Help Me Think This Through?

[MojoDiablo]

Help Me Think This Through?

Been away from Diablo for quite some time and am on the verge of diving back in, but I'm trying to sort things out -- all the changes and such. I'd greatly appreciate your help in getting started.

First, as far as a character, I know I'd like to whack on things. Other games have had me involved in casters, I took a few steps with the First Act or normal with a SkellyMancer and while it was easy enough, it didn't have the direct damage I think I'm really looking for.

I have no equipment/gear, so it'll be untwinked. Please, I don't want to hear about giving specific weapons from my stash which are uber. That's not gonna happen. And Hammerdins need not apply, that strikes me as perhaps one of the most boring builds in the game, although skellymancer may be nipping at its feet. I seem to have gotten down to a few choices. I suppose I like the idea of Werewolf, Assassin, Barb and Paladin in that order but it's only a vague preference. This appears to have become a game where melee isn't as powerful as, say, a skellymancer or a sorceress, but, again, I'd like to have a reasonably good chance of going all the way through the game, busting some heads, and having a good time.

I'm happy to look up things and research them, so I'm not asking for an in depth build (although that can't hurt!) but a bit of help and advice from your own far greater experiences with the game.

Thanks so much. It's a difficult life at the moment and the kindness is appreciated.

Mojo

 

[JoeBruce1]

Re: Help Me Think This Through?

Hi, and welcome to the forums.

Since your first choice for melee characters is a werewolf, go with that. Fury wolves are fun and include all the things a good melee character needs: high damage, fast attack, lots of life and a great life-leech skill in Feral Rage. Pretty diverse as far as weapon choices go; just find a high-damage, relatively fast item, toss in some crushing blow, and you're good to go.

You should take the time to write an introduction thread and let us know a little bit about you. Also check out the stickies, the threads always at the top of the SPF. The FAQ and Rules thread contains links to a compendium of D2 knowledge, and the Pat/Mat/Guardian thread can definitely give you inspiration/guidance when it comes to your builds.

Have fun and enjoy the stay.

 

[jdkerr]

Re: Help Me Think This Through?

Werewolf: Fury would make a fun start. Keep your eyes open for increased attack speed and crushing blow.

Paladin: A frost or lightning zealot could be a good choice. A lot of the damage comes from the aura, so having godly weapons is not crucial. This would probably be a more "typical" first melee character than a fury werewolf, but it's all about what would be most fun for you. Personally, I would go with the druid.

 

[UllaV]

Re: Help Me Think This Through?

Try Frozt Zealot aka Freezealot. They can live off the land.

If you are bent on druid then the minionless werewolf druid might be your game.

Unfortunately I cannot find the guide. I find many references to it and I have one printed, but no electronic version. I'm not gonna write it here as it's (c) HelNinjaCommando, but here is the gist:

No dexterity, nor energy, strength 225 to handle Ogre Mauls and rest to vitality. Health 10 times level until strength is maxed. You might pump strenght more early to wear items, but try to stay with the curve. Save all str/dex charms; you never know when you need them.

Skills:
[early - late]
Oak Sage [1 - 20]
Poison Creeper [1]
Carrion Vine[0-1 - 20]
Werewolf [4-6 - 20]
Lycantrophy [20]
Feral Rage [1]
Rabies [1]
Fury [20]

Order: 1 point in werewolf and lycantrophy until werewolf is 4-6 depending on skills from items. If no +skills then 6. 1 to Oak Sage (and Carrion Vine if you need it otherwise leave CV to last) early. Feral Rage gets one point (and all plusses you can get) and is your main attck as long as you have mana. You can alternate it with normal attack, but try to get your mana by leeching or otherwise. Max lycantrophy. Put points in Oak Sage untill level 30 and get Fury. Max Fury, then Oak Sage and lastly Werewolf. Rest of the points go to Carrion Vine. Use Mauls, War Clubs and Ogre Mauls as weapons as they are fast for Druids. Honor in a Ogre Maul is one of the easiest endgame weapons for you.

From items try to get life, manaleech, resists, strength, skills.

Act III cold merc is probably you best merc. Merc's items: FCR, skills, resists.

Ulla

 

[Trim]

Re: Help Me Think This Through?

Werewolf: Fury would make a fun start. Keep your eyes open for increased attack speed and crushing blow.

