 (75% w/Holy Shield)
GF: 112
FR/W: 25
FHR: 50 (48% breakpoint)
IAS: 75 (4 FPA zeal breakpoint is 72%)
FCR: 0
Combat Skills
Sacrifice: 20/26
Zeal: 20/26
Holy Shield: 1/7
4 Pre-reqs
Offensive Auras
Holy Shock: 20/26
Fanaticism: 10/16
5 Pre-reqs
Defensive Auras
Resist Lightning: 20/24
Gear
Shadow Mark - Seemed perfect for this build
Amulet
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0xdb69f821
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
5% Mana stolen per hit
All Resistances +15
Lightning Resist +17%
Duress
Mage Plate
ShaelUmThul
Defense: 747
Durability: 52 of 60
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x269f2659
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Hit Recovery
17% Enhanced Damage
Adds 37 - 133 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+192% Enhanced Defense
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +15
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
Um Rune
Required Level: 47
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 25% Chance of Open Wounds
Armor: Cold Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%
Shields: Cold Resist +22%
Lightning Resist +22%
Fire Resist +22%
Poison Resist +22%
Thul Rune
Required Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Armor: Cold Resist +30%
Shields: Cold Resist +35%
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x4e9528b7
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+198 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+19 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen
Doom Whorl
Ring
Required Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0x2305fd4d
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+95 to Attack Rating
+1 to Energy
+22 to Life
Lightning Resist +20%
Fire Resist +10%
Damage Reduced by 1
String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 102
Durability: 13 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xf4b1944
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
6% Life stolen per hit
+150% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 13
+10 Maximum Durability
War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 131
Durability: 47 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0xcd8bb952
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+173% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 9
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability
Lava Gout
Battle Gauntlets
Defense: 138
Durability: 33 of 38
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 88
Fingerprint: 0x31d206a3
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
2% Chance to cast level 10 Enchant on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 13 - 46 Fire Damage
+188% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +24%
Half Freeze Duration
+20 Maximum Durability
Grand Scepter - switch for redemption
One Hand Damage: 8 - 18
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 37
Fingerprint: 0x501c8407
Item Level: 37
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+150% Damage to Undead
+1 to Redemption (Paladin Only)
+1 to Meditation (Paladin Only)
Milo's Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 381
Durability: 16 of 20
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 102
Fingerprint: 0x62c47df3
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+35% Increased Attack Speed
9% Life stolen per hit
+146% Enhanced Defense
+30 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist -13%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (20/20 Charges)
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel of Fervor
Ruby Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x6221e762
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Fire Resist +17%
Milo's Crescent Moon
Superior Phase Blade
ShaelUmTir
One Hand Damage: 96 - 109
Indestructible
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x910ae355
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 17 Chain Lightning on striking
7% Chance to cast level 13 Static Field on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
212% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
+2 to Attack Rating
-35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+10 Magic Absorb
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Level 18 Summon Spirit Wolf (30/30 Charges)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
Um Rune
Required Level: 47
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 25% Chance of Open Wounds
Armor: Cold Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%
Shields: Cold Resist +22%
Lightning Resist +22%
Fire Resist +22%
Poison Resist +22%
Tir Rune
Required Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Armor: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Shields: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Milo's Herald of Zakarum
Gilded Shield
Defense: 451
Chance to Block: 52
Durability: 46 of 50
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 89
Fingerprint: 0xc16a2263
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
+30% Faster Block Rate
30% Increased Chance of Blocking
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+167% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
All Resistances +69
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Perfect Diamond
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +68% Damage to Undead
Armor: +100 to Attack Rating
Shields: Cold Resist +19%
Lightning Resist +19%
Fire Resist +19%
Poison Resist +19%
Amulet
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0xdb69f821
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
5% Mana stolen per hit
All Resistances +15
Lightning Resist +17%
Duress
Mage Plate
ShaelUmThul
Defense: 747
Durability: 52 of 60
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x269f2659
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Hit Recovery
17% Enhanced Damage
Adds 37 - 133 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+192% Enhanced Defense
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +15
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
Um Rune
Required Level: 47
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 25% Chance of Open Wounds
Armor: Cold Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%
Shields: Cold Resist +22%
Lightning Resist +22%
Fire Resist +22%
Poison Resist +22%
Thul Rune
Required Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Armor: Cold Resist +30%
Shields: Cold Resist +35%
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x4e9528b7
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+198 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+19 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen
Doom Whorl
Ring
Required Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0x2305fd4d
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+95 to Attack Rating
+1 to Energy
+22 to Life
Lightning Resist +20%
Fire Resist +10%
Damage Reduced by 1
String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 102
Durability: 13 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xf4b1944
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
6% Life stolen per hit
+150% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 13
+10 Maximum Durability
War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 131
Durability: 47 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0xcd8bb952
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+173% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 9
