I'm ashamed to ask... a hammerdin question

[Fluffballer]

I'm ashamed to ask... a hammerdin question

I've always wanted to make a decked out Bnet style hammerdin for Baal runs, not because I enjoy playing them, but because they kill so damn fast and it's relaxing. I had one on Bnet but I was so poor I struggled to even find him a shako. Never the less, he could Baal run in my own private games (p1).

Now in SP I'm much much much 'wealthier' due to the built in maphack. I made a hammerdin decked the hell out in Bnet style gear. But he get's ANNIHLATED by P8 Lister's group. I recently read someone posting that they use smite so defense is worthless against them. I have a defiance merc so that is a big part of my gameplan.

Should I stash the Arachnid's in favor of SoE? Shako for a CoA etc.?

Also, off the top of my head, my hammer damage is like 11k. I have several skillers in my inventory... that's pretty decent damage right? Obviously speed of killing will keep me safer longer. Spirit over HoZ? I over-invested in dex because I used to use a nice Spirit, so I might be able to swing max block with one with some gear shifting.

Can any of you hammerdin fans that Baal run give any advice on what to focus on? Getting slaughtered isn't my idea of relaxing. :undecided:

*New thought: HF instead of defiance?

 

[FrostBurn]

Spirit over HoZ?

HF instead of defiance?

There have been NUMEROUS threads about this on the paladin forums, use the search function.

 

[Fluffballer]

I know, I did. I'm curious about Baal runs though, not so much PvP which is what I came up with. I guess it's pretty similar.

Edit: And specifically Lister's group, since nothing else even comes CLOSE to hurting me.

 

[DeathMage]

I've always wanted to make a decked out Bnet style hammerdin for Baal runs, not because I enjoy playing them, but because they kill so damn fast and it's relaxing. I had one on Bnet but I was so poor I struggled to even find him a shako. Never the less, he could Baal run in my own private games (p1).

Now in SP I'm much much much 'wealthier' due to the built in maphack. I made a hammerdin decked the hell out in Bnet style gear. But he get's ANNIHLATED by P8 Lister's group. I recently read someone posting that they use smite so defense is worthless against them. I have a defiance merc so that is a big part of my gameplan.

Should I stash the Arachnid's in favor of SoE? Shako for a CoA etc.?

Also, off the top of my head, my hammer damage is like 11k. I have several skillers in my inventory... that's pretty decent damage right? Obviously speed of killing will keep me safer longer. Spirit over HoZ? I over-invested in dex because I used to use a nice Spirit, so I might be able to swing max block with one with some gear shifting.

Can any of you hammerdin fans that Baal run give any advice on what to focus on? Getting slaughtered isn't my idea of relaxing. :undecided:

*New thought: HF instead of defiance?

Could you post your current gear please? I think that will assist people to help change/adjust it.

 

[Fluffballer]

Sure:

Harlequin Crest

Heart of the Oak

Herald of Zakarum (PD)

Spirit
Superior Targe
'TalThulOrtAmn'
Defense: 13
Chance to Block: 40%
Smite Damage: 2 to 6
Durability: 22 of 22
(Paladin Only)
Required Strength: 16
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xb0b22919
+22 to Vitality
+104 to Mana
+7% Enhanced Defense
+250 Defense vs. Missile
Fire Resist +37%
Lightning Resist +72%
Cold Resist +72%
Poison Resist +72%
Increase Maximum Durability 11%
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
55% Faster Hit Recovery
30% Faster Cast Rate
+2 to All Skill Levels
+3 Magic Absorb
Socketed (4: 4 used)

Arachnid Mesh

Stone Grasp
Gauntlets
Defense: 56
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Strength: 60
Required Level: 30
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0x6b2c96ef
Lightning Resist +21%
Poison Resist +21%
Replenish Life +5
18% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+44 to Defense (Based on Character Level)

Inferno Stride

BKWB X2

Guardian Angel (um)

(and now that ATMA is close off the top of my head I have 4 skillers and the rest are for max resists)

Oh and a +3 Combat skills +84 life amulet.

Thanks in advance... I'm honestly baffled and I can usually figure these things out myself. Baal bots seem to do so well!

