If that is how my predictions come around, I hereby declare that Klaus will reach at least level 105.
Grats on the Infinity, huge milestone and nice ED roll!
Pb_pal said:
Klaus also took this opportunity to do some crafting and burned through approximately 100 caster amulets. Nothing really noteworthy, but a few "almosts":
Chaos Wing
Amulet
Required Level: 89
Fingerprint: 0xe5a908e2
Item Level: 91
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+17% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 4 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
+17 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 7%
10% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
What a roll, 2/15+, allowing Barb to use Hoto on switch, and MF? I can only imagine how frustrating it was to see the cold damage roll. I like this one though:
Code:
Rune Noose
Amulet
Required Level: 47
Fingerprint: 0xde33c228
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+10 to Life
+15 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 5%
All Resistances +14
Those are definitely my favourites, and I can see them both getting use. I hadn't thought of the HoTo-switch factor for the barb one, but as @Yng points out the cold damage is a bit of a let-down (to say the least).
@Pb_pal : Huge congratulations, finally You've got what You've deserved (Infinity speaking )...I'm very happy to see Klaus alive after surviving such deadly situation...It happens sometimes, better to be prepared
@Pb_pal It is still good for a singer Barb I guess, a build I never played but certainly would start with that one. But yeah like I implied, I immediately had Pitzerker (or Trav WW Barb) in mind, and the cold damage is just painful to see there. :/
Hey guys, So i've decided to make the journey from 91 to 93 in the pits as a zealot. I've found a few guides in the guides section but the links don't work or are dead. Is there any guides out there for grinding pits for xp? I also read through most of the SPF posts to find something, but couldn't.
If not here's a few questions I have:
1. What's the best pits map to get?
2. Is there a constant spawn of uniques/champ packs?
3. at level 91 is it worth it to kill anything other than uniques/champ packs?
The most amount of bossbacks killed in the least amount of time. Meaning a compact map or one where bosspacks would spawn in only one wing on the way to lvl2. Close to WP is a bonus.
Trapin' said:
2. Is there a constant spawn of uniques/champ packs?
I don't really understand the question. If you mean spawning in the same place, generally the spawn spots are similar. Some spawn 90% of the time some 99% of the time and then there are some occasional ones that spawn say 30% of the time.
Trapin' said:
3. at level 91 is it worth it to kill anything other than uniques/champ packs?
@Pb_pal That is way too close. Glad you lived to tell the tale. And congrats on Infinity.
@Yng Nihl's CE, just like a lot of stuff in D2, is also about avoiding. I haven't read the links or anything as I'm on holiday and trying (!?) to stay away from the internet, but from my experience it's not too hard to get out of CE range mist of the times. Usually that's not necessary though, unless Amp is around and the kill will take longer than usual.
To be clear though: doing stuff you are comfortable with is always important in D2, whatever other people might say. That becomes even more true for a target like Nihl, certainly at the higher clvls.
To elaborate, I want my runs to be as consistent as possible. Repositioning near the platform is something I very rarely do now as it’s too hard to know the uncertain about what’s just off the edge of your screen (the hallway leading up to the platform to the SW in particular).
My abort criteria currently:
1. Fanaticism or Might + Vipers or Succubus = exit
2. Cursed + LE = exit
3. Vipers occupying my landing spot (SE of platform) = I give it 2-3 seconds to see how fast Merc procs Confuse, if they flood my spot with missiles I leave
Changing from Thresher to Scythe I lose nothing (I don’t need him to do damage, he’s not leeching) and it removes the need to abort any of the Cursed + LE rolls that aren’t with Vipers or Succubus nearby.
I don't really understand the question. If you mean spawning in the same place, generally the spawn spots are similar. Some spawn 90% of the time some 99% of the time and then there are some occasional ones that spawn say 30% of the time.
I just mean if the unique/champ packs are constant in spawning. So are there always 8 uniques and 1 champ pack or does it change every time even with the same map
Congrats on the Cham @Trapin' and the runes @RIP and . . . Yikes @Pb_pal that was scary to see, but I'm glad Klaus made it and made his Infinity. Good luck in the AT!
I may have to make a 1.14 and attempt this, been playing a lot more D2 lately. Can't decide between a hammerdin and a forb sorc however or maybe a java. ....
With his new target providing refreshed motivation, Ric quickly moved to 97.3:
I have to say I really like the gameplay with this guy. Just the right amount of things to do so that it's interesting, and generally very safe. He's mostly up against CEs from Nihl, and those are mitigated a lot when running 30% Fire Absorb and 18% PDR on top of 3k life. We had a couple of close calls with Viper clouds though. Let's just say Cursed + Vipers has the honor of being the first spawn on my abort list now.
Runs are picking up speed as well, now around ~26 seconds. The increase in speed is mostly due to no longer casting Confuse unless Vipers are around, because I realized AD and Attract are perfectly sufficient otherwise. Also recorded some ~30 more minutes to compare Beast and Hoto. Beast runs were about ~1.5-2 seconds faster, but also included more S&Es. I feel this is symptomatic of the difference between the two variants. Running Beast comes at the cost of ~250 life after BO, 30% Fire Absorb and 10% PDR in comparison to the Hoto setup. That's a lot really, especially considering the vast majority of damage he takes comes from Nihl's CEs. More than likely any advantage from running with Beast is lost due to having to S&E here and there, in situations where the Hoto setup would be tanky enough to finish the run. Same reasoning applies to White vs. Hoto, though differences are smaller both offensively and defensively.
So I've made the decision to go with Hoto. At least it's eth so I can claim some style points still.
Drops since starting to run Nihlathak (~15% of the level):
After that Jah drop I briefly considered replacing the IAS/ED jewel in his Merc's Andy's with a Cham, given he's always hit by Nihlathak's Arctic Blast. But he often gets the first kill before that happens and also unfreezes very quickly, and the drop to 20% IAS alone would result in a ~16% DPS decrease for a Cryptic Axe (without Beast). Checking this thread generally made me realize that his CA base actually delivers the highest DPS for the 35% IAS BP (notwithstanding CB, but that's less important now that he has left Baal). Kind of a fluke given I randomly chose the CA for lack of a faster base. But it is worse for the 20% IAS BP, i.e. when socketing Cham. Beast would make a huge difference in that scenario (a whopping ~28% DPS increase). I figured in my case going Hoto therefore also meant it's better to stick with the 35% IAS Merc.
So in the end all of that led to no changes, except for the second Dwarf Star swapped in together with his 2/10 amulet to stay at 125% FCR. Always good to check and learn a few things though!
I may have to make a 1.14 and attempt this, been playing a lot more D2 lately. Can't decide between a hammerdin and a forb sorc however or maybe a java. ....
I really like my Sorc for this project, and never regretted the choice of Blizz until 98 and Meteor/Fireball for the last level. For non-Sorc Hammerdin is my top pick. In the end we can't decide for you though. Pick what you think you will like most.
I really like my Sorc for this project, and never regretted the choice of Blizz until 98 and Meteor/Fireball for the last level. For non-Sorc Hammerdin is my top pick. In the end we can't decide for you though. Pick what you think you will like most.
@Disposition: As far as muling goes, you can go either way, most people play with extended stash and use GoMule to mule off items. Regarding updates, most runners have kept updates in here and only made a separate thread after hitting 99. But of course it's not against the rules to create a separate character thread.
A quick post to show that I'm still alive, Orion is set to continue his /p8 Untwinked Level 99 journey into Nightmare, and it did not take long for me to remember how much Sanctuary does not like melee characters. Oof. I made a promise to myself that Orion would stay a Zealer, after having seen a truly inspiring video online on how far they can go on their own, but this is going to be a slog. I'm beginning to wonder how long Orion will be able to handle /p8 just in NIGHTMARE, forget ever being able to handle anything close to that in Hell.
Maybe Orion needs to pay some more visits to Baal in the hopes that he obtains better armor and a helm, Isenhart's is... lacking, to say the least.
A quick post to show that I'm still alive, Orion is set to continue his /p8 Untwinked Level 99 journey into Nightmare, and it did not take long for me to remember how much Sanctuary does not like melee characters. Oof. I made a promise to myself that Orion would stay a Zealer, after having seen a truly inspiring video online on how far they can go on their own, but this is going to be a slog. I'm beginning to wonder how long Orion will be able to handle /p8 just in NIGHTMARE, forget ever being able to handle anything close to that in Hell.
Maybe Orion needs to pay some more visits to Baal in the hopes that he obtains better armor and a helm, Isenhart's is... lacking, to say the least.
I suggest grinding Eldrich/Shenk for XP in nightmare. Pindle can be tough for a melee, but if you can kill him, he is the best XP. As a zealot your weapon will dictate your success. I suggest grinding Mephisto, Eldrich, and Shenk for a decent weapon to bring you to hell. Butchers pupil drops from Mephisto relatively frequently and is great.
My good man, I think there may be a misunderstanding. Orion is having trouble even at the BEGINNING of NM. He almost bit the dust just at Blood Raven from having been surrounded by 5-6 Hungry Dead.
I found it and the helm almost within 10 minutes of each other, and I liked the defense boost and small +all resists it gave me, so I just stuck with it throughout Normal.
I swear, the awesomeness of Steel in Normal (from following your guide, by the way) made me neglect my other gear.
Blackwell is still alive and he proudly uses the Conqueror title now.
I was lucky to find Steeldriver while farming normal baal, so I quickly upgraded it and I kept using it till now (lvl 70). With this improvement, It was quite easy to get to act 5, where I started to carefully farm Pindleskin for experience. Well, to be honest, the A3 was quite a challenge, I almost died like 2-3 times (less then 10% of life in the end of WW - all HC players know the feeling - little heart attack every time this happens), so I had to proceed very carefully. Pindle on the other hand was quite safe, as expected.
I didn't find anything super special (well, only mephisto donated me a skullder's ire) but these two surprises:
Too bad the coronet doesn't have visio mod or something more usefull for barbarian. I will be using it now anyway
The plan for hell is to get to countess and pits to get some XP + drops and upgrade my rather mediocre equipment.
I have some question for you, wise single player players!
1. Where do you farm bases for RWs? I will need some armor for duress/lionheart/fortitude and sword for oath/grief...
2. I have noticed, that many of you keep the track of number of certain runs (pit runs, nihl runs, lk runs...). How do you do that? Is there some utility for it?
This. A Fanatical Zealot is next on my untwinked list, and I've played enough zealots to know how important this is at P8.
@AlexTheNextOne - are you still currently using Steel? Some economical runewords to consider that can help you immediately in the short term (a couple depend on your low-level rune inventory), where an "Exceptional" level base weapon to put these in would be ideal, but a "Normal" base would still help you get by:
Black - 3 Socket Clubs/Hammers/Maces - Thul + Io + Nef
Holy Thunder - 4 socket scepters - Eth + Ral + Ort + Tal
Honor - 5 socket melee weapons - Amn + El + Ith + Tir + Sol
King's Grace - 3 socket swords/scepters - Amn + Ral + Thul
Strength - 2 socket melee weapons - Amn + Tir
Other than Strength and maybe King's Grace, these might probably tough to achieve at the moment so alternatively at this point I always enjoy finding something that allows you to hit the fastest zeal breakpoint of 4 fpa. It helps keep more of the monsters in hit recovery and when they are in hit recovery, they can't hit you, so anything with more IAS the better. Uniques like Bloodletter or especially Coldsteel Eye would be ideal to serve this purpose (Coldsteel Eye is incredibly underrated, with its specs like 50% Deadly Strike, slows target by 30%, and Hit Blinds Target), but I don't recall how early some of these drop. Maybe farming normal Baal for a bit can help you find something in the meantime? Ironically, a Might merc would help as well, but you won't be able to get one until you get a better weapon to get you through Act I to get to that point....
Armor and helm, to me, should be secondary at this point as long as you have a shield with decent resists (like Ancient's Pledge, since you get the runes from saving the barbs in Act V anyway). @Kitteh makes a great suggestion as well regarding a breast plate filled with rubies to give you more life.
I have some question for you, wise single player players!
1. Where do you farm bases for RWs? I will need some armor for duress/lionheart/fortitude and sword for oath/grief...
2. I have noticed, that many of you keep the track of number of certain runs (pit runs, nihl runs, lk runs...). How do you do that? Is there some utility for it?
1. I (and I think most others) usually just pick them up on the way for the lower end stuff (Crystal swords/flails/breast plates/4os normal polearms) for stuff like Spirit/Hoto/CtA/Insight. The higher end stuff (Elite polearms, Dusk Shrouds/Archon plates, Phase Blades etc) usually make an appearance as a byproduct of running alvl 85 areas (The Pits, Ancient Tunnels) or even Pindle/Shenk/Eldritch. I don't know that many of us specifically farm bases, but just know what you want to find and keep an eye out for them as they drop.
@sanguillen I am still currently using Steel, with Strength on switch for bosses. It's the fastest weapon I've been able to find/make thus far. As for my shield, I'm just using a rare Heraldic Shield with decent resists for the moment until I find a good enough base to make Ancient's Pledge with, as the only 3 socket Paladin shields I've found so far were targes and rondaches.
@Quinneczech What @Pb_pal said. If you really get unlucky in lvl 85 areas with elite bases, another option is looking for racks. It can drive you crazy though. I believe I was the first having to resort to that to find an Infinity base, and at some point I just wanted to shoot myself. But IIRC @Yng also did that and found a stable Thresher rack pretty quickly. So definitely an option for targeted farming.
My good man, I think there may be a misunderstanding. Orion is having trouble even at the BEGINNING of NM. He almost bit the dust just at Blood Raven from having been surrounded by 5-6 Hungry Dead.
If that's the case then grind the runes and base for "Black" and use that. You can get hsarus' boots and belt from normal andy which will help with AR/fire res. Bloodrise also drops from normal meph, and there are a few other decent weapons from normal meph. If you get a bonesnap you could go two handed for now.
AlexTheNextOne said:
@sanguillen I am still currently using Steel, with Strength on switch for bosses. It's the fastest weapon I've been able to find/make thus far. As for my shield, I'm just using a rare Heraldic Shield with decent resists for the moment until I find a good enough base to make Ancient's Pledge with, as the only 3 socket Paladin shields I've found so far were targes and rondaches.
I leveled up to 92!
My Zealot's journey so far has been slow and steady. The lack of teleport is rough, but I have made the best of it by finding targets which don't need it. Currently I'm grinding The Pits and have been for awhile. I used this Zealot (my only high level SPF char) for the MFO warm-up and placed last in every category in the level 85 area group I would like to think It was just bad luck!
Moving forward I'm going to continue to grind in The Pits and enter the up-coming MFO. If I place last again at least I'll have gotten more XP! I'm still on the hunt for:
Cham
Zod
Highlord's Amulet
Stormlash
Azurewrath
Eth Berserker Axe (6os)
The goal is to either find Stormlash or make an eBOTD. Hopefully then I'll be able to rip through WSK runs when I hit 93 and grind there for the rest of the duration of the challenge! I've also chosen to not give in and get a runeword mod. I started this char mod-free and I plan to finish that way. Maybe my next 99'er will use mods
Sophie has officially passed the 2/3 mark, putting me under 60m away from finishing! The closer I get the more motivated I get so it's been going much better since the last update, with a little over 10% acquired in 5 days. I've also been streaming much more often when I can. (twitch.tv/ynggaming)
As for drops, I've finally managed to get that 4 socket Scythe but unfortunately I'm still a Mal or Ist short of having that second Infinity. I've considered a LK session with a 200 FCR setup but I'd hate to invest hours and not have one of those two to show for it, as I have no use for any other runes currently. We'll see how I feel moving forward. On another note, I finally got my 2nd Sparking GC from one of the surrounding mobs near the platform! I think I'd be happy with one more; any more than that would push me below 2500 HP and I'd prefer not to do that so close to the end. We also saw continued luck with elite bases, with a 4th eth Thresher to roll and then a 4 socket eth Thresher drop not long after. That's a grand total of 3x 4 socket eth Threshers, 1x 4 socket eth CA, and 1x 4 socket eth GPA. There was also a pair of unique PBs (1 and 2) along the way, but unfortunately both turned out to be Lightsabre. A small crafting session to potentially yield a 2/12+ craft to test self-wielding Infinity (which didn't happen) yielded yet another 2/20 Sin Amulet instead. A perfect Sapphire SC of Balance and Um, Mal, with a Gul from Council while topping gold rounds out the group. All in all very safe 10% (well, as safe as you can be with Vipers drooling for another corpse) with exp/hour bouncing between 3.2m-3.9m depending on how things were going with drops and how many Wraiths I felt like stopping for.
I found my third Sparking GC at 98.8, so I feel you... Ric has found 6 Sparking GCs already I think, while HelpYourself had found 4 P&B ones and Ric only one of these. Gotta love RNG. Regarding Infinity Scythe, if you're indeed going for it I'd use an ethereal base, to save dex points for potential self-wielding at a later point. It's not like the increase in damage will turn his Scythe into a WMD spoil your plan to avoid Merc kills.
How soon can a 2os cuirass drop in NM? I'd like to make a Stealth out of it to replace my Isenhart's Case until I find an even better armor, and I don't yet have a Lum rune to make Smoke with.
Later today, I'll also try to find any decent 3os Paladin shield and make Ancient's Pledge and get those resists maxed, and from there the search to find a new weapon with decent physical damage comes next so that I can then get my life leech in the double digits and increase survivability.
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ -----
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
Between runs involving Pindle/Eldritch/Pits/AT/Meph (usually in that order), and trekking forward to get the Ancient Tunnels waypoint, I've managed to get to lvl 87. At this point I'm still debating whether or not to do Ancients now (so that I have the option of Baal runs and the good experience afforded by Baal's minion waves to add into the mix), or save it for when experience penalties are harsher. I'm leaning toward doing the former sooner rather than later - at least, not saving Ancients for lvl 98 should I live that long - for two reasons: 1) Nihlathak and the various other perils of the Halls of Vaught make this HC player soil his greaves, and 2) CS runs might be a little tedious for a Skellymancer in terms of navigating through the maze before the Chaos Sanctuary doorway....but for now, I'll keep going at those runs at least until the early 90's, I think.
Drops have been pretty sparse (runes especially so), with the only notables being an ethereal Thresher into which I cubed four sockets for my merc Insight (Meditation lvl 14) upgrade (finally, after about a dozen failed cube attempts of various polearms!), and:
(202% ED, 11% LL - ironically, a few days later I found a second Reaper's in the AT, also 202% ED but 13% LL)
Also, the following nifty boots (no screenie at the moment):
I also have the following crafted belt that I will be replacing with a recently found and upped Goldwrap, since in my opinion it is not providing me much value that Insight's Meditation doesn't already cover:
Code:
Skull Strap
Vampirefang Belt
Defense: 81
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 73
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x7109ac36
Item Level: 76
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Cast Rate
+27% Enhanced Defense
+4 to Strength
+20 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 10%
+7 Maximum Stamina
Cold Resist +8%
Seconded! The more I read on this website, the more I'm convinced that mine is terribly inefficient....especially for a HC Necro that will never use Enigma to hopscotch thru it.
RIP said:
This little stone has dropped while looking for the new Pit map
A little bit later then really needed, but hey, welcomed anyway
Not sure if i'm the right person to give You answer...I've been always terrible area runner, never cared about details, so i guess @ffs, @Yng, @Pb_pal or @PhineasB are much better for this task...however when i get my map, i can share it, but only if You promise me, that You will be not laughing too much
I'd say it depends on whether you want to focus on grinding XP or MF. When only focusing on MF and running without teleport, it's impossible to beat Pindle. In fact it's extremely hard to beat him even with a highly optimized character. I recently posted the highest boss/second Pit map I've found so far, which also happens to be the first I ever found that beat Pindle efficiency. So that's maybe an example of a very nice map.
I think generally when rolling Pit maps you're looking for something like 5+ bosses on level 1 (while not having to backtrack much) and more than 2 bosses average on level 2. Of course, the smaller the map the better, and if it's very small it can be worth running also with fewer boss packs. But yeah those are the essentials IMO.
I think the biggest thing if you’re wanting to be efficient is getting Enigma. Particularly for a 99 project, it’s a LOT of runs no matter your target. Just using the standard Harmony/Stealth/FRW Boots will make your runs in LK fairly quick and you’ll acquire a lot of useful charms/bases along the way from poppables/racks. Coincidentally, having Enigma will also speed up the process of rolling a decent map.
Hmmm, strange...its 3rd and 4th IK armor for Kaira, first two dropped in one run from Pindleskin, remember? Almost feels like TM must be dropped pretty soon (still hunting for good Pit map)
hmmmm this is interesting... I've been using it and it's pretty effective! I absolutely hate using my Mighty Scepter because it has a range of 0. I can't kill anything unless i'm on top of it, so i'm very tempted to ditch it for this baby! The lack of crushing blow and + skills hurts my kill speed vs bosses, and once I start doing Baal runs the scepter will probably be better.
Avg dmg on eBalrog: 4195
+fire and +light dmg is amazing for PI, and +9LL
Avg dmg on Might Scepter: 3303
+33% crushing blow and -33% target defense amazing for bosses, +3 pally skills great for more fanat/holy shield
...the style points tho!
...did I mention you don't need to repair the eBalrog??
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ -----
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
After initial struggles starting in act 4 and a very lengthy Izzy fight slow progress was made until reaching Diablo today. Longish fight cos moron has annoying habit of leroy jenkinsing into the red hose of death.... Act 5 is always good though as its easy leveliing on Eldritch which is getting the FOrbs stronger and there is always the chance of something useful dropping. Main limiting factor is lack of both insight and spirit i havn't checked but if i dont have the runes they are never hard to acquire the hard bit is the bases which dont appear until later or if i am lucky Act 5 questing around??
Probably do more Eldritch levelling to maybe level 40 which will probably be 2 more FOrb levels and 2 Cold masteries as i get a bit of a boost and no mana cost increases.
Have also been doing odd bits with my other characters which i may or may not do a thread on perhaps. Be one for all of them i think as its easier to track.
I'd say it depends on whether you want to focus on grinding XP or MF. When only focusing on MF and running without teleport, it's impossible to beat Pindle. In fact it's extremely hard to beat him even with a highly optimized character. I recently posted the highest boss/second Pit map I've found so far, which also happens to be the first I ever found that beat Pindle efficiency. So that's maybe an example of a very nice map.
I think generally when rolling Pit maps you're looking for something like 5+ bosses on level 1 (while not having to backtrack much) and more than 2 bosses average on level 2. Of course, the smaller the map the better, and if it's very small it can be worth running also with fewer boss packs. But yeah those are the essentials IMO.
I went and rerolled my maps and on the third attempt, I hit a Pit map very, very similar to the one you posted - complete with the same hump that you can ignore to save time. It's got roughly 5 bosses on that same path, and lvl 2 seems to be very concentrated, complete with 3-4 bosses. And then I find out my AT map is similar in that I can choke off a rather sizable portion as well, and still hit roughly 5 bosses. And then I find out that the lvl 3 Durance of Hate entrance is almost right beside the lvl 2 waypoint! I think I'm going to keep this one.
Just in time for the MFO, Klaus took to the Ancient Tunnels to find a map, figure out the route, and shake off whatever killing rust he could before the competition. So he did just that.
As mentioned previously, his specs are:
- 4.2k life after Oak/BO
- Maxed Resistances
- Just over 240% MF
That, coupled with Infinity and Delerium make the runs smooth and very safe. I can now kill Invaders, though I mostly skip them unless they are layered with other boss packs since they still take much longer than the other non-FI monsters in there. Having spent so much time in LK, it did take a little while to get back into the swing of actually killing things, but Klaus is rolling now and feeling good about it. I was a little worried about not having Insight, but other than the occasional potion due to mana burn, I don't even notice it being gone.
So with all that sorted, Klaus jumped right into running in preparation for the upcoming MFO. The finds started coming immediately with his 3rd Elemental Skiller. Nice! S/U finds started up right away as well:
Well, a week early but I'm not complaining! (looks like my BO ran out or I didn't even cast it that run. I should probably watch out for that...)
