Matriarch/Patriarch/Guardian Archive Thread

Originally posted by NagisaFurkawa on Feb 6, 2010:

Champion Akari, Frost Maiden

Introduction

Akari is the primary character I use for Pit running. She performs all of her runs on /players 8, and takes roughly 4.5 minutes to kill off a handful of bosspacks between Outer Cloister's waypoint and the Pit, as well as to full clear both levels of the Pit itself. Not a groundbreaking time by any stretch, but decent enough, considering the conditions. She also plans on making a career out of running Ancient Tunnels for fun, but [unfortunately for her competitors] won't be participating in the next MFO.

Build Goals
1) Have very powerful cold AND physical attacks, so as to avoid issues with immunities.
2) Be self-sufficient, i.e. capable of running with neither potion nor mercenary, should such a situation arise.

A pair of relatively easy goals, to be honest, but along the lines of what you'd expect for someone running two comparatively less dangerous areas. It should be self-explanatory how these two goals were met just by looking at the stats/skills/gear, so I'll be entrusting that task to your wonderfully clever minds. 😉

Basics
Strength: 93 (134)
Dexterity: 410 (425)
Vitality: 20 (30)
Energy: ?

7 FPA Freezing Arrow
7 FPA Multiple Shot
7 FPA Magic Arrow
2 FPA Strafe (bugged)

80% CS/DS with 'Ice', 71% CS/DS with Windforce

98% Pierce
32% FRW (slow!)
103% MF
20% FHR

'Faith'ful Mercenary, Floria

Passive Tree (+1): 9 Valkyrie, 20 Penetrate, 7 Pierce, 10 Critical Strike
Bow Tree (+10): 20 Freezing Arrow, 20 Cold Arrow, 4 Strafe, 4 Multiple Shot, 1 Magic Arrow

Equipment
Character

Bow #1: 'Ice' Diamond Bow
Bow #2: 'Shael' Windforce
Helm: Kira's Guardian
Armor: 'Fortitude' Dusk Shroud
Gloves: Storm Knuckle (junk, :()
Belt: Razortail
Boots: War Traveler (49%)
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
Ring: Wraith Whorl
Ring: Dread Hold

Charms: 7x Fletcher's GCs, 1x Gheed's, 8x Assorted SCs

Mercenary
Bow: 'Faith' Superior Diamond Bow
Helm: Vampire Gaze (Ethereal)
Armor: 'Treachery' Mage Plate

GoMule Dump
Code:
Ice
Superior Diamond Bow
AmnShaelJahLo
Two Hand Damage: 102 - 124
Durability: 38 of 40
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 89
Required Dexterity: 132
Fingerprint: 0xfcd919d4
Item Level: 80
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
+20% Increased Attack Speed
212% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
+1 to Attack Rating
-20% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+30% to Cold Skill Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
20% Deadly Strike
265% Extra Gold from Monsters (Based on Character Level)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

Windforce
Hydra Bow
Two Hand Damage: 35 - 525
Durability: 50 of 55
Required Level: 73
Required Strength: 134
Required Dexterity: 167
Fingerprint: 0x7b58b3f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
250% Enhanced Damage
+287 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
6% Mana stolen per hit
Knockback
+10 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
Heal Stamina Plus 30%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

Kira's Guardian
Diadem
Defense: 171
Durability: 14 of 20
Required Level: 71
Fingerprint: 0x1010794
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+117 Defense
All Resistances +80
Cannot Be Frozen
Required Level +7
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shimmering Jewel of Fervor

Fortitude
Dusk Shroud
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1416
Durability: 18 of 20
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0x4cce8dce
Item Level: 82
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 +27
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

Storm Knuckle
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 100
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xee584b14
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+20% Increased Attack Speed
3% Mana stolen per hit
+60% Enhanced Defense
+12 to Strength

Razortail
Vampirefang Belt
Defense: 166
Durability: 8 of 14
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x87d0149
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Piercing Attack
+10 to Maximum Damage
+140% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+15 to Dexterity
Attacker Takes Damage of (Based on Character Level) 85
Required Level +7

War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 125
Durability: 45 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0xaf240049
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+161% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
49% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x64ee487a
Item Level: 87
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

Wraith Whorl
Ring
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x9f1d7b2b
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+36 to Attack Rating
7% Life stolen per hit
+22 to Mana
All Resistances +11
14% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Dread Hold
Ring
Required Level: 74
Fingerprint: 0xf55345d7
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+26 to Attack Rating
6% Mana stolen per hit
+19 to Strength
+28 to Life
+47 to Mana
Fire Resist +25%

Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x57691fb0
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
103% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 10%
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Inertia
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x7a631908
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+7% Faster Run/Walk

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x65b140b6
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+40 to Life

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x6a0299ca
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+36 to Life

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xcdea1624
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+29 to Life

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x831622eb
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+28 to Life

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x9eeb3f99
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+24 to Life

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x21ff50d7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+17 to Life

Sapphire Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x8584e7f0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life
Cold Resist +10%

Cobalt Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xb76d21e7
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Cold Resist +8%

Emerald Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xeac4ec03
Item Level: 71
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
Poison Resist +10%

Emerald Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x562bbb80
Item Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Life
Poison Resist +10%

Shivering Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xbbcec397
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 4 - 8 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+19 to Life

Snowy Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xf0403dfd
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 4 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+19 to Life

Snowy Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xe6e5b6a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 2 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+18 to Life

Boreal Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x62b2768d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 5 - 10 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+17 to Life

Faith
Superior Diamond Bow
OhmJahLemEld
Two Hand Damage: 146 - 178
Durability: 33 of 40
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 89
Required Dexterity: 132
Fingerprint: 0xb162df43
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 15 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+1 to All Skills
345% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
300% Bonus to Attack Rating
+1 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

Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 378
Durability: 21 of 21
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 48
Fingerprint: 0x2f32993e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
8% Mana stolen per hit
6% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
+16 Maximum Stamina
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 20%
Magic Damage Reduced by 15
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Maroon Jewel of Fervor

Treachery
Mage Plate
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 258
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x6a838e30
Item Level: 85
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)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune

Comments
Questing

I don't suppose you need me to tell you how easy it was to get her through the game. :badteeth: She ran into zero situations which gave her much of any trouble. A level 30 Freezing Arrow fired at 7 FPA with virtually 100% Pierce (98% Pierce + ITD + high AR) and -20% ECR really leaves things in the dust, as does a glass cannon with 'Fortitude' featuring a Windforce at 7 FPA. Moving right along...

Too Many High Runes :crazyeyes:
That surprisingly has less to do with the power of the build than you might imagine. Do 'Ice' and 'Faith' help the cause? Of course. Are they necessary? Hardly. Freezing Arrow with an adequate freeze length duration (ie. probably more than the 1.5 seconds Akari had) puts most things in their place, and firing with a little more power or speed has little to do with your overall effectiveness. Many budget bows work wonderfully with Freezing Arrow, such as Wizendraw, 'Melody' Matriarchal Bow, 'Harmony' Matriarchal Bow, Blood Raven's Charge, M'avina's Caster (along with the rest of the set), or even a +3 Matriarchal Bow stuffed with some combination of Eth Runes, Shael Runes, and Perfect Sapphires. I kid you not.

As far as her physical damage is concerned, 'Faith' on the mercenary is hardly a necessity. In fact, I'm fairly certain you would do more damage per second with a more standard Might mercenary carrying The Reaper's Toll, not to mention that you would gain extra survivability, at least when the moron is actually doing his job.

Massive Dexterity, and 20 in Penetrate?
Both of these things, of course, are helpful for attacks such as Multiple Shot and Strafe, but I'd argue they're even more important for Freezing Arrow. At level 20, a fully synergized Freezing Arrow deals 1054-1088 damage. At level 34, a full 14 plus skills later, this doubles to 2128-2162.

My point? The average Frost Maiden (or Fishyzon, except that 20 in Penetrate is hardly an option) cares little for AR, significantly weakening the ability of her arrows to Pierce. Against just a pair of enemies, having Pierce trigger often via high AR or ITD, versus rarely with low AR, can mean significantly more damage than a handful of plus skills, and against even larger packs of enemies, the difference grows further. Even in the rare case of dealing with a single enemy, there is the option of attacking near walls, doors, or bushes.

Am I saying that everyone should stop using Wizendraw and 'Melody' on their low AR characters? Not really. What I'm trying to point out is simply that a character with either ITD or high dexterity for base AR, along with a source of %AR (e.g. Penetrate, Demon Limb, Blood Raven's Charge), can do just as much damage, if not more, than its more typical vitality based counterpart. A high dexterity build has another advantage as well, namely the potential for comparatively higher physical damage, thereby providing a potential answer for both mana problems (via leech), as well as immunes (via physical damage).

Closing Remarks
Overall, a very fun character with lots of things going for her. I'd recommend anyone to look into making a Frost Maiden, although I'd probably look into Strafe over both Strafe and Multiple Shot, and MS requires quite a big chunk of IAS to fire reasonably quickly. Another cookie cutter to the highest degree, but one I'll be looking to level to the mid to high 90s, and a build I hope more people look consider trying.

Thanks
Thanks to Dacar92 and KremBanan for their guides on bowazons which I once upon a time had read, as well as to the many people who contributed to her gear. Couldn't have come even close to pulling this character off without all of you.

Future Plans
This is part 2 of my Aria project, a triumvirate of overpowered amazons. :p. As for the others, part 1 featured Alice, a CS running Gunslinger, and part 3 features Alicia, a WSK running Fishyzon, who I finished not too long ago. Hopefully once these three (and the MFO) are finished, I can finally get back to shooting for that first untwinked Guardian. The dropoff in power will be interesting to deal with. :badteeth:

In any case, thanks for your time. :). I look forward to seeing more amazons made, and not just those Fishyzons running rampant these days. 😉
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by @maareek on August 13, 2009

Matriarch Fire_Sparker, Fireball/Lightning Sorceress

Introduction

This char was parked in NM Act 5 for the MFO, then finished off shortly after its completion. I based the concept very (very) loosely off of NagisaFurukawa's Nanoha, then changed pretty much everything. So this was basically free advertisement for a sorc I think more people should read about. You're welcome. :p

One of the biggest reasons for testing this build was that I've always disliked the thought of having lightning as a backup on a sorc that doesn't reach at least 117% FCR. I knew I didnt' like the sound of it, but I had never tried it. This is typically an issue with builds that use Tal's set because of it's fairly low FCR bonuses. It's damn near impossible to beat Tal's Rasha's set for a fire sorc, and I'd venture to say impossible to beat it on a fire/x hybrid, so it seemed the most likely main skill branch for the test.

The Character

Character name : Fire_Sparker
Character type : Sorceress
Character level : 80

Strength : 146 (156)
Energy : 35 (45)
Dexterity : 25 (49)
Vitality : 284 (316)

Life : 1199 / 727
Mana : 773 / 193

Resists:
Fire: 57
Cold: 75
Lightning: 75
Poison: 52

Skills:
20: Fireball (33), Firebolt(33), Lightning(32), Lightning Mastery(34)
2: Chain Lightning(14)
1: Static(13), Teleport(13), Telekinesis(13), Meteor(14), Inferno(14), Blaze(14), Firewall(14), Fire Mastery(16)

No points in Warmth, none saved.

The build went this way: max fireball asap, then max firebolt (this was largely concurrent with fireball since I didn't need to spend points early) before heading over to lightning. Drop a point in both masteries when they become available. Finish maxing lightning then work on LM. The Lightning skills feel a little weak, so additional points would go to CL. You could get a stronger backup by not getting meteor at all, but I wouldn't suggest it - I think the added offensive power is well worth the skillpoints.

Fireball damage: 4018-4400
Meteor damage: 3448-3782
Lightning damage: 5-4247
Chain Lightning damage: 5-1969

Gear:
Code:
Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Death Mask
Defense: 116
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Strength: 55
Required Level: 66
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x574f38ad
+60 to Life
+30 to Mana
+45 Defense
All Resistances +15
Adds 1-74 lightning damage
10% Life stolen per hit
10% Mana stolen per hit
100% Chance to cast Level 41 Nova When You Level Up
+3% to Lightning Skill Damage
-3% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0xe64ccc05
Adds 1-74 lightning damage
100% Chance to cast Level 41 Nova When You Level Up
+3% to Lightning Skill Damage
-3% to Enemy Lightning Resistance

Tal Rasha's Adjudication
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0x6f049851
+50 to Life
+42 to Mana
Lightning Resist +33%
Adds 3-32 lightning damage
+2 to Sorceress Skill Levels

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
10% Faster Cast Rate
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***


Tal Rasha's Guardianship
Lacquered Plate
Defense: 929
Durability: 53 of 55
Required Strength: 83
Required Level: 71
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0x51e6c0bd
+400 Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 15
Fire Resist +40%
Lightning Resist +40%
Cold Resist +40%
Adds 17-45 fire damage
**% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Requirements -60%
100% Chance to cast Level 29 Blaze When You Level Up
+4% to Fire Skill Damage
-5% to Enemy Fire Resistance

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
10% Faster Cast Rate
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

Socketed (1: 1 used)

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x529498eb
Adds 17-45 fire damage
100% Chance to cast Level 29 Blaze When You Level Up
+4% to Fire Skill Damage
-5% to Enemy Fire Resistance

The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0xdd693e17
+20 to Mana
Adds 1-12 lightning damage
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
+1 to All Skill Levels

The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xb5e5d7e5
+20 to Mana
Adds 1-12 lightning damage
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
+1 to All Skill Levels

Tal Rasha's Fine-Spun Cloth
Mesh Belt
Defense: 100
Durability: 14 of 16
Required Strength: 46
Required Level: 53
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x60478e2d
+20 to Dexterity
+30 to Mana
14% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Requirements -20%
37% Damage Taken Goes to Mana

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
+60 Defense
10% Faster Cast Rate
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***


War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 134
Durability: 47 of 48
Required Strength: 95
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x4710afb8
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
+180% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Minimum Damage
+25 to Maximum Damage
+30 Maximum Durability
Attacker Takes Damage of 6
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
25% Faster Run/Walk
40% Slower Stamina Drain

Magefist
Light Gauntlets
Defense: 25
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Strength: 45
Required Level: 23
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xd6efcd5
+30% Enhanced Defense
Regenerate Mana 25%
+10 Defense
Adds 1-6 fire damage
20% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to Fire Skills

Tal Rasha's Lidless Eye
Swirling Crystal
One-Hand Damage: 18 to 42
Durability: 50 of 50
(Sorceress Only)
Required Level: 65
Orb Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x850e70a
+10 to Energy
+57 to Life
+77 to Mana
Adds 17-45 fire damage
20% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to Cold Mastery (Sorceress Only)
+2 to Fire Mastery (Sorceress Only)
+2 to Lightning Mastery (Sorceress Only)
100% Chance to cast Level 31 Meteor When You Die
+3% to Fire Skill Damage

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
+1 to Sorceress Skill Levels
-20% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-15% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+15% to Cold Skill Damage
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

Socketed (1: 1 used)

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x764ce23e
Adds 17-45 fire damage
100% Chance to cast Level 31 Meteor When You Die
+3% to Fire Skill Damage
-5% to Enemy Fire Resistance

Spirit
Monarch
'TalThulOrtAmn'
Defense: 140
Chance to Block:  42%
Durability: 84 of 86
Required Strength: 156
Required Level: 54
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xc0da8d62
+22 to Vitality
+90 to Mana
+250 Defense vs. Missile
Lightning Resist +35%
Cold Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
55% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Faster Cast Rate
+2 to All Skill Levels
+7 Magic Absorb
Socketed (4: 4 used)

Charms:
Code:
Sparking Grand Charm of Balance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 56
Fingerprint: 0xb75470cd
12% Faster Hit Recovery
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)

Sparking Grand Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0xd6ae2e76
+4 to Dexterity
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)

Burning Grand Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x4bf543bd
+25 to Life
+1 to Fire Skills (Sorceress Only)

Burning Grand Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x2a3a25a7
+12 to Life
+1 to Fire Skills (Sorceress Only)

Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 62
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xf1ca2ced
114% Extra Gold from Monsters
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Reduces All Vendor Prices 12%

Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 74
Fingerprint: 0x41688368
All Resistances +3
3% Faster Run/Walk

Amber Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0x4a023ff8
+17 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%

Ruby Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xdc04266c
+20 to Life
Fire Resist +10%

Shimmering Small Charm of Storms
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x35d55041
All Resistances +5
Adds 1-20 lightning damage

Shimmering Small Charm of Good Luck
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 33
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x90d35ed0
All Resistances +4
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Sapphire Small Charm of Good Luck
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 33
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x3317f842
Cold Resist +11%
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Emerald Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0x5dc2e8fc
+17 to Life
Poison Resist +10%

Coral Small Charm of Good Luck
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 33
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x99a1b31b
Lightning Resist +9%
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Fazel, Might Mercenary:
Code:
Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 378
Durability: 21 of 21
Required Strength: 48
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x9f678bf5
+100% Enhanced Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
Damage Reduced by 17%
Adds 6-22 cold damage over 4 seconds
6% Life stolen per hit
8% Mana stolen per hit
15% Increased Attack Speed
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (1: 1 used)

Jewel of Fervor
Required Level: 31
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x5161ff71
15% Increased Attack Speed

Duress
Fabian's Archon Plate
'ShaelUmThul'
Defense: 2557
Durability: 31 of 31
Required Strength: 93
Required Level: 63
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x29899e45
+175% Enhanced Defense
+50% Enhanced Defense
+13% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Cold Resist +45%
Poison Resist +15%
Adds 37-133 cold damage over 2 seconds
40% Faster Hit Recovery
33% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (3: 3 used)

Insight
Cryptic Axe
'RalTirTalSol'
Two-Hand Damage: 183 to 913
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Dexterity: 93
Required Strength: 155
Required Level: 59
Polearm Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x73fc776d
+5 to Strength
+5 to Energy
+5 to Dexterity
+5 to Vitality
+256% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
Adds 5-30 fire damage
+75 poison damage over 5 seconds
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Critical Strike
35% Faster Cast Rate
204% Bonus to Attack Rating
+2 to Mana After Each Kill
Level 16 Meditation Aura When Equipped
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (4: 4 used)

The Journey

Normal
:
Standard starting gear: envy setup to start, swapping in 3 part Sigon's at level 6 to take her through level 15. Iratha's + Tread's + 1.09 RC got me to 29, where she got Vipermagi + Wall of the Eyeless + Spirit + 2 SoJ's, Nat's boots, Nightsmoke, Magefist, Peasant Crown and a rare amulet with res and FCR, to hit 105 FCR. Thought I had an ammy with +1 sorc skills, res and FCR, but couldn't find one, oh well.

Couldn't find the Flayer Jungle, so I ended up basically full clearing the Spider Forest and the Great Marsh. Finally found my way out, but the extra experience meant I could swap into caster gear right as I found Lam Esen's Tome instead of in Act 4.

Swapped in Oculus, Lidless, the skillers and the small charms at 44 (went from 41 to 44 in one run), then kept running Baal until level 47, when I moved on.

Nightmare:
All of NM was easier than I expected. In fact, I'd venture to use "cakewalk" to describe it. Fireball wasted just about everything. Granted, I teleported through most of it, but still. Fal from the HF, CS was surprisingly tame. Then the MFO came.

Picked her back up at the start of Act 5. Leveled a bit at Pindle. Swapped in Harley, Spirit, War Travelers and Tal's amulet at 67 to help out Baal runs. Honestly, those were a bit of a chore. 3k FB/2k Lightning killed at p8, but it wasn't especially fast compared to other skills and the last two waves took quite a while to wear down - there was a lot of tele-attack-tele-attack-tele-attack action going on to keep the merc out of trouble. Baal similarly shrugged off my fireballs. That all changed at level 71. With the full Tal's on and it's -25 fire resistance plus -18 lightning resistance those same monsters dropped like flies. Baal barely had a chance to get out a "What's up with the shimmer, lady?" before being incinerated. Ran until level 74 before entering Hell.

