Kick Off Your Sunday Shoes: Matriarch Ariel, Fire Dancer with A2 Might Infinity Merc

PhineasB

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Guide Author
Mar 14, 2020
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Matriarch Ariel, Fire Dancer with A2 Might Infinity Merc
Screenshot009.jpg

This Fire Dancer was a blast, and definitely was the belle of the prom. She is the fifth character in my Lesser Skills Sept, which focuses on less common (or commonly thought to be underpowered) skills for each class. I've never really used fire traps, and built pretty much every other type of assassin, so Fire Dancer it was!

Given the Dancer theme, I immediately went to Footloose or Flashdance as 80s movie references, but the latter was a pretty terrible movie. So Ariel won out over Alex. As with the others in this Sept, I wanted lesser skills but to be as powerful as possible. Keeping p3 through Hell was the goal, and was accomplished, with strong kick switch and DS to help clear packs as the fire traps and/or kicks took down monsters. The Merc was, as always with the Might/Infinity combo, powerful in his own right. With -eFR from Infinity, WoF stayed strong and was the default, with a single DS mixed in usually. For rare unbreakable FIs, DFlight on kick switch kept her nimble and mobile, with DS also helping soften packs.

As monster HP and resists increased, however, my tactics evovled. Her mobility with BoS and FRW was very welcome, allowing her to cast traps (only two WoF hit at a time) at her location and where packs were, and then as the monsters approached her, run past to pull them back to the traps set where they'd come from. That is how I managed the 5-shot WoF, with only dropping sets of 2 and regular recasting and staying on the move to pull monsters into the fire zones.

Updates are here (Normal), here (Nightmare) and here (Hell).

I found it to be a really engaging and fun playstyle. With Lightning traps, I don't think kicks are really needed, with Fire Blast as LI solution. But I definitely see how the Light Dancer is a popular build. Even if pure trapper is stronger, the gameplay is very interesting, especially if you commit to using DFlight. On that point, this playthrough reinforced how much I love that skill. So fun to zip around the battle field, and the ability to target specific monsters for melee attack without Enigma is really nice.

Here's a quick summary of final gear, before the full readouts. As noted in the update for Hell, she had a death due to sloppy clicking at de Seis, but otherwise was very safe. As per my usual, she completed all quests in Hell and full-cleared all A85 areas and the red portals in A5.

Final Gear:
- HotO (40@) / Spirit
- Swtich: Stormlash (Shael) / Spirit
- CoH
- Rare cirlet w +2 Sin, 13 strength / 21 life / 7% life leech / 17@ (Silver JoF)
- Gores
- Magefist
- Up'ed SoE
- 29@ Mara's
- SoJ / 250/19 Ravenfrost
- Backback: 8 skillers (3 inertia, 1 balance, 3 +life/sustenance, 1 lightning damage), FR and CR SCs with FHR and Dext (to hit 86 FHR and equip Stormlash), Cube

Resists were overstacked on main, 75/75/66/66 on kick switch when Stormlash replaced Schaefer's. Very fast trap laying and kick, with 86 FHR breakpoint, psuedoteleport with DFlight, and Static on kick and CoS available to shut down missile attackers or mobs. So lots of great offense and defensive mix.

Merc:
- eth Infinity
- eth Fortitude
- eth Vamp w realgar JoF

Code:
Name:       Ariel
Class:      Assassin
Experience: 987814148
Level:      84

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   156/194
Dexterity:  40/87
Vitality:   294/321
Energy:     25/30
HP:         1098/1189
Mana:       149/314
Stamina:    541/561
Defense:    10/1656
AR:         100000164/100000705

Fire:       266/226/166
Cold:       238/198/138
Lightning:  216/176/116
Poison:     216/176/116

MF:         25       Block:      20
GF:         0
FR/W:       51
FHR:        87
IAS:        15
FCR:        95

Fire Blast: 20/41
Shock Web: 1/21
Blade Sentinel: 0/0
Charged Bolt Sentry: 1/21
Wake of Fire: 20/41
Blade Fury: 0/0
Lightning Sentry: 15/35
Wake of Inferno: 20/41
Death Sentry: 1/21
Blade Shield: 0/0

Claw Mastery: 1/13
Psychic Hammer: 1/13
Burst of Speed: 1/13
Weapon Block: 0/0
Cloak of Shadows: 1/13
Fade: 0/0
Shadow Warrior: 0/0
Mind Blast: 1/13
Venom: 0/0
Shadow Master: 0/0

