Double Guardian Post - Ribble the Lord of Mages and Ketto the Singer Barb (TWD-Redux Tournament)

[Pb_pal]

Ribble was one of my three entrants in the Three Way Dance - Redux Tournament, and one of two to make Guardian at the end of it all.

Tournament rules stipulated that only 2/3 skill trees could be used, and no Set, Unique, or Runewords were permitted outside of predetermined 'reward' slots. This made some some fun and interesting challenges along the way.

Ribble was played as a Lord of Mages/Revives (I self-limited to 1 point in Raise Skeleton) using the Summon and Curses tree, so no CE for him. Here are his stats and gear, and we'll get to some gameplay/thoughts after.

Stats:
Name: Ribble
Class: Necromancer
Experience: 744423459
Level: 81

Naked/Gear
Strength: 70/70
Dexterity: 25/25
Vitality: 375/375
Energy: 25/25
HP: 943/1045
Mana: 184/184
Stamina: 512/512
Defense: 6/342
AR: 80/125

Fire: 125/85/25
Cold: 72/32/-28
Lightning: 143/103/43
Poison: 104/64/4

MF: 131 Block: 1
GF: 8
FR/W: 0
FHR: 10
IAS: 0
FCR: 0

Skills:
Skeleton Mastery: 20/24
Raise Skeleton: 1/5
Clay Golem: 1/5
Golem Mastery: 8/13
Raise Skeletal Mage: 20/24
Blood Golem: 1/5
Summon Resist: 1/6
Iron Golem: 1/5
Fire Golem: 10/14
Revive: 20/24

Amplify Damage: 1/2
Dim Vision: 1/2
Weaken: 1/2
Iron Maiden: 1/2
Terror: 1/2
Confuse: 1/2
Life Tap: 1/2
Attract: 0/0
Decrepify: 1/2
Lower Resist: 1/2

Gear:
Head: Gemmed Crown (3x PTopaz)
Body: Mechanics Mage Plate of the Whale (+92 Life, Ort/Ral)
Gloves: Rare gloves (+15% CR, +25%MF)
Belt: Coral Plated Belt (+26% LR)
Boots: Ruby Light Plated Boots of Luck (+39% FR, +29% MF)
Weapon: Rare Wand

Spoiler

Cruel Wand
Bone Wand
One Hand Damage: 3 - 7
Durability: 15 of 15
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0x6d3d86b1
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
+30 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 130 Lightning Damage
7% Mana stolen per hit
+1 to Summon Resist (Necromancer Only)
+1 to Golem Mastery (Necromancer Only)
Poison Resist +30%
+3 to Light Radius
Level 3 Confuse (82/82 Charges)

Shield: Rare necro head

Spoiler

Doom Mark
Unraveller Head
Defense: 16
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 16 of 20
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 18
Fingerprint: 0xfdb4bddb
Item Level: 38
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 3 Frost Nova when struck
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 13 - 28 Poison Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+2 to Poison Explosion (Necromancer Only)
+47% Enhanced Defense

Amulet: Graverobber's (+1 Summoning) amulet of Negatic (MDR 5)
Rings: Lapis (+20%CR) Ring, Rare Ring (+27% LR, +7% FR)

Merc:
I chose the mercenary package for his rewards slot, which meant he could use S/U and runewords once I made certain milestones. Thank goodness for that, too.
Durga - Prayer
Rockstopper
Toothrow
Hone Sundan(Amn/Shael/Shael) / Kelpie Snare

Spoiler: Full Dump

Name: Ribble
Class: Necromancer
Experience: 744423459
Level: 81

Naked/Gear
Strength: 70/70
Dexterity: 25/25
Vitality: 375/375
Energy: 25/25
HP: 943/1045
Mana: 184/184
Stamina: 512/512
Defense: 6/342
AR: 80/125

Fire: 125/85/25
Cold: 72/32/-28
Lightning: 143/103/43
Poison: 104/64/4

MF: 131 Block: 1
GF: 8
FR/W: 0
FHR: 10
IAS: 0
FCR: 0

Amplify Damage: 1/2
Dim Vision: 1/2
Weaken: 1/2
Iron Maiden: 1/2
Terror: 1/2
Confuse: 1/2
Life Tap: 1/2
Attract: 0/0
Decrepify: 1/2
Lower Resist: 1/2

