Matriarch/Patriarch/Guardian Archive Thread

Originally posted by @ioupain on Aug 8, 2019:

Matriarch Atanea, M'avina's Battle Hymn Magezon

1584776500380.png

Matriarch achieved on: 2011-01-28

Introduction
Atanea is part of my Set Septumvirate but she was completed so long ago that I don't remember too much, luckily I have some screenshots that fill in some of the blanks.

Theme
Atanea is the name of a famous Amazon and her name means 'of the opposition'. I thought this was quite fitting as she used opposite elements of Fire and Ice.

Journey
I don't remember much, but from what I can piece together, Hell Duriel was tough, he took 15 full rejuvs for me and my merc!

Atanea found a Verdungo's, +4/-4 Poison Facet, some Druid skillers, Captain's skiller, Sazabi's Ghost Liberator, a Pul rune, Tal Rasha's Lidless Eye & a Wizardspike.

Hell Forge
HF: Amn/Lem/Ist

1584776446627.png

Pretty good hell forge drops - all useful.

Stats
Code:
Name:       Atanea
Class:      Amazon
Experience: 955033693
Level:      83

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   92/104
Dexterity:  97/139
Vitality:   301/301
Energy:     15/15
HP:         1117/1137
Mana:       138/217
Stamina:    447/447
Defense:    24/1898
AR:         455/44217

(Resist figures below include +50 from Mav's set bonus)
Fire:       157/117/57
Cold:       184/144/84
Lightning:  199/159/99
Poison:     168/128/68

MF:         70        Block:      18
GF:         201       FR/W:       65
FHR:        30        IAS:        90
FCR:        0
Skills
Code:
BOW + CROSSBOW SKILLS:

20 Freezing Arrow
20 Cold Arrow
20 Immolation Arrow
20 Exploding Arrow
01 Magic Arrow
01 Ice Arrow
01 Multishot
01 Fire Arrow

Subtotal: 84

PASSIVE + MAGIC SKILLS:

01 Valkyrie
01 Pierce
01 Penetrate
01 Dodge
01 Avoid
01 Evade
01 Inner Sight
01 Critical Strike 
01 Slow Missiles
01 Decoy

Subtotal: 10

Grand Total: 94

Level at which build complete: 94 – 11 = 83
Gear
Helm: Atanea's M'avina's True Sight (Perfect Topaz)
Armour: Atanea's M'avina's Embrace (Perfect Topaz)
Gloves: M'avina's Icy Clutch
Belt: M'avina's Tenet
Boots: Natalya's Soul

Amulet: The Eye of Etlich
Ring 1: Manald Heal
Ring 2: Raven Frost (20 Dex/152 AR)

Weapon 1: Atanea's M'avina's Caster (Shael)
Shield 1: Arrows

Weapon 2: Demon Limb (Hel)
Shield 2: Moser's Blessed Circle (Um/Um)

Charms: Gheed's Fortune, 1 x Fletcher's, miscellaneous resist charms

Fazel The Holy Freeze/Insight Mercenary
Helm: Vampire Gaze
Armour: Duriel's Shell
Weapon: Eth Insight Cryptic Axe (16 Meditation/6 Critical Strike)

Current Activity
Retired
 
Originally posted by Jaedhann on May 12, 2006:

Silence, loads of fun i must say.A Matriarch thread

A while ago Vang started a thread expaining his dissapointmet about a silenced crusader bow. Year ago i matted my first amazon using a same bow. Having good memories about it and, thanks to the SPF, more knowledge about the game, i went off to prove him wrong. I present to you: Matriarch Pandora, the blessed cursing-zon.

But first something about the bow. It has two cons, It does little damage compared to a windforce or other high end bows, and it's slow. It has several pros. +75 resist all (jummie) +2 to skills, and it blinds an scares your enemies. So in the rest of my equipment i was could skip the resist part, and focus completely is souces of more damage an attackspeed. I came up with the following list.

Silence
Superior Crusader Bow
'DolEldHelIstTirVex'
Two-Hand Damage: 46 to 196
Required Dexterity: 97
Required Strength: 78
Required Level: 57
Bow Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xcb263e7f
+200% Enhanced Damage
+12% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Attack Rating
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)

Armor: Treachery great hauberker
Boots: Wartravelers
helm: Blackhorn face with 15% ias jewel
Gloves: Traculs grasp
Belt: Razortail
Ammy: Atma's scarab
Rings: Carrion wind and a ravenfrost.

Various cold damage charms and -of vita charms

Result: Utter crowd-ownage. (more later)

Skills: 20 cold arrow, 20 freezing arrow, 20 strafe, 17 valk, 1 in all passives, 3 in critical strike, 1 in all pre's

Stats: strength 99, dex 281 vit 105, ene base(15)

Damage Strafe-base: 417-1170. With might and venom:600-1624
Freezing arrow: 1228-1306 cold damage added.

About the game: well, it's a slow start until you get strafe. Then, with a twinked bow the fun begins. Basicly nothing can stop you now until act 2 in hell. Strafe everything untill you get freezing arrow, then max that first and give you moron an insight weapon. If it is not immune to cold, it dies. Nightmare was a breeze, and this built is starting to show its magic in by the time you get to hell act 2. Know she's wearing atma's scarab, THE bow, the treachery armor and dracul's grasp. It kind of goes like this. All enemies within strafe range are either blinded, slowed, amped or life tapped. If they are not immune to cold they are frozen as well. Once the fade from treachery kicks in she has max resisances. This allowed me to have a glass cannon merc wearing a vampires gaze, and these two :

Ethereal Obedience Superior Thresher: Two-Hand Damage: 84 to 991.
And: Black Hades Chaos Armor:+97% Enhanced Damage (thanks to three +ED jewels. This adds 160-1019 to his damage so he does 874-6206 damage in the end, with a 40% chance of a crushing blow.

Basicly he kills most of the baddies while she keep control over the crowd. the occasional lifetap keeps him alive. But the 1112 avarage damage from strafe is nothing to be laughed at, she kills aswell:evil:

Conclusion: If they don't hit you, they don't hurt you. If they don't even try to hit you....we have a winner!. She's safe, has unbeleivable crowd control. Piercing freezing arrow rocks on non cold immune packs, and masses of blinded, slowed and cursed monster show exactly how dumb blizzard made them. Great support-caster if there is no necromancer is your party.
Downside: Everything goes down fast exept bosses. For high damage she is to much dependent of her moron.

I just made a nice pitstrafer \0/
 
Originally posted by Jason Maher on Jan 14, 2010:

Matriarch Rhiannon - Dexazon

Matriarch Rhiannon

Level: 87

Guided Arrow Damage: 602-4742 (with Might)
Strafe Damage: 452-3576 (with Might)
Attack Rating: 2991 (~65% To Hit)
Defense: 812
Resists (F/C/L/P): 78/87/95/144 (with Fade)

Strength: 118 (144)
Dexterity: 372 (392)
Vitality: 20 (20)
Energy: 15 (15)

Life: 571 (with Oak Sage, 381 without)
Mana: 144

Skills:

MA: 1
Multishot: 9
GA: 20
Strafe: 20
CA: 1
IA: 1
FA: 1

CS: 4
Pierce: 7
Decoy: 8
Valkyrie: 20
Other P&M skills: 1

The mercenary was an Act NM Offensive (i.e. Might).

Gears
Code:
Number of Items : 43

1: Tome of Town Portal
Quantity: 11

2: Key
Quantity: 12

3: Horadric Cube

4: Acrobatic Grand Charm of Maiming
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x7e6e70c8
+4 to Maximum Damage
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)

5: Fletcher's Grand Charm of Winter
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x50cb0150
Adds 4-9 cold damage over 1 seconds
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

6: Fletcher's Grand Charm of Greed
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xbe83f6c9
35% Extra Gold from Monsters
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

7: Ruby Small Charm of Strength
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0x64d0456f
+1 to Strength
Fire Resist +11%

8: Fletcher's Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x35f228fb
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

9: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

10: Ruby Small Charm of Storms
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x684b4155
Fire Resist +10%
Adds 1-27 lightning damage

11: Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0xa82108ac
+20 to Life

12: Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xa9769307
+20 to Life

13: Viridian Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xa647773
+20 to Life
Poison Resist +6%

14: Rugged Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x2e5ed7ba
+20 to Life
+12 to Maximum Stamina

15: Tangerine Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0x8a6ccff6
+19 to Life
Lightning Resist +3%

16: Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 62
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x82bc35f3
150% Extra Gold from Monsters
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Reduces All Vendor Prices 15%

17: Fletcher's Grand Charm of Strength
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xfd3ab408
+3 to Strength
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

18: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

19: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

20: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

21: Kira's Guardian
Tiara
Defense: 97
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 77
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x56d69020
+50 Defense
All Resistances +67
20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cannot Be Frozen

22: Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xa818965a
Lightning Resist +35%
Adds 1-30 lightning damage
20% Increased Attack Speed
+1 to All Skill Levels
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
32% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)

23: Nature's Peace
Ring
Required Level: 69
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x4bac1deb
Damage Reduced by 7
Poison Resist +26%
Slain Monsters Rest In Peace
Prevent Monster Heal
Level 5 Oak Sage (25/27 Charges)

24: Carrion Wind
Ring
Required Level: 60
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x3bd30cac
+143 Defense vs. Missile
Poison Resist +55%
8% Life stolen per hit
10% Damage Taken Goes to Mana
8% Chance to cast Level 13 Twister on striking
10% Chance to cast Level 10 Poison Nova when struck
Level 21 Poison Creeper (15/15 Charges)

25: Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 106
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0x8aa9633
+15 to Dexterity
+148% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Maximum Damage
+15 Defense
Piercing Attack [33]
Attacker Takes Damage of 87 (Based on Character Level)

26: Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 157
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Strength: 94
Required Level: 47
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0xfdf7a49e
+20 to Maximum Stamina
+192% Enhanced Defense
+10 Maximum Durability
Requirements -25%
30% Faster Run/Walk
10% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike

27: Dracul's Grasp
Vampirebone Gloves
Defense: 129
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 76
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x4b0eac6f
+12 to Strength
+96% Enhanced Defense
7% Life stolen per hit
+8 Life after each Kill
25% Chance of Open Wounds
5% Chance to cast Level 10 Life Tap on striking

28: Wizendraw
Long Battle Bow
Two-Hand Damage: 5 to 32
Required Dexterity: 50
Required Strength: 40
Required Level: 26
Bow Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0xbbd7512b
+15 to Energy
+30 to Mana
+79% Enhanced Damage
+74 to Attack Rating
Cold Resist +26%
20% Increased Attack Speed
Fires Magic Arrows
-35% to Enemy Cold Resistance

29: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

30: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

31: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

32: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

33: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

34: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

35: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

36: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

37: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

38: Key
Quantity: 2

39: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

40: Full Rejuvenation Potion
Heals 100% Life and Mana

41: Windforce
Hydra Bow
'Amn'
Two-Hand Damage: 35 to 509
Required Dexterity: 167
Required Strength: 134
Required Level: 73
Bow Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x700ce522
+10 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
+250% Enhanced Damage
Heal Stamina Plus 30%
7% Life stolen per hit
6% Mana stolen per hit
Knockback
20% Increased Attack Speed
+271 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Amn Rune
Inserted into a Hydra Bow

7% Life stolen per hit

Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

42: Arrows
Quantity: 223

43: Treachery
Mage Plate
'ShaelThulLem'
Defense: 225
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Strength: 55
Required Level: 43
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xd46b410
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
45% Increased Attack Speed
20% Faster Hit Recovery
25% Chance to cast Level 15 Venom on striking
5% Chance to cast Level 15 Fade when struck
Socketed (3: 3 used)

Shael Rune
Inserted into a Mage Plate

20% Faster Hit Recovery

Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Thul Rune
Inserted into a Mage Plate

Cold Resist +30%

Required Level: 23
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Lem Rune
Inserted into a Mage Plate

50% Extra Gold from Monsters

Required Level: 43
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Mercenary Items : 

1: The Gladiator's Bane
Wire Fleece
Defense: 1467
Durability: 29 of 135
Required Strength: 111
Required Level: 85
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xa0502b7
+194% Enhanced Defense
+50 Defense
Damage Reduced by 20
Magic Damage Reduced by 16
+103 Maximum Durability
Attacker Takes Damage of 20
30% Faster Hit Recovery
Poison Length Reduced by 50%
Cannot Be Frozen

2: Crown of Ages
Corona
'Sol'
Defense: 374
Required Strength: 174
Required Level: 82
Indestructible
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xe6d03278
+50% Enhanced Defense
+125 Defense
Damage Reduced by 7
Damage Reduced by 12%
All Resistances +20
30% Faster Hit Recovery
+1 to All Skill Levels
Indestructible
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Sol Rune
Inserted into a Corona

Damage Reduced by 7

Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

3: The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two-Hand Damage: 40 to 475
Durability: 36 of 65
Required Dexterity: 89
Required Strength: 114
Required Level: 75
Polearm Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x4808a922
+237% Enhanced Damage
Adds 4-44 cold damage over 2 seconds
15% Life stolen per hit
Requirements -25%
Ignore Target Defense
33% Deadly Strike
33% Chance to cast Level 1 Decrepify on striking
The Story, or why you should not make a character like this

Well first off - planning is a good thing! I wasted so many points that could have been better spent elsewhere - like the 8 extra points in Multi (which I never used) and 7 extra points in Decoy (useless with my low life) - that's 15 points could have gone in Penetrate where they would have been far more useful. The 20 in Guided Arrow weren't a waste, I started the character intending this to be the main skill, and it became the boss killer once I decided to add Strafe as well. 20 points in both because the idea was to max damage - hence all the points in dex and none in vitality.

I also think the Fletcher's charms were a waste. 4 charms = 20% extra Strafe damage. I previously was using Sharp and Fine charms here, which I'm sure add a lot more than 20% after being multiplied by the Dex and Strafe ED. Silly decision on my part to make the switch.

This character has had about 3 lives - first the original character which was based around GA, then Strafe added when I found my Windforce, then with all the gear I've acquired recently through giveaways and trading, the final sprint to Baal with completely new gear setup.

Now I wouldn't recommend anyone set up a character the way I had Rhiannon set up at the end - relying on being hit for Fade to kick in for resists is not an overly good strategy with very low life. ;) Even with insta heal from 23% LL and ctc Life Tap, she was a sitting duck if she didn't do a Hans Solo and shoot first. But I guess if you like your life bulb fluctuating wildly between full and almost empty for that extra thrill...

I don't remember a great deal of the journey from the Blood Moor to the Worldstone Chamber, but I know I died a few times, including at least half a dozen times to Hell Baal (the tentacles got me a couple of times ). I did a bunch of Pit runs, which is why the level is so high.

The best feature of this character was honestly the merc. He stood toe-to-toe with Ancients and Baal and barely batted an eyelid. Crown of Ages + Gladiator's Bane + Reaper's Toll = win.

The future for this character is a Pit runner, until such time as I build another SC Strafer with a slightly more intelligent strategy and gear selection.
 
Originally posted by Jason Maher on May 25, 2012:

Matriarch Ursula - level 88 Amazon

In between enjoying D3, I've been finishing off my "final" (yeah, right) D2 character. It's my 3rd go at a Bowazon who uses Magic Arrow as her sole attack (my very first character, and my first ever Mat were the other two), and this time I actually knew what I was doing. The motivation was half completing the circle, half seeing how the build would fare with really good gear. As to that: well, let's just say I went /players8 comfortably from the Blood Moor to Hell Baal.

As for the name, I just noticed my character names were weighted toward the start of the alphabet, so I picked the first name that popped into my head from the other end. Lo and behold, I finished the character the same day as Maxicek finished an Assassin with the same name. This is significant because Maxi was the source of Ursula's WMD - a Faith GMB - via a very generous trade. :worship:

Stats

Strength
: 149/156
Dexterity: 190/227
Vitality: 176
Energy: 15/17

Life: 969/1482 (after Battle Orders)
Mana: 188/297
Resists (F/C/L/P): 75/71/80/28
Defense: 2157

AR (actual): 11830 (75% chance to hit Hell Baal)
Damage (73% Physical, 27% Magic): 980-4305 @8fpa, 100% Pierce, 85% double damage, 15% CB
Enhanced Damage: 330% on-weapon (faith); 227% (dex) + 237% (fana) + 33% (jewels) + 300% (fort) + 230% (might) = 1027% off-weapon; 75% to Undead (faith), 350% to Demons (LoH).

Skills

Magic Arrow - 20/26/27

Decoy - 20/26/27
Valkyrie - 20/26/27
Critical Strike - 20/26/27
Pierce - 3/9/10
Penetrate - 11/17/18 <- rest here
1 in all other Passive + Magic skills.

Gear

- Crown of Ages + 13% Rusty Jewel of Fervor + 20% Rusty Jewel of Freedom.
- 'Fortitude' Dusk Shroud
- 'Faith' Grand Matron Bow (+1 all skills, lvl 12 Fanatacism)
- Laying of Hands
- Razortail
- Gore Rider
- Highlord's Wrath
- Raven Frost
- Rare ring with 6% LL, AR, cold and light resists
- 3x Acrobatic GCs with lfie
- Gheed's
- 4x Sharp GCs
- bunch of resistance SCs, mainly Shimmering

Moron:
- Crown of Ages + Sol
- The Gladiator's Bane
- The Reaper's Toll

Readouts:
Code:
5: Amber Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xf567700f
+16 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%

6: Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 62
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x1b49c0d2
132% Extra Gold from Monsters
37% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Reduces All Vendor Prices 15%

8: Sharp Grand Charm of Strength
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xa1bd6e2c
+4 to Strength
+69 to Attack Rating
+9 to Maximum Damage

9: Sharp Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x674dfa12
+75 to Attack Rating
+9 to Maximum Damage

10: Shimmering Small Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 48
Fingerprint: 0x8ca17f41
+1 to Dexterity
All Resistances +4

11: Shimmering Small Charm of Greed
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xf264d706
All Resistances +4
8% Extra Gold from Monsters

12: Shimmering Small Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x3b37d205
+1 to Dexterity
All Resistances +5

13: Shimmering Small Charm of Strength
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x6c3d8930
+2 to Strength
All Resistances +5

14: Shimmering Small Charm of Lightning
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x372eef59
All Resistances +5
Adds 1-7 lightning damage

15: Sharp Grand Charm of Greed
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x3fe7da32
+68 to Attack Rating
+9 to Maximum Damage
28% Extra Gold from Monsters

16: Shimmering Small Charm of Strength
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x8e6ea864
+1 to Strength
All Resistances +5

17: Acrobatic Grand Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xb78763a
+8 to Life
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)

18: Acrobatic Grand Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 69
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xbdc3a5ab
+37 to Life
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)

19: Acrobatic Grand Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x799a34de
+27 to Life
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)

20: Crown of Ages
Corona
Defense: 372
Required Strength: 148
Required Level: 82
Indestructible
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x4c3d5b3a
+50% Enhanced Defense
+33% Enhanced Damage
+123 Defense
Damage Reduced by 10%
All Resistances +30
Requirements -15%
15% Increased Attack Speed
30% Faster Hit Recovery
+1 to All Skill Levels
Indestructible
Socketed (2: 2 used)

Rusty Jewel of Freedom
Required Level: 9
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x313c5689
+20% Enhanced Damage
Requirements -15%

Rusty Jewel of Fervor
Required Level: 31
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0x231e4823
+13% Enhanced Damage
15% Increased Attack Speed

21: Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0x8ebfbd09
Lightning Resist +35%
Adds 1-30 lightning damage
20% Increased Attack Speed
+1 to All Skill Levels
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
33% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)

22: Fortitude
Dusk Shroud
'ElSolDolLo'
Defense: 1395
Durability: 18 of 20
Required Strength: 77
Required Level: 59
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xfbae112
+200% Enhanced Defense
+300% Enhanced Damage
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 7
Fire Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +25%
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Cold Resist +25%
Poison Resist +25%
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
+99 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (4: 4 used)

El Rune
Inserted into a Dusk Shroud

+15 Defense
+1 to Light Radius

Required Level: 11
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Sol Rune
Inserted into a Dusk Shroud

Damage Reduced by 7

Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Dol Rune
Inserted into a Dusk Shroud

Replenish Life +7

Required Level: 31
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Lo Rune
Inserted into a Dusk Shroud

+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist

Required Level: 59
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

23: Storm Touch
Ring
Required Level: 35
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0xe7d055f4
+2 to Energy
+56 to Attack Rating
Lightning Resist +14%
Cold Resist +22%
6% Life stolen per hit
Replenish Life +5

24: Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x8bfd1aa1
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+243 to Attack Rating
Adds 15-45 cold damage over 4 seconds
20% Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

25: Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 105
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xe244efdc
+15 to Dexterity
+144% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Maximum Damage
+15 Defense
Piercing Attack [33]
Attacker Takes Damage of 88 (Based on Character Level)

26: Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 143
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Strength: 94
Required Level: 47
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xcba79d52
+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

27: Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 86
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x84b11a6d
+25 Defense
Fire Resist +50%
20% Increased Attack Speed
350% Damage to Demons
10% Chance to cast Level 3 Holy Bolt on striking

28: Sapphire Small Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xe4a49fd0
+14 to Life
Cold Resist +11%

29: Sapphire Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x4c0298f8
+16 to Life
Cold Resist +10%

31: Sharp Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x25a48d06
+74 to Attack Rating
+9 to Maximum Damage

74: Call to Arms
Ettin Axe
'AmnRalMalIstOhm'
One-Hand Damage: 117 to 234
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Dexterity: 45
Required Strength: 145
Required Level: 57
Axe Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 79
Fingerprint: 0x15970ba0
+255% 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
+3 to Battle Orders
+1 to Battle Cry
+4 to Battle Command
Prevent Monster Heal
+1 to All Skill Levels
Socketed (5: 5 used)

Amn Rune
Inserted into a Ettin Axe

7% Life stolen per hit

Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Ral Rune
Inserted into a Ettin Axe

Adds 5-30 fire damage

Required Level: 19
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Mal Rune
Inserted into a Ettin Axe

