Matriarch Lagertha, 2h Sword Zealazon

[maxicek]

Lagertha​

Matriarch Lagertha, 2h Sword Zealazon​

Lagertha is inspired by the character in the 'Vikings' TV Series. She is seen fighting with both bow and sword in the series, but I took a bit of artistic licence - She is referred to as a 'Shieldmaiden' but I'm not using a shield. Damage is a bit too low on these builds one handed, one of the reasons why I prefer two handed swords.

Skills​

Magic Arrow: 1/4
Fire Arrow: 0/0
Cold Arrow: 1/4
Multiple Shot: 7/10
Exploding Arrow: 0/0
Ice Arrow: 0/0
Guided Arrow: 5/8
Strafe: 1/4
Immolation Arrow: 0/0
Freezing Arrow: 0/0

Inner Sight: 1/4
Critical Strike: 10/13
Dodge: 11/14
Slow Missiles: 1/4
Avoid: 10/13
Penetrate: 20/23
Decoy: 1/4
Evade: 10/13
Valkyrie: 16/19
Pierce: 1/4

No Javelin Skills.

I didn't really need to allocate any more points into Dodge / Avoid / Evade, in fact I'm a bit curious how they actually interact with Zeal. My long Zeal cycle seemed to do nothing on occasion, I suspect D/A/E are interrupting it, although I'm not sure of the exact mechanics - Zeal is supposed to be uninterruptible after all. It could also be that monsters are regenerating, depending on which ones are targeted by Zeal.

In the end I distributed the remaining points amongst Guided Arrow, Multi Shot and Valkyrie.

Stats​

Name: Lagertha
Class: Amazon
Experience: 1079032527
Level: 85

Naked/Gear
Strength: 153/153
Dexterity: 137/152
Vitality: 210/210
Energy: 15/15
HP: 848/1177
Mana: 141/141
Stamina: 358/444
Defense: 34/2050
AR: 655/109575

Fire: 189/149/89
Cold: 149/109/49
Lightning: 194/154/94
Poison: 150/110/50

MF: 8 Block: 20
GF: 75
FR/W: 30
FHR: 52
IAS: 65
FCR: 25

The standard enough Strength and Dexterity for equipment, rest in Vitality. 6 frames FHR.

Equipment​

Weapon: 'Passion' Champion Sword

Switch Weapon: 'Call to Arms' Grand Matron Bow

Helm: Kira's Guardian 'Um'
Armour: 'Fortitude' Archon Plate
Belt: String of Ears
Boots: Gore Rider
Gloves: Laying of Hands

Amulet: Highlord’s Wrath
Ring 1: Beta BKWB
Ring 2: Rare Mana Leech

Inventory: Steel and Sharp GCs, Steel & Resist SCs

The Passion Champion Sword is made in an ATMA bugged Ethereal 1.07 base. Dirty, I know. I could have gone with a Balrog Blade too and hit the same breakpoint with the equipment setup I went for.

Champion Sword + 39 IAS (or Balrog Blade + 58 IAS) with level 14 Fanaticism from Faith gives a 6/7/7/7/11 frame Zeal. Paladin Zealots are laughing at this point, it was slow, but definitely playable. Without Fanatacism, Zeal was 7/8/8/8/13. Berserk was also used, attacking at 10FPA.

I was just short of the 92IAS required for a 7 FPA Multi Shot or Guided Arrow, but this wasn't the main point of the build. 8 FPA was plenty as a backup skill.

The rest of the equipment was a typical melee character setup, with Kira's filling the resistance holes and providing CBF. The Beta BKWB got the amount of Zeal hits to a decent level and provided more leech.

Spoiler: Equipment Readouts

Passion
Champion Sword
DolOrtEldLem
One Hand Damage: 127 - 285
Two Hand Damage: 374 - 437
Indestructible
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 153
Required Dexterity: 93
Fingerprint: 0xe405e89
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
+25% Increased Attack Speed
253% Enhanced Damage
74% Bonus to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
+1 to Berserk
+1 to Zeal
Hit Blinds Target +10
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Level 3 Heart of Wolverine (12/12 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Eld Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune

Call to Arms
Grand Matron Bow
AmnRalMalIstOhm
Two Hand Damage: 53 - 275
Durability: 34 of 55
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 108
Required Dexterity: 152
Fingerprint: 0xca50e84c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+40% Increased Attack Speed
283% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Battle Command
+6 to Battle Orders
+3 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune

Kira's Guardian
Tiara
Defense: 157
Durability: 23 of 25
Required Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0x3163a11e
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+108 Defense
All Resistances +84
Cannot Be Frozen
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um Rune

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x1f1148f1
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
31% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15

Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1515
Durability: 55 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0xe5dc704a
Item Level: 84
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
+95 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)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xdb4669c0
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
5% Life stolen per hit
+42 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina

Plague Loop
Ring
Required Level: 48
Fingerprint: 0x6770977
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+72 to Attack Rating
5% Mana stolen per hit
+15 to Dexterity
+16 Maximum Stamina
8% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 106
Durability: 22 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x778f6ea3
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Life stolen per hit
+160% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 14
+10 Maximum Durability

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 154
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0xfaa982e6
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+187% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 80
Durability: 11 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xed107764
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 3 Holy Bolt on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+350% Damage to Demons
+25 Defense
Fire Resist +50%