Hell:
I teleported through, for the most part. Killing interesting looking bosspacks and doing all the quests except Nihlathak. Went at p1 except for Act Bosses and LK(p3). Act I was NM's ownage continued. Andariel was ... um ... was she that big, ugly thing that dropped in ~5 hits? There were a few more FI's in Act II, but it was mostly same old from the first act. Duriel forced a few separations and pots for the merc, but fell just the same.

The layout in Act 3 was a dream. Spider Cavern in the first side area I came to, entrance to the Flayer Jungle at the Gidbinn at the next area. Found Sewers level 2 right off. Council was shockingly easy, though the merc did buy it to being swarmed by 2 bosses at one point. Bit of a shock in Durance 1 as an Urdar boss dropped a rare Unearthed Wand, but nothing else really of note. Durance 3 was packed, though, with a dual bosspack of vampires - one with might, one with fanaticism - in the bottom left corner of the main room. Saw them from the entry room, so cleared them out before messing with Bremm, who dropped the merc but was otherwise tame. Cleared out all the Council members, then took on Meph. Level 78 merc couldn't stand up to him, so I ended up moating him. Still got the merc with an ice ball, though. Got an almost godly circlet out of the deal.

Plains of Despair had gloams, but they really only tickled. Izual fell almost before I knew he was there. Hephasto had Fanaticism and teleport. A Balrog pack just a few seconds earlier had Cursed the merc, so he wasn't able to stick around long. As soon as the merc bit it, Heph teleported right on top of me. Ran away, resurrected the merc and collected the hammer. Forge dropped a Fal, meh. Coulda been worse. Got to the CS, took out a bosspack of balrogs, teleported to the first set of seals and the merc buys it to IM. Go back to stash some loot and res him and see I only have enough gold for one resurrection ... with the entire CS to go. S&E. Mule on a million gold and we're ready to go.

The Sanctuary was tedious, with Balrogs having high light res and life on top of fire immunity, but not too dangerous. Had two balrog bosses spawn with LI, one of them cursed, but the merc took care of both. He only died three, maybe four times, which was nice. One of those was to conviction balrog breath, instead of IM, which was nice, in a way. Infector of Souls either one or two shotted my merc (I think it was one, but then the merc survived one later on ... maybe the first rolled critical) but Lightning finally got him. p3 Diablo wasn't too bad, although I did fail to get out of the way of a firestorm as quickly as I should and lost the merc and over half my red bulb.

No gloams at Anya, just yetis, witches and frozen terrors. One room/corridor combination with five assorted bosspacks gave some excitement, but the rest was simple enough.
Expected some trouble with the Ancients, but they disappointed. CI, FI/CI, LI and no Might/Fana/Cursed. Whirler got me with one full whirl and took ~7/8ths of my hitpoints, but no other worries.

WSK was great fun. Teleported past everything until I decided to kill a triple bosspack of witches with a bosspack of defilers and a champ pack of witches for good measure that was in a dead end room and it's adjoining hallway on level 3. Lots of nice drop and experience opportunities right there together; too much to pass up. Also too much to handle. Fanaticism, Might, Cursed, Fire Immune, Magic Resistance, it was all there. Teleported into the end room after clearing the hall and dropped several meteors, but also caught several stars from the witches. Got stun locked (even with 7 frame FHR *grumble*) and bought it. The pack I was working on (the one with Fanaticism) dropped right after the sorc did.

That's where the fun started. The waypoint on level 2 was on the opposite side of the stairs down, and I haven't cleared the points in between. The char is naked, with the Anya rewards lost, and level 2 is full of Gloams and poison skeletons. But I saw that boss die on level 3 and I had to see the drop. So I started the trudge through. Triple bosspack around the first corner: 2 of Vipers, one of gloams. Lots of dancing, lots of casting, and a lot of forcing pots down the merc's throat.

Finally fought our way to level 3, blessing the low hitpoints of gloams all along the way, where we got to face PI witches, FI boars and the boar masters. along with defilers. Again, the corpse lied alllllll the way across the map from the stairs, and the whole way would have to be cleared. Fortunately, boars have really low HP. Witches, on the other hand, were a complete pain. Had to be super careful, but stay aggressive at the same time, because they won't come out and play like gloams will. You have to go after them, and then do the "I dun wanna die" dance. Teleport, cast Fireball, teleport FB, teleport, FB, etc. always staying a frame or two ahead of the stars; fun stuff. Discovered that the remaining witch boss at the corpse was FI, so I led her out, darted in to pick up the corpse then waxed the witches that still stood. Nothing valuable dropped from any of them, of course.

Went looking for the stairs to the Throne, found them down the corridor immediately beside the stairs and went ahead and S&E'd because I didn't want to head to the Throne missing out on 30 res all. After correcting the Anya bug, teleported through levels 2 and 3 and hit the throne. FI Frenzytaur boss near the stairs, no big deal; more witches, alright; and vipers, awesome spawn. Waves 1-4 proved no problem, even Lister was remarkably easy. p3 Baal killed the merc and sent me back for potions once, got his clone off as well, but it wasn't enough.

Finds
-Normal HF: Amn
-NM HF: Fal
-Hell HF: Fal
-Ethereal Dimoak's Hew in Normal Jail
-Jewel of Envy in Normal Catacombs
-IK helm from NM Andariel
-Oculus from Andariel run
-These two items
-Serpent's (54) GC of Greed (27)

Future
Don't know how much use she'll see, but she's now my designated Andariel runner. If I do decide to do some Andy runs she'll probably hit Countess, as well - an extra ~30-40 seconds for a chance at an Ist? Yes, please - so I suppose she's my new Countess runner, too.

Thoughts
She's a good everything runner. Whenever I'd start a new Hell game -granted, I went through Hell in only four sessions - she'd kill the countess, Andariel, Duriel and Mephisto. She also ran Eldritch and Pindle quite well later on, in my few trials. I think this would be a great sorceress on the Realms where optimized single target runners aren't a good option because of the bans if you do runs too quickly. In Single Player, I'd say she's a fine option for an Andy runner, and a fine choice for Countess, as well. The other targets have better choices.

I just made up the skill plan as I went along (didn't even consult the calculator), so I'm extremely happy with how well she turned out. Fireball is a much stronger main attack than I thought (I've taken a meteorb to mat, but she teleported even more than this one did) and Lightning was a plenty competent backup. Having now tested a 13 frame lightning cast rate, I can say for certain that I don't like it. No surprise there.

Were I to make her again, I'd go with Nova instead of Lightning, and would suggest anybody looking to make something like this go with Nova as the backup.

Beyond that, I'll just add that she was really a blast to play. Even that WSK death thing was an enjoyable event ... this once.

Thank Yous
-Nagisa, for the inspiration and the Insight.
-bassano, for the Sparking of Balance and the ilvl88 SoJ.
-maxicek, for the Fire facets.
-Ravenlord, for the Shimmering of Inertia.
-Fabian, for the Duress and the Amber and Emerald SC's of Vita.

And, as always, you, for reading. Good night, and may the good ju-ju go wit ju.
 
Originally posted by NagisaFurukawa on May 22, 2008:

Matriarch Kikyo, Energetic M'avina's Mageazon

Introduction

Introducing Matriarch Kikyo (??). Kikyo is a late priestess of 17 years of age. Due to various circumstances (which I won't reveal), she lives on, so to speak, as a spirit. Among shrine maidens, she is [almost] unique, capable of firing enchanted arrows from her bow.

I always wanted to make a Mageazon, but the mana issues were a huge turnoff. Remedying this problem and staying true to the theme (not to mention putting more Mage into Mageazon) could not have been easier.

----------------------------------------------------------

Vitals
Name: Kikyo.
Level: 80 (682266193 EXP).

Strength: 20 (98).
Dexterity: 25 (122).
Vitality: 20 (25).
Energy: 425 (430).

Guided Arrow: 401-1351.
Freezing Arrow: 385-1268 | 1840-2038.
Immolation Arrow: 385-1268 | 1836-1866.

Life: 327.
Mana: 817.

Defense: 1775.
Resists: 71/62/62/74.

----------------------------------------------------------

Skills
Freezing Arrow: 20 (28).
Immolation Arrow: 20 (28).
Guided Arrow: 1 (9).
Valkyrie: 1 (9).
Decoy: 1 (9).

Dodge: 1 (9). <- 46%.
Evade: 1 (9). <- 54%.
Avoid: 1 (9). <- 46%.
Pierce: 1 (9). <- 69%.

Exploding Arrow: 20.
Cold Arrow: 20.

Prerequisites: 1.

----------------------------------------------------------

Equipment
Weapon: M'avina's Caster (Hel).
Helm: M'avina's Diadem (Rare Jewel).
Armor: M'avina's Embrace (Hel).
Gloves: M'avina's Icy Clutch.
Belt: M'avina's Tenet.
Boots: Waterwalk.
Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope.
Ring: Raven Frost.
Ring: Rare Ring.

Charms: +19 Strength, +7 Dexterity.

Viper Scarab
Jewel
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x4a8dc27c
+7 to Strength
+7 to Dexterity
+8 to Life
Heal Stamina Plus 12%

Corruption Hold
Ring
Required Level: 66
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xaba29d6e
+17 to Strength
Fire Resist +20%
Lightning Resist +11%
Cold Resist +11%
Poison Resist +23%
6% Life stolen per hit

----------------------------------------------------------

Mercenary
Name: Azrael.
Level: 79 (56445178 EXP).
Class: Desert Mercenary - Combat (Prayer).

Equipment
Weapon: 'Insight' Thresher.
Helm: Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest.
Armor: 'Treachery' Wire Fleece.

----------------------------------------------------------

Ramblings
1) With all that extra mana, this thing BREEZED through the earlier parts of the game. Spamming was never so easy.

2) With the IMBA Freezing Arrow, this thing also breezed through the majority of the later parts of the game. =).

3) Pierce owns. It's a shame that you can't equip both Razortail and M'avina's at the same time. Packs that weren't Cold Immune went down in a matter of seconds. To make things even better, they couldn't do a single thing about it. Immolation Arrows pierce as well, but the effect was much nicer with Freezing Arrow's lack of a timer.

4) Hell Ancients were a pain. That Leap Attack guy would NOT give me a break. He was completely oblivious to the Decoy, Valkyrie, and merc. COMPLETELY. Did I mention he was capable of 1 hit kills? =X. EVIL.

5) Mageazons are cookie cutters. I'd recommend them to anyone. Try to invest in Vitality though. =X.

6) Guided Arrow is just as good as any old Decoy for scouting out areas. Fire a few and see if they turn (or if you leech).

7) M'avina's looks pretty good. The color and glow made her look more like an angel than a spirit... but that doesn't matter.

8) A Gul rune from the Hellforge. Only Vex + Gul away from that Fortitude...

----------------------------------------------------------

Future Plans
1) Pindle/AT runs. I have some catching up to do for the MFP.

2) Ideas anyone? I'll settle for [almost] anything as long as I've never tried it before. ;).

Special Thanks
~ maxgerin for the Helm and Armor.
~ bodis for the rare ring.
~ Readers.
 
Originally posted by @maxicek on Sep 9, 2010:

A Matriarch & Patriarch six pack.

I have been doing a bit of tidying up of my character selection screen, so here are some Mats & Pats in brief. Most are cookie cutters, but I thought I would share (or bore you with) my thoughts anyway. The dumps are from GoMule, I'm sure they are not always accurate. Life figures don't take BO into account and there are other oddities.

These six have mostly been completed over the summer period, although some have been started well before then. In fact I think Boreas was one of my first ten SP characters, but I didn't get motivated to play him before I got my hands on an Enigma.


Bane
Patriarch Bane, lvl92 PvP Whirlwind Barbarian (BvC)

Bane is named after a bad guy in the Knightfall series of Batman comics. He is a cookie cutter BvC, along very similar lines to colony's Im_aBarb. In fact he is pretty much a copy of that character. He packs about 10K AR, all resists maxxed without the Anya bonus and about 5.6K life. That's a bit more AR than col and a bit less life IIRC. Some of my charms could do with improving, this could get me up to the 6K mark. Thanks to JDKerr for trading me his 1.07 ATMA Bugged eGrief before he gave up (briefly).

So this awesome powerhouse of a character must be quite a dominating force on the moor then? Well possibly. I am going to make no excuses, I was just plain awful with this character in PvP week. A disgrace to barbarians. I can't even pull out the old "bad ping" chestnut as I was hosting most of the time. I'm not sure where I was going wrong really, maybe it is just a case of more practice required. I have a reasonable amount of experience playing WW Assassins and maybe I was thinking the gameplay would be similar with a BvC. It isn't. I'm not going to shelve him just yet though, expect to see him on The Moor again.

Finds: Can't remember any of the HF drops, so they can't have been good. I found a Ruby Jewel of Daring which went straight into a Stormshield for my soon to be respecced BvB. I ran The Pits with Bane to level in an MFO where he found a Death Cleaver. Actually he found an Astreon's in the MFO too, but the computer crashed before I could pick it up and S&E. Yes, I am still bitter about it.

banelcs.jpg


Stats
Name: Bane
Class: Barbarian
Experience: 1924632509
Level: 92

Naked/Gear
Strength: 69/195
Dexterity: 49/109
Vitality: 427/427
Energy: 10/20
HP: 1905/2366
Mana: 101/240
Stamina: 585/585
Defense: 12/1389
AR: 230/36645

Fire: 146/106/46
Cold: 148/108/48
Lightning: 151/111/51
Poison: 142/102/42
(add 31 to all these numbers to allow for Anya and Natural Resistance)

FR/W: 45
FHR: 50
FCR: 40


Skills
Bash: 1/9
Leap: 20/28
Stun: 1/9
Leap Attack: 1/9
Concentrate: 1/9
Whirlwind: 20/28
Berserk: 1/9

Axe Mastery: 20/26
Increased Stamina: 1/7
Iron Skin: 1/7
Increased Speed: 5/11
Natural Resistance: 8/14

Howl: 1/7
Shout: 1/7
Battle Orders: 20/26
Battle Command: 1/7


Equipment
Weapon1: 'Grief' Berserker Axe (1.07 Ethereal hax)
Weapon2: 'Beast' (Regular, made in 1.12)

Switch Weapon1: Call to Arms (Beta Hax)
Switch Weapon2: HoTO

Helm: Arreat's Face with Ruby Jewel
Armour: 'Enigma' Breast Plate
Belt: Arachnid Mesh
Boots: 'Brimstone Blazer' 28FR/31CR/37LR/10FHR Rares
Gloves: Trang's Claws

Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
Ring1: 20/232 Ravenfrost
Ring2: 20/240 Ravenfrost

Inventory: Resists: 19% all, 38% fire, 10% cold, 65% poison. Steel / Sharp GCs / SCs all with FHR or life. .


Boreas
Patriarch Boreas, lvl92 PvP Wind Druid

"Boreas was the Greek god of the cold north wind and the bringer of winter. His name meant "North Wind" or "Devouring One". Boreas is depicted as being very strong, with a violent temper to match. He was frequently shown as a winged old man with shaggy hair and beard."

How better to describe a teleporting Wind Druid? Boreas was my second new character in PvP Week 6. As I said above he is one of my oldest characters, but was languishing around in Normal for years until I got hold of an Enigma. Even then I didn't get the motivation to play him, until I go a very nice pelt and some skillers in Pyro's giveaway. Thanks again Pyro and frozzen for organising everything.

He performed reasonably well on the moor, despite my lack of experience with the build. The gameplay is fairly simple. Summon your minions, telestomp your opponent and spam tornados, retreat to re-summon and repeat. He has fairly low life, so the trick is to make sure the minions are up all the time. I had the most problems with colony's fire sorc, which would wipe the minions in one blast and me in a second, and frozzzen's trapper. It's interesting to feel what it's like to be on the receiving end on a mind blast for a change.

Finds: I levelled him almost exclusively in /players8 pit runs. Other than another Death Cleaver, this was fairly uneventful, until mid way to level 92 I found a Ber. About 1/4 of an XP bar later I found a second Ber, so I was extremely happy. As usual, they come when you aren't looking for them. Not happy enough to level him further though, he is going to stay at 92.

boreaslcs.jpg


Stats
Name: Boreas
Class: Druid
Experience: 1924010058
Level: 92

Naked/Gear
Strength: 87/162
Dexterity: 192/227
Vitality: 251/256
Energy: 20/25
HP: 703/859
Mana: 202/399
Stamina: 401/401
Defense: 48/1339
AR: 930/1246

Fire: 225/185/125
Cold: 233/193/133
Lightning: 239/199/139
Poison: 172/132/72

Block: 73
FR/W: 45
FHR: 102
FCR: 100

Skills
Raven: 1/9
Oak Sage: 18/26
Summon Spirit Wolf: 1/9
Summon Dire Wolf: 1/9
Summon Grizzly: 1/9

Arctic Blast: 1/22
Cyclone Armor: 20/41
Twister: 20/41
Tornado: 20/44
Hurricane: 20/41


Equipment
Weapon: HoTO (30% resist all. I really need to make a new one, it can't be worse.)
Shield: 'Sanctuary' Tower Shield, 60%RA

Switch Weapon: Call to Arms
Switch Shield: Spirit

Helm: Gaean Griffon Headdress, +3 Tornado, 'ShaelShael'
Armour: 'Enigma' Breast Plate
Belt: Arachnid Mesh
Boots: 'Brimstone Blazer' 28FR/31CR/37LR/10FHR Rares
Gloves: Trang Oul's Claws

Amulet: Mara's
Ring1: FCR + Resists
Ring2: FCR + Resists

Inventory: 8 Elemental Skillers (4 with Life), 1 Elemental GCs of Balance, 5 Resist SCs, SCs of Balance etc.


Jagreen_Lern
Patriarch Jagreen_Lern, lvl86 Trang Oul's Poisonmancer

Another very old character only recently finished. One of the reasons this character has been around for so long was that I was wanting to find a Death's Web before completing him. Well it remains elusive, so I decide to finish him anyway. He is named after one of Elric's adversaries. I went the Poison / Summoner route. Having played both a bone armour version and a Skeleton version, I have to say that the skeletons are much more effective than bone armour. They were very robust and didn't need re-summoning often, even with only 1 point into mastery.

Stats
Name: Jagreen_Lern
Class: Necromancer
Experience: 1152792168
Level: 86

Naked/Gear
Strength: 82/117
Dexterity: 88/103
Vitality: 325/345
Energy: 25/25
HP: 852/927
Mana: 195/516
Stamina: 474/504
Defense: 22/1798
AR: 395/470

Fire: 82/42/-18
Cold: 109/69/9
Lightning: 119/79/19
Poison: 119/79/19

MF: 130
GF: 176
FR/W: 65
FHR: 25
FCR: 50


Skills
Amplify Damage: 1/4
Dim Vision: 1/4
Weaken: 1/4
Iron Maiden: 1/4
Terror: 1/4
Life Tap: 1/4
Decrepify: 1/5
Lower Resist: 1/4

Teeth: 1/16
Bone Armor: 1/19
Poison Dagger: 20/35
Corpse Explosion: 1/16
Bone Wall: 1/16
Poison Explosion: 20/35
Poison Nova: 20/38

Skeleton Mastery: 2/9
Raise Skeleton: 20/23
Clay Golem: 1/4
Golem Mastery: 1/4
Summon Resist: 1/4


Equipment
Weapon: 'White' +3Poison Nova
Shield: Trang Oul's Wing with Perfect Diamond

Switch Weapon: AOKL
Switch Shield: Trang Oul's Wing

Helm: Trang Oul's Guise with Poison Rainbow Facet
Armour: Trang Oul's Scales with Poison Rainbow Facet
Belt: Trang Oul's Girth
Boots: War Traveller
Gloves: Trang Oul's Claws

Amulet: Magical Venomous Amulet
Ring1: Rare with resists and FCR
Ring2: Rare with resists and FCR

Inventory: 6x Fungal GCs, 6x SCs, both tomes and the cube.