Teeth: 0/0
Bone Armor: 0/0
Poison Dagger: 0/0
Corpse Explosion: 0/0
Bone Wall: 0/0
Poison Explosion: 0/2
Bone Spear: 0/0
Bone Prison: 0/0
Poison Nova: 0/0
Bone Spirit: 0/0

Skeleton Mastery: 20/24
Raise Skeleton: 1/5
Clay Golem: 1/5
Golem Mastery: 8/13
Raise Skeletal Mage: 20/24
Blood Golem: 1/5
Summon Resist: 1/6
Iron Golem: 1/5
Fire Golem: 10/14
Revive: 20/24

Key
Fingerprint: 0xf284ded5
Item Level: 1
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Tome of Town Portal
Fingerprint: 0x1372b33f
Item Level: 9
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Beryl Large Charm
Large Charm
Required Level: 1
Fingerprint: 0x80d3fceb
Item Level: 2
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +5%

Beryl Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 1
Fingerprint: 0x204d3476
Item Level: 8
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +5%

Russet Small Charm of Greed
Small Charm
Required Level: 15
Fingerprint: 0xaf9149d3
Item Level: 19
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +7%
8% Extra Gold from Monsters

Viridian Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x287576c5
Item Level: 21
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +6%

Emerald Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 22
Fingerprint: 0x5318ff94
Item Level: 31
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +28%

Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0xead22636
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+

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%

Flawless Diamond
Required Level: 15
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +54% Damage to Undead
Armor: +80 to Attack Rating
Shields: Cold Resist +14%
Lightning Resist +14%
Fire Resist +14%
Poison Resist +14%

Flawless Amethyst
Required Level: 15
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +100 to Attack Rating
Armor: +8 to Strength
Shields: +24 Defense

Lapis Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0xad3b7cba
Item Level: 28
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Life
Cold Resist +7%

Russet Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0xbb8399c4
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +6%
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Amber Grand Charm of Burning
Grand Charm
Required Level: 22
Fingerprint: 0x6e75624
Item Level: 69
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 7 Fire Damage
Lightning Resist +30%

Butcher's Pupil
Cleaver
One Hand Damage: 55 - 135
Durability: 14 of 24
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 68
Fingerprint: 0x4c0724c8
Item Level: 50
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+30% Increased Attack Speed
159% Enhanced Damage
Adds 30 - 50 Damage
35% Deadly Strike
25% Chance of Open Wounds

Kelpie Snare
Fuscina
Two Hand Damage: 81 - 149
Durability: 31 of 35
Required Level: 33
Required Strength: 77
Required Dexterity: 25
Fingerprint: 0x4e16599d
Item Level: 42
Version: Expansion 1.10+
170% Enhanced Damage
Adds 30 - 50 Damage
Slows Target by 75%
+10 to Strength
+101 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Fire Resist +50%

Gemmed Crown
Crown
Defense: 36
Durability: 48 of 50
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x993ee0e8
Item Level: 41
Version: Expansion 1.10+
72% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Socketed: Perfect Topaz

Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%

Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%

Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%

Graverobber's Amulet of Negation
Amulet
Required Level: 35
Fingerprint: 0x92fec565
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
Magic Damage Reduced by 5

Mechanic's Mage Plate of the Whale
Mage Plate
Defense: 243
Durability: 59 of 60
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0xe0a87bb0
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+92 to Life
Lightning Resist +30%
Fire Resist +30%
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune

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

Ort Rune
Required Level: 21
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
Armor: Lightning Resist +30%
Shields: Lightning Resist +35%

Lapis Ring
Ring
Required Level: 9
Fingerprint: 0x79871ca7
Item Level: 12
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +20%

Viper Knot
Ring
Required Level: 30
Fingerprint: 0x27591784
Item Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 6 Fire Damage
Lightning Resist +27%
Fire Resist +7%
Damage Reduced by 1

Coral Plated Belt
Plated Belt
Defense: 11
Durability: 22 of 24
Required Level: 13
Required Strength: 60
Fingerprint: 0xab785c92
Item Level: 43
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +26%

Ruby Light Plated Boots of Luck
Light Plated Boots
Defense: 9
Durability: 17 of 18
Required Level: 19
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xba2c7d17
Item Level: 55
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +39%
29% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Soul Touch
Gauntlets
Defense: 21
Durability: 23 of 24
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 60
Fingerprint: 0x79f5d107
Item Level: 44
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Attack Rating
+33% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +15%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+1 to Light Radius
Level 2 Weaken (25/25 Charges)

