- May 12, 2007
- 2,489
- 82
- 18
Matriarch HopeThisWorks, Vengeance Amazon with Faith Rogue
Yep, an Avengerzon. Maybe not one of my more lucid ideas, but stuffed to the brim with stylepoints. After all, what baddie in his right mind wouldn't be afraid of this pain train? The women have taken the men's skills and made them their own as their band of merry ladies use Vengeance, Fanaticism, Battle Commands and Battle Orders, all to great effect.
The bow came courtesy of a loan program instigated by our remarkably regular moderator, sirpoopsalot. Thanks, again.
[highlight]The Character[/highlight]
Name: HopeThisWorks
Class: Amazon
Level: 81
Naked/Gear
Strength: 174/237
Dexterity: 75/103
Vitality: 231/248
Energy: 15/22
HP: 903/1062 (2092)
Mana: 135/296 (489)
MF: 102
GF: 90
FR/W: 31
FHR: 20 (8 frames)
IAS: 75 (10 frames)
Reists: (add 60 res all when Fade is active)
Fire: 75/35/-25
Cold: 105/65/5
Lightning: 114/74/14
Poison: 75/35/-25
Skills:
Valkyrie: 20 (29)
Penetrate, Inner Sight: 20 (25)
Critical Strike: 19 (24)
Slow Missles, Decoy: 5 (10)
Dodge, Avoid, Evade: 1 (6)
Another point in Critical Strike wouldn't have netted any gain, Slow Missles was effective for long enough already and neither the Decoy nor Valk needed more life so I maxed Inner Sight, in case the Rogue died or got stuck.
Gear:
Charms:
Oriana, Fire Rogue:
Leveling:
Envy gear -> partial Sigon's + Crystal Sword with 6 perfect Jewels of Wrath -> 1.09 RC, Full Iratha's, Treads of Cthon and Twitchthroe. Swapped in Kuko and Natalya's boots at 34.
Moved to NM at 52, bringing in dual Ravenfrosts, SoE, Vamp Gaze, War Travelers, Lava Gout, Treachery, Mahim-Oak, Harmony(233%ED) in a 13%ED Great Bow with Kingslayer Silver-Edged Axe on switch (thanks to sirpoopsalot). Merc got Duriels, Crown of Thieves and Witchwild String. Level 67 brought in the Glorious Axe Kingslayer, beta CtA + Spirit, Harley, Mara's, mana leech ring and the Faith and Fortitude on the merc. Moved to Hell at 76, swapping in Dracul's in the changeover.
[highlight]Q&A[/highlight]
-Q: How did the build perform in-game compared to your plan?
A: Better than I expected. Significantly better, in fact. She killed quickly, handled bosses well and only spent maybe 3% of the time hiding behind the valk (either because of dolls or because Fade hadn't triggered yet and there was elemental damage afoot).
-Q: Any particularly rough places?
A: In the sense of a whole area being tough, no. But there were some tough monsters and situations. Ghosts were a hassle. This guy took forever. Just past him was a little rougher boss - that guy's pack tore through two valks, 4 decoys and very nearly the zon, as well.
Worst of all was on the third level of the WSK. The spawn was witches (PI), OK's and ghosts (obviously the d2 gods love me) and I had checked every branch but one. I head down the last one, and there's a bosspack of OKs backed up by a bosspack of ghosts with a couple packs of witches and another OK pack. In the first “room†of the branch. With liberal use of Slow Missles and Decoy, we managed to clear out the room and find that behind that is a long corridor (~3 screens) filled with ~5 witch packs, 2 packs of OKs and 2 bosspacks of OKs. Guess I've been a good little boy this year. Had to lure out all the Doom Knights, then go back in and just wail away on the witches, taking down the OKs by throwing a decoy on the next one in line just before attacking the forward one. Progress was incredibly slow, and the PI witches rendered the valk practically useless.
Cleared the corridor, granting us access to a small room leading to the corridor to the Throne's entrance. This room was, of course, also packed with witches and OKs. Santa's really in the holiday spirit. This was a little more manageable as I was able to use Slow Missles to some effect and decoy kept the OKs I wasn't working on in check. Finally, the last little corridor and the room with the Throne's entrance. Roll call: 3 more OKs, one a unique, a bosspack of witches and another small pack of regular witches. I picked out the two OKs I could, but the third was hiding behind all the witches. I start hewing my way through the witches and it happens. As I start to swing at the boss I hear that sound we all know so well. The swing connects, and I'm left with ... an almost full red bulb! These witches are PI, who cares about IM?! Fade clears away the curse and the rest of the crowd goes down.
-Q: Close call with the Iron Maiden there, but were there any actual deaths?
A: Three. One in NM Underground Passage, got surrounded, the second in NM Plains of Despair, surrounded by Balrogs and the third in Hell Plains of Despair, to conviction gloams.
-Q: Would you recommend this build to others?
A: Well, the gameplay was very interesting - she was powerful enough to tear down anything, but fragile enough to require good use of strategic assets. However, this particular build needs good gear (Faith not required, but the changes in gear will make for an even more fragile build) so going with a big 2-handed Passion would probably be a better idea. Death or Oath could work, but you need a PI solution.
