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Originally posted by @maxicek on August 18, 2006
The Chronicles of Elric of Melnibone, Patriach Meleemancer
The black sword ran red with the blood of the hordes of demons that would besiege Harrogath no more. It quivered in the pale hands as the souls of the slain fed the sword's wielder the life force that he depended on.
'Have you not yet drunk enough Stormbringer?' murmured the Albino.
Elric of Melnibone
[highlight]The Chronicles of Elric of Melnibone, Patriach Meleemancer[/highlight]
"It is the color of a bleached skull, his flesh; and the long hair which flows below his shoulders is milk-white. From the tapering, beautiful head stare two slanting eyes, crimson and moody, and from the loose sleeves of his yellow gown emerge two slender hands, also the color of bone."
Elric is an albino, physically weak. He is a warrior sorceror, who gets his strength from his sentient sword, Stormbringer. The black sword sucks the soul from it's victims and feeds the energy to it's master. He has a symbiotic relationship with the sword, and it is debateable who is the master.
The Build
Originally discussed in this thread Elric is a Melee / Bone Spirit hybrid who wields two handed a sword with big life leech. My original plan was to use poison skills with melee, but seeing as the two synergies for bone armour overlap with two of the three synergies for Bone Spirit, that seemed like a better route to go.
Pictures with sword and with switch weapons
The Skills
Poison & Bone
"But the door resisted as it should not have resisted. `Sealed by sorcery and I've no means of unsealing it,' said the albino." -The Sailor on the Seas of Fate II, 6
Corpse Explosion 7 - more points to go in here
Bone Wall 20
Bone Prison 20
Bone Spirit 20
Bone Armour 1
Prereqs 2
Only 1 point went into Bone armour as every point into the skill gives +10, but 1 point into a synergy is +15. This also means 2 of the 3 synergies for Bone Spirit are maxed.
Curses
1 point in each except for Lower Resist. I didn't bother with lower resist as it doesn't really work with the main attacks.
Summoning
"Slowly, with jerky movements, the creature raised itself stiffly upright and pointed a clawed finger... its glazed eyes staring as if beyond." -Stormbringer I,1
Golem Mastery 3
Summon Resist 1
Clay Golem 3
Revive 2 (4 after +skills with sword)
Prereqs 5
Stats
Character name : Elric
Character type : Necromancer
Character level : 83
Character exp : 885388253
Strength : 163
Energy : 25
Dexterity : 93
Vitality : 224
Life : 832 / 646
Mana : 310 / 189
Stamina : 422 / 370
The Equipment
AR was a big concern. Pre 1.10 it would have been possible to use the Poison Dagger Bug. Basically if you put Poison dagger on left click and equip an non dagger weapon, you would still get the bonus to AR, but with zero mana cost. Second was resists, third was + skills.
Primary Weapon - 2 Handed Sword
Doombringer
Champion Sword
'Amn'
One-Hand Damage: 110 to 281
Two-Hand Damage: 269 to 379
Required Dexterity: 103
Required Strength: 163
Required Level: 69
Sword Class - Fast Attack Speed
Indestructible
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x55a6cd79
+237% Enhanced Damage
+30 to Minimum Damage
+100 to Maximum Damage
14% Life stolen per hit
Increase Maximum Life 20%
40% Bonus to Attack Rating
Indestructible
8% Chance to cast Level 3 Weaken on striking
Socketed (1: 1 used)
If Blizzard wasn't thinking of Elric when they created this sword I am very surprised. Even the name is similar to Elrics sword (Doom/Stormbringer). I got mine in a giveaway after a MFO and socketed it with an Amn for extra leech.
Unfortunately it isn't black, but looks a bit kind of bloodstained. I'll have to overlook the aesthetics as it fits the description nicely from a properties point of view.
Switch
The switch equipment focuses on getting better resists and poison damage. The idea is melee with one weapon setup, switch weaponry to go into Bone Spirit mode and for a resistance boost.