Persephone
Matriarch Persephone, lvl 87 Lightning Sorceress

Persephone is named after the character played by the delicious Monica Bellucci in the second Matrix film. In Greek mythology she is the Queen of The Underworld. This build got stalled for a while, mainly due to my lack of enthusiasm for sorceresses these days. But when I eventually made an Infinity, it was time to blow the dust off her.

When I saw the -ELR role on the Infinity, I decided to carry it myself. My thinking behind this is that for non LIs, I really don't need more +skills to increase the damage. The conviction will do more than enough damage. For LIs, the best way to increase damage is to get the lightning resist down further. That means carrying the Infinity myself. The downside of this is a loss of +skills. As I think most Light Sorcs seem to go for 200FCR these days, I also loose some speed and a chunk of FHR and other nice stuff from Spirit. So the build is very like Thyiad's Atil. Thanks Thy for help with the equipment selection.

I'm still not convinced I like Light sorcs generally though. I prefer Blizzard where I can cast it over a pack and retreat whilst it still does it's work. You have to stand still whilst you cast the Lightning and, although most things die quickly, there is sometimes that agonising moment where the boss creeps slowly towards you and you hope it will die before it gets to you. With only 1.5K or so life after BO and no block, it doesn't take much to kill her. If I play her much more I will get some FHR though.

Stats
Name: Persephone
Class: Sorceress
Experience: 1285217900
Level: 87

Naked/Gear
Strength: 132/149
Dexterity: 107/122
Vitality: 251/294
Energy: 35/35
HP: 668/668
Mana: 207/306
Stamina: 401/401
Defense: 26/1072
AR: 485/560

Fire: 178/138/78
Cold: 138/98/38
Lightning: 180/140/80
Poison: 176/136/76

MF: 33
GF: 62
FR/W: 55
FHR: 0
FCR: 133


Skills
Warmth: 1/5

Charged Bolt: 20/31
Static Field: 1/12
Telekinesis: 1/12
Nova: 14/25
Lightning: 20/31
Chain Lightning: 20/31
Teleport: 1/12
Lightning Mastery: 20/31


Equipment
Weapon: 'Infinity' Ethereal Thresher

Switch Weapon: Call to Arms
Switch Shield: Spirit

Helm: Griffon's Eye
Armour: Vipermagi
Belt: Arachnid Mesh
Boots: R - Plague Nails
Gloves: Trang's Claws

Amulet: C - Eagle Emblem
Ring1: R - Viper Band
Ring2: Stone of Jordan

Inventory: , , , .



Flana
Matriarch Flana, lvl88 Lightning Javazon

Not much to report really, she is a standard Javazon. I have some FCR on switch for teleporting to get Wirt's Leg, and I like Enigma to re-position the Infinity merc during cow runs. The FRW is good too. I am permanently messing around with her gear, she will probably get re-specced as a dedicated cow runner (no Valk etc) when I am happy with her. Actually any suggestions for optimising her cow running gear are gratefully received.

Stats
Name: Flana
Class: Amazon
Experience: 1374224231
Level: 88

Naked/Gear
Strength: 131/221
Dexterity: 118/194
Vitality: 266/271
Energy: 15/30
HP: 1022/1022
Mana: 145/232
Stamina: 417/417
Defense: 29/1935
AR: 560/1112

Fire: 82/42/-18
Cold: 62/22/-38
Lightning: 111/71/11
Poison: 72/32/-28

MF: 87
Block: 45
FR/W: 108
IAS: 20
FCR: 45


Skills
Jab: 1/20
Power Strike: 6/25
Poison Javelin: 1/20
Lightning Bolt: 20/39
Charged Strike: 20/39
Plague Javelin: 1/20
Lightning Strike: 20/39
Lightning Fury: 20/39
All Passive Skills 1 point.


Equipment
Weapon: Titan's Revenge
Shield: Lidless Wall

Switch Weapon: Wizardspike
Switch Shield: Spirit

Helm: Griffon's Eye
Armour: 'Enigma' Breast Plate
Belt: Razortail
Boots: Silkweave
Gloves: Lancers of Alacrity

Amulet: Mara's
Ring1: Ravenfrost
Ring2: Rare Rune Grasp - resists and mana.

Inventory: 6 Javelin skillers and some SCs with mana and FRW.



Maugrim
Patriarch Maugrim, lvl85 Wolfbarb

Maugrim is named after the Witch's wolf captain in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. He wasn't played through the game in the traditional pre-1.13 way of things, he is another 1.13 re-spec. He started as an eponymously named frenzy barb, but got stalled in hell at level 79. Actually he was my first ever D2 character. I had read a few (bad) guides after I started him, but he certainly wasn't a complete mess. A few points scattered around, but not un-playable. Anyway I always wanted to try a Wolfbarb and, as he was at the appropriate level, I decided to use an ATMA re-name and a re-spec. Cheesy? Maybe. But we all like a bit of cheese every now and again, even though we know it isn't good for us.

I really enjoyed this build. With a powerful attack and huge defensive capability thanks to high defence, max block and damage reduction, he didn't really have any problems at all. He is built to be PvP capable, but I don't know if I will actually get the rest of the gear together for him and play him though. I have more PvP characters than I have time to play anyway, so I think it is better to try and concentrate my limited play time into a few builds, rather than diluting it across many. He is likely to get levelled a bit more though.

maugrimlcs.jpg


Stats
Name: Maugrim
Class: Barbarian
Experience: 1052744855
Level: 85

Naked/Gear
Strength: 146/189
Dexterity: 160/193
Vitality: 204/257
Energy: 10/10
HP: 999/1357
Mana: 94/134
Stamina: 354/485
Defense: 40/2720
AR: 785/1836

Fire: 111/71/11
Cold: 143/103/43
Lightning: 119/79/19
Poison: 124/84/24

Block: 75
FR/W: 30
FHR: 42
IAS: 33


Skills
Sword Mastery: 20/20
Increased Stamina: 1/1
Iron Skin: 5/5
Increased Speed: 14/14
Natural Resistance: 14/14

Howl: 1/4
Shout: 20/23
Battle Orders: 20/23
Battle Command: 1/4


Equipment
Weapon: Grief Phase Blade
Shield: Stormshield 'Shael'

Switch Weapon: 'Spirit' Giant Sword
Switch Weapon: 'Spirit' Giant Sword

Helm: Wolfhowl (+3/+5/+5/+6) 'Shael'
Armour: 'Fortitude' Archon Plate
Belt: Verdungo's
Boots: Gore Riders
Gloves: Crafted Blood Gloves (8%CB, 27% Fire Resist)

Amulet: Metalgrid (+28 resist all / 437AR)
Ring1: Ravenfrost
Ring2: Rare with Mana Leech

Inventory: Sharp Grand Charms, SCs of Vita, two tomes and the cube.



Well maybe that wasn't as brief as I intended. That takes me to 49 Mats & Pats. Next up is the Amazon to complete my second 2h sword sept, she is currently in A3 Hell.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by @maxicek on Jul 6, 2007:

The Strafer, The Zealot and The Werewolf.

Kobaine sat in the Harrogath bar polishing his armour. "By Zakarum these Barbarians are stupid. It is so cold in the foothills that the joints in my armour are freezing, but they walk around with only a loin cloth and a helmet on. No wonder they are being beaten by a bunch of quill rats."

There was a howl outside. The Amazon raised her eyebrows quizzically. "Werewolf?"

"Here wolf," gasped Fenris staggering into the bar. "Where bar?"

(with apologies to Mel Brooks)


Two Pats and one Mat. They are pretty much cookie cutter builds so don't really warrant individual write ups. They killed Baal in the last month, all had been parked in A1 for a while.

Gisele - Matriach Strafer

Character name : Gisele
Character type : Amazon
Character level : 82
Character exp : 825061083

Stats
Strength : 119
Energy : 15
Dexterity : 211
Vitality : 150
Stat Points Rem : 0
Skill Points Rem: 0

Life : 711 / 642
Mana : 180 / 136
Stamina : 305 / 295

Skills
20 Strafe
20 Penetrate
20 Valkyrie
8 Critical Strike
15 Pierce

Equipment
Weapon: Windforce
Switch: +4 Ondal's Wisdom (for Valk pre buff)

Helm: Kira's Guardian (69% RA)
Armour: Treachery Great Hauberk
Belt: Nosferatu's Coil
Boots: War Traveller
Gloves: Laying of Hands

Amulet: Atma's Scarab (CTC Amp is awesome)
Ring 1: Ravenfrost
Ring 2: Rare with life leech and AR

Inventory: Resistance Charms, cold damage charms and some AR.

In total I had 130IAS which let me hit the 9/2 FPS strafe breakpoint (120IAS). I could have dropped the Nosferatu's Coil for something else, but the strength boost was useful in itself.


Mercenary
A2 Might Mercenary with:
Weapon: +4 Arioc's Needle
Helm: Tal Rasha's HC
Armour: Rattlecage

Finds
Hellforge: NM Io, Hell Lem.
Doombringer in Tal Rasha's Tomb, Herald of Zakarum in the Bloody Foothills. My best ever drops during questing, especially since the only MF I had was on the boots. Boss drops were, as usual, junk.

Random Thoughts
Normally my character have at least 1K life and this was the first time I have played a character so low on Vitality. She was definately a glass cannon. I died a few times, the two worst occasions being to Burning Souls on the Plains of Despair and on WSK2. One bolt took me down so a slither of, especially as none of my resists were maxed. Once I was dead, recovering my body was very difficult. The Valk didn't kill much but was fairly strong. The merc killed well, but I seemed to have employed the laziest mercenary in the desert as he was even more reluctant than normal to engage.

I decided to try Rattlecage for the merc armour, the theory being that I would shoot things in the back as they ran away. And the crushing blow is nice for bosses. It worked fairly well up until A5, where the monsters were getting stronger and taking longer to die.

Overall, a nice build to play, but underpowered in later acts. She will be off to the pits now to do some white finding for me.


Kobaine - Fanatic Zealot

Character name : Kobaine
Character type : Paladin
Character level : 85
Character exp : 1058474466

Stats
Strength : 115
Energy : 15
Dexterity : 120
Vitality : 270
Stat Points Rem : 0
Skill Points Rem: 0

Life : 1096 / 1018
Mana : 196 / 141
Stamina : 458 / 418

Skills
20 Zeal
20 Sacrifice
20 Holy Shield
20 Fanaticism
2 Defiance <more points go here, hitting about 12K defence at the moment.
2 Smite, 1 Redemption, 1 Salvation

Equipment
Weapon: 'Oath' Ethereal Beserker Axe
Shield: Herald of Zararum + PD

Switch: 'Lawbringer' Phase Blade and 4 PD shield with +damage base mod.

Helm: Guillaume's Face 'Ort'
Armour: Duress Archon Plate
Belt: String of Ears
Boots: Gore Riders
Gloves: Dracul's Grasp

Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
Ring 1: Ravenfrost
Ring 2: Rare with mana leech & resists

Inventory: A few Resistance charms and lots of charms with +damage and AR.


Mercenary
A5 Barbarian with:
Weapon: Ethereal Flamebellow Balrog Blade
Helm: Arreat's Face
Armour: Shaftstop

Finds
Hellforge: Can't remember NM, Hell Gul. Puts me about an Ist short of Call to Arms, so I'm very happy.
Found a Stormshield in the River of Flame and a few minor uniques.

Random Thoughts
This character is about as twinked out as I can manage. He was great to play and never really struggled anywhere, thanks to the Life Tap from Draculs.

I decided to try a Barb merc for a change and he faired pretty well. He came into his own in places like Tal Rasha's Tomb, where I could leave him to take out the skeletons whilst I dealt with the Unravellers. I could have made my life easier by choosing a Holy Freeze merc, but I have never played in hell with a barb and figured he would benefit nicely from the fanaticism. He did.

What Next?
Maybe a few Baal runs, I'd like to level him a bit more.


Fenris - Patriach Fury / Rabies Werewolf

Character name : Fenris
Character type : Druid
Character level : 82
Character exp : 827169423

Stats
Strength : 160
Energy : 20
Dexterity : 57
Vitality : 263
Stat Points Rem : 0
Skill Points Rem: 0

Life : 746 / 692
Mana : 262 / 182
Stamina : 403 / 403

Skills
20 Fury
20 Rabies
20 Poison Creeper
20 Lycanthropy
1 Werewolf
10 Oak Sage

Equipment
Weapon: Immortal King's Stone Crusher 'Shael Shael'
Switch: Fleshrender & Spirit Shield for +5 shapeshifting pre-buff

Helm: Jalal's Mane 'Ort'
Armour: Duress Great Hauberk
Belt: Immortal King's Detail
Boots: Immortal King's Pillar
Gloves: Immortal King's Forge

Amulet: Metalgrid
Ring 1: Ravenfrost
Ring 2: Rare with mana leech, resists and AR

Inventory: A few Resistance charms and one Shapeshifting skiller


Mercenary
A2 Might Mercenary with:
Weapon: Bonehew 'Hel Amn'
Helm: Crown of Thieves
Armour: Duriel's Shell

Finds
Hellforge: NM Pul, Hell Ist. Can't complain with those ones.
A few minor uniques dropped, but nothing interesting.

Random Thoughts
I had big hopes for this character. Decent damage, high AR, fast attack speed, CB and elemental damage for PIs, rabies for softening up big packs, etc. Generally it worked very well, but stopped short for me of being a great melee setup. He worked well most of the time. The usual problems with unleechables, but the burning dead archers that filled the Bloody Foothills were not too much of a problem, Gloams were nothing to worry about with a high life pool.

Where he came unstruck was with high damage opponents. I had a few deaths, always from the heavy hitters. Urdar boss pack mixed with champion archers in the Freezing Highlands and a very nasty combination of 3 boss packs guarding the stairs to the Throne of Destruction - Blood Lords, Frenzytaurs and Vipers. The latter was a save & exit job after I died and couldn't get my body back. In retrospect, Shaftstop instead of Duress may have worked better.

What Next?
I may re-equip him in some PvP equipment and have a dabble over the summer. If I get into it, I will probably build a proper PvP wolf in the future.

Thanks for reading.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by nebux on Jun 27, 2006:

Matriarch Bendis WWS strafer

Character name : Bendis
Character type : Amazon
Character level : 85
Character exp : 1111352261

Strength : 89
Energy : 15
Dexterity : 311
Vitality : 100
Stat Points Rem : 0
Skill Points Rem: 0

Life : 518 / 518
Mana : 221 / 141
Stamina : 268 / 248

Skills

max Strafe, Penetrate, Pierce, Valk
Decoy 3
Dodge and Avoid 2

Damage 478-873 with might 612-1036
AR 7614

Gear when mat

Stealskull 15 IAS j00l, The Cat's Eye, Nosferatu's Coil, Gore Rider, Laying of Hands, Raven Frost x2 17,18 dex

Witchwild String
Diamond Bow
'ShaelNef'
Two-Hand Damage: 89 to 108
Required Dexterity: 132
Required Strength: 89
Required Level: 61
Bow Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0xd9fa20b9
+170% Enhanced Damage
All Resistances +40
Knockback
Required Level +7
20% Increased Attack Speed
Fires Magic Arrows
2% Chance to cast Level 5 Amplify Damage on striking
85% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (2: 2 used)

Riphook
Razor Bow
Two-Hand Damage: 25 to 69
Required Dexterity: 62
Required Strength: 25
Required Level: 31
Bow Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0xef44cec3
+35 to Mana
+216% Enhanced Damage
10% Life stolen per hit
30% Increased Attack Speed
30% Chance of Open Wounds
Slows Target by 30% used this on baal and on PI for OW

Duress
Wyrmhide
'ShaelUmThul'
Defense: 1292
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Strength: 84
Required Level: 50
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x549733a3
+184% Enhanced Defense
+11% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Cold Resist +45%
Poison Resist +15%
Adds 37-133 cold damage over 2 seconds
40% Faster Hit Recovery
33% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Socketed (3: 3 used)

for MF in the pits Skullders, Stealskull, Goldwrap

Merc Tal's mask, Duriel Shell

Obedience
Thresher
'HelKoThulEthFal'
Two-Hand Damage: 84 to 991
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Dexterity: 84
Required Strength: 112
Required Level: 53
Polearm Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x1d1bd66d
+10 to Strength
+10 to Dexterity
+370% Enhanced Damage
+287 Defense
All Resistances +21
Adds 3-14 cold damage over 3 seconds
Requirements -20%
40% Faster Hit Recovery
-25% Target Defense
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
30% Chance to cast Level 21 Enchant When You Kill an Enemy
-25% to Enemy Fire Resistance
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (5: 5 used)

enjoyed playing her a lot until act 2 hell , then her slow killing speed was the reason that i didn't finished her until now.leveled her in the Pits from lvl 72 to 85.
best finds in Pits Giant Skull, Ondal's Almighty, Tomb Reaver :-*. i'm very happy about Tomb Reaver.
Hellforges Pul and Gul.
Ancients were dead in the first try. get lucky and amped them fast.
clearing the WSK was a lot harder.i was killed a lot of times by gloams in the WSK 2 and throne room, light rez -8, but i just sit behind a pillar or an angle and let merc and valk kill the bad boys.baal dropped good, maybe he know that is the only kill with her, Wormskull, Skullder's Ire and Hellslayer.
 
Originally posted by Neksja on Jan 6, 2008:

Matriarch Lina, WF Straferzon with Faithful A1 Merc

Meet Lina, my proud bow amazon.

She was born, when I got those bows available, Windforce and Faith. After that, Lina was very fast questing through normal and nightmare, all the way to level 65, when I could equip myself Faith and to level 73 when I could equip WF and let the merc have the Faith.

Playing was very easy and especially fun. I really enjoyed shooting those lightning fast arrows with strafe. I decided to go Freezing Arrow as Lina's backup skill, and it worked quite nicely. With Lycander's Aim in switch for better bow skills, it was even bigger help. But, I did come across couple Cold/Physical immunes like Corpsefire. Level 1 magic arrow helped a bit, but mainly Valkyrie killed those 2-3 CI/PI's.

okay, let's stop teasing, here are three pictures of my damage output:
Damage (withouth fana and enchant): 180-2126
Damage (with fana and enchant): 284-2766
Freezing Arrow damage


let's go to the stats, skills and gear..

