- Feb 24, 2004
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Originally posted by NagisaFurkawa on Feb 6, 2010:
Champion Akari, Frost Maiden
Introduction
Akari is the primary character I use for Pit running. She performs all of her runs on /players 8, and takes roughly 4.5 minutes to kill off a handful of bosspacks between Outer Cloister's waypoint and the Pit, as well as to full clear both levels of the Pit itself. Not a groundbreaking time by any stretch, but decent enough, considering the conditions. She also plans on making a career out of running Ancient Tunnels for fun, but [unfortunately for her competitors] won't be participating in the next MFO.
Build Goals
1) Have very powerful cold AND physical attacks, so as to avoid issues with immunities.
2) Be self-sufficient, i.e. capable of running with neither potion nor mercenary, should such a situation arise.
A pair of relatively easy goals, to be honest, but along the lines of what you'd expect for someone running two comparatively less dangerous areas. It should be self-explanatory how these two goals were met just by looking at the stats/skills/gear, so I'll be entrusting that task to your wonderfully clever minds.
Basics
Strength: 93 (134)
Dexterity: 410 (425)
Vitality: 20 (30)
Energy: ?
7 FPA Freezing Arrow
7 FPA Multiple Shot
7 FPA Magic Arrow
2 FPA Strafe (bugged)
80% CS/DS with 'Ice', 71% CS/DS with Windforce
98% Pierce
32% FRW (slow!)
103% MF
20% FHR
'Faith'ful Mercenary, Floria
Passive Tree (+1): 9 Valkyrie, 20 Penetrate, 7 Pierce, 10 Critical Strike
Bow Tree (+10): 20 Freezing Arrow, 20 Cold Arrow, 4 Strafe, 4 Multiple Shot, 1 Magic Arrow
Equipment
Character
Bow #1: 'Ice' Diamond Bow
Bow #2: 'Shael' Windforce
Helm: Kira's Guardian
Armor: 'Fortitude' Dusk Shroud
Gloves: Storm Knuckle (junk, )
Belt: Razortail
Boots: War Traveler (49%)
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
Ring: Wraith Whorl
Ring: Dread Hold
Charms: 7x Fletcher's GCs, 1x Gheed's, 8x Assorted SCs
Mercenary
Bow: 'Faith' Superior Diamond Bow
Helm: Vampire Gaze (Ethereal)
Armor: 'Treachery' Mage Plate
GoMule Dump
Comments
Questing
I don't suppose you need me to tell you how easy it was to get her through the game. :badteeth: She ran into zero situations which gave her much of any trouble. A level 30 Freezing Arrow fired at 7 FPA with virtually 100% Pierce (98% Pierce + ITD + high AR) and -20% ECR really leaves things in the dust, as does a glass cannon with 'Fortitude' featuring a Windforce at 7 FPA. Moving right along...
Too Many High Runes :crazyeyes:
That surprisingly has less to do with the power of the build than you might imagine. Do 'Ice' and 'Faith' help the cause? Of course. Are they necessary? Hardly. Freezing Arrow with an adequate freeze length duration (ie. probably more than the 1.5 seconds Akari had) puts most things in their place, and firing with a little more power or speed has little to do with your overall effectiveness. Many budget bows work wonderfully with Freezing Arrow, such as Wizendraw, 'Melody' Matriarchal Bow, 'Harmony' Matriarchal Bow, Blood Raven's Charge, M'avina's Caster (along with the rest of the set), or even a +3 Matriarchal Bow stuffed with some combination of Eth Runes, Shael Runes, and Perfect Sapphires. I kid you not.
As far as her physical damage is concerned, 'Faith' on the mercenary is hardly a necessity. In fact, I'm fairly certain you would do more damage per second with a more standard Might mercenary carrying The Reaper's Toll, not to mention that you would gain extra survivability, at least when the moron is actually doing his job.
Massive Dexterity, and 20 in Penetrate?
Both of these things, of course, are helpful for attacks such as Multiple Shot and Strafe, but I'd argue they're even more important for Freezing Arrow. At level 20, a fully synergized Freezing Arrow deals 1054-1088 damage. At level 34, a full 14 plus skills later, this doubles to 2128-2162.
