Anything Goes D2 Lounge!

I wouldn't do that at all. If you want to go to there with an untwinked character, better take a sorc. Your barb will probably have a better loot-per-hour ratio in Trav or in a L85 area.
 
The thing is, I am working on this WW barb (who is giving me heartache and pain..) and he needs better weapons to be Hell'able (currently Hell Act 2 and struggling). And I might sign him up for the untwinked runners thread.
 
Run hell countess instead, at /p1

Oath runes basically rain down there. Need to try a few times to get a decent map, though.

Agreed. Oath is where it's at. Then once you get 2x Oath you can run Hell Trav for any additional high runes you need.
 
If you have it, Naj's staff is a source of cheap teleport charges. I used one with a Harmony bow when I ran LK with my untwinked assassin.
 
Thanks for the good advice, all! :D When I ran with my untwinked Necro, I also used Tele + Harmony.

I am already half way to my first Oath (Still missing base, go figure..), so when he gets better at killing the Countess, I might start running her. All those PI Ghosts are a pain, though. Probably wise to stop my Mephisto first, for the basics :)

I've never run the Countess before. What is a good (realistic) map? Three entrances near each other? Four?
 
Three is both good and realistic, pretty balanced. The distance from the WP to the tower could possibly be long, if there are a lot of shrines in the path, but preferrably right next to the wp.

I'd just run past any monsters, unless you still get decent exp from them. This will stop in the early 80s.
 
Well it depends on what type of RWM you are using. Was it a "Patch_D2.mpq" file or a "data" folder?

If it is a data folder, the only files in it will be "runes.txt" for the runewords and "patchstring.tbl" for colored runes. If the mod was a Patch_D2.mpq then I would consider re-downloading as you may be giving yourself the 1.12 drops.

Edit: if you want to PM me the link or file you have I can take a quick look with the MPQ editor to see if it's the 1.13 version or not.
 
Oh man...I sure hope someone can confirm this, as I can't find the Save files on my PC, and do a re-install. Does anyone know where they could be? I play 1.13

EDIT: @GalaXyHaXz Thanks for for you very kind offer :) I've sent you a PM
 
Last edited:
A new 'zon strolled into the Rogue Encampment. Gheed was the first to greet her.

"Hullo, ya must be new here. I'm Gheed."

"I'm Medusa," the new 'zon said. She looked at him, and brushed back the snakes that danced upon her head. "How do you like my hair?"

Gheed had only a moment to think. She's vain, he thought. "Well," he said, looking right at her...

Gheed never finished his sentence. He stood there unsure what to do. He had been turned to stone by a toxic combination of slow, fear, and blindness. He would never be spoken to again.

The Amazon left the camp, horrified by her power. I must never look upon another person, she thought. I must cover my face.

She found a mask, and placed it upon her head. She vowed always to wear it for fear of losing help from other villagers she might meet.

Introducing DoYouLikeMyHair, a Medusa strafer

Gear:
Silence, 10% ED Hydra bow
Blackhorn's face, IAS jewel/15% light res
Cleglaw's
Nos's Coil (7% LL)
Crow Caw, 15% IAS jewel/14% light res
Gores, 198% non-up'd
Highlord's
244/20 Raven
LL rare ring /w res all, DEX,
CtA (+6 BO)/Lidless switch

Charms:
3x Passives of life (45/30/27)
10x fine SC's with suffixes (life/inertia/dex/str)
5x Sharp GC's of life (ranging from 29-33)

Might merc (hits 58% bp):
Pride, eth Cryptic Axe (slvl 17 Conc)
Treachery (eth Dusk)
Tal's Mask, IAS/AR jewel