 

[DeathMage]

Most of your gear looks good to me, on my hammerdin he uses HoZ rather than spirit I prefer HoZ because of the much better blocking and Resists. Why wear inferno strides? waterwalks or wartravs would be a better option.

 

[Fluffballer]

Those boots are not really keepers. They change around a lot, as my armor, gloves, and boots change. My favorite pair are these:

Fiend Shank
Greaves
Defense: 14
Durability: 15 of 24
Kick Damage: 10 to 20
Required Strength: 70
Required Level: 18
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 79
Fingerprint: 0x335112bd
Fire Resist +40%
Lightning Resist +13%
Cold Resist +13%
13% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
20% Faster Run/Walk
10% Faster Hit Recovery

 

[jrlafrance]

I've always wanted to make a decked out Bnet style hammerdin for Baal runs, not because I enjoy playing them, but because they kill so damn fast and it's relaxing. I had one on Bnet but I was so poor I struggled to even find him a shako. Never the less, he could Baal run in my own private games (p1).

Now in SP I'm much much much 'wealthier' due to the built in maphack. I made a hammerdin decked the hell out in Bnet style gear. But he get's ANNIHLATED by P8 Lister's group. I recently read someone posting that they use smite so defense is worthless against them. I have a defiance merc so that is a big part of my gameplan.

Should I stash the Arachnid's in favor of SoE? Shako for a CoA etc.?

Also, off the top of my head, my hammer damage is like [highlight]11k[/highlight]. I have several skillers in my inventory... that's pretty decent damage right? Obviously speed of killing will keep me safer longer. Spirit over HoZ? I over-invested in dex because I used to use a nice Spirit, so I might be able to swing max block with one with some gear shifting.

Can any of you hammerdin fans that Baal run give any advice on what to focus on? Getting slaughtered isn't my idea of relaxing. :undecided:

*New thought: HF instead of defiance?

11k hammer damage with only 4 skillers? I get 12k with 10 skillers.

Really, the only reason to use Spirit is to try to get 125%fcr. With out Magefist/Trang's gloves, you won't achieve that, so IMO you should go with HoZ.

As stated before me, Waterwalk/War Travelers would be better option, if you have them.

There have been NUMEROUS threads about this on the paladin forums, use the search function.

Just out of curiosity Frostburn, what is the consensus about HF merc vs. Defiance merc? I'm too lazy to look myself.

 

[grogs1]

Can any of you hammerdin fans that Baal run give any advice on what to focus on? Getting slaughtered isn't my idea of relaxing. :undecided:

When Lister's wave is about to spawn stand beside baal on the stairs, (naj's puzzler will help position the merc), that way your merc can tank 1 minion at a time. It'll take some practice and is harder without Nigma, but it's a better option than standing out in the open.

My 99 hammerdin used spirit and got to 125% FCR... personally I found it better. My merc was a HF merc with reapers, which is hands down a better option than Kelpie for a Baal running hammerdin (dercipped monsters are slower, so your merc will get hit less and be able to leech more), it is also a better option for Baal, it'll make smiting him (with lash or CM) much more effective.

EDIT: Kab is of course right, a decked out Hammerdin doesn't need a merc, and it's a matter of personal choice for Kelpie or Reapers (try both and see what suits you)

 

[kabal]

With regards to Lister, grogs has it right. A decently equipped merc should be able to tank a single minion indefinitely while you stand on the stairs and spam hammers. Even without a merc, you should be able to stand in that position and just tank yourself most of the time. You could also just lay a hammerfield, then retreat towards the back of the room and have the minions follow you. Once you reach the end of the room, run around the sides and start working back towards the stairs where Baal sits. This takes longer and requires doing something other than holding down two buttons, but it should be 100% safe.

As far as Spirit vs. HoZ, you can easily get 125 FCR with HoZ assuming you wear a Vipermagi. With an Enigma, it's a matter of preference for 75 vs. 125 FCR. Your choice of merc doesn't really make a difference since he's really only there to slow down Baal with Reaper's/Kelpie's (I prefer Kelpie's) and tank on the stairs. I've gone through a lot of Baal runs where the merc doesn't even activate his aura until I'm on Baal and I haven't noticed a difference.

 

[Fluffballer]

Thanks guys, I'll give this a whirl.