Matriarch M_Thatcher, Ice FA Bowazon

[T72on1]

View attachment 14319

Yesterday evening I got my Ice FA Zon to Mat status. I'm not sure when I actually started her, but it's been quite a while ago. I made her weapon in February of this year, but started her earlier. Probably near the end of last year.

Just like with my Doom/Phoenix Fury Wolf, I had seen this character build in action already when I played alongside @LongingForDeath 's one in our MP games. It was a lot of fun to watch, so I knew I wanted to try it out too.

The character is loads of fun, but has two major drawbacks: mana issues and big difference in killing power vs CIs. I think those drawbacks where less clear in our MP games, because I was running an Insight merc alongside LongingForDeath's Infinity merc, and because I was there to help deal with the CIs.

Those two drawbacks didn't prevent me from having fun. Lots of fun for a lot of parts. But at the same time it does take away from the total experience, so it is a shame really. It didn't show in the last parts of NM, and not much in the first parts of Hell. But after that it did become more and more of a problem, and as a consequence I finished the last two acts on /p1 yesterday. A shame really, because for Baal waves I cranked it up to /p8 since there aren't and CIs are even highly CR mobs there, except for the mages of Wave 2, and I utterly destroyed those with ease. It clearly showed to me what the build could be.

I tried a few setups, but in the end people who are more creative and more willing to try stuff out will probably be able to make it work better. I started out with Ice on one switch and Faith on the other, to use against CIs (MS or Strafe, depending on the situation) and to fill up my mana orb again due to a mana leech ring. But in the end the difference in killing CIs and other monsters was too big to justify switching all the time, so I turned down to /p1 and used CtA / Splendor on switch, using the Ice bow for Strafe as well. At /p1 the difference in physical damage didn't matter that much. O yes, and it's a good way to proc lots of Frost Novas .

Other gear consisted of Shako (less damage but easier to use than Nightwing's Veil), Highlord's, CoH, +2/20 gloves, rare boots, Razortail, MPK ring and SoJ.

Not sure what I used while leveling. For sure dual MPK rings, because it's so easy. Other than that probably full Arctic set at first. Wizendraw after that.

O yes, I made a short stop at AT, because it's a good target area for cold based builds. Worked reasonably well. I also briefly tried her out during the warm-up phase for RFL Travincal round. She works ok there, and I'm actually quite sure that she could perform decently there with a better runner, who is also dedicated enough to tinker the build until it works. After killing Baal I also did a Cow run, because I figured she'd do good there. She did on/p3, but not overly so. I just did this with her questing setup though. I'm sure that, just like with Travincal, someone dedicated to squeeze everything out of the build and aimed towards that specific target, can get such character into the 'quite decent' range.

Here's some random pics:

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Can't resist to take pics of TC3 uniques.

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It's quite ironic to find my first 30% Nagelring with a questing character, after having done so many mf runs, Travincal runs, ...

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Her weapon. Terrible roll.

View attachment 14323

The AT runs even paid off .

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Always a nice item to find just questing, and look at those rolls !! Best Vamp Gaze I have I think.

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Crappy drop from Hell Baal. I was just shy of level 86 at that point, so I did a few /p8 Pindle runs to get to 86. She works really well against Pindle.

Ok, that concludes the write-up. Next questing character will probably be a HoJ Fireclaws Bear, although I also want to make a Lightning Trapper.

Spoiler: GoMule Dump

Name:       M_Thatcher
Class:      Amazon
Experience: 1160369920
Level:      86

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   105/133
Dexterity:  175/199
Vitality:   225/227
Energy:     15/17
HP:         895/1104
Mana:       142/372
Stamina:    374/384
Defense:    43/1223
AR:         845/6420

Fire:       120/80/20
Cold:       95/55/-5
Lightning:  170/130/70
Poison:     95/55/-5

MF:         114       Block:      26
GF:         297       FR/W:       20
FHR:        0       IAS:        60
FCR:        0