Tiger Strike: 0/0
Dragon Talon: 9/21
Fists of Fire: 0/0
Dragon Claw: 1/13
Cobra Strike: 0/0
Claws of Thunder: 0/0
Dragon Tail: 1/14
Blades of Ice: 0/0
Dragon Flight: 1/13
Phoenix Strike: 0/0
Code:
Ariel's Ghoul Cowl
Coronet
Defense: 57
Durability: 89 of 90
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x89df766f
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+56 to Attack Rating
7% Life stolen per hit
+41% Enhanced Defense
+13 to Strength
+21 to Life
All Resistances +17
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Silver Jewel of Fervor

Silver Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x5b2fa52c
Item Level: 42
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+56 to Attack Rating

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xc25a7afc
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +29

Chains of Honor
Archon Plate
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 884
Durability: 56 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0xafa1e431
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+200% Damage to Demons
+100% Damage to Undead
8% Life stolen per hit
+70% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
Replenish Life +7
All Resistances +65
Damage Reduced by 8%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune

The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x25fd1ad4
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
Adds 1 - 12 Lightning Damage
+20 to Mana
Increase Maximum Mana 25%

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xd137b31e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+250 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+19 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

String of Ears
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 167
Durability: 22 of 22
Required Level: 53
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xc175e16f
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
8% Life stolen per hit
+158% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 15
Required Level +7
+10 Maximum Durability

Gore Rider
Myrmidon Greaves
Defense: 183
Durability: 32 of 34
Required Level: 72
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0xa15d80c3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+178% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Required Level +7
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Magefist
Battle Gauntlets
Defense: 67
Durability: 15 of 18
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 88
Fingerprint: 0x4a345f31
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 6 Fire Damage
+25% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense
Regenerate Mana 25%
Required Level +5

Ariel's Stormlash
Scourge
One Hand Damage: 11 - 293
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Level: 82
Required Strength: 125
Required Dexterity: 77
Fingerprint: 0x36e9da15
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 18 Tornado on striking
15% Chance to cast level 10 Static Field on striking
+50% Increased Attack Speed
267% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 1 - 473 Lightning Damage
33% Chance of Crushing Blow
+8 Lightning Absorb
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 30
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 135
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 84 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x21378b30
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+34% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+96 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+7 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Heart of the Oak
Flail
KoVexPulThul
One Hand Damage: 1 - 36
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 31
Required Dexterity: 25
Fingerprint: 0x776d7dc0
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
+75% Damage to Demons
+100 to Attack Rating against Demons
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
+10 to Dexterity
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
All Resistances +40
Level 4 Oak Sage (25/25 Charges)
Level 14 Raven (60/60 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ko Rune
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Pul Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune

Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 142
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 82 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x4db5f81c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+105 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+5 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Code:
Entrapping Grand Charm of Inertia
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xb227a0f2
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+7% Faster Run/Walk

Entrapping Grand Charm of Inertia
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xc9d8349
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+7% Faster Run/Walk

Entrapping Grand Charm of Storms
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xe7a4f7f3
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
Adds 1 - 23 Lightning Damage

Entrapping Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xa4fcf1d7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+26 to Life

Entrapping Grand Charm of Inertia
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xf73c8773
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+7% Faster Run/Walk

Entrapping Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xc7172ad4
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+12% Faster Hit Recovery

Garnet Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x4f21bf66
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Fire Resist +9%

Garnet Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x73d6b4ee
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Fire Resist +9%

Russet Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x5d0f1e78
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Fire Resist +6%

Ruby Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x27e931f9
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +11%

Sapphire Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xd798abf3
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
Cold Resist +11%

Sapphire Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x22d9fe20
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
Cold Resist +11%

Entrapping Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x17fd5a66
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+19 to Life

Entrapping Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xdedebb90
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+25 to Life

Ruby Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xefc2d299
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +11%

Ruby Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x4a63403b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +11%

Ruby Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xd810a9e6
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +11%

Russet Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0xc3765e5b
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Fire Resist +7%

Ruby Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x5a189470
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +10%
Code:
Name:       Haseen
Race:       Desert Mercenary
Type:       Off-Nightmare
Experience: 71994484
Level:      84
Dead?:      false

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   184/184
Dexterity:  148/148
HP:         1727/1821
Defense:    1274/4658
AR:         1898/1898

Fire:       173/133/73
Cold:       173/133/73
Lightning:  173/133/73
Poison:    173/133/73

Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x83dc856f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
24% Enhanced Damage
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
6% Mana stolen per hit
6% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 19%
Magic Damage Reduced by 14
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Realgar Jewel of Fervor

Fortitude
Dusk Shroud
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 3132
Durability: 11 of 11
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 67
Fingerprint: 0x3c7aabc5
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+94 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

Infinity
Superior Cryptic Axe
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 197 - 909
Durability: 36 of 36
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 155
Required Dexterity: 93
Fingerprint: 0x6b96974c
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
50% Chance to cast level 20 Chain Lightning when you Kill an Enemy
Level 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Run/Walk
304% Enhanced Damage
-49% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
+42 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Increase Maximum Durability 11%
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30/30 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
 
Last edited:
Well done, @PhineasB!