Prevent Monster Heal

Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Ist Rune
Inserted into a Ettin Axe

30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Required Level: 51
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Ohm Rune
Inserted into a Ettin Axe

+50% Enhanced Damage

Required Level: 57
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

75: Spirit
Superior Monarch
'TalThulOrtAmn'
Defense: 142
Chance to Block:  47%
Durability: 94 of 95
Required Strength: 156
Required Level: 54
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x7932e657
+22 to Vitality
+110 to Mana
+250 Defense vs. Missile
Lightning Resist +35%
Cold Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
Increase Maximum Durability 10%
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
55% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Faster Cast Rate
+2 to All Skill Levels
+8 Magic Absorb
Socketed (4: 4 used)

Tal Rune
Inserted into a Monarch

Poison Resist +35%

Required Level: 17
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Thul Rune
Inserted into a Monarch

Cold Resist +35%

Required Level: 23
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Ort Rune
Inserted into a Monarch

Lightning Resist +35%

Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Amn Rune
Inserted into a Monarch

Attacker Takes Damage of 14

Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

76: Faith
Grand Matron Bow
'OhmJahLemEld'
Two-Hand Damage: 60 to 309
(Amazon Only)
Required Dexterity: 152
Required Strength: 108
Required Level: 65
Bow Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x26e2a10b
+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
+1 to All Skill Levels
Level 12 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
10% Reanimate As: Returned
+3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
Socketed (4: 4 used)

Ohm Rune
Inserted into a Grand Matron Bow

+50% Enhanced Damage

Required Level: 57
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Jah Rune
Inserted into a Grand Matron Bow

Ignore Target Defense

Required Level: 65
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Lem Rune
Inserted into a Grand Matron Bow

75% Extra Gold from Monsters

Required Level: 43
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Eld Rune
Inserted into a Grand Matron Bow

75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead

Required Level: 11
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion


Mercenary Items :

1: Crown of Ages
Corona
'Sol'
Defense: 399
Required Strength: 174
Required Level: 82
Indestructible
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0xe7e26ff8
+50% Enhanced Defense
+150 Defense
Damage Reduced by 7
Damage Reduced by 12%
All Resistances +22
30% Faster Hit Recovery
+1 to All Skill Levels
Indestructible
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Sol Rune
Inserted into a Corona

Damage Reduced by 7

Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

2: The Gladiator's Bane
Wire Fleece
Defense: 1365
Durability: 27 of 135
Required Strength: 111
Required Level: 85
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xfd00a32d
+173% Enhanced Defense
+50 Defense
Damage Reduced by 20
Magic Damage Reduced by 18
+103 Maximum Durability
Attacker Takes Damage of 20
30% Faster Hit Recovery
Poison Length Reduced by 50%
Cannot Be Frozen

3: The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two-Hand Damage: 40 to 477
Durability: 39 of 65
Required Dexterity: 89
Required Strength: 114
Required Level: 75
Polearm Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x3e26409
+239% Enhanced Damage
Adds 4-44 cold damage over 1 seconds
14% Life stolen per hit
Requirements -25%
Ignore Target Defense
33% Deadly Strike
33% Chance to cast Level 1 Decrepify on striking

Character Development

Gear wise, started off with an Envy setup (bow, armour, helm). Twinked in bits and pieces each time I started playing. First major gear change was a pair of 'Harmony' bows. Was originally intending on using Riphook then an upped Riphook, before switching ultimately to Windforce, but I decided the FRW on Harmony made Normal and Nightmare pass much more quickly. The I acquired the Faith, and Windforce was kicked to the curb. The Aim was to be equipped as completely as possible before entering Hell. The only significant gear change in Hell was the CoA at level 82 (after some pit runs), replacing an almost perfect Rockstopper with a 23% Realgar Jewel of Fervor. Chief aims were 8 fpa (requiring 50 IAS on top of the Faith), maxed Fire and Lightning resists, and as much damage as possible.

Gameplay was fairly straight forward. Run around and shoot things, much like the Rogue from Diablo. Liberal use of Decoy and Slow Missiles kept most nasties under control. Fort + Fana + Might + high Dex = decent damage output. Obviously Magic Arrow doesn't have too much going for it as a skill, but it does the job perfectly fine with the high-end gear I was using. Never having to pick up arrows or worry about mana was nice. Being a single target attack wasn't much of a handicap, given the 100% Pierce and the rapid firing rate (8fpa is one frame slower than the minimum possible, and more than adequate).

I'm thinking of respeccing Ursula to a Strafer to see how she goes running the CS compared to my existing Windforce equipped Strafer. Other than that, no future plans for this character. Don't know what my next D2 venture will be. Got a few unfinished projects, but I think my focus may shift more to D3 for a while.
 
Originally posted by Jason Maher on Apr 28, 2009:

Finally... my first Matriarch: Birgitte the MA Bowazon

Matriarch Birgitte

Level: 85
Strength: 66 (81)
Dexterity: 240 (261/281)
Vitality: 194 (194)
Energy: 15 (15/35)
Life: 964
Mana: 206/201
Resists: 75/31/75/-19
AR: 4999/5653 (normal attack = Magic Arrow courtesy of AR bug)
Damage: 272-583/299-742

Skills
Magic Arrow: 20 (21/25)
Inner Sight: 1 (5/7)
Slow Missiles: 1 (5/7)
D/A/E: 1 (5/7)
Decoy: 20 (24/26)
Valkyrie: 20 (24/26)
Critical Strike: 8 (12/14)
Penetrate: 18 (22/24)
Pierce: 5 (9/11)

Gear
Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Upped Riphook / Lycander's Aim
Skin of the Vipermagi
Razortail
Laying of Hands
Rare boots
Athletic Amulet of Warding
2 x rare rings
Gheed's (150/30)
stack of life and resist charms

Moron
Emilio (Act 2 Prayer)
Rare Stygian Pike
Rattlecage
The Face of Horror

ATMA Readouts
Weapons:
Riphook
Blade Bow
Two-Hand Damage: 75 to 132
Required Dexterity: 119
Required Strength: 76
Required Level: 58
Bow Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0x69cfed5d
+35 to Mana
+223% Enhanced Damage
+8 to Minimum Damage
10% Life stolen per hit
Required Level +7
30% Increased Attack Speed
30% Chance of Open Wounds
Slows Target by 30%
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Birgitte's Lycander's Aim
Ceremonial Bow
'Shael'
Two-Hand Damage: 78 to 166
(Amazon Only)
Required Dexterity: 110
Required Strength: 73
Required Level: 42
Bow Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xd1c0372e
+20 to Energy
+20 to Dexterity
+20% Enhanced Defense
+184% Enhanced Damage
+25 to Minimum Damage
+50 to Maximum Damage
6% Mana stolen per hit
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
40% Increased Attack Speed
+2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
Socketed (1: 1 used)
Armour:
Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Death Mask
Defense: 123
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Strength: 55
Required Level: 66
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 51
Fingerprint: 0x7874eb79
+60 to Life
+30 to Mana
+45 Defense
All Resistances +15
10% Life stolen per hit
10% Mana stolen per hit

Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Strength: 43
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0xdaaba8e7
+120% Enhanced Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 11
All Resistances +26
30% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to All Skill Levels

Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 106
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0x8aa9633
+15 to Dexterity
+148% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Maximum Damage
+15 Defense
Piercing Attack [33]
Attacker Takes Damage of 85 (Based on Character Level)

Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 84
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x768f5ea8
+25 Defense
Fire Resist +50%
20% Increased Attack Speed
350% Damage to Demons
10% Chance to cast Level 3 Holy Bolt on striking

Dire Tread
Boots
Defense: 4
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 13
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0xcbdccd3c
+23% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +11%
Cold Resist +28%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Jewellery:
Athletic Amulet of Warding
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0x5cffc91
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
+3 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)

Dread Gyre
Ring
Required Level: 15
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 30
Fingerprint: 0xb850a808
+3 to Strength
+54 to Attack Rating
Fire Resist +29%
Lightning Resist +23%
10% Faster Cast Rate
Poison Length Reduced by 25%

Eagle Grip
Ring
Required Level: 47
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 79
Fingerprint: 0x9c051ece
+10 to Strength
+75 to Attack Rating
+1 to Maximum Damage
Lightning Resist +29%
Cold Resist +6%
Half Freeze Duration
Charms:
Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 62
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x82bc35f3
150% Extra Gold from Monsters
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Reduces All Vendor Prices 15%

Ruby Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 22
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xef6c8030
Fire Resist +30%

Amber Grand Charm of Maiming
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xdbd41c71
+4 to Maximum Damage
Lightning Resist +28%

Beryl Large Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 50
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xcec75431
+29 to Life
Poison Resist +5%

Sharp Large Charm of Storms
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 26
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xa3f4b3d6
+45 to Attack Rating
+4 to Maximum Damage
Adds 1-36 lightning damage

Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0xa82108ac
+20 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x23796ae2
+17 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x175cab87
+18 to Life

Rugged Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x2e5ed7ba
+20 to Life
+12 to Maximum Stamina

Cobalt Small Charm of Strength
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0x7a1bc6e5
+2 to Strength
Cold Resist +9%

Lapis Small Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 10
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x363bc313
Cold Resist +7%

Azure Small Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 16
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 48
Fingerprint: 0x1f6cbf16
+2 to Dexterity
Cold Resist +5%

Amber Small Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xe1ce45b4
Lightning Resist +11%

Ocher Small Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 10
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 19
Fingerprint: 0xcc5b99e4
Lightning Resist +7%

Ocher Small Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 16
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 60
Fingerprint: 0xf6a80307
+2 to Dexterity
Lightning Resist +7%

Coral Small Charm of Frost
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 57
Fingerprint: 0xa939911f
Lightning Resist +8%
Adds 1-2 cold damage over 1 seconds

Shimmering Small Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 60
Fingerprint: 0x54954c69
+2 to Dexterity
All Resistances +5
Moron Gear:
Death Goad
Stygian Pike
Two-Hand Damage: 45 to 210
Durability: 33 of 35
Required Dexterity: 97
Required Strength: 168
Required Level: 49
Spear Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xe05bd9ae
+46% Enhanced Damage
+75 to Attack Rating
+3 to Minimum Damage
Cold Resist +26%
Adds 1-8 fire damage
Adds 1-61 lightning damage
8% Life stolen per hit

The Face of Horror
Mask
Defense: 43
Durability: 12 of 20
Required Strength: 23
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0xeb126476
+20 to Strength
+25 Defense
All Resistances +10
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 50%
50% Damage to Undead

Rattlecage
Gothic Plate
Defense: 392
Durability: 28 of 28
Required Strength: 60
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0x6b8e27ce
+45 to Attack Rating
+200 Defense
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 40%
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired)

The Story (or What the Hell are You Doing Using Magic Arrow as a Main Skill You Goose?!)

Some time last year after a restart I posted a thread declaring my solemn intention to actually finish the game, rather than continually create new characters because some quirky build or other had taken my fancy. I believe I said I would actually try and finish 7 characters (1 of each). Well, since then we have replaced our PC and I've done another restart, but this time I've actually finished one of the three non-torunament characters I've started thus far. I was intending to finish the first of the three, a Dexazon, but got sick of resurrecting her Might moron (due to crap gear), so I decided to start again with my old favourite (and my original Dii character), a Bowazon using Magic Arrow as her only attack skill. I decided to go for a Prayer merc hoping it would prove a bit more reliable with whatever crap gear I could dredge up. He actually survived reasonably well for such a poorly equipped merc until the end of Act 5 in Hell, when I gave up and relied on my Valk and Decoy instead.

So, why Magic Arrow? A couple of reasons. Nostalgia for one - I thought it would be nice if my first character to finish was similar to my first misguided character. Also I like having free ammo and a main skill that costs 0 mana. Finally I like being able to spend so many points in the Passive tree, giving me one hell of a pair of tanks in maxed Decoy and Valkyrie. I was also able to get Pierce to 100% with Razortail, and pump both Critical Strike and Penetrate (the latter necessary because of the AR bug). Definitely not a power build, especially with the rubbish gear I've been able to find questing two characters to level 80+, but at least I'm not adding to the hordes of Meteorbs, Blizz Sorcs, Fishymancers, and Hammerdins.

Incidentally, I should probably mention that I had exactly 0 deaths with this character, though there were a few close shaves. Generally avoiding pokey little places with a penchant for stair traps helped, though Hell Fangskin managed to trap me. For some reason instead of S+E and trying again, I ducked down and back up the stairs what must have been a hundred times before the random movement of the snakes allowed me to break through their line and then use Decoy + Valk to avoid being surrounded by them.

I played the whole way except the very start of normal on P1, for speed purposes. I avoided unnecessary areas as a general rule, and only cleared as much as needed to find the next area in most cases (which seemed to be pretty much a full clear far too often for my liking; stupid game knows where you want to get to, and does it level best to stop you getting there easily :D).

Most of the way was not too difficult, the Decoy, Valk, and moron provided plenty of cover so I could snipe away with my puny little Magic Arrows. The only monsters that seriosuly worried me were those damn piercing Slingers in Act 5 on NM and Hell. No matter how much you try and use the Decoy to make them fire away from you, the Valk and the merc always make sure to park themselves in a perfect line between you and the cats so you get a stack of javelins heading straight for you. :banghead:

I did re-run the WSK and the Throne in Nightmare to gain a few levels before entering Hell. I also ran LK after a perfect map greeted me on arrival. I managed to dig up a Pul so I could upgrade my bow (Riphook), which made life a lot easier. Unfortunately I accidentally clicked on Nightmare and lost my perfect map, so my LK running was cut short.

The best finds were the Pul runes, my two bows (is it just me, or do unique bows drop more frequently than other uniques?), and Tal Rasha's Crest (made a big difference). I was hoping for another Lum rune so I could up my morons Woestave, but alas it didn't happen, and I found a more damaging rare with LL, so that's what he ended up with. I'm sure a double-upped Woestave would have aided survivabiltiy, even given it's measly 25% ED. Unfortunately I never found a decent piece of armour for the moron. Rattlecage got the nod for the crushing blow, which made a big difference, and the 40% monster flee, which when combined with the 50% from the helm created some amusing scenes of monsters running every which way.

What's Next?
Well, I've done the lame underpowered build thing, so now I guess I have to do the lame overpowered cookie-cutter thing. Maybe a Hammerdin (though i despise using that skill)... hmmm... maybe not, but it will be a character that relies on +skills, because I've got plenty of amulets and circlets sitting in my ATMA stashes.

Birgitte will perhaps go back to running LK (now I've got a tele amulet), and will definitely do some Pindle running to try and find some slightly decent gear for future builds.

Edit: In case you were wondering, the name comes from the Wheel of Time book series by Robert Jordan. Birgitte Silverbow is one of the heroes of old who never missed when she fired arrows from her silver bow. Guess I should have used Guided Arrow with that name...
 
Originally posted by @jonny5 on Feb 15, 2019:

Matriarch Lena – Pit-Running WWS Strafer

I love the idea of running the Pit. The problem, though, is that I had never built a character really geared toward running that area, and I tended to deal with far too many S&Es and deaths using the characters I already had available. I had also never built a pure strafer. So to kill two birds with one stone, I created Lena, a strafer designed to MF the Pit (at low players settings). Here are the results.

Stats/Skills:

Name: Lena
Class: Amazon
Experience: 1254386908
Level: 87

Naked/Gear

Strength: 79/105
Dexterity: 291/352
Vitality: 140/150
Energy: 15/15
HP: 642/722
Mana: 144/184
Stamina: 290/290
Defense: 72/1427
AR: 8219
Damage: Normal (MA): 858-1400
Strafe: 736-1197
Multiple Shot: 643-1050

MF: 250
Block: 48
GF: 155
FR/W: 55
FHR: 32
IAS: 65
FCR: 0
Pierce: 102

Resistances:

Fire: 138/98/38
Cold: 131/91/31
Lightning: 139/99/39
Poison: 105/65/5

Skills (no plus skills except for valk pre-buff):

20 – Strafe
20 – Penetrate
20 – Valkyrie (cast at 23 on ‘Harmony’ switch)
15 – Multiple Shot
9 – Pierce
5 – Critical Strike
9 – Pre-requisites

98 total – done at level 87


Gear:

Short version:

Helm: Stealskull socketed with Camphor JoF (50% MF, 25% IAS, 7% resist lightning)
Amulet: The Cat’s Eye
Weapon: Perfect Upped Witchwild String socketed with Realgear Jewel of Carnage and Ruby Jewel of Carnage (232% ED, +30 max damage)
Armor: Tal Rasha’s Guardianship socketed with perfect topaz
Gloves: Crafted Hitpower gloves (25% fire res, 20% IAS, KB, +9 strength)
Ring: Ravenfrost (19/228)
Belt: Razortail
Ring: Rare with 5% life leech, AR, cold and poison res
Boots: 31% War Traveler

Switch weapon: Harmony Diamond bow for transportation and valk pre-buff

Long version:
Lena's Stealskull
Casque
Defense: 234
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 59
Fingerprint: 0x2148d7b0
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Increased Attack Speed
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
5% Mana stolen per hit
5% Life stolen per hit
+221% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +7%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

1 Sockets (1 used)

Socketed: Camphor Jewel of Fervor

Camphor Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x2aa8eea0
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Lightning Resist +7%


The Cat's Eye
Amulet
Required Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0x6e0fd7fb
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+100 Defense
+100 Defense vs. Missile
+25 to Dexterity


Lena's Tal Rasha's Guardianship
Lacquered Plate
Defense: 856
Durability: 55 of 55
Required Level: 71
Required Strength: 34
Fingerprint: 0x13f37a04
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+400 Defense
Cold Resist +40%
Lightning Resist +40%
Fire Resist +40%
Magic Damage Reduced by 15
112% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Requirements -60%

Set (2 items): +10% Faster Cast Rate

1 Sockets (1 used)

Socketed: Perfect Topaz

Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%


Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xde066c5c
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+228 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+19 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen


Stone Whorl
Ring
Required Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0xb9d164b7
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+114 to Attack Rating
5% Life stolen per hit
+22 to Life
Cold Resist +18%
Poison Resist +9%


Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 105
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 32
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xc4ac843e
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Piercing Attack
+10 to Maximum Damage
+144% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+15 to Dexterity
Attacker Takes Damage of (Based on Character Level) 87


Pain Hand
Chain Gloves
Defense: 8
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0x2d2deb94
Item Level: 96
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 4 Frost Nova when struck
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Knockback
+9 to Strength
Fire Resist +25%
Attacker Takes Damage of 4
Repairs 1 Durability in 20 Seconds


War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 136
Durability: 48 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0xeb19585e
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+185% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 8
31% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability


Lena's Witchwild String
Diamond Bow
Two Hand Damage: 109 - 162
Durability: 21 of 40
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 89
Required Dexterity: 132
Fingerprint: 0xf9fd140f
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
2% Chance to cast level 5 Amplify Damage on striking
Fires Magic Arrows
232% Enhanced Damage
+30 to Maximum Damage
87% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
All Resistances +40
Required Level +7

2 Sockets (2 used)

Socketed: Ruby Jewel of Carnage

Socketed: Realgar Jewel of Carnage

Ruby Jewel of Carnage
Jewel
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xb6afa57d
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
32% Enhanced Damage
+15 to Maximum Damage


Realgar Jewel of Carnage
Jewel
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0xa25eeadb
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
30% Enhanced Damage
+15 to Maximum Damage


Harmony
Diamond Bow
TirIthSolKo
Two Hand Damage: 112 - 134
Durability: 33 of 40
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 89
Required Dexterity: 132
Fingerprint: 0x3b25339f
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 10 Vigor Aura When Equipped
214% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
+9 to Maximum Damage
Adds 55 - 160 Fire Damage
Adds 55 - 160 Lightning Damage
Adds 55 - 160 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (85 Frames)
+4 to Valkyrie
+10 to Dexterity
Regenerate Mana 20%
+2 to Mana after each Kill
+2 to Light Radius
Level 20 Revive (25/25 Charges)

4 Sockets (4 used)

Socketed: Tir Rune

Socketed: Ith Rune

Socketed: Sol Rune

Socketed: Ko Rune


Tir Rune
Required Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Armor: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Shields: +2 to Mana after each Kill


Ith Rune
Required Level: 15
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +9 to Maximum Damage
Armor: 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Shields: 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana


Sol Rune
Required Level: 27
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +9 to Minimum Damage
Armor: Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Damage Reduced by 7


Ko Rune
Required Level: 39
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +10 to Dexterity
Armor: +10 to Dexterity
Shields: +10 to Dexterity


Charms:

Short Version:

Assortment totaling 457 AR, 57% MF, 155% GF, All res 3%, lightning res 19%, poison res 23%, 7 strength, 2 dex, 28 life, 22% FHR, 7-10 cold damage, 1-26 light damage, 15 poison damage


Long version:

Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x7387a5b0
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
112% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 10%
36% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Steel Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 35
Fingerprint: 0x38b1d2eb
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+117 to Attack Rating
33% Extra Gold from Monsters


Amber Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x49921546
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Strength
Lightning Resist +10%


Coral Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x77246b01
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
Lightning Resist +9%


Steel Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x94c8878f
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+33 to Attack Rating
+15 to Life


Shimmering Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x2ed9899f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
All Resistances +3


Iron Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x79702af
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+14 to Attack Rating
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Boreal Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x8f05f84
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 7 - 10 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+2 to Dexterity


Bronze Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0xcf616f05
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+4 to Attack Rating
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Bronze Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0xa1a3d016
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 26 Lightning Damage


Septic Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0xde72b91b
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 15 Poison Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
4% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Bronze Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x7c8e4b2f
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+11 to Attack Rating


Jade Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 15
Fingerprint: 0x22e13750
Item Level: 38
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
Poison Resist +23%


Steel Large Charm of Greed
Large Charm
Required Level: 44
Fingerprint: 0xc09bee05
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+71 to Attack Rating
10% Extra Gold from Monsters


Iron Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xc851a81d
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Attack Rating
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Steel Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 35
Fingerprint: 0x8e203d95
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+112 to Attack Rating


Steel Large Charm of Strength
Large Charm
Required Level: 44
Fingerprint: 0x6a8e6f9a
Item Level: 66
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+70 to Attack Rating
+5 to Strength


Mercenary:

Short version:

A2 NM Offensive
Tal’s Mask
Duriel’s Shell
The Reaper’s Toll


Long version:

Name: Razan
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Nightmare
Experience: 79938558
Level: 87
Dead?: false


Naked/Gear

Strength: 190/205
Dexterity: 153/153
HP: 1847/1994
Defense: 1359/2129
AR: 1937/1937


Fire: 186/146/86
Cold: 216/176/116
Lightning: 186/146/86
Poison: 186/146/86


Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 662
Durability: 45 of 150
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x27af1fa
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+173% Enhanced Defense
+108 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+87 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 Maximum Durability


Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Death Mask
Defense: 108
Durability: 18 of 20
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x871ed17c
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Mana stolen per hit
10% Life stolen per hit
+45 Defense
+60 to Life
+30 to Mana
All Resistances +15


The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 37 - 444
Durability: 54 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0x85ea814c
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
215% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 0 Secs (7 Frames)
13% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%

Also I periodically dusted off a Goblin Toe and Kelpie Snare for boss fights.


