- Feb 24, 2004
- 6,372
- 1,303
- 113
Originally posted by skipjack on Oct 25, 2011:
King Duroc - Untwinked WW Barb
Introduction
While I have yet to complete a Guardian, I can no longer say the same for King, which happens to be a superior title anyway.
Duroc is a character born of the Low-Key Classic Tourney. Having a fair bit of experience with SC Classic, I deemed it a worthwhile challenge to prove myself in the realm of HC Classic as well. My original plan was to play Duroc as a Berserker for the entire game, but all my forethought was nullified when it became apparent just how difficult it would be to properly equip a Classic Berserker. With that knowledge compounded by the fact that I do not actually like most melee skills that are not WW, Smite, or Dragon Talon, it seemed prudent that I should respec to a WW Barb for NM and Hell.
Duroc bears the name of a fictional physical embodiment of death. Backwards hobbit logic dictates that the more akin to death a character is, the less likely it is to die; since Duroc became a King, I cannot really disagree with that presumption.
Presenting King Duroc!
King Duroc - WW Barb
LCS
Skills
Warcries
Combat Masteries
Combat Skills
Gear
Duroc
Helm: Skull Shell
Amulet: Prismatic
Weapon: Bonesnap
Armour: Angelic Mantle
Gloves: Grim Touch
Ring1: Havoc Coil
Belt: Cruel Cord
Ring2: Angelic Halo
Boots: Skull Stalker
Gameplay
Gameplay with Duroc can be divided into three segments: Berserker, WW w/ War Hammers, WW w/ Bonesnap. It just so happens that these three segments also encapsulate approximately the entirety of a difficulty each.
Normal was completed with the intent of Duroc becoming a Berserker. No respecs were used and skill points were distributed with the final build in mind. I was initially unsure which weapon type to specialize in, but I eventually invested in Mace Mastery, as I wanted the extra crits and maces are the most prominent weapons for Classic Barbs. Duroc was actually quite satisfactory throughout Normal, functioning as a very solid tank, but his killing speed left something to be desired. I only managed to play a short time as a proper Berserker, yet it was quite obvious that killing would be far more of a chore than it had to be, so I respecced.
Nightmare was completed as WW Barb wielding dual ~50% ED rare War Hammers. Despite the somewhat weak weapons, Duroc encountered little difficulty, although the FE bug and some LE bosses did lead to a few scares. Once NM was cleared, Duroc proceeded to run NM CS in an effort to find some gear upgrades. Bonesnap dropped after only a dozen or so /p3 runs, indicating that the time to trek through Hell had finally come.
Hell itself was a cakewalk. About halfway through Act1 an AR/LL/mana ring dropped, shoring up the last remaining problems Duroc had. The most threatening enemies in Hell ended up being the beetles in Act2, although they were still easily dispatched with health pots and a more conservative WW strategy. Hell CS was cleared in roughly fifteen minutes because I was not interested in taking too many risks so close to the end.
It should be noted that, with the exception of two white Battle Hammers, I did no muling whatsoever.
Drops
Just a couple of Battle Hammers to imbue later:
Other Thoughts
-IAS gems would be much appreciated in Classic
Overall, I am glad to have finally taken a character all the way in HC. I would have liked it to have been with a more exciting build, but I enjoy WW Barbs enough that I can forgive myself. To those interested in trying Classic, a WW Barb is one of the characters I most recommend.
Future plans for Duroc primarily involve deletion, as I have no real use for him and I am not really one to keep inactive trophy characters.
Thanks for reading,
skipjack
King Duroc - Untwinked WW Barb
Introduction
While I have yet to complete a Guardian, I can no longer say the same for King, which happens to be a superior title anyway.
Duroc is a character born of the Low-Key Classic Tourney. Having a fair bit of experience with SC Classic, I deemed it a worthwhile challenge to prove myself in the realm of HC Classic as well. My original plan was to play Duroc as a Berserker for the entire game, but all my forethought was nullified when it became apparent just how difficult it would be to properly equip a Classic Berserker. With that knowledge compounded by the fact that I do not actually like most melee skills that are not WW, Smite, or Dragon Talon, it seemed prudent that I should respec to a WW Barb for NM and Hell.