LCS (same pic as the first damage pic)
Character name : Lina
Character type : Amazon
Character level : 85

Strength : 108 (144)
Energy : 15
Dexterity : 187 (252)
Vitality : 200

Life : 843 / 818
Mana : 181 / 141
Stamina : 368 / 348

Resists: 36/28/13/67

Skills:
Strafe 20 (22)
Freezin Arrow 20 (22)
Valkyrie 20 (24)
Penetrate 15 (19)
Pierce 5 (9)
Multiple Shot 5 (7)
1 in prereq's

Damage (withouth fana and enchant): 180-2126
Damage (with fana and enchant): 284-2766

Gear:

helm: Andariel's Visage
amulet; The Cat's Eye
armor: 'Duress' AP
ring: Ravenfrost
ring: 15all res/8ll magical
belt: Razortail
boots: Gorerider
gloves: Laying of Hands
bow: Windforce
switch: Lycander's Aim
prebuff: Demonlimb

Code:
Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 311
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Strength: 102
Required Level: 83
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x8e80446c
+26 to Strength
+101% Enhanced Defense
+6 to Maximum Damage
Fire Resist -2%
Poison Resist +70%
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
8% Life stolen per hit
20% Increased Attack Speed
+2 to All Skill Levels
15% Chance to cast Level 15 Poison Nova when struck
Level 3 Venom (20/20 Charges)
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Ruby Jewel of Wrath
Required Level: 13
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x4a80ea20
+6 to Maximum Damage
Fire Resist +28%

The Cat's Eye
Amulet
Required Level: 50
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x85f0ae74
+25 to Dexterity
+100 Defense
+100 Defense vs. Missile
20% Increased Attack Speed
30% Faster Run/Walk

Duress
Archon Plate
'ShaelUmThul'
Defense: 1383
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Strength: 103
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x78f67343
+180% Enhanced Defense
+20% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Cold Resist +45%
Poison Resist +15%
Adds 37-133 cold damage over 2 seconds
40% Faster Hit Recovery
33% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Socketed (3: 3 used)

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xcaa28ad3
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+234 to Attack Rating
Adds 15-45 cold damage over 4 seconds
20% Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

Scintillating Ring of the Lamprey
Required Level: 65
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xe70f81c5
All Resistances +15
8% Life stolen per hit

Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 101
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xb1c19acf
+15 to Dexterity
+134% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Maximum Damage
+15 Defense
Piercing Attack [33]
Attacker Takes Damage of 85 (Based on Character Level)

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 148
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Strength: 94
Required Level: 47
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xafa6e450
+20 to Maximum Stamina
+175% Enhanced Defense
+10 Maximum Durability
Requirements -25%
30% Faster Run/Walk
10% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike

Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 85
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x4e4fe615
+25 Defense
Fire Resist +50%
20% Increased Attack Speed
350% Damage to Demons
10% Chance to cast Level 3 Holy Bolt on striking

Windforce
Hydra Bow
Two-Hand Damage: 38 to 523
Required Dexterity: 167
Required Strength: 134
Required Level: 73
Bow Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x83e0d981
+10 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
+280% Enhanced Damage
Heal Stamina Plus 30%
6% Mana stolen per hit
Knockback
35% Increased Attack Speed
+265 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Realgar Jewel of Fervor
Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x1821396
+30% Enhanced Damage
15% Increased Attack Speed


Lycander's Aim
Ceremonial Bow
Two-Hand Damage: 76 to 160
(Amazon Only)
Required Dexterity: 110
Required Strength: 73
Required Level: 42
Bow Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x4b22c73a
+20 to Energy
+20 to Dexterity
+20% Enhanced Defense
+170% Enhanced Damage
+25 to Minimum Damage
+50 to Maximum Damage
8% Mana stolen per hit
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
20% Increased Attack Speed
+2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Demon Limb
Tyrant Club
One-Hand Damage: 92 to 168
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Strength: 133
Required Level: 63
Mace Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xde1f144b
+190% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +18%
Adds 222-333 fire damage
8% Life stolen per hit
123% Damage to Demons
150% Damage to Undead
Level 23 Enchant (11/20 Charges)
Repairs 1 durability in 20 seconds

Mercenary Items :
Code:
Crow Caw
Tigulated Mail
Defense: 749
Durability: 19 of 19
Required Strength: 76
Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x2b019c5b
+15 to Dexterity
+162% Enhanced Defense
15% Increased Attack Speed
15% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Chance of Open Wounds
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired)

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 192
Durability: 7 of 7
Required Strength: 40
Required Level: 62
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xb1e50ff
+2 to Strength
+2 to Energy
+2 to Dexterity
+2 to Vitality
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to All Skill Levels
+127 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+127 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired)

Faith
Ward Bow
'OhmJahLemEld'
Two-Hand Damage: 86 to 227
Required Dexterity: 146
Required Strength: 72
Required Level: 65
Bow Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x7a73f069
+330% Enhanced Damage
All Resistances +15
+120 fire damage
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Ignore Target Defense
300% Bonus to Attack Rating
75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
+2 to All Skill Levels
Level 14 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
10% Reanimate As: Returned
Socketed (4: 4 used)

Charms:
Code:
Azure Small Charm of Inertia
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xc47fe18
Cold Resist +5%
3% Faster Run/Walk

Azure Small Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 14
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 57
Fingerprint: 0x640cc94f
+7 to Life
Cold Resist +5%

Ocher Small Charm of Blight
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 10
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 2
Fingerprint: 0xdb4cab9a
Lightning Resist +6%
+6 poison damage over 3 seconds

Jade Small Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x11da60f8
Poison Resist +9%

Shimmering Grand Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x746bdb69
+18 to Life
All Resistances +14

Amber Small Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xd949d8fb
Lightning Resist +11%

Coral Small Charm of Inertia
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x3732d3d7
Lightning Resist +8%
3% Faster Run/Walk

Sharp Grand Charm of Quality
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 33
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0x370d8dc6
+67 to Attack Rating
+11 to Maximum Damage

Acrobatic Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xebd72d8f
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)

Acrobatic Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x127869e6
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)

Shimmering Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x241e36f2
All Resistances +14

As for charms, I needed two passive skillers to reach 100% piercing attack, other charms are just resists and damage. What comes to Merc gear, I'm planning to change the helm, maybe armor too, those were just quickly available and her fana aura is more important 😁

What comes to Lina's gear, I really wanted to use my 30ed/15ias jewel to Windforce, wanted to use Duress and needed to take the -fire res away from Andy's and still break the last ias breakpoint, I had to sacrifice Atma's Scarab and it's amp damage for Cat's Eye 20ias. Possibly I'm going to socket the Andy's with Ias/fire res jewel, so I can try out the Atma's (really need to find one first 😃) Others are pretty much "normal" to strafer I guess.

Future Plans are Chaos Sanctuary, I've done about 10-15 /p8 runs there, slow going but I ain't dieing either. Next 5 skill points are going to Penetrate for more AR and after that to FA's damage synergy. Stat points are going to Dex for more damage and AR. I kind of regret, that I even pumped my vita to 200, but we'll see if it was bad choice or not.

Notable Finds: Nothing special, even hellforges were bad (El-Shael-Io), but I hope CS will give something nice 👍

I will post other screenshots, if I ever get the Lo rune to make Fortitude, so I could see some nifty damage numbers from Lina.
 
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Originally posted by Nightfire05 on Jan 29, 2006:

Matriarch Tifa

This character was a Strafezon that I actually Mat'ed quite a while back. When she was Mat'ed, she had the full Mavina's set, but now that I read a guide in the Amazon forum, I went through an elaborate equipment change. Including cleaning out pretty much all of my mid/somewhat high rune stash for the new weapon.

Matriarch Tifa
Level: 78

Stats:
Strength: 125
Dexterity: 165
Vitality: 175
Energy: 15

Equipment:
Helm: Blackhorn's Face Death Mask
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath Amulet
Weapon: 'Silence' Hydra Bow (I wanted a Crusader, but only had a 5 socket one...I still adore this thing from my 1.09 days.)
Armor: Duriel's Shell Cuirass
Gloves: Cleglaw's Pincers Chain Gloves
Ring 1: Carrion Wind Ring
Belt: Razortail Sharkskin Belt
Ring 2: Raven Frost Ring
Boots: Gore Rider War Boots

Silence
Hydra Bow
'DolEldHelIstTirVex'
Two-Hand Damage: 30 to 204
Required Dexterity: 134
Required Strength: 107
Required Level: 63
Bow Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x6902eb6a
+200% Enhanced Damage
All Resistances +75
11% Mana stolen per hit
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Requirements -20%
20% Increased Attack Speed
20% Faster Hit Recovery
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
Hit Blinds Target +33
75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
+2 to All Skill Levels
+2 to Mana After Each Kill
Socketed (6: 6 used)

Skills:
20 Strafe
20 Valkyrie
10 Avoid
8 Critical Strike
8 Penetrate
5 Dodge
5 Multiple Shot
4 Evade
1 in all other pre-reqs not named.

Whereas this character was fun to play before when using the full Mavina's set, she is hilariously funny to play now. Silence blinds everything, Knockback and Slows Target from Cleglaws and Blackhorn's keeps everything away from me and moving ridiculously slow. Crushing Blow, Deadly Strike, Open Wounds, all SORTS of crazy damage modifiers also help the horribly low damage. The LCS only says around 150-850 damage or so with Strafe, but when they can't hit you, you've got all the time in the world.
 
Originally posted by nikstone on May 18, 2004:

Matriarch Strafezon

Finished all hell difficulty on players8 (tried the Ancients on p8 but they runned all the time after me and so i switched to p1, Baal on p3, strafe is definitely not good for Baal runs, it takes ages).

BlueAngel-level 89

End equipment:
Windforce (socketed with Amn)
Lionheart in Great Hauberk
rare circlet with resists, +2skill, +17dex, 5min, 37 life
rare gloves with 20%IAS, +2 p/m skills, fire resist, some strength and dex
Nats boots
Credenum belt

Raven frost ring, Natures Peace ring and Atmas Scarab amulet
Resist all charms, Fine small charms, etc..

Used an upgraded WWS with two ED jewels (altogether 245%ED) for a while but Windforce kills much faster.

Statistics without equipment.
strength-101
dex- dont remember now, all the rest
vitality-100
energy-base
resists-all max except cold (50 and something)

Skills

Strafe 20
Decoy 20
Valkyrie20
Penetrate20
a few points in the dodge skills, critcal and pierce
+1 in prereq

Used a might Merc with eth Vampire Gaze, eth Shafstop, Reapers Toll

Died a few times because of getting careless (thats why I dont play HC).
Decoy for scouting could have prevent this.

All in all, I am not dissapointed. She will make a good rune hunter (no big finds yet, two Dol, one Hel and Io being highest).
Pul from hellforge quest.

Thats it. Game on.
 
Originally posted by pharoah on Jan 9, 2006:

Matriarch Tika

Tika is my newest Matriarch, and she is a Freezing Arrow amazon. I used FA as a main killing skill, rather than as a supplement to another, with Magic Arrow as a backup. I know it might have been more effective to use Strafe instead, but my reasoning was that there were three reasons I'd be using an attack besides FA. First is when fighting CI monsters, second is when I run out of mana, and third is when I run out of arrows (I usually don't TP back to town just to get arrows, and in some places, like the Arreat Summit, going back to town isn't an option). MA nicely addresses all three concerns, and gives a good AR boost, too (which Strafe doesn't).

Anyways, without further ado, the details, with parenthetical numbers being those modified by gear:

Level 85 Amazon

Strength: 76
Dexterity: 264 (299)
Vitality: 160
Energy: 15

Life: 698 (718)
Mana: 141 (237)
Stamina: 308

Critical Strike: 5 (8)
Penetrate: 1 (4)
Pierce: 5 (8)
Inner Sight: 1 (4)
Dodge: 1 (4)
Slow Missiles: 1 (4)
Avoid: 1 (4)
Decoy: 1 (4)
Evade: 1 (4)
Valkyrie: 20 (23)
Magic Arrow: 18 (23)
Cold Arrow: 20 (25)
Ice Arrow: 1 (6)
Freezing Arrow: 20 (25)

Gear is a rare +2 zon skills diadem with 2 sockets (socketed with IAS/resist jewels), 10 second Eye of Etlich, upgraded Riphook w/ Shael, 'Treachery' mage plate, Razortail, crafted gloves with +2 bow skills, knockback, and 20% IAS, Raven Frost with 20 dex and 204 AR, Manald Heal with 7% mana leech and 7 life regen, and Silkweave boots. On switch I've got a Harmony blade bow, originally intended for use on cold immunes, but in reality only used to prebuff Valkyrie (and run around town faster). Inventory has the Cube, tomes of TP and ID, stack of keys, several lightning damage small charms, and a whack of cold small charms (more for freeze duration than damage, but the damage helps against tight packs, thanks to Pierce and the splash carryover for FA).

The merc (ActII, Prayer) is outfitted with an upgraded ethereal Crown of Thieves, upgraded ethereal Duriel's Shell, and Insight in a bill (to help fuel the rapid-fire Frozen Arrows). While on her main weapon switch, she has 145% IAS, which is enough to hit the last breakpoint (at least according to a certain German speed calculator).

Her physical damage is predictably poor, but between the uber fast shots, Open Wounds, Venom (from Treachery), and several lightning damage charms, she does okay against CI baddies. The merc, Valk, and knockback generally keep these guys at a safe distance. Enemies with poor cold resist go down fast, especially when packed tightly.

The only real problems in Hell were Gloams (due to suxor resists) and unleechables. CI monsters slowed her down (one level of the WSK had nothing but CI monsters- ack!) but don't generally pose a danger.

Toughest fight: Gloam boss pack in the Throne of Destruction (corpse retrieval was a pain).

Stupidest death: During MP last week, in Nightmare, when I accidentally hit 'tab' whilst holding 'alt' (I play with /nopickup) at the exact moment I moved to the second level of the Claw Viper Temple. I was hosting, so couldn't exit and rejoin.

Longest fight: Hell Ancients. Took me about 15 minutes (on /players1) to beat these guys. I rerolled a couple times, trying to get a trio without any cold immunes, but Korlic (the leap attack polearm dude) kept spawning CI. He also chased me relentlessly, totally ignoring my merc, valk, and decoys. He also seemed to always leap at the exact time I turned to shoot, meaning a good number of my shots passed harmlessly beneath him. If it wasn't for the Open Wounds on Riphook, I don't know if I'd have been able to beat these guys. Knockback doesn't seem to work on them at all; besides act bosses, there are four monsters in the game immune to knockback, and three are atop Mount Arreat (the fourth is Griswold).

Still, she was a blast to play, and I still have Hell Cows yet to do, so I'd better wrap up this post. :)
 
Originally posted by ps2v12 on Sep 29, 2008:

Matriarch Alannah - GA/Strafezon

Alannah is my latest Matriarch, just finished a couple of days ago (which prompted me to post the other two at the same time)

Matriarch (GA/Strafeazon)

Level: 84

Attributes (Base/Actual)

Str: 120/152
Dex: 235/285
Vit: 140/140
Nrg: 15/15

Life: 670/670
Mana: 142/178
Stam: 286/286

Resistances

Fire: 75
Cold: 75
Ltng: 75
Pois: 75

Skills (Base/Actual)

Guided Arrow: 20/28
Strafe: 12/20
Critical Strike: 5/17
Dodge: 5/17
Avoid: 5/17
Penetrate: 5/17
Evade: 5/17
Pierce: 5/17
Decoy: 10/22
Valkyrie: 15/27

Everything else 1pt


Equipment

M'avina's Caster + Nef
M'avina's True Sight
M'avina's Embrace
M'avina's Tenet
M'avina's Icy Clutch
Highlord's Wrath
Silkweave
Manald Heal
Nature's Peace


Merc

Act 2 HF

Crown of Thieves + Um
Upped Shaftstop
Upped Hone Sundan with various jewels


It was finally acquiring all the parts of M'avina's set that revived my interest in starting up a new bowazon, and I was torn between strafe or multi-shot, but in the end I think deep down I prefer strafe's ability to seek out targets that are off-screen.

All the way through I found that there was a good ebb and flow of being dominant and having to be careful. Usually periods in between being able to meet the requirements of new bows were when things would get a bit more tricky, and the last period leading up to wearing all the parts of the set were a little frustrating at times.

The first turning point for me in a bowazon is getting the Kuko up and running and this was no exception. Kuko was my bow of choice for a good while and saw me through some tricky situations.

As usual, Hell Ancients was extremely difficult and in the end I fluked it on the second attempt. The first attempt saw me trying to kite like a mad thing but never really making any progress and eventually I got WW'd to death. On the second attempt I fluked out and accidentally trapped one of them against a wall where he didn't attempt to use any skills and just wailed on me fairly slowly and ineffectually, while the other two got tied up with my Valk and Merc, allowing me to pick them off one at a time with GA.

Although the removal of the GA/Pierce combo made GA a lot less effective, I still found it to be a good skill, especially with all the +skills I had. By the end I think it was costing something like 1.2mana per shot which basically made it a permanent-use skill.

I briefly toyed with a WWS and some other equipment but in the end M'avina's just had too many fringe benefits to ignore, especially giving me the boost I needed for max resists. I still love this character and although it doesn't have much in the way of MF compared to some of my other Chars I think I'll still play with it every now and again just because it's fun.
 
Originally posted by RobbyD on Oct 9, 2009:

Matriarch WildBetty - 1.09 UbAr 1337 BuriZon

Matriarch WildBetty - 1.09 UbAr 1337 BuriZon (Softcore SP Twinked)

Final Stats:
Level 82
Strength: 103/139
Dexterity: 201/252
Vitality: 171/181
Energy: 25/35


Hell Resists (This is for a BowaZon!)

FR: 75
CR: 67
LR: 75
PR: 69

And with 1,000-3,000 Damage

End-Game Gear (nice 96% MF in questing gear):

W1: Buriza-Do Kyanon (+197 ED) socketed with Nef Rune

W2: Shocking Blade Bow of Fire (1-454 LD, 3-11 FD)

Armor: "Smoke" Russet Armor

Helm: Stealskull (35% MF)

Ammy: Rare "Rune Eye" +1 Zon Skills, 15% RA (41% FR) 16% MF

Belt: IK Detail (28% FR, 31% LR, +25 Strength)

Ring1: RavenFrost (+182 AR, +16 Dex)

Ring2: Blue Scintillating Ring of the Sun (14% RA, +5% AR, +5 light radius)

Gloves: Laying of Hands

Boots: War Traveler (45% MF)

Awesome Charm (self-found): Shimmering GC of Inertia - 15% RA and 7% R/W


Skill Allocation

Jav/Spear Skills: 0

Passive/Magic Skills:
CS: 8​
Dodge: 5​
Avoid: 6​
Evade: 5​
Valk: 12​
Penetrate: 2​
Rest: 1 (0 in Pierce - hey, it's a BuriZon)​

Bow/Xbow Skills:
MS: 7​
GA: 20​
FA: 20​
Rest: 1 (0 in EA and IA)​


Background:
Back when I was building RobbyD, the FrenzyBarb to try to settle my years-old score with the 1.09 Hell Ancients (to beat them with an untwinked SP character), I read that the Zon was the most overpowered character in 1.09, so I started WildBetty just in case RobbyD was not up to the task. Well, Patriarch RobbyD turned out to not only be up to the task of beating the game, but also turned out to be an awesome Hell Mephisto runner (to the preference discussed in Flux's MF Barb guide for WW, I will counter with the observation that the carry-over IAS from Frenzy is generous enough to allow for a weapon-switch kill with the Ali Baba on Berserk while wielding the Gull in the other hand for a nearly 200% bump in MF for the kill... but that's getting away from this introduction). Anyway, a 197% ED Buriza unique ballista (the infamous Burrito/Tuna Cannon/BFG) dropped from Mephy, and I knew WildBetty would be a BuriZon!

So, once RobbyD received his title, I started to twink up WildBetty and do the game with what I had learned was the most overpowered character in 1.09.


Skills/Planning:
I heard that MultiArrow with Knockback was the way to go, so early points went into MA (though the Mana drain early is a pain, I didn't invest in Energy), then guided arrow was pumped before it was ever used. A point in Decoy and then Valk - some additionally points in Valk, but real pumping had to wait until GA, and then FA, were maxed.

Intersting point - I never really needed or used FA - the mana cost was too high to use as a PI Stone Skin killer (Fire Arrow and the Buzzing Blade Bow were mostly used), and the Burrito already does VERY well with cold, so spamming with GA was pretty effective against non CIs, so FA is a luxury more than anything... maybe points in Jav skills for the lightening strike would be a good PI solution.

Early Game (The Bet):
I had quested untwinked to about level 9 with WildBetty before putting her on temporary ice, so she was able to wear the Arctic Gear set, which absolutely OWNS the early Normal level. I got into a contest with a friend to run ColdCrow for the Gull - the winner got to pick the name and character that the loser had to make a Slayer (I lost, so my next character will be JebediahYoder the Druid, but WildBetty DID find a Gull for RobbyD). This served two purposes - chipped gem farming for the 1.09 cruel 3-socket sword recipe (which resulted in RobbyD running Mephisto with dual Cruel Champion Swords for the bulk of the damage - these compare surprisingly well with the Doombringer that eventually dropped from Mephy and are sufficiently big sticks of hurt to allow for the Ali Baba / Gull weapon switch for the kill) while running Players8 to level up to the high teens. At this point, she was running with full Angelic Set (two rings and sword on switch) AND Arctic Gear with a 3-Flawless Topaz crown for 200% MF that finally resulted in the Gull (as well as those handy Hotspur Boots). At level 19, having completed her task, she was free to go take on the game.


