- Feb 24, 2004
- 6,375
- 1,308
- 113
Originally posted by bcoe on May 3, 2010:
Champion Caldiris_Alba (Lite sorc Nihlathak-runner) - advice wanted
Champion Caldiris_Alba
I’ve noticed quite a bit of chatter lately about running Nihlathak, especially as a potentially viable route to level 99. I’m interested in him as a new potential MF target. Before this character, I hadn’t killed him in about 3 years or so. He’s an interesting target, with some different dynamics than my usual runs.
He’s easy to get to, and there’s no lag time built into the run (like waiting for minions/seals/etc), which is nice. He’s a tough cookie though, with a surrounding cast of fairly hard-hitting monsters (including vipers with some nasty, possibly bugged, invisible poison clouds) with various immunities. He also has a nasty habit of casting Corpse explosion, which is really bad for you. On the pro- side, he can drop ANYTHING (theoretically), including GCs with the elusive +41-45 “of Vita” suffix.
This character is my first attempt at making a Nihlathak-runner. I’m very interested in hearing other ideas. I’ve read a bunch of b-net oriented guides, most of which are focused on routes to get to him, and ways of maximizing keys over time. As a SPer, I’m more interested in running /p8 as fast as possible (for the exp) and getting as much workable MF as I can.
Her name is the latin name for the Sanderling. They a common tiny shorebird. Beautiful, with stark white underparts and pretty mottled back. They have a habit of swarming on the shore chasing the tides. Very amusing.
STATS:
Name: Caldiris_Alba
Level: 88 (got to Nihlathak at level 80)
Naked/Gear
Strength: 140/156
Dexterity: 29/35
Vitality: 326/358
Energy: 35/45
HP: 819/835
Mana: 209/503
Stamina: 477/494
Defense: 7/2158
AR: 95/125
Resists:
Fire: 57/17/-43
Cold: 92/52/-8
Lightning: 92/52/-8
Poison: 150/110/50
MF: 123 Block: 4
GF: 129
FR/W: 25
FHR: 100
IAS: 20
FCR: 120
Skills (after + skills):
Warmth: 1/8
Charged Bolt: 20/33
Static Field: 1/14
Telekinesis: 1/14
Nova: 15/28
Lightning: 20/33
Chain Lightning: 20/33
Teleport: 1/14
Thunder Storm: 0/0
Energy Shield: 0/0
Lightning Mastery: 20/33
LCS: http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/1577/caldirislcs.jpg
Lightning damage: 5-21k
Chain Lightning damage: 5-8830
Charged Bolt damage: 451-476 (24 bolts)
Nova damage: 1185-1607
Static Field radius: 12.6 yards
Equipment:
Head: Griffon’s eye (+16/-21, with facet)
Amulet: Stone Talisman (crafted, +1 Sorc skills, +20 FCR, +18 res all)
Armor: The Gladiator’s Bane (Sol’d), with 27 PDR, 20 MDR
Weapon: Crescent moon crystal sword
Shield: Spirit Monarch (35 FCR)
Switch: CtA/Spirit
Belt: Arachnid’s mesh
Gloves: Magefists
Rings: 1x SoJ, 1x Nature’s Peace (11 PDR)
Boots: War travelers (49 MF – my 50MF ones poofed!!)
Charms:
7x Sparking grand charms (most with nice suffixes)
1x Gheeds (129/40/13)
A mix of shimmering and serpents SCs
Merc: HF with Infinity ethereal thresher, Tyrael’s Might, Scintillating circlet of Life Everlasting (13 all res, 23 PDR)
Finds:
Hellforge: Hel/Lem
Nihlathak hasn’t dropped a huge amount. No TC87’s yet. Did drop an Arachnid’s mesh, just to prove that he’s not Pindle, I guess… Best rune from the runs has been a Pul. Also has dropped a Redeemer, Tomb Reaver (lousy roll), Leviathan, Fleshripper, etc…
GoMule item data dump:
Thoughts:
Well, this has been fun. I’ve been playing a lot of lite sorcs lately. They’re basically good at everything, so its no surprise that she’s good at running Nihlathak. I’m not feeling like she’s optimized yet. She still dies too frequently, and her merc is too fragile.
I’m really liking running Nihlathak. It’s a very different kind of MF run. Quite a bit more dangerous and involving than typical. It feels very fast – partially because it is (average about 30s normally, ~40 when he’s LE), and partially because its pretty intense.
He’s really rather tricky, I think, compared to typical MF runs (AT, pindle, etc). You basically need to account for both corpse explosion and the invisible poison clouds. Both can kill even a very strong typically-geared character very fast.