If she had a connection to Footloose, your awesome fire dancer would have had a Bacon number (degree) of 1. But I just learned that there is an Ariel with a Bacon number of 2 - congratulations on getting so close! According to The Oracle of Bacon, Ariel Winter was in the 2012 film A Thousand Words, along with Eddie Murphy. Murphy has the starring role in the yet to be released film Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley, in which Kevin Bacon also has a role. Bonus: Beverly Hills Cop is another 80s movie franchise. 🤓

(Even though "Winter" doesn't seem to be the most fitting surname for a fire dancer, I'll just pretend otherwise, okay?)
 
Beautiful build and elegantly done ole chap. A fire dancer has been on my to-do list for ages and if I ever get around to it, I will be sure to reference the chronicles of Ariel. I agree with you 100% as far as engaging and fun are concerned. I always find Assassin so refreshing for this reason.

Small quesiton: can you explain this a little for me? I don't quite understand what you mean:
(only two WoF hit at a time) at her location and where packs were, and then as the monsters approached her, run past to pull them back to the traps set where they'd come from. That is how I managed the 5-shot WoF, with only dropping sets of 2 and regular recasting and staying on the move to pull monsters into the fire zones.
👍
 
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An Ariel with interest in dancing and fire...:D

Melody
Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the 'sin, the 'sin who has everythin'?
Look at this gear, treasures untold
How many rune words can one stash hold?
Looking around here you think
"Sure, she's got everything"
I've got oak hearts and spirits a-plenty
I've a stormlash and skill charms galore
Life from my head? Over twenty!
But who cares? No big deal, I want more

I wanna be where the monsters are
I wanna see, wanna join them dancin'
Walking around on those - what do you call 'em? Oh - gores!

Switching the light will not get you far
Fire is needed to catch the audience
Staying away from - what's that word again? Deeds

Don't be a bore, this is soft core
Chill out and keep relaxed in the run
Plundering' free - all loot shall be
Part of my gear

What would I need to give me speed out of their clutches?
What would I pay to to get away from their attacks?

Moronic mercs don't understand
When it's time to leg it
Melee waging, keeps engaging
Making their stand

I'm ready to know what the players know
Ask 'em my questions and get some answers
What's a fallen and why won't it - what's the word? Burn?

When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love, love to discover all loot above?
Soon they will see, Heavens will be, part of my gear
 
Last edited:
Congratulations, Firedancers are a nice buid.

Did you find you were relying more on kicks later in Hell?
And any reason for the Spirit with the Stormlash? I'm surprised you didn't go for a Stormshield or something as you were persumably laying traps with the HoTO.
 
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Epic verse @Maltatai thank you for enlivening the Mat thread! (y)

@ziambe - I can't find the resource at the moment (it's from the diabloii.net site that has gone dark, and I can't figure out how to look for it on the purediablo archive. But it's tied to next delay - because of the 4-frame delay and rate of fire for the WoF traps, only 2 traps generally will do damage to groups, and casting more than that at a group ends up being wasted damage. That allowed me to drop 2 traps per group, and keep those replenished after the used their 5 shots, with a DS trap dropped in also.

@maxicek - I definitely used kicks more later in Hell, but it's in part because the speed of kicks and application of static improved significantly once I could equip Schaefer's and then Stormlash. There also weren't really any unbreakable FIs before A4, so kicks weren't especially needed. I'd say she was a full-time Dancer for A4 and A5, reverting to trap-only if there weren't any innate FIs around (like in underground frozen areas in A5), where WoF and DS with Infinity aura was decimating. On the Spirit, I used Stormshield initially, but I found the FHR was missed, and I like keeping resists maxed (which didn't happen for Fire and Poison with just the Um), and the extra +2 skills to DTalon helped noticeably with CtH, particularly when she was outside the Conviction aura radius. The damage reduction wasn't really needed, so I went with Spirit in the end. I was going to play around with Phoenix from ED% boost (Redemption would reduce DS effectiveness, but I figured not too much), but didn't get around to it. I think all three of those would have worked well.
 
Last edited:
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