Other MFO-type finds include Executioner's Justice, Windhammer, Wraith Flight, and more mid-range finds. He's finding S/U at a decent clip with his 240+ MF, so I'm hopeful for the actual MFO.
About halfway through the level he finally found his second 4-soc Monarch and quickly made himself a Spirit for his switch BO buff. Also, the D2 Gods continue their "hey, you should have made a hammerdin" kick as he found himself 2 more Lion-branded skillers (including this nice one of Sustenance). That brings him to a full set of 8 now, with a few of them even having decent 2nd mods. He also found a 4-socket, 40 res all Sacred Targe, so I guess a HC hammerdin is in the books for another day so that I can deed them all in spectacular fashion.
He pinged 94 and will be resting (well, only for a couple days I guess...) until the MFO.
Other finds:
- 2 Chilling GCs (plain)
- Captain's GC (plain)
- Ribcracker (207%, terrible roll)
- Metalgrid
- Pul
- Um
Great going there, @Pb_pal . O yes, everyone seems to be finding Metalgrids nowadays. I still never ever found a single one. So that's definitely on my wish list for the MFO.
Sorry, no update on Aurora yet, I've been too busy actually playing her than writing an update and adding her to the table. She is lvl79 now, just reached Hell Pindle, so at least I reached my MFO target BEFORE the tournament started. Now I'll spend the rest of the week trying to get some better gear. Running around in Rare armors is not very efficient.
Also, forgot how difficult rescuing Anya is with a pure Cold sorc, untwinked, negative resists and all. Died a solid 5-6 times before I could lure those Frozen Yetis out of that little island and could rescue Anya!
Finds since last update:
Fire sk 17 life, lc 35 life 10 lr, sc 7 mf 11 cr, eth occu, ma sk 6 life, 5 allres sc, combat sk pala, gheeds 37, shadow sk 37life, raven 20/243, off sk pala, perf strokes +4 200%, 16 life 10 fr sc, ist rune, andyface 30 str 10 ll, 20l sc, 8 life 13 allres gc, 6 mf 4 allres sc, big bk sword.
Still no eth bugged 4 sox armor haha
runs are still mainly vizier infector runs, only a few times i add diablo.
Nice progress @Bewitch! Sorcs level so fast I'm sure I'll only temporarily knock you down one place as Ric has managed to run a bit more to hit 97.5, and 3.1b while he was at it:
A lot of work coming my way the next couple of weeks, and there's the upcoming MFO, so he'll likely chill there for while.
Not much change to his routine apart from minor tweaks. I think we've settled into it and switched to grinding mode. Last session I timed indicated a little over 4m/h, so indeed pretty much the same efficiency as Baal runs with Summoner spec. Even with more skillers I doubt he could be much faster without sacrificing too much safety to be honest. And I don't think I'll drop the double Dwarf Star combo allowed by his HotO setup. The only change of note in his gear was socketing his Shako with a -5/+4 poison facet for lack of a better option at the moment. Might be replaced it with a Ber in case of another Sur/Ber drop.
Drops have been weird this stretch: Barely any noteworthy S&Us, but a Cham allowed him to finish the rune grail, and given his two Zods leaves him "just" another Cham short of a second rune grail. Sur, Ist, Mal were the other notable rune drops, while he's still looking for another Ohm to roll another CtA. Overall highlights since 97.3:
Tomby was non-eth 2os. Other drops of note included:
- Sparking GC (#6)
- Lion Branded GC (#1)
- eth Berserker Axe
- superior 14/3 Berserker Axe
- superior 9 ED eth Ettin Axe
- 2x life/mana sc (19/9 and 19/7)
- 11 LR/7 MF sc
- eth Demon's Arch
- Stormshield
- 2x Veil of Steel
- 15@ jewel
Hey guys, starting another untwinked HC character on my laptop tomorrow. Wondering what you all would recommend. I'm debating between a bowazon, fishymancer, wind druid or orb sorc. Just want a second character since I wont be playing my sin on my laptop anymore I don't think, that may change once I get through hell and get infinity.
Sophie has now reached the 76.5% mark (90% with Ancients). This will be the final update before...the final update. Under 28m to go but unfortunately I'll be fairly busy with work the next few days so no telling when I'll finish.
We finally got around to making that Scythe Infinity (I spent maybe 15 minutes at Countess and another 30 at LK trying to find the Mal I needed with no luck, eventually having Nihlathak himself drop it) and I've seen maybe 3 total CEs in the last 400+ runs, all from LE rolls. Barring some mistakes on my part, he has no where near enough time to kill Arachs (the hard hitting corpse) before I kill Nihlathak.
Continued rune luck provided a Vex (I believe like second run in my short LK session) and another Vex from Nihlathak, as well as the aforementioned Mal and a Stormshield. My ilvl 95 GC stash is also some 80 strong now...
Still going relatively smooth with XP/hour around the same as the last ~10%, with slightly more aborts due to me being really close. One NDE of a Might Viper pack slightly below my landing spot (same as my last death) was immediately thwarted by Terror proc.
6 Fals into 2 Lems
6 Lems into 2 Puls
4 Puls into 2 Ums
2 Ums into 1 Mal
2 Mals into 1 Ist
I had 1 other Mal
2 Ohms into 1 Lo
2 Los into 1 Sur
2 Surs into 1 Ber
I had 1 other Ber 2 Bers into 1 Jah
Almost ****ed the whole thing up because I accidentally put a flawless sapphire with the whole bunch...
I didn't, no. Would take too much time. Just Eldritch and his gang, and the occasional boss pack if there was any around (which hardly ever happened iirc).
I also calculate it myself, every once in a while. Usually when deciding to record runs anyway in order to see where things can be improved, or whether an adjustment led to an actual improvement etc. I rarely run for 60 minutes straight, but I'd record some 20-30 minutes, check XP gain and extrapolate from there.
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ -----
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
Still trudging along, trying to bank the Ancients as long as possible while still cognizant of the fact that banking it is kind of a waste if I die. Notables over the last week, averaging maybe an hour a night:
A little something for Ah Tok:
This one below is very interesting indeed. With the lack of DR is it usable over String of Ears or Verdungo's? Perhaps for a caster - maybe I respec Gordon and ditch Goldwrap for it (I still have my NM and Hell respecs, and really don't wish to lose this new map for reasons mentioned in a previous post). By my calculations it would add 115 to my life when you include the Strength saved, plus whatever else I save in Strength as I don't need to get to STR = 8_8 for Battle Belt in the first place (so maybe another 50-60 in Life there?). Only thing I lose is the GF and MF from Goldwrap. What say you all?
Interesting drops in a little Devilkin corner of The Pit:
That makes four Jalal's Manes that have dropped for me since I returned to play last year, yet no HoZ or Arreat's Face or Homunculus.
I forgot to mention that this is the Pit map that I rolled on like my third try after reading @ffs post about his map. It has the same area in the upper right quadrant that is devoid of bosses (and thus can be choked off entirely from the run), but still has roughly 5 bosses per level 1, and 3-4 in level 2. I would be very loathe to lose this map, so it's entirely possible that I might not wind up using my imbues and sockets from Normal and NM, and my respec from NM. At least, not until I reach the point where the experience gained from The Pits makes the runs not worthwhile anymore. But the AT map is similarly efficient, Hell Meph is really close to the waypoint, and IIRC the LK map isn't shabby either.
Blackwell is still alive, and he is definitely NOT rocking atm :]
I'm currently lvl 78 (didn't have much time to play) and I still struggle in A1 hell. I was quite unfortunate with the drops, only major improvement from last update were LoH (which dropped twice tho).
Still using once upped Steeldriver, which allows me to farm P1 Crypt, Mausoleum and Countess at really slow pace. I found non eth 0s CA, cubed 5 sockets into it. So when I will finally find Fal, I will switch merc's low insight (made in non eth Bill - I actually didn't find any better base) for the obedience and then Emilio will hopefully be able to carry me into Pits.
When I started barbarian on this challenge, I didn't actually think it will be that hard to find some mediocre equipment On the other hand, I still enjoy the slow progress I make.
Heres my barb, lvl 41 at the middle point of act 3 nightmare. Normal was a trek. So was the first part of nightmare. So will be the last part of nightmare. So will be the entire hell difficulty.
On a lighter note, check out that sick 35ish life + 2 open sockets rare armor I found! Other than that I don't really have anything special gearwise. I did 10-20 runs of countess for runes, so whenever I find a suitable base to make a runeword in I can. I did make 2 "strength" runewords in bad charsi shopped bases for boss killing and they're working well. Oh, also while leveling I found an eth crystal sword. I've imbued about 10 eth crystal swords in my entire life, and while they can be pretty good (never beating grief though?) I don't know if I should use my imbues on them or other weapons / diadems (probably not) / ethereal colossus swords or berserker axes?
Currently I'm specced as sword mastery, WW and a bit of BO. I'm not sure if going with swords was the correct choice, since the cheap and good runewords for lower levels seem to be polearms (insight and obedience). I haven't used any of my respecs yet, but I do want to spare them incase I find something good in the later levels. Respeccing to polearm now then farming LK for a grief seems a bit wasteful. Although if I were to respec I could get back those 5 points in energy I accidentally placed :S
During my MFO pit runs I found it!! An eth berserker axe with no sockets. I can Larz this and make my BOTD in it!!
Now all I need to do is get a Vex and Zod rune I already have a Cham and Gul rune so I can find either of those to cube up as well. The blacked out item was a MFO qualifying find
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ -----
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
Finally adding Aurora to the runner table. Pre-MFO stats, so lvl 79 before I started MFO on Friday, so I've gained a bit more experience, but I'll update the table post-MFO again.
No story time for Aurora for the first leg of her Journey. While usually the start of character is interesting and fun to read about, Aurora's Normal/Nightmare/Hell was quite boring actually. More or less just teleporting through Acts, dying because of poor gear, resume teleporting and hope you get a bit luckier next time around. Barely stopped anywhere to farm gear/XP outside of Pindle, which has been a solid source of XP as expected for Aurora and that's where she is running MFO. Plan is to run 250 run patches, alternating between p1 and p8, to get some XP. Might switch to fully p1 if she is struggling with drops.
Currently her gear is as following:
3x Topaz Crown
28fcr Spirit Sword
Rhyme Bone Shield
Skullder's Ire
Trang's Gloves
Tal's Belt
20FRW, 18MF boots
28MF & 24MF Nagel rings
All res amulet
Less than ideal gear as you can see, but what can you do. Didn't have too much time to farm Mephi before MFO, but got lucky with the Nagels, Skullders and Tal Belt, so I have at least some MF. I'm also still waiting for Ko to drop so I could create Harmony Bow to make runs faster but I'm not expecting to find one from Pindle during MFO so will need to manage.
I would be quite happy (obviously) if I found Death's Fathom. I am planning on running AT quite a bit with Aurora, to have a proper A85 runner as CS runs focusing on Seals and Diablo doesn't get you highest drops. So Aurora will have to find them But I think the overall plan is post-MFO to go to AT, keep running there and possibly some Grippruns in CS to get some XP, but that might not be too necessary. No plans to visit LK with her, trying to rely on rune drops from elsewhere, which is risky in itself but I am not sure needs high-end runewords just yet, maybe once it's time to consider 98-99 push and where I want to do that.
Good luck runners and @Yng, time to get that 99 today!
Congrats @Yng - well done on finishing Sophie. I tuned in toward the end (actually right around that "holy ___!" moment where the vipers spawned right next to your landing spot. Loved the ding at the Ancients. Looking forward to the write up!
And of course he saved the best for last, a little 99 gift from Nihlathak himself:
Well...I'm wore out. Thanks all for the help along the way, I thoroughly enjoyed this project.
I work a double tomorrow so probably no write up until Tuesday.
E: pretty sure I’ll have thread up tonight, actually.
Thanks for getting me back to the top of the Questing Heroes again . No seriously, great job, tremendously done !!!
@Neksja Lol yeah, I know a lot of people have passed me since the early stages. Time constraints and getting carried away by other D2 related stuff, you know ... . As I have said before, I want to focus on Neverland again after the MFO. Even then, it seems like things will incredibly busy for the period to come, so I still don't expect to finish her in September.
Just to say that it shouldn't be too hard for you to surpass me with Aurora. Gogogo !!!
I was bored of superslow farming of the beginning of a1, so I took the risk and moved forward. Right now I am at A3 and I started to run LK recently.
A1 to A3 was not that hard, since I was able to cube the Fal rune I was missing for the Obedience. With this RW (CA base) killing speed went up, despite whirling at 12 FPA. There was no NDEs on the way, not even in the A3. Truth is, that I didnt bothered with quests in A3 and went straight to LK, so that might have saved my lower back
In LK, I had a rough start, with couple of these:
But it eventually worked out.
Originally I was running with my bo sticks (to pump up howl lvl), but when I got home (I'm playing on 2 different computers) to Atma, I put my Rhyme on and things got much safer.
There were couple of mid runes drops, first skillers (curse, barb mastery and bow - in this order), and then the good part begun:
GCs were actually dropped before I got home, SUR is in the safe EQ already.
One run takes 50s on average, my goal is Enigma and Grief, so I think I will be stuck in LK for couple of weeks now. If I don't RIP obviously
Too bad its bad
Currently lvl 57 at nightmare baal, haven't killed the crab yet. I did 50-57 almost purely on eldritch (blue guy, frigid highlands) and some mephisto. Got a fleshrender from mephisto and hexfire from eldritch. Damage is still really bad compared to an insight or a obedience, but I haven't found a suitable base yet. Even if I do find a base, I'm not sure ill use it. Im just 2 acts away from hell LK and oath / grief / death / whatever. Other gear isn't that noteworthy, main new finds are teleport charges, life tap charges, enchant charges. Enchant provides a HUGE 20% boost to attack rating at level 1. Best trade deal in the history of diablo.
BIG EDIT !!!!
BIG FIND!!! too bad I can't even use these yet, clvl 57 and rlvl 63.
I definitely want to go for it, with an Amazon, nonetheless, as it has always been my favorite Diablo class throughout the years, and I see they are very little represented on the table here!
The only question, do what a sane person would do, and go Javazon (MS/LF), or do the thing that screams stupidity and yet, sounds like a thing Vega would do, and go pure physical Guided/Strafe (or Multi) Bowazon?
@Lord_Vega
Im the only bowazon that list atm afaik. And let me tell u, its quite oh so painfully slow. You need a very specific set of gears just to be comparable to some of the less efficient casters. And it gets noticeably harder to keep up with the other builds out there as you get higher into the mid-90s.
The biggest factor is the need of fortitude over enigma. Along with the usual high-dex low-hp nature of physical bowazon, you lack the ability to skip regular critters and pick off boss packs. And it is absolutely necessary if u want competitive run times. I, for one, gave up trying to compete with the insane speed of these ppl long long time ago...
Having said all that, come come join! So I dont feel lonely!
And there might be some possible enigma bowazon setup out there though... anyone?
@Baltha it either comes down to proccing amp with strafe or high level magic arrow. My bowa is sitting at lvl13 MA and its not too shabby against PI Seal packs.
EDIT : unbreakble. Right lol. High level MA will do a wonderful job.
Im on my phone atm so ill edit this post tmr when im in front of s computer.
But i have the details up in my other thread, if u dont wanna wait for my update.
For now,
Ms build no strafe.
No amp on gear.
Reaper on merc for PI.
Only unbreakable pi with reaper is the spawners in RoF, which i skip if i can. If they are blocking my path, i wither them down with lvl 13 MA.
Leveled to 63 in hell blood moor / nightmare baal. Nothing interesting dropped that I remember. Ran through act 1 and 2 without killing anything that didn't need to be killed. Act 3 took me like 10 tries to make it to LK without dying, but I finally made it. Been farming it for an hour or two now.
The first weapon rack on my path is a stable (+80% of the time) ceremonial javelin rack that I just pop for fun
I know that racks are way worse than they were in 1.07, but how good are they in 1.13? How do the chances work for unique drops from these racks? If I were to get a stable-ish berserker axe rack, what are the chances for a death cleaver? For my final question, can crystal and dimensional swords drop from racks? Still need 2 ethereal ones for my imbue quests. And a phase blade for a potential grief when I finally find the runes
Javazon is definitely one of my favorite all-time builds. I was tempted to run with one for an untwinked 99er entry, it's just that she's so gear-dependent. At least in order for the build to really shine.
For most builds, even when playing untwinked you can get very good end-game gear because certain runewords are very powerful and can be farmed easily. You may not end up with stuff like Death's Fathom or Death's Web or a full skiller inventory, but it takes little more than some dedicated LK and Meph running to come pretty close to the performance of a twinked character with the same build.
Not quite so for Java though. There's no runeword substitute for Titan's, so finding those is pretty important and may take a while. Then you just can't count on finding Griffon's Eye, and that makes such a difference for the build. Not only does it provide a massive damage boost (much more so than for e.g. Lightning Sorc), but it's a huge deal also in terms of FCR BPs. And let's be real here for a second: No 99 without Teleport. Then what I love about Javazon personally is the potential of rares and crafts for her. FCR craft amulets, rare/craft rings or gloves all have the potential to open up end-game improvements, but it's pretty much impossible to accumulate stuff like that untwinked.
TLDR, I think there's some frustration potential because the difference in power between an untwinked Java and a twinked one is much bigger than for other builds. That being said, I just love the build, so I'd be rooting for her for sure. Also there are Javazon runners here that made it far already, so basically I'm just whining and it's definitely a good option in any case (and more powerful than Bowie for sure).
EDIT: @Tatterson: Speaking of Titan's, definitely pop that rack always, with a bit of luck you might find eth ones (which took me forever ). As for the numbers, I don't think Death Cleaver can be racked. Those sword bases can drop though. Can't point you to general odds of racking exactly but with a bit of digging you should find some information on these forums.
I got tired of LK running, so I decided to push to A5 to get some exp. It wasn't that hard (P1 rocks), but as usual nothing good dropped on the way. I tried to farm pindle a bit, but I am still quite scared of being charged to death when he spawns cursed, so I decided I will let him live for some time. I finished lvl 83 on P3 Eldritch and Shenk farming and went back to A3. Tried Meph for couple of times, but his drops are exactly the same as on normal, so I went back to LK.
My current goals:
Enigma (4 surs left)
Grief (Lo and more importantly - 5s PB - I did find 1!! PB during this whole quest - needless to say It rolled 3s in cube)
Arreat/Guillame face
Angelic amu/highlord
Stormshield
Raven frost (haven't found single unique ring!!)
String/TGV/dungo
Goreriders
As you can see, I don't have practically anything from the end game equip What worries me the most is the fact, that when I find/cube Lo, I will not have the base for grief, because the phase blades literally does not drop. I tried pit, but it takes forever when I try to switch to higher player settings then P1, and on P1 the dropping chances are slim.
So before I update any tables, I will say that I HAVE indeed gone pure physical bowazon, that it's hella slow to level up even in act 2 and 3, and that I am confused about something...
Wasn't this supposed to give me a Steath Armor? I could swear it was grey, and that the rune order is correct? Did I perhaps now install the RWM correctly? It does show me rune drops in orange.. what went wrong here ?
So before I update any tables, I will say that I HAVE indeed gone pure physical bowazon, that it's hella slow to level up even in act 2 and 3, and that I am confused about something...
Wasn't this supposed to give me a Steath Armor? I could swear it was grey, and that the rune order is correct? Did I perhaps now install the RWM correctly? It does show me rune drops in orange.. what went wrong here ?
@Yng Congratulations on the 99er, again a forumnite reaches the hall of fame, a job well done. Nice write up as well. Your overall finds have been quite nice given your collection of runes and uniques. Thats a good motivation to run an untwinked 99er! Good luck with the to be made HC 99er.
After 3 weeks of holiday with the family and no gaming I found some time to progress with StormRider. He reached hell A5 @ level 80 with the portal to Pindle opened. Overall the journey through NM and Hell was very doable and I got used to and enjoy the Windy's gameplay. After leveling in NM to 75 I ran Mephisto (ca. 300% mf after some nice MF drops (Ali/ P topaz helm/ chancies/ goldwrap/ nagels)) with him and found in 300 runs or so enough gear to be confident to start Hell. Especially the drop where Mephi gave as well Duriels and Spirit Shroud was nice. At the start of Hell the upped monster physical resistances and increased damage required some getting used to and made me swap some of the +skill gear to gear with better defensive stats.
Drops in Hell where uninteresting, but these two made me smile
Dread Mark
Amulet
Required Level: 30
Fingerprint: 0x255e74c1
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+6 to Life
Replenish Life +4
Cold Resist +27%
All Resistances +13
Damage Reduced by 1
Excellent drop for me Windy
Superior Phase Blade
One Hand Damage: 32 - 37
Indestructible
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x1d19a8fc
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
6% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Attack Rating
5 Sockets (0 used)
Not particulary interesting for this build, but it will be used for other chars…
The Spirit Shroud
Ghost Armor
Defense: 295
Durability: 14 of 20
Required Level: 28
Required Strength: 38
Fingerprint: 0x9ade8282
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+150% Enhanced Defense
Replenish Life +10
Magic Damage Reduced by 8
Cannot Be Frozen
Bone Band
Ring
Required Level: 13
Fingerprint: 0xc1ac2df2
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+15 to Attack Rating
Lightning Resist +7%
Poison Resist +23%
Blood Spiral
Ring
Required Level: 24
Fingerprint: 0x925b956e
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
+11 to Energy
+7 to Mana
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +19%
Level 2 Telekinesis (25/25 Charges)
Shadow Cord
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 55
Durability: 10 of 14
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xd79addc1
Item Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24% Faster Hit Recovery
+50% Enhanced Defense
+1 to Strength
+41 to Life
+5 to Mana
Lightning Resist +23%
Dread Mark
Amulet
Required Level: 30
Fingerprint: 0x255e74c1
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+6 to Life
Replenish Life +4
Cold Resist +27%
All Resistances +13
Damage Reduced by 1
Rockstopper
Sallet
Defense: 189
Durability: 13 of 18
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xdaad1e58
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+201% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Vitality
Cold Resist +38%
Lightning Resist +21%
Fire Resist +27%
Damage Reduced by 10%
Natalya's Soul
Mesh Boots
Defense: 128
Durability: 63 of 116
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xa6f2646b
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Run/Walk
+88 Defense
Heal Stamina Plus (Based on Character Level) +20%
Cold Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +23%
+50 Maximum Durability
Spirit
Crystal Sword
TalThulOrtAmn
One Hand Damage: 5 - 15
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xc5f9ba47
Item Level: 41
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
+102 to Mana
+7 Magic Absorb
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Splendor
Large Shield
EthLum
Defense: 24
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 34
Fingerprint: 0xb8c4b5ac
Item Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+20% Faster Block Rate
+76% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Energy
Regenerate Mana 15%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+3 to Light Radius
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Eth Rune
Socketed: Lum Rune
Storm Knuckle
Light Gauntlets
Defense: 24
Durability: 14 of 18
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 45
Fingerprint: 0xf4cb9909
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
3% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
+5 to Dexterity
Cold Resist +16%
Fire Resist +21%
20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Guillaume's Face
Winged Helm
Defense: 217
Durability: 31 of 40
Required Level: 34
Required Strength: 115
Fingerprint: 0xb9283289
Item Level: 54
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
+120% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Strength
Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 704
Durability: 43 of 150
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xc3ea291e
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+198% Enhanced Defense
+100 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+80 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 Maximum Durability
Hone Sundan
Yari
Two Hand Damage: 102 - 206
Durability: 28 of 28
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 101
Fingerprint: 0x28b92294
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
183% Enhanced Damage
Adds 20 - 40 Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
45% Chance of Crushing Blow
Repairs 1 Durability in 10 Seconds
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
So the question is how to continue right now. I could start farming Hell Mephi for Shako/ Jalal's/ Vipermagi/ 4s Monarch/ Stormshield. Though Mephi would be difficult with my MF gear, not so with my damage gear. Or start with LK running and hope for a nice Vex for Hoto and all the other beauties LK can offer and eventually NEEDS to offer, i.e. Enigma. Does it give that in a single drop?
