The character I took the farthest was a totem-based necro, which I was really enjoying. Crossbows necros are fun too.
Median XL Hardcore Challenge - Mitsuki
- Thread starter Drystan1
- Start date
The character I took the farthest was a totem-based necro, which I was really enjoying. Crossbows necros are fun too.
I played "a lot" for a month or two a year ago or something along those lines. I remember that it was the classic version, and that I mainly played a Barbarian that started owning stuff when I combined Fortress with a helmet with Kraken Stance. I honestly don't remember much besides getting most of the unique charms and Great Runes, but giving up before I had completed everything.
Yeap.. shredders ( ice ball guys ) and daystars ( harem level 1 council thingys ) do high elemental damage. Which goes for most of the dangerous monsters in A2. If you max resistances then A2 is a joke really. Normally I get a honorific glove and MO it up (lazy) but I think that is not option for untwinked player, it costs like 60k gold+
I think Duriel is a wimp on the first 2 difficulties but can't remember. He is a real pain on destruction though.
Also goatmen casters in the tombs use corpse explosion ( get RIP if you want ). That's about it for act 2.
LC1 is not too hard. Really not more dangerous than Act 5, which you will be in by the time you get lvl 50. Also a bloodmage merc from Act 3 can solo this thing on his own if you just stay behind and support him a little ( cheese method ). And yes, the sunstone bonuses are very considerable- you'll regret not doing it.
Sounds fun. I only have 4 ubers left in classic but I am playing multiple characters through the game as well. Did you do Brother Laz as well? What about trophies, other characters?
I began with just Mystic Orbing up items, but then read about the Honorifics, and decided to create some as I got gold. I think I broke the game with some of them. XD They really make things easier.
I've also read about Runewords, things that don't work for me. Apparently, if you put a Nef in a Staff, you can get a Runeword with 'Blink' charges. But I put a Nef in a Staff and it doesn't work. Is there an additional step that you have to do, or restriction, that Median has which D2 doesn't?
Are the Uber levels really challenging or tactical? Or is it more of: Slow progress, kill a few, die, kill a few more, kill a few more, die, kill a few more? I do want to do them, but will only attempt them in SC (probably.)
Also, the Bloodmage can do the Level 50 challenge - (Cheese is good, as long as Mitsuki lives!)? Is it safe? Can you stand behind the merc safely, or will attacks still strike you? I looked at the charms, and they look sweet, but if there's too much risk - would it be insta-deedz, or could I slowly work my way through it?
Edit: "daystars ( harem level 1 council thingys )"
Aren't Daystars the unique vampire guys? They cast a fire explosion on you just before you can see them. I can't recall what those Harem Council rush guys are called.
I've also read about Runewords, things that don't work for me. Apparently, if you put a Nef in a Staff, you can get a Runeword with 'Blink' charges. But I put a Nef in a Staff and it doesn't work. Is there an additional step that you have to do, or restriction, that Median has which D2 doesn't?
Are the Uber levels really challenging or tactical? Or is it more of: Slow progress, kill a few, die, kill a few more, kill a few more, die, kill a few more? I do want to do them, but will only attempt them in SC (probably.)
Also, the Bloodmage can do the Level 50 challenge - (Cheese is good, as long as Mitsuki lives!)? Is it safe? Can you stand behind the merc safely, or will attacks still strike you? I looked at the charms, and they look sweet, but if there's too much risk - would it be insta-deedz, or could I slowly work my way through it?
Edit: "daystars ( harem level 1 council thingys )"
Aren't Daystars the unique vampire guys? They cast a fire explosion on you just before you can see them. I can't recall what those Harem Council rush guys are called.
Mungojerry1
New member
Daystars are indeed the vamps. Some uber levels are just stat/gear checks while others are significantly harder. Many of them will have at least a few 1 shotters, (or some kind of poison that brings hp to 1 no matter your resistances), shield generators, specific kill order of creeps etc which will require timing, tactics and probably lots of burst damage to clear some area so you can retreat, because like in rest of median, you get swarmed instantly.
Also many of the ubers are like this: Enter, quietly explore 1 screen, check around corner, explore one half screen then insta killed. Often you don't even know what, of the 3 traps and 5 critters zooming around the screen, killed you and just figuring that out requires 10-20 more deaths.
I think you have to put nef + jewels to fill rest of sockets, so no single socket gear.
Also many of the ubers are like this: Enter, quietly explore 1 screen, check around corner, explore one half screen then insta killed. Often you don't even know what, of the 3 traps and 5 critters zooming around the screen, killed you and just figuring that out requires 10-20 more deaths.