Normal (When the heck am I gonna get to level 41???):
The Arctic/Angelic combo OWNED early Normal - and WildBetty was never even remotely in danger for this level. However, the damage output was easily beaten by the Act 2 Merc with the Bloodthief, then Battlebranch - she was jealous of her merc - but she leveled like crazy and was level 25 for lil' D - enough to have the Decoy to make that fight easy. However, she did get out of character and go melee (General's Tan Do Li Ga unique Flail with the Steelclash unique Kite Shield) to tank Duriel (MAN, her blocking animation is slow with a non-jav melee weapon) on P8 with no problems. By Act 3 she was able to run with the SkyStrike unique Edge Bow that just OWNED Acts 3 and 4. By Big D time, she was able to wield the Kuko Shakako unique Cedar Bow for a preview of the Burrito - no problems, and Act 5 allowed enough leveling (with appropriate Strength pumping) to qualify for the Burrito for Baal.


Nightmare (OH MY GOD SHE PWNS!!!!):
Absolute cakewalk on P8 the whole level - used Fire Arrow for the occasional PI, but everything else just crumbled. The only drama was meeting the first MSLE (requiring the first red pot in ages) and leveling for equipment and having a tremendous merc experience penalty when grabbing the Might A2 merc (hard to keep him alive at first, but Duriel's Shell helped a lot when he could wield it - also equipped the Hone Sundan as end-game equipment). One thing I noticed was the good rune drops I got - Ko from early A4 beat the crappy Dol from HF.


Hell Acts 1-4 (I HATE PIs!):
First, I used her NM Larzuk reward to socket the Burrito for a Nef. I was nervous about this at first, but it turned out to really be a help against PIs - maybe she wasn't doing much damage, but they weren't getting close to her either.

The only reason she could not run Hell on P8 is that PI/Stone Skin bosses were too much trouble to kill - going through whole quivers of bolts (I was hating the 250 max on bolts) was irritating, so I ran her through most of Hell on P3. This was where I was missing RobbyD's Berserk attack. Again, never really had any danger - bosses went down quick.


Hell Act 5 (Can I be an honorary Guardian?):
Regular PIs like the underground spike guys, the Abbadon Frenzytaurs, and Baal Throneroom Succubi were not much trouble with FA, so most of the Act went as expected. Then the test - Hell Ancients - I was really hoping to finish the game without dying, but stupid, nervous play got me killed the first try (Hey, this is only my second character). Settling down for a second try was quick and easy - I switched her gear to PvP for this - Clegaw's Pincers (LoH is useless against the Ancients) + Blackhorn's Face + Nosferatu's Coil slowed them quite nicely, and the merc had the Kelpie Snare and Vampire Gaze. Baal + Minions were no trouble on P3 - just ran back and MA for a while and switch to GA for the boss - the Merc + Valk + Decoy keep them occupied - they never even went after Wild Betty.


What Now?
Cow and Baal runs - she's AWESOME at both and can do them with a 4-Topaz Dusk Shroud (just have to be REAL careful to stay away from the Cow King, since she easily kills cows not even on the screen). Also helping rush a 1.09 Sorc in an online game.


What's Next?
Fulfill my bet debt - my next character will be JebediahYoder, a Druid. Just trying to decide whether to go FuryWolf or ShockBear. After that, put the Arm of King Leoric and Homunculus that RobbyD found to use with my intro to 1.12 character - a Fishymancer.
 
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Originally posted by RobbyD on Jul 3, 2013:

Matriarch Wendeh - 1.09 Windforce Bowazon

BACKGROUND

5 years ago, I pulled out my copy of Diablo II to give it another try after some failed characters in my original, very ill-informed efforts. Since I played 1.09 back when it was the live patch (before ruining my failed characters by converting to 1.10), I wanted to try it again. I started a character, joined this forum and started asking questions. I also started scouring old archived 1.09 info from any sources I could find on the web. Thus I started learning the game and the patch as I played. My first character, a Frezy Barb, was my first ever Patriarch, and made use of the 3-chip recipe as part of his post-pat playing and MFing. He found a Buriza, the infamous over-powered 1.09 weapon, which led to a Zon. She found a Schaefer's Hammer, which led to a Pally. And so on - I finished a septumvirate, and then started on other goals, like farming a Vex rune from Countess, developing a character for conversion to 1.10a for Andy farming and HF rune collections, made some sweet beta runeword items (inluding a perfect CtA), and did several side-by-side parallel development projects comparing similar builds between 1.09 and 1.13.

And I kept MFing - for as I kept achieving all these goals, I kept coming up with new ones. And as I kept finding elusive items in 1.09, I evaluated which one would be the sweetest one of all - the answer is fairly easy: The Windforce unique Hydra Bow. No other unique item you can find in 1.09 holds a candle to it - it's got an unbeatable collection of stats - 250% ED, the highest scaling +max damage of any item, mana leech, knockback, IAS, AND IT'S AVAILABLE AT LEVEL 73, making it viable to use for the entirety of Hell! The Cranium Basher is hard to build around and has a level requirement of 85 so it can't be used to get a character through Hell. The Grandfather is just too slow and may be beaten by a Doombringer or a good 1.07 craft. Schaefer's Hammer is pretty sweet, but by it's nature it can't deal out the damage that a WF does. No, nothing touches a Windforce in epicness in 1.09. It can't be found in 1.07 either, so the only was to get one was to farm it in 1.09.

So, I decided that my final goal in 1.09 would be to find a Windforce and develop a Bowazon to Matriarch using it. But, I had to find it first.

I ran Pindleskin in 1.09 with a variety of characters. My original Frenzy Barb touted huge MF, but had trouble isolating Pindle in the crowd and had trouble getting the MF switch for the kill. The BurizaZon packed impressive MF (nothing touches a Tal's 3-piece for makeing a Zon an MFer in 1.09) and the maxed Frozen Arrow worked well in shattering the minions to avoid the resurrection bug. The WW Barb could clear out Pindle and finish him with the MF switch AND HORK, but just took too long and created too much clutter on the ground sometimes. The Pally sported great MF and had Sanctuary for (much too common) PI incarnation of Pindle, but also suffered in kill speed.

I found that the champion Pindle runner was my Nova Sorc. She was comparatively lean on MF (even with an Ist rune in the Wizzy), but she could run him significantly faster than any other character. A bit fragile, but Pindle never spawns LI in 1.09, so there was never an incarnation that she could not handle. I started counting the runs, after already having run Pindle thousands of times with her and other characters, because I had one goal - FIND TEH WINDEH FROM PINDEH.

I kept track of the non-unique Hydra Bows that dropped from Pindle, and counted 22 yellow and 27 blue Hydra Bows. I also noted other drops of equal or greater rarity than a WF.

Gull Dagger
Bul-Kathos' Tribal Guardian
2x The Gnasher
2x Arreat's Face
Cranium Basher
Pelta Lunata
Atma's Scarab
3x Highlord's Wrath
Mara's Kaleidoscope
Arkaine's Valor
Biggin's Bonnet
3x Lenymo
Pluckeye
Mal Rune
Gul Rune
Cham Rune

Finally, on GIEB_VEX's run #14,729, she got the magic drop - TEH WINDEH.

******************************************************
tl;dr: I wanted me a Windforce so I wentzd outz and gotzd me one!
******************************************************

And, thus, Wendeh was created - my final character in 1.09. Her journey is documented in this thread.

So, at VERY long last, it is my ultimate pleasure to present:

**************************************************

Matriarch Wendeh - 1.09 Windforce Bowazon

Character name : Wendeh
Character type : Amazon
Character level : 85
Character exp : 1060309649

LCS upon defeating Baal
Baal Mat drop
(she actually picked up those arrows)

Stats (Base/Equipped)
Strength : 124/144
Energy : 15
Dexterity : 203/243
Vitality : 173/183
Stat Points Rem : 0
Skill Points Rem: 0
?

Life : 777 / 737
Mana : 181 / 141
Stamina : 331 / 321

Final Resists:
74/65/75/43

Final Skills:
Bow/Crossbow: (Base/Equipped)

Fire Arrow, Frozen Arrow, Prereqs: 1/4
Multiple Shot: 8/11
Guided Arrow: 20/23
Strafe: 20/23

Passive/Magic: (Base/Equipped)

Evade, Avoid, Prereqs: 1/8
Dodge: 2/9
Valkyrie: 19/26
Critical Strike: 4/11
Penetrate: 11/18
Pierce: 2/9

Javelin/Spear:

None

Hell Weapons:

Main (regular and PI monsters not FI or FE)

Code:
Wendeh's Windforce
Hydra Bow
Two-Hand Damage: 42 to 532
Required Dexterity: 167
Required Strength: 134
Required Level: 73
Bow Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 93
Fingerprint: 0xe38f745e
+10 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
+288% Enhanced Damage
Heal Stamina Plus 30%
Adds 4-14 cold damage over 2 seconds
8% Mana stolen per hit
Knockback
20% Increased Attack Speed
+265 to Maximum Damage (3.125 per Character Level)
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Ruby Jewel of the Glacier
Required Level: 58
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 90
Fingerprint: 0xc6dd022e
+38% Enhanced Damage
Adds 4-14 cold damage over 2 seconds

Switch (PI/FI or PI/FE monsters)

Code:
Shocking Composite Bow
'Nef'
Two-Hand Damage: 4 to 16
Required Dexterity: 35
Required Strength: 25
Required Level: 66
Bow Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0x9e8413eb
+5 to Energy
+8 to Maximum Damage
Adds 2-550 lightning damage
Knockback
Socketed (2: 2 used)

Nef Rune
Inserted into a Composite Bow
Knockback
Required Level: 13
Item Version: Expansion


Dread Heart
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 93
Fingerprint: 0x1c1abdb0
+5 to Energy
+8 to Maximum Damage
Adds 1-96 lightning damage
Hell Armor:

Helm: Rare Circlet - Um (readout below)
Ammy: Highlord's Wrath
Armor: Tal Rasha's Guardianship - Um
Gloves: Laying of Hands
Belt: Razortail
Boots: War Traveler
Ring1: Raven Frost (20/229)
Ring2: Rare Ring (readout below)

Code:
Havoc Cowl
Circlet
'Um'
Defense: 25
Durability: 35 of 35
Required Level: 67
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 93
Fingerprint: 0x8f66cfd6
Fire Resist +23%
Lightning Resist +58%
Cold Resist +23%
Poison Resist +23%
7% Life stolen per hit
49% Extra Gold from Monsters
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Um Rune
Inserted into a Circlet
All Resistances +15
Required Level: 47
Item Version: Expansion
?


Havoc Band
Ring
Required Level: 65
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 93
Fingerprint: 0xc89f5451
+32 to Attack Rating
Fire Resist +10%
Lightning Resist +10%
Cold Resist +10%
Poison Resist +29%
8% Life stolen per hit
Replenish Life +6

The sockets in the helm and armor, as well as the Shocking bow were accomplished with Larzuk rewards from a group of rushees I had gotten to NM a while back. I had to get them to their Hell Larzuk for this project - very glad I had them since he burned so many Shocking bows with single sockets.

Endgame Merc Gear:

Code:
Smoke
Superior Scarab Husk
'NefLum'
Defense: 1333
Durability: 15 of 17
Required Strength: 85
Required Level: 51
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 72
Fingerprint: 0x318c5b5e
+10 to Energy
+75% Enhanced Defense
+12% Enhanced Defense
+280 Defense vs. Missile
All Resistances +50
Increase Maximum Durability 10%
-1 to Light Radius
20% Faster Hit Recovery
Level 6 Weaken (6/18 Charges)
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (2: 2 used)

Nef Rune
Inserted into a Scarab Husk
+30 Defense vs. Missile
Required Level: 13
Item Version: Expansion

Lum Rune
Inserted into a Scarab Husk
+10 to Energy
Required Level: 37
Item Version: Expansion


Hone Sundan
Yari
'AmnAmnShael'
Two-Hand Damage: 109 to 219
Durability: 28 of 28
Required Strength: 101
Required Level: 37
Spear Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0x10948116
+199% Enhanced Damage
+20 to Minimum Damage
+40 to Maximum Damage
14% Life stolen per hit
20% Increased Attack Speed
45% Chance of Crushing Blow
Repairs 1 durability in 10 seconds
Socketed (3: 3 used)

Amn Rune
Inserted into a Yari
7% Life stolen per hit
Required Level: 25
Item Version: Expansion

Amn Rune
Inserted into a Yari
7% Life stolen per hit
Required Level: 25
Item Version: Expansion

Shael Rune
Inserted into a Yari
20% Increased Attack Speed
Required Level: 29
Item Version: Expansion


Blackhorn's Face
Death Mask
Defense: 410
Durability: 11 of 11
Required Strength: 45
Required Level: 49
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 93
Fingerprint: 0x94e05a96
+213% Enhanced Defense
+19% Enhanced Damage
+6 to Maximum Damage
Lightning Resist +35%
Adds 17-41 fire damage
Prevent Monster Heal
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 25
+20 Lightning Absorb
Slows Target by 20%
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (1: 1 used)

Viper Gyre
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 90
Fingerprint: 0x14aec418
+19% Enhanced Damage
+6 to Maximum Damage
Lightning Resist +20%
Adds 17-41 fire damage

The Smoke armor was lifted from another character since it's the best Merc Hell questing armor I have. While the superior eth base speaks for itself, Smoke is unbeatable as a Merc armor for two reasons:

(a)Mercs have lower natural resists and much lower life than 1.10+ Mercs - a NM Act 2 Merc maxes out at 44 resists at level 98. The 50 res @ on Smoke pretty much takes care of that, and is especially important in early Hell, when the Merc's natural resists are in the 20s.

(b)The 20 FHR hits FOUR breakpoints for an Act 2 Merc - that makes a big difference in his ability to tank a group of baddies.

The Hone Sundan is my standard issue Merc stick due to the flexibility of speed and leech with the sockets, but also because CB is very powerful in 1.09 - it scales with player setting.

The eth Blackhorn's Face was actually recently found during the Pindle running, but socketed with that jewel in preparation of this project. Anybody reading my posts knows that I consider Blackhorn's Face to be, hands down, the best merc hat in 1.09 because of the lightning absorb. 1.09 has those super nasty MSLE bosses, but with good LR and absorb, that hat allows to LEECH LIFE from lighting sparks (apparently absorb works better in 1.09 than 1.10+ too). So, PI LE boss? No problem - he can stay and tank as long as those sparks keep filling up his red bulb. It's simply the helm that will keep your merc alive the most (if he has leech on his weapon) in most situations (e.g. questing).

Planning:
From my time playing WildBetty, my Buriza Zon, I knew that 1 point in Fire Arrow (to exploit the 1.09 bug of converting weapon damage to fire damage) was a great PI alternative, but also that there are plenty of PI/FI bosses in 1.09 Hell. I would use Frozen Arrow or just GA with the built-in cold damage, but I found that it was too tedious to take down certain monsters on P8, and I dropped the game to P3. Even ramped on MF as she ended up being, she always has to park a PI Lister, and is hampered as a Baal runner for that reason.

Also, I've never done a Zon using ONLY bows, so Wendeh was never to use a crossbow. That means no Buriza. I wanted to test all the different unique exceptional and elite bows in her progression. So a Buriza for PI/FI switch was not an option.

I wanted Wendeh to finish the whole game, full clear, on P8. So I looked at all the options 1.09 has for non-fire elemental damage (knowing immunities can't be broken, the alternative must be elemental). It occured to me that the highest elemental damage comes from lightning damage affixes, and "Shocking" sports a very respectable damage range. The same is true for Jewels of Thunder - best elemental damage on a socketable, and spawns on rares. So, almost the whole time running Pindle for WF, I'd pick up blue bows (mostly the fast ones) hoping for a Shocking of Storms. I did find a few Shocking bows, but few and far between. I wanted 2 sox for a Nef (for the same KB as WF) and such a good jewel, so I took my best candidates to him, and ended up burning like 4 Larzuks as he kept putting a single socket in them. I ended up shopping Hell Charsi for Composite bows, (a couple of those were in the group Larzuk chinsed on), until I finally got a good roll Shocking with 2 sockets. The test would be how well that bow performed when the WF failed, and would it be effective enough to do the entirety of Hell on P8?

On Poison:
I already knew that on-weapon poison is bugged to stack like 1.07 (add the poison rate, ADD the duration) on ranged weapons in 1.09. That's what makes a Long Bow with 5 Jewels of Envy so sweet, and a Long Battle Bow with 6x pEmeralds a viable main weapon until Exceptional Uniques can be used. I have been keeping all level 1 jewels so that I could make Wendeh this extra special Envy Bow to start life with (yes, I spoiled Wendeh):

Code:
Gemmed Superior Long Bow
Two-Hand Damage: 4 to 12
Required Dexterity: 19
Required Strength: 22
Bow Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 90
Fingerprint: 0xfdfa6a8f
+7 to Life
+11% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +9%
Cold Resist +11%
Poison Resist +25%
+100 poison damage over 2 seconds
47% Extra Gold from Monsters
Socketed (5: 5 used)

But then somebody posted that poison from armor, bling, and charms adds to the poison damage the same way as on-weapon sources. To verify, I took a mule out and equipped her with 4 Grand Charms of Blight. Sure enough, poison from the charms stacked 1.07 style (added duration) when the attack was ranged. Well, I had been farming and rolling Baal and Nilly charms already, so I had a pretty sweet collection of poison charms. I raided the inventories of other characters so that Wendeh could have a viable fourth source of damage. Wendeh finished the game with the following poison charms:

Pestilent SC of Venom (330/10s)
Toxic SC of Anthrax (289/10s)
Foul SC of Pestilence (158/9s)
Pestilent SC (175/6s)
Pestilent SC of Winter (175/6s, 4-8 cold/1s)
Toxic SC of Inertia (100/5s, 5%FRW)
Toxic SC of Inertia (100/5s, 5%FRW)
Toxic SC of Storms (100/5s, 1-28 light)
Jade SC of Pestilence (25/5s)
Emerald SC of Blight (6/3s)

By my calculations, that results in 205 poison/second for 64 seconds. Now, it's my understanding that poison duration is cut to 25% in Hell, but that still results in a very respectable 3,277 poison damage over 16 seconds.

On Cold:
Since no Buriza would be used by Wendeh, I could not plan on a huge cold attack leveraging the impressive cold duration of Buriza. However, I do appreciate the benefit to Merc and Valk of cold monsters, and the Raven Frost has built-in cold duration of 4 seconds (1s in Hell). I wanted to be able to keep the monsters cold long enough for the minions to engage, so my final decision on the jewel to socket in the Windforce was the Ruby Jewel of the Glacier, with a respectable 2 seconds (.5s in Hell) additional cold duration. Add to that cold duration from the PSCoW above and a Sapphire SC of the Glacier, and the monsters stay cold for 2 seconds in Hell.

On Skills:
We all know that the return on Bow skills is limited, but in my opinion, the return on Passive/Magic skills is substantial. D/E/A all give good returns up to level 8 or 9, Pierce is, of course, extremely important to get to the level that Razortail can finish out to 100% pierce, and CS, Penetrate, and Decoy all also benefit from skills. Since I decided to max both Strafe and GA, +P/M skills would be invaluable, so Wendeh was geared to get P/M levels to the D/E/A plateau. In addition to the +2 Zon skill from the Circlet and the +1 skills from Highlord's Wrath, Wendeh got the following skillers:

Acrobatic GC of Inertia
Acrobatic GC of Balance (thanks to Nulio for these charms from 1.07)
Acrobatic GC of Life
Acrobatic GC

On Resists, Leech, and Speed:
With the Um'd Tals Armor and Circlet, the nice bumps from LoH and HW, and the Havoc Band ring posted above, Wendeh's resists didn't need a ridiculous amount of Charm help. A very nice 1.07 Shimmering SC of Maiming (6@, +6 max dmg) from Nulio also helped, so some cold and poison resist SCs with nice suffixes (poison or inertia) helped get her to respectible resist levels. I also know that MDR is invaluable is certain situations (Diablo... eh-ehm), for which Tal's Armor perfectly fit the bill. The MF adding to the War Travs to total 134 was just a bonus.