Switch Weapon - White
Polished Wand
'DolIo'
One-Hand Damage: 18 to 33
Durability: 22 of 22
Required Strength: 25
Required Level: 41
Staff Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x76607355
+10 to Vitality
+13 to Mana
Magic Damage Reduced by 4
20% Faster Cast Rate
+3 to Bone Armor (Necromancer Only)
+2 to Bone Prison (Necromancer Only)
+2 to Bone Spear (Necromancer Only)
+3 to Bone Spirit (Necromancer Only)
+4 to Skeleton Mastery (Necromancer Only)
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
150% Damage to Undead
+3 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
Socketed (2: 2 used)
Switch Shield - Spirit
Monarch
'TalThulOrtAmn'
Defense: 133
Chance to Block: 42%
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Strength: 156
Required Level: 54
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 82
Fingerprint: 0x381ce9f6
+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
34% Faster Cast Rate
+2 to All Skill Levels
+6 Magic Absorb
Socketed (4: 4 used)
Armour
Body Armour - Black Hades
Chaos Armor
'OrtOrtRal'
Defense: 895
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Strength: 140
Required Level: 53
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xfefc71a1
+161% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +30%
Lightning Resist +60%
-2 to Light Radius
Half Freeze Duration
60% Damage to Demons
+241 to Attack Rating against Demons
Socketed (3: 3 used)
Helm - Demon Brow
Tiara
'Ort'
Defense: 45
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 67
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x66d9406b
+9 to Strength
+5 to Minimum Damage
Magic Damage Reduced by 2
Fire Resist +10%
Lightning Resist +40%
Cold Resist +10%
Poison Resist +10%
Adds 1-91 lightning damage
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
Socketed (1: 1 used)
Belt - Credendum - Mainly for the +15% Resist all.
Boots - Gore Riders. Say no more.
Gloves - Laying of Hands - for the +350% Damage to Demons and 50% fire resistance.
Jewelery - Angelic Halo x 2 & Angelic Wings for the AR.
Inventory
The build is lacking in + skills, AR and resists. I carried the cube, 4 scrolls of Town Portal in the belt, a stack of Keys and one ID scroll. I had one Hexing grand charms, Cat gave me another. I found a Scintillating GC in the Frigid Highlands. The rest was mainly crammed with resistance charms, most of them not very good. I kept a 2x4 space free.
Merc Equipment
Armour - Shaftstop
Helm - Tal Rasha's Horardic Crest
Weapon - Insight
Cryptic Axe
'RalTirTalSol'
Two-Hand Damage: 159 to 693
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Dexterity: 93
Required Strength: 155
Required Level: 59
Polearm Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x827354e
+5 to Strength
+5 to Energy
+5 to Dexterity
+5 to Vitality
+208% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
Adds 5-30 fire damage
+75 poison damage over 5 seconds
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Critical Strike
35% Faster Cast Rate
221% Bonus to Attack Rating
+2 to Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Meditation Aura When Equipped
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (4: 4 used)
Game Progression
Levels 1-5
Just wacked stuff with whatever I had to hand. Put 1 point into any skills I needed, Amp first.
Level 6-10
Equipped a 2 handed sword (Flawed Skull, Flawed Amethyst, Flawed Amethyst) and a Breastplate (Flawed Skull, Flawed Ruby, Flawed Ruby), so the Elric had the right look.
Put points into Clay Golem and Mastery when it was available.
Level 10-18
Pumped strength until Elric could equip Sigons belt, boots & gloves. Equipped Shadowfang unique sword at lvl 12. Put on 2 Angelic Rings and an Amulet to help with the AR problems. Put points into Bone Wall to strengthen my Bone Armour.
The huge life leech made it very easy to dispatch Andariel.
Level 18-29
Equipped a 4s Gothic Plate (P Skull, Ort, Ort, Ral) and Lore circlet. He had a wand +3 corpse explosion and a +3CE Head on switch. Put 3 skill points into CE. Switched the sword first to a Soulflay and then to a Ripsaw. Equipped the A2 Merc (Defiance) with Sigon's Helm & Armour, and and Insight Ethereal Poleaxe when he could use it.
Put points into curses so that Elric had Decrepify at lvl 24 when heI took on Duriel. He had no problems, Decrep and a Clay slow Duriel down to nothing.
Level 30-56
Carried on pumping strength and dexterity so that Elric could equip a champion sword as soon as he met the lvl requirement. In hindsight, I should have been less eager to equip the sword and put more into vit. Used whatever 2 handed sword Elric met the lvl requirements for, Crainte Vomir for a while until he equipped Todesfalle Flamme. He equipped Gore Riders and Black Hades (Ral Ort Ort) as soon as he could. Was very annoyed that the so-called "Black" Hades isn't. The belt and gloves stayed as Sigons. Put a wand with +2 Poison & Bone and a head with +3 to Bone Spirit on switch.
