A Deadly Experience: Untwinked Barb Hits 99

PhineasB

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Mar 14, 2020
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Death was my sixth entrant in Kitteh’s relaunch of the untwinked 99er challenge, joining Mercy (trapper assassin), Hiatus (Blizz sorc 1-98 and lightning sorc 98-99), Phaedrus (Hammerdin), Pestilence (Novamancer), and Quinta (Furyzon) in the Table of Heroes.
99.jpg
Here’s a vid with the final few Nihl runs and gear showcase (forgot to show skills, but they're in the read out below), followed by a quick rundown of progress, finds, readout of stats and gear, and random thoughts, before closing out with thanks and plans for what’s next.

Progress
Death was the third of my Trio of Twins project, born in August 2017, using the other-than-A2 mercs. Death was played as a mostly single pass playthrough, without extended stash (mule off only). He eventually reached Patriarch at level 83 in January 2019 as a 2H Berserker using WC to stun.

He then officially entered the Untwinked 99er Challenge. As the sixth entrant, I was hoping to avoid too many LK runs. So next followed a mix of LK (mostly taking on boss packs so it didn’t feel like LK), Countess, Meph, Andy, and p1 Pit runs. A Grief base and LoH followed, with the next stretch including a Lo to complete the first Grief, picking up a Reaper’s, and getting enough runes to cube up to a second Lo.

Pit runs followed, finally netting the second base and a stellar Grief roll and leveling to 93 before Round 2 of the 2019 RFL. Death placed second, netting a Cham, 3 Jahs, and two Surs, with the first Sur and one of the Jahs allowing him to make Enigma at the 15-hour mark of the RFL set.

He then transitioned to Baal, with updates at 94.5, 95, 95.5, 96, 96.5, and 97 before returning to Trav for the 2020 RFL. This time he placed third, netting Cham, Jah and 3 Ohms. He then returned to Baal, hitting 97.5 in July, with improved run times after finally Cham’ing the merc’s Andy’s and sticking RJoF in the Reapers (which I wish I’d done sooner). He finished up the level during MFO, contributing to my Baal Category win.

After a two-month break during which my untwinked Druid hit 96, Death respec’ed to Concentrate for Nihl runs, with a hilarious Cham dropping from p1 Meph as I gathered essences for two extra tokens before respec’ing. We then did 15M of testing, before he blitzed through the first half of the level in two weeks (98.25, 98.5), rolling the 2-shrine map that he finished on around 98.4. The next quarter level came before Christmas (98.75), and the last stretch finished up on New Year’s Eve (99). His XP was consistently over 3M/hr, with some stretches pushing above 3.5M, especially toward the end.

Finds
The runes were bonkers, but I guess 40 hours at Trav will deliver those. Even so, he has 2x Cham, 2x Jah, Ohm and Vex unused in his Stash, with the Cham’ed Andy’s and Enigma, Beast, 2x Grief, and the merc's Dream helm. He also picked up quite some Sustenance and Life Skillers, and also useful ones with FHR, which upgrade my overall stash. And eth Grail progress was solid, ticking off Stoutnail and Snakecord and a few Exceptional ones also.

Stats and Gear
Code:
Name:       Death
Class:      Barbarian
Experience: 3520485254
Level:      99

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   50/139
Dexterity:  117/136
Vitality:   408/408
Energy:     10/10
HP:         1843/2021
Mana:       108/544
Stamina:    573/593
Defense:    29/1678
AR:         570/1632

Fire:       275/235/175
Cold:       211/171/111
Lightning:  221/181/121
Poison:     245/205/145

MF:         99       Block:      15
GF:         0
FR/W:       75
FHR:        52
IAS:        20
FCR:        110

Bash: 20/22
Leap: 0/0
Double Swing: 0/0
Stun: 1/3
Double Throw: 0/0
Leap Attack: 0/0
Concentrate: 20/22
Frenzy: 0/0
Whirlwind: 0/0
Berserk: 0/0

Sword Mastery: 20/22
Axe Mastery: 0/0
Mace Mastery: 0/0
Pole Arm Mastery: 0/0
Throwing Mastery: 0/0
Spear Mastery: 0/0
Increased Stamina: 1/3
Iron Skin: 1/3
Increased Speed: 1/3
Natural Resistance: 4/6

Howl: 20/22
Find Potion: 0/0
Taunt: 0/0
Shout: 1/3
Find Item: 0/0
Battle Cry: 0/0
Battle Orders: 20/22
Grim Ward: 0/0
War Cry: 0/0
Battle Command: 0/0
Code:
Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 86
Durability: 7 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x8dca9c3
Item Level: 85
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%

