Guardian #16: Medea, untwinked SP Phoenix Strike Assassin [Random Tournament 2022]

Jan 3, 2007
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Greetings, fewllow forumites!

I finally managed to guardian my first tournament Assassin!

Medea was my entrant in @Vang's Random Tournament 2022.

For those, who do not know about the Random Tournaments (are there any?) the TL;DR version:
- untwinked
- you get a random set of 9 skills - you may only use those and no others.
- you get a random assortment of weapon and armor types, that are allowed to use. All others are off limits.

As usual, I did single pass full clears, p8 at Normal and NM and p3 at Hell

Here's my roll.

That were some nice rolls from @Vildecor! 2/3 of a fully synergised Phoenix Striker, with Mind Blast and Blade Fury! Unfortunately, no Shadow Warrior or Master, but well, you can't have everything. 🤷‍♂️

The armor and weapon rolls were good, too, allowing the early use of a 3 os Ring Mail with topazes for the MF and later a Rhyme Bone Shield, which is one of the best early game shield types.

I followed jiansonz's guide to untwinked MF, as I usually do in untwinked tournaments, quickly assembling some nice amount of MF. Phoenix Strike was very effective once it was available, and I started to pump the fire synergy first and then the lightning one. Diablo was somehow more difficult to overcome, but due to excellent resists he wasn't that dangerous, see my journey notes below (links):

Normal Act I+II
Normal Act III - V

In NM, I had to rely more and more on Mind Blast - at lower levels it was useful, because monsters were focussing on converted enemies, at higher skill levels the stun length itself was very useful to deploy some Meteor strikes. Here are my NM journey notes:

NM Act I
Shopping spree
NM Act II

Oh yes, the Bartuc's Cut-Throat I found in NM Act II...very nice indeed! It was a life-saver, and in retrospect, I could have respecced to free more Dex and Str points and invest more into Vitality...

NM Act III
NM Act IV + V

Not much concerning item upgrades, but lots of skillers started dropping (6 total: 1 Poison&Bone, 1 Cold, 1 Trap, 1 Lightning, 1 Shape-Shifting, 1 Druid Summoning)

Now it started to get intersting in Hell...Phoenix Strike wasn't doing that much damage with only +5 skills in later Hell, and my merc kept dying because of low life leech. I managed to upgrade my Insight Partizan to an Insight Thresher later in Hell, but still not too good...

Hell Act I
Hell Act II + III
Hell Act III + IV

In Act V, I had to upgrade my merc's gear for the Ancient's fight. I cubed the runes for an Obedience Superior Cryptic Axe and a Treachery Armor, combined with 5% LL from Stealskull that was good enough for the Ancients and later Baal. Blade Fury with Malice weapon switch became an importan fighting strategy against dangerous bosses.

Hell Act V

Here are my stat/item dumps from my last tournament post for easier access:

Name: Medea
Class: Assassin
Experience: 1336628527
Level: 87

Naked/Gear
Strength: 115/161
Dexterity: 115/141
Vitality: 275/275
Energy: 25/25
HP: 1047/1261
Mana: 154/154
Stamina: 521/521
Defense: 28/1225
AR: 100000539/2100016716

Fire: 180/140/80
Cold: 178/138/78
Lightning: 173/133/73
Poison: 110/70/10

MF: 315 Block: 47
GF: 50 FR/W: 3
FHR: 48 IAS: 40
FCR: 0

Skills:
Fists of Fire 20/24
Claws of Thunder 20/24
Phoenix Strike 20/24
Dragon Tail 1/5
Weapon Block 1/4 (for the 1 pt in Claw Mastery...)
Mind Blast 20/23
Blade Fury 5/8

Coral Ring of Fortune
Ring
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x4fa152cb
Item Level: 55
Version: Resurrected
Lightning Resist +27%
19% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Arctic Binding
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 65
Durability: 13 of 14
Required Level: 40
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xf7b164bf
Item Level: 33
Version: Resurrected
+30 Defense
Cold Resist +40%
Required Level +5
Set (2 items): 40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Set (3 items): Cold Resist +10%