Points were put into Bone Spirit for a long range attack. This saved him on many occasions when melee wasn't safe. Decrep, Clay Golem, Bone Spirit for the first few corpses, then explode away. As it is also guided, it is very useful for sniping Gloams or other fast moving creatures. Points were also put into Bone Prison as both a synergy for Bone Armour and Bone Spirit.
Elric finished Normal without any trouble, round about level 43. He MPed through most of Nightmare Acts 2 & 3 and entered Act 4 at about level 54.
Level 57-68
Changed weapon to a "Passion" Champion Sword (Dol Ort Eld Lem). This made Melee attacks much more sustainable thanks to the +1 Zeal, but annoying due to the "Hit causes monster to flee". He finally changed the Sigon's Belt and Gloves for Venomgrip Gloves and Nosferau's Coil. The wand was replaced with "White" Runeword and he switched the head for a Spirit Monarch. Unfortunately the repair bills on the sword and the Merc's constant deaths were crippling Elric financially and he played quite a lot of these levels as a Bonemancer. I remembered that the merc was still wearing the Sigons Helm & Armour and solved many of the problems by re-equipping him with Shaftstop, Crown of Thieves and an Insight Partizan.
Continued to put points into Bone Spirit and Bone Prison. When they were both maxed, started putting points into Bone Wall.
I killed NM Diablo solo, mainly using Bone Spirit. The merc died early and Elric had no money to resurrect him, so it was just Elric, the Clay Golem & Decrepify. It was slow, but Diablo went down eventually. Elric MPed through all of Act 5, the first half with Cat and the second half with Aitrus and Thyiad. Thanks for putting up with Elric's regular deaths. At this stage he was very low on Vit and if he got hit by elemental damage or forgot to re-cast Bone Armour, he died. Baal went down at lvl 67.
Level 69-77
Equipped my End Game gear. Swapped gloves for Laying of Hands and belt for Credendum. Equipped Doombringer Champion Sword. It was a bit strange going back to normal attack after the Zeal from Passion, but the damage made up for it. AR was starting to become a big problem so I swapped my Defiance Merc for Blessed Aim.
Maxed Bone Wall and started putting points into the summon tree to get revives for the extra security in hell.
Levelled to 77 with Thyiad, Aitrus and Frostburn in NM Baal runs. Solo'd Baal a few times at lvl 69 to prove to that it was viable outside MP.
Hell
Hell was all played at players 1.
Act 1
Fairly unevenful, save for a death and a lot of trouble recovering a corpse, thanks to a Fanatic, Extra Fast Afflicted boss pack in the Catacombs level 3. I Traded for a 4os Eth Cryptic Axe with AJK, whick of course I made Insight in. This helped my Merc with the killing. Andariel went down fast and left Elric with yet another IK belt.
Act 2
Melee attacks were a bit slow against the hordes of undead and non demonic foes, as the Laying of Hands was unable to help me out. Most of the Act was played as a bonemancer. Decrep, Bone Spirit, Corpse Explode, rinse repeat. Elric finally got a point into Revive to help with the tanking.
Act 3 & 4
Nothing evenful really. The sword came back out and, coupled with the Laying of Hands made a mess of the flayers. The attack speed was a bit slow and there was a tendency to get mobbed, but Corpse explosion cleared some space. Act 4 was better due to the slower speeds and lower number of demons. Bone Spirit was fantastic at sniping Oblivion Knights from afar. I played most of the Chaos Sanctuary without a Merc as his constant deaths were getting a bit expensive. Hellforge dropped a Mal.
Act 5
The Bloody foothills were filled with Burning Dead Archers and Slingers. It was slow going, but again the Bone Spirit and Corpse Explosion shone, with the help of a spamming of Dim Vision. Elric's first death in a few acts happened on the way to rescue Anya, when he popped an Evil Urn full of Gloams on top of himself. Recovering the body caused about five more deaths. Generally though, Gloams weren't too much of a problem. Elric had 75% lightning resist so after the first flash of lightning he would spam Bone Spirit into empty space and let it pick it's targets.