What would you do? I am tempted to start LK running.
Definitely LK for Enigma (asap) is the most efficient thing to do at this stage. You will need it as you said, and why waste time farming targets like Meph now when it will take a fraction of the time when doing it the other way round.
So I'd hit LK, and if you can't bear it and need a break, mix in some Pindle, he's not that much less efficient without Teleport. Then back to LK again. And again.
Totally agree with @ffs. Enigma (and Infinity) is pretty much a necessity for anything long term. I'd get the LK asap and run it until you can't handle it anymore.
@Lord_Vega welcome! may I suggest pumping Magic Arrow and using that as your main skill until mid/late NM? Strafe/Multi requires a high damaging bow to be effective - along with several other mods - and MA is great until you can find those gears. NM Meph can drop a WWS which can be end-game gear for a strafer; and there's always Harmony runeword available as a stepping stone towards Faith or WF.
@Baltha I'll whip up a quick overview here; pm me for more details =D
Rich (BB code):
Equipment
Rare Tiara - 30frw, @res, etc
Rare Ammy - @res, str, etc - waiting for The Cat's Eye to drop
Faith Shadowbow - waiting for GMB for a new roll
Fortitude Ancient Armor
Ravenfrost
Blood Ring - ll, @res, str, etc
LoH
Razortail
WarTrav
Might Merc
Andys/Guillaumes
Reapers
Treachery
Skills
13 MA
13 MS
17 Decoy
17 Valk
16 CS (17 at lvl 99)
18 (to be 20) penetrate
9 pierce
5 prereq
Note about PI's. If you are using strafe, Atma's is the way to go. Difference in damage w/ and w/o Amp is gigantic. Because I use MS and have no good way to proc it reliably, I gave up trying to proc Amp and decided to use MA as my backup skill against PIs. Once I found the Reapers toll, however, most of the PI's were broken and taken care of reasonably fast with MA.
As per keeping the merc alive for a bowa; decoy is your best choice. Let your valk share aggro with the merc without trying to micro manage her; and recast decoy at convenient angles to draw away the aggro.
As per an actual update; I still have another month to go before I fully move in and settle down.
I'll be back mid-late October with a lvl 97 ding. =D
Yay for bowazon interest. I actually have a mid level 70 bowazon I may pull out if my zealot grind gets stagnant. I prefer multi and magic arrow. I imagine getting to 93-94 would be easy as a bowa in pits.
Hm, the unthinkable happened. It was just a fracture of a second, there was nothing I could do. Blackwell lost it.
He lost his precious LK map, due to missclick/misspush - Enter + N instead of Enter + H.
Damn, I was getting to know that map really well, could have piloted it blind. Now I am desperately trying to roll nearly as good map as the previous one was. Big let down and a hick up in my LK farming.
Still, some good stuff happened today - I found Pul, 2x Um and most importantly - phase blade, which I was lucky enough to make 5s in!
I know this have been asked a bazillion times, but I want to know your oppinion, 99ers. You know a lot about playing untwinked.
Where do you find the bases for your runewords? I stumbled across a wyrmhide rack in my LK map rerolling so I'm done with armors but I'm struggling to find a suitable base for HotO / CtA and an eth elite polearm for Insight / Infinity. I'm clicking a few poppables at LK and finding some "crude" and "damaged" weapons I can repair and socket with the cube recipes. But it is slowing me down, and that's a pitty because I have a quite fast LK map. Any suggestions?
It's maddening to have the runes for HotO and don't have the freaking 4os flail.
@Baltha it's been a while since I've hunted for 4os Flail, but I recall Normal Cows being quite decent for it. At least I always get my Crystal Sword for Spirit from there. Not sure if they can actually drop a 4os, but white Flail should be able to be cubed to get a chance of 4os. Either that or just keep picking them up while questing, I think I picked up three on my way to Hell with my Sorceress.
For eth elite polearms, I'd go with any A85 really, or Hell Cows. How I see them is like rune hunting, load on killing power and up the players command (to decrease the no drop chance to minimum) and hope for the best.
Well, for hoto base i suggest normal cows, just pick any and socket it in cube, it should not take long.
For cta, do the same with hell found crystal sword, in lk they drop a lot
Other bases can be found in basically any location with high density of easy to kill monsters.
Oh, and I cannot skip the golden rule - Don’t look for those items, they will not drop. Focus on general killing and farming runes/uniques, bases will drop eventually
After my first go-through, where I had the same issue with a 4os flail, I generally pick up bases as I went starting in A5 Normal. Due to ilvl, you could socket cube Partizans found there to 4os, which helps for early Insight. The same is true for plain flails - they cap at 4os possible, so 50% odds of the right roll for HoTo. And I checked all grey of bases I needed starting in A1 NM, which included crystal swords/double axes/military picks for 5os and CtA.
If you really want it now rather than just checking grey flails as you go, I'd go with A1 NM surface areas and socket cube the white flails and hope for 4os grey drop.
On elite polearms, it's a crapshoot. Several of us have just gone with eth CV (which has max 4os and thus 50% chance in the cube) due to not getting faster base eth 4os option. I also lucked out with great cube rolls on first or second attempt for two of my 99ers. So RNG . . .
If you really want it now rather than just checking grey flails as you go, I'd go with A1 NM surface areas and socket cube the white flails and hope for 4os grey drop.
Heart of the Oak
Flail
KoVexPulThul
One Hand Damage: 1 - 24
Durability: 17 of 30
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0xce2d6538
Item Level: 39
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
+75% Damage to Demons
+100 to Attack Rating against Demons
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
+10 to Dexterity
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
All Resistances +31
Level 4 Oak Sage (25/25 Charges)
Level 14 Raven (60/60 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ko Rune
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Pul Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Having a stable rack isn’t a big deal TBH, it could take a while to roll a consistent rack near WP. If you get one dropping your base even 2/10 rate, it’s not going to take long with 10-15 second runs just hitting that rack.
10 hours of my life wasted on this yesterday, 13-15ish hours used total now. Literally nothing else of interest has dropped other than a warcry / 36gf% grand charm that I won't use anyway
My plan is grief + grief phase blades but I'm still open to other options. I don't think I'll ATMA ebug items since that seems kinda iffy. I'd only do it with non-ethereal items so I woulnd't have to repair a beast zerker axe.
Meph isn't dropping me a shako any time soon, so I'm rolling a new LK map. How do you roll your rack maps? Do you give it a few tries to a rack if it's near the WP or do you just roll another map if the first run doesn't drop the desired item?
I’d emphasize getting a rack as close to WP as possible. After that, I’d do a batch of 10 or so from a few angles each before moving on. Your route of approach and monsters within the same tile as the rack can alter the drop so it’s not something that can be tested in 2-3 runs.
E: for example, my map was Teleport directly towards rack 1 time -> TK rack -> Teleport back 1 time -> TK WP, rinse and repeat
E2: to clarify, for Shako in particular this isn’t nearly as efficient compared to rolling a runeword base as those aren’t dependent on the item rolling unique.
to clarify, for Shako in particular this isn’t nearly as efficient compared to rolling a runeword base as those aren’t dependent on the item rolling unique.
280%ed, 5 better than the average ((210+340) / 2 = 275)
10 magic absorb when the roll range is 10-15
Found this almost gg ring at LK, I just wish it had fcr
Eagle Knot
Ring
Required Level: 60
Fingerprint: 0x4a5b55ba
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Minimum Damage
+49 to Attack Rating
+15 to Strength
+37 to Life
Lightning Resist +13%
As soon as I figure out how to get 15 str more to wield my brand new Oath I'll progress to act 5 and probably start running pindle. I have exams coming up so I don't think I'll be playing much at all.
After a lot of thought, I've decided to finally break up with my trusty rare field plate that I've had for multiple difficulties now. This is her new sexy replacement
Lionheart
Boneweave
HelLumFal
Defense: 483
Durability: 27 of 45
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 135
Fingerprint: 0xf46eba95
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Enhanced Damage
All Stats +10
+15 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
+10 to Vitality
+50 to Life
All Resistances +30
Requirements -15%
Finally I look cool as hell, I love the boneweave armor appearance
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ -----
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
I've managed to nudge Gordon to Level 89. The drops lately have been pretty sparse indeed (the only one of any note was a Trang-Oul's Guise from Eldritch), so to change things up a bit I decided to augment Gordon with a second 99'er. With all the recent talk surrounding Fanatic Zealots, I decided to start one myself. His name is Dirk Struan, and he's currently Level 56. His trek through Normal was slow but uneventful, relying on a "Steel" Flail through most of it. His gear when he killed Baal consisted of:
Gemmed Targe
Targe
Defense: 11
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 12
Required Strength: 16
Fingerprint: 0x45972bcd
Item Level: 12
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +39 3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Diamond
Socketed: Diamond
Socketed: Flawed Diamond
Diamond
Required Level: 12
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +44% Damage to Undead Armor: +60 to Attack Rating Shields: Cold Resist +11%
Lightning Resist +11%
Fire Resist +11%
Poison Resist +11%
Diamond
Required Level: 12
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +44% Damage to Undead Armor: +60 to Attack Rating Shields: Cold Resist +11%
Lightning Resist +11%
Fire Resist +11%
Poison Resist +11%
Flawed Diamond
Required Level: 5
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +34% Damage to Undead Armor: +40 to Attack Rating Shields: Cold Resist +8%
Lightning Resist +8%
Fire Resist +8%
Ocher Chain Gloves of Frost Shield
Chain Gloves
Defense: 8
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0x41d78b1a
Item Level: 20
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 3 Frost Nova when struck
Lightning Resist +20%
Bone Coil
Ring
Required Level: 13
Fingerprint: 0x2c34fd88
Item Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+100 to Attack Rating
+9 to Life
+8 to Mana
Fire Resist +10%
Half Freeze Duration
Coral Ring of the Leech
Ring
Required Level: 13
Fingerprint: 0x7ce176e8
Item Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
4% Life stolen per hit
Lightning Resist +26%
Tangerine Chain Boots
Chain Boots
Defense: 8
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 30
Fingerprint: 0x1cc959fe
Item Level: 20
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +9%
Dirk is currently in Kurast Bazaar, having just handled Battlemaid Sarina and her cronies. I'm currently at p5, and you'll see why below. I'll have to post the specs for the upgrades I've done since then, but of note:
-found a Hellplague Long Sword, and upped it into a Rune Sword
-crafted Blood Gloves, Belt and Body Armor
-crafted a Safety amulet (only had enough materials for three Perfect Rubies, so a Perfect Emerald had to suffice here)
Not being twinked, a HC Fanatic Zealadin can have some real edge-of-your-seat moments (Extra Strong, Cursed Maulers in Kurast for example)....and I'm loving every minute of it!
I know that it takes an incredible amount of time to get ONE character to 99 (presuming that character survives that long), but it's nice to bounce back and forth between caster and melee as well, just for variety.
Absolutely! Having a backup HC character that does not need to start leveling from scratch right after dealing with a "Deeds" did play a role in my decision as well.
He is still lvl 83, still stuck in A3, but in today he made quite a progress!
That grief cannot be much worse, but it is still a major upgrade from what I had. I am still missing 2 bers for Enigma, but I will switch to Travincal now, since I am tired of LK.
Drops were: Vex, Fire sk, 19 life 9 lr sc, maras 28, ist rune, 17l 8 lr sc, Sur rune, ele sk 6 dex, nec summon sk, Tal Armor, pb sk 4 str, Jah rune, Jah rune (both within 10 min^^), Java sk, Sur, 20l sc, Trap sk, viper 27/9
I also made a coh for merc now, got a 4 soxed eth bugged armor (low def wire haha) so merc wears delirium helmed now which is much more relaxing. First i though im so far in 97 alrdy i can actually just go on without deli cause with 98 i prolly just go for treachery on merc with 0 lifeleech but now i still have the runes for infi left, so its fine.
Also added a old webcam to the stream, but it was to crappy so i bought a new one now which is fine
Dropvideos:
Jah:
Jah 2:
Sur:
Maras 28:
Vex:
Sur 2:
The maras video is pretty funny cause i said another maras before i idented haha
Agreed, and he's been finding tons of HRs already! IIRC this really adds up to a ridiculous amount already. @Bewitch, care to share what's in your HR stash?
Definitely you'd expect many runes leveling to 98 in CS, but to me it seemed @Bewitch made twice as much as all the previous CS runners already. Could just be a feeling though..
@Disposition I 'used to' have throw on my left click, so that when/if I misclick onto a monster while moving, the character doesn't go into any casting/attacking animation; the character just says 'i can't do that' and stands still. That way, I can move as soon as I click onto the ground correctly. I imagine it'd be similar reasons for @Bewitch.
I assume (most) of the runes for HotO, CtA and CoH were farmed in in LK, some Surs probably as well, then you moved on to CS? Sorry, I know it's probably in this thread, so I must have read it, but can't remember.
I don't know if it's too out of step, although on high end ornate expectations. The two Jahs in succession is super fortunate and probably influences perception, and maybe also a function of how someone's updates roll out. For references, here is the summary from Hiatus in CS with a rundown of total runes: https://www.purediablo.com/forums/t...-99-progress-thread-by-kitteh.1178/post-52946
I recall it was middle road, but it's not too out of step w @Bewitch who's almost 98 (congrats on progress by the way). As someone else said, the high runes will fall in CS leveling. It's really a function of how those Vex+ rolls come.
A more detailed breadown of his S/U findings can be found in his MFO writeup, but I'll still give a brief rundown here for posterity's sake, and also catch you up on his non-S/U findings.
He of course had his 2nd Asterons drop, along with a Mang's to take a bite out of the top end of the grail, and a smattering of mid-level stuff like Bonehew, Kira's,
Guillaume's, Gimmershreds, LoH and other semi-useful things for future characters.
As for other finds, the AT proves to be.. not so awesome with rune drops, supplying him with only an Um for the entire level. He did, however, find a couple cool socketables. He found a 2nd 4-socket, 40 res all Sacred Targe (this one superior though, so not great for repair costs) and also this cute little bow:
Code:
Superior Grand Matron Bow
Two Hand Damage: 16 - 82
Durability: 41 of 55
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 108
Required Dexterity: 152
Fingerprint: 0xc15a1678
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
15% Enhanced Damage
+3 to Attack Rating
4 Sockets (0 used)
Cool! First perfect one I've ever found so it will need a character built around it eventually, I just don't know what yet. I suppose it will just be dictated by whatever surplus runes I assemble first. Any suggestions?
Another thing I may as well talk about is that NDEs have entirely vanished. I knew going in with over 4k life and maxed resistances in the AT would be pretty safe, but he's just simply never been in danger. This is partly due to the nature of play with Fissure in general which keeps him out of the way, and also thanks to a merc and bear taking the brunt of any danger. They are obviously quite durable as well, with Oak and BO active. I don't think Klaus has dipped below 2k life yet since leaving LK, so that is definitely promising for his road ahead.
The flip-side to this of course is that he doesn't kill all that quickly. Don't get me wrong, it's quick enough, but he'll never compare to the Blizzys and Hammerdins of the world. I'll test out some other potential leveling options later, but for now he is content in the Tunnels.
I will update the chart when DirkStruan's exact experience total, but he just slayed NM Mephisto and Diablo last night (both drops rubbish), and is currently at level 61 (I think). Just beforehand, I used the cube recipe to upgrade my merc's polearm to a Partizan....the cube put in 5 sockets, so alas Insight was out and I settled for Honor. Between his Honor and my upped Hellplague, the fight with Diablo was very tedious indeed, with me having to revive my merc 5 times before Diablo fell and dropped all yellows (Meph at least dropped a Coif of Glory, for Pete's sake ). The NM Hellforge dropped a Lem, so any hopes for an early Oath were dashed. I'm considering using the Lem on either Passion until I get to The Pit in Hell and can start farming, or making a Treachery (the 45% IAS is very handy indeed when trying for the 4 fpa Zeal attack)....or perhaps waiting for a second one to cube up to Pul.
For the immediate moment, I'm considering crafting either a blood or hit power elite weapon (depends on what drops in Act V - hoping maybe a blue Tyrant Club, Truncheon, Mighty Scepter, or Reinforced Mace can drop that early?) in an attempt to get some more damage before Ancients and Baal. Does anyone know what minimum character level you have to be get the Cruel affix onto a crafted weapon?
Well, its time to do some update...joined MFO, ended up 4th in Pindle category which was huge dissapointment after 6200 p5 runs finished...at least, i'm leaving Pindle for good
There are drops
On top of that, two Messerschmidts reavers, and before tourney some other drops including Natalyas mark, which completed this set
Started some testing running in Pits, best drop so far is my fifth IK armor from start
Forgot to mention, reached lvl 95 during MFO, right now i'm sitting at 2.553 mark...also, almost 400 grailers from the start which is very nice aswell, missing 9 set items and 96 uniques
Cool stuff everyone. @Pb_pal That GMB is sexy, and two Astreon's is amazing, one of the 2 items I've never found until this day.
While I really enjoyed running MFO with an optimized MF character, I kind of wish I had a 99er that could participate and make a good bit of progress as well like @Pb_pal, @PhineasB, @RIP. Maybe I'll start another 99er to be ready next time. Work has been absolutely terrible during and in particular after MFO, literally haven't started the game since. I will be visiting friends on the weekend, but I plan to pick up Ric again next week! GL all.
Should I make a Death runeword? The stats seem pretty good, but I'm not sure what my final weapons are going to be. And eventually if I run andariel / mephisto / diablo / baal / pindle I would think that the high crushing blow of death would be really good at killing them. I think whirlwind can proc the freeze bolt on attack even when its on my offhand but can someone confirm this? If it can't proc, seems like death is a superduper good WW offhand
@Tatterson In short, Death is great, Grief is better. You'd need to run (or look for) the numbers as to how it compares when aiming bosses specifically, but even if Grief is behind in that regard, I'd be surprised if it made a meaningful enough difference to not go with Grief overall. It's just so so good it kind of (sadly) makes other options almost obsolete unless you're going 2-handed.
That being said, Death is an incredibly good weapon, not only for 2-handers. Nice Frenzy offhand, not the best for WW though because of its lack of attack speed (and being ideally made in slower bases on top of that).
AB wiki: no Chance to Cast of any kind is applies when using WW.
If you already have Grief, it's probably better. But since this in an untwinked setting, and there's not much else you can do with a Vex probably, you could always try it out if you have / find a good base. After all Death has a lot going for it: huge ED%, especially with a high roll, huge CB and scaling DS. O yes, let's not forget the mana steal, which gives you more flexibility for the jewelry slots.
@Tatterson I found an ethereal 15% superior Silver-Edged Axe and am planning to make Death in it. After doing some pedestrian calclulations, factoring in deadly strike/critical strike (Assuming 60% from Death + Axe Mastery; no Highlords), Death can yield ~856-1032 average damage per hit (depending on roll) before factoring in any skill or off-weapon modifiers. So the damage is huge, but Grief definitely still wins due to being one-handed and much faster. Still, for Vex+Gul, it seems like great value especially for an untwinked character. Just make sure to use an ethereal base!
That being said, Death is an incredibly good weapon, not only for 2-handers. Nice Frenzy offhand, not the best for WW though because of its lack of attack speed (and being ideally made in slower bases on top of that).
Faster attack speed sure does make a big difference in WW, doesn't it?
If you don't already have Grief, it's also an incredibly good weapon for a fanatic zealot if you have the off-weapon IAS to get you to the 4 fpa Zeal rate, which I do for my twinked Pally (with its 45% IAS, Treachery comes in mighty handy in that regard). As @T72on1 pointed out, it has huge ED%, huge CB. scaling DS, and mana leech.
Alright, 98 now. Went to lk on nightmare to get some GCs to cube som skillers, used all my gems beside amys and got 1 fire skiller, so im on 4 firesks now.
Next thing ill do is ancients and some baalruns to get 2-3 Tokens before i respec to fire and finally go for nihla
Drops were: Ber Rune, sc 18l 2 ar, Trap sk, Java sk 5 str, jool 5 dex 13 allres, sc 7 mana 11 mf, giant skull 35 str 2 sox
May I suggest getting quite some Nihl test runs under your belt first before cashing in Ancients? That way you get used to them and any deaths don't matter that much as xp loss is minimal. Nihl runs aren't that hard once you know the routine, but at first ...
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ -----
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
MFO has come and gone, Pindle was slaughtered 2.5k+ times without much to bring home, other than 7th spot in Pindle category, out of 8 participants. However, it did bring two positive notes:
-Aurora reached lvl90!
-Found approximately 100 grailers for her, including Crown of Ages
Otherwise, I feel like I could have spent my time better doing something else. Highest rune was Fal, the most useful item found was Gull dagger, so all in all, I would describe my MFO experience this time with a word, mess.
Now comes the next bit, do I want to start running for XP or do I first try to acquire some gear through MFing? I would like to do a decent bit of AT runs with Aurora (for that Tyrael's am I right), but to survive there and get decent XP through higher p-setting, I lose quite a bit of MF. Not really sure what to do. Kinda feel like doing some LK runs, but I am not sure what she would need outside of CTA and Hoto in terms of HR runewords, but those are quite good for survival, so I might do that first, then look at other things.
Here's Aurora's gear at the moment:
CoA 22@, 12%DR 'Hel'
+2 cold skills, 21MF amulet
28FCR Spirit Crystal Sword
29@ Skin of the Vipermagi
33FCR Spirit Monarch Shield
Trang-Ouls Gloves
28&24 MF Nagel rings
15MF Tal Belt
30FRW, 25MF boots
Various charms, including 32MF Gheeds and a Cold skiller (yes, I have one!), so definitely a lot to improve right now. Using CoA essentially because I have it, it has decent mods in it and with Monarch Spirit, I'll reach the STR requirement with Hel in it easily.
I still have not made my mind about the end game for her. I am strongly considering Baal, just to say that I've done a 99er through Baal, then I could in theory do a Trapsin at some point who goes through Nihl, so I would have done it in three different ways. But if I go Baal route, I might want to respec to Blizzballer. Not a fan of Light Sorcs so I think that won't be an option.
edit. @RIP you lucky SOB. Why does everyone keep finding Zods?!
May I suggest getting quite some Nihl test runs under your belt first before cashing in Ancients? That way you get used to them and any deaths don't matter that much as xp loss is minimal. Nihl runs aren't that hard once you know the routine, but at first ...
true ofc, but i only have 1 respec left and its ****in annoying to make baals with firesorc
well, mby ill do it anyway like this, for those few runs it should be ok even with fire...