Final stats:
Strafe: 258-2322; 9235 AR
Magic Arrow: 313-2760; 10310 AR
GA had similar damage to MA, but was used rarely (bosses, e.g.)
Res: 30/16/75/23
108/334/112/15 stats (all going into DEX)
1487/300 life/mana (I like about 1,500 life on a 'zon; she could have survived with far less)
+4 All; +3 passives
20 Strafe; 1 in all pre-reqs
20 Penetrate
20 Pierce (91% - more than plenty - I'm convinced that in routine PvM, you don't need a high Pierce %).
9 crit (65% DS; had 46% DS from HW + Gores, so approximately an 80% chance of double damage).
10 Valk (slvl 17 cast)
2 each D/A/E


Gameplay/notes:
  • I made the Silence as part of my effort to get as many RW's as possible. I'm not going for RW grail (that's crazy - I'd never make a Last Wish, e.g.) and I don't want to re-make my Infinity /w self-found runes just b/c I got one Sur in there in a trade and got my Enigma from Liquid_Evil.
  • Silence was a great RW in v1.09 (below Windforce), but made obsolete by v1.10, etc. by the presence of Faith. So nostalgia factor here for me. What's it good for? A Medusa-zon! Slow everything, knock it back, blind it, and make it run away. Nothing gets close.
  • Other gear restriction: she must wear a mask at all times to cover her (hideous) face. I went with gemmed (damage jewels) masks to the Face of Horror (50% monster flee) to Blackhorn's.
  • Also added to the theme: Open Wounds, which paired nicely with the Crow Caw (needed 30% IAS on the armor to hit best non-bugged Strafe frame rate). Everything bled. It was one of the damage items I had to kill PI's. I would have rather used Duress for its better mods, but it lacked needed IAS. One problem: Silence in a bow means you can only use a Hydra Bow or a Crusader Bow. Meaning you need 80% and 90% IAS to hit the appropriate strafe and normal attack frame rates. She had 95%.
  • And that was how it went. Cleglaw's went on as soon as she could equip it and everything was knocked back. Everything was slowed. Once Passion and then Silence were equipped, Anything that came near was knocked back, slowed down, and either blinded or started to run away, sometimes both (so it would blindly walk away). This also means I didn't get a good screen shot of the play action.
  • She was incredibly safe, too. Most everything was killed at, near, of off the edge of the screen.
  • I thought about using a Holy Freeze merc, but it's overkill on the slow and he's often too far away while things get knocked back to make the aura effective. I took might instead. I needed the damage.
  • The merc was set up so be an accessory and not a solo killer. I didn't want to use Reaper's b/c it would overshadow the curses from Silence. Pride itself fits the theme nicely because it blinds and freezes targets.
  • This was definitely an underpowered build. No LoH and no Fort being the two biggest non-bow gear choices I couldn't use due to item restrictions. No biggie. Norm/NM were at /p8 except for bosses, Hell was /p1 to start, the /p3 A2-A5 WSK2 except bosses and Ancients, and /p1 to end.
  • I had to start the Ancients over three times (plus a couple re-rolls), including once when the thrower was down to a few slivers of life because of a hotkey mess-up (where I thought I had Decoy I had TP tomb instead...)
  • PI's weren't so much of a problem, it was just that it took a while to kill with my elemental damage, OW, and magic damage. In A5 Hell I parked plenty of Ghost PI's in the various ice caves.
  • NM Hellforge was Lum, Hell HF was Hel. Can't remember the last time NM's drop was higher up than Hell's. Nothing else of note dropped, a function again of minimal (30%, from Ist in Silence, MF). Meh.
  • I re-spec'd once, to drop from an slvl 27 Valk (hence the +7 total to passives...) to an slvl 17, with the idea of dumping the rest of the skill points in Pierce. The valk got instantly weaker, and I wish I hadn't.
  • I had two skill points remaining. They and the rest of the points would go back to Valk to push her to slvl 27 on casting.
  • I personalized the bow and helm. It felt appropriate in this case.
  • No deaths! One NDE when I got hit by some range attackers (likely archers) in A5 hell, while cursed, and BO just ran out. She has about 980 life without BO. Ouch!