(2 items): +5 to Strength

Wraith Turn
Ring
Required Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x755f21d4
Item Level: 78
Version: Resurrected
+17 to Attack Rating
+19 to Strength
+2 to Dexterity
Replenish Life +7
Lightning Resist +26%
9% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Beast Talisman
Amulet
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0xab7a036d
Item Level: 27
Version: Resurrected
4% Mana stolen per hit
Cold Resist +35%
Fire Resist +21%
Magic Damage Reduced by 2
9% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Arctic Mitts
Light Gauntlets
Defense: 11
Durability: 17 of 18
Required Level: 2
Required Strength: 45
Fingerprint: 0x70c1086b
Item Level: 58
Version: Resurrected
+10% Increased Attack Speed
+20 to Life
Set (2 items): +50 to Attack Rating
Set (3 items): +10 to Dexterity

(2 items): +5 to Strength

Skullder's Ire
Russet Armor
Defense: 671
Durability: 90 of 90
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 97
Fingerprint: 0x4fee8b43
Item Level: 86
Version: Resurrected
+1 to All Skills
+175% Enhanced Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
108% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)
Repairs 1 Durability in 5 Seconds
+60 Maximum Durability
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz

Stealskull
Casque
Defense: 243
Durability: 23 of 24
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 59
Fingerprint: 0xf59a1075
Item Level: 83
Version: Resurrected
+10% Increased Attack Speed
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
5% Mana stolen per hit
5% Life stolen per hit
+233% Enhanced Defense
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Loath Shank
Demonhide Boots
Defense: 35
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x8ed9a0b
Item Level: 52
Version: Resurrected
Lightning Resist +32%
Fire Resist +22%
Poison Resist +20%
16% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Bartuc's Cut-Throat
Greater Talons
One Hand Damage: 78 - 139
Durability: 61 of 69
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 79
Required Dexterity: 79
Fingerprint: 0x7ca37dfc
Item Level: 52
Version: Resurrected
+1 to Martial Art Skills (Assassin Only)
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
156% Enhanced Damage
Adds 25 - 50 Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
6% Life stolen per hit
+20 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

Rhyme
Grim Shield
ShaelEth
Defense: 149
Chance to Block: 40
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xb6d184f
Item Level: 52
Version: Resurrected
+40% Faster Block Rate
20% Increased Chance of Blocking
Regenerate Mana 15%
All Resistances +25
Cannot Be Frozen
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Eth Rune


Weapon switch:
Malice
Greater Claws
IthElEth
One Hand Damage: 23 - 49
Durability: 52 of 52
Required Level: 33
Required Strength: 76
Required Dexterity: 76
Fingerprint: 0xc717af90
Item Level: 61
Version: Resurrected
33% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
+50 to Attack Rating
100% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Cloak of Shadows (Assassin Only)
--100 to Monster Defense Per Hit
Replenish Life +-5
+0 to Light Radius
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Ith Rune
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Eth Rune

Rhyme
Bone Shield
ShaelEth
Defense: 16
Chance to Block: 40
Durability: 39 of 40
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0x7a6d20a0
Item Level: 35
Version: Resurrected
+40% Faster Block Rate
20% Increased Chance of Blocking
Regenerate Mana 15%
All Resistances +25
Cannot Be Frozen
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Eth Rune


Fine Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xce0854b5
Item Level: 69
Version: Resurrected
+2 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating
+20 to Life

Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 17
Fingerprint: 0xf6fbf8ef
Item Level: 49
Version: Resurrected
+15 to Life

Shimmering Small Charm of Pestilence
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0xa4226490
Item Level: 81
Version: Resurrected
Adds 25 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
All Resistances +5

Stout Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0x2bbb0eb6
Item Level: 80
Version: Resurrected
+1 Defense
4% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xa5e184a4
Item Level: 82
Version: Resurrected
+16 to Life

Shimmering Large Charm
Large Charm
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0xeeb1b299
Item Level: 49
Version: Resurrected
All Resistances +7

Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 17
Fingerprint: 0x7166cd52
Item Level: 43
Version: Resurrected
+13 to Life