My point? The average Frost Maiden (or Fishyzon, except that 20 in Penetrate is hardly an option) cares little for AR, significantly weakening the ability of her arrows to Pierce. Against just a pair of enemies, having Pierce trigger often via high AR or ITD, versus rarely with low AR, can mean significantly more damage than a handful of plus skills, and against even larger packs of enemies, the difference grows further. Even in the rare case of dealing with a single enemy, there is the option of attacking near walls, doors, or bushes.
Am I saying that everyone should stop using Wizendraw and 'Melody' on their low AR characters? Not really. What I'm trying to point out is simply that a character with either ITD or high dexterity for base AR, along with a source of %AR (e.g. Penetrate, Demon Limb, Blood Raven's Charge), can do just as much damage, if not more, than its more typical vitality based counterpart. A high dexterity build has another advantage as well, namely the potential for comparatively higher physical damage, thereby providing a potential answer for both mana problems (via leech), as well as immunes (via physical damage).
Closing Remarks
Overall, a very fun character with lots of things going for her. I'd recommend anyone to look into making a Frost Maiden, although I'd probably look into Strafe over both Strafe and Multiple Shot, and MS requires quite a big chunk of IAS to fire reasonably quickly. Another cookie cutter to the highest degree, but one I'll be looking to level to the mid to high 90s, and a build I hope more people look consider trying.
Thanks
Thanks to Dacar92 and KremBanan for their guides on bowazons which I once upon a time had read, as well as to the many people who contributed to her gear. Couldn't have come even close to pulling this character off without all of you.
Future Plans
This is part 2 of my Aria project, a triumvirate of overpowered amazons. . As for the others, part 1 featured Alice, a CS running Gunslinger, and part 3 features Alicia, a WSK running Fishyzon, who I finished not too long ago. Hopefully once these three (and the MFO) are finished, I can finally get back to shooting for that first untwinked Guardian. The dropoff in power will be interesting to deal with. :badteeth:
In any case, thanks for your time. . I look forward to seeing more amazons made, and not just those Fishyzons running rampant these days.
Champion Akari, Frost Maiden
Introduction
Akari is the primary character I use for Pit running. She performs all of her runs on /players 8, and takes roughly 4.5 minutes to kill off a handful of bosspacks between Outer Cloister's waypoint and the Pit, as well as to full clear both levels of the Pit itself. Not a groundbreaking time by any stretch, but decent enough, considering the conditions. She also plans on making a career out of running Ancient Tunnels for fun, but [unfortunately for her competitors] won't be participating in the next MFO.
Build Goals
1) Have very powerful cold AND physical attacks, so as to avoid issues with immunities.
2) Be self-sufficient, i.e. capable of running with neither potion nor mercenary, should such a situation arise.
A pair of relatively easy goals, to be honest, but along the lines of what you'd expect for someone running two comparatively less dangerous areas. It should be self-explanatory how these two goals were met just by looking at the stats/skills/gear, so I'll be entrusting that task to your wonderfully clever minds.
Basics
Strength: 93 (134)
Dexterity: 410 (425)
Vitality: 20 (30)
Energy: ?
7 FPA Freezing Arrow
7 FPA Multiple Shot
7 FPA Magic Arrow
2 FPA Strafe (bugged)
80% CS/DS with 'Ice', 71% CS/DS with Windforce
98% Pierce
32% FRW (slow!)