One particular fun PI, Act 5 hell ice tunnels:
View attachment 5777

Other weapons used en-route, in order of appearance:

Havoc Stinger
Short Battle Bow
Two Hand Damage: 8 - 31
Durability: 38 of 40
Required Level: 8
Required Strength: 30
Required Dexterity: 40
Fingerprint: 0x7b54e2c0
Item Level: 22
Version: Expansion 1.10+
35% Enhanced Damage
+2 to Minimum Damage
+17 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
4% Mana stolen per hit
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Jewel of Wrath
Socketed: Jewel of Wrath

Loath Flight
Razor Bow
Two Hand Damage: 11 - 60
Durability: 30 of 32
Required Level: 21
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 62
Fingerprint: 0x8af65464
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
48% Enhanced Damage
+28 to Maximum Damage
+91 to Attack Rating
4% Life stolen per hit
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Jewel of Carnage
Socketed: Jewel of Carnage

Riphook (making here temporarily a Slowazon).
Razor Bow
Two Hand Damage: 24 - 68
Durability: 26 of 32
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 62
Fingerprint: 0xfc007fd0
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Increased Attack Speed
212% Enhanced Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
30% Chance of Open Wounds
Slows Target by 30%
+35 to Mana

Passion
Matriarchal Bow
DolOrtEldLem
Two Hand Damage: 61 - 145
Durability: 45 of 48
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 87
Required Dexterity: 187
Fingerprint: 0x62459faf
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+25% Increased Attack Speed
209% Enhanced Damage
70% Bonus to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
+1 to Berserk
+1 to Zeal
Hit Blinds Target +10
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Level 3 Heart of Wolverine (12/12 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Eld Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune

Full Dump
Name: DoYouLikeMyHair
Class: Amazon
Experience: 987214742
Level: 84

Naked/Gear
Strength: 92/108
Dexterity: 281/334
Vitality: 122/122
Energy: 15/15
HP: 582/918
Mana: 139/185
Stamina: 269/289
Defense: 70/1425
AR: 1375/2338

Fire: 120/80/20
Cold: 106/66/6
Lightning: 170/130/70
Poison: 113/73/13

MF: 30 Block: 47
GF: 36
FR/W: 33
FHR: 35
IAS: 95
FCR: 0

Magic Arrow: 1/4
Fire Arrow: 0/0
Cold Arrow: 1/4
Multiple Shot: 1/4
Exploding Arrow: 0/0
Ice Arrow: 0/0
Guided Arrow: 1/4
Strafe: 20/23
Immolation Arrow: 0/0
Freezing Arrow: 0/0

Inner Sight: 1/7
Critical Strike: 9/15
Dodge: 2/8
Slow Missiles: 1/7
Avoid: 2/8
Penetrate: 20/26
Decoy: 1/7
Evade: 2/8
Valkyrie: 10/16
Pierce: 20/26

Jab: 0/0
Power Strike: 0/0
Poison Javelin: 0/0
Impale: 0/0
Lightning Bolt: 0/0
Charged Strike: 0/0
Plague Javelin: 0/0
Fend: 0/0
Lightning Strike: 0/0
Lightning Fury: 0/0

Cleglaw's Pincers
Chain Gloves
Defense: 8
Durability: 15 of 16
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0x71a7d8a6
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Slows Target by 25%
Knockback
Set (2 items): +840 to Attack Rating (Based on Character Level)

Acrobatic Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xac9b7c23
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)
+27 to Life

Acrobatic Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xdfd24c9f
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)
+30 to Life

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 160
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0x6efef228
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+198% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Crow Caw
Tigulated Mail
Defense: 532
Durability: 36 of 36
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 86
Fingerprint: 0x38b43278
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Increased Attack Speed
+15% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Chance of Open Wounds
+179% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Dexterity
Lightning Resist +14%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Camphor Jewel of Fervor