Cruel Wand
Bone Wand
One Hand Damage: 3 - 7
Durability: 15 of 15
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0x6d3d86b1
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
+30 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 130 Lightning Damage
7% Mana stolen per hit
+1 to Summon Resist (Necromancer Only)
+1 to Golem Mastery (Necromancer Only)
Poison Resist +30%
+3 to Light Radius
Level 3 Confuse (82/82 Charges)

Doom Mark
Unraveller Head
Defense: 16
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 16 of 20
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 18
Fingerprint: 0xfdb4bddb
Item Level: 38
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 3 Frost Nova when struck
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 13 - 28 Poison Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+2 to Poison Explosion (Necromancer Only)
+47% Enhanced Defense

Mercenary:

Name: Durga
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Comb-Normal
Experience: 57116258
Level: 80
Dead?: false

Naked/Gear
Strength: 181/191
Dexterity: 146/146
HP: 1630/1630
Defense: 1203/2252
AR: 1913/1913

Fire: 197/157/97
Cold: 170/130/70
Lightning: 186/146/86
Poison: 147/107/47

Toothrow
Sharktooth Armor
Defense: 867
Durability: 42 of 63
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x5ac308b8
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
40% Chance of Open Wounds
+216% Enhanced Defense
+49 Defense
+10 to Strength
Fire Resist +15%
Attacker Takes Damage of 34
+15 Maximum Durability


Rockstopper
Sallet
Defense: 182
Durability: 15 of 18
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x73a6add2
Item Level: 52
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+189% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Vitality
Cold Resist +23%
Lightning Resist +39%
Fire Resist +35%
Damage Reduced by 10%


Hone Sundan
Yari
Two Hand Damage: 102 - 208
Durability: 28 of 28
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 101
Fingerprint: 0xa9169215
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
186% 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: Amn Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Shael 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

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

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

The Journey:
If you'd like to follow his whole journey through Hell, I've copied over into an archive thread. Here are the links:

Act I and II
Act III and IV
Act V

Gameplay Shots:
Some of my favourite shots from his journey.

I see your stair trap, and raise you 17 minions:

The army can be quite formidable when all working together:

Things can get a little messy out in the open:

Some fun with Revives:

Wave 5, meet Wave 4:

Some Thoughts:
- Very safe build, and still entertaining as you're always swapping out revives.
- Keeping an army of sometimes 3 dozen is quite intensive, but always entertaining. Mages are surprisingly powerful the whole way through the game, but they definietly prosper with a meatshield of revives in front of them.
- Super happy with my choice to go with the merc equipment for the rewards, and I got lucky with being able to kit him out REALLY well (Kelpie, Hone Sundan, Toothrow, Rockstopper). He was an absolute force and a big part of Ribble's success.
- The lack of resistances for Ribble was never an issue as most elemental attacks (gloams notwhithstanding) get soaked up by the (very replaceable) army.
- The lack of CE never bothered me. Skellies provided corpse-disposal when needed and I had more than enough firepower without it.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Pb_pal]

Ketto was my barbarian entrant in the tournament. He was played as a standard Singer using the Warcries and Masteries trees. He chose Weapons and Body Armour for his reward slots, allowing S/U and/or Runewords to be used for those pieces. This turned out to be an excellent choice, and was really the only logical one (other than merc package) from the get-go.


Stats:
Name: Ketto
Class: Barbarian
Experience: 721610597
Level: 80

Naked/Gear
Strength: 75/76
Dexterity: 45/47
Vitality: 365/409
Energy: 10/10
HP: 1632/1716
Mana: 86/278
Stamina: 506/506
Defense: 11/397
AR: 210/265

Fire: 120/80/20
Cold: 104/64/4
Lightning: 149/109/49
Poison: 85/45/-15

Skills:
Howl: 17/22
Find Potion: 1/6
Taunt: 20/26
Shout: 1/6
Find Item: 1/6
Battle Cry: 20/25
Battle Orders: 8/15
War Cry: 20/25
Battle Command: 1/6

Iron Skin: 1/6
Natural Resistance: 1/6

Gear:
Head: Gemmed Avenger Guard

Spoiler

Gemmed Avenger Guard
Avenger Guard
Defense: 47
Durability: 55 of 55
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xb7ee95be
Item Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Battle Orders (Barbarian Only)
+2 to Increased Speed (Barbarian Only)
+1 to Taunt (Barbarian Only)
Lightning Resist +30%
Fire Resist +30%
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune

Body: The Spirit Shroud
Gloves: Rare with CR and MF
Belt: Rare with FR and PR
Boots: Amber (31% LR) Light Plated Boots
Weapon: 'Spirit' Crystal Sword/ 'Spirit' Bastard Sword
Rings: Rares with resists and a bit of MF
Amulet: Rare with life, CR, FR

His gear was not fantastic, or even really close. It was based pretty much entirely around his two swords. He did keep an 'Insight' staff on switch to help with mana when he was running low on pots, but with such a small mana pool it didn't even really help that much.