103% MF
20% FHR
'Faith'ful Mercenary, Floria
Passive Tree (+1): 9 Valkyrie, 20 Penetrate, 7 Pierce, 10 Critical Strike
Bow Tree (+10): 20 Freezing Arrow, 20 Cold Arrow, 4 Strafe, 4 Multiple Shot, 1 Magic Arrow
Equipment
Character
Bow #1: 'Ice' Diamond Bow
Bow #2: 'Shael' Windforce
Helm: Kira's Guardian
Armor: 'Fortitude' Dusk Shroud
Gloves: Storm Knuckle (junk, )
Belt: Razortail
Boots: War Traveler (49%)
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
Ring: Wraith Whorl
Ring: Dread Hold
Charms: 7x Fletcher's GCs, 1x Gheed's, 8x Assorted SCs
Mercenary
Bow: 'Faith' Superior Diamond Bow
Helm: Vampire Gaze (Ethereal)
Armor: 'Treachery' Mage Plate
GoMule Dump
Code:
Ice
Superior Diamond Bow
AmnShaelJahLo
Two Hand Damage: 102 - 124
Durability: 38 of 40
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 89
Required Dexterity: 132
Fingerprint: 0xfcd919d4
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 40 Blizzard when you Level-Up
25% Chance to cast level 22 Frost Nova on striking
Level 18 Holy Freeze Aura When Equipped
+20% Increased Attack Speed
212% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
+1 to Attack Rating
-20% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+30% to Cold Skill Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
20% Deadly Strike
265% Extra Gold from Monsters (Based on Character Level)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Windforce
Hydra Bow
Two Hand Damage: 35 - 525
Durability: 50 of 55
Required Level: 73
Required Strength: 134
Required Dexterity: 167
Fingerprint: 0x7b58b3f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
250% Enhanced Damage
+287 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
6% Mana stolen per hit
Knockback
+10 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
Heal Stamina Plus 30%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Kira's Guardian
Diadem
Defense: 171
Durability: 14 of 20
Required Level: 71
Fingerprint: 0x1010794
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+117 Defense
All Resistances +80
Cannot Be Frozen
Required Level +7
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shimmering Jewel of Fervor
Fortitude
Dusk Shroud
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1416
Durability: 18 of 20
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0x4cce8dce
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+94 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +27
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Storm Knuckle
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 100
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xee584b14
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+20% Increased Attack Speed
3% Mana stolen per hit
+60% Enhanced Defense
+12 to Strength
Razortail
Vampirefang Belt
Defense: 166
Durability: 8 of 14
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x87d0149
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Piercing Attack
+10 to Maximum Damage
+140% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+15 to Dexterity
Attacker Takes Damage of (Based on Character Level) 85
Required Level +7
War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 125
Durability: 45 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0xaf240049
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+161% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
49% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability
Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x64ee487a
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
31% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
Wraith Whorl
Ring
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x9f1d7b2b
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+36 to Attack Rating
7% Life stolen per hit
+22 to Mana
All Resistances +11
14% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Dread Hold
Ring
Required Level: 74
Fingerprint: 0xf55345d7
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+26 to Attack Rating
6% Mana stolen per hit
+19 to Strength
+28 to Life
+47 to Mana
Fire Resist +25%
Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x57691fb0
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
103% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 10%
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fletcher's Grand Charm of Inertia
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x7a631908
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+7% Faster Run/Walk
Fletcher's Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x65b140b6
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+40 to Life
Fletcher's Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x6a0299ca
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+36 to Life
Fletcher's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xcdea1624
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+29 to Life
Fletcher's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x831622eb
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+28 to Life
Fletcher's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x9eeb3f99
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+24 to Life
Fletcher's Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x21ff50d7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+17 to Life
Sapphire Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x8584e7f0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life
Cold Resist +10%
Cobalt Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xb76d21e7
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Cold Resist +8%
Emerald Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xeac4ec03
Item Level: 71
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
Poison Resist +10%
Emerald Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x562bbb80
Item Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Life
Poison Resist +10%
Shivering Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xbbcec397
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 4 - 8 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+19 to Life
Snowy Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xf0403dfd
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 4 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+19 to Life
Snowy Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xe6e5b6a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 2 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+18 to Life
Boreal Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x62b2768d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 5 - 10 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+17 to Life
Faith
Superior Diamond Bow
OhmJahLemEld
Two Hand Damage: 146 - 178
Durability: 33 of 40
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 89
Required Dexterity: 132
Fingerprint: 0xb162df43
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 15 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+1 to All Skills
345% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
300% Bonus to Attack Rating
+1 to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 120 - 120 Fire Damage
All Resistances +15
10% Reanimate as: Returned
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune
Socketed: Eld Rune
Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 378
Durability: 21 of 21
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 48
Fingerprint: 0x2f32993e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
8% Mana stolen per hit
6% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
+16 Maximum Stamina
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 20%
Magic Damage Reduced by 15
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Maroon Jewel of Fervor
Treachery
Mage Plate
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 258
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x6a838e30
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 15 Fade when struck
25% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune
Comments
Questing
I don't suppose you need me to tell you how easy it was to get her through the game. :badteeth: She ran into zero situations which gave her much of any trouble. A level 30 Freezing Arrow fired at 7 FPA with virtually 100% Pierce (98% Pierce + ITD + high AR) and -20% ECR really leaves things in the dust, as does a glass cannon with 'Fortitude' featuring a Windforce at 7 FPA. Moving right along...