I’ve dealt with the CE here with a Nature’s Peace on Caldiris and Tyrael’s Might on the Merc. If you are relying on RIP, you really need it on both the character and the merc (assuming the merc gets a kill once in a while).
The poison clouds have a physical component that hits each frame. Integer PDR is very effective at negating it. I think at least 25 PDR is pretty important. I’ve got 38 on Caldiris (Glads bane and NP). I tried going higher, with a max-block Gerke’s sanctuary/Arkaine’s Valor/25PDR ammy variant (nearly 80 total PDR) with one of my respecs. She was a great tank, but killed to slow and got mobbed. Got block-locked a bit, and was overall not as effective. I think that having both PDR and MDR on Gladiator’s bane works really nice for her.
One issue I haven’t really resolved yet is what to do with the Merc. I haven’t figured a way to give him RIP, PDR, Conviction aura, and Leech. Right now, he’s going without leech. He still dies quite a bit, but not as much as when he switched the PDR circlet for a Andarial’s Visage. Probably a few more levels would help. One thing I tried for him that I quite liked was a delirium helm. The crowd control was VERY nice in that tiny room, but he still melted against the poison clouds. I think that with my next Nihl runner, I’m going to try something other than RIP for corpse issues, and he’ll run with a delirium helm, Infinity, and CoH (for leech).
Going forward, I’d really like to try a few different Nihl runners, to try and figure out what works best. I’d be very curious to hear what other people’s experiences have been.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to any general Nihlathak-running discussion that pops up.
Champion Caldiris_Alba (Lite sorc Nihlathak-runner) - advice wanted
Champion Caldiris_Alba
I’ve noticed quite a bit of chatter lately about running Nihlathak, especially as a potentially viable route to level 99. I’m interested in him as a new potential MF target. Before this character, I hadn’t killed him in about 3 years or so. He’s an interesting target, with some different dynamics than my usual runs.
He’s easy to get to, and there’s no lag time built into the run (like waiting for minions/seals/etc), which is nice. He’s a tough cookie though, with a surrounding cast of fairly hard-hitting monsters (including vipers with some nasty, possibly bugged, invisible poison clouds) with various immunities. He also has a nasty habit of casting Corpse explosion, which is really bad for you. On the pro- side, he can drop ANYTHING (theoretically), including GCs with the elusive +41-45 “of Vita” suffix.
This character is my first attempt at making a Nihlathak-runner. I’m very interested in hearing other ideas. I’ve read a bunch of b-net oriented guides, most of which are focused on routes to get to him, and ways of maximizing keys over time. As a SPer, I’m more interested in running /p8 as fast as possible (for the exp) and getting as much workable MF as I can.
Her name is the latin name for the Sanderling. They a common tiny shorebird. Beautiful, with stark white underparts and pretty mottled back. They have a habit of swarming on the shore chasing the tides. Very amusing.
STATS:
Name: Caldiris_Alba
Level: 88 (got to Nihlathak at level 80)
Naked/Gear
Strength: 140/156
Dexterity: 29/35
Vitality: 326/358
Energy: 35/45
HP: 819/835
Mana: 209/503
Stamina: 477/494
Defense: 7/2158
AR: 95/125
Resists:
Fire: 57/17/-43
Cold: 92/52/-8
Lightning: 92/52/-8
Poison: 150/110/50
MF: 123 Block: 4
GF: 129
FR/W: 25
FHR: 100
IAS: 20
FCR: 120
Skills (after + skills):
Warmth: 1/8
Charged Bolt: 20/33
Static Field: 1/14
Telekinesis: 1/14
Nova: 15/28
Lightning: 20/33
Chain Lightning: 20/33
Teleport: 1/14
Thunder Storm: 0/0
Energy Shield: 0/0
Lightning Mastery: 20/33
LCS: http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/1577/caldirislcs.jpg
Lightning damage: 5-21k
Chain Lightning damage: 5-8830
Charged Bolt damage: 451-476 (24 bolts)
Nova damage: 1185-1607
Static Field radius: 12.6 yards
Equipment:
Head: Griffon’s eye (+16/-21, with facet)
Amulet: Stone Talisman (crafted, +1 Sorc skills, +20 FCR, +18 res all)
Armor: The Gladiator’s Bane (Sol’d), with 27 PDR, 20 MDR
Weapon: Crescent moon crystal sword
Shield: Spirit Monarch (35 FCR)
Switch: CtA/Spirit
Belt: Arachnid’s mesh
Gloves: Magefists
Rings: 1x SoJ, 1x Nature’s Peace (11 PDR)
Boots: War travelers (49 MF – my 50MF ones poofed!!)