€ well, since i dont have any light sks or griffon there shoudnt be a real reason for a respec anyway after this^^
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ -----
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
Dirk has managed to make it thru Nightmare, and has just completed the Den of Evil in Hell. Info on present equipment to follow shortly - NM Baal dropped rubbish, so I burned through whatever rubies I had (I've collected all rubies dropped, even chipped and flawed) to cube up enough Perfects to craft a bit more. And I had a full chest of gold, so spent some time with Gheed. Apparently Gheed felt bad about all the rubbish drops and complete lack of runes so far (1 Lem, 1 Lum, and the rest is crafting material), so he gifted me this thru gambling:
The following is what DirkStruan is wearing as he enters Hell:
Code:
Storm Hew
Naga
One Hand Damage: 52 - 148
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 121
Fingerprint: 0x3779a7fd
Item Level: 67
Version: Expansion 1.10+
225% Enhanced Damage
+2 to Maximum Damage
Adds 12 - 69 Fire Damage
4% Life stolen per hit
+12 to Life
Gemmed Superior Aerin Shield
Superior Aerin Shield
Defense: 28
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 57 of 57
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xd98a1787
Item Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +105
Increase Maximum Durability 15% 4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Scintillating Coronet of Perfection
Coronet
Defense: 35
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 51
Fingerprint: 0x7549ab71
Item Level: 67
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Dexterity
All Resistances +13
Corruption Mark
Amulet
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x2551b30c
Item Level: 40
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Increased Chance of Blocking
+2 to Strength
+16 Maximum Stamina
Cold Resist +39%
Fire Resist +15%
Damage Reduced by 3
Magic Damage Reduced by 2
Dire Hide
Cuirass
Defense: 340
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x22e360d3
Item Level: 47
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24% Faster Hit Recovery
+67% Enhanced Defense
+4 to Strength
Damage Reduced by 3
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
Half Freeze Duration
Havoc Hold
Sharkskin Gloves
Defense: 39
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x77a2859c
Item Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
2% Life stolen per hit
7% Chance of Crushing Blow
+18 to Life
Lightning Resist +26%
Poison Resist +30%
Repairs 1 Durability in 33 Seconds
Grim Cord
Mesh Belt
Defense: 37
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 53
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xe9399d84
Item Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17% Faster Hit Recovery
3% Life stolen per hit
9% Chance of Open Wounds
+15 to Strength
+13 to Life
71% Extra Gold from Monsters
Bitter Track
Greaves
Defense: 23
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 70
Fingerprint: 0xdca3f43d
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Run/Walk
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+47% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +28%
Fire Resist +32%
Coral Ring of the Leech
Ring
Required Level: 13
Fingerprint: 0x7ce176e8
Item Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
4% Life stolen per hit
Lightning Resist +26%
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x3072c873
Item Level: 72
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+250 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+17 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen
The Naga was crafted just before the NM Ancients quest, the Raven Frost as mentioned before was gambled before the Hell Den of Evil Quest, and I just switched from a three socket Targe (+39 resist total) to the Aerin Shield. Charms are mostly quite a weak mix of resists and life, though one small charm is a +20 Life, +6 AR.
Overall, this is how he's looking:
Fanaticism and Holy Shield are maxed, as is Sacrifice, and I'm halfway to maxing Zeal. I found a Superior Partizan (15% ED) with 4 sockets in the Ancient's Way, so I made an Insight for him (245% ED, lvl 15 Meditation) that really helped with the Ancients battle, but his resists in Hell are not good at all right now (45/33/67/33), as he only has a crafted Casque and a rare Trellised Armor protecting him.
Immediate goal - get to The Pit / Countess, and start upgrading some of this stuff (the weapon is making killing a bit slow at the moment) before we both meet a rather painful end. I have a 3 socket Embossed Plate I could use for Treachery, but I'd really like to find something lighter with a higher defence in The Pit, I think.
Not even 1k life while entering Hell difficulty with melee character is very risky, but with maxed HS should be doable...Your primary concern is the weapon, which is not optimal at best...What about some exceptional uniques - i mean Butchers pupill, Headstriker? Something along this line might help You alot...also, i strongly sugest getting CtA as fast as possible, it will make Your life much easier
I'd say keep an eye on Mal rune, possibly even farm Countess in Hell for one. Oath in for example eth Naga (or Berserker Axe, but that's a tough on to find) should carry you quite a bit. Oath is a really nice melee weapon for the price, highly recommend!
Not even 1k life while entering Hell difficulty with melee character is very risky, but with maxed HS should be doable...Your primary concern is the weapon, which is not optimal at best...What about some exceptional uniques - i mean Butchers pupill, Headstriker? Something along this line might help You alot...also, i strongly sugest getting CtA as fast as possible, it will make Your life much easier
Agreed on everything you said. The drops I’ve seen so far have been junk, quite frankly. The only green I’ve seen so far is a pair of Isenharts helms....not even one piece from Sigon’s, never mind an Exceptional Unique weapon. Same goes for armor. Raven Frost has been my only drop of not this whole game.
I’m going to try and get to the Pit - if that proves to be too arduous, I may need to go back to NM Baal for a bit. If I can find a 3 socket Dusk Shroud or Great Hauberk or something, I’ll make Treachery and use the Fade. I’d hate to make it in an Embossed Plate....
Neksja said:
or just find a Zod like @RIP and make BOTD?
I'd say keep an eye on Mal rune, possibly even farm Countess in Hell for one. Oath in for example eth Naga (or Berserker Axe, but that's a tough on to find) should carry you quite a bit. Oath is a really nice melee weapon for the price, highly recommend!
Absolutely - Oath to me is, pound for pound, the best rune word out there for the price. Huge ED, and huge IAS to help get to that 4 fpa Zeal. At 4 fpa Zeal, I feel much more comfortable even with slightly less that 1,000 life. I was hoping to get a Pul in my NM Hellforge, but got Lem instead. My immediate goal is to find a weapon to make farming The Pit and the Countess feasible. I'd take the aforementioned Butcher's Pupil at this point. CtA is obviously a long-term goal, but with my luck I have to work with the assumption that I won't be seeing an Ohm until lvl 90+....IF I survive that far....
Do you think I'm better off making Treachery in that Embossed Plate I have (def was 303, I think), or waiting for an Elite 3 socket armor?
I believe that at this point Treachery in ANY armor would be huge help, so its worth of placing Your only LEM even to some kind of exceptional armor...This will help You to get another LEM faster and so on...after all, Treachery is not giving any ED bonuses, right?!
People here who have farmed an entire Enigma from LK, how many runes and gems did you end up having? I'm almost at 1k combined flawless gems + all kinds of runes and jewels, and 1/3rd my way to an enigma.
Runes Common(11 of 11) (100.0%)
Common (11 of 11) (100.0%)
*** El Rune
6 6 Eld Rune
15 15 Tir Rune
14 14 Nef Rune
25 25 Eth Rune
19 19 Ith Rune
43 43 Tal Rune
33 33 Ral Rune
24 24 Ort Rune
19 19 Thul Rune
28 28 Amn Rune
Runes Semi Rare(8 of 11) (72.73%)
Semi Rare (8 of 11) (72.73%)
12 12 Sol Rune
20 20 Shael Rune
10 10 Dol Rune
7 7 Hel Rune
*** Io Rune
1 1 Lum Rune
5 5 Ko Rune
Fal Rune
1 1 Lem Rune
Pul Rune
Um Rune
@Tatterson : I remember finding 1340 runes from start before getting Infinity...then i had huge luck with JAH from Pindle, so overall not more then 1800 runes (equal to 4.4k LK p7 runs and 7k Pindle p5 runs)
Oh boy, do I have a lot to catch up on.... but in the meantime, minor updates for Ayura and Gnosis. I have played a bit of D2 on my vacation this past week. And I was almost immediately hit with a major blow to my motivation to play:
These dropped within the first 5 minutes of booting up this week. Yup, those are the exact weapons I'm looking for. No, they did not drop on the correct character. Thanks for the welcome back, D2. Considering I've been looking for these for as long as I have been on Ayura, it's upsetting to even post this.
However, I have gained a couple levels on Gnosis all the while. Lawbringer + Tornado is pretty underrated imO.
Thinking about just running Ayura until I get the drops I want so I can mf in peace on other characters. The biggest thing holding him back? Inventory management. He's basically got 1 square of space unoccupied at the moment, but playing without extended stash is rough, and I've accidentally stashed things in the past that I hadn't meant to. It's gotten me slightly paranoid about stashing things I like. One of the caveats, for example: boots. I love Sanders Riprap. Might be my overall favorite pair for its versatility. Get stats to equip stuff, get 40 frw, get 100 ar to boot (I know, I'm quite punny). And you can use them at level 20. I remember I found the pair he's using in A2 or A3 normal. Been on his character ever since. Except right now I'm using war travs, most for mf, but it certainly does have other greats stats on it. And I have gore rider, as well. And do I really need to keep 3 pairs of boots??!? Absolutely not. But I need to decide on pair to keep and just stash the others. Feels crazy to me, but I think I'm just going to stick with travs. The stats from sander's no longer means to me what it once did, because that's small change for damage, the ar isn't necessary, though it is nice, and I have pretty good frw--81% from gear (using travs) +30-37% from increased speed at any given time. I don't think the 15% from sander's over travs is going to be particularly noticeable. And the other contender, gores... 15% DS is awfully nice, but I already have about 50% between gface and highlords. Those aren't going anywhere. 15% cb is also nice, but it really only impacts me when I'm using frenzy, and it means less as player setting stay high. Not even sure where level 98-99 is going to take place, but I fear that the only viable area will be Nil. But if it's Baal, that 15% cb might mean something on /p3. Bah... travs seems the best all around pick, between 20 avg damage (which is huge, considering I've really pumped dex for a while, and also the average damage for thrown weaponry tends to be low as compared to, say, your oath and grief runewords), str and vit boost, and some mf on top of that.
As I write this, I'm picking things off Ayura and throwing them into the gomule stash, never again to see the light of play (goodness, my puns are on fire!).... Removing boots, removing mf SCs, to make way for more damage and res, because I think I'll see more out of faster runs than I will out of increased mf. Feels good, feels bad, but we'll see where it goes. After one run, yeah, having 18 squares of space is significantly better than one. Back to it
I find my idle mind keeps returning to giving this a go. I haven't thought or read (it seems to me making plans by myself would be half the fun) about it in any detail, but current frontrunner is a CS hammerdin (inspired by Neksja's Aura). Or an assassin. Both would be new to me, and hence, interesting.
However, having a lvl99 Pitbarb would be pretty sweet and would act as pretty good motivator. On first thought, it should be viable. But I would be concerned about leveling past 95-96. I'm not sure I could suffer through Baal runs. Maybe Concentrate barb running Nihl (only slightly less mind numbing)? I see there's a 99er barb, but that seems to have taken quite a bit of perseverance.
I'm basically looking for a quick answer: roughly how much of an ordeal would be to get a barb to 99?
Barb to 99 is WW to 98 and then Concentrate at Nihl to 99. It took him a lot of time, but he did it in vanilla, hence putting loads of time in Trav runs for dual BotD. It will be slower than Sorcs, Hammerdins, Trappers and the like. But it should be doable.
Lol, probably yes. I am running with Neverland again since the MFO. But time has been very limited. Moreover I've had a few session which, due to tougher spawns and overall sloppy play (not sure why to be honest), just felt slow and not safe enough, so I've been alternating with ShouldBeEasy. As a consequence, I have only gained some 9M since my last update of the table. And absolutely nothing in terms of drops, so hence no updates yet.
Long story short: current ETA on lvl 99 for Neverland: end of October maybe? So yes, even now at this stage there will probably be people surpassing me.
I have to say it again: it's very cool to see continued entries and progress in this thread almost 2.5 years later. Keep it up @everyone!
* * *
Phaedrus has been plugging away here and there, with the MFO warm-up tourney and then MFO limiting the time for CS runs and then a very busy work week. But the here-and-there allowed him to reach 98.25, as he was a little past 98.2 before MFO, getting roughly 12M this week. He’s still doing straight p7 runs, hitting boss packs in CS, averaging somewhere around 2.2M/hour. I think I'll be able to keep this approach at least for the next quarter level, but at that point may transition to more XP-efficient approach.
Finds for the past 0.15 of the level continued to be solid. For runes, we picked up Lo #3, Vex #4, Mal #9, Gul #7, Sur #4. But the major drop was this, giving him three:
Finally It fell right at 3.290, and the difference was noticeable. Another nice charm upgrade was this Ruby SC of Vita. In terms of drops, TC87s from boss packs were Executioner’s Justice and Death’s Fathom, which both fell after 98.2. Other notable finds were Spirit Keeper #2 and #3, Boneflame, Boneshade #2 and #3, and Demonhorn’s Edge #2. TC3s were Lemyo, Rixots x2, and Knell Striker. Here he is at 3.30B.
* * *
Next, it’s time to introduce my fifth entry in this challenge, Quinta, a LF zon. She’s currently level 93.4, with a few gear upgrades needed ahead before she settles into Baal runs.
I started her in February 2018 as my entry in the S/U tourney hosted by @jiansonz . The idea all along was that she might become my zon entry in this challenge, and she also ended up being my 2018 Summer MFO entry along the way.
She progressed as a passive/Valk zon, eventually settling on Charged Strike spearzon as the build in A3H. After some early challenges in that tourney, she finished without a death early last month. Major milestones in the tourney progress are in the spoiler.
After Mat’ing, Quinta was the main focus of my time, with Pindle and Eldritch runs in preparation to be my entry in MFO. She also mixed in 500 Meph runs and 500 LK. She made it to level 90 level pre-MFO, with very basic gear. But that’s all you need for Pindle!
She ended up winning the Pindle category, which was pretty cool, with reflections on those 10 days here. Bottom line was very lucky drops for MFO, but virtually no item upgrades for her untwinked journey:
The plan is to get to level 94 at Pindle, probably mixing in some LK, as a break from Phaedrus as he pushes to 99. The idea with her was that I could roll a Baal map that makes Enigma not-essential, as some of the earlier SPF 99ers have shown you don’t need to teleport if running Baal. After three untwinked Enigmas, I was hoping to minimize LK runs even if it takes longer in the grand scheme of things.
She has the nice Ber drop from Pindle, so if she can pick up Infinity from LK runs, she’ll move to WSK and Baal, hoping for rune drops along the way to open up Enigma. I’ll probably break down and go back to LK for Enigma before it drops from Baal runs, but we’ll see.
* * *
We leave for a three-week vacation tomorrow, so there won’t be any progress until October at the best. No wifi or cell reception for most of it, but I'll try to check in on progress of others when I can.
My goal upon returning is to focus on Phaedrus, with Quinta as a break (and maybe some Pit runs with Pestilence). I’m thinking he may be able to get 99 by the end of November, with Ancients XP bonus available, and my hope is that Quinta will be at 94 from Pindle and Pestilence will be at 97 at that point. But we’ll see!
Just moving my second character Bone necro Espada to resting heroes list, as i do not plan to play him in near future...However, i have two other ideas in my mind (thinking about one kind of septavirate and about melee char for this quest), so i need to decide which route might be better atm...So many plans and not enough time for it
I'm questioning whether or not I want to place Orion on the Resting Heroes list, or perhaps even consider moving on from him altogether and try a different character, as I'm struggling heavily in Act 2 NM with my gear. Nearly every boss pack kills me or gets me very close to a death, and drops have been horrendous. Holy Freeze was incredibly powerful in Normal, but despite continuing to slow everything down, every monster hits me, and hits me hard, and since I still have not been able to find better items than Steel or Strength flails, I can't leech enough life to tank for very long, and have to chug potions like a madman. How I've forgotten how brutal this game is for melee characters, and even more so for untwinked ones.
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ -----
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
Slowish going really need to get into Nightmare then things speed up once i get spirit and/or insight up and running. Did get a +1 CM +2 Fr Orb from Anya though so not too bad. Not done massive amount of play time and also spread over several characters. Nothing of note has dropped or even green or gold that i recall. May or may not splat Pindle for a bit to see if i get lucky but thinking more practicle to ignore Pindle and get on with ancients and Baal and getting into Nightmare to get my 4 socket items with some luck as i dont recall you get these until then.
Time for an update on StormRider. He is now about 10 hrs in farming LK. The good news is I am still enjoying it, probably due to the fact that in 2 weeks I managed to only play 10 hrs, which prevents me from getting LK-boring-itus.
I guess the drops have been somewhat okay-ish overall, I got about 10 skillers, of which one elemental , about 250 Pgems, some nice resis charms with usable secondary mods
Shimmering Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x46cfd5e0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +3
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
, which should help with getting my resist stats up later on with Enigma.
Speaking of which, I am now 1/6 in with having found 1 Sur. I also found a Vex rune, with which I can make a Hoto later on.
First 4 hours
These 3 actually dropped in one day, after that I downloaded run timer.
Run #225, after 4:53 hrs
Run #332 - 6:40 hrs in
I average about 60 seconds per run and I have 100 FRW and on top of that Vigo aura from Harmony, so there is some room for improvement there.
From the most west firecamp I tp to town and S&E in act 4. I tried for a while S&E from the firecamp, but that was overall serveral seconds longer…
Well, hopefully RL and work allow for some more D2 time later this week
Time for an update on StormRider. He is now about 10 hrs in farming LK. The good news is I am still enjoying it, probably due to the fact that in 2 weeks I managed to only play 10 hrs, which prevents me from getting LK-boring-itus.
I guess the drops have been somewhat okay-ish overall, I got about 10 skillers, of which one elemental , about 250 Pgems, some nice resis charms with usable secondary mods
Shimmering Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x46cfd5e0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +3
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
, which should help with getting my resist stats up later on with Enigma.
Speaking of which, I am now 1/6 in with having found 1 Sur. I also found a Vex rune, with which I can make a Hoto later on.
First 4 hours
These 3 actually dropped in one day, after that I downloaded run timer.
Run #225, after 4:53 hrs
Run #332 - 6:40 hrs in
I average about 60 seconds per run and I have 100 FRW and on top of that Vigo aura from Harmony, so there is some room for improvement there.
From the most west firecamp I tp to town and S&E in act 4. I tried for a while S&E from the firecamp, but that was overall serveral seconds longer…
Well, hopefully RL and work allow for some more D2 time later this week
You should invest in a teleport stick or an amulet if you happen to find one.
Also if you save your flawless runes along with all of your other low runes, I'd be interested in knowing how many you have compared to how many high runes you have. Im at 1k flawless + low runes and 2 sur, lo, vex, gul, mal, mal, pul
Alright, so after gambling a +24 to all resists circlet, switching out that God-awful Isenhart's armor for a rare plate mail with fire and poison resists, and putting a few more points into Resist Cold to boost my Holy Freeze damage, I appear to be having a better time progressing through NM, though it's still a slog and I have to be extremely careful around boss packs, and consistently playing through NM on /p8 is totally out of the question at this point.
Orion has just reached the Arcane Sanctuary, where the chokepoints should actually help instead of hurt. I just need to keep pushing through to Mephisto, and once that's done, it's NM Meph farming time.
One of the main issues with Paladins is that they have next to no crowd control. Especially in an untwinked setting, and even more so on a non-physical based melee build, that makes it really hard to pull off.
If you happen to luck out on a Ko and Lem rune or can cube them up, I would definitely consider a Lawbringer. Ideally in a Phase Blade (you'll probably have the Dex for it to get max block anyway), but since this is NM, your first one would go into an exceptional Sword, Hammer or Scepter. Since Scepters can net you some +skills, those might be the ideal weapon. However, you'd have to get lucky finding a 3 os one with good +Holy Freeze to begin with (although cubing sockets into a white one has a 2/3 chance to get 3 sockets as well), and the possible options either require quite some strength (Divine Scepter - 103 str) or are quite slow (Holy Water Sprinkler - 10 WSM). In that respect a Dimensional Blade can be a good middle of the road alternative. But you should check out Zeal breakpoints anyway, with the gear you have, maybe a Holy Water Sprinkler is a very good option in the end.
The runeword itself requires level 43, so you should be able to equip it at this point if you meet the weapon reqs.
+ gul gul vex ohm that I've previously gotten from LK
=
I think this makes up for my other bad grief
Also a nice helm upgrade from LK
On other news, I beat diablo and frozenstein. Wasnt very hard with grief + oath. Running pindle is doable if he doesn't roll bad mods (amp dmg, might aura)
I should wear the 36 ias grief in my glove side slot first right?
Speaking of Trav vs Lk in an untwinked environment. My untwinked blizzard sorc is a Sur short for Infinity and I'm debating if I should jump to Travincal when its done since I'm still missing some key pieces of equipment like sov, df, nightwings, mara and sojs. What would you guys do if you were on my shoes?
Speaking of Trav vs Lk in an untwinked environment. My untwinked blizzard sorc is a Sur short for Infinity and I'm debating if I should jump to Travincal when its done since I'm still missing some key pieces of equipment like sov, df, nightwings, mara and sojs. What would you guys do if you were on my shoes?
I'd try to do travincal now for the sur. Iirc infinity is not a huge boost for travincal killing speed, so if you can do 25-35 second runs on a good map id do that.
One of the main issues with Paladins is that they have next to no crowd control. Especially in an untwinked setting, and even more so on a non-physical based melee build, that makes it really hard to pull off.
I've certainly been noticing that lately as I've started Countess and Pit runs with DirkStruan. I really have to tread carefully and separate mobs to take care of some of them....especially when the Might or Fanaticism aura flickers on. It makes for some longer timed runs for sure. I got very lucky with my Tower map though. The exits from L2 to L3 and from L3 to L4 are both very close to their respective entrances, which helps a lot. My Pit map is not good at all, but at the moment I'm loathe to give up my Tower map. To wit - these were the drops on two consecutive Countess runs:
It seems I have way better luck with the Countess than I ever did with LK.
T72on1 said:
If you happen to luck out on a Ko and Lem rune or can cube them up, I would definitely consider a Lawbringer. Ideally in a Phase Blade (you'll probably have the Dex for it to get max block anyway), but since this is NM, your first one would go into an exceptional Sword, Hammer or Scepter. Since Scepters can net you some +skills, those might be the ideal weapon. However, you'd have to get lucky finding a 3 os one with good +Holy Freeze to begin with (although cubing sockets into a white one has a 2/3 chance to get 3 sockets as well), and the possible options either require quite some strength (Divine Scepter - 103 str) or are quite slow (Holy Water Sprinkler - 10 WSM). In that respect a Dimensional Blade can be a good middle of the road alternative. But you should check out Zeal breakpoints anyway, with the gear you have, maybe a Holy Water Sprinkler is a very good option in the end.
Would a Lawbringer Phase Blade be a viable weapon in Hell for a Fanatic Zealadin? It feels like it wouldn't have much Life Leech power....though the Decrepify would be a much-needed help....
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ -----
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
There was not a big progress since last update, but Blackwell is doing fine atm.
With the grief I made I went for some exping and moved him to lvl 87. I realised, while its not a bad thing to do, I still have some priorities, so I went back to LK. Will stay there, until I get that enigma, then I will move somewhere else to collect missing pieces of equipment...
You should invest in a teleport stick or an amulet if you happen to find one.
Also if you save your flawless runes along with all of your other low runes, I'd be interested in knowing how many you have compared to how many high runes you have. Im at 1k flawless + low runes and 2 sur, lo, vex, gul, mal, mal, pul
So the 250 pgem translate to about 750 flawless, then I have about 345 low runes. After playing more than 8 hours I stopped picking up low runes such as Tir/ ith/ Shael and others which are not interesting for crafting or cube recipes.
Congrats on the hurty sword, that should make life easier
I’m still just plugging along doing P7 CS runs with my Sorc. I’ve been working a lot and can’t seem to get enough time to really get into a good rhythm with CS. I always do some LK at first to get my fingers and wrists loosened up, and then it takes me a bit to fall into a good CS pace. I still kill too many monsters that I don’t need to, but historically I get more drops that way so it evens out I suppose.
I’ve also been leveling my future Frenzy Barb. The Zod that’s been sitting in a stash is going to start rusting if I don’t do something with it soon. I have a better chance at finding another Zod than a eth 3 socket Tomby, so it will go towards a BotD. My plan is to go with a eth Berserker Axe for BotD main hand and a Death in the same base for the off hand. For weapon switch I will go with a Grief PB main hand and Lawbringer PB in the off hand. The Frenzy Barb I made a couple years ago used Grief/Lawbringer and never had a problem with any monsters, so having it in switch will make him even more unstoppable.
Whatever base I use for the BotD I will more than likely still be torn about what I should have went with instead. Either way, that Zod needs to be put to use.
A bit off-topic, but last night as I was gambling circlets/coronets trying to up the leech on my merc I noticed that all of a sudden things would get very choppy while I was moving my mouse. If I left things along, everything was fine (NPCs moving, fire in the central pit, etc) - but once I started moving my mouse, it would be "laggy" (for lack of a better word).
I've never encountered this issue before in SP. Has anyone seen this before and, if so, would you know what's causing it and how to fix it? I don't use Glide - maybe I should? Running Windows 7....
Other untwinked baba toons, what have you socketed with larzuk?
