[1.14D SC] Patriarch ShapeShifter, Grief and Beast Werebarb

[Babyhell]

Patriarch ShapeShifter, a Werebarb twinked journey
This is where all started...

After the drop of a piece with pretty nice stats, it was about time to think about a Wolfbarb journey, which turned out to be a Werebarb one, using Beast in Act 5 Nightmare to play as a Werebear all the way to clvl 79, before entering Hell and have the full pass as a Werewolf.

A twinking journey towards Wolfhowl
Let's start with a summary of the gearing/leveling journey

Gearing

No 0-6 whatever
   6-15 Sigon set
   15-30 Forwarded Ravenclaw
   28 The Spirit Shroud
   30+ Dual 1 Whirlwind/4 Sword mastery Bloodletters
   41 Duriel's shell, Goblin toe (for Baal running)
   42 Arreat's face
   45 Raven frost
NM 47 Gore Rider
   49 Oath Eth Highland blade main hand
   58 BKWB, Rare amulet with ML and some resistances
   59 Dual Grief PB
   63 Fortitude Archon plate
   64 Beast offhand
He 79 Wolfhowl, final charms setup

Leveling
Player settings were p8 in Normal, then questing on p1 and leveling sessions on p8. All Hell has been done on p1 but the two final waves on p8 and Baal p3... because the build is clearly overpowered on p1. Could have been the same cruise through on higher psettings.
Act 5 Normal leveling

> Eldritch up to 37
> Pindle up to 40
> Baalruns up to 47

Act 5 Nightmare leveling

> Eldritch up to 64
> Baalruns up to 79

Final skills setup, clvl 81
could have been optimized for resistances, with Iron Skin maxed

Combat skills (0)
Combat Masteries (50)
20 Sword Mastery
01 Increased Stamina
01 Increased Speed
17 Iron Skin
11 Natural Resistance
Warcries (42)
20 Battle Orders
01 Battle Command
20 Shout
01 Howl (prereq)

Quick story of a quick journey
Sigon set and forwarded Ravenclaw makes the early Normal a piece of cake with any character. The two only noticeable found of the full journey were found in Act 2 Normal, being a 12allres/4dex GC, and from Duriel 37MF Chancies.

Then the interesting part came from the use of Bloodletters at clvl 30 in Act 4, which allowed the use of Whirlwind without putting any skillpoint in. It lasted until clvl 64, with the inclusion of an Oath at clvl 49 to boost damage on half of the swings.

After the few needed levels at Eldritch, Act 5 questing and leveling had been made as a Werebear, all the way up to 79 (the last level was... kinda dedication, just for the sake of the Wolfhowl unlocking). I didn't make any screenshot of the LCS to confirm the HP under this form, but well this was more than enough anyway.

Hell journey was a real run through... started with 4685HP, resistances all maxed but lightning at 73 (pure laziness, multiple charms are nothing like great for endgame, so were the dual spirit swords instead of Warcry sticks on switch), and Feral Rage boosting FRW, not any monster could follow or be a threat of whatever form. Merc was a Blessed Aim desert one, using Guillaume's for CB vs bosses, Reaper's Toll for LL and Decrepify vs Physical Immunes, and stick to Duriel's Shell for CBF all along. Purples (few used) were for the said merc.

All Hell running, being lost in the jungle due to Great Marsh configuration, took about 3.5 hours, with Act 5 taking 30 minutes from Harrogath to the end.

And here's the final LCS after defeating Baal, with almost 5k HP, that would have been hit easily with a better charm setup:

Final dumps

Spoiler: Stats

Name: ShapeShifter
Class: Barbarian
Experience: 783949870
Level: 81

Naked/Gear
Strength: 103/159
Dexterity: 93/136
Vitality: 294/346
Energy: 10/25
HP: 1351/1554
Mana: 90/130
Stamina: 441/612
Defense: 23/2295
AR: 450/1253

Fire: 184/144/84
Cold: 128/88/28
Lightning: 125/85/25
Poison: 136/96/36

MF: 14 Block: 18
GF: 0
FR/W: 43
FHR: 10
IAS: 95
FCR: 25

Bash: 0/0
Leap: 0/0
Double Swing: 0/0
Stun: 0/0
Double Throw: 0/0
Leap Attack: 0/0
Concentrate: 0/0
Frenzy: 0/0
Whirlwind: 0/0
Berserk: 0/0