Questing, thoughts, etc:

I never really expected a character with 700 life to seem this safe. Sure, I did die twice, but unless I really got caught out of position, I rarely ever felt in any real danger. The Valkyrie was a fantastic tank and helped take a lot of the heat off the merc, which I think is a key to this build because this strafer was not a very fast killer in tougher areas, meaning that the tanks had to hold up a little longer than usual. I preferred to level Valk rather than Decoy (giving Valk a life synergy) as I didn't feel a need for Decoy and I liked the Valkyrie getting her gear upgrades. My first death was caused by the Hell Gidbinn quest monster pack spawning directly on top of my face. They weren’t particularly dangerous but I took several hits simultaneously and was dead before I even realized what had happened. The second death was a OHKO from a PI Hell Temptress unique in hell WSK hitting me with a death ball while amped. Other than those two instances, everything else was pretty manageable. I played Normal and Nightmare on /p8 and Hell on /p3. I wore the Arctic Gear set until level 28, at which point I equipped Skystrike and took on Duriel. That bow is fantastic for twinking a bowazon, and easily carried me until I could equip a regular WWS with two +13 max damage jewels at level 39. That bow dealt plenty of damage until I could equip my end-game weapon at level 65 (see below for a note on this).

I chose to invest heavily in both Strafe and Multiple Shot, and I don’t regret it one bit. Multi was great for thinning out large or diffuse packs while strafe was good for tougher or fewer foes, or when large groups were lined up tight in interior spaces, or had been thinned out first by Multi. Strafe was also useful for scouting ahead, hitting multiple slow movers scattered in various directions around me, and keeping dolls at bay. Few, fast moving enemies in wide open areas were irritating generally due to their ability to move out of the way of strafe arrows, while generally not providing enough mana from leech when using Multi. Vampires were probably the worst with this. To deal with immunes, WWS comes with a built-in level 20 Magic Arrow. Not the quickest killer, but it was great to blast away with Magic Arrow until Amp went off and then fire a strafe volley or two before the Amp was overrode by Decrepify from the merc. Generally, Amp lowered PIs resistance enough for strafe to outpace magic arrow, whereas Decrepify-broken PI resulted in my strafe arrows barely making a dent, thus having me prefer magic arrow until Amp proc’d, but with only a 2% CTC Amp, the enemies were often dead from MA before Amp went off anyway.

So, Witchwild String – the little bow that could. Most are well aware of the benefits (and drawbacks) of this bow, but I’d like to add my experiences to the discussion. Since I don’t have a WF or Faith, and I wanted to make a relatively affordable MFer anyway, WWS seemed like a great option. I had a perfect (170% ED) WWS lying around, so I decided to splurge on some nice jewels to see just how much damage I could squeeze out of it. I traded for a 30/15 Realgear Jewel of Carnage (Thanks @Zylo!) and found a 32/15 Ruby Jewel of Carnage with my newly-minted LK runner Marina; something about solid %ED with an even +30 to max damage just sounded nice, so in they went! As an aside, due to the relatively low and tight damage range of a Diamond Bow, these two jewels together slightly out-damage 2x Ohm, so that’s neat. The end product was 232% ED, +30 max damage, and 87% deadly strike – not bad at all! When you consider the level 20 Magic Arrow, 2% CTC Amp, and the scaling deadly strike, this bow can also save a lot of skill points from PI solutions and Critical Strike (my actual chance to do double damage is sitting at ~92% right now - so only gaining on average ~1% more double damage per CS point). This was largely what allowed me to use both Strafe and Multiple Shot effectively while still hitting 100% pierce, maxing penetrate, and having a maxed (unsynergized) Valkyrie. Lots of delicious mods on this bow, indeed. With the jewels I added, it did plenty of damage for comfortable and fast /p3 Pit runs, but even at /p3 it still wasn’t quite hefty enough for some of the tougher areas such as late Act 5 in Hell. It does the job, but it’s no Windforce, there’s no question about that. 40% res all is just a great bonus, due to bowazons already having so much trouble with resistances.

Here is what the bow looked like before upping, here it is after upping, and here it is with the jewels. One question for the audience – why, after upping to a Diamond Bow and getting the expected level requirement of 61, upon adding two jewels with a highest level requirement of 58, did the requirement to use the bow go up again, to 65? I have no idea what interaction is causing that, so any insight would be appreciated!

As for other gear choices, I focused on MF and IAS first, with secondary considerations to FRW, pierce, and resistances. The Cat’s Eye is perfect for its 20% IAS, 30% FRW, and +25 dex. Due to the DS on WWS, Highlord’s wasn’t even seriously considered in this spot. For gloves, it was hard to not use Laying of Hands, but as I don’t yet have Giant Skull, and I seriously wanted knockback for this build (not regretted for an instant! What a great CC mod and merc saver – no piles of ghosts chewing him up when they’re constantly getting knocked back), I set about crafting some KB/20% IAS gloves. In planning gear, I only cared about those two mods together and anything else was gravy. Although I didn’t score any nice gloves with MF (and a level req <95 :rolleyes:), I did get my current pair with a very welcome 25% fire res and a nice strength boost. Stealskull was the perfect helm with dual leech, IAS, FHR, and MF – this helm almost feels custom built for a MFing strafer (thanks @hackedagainanda for trading me the 50%er!). Add in an IAS jewel and that’s 25% IAS, plus a little lightning resistance on top. War Traveler is always great for bowazons with that nice +15-25 damage and often-hard-to-come-by-on-bowies MF. Tal’s armor ended up being a pretty key piece of equipment for this build, as it accounts for nearly half the total MF and provides some desperately needed resistances to get in the ~33% range (what I consider fairly minimal for fire and light, even for a nice safe bowazon). Razortail for +dex, +damage, and to reach 100% pierce, Ravenfrost for CBF, +dex, and AR, and an AR/life leech/resists ring helped round out the rest of the gear. Total MF = 250%, with good (bowazon) resistances, 65% IAS to hit the 8 frame (63%) Multishot and Magic Arrow, and 5/3/7 strafe (56%), breakpoints, 32% FHR (7 frames), minimal D/A/E shenanigans (no +skills), and ~8.2k AR – good enough for >80% CTH in the Pit. I did find AR to be a bit of an issue with no AR boosters besides Penetrate, but I focused heavily on that in charms and it did the trick well enough.

I really went back and forth on how to effectively design this character for quite a while before settling on the current build. The “other” 3 piece Tal’s combo (Mask, Armor, Belt) was considered, but that would cost me additional points in Pierce (and only 80-85% pierce total rather than 100%) and some FHR, while adding some resistances and extra leech, and roughly breaking even on MF. Plus having to look at that damn mask all the time. It was a really close call, but in the end 100% pierce was probably the deciding factor as everything else was so close.

Alright, I think that’s about it for analysis. Finds were rather scant, with the major exception being a Crown of Ages found during a couple of quick test Pit runs before proceeding with the rest of Hell. Hellforges were Io in NM and Pul in Hell. I also found Gull, Fal, Fal, Lem, a Captains GC, Fletcher’s GC, Sparking GC, Windhammer, Viperfork, 4os Rune Master, some decent MF/IAS gloves, 15% DR SoE, and a boatload of normal and exceptional sets and uniques. As I tend to be easily entertained, here is a redundant redundancy. This was a delightful situation with 3 unique Unravelers in this room, and 1-2 more in adjacent corridors. That situation took a while to whittle down safely. Shooting through doors at Decrepified enemies was especially satisfying. I rolled non-cursed ancients and the fight was easy enough once I got Talic separated and my merc and valk could tank the other two while I fired away, before dealing with Talic as a group (yes I know Madawc is still alive in this pic). Hell WSK was quite tough, and Baal himself was a nightmare until I gave the merc Kelpie. Here is the LCS with Strafe and Multishot (with Might). Don’t forget the 92% chance to deal 2x damage!

Well, this makes character #5 of what has evolved into a “family sept” for me. Sure, there are only 5 of us in my family, but using a couple of female names we were kicking around before finding out our boys’ genders made creating a couple more characters easy enough. The last two will be a trap-laying assassin (my wife… fortunately she has a good sense of humor and laughed when I told her what character and build she was going to get) and a fishymancer (didn’t want any of my boys to be a creepy necro, so I'll take that hit), both very well-geared with >400% MF, but I’m currently on the fence about writing them up due to the extreme cookie cutter aspect each will possess… we shall see. I’m also slowly working on an untwinked bowazon, so I may do a WT with that char and eventually consider moving her to the untwinked 99er thread (similar to @sir_cyclops and his trapper).

Well, as always this is a bit long-winded so if you’re still here, thanks for reading! Questions and comments welcomed.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by lionheartthebrave on Oct 4, 2007:

Matriarch Robin, the Windstrafer

May I present matriarch Robin, a strafer using the Windforce bow of total domination.

Robin, lvl84 Amazon:

Stats(with gear, she doesn't fight naked):
STR:174 (waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much, see later)
DEX:272
VIT:117
ERG:15 (base)
AR: 10195 (with lvl23 enchant)

LCS Damage (with might merc/enchant):
Guided arrow: 618-3493
Strafe:489-3000

Life: 713 (LL 5%)
Mana: 271 (ML 6%)

Resists in Hell after all Anya quests: 75/36/57/75 (maxed with fade)

Skill points:
20 in strafe/penetrate/valkyrie
8 in critical strike (51%)
9 in pierce (69%)
3 in dodge/avoid (29%/36%)
5 in evade (37%)
+all prereqs

Equipment
Code:
Windforce
Hydra Bow
'Shael'
Two-Hand Damage: 35 to 500
Required Dexterity: 167
Required Strength: 134
Required Level: 73
Bow Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0xec0fdd34
+10 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
+250% Enhanced Damage
Heal Stamina Plus 30%
6% Mana stolen per hit
Knockback
40% Increased Attack Speed
+262 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Kira's Guardian
Tiara
Defense: 118
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 77
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xdb26c12f
+8 to Maximum Damage
+76 Defense
All Resistances +66
15% Increased Attack Speed
20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cannot Be Frozen
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Atma's Scarab
Amulet
Required Level: 60
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x13656d6d
Poison Resist +75%
+39 poison damage over 4 seconds
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
+3 to Light Radius
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
5% Chance to cast Level 2 Amplify Damage on striking

Treachery
Dusk Shroud
'ShaelThulLem'
Defense: 429
Durability: 19 of 20
Required Strength: 77
Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 82
Fingerprint: 0x9bd327f1
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
45% Increased Attack Speed
20% Faster Hit Recovery
25% Chance to cast Level 15 Venom on striking
5% Chance to cast Level 15 Fade when struck
Socketed (3: 3 used)

Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 79
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 63
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xa94e479d
+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 Detail
War Belt
Defense: 142
Durability: 22 of 24
Required Strength: 110
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x4cc29bdb
+25 to Strength
+36 Defense
Fire Resist +28%
Lightning Resist +31%

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 147
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Strength: 94
Required Level: 47
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xf2f14d7d
+20 to Maximum Stamina
+174% 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: 75
Fingerprint: 0x45fe0f65
+17 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+248 to Attack Rating
Adds 15-45 cold damage over 4 seconds
20% Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

Corruption Turn
Ring
Required Level: 48
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xbfd42f96
+6 to Dexterity
+17 to Maximum Stamina
Damage Reduced by 2
All Resistances +10
5% Life stolen per hit

Prebuff:eek:n weapon switch for valk casting, kindly given to me by atil, and in the cube for enchant respectively:
Code:
Ondal's Wisdom
Elder Staff
Two-Hand Damage: 80 to 93
Durability: 35 of 35
Required Dexterity: 37
Required Strength: 44
Required Level: 66
Staff Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x8d42115b
+40 to Energy
+462 Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 6
+5% to Experience Gained
45% Faster Cast Rate
150% Damage to Undead
+3 to All Skill Levels

Demon Limb
Tyrant Club
One-Hand Damage: 89 to 162
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Strength: 133
Required Level: 63
Mace Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xb7a56f08
+180% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +15%
Adds 222-333 fire damage
9% Life stolen per hit
123% Damage to Demons
150% Damage to Undead
Level 23 Enchant (4/20 Charges)
Repairs 1 durability in 20 seconds

Charm info, for the curious:
Code:
Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x18961d7
+16 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x8542c609
+20 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 39
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x494d7644
+20 to Life

Amber Small Charm of Flame
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 57
Fingerprint: 0x6e378e20
Lightning Resist +10%
Adds 1-2 fire damage

Amber Small Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x6da2b3c2
Lightning Resist +10%

Grand Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 69
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0xd17a08a2
+40 to Life

Snake's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x64f01e76
+29 to Life
+37 to Mana

Steel Grand Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 35
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 79
Fingerprint: 0xcfe60e5c
+11 to Life
+112 to Attack Rating

Steel Grand Charm of Strength
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0xdcd08e34
+5 to Strength
+121 to Attack Rating

Serpent's Grand Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0xa04ac2ee
+12 to Life
+56 to Mana

Act2 might mercenary,using
Andy's visage 'ral'
Duriel's shell
reaper's toll

The journey:

Started slowly using topaz bows, until skystrike came along (ctc Meteor) and then Magewrath used until lvl73, easy to level to lvl77 for the kira's-NM minions at p8 vs windforce, no contest.

Normal/NM at p8
Hell Act 1-4 at p3, p1 for plains of despair (souls) and CS
Hell Act 5 done at p1 for speed

Hellforge: Shael/Fal/Mal

Hell Act 1:
a breeze, one death, due to being partially surrounded, then realising you forgot to put a LL ring on :duh:

Hell Act 2:
always seemed to avoid beetle bolts luckily, PI insects no problem with ctcAmp +merc's decrepify. Managed to avoid skeletons/unravellers altogether. Duriel was easy, casted a valk against a wall, and strafed

Hell Act 3:
lots of flayers/fetishes/birds/stingers, no NDEs though; avoided gloams in great marsh, but karma balanced itself in the dungeon entrance with this(which is supposed to be a ES stone skin PI ghost unique borrowing a might aura, but I have issues with screenshots with items on the ground), and its friend; merc disappeared, valk just took it. :rolleyes: After a long durance trip including this guy, no problems with the council-bremm spawned might aura, cast a valk into the middle of his pack and strafed, she survived :smileyface:

Hell Act 4:
stayed at p3, lots of demons +LoH meant killing speed didn't slow down; plains of despair had no gloams, but I got attacked by a minion cursed spawner and died, and rerolled a map with gloams :eeeekkkkk: some hairy moments, with two boss packs, both stone skin (screenshots weren't risked).
Just before the hellforge a unique maw fiend-yes,stone skin PI- dropped this, and then I got a Mal at the hellforge:smiley:

CS: no issues/merc deaths with the clearout, just with diablo; he seems to attack whoever is hurting him i.e. ME, instead of the valk and merc trying to tank him. He killed me with lighning hose, and then when I went to get by body 2 firestorms took me down to 4 life :shocked: but my strafes had got his life to a slither, and he was quickly dispatched

Hell Act 5:
no gloams protecting Anya, and so no problems until the ancients:
Attempt 1: click, conviction, DEATH
Attempt 2: ran around with the leaper following me until he died, then killed the thrower before helping the valk with the WWer, no stone skin IIRC, and only holy fire aura.
WSK 1: no problems
WSK 2: no gloams, no problems
WSK 3:pI witches, killed my valk quickly, decided to reroll; new map had gloams en route, and still had PI witches +poison mages, decided to just use TP scrolls liberally
Throne: vipers, assailants and CI witches, easy, went up to p3 for minions, no problems, and then Baal...

Baal: a horrible experience, 15 CB from my boots only, valk tanked him, merc became very shy, he duplicated twice, so I had firestorm/mana breath coming at me from both sides, eventually killed the duplicates and baal after emptying my belt, to receive these

Best drops: BK Sacred Charge -completed my set, Lum from ghostly shaman, Mal from Hellforge

Thoughts/Comments:
-The IK belt is only there because of the lightning resist, the +strength could have given me more life if I had planned it.
-PIs aren't a problem, venom/open wounds/KB is effective even if Amp/Decrep don't trigger.
-The 2-frame arrows are a must, as is the knockback.
-Valkyrie is an amazing tank, and the decoy is handy as well.
-Resists probably aren't an issue for her, apart from Diablo/Baal.
-I was very lucky with monster rolls; no frenzytaurs/OKs in Hell act5 and few souls
-Overall my most fun character yet, the low life made it interesting and adsorbing.

Her future plans: strap on some war travs and go pit hunting.

My future plans: firesorc for andyruns, drag my zealer through hell.

Woah, this has turned into an epic, well done for reading it all
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by lionheartthebrave on Jul 8, 2008:

Secret Project unveiled -matriarch Nuke

Introducing..... Matriarch Nuke


The Background


One day I was bored and decided to read AJK's mat/pat threads, as they are great entertainment; after reading the polar bear and the titan zerker, I came across Bazooka, the all dexterity WFzon, and noticed several things:

  • 2 frame strafes aren't possible
  • he didn't use fortitude (though he tried it in a later post)
  • he used strength charms to wear the Windforce


As I'd recently made fortitude, and Robin was such fun to play (I took her to 93 using /p8 pit runs), I decided to break in the fort by creating:

  • An all dex WFzon, like AJK, but....
  • Wearing fortitude (so what n00b, use more strength charms)
  • NO strength charms
  • Hit the fastest strafe possible (9/3, requires 80IAS)
  • No deaths (base vitality)




The Gear


Originally the plan was a ED/-reqs jewel in the WF, and strap on Andy's visage; then Jaedhann pointed out the strength requirements of it. I thought about a rare IAS/-reqs jewel, but realised that was as hax as a Skiller with +mana. After thinking about many different combinations, I decided on:


Weapon
Windforce 'Hel' - yes, Hel, drops the strength requirements down to 108 (I think I have enough dexterity:p). The high ED and max damage BCL makes this hurt more as I level up, and the ML was essential. Base damage at lvl86: 35-506. Oh, and the Knockback is awesome


Armour
Fortitude AP - 28 res all, and more importantly 300% Extra Damage. The +life BCL (96 at lvl86) was also very nice, as was the +5 maxLR


Helm
Nuke's Coronet of Atlas - 21 strength and 2os from Larzuk, two plain fervour jewels give 30IAS. Anya personalised it for her


Gloves
Slaying of Demons - Nuke heard the Three were demonic, and decided to hurt them even more. The 50FR and 20IAS are also very helpful


Belt
Nosferatu's Coil - can't argue with AJK on this one, +15str, 10 IAS, 7LL, slows target by 10%, 2 mana per kill. If only it had razortail's pierce....


Boots
Sandstorm Treks - 14str, 13vit, 65PR, +stamina BCL (useful for base vit character) 20FRW and halved stamina drain, perfect boots for this build


Jewellery
Ring1: 20/218 ravenfrost - CBF, and it has 40mana, which I didn't realise, so I traded for...
Ring2: Ghoul Finger - 19str, 5LL, 22LR, 47AR, 85mana <--overkill
Amulet: Chromatic Amulet of Atlas - 26 resall and +24str, dunno where I got it, glad I stashed it though


Switch
beta CtA and lidless, +skills to save points in Valkyrie, and BO gives lots of nice life and stamina (and mana)


In the cube: Treachery AP, to cast venom for unbreakable PIs


Charms
Shimmering GC of Venom (13/16,4)
Shimmering GC (13)
Coral GC of Sustenance (22/34)
Shimmering LC of Sustenance (7/23)
SC of Vita (20)
Stalwart SC of Vita (22/18)
Burly SC of Vita (18/19)
Amber SC (11)
Amber SC (10)
Sapphire SC of Dexterity (11/2)
Sapphire SC of Inertia (11/3)
Sapphire SC of Frost (11/1-2,1)
Ruby SC of Winter (11/4-9,1)


So the strength needed is 108


20 (base) +19(ring)= 39 +24(ammy)= 63 +15(belt) =78 +21(helm) =99 +14(boots) =113str (+10 from WF gives 123)


IAS:
20 (WF) +30 (helm) +20 (LoH) +10 (belt) =80IAS success:thumbup:


The skills


Critical Strike : 20/21 - someone is gonna die quickly, and it won't be me, 68% chance
Penetrate : 20/21 - someone is gonna get hit; again, that won't be me
Valkyrie : 14/18 - with BO active, not much can kill her
Pierce : 7/8 - for the ones that hide behind their friends, 65% chance
Multiple Shot: 8/9 - 10 arrows, I call it the rake of death
Guided Arrow: 1/ 2 - good for scouting, killing act bosses
Strafe: 19/20 - lvl20 gives me a minimum of 7 arrows
D/A/E/decoy/prereqs 1/ 2
BO: lvl16, 80% life/mana/stamina 180 seconds
BC: 145 seconds


The Mercenary


When I saw Jemali's name, I knew I had to have him


Jemali, might mercenary
Reaper's Toll, Duriel's Shell, Andy's visage (+2skills means more damage)


As you can see, with BO, he's a great tank, and his decrep comes in very handy; more than a moron, he was a companion


The Numbers (at lvl86)


Strength: 123
Dexterity 492
Vitality 33
Energy 16


with BC/BO
Life: 844
Mana: 481 ? yikes
Stamina 317 ? heh
Defence 2041 (with chilling armour 4388)
Resists:
75/50/80/75 (Hell was played mostly with 15CR, until the resist scroll let me kick out some res all SCs and replace with some CR ones, I had 20 absorb though)


Damage (with might)
GA: 429-5773 (10fpa)
Multishot: 320-4311 (10 arrows, 10fpa)
Strafe: 346-4690 (9/3 strafe)


and don't forget the 68% CS


The Journey through Hell
Great fun, played mainly at p3/p5, with p1 for areas with PIs/act bosses. The lowlife wasn't really an issue, with massive damage and leech, combined with Knockback and two sturdy tanks. Dolls were taken at p5, I was scared of OHKOing them at p1 and dying to a death explosion, the knockback just swatted them away. 80LR meant that gloams weren't a threat either. I never met that many 'taurs, but MS, strafe, and the valk made sure I was never in any danger.