My weapons and armor are going to be runewords, so I'm left with socketing helms or unique weapons I find. I looked at the list of unique weapons, and the only one I'd want to socket is an eth death cleaver, but the chances of that dropping are abysmal. Right now I'm thinking about socketing the gface I found, then maybe switching to an arreats face if I find one, and maybe socket an andariels visage for my merc. Thoughts?
I'd indeed socket GFace and Merc headpiece. You can still think about the third one, though I'm not a big fan of Arreat's except for Trav Barb. GFace is much better offensively, and Arreat's defensive stats are not exactly difference makers IMO. Assuming you don’t have a full supply of Sharp GCs and fine SCs, you’ll have plenty inventory space for life/resist SCs anyway..
Eth DC is a very stylish weapon, in fact I found one with my 99er Sorc. Definitely one of my coolest finds, I should be looking for a good Exile base to finally make use of it actually.
Other untwinked baba toons, what have you socketed with larzuk?
My weapons and armor are going to be runewords, so I'm left with socketing helms or unique weapons I find. I looked at the list of unique weapons, and the only one I'd want to socket is an eth death cleaver, but the chances of that dropping are abysmal. Right now I'm thinking about socketing the gface I found, then maybe switching to an arreats face if I find one, and maybe socket an andariels visage for my merc. Thoughts?
I used two of my socket quests on Merc equipment, and have the third left over. Like you said, there's not exactly tons of stuff you're likely to want to use them on, so buyer's regret is a lot less likely on a barb!
Been a while since I did an update. I hit 93.
And that is basically all I have to report! I've not been playing much recently due to RL and lack of motivation (mostly the latter). Will see if things pick up. If not I'll move myself to the resting heroes and/or start a new character!
A bit off-topic, but last night as I was gambling circlets/coronets trying to up the leech on my merc I noticed that all of a sudden things would get very choppy while I was moving my mouse. If I left things along, everything was fine (NPCs moving, fire in the central pit, etc) - but once I started moving my mouse, it would be "laggy" (for lack of a better word).
I've never encountered this issue before in SP. Has anyone seen this before and, if so, would you know what's causing it and how to fix it? I don't use Glide - maybe I should? Running Windows 7....
Use both Usually I do 3 teleports per run and whenever I have to repair, take the boat to act 2, run to farah and run to waypoint. I don't think its much slower than running to the waypoint in act 3.
Plague Mark
Amulet
Required Level: 48
Fingerprint: 0x808cd4c9
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Attack Rating
+14 to Energy
All Resistances +17
Poison Resist +40%
Damage Reduced by 2
Level 1 Teleport (8/22 Charges)
Don't Judge a Druid by its cover ;-)
Actually I don't use it for LK. For the amount of tele's I need for it to really shine, i.e. 8, the Repair costs dont outweigh the increased speed. Besides, running enables me popping everything. Additionally, at the end of LK I tp to town and S&E in A4, so no running in Kurast Docks required.
After months of failure to fix my freeze problem with Diablo 2, my 99 journey has come to a likely extended hiatus. I can play for an hour sometimes or just 5 minutes. Either way, when the game freezes, ALL progress is lost. TheLongRun may continue at some other point, possibly when I get a new computer but until then she's enjoying so rest. And that also means I won't be playing and participating here much.
At last I found a groove on this level, I am currently netting around 400k xp/Ventar run, which I found to be the easiest for me to gain xp. I did do Lister and Baal at p1, but I found it killed my efficiency.
Looking ahead, would it be far off to say that the xp gained gets halfed each time I level up here? Or is this too simple thinking? If so I will be a fair bit off the numbers you guys got towards the end.
It has been a fairly uneventful first quarter of the level, but some things has dropped for me, though not a whole lot of useful stuff. I still try to improve my amulet situation and a skiller or two could not hurt, but they do elude me.
I'm really not around just now because I'm in Cambridge and I dislike playing D2 on my MacBook, but shall be around more once I get settled in Glasgow in October. Keep up the good work ladies and gentlemen
It took me a long time, but she is finally at the 98.75 mark. 'Only' some 26 hours to go.
Not much to report really. After the MF/RF tournament, drops have been really, really scarce. The good news is that I got my xp/hour up, often close to 3M/hour, with peaks up to 3.3M/hour. I also rolled a second CtA to try and improve on my 4BO one, but this one also rolled 4BO.
Other good drops:
Good Ice base?
Only my second this time around, again lowest 3% ll roll .
Also a Pul, an Atma's Scarab and a -5/+3 Fire Facet.
Runs have been very safe, no NDEs at all. Not even close. I'll have to make sure I'll keep focused until the end though. A death at this point would be brutal.
As for ShouldBeEasy ... he is still doing LK runs in search for that last Sur. Currently at some 2800 LK runs, so in that respect I still have some 800 runs in front of me ... statistically. However, I'm also 900 runs after my last Sur, so statistically it means that it can drop anytime now . I sure hope it will, as I'm tired of LK. I want to start killing stuff .
Well, to be honest, I've already been doing some killing in between LK runs. Two times when I got too tired of LK, I went back to Eldritch runs to gain another level. From eighty eight to 89 and then later from 89 to 90.
Runes were Pul, Gul, Pul, Um, Vex and Mal in LK.
When going from 89 to 90 at Eldritch, I got some good drops. First a Pul, then a 33% res all Protector Shield, which got this amazing roll:
35% fcr, almost max mana !!!
Then an eth Tresher, which unfortunately got 5os in the cube. Still, since my merc was still using an exception non-eth base for Insight, I decided to go ahead and make this one:
I tried it out, and mana was no issue thanks to Redemption. I often even didn't need that actually. Only mana burners were a pain at times. So for now the merc is keeping his big hurty stick .
After run # 618 @ 12:40 hrs in and the Ber rune drop, things quieted down a bit. That is untill…
Run # 808 - 16:56 hrs in
Run # 812 – 17:02 hrs in
Run # 820 – 17:16 hrs in
Thats what I define as, a good set of 13 runs. That means I am 1/3 off of an enigma. With 1 Gul/Vex I can create Hoto and CtA. So, now I will be needing some good bases soon.
@ everyone: since the Moo Moo farm is not an option, which place do you guys recommend for Monarch/ Flail/ CS/ Archon Plate (don't ask why) bases?
I kinda liked this jewel as well, pitty no max dmg.
Code:
Sapphire Jewel of Carnage
Jewel
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0x7871aaa2
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Maximum Damage
Cold Resist +30%
Gathered about 400 pgms and 14 skillers up till now.
Level 99 is getting within your arms reach. Only 26 hours to go, it seems so short considering the total journey. Stay safe during the last mile.
T72on1 said:
As for ShouldBeEasy ... he is still doing LK runs in search for that last Sur. Currently at some 2800 LK runs, so in that respect I still have some 800 runs in front of me ... statistically. However, I'm also 900 runs after my last Sur, so statistically it means that it can drop anytime now . I sure hope it will, as I'm tired of LK. I want to start killing stuff .
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x114c2307
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x92e22f08
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Maximum Damage
+73 to Attack Rating
+28 to Life
Sharp Large Charm of Inertia
Large Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xa8a3d701
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Run/Walk
+6 to Maximum Damage
+35 to Attack Rating
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x7af58cac
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x9f3d7837
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Iron Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xa9a64e99
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+85 to Attack Rating
+35 to Life
Steel Grand Charm of Inertia
Grand Charm
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0x7d3c9769
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7% Faster Run/Walk
+126 to Attack Rating
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x6deb95b8
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Expert's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xb2cc1edd
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
+28 to Life
Coral Large Charm of Vita
Large Charm
Required Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0xff6d6aec
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+27 to Life
Lightning Resist +12%
Sharp Large Charm of Life
Large Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x3aa1f992
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+6 to Maximum Damage
+29 to Attack Rating
+10 to Life
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xa3e058cb
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Septic Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xaf54cccb
Item Level: 69
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 15 Poison Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
+16 to Life
Stout Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x97e932be
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 Defense
+19 to Life
Rugged Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x354d8511
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
+5 Maximum Stamina
Steel Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xf6cd8046
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+120 to Attack Rating
+37 to Life
Fine Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x18f7fb0d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+6 to Maximum Damage
+26 to Attack Rating
+36 to Life
Steel Large Charm of Sustenance
Large Charm
Required Level: 36
Fingerprint: 0xe0c67431
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+53 to Attack Rating
+21 to Life
[GEAR]
Nosferatu's Coil
Vampirefang Belt
Defense: 63
Durability: 10 of 14
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x7be55ec7
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Increased Attack Speed
7% Life stolen per hit
Slows Target by 10%
+15 to Strength
+2 to Mana after each Kill
-3 to Light Radius
Angelic Wings
Amulet
Required Level: 12
Fingerprint: 0x65f17c0e
Item Level: 28
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+3 to Light Radius
Set (2 items): +75 to Life
Set (3 items): +1 to All Skills
(2 items): +10 to Dexterity
Angelic Halo
Ring
Required Level: 12
Fingerprint: 0xa498254f
Item Level: 22
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Replenish Life +6
Set (2 items): +1116 to Attack Rating (Based on Character Level)
Set (3 items): 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
(2 items): +10 to Dexterity
Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 81
Durability: 8 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xd4adb096
Item Level: 86
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%
Duress
Archon Plate
ShaelUmThul
Defense: 1554
Durability: 57 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0xf67b7a2f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Hit Recovery
18% Enhanced Damage
Adds 37 - 133 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+199% Enhanced Defense
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +15
3 Sockets (3 used)
Blood Turn
Ring
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0xda4a58c5
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+65 to Attack Rating
4% Mana stolen per hit
7% Life stolen per hit
+13 to Strength
+6 to Mana
Cold Resist +17%
Arreat's Face
Slayer Guard
Defense: 327
Durability: 51 of 55
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 118
Fingerprint: 0x9d19fab6
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
6% Life stolen per hit
+171% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
All Resistances +30
Spirit
Flamberge
TalThulOrtAmn
One Hand Damage: 9 - 15
Two Hand Damage: 13 - 26
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 70
Required Dexterity: 49
Fingerprint: 0x8354e98f
Item Level: 43
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+26% 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
+112 to Mana
+4 Magic Absorb
4 Sockets (4 used)
Spirit
Flamberge
TalThulOrtAmn
One Hand Damage: 9 - 15
Two Hand Damage: 13 - 26
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 70
Required Dexterity: 49
Fingerprint: 0xdcc2f49
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+25% 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
+96 to Mana
+3 Magic Absorb
4 Sockets (4 used)
Grief
Phase Blade
EthTirLoMalRal
One Hand Damage: 31 - 35
Indestructible
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x2ecac37a
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
35% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+33% Increased Attack Speed
Damage +373
Ignore Target's Defense
-25% Target Defense
+174% Damage to Demons (Based on Character Level)
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
-22% to Enemy Poison Resistance
20% Deadly Strike
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Mana after each Kill
+10 Life after each Kill
5 Sockets (5 used)
Death
Colossus Sword
HelElVexOrtGul
One Hand Damage: 163 - 438
Two Hand Damage: 380 - 756
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 60
Required Strength: 138
Required Dexterity: 68
Fingerprint: 0x5a8ce7be
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 44 Chain Lightning when you Die
25% Chance to cast level 18 Glacial Spike on attack
Indestructible
318% Enhanced Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+50 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
7% Mana stolen per hit
50% Chance of Crushing Blow
46% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
+1 to Light Radius
Level 22 Blood Golem (15/15 Charges)
Requirements -20%
Ethereal
5 Sockets (5 used)
Vampire Gaze*
Grim Helm
Defense: 378
Durability: 21 of 21
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 48
Fingerprint: 0xb5763560
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
8% Mana stolen per hit
6% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 18%
Magic Damage Reduced by 11
Ethereal
Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 906
Durability: 126 of 126
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x4fb6d912
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+160% Enhanced Defense
+116 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+93 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 Maximum Durability
Ethereal
The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 36 - 423
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0x1598859d
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
200% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (33 Frames)
15% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
*I also have a Ral'd Andariel's for my mercenary, but I use Vamp Gaze for Travincal and Baals so he doesn't die to Hydras.
@T72on1 Gogogo for the last stretch with Neverland!
Ric has been sitting on 97.5 since before the MFO. I've been quite busy in both RL and other D2 stuff since then, but I do have him on my mind for some more Nihlathak action soon. Just waiting for the first couple of rainy weekends with nothing else going on... great summers, so bad for D2 progress.
Made some exp with the sorc (not a lot at all^^) and started a barb bcause only nihla running is a bit boring^^
Also died 2x with the sorc on nihla so far, mainly bcause of pickin up a drop wihout clearing vipers arround i guess, but i learned from it and i got my body back both times. Also made 2 more CTAs on the sorc but both were weaker or same as mine (Cta 3 and 4)
The barb palythough wasnt anything speacial i guess, started with doubleswing, later frenzy. on nightmare the steels seem to be a bit weak and and i found a 4 sox halberd were i made insight in and repsect to whirlwind. Well, since the weapon isnt rly fast it wasnt to great as well and in act 4 nm i respecct to a shouter and it worked totally amazing with dualspirits. for actbosses i used crushflage (later black flail) with 1 pt in concentrate. In hell i just i played to a4 (to make lk runs) and im still there doin the lk runs.
Before i started them i was missing a ko rune to make the harmony bow so i made i guess at least 20 hell countess runs but didnt find any but a Sur rune from some random monster haha. after that i just stopped countess and started finding a lk map, which didnt take that long at all, 20 mins maybe and its fine for me and found the ko soon there then. runes from lk are Sur, Sur, Ohm, Ohm so far + the Sur from countess runs. so 50% of what i need for eni + 2 griefs.
Drop sorc: Arach, sc 19 life 34 ar, cold rbf 3/5, raven, ravenlore, spirit keeper, Ohm, Tal armor, Gul, ele sk, ist rune.
Drops barb: Warcry sk, Sur, sur, trap sk, ohm, sc 6 life 4 allres, light sk, sc 19 life 15 ar, sur, light sk, ohm, cold sk, ist
@Disposition - LK/Trav/Cows are basically dependent on your character's build and firepower, each with benefits and drawbacks. srrw linked you to the guide, so I'd suggest reading that. Gripp did all the work for you there.
@T72on1 - GOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGO! Grats, very awesome!
--
Klaus is still alive, and still running. I should have an update after the weekend. Meanwhile, stay safe everyone!
I'm certain that LK is the most efficient route for me to get a Ber, and probably not by a small margin.
But I find murdering wee demon men far more interesting than clicking on boxes! And Travincal does give some experience at 93, which is a nice little Brucie Bonus.
Still in LK, but I made some good progress with runes to get the enigma.
It was good during the week:
But it skyrocketed today:
those 2 Surs popped out from the chest 3 minutes after each other, I was quite happy for that
So right now I am Gul Ist away from the Enigma. So close, so close! Hopefully I will be able to finish it during upcoming weekend, so I can move to more interesting locations.
About the Blackwell - lvl88, no NDEs, feeling pretty safe at LK ( )
btw - what doest that s/u mean in the list of characters?
No Ber from Travincal, though they did produce this spicy meatball. Don't think I've ever found this item before.
I am planning on making my Amazon from the Super Unique only tournament into another character for this thread once the restriction becomes more frustrating than fun (I suspect by the end of Normal). But the prospect of having nice items like this just sitting about (it's pretty unlikely my barb will use it) combined with the convenience sure does make twinking tempting!
When I updated on Friday, Blackwell was Gul Ist away from Enigma.
Unfortunately, I didnt find spare time during the weekend, so it remained unfinished.
Monday:
Lets run couple of times and see, what is going to happen.
Motivated with that first Ist I cubed all runes from Lum up. It left me with Ist Um to finish the Eni. Lets continue with some LK.
Damn, so close. Give me that last UM!! I tried the countess few times, but it took so long, so I switched back to LK. After some more ( +- 200 runs):
Yay, way more than I needed. That was my 6th Sur, so all the cubing was completely unnecessary. Good bye LK, I dont want to see you for some time now!
Some cubing I actually like:
And here we go! It definitely deserves personification! First ever (since release of d2) SP selfound Enigma.
Lets take it out for a spin (need to farm meph now, for some eq that couldnt be easily found in LK). Hmm, first Meph, first chest on lvl 3. Are you kidding? This could have saved like 4 hours to me. But not mad at all
I think I will stay at Meph to farm some Wizzardspike, Suicide branch, Stormshield and possibly Arre/Guillame now.
Then I am going to respec to optimalizace stats and go full exp mode
Today is a bit of an odd one. First I got to 50% to level 97. I was on a roll and the experience was coming to me like waves to a beach. Alas, disaster strikes.
It must have been quite the combination of modifiers for Achmel this time, it was done in a matter of seconds. I don't have a corpse retrieval kit, and the loss is about 20-25 million XP. At least I'm not playing hardcore, and the loss isn't too big of a problem. I had been thinking about how I would feel if I died, and it was more of a comic fail than actually annoying.
I did find an interesting item along the way, now I have a plan B if level 98 gets to be too annoying some time in the far future:
I also made a nice armor for my merc, but truth be told it feels no different than Duriel's Shell did:
In closing, and for future reference for people going to do any farming with high projected fire damage Steel Shade is a fantastic tool for keeping the merc alive. I can't remember who wrote it, but I think it was Gripphon. The merc has not died since I equipped it on him, and he used to struggle a lot with the Bartuc wave, and at times I had to help him out at the Ventar wave, but as I said now he feels immortal (as long as I stay alive, hehe).
@Ashenshugar Sorry to hear about the death, hope you'll make up for it quickly! Why no eth bugged Forti though?
After MFO and with lots RL stuff going on I played considerably less recently. Scarce D2 time was spent leveling other characters and doing twinked MF Pit runs here and there. Now I picked up Ric again though and hope to progress him towards 98 soon. I'm also considering entering with a HC Druid. I tend to push characters a bit too much, so I don't think he'd ever make 99... but I never had a Guardian even, so that's something to tick off the list.
also considering entering with a HC Druid. I tend to push characters a bit too much, so I don't think he'd ever make 99... but I never had a Guardian even, so that's something to tick off the list.
Post-MFO life has still been decent in terms of drops. The level started off well with green CBs and Sacred Armours. Not entirely useful, but it leaves a glimmer of hope for more useful things to drop soon. His time in the AT has only just begun, so there's nothing but time to find other goodies. Speaking of other goodies:
Nice! Klaus' MF has now moved up to 271 while maintaining his killing power.
I decided to test out the Drifter Cavern to see if I could make the xp work there, seeing as there is only 1 FI-type monster. The testing didn't last long as it's quite clearly not as efficient xp-wise, which is no surprise since it's an alvl 84 area. It also has the benefit of being way more dangerous which is a no-go for HC, but I did get an eth Horizon's out of it!
Code:
Horizon's Tornado
Scourge
One Hand Damage: 14 - 435
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 64
Required Strength: 92
Required Dexterity: 54
Fingerprint: 0x76d5f66f
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
20% Chance to cast level 15 Tornado on striking
+50% Increased Attack Speed
263% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Slows Target by 20%
Requirements -20% Ethereal
With that experiment over it was back to the tunnels for another green SA and CB and a Lightsabre right as we hit the halfway mark. Grailers have been semi-steadily coming in, and it continued here with a nice Stormspire (and Tal's amulet in the same run!). Just as Klaus was approaching the 2/3 mark of the level his grumbling over the uselessness of his drops finally paid off:
Awesome! Been waiting for that one for a while (bit of an understatement there ) so it's nice to finally have it drop. Another useful drop soon followed when he found Wisp Projector. Not only is that the final piece of jewelery I need for my overall grail (and is obviously a grailer for Klaus), I swapped some charms and the other ring around to incorporate the WP and its light absorb and now Klaus is sitting at 298% mf! Nice!
A Demonhorn's Edge and Stormshield dropped to round out the level, so Klaus now sits at 96. Pace will probably slow for a little bit now. I have some otehr projects I want to work on, and I've started getting a bit sloppy trying to push for extra XP. No real NDEs, but some poor decision making and unneccessary risks being taken, so I'm going to take a step back and run him a bit more casually for a while. Better slow and alive than quick and dead!
Skillers:
- Hexing
- Graverobber's (cubed)
Other finds:
- 2x Um (1, 2)
- Pul
- Mal (from the chest)
- 20life/17mana SC (nice!)
- a couple unsocketed, eth Threshers/Gthreshers for potential future re-rolls.
- Ormus Robes (Chain Lightning, a grailer!)
- 5os eth Colossus Sword
- this eth Sacred Targe. Is this useful for anything? Exile maybe?
- a few other eth uniques for the grail.
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ -----
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
So DirkStruan has slowly slogged his way thru many Hell Countess and Pit runs, but finding very little of note. The big finds in the Pits were Aldur's Advance boots, an ethereal Small Crescent (that rolled 4 sockets in the cube), and the following rare Reinforced Mace, which replaced my crafted Naga and is my current weapon:
Code:
Death Breaker
Reinforced Mace
One Hand Damage: 115 - 138
Durability: 40 of 60
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 145
Required Dexterity: 46
Fingerprint: 0x7a282066
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Increased Attack Speed
182% Enhanced Damage
+330 to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
9% Mana stolen per hit
As nice as the Tower map was that I had, other than the back-to-back Pul & Um the Countess dropped those runs dried up so I went back to questing in an effort to make it to Lower Kurast and try and at least get the Mal rune I need for an Oath. The following has been my gear for that trek, and what Dirk is currently equipped with as he starts his LK runs:
5% Chance to cast level 1 Amplify Damage on striking
Gemmed Superior Aerin Shield
Superior Aerin Shield
Defense: 28
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 57 of 57
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xd98a1787
Item Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +105
Increase Maximum Durability 15%
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
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%
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%
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%
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%
Loath Tower
Royal Shield
Defense: 274
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 114
Fingerprint: 0x8db9b7a3
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Paladin Skill Levels
+51% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +21
Fire Resist +7%
Damage Reduced by 2
Poison Length Reduced by 50%
Edge
Short War Bow
TirTalAmn
Two Hand Damage: 6 - 14
Durability: 30 of 48
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 35
Required Dexterity: 55
Fingerprint: 0xb30e994
Item Level: 48
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 15 Thorns Aura When Equipped
+35% Increased Attack Speed
+371% Damage to Demons
+280% Damage to Undead
Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
All Stats +7
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Reduces all Vendor Prices 15%
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
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
Tal Rune
Required Level: 17
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
Armor: Poison Resist +30%
Shields: Poison Resist +35%
Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Smoking Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 56
Fingerprint: 0xa56adbbf
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 4 - 16 Fire Damage
+16 to Life
Lapis Large Charm of Inertia
Large Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0x5370c544
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Run/Walk
Cold Resist +8%
Death Breaker
Reinforced Mace
One Hand Damage: 115 - 138
Durability: 40 of 60
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 145
Required Dexterity: 46
Fingerprint: 0x7a282066
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Increased Attack Speed
182% Enhanced Damage
+330 to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
9% Mana stolen per hit
Mercenary:
Name: Fazel
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Nightmare
Experience: 66971232
Level: 82
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 181/219
Dexterity: 145/165
HP: 1647/1697
Defense: 1217/1666
AR: 1874/367304
Fire: 184/144/84
Cold: 184/144/84
Lightning: 214/174/114
Poison: 184/144/84
Lionheart
Dusk Shroud
HelLumFal
Defense: 413
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 66
Fingerprint: 0x5fb976a0
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Enhanced Damage
All Stats +10
+15 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
+10 to Vitality
+50 to Life
All Resistances +30
Requirements -15%
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Hel Rune
Socketed: Lum Rune
Socketed: Fal Rune
Hel Rune
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Requirements -20%
Armor: Requirements -15%
Shields: Requirements -15%
Lum Rune
Required Level: 37
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +10 to Energy
Armor: +10 to Energy
Shields: +10 to Energy
Fal Rune
Required Level: 41
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +10 to Strength
Armor: +10 to Strength
Shields: +10 to Strength
Doom Circlet
Coronet
Defense: 36
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x138cad99
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Summoning Skills (Druid Only)
7% Life stolen per hit
+8 to Strength
All Resistances +8
Lightning Resist +30%
Magic Damage Reduced by 2
Insight
Thresher
RalTirTalSol
Two Hand Damage: 51 - 494
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Level: 53
Required Strength: 152
Required Dexterity: 118
Fingerprint: 0xc1f8da88
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 16 Meditation Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Cast Rate
251% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
195% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
+6 to Critical Strike
All Stats +5
+2 to Mana after each Kill
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Ral Rune
Required Level: 19
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
Armor: Fire Resist +30%
Shields: Fire Resist +35%
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
Tal Rune
Required Level: 17
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
Armor: Poison Resist +30%
Shields: Poison Resist +35%
Sol Rune
Required Level: 27
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +9 to Minimum Damage
Armor: Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Damage Reduced by 7
I keep the War Axe with the Amp Damage on switch for Physical Immunes, and the Edge stays in my stash for gambling. I managed to improve my charm situation a bit via rerolling with Perfect Gems, but they obviously still need work - hopefully I find some upgrades once I start my LK runs. It's been slow going with a fair bit of kiting, especially around the PI's. That War Axe I shopped came in handy in the Arcane Sanctuary, making it a little easier to deal with all the ghosts. The worst part was the Tomb - that one alone must have taken a good 40 minutes or so thanks to the Unravellers and the PI ghosts and the Urdars. Both Andariel and Duriel dropped complete rubbish, but that's been par for the course for Dirk In Act III, I was unlucky to have a map that did not have the Great Marsh bypass, but lucky in that there were no Gloams in the Great Marsh. Sszark packed his usual wallop, but I slowly lured out his pack one or two at a time and then fought him on my terms (a la Sun Tzu). I also got lucky in the Flayer Dungeon, as there were no dolls to worry about.
