Guardian Elding - Tesladin (Orange You Glad Tournament)

[Pb_pal]

Elding was my entrant in the Orange You Glad That Rune Dropped: Craft-Centric Tournament. The tournament was essentially a crafted-only items tournament with rewards items being available as well. He was built as a pure Tesladin, and he was just great.


Stats:
Name: Elding
Class: Paladin
Experience: 749179464
Level: 81

Naked/Gear
Strength: 63/71
Dexterity: 130/136
Vitality: 292/292
Energy: 15/15
HP: 1069/1285
Mana: 133/152
Stamina: 428/428
Defense: 32/374
AR: 635/4458

Fire: 189/149/89
Cold: 190/150/90
Lightning: 201/161/101
Poison: 125/85/25

Skills:
Zeal: 4/4
Holy Shield: 20/20

Holy Shock: 20/20
Resist Lightning: 20/20
Salvation: 20/20

Straighforward Tesladin. Nothing really to note here, other than I depended on raw physical damage from him and the merc, plus some CB.OW to deal with Lightning Immunes. It worked well enough.

Gear:
His gear was, in my opinion, fantastic given the circumstances, especially as I was able to use sockets to fill in any gaps. I felt no real areas lacking other than a general bit of squishyness. The weapon speaks for itself, and is a huge part of his success. Not to be outdone though were some of his crafts, I especially like the gloves and belt.

Spoiler: Head:

Carrion Mask (Safety Craft)
Crown
Defense: 94
Durability: 42 of 50
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0xde1114b
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+102% Enhanced Defense
+16 to Life
All Resistances +12
Lightning Resist +5%
Damage Reduced by 2
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Scintillating Jewel

Scintillating Jewel
Jewel
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0x98c116b7
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +12%
Lightning Resist +12%
Fire Resist +12%
Poison Resist +12%

Spoiler: Body:

Bone Hide (Hitpower Craft)
Field Plate
Defense: 105
Durability: 27 of 48
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x10b8ee9d
Item Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 4 Frost Nova when struck
+14% Faster Hit Recovery
+11 to Life
Lightning Resist +45%
Fire Resist +30%
Attacker Takes Damage of 3
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune

Spoiler: Gloves:

Rune Clutches (Blood Craft)
Sharkskin Gloves
Defense: 52
Durability: 7 of 14
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x3e3ede97
Item Level: 54
Version: Expansion 1.10+
2% Life stolen per hit
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+30% Enhanced Defense
+16 to Life
Lightning Resist +30%
70% Extra Gold from Monsters

Spoiler: Belt:

Beast Lash (Blood Craft)
Mesh Belt
Defense: 37
Durability: 8 of 16
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xcb34a8d1
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 4 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
3% Life stolen per hit
7% Chance of Open Wounds
+5 to Strength
+13 to Life
Replenish Life +3
Poison Resist +29%

Spoiler: Boots:

Blood Shank (Imbue)
Chain Boots
Defense: 14
Durability: 7 of 16
Required Level: 14
Required Strength: 30
Fingerprint: 0x6699bc57
Item Level: 56
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 3 Nova when struck
+47% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +18%
Fire Resist +29%
16% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Spoiler: Rings:

Viper Turn (Ormus/Akara Reward)
Ring
Required Level: 16
Fingerprint: 0xab21561e
Item Level: 30
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+20 to Attack Rating
+5 to Dexterity
Cold Resist +17%
Lightning Resist +7%
Poison Length Reduced by 25%

Beast Touch (Ormus/Akara Reward)
Ring
Required Level: 51
Fingerprint: 0x904a4bd5
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+8 to Minimum Damage
+30 to Attack Rating
Adds 50 Poison Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
4% Life stolen per hit
Lightning Resist +18%

Spoiler: Amulet:

Death Necklace (Caster Craft)
Amulet
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x5777f0da
Item Level: 76
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+6% Faster Cast Rate
5% Bonus to Attack Rating
+4 to Life
Replenish Life +9
+19 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 10%
All Resistances +11
+5 to Light Radius

Spoiler: Weapon:

Elding's Crescent Moon (Personalization Reward)
Phase Blade
ShaelUmTir
One Hand Damage: 92 - 104
Indestructible
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x3e06fcd2
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 17 Chain Lightning on striking
7% Chance to cast level 13 Static Field on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
198% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
-35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+10 Magic Absorb
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Level 18 Summon Spirit Wolf (30/30 Charges)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune

Spoiler: Shield:

Elding's Rhyme (Personalization Reward)
Crown Shield
ShaelEth
Defense: 38
Chance to Block: 45
Durability: 50 of 60
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xbf04bada
Item Level: 42
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Block Rate
20% Increased Chance of Blocking
Regenerate Mana 15%
All Resistances +36
Cannot Be Frozen
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

Spoiler: Full Dump

Name: Elding
Class: Paladin
Experience: 749179464
Level: 81

Naked/Gear
Strength: 63/71
Dexterity: 130/136
Vitality: 292/292
Energy: 15/15
HP: 1069/1285
Mana: 133/152
Stamina: 428/428
Defense: 32/374
AR: 635/4458

Fire: 189/149/89
Cold: 190/150/90
Lightning: 201/161/101
Poison: 125/85/25

MF: 47 Block: 56
GF: 138
FR/W: 0
FHR: 24
IAS: 20
FCR: 16

Sacrifice: 1/1
Smite: 1/1
Holy Bolt: 1/1
Zeal: 4/4
Charge: 1/1
Vengeance: 0/0
Blessed Hammer: 1/1
Conversion: 0/0
Holy Shield: 20/20
Fist of the Heavens: 0/0

Might: 1/1
Holy Fire: 1/1
Thorns: 0/0
Blessed Aim: 0/0
Concentration: 0/0
Holy Freeze: 1/1
Holy Shock: 20/20
Sanctuary: 0/0
Fanaticism: 0/0
Conviction: 0/0

Prayer: 0/0
Resist Fire: 0/0
Defiance: 0/0
Resist Cold: 0/0
Cleansing: 0/0
Resist Lightning: 20/20
Vigor: 0/0
Meditation: 0/0
Redemption: 0/0
Salvation: 20/20

Tome of Town Portal
Fingerprint: 0x5314c30c
Item Level: 9
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 17
Fingerprint: 0xad5d478a
Item Level: 39
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+14 to Life

Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 17
Fingerprint: 0x1df2dc50
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+14 to Life

Shimmering Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x78af2348
Item Level: 52
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +3

Key
Fingerprint: 0xb52d0b99
Item Level: 55
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Ruby Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xbe500967
Item Level: 57
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Strength
Fire Resist +10%

Shimmering Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x949526f8
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
All Resistances +4

Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 17
Fingerprint: 0xbb86d422
Item Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x9593bb87
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life

Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0xc387dd72
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Sapphire Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xe95a1957
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +10%
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 17
Fingerprint: 0xd6895c05
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Life

Sapphire Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 22
Fingerprint: 0x8aa7a0f
Item Level: 36
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +26%

Crimson Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 1
Fingerprint: 0xa8df67e3
Item Level: 2
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +13%
18% Extra Gold from Monsters

Crimson Large Charm of Strength
Large Charm
Required Level: 2
Fingerprint: 0xee633a6e
Item Level: 15
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Strength
Fire Resist +6%

Sapphire Small Charm of Flame
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x77a56fb0
Item Level: 69
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 2 Fire Damage
Cold Resist +11%

Lapis Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0xcf949ced
Item Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +6%

Crimson Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 5
Fingerprint: 0x2f0d0ddc
Item Level: 10
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +5%

Lapis Small Charm of Shock
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0xb25479ce
Item Level: 32
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 4 Lightning Damage
Cold Resist +6%

Fine Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x7aed0aee
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+6 to Maximum Damage
+28 to Attack Rating
+30 to Life

Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0x4186f0bd
Item Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Life

Large Charm of Vita
Large Charm
Required Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0xb658e702
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+28 to Life

Carrion Mask
Crown
Defense: 94
Durability: 42 of 50
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0xde1114b
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+102% Enhanced Defense
+16 to Life
All Resistances +12
Lightning Resist +5%
Damage Reduced by 2
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Scintillating Jewel

Scintillating Jewel
Jewel
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0x98c116b7
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +12%
Lightning Resist +12%
Fire Resist +12%
Poison Resist +12%

Death Necklace
Amulet
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x5777f0da
Item Level: 76
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+6% Faster Cast Rate
5% Bonus to Attack Rating
+4 to Life
Replenish Life +9
+19 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 10%
All Resistances +11
+5 to Light Radius

Bone Hide
Field Plate
Defense: 105
Durability: 27 of 48
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x10b8ee9d
Item Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 4 Frost Nova when struck
+14% Faster Hit Recovery
+11 to Life
Lightning Resist +45%
Fire Resist +30%
Attacker Takes Damage of 3
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune

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

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

Beast Touch
Ring
Required Level: 51
Fingerprint: 0x904a4bd5
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+8 to Minimum Damage
+30 to Attack Rating
Adds 50 Poison Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
4% Life stolen per hit
Lightning Resist +18%

Viper Turn
Ring
Required Level: 16
Fingerprint: 0xab21561e
Item Level: 30
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+20 to Attack Rating
+5 to Dexterity
Cold Resist +17%
Lightning Resist +7%
Poison Length Reduced by 25%

Beast Lash
Mesh Belt
Defense: 37
Durability: 8 of 16
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xcb34a8d1
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 4 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
3% Life stolen per hit
7% Chance of Open Wounds
+5 to Strength
+13 to Life
Replenish Life +3
Poison Resist +29%

Blood Shank
Chain Boots
Defense: 14
Durability: 7 of 16
Required Level: 14
Required Strength: 30
Fingerprint: 0x6699bc57
Item Level: 56
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 3 Nova when struck
+47% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +18%
Fire Resist +29%
16% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Rune Clutches
Sharkskin Gloves
Defense: 52
Durability: 7 of 14
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x3e3ede97
Item Level: 54
Version: Expansion 1.10+
2% Life stolen per hit
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+30% Enhanced Defense
+16 to Life
Lightning Resist +30%
70% Extra Gold from Monsters

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

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

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%

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elding's Crescent Moon
Phase Blade
ShaelUmTir
One Hand Damage: 92 - 104
Indestructible
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x3e06fcd2
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 17 Chain Lightning on striking
7% Chance to cast level 13 Static Field on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
198% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
-35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+10 Magic Absorb
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Level 18 Summon Spirit Wolf (30/30 Charges)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Tir 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

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%

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

Elding's Rhyme
Crown Shield
ShaelEth
Defense: 38
Chance to Block: 45
Durability: 50 of 60
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xbf04bada
Item Level: 42
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Block Rate
20% Increased Chance of Blocking
Regenerate Mana 15%
All Resistances +36
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

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

Eth Rune
Required Level: 15
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: -25% Target Defense
Armor: Regenerate Mana 15%
Shields: Regenerate Mana 15%

Mercenary:

Name: Pratham
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Def-Nightmare
Experience: 62818576
Level: 80
Dead?: false

Naked/Gear
Strength: 177/183
Dexterity: 142/142
HP: 1567/1587
Defense: 1160/1385
AR: 1850/1970

Fire: 174/134/74
Cold: 169/129/69
Lightning: 174/134/74
Poison: 144/104/44

Grim Cloak
Field Plate
Defense: 153
Durability: 35 of 48
Required Level: 36
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0xa75503a5
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 4 Frost Nova when struck
+14% Faster Hit Recovery
+45% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +5%
Lightning Resist +30%
Fire Resist +30%
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
Attacker Takes Damage of 7
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%


Viper Visor
Casque
Defense: 72
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 59
Fingerprint: 0x6977310c
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
25% Enhanced Damage
+7 to Minimum Damage
3% Life stolen per hit
8% Deadly Strike
+5 to Energy
+20 to Life
Cold Resist +20%
Poison Length Reduced by 25%
Repairs 1 Durability in 33 Seconds
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Realgar Jewel of Bliss

Realgar Jewel of Bliss
Jewel
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x2583404e
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
25% Enhanced Damage
+7 to Minimum Damage


Storm Scratch
War Pike
Two Hand Damage: 57 - 309
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 88
Required Strength: 165
Required Dexterity: 106
Fingerprint: 0xc9c1bda0
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
74% Enhanced Damage
+120 to Attack Rating
7% Life stolen per hit
+10% Enhanced Defense
+6 to Strength
Damage Reduced by 2
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
+4 to Mana after each Kill
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Amn 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

Merc:
Pratham - Holy Freeze Town Guard

Spoiler: Head:

Viper Visor (Blood Craft)
Casque
Defense: 72
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 59
Fingerprint: 0x6977310c
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
25% Enhanced Damage
+7 to Minimum Damage
3% Life stolen per hit
8% Deadly Strike
+5 to Energy
+20 to Life
Cold Resist +20%
Poison Length Reduced by 25%
Repairs 1 Durability in 33 Seconds
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Realgar Jewel of Bliss