Unfortunately, I suffered two deaths:

  • Hell Flayer Jungle - I clicked on an armour shrine, which bumped my defence to 6.2K. I decided to take a screenie of it for reference while running, and alerted this pack and got stabbed to death
  • Hell Drifter Cavern - while cursed from a previous boss, my team took on champ infidels, I was standing just to the side of my merc, who was fighting one, and I was strafing to help out. Suddenly, I was dead; the infidel must have retargetted, or zealed, and OHKOed me
They were both so avoidable, and thus so annoying


A longer, detailed, screenshot heavy version of Nuke's journey can be found here


The Thoughts


Nuke was the most enjoyable character I've played in a while; the combination of the planning, base strength, and high player settings made her a joy to play. She could take down anything (only 2 PoI PI maggots eluded her pain) and quickly. Rushing her in to new areas, instead of casting valk/decoy, kept me alert, and hoping for a decent challenge ahead, the lack of stair traps and dangerous evil urns was disappointing


She easily beat AJK's build on damage, though when he strapped his fortitude on, his max damage charms and war travs beat Nuke, though I plan to mule on some charms and beat that, and then some....




All questions welcome


I'd like to thank:
AJK - for building Bazooka, anyone know why the D3 hype hasn't returned him to us?
Jaedhann - for helping me plan her gear, and supplying the unsocketed coronet
Maxgerin - for trading me the ring
Zaliqai and Saint Anger - for guiding me through 1.09 classic so I could Hfrush for the fortitude
you, for reading this (especially if you read the Journey as well)
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by lone_wolf on Oct 16, 2005:

Matriarch mucai

Matriarch Mucai RWN char

Lev 87 Amazon version 6

Stats naked:

Str 95

Dex 295

Vit 20

Energy 15


Stats gear:

Str 135

Dex 470

Vit 50/70 depending on belt

Energy 25

Life with gear on 714/774 depending on belt used

Mana with gear on 211

All res in hell 75% +40 all res(yes i have 75% res all even without the 40% res all from WWS, what can i say i plan ahead) . lit res goes up to 85% wearing second belt

Attack rating 9725

Attack rating with enchant 15870

Damage without might:

Multishot: 483-705

Strafe: 563-817

Damage with might:

Multishot: 651-941

Strafe: 730-1053

With might and enchant

Multishot: 716-1024

Strafe: 795-1137

Chance of Critical strike 56%
Chance of Deadly strike 87%

You could say this char deals x2 the listed damage every time

So with might and enchant

Multishot would deal: 1432-2048

Strafe would deal: 1590-2274

This is off course the damage we can assume we make before decrepify or amplify damage kicks in.

A perfect shot would probably hurt a bit

Gear:

Kira's Guardian sockeded with Scintillating Jewel of Fervor for 82% res all and 15% ias
The cats eye
Lionheart
WWS 168% upgraded to diamond bow sockeded with 2x shael
Razortail / Thundergods vigor
Crafted hitpower gloves with 20% ias +2 Passive and magic skill tab and other unimportant mods

Was using crafted blood gloves with dual leech and 20% ias before I crafted the hitpower gloves.

Crafted blood ring with dual leech and other mods
20/239 raven frost
War travlers 35% mf

Charms is 1 36% mf gheed a lot of all res charms 1 GC several SC and a lot of SC vita charms. And a few steel and fine SC some with second mods.

Total mf is 71% but then again this is not an mf char.

Merc wears

The reapers toll
Guillaume's Face sockeded with um
Shaftstop socketed with um

Skills:

Javelin and spear skills: 0

Passive and magic skills:

Critical strike lev 10
Penetrate lev 22
Pierce lev 11
Decoy lev 10
Valk lev 22
Rest lev 3

Bow and crossbow skills:

Multishot lev 5
Strafe lev 20
Rest lev 1

And by that the Amazon project reatch phase 2 and can now start looking for what is needed in phase 3 and 4.
 
Originally posted by lone_wolf on Jun 30, 2009:

Matriarch Raven_Razorwind

Well well 8 time remake can be quite fun

Level 85

Stats: naked/with gear WWS/with gear WF

strength: 95/137/147
Dex:305/355/360
Vit:100/130/130
Energy Base

Life 811
Mana 217

All Res in Hell 75%

LCS:

With WF:

Multi 232-2007
Strafe 276-2452

with Upped WWS: Also remember 85% deadly strike

Multi 419-576
Strafe 507-694

With might and WF:

Multi 312-2816
Strafe 355-3261

With might and Upped WWS: Also remember 85% deadly strike

Multi 578-791
Strafe 666-909

Might+Enchant WF:

Multi 377-2899
Strafe 420-3344

Might+ Enchant Upped WWS: Also remember 85% deadly strike

Multi 484-660
Strafe 572-777

AR normally 7541 with WF and a bit lower with Upped WWS
AR with Enchant from demons limb 12307 with WF slightly less with Upped WWS

Mf: 102%

Gear
Kira's Guardian socketed with all res+ias jewel for total 82% res all
Atma's Scarab for the chance of amp
WF On switch Upped WWS
Lionheart Archon Plate until i find the runes i need for fortitune
Razortail
Raven Frost
WT Boots
Crafted Dual leech ring
Crafted Hitpower gloves with 20% ias and +2 to bow and crossbow skills

Skills:

Bow and crossbow skill tab:
1 Magic arrow
1 Cold arrow
10 Multi
1 Guided arrow
20 Strafe

Passive and magic skill tab:
1 Critical strike
20 Penetrate
8 Pierce for 98% chance to pierce thanks to razortail
1 Inner sight
1 Dodge
1 Avoid
1 Evade
1 Decoy
17 Valk due to the fact that she gets her last rare gear at that level

Javelin and spear skill tab:
0 in everything this is a bowazon

not much to say really just an averange multi/strafer with to little AR for me to like. Damage could be better but once i reach 400 dex it should be a bit better.

Still need better gear to really make her shine though.

I usually take her for a spin in act 3 when i feel the need to clear that act

next char to be matted is Dusk another remake of an old char
 
Originally posted by Klonki on Apr 26, 2013:

Matriarch Celes. 1.09 Burizazon

Hey SP-fans! I think it's time to introduce one of my first matriarch named Celes, the burizon! (aka RobbyD's glitched GA-amazon!)


She was my first character in this amazing patch. (1.09d) Since i heard about the GA-glitch i began to play it. It's really fun and have given me much pleasure.

1584779968994.png

Gear:
Code:
Buriza-Do Kyanon
Ballista
'Nef'
Two-Hand Damage: 93 to 353
Required Dexterity: 80
Required Strength: 110
Required Level: 41
Crossbow Class - Fastest Attack Speed
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x787c52ff
+35 to Dexterity
+174% Enhanced Damage
+98 Defense
Adds 32-196 cold damage over 8 seconds
Knockback
80% Increased Attack Speed
Freezes Target
Piercing Attack [100]
+200 to Maximum Damage (2.5 per Character Level)
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Gemmed Gothic Plate
Defense: 132
Durability: 55 of 55
Required Strength: 70
Required Level: 18
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 64
Fingerprint: 0xeec0ecaf
96% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Socketed (4: 4 used)

Stealskull
Casque
Defense: 242
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Strength: 59
Required Level: 35
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x5f5b81c2
+228% Enhanced Defense
5% Life stolen per hit
5% Mana stolen per hit
63% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
10% Increased Attack Speed
10% Faster Hit Recovery
Socketed (1: 1 used)


Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 81
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 63
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0xcf29688a
+25 Defense
Fire Resist +50%
20% Increased Attack Speed
350% Damage to Demons
10% Chance to cast Level 3 Holy Bolt on striking


Pain Brogues
Demonhide Boots
Defense: 32
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 24
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 44
Fingerprint: 0x9205a9a1
+2 to Dexterity
Heal Stamina Plus 50%
Fire Resist +40%
Lightning Resist +35%
20% Faster Run/Walk
10% Faster Hit Recovery


The Cat's Eye
Amulet
Required Level: 50
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 90
Fingerprint: 0xc333e33e
+25 to Dexterity
+100 Defense
+100 Defense vs. Missile
20% Increased Attack Speed
30% Faster Run/Walk


Bitter Band
Ring
Required Level: 51
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0xe086a845
+3 to Energy
+106 to Attack Rating
+8 to Minimum Damage
Fire Resist +7%
3% Life stolen per hit
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Bahamut's Ring of Thawing
Required Level: 37
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xbd445c5a
+116 to Mana
Half Freeze Duration


Thundergod's Vigor
War Belt
Defense: 158
Durability: 22 of 24
Required Strength: 110
Required Level: 47
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x4f294232
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
+194% Enhanced Defense
+10% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Adds 1-50 lightning damage
+3 to Lightning Strike (Amazon Only)
+3 to Lightning Fury (Amazon Only)
+20 Lightning Absorb
5% Chance to cast Level 7 Fist of the Heavens when struck

Inventory:
Code:
Snake's Large Charm of Anthrax
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 93
Fingerprint: 0xa87a4ca0
+18 to Mana
+50 poison damage over 6 seconds


Large Charm of Anthrax
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 63
Fingerprint: 0x4a180aed
+50 poison damage over 6 seconds


Large Charm of Anthrax
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xefff9a37
+50 poison damage over 6 seconds


Pestilent Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 34
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x32391735
+100 poison damage over 6 seconds


Pestilent Grand Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 37
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0x8e26bc20
+26 to Life
+100 poison damage over 6 seconds


Foul Small Charm of Inertia
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 31
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0x1a72c45f
+50 poison damage over 4 seconds
5% Faster Run/Walk




Stats:
Strength: 130 (110)
Dexterity: 230 (168)
Vitality: 207 (187)
Energy 18 (15)


GuidedArrow-damage: 1125-2411


FreezingArrow-damage: 1339-2395



Finds:
Vex
Lem
@ HF, Hell.
Some grailers.

Merc-Setup
Garmund, level 80, act5-Barbarian.

Code:
Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Death Mask
Defense: 107
Durability: 19 of 20
Required Strength: 55
Required Level: 66
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 90
Fingerprint: 0x680c44a7
+60 to Life
+30 to Mana
+45 Defense
All Resistances +15
10% Life stolen per hit
10% Mana stolen per hit

Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 634
Durability: 44 of 150
Required Strength: 65
Required Level: 41
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 90
Fingerprint: 0x96d579b4
+15 to Strength
+162% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +20%
Lightning Resist +20%
Cold Resist +50%
Poison Resist +20%
+100 Maximum Durability
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 to Defense (1.25 per Character Level)
+80 to Life (1 per Character Level)

[URL="http://i40.tinypic.com/2n9m7eq.png"][B]Cruel Champion Sword of Quickness[/B][/URL]
[B]'Eth'
One-Hand Damage: 113 to 249
Two-Hand Damage: 326 to 380
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Dexterity: 103
Required Strength: 163
Required Level: 58
Sword Class - Fastest Attack Speed
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 30
Fingerprint: 0x4f4f34e1
+353% Enhanced Damage
40% Increased Attack Speed
-25% Target Defense
Socketed (3: 3 used) [/B][I]<-- Craaazy cube-reciepe!
[/I]



34837m0.jpg

What's now? Well i'm ghonna make a light-sorceress to do plenty of countness-runs. That's my goal for now! :evil2:
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by Moiselvus on Nov 27, 2007:

matriarch jifir, the strafe/passivezon

I finally finished her :D

strafe damage:355-1311
magic arrow damage:429-1466
strafe ar:7103
magic arrow ar:8148

without enchant or merc might

so some useless stats:
str:112 (142)
dex:150 (214)
vita:223 (223)
energy:15 (15)

life:881 (955)
mana:136 (201)

fire res: 47
cold res: 75
light res: 46
poison res: 41

Skills:

20 strafe (26)
20 valk (26)
20 penetrate (26)
5 pierce (11)
7 critical strike (13)
12 decoy (18)
1 in dodge/avoid/evade/inner sight/slow missles/cold arrow/magic arrow/multishot/guided arrow (all 7)

gear: (sorry for the strange order... atma's fault :D)
Code:
4: Iron Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 23
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x108e7003
+86 to Attack Rating

5: Fine Grand Charm of Balance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 16
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0xe8ffe70e
+46 to Attack Rating
+6 to Maximum Damage
12% Faster Hit Recovery

6: Garnet Small Charm of Shock
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 68
Fingerprint: 0x270236b4
Fire Resist +8%
Adds 1-4 lightning damage

7: Garnet Small Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0x811807fd
+14 to Life
Fire Resist +9%

8: M'avina's True Sight
Diadem
Defense: 222
Durability: 17 of 20
Required Level: 64
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x847a1124
+25 to Mana
+162 Defense
Replenish Life +10
45% Increased Attack Speed

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

Socketed (1: 1 used)

Eburine Jewel of Fervor
Required Level: 31
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0xd7cab3d9
+12 Defense
15% Increased Attack Speed

9: Doom Heart
Amulet
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xc5fd0a1f
+17 to Life
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
Lightning Resist +16%
Cold Resist +30%
Poison Resist +11%
2% Life stolen per hit

10: Ghoul Grasp
Ring
Required Level: 74
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x16003478
+22 to Attack Rating
7% Life stolen per hit
6% Mana stolen per hit

11: Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x1925c5c1
+19 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+209 to Attack Rating
Adds 15-45 cold damage over 4 seconds
20% Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

12: M'avina's Tenet
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 85
Durability: 12 of 14
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x9ee50e1e
+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***


13: Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 150
Durability: 33 of 34
Required Strength: 94
Required Level: 47
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x10f2df05
+20 to Maximum Stamina
+179% Enhanced Defense
+10 Maximum Durability
Requirements -25%
30% Faster Run/Walk
10% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike

14: M'avina's Icy Clutch
Battle Gauntlets
Defense: 89
Durability: 16 of 18
Required Strength: 88
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x11065573
+10 to Strength
+15 to Dexterity
+47 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***


15: M'avina's Embrace
Kraken Shell
Defense: 1125
Durability: 47 of 48
Required Strength: 122
Required Level: 70
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x66751a1e
+350 Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Requirements -30%
15% Increased Attack Speed
+2 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)
10% Chance to cast Level 3 Glacial Spike when struck
+328 to Defense (Based on Character Level)

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

Socketed (1: 1 used)

Jewel of Fervor
Required Level: 31
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0x7548d7aa
15% Increased Attack Speed

16: Burly Small Charm of Inertia
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 28
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 79
Fingerprint: 0xfa33198
+17 Defense
3% Faster Run/Walk

18: Lapis Small Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 10
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 64
Fingerprint: 0x8c172bbf
Cold Resist +6%

19: Sapphire Large Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0x8b067672
Cold Resist +13%

20: Fine Grand Charm of Craftmanship
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 11
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0xe448f6e7
+16 to Attack Rating
+4 to Maximum Damage

22: Iron Small Charm of Fortune
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 31
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x52339039
+24 to Attack Rating
4% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


42: Fine Grand Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 23
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 79
Fingerprint: 0x29d6dc1c
+21 to Life
+40 to Attack Rating
+6 to Maximum Damage

52: Demon Limb (on switch)
Tyrant Club
One-Hand Damage: 100 to 181
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Strength: 133
Required Level: 63
Mace Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x29df583d
+213% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +15%
Adds 222-333 fire damage
13% Life stolen per hit
123% Damage to Demons
150% Damage to Undead
Level 23 Enchant (13/20 Charges)
Repairs 1 durability in 20 seconds

56: 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: 86
Fingerprint: 0x2f93c465
+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)

Shael Rune
Inserted into a Grand Matron Bow

20% Increased Attack Speed

Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

57: Arrows
Quantity: 137

Mercenary Items :

1: Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 639
Durability: 48 of 150
Required Strength: 65
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0xf969bafd
+15 to Strength
+165% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +20%
Lightning Resist +20%
Cold Resist +50%
Poison Resist +20%
+100 Maximum Durability
Cannot Be Frozen
+102 to Defense (Based on Character Level)
+82 to Life (Based on Character Level)

2: Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0xffb25808
+100% Enhanced Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
Damage Reduced by 18%
Adds 6-22 cold damage over 4 seconds
6% Life stolen per hit
7% Mana stolen per hit
15% Slower Stamina Drain

3: Kelpie Snare
Fuscina
'Amn'
Two-Hand Damage: 77 to 142
Durability: 35 of 35
Required Dexterity: 25
Required Strength: 77
Required Level: 33
Spear Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0xd0c5a36a
+10 to Strength
+151% Enhanced Damage
+30 to Minimum Damage
+50 to Maximum Damage
Fire Resist +50%
7% Life stolen per hit
Slows Target by 75%
+102 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Amn Rune
Inserted into a Fuscina

7% Life stolen per hit

Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

and:

Bonehew
Ogre Axe
'Amn'
Two-Hand Damage: 115 to 600
Durability: 43 of 50
Required Dexterity: 64
Required Strength: 166
Required Level: 64
Polearm Class - Very Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 88
Fingerprint: 0x6cd800d9
+314% Enhanced Damage
+6 Defense
Poison Resist +10%
7% Life stolen per hit
Attacker Takes Damage of 1
Requirements -15%
30% Increased Attack Speed
Prevent Monster Heal
50% Chance to cast Level 16 Bone Spear on striking
Level 14 Corpse Explosion (21/30 Charges)
Socketed (2: 2 used)

when not fighting bosses

hell hellforge:mal rune

can't remember her nm forge...

other notable drops: she found a demons limb in hell act 1, so i didn't need to recharge my current one :D

She was a very safe char (valk+decoy helps, as does slow missle, that is one underrated skill...) but i still was very worried about the ancients (as you may see in the screenshots...) the fight with them lasted for ~6 mins, and in that time i took ~10 full juvs.... i thinks she could have been a better killer with more dex, but she did real well without it, (might merc...) so i decided to go for survival.... oh, and mav's set rocks, even tough it probably would be better for an magezon or something like that :p i also used the enchant only 2 times, hell ancients and hell baal... i didn't really need it other times, and recharging is ecxpensive :p

screenies:

http ://img255.imageshack.us/img255/8963/screenshot038ln4.jpg
http ://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3485/screenshot039cg4.jpg
http ://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5716/screenshot040yg0.jpg
http ://img256.imageshack.us/img256/1130/screenshot042jx4.jpg
http ://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4940/screenshot045zj3.jpg
http ://img255.imageshack.us/img255/8501/screenshot047cf1.jpg


what's next:
i'm going to pat my frostzealot, and then i'll make a frenzy barb (my last twinked char Oo) who will use crescent moon, and oath. but i could very well squeeze a tourny in somewhere between those. (thursday? :p)
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by @maareek on December 14, 2009

Matriarch HopeThisWorks, Vengeance Amazon with Faith Rogue

Yep, an Avengerzon. Maybe not one of my more lucid ideas, but stuffed to the brim with stylepoints. After all, what baddie in his right mind wouldn't be afraid of this pain train? The women have taken the men's skills and made them their own as their band of merry ladies use Vengeance, Fanaticism, Battle Commands and Battle Orders, all to great effect.

The bow came courtesy of a loan program instigated by our remarkably regular moderator, sirpoopsalot. Thanks, again.

The Character

Name: HopeThisWorks
Class: Amazon
Level: 81

Naked/Gear
Strength: 174/237
Dexterity: 75/103
Vitality: 231/248
Energy: 15/22
HP: 903/1062 (2092)
Mana: 135/296 (489)

MF: 102
GF: 90
FR/W: 31
FHR: 20 (8 frames)
IAS: 75 (10 frames)

Reists: (add 60 res all when Fade is active)

Fire: 75/35/-25
Cold: 105/65/5
Lightning: 114/74/14
Poison: 75/35/-25

Skills:

Valkyrie: 20 (29)
Penetrate, Inner Sight: 20 (25)
Critical Strike: 19 (24)
Slow Missles, Decoy: 5 (10)
Dodge, Avoid, Evade: 1 (6)

Another point in Critical Strike wouldn't have netted any gain, Slow Missles was effective for long enough already and neither the Decoy nor Valk needed more life so I maxed Inner Sight, in case the Rogue died or got stuck.