Sword Mastery: 20/23
Axe Mastery: 0/0
Mace Mastery: 0/0
Pole Arm Mastery: 0/0
Throwing Mastery: 0/0
Spear Mastery: 0/0
Increased Stamina: 1/4
Iron Skin: 17/20
Increased Speed: 1/4
Natural Resistance: 11/14

Howl: 1/7
Find Potion: 0/0
Taunt: 0/0
Shout: 20/26
Find Item: 0/0
Battle Cry: 0/0
Battle Orders: 20/26
Grim Ward: 0/0
War Cry: 0/0
Battle Command: 1/7

Spoiler: Gear

Weaponry
Grief
Phase Blade
EthTirLoMalRal
One Hand Damage: 31 - 35
Indestructible
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0xff352a7d
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
35% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+35% Increased Attack Speed
Damage +390
Ignore Target's Defense
-25% Target Defense
+151% Damage to Demons (Based on Character Level)
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
-23% to Enemy Poison Resistance
20% Deadly Strike
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Mana after each Kill
+11 Life after each Kill
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Eth Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune

Beast
Berserker Axe
BerTirUmMalLum
One Hand Damage: 144 - 424
Indestructible
Required Level: 64
Required Strength: 128
Required Dexterity: 49
Fingerprint: 0x15265795
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
300% Enhanced Damage
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
+3 to Werebear
+3 to Lycanthropy
+37 to Strength
+10 to Energy
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5/5 Charges)
Ethereal
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Lum Rune

Spirit
Broad Sword
TalThulOrtAmn
One Hand Damage: 7 - 14
Durability: 32 of 32
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 48
Fingerprint: 0x7057f9ae
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+34% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
7% Life stolen per hit
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+90 to Mana
+8 Magic Absorb
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Spirit
Crystal Sword
TalThulOrtAmn
One Hand Damage: 5 - 15
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x6c415ef
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+33% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
7% Life stolen per hit
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+92 to Mana
+7 Magic Absorb
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Armor pieces
Wolfhowl
Fury Visor
Defense: 335
Durability: 28 of 35
Required Level: 79
Required Strength: 110
Fingerprint: 0x82c7e938
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Warcry Skills (Barbarian Only)
+5 to Feral Rage
+6 to Lycanthropy
+5 to Werewolf
+122% Enhanced Defense
+12 to Strength
+14 to Dexterity
+11 to Vitality
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 15 Summon Dire Wolf (18/18 Charges)
Requirements -15%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Emerald Jewel of Freedom

Emerald Jewel of Freedom
Jewel
Required Level: 12
Fingerprint: 0x478d3cbe
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Requirements -15%

Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1533
Durability: 52 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x7e8a7256
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+121 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +26
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

Verdungo's Hearty Cord
Mithril Coil
Defense: 151
Durability: 11 of 16
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 106
Fingerprint: 0xb9f1a2f8
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+130% Enhanced Defense
+36 to Vitality
Replenish Life +13
+101 Maximum Stamina
Damage Reduced by 14%

Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 85
Durability: 8 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xa39b50de
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 3 Holy Bolt on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+350% Damage to Demons
+25 Defense
Fire Resist +50%

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 157
Durability: 32 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0xd13b6017
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+192% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xef8dda3c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +21

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xbfc6049e
Item Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+231 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x34785e12
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
5% Life stolen per hit
+40 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina

Inventory
Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0xb3614a5e
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Key
Fingerprint: 0x4c925264
Item Level: 28
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Emerald Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x1a56d560
Item Level: 56
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +11%

Shimmering Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x79ea1c0f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +13

Shimmering Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0xe0b027a1
Item Level: 14
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+4 to Dexterity
All Resistances +12

Shimmering Grand Charm of Thunder
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xb91b3ef9
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 19 Lightning Damage
All Resistances +15

Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x22685cbe
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating

Sharp Grand Charm of Inertia
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x795f84fc
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7% Faster Run/Walk
+9 to Maximum Damage
+72 to Attack Rating

Steel Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x2d467917
Item Level: 55
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage
+104 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xc9925b1e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating
+19 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xe6c7e60e
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+3 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating

Shimmering Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x1dcfdc94
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Strength
All Resistances +3

Shimmering Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x8faf973c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +5
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x1fd9107
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+3 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x33224020
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating
3% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Jagged Large Charm of Maiming
Large Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x6d961d26
Item Level: 55
Version: Expansion
+15 to Maximum Damage

Serrated Grand Charm of Craftmanship
Grand Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x388e0443
Item Level: 55
Version: Expansion
+25 to Maximum Damage

Sharp Grand Charm of Quality
Grand Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x516a73fe
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Maximum Damage
+64 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x22a0d502
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+12 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x5dc865f7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating
+10 to Life

