- Mar 14, 2020
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Originally posted May 22, 2017
Mercy, an untwinked-99er-to be, began her journey in March 2016 as an entry in @Kitteh’s relaunch of the untwinked 99er challenge (original untwinked 99er tourney thread is here). She actually got a head start by about a week.
Let’s start things off with a vid of her last two runs, then stats and gear, followed by a rundown of progress and reflections and finds, before ending with a round of thanks for everyone who helped along the journey.
Stats and Such
How about info on Stats, Gear, Charms, and Merc? Sure, why not, see below (stats are with final skill point and stats unspent).
Progress
Mercy made quick progress early on, reaching level 87, and was aided by some very nice rune drops. A little more than a month in, she was at level 90 and had the base and runes for Infinity. She mixed up LK and Pits, mostly, for the next stretch, with a major assist of a Jah from a Pit run and then a final set of LK runs to make Enigma possible part way into level 94.
In all, 1103 runes found from LK plus some helpful finds while area running allowed Mercy to gracefully transition to XP grinding in late May 2016. Progress slowed over the summer due to work and starting a second untwinked 99er (Sorc that is currently level 96), but Mercy reached level 96 at the end of the summer.
A long break followed due to vacation and then a busy work schedule, but picked up again after Thanksgiving, reaching level 97 with Baal runs. I found level 96 and then level 97 especially to be the most challenging stretch. In terms of total time, they should have taken less than level 98, but they felt much longer, probably due to Baal runs being Mercy’s best option for XP. Mercy found her first +skill ring (BKWB) a third of the way into the level and still didn’t have Arachnid’s Mesh.
At this point, I set goals of 80 Baal runs each week (8 per weekday and 40 total on the weekend). I found it helped stay focused and not get discouraged by the slow progress on the XP bar. She generally exceeded her goal, particularly during Round 1 of the RFL. Those 20 hours got her almost all the way to level 98, and she finally hit level 98 in mid-February.
Mercy then transitioned to Nihl, following the path charted by @NanoMist's Izuna. She toyed around with becoming a kicker, which did not turn out well
Nihl finally dropped Arachnid's, and she settled into the routine, visiting Nihl somewhere in the neighborhood of 11,500 times, hitting level 99 yesterday.
She had one real death, with body recovery, about a third of the way in. Again, I set a goal (XP per week this time), and Mercy again far exceeded that goal, finishing about 5 weeks earlier than the weekly goal projected.
Finds and What Not
As others have observed, the journey to 99 is lucrative in terms of finds, particularly in 1.13+. Untwinked makes it especially so, as the focus on getting runes for major runewords is paramount. And, unlike starting the quest for 99 with a character that was already at level 90 or so, the untwinked journey means you keep track of all the finds.
Key runewords made and total remaining high runes is below:
Nihl was stingier with high runes for Mercy than he was for Izuna, but no complaints here.
Overall, Mercy made it to grail -29, with mostly TC3/TC87s missing, but also two exceptional uniques
, three pieces of jewelry and two parts of the Cow set. There are too many nice finds to summarize well, so I will just list a few of the ones I liked the most (aside from the high runes above and Mercy's charm collection, which I really like).
I will probably spend an afternoon sorting through her stashes (1232 keeper items, runes and charms from Nihl; 1560 items, 233 keeper charms and 133 keeper jewels from 1-98) and being pleasantly surprised when I remember some of those.
Oh, and I almost forgot about my favorite find of all:
Yes, the only Baal GC skiller with vita that she rolled was defensive aura
Thank You-s
I have to start with thanks to this forum and everyone who participated or contributed to this thread and supported Mercy’s journey.
Special thanks go to @Pb_pal, @NanoMist and @T72on1 who have been in it from the beginning and helped with feedback and encouragement throughout. Of course, @Kitteh gets a special shout out for (re)starting this challenge, along with @NanoMist and @Pb_pal again, and @Neksja and others, for great theorycrafting info and pointers that we all benefited from. @Gripphon also gets special mention for the past work that provided a foundation for all our paths to 99 in this challenge.