Magic Arrow: 1/20
Fire Arrow: 0/0
Cold Arrow: 20/39
Multiple Shot: 1/20
Exploding Arrow: 0/0
Ice Arrow: 1/20
Guided Arrow: 1/20
Strafe: 20/39
Immolation Arrow: 0/0
Freezing Arrow: 20/39

Inner Sight: 1/7
Critical Strike: 6/12
Dodge: 0/0
Slow Missiles: 1/7
Avoid: 0/0
Penetrate: 4/10
Decoy: 14/20
Evade: 0/0
Valkyrie: 0/0
Pierce: 7/13

Jab: 0/0
Power Strike: 0/0
Poison Javelin: 0/0
Impale: 0/0
Lightning Bolt: 0/0
Charged Strike: 0/0
Plague Javelin: 0/0
Fend: 0/0
Lightning Strike: 0/0
Lightning Fury: 0/0

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x1ac7f585
Item Level: 54
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+16 to Life

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xac355363
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
29% Extra Gold from Monsters

Fletcher's Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x4f8ce9c9
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Fletcher's Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x55c5e065
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Quality
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xbca3887d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+2 to Maximum Damage

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xb1fc5d32
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+37 to Life

Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0x22920d2d
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Fletcher's Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x5911b752
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x3d9875d
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+5 to Dexterity

Serpent's Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0xfc51023f
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Life
+17 to Mana

Serpent's Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0xe0d3dd2
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Life
+17 to Mana

Serpent's Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x35bf0d6c
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
+15 to Mana

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 102
Durability: 6 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x677230e3
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+129 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+129 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Chains of Honor
Wire Fleece
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 816
Durability: 26 of 32
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 111
Fingerprint: 0x46ddfa7a
Item Level: 80
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

Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 100
Durability: 8 of 14
Required Level: 32
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xeec40174
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Piercing Attack
+10 to Maximum Damage
+131% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+15 to Dexterity
Attacker Takes Damage of (Based on Character Level) 86

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0xe42910c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
32% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15

Skull Finger
Demonhide Gloves
Defense: 29
Durability: 5 of 12
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x28476d0b
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+20% Increased Attack Speed
5% Bonus to Attack Rating
+10 Maximum Stamina
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+5 to Light Radius

Imp Nails
Chain Boots
Defense: 12
Durability: 10 of 16
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 30
Fingerprint: 0x7fecc7b7
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Run/Walk
+27% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +40%
Fire Resist +25%
Half Freeze Duration
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Snake's Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 24
Fingerprint: 0xc832f0d8
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
+11 to Mana

Serpent's Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x62c28824
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+14 to Mana
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Lizard's Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0xcdc424e9
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Mana
4% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x58132fb2
Item Level: 71
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength

Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x7422bccb
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+20 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength

Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x43fd70f2
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+13 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength

Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x6d7ba7d0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+11 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x540106d6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating

The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x49d3b260
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
Adds 1 - 12 Lightning Damage
+20 to Mana
Increase Maximum Mana 25%

Triumphant Ring
Ring
Required Level: 2
Fingerprint: 0x752c6a31
Item Level: 5
Version: Expansion
+33 to Mana after each Kill

Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x90ec3811
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x8cbc4b6d
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+11 to Attack Rating

Call to Arms
Flail
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 3 - 88
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x479c37ac
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
269% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+5 to Battle Command
+4 to Battle Orders
+4 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

Splendor
Scutum
EthLum
Defense: 115
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 62 of 62
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 71
Fingerprint: 0x41681176
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+20% Faster Block Rate
+90% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Energy
Regenerate Mana 15%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+3 to Light Radius
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Eth Rune
Socketed: Lum Rune

Ice
Matriarchal Bow
AmnShaelJahLo
Two Hand Damage: 49 - 117
Durability: 31 of 48
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 87
Required Dexterity: 187
Fingerprint: 0x5256e279
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 40 Blizzard when you Level-Up
25% Chance to cast level 22 Frost Nova on striking
Level 18 Holy Freeze Aura When Equipped
+3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+20% Increased Attack Speed
149% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
-20% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+26% to Cold Skill Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
20% Deadly Strike
268% Extra Gold from Monsters (Based on Character Level)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