Death Hold
Ring
Required Level: 51
Fingerprint: 0x185d501f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+7 to Minimum Damage
+38 to Attack Rating
5% Mana stolen per hit
Fire Resist +10%
Poison Resist +26%

Sharp Large Charm of the Icicle
String of Ears
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 167
Durability: 18 of 22
Required Level: 53
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xc175e16f
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
8% Life stolen per hit
+158% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 15
Required Level +7
+10 Maximum Durability

Prismatic Amulet of Life Everlasting
Amulet
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0xd96bc1ff
Item Level: 97
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +17
Damage Reduced by 24

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 161
Durability: 26 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0xc705ec56
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+199% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Death's Enigma
Mage Plate
JahIthBer
Defense: 1013
Durability: 45 of 60
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0xd3a1f1dd
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 to Teleport
+771 Defense
+74 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
99% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Ith Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x6b488b1c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+250 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+19 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

Death's Guillaume's Face
Winged Helm
Defense: 217
Durability: 33 of 40
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 115
Fingerprint: 0xabc50f62
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
37% Enhanced Damage
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
+120% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Strength
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel

Death's Grief
Phase Blade
EthTirLoMalRal
One Hand Damage: 31 - 35
Indestructible
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x24056448
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
35% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+39% Increased Attack Speed
Damage +394
Ignore Target's Defense
-25% Target Defense
+185% Damage to Demons (Based on Character Level)
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
-20% to Enemy Poison Resistance
20% Deadly Strike
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Mana after each Kill
+14 Life after each Kill
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Eth Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune

Beast
War Axe
BerTirUmMalLum
One Hand Damage: 34 - 61
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 67
Fingerprint: 0x806a7d7b
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
243% Enhanced Damage
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
+3 to Werebear
+3 to Lycanthropy
+25 to Strength
+10 to Energy
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5/5 Charges)
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Lum Rune

Wizardspike
Bone Knife
One Hand Damage: 23 - 49
Durability: 24 of 26
Required Level: 61
Required Strength: 38
Required Dexterity: 75
Fingerprint: 0x4aac3909
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+50% Faster Cast Rate
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
+198 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Regenerate Mana 15%
All Resistances +75

Wizardspike
Bone Knife
One Hand Damage: 23 - 49
Durability: 21 of 26
Required Level: 61
Required Strength: 38
Required Dexterity: 75
Fingerprint: 0x5dbdd1a9
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+50% Faster Cast Rate
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
+198 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Regenerate Mana 15%
All Resistances +75
Code:
Sharp Large Charm of the Icicle
Large Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x61d9eb59
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+6 to Maximum Damage
+48 to Attack Rating
Adds 2 - 5 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)

Sharp Large Charm of Life
Large Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x6b6733f4
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+6 to Maximum Damage
+43 to Attack Rating
+8 to Life

Sharp Large Charm of Craftmanship
Large Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xe3774515
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Maximum Damage
+43 to Attack Rating

Sharp Grand Charm of Incineration
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x1249dc3e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+59 to Attack Rating
Adds 7 - 12 Fire Damage

Sharp Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x4d231f4f
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+73 to Attack Rating

Jade Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xf34ac316
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Life
Poison Resist +8%

Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x46ecbd36
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+20 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xb33de364
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+15 to Attack Rating
+8 to Life

Static Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xbd1800a3
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 6 Lightning Damage
+20 to Life


Shimmering Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0xe0eb5b0a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
All Resistances +4

Amber Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xc95b5c9b
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%

Fine Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x477fb0cc
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+2 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating

Crimson Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xa2b27b28
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Fire Resist +4%


Steel Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 35
Fingerprint: 0x73ba0570
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
+108 to Attack Rating

Fine Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 63
Fingerprint: 0x36ac1114
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+36 to Attack Rating

Shimmering Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xaeefd3d
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
All Resistances +5

Sharp Grand Charm of Venom
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x4ea9f19b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+74 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 Poison Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)

Shimmering Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xb1de0c2c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life
All Resistances +5

Fine Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x91748eee
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating
+14 to Life

Steel Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0x8782768e
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+126 to Attack Rating
+18 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xadd4e98
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Code:
Name:       Hazade
Race:       Desert Mercenary
Type:       Off-Nightmare
Experience: 114100868
Level:      98
Dead?:      false

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   209/209
Dexterity:  169/169
HP:         2287/2287
Defense:    1671/2202
AR:         2066/2066

Fire:       171/131/71
Cold:       201/161/101
Lightning:  171/131/71
Poison:    171/131/71

Treachery
Mage Plate
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 240
Durability: 35 of 60
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x4f854a31
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 15 Fade when struck
25% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune

Dream
Grand Crown
IoJahPul
Defense: 291
Durability: 35 of 50
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x27feef31
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 15 Confuse when struck
Level 15 Holy Shock Aura When Equipped
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+30% Enhanced Defense
+169 Defense
+10 to Vitality
Increase Maximum Life 5%
+61 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
All Resistances +9
22% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Io Rune
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Pul Rune

The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 43 - 513
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0x8c624673
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
+15% Increased Attack Speed
264% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (32 Frames)
11% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel of Fervor

Thoughts and Reflections
- No extended stash wasn’t a problem to speak of, and it only really impacted his gearing at Nihl because I hadn’t room to save vita SCs and two Sharp GCs that I’d swapped out for AR charms for Baal runs. He also went with damage focus rather than full iPDR because he didn’t have a suitable circlet, but that worked out well for my playstyle, I think.