He also used Butcher's Pupil for boss fights. His AR was abysmal so it wasn't super effective, but it was enough to get some bleeding going to help out his case a bit.

Spoiler: Full Dump

Name: Ketto
Class: Barbarian
Experience: 721610597
Level: 80

Naked/Gear
Strength: 75/76
Dexterity: 45/47
Vitality: 365/409
Energy: 10/10
HP: 1632/1716
Mana: 86/278
Stamina: 506/506
Defense: 11/397
AR: 210/265

Fire: 120/80/20
Cold: 104/64/4
Lightning: 149/109/49
Poison: 85/45/-15

MF: 43 Block: 5
GF: 111
FR/W: 0
FHR: 127
IAS: 0
FCR: 67

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

Sword Mastery: 0/0
Axe Mastery: 0/0
Mace Mastery: 0/0
Pole Arm Mastery: 0/0
Throwing Mastery: 0/0
Spear Mastery: 0/0
Increased Stamina: 0/0
Iron Skin: 1/6
Increased Speed: 0/7
Natural Resistance: 1/6

Howl: 17/22
Find Potion: 1/6
Taunt: 20/26
Shout: 1/6
Find Item: 1/6
Battle Cry: 20/25
Battle Orders: 8/15
Grim Ward: 0/0
War Cry: 20/25
Battle Command: 1/6

Tome of Town Portal
Fingerprint: 0xe5812649
Item Level: 9
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Lapis Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x768794bb
Item Level: 1
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +7%

Key
Fingerprint: 0xe4436351
Item Level: 1
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Tangerine Small Charm of Greed
Small Charm
Required Level: 15
Fingerprint: 0x2cec7ebe
Item Level: 5
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +3%
6% Extra Gold from Monsters

Viridian Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0xca3f273
Item Level: 17
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +7%

Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0x422bdf76
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Tangerine Large Charm
Large Charm
Required Level: 1
Fingerprint: 0x4872b40c
Item Level: 4
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +6%

Lapis Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x447c7bfe
Item Level: 31
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +6%

Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0x38fc66cf
Item Level: 36
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Life

Coral Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 15
Fingerprint: 0x89a7f155
Item Level: 36
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+11 to Life
Lightning Resist +23%

Viridian Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0xa290726a
Item Level: 45
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +7%

Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 17
Fingerprint: 0xb611a8fe
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Life

Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0x38e9ef86
Item Level: 22
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+8 to Life

Lizard's Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 16
Fingerprint: 0x23deeaef
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
+3 to Mana

Large Charm of Life
Large Charm
Required Level: 9
Fingerprint: 0x38942064
Item Level: 73
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+14 to Life

Lapis Small Charm of Shock
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x60827927
Item Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 3 Lightning Damage
Cold Resist +6%

Bitter Casque
Crown
Defense: 72
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x7a59f6be
Item Level: 40
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+57% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Energy
+1 to Life
Cold Resist +10%
Lightning Resist +29%
Repairs 1 Durability in 33 Seconds

Loath Clasp
Plated Belt
Defense: 11
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 13
Required Strength: 60
Fingerprint: 0x9faf5014
Item Level: 33
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 3 Nova when struck
+4 to Strength
+3 to Mana
+11 Maximum Stamina
Lightning Resist +17%
Repairs 1 Durability in 20 Seconds

Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%

Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%

Gemmed Avenger Guard
Avenger Guard
Defense: 47
Durability: 55 of 55
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xb7ee95be
Item Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Battle Orders (Barbarian Only)
+2 to Increased Speed (Barbarian Only)
+1 to Taunt (Barbarian Only)
Lightning Resist +30%
Fire Resist +30%
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune

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

Ort Rune
Required Level: 21
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
Armor: Lightning Resist +30%
Shields: Lightning Resist +35%

Bone Necklace
Amulet
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0x8f0e598a
Item Level: 28
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Strength
+30 to Life
Cold Resist +25%
Fire Resist +37%
66% Extra Gold from Monsters