I think you have to put nef + jewels to fill rest of sockets, so no single socket gear.
Big thanks for the info! I'll keep an eye out for a 2os staff.
What do you mean by "stat/gear checks"? If you get specific stats/gear, the uber level is easy? Or you just need to find certain gear/items? (I recall reading something about obtaining xxx gold in your inventory.)
So, progressing through Act 2 didn't provide too much more danger. The Ice Clans corpse explosions were dangerous, but just needed to keep my distance and keep an eye on where everything was.
I did come across a Dragon Egg though - something I recall is dangerous, but this fellow was only a baby dragon, and very easy. In this fight, I also got a screenshot of my Rogue's multi-arrow shot. This thing really takes their life down quickly.
For fear of deedz by Duriel, I lowered the players setting down to /players1 for the Duriel fight, and this happened. I got down, threw up a Portal, and began barraging. My Rogue fired her multi-arrow shot, and killed Duriel within a couple of seconds...
I ran Duriel again at /players8, and took some damage (he has some earthquake attack that drops rocks about,) but I portalled out, and returned after his attack had run out. I didn't see any other dangers in his fight.
Mitsuki has progressed a little into Act 3, and will put some screenies of her Honorific items next time. As her level is approaching the Level 50 challenge, I'm wondering if it would be better to lower the /players setting, and get to Act 5 so that she can get a chance at some higher tier items, or if she should just continue at /players8.
What do you mean by "stat/gear checks"? If you get specific stats/gear, the uber level is easy? Or you just need to find certain gear/items? (I recall reading something about obtaining xxx gold in your inventory.)
So, progressing through Act 2 didn't provide too much more danger. The Ice Clans corpse explosions were dangerous, but just needed to keep my distance and keep an eye on where everything was.
I did come across a Dragon Egg though - something I recall is dangerous, but this fellow was only a baby dragon, and very easy. In this fight, I also got a screenshot of my Rogue's multi-arrow shot. This thing really takes their life down quickly.
For fear of deedz by Duriel, I lowered the players setting down to /players1 for the Duriel fight, and this happened. I got down, threw up a Portal, and began barraging. My Rogue fired her multi-arrow shot, and killed Duriel within a couple of seconds...
I ran Duriel again at /players8, and took some damage (he has some earthquake attack that drops rocks about,) but I portalled out, and returned after his attack had run out. I didn't see any other dangers in his fight.
Mitsuki has progressed a little into Act 3, and will put some screenies of her Honorific items next time. As her level is approaching the Level 50 challenge, I'm wondering if it would be better to lower the /players setting, and get to Act 5 so that she can get a chance at some higher tier items, or if she should just continue at /players8.
Mungojerry1
New member
I mean that the gear/stat checks will have creeps that come at you, shoot or hit you, maybe a few spells that are kinda dangerous but nothing tricky and nothing that can't be mitigated with lots of defense, hp, resistance or as most often is the case, just nice burst damage that will be able to clear the groups easily. So these will be where you start out and collect gear.
Then you have the others, as I perhaps failed to properly explain, where even if you have the best gear in whole of median + lvl 120, you can still get insta killed even on normal if you don't watch out for x enemy or y trap.
Btw this is a very entertaining thread which have sparked my interest in median again. Haven't touched it in years!
Oh, yeah.. that may be a disclaimer as well, regarding info I have. But I'm pretty sure he hasn't made the ubers any softer since then.
Then you have the others, as I perhaps failed to properly explain, where even if you have the best gear in whole of median + lvl 120, you can still get insta killed even on normal if you don't watch out for x enemy or y trap.
Btw this is a very entertaining thread which have sparked my interest in median again. Haven't touched it in years!
Oh, yeah.. that may be a disclaimer as well, regarding info I have. But I'm pretty sure he hasn't made the ubers any softer since then.
Yeah, I don't really expect to get to Destruction, let alone the Ubers on this character - just beating Normal is my first goal - although, obtaining those LC1 charms would be sweet to begin with.
Just a small update while waiting for my flight. These are her Honorific items, and will also give some idea of Mitsuki's level at the start of A3:
Weapon <- This is such a great bow. I know there's stronger Uniques, but I haven't found any yet.
Gloves
Boots
She is rerunning frequently and hunting for Uniques at higher players settings, and was around level 40-42 when she entered Act 3. I reckon she could be over 50 by Act 5, but I'll try keep her levels lower for the time being. She'll probably lower players settings for safety, as I no longer want her to deedz.
I came across another Dragon Egg, but I do recall them being dangerous so left it alone - maybe the A2 ones are weak and A3 are dangerous.
Also, thought this was a nice addition: Gharbad the Weak returns!