Eventually I got to Lower Kurast, but it only had one campfire. Sadly giving up my Tower map, I started rerolling and came upon a pretty good map on the 3rd roll but found the boss pack density to be too much for an untwinked Paladin relying on FRW to do his LK runs, so I went back to rerolling. About a half hour later I think I've finally found a nice map that is a little less chaotic (will post tonight once I take a screenshot). I've got my fingers crossed, hoping that these LK runs will bear a little more fruit than the 2,500 or so that my LK running Whirly Barb has completed over time.
I just noticed that my blocking is a little low, so I'm going to pump Dexterity with whatever unspent points I have. I've made it this far with that darned rare mace, but I don't foresee taking on the Council in Travincal without at least equipping an Oath. And I'm way to rune-poor to consider a Call To Arms as something to plan for in my near future....
@Pb_pal : Damned, You are ahead once again Time to move forward with Kaira, did not touched her since ZOD dropped...Though, i have to admit, i played a little with another character ... i will probably introduce him in next update
Well, it was almost a whole day of farming, lets say something about 8 hours... I was really determined to finish that Eni, so I pushed it hard :]
Fun thing is, that I found out, that I need to get some rest from that barb, so I played my HC bone necro a bit. Will come back to barb as soon as I will feel into it.
As promised in the previous post, here i'm to introduce my third character (still counting Espada, but thats for very distant future )
My third chars name is Attila, and not surprisingly, he is Barbarian (WW build)...So far he reached LK in Hell, where he will remain for very long time, because his equipement is tragic at best
Journey to this point has been painfully slow, and even dangerous sometimes - especially at Act 2 Hell with lots of PI monsters...
My personal rules for this character are the same as always:
1) HC - thats obvious i guess
2) Using ESC button to avoid death is not allowed
3) Respec is not allowed
4) Avoid Mephisto as much as i can - in other words, only one kill in Hell difficulty
Not sure how far i can get, melee characters are far slower then casters, but having melee and caster on the list is something i really wanted for change...
Attila reached lvl 78 btw
Attilas gear:
Code:
Berserker's Jawbone Visor of Light
Defense: 68
Durability: 20 of 25
(Barbarian Only)
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 71
Fingerprint: 0xf9d8deea
+15 to Attack Rating
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+1 to Light Radius
+2 to Battle Orders (Barbarian Only)
+1 to War Cry (Barbarian Only)
+1 to Battle Cry (Barbarian Only)
Butcher's Pupil
Cleaver
One-Hand Damage: 56 to 138
Required Strength: 68
Required Level: 39
Axe Class - Fast Attack Speed
Indestructible
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 57
Fingerprint: 0x9fab1587
+167% Enhanced Damage
+30 to Minimum Damage
+50 to Maximum Damage
30% Increased Attack Speed
25% Chance of Open Wounds
35% Deadly Strike
Indestructible
Aldur's Rhythm
Jagged Star
'ShaelEthEth'
One-Hand Damage: 60 to 93
Durability: 59 of 72
Required Strength: 74
Required Level: 42
Mace Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x63e48ff3
+40 to Minimum Damage
+62 to Maximum Damage
Adds 50-75 lightning damage
10% Life stolen per hit
5% Mana stolen per hit
50% Increased Attack Speed
-50% Target Defense
200% Damage to Demons
150% Damage to Undead
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
+15 to Strength
+15 to Strength
+15 to Strength
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
Socketed (3: 3 used)
Order Gorget
Amulet
Required Level: 11
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 28
Fingerprint: 0xa7aee666
+4 to Energy
Lightning Resist +20%
4% Mana stolen per hit
+1 to Light Radius
10% Faster Cast Rate
Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 19 of 24
Required Strength: 43
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 68
Fingerprint: 0x54f74b22
+120% Enhanced Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 13
All Resistances +26
30% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to All Skill Levels
Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 87
Durability: 9 of 12
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 79
Fingerprint: 0x2fccaeb6
+25 Defense
Fire Resist +50%
20% Increased Attack Speed
350% Damage to Demons
10% Chance to cast Level 3 Holy Bolt on striking
Sander's Riprap
Heavy Boots
Defense: 6
Durability: 9 of 14
Kick Damage: 4 to 10
Required Strength: 18
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 71
Fingerprint: 0x4a59a578
+5 to Strength
+10 to Dexterity
+100 to Attack Rating
40% Faster Run/Walk
Fiend Clasp
Plated Belt
Defense: 11
Durability: 23 of 24
Required Strength: 60
Required Level: 18
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x8c94063c
+33 to Life
+6 to Mana
+30 to Maximum Stamina
Fire Resist +26%
24% Faster Hit Recovery
Poison Length Reduced by 25%
Manald Heal
Ring
Required Level: 15
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x88aafe92
+20 to Life
Regenerate Mana 20%
6% Mana stolen per hit
Replenish Life +7
Stone Touch
Ring
Required Level: 24
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 34
Fingerprint: 0x7168d8ed
+14 to Maximum Stamina
+98 to Attack Rating
Fire Resist +18%
3% Life stolen per hit
Half Freeze Duration
Level 1 Dim Vision (22/22 Charges)
Spirit
Broad Sword
'TalThulOrtAmn'
One-Hand Damage: 7 to 14
Durability: 32 of 32
Required Strength: 48
Required Level: 25
Sword Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xc5b324f8
+22 to Vitality
+112 to Mana
+250 Defense vs. Missile
Adds 1-50 lightning damage
Adds 3-14 cold damage over 3 seconds
+75 poison damage over 5 seconds
7% Life stolen per hit
55% Faster Hit Recovery
34% Faster Cast Rate
+2 to All Skill Levels
+5 Magic Absorb
Socketed (4: 4 used)
Spirit
Long Sword
'TalThulOrtAmn'
One-Hand Damage: 3 to 19
Durability: 44 of 44
Required Dexterity: 39
Required Strength: 55
Required Level: 25
Sword Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xfdf32873
+22 to Vitality
+92 to Mana
+250 Defense vs. Missile
Adds 1-50 lightning damage
Adds 3-14 cold damage over 3 seconds
+75 poison damage over 5 seconds
7% Life stolen per hit
55% Faster Hit Recovery
31% Faster Cast Rate
+2 to All Skill Levels
+3 Magic Absorb
Socketed (4: 4 used)
@RIP Very nice choice for another HC character. Very brave as well . Good luck !!!
Btw, your gear doesn't seem that crappy to me. If you can find the runes to up that Butcher's Pupil, you already have one very strong weapon. Other than that more life leech would be a very good thing.
Edit: also, kuddos to you for doing this a third time. I'm on my second character and I swear, I won't ever run LK again for gear I already have, but have to get again because I'm foolish enough to go the untwinked route on a project like a 99er. After 3000 runs in with my Hammerdin (who is slow compared to teleporting characters but fast otherwise), I definitely came to that conclusion. I just don't find it fun.
Well, actually its only second time because Necromancer never leaved Normal difficulty...Kaira (my sin) already done 4400 p7 LK runs, if that matters...
Personally, it might sound very strange, but running LK with Barbarian is even more interesting, any drop can have huge impact on survival/killing speed...overall building melee character takes alot more time than building caster, and this fact i like a most...after all, this quest is about having fun, while planning/playing You character, not just about reaching one last level, don't You think?..at least for me
Well, actually its only second time because Necromancer never leaved Normal difficulty...Kaira (my sin) already done 4400 p7 LK runs, if that matters...
Personally, it might sound very strange, but running LK with Barbarian is even more interesting, any drop can have huge impact on survival/killing speed...overall building melee character takes alot more time than building caster, and this fact i like a most...after all, this quest is about having fun, while planning/playing You character, not just about reaching one last level, don't You think?..at least for me
It's definitely not about the last level for me, as that is the only one where it's truly all about grinding xp (barring some good drops you're likely to get given the time spent), and I agree with you on the fun of planning and playing the character, being able to get an item upgrade almost the entire journey. I also don't mind repetitive runs as such. But LK running, as good as the rewards can be (runes, jewelry, charms, rares, ...), is only clicking some chests, not actually killing monsters. I can't really bear much of that, especially if it's main purpose is to get the runes to make something I already have.
So I still plan on doing some chest running for test purposes like RoF and the Act 5 ones at some point. Who knows even some LK runs if I want to see how hard I can push for example a 200% fcr Barb or Sorc, or to get some more skillers, charms, whatnot. But other than that, to assemble yet another set of HotO, CtA, Enigma. Right now I'd say no.
Right now I feel like, if I am going for another 99er attempt next to Neverland and ShouldBeEasy, it will be twinked, to see how hard and fast I can push it, and also because of the reasons mentioned above about gathering the typical runewords in an untwinked environment. I don't completely rule out that I'll start another untwinked 99er at some point. but if that's the case, right now I think I'll just try to assemble gear while running whatever target I fancy, be it Meph, Pindle, AT, Pits, CS ... It will take far longer that way, I know, but at least I'll be killing monsters.
Thats it...hugely underastimated those birds, thanks to Mana burn ended inside their pack, and had not fast enough reflexes to escape...Purple/purple/purple/purple end in 4 seconds
Edit: I guess its some kind of record, loose character same day when was added to the list
Ohh common, its nothing serious, just lost character at lvl 79 Pretty easy to get another one
My biggest loss, if memory serves me well, has been Java with Enigma and Infinity (both were my first ever made)...Replaced those RWs after half Year of dedicated running, so what?
Thanks for the condolences anyway
@Tatterson :Nope, i guess its perfectly fine, if You can learn something what saves Your characters butt next time
I just noticed that my blocking is a little low, so I'm going to pump Dexterity with whatever unspent points I have. I've made it this far with that darned rare mace, but I don't foresee taking on the Council in Travincal without at least equipping an Oath. And I'm way to rune-poor to consider a Call To Arms as something to plan for in my near future....
So for whatever reason, I just now finally noticed that Oath carries with it HoW and Iron Golem charges. I have a couple of questions:
1) Does anybody actually use those charges? If so, do you have difficulties keeping the summons alive?
2) The weapon, by definition, is Indestructible....but I presume that only applies to the Durability and not to the charges, so they would carry a repair cost?
So for whatever reason, I just now finally noticed that Oath carries with it HoW and Iron Golem charges. I have a couple of questions:
1) Does anybody actually use those charges? If so, do you have difficulties keeping the summons alive?
2) The weapon, by definition, is Indestructible....but I presume that only applies to the Durability and not to the charges, so they would carry a repair cost?
You would have to make them in a non-ethereal base if you wanted to use the charges. So the item would be indestructible, but able to be repaired. As for the summons they’ll die so easy, I can’t really see this as being a good trade off.
So for whatever reason, I just now finally noticed that Oath carries with it HoW and Iron Golem charges. I have a couple of questions:
1) Does anybody actually use those charges? If so, do you have difficulties keeping the summons alive?
2) The weapon, by definition, is Indestructible....but I presume that only applies to the Durability and not to the charges, so they would carry a repair cost?
I also wondered about this when I was looking at the weapon choices for my barb. HoW doesn't give you very much and iron golem poofs on save and exit if it comes from charges, so its best just to not use them.
Thanks, guys. That helps explain why no one, to my recollection, has ever discussed those particular affixes on an Oath. The ability to crank up base damage 50% due to its indestructibility is way too important to skip.
Back from vacation and I have a lot of catching up to do, but wanted to start here.
Very cool to see progress by many, and the Enigma and other runewords. Looking forward to Neverland's final stretch of progress, and love the continued activity in this thread.
I'm not back at work until Monday, so I hope to get some time in this weekend and start getting back into the groove to push forward with Phaedrus. Cheers!
Have been playing alot and forgot to update! Any how! Dualizt_Ann has become lvl75 and entering Blood moor in hell, alot harder but will do my best of sneaking alot with my spells! No special found yet to show, i've found a Lem on Pindle in NM!
Still no Ber- currently mixing it up between LK and Travincal.
I did find this though:
Apologies to all the light sorceresses that never find any? :\
I started another character too- an Amazon. Planning on making her Lightning Fury+Freezing Arrow, but also keeping her untwinked so will follow whatever line the drops take me in! I'll add her to the table once I finish Normal.
Hopefully her drops will continue to be as good as this Countess run, and boots that Charsi made for her!
A huge "thank you" must be customarily extended to Kitteh for the Untwinked Holy Freeze Zealot guide that has helped me thus far, but I must confess that, earlier today, I used my first Akara respec to switch over to Holy Shock, and by the Old Gods, what a difference in damage. After having switched out my mercenary to one of the Holy Freeze variety, I feel like, while my survivability has dipped somewhat, I deal so much more damage throughout (now) Act III Nightmare that it's not really a problem anyways.
Working my way through the Flayer Dungeon as we speak, and then this beauty drops!
I think I will greatly benefit from the increased CB, and the high flee chance will provide it's own type of crowd control among regular monsters, now that I am no longer relying on my own Holy Freeze. At the same time, I've adapted to a style of play whereby I am constantly making sure to stick close to my merc, both to protect him as well as benefit from his own HF slowing down nearby enemies, albeit at a smaller radius than my (then) superior Holy Freeze. I've always loved cold damage in this game, and it will be missed, but this helps me push forward, and that always remains the goal.
huh, that chestrun madness doesnt seem to find an end ^^
Played a bit with sorc as well, and (just a few millions) and found a SoJ! (Using it instead of dwarf now)
barb is still chestrunning heavily and drops were:
SC 3 max 18 ar 10 eg, SC 20 life, Jool 15 allres 5 mf, SC 19l, SC 7 mf 16 mana, Gul, SC 19 l, Ele sk, Ist, Sur, Jool 15 allres, light sk, SC 19 life, Tiara 11 damred 3 sox, SC 19l, Mal, Jool 14 allres, SC 20l 9 lr, Ist, PB sk, Jool 38 ed 7 dex, WC sk, GC 15 allres, Mal, Gul, SC 19l 3 ar, Ele SK, Pb SK, GC 28l 9 max 50 ar, GC 40 l 57 mana, Ist, GC 13 allres, Gul, Ist
Dropvids:
Soj:
Sur nr 4:
So im on 4 Surs and 2 Ohms on the barb now, + some lower runes where i can make at least another Ohm.
So Ber + ~Ohm still missing.
After a horrendous gauntlet of Undead Stygian Dolls in the Durance level 2, and LE Blood Lords that spawned right alongside Bremm Sparkfist (because we all could use more LE monsters mobbing us at once), Mephisto has finally fallen, and with a grudge too, because his drops were complete trash.
However, now begins the arduous process of trying to run NM Meph for a long period of time to upgrade Orion's items as he prepares to battle the Nightmarish Lord of Terror.
Found a great candidate for my first Rhyme shield in the Durance level 1, which might very well last me through the rest of the game, or until I find a HoZ (yeah right).
Orion is level 58 now, but I haven't updated Questing Heroes yet, which I'll do during my next update, unless some kind soul does it for me first.
I've been Mephing all afternoon (thank you, Barbie movies and Play-Doh for providing adequate child entertainment), and I have had sensational luck early on, to say the least.
After finding Magnus' Skin gloves, with that beautiful IAS, a String of Ears (6% life leech, 14% damage reduction, and honestly, I'm surprised I haven't found this one sooner, considering how common a unique it tends to be throughout NM), and then a Hone Sundan (no idea what to do with this, my merc is using an Insight poleaxe right now), I find this about 10 minutes ago:
At the rate I'm going, maybe that HoZ is a possibility, after all!
@AlexTheNextOne, congratulations on the Silks of the Victor.
Considered objectively, the armor isn't all that great. But on the other hand, it's cool enough that I felt compelled to build a character to wear and personalize one.
So I've managed 425 LK runs with Dirk so far. Most of my charm upgrades were already included in my previous post last week. Below is the map that I've settled on - I think for a Paladin that does not teleport, this is as good as it will get:
Here are my rune finds so far:
No photo included
15 - Lem
131 - Um
164 - Um (from a corpse just outside of the above-pictured hut)
397 - Lem
And the ones I screensaved:
#247
#309
#341
To break up the tedium of these runs, I went ahead and progressed Dirk to the Hellforge Quest. A random bosspack in the Ruined Temple (just outside of Battlemaid Sarina's room) dropped a Gimmershred, so I have that on my weapon switch in place of the Amp Damage War Axe. Neither the Council in Travincal nor Bremm Sparkfist and his gang dropped anything of note (Bremm was Conviction enchanted, but luckily he charged me early so I separated him from the pack and disposed of him), and Mephisto was equally miserly. :-(
The Outer Steppes of Act IV rolled a nice, quick path to the Plains of Despair, but said Plains were populated with Gloams - even at full Lightning Resist, those things still pack a punch. Anyway, I eventually found Izual and freed his ghost (rubbish drop) and moved on to find the City of the Damned waypoint. I made my way through a rather odd River of Flame map, insofar as it mostly snaked along one path, with only one fork near the end, where the waypoint went one way and Hephasto went the other. Speaking of packing a punch - even though they nerfed him a long time ago, when he's Cursed he also still packs a punch. He rolled Immune to Physical and Stone Skin, so it took almost two minutes of Gimmershredding him (and many Super Healing Potions) to finally knock him out. Once clearing the area of all those damned worms and Abyss Knights, it was on to the Hellforge:
I was hoping for either a Mal or an Ist here to get me close to the Call To Arms that I crave, so though Gul technically outranks them on the scale I'm not sure how happy I should be with this. I should note that one of the two weapon racks in LK drops a lot of War Spikes, so I've saved a few ethereals for cubing sockets into. My dilemma is I have some options now:
1) I have a four open socket Small Crescent that I could now make Oath in (I can cube a Mal from the Ums). That would leave two Ums, a Gul, and a Vex to possibly use in cubing a Call To Arms in the future
2) I cube the ethereal War Spikes in hopes of a 5 socket, where I have the Vex and Gul for Death. If I do that, Call To Arms will be something FAR into the future
3) Keep running LK and hope for something to drop that steers me one way or the other
I currently can reach the 4 fpa Zeal frame rate with either option, though with #2 that would mean I MUST keep Treachery on Dirk to do so (for #1, I can equip other armors and still achieve it). But fpa being equal, Death delivers more wallop than Oath.
For the time being, I'm thinking #3 might be the way to go for now....until I go insane, anyway. And for those keeping track, that's now over 2,900 LK runs with all my characters, with 3 Vex runes (including the one mentioned above) being the highest to drop.
Silks of the Victor's bonuses aren't that great, I do agree, but that +1 to skills still increases my maximum Holy Shock damage by 200-300, which is just fine with me!
@sanguillen
Nice drops, cg with that HF!
As for your question - I would definitely go for third option. Give it a try, those Surs are there and once you pop first one, you will be motivated to run LK some more. I know what I am talking about, I spent month in LK [98% of my play time]. It netted me Enigma, Grief and 3 ohms, cubed vex and some lower runes too.
According to my run counter I am now 24 timed hours into LK running. This excludes 5 not timed hours which I used to assemble LK running gear. As far as rune drops go from hours 17:16 till 21:47 were pretty bleak, but from 21:48 the fun started again.
Run # 1076 - 21:48 hrs
Run # 1107 - 22:50 hrs
Run # 1110 - 22:54 hrs
I am now 1 Sur rune off to cube up the runes for creating Enigma. A present I can cube up the runes as well for Hoto and CtA. Still no descent bases for any of them. I am thinking of putting 1 or 2 more hours into LK and then switch to AT. Thank my faithful A2 merc, deploy Lawbringer on A5 merc, switch to my battle gear and start the fun there. I might get Lucky with a Jah drop . I will need some time there as well to find a descent Archon Plate armor with 3 sockets.
I am starting to collect quite a bit descent resis charms with life. Nothing extra-ordinary but definitely helpful when the time arrivés to switch to leveling.
Some of the more joyfull ID's where the following:
Code:
Toxic Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0x48602e05
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 100 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
+20 to Life
Shimmering Small Charm of Good Luck (Second one)
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x72bb9a84
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +3
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia (LK friendly)
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xf1a4491c
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
All Resistances +3
Shimmering Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x891b1808
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Life
All Resistances +5
Peasant Crown
War Hat
Defense: 108
Durability: 8 of 12
Required Level: 28
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x132dcf92
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+15% Faster Run/Walk
+100% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Vitality
+20 to Energy
Replenish Life +12
I am doubting whether to use Peasant Crown or Rock Stopper when I change to AT. I might stick with Rock Stopper untill I get a 4 socket Monarch. Resis/ life wise I should manage due to the found charms, but the added damage reduction will be nice. I'll probably test to see what will work best.
20 skillers in total now. Funny enough 4 Pcombat skillers, which is the same amount as my level 97 hammerdin currently has. Concluding that this LK running has deliveried the same amount as my D2 SP carreer… When the time comes this will nicely increase his damage output.
501 Pgems in total right now.
Thats it for now, when I switch to AT I will sort out adding StormRider to the table.
Hey, I'm thinking of documenting the drop rates in LK of: charms, crafting materials, even rare rings/gloves/boots, magic monarchs, etc. You can find more info here. Since many participants here seem to run LK, I was wondering whether anybody documented the number of the various items they picked up? Or, would anyone like to do that in the future? We would need an accurate number of runs to go with the data, as well as fairly diligent picking up of chosen items.
NM Mephing continues, which is slow, and sometimes I have to flat-out S&E because I get surrounded by Stygian Dolls, but has been generally rewarding. Latest finds include a Lum rune, a rare amulet with +2 to offensive auras and a bit of resist all, and then this:
Is this a good weapon to use in Hell, if I were to officially switch over to Fanaticism (and stack life leech and CB)? Also, I'm wondering if Headstriker is worth either upping, or socketing with something like a Shael rune. Thoughts?
And I WILL get that HoZ, my determination knows no bounds.
@AlexTheNextOne If you are switching over to Fana, you probably want to use Oath as a stepping stone for something end-game. Headstriker is great until you can get yourself an Oath.
While getting to the end-game, Lawbringer on the barb merc is a great choice - often better than might - until you can proc amp/lifetap or some other curse yourself.
Good luck on the HoZ, may you find many other goodies along the way. =D
Im finally done with LK, found all runes for enigma, 2x grief and even made 2 hotos^^
So, my first grief is a rly nice roll, its +390 dmg. i cant make the 2nd so far cause i dont have another 5 sox pb.
enigma i made into a light plate, i like the style and str req is ok.
Now im doin meph runs to get some uniques etc.