The ancients were tough. Elric died the first time due to my own stupidity, second time he town portalled when the Merc went down too fast. Third time I forgot to take a scroll with me, so had no way to re-roll. The Merc died very early, leaving me and a Clay Golem. Bone Spirit took out the first two Ancients (one was cursed) while the Clay kept him occupied. The third was down to half health when Elric ran out of Mana Potions and Big Purples. Not wanting to die again, he cast Iron Maiden on the last ancient (he was lightning enhanced Whirlwind, so Elric didn't want to go toe to toe) and cast Clay in front of him. Clay died in one whirlwind, but the Ancients life bar moved a fraction. Elric repeated these conjurings until, eventually, the last Ancient died and the Worldstone Keep was opened up.
The WSK was easily cleared. Claw Vipers spawned on level 2 which gave an excellent source of revives. The Throne spawned Black Souls and Vampires, both easy targets for bone spirit. Decrepify and Corpse Explosion made short work of the Minions, as Elric waded in with the sword. Baal himself didn't offer much resistance, slowed to a speed where he rarely attacked by Decreo and the Clay Golem. Elric hacked at him with the sword until eventually he lay dead at his feet.
[highlight]Best Finds[/highlight]
Hellforge - Fal (IIRC) in Nightmare, Mal in Hell.
Probably my best find was the Shimmering Grand Charm (+14 resist) that I found in Act 5 Hell. I'm sure it will be making guest appearances in many of my future character's Pat / Mat threads. I also found an Arreat's Face in the WSK level 3. Not bad for players 1 and 0% MF.
[highlight]Playability[/highlight]
I made a difficult build even more difficult by restricting my equipment choices to fit in with the style of the character. I think this could be a very playable character. These are a few of my suggestions I am sure more experienced players, and players with access to better equipment could come up with more suggestions.
- Going two handed obviously meant no shield. Weapon and shield would probably be a better option - A nice damage axe or mace with Stormshield would help the melee. The shield could have bumped up the resists quite a bit. I think (correct me if I am wrong) that + all skills (but not + necromancer skill levels) would increase the Zeal skill level on the runeword 'Passion.' There is still the hit causes monster to flee drawback with 'Passion' though.
- Demon Limb on switch would probably have eliminated the AR problems, meaning I could use a might merc to boost the damage, at the expense of the +6 skill points to bone spirit that 'White' gave me. Unless you are prepared to keep swapping the Demon Limb to re-enchant when it wore off.
- More + skills could be got from using a decent Necro head on switch.
- Skin of the Vipermagi would probably have been a better armour all round with the resists and the skill point, or 'Treachery' 'Duress' or similar for a more melee focused build.
- Guillaumes Face, Harlequin Crest, Andariels Visage may have all made better helms.
- If I had more resists elsewhere, and particularly if there was no leech on the weapon, I would have gone back to String of Ears for the belt.
What Next?
Overall, quite a fun build, challenging in places, that taught me a lot about Necros and the game in general. Elric will take a rest for a while whilst I concentrate on other, more standard builds. I may try out some other equipment options for him, and, who knows, maybe it will even turn into a build guide.
Other Stuff
Mad Mantis' excellent Meleemancer guide was used as the starting point for this build.
If you are interested in knowing more about Elric, have a look at this website or this one which has some great pictures. Or just read the books.
Aparently a film has been optioned. Remember you saw him here if you are waiting to see the movie in a few years time!
I am John Daker, the victim of the whole world's dreams. I am Erekose, Champion of Humanity, who slew the human race. I am Hawkmoon. I am Corum. I am Illian. I am Aubec. I am Elric. I am Asquiol. I am Ulysses. I am Cornelius. I am many more.
The Chronicles of Elric of Melnibone, Patriach Meleemancer
The black sword ran red with the blood of the hordes of demons that would besiege Harrogath no more. It quivered in the pale hands as the souls of the slain fed the sword's wielder the life force that he depended on.
'Have you not yet drunk enough Stormbringer?' murmured the Albino.
Elric of Melnibone
[highlight]The Chronicles of Elric of Melnibone, Patriach Meleemancer[/highlight]
"It is the color of a bleached skull, his flesh; and the long hair which flows below his shoulders is milk-white. From the tapering, beautiful head stare two slanting eyes, crimson and moody, and from the loose sleeves of his yellow gown emerge two slender hands, also the color of bone."