Camphor Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0xe789b37d
Item Level: 45
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Lightning Resist +14%

Nosferatu's Coil
Vampirefang Belt
Defense: 63
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xda6e8e5b
Item Level: 85
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

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x4488f121
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+66 to Attack Rating
+27 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0xf25337f1
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+56 to Attack Rating
+29 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xe639d1df
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+10 to Attack Rating
+1 to Strength

Fine Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x736b1f15
Item Level: 45
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+10 to Attack Rating
+2 to Dexterity

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x29040225
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+15 to Attack Rating
+20 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x2adffbc1
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+20 to Attack Rating
+15 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x9c65ab04
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+11 to Attack Rating
+13 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x8ebc4cd0
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+12 to Attack Rating
+13 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x5cfa71bb
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating
+10 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x3d97df8d
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+3 to Maximum Damage
+11 to Attack Rating

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x79433e66
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
31% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15

Skull Circle
Ring
Required Level: 48
Fingerprint: 0x40010057
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+102 to Attack Rating
6% Life stolen per hit
+15 to Dexterity
Cold Resist +21%
Fire Resist +11%

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xa33918cf
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+55 to Attack Rating
+33 to Life

DoYouLikeMyHair's Blackhorn's Face
Death Mask
Defense: 267
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x7b9cd125
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Prevent Monster Heal
Slows Target by 20%
+207% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +14%
+20 Lightning Absorb
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 25
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Garnet Jewel of Fervor

Garnet Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x8043cf86
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Fire Resist +14%

Scintillating Jewel
Jewel
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0xe8258df7
Item Level: 48
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
Cold Resist +13%
Lightning Resist +13%
Fire Resist +13%
Poison Resist +13%

Stone Touch
Ring
Required Level: 48
Fingerprint: 0xc0df07b4
Item Level: 92
Version: Expansion 1.10+
6% Life stolen per hit
+14 to Dexterity
+6 to Mana
All Resistances +11
Poison Resist +7%
36% Extra Gold from Monsters

Tome of Town Portal
Fingerprint: 0xc963f98
Item Level: 11
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x2a632a50
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+244 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

Fine Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x47d91b87
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating
+2 to Dexterity

Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0x5313f471
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Acrobatic Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0xd56835c2
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)
+45 to Life

Perfect Emerald
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 100 Poison Damage Over 7 Secs (179 Frames)
Armor: +10 to Dexterity
Shields: Poison Resist +40%

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0x21438d05
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+69 to Attack Rating
+31 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0x33f50bdc
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+66 to Attack Rating
+33 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x6230a5bd
Item Level: 47
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+15 to Attack Rating
+10 to Life

Call to Arms
Crystal Sword
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 17 - 53
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xbdb5eeed
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
254% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Battle Command
+6 to Battle Orders
+3 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune

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

Ral Rune
Required Level: 19
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
Armor: Fire Resist +30%
Shields: Fire Resist +35%

Mal Rune
Required Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Prevent Monster Heal
Armor: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Magic Damage Reduced by 7

Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Ohm Rune
Required Level: 57
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Enhanced Maximum Damage
Armor: +5% to Maximum Cold Resist
Shields: +5% to Maximum Cold Resist

Lidless Wall
Grim Shield
Defense: 312
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x7a88a193
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+107% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Energy
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
All Resistances +19
+5 to Mana after each Kill
+1 to Light Radius
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond

Perfect Diamond
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +68% Damage to Undead
Armor: +100 to Attack Rating
Shields: Cold Resist +19%
Lightning Resist +19%
Fire Resist +19%
Poison Resist +19%

DoYouLikeMyHair's Silence
Superior Hydra Bow
DolEldHelIstTirVex
Two Hand Damage: 31 - 210
Durability: 30 of 55
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 108
Required Dexterity: 134
Fingerprint: 0x795f1f8e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
210% Enhanced Damage
+75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
11% Mana stolen per hit
Hit Blinds Target +33
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
All Resistances +75
+2 to Mana after each Kill
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Requirements -20%
6 Sockets (6 used)
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Eld Rune
Socketed: Hel Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Vex Rune