The Windforce rolled 8% mana leech - no further mana leech was needed. Life leech from the Circlet and ring brought the total to 15%. Done.

Taking advice from several posters in my planning thread, I leveraged the nice 1.09 SCs of Inertia to get a total of 72% FRW. She ended up walking most of NM and Hell so that the Valk would stop poofing so much. This speed proved invaluable against Hell Ancients, however, to stay ahead of the Leap Attacks.

CHARACTER PROGRESSION

Early Normal (twink gear):
I micromanaged Wendeh's early normal gear progression (various combinations of Arctic, Hsarus', Sigon, Death's, Cow King's, Angelic) and used that Envy bow until level 18, at which time a simple Long Battle Bow with 6x pEmeralds was used. The effectiveness of these bow was phenomenal, especially since every arrow of a MS volley carries the effects of the bow in 1.09. For Normal Duriel, I did equip her with a nice rare javelin and Steelclash, as I didn't trust the decoy and Merc to hold their own until the poison did its job.

One thing I noticed is that the initial Rogue Merc was VERY slow to level early on - it looked like that might be bugged such that if you hire a level 7 (I think that was the max level) merc, the XP still starts at level 3, so the first level-up took a LONG time to reach. I always go with a Fire Arrow merc since she helps with Andariel.

Late Normal (Exceptional Uniques):
At level 28, the exceptional unique bows became available, starting with the excellent Skystrike. My plan was to compare the effectiveness of each bow as she progressed through the level requirements. So, after Skystrike, she equipped Riphook, then Kuko (which was used for Normal Diablo). Wendeh stayed with the Angelic Armor + Bling through the RoF, but then it was time for a change...

Having had some experience with Diablo, I knew that resists and substantial MDR were necessities to make that an easy fight. Big D's fire carpet is VERY hurty if you don't have MDR, so I equipped both Zon and Merc with Skin of the Vipermagi for resists and MDR, with the indended result of an easy fight.

Well come Act 5, I was planning on tryhing Endlesshail, WWS, and Cliffkiller, but the levels came on so fast and the Kuko was doing so well, that when I thought to check, she was level 42 (Hello Lycander's Aim!)

While I didn't try out all the bows, I came away with the conclusion that they are all mighty effective in Normal, and while the feel is indeed different between them, the effectiveness of them all is so good that it's hard to distinguish between them.

For the Merc, I made a change in my standard operating procedure - I had been equipping him with the Hone and Duriel's Shell once they became available, but I always have to fiddle with gear when I hire the NM Merc because the max level for NM Act 2 Mercs in 1.09 is 35. So, this time, he kept the Skin, Face of Horror, and this weapon (which is ridiculous for the level requirement)

Code:
Honor
Partizan
'AmnElIthTirSol'
Two-Hand Damage: 144 to 302
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Dexterity: 57
Required Strength: 103
Required Level: 27
Polearm Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 90
Fingerprint: 0x4b61e9f7
+10 to Strength
+160% Enhanced Damage
+250 to Attack Rating
+9 to Minimum Damage
+9 to Maximum Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Replenish Life +10
+1 to All Skill Levels
+1 to Light Radius
+2 to Mana After Each Kill
25% Deadly Strike
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (5: 5 used)

Nightmare:

Lycander's Aim is, of course, the go-to NM bow, and was part of the Level 42 gear breakpoing that also brought Acrobatic skillers and the following gear:

Lionheart Mage Plate
"Order Wing" rare ammy (readout below)
String of Ears (my NM source of MDR)
Stealskull
War Trav
"Spirit Finger" rare gloves (readout below)
"Shadow Spiral" rare ring (readout below)
Raven Frost 20/227 (it's level 45, but she reached that before completing Normal)

Code:
Order Wing
Amulet
Required Level: 40
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 93
Fingerprint: 0x6f92c868
+2 to Strength
+10 to Attack Rating
Damage Reduced by 4
Fire Resist +20%
Lightning Resist +52%
Cold Resist +20%
Poison Resist +20%
5% Mana stolen per hit

Spirit Finger
Heavy Gloves
Defense: 10
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 35
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 93
Fingerprint: 0x139c1372
+2 to Strength
+2 to Dexterity
+29% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +20%
20% Increased Attack Speed
+2  to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Shadow Spiral
Ring
Required Level: 37
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 93
Fingerprint: 0x8ed7f049
+6 to Maximum Stamina
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
Fire Resist +6%
Lightning Resist +6%
Cold Resist +33%
Poison Resist +6%
+50 poison damage over 3 seconds
3% Life stolen per hit

Nightmare was the stroll through Sanctuary that I expected - few PIs (fire arrow), and ridiculous pwnage of everything else.

I was very happy with my Merc gear decision since the NM Merc was able to equip everything upon hire - much less hassle. Unlike the inital Act 1 Merc, this guy leveled FAST and caught up to Wendeh much earlier than I expected. Hone Sundan, Duriel's Shell, and Vampire Gaze were equipped at level 42 and remained through NM.

Hell:

Ahhhh - the real test! Any character can get through NM in 1.09, but Hell brings on the new challenges. MSLE is a big one, but not for Wendeh (killing from afar and a merc that can soak it up), but specific challenges for her were:

- PI/FI bosses. PI is very common in Hell unique monsters, and it's unbreakable. I've made the observation that Act 1 tends to throw a disproportionate number of PI bosses at you, and Wendeh's experience bolstered this opinion. But a 1.09 Zon has a very cheap PI solution - Fire Arrow - converts weapon damage to fire damage, all at the first skill point. However, if you run into a PI/FI or even PI/FE boss, things get much dicier, requiring a Plan C. The test was to see how well GA with that Shocking bow would work for PI/FI's

- Stygian/Fetish Dolls. The death explosion from these in 1.09 is very often a one-hit kill. Super nasty, and a bowazon has no shield.

- Nihlathak. The curse/aura/skill level on bosses in 1.09 is much higher than 1.10+, so his CE has a huge range, and the damage is also in one-hit kill range.

- Ancients. A bowazon is the character I have the most difficulty with against Ancients, since they all ignore the Decoy, and Korlic never tries to tank her, but just leaps at her.


SO... How did she do?

PI/FI bosses: WIN! There were many PI/FI bosses, and GA with that Shocking Bow worked like a charm - she was able to do all of Hell on P8 because of the performance of that bow. And the best part - it was SHOPPED from Hell Charsi! While I didn't think to take screenies of the larger-than-necessary number she ran into in Hell Act 1, I was able to grab screenies of some starting in Hell Act 2:

Flesh Froth
Witch Doctor Endugu
Sin Bite
Toorc Icefist (I think he's always PI/FI)
Dac Farren
Plague Ripper the Grim
Rot Weaver the Quick
Talic

Stygian/Fetish Dolls: WIN (with one VERY close call) - the KB on the bow helped knock them back when they got close (Strafe was especiall effective with this), and she was very proactive in falling back behind the Merc and Valk most of the time. However, there was once instance in Hell Kurast Sewers when she had shot a GA, and in the meantime a Mummy resurrected a Fetish Doll, who was running after her when the arrow came back to take him out and BAM - full bulb to 23 hitpoints.

Nihlathak: FAIL - merrily popping arrows at what I thought was a safe distance, and BAM! A single CE reached her and one-hitted her. She went down to retrieve her corpse, and another CE ALMOST one-hitted her (ouchieee!), but she finished the job. I did note that the ridiculous hitpoints on the Valk allowed her to soak in a number of those CEs.

Ancients: WIN - and an epic battle it was, with a tough draw of Conviction Madawc, and PI/FI/LE Talic, it was run-and-gun - that FRW really help avoid the ridiculous range on that Polearm that Korlic swings. In the end, both the Merc and Valk were still standing.

OBSERVATIONS

My first observation is that she and her Merc actually reached level 85 before killing Hell Baal (the Merc got there against Lister's group). She's the first character that has done that, and I'm crediting the fact that there was no area in the game that she couldn't clear.

Strafe is, by far, the most fun bow skill to play. Wendeh made good use of all 3 physical bow skills - MS just slays masses, Strafe is VERY handy when surrounded, and GA is the go-to skill for Act Bosses and PI/FI Unique monsters.

To zaphodbrx - Magic arrow does not appear to convert damage to magic damage in 1.09 - it simply lets you shoot with no arrows and adds numeric extra damage (+1, +2, etc. per level) to your bow damage.

Some issues in my planning:

1. Wendeh's mana bulb was pretty meager thoughout the game, which was mostly an non-issue due to mana leech on Lycander's Aim and Windforce), but I pumped Valkyrie very high, and the mana needed to cast her left the bulb pretty close to empty - I do think there was a point at which if she didn't have the +40 mana from Raven Frost, she would have been unable to cast the Valk at all. An almost-fail

2. Wendeh was pretty fragile - the relatively meager life bulb caused several NDE's and a one-hit death.


So, was Wendeh my most dominant 1.09 character?

Mmmmm - it's open to debate.

She certainly beats most of my characters - the speed and KB of the bow kept her safer than my BurizaZon, and she certainly killed at a higher rate than my Shaeferdin, and she was much easier to play than my Nova Sorc. But my WW Barb was much more durable and able to run Hell Nilly, so I'll compare these two - both did the entirety of the game P8, but the Zon was able to take down every... single... monster, whereas the Barb had to leave a PI/MI Wailing Beast in Act 2, and he found the ghost-infested Arcane Sanctuary too tedious to totally clear out. I also think he skipped the PI Frenzytaurs of Abbadon, so maybe she does win out, even though she was a little to fragile to absorb a Nilly CE.

She's done a couple of cow runs, and really takes them down effectively.

ITAMZ FOUND

Hellforge: Lum (NM), Fal (Hell)

I'm not looking for much in 1.09, so a lot was left on the ground, but she did have a couple of interesting finds:

Death's Gloves from Normal Blood Raven - these are elusive enough that I still don't leave these on the ground

Greyform - another elusive TC3

30% Emerald GC of Inertia - perfect roll and "of Inertia" means this might see future use.

Shimmering SC of Storms - my VERY FIRST +5 Res @ SC found since I started playing

******************************
tl;dr: Wendeh killzd all teh monsters
******************************

POST MAT PLANS

Ummm, Level 99 on Cows, perhaps?


*************************************

Thanks everyone for reading.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by scrcrw on Mar 18, 2011:

Enter the Dragon - Matriarch BurnBabyBurn

Sorry, Bruce Lee won't actually play a part in this thread. There will be a 'Dragon' though. And flames ... lots of flames.

So, enter 'Dragon' and 'Hand of Justice'. The first thing that catches the eye is the combined level 30 Holy Fire aura. You could synergize it on a Paladin or heavily boost it on a Sorceress. That's just way too reasonable... Let's try an Amazon instead, specifically an Immo/Strafezon. 👍

Rich (BB code):
Matriarch BurnBabyBurn
Class:      Pyromaniac
Level:      84

Strength:   112
Dexterity:  332
Vitality:   130
Charisma:   lots

HP:         ~760/1200 (BO)
Mana:       230/370

AR:         2774

Resists (F/C/L/P): -40/-70/-35/-70

FHR:        15
IAS:        73

Skills:
20 (38) Immolation Arrow
20 Explosive Arrow
20 (38) Strafe
10 (14) Critical Strike
5 (9) Pierce
and a dozen unused skill points

Gear:
'Hand of Justice' GMB (+3)
Code:
Hand of Justice
Grand Matron Bow
SurChamAmnLo
Two Hand Damage: 55 - 287
Durability: 37 of 55
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 108
Required Dexterity: 152
Fingerprint: 0xdc16a8bb
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 36 Blaze when you Level-Up
100% Chance to cast level 48 Meteor when you Die
Level 16 Holy Fire Aura When Equipped
+3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+33% Increased Attack Speed
299% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
-20% to Enemy Fire Resistance
7% Life stolen per hit
20% Deadly Strike
Hit Blinds Target +1
Freezes target +3 4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Sur Rune
Socketed: Cham Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
'Dragon' MP
Code:
Dragon
Mage Plate
SurLoSol
Defense: 613
Durability: 57 of 60
Required Level: 61
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x506295a7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 18 Venom when struck
12% Chance to cast level 15 Hydra on striking
Level 14 Holy Fire Aura When Equipped
+360 Defense
All Stats +3
+230 Defense vs. Missile
+31 to Strength (Based on Character Level)
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Damage Reduced by 7 3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Sur Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Valkyrie's Tiara of the Whale (+2 Zon, +90 life, 2 facets (+9/-9))
Razortail
War Traveler
Archer's Gauntlets of Alacrity (+3 Bow, 20 ias)
Highlord's
Raven Frost (20/245)
Rare Ring (7ll/3ml/104ar/8dex/48mana/30fr)
Switch: CtA (4BO) + Lidless Wall

Charms: 8xFletcher's GC, AR+Life/FHR small charms

Merc: 'Infinity' CV, 'Chains of Honor' AP, Giant Skull

Thoughts:
This was the most fun to quest character I've played in a long while. I attribute this to the following factors:
  • Hydras. So many Hydras. Hydras everywhere. These aren't even very good screenshots, almost every fight looked like a council run. Who cares if they don't do any damage?
  • Immolation Arrow. The explosion does the actual damage (which is pretty good), but every hit (did I mention 100% Pierce?) spawns a big patch of flames. Awesomeness. Again, the only screenshot I took is pretty bad.
  • Hand of Justice. This is a really nice bow actually. Decent damage, -efr, LL, DS, ITD, Blind and Freeze. More awesomeness.

BurnBabyBurn went through Normal and most of NM in an MP game with Greebo and several other people. I used a synergized 1.09 hax RC. Coupled with 100% Pierce, the damage was actually very decent against crowds.
Levels 57-67 were taken care of by a quick respec to LF/CS-zon.

Hell was done at a steady /p3 (including Baal and Ancients). IA and Strafe worked really well and both had their applications depending on the prevailing monster types. I could write more, but you'll surely have more fun trying it for yourself. :whistling:

Survivability was very good, only some nasty Burning Archers in A5H got her twice.
A fire based char obviously needs the deep red resists. This never posed a real problem. However I did use my patented "Soulkiller" in the Throne in Hell.

Final Words: Do this. It's fun.


Bonus Patriarch: Brand, the 'Brand' Necrobear
LCS

Skills: 20 Bone Armor/Prison, 20 Teeth, 1 IG, 20 Golem Mastery, Rest Bone Spirit

Gear:
'Brand' Demon Crossbow
Code:
Brand
Demon Crossbow
JahLoMalGul
Two Hand Damage: 105 - 162
Durability: 26 of 40
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 141
Required Dexterity: 98
Fingerprint: 0xd2dc1db0
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
35% Chance to cast level 14 Amplify Damage when struck
100% Chance to cast level 18 Bone Spear on striking
Fires Explosive Arrows or Bolts
305% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+299% Damage to Demons
20% Deadly Strike
Prevent Monster Heal
Knockback 4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Gul Rune

Jah Rune
Required Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Ignore Target's Defense Armor: Increase Maximum Life 5% Shields: +50 to Life
Lo Rune
Required Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Deadly Strike Armor: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist Shields: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Mal Rune
Required Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Prevent Monster Heal Armor: Magic Damage Reduced by 7 Shields: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Gul Rune
Required Level: 53
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Bonus to Attack Rating Armor: +5% to Maximum Poison Resist Shields: +5% to Maximum Poison Resist
'Bone' MP
LoH, String of Ears, Gores, Guillaume's (40ed)
Highlord's, Raven Frost, rare with stats, ar and ll
Switch: Beast/Spirit
Charms: Max dam/AR/life
Merc: Infinity, CoH, Giant Skull

Thoughts: This worked surprisingly well. It isn't terribly exciting though (except when Bone Armor didn't recast quick enough). Using different stuff for the Iron Golem was fun. Easy walk through Hell on 3/3/1/1/1. Action shot.


Bonus Bonus Matriarch: scrcrw (for personalizing after the MFO), 100%CB/100%DS Furysin (eDeath BA):
Fun to build, terribly boring to play. I don't like BF anymore.

Thanks for reading!
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by SeDnA on Aug 26, 2005:

Matriarch FrostVolley

Lame name, yes I know. Anyway, frost volley is a FA/Strafer using the M'avina's Set. She was quite enjoyable to play, quite safe, however her damage output was low.

Skills:
Bow and XBow
Magic Arrow 1/8
Multi-shot 1/8
Guided Arrow 1/8
Strafe 20/27
Cold Arrow 20/27
Ice Arrow 1/8
Freezing Arrow 20/27

Passive and Magic Skills
Inner Sight 1/8
Slow Missiles 1/8
Decoy 1/8
Dodge 1/8
Avoid 1/8
Evade 1/8
Critical Strike 1/8
Penetrate 1/8
Valkyrie 10/17
Pierce 10/17

I put too many skill points into pierce until it was too late. Well it didn't matter much though, but if I had a choice I wouldn't put them into pierce next time.

Equipment:
M'avina's Set
Waterwalk
Ravenfrost
Switch: Riphook

Chaos Mark
Amulet
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0xc7f5cb7c
+7 to Mana
All Resistances +15
4% Life stolen per hit
5% Mana stolen per hit
+1 to Amazon Skill Levels

Viper Eye
Ring
Required Level: 74
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0xd0a33aef
+2 to Energy
+42 to Attack Rating
6% Mana stolen per hit
Replenish Life +3

Damage:
Mavina's Switch:
Magic Arrow 435 - 1395
Strafe 360 - 1256
Freezing Arrow 427 - 1387 // 2028 - 2232
Guided Arrow 441 - 1462

Slow Switch:
Freezing Arrow 242 - 556
Guided Arrow 240 - 548 // 1342 - 1539

So every boss battle I would fire one or two slowing arrows, then weapon switch to freezing arrows, then switch again... Slow+Decrepify will render the boss useless, most of the time. The damage stated is without might.

Mercenary:
Equipment:
Duriel's Shell
Reaper's Toll
Stealskull /w 15%ED Jewel
Damage: 268 - 1558

This is also without might.

Interesting Finds:
Eaglehorn
Horizon's Tornado
Gul Rune - Forge

Screenshots:
The Final Battle
Victory is at hand
Spoils of War
Promotion - New Title


Well thanks for reading. I'd be moving on to 1.11 RWM now...
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by Sir Lister of Smeg on Aug 5, 2006:

Matriarch Bowazon

I've been playing again for the last few weeks, and finally (a computercrash delayed me by a day) managed to get to matriarch status with Bowazon, the character I started when returning to play yet again.

As her name suggests, she is an amazon and uses a bow, well, a crossbow as well. Normal and nightmare were done at /players8, hell mostly at /players3, with the exception of most of actII, chaos sanctuary and areas spawning too many physical immunes and/or unleachable undeads. There were two bosses (all in hell difficulty) she encountered she did not manage to kill due to them being physical immune, having a skin made of stone, and using teleport. One was a maggot boss in the canyon of the magi, the other a regurgitator in the river of flame. Although the Infector Of Souls also spawned with the same mods, that area was done on players1 as opposed to the previous two and there she could use revive charges from an item, to put the Infector's minions up against him. The most interesting near death experience was in the claw viper temple level two, were I'd already pressed escape but decided to make a run for the altar, which worked. A town portal and back ensured a nice well-guarded place to kill everything around, even after the merc died eventually, the valkyrie was enough. Although she did survive nightmare, hell saw too many deaths, about one per act in acts I-III and more later, mostly due to stupidity or slightly too slow drinking. Some were unavoidable though, one of the three deaths in act IV (two to Diablo and one to Lord De Seis' minions) was by getting LBOD'ed a few times while imprisoned, and the first death in act V, to the Ancients was a one-hit-kill by the jumper. After the computer crash yesterday, which was during the battle with Lister (the other minions were already dead), I was frustrated, resulting in many more deaths (and the loss of tens of millions of experience) trying to run through the worldstone keep to get back to were I was before deciding that it was not a good idea to try that and leave it for today. After a seemingly endless battle with Baal (at /players3), Bowazon did reach matriarch status.
Her best finds were the Cow King's Horns (in normal moo moo farm, while wearing the matching hooves), an um rune (my second ever, this dropped in nightmare bloody foothills from a normal monster, quite to my surprise), and the Veil Of Steel (in the hell outer steppes, which was with two other uniques (Kelpie Snare and Steelgoad?) and one set item (Cathan's Visage?), the single best magic find area she encountered).