What’s Next-es
As for what’s next, Mercy will stay strictly untwinked (with one exception noted below) and likely serve as a runner for future tourneys. I think she will do well in the WSK challenge @Gripphon plans. I am thinking about using the Cham in her Shako to free up the ring slot for MF or an SoJ for extra mana. Now that +life isn’t as big a deal (can’t lose XP!), charms and other gear (back to 7% caster ammy and gloves with +MF) are back in play.
If she Cham’s the Shako, she will loan it to Midrian, my Pit zerker. That’s the exception, but I think it’s easy to keep track of given that it’s personalized.
Otherwise, she will mule off a bunch of skillers for other classes and the many other SCs with 10/11 resists + nice suffix (MF, vita, FHR) in her stash, plus some of the better finds that she will never use.
Hiatus, the 99er sorc, also will get more time. She’s just short of 96.25, and I may try to get a second 99er before the end of the year. With Mercy and Hiatus so far, I've moved from grail -15 overall to grail -7, so I'm hopeful Hiatus will chip away further over the last couple levels.
Finally, I have a couple builds in progress and think that will be a welcome break from countless runs of the same target. I also was inspired by the eth Nightwing’s that Mercy found and low-roll cold facets sitting around to try a more off-the-beaten-path build, so that should be fun to test.
Anyhow, final thanks are to everyone who followed Mercy’s journey (and is still reading this text wall). Cheers!
Mercy, an untwinked-99er-to be, began her journey in March 2016 as an entry in @Kitteh’s relaunch of the untwinked 99er challenge (original untwinked 99er tourney thread is here). She actually got a head start by about a week.
Let’s start things off with a vid of her last two runs, then stats and gear, followed by a rundown of progress and reflections and finds, before ending with a round of thanks for everyone who helped along the journey.
Stats and Such
How about info on Stats, Gear, Charms, and Merc? Sure, why not, see below (stats are with final skill point and stats unspent).
Code:
Name: Mercy
Class: Assassin
Experience: 3520485254
Level: 99
Naked/Gear
Strength: 81/162
Dexterity: 20/57
Vitality: 459/488
Energy: 25/32
HP: 1623/2083
Mana: 172/486
Stamina: 766/996
Defense: 5/1508
AR: 100000064/100000446
Fire: 190/150/90
Cold: 148/108/48
Lightning: 172/132/72
Poison: 155/115/55
MF: 218 Block: 9
GF: 91
FR/W: 85
FHR: 89
IAS: 0
FCR: 115
Fire Blast: 20/40
Shock Web: 20/39
Blade Sentinel: 0/0
Charged Bolt Sentry: 20/39
Wake of Fire: 1/21
Blade Fury: 0/0
Lightning Sentry: 20/39
Wake of Inferno: 0/0
Death Sentry: 20/39
Blade Shield: 0/0
Claw Mastery: 1/14
Psychic Hammer: 1/14
Burst of Speed: 4/17
Weapon Block: 0/0
Cloak of Shadows: 1/14
Fade: 0/0
Shadow Warrior: 0/0
Mind Blast: 1/14
Venom: 0/0
Shadow Master: 0/0
Tiger Strike: 0/0
Dragon Talon: 0/0
Fists of Fire: 0/0
Dragon Claw: 0/0
Cobra Strike: 0/0
Claws of Thunder: 0/0
Dragon Tail: 0/0
Blades of Ice: 0/0
Dragon Flight: 0/0
Phoenix Strike: 0/0
Code:
Mercy's Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 110
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x782376be
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+148 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+148 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
74% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x6b8ff10a
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +28
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xede1ae81
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+197 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen
Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x3b88676
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
5% Life stolen per hit
+49 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina
Magefist
Light Gauntlets
Defense: 25
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 45
Fingerprint: 0x53160735
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 6 Fire Damage
+26% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense
Regenerate Mana 25%
Arachnid Mesh
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 138
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xd70968fe
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Slows Target by 10%
+120% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (11/11 Charges)
Mercy's Enigma
Superior Light Plate
JahIthBer
Defense: 883
Durability: 66 of 66
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 41
Fingerprint: 0x49c67301
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 to Teleport
+14% Enhanced Defense
+760 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)
Increase Maximum Durability 11%
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Ith Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Aldur's Advance
Battle Boots
Defense: 46
Durability: 15 of 18
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x2061da46
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+40% Faster Run/Walk
+50 to Life
+180 Maximum Stamina
Heal Stamina Plus 32%
Fire Resist +50%
10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Mercy's Heart of the Oak
Flail
KoVexPulThul
One Hand Damage: 1 - 24
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x283c8135
Item Level: 45
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 +36
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
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 146
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0xe8eb3521
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+98 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+5 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Call to Arms
Superior Crystal Sword
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 19 - 57
Durability: 22 of 22
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x7a78316c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
282% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+3 to Battle Command
+6 to Battle Orders
+4 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Increase Maximum Durability 10%
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 146
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0xe76c5272
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+32% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+100 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+7 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Code:
Emerald Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x59e35bbc
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Poison Resist +11%
Serpent's Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x5e53346c
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
+15 to Mana
Coral Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x26637384
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Lightning Resist +9%
Ruby Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x8c4d7994
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Fire Resist +10%
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xdc222d23
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Ruby Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x94f7f078
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +11%
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xc197a2c8
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Ruby Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x6825c2c4
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Fire Resist +10%
Azure Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x4dd6fc81
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Cold Resist +4%
Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x3dcf2fb4
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
91% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 13%
39% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Coral Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xf181982a
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Lightning Resist +9%
Entrapping Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x6c3eacf6
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
Entrapping Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x394d9aa6
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+5 to Life
Entrapping Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x713d3250
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
Entrapping Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x3ae958e7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
Entrapping Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xc7172ad4
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
Amber Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x3a779cd7
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%
Entrapping Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xf91edc64
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
Shimmering Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0x69d4c8c0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+31 to Life
All Resistances +15
Serpent's Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x5a72bfdf
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
+13 to Mana
Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0x165f4ac0
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Code:
Thankfully not needed much!
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: 0xa125c491
Item Level: 83
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
Moser's Blessed Circle
Round Shield
Defense: 173
Chance to Block: 37
Durability: 59 of 64
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 53
Fingerprint: 0xd6a9c40d
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Block Rate
25% Increased Chance of Blocking
+210% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +25
Lightning Resist +28%
Poison Resist +25%
9% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Ambergris Jewel
Socketed: Jade Jewel of Prosperity
Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 13 of 24
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xfead1590
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+120% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +35
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
Skull Hand
Demonhide Gloves
Defense: 46
Durability: 11 of 12
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x2d7e0e39
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Enhanced Defense
+12 to Strength
+9 to Dexterity
Lightning Resist +24%
Fire Resist +27%
Bladebuckle
Plated Belt
Defense: 51
Durability: 13 of 24
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 60
Fingerprint: 0xcaac0a7b
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+80% Enhanced Defense
+30 Defense
+5 to Strength
+10 to Dexterity
Damage Reduced by 3
Attacker Takes Damage of 8
Code:
Name: Pratham
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Nightmare
Experience: 114149042
Level: 98
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 209/234
Dexterity: 169/169
HP: 2287/2410
Defense: 1671/3528
AR: 2066/2066
Fire: 162/122/62
Cold: 192/152/92
Lightning: 192/152/92
Poison: 262/222/162
Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1521
Durability: 57 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x8d09d49d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+123 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +30
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 336
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 102
Fingerprint: 0xf52e8813
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+35% Increased Attack Speed
+14 to Maximum Damage
10% Life stolen per hit
+117% Enhanced Defense
+25 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist -30%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (20/20 Charges)
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Vermilion Jewel of Fervor
Vermilion Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0x86f46eb7
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+14 to Maximum Damage
Infinity
Thresher
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 64 - 757
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 142
Required Dexterity: 108
Fingerprint: 0xdae0dcd1
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
50% Chance to cast level 20 Chain Lightning when you Kill an Enemy
Level 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Run/Walk
259% Enhanced Damage
-52% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
+49 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30/30 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Progress
Mercy made quick progress early on, reaching level 87, and was aided by some very nice rune drops. A little more than a month in, she was at level 90 and had the base and runes for Infinity. She mixed up LK and Pits, mostly, for the next stretch, with a major assist of a Jah from a Pit run and then a final set of LK runs to make Enigma possible part way into level 94.