Dol Rune
Required Level: 31
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
Armor: Replenish Life +7
Shields: Replenish Life +7

Eld Rune
Required Level: 11
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Armor: 15% Slower Stamina Drain
Shields: 7% Increased Chance of Blocking

Hel Rune
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Requirements -20%
Armor: Requirements -15%
Shields: Requirements -15%

Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

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

Vex Rune
Required Level: 55
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 7% Mana stolen per hit
Armor: +5% to Maximum Fire Resist
Shields: +5% to Maximum Fire Resist

Arrows
Fingerprint: 0xc65d3319
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Mercenary:

Name: Hazade
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Nightmare
Experience: 71977658
Level: 84
Dead?: false

Naked/Gear
Strength: 184/184
Dexterity: 148/148
HP: 1727/1787
Defense: 1274/2331
AR: 1898/552438

Fire: 163/123/63
Cold: 193/153/93
Lightning: 163/123/63
Poison: 163/123/63

Treachery
Dusk Shroud
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 958
Durability: 11 of 11
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 67
Fingerprint: 0x376f5dd8
Item Level: 84
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
Ethereal
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune

Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate

Thul Rune
Required Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Armor: Cold Resist +30%
Shields: Cold Resist +35%

Lem Rune
Required Level: 43
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Armor: 50% Extra Gold from Monsters
Shields: 50% Extra Gold from Monsters


Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Death Mask
Defense: 99
Durability: 19 of 20
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x8d6c4280
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+61 to Attack Rating
10% Mana stolen per hit
10% Life stolen per hit
+45 Defense
+60 to Life
+30 to Mana
All Resistances +15
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Argent Jewel of Fervor


Argent Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 36
Fingerprint: 0x37241fb5
Item Level: 46
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+61 to Attack Rating


Pride
Cryptic Axe
ChamSurIoLo
Two Hand Damage: 49 - 225
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 155
Required Dexterity: 93
Fingerprint: 0xd4cfde9d
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
25% Chance to cast level 17 Fire Wall when struck
Level 17 Concentration Aura When Equipped
281% Bonus to Attack Rating
+84% Damage to Demons (Based on Character Level)
Adds 50 - 280 Lightning Damage
20% Deadly Strike
Hit Blinds Target +1
Freezes target +3
+10 to Vitality
Replenish Life +8
157% Extra Gold from Monsters (Based on Character Level)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Cham Rune
Socketed: Sur Rune
Socketed: Io Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

Cham Rune
Required Level: 67
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Freezes target +3
Armor: Cannot Be Frozen
Shields: Cannot Be Frozen

Sur Rune
Required Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Hit Blinds Target +1
Armor: Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Shields: +50 to Mana

Io Rune
Required Level: 35
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +10 to Vitality
Armor: +10 to Vitality
Shields: +10 to Vitality

Lo Rune
Required Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Deadly Strike
Armor: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Shields: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist

 
Started working another "bucket list" project - a Poison Dagger necro, a la Pat. Syringe.

Currently sitting in A4 normal. Considering that I twinked on an eth Insight in a Battle Scythe and P. Dagger doesn't do enough damage right now (so many skill points to distribute to even get one-point-wonders, so can't pump it or synergies too much early), it's more of a CE necro right now. Kinda frustrating, kinda not. Reveals one my of major critiques of necros: it's a race to get that first corpse or two and then Amp + CE takes over. Don't know of any other character which is that one-dimensional is no many of its builds (and I can't really think of any Necro builds that don't revolve around CE in one way or another).

Even better, necro does not need any other skills at all. All he needs is amplify damage, merc with eth elite polearm and maxed CE. Corpse is made, chain CE, move on.

