Hammerdin Questions

[doctorgonzo]

Hammerdin Questions

Hey again,

I'm making a new Hammerdin for hopefully making my first Pat, and to retire my Fireball/Frozen Orb sorceress as the MFer. I've got some gear questions I could use some help on.
He's currently level 15, on the countess quest.
My current plan is the following:

Weapon: Wizard Spike (Used to have a HotO, but I lost it when I reformatted)
Switch:Uncertain; I dont know what would be a good MF weapon?
Armor: Guardian Angel (socketed with an Um)
Armor for MFing: Skullders (socketed with an Um)
Helm: Shako (Ptopaz socketed)
Boots: War Trav's
Belt: Arachnid Mesh
Shield: HoZ(Um)
Shield Switch: Maybe a "Rhyme" Pally shield, for the 25% MF
Ammy: Looking for one; maybe one with +1pallyskills/teleport
Rings: Ravenfrost/Bul Kathos (dont have a SoJ)
Gloves: Uncertain; I dont have any frostburns, so those are out. I'll use Chancies when I MF.

Does anyone have any ideas for possible items to fill the empty slots? I'm completely in the dark as to what to use, and my inventory isn't exactly overflowing. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[frosty]

Weapon switch: IstIst Ali baba.

 

[JihadJesus]

First, I think socketing the Skullder's with and Um is a waste -with that Um'ed HoZ and Rhyme in a decent pally shield, you should have enough resists not to get killed. I dont usually use too many resists when I MF - mg LF zon is all in the red, and survives just fine. I'd go with a Topaz. Second, I can send you some Frosties if you like - got tons of them laying about. As for the other slots...well, I dont know, never played a Hammerdin - so I'm basically making i tup as I go alogn and I'm probably totally wrong.

 

[doctorgonzo]

Weapon switch: IstIst Ali baba.

ah ha! thanks a lot, I completely forgot about Ali Baba. How hard are they to find? (i/e: Item level, best boss to run for them?)

 

[doctorgonzo]

First, I think socketing the Skullder's with and Um is a waste -with that Um'ed HoZ and Rhyme in a decent pally shield, you should have enough resists not to get killed. I dont usually use too many resists when I MF - mg LF zon is all in the red, and survives just fine. I'd go with a Topaz. Second, I can send you some Frosties if you like - got tons of them laying about. As for the other slots...well, I dont know, never played a Hammerdin - so I'm basically making i tup as I go alogn and I'm probably totally wrong.

I would normally agree about the Skullder's with the Um, but it was a hand-me down from my sorc who badly needed the resists, and I'd hate to dump an Um from it. I would stick a Topaz in there, had I another Skullders.
Thanks for your offer on the Frosties, but I think I'll find some eventually.

 

[frosty]

For the ali baba, at p3 and 200 mf, NM Duriel and Andy is the best and easiest, followed by Hell Andy and NM Meph.

If you want it, I can send you a Skullder's. :thumbsup:

 

[Milamber]

I don't agree that a Um'd Skullder's is a complete waste, in fact I think resists are not too overrated. However, if you could get yourself a decent (resists wise) CoA with 2 sockets and ptopaz them, then with Um'd/pdiamond HoZ you're onto a good start.

Also, put Rhyme in a +45 resists Pally Shield, so you end up with something like this:

Rhyme
Sacred Targe
'ShaelEth'
Defense: 158
Chance to Block: 80%
Smite Damage: 22 to 70
Durability: 43 of 45
(Paladin Only)
Required Strength: 86
Required Level: 47
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x93ef2873
+20% Increased Chance of Blocking
Regenerate Mana 15%
Fire Resist +25%
Fire Resist +45%
Lightning Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +45%
Cold Resist +45%
Cold Resist +25%
Poison Resist +45%
Poison Resist +25%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
40% Faster Block Rate
Cannot Be Frozen
Socketed (2: 2 used)

Alternative, if you're serious about resists and MF, a 4 socketed +45 Resist Pally shield with 4 x Ist in it would serve just as well ^^

Of course you can go with a Shako, but your style points will plumet. Wizardspike is a good option for the weapon for the Resists +FCR, and have your switch for the kill.

I don't know why you need a Ravenfrost - I am assuming for the CBF - however a Hammerdin's casting speed is not affected by being frozen, so this mod is not needed. I'd go for a SoJ/BK or BK/BK or Nagel/BK or Wisp/BK combination.

For an amulet I'd say either Mara's (+2 skills and Resists) or some godly rare with MF and + skills, or a great craft. Alternatively something like this should serve you well:

Rose Branded Amulet of Luck
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x31b1b16b
35% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+3 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

My fave ammy for a hammerdin was a +2 skills, +3 res all (enough to get me to 90% res all), +21%MF and +20 dex (which lets me put the extra 20 on Vit).
As for the Ravenfrost, I took it for the +20 dex (again, less dex, more vit), cold absorb, +mana.
For the belt, I went Verdungo's for the vit & 15% pdr, and because i didn't have an arachnid mesh...

 

[Gaz]

As far as the weapon switch is concerned. You could also use a Gull if you have one. Maybe even socket it and chuck an ist in there.

 

[doctorgonzo]

I don't agree that a Um'd Skullder's is a complete waste, in fact I think resists are not too overrated. However, if you could get yourself a decent (resists wise) CoA with 2 sockets and ptopaz them, then with Um'd/pdiamond HoZ you're onto a good start.

Also, put Rhyme in a +45 resists Pally Shield, so you end up with something like this:

Rhyme
Sacred Targe
'ShaelEth'
Defense: 158
Chance to Block: 80%
Smite Damage: 22 to 70
Durability: 43 of 45
(Paladin Only)
Required Strength: 86
Required Level: 47
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x93ef2873
+20% Increased Chance of Blocking
Regenerate Mana 15%
Fire Resist +25%
Fire Resist +45%
Lightning Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +45%
Cold Resist +45%
Cold Resist +25%
Poison Resist +45%
Poison Resist +25%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
40% Faster Block Rate
Cannot Be Frozen
Socketed (2: 2 used)

Alternative, if you're serious about resists and MF, a 4 socketed +45 Resist Pally shield with 4 x Ist in it would serve just as well ^^

Of course you can go with a Shako, but your style points will plumet. Wizardspike is a good option for the weapon for the Resists +FCR, and have your switch for the kill.

I don't know why you need a Ravenfrost - I am assuming for the CBF - however a Hammerdin's casting speed is not affected by being frozen, so this mod is not needed. I'd go for a SoJ/BK or BK/BK or Nagel/BK or Wisp/BK combination.

For an amulet I'd say either Mara's (+2 skills and Resists) or some godly rare with MF and + skills, or a great craft. Alternatively something like this should serve you well:

Rose Branded Amulet of Luck
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x31b1b16b
35% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+3 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)

If only I would find a CoA. I think for now I'm going to have to stick with the Shako because it's the best I have. That Ammy is nice though, where did you find that?

 

[Summoned]

When I was running Mephisto, Ali Babas and Frostburns rained from the sky. :lol:

But you're running at 70% faster cast rate when the next breakpoint is 75%. So maybe you should consider a crafted paladin amulet.

Where are you going to run? That'll decide your weapon switch for you. If you're planning to kill a lot of relatively low-hp things, then a MF weapon switch is nice. If you're going to hunt something with a crapload of hit points like Baal, though, crushing blow (Thul - Io - Nef) is preferred so you can smite their health down to a manageable amount.