So now the skills, stats, and stuff:

Bowazon
Level 86 amazon
1185977579 experience

Inner Sight 1
Critical Strike 7
Dodge 4
Slow Missiles 1
Avoid 4
Penetrate 10
Decoy 1
Evade 4
Valkyrie 20
Pierce 2
Magic Arrow 17
Multiple Shot 15

11 unused skill points (which I probably should have put into magic arrow and penetrate)

Strength 100
Dexterity 225
Vitality 120
Energy 15

60 unused stat points

Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Chromatic Amulet Of Defiance
Duriel's Shell
Laying Of Hands
Credendum
Silkweave
Carrion Wind
Manald Heal
Harmony crusader bow (weapon 1)
Buriza-Do Kyanon (weapon 2)
Small Charm Of Fortune
Small Charm Of Balance
Amber Small Charm
Small Charm Of Vita
Boreal Small Charm Of The Glacier
Gheed's Fortune
Toxic Small Charm Of Life
Small Charm Of Vita
Small Charm of Anthrax
Small Charm Of Good Luck
Boreal Small Charm
Small Charm Of Inertia

Mercenary:

Emilio
Level 86 might desert warrior
77228470 experience

Strength 188
Dexterity 151
Hitpoints 1807
Defense 2853
Resistance 150

Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Arkaine's Valour
Obedience thresher
 
Originally posted by sirpoopsalot on Jul 12, 2008:

Matriarch Markette - Strafer

I'll be brief(ish) this time:


Markette - level82
Str: 103
Dex: 370
Vit: 75
Ene: 15

Life: 1181
Mana: 312
Resists: 75f / 28c / 80l / 75p

AR: 14838
Damage: 781 - 3692 (5/3 Strafe, according to the calc)


Skills (with equipment):
23 Strafe
23 Critical Strike
26 Valk
50% for each of Dodge, Avoid, Evade (12/7/12, iirc)
8 Pierce
5+ Penetrate (remaining points will go here)
14 BattleOrders
23 BattleCommand


Equipment:
Faith Crusader Bow
Fortitude Archon Plate
Rare Circlet (+2 skills, 20 dex, 15f/45l/32c/15p resists, +13 max dmg - socketed with Ambergris Jewel of Carnage (30/13)
Atma's Scarab
Razortail
Laying of Hands
Gorerider's
Ravenfrost (20/204)
Rare ring (4 LLeech, 3 MLeech, 26 fireres, 20 lightres, +6 dex)

Switch: beta-CtA + Lidless Wall

6x Sharp GC's (various 2nd mods)
1x Shimmering GC of Life (15/18)
1x Shimmering LC of Vita (7/34)
2x Amber SC (FHR and +Life)
5x Fine SC (various 2nd mods)

Might Merc:
Obedience Thresher
Duress Archon Plate
VampGaze (10 resists jewel)


Notable Finds:
Dol/Hel Hellforge <-- 👎
Rockstopper (poor roll)
Meatscraper
VampGaze (poor roll)
Gut Siphon
Skin of the Flayed One
eth Steelclash
Wizardspike
rare Demonhide Sash (24 FHR, 43 life, 8f/12l/29p resists... close to being really good)
2os Smoked Sphere (+3 Blizzard, +3 ShiverArmor, +23 Life, required level = 24)
Lionbranded GC
Ruby GC of Inertia (30/7)


Notes:
1. Yep, she's a pretty generic strafer. She doesn't have quite as much damage as a WF-strafer (she still rolls along just fine though), but the Faith has other benefits like the increased merc and valk attack speeds (and damage), +15 resists, as well as...

2. The 10% Reanimate as Returned was continuously going off (in the SpiderForest in Act3, I counted 8 on screen at one time). Normally, when the Faith bow's on a rogue merc, these 'summons' are completely useless (their AI makes an Act2 merc look like the reincarnation of Einstein). In this case, they were such a consistent presence, and strafe can kill at such long range, that they drew a lot of enemy fire along the way.

3. No deaths, no NDE's, and she was such a fast killer that I only had to give the merc ~5 potions all game too. This is possibly one of the safest builds I've played.

4. Atma's Scarab was reliable enough for physical immunes, but I'm probably going to switch that for a teleporting amulet and put a Reaper's on the merc instead - sometimes it didn't fire up fast enough for my tastes. With my ~150 elemental damage and super-fast attack though, even without Amp I could take things down tolerably fast.

5. My lack of Knockback wasn't an issue. And between my Goreriders and the merc, there was enough Crushing Blow to make boss battles reasonably fast too.

6. She'll likely be switched over to a MF setup and start running Pits. I'm not sure she'll be any faster than my Hammerdin, but she'll probably be safer around the archers.

7. Overall, she's reasonably fun to play. There isn't a lot of challenge, but if you just feel like mowing down some enemies, she's one of the best.


Edit: I meant to, and forgot to, thank the people that helped in my planning:

MrAkon
Neksja
lionheartthebrave
Eric Xanthu

:worship:
 
Originally posted by skipjack on Jul 17, 2011:

Baroness/Matriarch Valhalla - Magezon/FA + Strafe Bowzon

Introduction


I enjoyed doing a wirte-up for my previous Matriarch, so I figured I would do another. This one is unique in that, unlike every other one I have seen, the character being presented has attained two top-tier titles rather than one.

My character of choice for this project was a Magezon. A Magezon is a build I have never tried before and I was interested in playing one or a very similar build in both Classic and LoD, so it was a logical selection. Valhalla, I present thee!

Baroness Valhalla - Magezon

Code:
Character name  : Valhalla
Character type  : Amazon
Character level : 65
Character exp   : 199172855

Strength        : 80
Energy          : 15
Dexterity       : 50
Vitality        : 270

Life            : 1012 / 988
Mana            : 289 / 111
Stamina         : 398 / 398

Fire res        : 75
Cold res        : 49
Lightning res   : 58
Poison res      : 67

LCS

Skills

Passive and Magic Skills
Bow and Crossbow Skills


Gear

Valhalla
Helm: Rune Casque
Amulet: Havoc Talisman
Weapon: Doomslinger
Armour: Goldskin
Gloves: Death's Hand
Ring1: The Stone of Jordan
Belt: Death's Guard
Ring2: The Stone of Jordan
Boots: Storm Trample

Rune Casque
Death Mask
Defense: 112
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Strength: 55
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 51
Fingerprint: 0x550dfb14
+9 to Life
+29% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Attack Rating
Fire Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +21%
+1 to Light Radius
10% Faster Hit Recovery

Havoc Talisman
Amulet
Required Level: 40
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 76
Fingerprint: 0xbcae6648
+13 to Energy
+29 to Mana
+3 to Maximum Damage
All Resistances +17
5% Mana stolen per hit
+1 to Amazon Skill Levels

Doomslinger
Repeating Crossbow
Two-Hand Damage: 10 to 21
Required Dexterity: 50
Required Strength: 40
Required Level: 28
Crossbow Class - Fastest Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 76
Fingerprint: 0xc63d3b55
+15 to Life
+75% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Amazon Skill Levels
30% Increased Attack Speed
Piercing Attack [35]

Goldskin
Full Plate Mail
Defense: 405
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Strength: 80
Required Level: 28
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x1de6e037
+150% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +35
Attacker Takes Damage of 10
100% Extra Gold from Monsters
+2 to Light Radius

Death's Hand
Leather Gloves
Defense: 3
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 6
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 28
Fingerprint: 0xed5459b8
Poison Resist +50%
Poison Length Reduced by 75%

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
30% Increased Attack Speed
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x9d42f71a
+20 to Mana
Adds 1-12 lightning damage
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
+1 to All Skill Levels

Death's Guard
Sash
Defense: 22
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 6
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 8
Fingerprint: 0x7e5a555a
+20 Defense
Cannot Be Frozen

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
All Resistances +15
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0xa06dcab1
+20 to Mana
Adds 1-12 lightning damage
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
+1 to All Skill Levels

Storm Trample
Mesh Boots
Defense: 40
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Strength: 65
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 90
Fingerprint: 0x22216036
+15 to Attack Rating
Fire Resist +39%
Lightning Resist +20%
Cold Resist +32%
22% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+1 to Light Radius
30% Faster Run/Walk

Gameplay

Valhalla was a rather frustrating character to play. While I do not consider her to be bad, she, like many Classic characters, feels rather gimped compared to her LoD counterpart. As far as Zon builds go, the Magezon is actually one of the better ones in Classic, although that is faint praise, as Zons (and Necros) have never been regarded as particularly good in Classic. I will admit that Valhalla was extremely potent in NM, but her lack of power in both Normal and Hell significantly detracted from her fun factor.

Gearwise, I made an effort to equip Valhalla with a bow from beginning to end, although I abandoned my conviction a short way into Act II. At the time, Ravenclaw's damage was wearing thin and I was only dumping points into one-point-wonders and Cold Arrow, which is only really useful as a synergy. I ended up quipping my new favourite twinking combination of The General's Tan Do Li Ga + Swordback Hold, which, while slow due to a lack of AoE, was incredibly safe and effective. Once Freezing Arrow became available, Wizendraw and the SoJs got slapped on for the sake of increasing damage, while all the other gear was left alone until Hell due to a lack of necessity. Once in Hell, two respecs were utilized in order to properly optimize skills and gear. Doomslinger proved a far cry from Wizendraw in terms of Freezing Arrow damage, but the pierce and buff to skills made it a somewhat more desirable weapon for dealing with the trials and tribulations of Hell. I do think the final gear could have been improved in some areas, but it was sufficient for clearing CS, which is really all that matters.

Valhalla ended up have very different experiences in each of the three difficulties. In Normal, a relatively low damage output until Act IV resulted in tedious gameplay. In NM, the overpowering damage of Freezing Arrow led to feelings of nigh invincibility. In Hell, the need to balance damage for the sake of dealing with immunities yielded an aura of lost potential. The situation with Normal I find acceptable, but Hell was just disparaging. Even after reducing Freezing Arrow to increase Exploding Arrow damage through respecs, many frustrating situations were still encountered. One prime example was The Countess, who always spawns CI/FI, but the worst situation arose in CS when Infector of Souls spawned CI/FI three consecutive times. Given that CS takes nearly forver to clear with a Magezon, this was completely infuriating. Even when IoS did not finally spawn CI, Lord de Seis did, although the Valkyrie actually proved capable of handling him, which was not the case with IoS. I do not expect Hell to always be a cakewalk, but I do expect what is quite possibly the best Bowzon build in Classic to do a little more than just barely scrape by. For the record, both Normal and NM were played through at /p8, while Hell was played through at /p1.

Deaths

Valhalla experienced the following deaths:

Hell Forgotten Tower - For some reason I was under the impression that The Countess only had one fixed immunity, so I decided to dash through the tower repeatedly until she spawned with a manageable combination. Since I was not really interested in experience, I made a habit of just running past most of the monsters along the way. On one of the runs Valhalla got swarmed on all sides, she was unable to break free with a few shots while chugging pots, and I ended up fumbling the escape key, which lead to her first death. This prompted me to actually check the immunities on The Countess and introduce my face to my palm.

Hell Flayer Dungeon - This was another death by swarm which occurred as a direct result of me fumbling the escape key. Actually, I probably just spammed the key an even number of times, so the S&E screen never opened. In any case, I was rather frustrated with my laptop when D2 informed me of Valhalla's second death.

Hell Diablo - This death was just plain cruel. The battle against Diablo was actually going quite well when he suddenly decided to trap Valhalla in a cage and blast lightning in her face. I probably has enough time to open a TP and escaped, but that response was not obvious at the time.

Drops

Nothing worth mentioning.

Matriarch Valhalla - FA + Strafe Bowzon

Code:
Character name  : Valhalla
Character type  : Amazon
Character level : 75
Character exp   : 455782724

Strength        : 77 (122)
Energy          : 15 (20)
Dexterity       : 82 (152)
Vitality        : 291 (306)

Life            : 1116 / 1071 (1812)
Mana            : 271 / 126 (408)
Stamina         : 444 / 429 (722)

Fire res        : 52
Cold res        : 52
Lightning res   : 52
Poison res      : 52

LCS

Skills

Passive and Magic Skills
Bow and Crossbow Skills


Gear

Valhalla
Helm: M'avina's True Sight
Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope
Weapon1: M'avina's Caster (Shael)
Weapon2: 'Call to Arms' Crystal Sword
Armour: M'avina's Embrace
Shield2: Lidless Wall
Gloves: M'avina's Icy Clutch
Ring1: Raven Frost
Belt: M'avina's Tenet
Ring2: The Stone of Jordan
Boots: War Traveler

M'avina's True Sight
Diadem
Defense: 208
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 64
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x612c06fc
+25 to Mana
+150 Defense
Replenish Life +10
30% Increased Attack Speed

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
+1 to All Skill Levels
50% Bonus to Attack Rating
All Resistances +25
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xadd7ca49
+5 to Strength
+5 to Energy
+5 to Dexterity
+5 to Vitality
All Resistances +22
+2 to All Skill Levels

M'avina's Caster
Grand Matron Bow
'Shael'
Two-Hand Damage: 40 to 207
(Amazon Only)
Required Dexterity: 152
Required Strength: 108
Required Level: 70
Bow Class - Fastest Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 94
Fingerprint: 0x62206db9
+188% Enhanced Damage
+50 to Attack Rating
60% Increased Attack Speed
Fires Magic Arrows

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
Adds 114-377 magic damage
10% Chance to cast Level 15 Nova on striking
+2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

Socketed (1: 1 used)

Call to Arms
Crystal Sword
'AmnRalMalIstOhm'
One-Hand Damage: 18 to 54
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Strength: 43
Required Level: 57
Sword Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x2462fa88
+260% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5-30 fire damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
40% Increased Attack Speed
+4 to Battle Orders
+2 to Battle Cry
+4 to Battle Command
Prevent Monster Heal
+1 to All Skill Levels
Socketed (5: 5 used)

M'avina's Embrace
Kraken Shell
Defense: 1112
Durability: 48 of 48
Required Strength: 122
Required Level: 70
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x8a7014b6
+350 Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
Requirements -30%
+2 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)
10% Chance to cast Level 3 Glacial Spike when struck
+300 to Defense (Based on Character Level)

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
30% Faster Hit Recovery
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

Lidless Wall
Grim Shield
Defense: 332
Chance to Block: 45%
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 94
Fingerprint: 0x31d29a4e
+10 to Energy
+120% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
+1 to Light Radius
20% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to All Skill Levels
+5 to Mana After Each Kill

M'avina's Icy Clutch
Battle Gauntlets
Defense: 95
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Strength: 88
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x8e92a21d
+10 to Strength
+15 to Dexterity
+50 Defense
Adds 6-18 cold damage over 6 seconds
56% Extra Gold from Monsters
Half Freeze Duration

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
Adds 131-252 cold damage over 4 seconds
+20% to Cold Skill Damage
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 76
Fingerprint: 0x2335afc7
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+229 to Attack Rating
Adds 15-45 cold damage over 4 seconds
20% Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

M'avina's Tenet
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 86
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x849153ad
+50 Defense
5% Mana stolen per hit
+5 to Light Radius
20% Faster Run/Walk

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
All Resistances +25
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xbbb019a6
+20 to Mana
Adds 1-12 lightning damage
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
+1 to All Skill Levels

War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 139
Durability: 48 of 48
Required Strength: 95
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xdd29750c
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
+190% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Minimum Damage
+25 to Maximum Damage
+30 Maximum Durability
Attacker Takes Damage of 6
34% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
25% Faster Run/Walk
40% Slower Stamina Drain

Pratham (Mercenary)
Helm: Vampire Gaze
Weapon: 'Insight' Voulge
Armour: 'Duress' Archon Plate

Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 36 of 40
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 94
Fingerprint: 0x3eca81c2
+100% Enhanced Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 13
Damage Reduced by 19%
Adds 6-22 cold damage over 4 seconds
8% Life stolen per hit
6% Mana stolen per hit
15% Slower Stamina Drain

Duress
Superior Archon Plate
'ShaelUmThul'
Defense: 1455
Durability: 11 of 69
Required Strength: 103
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x39cd4115
+197% Enhanced Defense
+19% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Cold Resist +45%
Poison Resist +15%
Adds 37-133 cold damage over 2 seconds
Increase Maximum Durability 15%
40% Faster Hit Recovery
33% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Socketed (3: 3 used)

Insight
Voulge
'RalTirTalSol'
Two-Hand Damage: 30 to 75
Durability: 38 of 50
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 27
Polearm Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0xf702b9c1
+5 to Strength
+5 to Energy
+5 to Dexterity
+5 to Vitality
+260% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
Adds 5-30 fire damage
+75 poison damage over 5 seconds
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+4 to Critical Strike
35% Faster Cast Rate
236% Bonus to Attack Rating
+2 to Mana After Each Kill
Level 16 Meditation Aura When Equipped
Socketed (4: 4 used)


Gameplay

I was hoping to equip Valhalla with all of M'avina's Battle Hymn as soon as she was converted, but she ended up being five levels shy of wearing the weapon and armour. To compensate, I equipped Valhalla with Lycander's Aim and a 'Lionheart' DS, both of which were sufficient for clearing most of NM and rapidly running Pindle to level up. Once the full set was equipped, gameplay was fairly straightforward, although I was not the biggest fan of Strafe as a backup skill; it was decent for killing single targets, but it tended to whittle down a groups a bit too slowly for my tastes. With the exception of some levelling runs in NM, all LoD content was completed at /p1.

Deaths

Valhalla experienced the following death:

NM Ancients - Having just donned the entirety of M'avina's Battle Hymn, I was under the impression that Valhalla would be untouchable for the remainder of NM. As such, my entire strategy for doing battle with NM Ancients involved simply holding down the LMB to spam Freezing Arrow whilst reflecting on my life. This was apparently a poorly conceived strategy, as Korlic had no trouble sending Valhalla to Valhalla once he was able to bypass Dodge.

Drops

Hellforge - Ort/Sol/Gul

Nothing worth mentioning.

Other Thoughts

-For some reason I have only one Bow and Crossbow skiller in my stashes, while I have full complements for the other Zon skill trees.
-I was quite disappointed by the severe lack of worthwhile drops.
-Pratham is my new favourite Mercenary name.

Overall, I am glad Valhalla is finally finished. I did not explicitly hate playing her, but I will most likely not be playing a Classic Bowzon again anytime soon. As a LoD FA + Strafe Bowzon, Valhalla was a bit more satisfactory, although I think I would prefer utilizing uniques, skillers, and runewords for a bit more oomph; if I find another Lo, I may try something similar with an 'Ice' bow. As far as recommendations go, I would say that a Bowzon wearing M'avina's Battle Hymn is pretty fun, while Classic Zons in general should probably be avoided if you desire any sort of powerhouse. Speaking of powerhouses, my next project is most definitely not one of those, so look forward to a write-up on that in the near future.

Thanks for reading,

skipjack
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by Solar Ice on Nov 18, 2008:

Matriach Karen - Magezon

Hello everyone,

Karen became my 85th SP 1.10+ Pat/Mat and the first one that I write about on SPF. I made her because I had recently made a Faith (2xBer from /p3 LK) and decided that It was too good a weapon to just sit in the stash until LK decides to drop a Lo. I'll post her end-game gear and give some comments on skills, drops and playing experience.