The Spirit Shroud
Ghost Armor
Defense: 295
Durability: 19 of 20
Required Level: 28
Required Strength: 38
Fingerprint: 0x44722e2c
Item Level: 37
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+150% Enhanced Defense
Replenish Life +10
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
Cannot Be Frozen

Plague Touch
Ring
Required Level: 11
Fingerprint: 0x16d35dbe
Item Level: 21
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30 to Attack Rating
Cold Resist +15%
39% Extra Gold from Monsters
12% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+3 to Light Radius

Grim Grip
Ring
Required Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0xff41fbdb
Item Level: 30
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +26%
Poison Resist +19%
Poison Length Reduced by 25%
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 1 Fire Bolt (22/22 Charges)

Doom Cord
Plated Belt
Defense: 14
Durability: 23 of 24
Required Level: 15
Required Strength: 60
Fingerprint: 0x9e4ede95
Item Level: 42
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17% Faster Hit Recovery
+20% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +23%
Poison Resist +22%
Attacker Takes Damage of 5

Amber Light Plated Boots
Light Plated Boots
Defense: 9
Durability: 17 of 18
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x585cdc48
Item Level: 36
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +31%

Soul Touch
Gauntlets
Defense: 21
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 60
Fingerprint: 0x79f5d107
Item Level: 44
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Attack Rating
+33% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +15%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+1 to Light Radius
Level 2 Weaken (25/25 Charges)

Lizard's Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x4a9ba0ea
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 27 Lightning Damage
+4 to Mana

Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%

Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 35%
Replenishes Health 35%

Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%

Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%

Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%

Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320

Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320

Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320

Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320

Spirit
Crystal Sword
TalThulOrtAmn
One Hand Damage: 5 - 15
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xf7fa905a
Item Level: 45
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+33% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
7% Life stolen per hit
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+91 to Mana
+6 Magic Absorb
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

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%

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%

Ort Rune
Required Level: 21
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
Armor: Lightning Resist +30%
Shields: Lightning 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

Spirit
Bastard Sword
TalThulOrtAmn
One Hand Damage: 7 - 19
Two Hand Damage: 20 - 28
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 62
Fingerprint: 0xe78d3f6
Item Level: 48
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
+94 to Mana
+7 Magic Absorb
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

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%

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%

Ort Rune
Required Level: 21
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
Armor: Lightning Resist +30%
Shields: Lightning 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

Butcher's Pupil
Cleaver
One Hand Damage: 55 - 135
Durability: 14 of 24
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 68
Fingerprint: 0x4c0724c8
Item Level: 50
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+30% Increased Attack Speed
159% Enhanced Damage
Adds 30 - 50 Damage
35% Deadly Strike
25% Chance of Open Wounds

Insight
Superior War Staff
RalTirTalSol
Two Hand Damage: 48 - 92
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x636933f5
Item Level: 52
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 14 Meditation Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Cast Rate
230% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
231% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
+3 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

Mercenary:

Name: Jelani
Race: Eastern Sorceror
Type: Cold-Nightmare
Experience: 67413330
Level: 80
Dead?: false

Naked/Gear
Strength: 127/127
Dexterity: 101/101
HP: 986/986
Defense: 665/765
AR: 1575/1575

Fire: 160/120/60
Cold: 173/133/73
Lightning: 160/120/60
Poison: 160/120/60

Gemmed Breast Plate
Breast Plate
Defense: 65
Durability: 44 of 50
Required Level: 15
Required Strength: 30
Fingerprint: 0x4d1457ab
Item Level: 42
Version: Expansion 1.10+
60% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Flawless Topaz
Socketed: Flawless Topaz
Socketed: Flawless Topaz

Flawless Topaz
Required Level: 15
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
Armor: 20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +28%

Flawless Topaz
Required Level: 15
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
Armor: 20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +28%

Flawless Topaz
Required Level: 15
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
Armor: 20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +28%


Gemmed Great Helm
Great Helm
Defense: 31
Durability: 39 of 40
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 63
Fingerprint: 0x1df8630d
Item Level: 52
Version: Expansion 1.10+
72% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Socketed: Perfect Topaz

Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%

Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%

Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%


Lapis War Sword of Craftmanship
War Sword
One Hand Damage: 8 - 21
Durability: 44 of 44
Required Level: 26
Required Strength: 71
Required Dexterity: 45
Fingerprint: 0xc1899120
Item Level: 67
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Maximum Damage
Cold Resist +13%


Chromatic Buckler of Regeneration
Buckler
Defense: 4
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 12
Fingerprint: 0x619bad91
Item Level: 67
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +5
All Resistances +24

Merc:
Jelani - Cold Iron Wolf
3x PTopaz Great Helm
3x Flawless Topaz Brest Plate
Chromatic (allres 24) Buckler of Regeneration (replenish life +5)

His gear was bad. He was bad. I thought he might help with physical immunes, and technically he sort of did, just not very well or quickly.