Charms:
7x Sparking grand charms (most with nice suffixes)
1x Gheeds (129/40/13)
A mix of shimmering and serpents SCs
Merc: HF with Infinity ethereal thresher, Tyrael’s Might, Scintillating circlet of Life Everlasting (13 all res, 23 PDR)
Finds:
Hellforge: Hel/Lem
Nihlathak hasn’t dropped a huge amount. No TC87’s yet. Did drop an Arachnid’s mesh, just to prove that he’s not Pindle, I guess… Best rune from the runs has been a Pul. Also has dropped a Redeemer, Tomb Reaver (lousy roll), Leviathan, Fleshripper, etc…
GoMule item data dump:
Code:
Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0x95de362b
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Tome of Identify
Fingerprint: 0xe68db9de
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Tome of Town Portal
Fingerprint: 0x20dbdcbe
Item Level: 98
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Chaos Collar
Amulet
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0x9e35eb73
Item Level: 93
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Sorceress Skill Levels
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+7 to Life
+14 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 8%
All Resistances +18
Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x417dea17
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
129% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 13%
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shimmering Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x565bf7ee
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +4
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shimmering Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x1722faaf
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
All Resistances +5
Serpent's Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x22bdaedc
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Mana
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Serpent's Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x554dc3c0
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Mana
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Serpent's Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x554dc3c0
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Mana
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Serpent's Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x7a753799
Item Level: 74
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Mana
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Serpent's Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x5bc1a44d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+17 to Mana
Sparking Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x6e0394e3
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
+6 to Strength
Sparking Grand Charm of Quality
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x48ba004b
Item Level: 68
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
+2 to Maximum Damage
Sparking Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x41243f99
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
+9 to Life
Sparking Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xf5bb8a73
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
+6 to Dexterity
Sparking Grand Charm of Craftmanship
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x9e096ab8
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
+1 to Maximum Damage
Sparking Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x927b9c4
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
Sparking Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xed552c5d
Item Level: 52
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
Serpent's Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0xe41c42c4
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+17 to Mana
Griffon's Eye
Diadem
Defense: 157
Durability: 12 of 20
Required Level: 76
Fingerprint: 0x1c298172
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 47 Chain Lightning when you Die
+1 to All Skills
+25% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-21% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+16% to Lightning Skill Damage
+100 Defense
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet
Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xe36fc9f8
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 47 Chain Lightning when you Die
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-5% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+4% to Lightning Skill Damage
Nature's Peace
Ring
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xb1859bcb
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Prevent Monster Heal
Slain Monsters Rest in Peace
Poison Resist +29%
Damage Reduced by 11
Level 5 Oak Sage (27/27 Charges)
Arachnid Mesh
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 128
Durability: 10 of 12
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x28484451
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Slows Target by 10%
+104% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (11/11 Charges)
War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 194
Durability: 28 of 40
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 85
Fingerprint: 0x39bd0075
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+170% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 10
49% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability
Ethereal
Magefist
Light Gauntlets
Defense: 25
Durability: 16 of 18
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 45
Fingerprint: 0x3434d1cd
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 6 Fire Damage
+25% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense
Regenerate Mana 25%
The Gladiator's Bane
Wire Fleece
Defense: 1361
Durability: 134 of 135
Required Level: 85
Required Strength: 111
Fingerprint: 0x91ee9535
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+172% Enhanced Defense
+50 Defense
Damage Reduced by 27
Magic Damage Reduced by 20
Cannot Be Frozen
Poison Length Reduced by 50%
Attacker Takes Damage of 20
+103 Maximum Durability
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Sol Rune
Sol Rune
Required Level: 27
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +9 to Minimum Damage
Armor: Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Damage Reduced by 7
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Call to Arms
Superior Flail
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 3 - 88
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0xa98c0552
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
268% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+1 to Battle Cry
+6 to Battle Orders
+6 to Battle Command
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Increase Maximum Durability 11%
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Ral Rune
Required Level: 19
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
Armor: Fire Resist +30%
Shields: Fire Resist +35%
Mal Rune
Required Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Prevent Monster Heal
Armor: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ohm Rune
Required Level: 57
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Enhanced Maximum Damage