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability
Lava Gout
Battle Gauntlets
Defense: 138
Durability: 33 of 38
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 88
Fingerprint: 0x31d206a3
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
2% Chance to cast level 10 Enchant on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 13 - 46 Fire Damage
+188% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +24%
Half Freeze Duration
+20 Maximum Durability
Grand Scepter - switch for redemption
One Hand Damage: 8 - 18
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 37
Fingerprint: 0x501c8407
Item Level: 37
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+150% Damage to Undead
+1 to Redemption (Paladin Only)
+1 to Meditation (Paladin Only)
Milo's Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 381
Durability: 16 of 20
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 102
Fingerprint: 0x62c47df3
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+35% Increased Attack Speed
9% Life stolen per hit
+146% Enhanced Defense
+30 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist -13%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (20/20 Charges)
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel of Fervor
Ruby Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x6221e762
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Fire Resist +17%
Milo's Crescent Moon
Superior Phase Blade
ShaelUmTir
One Hand Damage: 96 - 109
Indestructible
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x910ae355
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 17 Chain Lightning on striking
7% Chance to cast level 13 Static Field on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
212% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
+2 to Attack Rating
-35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+10 Magic Absorb
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Level 18 Summon Spirit Wolf (30/30 Charges)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
Um Rune
Required Level: 47
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 25% Chance of Open Wounds
Armor: Cold Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%
Shields: Cold Resist +22%
Lightning Resist +22%
Fire Resist +22%
Poison Resist +22%
Tir Rune
Required Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Armor: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Shields: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Milo's Herald of Zakarum
Gilded Shield
Defense: 451
Chance to Block: 52
Durability: 46 of 50
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 89
Fingerprint: 0xc16a2263
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
+30% Faster Block Rate
30% Increased Chance of Blocking
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+167% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
All Resistances +69
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Perfect Diamond
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +68% Damage to Undead
Armor: +100 to Attack Rating
Shields: Cold Resist +19%
Lightning Resist +19%
Fire Resist +19%
Poison Resist +19%
Charms:
Small Charm of Thunder
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0xc75aa9c0
Item Level: 50
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 18 Lightning Damage
Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x7387a5b0
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
112% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 10%
36% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Lapis Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x230b709d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +6%
Iron Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x18aabd8d
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+13 to Attack Rating
Large Charm of Storms
Large Charm
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0x42a7a890
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 37 Lightning Damage
Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x8c3ce542
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Shimmering Grand Charm of Pestilence
Grand Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x2b3999aa
Item Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 25 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
All Resistances +10
Lizard's Large Charm of Storms
Large Charm
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0xefcd2235
Item Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 31 Lightning Damage
+12 to Mana
Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x98a3361b
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 19 Lightning Damage
Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x1900936e
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 25 Lightning Damage
Large Charm of Storms
Large Charm
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0x98eb5db
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 38 Lightning Damage
Ocher Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x840dc976
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +6%
Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x8e45458b
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 23 Lightning Damage
Ocher Small Charm of the Icicle
Small Charm
Required Level: 15
Fingerprint: 0x58c6815e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 3 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Lightning Resist +6%
Ruby Large Charm
Large Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x2c1fa933
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +13%
Crimson Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0x86d0ad33
Item Level: 2
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Life
Fire Resist +4%
Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x30335049
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 26 Lightning Damage
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0xc75aa9c0
Item Level: 50
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 18 Lightning Damage
Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x7387a5b0
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
112% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 10%
36% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Lapis Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x230b709d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +6%
Iron Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x18aabd8d
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+13 to Attack Rating
Large Charm of Storms
Large Charm
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0x42a7a890
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 37 Lightning Damage
Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x8c3ce542
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Shimmering Grand Charm of Pestilence
Grand Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x2b3999aa
Item Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 25 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
All Resistances +10
Lizard's Large Charm of Storms
Large Charm
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0xefcd2235
Item Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 31 Lightning Damage
+12 to Mana
Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x98a3361b
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 19 Lightning Damage
Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x1900936e
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 25 Lightning Damage