Too Many High Runes :crazyeyes:
That surprisingly has less to do with the power of the build than you might imagine. Do 'Ice' and 'Faith' help the cause? Of course. Are they necessary? Hardly. Freezing Arrow with an adequate freeze length duration (ie. probably more than the 1.5 seconds Akari had) puts most things in their place, and firing with a little more power or speed has little to do with your overall effectiveness. Many budget bows work wonderfully with Freezing Arrow, such as Wizendraw, 'Melody' Matriarchal Bow, 'Harmony' Matriarchal Bow, Blood Raven's Charge, M'avina's Caster (along with the rest of the set), or even a +3 Matriarchal Bow stuffed with some combination of Eth Runes, Shael Runes, and Perfect Sapphires. I kid you not.
As far as her physical damage is concerned, 'Faith' on the mercenary is hardly a necessity. In fact, I'm fairly certain you would do more damage per second with a more standard Might mercenary carrying The Reaper's Toll, not to mention that you would gain extra survivability, at least when the moron is actually doing his job.
Massive Dexterity, and 20 in Penetrate?
Both of these things, of course, are helpful for attacks such as Multiple Shot and Strafe, but I'd argue they're even more important for Freezing Arrow. At level 20, a fully synergized Freezing Arrow deals 1054-1088 damage. At level 34, a full 14 plus skills later, this doubles to 2128-2162.
My point? The average Frost Maiden (or Fishyzon, except that 20 in Penetrate is hardly an option) cares little for AR, significantly weakening the ability of her arrows to Pierce. Against just a pair of enemies, having Pierce trigger often via high AR or ITD, versus rarely with low AR, can mean significantly more damage than a handful of plus skills, and against even larger packs of enemies, the difference grows further. Even in the rare case of dealing with a single enemy, there is the option of attacking near walls, doors, or bushes.
Am I saying that everyone should stop using Wizendraw and 'Melody' on their low AR characters? Not really. What I'm trying to point out is simply that a character with either ITD or high dexterity for base AR, along with a source of %AR (e.g. Penetrate, Demon Limb, Blood Raven's Charge), can do just as much damage, if not more, than its more typical vitality based counterpart. A high dexterity build has another advantage as well, namely the potential for comparatively higher physical damage, thereby providing a potential answer for both mana problems (via leech), as well as immunes (via physical damage).
Closing Remarks
Overall, a very fun character with lots of things going for her. I'd recommend anyone to look into making a Frost Maiden, although I'd probably look into Strafe over both Strafe and Multiple Shot, and MS requires quite a big chunk of IAS to fire reasonably quickly. Another cookie cutter to the highest degree, but one I'll be looking to level to the mid to high 90s, and a build I hope more people look consider trying.
Thanks
Thanks to Dacar92 and KremBanan for their guides on bowazons which I once upon a time had read, as well as to the many people who contributed to her gear. Couldn't have come even close to pulling this character off without all of you.
Future Plans
This is part 2 of my Aria project, a triumvirate of overpowered amazons. . As for the others, part 1 featured Alice, a CS running Gunslinger, and part 3 features Alicia, a WSK running Fishyzon, who I finished not too long ago. Hopefully once these three (and the MFO) are finished, I can finally get back to shooting for that first untwinked Guardian. The dropoff in power will be interesting to deal with. :badteeth:
In any case, thanks for your time. . I look forward to seeing more amazons made, and not just those Fishyzons running rampant these days.
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