Armor: +5% to Maximum Cold Resist
Shields: +5% to Maximum Cold Resist
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 141
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x2c69eeb4
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+96 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+7 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Tal Rune
Required Level: 17
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
Armor: Poison Resist +30%
Shields: Poison Resist +35%
Thul Rune
Required Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Armor: Cold Resist +30%
Shields: Cold Resist +35%
Ort Rune
Required Level: 21
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
Armor: Lightning Resist +30%
Shields: Lightning Resist +35%
Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0xab783369
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
Adds 1 - 12 Lightning Damage
+20 to Mana
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
Crescent Moon
Crystal Sword
ShaelUmTir
One Hand Damage: 15 - 47
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xd08c050
Item Level: 71
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Chance to cast level 13 Static Field on striking
10% Chance to cast level 17 Chain Lightning on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
218% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
-35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+11 Magic Absorb
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Level 18 Summon Spirit Wolf (30/30 Charges)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
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%
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
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 144
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 81 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x9e67ca62
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+104 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+8 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Tal Rune
Required Level: 17
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
Armor: Poison Resist +30%
Shields: Poison Resist +35%
Thul Rune
Required Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Armor: Cold Resist +30%
Shields: Cold Resist +35%
Ort Rune
Required Level: 21
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
Armor: Lightning Resist +30%
Shields: Lightning Resist +35%
Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Mercenary:
Name: Mizan
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Def-Nightmare
Experience: 80010506
Level: 87
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 190/220
Dexterity: 153/153
HP: 1847/1847
Defense: 1359/2747
AR: 1937/1937
Fire: 184/144/84
Cold: 184/144/84
Lightning: 184/144/84
Poison: 184/144/84
Scintillating Circlet of Life Everlasting
Circlet
Defense: 24
Durability: 32 of 35
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x88efdd06
Item Level: 96
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +13
Damage Reduced by 23
Tyrael's Might
Sacred Armor
Defense: 1364
Durability: 38 of 60
Required Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0x782190f0
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+20% Faster Run/Walk
40% Enhanced Damage
+89% Damage to Demons
Slain Monsters Rest in Peace
+127% Enhanced Defense
+30 to Strength
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
Requirements -100%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel
Ruby Jewel
Jewel
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x8d0a3e4b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
40% Enhanced Damage
Infinity
Thresher
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 72 - 844
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 142
Required Dexterity: 108
Fingerprint: 0xe827d19c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
50% Chance to cast level 20 Chain Lightning when you Kill an Enemy
Level 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Run/Walk
300% Enhanced Damage
-45% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
+44 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30/30 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Ber Rune
Required Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Chance of Crushing Blow
Armor: Damage Reduced by 8%
Shields: Damage Reduced by 8%
Mal Rune
Required Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Prevent Monster Heal
Armor: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Ber Rune
Required Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Chance of Crushing Blow
Armor: Damage Reduced by 8%
Shields: Damage Reduced by 8%
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Thoughts:
Well, this has been fun. I’ve been playing a lot of lite sorcs lately. They’re basically good at everything, so its no surprise that she’s good at running Nihlathak. I’m not feeling like she’s optimized yet. She still dies too frequently, and her merc is too fragile.
I’m really liking running Nihlathak. It’s a very different kind of MF run. Quite a bit more dangerous and involving than typical. It feels very fast – partially because it is (average about 30s normally, ~40 when he’s LE), and partially because its pretty intense.
He’s really rather tricky, I think, compared to typical MF runs (AT, pindle, etc). You basically need to account for both corpse explosion and the invisible poison clouds. Both can kill even a very strong typically-geared character very fast.
I’ve dealt with the CE here with a Nature’s Peace on Caldiris and Tyrael’s Might on the Merc. If you are relying on RIP, you really need it on both the character and the merc (assuming the merc gets a kill once in a while).
The poison clouds have a physical component that hits each frame. Integer PDR is very effective at negating it. I think at least 25 PDR is pretty important. I’ve got 38 on Caldiris (Glads bane and NP). I tried going higher, with a max-block Gerke’s sanctuary/Arkaine’s Valor/25PDR ammy variant (nearly 80 total PDR) with one of my respecs. She was a great tank, but killed to slow and got mobbed. Got block-locked a bit, and was overall not as effective. I think that having both PDR and MDR on Gladiator’s bane works really nice for her.
One issue I haven’t really resolved yet is what to do with the Merc. I haven’t figured a way to give him RIP, PDR, Conviction aura, and Leech. Right now, he’s going without leech. He still dies quite a bit, but not as much as when he switched the PDR circlet for a Andarial’s Visage. Probably a few more levels would help. One thing I tried for him that I quite liked was a delirium helm. The crowd control was VERY nice in that tiny room, but he still melted against the poison clouds. I think that with my next Nihl runner, I’m going to try something other than RIP for corpse issues, and he’ll run with a delirium helm, Infinity, and CoH (for leech).
Going forward, I’d really like to try a few different Nihl runners, to try and figure out what works best. I’d be very curious to hear what other people’s experiences have been.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to any general Nihlathak-running discussion that pops up.