- The barb is, of course, quite sturdy. He had only 2 deaths, neither of which really occurred in gameplay (thought I’d hit esc to step away briefly, but hadn’t; startled by my wife while playing). He had some close calls for sure, especially to Vipers, but quite safe with life leech and the vita pool, especially because he hit hard and dropped things quickly.

- His progress at Nihl was really fast, but Nihl repaid him with dreadful drops, the 5 Mals being the highest rune drops and no otherwise notable drops.

- I was happy to be able to limit LK runs, but the Baal runs definitely got a little tedious, as reflected by the stop-and-start progress from 93-98.

Thank You-s and What’s Next-es
- As always, I have to start with thanks to the entire SPF for keeping this place lively and sharing all the knowledge and encouragement. No way I’d still be playing D2 without the SPF. And shoutout to @Kitteh for reviving this challenge, which is still going strong nearly 5 years later, and @Pb_pal and @Nano who participated from the beginning and are still active here.

- Huge thanks to @ffs for gameplay tips, in particular WC technique for Baal waves to overcome my mounting frustration with mana burn Lister (cast it on Grief switch rather than trying to go to caster switch ftw (y) ).

- @Bewitch @ResTTe @Kinkara blazed the trail in the recent run of untwinked 99er Barbs, with lots of good knowledge and info shared in their posts.

As for what’s next, a break from XP runs is in order, and I have some twinked projects in mind. Observant readers likely already spotted two in the 99 vid. And I have another Sept in mind using less common builds for each class. I also plan to host a single pass tourney, hoping for my fourth Guardian through that. And there is some unfinished business in my character screen:
Charcter Screen.jpg
Happy New Year! Thanks for reading :)
 
Last edited:
First of all I want to point out how sick that character screen is!
Second: Happy new year to you too :)

I loved the writeup, specially for the ammount of details contained in every post and I thank you for the mention, but I feel your challenge, without the extended stash, was much greater than mine, so CONGRATULATIONS with all caps!

Also soon I'll be writting you asking for advise on the necro :) I'll also write to @ffs I feel I'll need all the help I can get haha ;)
 
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Huge congratulations! I remember when your untwinked 99er sept was little more than a far away idea, can't believe it's only one to go!

Seems the vid isn't working btw? In any case, great post, great character! Glad I could help with Baal runs, though ironically those are exactly what will prevent me probably forever from getting a 99 Barb. :p
 
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@d2lover I haven’t seen Druid thoroughly tested for Nihl. @Pb_pal showed it’s doable with his HC untwinked fire Druid (!), and run times weren’t as slow as I had expected—he stayed north of 2M/hr per my recollection.

The challenge is that shape shifting is out of play due to needing regular teleport for Nihl, summons like sage and Grizzly increase the hazard for vipers if engaging at close range (Windy), so that leaves fire Druid as likely safest route.

After my experience with Barb, however, I plan to test out Windy for up close physical damage. The recent slew of 99ers continues to show that some things that don’t seem workable on theory can in practice with the collective wisdom and experience here available to be tapped.

My initial thought is: Dropping Grizzly isn’t much loss, and sage could likely be left behind with other options for boosting life pool without too much damage trade off. It’s a good ways off, but I may respec a twinked character to do some testing in the meantime, as I think I have one at lvl 89 who could be dusted off out of the retirement bin.
 
I thought about a PDR setup vs the vipers and no Oak, tho I dont know where to put the points else

Merc will be Lawbringer phaseblade merc and Nature's Peace on the druid
helm and armor of merc dont know, but ll might be good

No Oak because it give a false sense of security and casting it just slows the runs down, even by a tiny bit, this adds up
 
Last edited:
@PhineasB huge, huge congrats. Just amazing. This has to be one of the most epic undertakings in spf history, and you're down to 1 remaining. Great work! And thanks for keeping the discussions alive and interesting too.
 
This is so crazy! 🤪

I don't know how you do not get burned out, but whatever it is - I want something of that stuff, too!

Huge congratulations and good luck for your future projects! 🙃
 
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