Elric is an albino, physically weak. He is a warrior sorceror, who gets his strength from his sentient sword, Stormbringer. The black sword sucks the soul from it's victims and feeds the energy to it's master. He has a symbiotic relationship with the sword, and it is debateable who is the master.
The Build
Originally discussed in this thread Elric is a Melee / Bone Spirit hybrid who wields two handed a sword with big life leech. My original plan was to use poison skills with melee, but seeing as the two synergies for bone armour overlap with two of the three synergies for Bone Spirit, that seemed like a better route to go.
Pictures with sword and with switch weapons
The Skills
Poison & Bone
"But the door resisted as it should not have resisted. `Sealed by sorcery and I've no means of unsealing it,' said the albino." -The Sailor on the Seas of Fate II, 6
Corpse Explosion 7 - more points to go in here
Bone Wall 20
Bone Prison 20
Bone Spirit 20
Bone Armour 1
Prereqs 2
Only 1 point went into Bone armour as every point into the skill gives +10, but 1 point into a synergy is +15. This also means 2 of the 3 synergies for Bone Spirit are maxed.
Curses
1 point in each except for Lower Resist. I didn't bother with lower resist as it doesn't really work with the main attacks.
Summoning
"Slowly, with jerky movements, the creature raised itself stiffly upright and pointed a clawed finger... its glazed eyes staring as if beyond." -Stormbringer I,1
Golem Mastery 3
Summon Resist 1
Clay Golem 3
Revive 2 (4 after +skills with sword)
Prereqs 5
Stats
Character name : Elric
Character type : Necromancer
Character level : 83
Character exp : 885388253
Strength : 163
Energy : 25
Dexterity : 93
Vitality : 224
Life : 832 / 646
Mana : 310 / 189
Stamina : 422 / 370
The Equipment
AR was a big concern. Pre 1.10 it would have been possible to use the Poison Dagger Bug. Basically if you put Poison dagger on left click and equip an non dagger weapon, you would still get the bonus to AR, but with zero mana cost. Second was resists, third was + skills.
Primary Weapon - 2 Handed Sword
Doombringer
Champion Sword
'Amn'
One-Hand Damage: 110 to 281
Two-Hand Damage: 269 to 379
Required Dexterity: 103
Required Strength: 163
Required Level: 69
Sword Class - Fast Attack Speed
Indestructible
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x55a6cd79
+237% Enhanced Damage
+30 to Minimum Damage
+100 to Maximum Damage
14% Life stolen per hit
Increase Maximum Life 20%
40% Bonus to Attack Rating
Indestructible
8% Chance to cast Level 3 Weaken on striking
Socketed (1: 1 used)
If Blizzard wasn't thinking of Elric when they created this sword I am very surprised. Even the name is similar to Elrics sword (Doom/Stormbringer). I got mine in a giveaway after a MFO and socketed it with an Amn for extra leech.
Unfortunately it isn't black, but looks a bit kind of bloodstained. I'll have to overlook the aesthetics as it fits the description nicely from a properties point of view.
Switch
The switch equipment focuses on getting better resists and poison damage. The idea is melee with one weapon setup, switch weaponry to go into Bone Spirit mode and for a resistance boost.
Switch Weapon - White
Polished Wand
'DolIo'
One-Hand Damage: 18 to 33
Durability: 22 of 22
Required Strength: 25
Required Level: 41
Staff Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x76607355
+10 to Vitality
+13 to Mana
Magic Damage Reduced by 4
20% Faster Cast Rate
+3 to Bone Armor (Necromancer Only)
+2 to Bone Prison (Necromancer Only)
+2 to Bone Spear (Necromancer Only)
+3 to Bone Spirit (Necromancer Only)
+4 to Skeleton Mastery (Necromancer Only)
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
150% Damage to Undead
+3 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
Socketed (2: 2 used)
Switch Shield - Spirit
Monarch
'TalThulOrtAmn'
Defense: 133
Chance to Block: 42%
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Strength: 156
Required Level: 54
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 82
Fingerprint: 0x381ce9f6
+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
34% Faster Cast Rate
+2 to All Skill Levels
+6 Magic Absorb
Socketed (4: 4 used)
Armour
Body Armour - Black Hades
Chaos Armor
'OrtOrtRal'
Defense: 895
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Strength: 140
Required Level: 53
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xfefc71a1
+161% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +30%
Lightning Resist +60%
-2 to Light Radius
Half Freeze Duration
60% Damage to Demons
+241 to Attack Rating against Demons
Socketed (3: 3 used)
Helm - Demon Brow
Tiara
'Ort'
Defense: 45
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 67
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x66d9406b
+9 to Strength
+5 to Minimum Damage
Magic Damage Reduced by 2
Fire Resist +10%
Lightning Resist +40%
Cold Resist +10%
Poison Resist +10%
Adds 1-91 lightning damage
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
Socketed (1: 1 used)
Belt - Credendum - Mainly for the +15% Resist all.