Also big problem with poison dagger is existence of poison nova. Even if you do go whack something with dagger, it is still profitable to simply cast 1 nova to apply it all around before going with a dagger. Only way to make it work is to literally pretend poison nova does not exist. Limitations of diablo etc...

Both are correct. I just hit A1 NM and am realizing the tactic of LR -> Nova -> Dagger -> CE is most advantageous despite the odd feeling and transition of it to go from caster (for damage, not curses) to physical attacker. Would be different/better if PN wasn't a synergy, but alas.

The build is also revealing my frustration with poison damage - I want it dead, and I want it dead now. Not in x.x many seconds when poison works through.

Edit: going forward, I'm not going to use PN on the guy. Just doesn't fit the theme.

Gave up on this guy last night. Apparently drinking a large cup of espresso-and-sugar based coffee shop coffee on a 3-hour drive home that ended at 7 PM to conclude a 13-hour out-of-town work day isn't a recipe for sleep - or patience with a character class that I have a general frustration with.

I re'spec'd to poison nova, but still don't like the character. I don't have the patience to tolerate poking something at close range with a zero-block, 2 hp/stat point character whose crowd control skills, while excellent, diminish his damage potential and whose best curse - lower res - for his initial killing skill - isn't the best curse for his secondary/primary killing skill, CE. Although P.Nova does a solid job killing at /p8 and generates enough corpses, he isn't the cleanest to play. Perhaps it's the archer, not the arrow. But still he's frustrating. Add to it using Bramble instead of Enigma means no teleport, no merc/golem control, slower questing speed, etc.
 
@Crazy Runner Guy -- one thought on maybe salvaging the playthrough is to convert to a physical damage meleemancer using poison dagger for the AR boost only, and having a summon hybrid approach.

I had fun with a version of this build in my 7x7, Stinger. I went with skellies for defense, but I think it would actually work better with Iron Golem using a high damage weapon with crushing blow. You could also use Enigma. CE is always available to speed up the playthrough.
 
@Crazy Runner Guy you could try rolling with Revives as your tanks and Grief as your main weapon. The -poison resist will help with Nova damage and the ITD and -defense will help you actually hit stuff. Then just stack CB so you can kill bosses, the bane of all necros. If you go Phaseblade you can even use a Homunculus for a respectable block rate. Might actually work.
 
I'm sick, so tired but can't sleep. Haven't played D2 in forever, but I fired up d2 for some quick fun, 1 AT run.

View attachment 5875

Kinda neat. It's my second cham ever, I don't know what to even do with it.

Thought I should post in the IFT thread but I decided that I wanted to post in my old thread :) Hope I don't rustle any jimmies
 
Hi there @NorthDakota , nice to see you around, and 'grats for the Cham! This thread definitely needs more love, it's been so quiet lately. IMO, it's one of the best threads in SPF history, containing lots of great discussions.

I recently also wondered what to do with Cham. I've found three in total so far. My first one went in to 1.13 Harlequin Crest. It's mainly used by my PitZerker, but it's also very nice for Trapper and some other builds as well. My second Cham went into Andariel's Visage (10/30, non-eth), making it possibly the best Merc helm I possess.

I was first considering putting my third one in some Merc helm, options were basically Guillaume's, Vamp Gaze, Steel Shade and 1.07 Valkyrie Wing. Cham'd Guillaume's and Valk could of course also be useful to some player builds as well. Still, none of the options felt particularly inspiring.

Around the same time I found the third Cham, I made double Dreams, deciding to go with the richer-than-I-really-am route of making the shield Paladin-only. I had Zealot in Normal Act 2, but even with Dreams ready, I didn't really feel inspired enough to grind through the game just yet. My main weapon choice was Grief at the time, and the build just felt to be too similar to your basic FanaZealot. I needed something different.