Arrows
Fingerprint: 0x7605fda5
Item Level: 89
Version: Expansion 1.10+

Mercenary:

Name:       Chalan
Race:       Desert Mercenary
Type:       Off-Nightmare
Experience: 77259800
Level:      86
Dead?:      false

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   188/217
Dexterity:  151/151
HP:         1807/1914
Defense:    1330/4798
AR:         1922/1922

Fire:       157/117/57
Cold:       176/136/76
Lightning:  176/136/76
Poison:    246/206/146

Fortitude
Balrog Skin
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 3132
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 155
Fingerprint: 0x3e6d842b
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
+107 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
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 336
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 102
Fingerprint: 0x88cc9705
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+35% Increased Attack Speed
10% Life stolen per hit
+117% Enhanced Defense
+29 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist -19%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (20/20 Charges)
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Garnet Jewel of Fervor

Garnet Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x550f40ba
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Fire Resist +11%


Infinity
Giant Thresher
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 215 - 613
Durability: 28 of 28
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 178
Required Dexterity: 130
Fingerprint: 0x14e0ac2c
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
259% Enhanced Damage
-52% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
+43 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30/30 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune

 

[Babyhell]

That name!

 

[maxicek]

Congratulations on (what I assume is) the first Matriarch named after a former British Prime Minister.

Is the FC Bear going to be called Boris?

 

[T72on1]

Hehe now that's an idea. The link between Thatcher and an Ice Maiden is clear however. What has Boris got to do with Fire?

Edit: hmm ...

 

[Luhkoh]

Nice! I hope to make one of these at some point as well. Would it be worth considering making ice in GMB for more leech and physical dmg against CI's? Or is the speed difference the main thing?

 

[intersilva]

Nice! I hope to make one of these at some point as well. Would it be worth considering making ice in GMB for more leech and physical dmg against CI's? Or is the speed difference the main thing?

I'm planning on a GMB for mine based on my experiences with FA M'avinazon. Sacrificing a breakpoint for more leech was 100% worth it in that case and I feel it likely will be with the Icemaiden as well.

 

[maxicek]

Shaggy haired, shambles along, doesn’t say much coherent?

 

[Mir]

Congrats! one of the builds I always wanted to try someday

 

[jonny5]

Congrats! Great Mat. I imagine that MPK ring is really a key to making the build hum along smoothly; do you think Insight + decent leech would stand a chance at keeping up? Surely the loss of Infinity would be a big blow to damage, but just from a mana perspective?

 

[T72on1]

Nice! I hope to make one of these at some point as well. Would it be worth considering making ice in GMB for more leech and physical dmg against CI's? Or is the speed difference the main thing?

I think I did it because of attack speed breakpoints yes. GMB for the reasons you mention would be a good option as well though. Actually, given the difference in damage between FA and Strafe, a bit more physical damage surely would not hurt.

Shaggy haired, shambles along, doesn’t say much coherent?

Agreed. Boris is level 14 now, and has arrived at the Inner Cloister WP .

Congrats! Great Mat. I imagine that MPK ring is really a key to making the build hum along smoothly; do you think Insight + decent leech would stand a chance at keeping up? Surely the loss of Infinity would be a big blow to damage, but just from a mana perspective?

I guess it would. Damage output of Strafe and FA would come closer to each other, but that isn't too bad. Insight and leech will be a good alternative I think.

 

[D2DC]

M_Thatcher and Boris, love the names!

 

[Luhkoh]

@T72on1 good to know. I was keeping an eye out for a mat bow base for it for the speed like you said. But I was curious if gmb made enough of a leech difference that I should be targeting it for a base instead. Sounds like @intersilva's experience suggests it would be (thanks!). I may just only used her for ancient tunnels runs, so strafe dmg would only relevant for the random cold immune bosses, but leech would be nice for sure. I also have no time travel mpk gear, so its probably even a higher priority. Character seems super fun though. It'll be a while before I get around to making one, but I'll look forward to it!