-Q: Any notable find?
A: A few.
-NM Forge: Um
-Hell Forge: Pul
-This imbue
-Amber (4) SC of Greed (10)
-Russet (7) SC of Life (7)
-+2 FO/+2 ES staff
-Hsarus' Iron Fist from NM Andy
-Wizardspike in Flayer Jungle
-Q: Any last thoughts about the build?
A: She hit with five different damage types every strike while under the effects of Fanaticism and had the aide of an incredibly sturdy tank. What's not to love?
-Q: Anyone you'd like to thank?
A: Indeed.
-sirpoopsalot, for the loan of the Kingslayer and Faith
-NagisaFurukawa and sirpoopsalot for giving me some feedback on my original idea for the build
And, of course, to you, for reading.
Yep, an Avengerzon. Maybe not one of my more lucid ideas, but stuffed to the brim with stylepoints. After all, what baddie in his right mind wouldn't be afraid of this pain train? The women have taken the men's skills and made them their own as their band of merry ladies use Vengeance, Fanaticism, Battle Commands and Battle Orders, all to great effect.
The bow came courtesy of a loan program instigated by our remarkably regular moderator, sirpoopsalot. Thanks, again.
[highlight]The Character[/highlight]
Name: HopeThisWorks
Class: Amazon
Level: 81
Naked/Gear
Strength: 174/237
Dexterity: 75/103
Vitality: 231/248
Energy: 15/22
HP: 903/1062 (2092)
Mana: 135/296 (489)
MF: 102
GF: 90
FR/W: 31
FHR: 20 (8 frames)
IAS: 75 (10 frames)
Reists: (add 60 res all when Fade is active)
Fire: 75/35/-25
Cold: 105/65/5
Lightning: 114/74/14
Poison: 75/35/-25
Skills:
Valkyrie: 20 (29)
Penetrate, Inner Sight: 20 (25)
Critical Strike: 19 (24)
Slow Missles, Decoy: 5 (10)
Dodge, Avoid, Evade: 1 (6)
Another point in Critical Strike wouldn't have netted any gain, Slow Missles was effective for long enough already and neither the Decoy nor Valk needed more life so I maxed Inner Sight, in case the Rogue died or got stuck.
Gear:
Code:
Kingslayer
Glorious Axe
MalUmGulFal
Two Hand Damage: 211 - 436
Durability: 43 of 50
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 164
Required Dexterity: 55
Fingerprint: 0x3ce8d1db
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Increased Attack Speed
252% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
33% Chance of Crushing Blow
50% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
+1 to Vengeance
+10 to Strength
40% Extra Gold from Monsters
4 Sockets (4 used)
Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 132
Durability: 8 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x26272487
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+121 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+121 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
All Resistances +15
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um Rune
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%
Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xa543c7e9
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +30
Shion's Treachery
Dusk Shroud
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 445
Durability: 14 of 20
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0xda1dc98e
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 15 Fade when struck
25% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
3 Sockets (3 used)
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x7672ccb4
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+249 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen
Doom Touch
Ring
Required Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x301ff760
Item Level: 97
Version: Expansion 1.10+
8% Chance to cast level 5 Chain Lightning on attack
+95 to Attack Rating
5% Mana stolen per hit
+20 to Strength
Lightning Resist +29%
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 106
Durability: 21 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x61ee07f6
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Life stolen per hit
+162% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
+10 Maximum Durability
War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 123
Durability: 44 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x746f9fd7
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+158% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
46% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability
Dracul's Grasp
Vampirebone Gloves
Defense: 143
Durability: 12 of 14
Required Level: 76
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x6d371647
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 10 Life Tap on striking
10% Life stolen per hit
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+117% Enhanced Defense
+12 to Strength
+9 Life after each Kill
Call to Arms
Superior Flail
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 3 - 85
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x5a8e2440
GUID: 0xe9054427 0x98f19e0b 0x0
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+2 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
258% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+11 to Battle Cry
+15 to Battle Orders
+6 to Battle Command
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 147
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x9f0912fc
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+98 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+5 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Charms:
Code:
Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0xfd50aaa3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+68 to Attack Rating
+25 to Life
Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xc557b5cd
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+62 to Attack Rating
+13 to Life
Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xce13a645
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating
Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x44cbb0a6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating
Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x7cef4f9
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating
Sharp Grand Charm of Burning
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x28e84f33
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+53 to Attack Rating
Adds 2 - 4 Fire Damage
Amber Small Charm of Winter
Small Charm
Required Level: 38
Fingerprint: 0xedd8f992
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 5 - 8 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Lightning Resist +10%
Fine Small Charm of Lightning
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xeb7dfb38
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 8 Lightning Damage
Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xdc6a7baa
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength
Sharp Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x56a2955b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+73 to Attack Rating
Sharp Grand Charm of the Icicle
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x9429dac8
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+74 to Attack Rating
Adds 2 - 3 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Fine Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xa59f1549
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
+1 to Dexterity
Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xd1f8f684
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength
Oriana, Fire Rogue:
Code:
Crown of Thieves
Grand Crown
Defense: 468
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 93
Fingerprint: 0x8f6ab63c
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
10% Life stolen per hit
+174% Enhanced Defense
+25 to Dexterity
+50 to Life
+35 to Mana
Fire Resist +33%
95% Extra Gold from Monsters
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Jewel of Fervor
Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0xb09920df
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1572
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x41bc1e52
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
+91 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
4 Sockets (4 used)
Faith
Crusader Bow
OhmJahLemEld
Two Hand Damage: 64 - 270
Durability: 23 of 44
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 97
Required Dexterity: 121
Fingerprint: 0x1f6b0f21
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 12 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+1 to All Skills
330% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
300% Bonus to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 120 - 120 Fire Damage
All Resistances +15
10% Reanimate as: Returned
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
4 Sockets (4 used)
Leveling:
Envy gear -> partial Sigon's + Crystal Sword with 6 perfect Jewels of Wrath -> 1.09 RC, Full Iratha's, Treads of Cthon and Twitchthroe. Swapped in Kuko and Natalya's boots at 34.