NM Mephing continues, which is slow, and sometimes I have to flat-out S&E because I get surrounded by Stygian Dolls, but has been generally rewarding. Latest finds include a Lum rune, a rare amulet with +2 to offensive auras and a bit of resist all, and then this:
Is this a good weapon to use in Hell, if I were to officially switch over to Fanaticism (and stack life leech and CB)? Also, I'm wondering if Headstriker is worth either upping, or socketing with something like a Shael rune. Thoughts?
And I WILL get that HoZ, my determination knows no bounds.
Personally, I think a Headstriker is a great NM weapon, and is a serviceable weapon in Hell p1 as is (at least for Acts I-III) thanks to the scaling Deadly Strike (it's basically 100% double damage once your reach Hell) and Max Damage that comes with it. If you choose to up it to the Elite Conquest Sword, I would think you could handle anything at p1. That being said, upping it requires a Pul rune, which is half of the higher runes you need for the rune word @Gynli referred to (Oath). Personally, I would use Headstriker as is for the first 2-1/2 Acts of Hell until you get to LK, and save my Pul for when (not if) you either find a Mal or 2 Ums and make an Oath. Oath's inherent 50% IAS is a wonderful affix in helping you get to 4 fpa Zeal.
I'm now up to 600 LK runs with DirkStruan. Of note rune-wise, only a pair of Ists:
#468
#574
I also found this little beauty (I've never found an ED/IAS as remotely good as this before):
And then the following Grand Charm, of which I have no idea if it's worth keeping or not as I don't understand the differences between Max Damage affixes and how they're applied:
@sanguillen gratz on drops, they are pretty awesome!
Runes will come, 600 runs is pretty small sample, I did about 3,5k to get that enigma. Usually I bought 60 keys and kept running until I ran out of them. Then i took break and repeated it. Last two LK heavy farming days I did this up to 6 times!
All I can advise is patience. And if you wont drop anything in next 3k runs - hey, u know what? Chances of not dropping for so long are so low, that its pure luck to be that guy who just doesnt drop!
@sanguillen gratz on drops, they are pretty awesome!
Runes will come, 600 runs is pretty small sample, I did about 3,5k to get that enigma. Usually I bought 60 keys and kept running until I ran out of them. Then i took break and repeated it. Last two LK heavy farming days I did this up to 6 times!
All I can advise is patience. And if you wont drop anything in next 3k runs - hey, u know what? Chances of not dropping for so long are so low, that its pure luck to be that guy who just doesnt drop!
Thanks, mate. I'm happy about the jewel and the charm (now that I know it's worth keeping)!
As for Enigma - I made myself a promise a long time ago never to make an Enigma, even if I actually got to the point of having the runes to do it (just my personal preference). I suppose I'd have to see how strong my willpower is if I ever do get that far, but my goal in running LK is to have the runes for a Call To Arms, and then also either an Oath or a Death as a main weapon, and then set out for Diablo and Baal. To be honest these LK runs are mind-numbing to me, to the point of only being able to complete 50-100 at a time before wanting to claw my eyes out. Questing and longer runs are more appealing to me, and I'd like to get back to those once I have the aforementioned items. Though I suppose a Chains of Honor would also be nice....
I know how you feel. I did once 200 in a row, but thats my absolute max. Mind you, that is with a good podcast to listen to and a refreshing beer . That being said, I estimate that in about 1400 LK runs I got the runes for Hoto/ CtA and Enigma (-1x Sur). So I have been luck so far.
After leaving LK to find some good bases I have played about 3 hours so far in AT, got used to killing monsters again instead of running past by 'm. Leveled from 80 > 83 (almost 4). PLaying on player settings 3 which okayish. Player 1 setting is defintiely faster, but drops and exp is much less.
As I stated I am looking for a good Archon Plate for Enigma. Needless to say, when this dropped during my third (!) AT run I was quite pleased.
I know a 15ed on would reach about 600 def, but hey, what are the odds of that one dropping with 3 sockets? I checked my regular stashes if I ever picked on up a better high defense low strenght req 3 socket armors than this one and the result was 0. "Best" one in my regular stash was a 15ed 3 socket Boneweave, but yes, that strenght req makes it not meeting the low strenght criteria...
So chances of finding a better one in this untwinked session are quite low I guess. Thus in conclusion, me happy with this drop. I must have used up all my luck with this drop, because I found 0 Monarchs/ Crystal Swords/ Flails/ Scepter (able to get 5 sockets) and nothing such as a Jala's/Shako/ etc.
I did find one Pul run
Now I will give it a go to update StormRider in the table...
Failed try table updating... again. Will try later when I have more time.
The formatting (bold/ italics etc.) and text allignment seems to mess, even though I have "rich text editor" box ticked off in my profile. Anyone else have this problem or is it just clumsy me?
Hello all. I promised a few people I'd post this time so here we go.
I had a little vote on stream and the most popular class was the necromancer. I've not played a necromancer for 10+ years so this should be interesting. I assume I'll be going for a fishymancer to play through the game.
In the medium term I'm thinking max vitality until I find homunculous then possibly switching to max block. Also wondering if dim vision is worth taking? Seen it mentioned in a couple of guides. I've noticed ffs has a necro on the ladder so I'll have a look through those posts. Any untwinked necro advice from those with more experience is very welcome; until then I think I'll just focus on not dying.
I'll be playing with the following rule set:
Hardcore
Untwinked
Ladder runewords enabled
Extended stash enabled
The plan is to play all of this out on stream, will probably start tomorrow afternoon. If anyone is interested they can find that here (no promo).
Here is Weef, level 1 necromancer. Can he follow in Pariah's footsteps?
This will be an interesting journey for sure. Fishymancers are probably the safest build you can pick though.
My thoughts on Dim Vision is that it isn't necessary, at least until late Hell: the skeletons will be in front and absorbing ranged attacks and the piercing ones aren't too damaging until Hell gloams and some of the A5 guest monsters in Hell. By then, you will likely have run LK for Enigma and can reposition, so DV is less necessary. But I don't think those 6 skills points (or whatever it is with prereqs) will make or break either way -- it's just a few less or more to Corpse Explosion for radius.
My untwinked 99er necro quested through as a fishymancer until respecing to nova after getting Enigma. Definitely another option to consider depending on the drops along the way. In case it's helpful, here's his initial entry, at early Hell, which shows pretty basic gear from streamlined playthrough as fishymancer up until then.
Since then, he has been ridiculously fortunate though with his gear, although @ffs has shown novamancer can be powerful indeed untwinked even without top-end gear.
IMO it's quite simple, CE is OP so both Fishymancer and Novamancer work perfectly fine. All you need is Enigma, a strong Merc setup and some basic Meph gear, irrespective of which skill route you take. Though certainly @PhineasB-level RNG luck doesn't hurt.
I only re-spec'ed from Summoner to Novamancer at 97 when switching from Baal to Nihlathak, but definitely Novamancer is powerful even without DWeb or numerous skillers. PN probably does the best job in conjunction with CE/Merc in most scenarios, though a Baal running Fishymancer is not easy to beat until 97/98. Overall I like the route @PhineasB was/is taking, i.e. Fishymancer for the initial playthrough, then switching to Nova and run Pits until ~97 and ultimately Nihlathak. Likely his fastest route to 99 overall, considering you can save the Ancient's quest and don't have to overcome any lack of motivation when running Baal.
I always put a point in Dim Vision. Makes things very safe if necessary. Although I must admit I don't use it much in SC. In HC ... always take it and use it !
Now that I’m back from vacation, Phaedrus is back moving again, picking up .15 of the last level and is at 98.4. We started off with some caution due to the break, but quickly got back to comfortable with the approach: straight p7 runs, hitting megademon and finger mage boss packs in CS.
Playstyle is pretty straightforward and there wasn’t too much excitement (except four runs in a row with convicted Infector—one had another boss with it instead of him—that was fairly easily managed). So we’ll go straight to the drops (runes and items now numbered just for level 98-99, instead of overall since he started running CS). Chaos Sanctuary welcomed him back with open arms!
For runes (Mal+), we picked up: Gul #5, Sur #2, Vex #3, Vex #4, Ist #1, Ist #2, Ist #3, Mal #2, Ohm #1, Vex #5, and Vex #6 (last two were on consecutive runs), plus Jah #1 shortly after the Sur:
The TC87 drops were Windforce and Stormspire, with a Stonecrusher dropping that runed out eth and a Stormlash. Other notable drops were Cerebus #2 and Wolfhowl #2, Arkaine’s #2, an eth Gladiator's Bane with >2000 defense, up to Boneshade #5 now, and a few TC3 uniques.
I think the best drop of the stretch (along with the Jah) was this skiller, with the SC also being quite nice (and certain to make its way to my Pitzerker):
Code:
Entrapping Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x1be94ab3
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+40 to Life
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xebca4d00
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+3 to Maximum Damage
+13 to Attack Rating
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
For those who looked at the screenies, they illustrate what I’ve come to conclude about why hammerdins are so strong for runes to 99: it’s not the build per se, but the drops from p7 mobs when Vizier is taken out after popping the last seal. The Jah, Sur, eth Stonecrusher, and two of the Ists came from that mechanic. And that’s just in ~45M XP worth of runs, so over the course of 98 that’s a lot of extra drops, and hammerdins are generally the only build that runs CS/Diablo for the last level.
My plan is to keep this approach to 98.5. I will likely transition for while to p1 through de Seis and then p7 for Vizier and Diablo, hitting boss packs as we go. Going down to p1 for Infector and de Seis will allow him to swap SCs so he push MF instead of vita, and we’ll hope he can pick up one of my three overall remaining grailers It should also speed up the XP gain a bit.
Quinta also has gotten in some more Pindle runs, moving past 93.5. No meaningful drops so far, but I’ll hold off on her update until 94 though.
Had an NDE with Gwynt at Hell Ancients last night, it was a bit scary... I was operating on 2 hours of sleep, and was too tired to concentrate - I could tell because I yelled at Akara (who was actually Malah) for getting in my way. I decided to leave it for during the week haha
@PhineasB Nice drops to continue running! I was wondering how much XP/h difference it makes to pop Vizier last? Because while it’s better for drops, IIRC monsters dying after Vizier don’t give any XP right?
Necromancer had a steady start, up to level 24 today. Kind of strange play style on the necro and I'm finding the summons quite strong although any non-open battlefield is a nightmare. I absolutely did not enjoy the maggot lair... nor the arcane sanctuary.
Rather embarrassingly I seem to be slightly "stuck" on Diablo. Even with decrepify spam the minions get melted. It's either going to take a lot of trips to rebuild the army or I'm missing a trick. Anyway, Weef lives to fight another day in the witness protection programme.
NM Mephing with Orion has slowed down to a crawl, as it appears that his beginner's luck has run out. The only worthwhile drop he's seen since my last post has been a Guillaume's Face. He's now level 64, and his Holy Shield is getting better and better.
So I decided to switch over to my Meteorb Sorc for a while instead to see if she could farm some decent items from NM Meph to give to the rest of my characters who aren't part of the challenge, and lo and behold:
Just wanted to share that, because I feel great right now!
So some updates on the barb, some1 asked how many lk runs i did, i have no idea but i ran for some weeks^^
Started doin meph runs with the barb now for a few days and today i switched to andy cause she actually has better chances for everything i need, now im more or less done with that, got main things, just no highlord, no string and no goreriders (using WTs instead, which isnt too bad with Gulli as helmed). alrdy did som pitruns now, mainly to get that 2nd 5 sox pb, but i still dont have one. atm im using azurewrath as 2nd weapon.
Current gear im wearing is: (for the meph and andyruns it was pure mf, shako, mf amu, dualnagels, cgs etc)
I was wondering how much XP/h difference it makes to pop Vizier last? Because while it’s better for drops, IIRC monsters dying after Vizier don’t give any XP right?
I'm almost 100% sure you are correct that it doesn't give XP. But generally Phaedrus wouldn't be hitting the normal monster mobs and even doesn't focus on taking out all minions in the seal boss packs. It's negligible XP, which he wouldn't be bothering to pick up. Although, if there is a megademon or finger mage boss pack in Vizier's arm, he telestomps the boss before popping the last seal.
Also, for context, he hits the non-Vizier seal before hitting Vizier's, so he may be giving up some XP for Vizier's minions by not ensuring they get taken down before popping last seal. But it's pretty minimal XP (even at p7), and hammers generally leave stragglers anyhow when the boss goes down quickly.
This will be an interesting journey for sure. Fishymancers are probably the safest build you can pick though.
My thoughts on Dim Vision is that it isn't necessary, at least until late Hell: the skeletons will be in front and absorbing ranged attacks and the piercing ones aren't too damaging until Hell gloams and some of the A5 guest monsters in Hell. By then, you will likely have run LK for Enigma and can reposition, so DV is less necessary. But I don't think those 6 skills points (or whatever it is with prereqs) will make or break either way -- it's just a few less or more to Corpse Explosion for radius.
I'm of a similar mind regarding Dim Vision. Personally, I find Attract to be a better option - if they're both used to divert attention from attacking you, why not have them attacking each other and taking damage rather than just sitting there? It always warms my heart to see Death Lords and Abominables turn around and start swatting Gloams.
Maxing Corpse Explosion is important to me when you start trying to play at p3 in Hell, and it takes 2-3 explosions to kill and you can sometimes run out of corpses quite quickly. It's best to have each explosion hit as big a radius as possible, maximizing the damage those corpses dole out.
I've gotten up to 910 LK runs with DirkStruan now, but lately the drops have been pretty dry indeed:
#746
#861
So to sum up my 910 runs so far:
Lem - 2
Pul - 1
Um - 4
Mal - 1
Ist - 2
Vex - 1
Combined with my Hellforge Gul rune, I could theoretically make my Oath Small Crescent and a Call To Arms now....but I'm so close to having a Death War Spike instead of the Oath. I can reach 4 fpa with both, but the Death War Spike would need 2 IAS jewels to go along with 20% IAS gloves to get to 39%, whereas the Oath Small Crescent would only require 1 IAS jewel and the gloves to get to 83%. These are both based on also swapping out Treachery for either Lionheart or Duress, and losing that 45% IAS that comes with it - if I keep Treachery, then I won't need any IAS jewels. Decisions, decisions....
On a different note - I also had the following drop which, while initially tantalizing, doesn't look like it is something I would want to up for Dirk to use in Hell. Maybe more of a Rares Only project though....
Played a little again today. Wasn't really looking forward to killing Diablo but he went down after numerous trips to Act 1 to resummon the skeleton army.
Then spent some time killing Pindleskin, slowly cranking up the player level which meant he gave decent experience all the way to 48. Ever since then I've felt completely overpowered, I'm literally running through nightmare while my army destroys everything. Any slightly tougher packs go down with a couple of corpse explosions. Just trying to be diligent with positioning now and not become complacent.
Completed nightmare acts 1 and 2. Up to level 51.
Drops: Sanders Boots, The Spirit Shroud, 29% Nagelring.
One thing I forgot to mention above is that one of the armor racks in LK drops Demonhead helms from time to time. Is it possible for that rack to drop Andariel's Visage? LK's area level is 80, and Andy's Visage is TC 75 (qlvl 85). I'm not familiar with the way these calculations work - can the rack drop Andy's? My guess is no it cannot because qlvl > alvl in this case, but I thought I'd ask anyway.
I've always wondered if specific racks in specific areas of the game are pre-determined to drop certain types of items. I had a Fishymancer I played roughly 6-7 years ago, and I remember running a small area of the Durance level 2 in Normal repeatedly because an armor rack in the middle of the room always spawned there, and kept giving me preserved heads.
So today some rly funny drops, played some hours pits, beside xp i was rly lookin for a that 2nd 5 sox phasblade, but after ~7h i still didnt have one, so i decided to kill ancients and baal and then do some cows to get that. So i done that and after ~50 monsters in the first cowrun, the 5 sox pb dropped^^ sadly its only a 355 but well, its al least a 2nd grief^^
i had some rly crzy drops in pits today (im not even wearin lots of mf, mby arround 150): BK3, jool 11 alres 4 str, string belt, Griffon 19/10, Ik armor, Steel pillar, Cranium Basher, gulli, Gul, string, medusas gaze
Time for an update on Ric! Last update at 97.5 was quite some time ago, but as expected both RL being busy and other D2 projects meant his progress slowed down a little. I've run him a bit from time to time since the MFO and made some progress these last 2 weeks, picking up another 50m XP and approaching 3/4 of the level.
A minor overall improvement to his runs was starting to "split curses". When Vipers are around I usually cast AD first (to hit Nihl) and then Confuse right afterwards to defuse the Vipers. To speed up those runs a little I know often cast AD again around the Merc (but avoiding Vipers) if it seems safe to do so. However, I was scared twice when his life dropped below 1000 out of nowhere, in both cases a combination of Cursed with Vipers and/or Witches. So probably I should be careful with that. Also played around with trying Dim Vision again instead of Confuse – they both have their pros and cons, but I ended up going back to Confuse since I found that made for more consistent runs.
Some loot:
Quite nice, though I'm still looking for one with high MF...
This could see use on the upcoming Paladin in my "twinked by untwinked" project.
Really looking for an Ohm to roll another CtA, but I'll take it!
Second Mara's, second perfect low roll.
NWV (8% CSD)
Other noteworthy drops:
20 life, 7 CR SC
5 MF, 5 LR SC
Demonhorn's Edge
Dragonscale
+5 Energy Shield Orb
eth Dragon Chang
eth Head Hunter's Glory
Lacerator
2x Reaper
Shako
Storm Shield
+4/177 ED Thunderstroke
9 LL, 4 ML, 84 AR blood craft ring
I meant to start another character as well to have something to go back to (most likely HC Druid), but too much going on at the moment – and other D2 things to do of course – so I'll hold off for now. Maybe with the next update.
i started doin baalruns with the barb now and they actually run pretty good and better than expected! i do full runs including w5 and baal (mby find a highlord or/and gores^^) p1/8/3
drops: Arach, sc 3 frw 11 fr, fire sk 6 str, titans, Cham rune
So I've been awake since 4am this morning, unable to fall back asleep, so I decided to get up, make some coffee, listen to some controversial shock jock radio, and continue farming NM Meph with Orion.
The Vigor-enhanced sprint to the Durance level 3 is becoming easier to deal with as I gain more levels and my Holy Shield gets stronger, unless I get surrounded by Stygian Dolls, and Mephisto falls a lot faster ever since I started using an upped The General's Tan Do Li Ga knout, though I think I just slipped under a breakpoint when I switched out my Steel flail, which had 5% more IAS.
Lady Luck rewarded me for getting up as early as I did, with this:
If I weren't already using a Guillaume's Face, I'd slap that badboy on, so that foolhardy Ilzan is using it instead. I suspect his survival time will on average go up by about half a second now, but I'll take what I can get.
The sword was a Hellplague, which I didn't need but picked up anyways, and the amulet was just some garbage magic-damage-reduced-by-2 trinket.
i started doin baalruns with the barb now and they actually run pretty good and better than expected! i do full runs including w5 and baal (mby find a highlord or/and gores^^) p1/8/3
drops: Arach, sc 3 frw 11 fr, fire sk 6 str, titans, Cham rune
That feeling when you post a drop screenshot with a unique legendary mallet because you got a cham rune as well...
Awesome drop! Really! Congrats on this one
Just curious about something, if had been Schaeffer's Hammer instead - does having the Indestructible affix on it preclude it from dropping as ethereal? With the scaling max damage and the Static Field, it would be an interesting end game weapon....
No, indestrucible items can't drop ethereal. Schaefer's is a great weapon nonetheless definitely end game viable. Before runes became as common as they are now, I've used it on several Zealots, Barbs etc.
No, indestrucible items can't drop ethereal. Schaefer's is a great weapon nonetheless definitely end game viable. Before runes became as common as they are now, I've used it on several Zealots, Barbs etc.
At least you got this thread back to page 1, where it belongs.
Ok, update for Neverland. Should be the last one before hitting 99 !!
After the 98.75 mark, I had a very long period without any significant drops. Admittedly that was also because I just hardly pick anything up with Neverland at this stage, running with full inventory (+ cube). So I was still finding a Shako here and a Lightsabre there for example. Just nothing that could really interest me at this stage, where I was almost completely focused on xp gain. And staying alive obviously.
At the 98.80 mark things finally started picking up a bit again, with Ribcracker, Frostwind and Arkaine's Valor in rather quick succession. Rune drops were still really poor though, with nothing above Lum or so.
The next session yielded an unusually high amount of S/U, which resulted in a grailer for Neverland (not overall): Medusa's Gaze. I also got an eth Hand of Blessed Light, which is pretty cool.
Then at run 8748 (real amount is higher, but due to a win crash I lost the exact amount), I finally got a RFO qualifying rune:
Not sure if it dropped from Nihl himself or from the Ghosts which were around him at the time. Anyway, very nice drop obviously. Much needed to keep motivation high, I'm tempted to say, only that it's not true. Because at this stage, so close to my goal, everything seems to go much faster, while at the start that level 99 seemed something so far beyond reach that the xp bar just didn't seem to move. Now it seems to move with every kill I make. 100 % not true, I know, but it feels that way, which obviously indicates how relaxing the last few sessions have been.
Anyway, finding that Ber was still very exciting of course, and made me hope for more. And lo and behold, I only had to wait a bit over 400 runs, as at run 9164:
Another Ber, this time from a pack of Ghosts on my way to Nihl. Thank you very much, that's the way I like it
In between the two Ber runes, I had another drop that got me all excited:
Could it be? Maybe it could, but it wasn't meant to be this time ... Tyrael's 0 - Templar's 4.
I also had one NDE just before that, which hasn't happen since ... I don't know to be honest, but maybe not even past the 98.50 mark or so. Things have been going very safe and steady. This time I nearly got killed though, hitting the escape button with only 137 hp left. And silly thing is: it was 100% my own mistake, as it wasn't because there was Amp or Might / Fana around. It was just that I thought it was a good idea to pick up the Eschuta's Temper that Nihl had dropped. I remembered not to teleport in to avoid getting killed by Viper clouds, but instead I walked towards the Eschuta's ... right through some poison clouds. I'm glad that I didn't die there. The Eschuta's was eth btw, so worth it in the end.
After that second Ber I found some more rather nice S/U, including Death's Sash, Reaper's Toll and Rune Master #13, #14 and #15, but nothing too fancy. Two of the Rune Masters were 5 socket though, but non eth. Basically it was back to xp farming again though, which is going really well lately, most of the time averaging very close to 3M / hour, with often peaks up to 3.2M.
So here Neverland is now, at 98.90, with only 30M to go. So close I can almost feel that end goal. Some 10 more hours. I still don't have much time, but that should be doable before the end of the month.
So, 2 more lvls done, baals are still running good, made a respec and did more points into str for a little bit more dmg.
Also socket the merc's Reapers and kiras with attackspeedjools with low adds each to reach the 75 attackspeecap.
Drops: Titans, Viper 25, Gul, Metalgrid (im wearing that now, still no hl), eth duriels, sc 20l, sc 7 mf 21 ar
@T72on1 you’re so close, gogogo!
@Bewitch good progress with the Barb, you got far with that fairly quickly. The real question is when you’re going to go back down under with the pale corpse exploding fella?
@Bewitch Congrats on the progress. However, you should move up your Barb a few lines in the table. Now he's still below some lvl 93 characters.
@ffs Yeah, yeah, I know. Problem is you are right of course. Next to not enough time, I just get distracted by other stuff from time to time ... a bit too much ...
Too bad . Nihl is brutal unless you know the runs very well. Especially for a melee character. @zticazzy ran him with his Barb, but only from 98 to 99 and switching from WW to Concentrate for it. I wouldn't bother with Nihl before lvl 98 to be honest. There are far more efficient places to level.
Edit: Ok, just watched your video now. Apparantly you were talking about the Sorc, not the Barb. Seems you ran into a poison cloud. Never run unless you are absolutely sure there is no poison cloud. Always teleport and take a step or two back from your merc to prevent the NextCollision mechanic to be bypassed by switching back and forth between you and the merc. When there is Might, Fana or Amp around, be twice as careful.