In all, 1103 runes found from LK plus some helpful finds while area running allowed Mercy to gracefully transition to XP grinding in late May 2016. Progress slowed over the summer due to work and starting a second untwinked 99er (Sorc that is currently level 96), but Mercy reached level 96 at the end of the summer.
A long break followed due to vacation and then a busy work schedule, but picked up again after Thanksgiving, reaching level 97 with Baal runs. I found level 96 and then level 97 especially to be the most challenging stretch. In terms of total time, they should have taken less than level 98, but they felt much longer, probably due to Baal runs being Mercy’s best option for XP. Mercy found her first +skill ring (BKWB) a third of the way into the level and still didn’t have Arachnid’s Mesh.
At this point, I set goals of 80 Baal runs each week (8 per weekday and 40 total on the weekend). I found it helped stay focused and not get discouraged by the slow progress on the XP bar. She generally exceeded her goal, particularly during Round 1 of the RFL. Those 20 hours got her almost all the way to level 98, and she finally hit level 98 in mid-February.
Mercy then transitioned to Nihl, following the path charted by @NanoMist's Izuna. She toyed around with becoming a kicker, which did not turn out well
She had one real death, with body recovery, about a third of the way in. Again, I set a goal (XP per week this time), and Mercy again far exceeded that goal, finishing about 5 weeks earlier than the weekly goal projected.
Finds and What Not
As others have observed, the journey to 99 is lucrative in terms of finds, particularly in 1.13+. Untwinked makes it especially so, as the focus on getting runes for major runewords is paramount. And, unlike starting the quest for 99 with a character that was already at level 90 or so, the untwinked journey means you keep track of all the finds.
Key runewords made and total remaining high runes is below:
Code:
CoH (Eth)
CtA
Delirium
Enigma
HoTo x3 -- the 36@ roll was not improved upon :(
Fortitude
Infinity (Eth)
Mal – 8
Ist – 6
Gul – 5
Vex – 5
Ohm – 1
Lo – 4
Sur – 6
Ber – 1
Jah – 2
Cham – 1
And cubing up the mid-highs would get 2x Ohm or so.
Overall, Mercy made it to grail -29, with mostly TC3/TC87s missing, but also two exceptional uniques
Code:
Eth Griffon’s (bad roll, but it’s cool)
Eth Steel Shade (near perfect roll)
Pestilent small charm of Pestilence
Death’s Web (high roll -ePR)
Oh, and I almost forgot about my favorite find of all:
Code:
Preserver's Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0x6d2f5a7b
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Defensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
+45 to Life
Thank You-s
I have to start with thanks to this forum and everyone who participated or contributed to this thread and supported Mercy’s journey.
Special thanks go to @Pb_pal, @NanoMist and @T72on1 who have been in it from the beginning and helped with feedback and encouragement throughout. Of course, @Kitteh gets a special shout out for (re)starting this challenge, along with @NanoMist and @Pb_pal again, and @Neksja and others, for great theorycrafting info and pointers that we all benefited from. @Gripphon also gets special mention for the past work that provided a foundation for all our paths to 99 in this challenge.
What’s Next-es
As for what’s next, Mercy will stay strictly untwinked (with one exception noted below) and likely serve as a runner for future tourneys. I think she will do well in the WSK challenge @Gripphon plans. I am thinking about using the Cham in her Shako to free up the ring slot for MF or an SoJ for extra mana. Now that +life isn’t as big a deal (can’t lose XP!), charms and other gear (back to 7% caster ammy and gloves with +MF) are back in play.
If she Cham’s the Shako, she will loan it to Midrian, my Pit zerker. That’s the exception, but I think it’s easy to keep track of given that it’s personalized.
Hiatus, the 99er sorc, also will get more time. She’s just short of 96.25, and I may try to get a second 99er before the end of the year. With Mercy and Hiatus so far, I've moved from grail -15 overall to grail -7, so I'm hopeful Hiatus will chip away further over the last couple levels.
Finally, I have a couple builds in progress and think that will be a welcome break from countless runs of the same target. I also was inspired by the eth Nightwing’s that Mercy found and low-roll cold facets sitting around to try a more off-the-beaten-path build, so that should be fun to test.
Anyhow, final thanks are to everyone who followed Mercy’s journey (and is still reading this text wall). Cheers!
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