Moved to NM at 52, bringing in dual Ravenfrosts, SoE, Vamp Gaze, War Travelers, Lava Gout, Treachery, Mahim-Oak, Harmony(233%ED) in a 13%ED Great Bow with Kingslayer Silver-Edged Axe on switch (thanks to sirpoopsalot). Merc got Duriels, Crown of Thieves and Witchwild String. Level 67 brought in the Glorious Axe Kingslayer, beta CtA + Spirit, Harley, Mara's, mana leech ring and the Faith and Fortitude on the merc. Moved to Hell at 76, swapping in Dracul's in the changeover.
[highlight]Q&A[/highlight]
-Q: How did the build perform in-game compared to your plan?
A: Better than I expected. Significantly better, in fact. She killed quickly, handled bosses well and only spent maybe 3% of the time hiding behind the valk (either because of dolls or because Fade hadn't triggered yet and there was elemental damage afoot).
-Q: Any particularly rough places?
A: In the sense of a whole area being tough, no. But there were some tough monsters and situations. Ghosts were a hassle. This guy took forever. Just past him was a little rougher boss - that guy's pack tore through two valks, 4 decoys and very nearly the zon, as well.
Worst of all was on the third level of the WSK. The spawn was witches (PI), OK's and ghosts (obviously the d2 gods love me) and I had checked every branch but one. I head down the last one, and there's a bosspack of OKs backed up by a bosspack of ghosts with a couple packs of witches and another OK pack. In the first “room†of the branch. With liberal use of Slow Missles and Decoy, we managed to clear out the room and find that behind that is a long corridor (~3 screens) filled with ~5 witch packs, 2 packs of OKs and 2 bosspacks of OKs. Guess I've been a good little boy this year. Had to lure out all the Doom Knights, then go back in and just wail away on the witches, taking down the OKs by throwing a decoy on the next one in line just before attacking the forward one. Progress was incredibly slow, and the PI witches rendered the valk practically useless.
Cleared the corridor, granting us access to a small room leading to the corridor to the Throne's entrance. This room was, of course, also packed with witches and OKs. Santa's really in the holiday spirit. This was a little more manageable as I was able to use Slow Missles to some effect and decoy kept the OKs I wasn't working on in check. Finally, the last little corridor and the room with the Throne's entrance. Roll call: 3 more OKs, one a unique, a bosspack of witches and another small pack of regular witches. I picked out the two OKs I could, but the third was hiding behind all the witches. I start hewing my way through the witches and it happens. As I start to swing at the boss I hear that sound we all know so well. The swing connects, and I'm left with ... an almost full red bulb! These witches are PI, who cares about IM?! Fade clears away the curse and the rest of the crowd goes down.
-Q: Close call with the Iron Maiden there, but were there any actual deaths?
A: Three. One in NM Underground Passage, got surrounded, the second in NM Plains of Despair, surrounded by Balrogs and the third in Hell Plains of Despair, to conviction gloams.
-Q: Would you recommend this build to others?
A: Well, the gameplay was very interesting - she was powerful enough to tear down anything, but fragile enough to require good use of strategic assets. However, this particular build needs good gear (Faith not required, but the changes in gear will make for an even more fragile build) so going with a big 2-handed Passion would probably be a better idea. Death or Oath could work, but you need a PI solution.
-Q: Any notable find?
A: A few.
-NM Forge: Um
-Hell Forge: Pul
-This imbue
-Amber (4) SC of Greed (10)
-Russet (7) SC of Life (7)
-+2 FO/+2 ES staff
-Hsarus' Iron Fist from NM Andy
-Wizardspike in Flayer Jungle
-Q: Any last thoughts about the build?
A: She hit with five different damage types every strike while under the effects of Fanaticism and had the aide of an incredibly sturdy tank. What's not to love?
-Q: Anyone you'd like to thank?
A: Indeed.
-sirpoopsalot, for the loan of the Kingslayer and Faith
-NagisaFurukawa and sirpoopsalot for giving me some feedback on my original idea for the build
And, of course, to you, for reading.