Duroc bears the name of a fictional physical embodiment of death. Backwards hobbit logic dictates that the more akin to death a character is, the less likely it is to die; since Duroc became a King, I cannot really disagree with that presumption.
Presenting King Duroc!
King Duroc - WW Barb
Code:
Character name : Duroc
Character type : Hardcore Barbarian
Character level : 67
Character exp : 236103513
Strength : 125 (140)
Energy : 10 (18)
Dexterity : 20 (30)
Vitality : 275
Life : 1307 / 1247 (2548)
Mana : 136 / 76 (257)
Stamina : 427 / 408 (832)
Fire res : 75
Cold res : 75
Lightning res : 56
Poison res : 27
LCS
Skills
Warcries
Combat Masteries
Combat Skills
Gear
Duroc
Helm: Skull Shell
Amulet: Prismatic
Weapon: Bonesnap
Armour: Angelic Mantle
Gloves: Grim Touch
Ring1: Havoc Coil
Belt: Cruel Cord
Ring2: Angelic Halo
Boots: Skull Stalker
Skull Shell
Casque
Defense: 124
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Strength: 59
Required Level: 26
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0x5877fcdf
+8 to Energy
+14 to Life
+70% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +18%
Poison Resist +7%
10% Faster Hit Recovery
Prismatic Amulet
Required Level: 31
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0x323771b4
All Resistances +18
Prismatic Amulet
Required Level: 31
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0x323771b4
All Resistances +18
Bonesnap
Maul
Two-Hand Damage: 99 to 142
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Strength: 69
Required Level: 24
Mace Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x279386c5
+231% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +30%
Cold Resist +30%
200% Damage to Undead
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Angelic Mantle
Ring Mail
Defense: 218
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Strength: 36
Required Level: 12
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0xdf11db9e
+40% Enhanced Defense
Damage Reduced by 3
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
+150 Defense
Fire Resist +50%
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
Grim Touch
Leather Gloves
Defense: 5
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 57
Fingerprint: 0x2b538508
+8 to Strength
+28% Enhanced Defense
+13 to Attack Rating
Fire Resist +7%
3% Mana stolen per hit
Havoc Coil
Ring
Required Level: 22
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 61
Fingerprint: 0x7c644b8b
+5 to Strength
+52 to Mana
+19 to Maximum Stamina
+108 to Attack Rating
4% Life stolen per hit
Cruel Cord
Heavy Belt
Defense: 10
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Strength: 45
Required Level: 15
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x55b41139
+2 to Strength
+26 to Life
+45% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +19%
24% Faster Hit Recovery
Angelic Halo
Ring
Required Level: 12
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x5607e0c4
+20 to Life
Replenish Life +6
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
+804 to Attack Rating (Based on Character Level)
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
Skull Stalker
Sharkskin Boots
Defense: 49
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 47
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xc16f160d
+24% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +18%
Cold Resist +32%
13% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
20% Faster Run/Walk
Casque
Defense: 124
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Strength: 59
Required Level: 26
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0x5877fcdf
+8 to Energy
+14 to Life
+70% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +18%
Poison Resist +7%
10% Faster Hit Recovery
Prismatic Amulet
Required Level: 31
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0x323771b4
All Resistances +18
Prismatic Amulet
Required Level: 31
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0x323771b4
All Resistances +18
Bonesnap
Maul
Two-Hand Damage: 99 to 142
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Strength: 69
Required Level: 24
Mace Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x279386c5
+231% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +30%
Cold Resist +30%
200% Damage to Undead
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Angelic Mantle
Ring Mail
Defense: 218
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Strength: 36
Required Level: 12
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0xdf11db9e
+40% Enhanced Defense
Damage Reduced by 3
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
+150 Defense