Garnet Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x11e83324
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
Fire Resist +9%

Azure Small Charm of Blight
Small Charm
Required Level: 6
Fingerprint: 0xb4134643
Item Level: 6
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 Poison Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Cold Resist +3%

Spoiler: The merc

Name: Pratham
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Normal
Experience: 59199768
Level: 81
Dead?: false

Naked/Gear
Strength: 183/213
Dexterity: 148/148
HP: 1670/1751
Defense: 1232/2094
AR: 1928/1928

Fire: 168/128/68
Cold: 198/158/98
Lightning: 168/128/68
Poison: 168/128/68

Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 645
Durability: 27 of 150
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x4545f4db
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+168% Enhanced Defense
+101 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+81 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: 34 of 40
Required Level: 34
Required Strength: 115
Fingerprint: 0x44918340
Item Level: 88
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: 38 - 455
Durability: 39 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0xb3faa749
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
223% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (40 Frames)
11% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%

Thanks for reading!

 

[Babyhell]

Career achievements
Probable respec for Travincal running as a Whirler. We will see, I needed a second Barb anyway!

 

[Pb_pal]

Your writeups never cease to amaze me. Well done, and a MASSIVE congratulations! Always happy to see another shapeshifting barb in the books.

 

[Babyhell]

Your writeups never cease to amaze me. Well done, and a MASSIVE congratulations! Always happy to see another shapeshifting barb in the books.

I learnt quite a bit from some more experienced people in the exercise... if you see what I mean ;-)

#JustAPartOfTheCommunity

 

[Excalibur]

I am so excited to see uncommon builds and very eager to create them myself. Very nice!

Why you guys respec your characters and ruin your builds? Let them be and create new ones!

 

[Babyhell]

Why you guys respec your characters and ruin your builds? Let them be and create new ones!

Because I just need a high level character. The more various journeys I find, the better... But at the beginning, I go for useful late game builds.

I can keep a character as is when the major needs are covered, e.g. my Amazon characters...I had a few runs between LF/CS, Mavina magezon, and Wrath-azon <3, so I have more than enough amazons. I should go for a Wizendraw/Ice journey when I decide to go for Ice, and a Windforce journey. And probably a sister-sister lance/polearm melee build too. And at this point I guess I would have been quite far enough with all those boobies @Kartongen's TM amazons!

 

[d2lover]

Hi, as a offhand weapon Phaseblade with

5 Shael
-req/+x dex jool

is better, in legacy

 

[Babyhell]

@d2lover hmmm... why? I thought only main weapon was looked after for swing speed?

And Beast adds up a bit of Lycanthtopy, which is nice for a bit more life, and Fanaticism aura which is great for AR/damage boost, and IAS for the merc. Life is not really needed in PvM at this point though...

 

[d2lover]

it's a bug, you hit 8+ attacks per second with such a PB

but it has to have -req/+dex, then dex for req, so grief is dexglitched

grief gloveslot, PB bootslot

 

[D2DC]

I like all the leveling and gearing info. Nice writeup!

 

[WoRG]

@d2lover wouldn't statglitching the Grief make the gemmed PB primary, regardless of gloveside/bootside placement? I guess Grief's +Damage transfers (it transfers to a shield when Smiting) but ITD wouldn't, would the PMH, DS, CtC Venom, etc? A lot of skills only ever attack with the primary (Feral Rage, Conc, Zerk, etc)... of course, normal attack, DblSwing, Frenzy, and WW all swing both (but whirler has no need of such speed)

Waitaminnit...if offhand Grief adds its +Damage to the primary weapon, does that mean that dual-Grief whirlers/zerkers add the +Damage from BOTH Griefs to every hit?!?

WoRG

 

[d2lover]

@d2lover wouldn't statglitching the Grief make the gemmed PB primary, regardless of gloveside/bootside placement? I guess Grief's +Damage transfers (it transfers to a shield when Smiting) but ITD wouldn't, would the PMH, DS, CtC Venom, etc? A lot of skills only ever attack with the primary (Feral Rage, Conc, Zerk, etc)... of course, normal attack, DblSwing, Frenzy, and WW all swing both (but whirler has no need of such speed)

Waitaminnit...if offhand Grief adds its +Damage to the primary weapon, does that mean that dual-Grief whirlers/zerkers add the +Damage from BOTH Griefs to every hit?!?

WoRG

as far as I assume, the gloveslot is always the main weapon when in wereform

haven't tested it tho

venom proc works as expected

just test it out, it's small price, insane damage, insane leech