It's really a matter of getting used to the runs. I had some deaths early on. After that none at all (knocking on wood here, as I'm at 98.90 right now), and even NDEs have been very very scarce.
Are you running with some straight PDR? I am, and I'm still assuming that's one of the reasons why my runs are going so well. As long as there's no Might, Fana or Amp and I stand still, I can take quite some poison cloud hits. That is with 22 PDR iirc.
Ouch @Bewitch, sorry about that. I know how it hurts. Did you recover the body?
Might + Vipers was pretty much automatic S&E with my Sorc 99% of the time, unless there were only 1-2 of them and Confuse triggered immediately.. But who am I to talk, I died a couple of times as well.
Yes, I was too fast. Edited my post. Might + Vipers is only S&E for me when there is a ton of them or when I expect a difficult fight with Nihl (usually when he is FE, sometimes when there are FIs around and it's crowded, so I expect not to get a clear shot on him). Otherwise just making sure to stay away from the merc is enough to be safe.
I might have a good map though, with overall low density monster spawns. Not sure if such a thing exists when it comes to Nihl to be honest.
Almost there @T72on1 -- good luck on the last stretch!
@Bewitch - sorry to hear about the deeds. Hope you get back to it and that your sorc gets moving again. Your vid highlights why one of my "bail-if" rules was when I couldn't get a clean landing on primary or secondary landing spot due to vipers and/or witches, regardless of Nihl spawn.
ty^^
y im also doin it like this now, if first or 2nd spot doenst work, nxt game.
i got my body back and im alrdy back on the exp where i was
€ i dont have any damred beside the shako, helm and armor is socked with shael runes so i hit 60 fhr with sands boots, played with 42 cap a bit, but 60 feels much better.
ty^^
y im also doin it like this now, if first or 2nd spot doenst work, nxt game.
i got my body back and im alrdy back on the exp where i was
€ i dont have any damred beside the shako, helm and armor is socked with shael runes so i hit 60 fhr with sands boots, played with 42 cap a bit, but 60 feels much better.
8 DR isn't enough, I'd say. DR really negates damage from the poison clouds a lot. Like I said I'm running with 22 now (dual Nature's Peace), but I used to have a Sol in the helm as well. Might help you survive better.
As for fhr, aren't you using Spirit? That would put you at 55% fhr right away, so a 5% SC would put you at 60.
Esc button FTW! I often also hit Esc when I think it could be dangerous to take a moment and check whether it's safe to finish. But generally, can't face tank anything down there with any character, no matter how good the defensive stats... At least IMO it's really about not being afraid to GTFO.
Just had a pretty sick 10 minutes of Nihl running with Necro. Meant to post the next update at 98, but at this pace I'll have serious trouble with the 10 picture limit per post.
Rolled +2 as well, but I was happy about the below Druid toy in particular. My first 2/20 for that class:
First of all, congrats to everyone on the great progress and awesome finds!
--
Klaus has made it safely to 96.5!
Experience gain is beginning to falter, so it's time to do a bit of testing with other targets. As Klaus learned last time, the Drifter Cavern is out XP-wise. This time, he'll be looking at some of the bigger targets. Fire is a rough element in terms of potential target variety, but it's always worth a shot to check and see if things can be improved.
For clarity; I did all this testing with my level 94 SC Fire Druid (juuuust in case) and adjusted the XP based on the @NanoMist tables (thank you again for those!). The runtimes should be close to Klaus' though since my SC druid doesn't have Ravelore, but DOES have Phoenix. Should be close to a wash, and it's good enough for testing purposes.
Ventar runs:
Not worth it, even leaving Colenzo at /p1. Technically I can probably get slightly faster overall time here than in the AT, but the abundance of FIs in the Throne make it an absolute headache to clear reliably. Definitely not worth cashing in the Ancients quest for, that's for sure.
Chaos runs:
p8 Seals - Nope. The Infector's pack (himself included) are all unbreakable FI, making it a non-starter for Klaus. The other 2 seals just can't make up the difference.
p1 seals/p7 Diablo - The runs themselves are doable, but the XP is way too slow compared to AT at this point. I'm sure this will change later, though.
Nihlathak:
I only did some limited testing, but it was just too slow. Again, I'm sure this will change at higher levels, but for now it's not worth it. Oh, and it's terrifying for HC.
Conclusion:
Ancient tunnels it is! That's alright though, I'm not sick of them just yet. Anyways, now back to some actual running with Klaus!
Nice! That's a grailer for me, and look at the roll:
Code:
Crown of Ages
Corona
Defense: 353
Durability: 43 of 50
Required Level: 82
Required Strength: 174
Fingerprint: 0x39c677bc
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
Indestructible
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+50% Enhanced Defense
+104 Defense
All Resistances +23
Damage Reduced by 14%
2 Sockets (0 used)
The res roll is meh, but the %DR and sockets more than made up for it! Always nice to check an item of the grail list too.
I also crafted this semi-decent-but-lacking-some-serious-gusto amulet. The FCR is nice, and I'm going to hang onto it for that reason alone, though I really wish it had some resistances on it. Not much else exciting happened, and some more middling finds such as Mav's Diadem, Oculus, his 3rd Horizon's, and 2nd Lightsabre got us to the halfway point.
Back to the Tunnels!
Skillers:
- Graverobber's
Other finds:
- Pul
- Mal
- another Gul
- another Ist
- Nature's peace (2nd)
- Carrion Wind
- 2x Wraith Flight (1 and 2)
I know I said that the previous update was my last one before dinging 99 ... guess not. My 1.5 hour run this evening was too good for that.
Yesterday was already nice, with these two drops:
Second Torch of Iro from Nihl, this time non-eth.
Third Ist from Nihl.
Then today I got a very high amount of good drops. It started out with this one 5 minutes in:
Five minutes or so later, followed by:
Veil of Steel.
Minutes later I got a -3/+5 cold facet. Then a 2/2/2 Tal's Orb. Followed by:
Two Tal's armors in 30 minutes time. Very nice.
Then things slowed down a bit, but I still got a Razortail (got one yesterday as well, which was too dangerous to pick up) and a -3/+3 lightning facet.
Then, in one of the last runs, a unique ring dropped. Now, I got plenty of unique rings, not only from Nihl himself (3 yesterday iirc), but also from Travincal runs and the like, so I figured it'd be another Manald's or so. I guess not:
Code:
The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x44b5d971
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+1 to All Skills
Adds 1 - 12 Lightning Damage
+20 to Mana
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
Finally !!! A grailer for me, at least this time around, and one I have been waiting for for so long.
So here I am, very happy. And also still very keen to finish Neverland. She's at the 3.50 mark, 20M to go.
Nice drops and progress @T72on1 and @Pb_pal! Confirming AT is fastest XP is not that bad after all considering drops. Curious as to whether things change at 97 and what your target will be for 98-99. Don't. Deed. Him.
Still NM Mephing, and Orion is close to surpassing my highest level character, which is currently my (also technically untwinked, as she was my first character since I wiped the slate clean, so to speak) lv69 Meteorb Sorceress. Meph goes down pretty quickly now, after finding a few upgrades for him. Still no HoZ, but that is to be expected.
Really liking the Enchant proc here, mainly for the AR bonus, and my fire resist is now maxed in NM.
This right here is the big upgrade so far. Before, I was using Stormeye to take down Meph and most other monsters, after switching from my upped Tan Do Li Ga knout for the huge slowing effect it gives. With this, Meph drops twice as quickly now, even more so if Enchant procs.
The boots in the background are Goblin Toe, which I want to use for the CB, but I really like my Tearhaunch for the Vigor bonus and resists. Should I upgrade the Goblin Toe and use them, or stick with Tearhaunch until I find something else to make up the +10 all res?
@Pb_pal congrats on the CoA, that is a nice roll, @res is overrated anyways. Good progress, stay safe and don't deed yourself. Will you leave AT after reaching 97?
@T72on1 and here you were thinking you would not post untill 99. Congrats on the Soj. I still have not found a SP one. Two Tal's armors, I have not found a single one in nu D2 career and still refuse to believe they exist. Now gogo.
@Pb_pal congrats on the CoA, that is a nice roll, @res is overrated anyways. Good progress, stay safe and don't deed yourself. Will you leave AT after reaching 97?
Don't know for sure yet, I'll have to see what the numbers look like and how big the XP discrepancy becomes. My gut says that I will leave, or at least leave it full-time and split duties elsewhere. AT is very safe, so that does get it some bonus points.
Alright, some millons done with the sorc again, somehow the nihla runs seem to be more funny now, dno why^^
also think about changing setup a bit, but didnt do it since i would have to do ancients and baal for essence.
i though about using a spirit sword (still be on 105 then) and prolly replace the shael runes with sol runes in helm and armor then + i would wear aldurboots instead of the sandstorm then.
but i guess ill just stay on like i am haha
Almost there @T72on1 -- great progress and good luck finishing up. @Bewitch - nice progress also; glad to see your Sorc recovered nicely from the last mishap. Speaking of progress:
Phaedrus is half way through the last level. With Ancients left, he has a little more than 100M XP to go! The last tenth of the level was uneventful until the very end. In terms of runes and S/Us, aside from Mal #3 very early, there was nothing of note for the first 25M or so. Then just short of 3.37B, Sur #3 (from de Seis), and then, with a little less than 3M to go, the biggie that I posted earlier in item-find thread:
As @Albatross noted, it's pretty cool that it came from Diablo himself. Very memorable for my first Zod, and it also completed Phaedrus' rune drop grail. We rounded things out with Vex #7 in the last few runs before hitting the milestone. The only TC87 unique was Windforce #2.
He also finally found a 50 fire resist pair of Aldurs. Other drops of note were Leviathan x2, another Redeemer, set Corona, IK armor, Horizon's, Demonhorn's, and quite a few non-eth TC3 uniques. These are some interesting rares:
Code:
Demon Casque
Circlet
Defense: 27
Durability: 31 of 35
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xdc060737
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+2 to Druid Skill Levels
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 7 - 23 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+7 to Strength
+40 to Life
Wraith Hold
Ring
Required Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0xd1b6bbf4
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+19 to Attack Rating
7% Life stolen per hit
+18 to Strength
+18 to Mana
+1 to Mana after each Kill
Bitter Gyre
Ring
Required Level: 48
Fingerprint: 0x7c074a51
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+56 to Attack Rating
Cold Resist +28%
All Resistances +10
Damage Reduced by 2
At this point, I am going to switch from straight p7 runs to p1/p7 with the switch to p7 before Vizier, but still hitting all boss packs along the way. That should speed up the XP gain marginally (he was at 2.3M-2.4M/hour, depending on shrine luck).
Due to safer Infector and de Seis, I will also test out dropping some vita SC charms and reduce the fire resist overstack in favor of more magic find. After the Zod, I'm now thinking he could pick up one of my remaining grailers But his current 197MF limits that possibility. I think he'll be able to get up to ~250MF without compromising safety on the lower player setting. But we'll see . . .
Nice rune drops @Bewitch and cool to see the great progress with Phaedrus, gogo @PhineasB! I was going to say enter him into our upcoming MF tourney, but hopefully he will be done by the time it starts.
Another quick pre-98 update for Ric after all, given drops have continued to be nice and he has hit the 3.2b mark:
Shortly before that I suffered a minor heart attack though:
Ouch. First really close call since ~10% into the level or so. Runs felt very safe and I was starting to teleport a bit more often recently, which obviously I shouldn't... so I might have needed this slap on the wrist. Can't get cocky down there!
Following the Mang Song's drop earlier this week, things were all about the pairs: 2 poison facets, 2 elemental skillers, 2 trap skillers, 2 Reapers, 2 Lacerators. Also found his 2nd Marrowwalk (first +2), 2nd Ondal's (+2 again) and 2nd Demonhorn's Edge. Couple of screenshots:
Facet streak:
Don't think a Zod will go in there, but who knows.
His second Arkaine's, first +2
Perfect FR (45) on this TO Wing. This will be put to use on a Poison Dagger/TO Fire Ball Necro I'm planning.
4th Steel Pillar, again high roll (256 ED):
I'll update his table entry when at 98, hopefully next weekend.
@PhineasB Congrats on the Zod, that is a very nice stone you pulled out of Big D's forehead. You reached the half way mark, so from here things should be smooth sailing.
StormRider also made some progress and reached his forst milestone.
Ancient tunnels
He spend about 7 hours in AT during which he levelede from 80 > 85. The map was okayish. I did not reroll it, because the LK map was good and I might just had to return to LK in case I did not find Sur rune or equivalent. The big finds were the 3s Archon Plate and actually a crystal sword (to reroll). That meant, finally a base for CtA.
Call to Arms
Crystal Sword
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 17 - 52
Durability: 19 of 20
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xd470aae5
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
252% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+4 to Battle Command
+1 to Battle Orders
+2 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)
Oh yes I forgot, I used up all my luck for the 3os AP...
After that, I decided there was no reason to stick around in AT and the primary goal was to get that Sur rune.
Back to Lower Kurast
In one of the first runs I was greeted by a golden coloured Serpentskin
Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 12 of 24
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xc67faae2
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+120% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +27
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
. This was an item I was looking for for quite some while. It did unfortunately arrive a bit too late at the party because I was looking for the last stone for Enigma and FHR is important, not all the beauties Vipermagi offers...
I then finally managed to get my hands on a 4 os Flail, Yess!
Heart of the Oak
Superior Flail
KoVexPulThul
One Hand Damage: 1 - 27
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x90b915d5
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
13% Enhanced Damage
+2 to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Demons
+100 to Attack Rating against Demons
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
+10 to Dexterity
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
All Resistances +31
Level 4 Oak Sage (25/25 Charges)
Level 14 Raven (60/60 Charges)
I want my luck back..., and I did ...
Then LK started to deliver again:
Run #27 - 00:27 min. in
Run #40 - 00:50
Run #44 - 00:55
Run #122 - 01:50
Run #174 - 03:25 (left the timer running while taking care off GF...)
Run #273 - 05:25
And then finally run #351 - 06:40
I have about 900 pgms right now which should come to use for rerolling Nihl/Dia/ Baal GC's later on.
Current stats and gear
Code:
Name: StormRider
Class: Druid
Experience: 1064648124
Level: 85
Naked/Gear
Strength: 95/158
Dexterity: 32/45
Vitality: 368/388
Energy: 20/50
HP: 927/1296
Mana: 188/301
Stamina: 511/702
Defense: 8/1738
AR: 130/212
Fire: 205/165/105
Cold: 186/146/86
Lightning: 185/145/85
Poison: 176/136/76
MF: 130 Block: 5
GF: 50
FR/W: 100
FHR: 17
IAS: 0
FCR: 80
Peasant Crown
War Hat
Defense: 108
Durability: 11 of 12
Required Level: 28
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x132dcf92
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+15% Faster Run/Walk
+100% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Vitality
+20 to Energy
Replenish Life +12
Bitter Band
Ring
Required Level: 51
Fingerprint: 0xc0430b07
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
12% Chance to cast level 4 Charged Bolt when struck
+9 to Minimum Damage
+15 to Attack Rating
Cold Resist +16%
Lightning Resist +21%
Poison Resist +19%
+1 to Light Radius
Carrion Buckle
Heavy Belt
Defense: 11
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 45
Fingerprint: 0x98b22757
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17% Faster Hit Recovery
+60% Enhanced Defense
+44 to Life
Cold Resist +13%
Fire Resist +28%
Repairs 1 Durability in 33 Seconds
Aldur's Advance
Battle Boots
Defense: 39
Durability: 16 of 18
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x59f5f759
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+40% Faster Run/Walk
+50 to Life
+180 Maximum Stamina
Heal Stamina Plus 32%
Fire Resist +48%
10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Set (2 items): +15 to Dexterity
Set (3 items): +15 to Dexterity
Set (4 items): +15 to Dexterity
Trang-Oul's Claws
Heavy Bracers
Defense: 70
Durability: 15 of 16
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xc1850188
Item Level: 57
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+25% to Poison Skill Damage
+30 Defense
Cold Resist +30%
Enigma
Archon Plate
JahIthBer
Defense: 1268
Durability: 37 of 60
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x4b9ce1fd
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 to Teleport
+762 Defense
+63 to Strength (Based on Character Level)
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Damage Reduced by 8%
+14 Life after each Kill
15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
85% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Viper Band
Ring
Required Level: 46
Fingerprint: 0x45b0dfe1
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
4% Mana stolen per hit
+11 Maximum Stamina
Fire Resist +29%
Poison Resist +18%
Magic Damage Reduced by 2
Dread Mark
Amulet
Required Level: 30
Fingerprint: 0x255e74c1
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+6 to Life
Replenish Life +4
Cold Resist +27%
All Resistances +13
Damage Reduced by 1
Natural Grand Charm of Thunder
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x9675f3be
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
Adds 1 - 19 Lightning Damage
Natural Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xc93ce874
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
Emerald Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x1e0cf616
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
Poison Resist +11%
Emerald Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xf565c6d1
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Dexterity
Poison Resist +11%
Amber Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0x473b6e6e
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25 to Life
Lightning Resist +26%
Ocher Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xc660cc64
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40 to Life
Lightning Resist +17%
Shimmering Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x891b1808
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Life
All Resistances +5
Serpent's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xe8079768
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+31 to Life
+59 to Mana
Viridian Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xdc46244e
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
Poison Resist +7%
Amber Small Charm of the Icicle
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x933b883c
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 4 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Lightning Resist +11%
Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xf9ae5283
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +10%
Serpent's Large Charm of Vita
Large Charm
Required Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0xecaab021
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+35 to Life
+33 to Mana
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x366aa51
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x8352d947
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x476b9a63
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Lizard's Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xd3f854b3
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Mana
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Emerald Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xb35c1769
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
Poison Resist +10%
Shimmering Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x72bb9a84
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +3
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Toxic Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0x48602e05
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 100 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
+20 to Life
Snake's Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x7628e16e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Life
+10 to Mana
Snake's Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x7ec88053
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+8 to Mana
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shimmering Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x46cfd5e0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +3
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shimmering Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x74771647
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +15
Heart of the Oak
Superior Flail
KoVexPulThul
One Hand Damage: 1 - 27
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x90b915d5
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
13% Enhanced Damage
+2 to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Demons
+100 to Attack Rating against Demons
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
+10 to Dexterity
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
All Resistances +31
Level 4 Oak Sage (25/25 Charges)
Level 14 Raven (60/60 Charges)
Splendor
Large Shield
EthLum
Defense: 24
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 34
Fingerprint: 0xb8c4b5ac
Item Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+20% Faster Block Rate
+76% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Energy
Regenerate Mana 15%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+3 to Light Radius
It took about 25 hrs. to get to hell A5. It took about 40 hours to get the runes for Enigma of which I spend about 33 in LK and 7 in AT looking for bases. So approximately in total 65 hours. Given the drops in LK I have been Lucky I guess.
Next steps - Back to AT
I have enough runes to reroll a CtA and Hoto, so I will be looking for those bases.
Hunt for bases: Monarch and Crystal Sword and eth Flail (-10dex req will help).
Hunt for uniques: Shako, +skill rings, Mara's, Arach's, Stormshield and Reapers Toll.
I will continue the hunt in AT and level there for at least level 90. Gradually switching resist charm for MF% and life charms.
After that, the real journey will begin, funny to realize that this has been the easy part .
@Kitteh i’m sure at some point, as D2 has an uncanny ability to draw you back in over and over, but I’ve been pretty much exclusively playing classic WoW and it has me firmly in its grips for the moment. Sorry off topic rant!
I freakin' made it !!! This feels kinda sweet, to be honest .
Full write-up will arrive when I have some more time. Hopefully on Tuesday. For now, this is how the final stretch went.
Things started out nice with another facet: a -3/+3 poison one. After that I did a few more runs before deciding it was about time to have a look at OBS Studio to record my runs. This was yesterday evening. It took me some 45 minutes to get it to work, and even then I could only do a desktop capture, not the game alone. Anyway, I got tired of figuring it out, and it worked (minus the start screen, for some reason I get a black screen there when looking at the recordings).
So despite it already being 0:45 pm, I decided to continue. I'm glad I did, because I got Arioc's Needle, Vamp Gaze, Nature's Peace, Lightsabre, and then this one:
all in some 30 minutes. The highlight of the evening came shortly after though:
Nihl definitely kept some good HRs for the end . The Jah actually dropped while I was recording, but I still need to find out how I edit such videos to the essential part.
I had been close to 3M xp/hour for a while at that point, but that hour I managed to reach a bit over 3.1M per hour. I was tempted to push for 99 already, but as it was already 2 pm at that point and I was starting to get tired, I decided to play it safe and postpone it. Until Monday was my plan .
I ended up having some time this evening, and since I couldn't get my mind off it anymore, so close to the finish, I decided that today would be the day. The drop gods agreed, with a Dwarf Star, a Homunculus and then these 2 nice items:
Nothing for the last 45 minutes, but that was mainly about getting to 99 anyway. I recorded the last 4 minutes, but seems like I'll have to figure out how to include it in my post first. That'll have to wait though, as I'm dead tired now.
Thanks for reading, and good luck to those still running !!! Oh wait, I'm still running too, with a HC Paladin. In that case, that means good luck to myself too .
Not reading it as I want to wait for the full write-up, but congratulations buddy! Are you going to be the other HC entrant? Assuming either of us makes it
Do you play in windowed mode? If so, use window capture.
Edit: Just YouTube it and link in youtube tags. If you don't have or want to get YouTube, I'm happy to host it for you.
@PhineasB - Nice ZOD! Well deserved considering the time you've put in. great progress too!
@T72on1 - Awesome. Just awesome. Glad to see Neverland make it, it's been a very fun journey to follow along with and I look forward to the write up. Congrats again!
Huge congratulations @T72on1 , well deserved sweet victory
Edit:
Just lost half of Year really hard work
Double archer Bosspack near the entrance, teleported over the wall and then phew, Kairas gone...Lost Infinity, Enigma and so on...Lost same items with Java few Years ago in the same place, so Pit is really cursed for me i guess...
Moving her to fallen heroes, and REALLY not sure, if i want to go through this again...lvl 95 and 1/2 is painfull enough
@T72on1 Major congrats on this epic achievement. Also nice to finally see some kindness of Mr. Nihlatak during the last stretch. Enjoy all the relaxing endorfines rushing through your brain!
Congrats @T72on1 I don't think I'd ever have the time to reasonably attempt 99, but stories like yours sure do tempt me to start it!
@RIP Yikes. Terribly sorry to see the deeds. I can't imagine the pain of that loss; hence why I hide in the world of softcore most of the time. But like I've seen others say, sometimes the best way to get past it is to start again immediately, so consider that!
@RIP - NO! Nonononono! I thought for sure she'd go the whole way. I really hope you do re-enter at some point, she was such a nice partner for Klaus to have as a running-mate. Rest easy, Kaira.
Oh damn that is so brutal, terribly sorry @RIP. I'm too much of an impatient softie to ever attempt HC 99 because (excuse my French) Murphy's law is a bitch, but I admire those going for it like you and @Pb_pal – and you got incredibly far, definitely an impressive achievement to be proud of, even though it may not feel like it now. I'm also hoping you'll enter again!
Deep condolences, @RIP! Highest character I've ever lost, also an Assassin, was ~16 million shy of 90, and that was bad enough. I can't imagine how much worse it feels for you. I just hope you can take some comfort from all you accomplished with Kaira, which is a lot more than I've ever accomplished with a single character.
Thanks for condolences...She is the highest level character i've ever lost, so Yes, this hurts alot...But after dust settled a little bit, i've found a new challenge - Pure Lightning Sorceress with ES shield - yes, You are reading correctly...
Never really played one beyond NM difficulty (always some pure Cold or Cold/Fire variants), so this should be fun...
So meet Fulgora, ancient Roman Goddess of Lightning, seeking revenge for poor Kaira Already at lvl 5
I like this one though:
Google