Code:
Faith
Superior Crusader Bow
'OhmJahLemEld'
Two-Hand Damage: 66 to 280
Required Dexterity: 121
Required Strength: 97
Required Level: 65
Bow Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xde2c6c1
+280% Enhanced Damage
+65% Enhanced Damage
All Resistances +15
+120 fire damage
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Ignore Target Defense
300% Bonus to Attack Rating
75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
+2 to All Skill Levels
Level 14 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
10% Reanimate As: Returned
Socketed (4: 4 used)

Chains of Honor
Archon Plate
'DolUmBerIst'
Defense: 890
Durability: 59 of 60
Required Strength: 103
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x9206e392
+20 to Strength
+70% Enhanced Defense
Damage Reduced by 8%
All Resistances +65
8% Life stolen per hit
Replenish Life +7
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
200% Damage to Demons
100% Damage to Undead
+2 to All Skill Levels
Socketed (4: 4 used)

Nightwing's Veil
Spired Helm
Defense: 304
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Strength: 96
Required Level: 67
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0x4f48e1b
+18 to Dexterity
+20 to Mana
+90% Enhanced Defense
Requirements -50%
15% Increased Attack Speed
Half Freeze Duration
+2 to All Skill Levels
+9 Cold Absorb
+15% to Cold Skill Damage
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xc520ebb1
Lightning Resist +35%
Adds 1-30 lightning damage
20% Increased Attack Speed
+1 to All Skill Levels
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
30% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)

Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 104
Durability: 13 of 14
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0x968c58b6
+15 to Dexterity
+141% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Maximum Damage
+15 Defense
Piercing Attack [33]
Attacker Takes Damage of 82 (Based on Character Level)

Corpse Hold
Heavy Gloves
Defense: 6
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 35
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xfa10819d
Cold Resist +16%
Poison Resist +8%
Adds 1-2 fire damage
20% Increased Attack Speed
+2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
Level 4 Weaken (30/30 Charges)

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 143
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Strength: 94
Required Level: 47
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0xe3bdf36e
+20 to Maximum Stamina
+166% Enhanced Defense
+10 Maximum Durability
Requirements -25%
30% Faster Run/Walk
10% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike

Viper Band
Ring
Required Level: 48
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0xd26854d
+15 to Energy
+67 to Attack Rating
All Resistances +10
5% Life stolen per hit
5% Mana stolen per hit

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 82
Fingerprint: 0xb38ae8c4
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+248 to Attack Rating
Adds 15-45 cold damage over 4 seconds
20% Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 69
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xe91092e4
+38 to Life
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xd845bb78
+5 to Dexterity
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0x2ee50d8d
+6 to Dexterity
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Strength
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x3cf48255
+6 to Strength
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0xdcebe01a
+20 to Life
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0x6e19e7a0
+7 to Life
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xa2c4bfc2
+18 to Life
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0xcef8ffb9
+20 to Life
+20 to Attack Rating
+3 to Maximum Damage

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x8d72632f
+18 to Life
+20 to Attack Rating
+2 to Maximum Damage

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0xeff7605b
+20 to Life
+16 to Attack Rating
+2 to Maximum Damage

Serpent's Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 40
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x2a44d01a
+20 to Life
+17 to Mana

Serpent's Small Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 40
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0xef40a787
+15 to Life
+17 to Mana

Serpent's Small Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 40
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xe16cb9b3
+15 to Life
+17 to Mana

Serpent's Small Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 40
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x9dc13bb5
+11 to Life
+17 to Mana

Switch:

Call to Arms
Crystal Sword
'AmnRalMalIstOhm'
One-Hand Damage: 18 to 54
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Strength: 43
Required Level: 57
Sword Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xfae21b1c
+260% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5-30 fire damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
40% Increased Attack Speed
+6 to Battle Orders
+3 to Battle Cry
+6 to Battle Command
Prevent Monster Heal
+1 to All Skill Levels
Socketed (5: 5 used)

Lidless Wall
Grim Shield
Defense: 280
Chance to Block:  45%
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0xc4a699f0
+10 to Energy
+86% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
+1 to Light Radius
20% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to All Skill Levels
+5 to Mana After Each Kill

The CtA was made mostly from Countess runes early this year and got a mind-blowing roll, even more so considering that my previous Caduceus CtA had also rolled 6 to both BO and BC. CoH was made from a Ber that I found while questing in the Flayer Dungeon more than 2 years ago. The perfect Fine SC of Vita was from the Pit.  

Act 2 Might Merc:

Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 7 of 40
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 94
Fingerprint: 0x15ca9684
+100% Enhanced Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
Damage Reduced by 20%
Fire Resist +22%
Adds 6-22 cold damage over 4 seconds
8% Life stolen per hit
6% Mana stolen per hit
15% Increased Attack Speed
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Shaftstop
Mesh Armor
Defense: 908
Durability: 23 of 23
Required Strength: 82
Required Level: 38
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xe21124e9
+60 to Life
+183% Enhanced Defense
+250 Defense vs. Missile
Damage Reduced by 30%
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired)

Insight
Cryptic Axe
'RalTirTalSol'
Two-Hand Damage: 162 to 704
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Dexterity: 93
Required Strength: 155
Required Level: 59
Polearm Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0x53f7bc10
+5 to Strength
+5 to Energy
+5 to Dexterity
+5 to Vitality
+213% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
Adds 5-30 fire damage
+75 poison damage over 5 seconds
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+5 to Critical Strike
35% Faster Cast Rate
234% Bonus to Attack Rating
+2 to Mana After Each Kill
Level 17 Meditation Aura When Equipped
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (4: 4 used)

Skills:

Freezing Arrow - Max
Cold Arrow - Max
Immolation Arrow - Max
Exploding Arrow - 18
1 point in all the P&M skills

I originally was going to use Exploding Arrow as a backup skill against CIs. EA was a pretty good and spammable skill from what I recall about one of my previous Zons but I chose IA because I'd never based a buiild around it before. Immolation Arrow is a decent skill if you don't mind the timer and I think that it's important to have good physical damage. It doesn't kill quickly and you have to aim it because of the timer in order not to waste the arrows but it does it's job against most CI monsters. I played mostly on /p3 so it would've been more effective had I played on /p1.

Freezing Arrow was my main skill and it's very good but I knew that as a I played a few Frostmaidens. The main problem with it is the high mana cost. That was mostly taken care of by equipment and the Merc, enough so that mana was not much of an issue though I drank the occasional mana potion. In hindsight I would've probably not invested a point in Valk and maxed out EA for the synergy an placed another point in Pierce just to complete the build. Valk was decent even with one point considering BO and Fanaticism but never felt a priority and messed with the Immolation Arrow timer. It's the best tank in the game though if you can spare the skill points to max it. Many Zon builds would get Valk to slvl 17 (spawns with a rare War Pike) but this build doesn't have enough skill points to get her to that level (with +skills) unless damage is sacrificed

In the end I liked build. It is a little gear dependant I think. Of course, the expensive runewords aren't necessary at all but some decent gear (especially a bow) is recommended. Due to the fact that most monsters will be frozen and it's a ranged build, life total and resists aren't so much of a priority as they are with melee builds. I probably would invest more in Dex to improve physical damage. Character screen:



Some notable drops:

Code:
Thunderstroke
Matriarchal Javelin
Throw Damage: 152 to 290
One-Hand Damage: 131 to 237
Quantity: 46
(Amazon Only)
Required Dexterity: 141
Required Strength: 97
Required Level: 69
Javelin Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x59c89274
+193% Enhanced Damage
Adds 1-511 lightning damage
15% Increased Attack Speed
+3 to Lightning Bolt (Amazon Only)
+3 to Javelin and Spear Skills (Amazon Only)
20% Chance to cast Level 14 Lightning on striking
-15% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired)

Homunculus
Hierophant Trophy
Defense: 203
Chance to Block:  77%
Durability: 13 of 20
(Necromancer Only)
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xa924583d
+20 to Energy
+187% Enhanced Defense
+40% Increased Chance of Blocking
Regenerate Mana 33%
All Resistances +40
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
30% Faster Block Rate
+5 to Mana After Each Kill
+2 to Curses (Necromancer Only)

Demon Limb
Tyrant Club
One-Hand Damage: 102 to 186
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Strength: 133
Required Level: 63
Mace Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0xfce58989
+221% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +15%
Adds 222-333 fire damage
12% Life stolen per hit
123% Damage to Demons
150% Damage to Undead
Level 23 Enchant (10/20 Charges)
Repairs 1 durability in 20 seconds

Jade Small Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 79
Fingerprint: 0x8f56a195
+5 to Life
Poison Resist +9%

Shogukusha's Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xc3af588c
+1 to Martial Art Skills (Assassin Only)

NM Forge:

Pul Rune
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items

Weapons: 75% Damage to Demons, +100 to Attack Rating against Demons
Helms: +30% Enhanced Defense
Armor: +30% Enhanced Defense
Shields: +30% Enhanced Defense

Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Hell Forge:

Lem Rune
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items

Weapons: 75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Helms: 50% Extra Gold from Monsters
Armor: 50% Extra Gold from Monsters
Shields: 50% Extra Gold from Monsters

Required Level: 43
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

From a few AT runs:

Mal Rune
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items

Weapons: Prevent Monster Heal
Helms: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Armor: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Magic Damage Reduced by 7

Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
 
Originally posted by Solar Ice on Dec 17, 2008:

Matriach Danielle- Multizon

Hello everyone,

My latest Matriarch is one that I've wanted to make for a few weeks but until recently due to the lack of a Lo for Fortitude I did not. She is used Multishot as her main skill and to improve damage I went base Vitality and dumped almost all her stat points into Dex. I could've made her a Dexazon but that would've made me lose CBF, a chunk of DS as well as a few charms. Thus spending 35 points in Strength made her better. Her end-game gear:

Code:
Faith
Superior Crusader Bow
'OhmJahLemEld'
Two-Hand Damage: 66 to 280
Required Dexterity: 121
Required Strength: 97
Required Level: 65
Bow Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xde2c6c1
+280% Enhanced Damage
+65% Enhanced Damage
All Resistances +15
+120 fire damage
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Ignore Target Defense
300% Bonus to Attack Rating
75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
+2 to All Skill Levels
Level 14 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
10% Reanimate As: Returned
Socketed (4: 4 used)

Fortitude
Archon Plate
'ElSolDolLo'
Defense: 1587
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Strength: 103
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x68b31a63
+200% Enhanced Defense
+300% Enhanced Damage
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 7
Fire Resist +26%
Lightning Resist +26%
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Cold Resist +26%
Poison Resist +26%
Replenish Life +7
+1 to Light Radius
25% Faster Cast Rate
12% Damage Taken Goes to Mana
20% Chance to cast Level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+94 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (4: 4 used)

Gemmed Crown (socketed with 28/15, 25/15, 13/15)
Defense: 28
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Strength: 55
Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 79
Fingerprint: 0x10ccad62
+66% Enhanced Damage
45% Increased Attack Speed
Socketed (3: 3 used)

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x969046b7
Lightning Resist +35%
Adds 1-30 lightning damage
20% Increased Attack Speed
+1 to All Skill Levels
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
31% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)

Eagle Clutches (Crafted)
Chain Gloves
Defense: 8
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Strength: 25
Required Level: 59
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 92
Fingerprint: 0x9f625fbe
+6 to Strength
Fire Resist +24%
Attacker Takes Damage of 4
Knockback
20% Increased Attack Speed
5% Chance to cast Level 4 Frost Nova when struck
14% Chance to cast Level 5 Charged Bolt when struck

Nosferatu's Coil
Vampirefang Belt
Defense: 61
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 51
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x8a29e746
+15 to Strength
7% Life stolen per hit
-3 to Light Radius
10% Increased Attack Speed
+2 to Mana After Each Kill
Slows Target by 10%

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 148
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Strength: 94
Required Level: 47
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 73
Fingerprint: 0x50114421
+20 to Maximum Stamina
+175% Enhanced Defense
+10 Maximum Durability
Requirements -25%
30% Faster Run/Walk
10% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 82
Fingerprint: 0xb38ae8c4
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+248 to Attack Rating
Adds 15-45 cold damage over 4 seconds
20% Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

Bone Loop
Ring
Required Level: 74
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x72fa336
+20 to Strength
+3 to Energy
+105 to Attack Rating
6% Mana stolen per hit
8% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Light Radius

Switch:

Call to Arms
Caduceus
'AmnRalMalIstOhm'
One-Hand Damage: 138 to 161
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Dexterity: 70
Required Strength: 97
Required Level: 66
Mace Class - Fastest Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0xdee1ee5d
+275% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5-30 fire damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
40% Increased Attack Speed
+6 to Battle Orders
+1 to Battle Cry
+6 to Battle Command
+1 to Holy Shock (Paladin Only)
+1 to Meditation (Paladin Only)
Prevent Monster Heal
150% Damage to Undead
+1 to All Skill Levels
Socketed (5: 5 used)

Lidless Wall
Grim Shield
Defense: 329
Chance to Block:  45%
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x6fb5efd7
+10 to Energy
+118% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
+1 to Light Radius
20% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to All Skill Levels
+3 to Mana After Each Kill

Charms:

Code:
Sharp Grand Charm of Maiming
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xbc167902
+71 to Attack Rating
+14 to Maximum Damage

Sharp Grand Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 69
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x80eac8ea
+40 to Life
+59 to Attack Rating
+9 to Maximum Damage

Sharp Grand Charm of Quality
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 33
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0xbfc2dba7
+55 to Attack Rating
+11 to Maximum Damage

Sharp Grand Charm of Strength
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xadd6c075
+5 to Strength
+68 to Attack Rating
+10 to Maximum Damage

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 53
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xe6db390c
+33 to Life
+67 to Attack Rating
+9 to Maximum Damage

Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x71c03b80
+11 to Life
+66 to Attack Rating
+10 to Maximum Damage

Sharp Grand Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x6e0cb198
+6 to Dexterity
+76 to Attack Rating
+10 to Maximum Damage

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0xeff7605b
+20 to Life
+16 to Attack Rating
+2 to Maximum Damage

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x8d72632f
+18 to Life
+20 to Attack Rating
+2 to Maximum Damage

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0xcef8ffb9
+20 to Life
+20 to Attack Rating
+3 to Maximum Damage

Fine Small Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xcfe3507e
+8 to Life
+13 to Attack Rating
+2 to Maximum Damage

Fine Small Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x4dac9ab8
+7 to Life
+16 to Attack Rating
+2 to Maximum Damage

Fine Small Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0xfd748391
+2 to Dexterity
+17 to Attack Rating
+3 to Maximum Damage

Fine Small Charm of Strength
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 57
Fingerprint: 0x7e832ae0
+2 to Strength
+15 to Attack Rating
+3 to Maximum Damage

Act 2 Might Merc:

Code:
The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
'Shael'
Two-Hand Damage: 40 to 475
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Dexterity: 89
Required Strength: 114
Required Level: 75
Polearm Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xc9f3f95c
+237% Enhanced Damage
Adds 4-44 cold damage over 1 seconds
12% Life stolen per hit
Requirements -25%
20% Increased Attack Speed
Ignore Target Defense
33% Deadly Strike
33% Chance to cast Level 1 Decrepify on striking
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Shaftstop
Mesh Armor
Defense: 908
Durability: 23 of 23
Required Strength: 82
Required Level: 38
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xe21124e9
+60 to Life
+183% Enhanced Defense
+250 Defense vs. Missile
Damage Reduced by 30%
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired)

Delirium
Tiara
'LemIstIo'
Defense: 308
Durability: 24 of 25
Required Level: 52
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0xa0cfe631
+10 to Vitality
+261 Defense
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to All Skill Levels
11% Chance to cast Level 18 Confuse on striking
6% Chance to cast Level 14 Mind Blast when struck
14% Chance to cast Level 13 Terror when struck
1% Chance to cast Level 50 Magic Shrine when struck
Level 17 Attract (60/60 Charges)
Socketed (3: 3 used)

Skills:

Max Multiple Shot
Max Critical Strike
13 Valkyrie (clvl 17 with +skills)
13 Pierce (82% with +skills)
8 Avoid
7 Dodge/Evade
1 Guided Arrow

Character Screen:

http: //img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/3/12/17/f_Daniellescrm_034783c.jpg

The above gear meant that I reached the maximum 7-frame attack. It is very fun using Multiple Shot at that speed. I had a choice of basing the build around Strafe or MS and having played Strafe and Multizons before, I find Multiple Shot to be the superior skill in just about any situation. It's faster, cooler and gives you more control and mobility. Not to mention the lack of NextDelay. It gives 24 arrows per shot at slvl 23, meaning no monsters escaped the Zons wrath.

Her low life total and resists weren't much of an issue. Being a ranged character (and with D/A/E) they were not so important. Some areas were tougher than others. I had a few deaths most notably to Souls in WSK and Frozen River. In contrast, she truely plowed through Hell Chaos Sanctuary :). Overall, she did not feel like a fragile char. With the low HP and good damage, Life Leech at times resembled Life Tap.

MS was used most of the time but Magic Arrow and Guided Arrow were helpful support skills. The former quickly replenished my mana in those occasional situations when I ran out of mana. The latter was excellent against Act Bosses, where MS is not as strong. Hell Ancients were quickly taken care of solely with GA. With Knockback it's also very effective against bosses with dangerous mods, like Hephasto (namelocking them = GG). I especially liked the skill in Hell Frozen River, that happened to spawn with Witches and Souls. It autotargets and I could stand around a corner (or just out of Lightning range) and pick off the dangerous Souls with MS mopping up the rest of the baddies. I did not miss Razortail at all, as 82% Pierce is very sufficient. My fast MS meant that even less Pierce would've been enough. Valk was a great tank as always. I maximised my chance to deal double damage with 70% CS as well as 46% DS at the end of the game (according to a damage calc, that gives 83,8% avarage chance). The Merc's Decrep piled on the damage even more and was my solution to PIs. The Ctc Confuse from Deliruim provided more safety when it triggered. The Zon was killing at a good speed (played most of the game on /p5) even without Decrep, and knocking things back so neither curse was relied upon, except for the PIs.

Notable finds:

Code:
The Hand of Broc
Leather Gloves
Defense: 14
Durability: 9 of 12
Required Level: 5
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 11
Fingerprint: 0x3ee315ab
+20 to Mana
+17% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense
Poison Resist +10%
3% Life stolen per hit
3% Mana stolen per hit

Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 82
Durability: 10 of 12
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0xf380fc30
+25 Defense
Fire Resist +50%
20% Increased Attack Speed
350% Damage to Demons
10% Chance to cast Level 3 Holy Bolt on striking

Immortal King's Stone Crusher
Ogre Maul
Two-Hand Damage: 231 to 318
Required Strength: 225
Required Level: 76
Mace Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Indestructible
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0x4b82b681
+200% Enhanced Damage
40% Increased Attack Speed
200% Damage to Demons
350% Damage to Undead
38% Chance of Crushing Blow
Indestructible

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
Adds 211-397 fire damage
Adds 7-477 lightning damage
Adds 127-364 cold damage over 6 seconds
+204 poison damage over 6 seconds
Adds 250-361 magic damage
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

Socketed (2: 0 used)

Aldur's Deception
Shadow Plate
Defense: 755
Durability: 47 of 70
Required Strength: 115
Required Level: 76
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x86c2a51a
+20 to Strength
+15 to Dexterity
+300 Defense
Lightning Resist +45%
Requirements -50%
+1 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
+15 to Vitality
+15 to Vitality
+15 to Vitality
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***

Spike Thorn
Blade Barrier
Defense: 408
Chance to Block:  45%
Durability: 80 of 255
Required Strength: 118
Required Level: 70
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0xcd43b957
+149% Enhanced Defense
Damage Reduced by 17%
+250 Maximum Durability
30% Faster Hit Recovery
Attacker Takes Damage of 115 (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (1: 0 used)

NM forge

Lum Rune
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items

Weapons: +10 to Energy
Helms: +10 to Energy
Armor: +10 to Energy
Shields: +10 to Energy

Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Junky Hell Forge:

Io Rune
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items

Weapons: +10 to Vitality
Helms: +10 to Vitality
Armor: +10 to Vitality
Shields: +10 to Vitality

Required Level: 35
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
 
Last edited:
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