Gear:
Code:
Kingslayer
Glorious Axe
MalUmGulFal
Two Hand Damage: 211 - 436
Durability: 43 of 50
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 164
Required Dexterity: 55
Fingerprint: 0x3ce8d1db
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Increased Attack Speed
252% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
33% Chance of Crushing Blow
50% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
+1 to Vengeance
+10 to Strength
40% Extra Gold from Monsters
4 Sockets (4 used)

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 132
Durability: 8 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x26272487
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+121 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+121 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
All Resistances +15
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um Rune

Um Rune
Required Level: 47
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 25% Chance of Open Wounds
Armor: Cold Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%
Shields: Cold Resist +22%
Lightning Resist +22%
Fire Resist +22%
Poison Resist +22%

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xa543c7e9
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +30

Shion's Treachery
Dusk Shroud
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 445
Durability: 14 of 20
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0xda1dc98e
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 15 Fade when struck
25% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
3 Sockets (3 used)

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x7672ccb4
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+249 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

Doom Touch
Ring
Required Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x301ff760
Item Level: 97
Version: Expansion 1.10+
8% Chance to cast level 5 Chain Lightning on attack
+95 to Attack Rating
5% Mana stolen per hit
+20 to Strength
Lightning Resist +29%
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 106
Durability: 21 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x61ee07f6
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Life stolen per hit
+162% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
+10 Maximum Durability

War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 123
Durability: 44 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x746f9fd7
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+158% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
46% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability

Dracul's Grasp
Vampirebone Gloves
Defense: 143
Durability: 12 of 14
Required Level: 76
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x6d371647
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 10 Life Tap on striking
10% Life stolen per hit
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+117% Enhanced Defense
+12 to Strength
+9 Life after each Kill

Call to Arms
Superior Flail
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 3 - 85
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x5a8e2440
GUID: 0xe9054427 0x98f19e0b 0x0
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+2 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
258% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+11 to Battle Cry
+15 to Battle Orders
+6 to Battle Command
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)

Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 147
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x9f0912fc
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+98 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+5 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Charms:
Code:
Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0xfd50aaa3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+68 to Attack Rating
+25 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xc557b5cd
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+62 to Attack Rating
+13 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xce13a645
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x44cbb0a6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x7cef4f9
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating

Sharp Grand Charm of Burning
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x28e84f33
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+53 to Attack Rating
Adds 2 - 4 Fire Damage

Amber Small Charm of Winter
Small Charm
Required Level: 38
Fingerprint: 0xedd8f992
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 5 - 8 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Lightning Resist +10%

Fine Small Charm of Lightning
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xeb7dfb38
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 8 Lightning Damage

Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xdc6a7baa
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength

Sharp Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x56a2955b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+73 to Attack Rating

Sharp Grand Charm of the Icicle
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x9429dac8
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+74 to Attack Rating
Adds 2 - 3 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)

Fine Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xa59f1549
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
+1 to Dexterity

Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xd1f8f684
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength
Oriana, Fire Rogue:
Code:
Crown of Thieves
Grand Crown
Defense: 468
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 93
Fingerprint: 0x8f6ab63c
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
10% Life stolen per hit
+174% Enhanced Defense
+25 to Dexterity
+50 to Life
+35 to Mana
Fire Resist +33%
95% Extra Gold from Monsters
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Jewel of Fervor

Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0xb09920df
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed

Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1572
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x41bc1e52
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+91 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
4 Sockets (4 used)

Faith
Crusader Bow
OhmJahLemEld
Two Hand Damage: 64 - 270
Durability: 23 of 44
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 97
Required Dexterity: 121
Fingerprint: 0x1f6b0f21
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 12 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+1 to All Skills
330% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
300% Bonus to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 120 - 120 Fire Damage
All Resistances +15
10% Reanimate as: Returned
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
4 Sockets (4 used)

Leveling:
Envy gear -> partial Sigon's + Crystal Sword with 6 perfect Jewels of Wrath -> 1.09 RC, Full Iratha's, Treads of Cthon and Twitchthroe. Swapped in Kuko and Natalya's boots at 34.

Moved to NM at 52, bringing in dual Ravenfrosts, SoE, Vamp Gaze, War Travelers, Lava Gout, Treachery, Mahim-Oak, Harmony(233%ED) in a 13%ED Great Bow with Kingslayer Silver-Edged Axe on switch (thanks to sirpoopsalot). Merc got Duriels, Crown of Thieves and Witchwild String. Level 67 brought in the Glorious Axe Kingslayer, beta CtA + Spirit, Harley, Mara's, mana leech ring and the Faith and Fortitude on the merc. Moved to Hell at 76, swapping in Dracul's in the changeover.

Q&A

-Q: How did the build perform in-game compared to your plan?
A: Better than I expected. Significantly better, in fact. She killed quickly, handled bosses well and only spent maybe 3% of the time hiding behind the valk (either because of dolls or because Fade hadn't triggered yet and there was elemental damage afoot).

-Q: Any particularly rough places?
A: In the sense of a whole area being tough, no. But there were some tough monsters and situations. Ghosts were a hassle. This guy took forever. Just past him was a little rougher boss - that guy's pack tore through two valks, 4 decoys and very nearly the zon, as well.

Worst of all was on the third level of the WSK. The spawn was witches (PI), OK's and ghosts (obviously the d2 gods love me) and I had checked every branch but one. I head down the last one, and there's a bosspack of OKs backed up by a bosspack of ghosts with a couple packs of witches and another OK pack. In the first “room†of the branch. With liberal use of Slow Missles and Decoy, we managed to clear out the room and find that behind that is a long corridor (~3 screens) filled with ~5 witch packs, 2 packs of OKs and 2 bosspacks of OKs. Guess I've been a good little boy this year. Had to lure out all the Doom Knights, then go back in and just wail away on the witches, taking down the OKs by throwing a decoy on the next one in line just before attacking the forward one. Progress was incredibly slow, and the PI witches rendered the valk practically useless.

Cleared the corridor, granting us access to a small room leading to the corridor to the Throne's entrance. This room was, of course, also packed with witches and OKs. Santa's really in the holiday spirit. This was a little more manageable as I was able to use Slow Missles to some effect and decoy kept the OKs I wasn't working on in check. Finally, the last little corridor and the room with the Throne's entrance. Roll call: 3 more OKs, one a unique, a bosspack of witches and another small pack of regular witches. I picked out the two OKs I could, but the third was hiding behind all the witches. I start hewing my way through the witches and it happens. As I start to swing at the boss I hear that sound we all know so well. The swing connects, and I'm left with ... an almost full red bulb! These witches are PI, who cares about IM?! Fade clears away the curse and the rest of the crowd goes down.

-Q: Close call with the Iron Maiden there, but were there any actual deaths?
A: Three. One in NM Underground Passage, got surrounded, the second in NM Plains of Despair, surrounded by Balrogs and the third in Hell Plains of Despair, to conviction gloams.

-Q: Would you recommend this build to others?
A: Well, the gameplay was very interesting - she was powerful enough to tear down anything, but fragile enough to require good use of strategic assets. However, this particular build needs good gear (Faith not required, but the changes in gear will make for an even more fragile build) so going with a big 2-handed Passion would probably be a better idea. Death or Oath could work, but you need a PI solution.

-Q: Any notable find?
A: A few.
-NM Forge: Um
-Hell Forge: Pul
-This imbue
-Amber (4) SC of Greed (10)
-Russet (7) SC of Life (7)
-+2 FO/+2 ES staff
-Hsarus' Iron Fist from NM Andy
-Wizardspike in Flayer Jungle

-Q: Any last thoughts about the build?
A: She hit with five different damage types every strike while under the effects of Fanaticism and had the aide of an incredibly sturdy tank. What's not to love?

-Q: Anyone you'd like to thank?
A: Indeed.
-sirpoopsalot, for the loan of the Kingslayer and Faith
-NagisaFurukawa and sirpoopsalot for giving me some feedback on my original idea for the build

And, of course, to you, for reading.
 
Originally posted by @maareek on December 20, 2009

Matriarch Kerrigan, Themed Assassin with Faith Rogue

Kerrigan is a theme character based on the Starcraft: Brood War character. In the original Starcraft, she was a tragic character, but in the expansion she has become the leader of the ravenous Zerg, complete with all the badass skills such a position requires. She possesses an extremely powerful melee attack, Ensnare (a goo that slows down movement and attack speed of targets in the affected area), Psionic Storm (powerful area of effect lightning spell), Consume (devouring an ally to recover spent mana - a little tough to recreate in D2) and cloak.

Thanks to some input from Nagisafurukawa in the early planning stages, I was able to recreate all of these effects (some more accurately than others). Appearance was a tad tougher, since the Starcraft character has a set of skeletal wings and the new SC2 artwork tends to show a much different look, but I went with the older, darker image (like this) and feel like I came reasonably close.

This character was the continuation (and conclusion) of the loan program from sirpoopsalot. Hope he doesn't mind the drool on it. ;)

The Character

Name: Kerrigan
Class: Assassin
Level: 85

Naked/Gear
Strength: 125/180
Dexterity: 120/140
Vitality: 250/250
Energy: 25/25
HP: 968/1076 (2098)
Mana: 151/151 (294)

MF: 36
GF: 13
FR/W: 65
FHR: 30 (6 frames)
IAS: 60 (7 frames Tiger Strike; 9 frames trap laying; 7.75 frames normal attack)

Resists (add 67 resist all from Fade):

Fire: 5
Cold: -25
Lightning:15
Poison: -30

Skills:
Tiger Strike: 20 (27)
Fade: 20 (25)
Lightning Sentry, Claw Mastery: 20 (24)
Charged Bolt Sentry: 10 (14)
Mind Blast and required skills: 1 (5)

Tiger Strike, which attacks with only one claw, makes a decent approximation of Kerrigan's single claw attack (I use Normal attack to release charges, but that's still just a one claw attack unless you do it twice). Fade gets across the appearance of the cloak, while Cloak of Shadows takes care of the function. Lightning Sentry seemed a fairly easy relation to Psionic Storm. Lastly, Mind Blast was chosen because Kerrigan routinely manipulates those around her to turn against their own to serve her own purposes ... sounds about right.

Gear:
Code:
Shadow Killer
Battle Cestus
One Hand Damage: 172 - 201
Indestructible
Required Level: 78
Required Strength: 100
Required Dexterity: 100
Fingerprint: 0x24e64741
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 8 Frost Nova on striking
Indestructible
+20% Increased Attack Speed
220% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
Freezes target +2
+11 to Mana after each Kill
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

Bartuc's Cut-Throat
Greater Talons
One Hand Damage: 87 - 153
Durability: 69 of 69
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 79
Required Dexterity: 79
Fingerprint: 0xd70d5144
Item Level: 66
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Martial Art Skills (Assassin Only)
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
197% Enhanced Damage
Adds 25 - 50 Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
9% Life stolen per hit
+20 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 37 of 40
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x9c838e4d
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+8 to Maximum Damage
+41 to Attack Rating
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
7% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Fire Resist +14%
Damage Reduced by 19%
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
13% Extra Gold from Monsters
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Beast Talisman

Beast Talisman
Jewel
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0x26eef871
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+8 to Maximum Damage
+41 to Attack Rating
Fire Resist +14%
13% Extra Gold from Monsters

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x985e18e0
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

Tyrael's Might
Sacred Armor
Defense: 1406
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0x313b2e99
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+20% Faster Run/Walk
+8 to Maximum Damage
+98% Damage to Demons
Slain Monsters Rest in Peace
+134% Enhanced Defense
+29 to Strength
All Resistances +24
Lightning Resist +10%
Cannot Be Frozen
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Requirements -100%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Viper Gyre

Viper Gyre
Jewel
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x663289d
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+8 to Maximum Damage
Lightning Resist +10%
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Viper Grasp
Ring
Required Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0xba88e708
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5 to Minimum Damage
+53 to Attack Rating
4% Life stolen per hit
+30 to Life
All Resistances +4

Wisp Projector
Ring
Required Level: 76
Fingerprint: 0x9cee78c3
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 16 Lightning on striking
Lightning Absorb 16%
15% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 2 Oak Sage (15/15 Charges)
Level 5 Heart of Wolverine (13/13 Charges)
Level 7 Spirit of Barbs (11/11 Charges)

String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 108
Durability: 22 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xf7a64c83
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Life stolen per hit
+166% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
+10 Maximum Durability

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 145
Durability: 33 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0x386a6d90
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+170% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Imp Hand
Chain Gloves
Defense: 9
Durability: 14 of 16
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0x51ffd5c0
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Martial Art Skills (Assassin Only)
3% Mana stolen per hit
+4 to Strength
Cold Resist +5%
Fire Resist +21%
16% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Call to Arms
Superior Flail
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 3 - 85
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x5a8e2440
GUID: 0xe9054427 0x98f19e0b 0x0
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+2 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
258% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+11 to Battle Cry
+15 to Battle Orders
+6 to Battle Command
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)

Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 147
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x9f0912fc
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+98 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+5 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
For the theme, Vampire Gaze comes close to the green skin and weird hair, Tyrael's gives the dark armor, Shadow Killer provides quite a punch as well as Frost Nova (as close as I could come to Ensnare) and mana after each kill (as close as I could come to Consume).

Charms:
Code:
Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x737d5ec6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+69 to Attack Rating
+8 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x17995e3d
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+73 to Attack Rating
+15 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0xfd50aaa3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+68 to Attack Rating
+25 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xc557b5cd
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+62 to Attack Rating
+13 to Life

Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xd321b4a2
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
All Resistances +5

Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x35a4cae7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
All Resistances +4

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

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x44cbb0a6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xce13a645
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x69216ba8
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength

Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x4b9eb3b9
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+32 to Attack Rating
+17 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Lightning
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xeb7dfb38
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 8 Lightning Damage

Amplisa, Fire Rogue:
Code:
Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 381
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 102
Fingerprint: 0xc5fefab7
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+35% Increased Attack Speed
10% Life stolen per hit
+146% Enhanced Defense
+30 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist -7%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (20/20 Charges)
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel of Fervor

Ruby Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x8be6181d
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Fire Resist +23%

Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1572
Durability: 45 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x41bc1e52
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+95 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
4 Sockets (4 used)

Faith
Crusader Bow
OhmJahLemEld
Two Hand Damage: 64 - 270
Durability: 23 of 44
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 97
Required Dexterity: 121
Fingerprint: 0x1f6b0f21
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 12 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+1 to All Skills
330% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
300% Bonus to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 120 - 120 Fire Damage
All Resistances +15
10% Reanimate as: Returned
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
4 Sockets (4 used)

Leveling:
Envy setup -> 3 part Sigon's + Crystal Sword socketed with 6 perfect Jewels of Wrath -> 1.09 RC, Twitchtrhoe, Iratha's, Treads (Sword on switch). Swapped sword for Ribcracker at 35. At 42 I changed Ribby for dual Bartuc's; Iratha's for Vamp Gaze, Mahim-Oak, Lava Gout and SoE; Twitchthroe for Duriels (Jewel of Fervor) and Treads for War Travs. Swapped Travs for Gore Riders at 47. Moved on to NM at 51, changing Rogue's gear from Envy mask, Greyform, topaz jeweled bow to Crown of Thieves (eth; JoF), Treachery and Witchwild String.

Level 65 brought in Highlord's, Fortitude, CTA, Lidless Wall, and Faith. Equipped the Shadow Killer at 78. With level 84 came Tyrael's, the rare gloves, Wisp Projector, rare ring and Spirit, as well as Andariel's and Fortitude for the merc.

Q&A

-Q: So Tyrael's Might isn't useless?
A: Far from it.

-Q: Why two different claw types?
A: Truth be told, convenience. Shadow Killers give me what I'm looking for in terms of damage and style, but the Bartuc's give me better rates of attack and trap laying while under Holy Freeze or Decrepify, on top of adding nice bonuses to skills. I felt that those goodies warranted the slight departure from the goal, as the claw isn't even used as a weapon, anyway.

-Q: So she's stylish, but was she fun?
A: A blast. The leveling to 84 was a bit tedious - higher p settings in Hell aren't exactly her thing - but at no time was I bored with her. Lots of skills to use, plenty of power, but a definite feeling of fragility around certain targets despite all that power.

-Q: What targets would those be?
A: Typical bane of single target attack builds: baddies with knockback, Holy Freeze and stun. A Stone Skin/LE/CE Viper in the Viper Temple was responsible for her sole death. Those mods, or similar ones, on any monster like Vipers, Urdars or Yetis got my complete respect. Nothing else gave her problems - IM was more or less a non issue, Gloams were a breeze and witches were only a problem when combined with Yetis.

-Q: So no especially difficult areas?
A: Not really, though a few baddies were pretty tedious, like, say this guy or this one, though Talic upped the ante by taking next to no damage from the merc, traps or the assassin. Baal took longer (he...just...wouldn't...stay...still!) but Talic was more dangerous.

-Q: Any noteworthy finds?
A: Well, there was this strange area in the River of Flame. Something seems to be missing, but I'm not sure what. Besides that, there were the following goodies.

NM Forge: Lem
Hell Forge: Ist
-This imbue
-Scintillating Jewel (13)
-Saracen's Chance (18)
-Entrapping of Sustenance (29)
-Wisp Projector (10MF;11 absorb)
-Hellslayer

-Q: So you're still holding on to poops' Faith?
A: Not anymore. This build could have been done without the Faith fairly easily (you can reach max speed without the Fanaticism) but freeing up sockets seemed like a great idea and poops agreed to let me hold on to it for both chars. Truth be told, you could make this build with things like Duress and Bartucs and do fine, though the RIP on the Tyrael's is nice.

-Q: Anyone you'd like to thank?
A: Big thanks to sirpoopsalot for letting me hold on to his bow for so long, to Nagisa for considerable help in the early planning of this build (he pointed out Shadow Killer, for instance) and to Albatross for trading me the Vampire Gaze (I've only found one, and it's ethereal).

And, as always, to you, for reading. If you're not familiar with Starcraft, I hope you at least can appreciate the unusual gear and skills used; if you are, I hope it was also a nice little bit of nostalgia for you.
 
Originally posted by @maareek on November 25, 2009

Patriarch WhyNot, Frenzied Zealbarb

Introduction
Ever since I decided to do a unique build for each class I'd felt a little twinge about having a wolfbarb as my “unique†barb build. They're not that uncommon, after all. So I got to thinking and searching around and had a look at zeal barbs. Since they can dual wield, having the Passion offhand can be done, leaving the main hand open, just waiting for something ownage.

The Character
Name: WhyNot
Class: Barbarian
Level: 83

Naked/Gear
Strength: 265/292
Dexterity: 20/60
Vitality: 215/215
Energy: 10/10
HP: 1039/1363 (2973)
Mana: 92/132 (304)
FR/W: 42
FHR: 30 (6 frames)

Fire res: 75
Cold res: 61
Light res: 80
Poison res: 61

Skills:

Battle Orders: 20 (33)
Frenzy: 20 (27)
Axe Mastery: 20 (25)
Natural Resistance: 11 (16)
Increased Speed: 9 (14)
Battle Commands: 2 (7)
Berserk: 1 (9)
Battle Cry: 1 (6)
Zeal: 0 (4)

1 in required skills, none saved.

After checking the speed calc, I discovered that I could achieve max zeal speed with a BA (4/4/4/4/9 fpa) if I got Frenzy up to slvl 27. Getting that and level 4 Zeal was a bit of a stretch, but I made it work.

Damage:

Zeal: 1722-6139
Frenzy: 2090-7449/981-3495
Berserk: 2175-7749

Add to that 87% Deadly Strike, 22% Critical Strike, 10% Open Wounds and 65% CB (when hitting with Death).

Gear:
Code:
Death
Berserker Axe
'HelElVexOrtGul'
One-Hand Damage: 156 to 515
Required Dexterity: 37
Required Strength: 100
Required Level: 64
Axe Class - Normal Attack Speed
Indestructible
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0x7c2d339f
+336% Enhanced Damage
+50 to Attack Rating
Adds 1-50 lightning damage
7% Mana stolen per hit
+1 to Light Radius
Requirements -20%
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
50% Chance of Crushing Blow
Indestructible
25% Chance to cast Level 18 Glacial Spike on attack
100% Chance to cast Level 44 Chain Lightning When You Die
Level 22 Blood Golem (15/15 Charges)
41% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (5: 5 used)

Passion
Berserker Axe
DolOrtEldLem
One Hand Damage: 71 - 212
Durability: 21 of 26
Required Level: 64
Required Strength: 138
Required Dexterity: 59
Fingerprint: 0x52a16e92
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Increased Attack Speed
199% Enhanced Damage
74% Bonus to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
+1 to Zeal
+1 to Berserk
Hit Blinds Target +10
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Level 3 Heart of Wolverine (12/12 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)

Arreat's Face
Slayer Guard
Defense: 302
Durability: 51 of 55
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 118
Fingerprint: 0x428b5bdc
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
29% Enhanced Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
6% Life stolen per hit
+150% Enhanced Defense
+27 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
All Resistances +30
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Realgar Jewel of Virility

Realgar Jewel of Virility
Jewel
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xa7e7a0fa
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion
29% Enhanced Damage
+7 to Strength

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0xad8f5971
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
31% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15

Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1572
Durability: 56 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x41bc1e52
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+93 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
4 Sockets (4 used)

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x7672ccb4
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+249 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xcbf4680
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
3% Life stolen per hit
+41 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina

String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 103
Durability: 20 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x6a5c3c11
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Life stolen per hit
+154% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 13%
Magic Damage Reduced by 14
+10 Maximum Durability

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 153
Durability: 33 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0xf3d11272
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+185% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Lava Gout
Battle Gauntlets
Defense: 138
Durability: 35 of 38
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: **
Fingerprint: 0xb8fd40b1
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
2% Chance to cast level 10 Enchant on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 13 - 46 Fire Damage
+189% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +24%
Half Freeze Duration
+20 Maximum Durability


Call to Arms
Superior Flail
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 3 - 85
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x5a8e2440
GUID: 0xe9054427 0x98f19e0b 0x0
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+2 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
258% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+11 to Battle Cry
+15 to Battle Orders
+6 to Battle Command
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)

Fabian's Heart of the Oak
Flail
KoVexPulThul
One Hand Damage: 1 - 24
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0xbdb1689a
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
+75% Damage to Demons
+100 to Attack Rating against Demons
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
+10 to Dexterity
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
All Resistances +39
Level 14 Raven (60/60 Charges)
Level 4 Oak Sage (25/25 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Made the Passion after the Death, and had a good laugh at how good the pointless rolls on the Passion was compared to the highly useful roll on the Death.