Realgar Jewel of Bliss
Jewel
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x2583404e
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
25% Enhanced Damage
+7 to Minimum Damage

Spoiler: Body:

Grim Cloak (Hitpower Craft)
Field Plate
Defense: 153
Durability: 35 of 48
Required Level: 36
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0xa75503a5
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 4 Frost Nova when struck
+14% Faster Hit Recovery
+45% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +5%
Lightning Resist +30%
Fire Resist +30%
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
Attacker Takes Damage of 7
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%

Spoiler: Weapon:

Storm Scratch (Safety Craft)
War Pike
Two Hand Damage: 57 - 309
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 88
Required Strength: 165
Required Dexterity: 106
Fingerprint: 0xc9c1bda0
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
74% Enhanced Damage
+120 to Attack Rating
7% Life stolen per hit
+10% Enhanced Defense
+6 to Strength
Damage Reduced by 2
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
+4 to Mana after each Kill
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune

I was worried about his weapon, but he never really felt all that underpowered. I'm sure being on /p1 for Hell had something to do with that though. I chose HF for a bit of crowd control help, and he did the job just fine.


The Journey:
If you'd like to follow his whole journey through Hell in more detail, you can read through his entire trip in the following links:

Act I
Final crafting session
Act II
Act III
Act IV
Act V

Gameplay Shots:
Some of my favourite shots from his journey

Hitpower items offer some decent safety, and also some fun fireworks!

He definitely had an Achilles heel. PI/LI bosses took forever to whittle down, especially if they had dangerous mods.

Blood crafts are definitely aptly named, OW was a staple for Elding:

Uhhh...nope.

Some Thoughts:
- Crafted gear can be more than enough to take you through Hell even untwinked, and pretty easily at that.
- I got super lucky with his weapon, both for the rune and the base, and I owe a great deal of his success to that. Non-LIs simply melted, and even LIs went down pretty easily for the most part.
- The build was super strong, but it had a lingering air of glass-cannon to it. He was more than capable of killing, but I had to be cautious of getting surrounded, or even taking on big groups.
- The tournament was SUPER fun. Big kudos to @PhineasB for creating and running it. Crafted items are one of those things that I always want to use, but I just never get around to crafting enough of them to compete with other items. This tournament was a perfect way to dabble in crafted items, it was great fun.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

 

[Crudesash]

Great write up! Working on an HC Paladin right now, but not a tournament one.

 

[PhineasB]

Major congrats @Pb_pal to get a melee character to Guardian with that life pool and the tourney restrictions. Crafts are quite useful, but it was quite a creative set up and skillful play that made Elding such a success

 

[Babyhell]

Major congrats!

Regarding the write-up... well... to be honest... that's simply a @Pb_pal's quality level. But can you get used to it ;-)

 

[Maltatai]

Very impressive and superbly stylish guardian, holy shock and paladin heavy plate looks perfect together. A melee character with the restrictions and slightly underleveled is quite the feat to keep alive.

No conversion or smite (except prerequisite) investment? Is he that much thematic or was there another reason to leave them out?

I agree that crafted items can be highly useful but the difficulty in my experience is assembling all the ingredients for each while also keeping suitable base items. I try to stack up on a few rubies, sapphires and amethysts along with some runes but that's usually all that can fit in the stash. Love the blood boots for the regeneration for most characters.

 

[Kitteh]

I love this! I really want to get into more tournament characters, but my eyes really struggle with screens these days

Might have to check the tournament out. Tesladins are always fun

 

[Pb_pal]

Thanks all, I appreciate all the kind words. Glad people enjoyed him, I sure did.

No conversion or smite (except prerequisite) investment? Is he that much thematic or was there another reason to leave them out?

Laziness, really. The only thing that felt dangerous about him was his life pool when he got surrounded, but as long as I kept the monsters in front of me I didn't really need any other crowd-control skills to help. A good defense in often a strong offense.

I agree that crafted items can be highly useful but the difficulty in my experience is assembling all the ingredients for each while also keeping suitable base items. I try to stack up on a few rubies, sapphires and amethysts along with some runes but that's usually all that can fit in the stash. Love the blood boots for the regeneration for most characters.

Extended stash helps for sure, but the runes are definitely the limiting factor. The bases I chose could all be shopped, so all that took was patience. I got lucky on a couple early rolls, but having the reward rings, imbues, and personalization rewards definitely made the difference here. It would admittedly be significantly more difficult with purely crafted items in a single-pass environment.