Fire Resist +50%
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
Grim Touch
Leather Gloves
Defense: 5
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 57
Fingerprint: 0x2b538508
+8 to Strength
+28% Enhanced Defense
+13 to Attack Rating
Fire Resist +7%
3% Mana stolen per hit
Havoc Coil
Ring
Required Level: 22
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 61
Fingerprint: 0x7c644b8b
+5 to Strength
+52 to Mana
+19 to Maximum Stamina
+108 to Attack Rating
4% Life stolen per hit
Cruel Cord
Heavy Belt
Defense: 10
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Strength: 45
Required Level: 15
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x55b41139
+2 to Strength
+26 to Life
+45% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +19%
24% Faster Hit Recovery
Angelic Halo
Ring
Required Level: 12
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x5607e0c4
+20 to Life
Replenish Life +6
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
+804 to Attack Rating (Based on Character Level)
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
Skull Stalker
Sharkskin Boots
Defense: 49
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 47
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xc16f160d
+24% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +18%
Cold Resist +32%
13% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
20% Faster Run/Walk
Gameplay
Gameplay with Duroc can be divided into three segments: Berserker, WW w/ War Hammers, WW w/ Bonesnap. It just so happens that these three segments also encapsulate approximately the entirety of a difficulty each.
Normal was completed with the intent of Duroc becoming a Berserker. No respecs were used and skill points were distributed with the final build in mind. I was initially unsure which weapon type to specialize in, but I eventually invested in Mace Mastery, as I wanted the extra crits and maces are the most prominent weapons for Classic Barbs. Duroc was actually quite satisfactory throughout Normal, functioning as a very solid tank, but his killing speed left something to be desired. I only managed to play a short time as a proper Berserker, yet it was quite obvious that killing would be far more of a chore than it had to be, so I respecced.
Nightmare was completed as WW Barb wielding dual ~50% ED rare War Hammers. Despite the somewhat weak weapons, Duroc encountered little difficulty, although the FE bug and some LE bosses did lead to a few scares. Once NM was cleared, Duroc proceeded to run NM CS in an effort to find some gear upgrades. Bonesnap dropped after only a dozen or so /p3 runs, indicating that the time to trek through Hell had finally come.
Hell itself was a cakewalk. About halfway through Act1 an AR/LL/mana ring dropped, shoring up the last remaining problems Duroc had. The most threatening enemies in Hell ended up being the beetles in Act2, although they were still easily dispatched with health pots and a more conservative WW strategy. Hell CS was cleared in roughly fifteen minutes because I was not interested in taking too many risks so close to the end.
It should be noted that, with the exception of two white Battle Hammers, I did no muling whatsoever.
Drops
Just a couple of Battle Hammers to imbue later:
Battle Hammer
One-Hand Damage: 35 to 58
Durability: 41 of 55
Required Strength: 100
Required Level: 25
Mace Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0xb7f53a60
150% Damage to Undead
Battle Hammer
One-Hand Damage: 35 to 58
Durability: 50 of 55
Required Strength: 100
Required Level: 25
Mace Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x1711d75d
150% Damage to Undead
One-Hand Damage: 35 to 58
Durability: 41 of 55
Required Strength: 100
Required Level: 25
Mace Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0xb7f53a60
150% Damage to Undead
Battle Hammer
One-Hand Damage: 35 to 58
Durability: 50 of 55
Required Strength: 100
Required Level: 25
Mace Class - Slow Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Standard
Item Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x1711d75d
150% Damage to Undead
Other Thoughts
-IAS gems would be much appreciated in Classic
Overall, I am glad to have finally taken a character all the way in HC. I would have liked it to have been with a more exciting build, but I enjoy WW Barbs enough that I can forgive myself. To those interested in trying Classic, a WW Barb is one of the characters I most recommend.
Future plans for Duroc primarily involve deletion, as I have no real use for him and I am not really one to keep inactive trophy characters.
Thanks for reading,
skipjack