Boots - Gore Riders. Say no more.
Gloves - Laying of Hands - for the +350% Damage to Demons and 50% fire resistance.
Jewelery - Angelic Halo x 2 & Angelic Wings for the AR.
Inventory
The build is lacking in + skills, AR and resists. I carried the cube, 4 scrolls of Town Portal in the belt, a stack of Keys and one ID scroll. I had one Hexing grand charms, Cat gave me another. I found a Scintillating GC in the Frigid Highlands. The rest was mainly crammed with resistance charms, most of them not very good. I kept a 2x4 space free.
Code:
Lapis Small Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 10
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0xd9a2f066
Cold Resist +7%
Hexing Grand Charm of the Icicle
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xa17a64b
Adds 2-4 cold damage over 1 seconds
+1 to Curses (Necromancer Only)
Cobalt Small Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 82
Fingerprint: 0xa5fce5e0
Cold Resist +9%
Garnet Small Charm of Flame
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 20
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 82
Fingerprint: 0x9d7449d1
Fire Resist +9%
Adds 1-2 fire damage
Russet Small Charm of Anthrax
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 36
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xe41b9f49
Fire Resist +7%
+50 poison damage over 6 seconds
Hexing Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x22ca9149
+1 to Curses (Necromancer Only)
Sharp Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0xa92424b2
+68 to Attack Rating
+8 to Maximum Damage
Coral Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 15
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x58cd095
Lightning Resist +22%
Viridian Small Charm of Incineration
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x7b10509c
Poison Resist +7%
Adds 5-13 fire damage
Viridian Small Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 10
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0x25695bcc
+1 to Dexterity
Poison Resist +7%
Amber Large Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 51
Fingerprint: 0x23b9b974
Lightning Resist +13%
Viridian Small Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 10
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0xffba7638
Poison Resist +6%
Garnet Large Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 18
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0xa4ba5ae
Fire Resist +12%
Shimmering Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0x2193b31
All Resistances +14
Viridian Small Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 14
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 72
Fingerprint: 0xa0a41f7c
+7 to Life
Poison Resist +7%
Merc Equipment
Armour - Shaftstop
Helm - Tal Rasha's Horardic Crest
Weapon - Insight
Cryptic Axe
'RalTirTalSol'
Two-Hand Damage: 159 to 693
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Dexterity: 93
Required Strength: 155
Required Level: 59
Polearm Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x827354e
+5 to Strength
+5 to Energy
+5 to Dexterity
+5 to Vitality
+208% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
Adds 5-30 fire damage
+75 poison damage over 5 seconds
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Critical Strike
35% Faster Cast Rate
221% Bonus to Attack Rating
+2 to Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Meditation Aura When Equipped
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (4: 4 used)
Game Progression
Levels 1-5
Just wacked stuff with whatever I had to hand. Put 1 point into any skills I needed, Amp first.
Level 6-10
Equipped a 2 handed sword (Flawed Skull, Flawed Amethyst, Flawed Amethyst) and a Breastplate (Flawed Skull, Flawed Ruby, Flawed Ruby), so the Elric had the right look.
Put points into Clay Golem and Mastery when it was available.
Level 10-18
Pumped strength until Elric could equip Sigons belt, boots & gloves. Equipped Shadowfang unique sword at lvl 12. Put on 2 Angelic Rings and an Amulet to help with the AR problems. Put points into Bone Wall to strengthen my Bone Armour.
The huge life leech made it very easy to dispatch Andariel.
Level 18-29
Equipped a 4s Gothic Plate (P Skull, Ort, Ort, Ral) and Lore circlet. He had a wand +3 corpse explosion and a +3CE Head on switch. Put 3 skill points into CE. Switched the sword first to a Soulflay and then to a Ripsaw. Equipped the A2 Merc (Defiance) with Sigon's Helm & Armour, and and Insight Ethereal Poleaxe when he could use it.