Charms:
Code:
Steel Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x4c5c68db
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+130 to Attack Rating
+40 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x41ecf12f
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+36 to Attack Rating
+5 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x9e37a324
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+29 to Attack Rating
+17 to Life

Steel Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xa1a1be8c
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+124 to Attack Rating
+34 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0xfd50aaa3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+68 to Attack Rating
+25 to Life

Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xd321b4a2
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
All Resistances +5

Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x35a4cae7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
All Resistances +4

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

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xce13a645
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating

Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x17995e3d
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+73 to Attack Rating
+15 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xc557b5cd
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+62 to Attack Rating
+13 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0xe4b008f2
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+72 to Attack Rating
+24 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x4b9eb3b9
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+32 to Attack Rating
+17 to Life

Leharas, Might Mercenary:
Code:
Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 378
Durability: 21 of 21
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 48
Fingerprint: 0x9f678bf5
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
8% Mana stolen per hit
6% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
All Resistances +15
Damage Reduced by 17%
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um Rune

Fabian's Duress
Archon Plate
ShaelUmThul
Defense: 2557
Durability: 31 of 31
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 93
Fingerprint: 0x29899e45
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
+40% Faster Hit Recovery
13% Enhanced Damage
Adds 37 - 133 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+225% Enhanced Defense
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +15
Ethereal
3 Sockets (3 used)

The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 52 - 614
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 107
Required Dexterity: 81
Fingerprint: 0x8447276
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
191% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (18 Frames)
18% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune

Thoughts

I never thought I'd say this about something using zeal, but I really, really enjoyed playing this guy. Boatload of fun from beginning to end. Especially once he got into end game gear (which was early compared to most of my chars) and I saw how well the plan worked - I don't mind telling you I was a little worried when I first started using Frenzy that the duration wouldn't be long enough. That wasn't the case, though, since I found I could normally get at least 3 cycles (I normally hit Frenzy again after the third so I might have had time for another; didn't want to chance it) out of Zeal from one Frenzy cycle.

To help with leveling, I used whirlwind starting at 30 since it's just faster at that point. Also wanted to use my recently found +WW hat to test the WW bug. I found that when using dual Bloodletters he didn't freeze while leveling, but as soon as I swapped over to whirling with the Ribcracker he froze at every levelup. You can't use potions, deal damage or add skill/stat points, but you also seem to be invincible. I leveled up at the start of a pindle run and just let the merc handle the rest while I sat there as the ultimate tank. Awesome. Only leveled up twice with the Ribby, then switched to dual, shaeled Butcher's Pupils. Froze with them, too. If you want to level a barb with a +WW item without hard points, I'd advise leveling on Pindle so you can switch to Conc or something right before you level; Baal runs will be tough until you're a later level and your exp doesn't rocket so much so quick.

As for leveling gear, it was pretty straightforward. Envy setup + Ire jeweled maul -> partial Sigon's -> 1.09 RC + Iratha's + Tread's with maul on switch for when I needed to tank. Swapped maul for Bonesnap at 24. When I finally hit 30 I brought in dual bloodletters, lore made in a +1 IS/+1 WW helm, Spirit Shroud, Mahim Oak, SoE, Nat's boots, mana leech ring and bloodfist. Swapped in Ribcracker at 37 to test the WW bug while running Pindle.

Swapped Arreat's for Lore at 42. 47 brought in Duress, Raven Frost, Gore Riders and Lava Gout, with Crescent Moon coming in at 50.

Level 64 introduced the Passion and the Death. Ownage ensued. Highlord's, Fortitude and BKWB came in at 65, along with the beta CtA and the HotO which I had been too lazy to bring in earlier.

Finds:
-NM Forge: Lem
-Hell Forge: Um
-Telling of Beads in NM RoF
-Ko rune from the Countess
-Key of Terror
-Lum rune in Hell AT
-Blood Raven's Charge
-Entrapping skiller
-Trang's Girth

I'm fairly pleased with that. I'm considering the Lem paying for himself since the Death was made with other uses in mind, as well. The Trang's belt was quite the surprise, though.

Conclusion
There'll be a short Q&A before I head out.

-Q: So what's the real reason for making this guy?
A: To wield 'Death' with a 'Passion.'

-Q: You could have saved 3 skill points since you were getting Berserk from Passion.
A: That's not a question. And Berserk is too cool to wait around until level 64 for it.

-Q: Wouldn't 'Grief' have been a better weapon choice?
A: Yes, if I had an indestructible Grief. Zeal wears down durability too quickly for me to want to use my Grief BA. Plus, I really enjoyed the thought of hitting the fastest zeal speed with a weapon with no IAS.

-Q: Would you recommend this build to a friend?
A: I'd command this build to a friend. Frenzy movement speed, four frame uninterrupted attack, lots of crowd control when needed and a built in IM/PI solution? Awesome. And he was ridiculously powerful - I had to turn up the p settings in Hell because p1 was too boring. Took on the waves at p8, and the only issue was with wave 2 - the guardians stay more or less put and Decrepify was really rough on my attack speed.

-Q: Any deaths?
A: One stinking, irritating death, yes. NM Throne, to Iron Maiden. Maybe 3 NDEs, all from being lazy on the potions. Made me wish I hadn't put so many points in Vitality.

I'd like to thank Fabian for the 'Death' base, eth Duress and the HotO, sirpoopsalot for the eth Reaper's, Nagisafurukawa for the better Steel GC of Vita along with 2 of the Shimmerings of Inertia, Paradigmshift for one of the Steel SCs of Vita and, yet again, the Mat/Pat/Guardian thread. And, of course, thanks to everybody who slogs through these writeups.
 
Originally posted by @maareek on September 20, 2009

Patriarch Patior, Titan Berserker Druid

Introduction


"A Berserker Druid?" I hear you ask. Of course. I've already made a Druidbarb, so it seems only fair to make a Barbdruid. The idea suddenly came to me when NagisaFurukawa hosted his recent giveaway, which included a Passion Thunder Maul. What could be more fitting for that weapon than to be put in the hands of a Druid so that he could get back in touch with his former clanmates?

The plan was to try to approximate the Barb aspects the Wolfbarb brings to the wolf: namely the powerful passive and defensive skills of the Barbarian and reverse them, combining the powerful Druid defenses with Barbarian attack power.

The Character

Name: Patior
Class: Druid
Level: 81

Strength: 430/463
Dexterity: 20/57
Vitality: 25/65
Energy: 20/40
HP: 422/1219
Mana: 260/547
FR/W: 39
FHR: 90 (6 frames)
IAS: 90 (12 frames)

Fire: -40
Cold: -10
Lightning:-5
Poison: -21

Skills:
20: Hurricane, Tornado, Twister, Cyclone Armor (CA and 'Cane cast at lvl 28)
8: Carrion Vine (16)
2: Oak Sage (10)
1: Poison Creeper, Arctic Blast

Don't really need that many in Carrion Vine, but it seemed as good a point dump as any. Additional points wouldn't save the Sage from what kills it, and it's instantly recast when it dies if it's important. Cyclone Armor absorbs 1892 damage, Hurricane does ~1500 damage, though the chilling is the real reason for its use.

Gear:
Code:
Jalal's Mane
Totemic Mask
Defense: 252
Durability: 18 of 20
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x2527da49
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+2 to Druid Skill Levels
+50% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+155% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Energy
All Resistances +30
+5 to Mana after each Kill
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x985e18e0
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
30% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15

Shion's Treachery
Dusk Shroud
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 445
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0xda1dc98e
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 15 Fade when struck
25% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
3 Sockets (3 used)

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x7672ccb4
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+249 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x488d627e
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+228 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+17 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

Verdungo's Hearty Cord
Mithril Coil
Defense: 127
Durability: 15 of 16
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 106
Fingerprint: 0xc15ce5b5
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+93% Enhanced Defense
+40 to Vitality
Replenish Life +12
+116 Maximum Stamina
Damage Reduced by 15%

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 153
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0xf3d11272
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+185% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Dracul's Grasp
Vampirebone Gloves
Defense: 132
Durability: 12 of 14
Required Level: 76
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xc255a626
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 10 Life Tap on striking
9% Life stolen per hit
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+101% Enhanced Defense
+13 to Strength
+10 Life after each Kill

Call to Arms (on switch)
Superior Flail
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 3 - 85
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x5a8e2440
GUID: 0xe9054427 0x98f19e0b 0x0
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+2 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
258% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+11 to Battle Cry
+15 to Battle Orders
+6 to Battle Command
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)

Spirit (on switch)
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 147
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x9f0912fc
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+98 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+5 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)

Shion's Passion
Thunder Maul
DolOrtEldLem
Two Hand Damage: 94 - 513
Durability: 49 of 60
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 253
Fingerprint: 0x25124bad
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Increased Attack Speed
185% Enhanced Damage
74% Bonus to Attack Rating
+225% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
+1 to Zeal
+1 to Berserk
Hit Blinds Target +10
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Level 3 Heart of Wolverine (12/12 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)

The plan had been to swap Highlord's for Metalgrid and Dracul's for 20 IAS gloves (maybe LoH) at 81, but he hit it at the Ancient's and I was already ready to finish up in that session so that was that. I'd miss the +LaeK, OW, extra skill point and DS, but the huge +AR would probably be worth it.

Charms:
Code:
Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x44cbb0a6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating

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

Steel Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xd45354ef
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+110 to Attack Rating
+37 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xce13a645
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating

Sharp Grand Charm of the Icicle
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x9429dac8
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+74 to Attack Rating
Adds 2 - 3 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0xe4b008f2
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+72 to Attack Rating
+24 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x17995e3d
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+73 to Attack Rating
+15 to Life

Steel Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xa1a1be8c
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+124 to Attack Rating
+34 to Life

Steel Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xd5854faa
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+114 to Attack Rating
+38 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x4b9eb3b9
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+32 to Attack Rating
+17 to Life

Jade Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xde7fe054
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
Poison Resist +9%

Steel Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x41ecf12f
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+36 to Attack Rating
+5 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xac5a1299
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+35 to Attack Rating

Steel Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x8bc6ba92
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+33 to Attack Rating

Gulzar, Holy Freeze Merc:
Code:
Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 378
Durability: 21 of 21
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 48
Fingerprint: 0x9f678bf5
Item Level: 59
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
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 17%
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Jewel of Fervor

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

Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 705
Durability: 150 of 150
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x80c2b5dd
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+198% Enhanced Defense
+101 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+81 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 Maximum Durability
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Jewel of Fervor

Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0xdeb1dcaf
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed


The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 38 - 449
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0x8b36d443
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
219% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (22 Frames)
12% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

The Journey

Normal

Envy setup -> 1.09 Ravenclaw, Iratha's, Twitchthroe, Treads -> Peasant Crown, Steeldriver, Mahim-Oak, Bloodfist, String of Ears, 2 rare life leech rings, Natalya's boots. Added in 4x Jewel of Fervored gothic plate at level 31 and upped Shaeled Steeldriver at level 34. Swapped in Jalal's at level 43. Level 49 ushered in Treachery, along with IK boots, gloves and belt, Ravenfrost and a new rare LL ring, then upped Shaeled Ribcracker at 56 and the beta CtA and Spirit at 57. Yes, I ran Normal Baal until level 57. The choice came down to waiting until midway through NM to use Ribby and CtA or start NM using it, which seemed like an easy choice.

Nightmare:
Mostly done at p1. Ran p8 Pindle until I could equip the Passion, then p5 Baal runs until the merc hit 75. Swapped in Gore Riders, Verdungo's, Highlord's, Venom Grip and a second Raven Frost in at 69.

Hell:
Act 1 at p3, rest at p1. Changed gloves over to Dracul's at 76.

No real problems in Act 1. Act 2 proved no worries until the Arcane Sanctuary. Ghosts are ridiculously bothersome for this guy, and they covered the AS like locusts. Likewise the Tomb was filled to the brim with the buggers, combined with Magic Immune Guardians and the other typical fodder, all inside those narrow hallways. So I did what any brave warrior would do, I ran like a gazelle. The Staff room was empty, cue relieved sigh. Duriel dropped quietly.

Act 3 was a little tedious, especially around dolls. Had gloams in the Great Marsh, but with Cyclone Armor active they don't even make a scratch. Actually, the same is true if the Armor drops; they just leave charred remains. Ended up doing everything past LK at p3 (forgot to drop afterwards - I need Los!) but handled it with little trouble.

More gloams in the Plains of Despair, but the situation was the same as before. Pul at the Hellforge was less than I hoped, but still nice. Infector of Soul's pack surrounded me and broke through the Cyclone Armor. Managed to lead them out and have the merc pick them off; then Diablo was easy.

The outside areas of Act 5 were full of ranged attackers. This guy sucks against melee ranged attackers. Ran through for the most part, carefully splitting up and picking off as necessary. Frozen River had witches, caster skeletons and drifters. Died twice to a bosspack of caster skellies backed up by three groups of witches. No issues the rest of the way, though Baal took a while to decide to die.

Deaths:
Five or six (I remember five, but I feel like I'm forgetting one), all easily avoided with a little more patience and care. First to Normal Meph, he killed off the rest of the party but I had him down to 1/16 or so life and thought I could plink away at him with the RC, he coldballed me and it either overpowered the CA, or it was already down. Second while doing leveling runs vs NM Shenk, surrounded by Fana/ES wasps while cursed. Third to Hell Infector of Souls pack. Fourth and fifth to bosspack of caster skeletons backed up by triple normal groups of witches in Hell Frozen River. Used Tornado and Twister to clear out enough room to rescue the corpse and pound my way through. Only used those two skills to recover corpses twice (that time and the Shenk time), never outside of that.

Finds:
-Hellforge: Ral/Pul/Pul
-plain Lightning skiller from NM Summoner
-ethereal Spire of Honor from NM Meph
-Champion pack of Wasp Nests
-Key of Hate
-5 socket Rune Master in Lower Kurast
-A new item?
-plain Thunder Maul while clearing the Throne (just seemed fitting)

Thoughts
Very enjoyable, though much more fragile than what I'm used to. Insane amount of crowd control and defensive ability thanks to all the slow and the protection from elemental damage. He routinely stood right in the grill of monsters and charged into gloams with no fear whatsoever, despite having no points in vitality.

Only truly dangerous monsters were ones that stunned (urdar, drifters, vipers etc.), ones with manaburn and ones with Holy Freeze/Decrepify - swinging slower is very, very bad for this guy. With those my plan was to let the merc close in then come in either right beside him or on the side of the pack. Typically, though, I charged in alone and let the merc trail in unless the mob was especially dangerous.

If others wanted to try this, I would definitely suggest going with the titan and a huge weapon - otherwise the damage just won't be enough and you'll be taking forever to kill things, and they'll be escaping and healing thanks to the CtC Terror; it'd just be ugly. However, going without the berserk and just going with a normal attack would work, as well, even with a small investment in strength. I'd suggest upped Ribcracker for the high speed, FHR and CB for that. Can't go wrong with bigger, more hurty weapons if you've got 'em, of course.

I'd never made a Druid before, so this was a real learning experience for me. Cyclone Armor and Hurricane are awesome skills. Incredibly helpful and, honestly, probably what made this build not only possible, but highly effective (OK, the beta CtA didn't hurt...). The plan for this worked out better than I imagined, except for the damage and AR, which weren't that big of a deal.

Thankee
-NagisaFurukawa, for gifting the Passion and Treachery, and for his Titan Berserkeress with those two items that served as inspiration.
-winmar and, now, NacRuno, for the Mat/Pat/Guardian thread, which proved invaluable in trying to get ideas for this build.
-Fabian, for giving the Emerald SC of Vita.
-silospen, for GoMule. Just downloaded it the other day and I'm already finding it helpful, most notably in compiling this pat thread.
-Liquid_Evil, his Druid prowess and flair served as inspiration to try to make the char worthy of his approval. Hope I succeeded. Also his usage of Carrion Vine in one of his pat threads made me decide to use it here; much to my pleasure.

And, as always, to you, the reader. Remember to make a Druid, my friend, or you will awrooooooo it.
 
Originally posted by moo-cow on Dec 9, 2007:

Matriarch Quedra, 4 years running

I think I created Quedra shortly after 1.10 was released to test the synergies and to make a magezon, which I hadn't done in 1.09. This afternoon I finally killed Baal, Matting her after almost 4 years.

Matriarch Quedra
Name: Qedra
Class: Amazon
Experience: 978701143
Level: 84

Naked/Gear
Strength: 56/56
Dexterity: 32/66
Vitality: 230/230
Energy: 100/100
HP: 906/906
Mana: 266/306
Stamina: 377/377
Defense: 8/311
92 stat points saved

All resists in the negatives, between -30 and -15 iirc

skills:
20 in:
Exploding Arrow
Immo Arrow
Cold Arrow
Freezing Arrow

1 in:
Fire arrow
Ice Arrow
Magic Arrow
Multi shot
all of the passives

1 unspent

Fire Side:
Kuko Shakaku
Cedar Bow
Two Hand Damage: 26 - 78
Durability: 26 of 28
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 53
Required Dexterity: 49
Fingerprint: 0x4922ef62
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Properties:
169% Enhanced Damage
+3 to Immolation Arrow (Amazon Only)
50% Piercing Attack
Fires Explosive Arrows or Bolts
+3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+57 - 225 Fire Damage
100% Chance to cast level 31 Meteor when you Die
4% to Fire Skill Damage
-3% to Enemy Fire Resistance
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet (4/-3)

Fire arrow - 1 (14)
Exploding arrow - 20 (33)
Immo arrow - 20 (36)


Cold Side:

Wizendraw
Long Battle Bow
Two Hand Damage: 5 - 30
Durability: 38 of 44
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 40
Required Dexterity: 50
Fingerprint: 0xe4dbf3ae
Item Level: 55
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Properties:
+15 to Energy
+30 to Mana
70% Enhanced Damage
+81 to Attack Rating
Cold Resist +26%
20% Increased Attack Speed
Fires Magic Arrows
+24 - 38 cold damage with 0 sec Duration
100% Chance to cast level 43 Frost Nova when you Level-Up
4% to Cold Skill Damage
-37% to Enemy Cold Resistance
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet (4/-4)

Cold arrow - 20 (30)
Ice arrow - 1 (11)
Freezing arrow - 20 (30)

and another SS showing the gear and the true AR with the kuko (silly bow skill AR bug giving me about 51% chance to hit Baal, with my BA merc)

my gear was very +skills heavy, and I found that almost everything that wasn't fire immune died in 3 or fewer immo arrows, or chewed through my mana using FA.
gear:
Code:
Peace
Light Plate
Defense: 102
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 41
Fingerprint: 0x92717cc3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Properties:
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
+2 to Critical Strike
2% Chance to cast level 15 Valkyrie on striking
4% Chance to cast level 5 Slow Missiles when struck
20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +30%
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Cruel Visage
Tiara
Defense: 46
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x76576b5c
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Properties:
Damage Reduced by 5
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
Half Freeze Duration
+4 to Mana after each Kill
5% Chance to cast level 3 Frost Nova when struck
All Resistances +19

Archer's Chain Gloves of Dexterity
Chain Gloves
Defense: 8
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0xe56ac08d
Item Level: 76
Version: Expansion
Properties:
+1 to Dexterity
+3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Beast Grip
Ring
Required Level: 16
Fingerprint: 0xfae8dcdb
Item Level: 30
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Properties:
+112 to Attack Rating
+2 to Minimum Damage
Lightning Resist +20%
+5 to Light Radius
5% Bonus to Attack Rating

Goblin Toe
Light Plated Boots
Defense: 33
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xc45ac0e3
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
Properties:
52% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 1
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
-1 to Light Radius
25% Chance of Crushing Blow

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xfcbe9a7c
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Properties:
+18 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+189 to Attack Rating
+15 - 45 cold damage with 4 sec Duration
20% Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 106
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 32
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xe058ece0
Item Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Properties:
+15 to Dexterity
146% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Maximum Damage
+15 Defense
33% Piercing Attack
+8 Attacker Takes Damage of

Valkyrie's Amulet of the Bat
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x60e2dd21
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
Properties:
3% Mana stolen per hit
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels


merc:

Corpsemourn
Ornate Plate
Defense: 1145
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 170
Fingerprint: 0x3c62a700
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Properties:
+8 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
154% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +35%
+12 - 36 Fire Damage
6% Chance to cast level 2 Iron Maiden when struck
Level 5 Corpse Explosion (40/40 Charges)

Insight
Cryptic Axe
Two Hand Damage: 119 - 501
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 165
Required Dexterity: 103
Fingerprint: 0x5ed8312c
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Properties:
All Stats +5
234% Enhanced Damage
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+6 to Critical Strike
35% Faster Cast Rate
193% Bonus to Attack Rating
Level 13 Meditation Aura When Equipped
+5 - 30 Fire Damage
+2 to Mana after each Kill
+75 poison damage over 5 seconds
+9 to Minimum Damage
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune

Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Death Mask
Defense: 106
Durability: 16 of 20
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0xb095951e
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Properties:
+60 to Life
+30 to Mana
+45 Defense
10% Life stolen per hit
10% Mana stolen per hit
All Resistances +15
charms of note:
+1 bow/crossbow
+1 passives
113 AR/21 GF grand charm
98 AR grand charm
34 AR and some cold damage small charm
2 FR and an LR charm to bring them up to near -25



general game play:

I started the character with the idea to only have enough str and dex to wear the gear I needed in the end, so I have no idea why I ended up with 56 str or the 32 dex. my original plan for the cold side was a +3 3 socket stag bow with melody in it for the extra stats. I finally found one in act4hell and made the bow, but the 1.10 change to wizendraw made it better than my original plan, even with the extra +6 skills.

I think I played through normal on players 8 and then most of nightmare at players 5 until I abandoned her in act5NM back in November 2004. When I had been playing her I remember being told in MP games that it looked like she was throwing the arrows, since she doesn't have the base str/dex to equip either bow. When I started playing again I still found her hard, but I got through the rest of act5NM on players 5. based on that I changed some of her gear around to aim for lots of skills, and started hell. I found going along in hell at players 1 to be rather fast, so i bumped it up to players 3. that was fine for act1, although andariel was a bit hard, and for act2. Duriel was really bad though, he killed my merc and valk a couple times before I figured out a winning strategy. i spent 15 minutes chain casting a decoy so duriel could one shot it while my merc and valk very very slowly killed him.

Act3 was much better, didn't get any gloams, which was great since my LR was around -7 then. the urdar type monsters were a problem, and I had giant chases across all of the different parts of kurast stringing them out to kill them. would've been faster to just park them, but it wasn't too bad killing them, and i enjoyed the challenge. I made sure to switch it down to players 1 for meph, and the council wasn't too hard compared to the urdars.