Steel Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x8e028948
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+26 to Attack Rating

Steel Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xc080c5d7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+32 to Attack Rating

Steel Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x4f63c5df
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+27 to Attack Rating

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x360b1f1d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +10%

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x1232d8e6
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +10%

Emerald Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xff31bee8
Item Level: 56
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Poison Resist +11%

Sapphire Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x6a35624d
Item Level: 57
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +10%

Sharp Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xa23da971
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+65 to Attack Rating
+38 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0x1cfe8181
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+66 to Attack Rating
+32 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0xe80ef079
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+66 to Attack Rating
+23 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x6e509078
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Maximum Damage
+53 to Attack Rating
+28 to Life

Steel Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xab5c5280
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+96 to Attack Rating
+37 to Life

Steel Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xd2255eda
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+106 to Attack Rating
+34 to Life

Steel Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0x2705f770
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
+122 to Attack Rating

Mercenary​

Act 1 Mercenary with Faith got me to the maximum Zeal speed. She was fairly robust and helped with the damage output, although Cold Arrow wasn't that noticeable other than for single targets. The additional Returned from Faith helped too, distracting enemies.

Merc: A1 Cold Arrow
Weapon: 'Faith' Ward Bow
Helm: Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Armour: 'Fortitude' Dusk Shroud

Spoiler: Mercenary

Name:       Heather
Race:       Rogue Scout
Type:       Ice - Normal
Experience: 65286604
Level:      85
Dead?:      false

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   138/138
Dexterity:  209/209
HP:         1440/1585
Defense:    1192/2683
AR:         2241/674541

Fire:       199/159/99
Cold:       199/159/99
Lightning:  199/159/99
Poison:    199/159/99

Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Death Mask
Defense: 114
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x57f84a09
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
10% Mana stolen per hit
10% Life stolen per hit
+45 Defense
+60 to Life
+30 to Mana
All Resistances +15
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

Fortitude
Dusk Shroud
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1377
Durability: 16 of 20
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0x7f9f9547
Item Level: 86
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
+85 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +26
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

Faith
Ward Bow
OhmJahLemEld
Two Hand Damage: 86 - 227
Durability: 47 of 48
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 72
Required Dexterity: 146
Fingerprint: 0x7a73f069
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 14 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+2 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)
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune
Socketed: Eld Rune

Finds​

I found a Fletcher's GC of Frost somewhere in Act2. Ormus gave me an interesting ring.
Mal in the Spider Cavern. Pul from HF. Ravenfrost on the way to rescue Anya.

Spoiler: this magic ring does me no good

Raven Knot
Ring
Required Level: 47
Fingerprint: 0xdd0d885f
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Bonus to Attack Rating
+62 to Attack Rating
+15 to Strength
Cold Resist +23%
Poison Resist +11%
+5 to Light Radius

Gameplay​

Gameplay was very similar to my previous 2h sword Amazon, Brienne. Multi Shot was used to thin out packs and was great in the Jungle with large amounts of Flayers, where it was easy to get stuck in dodge lock. Then switch to the sword and wade into the combat. If Zeal wasn't cutting it due to high physical resistance, I switched to Berserk.

The video explains the gameplay much better than I can describe. I have recently changed my D2 installation and only just got around to getting OBS setup. So only Act IV and Act V, but I think it is long enough

Another Sept?​

I actually said last time that I didn't think I would do a third sept, but this time I really think that is it.

This one kind of crept up on me. I was looking at my characters after completing my Avenger in every class and realised that I already had several new 2h Sword characters completed. As I also wanted to try out some of the Runewords I made for the Grail, filling in the missing characters was fairly easy.

Class	Name	Build	Level​	Title
Amazon	Lagertha	Zealazon	85​	Matriarch
Assassin	Ursula	Wearbear	86​	Matriarch
Barbarian	Tul_Duru	Concentrate	75​	Champion
Druid	The_Limper	Vengeance Fire Hunter	85​	Patriarch
Necromancer	Mordu	Bearmancer	86​	Patriarch
Paladin	Tyrael	Justicar	87​	Patriarch
Sorceress	Kallisto	Werebear	75​	Champion

 

[BBS_Agonistes]

Her stance with a sword looks so cool! Great write up and a lovely Mat. There's just something about 2H sorcs and 'zons... love them.

 

[PhineasB]

Congrats on yet another stylish 2Her! This one is particularly fancy with the bow swtich, very cool!

That said, do you ever find D/A/E distracting and ultimately counterproductive? I've generally found them more trouble than worth, except when hiding behind a Valk. I guess 1 point in each would still trigger consistently, but the idea of pumping points into them so they trigger more often seems masochistic to me! It all goes to show that we all have different approaches and preferred styles (like my obsession with the 86FHR breakpoint)

 

[SirName]

Nice. Love the looks with circlet, Archon and 2h sword.

 

[ffs]

Great stuff!

 

[maxicek]

@PhineasB At one point I actually considered respeccing and getting rid of them. But then I got through all of A2, 3 & 4 without dying and I didn't think it was so bad.

I think after so many assassins, I really enjoy the hybrid playstyle, with a variety of attacks to choose from. Skyrim allows you to use multiple weapons or spells, but the method of switching (at least on the Switch) was a bit clunky as it interrupts combat. In D4 I would like to see a seemless weapon switch in combat, so you can fire off a few ranged attacks, then get personal with a melee weapon.