Large Charm of Storms
Large Charm
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0x98eb5db
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 38 Lightning Damage
Ocher Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x840dc976
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +6%
Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x8e45458b
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 23 Lightning Damage
Ocher Small Charm of the Icicle
Small Charm
Required Level: 15
Fingerprint: 0x58c6815e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 3 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Lightning Resist +6%
Ruby Large Charm
Large Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x2c1fa933
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +13%
Crimson Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0x86d0ad33
Item Level: 2
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Life
Fire Resist +4%
Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x30335049
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 26 Lightning Damage
Mercenary:
Name: Mizan
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Nightmare
Experience: 83325452
Level: 88
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 191/221
Dexterity: 154/154
HP: 1887/1976
Defense: 1387/2313
AR: 1946/1946
Fire: 172/132/72
Cold: 202/162/102
Lightning: 172/132/72
Poison: 172/132/72
Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 709
Durability: 36 of 150
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x2648af1f
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+195% Enhanced Defense
+111 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+89 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 Maximum Durability
Guillaume's Face
Winged Helm
Defense: 217
Durability: 22 of 40
Required Level: 34
Required Strength: 115
Fingerprint: 0x458e84f4
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
+120% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Strength
The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 36 - 431
Durability: 32 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0x99f504e
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
206% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (20 Frames)
15% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Nightmare
Experience: 83325452
Level: 88
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 191/221
Dexterity: 154/154
HP: 1887/1976
Defense: 1387/2313
AR: 1946/1946
Fire: 172/132/72
Cold: 202/162/102
Lightning: 172/132/72
Poison: 172/132/72
Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 709
Durability: 36 of 150
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x2648af1f
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+195% Enhanced Defense
+111 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+89 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 Maximum Durability
Guillaume's Face
Winged Helm
Defense: 217
Durability: 22 of 40
Required Level: 34
Required Strength: 115
Fingerprint: 0x458e84f4
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
+120% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Strength
The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 36 - 431
Durability: 32 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0x99f504e
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
206% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (20 Frames)
15% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
I initially put 4 points in zeal and pumped RL until HS became available at which point I maxed Holy Shock-Resist Lightning-Zeal-Sacrifice in that order. The maxing of these 4 core skills was conveniently completed at level 76, when I moved to Hell difficulty. Max sacrifice gave me decent leach with Holy Shock running. I then fought to the Pits and leveled to 83 so I could wear Andarial’s Visage and my gear would be complete. At that point I respec’d to optimize with my final gear in place. I used a Might merc to further balance my lightning/physical damage. I also like to carry at least 50% MF when possible to hopefully find some goodies along the way. Highlights for this character include an intriguing melee sorc circlet, a 362% ED rare crusader bow, a 39% ED Ruby jewel, a 36/15 RJoF, my first (crappy roll) Ribcracker, two cold skillers (my MF sorc is appreciative), a 15% ED ethereal Silver-Edged Axe (no pic), and a perfect (130% ED) Schaeffer’s Hammer. Best non-forge runes were Fal and Um. NM hellforge was Lum and Hell was Gul!
Thoughts on playing through Hell: Non-LIs went down without much trouble, and LIs were slow-going at first but gradually the Fanaticism plus decrepify (how broken is Reaper’s, by the way??) made them fall at a reasonable clip. Fanaticism is especially nice for speeding up the merc's decrep proc. Crescent Moon is a nice weapon despite the relatively low physical damage, and the CTC static is fantastic when combined with a little bit of CB from Duress and Guillaume's on the merc. Lava gout was used to boost my AR to non-pathetic levels when fighting bosses/champs/uniques and offset the -fire res on Andy's, plus I needed the IAS. There were several NDEs and one death. I really wanted to take these characters through without dying, but an amp witch got me in the Hell Throne of Destruction. So painful to make it that close! I probably would have rage quit for months had that been hardcore. I played normal and NM at /players8, then Hell Acts 1-2 at /players7 and acts 3-5 at /players5, including the ancients. I rerolled the ancients twice, once when an extra fast Madawc just wouldn’t bug off and did weirdly high damage to my merc, and a second time when I saw fanaticism. I was able to separate them on the third spawn and had no real problems. After getting the WSK 2 WP I went back to the Pits until I was close to 89 (starting from about 8_8.2), so I leveled on the way to Baal to call the build complete (a nice even 10 points in Fanaticism – if going for 99, it could be maxed as well).
What's next for this char? Probably retirement, to be honest. But he keeps his equipment in case I ever want to take him for a spin, as he was a pretty fun character to play (just not the most efficient at anything).
Some fun screenshots:
-Holy Death Lords, Batman! Fire resistance for the win.
-The only dual unbreakable immune I came across. Still killed it.
-The CTC chain lightning on Crescent Moon made for some nifty fireworks. Useless, but fun.
-Static Field + decrepify really helped speed up and increase the safety of fights like this (notice the static proc).
-Shenk's death animation was timed perfectly with a PN proc.
-Even with 75% block, lots of flayers = lots of PN procs.
-As mentioned, the ancients were pretty easy.
-Champ heirophants at /players5 in the WSK made for very drawn out fights. Once again, elemental resistances for the win.
-Baal's drop and LCS with Holy Shock and Fanaticism.
That’s an awful lot for a first post, so I should probably cut it around here (or a couple of pages ago). One question for the Druid aficionados around here: If, as a werewolf (lvl 20 werewolf), a character uses Tomb Reaver and gets to 90% total WIAS, that should give me 7 FPA Fire Claws and 7/4 fury, right? That seems to be what the German skill calculator says, but the skill calculator doesn't offer Fire Claws as an attack choice, so I assume the game uses normal attack for its speed calculations?
If you’re still here, thanks for reading! Happy to take any questions.