The Journey:
If you'd like to follow his whole journey through Hell, I've copied over into an archive thread. Here are the links:

Act I
Act II
Act III and V
Act V

Gameplay Shots:
Some of my favourite shots from his journey

Extra fast, Spectral Hit, Cursed, Fanatacism? Meh

The merc doing what he did best.

Group therapy session in the Throne Room!

Some Thoughts:
- Singers are obnoxiously safe, even when vastly undergeared. Are they fast? No. But will they die? Probably not.
- I don't recommend doing it without a MUCH bigger mana pool/Insight, it's way too tedious to be constantly potting.
- I do not recommend an A3 merc with this build, immunities be damned it's too slow. And let's be real, he hardly dealt with PIs anyways.
- I'm really glad he's done, but it was a fun experience taking him through.
- The Baal fight took 62 minutes. SIXTY TWO. On /p1.

Thanks for reading, as always!

 

[Vang]

- The Baal fight took 62 minutes. SIXTY TWO. On /p1.

Thanks for reading, as always!

I would have taken a few break for sure.

 

[Kitteh]

Great stuff! Love the stamina for the Baal fight haha

I'm planning a magemancer as my next guardian (after my current ongoing that is), which will use revives with a mandate that they must be elemental revives. Any good candidates from your journey? I'm thinking gloams/souls, bone mages and hierophants for example. Im going to try and stick to revives en route to objectives, so no going back to my favourite place all the time to get the best revives

 

[Pb_pal]

Rest is for the weak! Well.. that's not true since Ketto was quite weak. Mostly, I didn't want to step away in case I messed something up when I came back. It was a long fight, but by no means boring.

Really, it didn't feel like 62 minutes since he was always chasing clones down and going back to town for more pots, I just knew it would be a long haul so I noted the time before hitting the red portal.

 

[Pb_pal]

Great stuff! Love the stamina for the Baal fight haha

I'm planning a magemancer as my next guardian (after my current ongoing that is), which will use revives with a mandate that they must be elemental revives. Any good candidates from your journey? I'm thinking gloams/souls, bone mages and hierophants for example. Im going to try and stick to revives en route to objectives, so no going back to my favourite place all the time to get the best revives

Hmm. I went the other way with revives to get a bit of a meat shield going.

This is my third Necro using Revives in some capacity, and the biggest thing (if you're a non-teleporting character - Enigmaless) is speed. The slower revives are a pain to keep up, so they end up spending most of their time travelling instead of fighting. They also have a fairly weak leash so they don't teleport well like mercs do.

Gloams are great as revives, but they make things a little bit confusing sometimes. Vipers are absolutely excellent if you can count their bone spears as elemental enough to take them.

 

[Vang]

Isn't there a timer on the clone if you return to town? I've always just bounced out and waited 15-20 seconds and go down and most of the time he is gone. (At least I think it works most the time)

 

[Pb_pal]

Certainly is, or you can just run up to the end of one of the 'wings' of the chamber (where you come in the portal, for example) and pop to town, that usually poofs him right away.

Let there be no confusion, the duration of the fight was due to Ketto's pathetic offense, not so much by any hijinks or proper fighting on Baal's end.

 

[PhineasB]

I had totally forgotten that Ketto had the A3 merc! Kudos (again) for sticking that decision out rather than swapping for any other merc type.

This was such a great tourney. I think it might be fun to run a two-legged race along the same lines, post MFO. Slightly less time commitment to make it easier to tackle.

 

[Grisu]

Great work and writeup there! It somehow seems that everybody plays at 5 times the speed I play! For me it takes around 130 hours to complete a tournament guardian...

 

[Pb_pal]

@PhineasB - Two-legged race sounds really fun actually! Would keep the pace up nicer and avoid more burnout as well.

@Grisu - /p1 Hell and not doing full clears helps with that. Still, they weren't quick journeys (especially Ketto), I played them over a ~1.5 year span or so.

Thanks guys!