Paladin: A frost or lightning zealot could be a good choice. A lot of the damage comes from the aura, so having godly weapons is not crucial. This would probably be a more "typical" first melee character than a fury werewolf, but it's all about what would be most fun for you. Personally, I would go with the druid.

I would agree with most of this. Elemental Zealots rely less on great weapons and more on fast ones. The only real gear you'd be looking for with an untwinked character would be resists, Attack Rating, and crushing blow. Plus the Paladin has some good utility skills like Redemption and Holy Shield, whereas the Fury Drood will rely on a summon (grizzly, usually) to distract his enemies and needs a pretty decent weapon to kill stuff. I'd take the Paladin, probably a Holy Shock/Holy Freeze hybrid.

And Whuut WHUUT!! ATX in the house! Hope you're enjoying the gray but very temperate day today!! Welcome to the forums. :wave:

 

[sirpoopsalot]

Re: Help Me Think This Through?

Add Phoenix Strike Assassin to the list of melee-viable without much for gear. They have a nice mix of utility skills to be a little more 'active' than the paladin & druid starter examples, in my opinion.

 

[MojoDiablo]

Re: Help Me Think This Through?

Add Phoenix Strike Assassin to the list of melee-viable without much for gear. They have a nice mix of utility skills to be a little more 'active' than the paladin & druid starter examples, in my opinion.

oh yes to previous poster -- a tx is in the house! All those voices in my head last day suggesting one way and the other and yet another are all playing out in the forum -- and I'm grateful. I think from my way back experience, assassin had a nice variety sense to it. I like the werewolf but I do think it's a bit repetitive at first and lacks a bit of the drama, maybe, I don't know. Still, I'm leaning toward a good assassin I think, and paladin with shock or frost seems a strong second, followed by a werewolf.

This is helping so much to get a sense of whether I'd be heading toward something enjoyable and doable or driving straight for a dead end!!

Please, any are appreciated. I read up on the assassin and got totally confused with the builds. I did see one that seemed wise - claw mastery was maxed with shadow warrior, as I recall. Venom was uip high and so was Death Sentry to give a bit of suipport, I suppose.

Please continue with any thoughts. I know you all get a ton of "What do I play" but this is kinda specific -- lower needs for equipment, some whack a mole melee action, a good chance to survive.

Mojo

 

[Pijus1]

Re: Help Me Think This Through?

I know an assasin build I'd like to try. 20 phoenix strike, 20 blades of ice, 20 fists of fire, 20 claws of thunder. I suppose you could switch out blades of ice(the lowest damage IIRC) for some utility skill, like claw mastery, or a shadow.

By the way, when you read a guide, make sure it is for 1.10 and up, as guides for older versions usually won't produce capable characters.

 

[MojoDiablo]

Re: Help Me Think This Through?

I know an assasin build I'd like to try. 20 phoenix strike, 20 blades of ice, 20 fists of fire, 20 claws of thunder. I suppose you could switch out blades of ice(the lowest damage IIRC) for some utility skill, like claw mastery, or a shadow.

It's funny you'd suggest or think of that -- this afternoon while I've been checking back on here for replies I've been playing an assassin and eyeing blades of ice. I'm a big fan of freeze in Diablo, or was anyway! What I'm doing now, though is fantastic -- I got 1 in Fists of Fire and have it on my left click and, till I can get some mana, just regular attack to release it on the right. I fight, get it charged up as a crowd gathers to take me on and then release Fists of Fire and BOOMO they go up in flame. I'm having a blast -- literally. You have me now thinking about building on that approach and adding Claw Mastery and one other attack talent to handle anyone immune to Fire. Wow! For a moment, it sounds like I know what I'm talking about! >.<

And, to the Austin, Tx friend above who is here, I noticed the clock said it was 3:20 this afternoon and said, "That can't be right! It's almost dark!"

Mojo

 

[MojoDiablo]

Re: Help Me Think This Through?

Ok, since my assassin is in the jail and is being beaten like a circus monkey by every group that I run into, I think we can safely say we'll set her aside for a while. A long while.

This may be the fastest return and prompt exit in the history of Diablo II, alas!

I'll ponder this some more and look elsewhere on my list of possibilities, but this one's tragically impossible.

Mojo