Put points into curses so that Elric had Decrepify at lvl 24 when heI took on Duriel. He had no problems, Decrep and a Clay slow Duriel down to nothing.
Level 30-56
Carried on pumping strength and dexterity so that Elric could equip a champion sword as soon as he met the lvl requirement. In hindsight, I should have been less eager to equip the sword and put more into vit. Used whatever 2 handed sword Elric met the lvl requirements for, Crainte Vomir for a while until he equipped Todesfalle Flamme. He equipped Gore Riders and Black Hades (Ral Ort Ort) as soon as he could. Was very annoyed that the so-called "Black" Hades isn't. The belt and gloves stayed as Sigons. Put a wand with +2 Poison & Bone and a head with +3 to Bone Spirit on switch.
Points were put into Bone Spirit for a long range attack. This saved him on many occasions when melee wasn't safe. Decrep, Clay Golem, Bone Spirit for the first few corpses, then explode away. As it is also guided, it is very useful for sniping Gloams or other fast moving creatures. Points were also put into Bone Prison as both a synergy for Bone Armour and Bone Spirit.
Elric finished Normal without any trouble, round about level 43. He MPed through most of Nightmare Acts 2 & 3 and entered Act 4 at about level 54.
Level 57-68
Changed weapon to a "Passion" Champion Sword (Dol Ort Eld Lem). This made Melee attacks much more sustainable thanks to the +1 Zeal, but annoying due to the "Hit causes monster to flee". He finally changed the Sigon's Belt and Gloves for Venomgrip Gloves and Nosferau's Coil. The wand was replaced with "White" Runeword and he switched the head for a Spirit Monarch. Unfortunately the repair bills on the sword and the Merc's constant deaths were crippling Elric financially and he played quite a lot of these levels as a Bonemancer. I remembered that the merc was still wearing the Sigons Helm & Armour and solved many of the problems by re-equipping him with Shaftstop, Crown of Thieves and an Insight Partizan.
Continued to put points into Bone Spirit and Bone Prison. When they were both maxed, started putting points into Bone Wall.
I killed NM Diablo solo, mainly using Bone Spirit. The merc died early and Elric had no money to resurrect him, so it was just Elric, the Clay Golem & Decrepify. It was slow, but Diablo went down eventually. Elric MPed through all of Act 5, the first half with Cat and the second half with Aitrus and Thyiad. Thanks for putting up with Elric's regular deaths. At this stage he was very low on Vit and if he got hit by elemental damage or forgot to re-cast Bone Armour, he died. Baal went down at lvl 67.
Level 69-77
Equipped my End Game gear. Swapped gloves for Laying of Hands and belt for Credendum. Equipped Doombringer Champion Sword. It was a bit strange going back to normal attack after the Zeal from Passion, but the damage made up for it. AR was starting to become a big problem so I swapped my Defiance Merc for Blessed Aim.
Maxed Bone Wall and started putting points into the summon tree to get revives for the extra security in hell.
Levelled to 77 with Thyiad, Aitrus and Frostburn in NM Baal runs. Solo'd Baal a few times at lvl 69 to prove to that it was viable outside MP.
Hell
Hell was all played at players 1.
Act 1
Fairly unevenful, save for a death and a lot of trouble recovering a corpse, thanks to a Fanatic, Extra Fast Afflicted boss pack in the Catacombs level 3. I Traded for a 4os Eth Cryptic Axe with AJK, whick of course I made Insight in. This helped my Merc with the killing. Andariel went down fast and left Elric with yet another IK belt.
Act 2
Melee attacks were a bit slow against the hordes of undead and non demonic foes, as the Laying of Hands was unable to help me out. Most of the Act was played as a bonemancer. Decrep, Bone Spirit, Corpse Explode, rinse repeat. Elric finally got a point into Revive to help with the tanking.
Act 3 & 4
Nothing evenful really. The sword came back out and, coupled with the Laying of Hands made a mess of the flayers. The attack speed was a bit slow and there was a tendency to get mobbed, but Corpse explosion cleared some space. Act 4 was better due to the slower speeds and lower number of demons. Bone Spirit was fantastic at sniping Oblivion Knights from afar. I played most of the Chaos Sanctuary without a Merc as his constant deaths were getting a bit expensive. Hellforge dropped a Mal.