Act4 was fine because there were no gloams again. Izual went down faster than I thought he would, probably because of the boot switch to gorefeet i made before hell. His two skill points finished off cold arrow as my FA synergy. Cleared the chaos sanctuary at players 3, which from the waypoint took me about 2 hours. dropped it down to players 1 for diablo, which combined with him bugging out some of his attacks (river of fire became fire wall or some such) but overcompensating by trapping me in a bone prison 3 or 4 times, i killed him rather quickly, and moved on to act5.

Act5 I got bored like I normally have so far with the guest monsters and I dropped it down to players 1. I was on my way to the ancients when I realized I forgot to save Anya, so I went back to save her. I saw the gloams and panicked and ran away, deciding the ancients would be easier. Reading that sentence again, hell ancients being easier than gloams, really points out how overpowered they are. Anyway, I respawned the ancients I think 10 times before I got one that I was comfortable doing. After I remembered not to kill the leaper first I killed the thrower (without slow missles, I never get the hang of it) and then the whirler. Leaper was last, and he was CI, so it was down to immo arrow to kill him. My amazing plan for him was to run away, wait for him to leap, and then name lock him and fire an arrow. I could have gone all day, except he was aura enchanted with holy fire, and with -27 fire resist it was starting to hurt. I kill him with one full juvie left, proceed quickly to the WSK2 WP and S&E and load up again after restocking. I always to into the ancients understocked, I think I had, including my belt, 9 super healing, 4 super mana, 1 rejuv and 8 full rejuv. ended with 3 super mana and 1 full rejuv, and down about 300 arrows. i finally went back and rescued Anya, gloamless, and made my way down to the throne of destruction. There were some gloams there, but they weren't killing me (after the first time) and I shot them off screen to return the favor. Baal's minions withered to my slvl 30 FA, and Baal gave me some trouble with a clone, but switching my merc's weapon between his insight and a kelpie snare I took him down in under 10 minutes, this time with me actually getting to shoot my bow, which on its own was a much needed improvement over my duriel assist.

I think I had 3 deaths in Hell, one in the river of flame before the WP, got surrounded my maggots, one in act5 frigid highlands to an undead archer, and one to gloams in the crystaline passage or WSK4, i forget which.

hell Hf was a lum.
i went back and did normal HF, got an El.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by MuddyWaters on Dec 7, 2008:

Matriarch Gilraen - Strafezon

My second character since I returned to Diablo 2 made matriarch. She’s a strafezon. My original intention was to use the Witchwild String bow, following the lines of Chipmc’s guide: https://www.purediablo.com/strategy/chipmcs-witchwild-string-strafeazon-guide-v-0-05/

The idea was to be really fast. With the WWS bow I was aiming for a 8/2 frames speed attack. But as discussed in this thread, http://web.archive.org/web/20210220...orums/threads/equipment-for-strafezon.705985/, there isn’t such a thing like a /2 break point for strafe. My best option would be 9/3, which can be easily attained with bows with more power than the WWS. I had to make some changes along the way to accommodate.

In Act 1 normal she used the Artic Set and could kill anything with a single shot. As she gained levels I gave her better equipment. Her first death was to normal Diablo and was really stupid. I was too greed to spend a full rejuv, even being about 50% life. After she equipped the WWS she became really powerful. Normal and Nightmare were played on players 8 and it was really easy.

In hell things started to slow. I equipped the Eaglehorn bow and could do Hell Act 1 and most of Act 2 on players 8. In the end of Act 2 I lowered to players 5 and played this way until Act 5. Act bosses 1-4 were easy, as were the ancients. The WSK was really the greatest challenge. Died a couple of times getting to Baal. The minions weren’t very hard, even at players 5. Lister took more time because he was PI.

Much to my surprise Baal was really hard. Died two times in his chamber, the second when he was almost dead. I was tired and annoyed, so I left the computer and returned after a while. I recovered my body and when I was preparing to resume attacking, I noted he was once again at full health. No way I would pass for all that trouble again. I quit and entered again, but this time with players 1. The way from WSK 2 waypoint to Baal was much more easily this time. On players 1 most of the foes died with one or two strafe volleys. Baal gave some trouble but I managed to win at the end.

This was my first ranged character in LoD and was a lot of fun. I died many times, mostly because of being cocky and trying to tank instead of retreating. Too much costumed to melee after building a barb I guess. When I played her with the proper care, I would not die easily. Playing the game on high players x made me learn a lot about the build, because I couldn’t rely on raw power. I have to use a lot of hit and run tactics and actually use skills like slow missiles and decoy in order to survive. I can’t say that now I’m a master of the zon class, but at least I started to understand her dynamics.

Her numbers:

Matriarch Gilraen, level 88

Str: 70/107
Dext: 335/375
Vit: 110/172
En: 15/25

Resistances: F 75, C 61, L 75, P 55
Life: 899
Mana: 243

Equipment:
Bow: nefed Eaglehorn
Helmet: Kira’s Guardian (66 to all resistances), socketed with a 15 IAS/ 29 poison resistance.
Armor: Lionheart great hauberk
Belt: Verdungo’s
Gloves: Lying of Hands
Boots: War Traveller
Amulet: Highlord’s Wraith
Rings: rares with leech and resistances. One is a dual leech stolen from my barbarian.

Hell forge rune: Um. That was kind of ironic, because in the very beginning I was hoping for an Um in order to upgrade the WWS. As things turned I probably will make a Duress armor of it.

Skills: Max Strafe, Valk and Pierce, 14 on critical strike and the rest spread among d/a/e, mostly on dodge. Used a lot of the “one point wonders” slow missiles and decoy. If I had know from the start that I would be using the Eaglehorn, probably would had made her different. I could have used a razortail belt, maxed CS and maybe put some points in freezing arrow.

Best finds: stuff that I didn’t have yet : Naj’s Hellforge plate (from the Maggot Lair), Sarracen’s chance (from a catapult in the foothills) and Templar’s Might (from The River of Flame)

Plans for her: I think she can be a good pit runner.

Once again, I want thank to all people that gave suggestions and encouragement in the other thread. It was really appreciated and helped a lot.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by @maareek on July 21, 2009

Patriarch Blighter, Poisonmancer with Iron Golem and Lightning Iron Wolf Mercenary

Introduction

I've been wanting to make this guy for a long time, and finally got around to it. The Lightning Wolf was chosen quite awhile ago when I saw someone in the Sorceress Forum talking about how it should be, theoretically, viable with really nice gear. Being in possession of nice gear myself, I decided to give it a shot.

I was somewhat disheartened when Sirpoopsalot tried one out on his LuckyLucy build, and found it ineffective. Taking his findings into consideration, I felt I had a plan that would provide the Wolf with a much better environment to prove his mettle, and set out to see if I could make it work.

The Character:
Character name : Blighter
Character type : Necromancer
Character level : **
Character exp : 1460695859

Strength: 95 (112)
Energy: 25 (52)
Dexterity: 26 (37)
Vitality: 384 (401)

Life: 1193 / 973
Mana: 556 / 199

Skills:
20: Poison Nova (38), Poison Dagger (38), Poison Explosion (38) and Corpse Explosion (38)
6: Golem Mastery (18)
1: all curses except Attract and Confuse (17), Summon Resist, Iron Golem and required skills (13)

Poison Nova does 7267-7501 damage, and under the effects of a Skill Shrine, Poison Nova's max damage was just shy of 8100.

Corpse Explosion has a radius of 15 yards, which basically means I can cast it in the Pits and hit Andariel. Easily worth the points, and the 52 mana cost. The only issue I have with it should be fairly widely known to those who've maxed it before: the game for whatever reason underestimates the range of the skill and you'll often have to find and click on a corpse yourself to hit a monster a good distance away. Small thing, though.

Level 13 Summon Resist adds 61% res all, which makes the IG immune to Lightning (base res of 50), as well as the base immunity to poison. It's awfully nice having a minion that can stand in the middle of gloam fire and not notice. He also has 4557 hitpoints, to back up those resistances.

Gear:
Code:
Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 119
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 62
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xab1ea076
+2 to Strength
+2 to Energy
+2 to Dexterity
+2 to Vitality
Damage Reduced by 10%
+36 poison damage over 2 seconds
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to All Skill Levels
100% Chance to cast Level 23 Venom When You Level Up
+132 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+132 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
+4% to Poison Skill Damage
-5% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xe4ec1bc2
+36 poison damage over 2 seconds
100% Chance to cast Level 23 Venom When You Level Up
+4% to Poison Skill Damage
-5% to Enemy Poison Resistance

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0xa543c7e9
+5 to Strength
+5 to Energy
+5 to Dexterity
+5 to Vitality
All Resistances +30
+2 to All Skill Levels

Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
'Shael'
Defense: 279
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Strength: 43
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0xec2f34c
+120% Enhanced Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
All Resistances +33
20% Faster Hit Recovery
30% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to All Skill Levels
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Shael Rune
Inserted into a Serpentskin Armor

20% Faster Hit Recovery

Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Death's Web
Unearthed Wand
One-Hand Damage: 22 to 28
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Strength: 25
Required Level: 66
Staff Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x453454dd
+36 poison damage over 2 seconds
+8 Life after each Kill
150% Damage to Undead
+2 to All Skill Levels
+12 to Mana After Each Kill
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
100% Chance to cast Level 23 Venom When You Level Up
+3% to Poison Skill Damage
-48% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xe1e08755
+36 poison damage over 2 seconds
100% Chance to cast Level 23 Venom When You Level Up
+3% to Poison Skill Damage
-5% to Enemy Poison Resistance

Homunculus
Hierophant Trophy
Defense: 186
Chance to Block:  72%
Durability: 20 of 20
(Necromancer Only)
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x4325df68
+20 to Energy
+162% Enhanced Defense
+40% Increased Chance of Blocking
Regenerate Mana 33%
All Resistances +40
+36 poison damage over 2 seconds
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
30% Faster Block Rate
+5 to Mana After Each Kill
+2 to Curses (Necromancer Only)
100% Chance to cast Level 23 Venom When You Level Up
+4% to Poison Skill Damage
-5% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xe45c3045
+36 poison damage over 2 seconds
100% Chance to cast Level 23 Venom When You Level Up
+4% to Poison Skill Damage
-5% to Enemy Poison Resistance

Trang-Oul's Claws
Heavy Bracers
Defense: 71
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0xedce7205
+30 Defense
Cold Resist +30%
20% Faster Cast Rate
+2 to Curses (Necromancer Only)
+25% to Poison Skill Damage

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

Arachnid Mesh
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 136
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 80
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xa4317188
+116% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
20% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to All Skill Levels
Slows Target by 10%
Level 3 Venom (11/11 Charges)

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

War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 123
Durability: 48 of 48
Required Strength: 95
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x746f9fd7
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
+158% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Minimum Damage
+25 to Maximum Damage
+30 Maximum Durability
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
46% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
25% Faster Run/Walk
40% Slower Stamina Drain

Naj's Puzzler (on switch)
Elder Staff
Two-Hand Damage: 200 to 232
Durability: 35 of 35
Required Dexterity: 37
Required Strength: 44
Required Level: 78
Staff Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x781868e2
+35 to Energy
+70 to Mana
+150% Enhanced Damage
Adds 6-45 lightning damage
30% Faster Cast Rate
150% Damage to Undead
+1 to All Skill Levels
Level 11 Teleport (68/69 Charges)

Charms:
Code:
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%

Fungal Grand Charm of Balance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0xb5ce1daf
12% Faster Hit Recovery
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)

Fungal Grand Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 82
Fingerprint: 0x4e0c84fb
+4 to Dexterity
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)

Ruby Small Charm of Balance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 72
Fingerprint: 0x57081415
Fire Resist +10%
5% Faster Hit Recovery

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

Emerald Small Charm of Balance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 82
Fingerprint: 0x8556fc91
Poison Resist +11%
5% Faster Hit Recovery

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

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


Fungal Grand Charm of Fire
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0xeb50a7d4
Adds 1-3 fire damage
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)

Fungal Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x761e21cc
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)

Fungal Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0x932a0451
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)

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%

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%

Amber Small Charm of Fortune
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x1e9f2d13
Lightning Resist +10%
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Russet Small Charm of Good Luck
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 33
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0xd8bdc1f7
Fire Resist +6%
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Ruby Small Charm of Fortune
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0xa4bd86fc
Fire Resist +11%
4% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Jade Small Charm of Good Luck
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 33
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 80
Fingerprint: 0x72e91888
Poison Resist +8%
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

The Inventory was completely stuffed; I wanted to force in every last bit of assistance I could. In questing gear he has 171 MF, which I don't think is bad at all considering his damage numbers.

Flux, Lightning Iron Wolf Mercenary:
Code:
Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Strength: 43
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x775f06d6
+10 to Strength
+120% Enhanced Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
All Resistances +33
30% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to All Skill Levels
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Perfect Amethyst
Inserted into a Serpentskin Armor
+10 to Strength
Required Level: 18
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion

Griffon's Eye
Diadem
Defense: 208
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 76
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x7abdaa02
+154 Defense
Adds 1-74 lightning damage
25% Faster Cast Rate
+1 to All Skill Levels
100% Chance to cast Level 41 Nova When You Level Up
+18% to Lightning Skill Damage
-25% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0xd1c52425
Adds 1-74 lightning damage
100% Chance to cast Level 41 Nova When You Level Up
+5% to Lightning Skill Damage
-5% to Enemy Lightning Resistance

Crescent Moon
Crystal Sword
'ShaelUmTir'
One-Hand Damage: 14 to 44
Durability: 13 of 20
Required Strength: 43
Required Level: 47
Sword Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0x2b599f7f
+197% Enhanced Damage
20% Increased Attack Speed
Ignore Target Defense
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+2 to Mana After Each Kill
+11 Magic Absorb
10% Chance to cast Level 17 Chain Lightning on striking
7% Chance to cast Level 13 Static Field on striking
Level 18 Summon Spirit Wolf (30/30 Charges)
-35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
Socketed (3: 3 used)

Spirit
Monarch
'TalThulOrtAmn'
Defense: 210
Chance to Block:  42%
Durability: 44 of 44
Required Strength: 146
Required Level: 54
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0x1461a314
+22 to Vitality
+108 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
+4 Magic Absorb
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (4: 4 used)

The Spirit took 26 Hel runes to roll, which was all I had. Prior to the current helm, he used my +15/-16 Griffon's socketed with a Perfect Amethyst. With that and the Vipermagi, he could equip the shield at level 77. Kept that hat until 83, when he could wear the current one.

Iron Golem:
Code:
Kelpie Snare
Fuscina
Two-Hand Damage: 77 to 142
Durability: 19 of 35
Required Dexterity: 25
Required Strength: 77
Required Level: 33
Spear Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x521658c3
+10 to Strength
+150% Enhanced Damage
+30 to Minimum Damage
+50 to Maximum Damage
Fire Resist +50%
Slows Target by 75%
+1 to Life (Based on Character Level)

Questing

Normal
:
Started off with gemmed crystal sword, envy jeweled mask and breast plate, with arctic belt and gloves and hsarus' boots and shield. Swapped in Sigon's boots+belt+gloves at lvl 6. Switched to Iratha's + Treads + Ravenclaw and 2 rare leech rings at 15. p8 all the way to act 4, then p1 throughout that act, returning to p8 in act 5. Leveled from 29 to 30 in act 4 (leveled up after popping the third seal), switching into caster gear at start of act 5. Peasant Crown, rare amulet (+1 necro skills, 15 res all, mana), Skin of the Vipermagi, Spirit sword, Rhyme shield, magefist, nightsmoke, nat's boots and 2 SoJ's until 42. Made first Iron Golem after switching into caster gear, created from an IK Maul.

With one point in IG and Golem Mastery, you'd expect the Golem to be fairly weak, but he stood up well. The hydras from wave 3 got him, but the only other time he really took damage was when he was surrounded by 5 frenzytaurs in the WSK. Didn't remake him until I could swap Homunculus in for the Rhyme, then twinked in a CV Insight (always hated CVs, but now they seem almost useful) and some low level unique polearm for IGs during Baal runs, but Lister kept owning them and I finally just made the golems from shopped weapons until I moved on to NM.

Baal was tough early on (first run took forever), but after I switched the merc (then a prayer merc) over to eth Kelpie + Guillaume's(Ias jewel) + Twitchthroe I didn't have problems with him. Still wasn't blazing fast, but poisonmancers aren't good boss runners, anyway. Leveled to 49 before entering Nightmare.

Nightmare:
Started off by popping the facet into the homunculus and making another Insight IG, out of a Colossus Voulge (finally found a use for an otherwise useless base, yay) and set to work. Act I was a cakewalk, save for Andy, who plowed through the merc and IG in very short order. Managed to finish her off solo easily enough and proceed. Found a Wasp Nest bosspack along the way, though. Act 2 was similarly easy, though I did lose the IG to a ES cursed Mummy bosspack in the Staff room. Couldn't find a good item in the shops, so I went with Gumby vs Duriel, with no issues. Twinked in two more CVs, made Insight and formed another IG. Lost him to cursed ES Thrasher pack and then had another poof in the Flayer Jungle. Shopped a Ferocious Great Axe for a base. Mephisto required a couple trips to town, but no real danger.

Act 4, was a pain. At least in the beginning. Venom Lords are Poison Immune in NM, and with only the -5 from the Homunculus kills were slow in coming at p8, so I dropped to p5 until the RoF. Hephasto was no worries, and the forge dropped a Lem, which was nice. Got to the waypoint at level 65, so I did a full clear plus a little bit of the CS to hit 66 then twinked in Death's Web (and Mara's, though that's rlvl67), Harley, War Trav's and Mav's belt, as well as putting Spellsteel on switch in case of IM, and hit the CS for real. Venom Lords spawned, but with the DWeb in hand were no match for the massive damage, even at p8. Lost the merc twice to IM, but the golem remained intact. Diablo was kind enough to use, almost exclusively, his lightning attack (which is useless against the LI Iron Golem) and was polished off with little fuss.

The Ancients started out looking rough, as I quickly had to feed half my reds and a purple to the merc, but a teleport and a change in position later they lost their luster and fell quickly. Decrepify + Kelpie makes even the stoutest fighters impotent. Lost 2 IGs in the WSK: the first to a bosspack of frenzytaurs, the second to IM. A third died at the hands of wave three's hydras on my second Baal run.

Speaking of the minions, waves 4 and 5 were quite a pain because of their high health. Had to take a fighting retreat approach, which isn't easy because the IG has very similar AI to a barb merc: he always goes looking for a fight and he almost refuses to retreat once he engages. Waheed's happily staying away from the action, but the golem keeps jumping back into the fray before I can get back in nova range. Lots of TP's taken to heal through that part.

Took Baal on at p8, and he wasn't a problem (again, Decrep + Kelpie are imba) but took awhile. After that second run, I went back to Normal and hired the act 3 merc before proceeding to Hell. At this point Blighter was level 74 and the merc was level 72. Gave him Spirit + Lidless + Skin of the Vipermagi and Harley. Let him show off in Pindle's garden, and saw potential.

Hell:
First death for the char came in the first Pits run, on level two. Got caught by the arrows from an ES LE archer pack. Died another three times, most from just not drinking a potion in time. Lost at least four Iron Golems due to D2 not saving teleport as my default skill on switch, which was extremely annoying.

Ran the Pits from level 75 to level **. From 75 to 80 I ran at p7 in questing gear. From 80 to 87 I ran at p5 in MF gear (after swapping in Arachnid's I changed an SoJ for a 30% Nagel and 3 skillers for a Gheed's and several mana/resist SC's of MF). At that point, I had re-cemented my previous feelings about running the Pits and changed back into questing gear.

I probably lost over 10 IG's in the Pits to various things (mostly to Amp/ES or other bad spawns archers, or to multiple bosspacks including EF, ES and amp) and by the end was really feeling bad over the loss of Rals. Switched over to a Kelpie Snare Golem (making him immune to Fire/Light/Poison) and used DV a lot more. Runs slowed down, but no more deaths. Blinded packs with the golem adding the 75% slowdown from Kelpie to the boss made things almost boringly easy.

Leveled up til ** in the Pits before moving on. Technically the build finished at 87 (counting in the skill adding quests) but I wanted to see how he could do running in killing gear. Very well, indeed, was the answer.

Took on Act I at p7, with no troubles. Dropped to p1 for Andy, and it still took a little while. Decrep+slow from Kelpie kept her manageable while the merc and I whittled her down (to be honest, we were probably doing almost equal damage; poison sucks hardcore vs Andy). One trip to town was required to heal the IG, but only because I was overly cautious. She dropped crap, and we moved on.

Took on Act 2 at p7, as well, until I got almost to Radament. Then I dropped to p1, and decided to keep it there. I've already taken a poisonmancer through Hell at high psettings, so I didn't feel the need to do it again. Easily could, but time is short until the MFO and I have other projects to complete and a new runner to get in shape, so I decided to stay at p1 and hurry through. Radament spawned with Conviction, was surrounded by horror mages - including a bosspack - and really didn't want to die. I had to drink a couple potions while I was running around poisoning everything, and shove a few more to the merc (he does love to follow you into trouble) but after the minions fell it was just a matter of time.

Teleran through Act 2 quickly. Ported right on top of AT, so I did a p7 full clear before pressing on (back at p1). Summoner was on the first branch I looked. Had to search all of the tomb before I found the entrance to Duriel. I don't think he managed to really land a hit on anybody, and went down quickly.

Act 3 involved more teleport action. Everything at p1 except LK (gieb Lo plz) and Meph, which were p3. Was glad I had the Kelpie IG when I got to the Council - fire immune minions need not fear bugged hydras - and had to rely on the merc to kill a champ pack of dolls as soon as we entered the Durance, which he did well. Level 3 was packed - there were either three or four bosspacks right through the large door - but nothing proved dangerous. Went to p3 for Meph after seeing how easy Duriel had been. He went down as easily as the last boss, just took a little longer. The armor rack in Durance 3 dropped a Lacquered Plate, so I went back and got Durance 2 waypoint just in case I want to try to rack a Tal's armor for the novelty of it.