Then I remembered a build I've thought about a while ago, but dismissed it for being too expensive. Well, it was still kinda expensive, but I was only Lo short, and was planning to do some Trav runs anyway. And after too many runs with only Puls and Ums to show, last week the Council finally coughed up a higher rune, and what do you know, it was a Lo!

So, with all the runes ready, I went ahead and made a weapon and armor for my Zealot:
Code:
Doom
Berserker Axe
HelOhmUmLoCham
One Hand Damage: 186 - 548
Indestructible
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 103
Required Dexterity: 40
Fingerprint: 0x552b4ac6
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion
5% Chance to cast level 18 Volcano on striking
Level 12 Holy Freeze Aura When Equipped
+2 to All Skills
+45% Increased Attack Speed
417% Enhanced Damage <---- 367% ed roll, 370% is max (50% max dmg from 1.07 eth)
-56% to Enemy Cold Resistance <---- -60% is max
20% Deadly Strike
25% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
Freezes target +3
Requirements -20% Ethereal
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Hel Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Socketed: Cham Rune
 
Hel Rune
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Requirements -20% Armor: Requirements -15% Shields: Requirements -15% 

Ohm Rune
Required Level: 57
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Enhanced Maximum Damage Armor: +5% to Maximum Cold Resist Shields: +5% to Maximum Cold Resist 

Um Rune
Required Level: 47
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 25% Chance of Open Wounds Armor: Cold Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15% Shields: Cold Resist +22%
Lightning Resist +22%
Fire Resist +22%
Poison Resist +22%
 
Lo Rune
Required Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Deadly Strike Armor: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist Shields: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist 

Cham Rune
Required Level: 67
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Freezes target +3 Armor: Cannot Be Frozen Shields: Cannot Be Frozen

Dragon
Archon Plate
SurLoSol
Defense: 856
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x7316263b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 18 Venom when struck
12% Chance to cast level 15 Hydra on striking
Level 14 Holy Fire Aura When Equipped
+360 Defense
All Stats +5
+230 Defense vs. Missile
+32 to Strength (Based on Character Level)
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Damage Reduced by 7 3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Sur Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
 
Sur Rune
Required Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Hit Blinds Target +1 Armor: Increase Maximum Mana 5% Shields: +50 to Mana 

Lo Rune
Required Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Deadly Strike Armor: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist Shields: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist 

Sol Rune
Required Level: 27
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +9 to Minimum Damage Armor: Damage Reduced by 7 Shields: Damage Reduced by 7
Seeing that Doom roll put a big smile on my face, and put an end to the nagging feeling that I might be wasting a Cham. Dragon rolled good as well, perfect actually, although the stats (3-5) are the only variable. Nice anyway.

The Zealot is currently in Hell Act 5 and has been a blast to play, moving through the game on players 8, shocking/freezing/melting enemies from left to right, proccing Hydras and Volcanoes everywhere. I might make a Pat thread once he kills Baal, if I have time. It's been great fun.

I'm also kinda thinking of going for the Runeword Grail at some point, to keep me interested. I still want to make CoH in eth armor for Mercs, Faith in Matriarchal or Grand Matron Bow, Dream in non-pally shield and 2-handed Death, after that I can basically reserve all my runes for making runewords I haven't got yet. My goal is to make most of them as useful as possible, to try some interesting/different builds that don't bore me to death :)

But we'll see how it goes, this is definitely a long term goal. I'm kinda poor once again, and need soooo many Jah runes. Back to the Travincal, I guess.
 
I'm trying to make room in my stash for my untwinked WW Barb, and I have a couple of jools I need to dump.

Ruby Jewel Of Carnage: 37% ED / +13 max dmg
Vermillion Jewel Of Carnage: +28 max dmg

Which one of these two would deal more (WW) damage? D2 math and I don't sit well...
 
depends on your base weapon and what you're sticking it in since the ED% works differently depending on whether you socket it in weapon or armor (although ED/max or min is bugged in armor so you probably don't want to do that anyway)
 
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