Act 5
The Bloody foothills were filled with Burning Dead Archers and Slingers. It was slow going, but again the Bone Spirit and Corpse Explosion shone, with the help of a spamming of Dim Vision. Elric's first death in a few acts happened on the way to rescue Anya, when he popped an Evil Urn full of Gloams on top of himself. Recovering the body caused about five more deaths. Generally though, Gloams weren't too much of a problem. Elric had 75% lightning resist so after the first flash of lightning he would spam Bone Spirit into empty space and let it pick it's targets.
The ancients were tough. Elric died the first time due to my own stupidity, second time he town portalled when the Merc went down too fast. Third time I forgot to take a scroll with me, so had no way to re-roll. The Merc died very early, leaving me and a Clay Golem. Bone Spirit took out the first two Ancients (one was cursed) while the Clay kept him occupied. The third was down to half health when Elric ran out of Mana Potions and Big Purples. Not wanting to die again, he cast Iron Maiden on the last ancient (he was lightning enhanced Whirlwind, so Elric didn't want to go toe to toe) and cast Clay in front of him. Clay died in one whirlwind, but the Ancients life bar moved a fraction. Elric repeated these conjurings until, eventually, the last Ancient died and the Worldstone Keep was opened up.
The WSK was easily cleared. Claw Vipers spawned on level 2 which gave an excellent source of revives. The Throne spawned Black Souls and Vampires, both easy targets for bone spirit. Decrepify and Corpse Explosion made short work of the Minions, as Elric waded in with the sword. Baal himself didn't offer much resistance, slowed to a speed where he rarely attacked by Decreo and the Clay Golem. Elric hacked at him with the sword until eventually he lay dead at his feet.
[highlight]Best Finds[/highlight]
Hellforge - Fal (IIRC) in Nightmare, Mal in Hell.
Probably my best find was the Shimmering Grand Charm (+14 resist) that I found in Act 5 Hell. I'm sure it will be making guest appearances in many of my future character's Pat / Mat threads. I also found an Arreat's Face in the WSK level 3. Not bad for players 1 and 0% MF.
[highlight]Playability[/highlight]
I made a difficult build even more difficult by restricting my equipment choices to fit in with the style of the character. I think this could be a very playable character. These are a few of my suggestions I am sure more experienced players, and players with access to better equipment could come up with more suggestions.
- Going two handed obviously meant no shield. Weapon and shield would probably be a better option - A nice damage axe or mace with Stormshield would help the melee. The shield could have bumped up the resists quite a bit. I think (correct me if I am wrong) that + all skills (but not + necromancer skill levels) would increase the Zeal skill level on the runeword 'Passion.' There is still the hit causes monster to flee drawback with 'Passion' though.
- Demon Limb on switch would probably have eliminated the AR problems, meaning I could use a might merc to boost the damage, at the expense of the +6 skill points to bone spirit that 'White' gave me. Unless you are prepared to keep swapping the Demon Limb to re-enchant when it wore off.
- More + skills could be got from using a decent Necro head on switch.
- Skin of the Vipermagi would probably have been a better armour all round with the resists and the skill point, or 'Treachery' 'Duress' or similar for a more melee focused build.
- Guillaumes Face, Harlequin Crest, Andariels Visage may have all made better helms.
- If I had more resists elsewhere, and particularly if there was no leech on the weapon, I would have gone back to String of Ears for the belt.
What Next?
Overall, quite a fun build, challenging in places, that taught me a lot about Necros and the game in general. Elric will take a rest for a while whilst I concentrate on other, more standard builds. I may try out some other equipment options for him, and, who knows, maybe it will even turn into a build guide.
Other Stuff
Mad Mantis' excellent Meleemancer guide was used as the starting point for this build.
If you are interested in knowing more about Elric, have a look at this website or this one which has some great pictures. Or just read the books.
Aparently a film has been optioned. Remember you saw him here if you are waiting to see the movie in a few years time!
I am John Daker, the victim of the whole world's dreams. I am Erekose, Champion of Humanity, who slew the human race. I am Hawkmoon. I am Corum. I am Illian. I am Aubec. I am Elric. I am Asquiol. I am Ulysses. I am Cornelius. I am many more.