The merc got a little more action in Act 4, finishing off corpse spitters and creating the first corpse with the maggots. Had gloams in the Plains of Despair, and they hurt. Dim Vision is imba, though. Izual dropped in seconds, as did Hephasto. Um from the Forge made sure the char paid for himself in rune terms that really matter. Got through the Chaos Sanctuary without the golem taking any damage from IM, though he got into the low yellow from Lord De Seis's pack. Diablo got me in a bone prison and almost took out myself and the merc with an early lightning hose (both bars barely showing any red), but after that he went down quietly. Forgot to up it to p3 before he spawned, but still got 6 items so it worked out.

Slingers and archers greeted me at the start of Act 5. Had 2 NDEs at their hands. D2 obviously had it out for me now, since they spawned in every outdoor area, and vipers spawned in every underground area. Can't believe I didn't drop to one bosspack of vipers I spawned from an urn (can't explain why I ever click those things) which hit me with somewhere between 5 and two million shots at the same time. If not for my "Oh, excrement" rejuv reflexes he'd have bought it. No gloams at Anya, but 2 types of witches and more vipers. More NDEs than I care to count. Lost the Kelpie golem at Anya, Frozenstein's pack wore him down and a pack of witches behind them ate him up before I could teleport him out. Made another Insight one. Almost lost him to a dual bosspack of Cursed/ES lancer rogues.

Stopped at Ancient Way waypoint, which was across the map from the Summit. When I started back, the spawn was skeleton mages + vipers + Frenzytaurs. Lost the Insight golem to a cursed, ES bosspack of frenzytaurs, switched back to Kelpie base and went a little more carefully. No issues getting to the Ancients. They spawned with Conviction and little else. The leaper wanted to focus on the Wolf, so I used teleport to split him from the pack and dropped him swiftly. Took the other two as a team, but they dropped in short order. WSK 1 had poison immune vipers. Level 2 had poison immune defilers (including one unbreakable PoI/LI boss; the second such monster I had seen [Griswold]) and level 3 had witches and Oks plus some not very dangerous spawn. Throne had witches, OKs and unbreakable poison immune dolls. Merc mowed down a champ pack of the latter near the door and DV took care of the witches. Throne room was stuffed with OKs, but the enormous radius of CE cleared it quickly. Waves 1-3 were no issue (lost the merc to the hydras, but the immune golem was sturdy), then came wave 4. The bane of poisonmancers. Unbreakable immunity, plus high fire resistance, plus extra fast equals a real pain. Separated the pack into, roughly, two groups, and had the merc fire away while I waited for a corpse. Ventar forced one retreat to town to heal the IG, but other than that we got through with little problem. Lister an crew don't pose much threat, and dropped in no time. Went into Baal's chamber, teleported on top of him so the IG could get to work. He cloned himself right off, so that made things tougher, but we started slugging away and made good progress. We had the clone almost dead when disaster struck ... the power went out. ... ... ... ... Feck. Insert random five pages of obscenities here. In a humorous turn of events, I had found an ethereal socketed unearthed wand in the WSK shortly before, and was, given the situation, now happy it hadn't rolled unique.

Most annoying part was that I was trying to finish up so I could write up what happened before I left for work. Not enough time left after that, and my will was sort of crushed. Came back later and started back. Fortunately the Ancients and the WSK waypoint were saved before the sudden stoppage of play, so I set back out from the waypoint, and noticed my maps were saved, which was nice. Level 2 had poison immune Vipers, exploding boars and bats. Level three greeted me with OKs and witches again, with boars and their herders. Almost lost the golem twice to bosspacks of OKs backed up by witches (those stars hurt when amped, 4.5k hp or not) but he pulled through. Stairtrap with bosspack of frenzytaurs in the throne, but handled it fairly easily. Around the corner? Bosspack of OKs. At the entrance to the throne room had a clump of gloams + 2 packs of Oks and a bosspack of Frenzytaurs. Gloams are poison immune, but gigantic CE beats them every time. Throne room was almost barren.

First 3 waves were no issue, barely a scratch between the three of us. Ventar again forced a single retreat to town, but the merc finally brought one (then another) down, and CE cleared up. Lister and company were a joke. Baal was taken at p1. Teleported to him so the golem could get going, and cast decrep in the meanwhile. No clone this time, and I switched over to LR after the golem got going. He's still able to do a little damage with just the Kelpie, but his resistances are just too high to not use LR on him, and he's not really dangerous when slowed, anyway (as opposed to, say, Diablo).

Finds:
-Normal HF: Ort
-NM HF: Lem
-Hell HF: Um
-Hand of Broc in Normal Catacombs
-Blinkbat's Form from Normal Diablo
-Lum rune from NM Summoner
-Blackbog's Sharp in NM Great Marsh (just seems fitting for a poisonmancer to find, no?)
-Titan's Revenge in NM WSK
-Dracul's Grasp in the Pits
-Failed set Scourge in the Pits
-+4/-4 Fire Facet from a corpse in the Pits
-Ethereal Ginther's Rift in the Pits
-Taebaek's Glory in the Pits
-Hexing skiller in the Pits
-String of Ears from Hell Radament
-Gheed's from a corpse in Harem level 2
-Ethereal Spire of Lazarus in Plains of Despair
-Naj's Light Plate from Eyeback the Unleashed
-M'avina's Embrace from the Barbarian corpse outside the Ancient's Way
-Lots of socketables (0os eth CV, 0os eth GPA, 14% Superior +3 Matriarchal Bow...0os :(, etc.)
-Plenty of low/crafting runes (including several Hel runes, which I was very happy to see), though I'd say he burned up more than he found.

Thoughts:

Merc:
He outperformed my expectations. Granted, my expectations had gotten pretty low after hearing sirpoopsalot's experience with his, but I was hoping with Lower Resist and the tanking golem it would work. And I was right. He's capable of killing in higher player setting games (and not in the barely out-pacing monster regen way, either). That said, he didn't reach my hoped level of ownage. Not surprising, though. What popped into my head after testing him out a little bit still sounds right to me: he kills about as fast as my (mostly) untwinked blizzballer did when I was first starting (though the blizzballer was at p1). After dropping to p1, I discovered that the merc was considerably stronger than my old blizzballer; I just let him and the golem handle packs from time to time.

As for his overall AI: he likes to stay close to you. Not right on top of you, but, say, similar to the "leash" a unique has on its minions. This is very handy when he's doing his one notable stupid merc trick: firing lightning into a solid obstruction, but troublesome when you're running through the middle of a pack to poison shamans, OK's, etc. He does quite well at getting himself out of these spots most of the time, but when he can't he drops in about half a second. Which is true just about any time he's getting hit. He has very low hitpoints (barely more than the character) and abysmal hit recovery (to give you an idea, he's at 10 frame recovery with the 55% FHR from spirit) so he's going nowhere fast if anything gets to him.

While he likes to stay near you, he also really likes to stay away from monsters. Coupled with his affinity for casting Charged Bolt this results in a lot of lost damage potential. You can use his AI to force him close to monsters to increase CB damage, but he'll only cast 1-3 times before running away and it's too tedious to do against anything but poison immunes. If you're careful, however, this is one of the best ways to deal with champ/boss dolls with this build.

The frustrating part is the Lightning Wolf merc could be very powerful if he cast Lightning more often. He can take half a bar of life off a p5 monster with one cast of Lightning, but only casts it maybe 1/3 of the time (I've read and been told 30% and 40% by different sources, and definitely agree that the frequency is somewhere between those two). The rest of the time it's Charged Bolt. That wouldn't be a problem, except his AI keeps him well away from the actual monsters, meaning his bolts do precious little damage (still more than the golem, for the most part) in comparison. If the frequency were changed on those attacks, he could definitely be a powerhouse with the proper gear.

Just in case you're curious, the CtC Nova when you level up from the facet in the Griffon's does work on the merc. Proced a few times, and owned whatever happened to be around him at the time. Come to think of it, if they changed the skills on the Wolf to Lightning and Nova I'd be very thrilled.

Since I knew that sirpoopsalot had some experience with the Lightning Wolf, I talked to him early on in this project, and he gave me one rather empathic piece of advice: teleport. I had been planning on having Harmony on switch before this, but changed over to Spellsteel as a mid-game source and Naj's as a late game source of teleport. I have to thank poops for his advice, as having the teleport has saved me lots of headaches - but not really with the merc. He does well at keeping himself out of danger (it's without a doubt his highest priority; he disengages and runs away whenever anything gets in striking distance) but the golem definitely requires a source of teleport to keep with you. Don't get me wrong, I've had to save the merc a few times, but the golem has taken by far more charges.

With all that said, I guess the question remaining is if I'd recommend using the Wolf to others. No, I wouldn't. Frankly, most people don't have the wealth to blow on him - with lower gear than this he's pretty crappy, even just using Spirit instead of CM makes for a large dropoff - and he doesn't provide any real advantages over the other mercs. I'm glad to have used him once, and especially glad to have seen that he can be viable, but I doubt I'll ever use one again.

Iron Golem:
I love the ability to have Insight without the merc holding it, and I love having him there as a customizable tank, a job he does well...90% of the time. Against normal monsters and most bosspacks he's sturdy as can be, but that last 10% of the time he goes from upright to horizontal in about half a second. This could almost certainly be corrected by adding more points in the Mastery or using a more defensive oriented base, but maxed CE speeds up runs by quite a bit and I wasn't convinced enough that a better base would improve things to use more expensive stuff.

Rusty's AI is very, very similar to the barb merc - if there's anything around he's running right at it and swinging away - which is definitely a two-edged sword. On the one hand, he never runs away from combat or avoids monsters like the desert merc, but, in contrast, he doesn't get the concept of retreat. Before using the teleport switch I lost several IG's on Normal Lister because I couldn't get him to disengage in a fighting retreat. He does do a good job of leaving what he's attacking to follow you if you're running through, though. Just be careful to pause every now and again so he has a chance to make up a little group (casting a nova works nicely).

As I mentioned, at the end of my Pit running I switched over to a Kelpie Snare base instead of the Insight. I was hoping that being immune to fire and having 75% slow would keep him safe enough that I'd have time to save him with a teleport if things got bad. I must admit that the fact, which should have been obvious, that this would also solve the biggest problem of a poisonmancer (namely, killing act bosses) didn't occur to me until I was in the situation. I think this is a finding that has uses elsewhere - fishymancers, for instance - and it makes me strongly wish that the charges of IG on Metalgrid worked properly (melee build with Kelpie + Reaper's, anyone?). I think the Kelpie Iron Golem needs a little more exploring, though I don't know if I'll be able to get around to it. We'll see.

Wrapup:
I feel a little bad about not going through at p5 or higher, but I just couldn't justify the extra time (mostly the muling time with the extra drops and no inventory space).

I like the Lightning Wolf, I really do, and I think he's certainly viable if you have a lot of wealth to spend on him, but I just don't think there's any build he really belongs with. That, sadly, includes this one. I think the Insight Golem would be much better paired with either a Harmony Rouge (added foot speed is extremely helpful for a poisonmancer, and the elemental damage is complimented very nicely by LR) or a Prayer merc (I'm not a fan of Prayer mercs, but in this case I'd use it). Personally, I would lean strongly towards the Harmony merc for the high FRW, as that, combined with teleport on switch, would greatly speed up both the safety and speed of runs with the char. Might's an option, as always, but if you have an act2 merc you should be getting the damage from him and with big hurty stick it's worth giving up that extra damage to help keep your Insight going with the life regeneration.

Both of these minions have very good AI. I never had to wonder what had happened to either one (save the 2 times the golem poofed) like sometimes happens to Waheed. In that way, I think they're quite complimentary, not to mention the more obvious complimentary aspect. If, as previously mentioned, the merc's attack skills were changed, or, at least, the lightning frequency was raised, I think this could be as good, or better, as any poisonmancer setup out there.

Despite my previous statements, one possibly viable alternative for the Iron Wolf would be using him as the merc for a char like my previous poisonmancer, using the skeletons as tanks, which would provide 3 elemental damage types for the party. Wouldn't have to worry about losing the Iron Golem and the wall of skeletons should keep the merc fairly safe. The fire skills would also give you a way to help the merc with unbreakable poison immunes. You're still probably better off with one of the alternatives, though.

Thanks to:
-Sirpoopsalot, for the helpful advice and the consistently inspiring builds
-NagisaFurukawa and nualum, who traded me Insight bases for the Golem
-maxicek, for one of the +4/-5 facets
-Ravenlord, for the +3 Shimmering SC of Inertia
-Ashmer Amadeus, for the Fungal of Balance
-bassano, for the ilvl88 SoJ
-Fabian, for giving away the Amber and Emerald SC's of Vita

and thanks, lastly, to you, for reading this. I hope you got something worthwhile out of it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Comments, suggestions, and accusations of loss of sanity are, as always, welcome.

As for my upcoming plans, I have two more projects fleshed out, but I'd also like to make a new char for the MFO (as good as Blizzy has been to me, I think she's earned a rest). I might have time to finish one of those projects beforehand, but no promises.

Thanks, again, and good luck with whatever you are working on.
 
Originally posted by @maareek on November 9, 2009

Patriarch Zealalittle, 2 Handed Zealot with No Points in Zeal

When I made Patior I figured I was done with the Passion Thunder Maul, but when lionheartthebrave asked if I had any future plans for it, a build popped into my mind. The character you will meet in this thread is the fruition of that thought, so I guess he gets the biggest thanks of all, even a first paragraph mention, for sparking the idea.

The Character
Name: Zealalittle
Class: Paladin
Level: 84

Naked/Gear
Strength: 273/328
Dexterity: 20/40
Vitality: 207/207
Energy: 15/15
HP: 827/1080 (2046)
Mana: 139/179 (355)
AR: 85/75225

Fire: 156/116/56
Cold: 126/86/26
Lightning: 190/150/90
Poison: 126/86/26

FR/W: 45
FHR: 30 (6 frames)
IAS: 85 (6/6/6/6/10 frames Zeal; 10 frames Berserk)

Skills:
Sacrifice, Blessed Aim, Fanaticism, Resist Lightning: 20 (23)
Redemption, Charge, Prayer, Defiance, Vigor, Cleansing, Smite, Might, Concentration: 1 (4)
Zeal, Berserk: 0 (4)

6 Saved skill points. Blessed Aim and Resist Lightning were for the passive bonuses. Rest should be obvious choices.

Zeal damage, counting Fana and Might: 1558-9203
Berserk damage, counting Fana and Might: 1516-8953

Gear:
Code:
Shion's Passion
Thunder Maul
DolOrtEldLem
Two Hand Damage: 94 - 513
Durability: 56 of 60
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 253
Fingerprint: 0x25124bad
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Increased Attack Speed
185% Enhanced Damage
74% Bonus to Attack Rating
+225% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
+1 to Zeal
+1 to Berserk
Hit Blinds Target +10
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Level 3 Heart of Wolverine (12/12 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)

bassano's Crown of Ages
Corona
Defense: 395
Durability: 26 of 50
Required Level: 82
Required Strength: 174
Fingerprint: 0xbd7d4a0f
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+1 to All Skills
+30% Increased Attack Speed
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+26 to Maximum Damage
+50% Enhanced Defense
+146 Defense
All Resistances +22
Damage Reduced by 13%
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Vermilion Jewel of Fervor
Socketed: Vermilion Jewel of Fervor

Vermilion Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0x439ebc42
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+13 to Maximum Damage

Vermilion Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0xdeb0b6b1
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+13 to Maximum Damage

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x985e18e0
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

Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1572
Durability: 57 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x41bc1e52
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+94 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
4 Sockets (4 used)

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x7672ccb4
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+249 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

Doom Touch
Ring
Required Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x301ff760
Item Level: 97
Version: Expansion 1.10+
8% Chance to cast level 5 Chain Lightning on attack
+95 to Attack Rating
5% Mana stolen per hit
+20 to Strength
Lightning Resist +29%
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Nosferatu's Coil
Vampirefang Belt
Defense: 58
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xb720e068
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Increased Attack Speed
7% Life stolen per hit
Slows Target by 10%
+15 to Strength
+2 to Mana after each Kill
-3 to Light Radius

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 153
Durability: 33 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0xf3d11272
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+185% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Dracul's Grasp
Vampirebone Gloves
Defense: 143
Durability: 13 of 14
Required Level: 76
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x6d371647
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 10 Life Tap on striking
10% Life stolen per hit
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+117% Enhanced Defense
+12 to Strength
+9 Life after each Kill

Call to Arms
Superior Flail
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 3 - 85
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x5a8e2440
GUID: 0xe9054427 0x98f19e0b 0x0
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+2 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
258% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+11 to Battle Cry
+15 to Battle Orders
+6 to Battle Command
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)

Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 147
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x9f0912fc
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+98 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+5 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)

Charms:
Code:
Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x44cbb0a6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xce13a645
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating

Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xd321b4a2
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
All Resistances +5

Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x35a4cae7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
All Resistances +4

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

Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x4b9eb3b9
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+32 to Attack Rating
+17 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x69216ba8
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength

Shimmering Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xc4210775
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
All Resistances +14

Steel Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x4c5c68db
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+130 to Attack Rating
+40 to Life

Shimmering Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x7bf2f81b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5 to Life
All Resistances +4

Shimmering Small Charm of Incineration
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x56281d48
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 10 Fire Damage
All Resistances +4

Steel Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xa1a1be8c
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+124 to Attack Rating
+34 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x41ecf12f
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+36 to Attack Rating
+5 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0xfd50aaa3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+68 to Attack Rating
+25 to Life

Ruby Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 22
Fingerprint: 0x16b1099c
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+6 to Strength
Fire Resist +30%

Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x9e37a324
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+29 to Attack Rating
+17 to Life

Shimmering Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x5aab5607
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +15

Vikhyat, Might merc
Code:
Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 709
Durability: 150 of 150
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x80c2b5dd
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+198% Enhanced Defense
+105 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+84 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 Maximum Durability
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Jewel of Fervor

Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0xdeb1dcaf
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed


Guillaume's Face
Winged Helm
Defense: 217
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Level: 34
Required Strength: 115
Fingerprint: 0xecb07227
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
+120% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Strength
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Jewel of Fervor


Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0xf215fd57
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed


The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 52 - 614
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 107
Required Dexterity: 81
Fingerprint: 0x8447276
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
191% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (18 Frames)
18% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune

Q&A
With the overview out of the way, I'll be taking carefully constructed questions about the build.

-Q: Why would you even make this char?
A: L_E says all that needs to be said about that near the middle of this post.

-Q: Why are your resistances so crappy?
A: Because I have 2k life.

-Q: Then why do you have so many resistance charms?
A: Cause even with 2k life, I'm a pansy.

-Q: Thoughts on Iron Maiden and Physical Immunes?
A: The first is an awesome band, the second a highly annoying monster mod; both made this guy go Berserk.

-Q: But wasn't the CtC Terror a big problem, what with monsters running away?
A: Dead critters turn no tail.

-Q: Would you suggest this build to others?
A: Absolutely, as long as they go with a big weapon that does enough damage to not have problems with monsters running away all the time. This would be completely viable without the CtA if you play intelligently; it just gave me the third skill point I needed for the extra swing from Zeal. It also let me play as recklessly as I wanted ... which was really, really, really reckless. Really.

-Q: Any deaths from that recklessness?
A: Five, maybe six. Three of those to IM before I had the Passion. Others from being slow on my potion finger while not being able to leech. Being able to drink a pot while attacking is one of the few things I prefer compared to Whirlwind.

-Q: Obviously you got to 90 light res to counter gloams, so since you went to such lengths would I be right in guessing that no gloams spawned?
A: Actually, they did spawn in the throne, so I took the chance to just stand around in gloam fire for awhile. Each bolt took down about 20 life. I laughed. Then they died.

-Q: What kind of twinking gear did you use?
A:
Normal:
Envy setup -> partial Sigon's -> 1.09 RC + Iratha's + Twitchthroe + Treads's. Put a Strength War Scepter with +2 Zeal and a Spirit Crown Shield on switch at 25. Killed Baal at 37 then swapped in a +3 Zeal Honor War Scepter, Mahim-Oak Curio, Fervored Stealskull, Bloodfist, SoE, and IK boots. Leveled to 50, switching in Duress, Lava Gout, Ravenfrost and Gore Riders, then moved on to Nightmare.

Nightmare:
Brought in the beta CtA at 57. Hit 65 in the Arreat Plateau and in came the Passion, Highlord's and the Fortitude. Ran Baal until 76, to get the merc to 75 for Reaper's.

Hell:
Leveled to 82 in the Pits, then swapped in the CoA, Nosferatu's and Dracul's.

-Q: Did he find anything along the way?
A:
-NM Forge: Lem
-Hell Forge: Lem
-Death's Hand in Normal Barracks
-plain Fungal skiller in NM Flayer Dungeon
-38%MF Chancies from NM Council
-ethereal Spellsteel
-+3 ES Staff
-+2 FO, +2 ES Staff
-Leviathan, in the Pits

-Q: So what's next in your D2 plans?
A: Well, I'll probably get to work on my Certain Death Tournament char. Past that, I have a very vague idea for an Assassin. That'll leave me with just an Amazon left to make, though I have to admit I'm pretty clueless with what to do there. And, of course, I have that incredible Death's Fathom I paid through the nose for (which I still think I got for cheap) but I already have a plan or twelve for that...

-Q: Anyone you'd like to thank?
A: Of course. I'd like to thank Nagisafurukawa for the Passion and several charms, Paradigmshift for the Scepter I made Honor in, Pyrohemia (and Ray Patean, who owned it originally ) for the CtA, Gahzban for the Lo in the Fort, sirpoopsalot for the eth Reaper's and bassano for the CoA.

-Q: One last question, if you had to name this type of build, what would you call it?
A: Hmm, I dunno. Maybe a Zealazerkadin? Or a maareekadin? Hmm ... Yeah, a maareekadin.

Thanks for your time. May your good luck be so zealous it makes others jealous.
 
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