Lapis Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0xaa3d9a39
Item Level: 13
Version: Resurrected
+5 to Life
Cold Resist +7%

Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 17
Fingerprint: 0x2445efe3
Item Level: 62
Version: Resurrected
+14 to Life

Lapis Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0xc6a4aed2
Item Level: 22
Version: Resurrected
+7 to Life
Cold Resist +7%

Garnet Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xa928f982
Item Level: 49
Version: Resurrected
Fire Resist +8%

Jade Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xe09ff6b
Item Level: 55
Version: Resurrected
+3% Faster Run/Walk
Poison Resist +9%

Sharp Large Charm of Balance
Large Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xcc256e84
Item Level: 41
Version: Resurrected
+8% Faster Hit Recovery
+5 to Maximum Damage
+41 to Attack Rating

Cobalt Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x28b29108
Item Level: 50
Version: Resurrected
+1 to Strength
Cold Resist +8%

Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0x44f26169
Item Level: 79
Version: Resurrected
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Ocher Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0xa180c519
Item Level: 21
Version: Resurrected
Lightning Resist +7%

Garnet Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 15
Fingerprint: 0x6c19e4a0
Item Level: 26
Version: Resurrected
+6 to Strength
Fire Resist +21%

Ruby Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 22
Fingerprint: 0xb0d2e364
Item Level: 39
Version: Resurrected
+4 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +27%

Large Charm of Vita
Large Charm
Required Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x60378eca
Item Level: 83
Version: Resurrected
+35 to Life

Large Charm of Vita
Large Charm
Required Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0xbc312a9d
Item Level: 85
Version: Resurrected
+29 to Life

Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xc42c6a66
Item Level: 85
Version: Resurrected
+40 to Life

Shimmering Grand Charm of Lightning
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x5d0dcc7c
Item Level: 80
Version: Resurrected
Adds 1 - 6 Lightning Damage
All Resistances +14


Name: Haseen
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: HolyFreeze-Nightmare
Experience: 79940080
Level: 87

Naked/Gear
Strength: 194/204
Dexterity: 157/167
HP: 1910/1961
Defense: 1402/1906
AR: 2000/2015

Fire: 175/135/75
Cold: 205/165/105
Lightning: 205/165/105
Poison: 175/135/75

Treachery
Balrog Skin
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 476
Durability: 23 of 30
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 165
Fingerprint: 0xcca5e0b1
Item Level: 81
Version: Resurrected
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

Spirit Mask
Helm
Defense: 28
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 82
Required Strength: 26
Fingerprint: 0x943f4b8d
Item Level: 85
Version: Resurrected
+15 to Attack Rating
3% Life stolen per hit
10% Deadly Strike
+49% Enhanced Defense
+51 to Life
Lightning Resist +30%
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+1 to Light Radius
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Perfect Topaz

Obedience
Superior Cryptic Axe
HelKoThulEthFal
Two Hand Damage: 155 - 705
Durability: 72 of 72
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 132
Required Dexterity: 83
Fingerprint: 0x13c82855
Item Level: 80
Version: Resurrected
30% Chance to cast level 21 Enchant when you Kill an Enemy
+40% Faster Hit Recovery
370% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
-25% to Enemy Fire Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
+268 Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Dexterity
All Resistances +21
Increase Maximum Durability 11%
Requirements --20%
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Hel Rune
Socketed: Ko Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Eth Rune
Socketed: Fal Rune

Thanks
Thanks for the tournament, @Vang! Thank you @Norcim for the friendly race - I was very sad to read that you had to leave town for some weeks because I was both eager for and afraid of your next update every morning ("Will Norcim be the first to Guardian?") Good luck for your final stretch!
Thank you everyone else who participated and especially @Vildecor for rolling me such a great character!
Last but not least, I want to thank the mods for keeping this such a cozy place!

And thank YOU, dear reader, for reading my post :) See you all in the next tournament!
 
Congrats! Nice equipment for an untwinked singlepass character. Or is it? I don’t know. :) Perhaps those who find the good enough stuff are ones who make Guardian and the unlucky lot just perish quietly?

Anyways nice work! :)
 
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Very nice character! Congrats on getting her through and with the limitations on top.
 
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