@zaphod: That mod mentioned is not meant to be mentioned here, as it has features that are counted as hacks by the forum, and can be used with regular D2Exp. While it wouldn't be for D2, but Median, I still won't be using it - easier just to launch from my 'Bnet' unmodded shortcut. But big thanks for the RWM information. Very helpful.
Do you have any screenies of the Ubers?
Just a small update while waiting for my flight. These are her Honorific items, and will also give some idea of Mitsuki's level at the start of A3:
Weapon <- This is such a great bow. I know there's stronger Uniques, but I haven't found any yet.
Gloves
Boots
She is rerunning frequently and hunting for Uniques at higher players settings, and was around level 40-42 when she entered Act 3. I reckon she could be over 50 by Act 5, but I'll try keep her levels lower for the time being. She'll probably lower players settings for safety, as I no longer want her to deedz.
I came across another Dragon Egg, but I do recall them being dangerous so left it alone - maybe the A2 ones are weak and A3 are dangerous.
Also, thought this was a nice addition: Gharbad the Weak returns!
@zaphod: That mod mentioned is not meant to be mentioned here, as it has features that are counted as hacks by the forum, and can be used with regular D2Exp. While it wouldn't be for D2, but Median, I still won't be using it - easier just to launch from my 'Bnet' unmodded shortcut. But big thanks for the RWM information. Very helpful.
Do you have any screenies of the Ubers?
Eagle dart bow is rubbish, no offence. You'll do much better with T4 Herald of Skartara at that level. If you can't find one, then get two arcane crystals ( by disenchanting other uniques ) , get the base by gambling ( lazy ) or running areas, and craft it. Keep upgrading it depending on your level T1->T2->..T6 . To be honest I thought that was what you were doing already ( It's the standard procedure ).
Dragon eggs are only dangerous if you don't have fire resistance. On the other hand, if you're not planning to use the reroll recipes then it doesn't help you either.
Dragon eggs are only dangerous if you don't have fire resistance. On the other hand, if you're not planning to use the reroll recipes then it doesn't help you either.
I apologise in advance, but zaphod has raised a couple incorrect points, from my perspective, in regards to this HC exploration. To be as blunt and undetailed is misleading for anyone who may give Median an explorative go, so I have to respond. For anyone else exploring this, I am trying to give details of key dangers, tactics I'm employing, and exploring enough without spoilering too much.
Titled and spoilered for ease (of skipping.)
Honorific +10 Damage +Life leech Bows are not "Rubbish"
Disenchanting, Cubing and Uptiering Uniques - Cube recipes
Dragon eggs lie in the same basket as Ubers and playing HC chars for me. It's not about whether killing a dragon will help, but overcoming a challenge. Doing something that seems difficult; that A3 Dragon will die, but only when I've seen enough to know what to look out for.
Screenies
Ni Va Immunity Shield - Love these guys.
Mephisto going down without a challenge - re-ran him a few times while hunting uniques, but didn't feel safe with his... Starfire-explosion thingy. If it can kill the merc almost instantly, then it's sure to be GG Noob if Mitsuki stayed inside it. It should be noted that for Travincal to Meph, Mitsuki dropped down to /players1 for safety (fast kills,) and to reduce levelling, as I don't want to take on the Tran Athulua Level Challenge 1 quite yet.
Titled and spoilered for ease (of skipping.)
Honorific +10 Damage +Life leech Bows are not "Rubbish"
No offence taken, although, calling that bow "rubbish" is not correct. For it to be rubbish, it would mean that I couldn't kill anything with it, let alone /P8 bosses... It's not the strongest weapon out there (obviously, since I'm only mid NORMAL, but you're comparing it with things usable later,) but it takes care of everything I've come across very quickly. Massive life leech, very fast speed, high damage, can be used/made very early on, and does the job well - and can continue being upgraded with specific Orbs for double the bonuses.
Having just used that Honorific, and a tier 3 Herald of Skartara, I can honestly say I prefer, at the stage of Normal I am at, the Honorific bow.
I can see that in a couple of Acts, I will upgrade to the Tier 3 (and 4 when possible) Skartara, but that still doesn't mean that the Honorific is "rubbish."
At this stage, with the items Mitsuki has, they are approximately comparable in damage and speed, but the major downfall of the Tier 3 (and 4 which I cannot use yet, at Level 50!) Skartara are the lack of life leech, availability/access to, and stat requirements - 299 Dex for T4 Skartara is massive when I had to invest heavily in Str for other bonuses/items - which in turn improve Dexterity in the longer term anyway. There's no way in hell a tier 4 Skartara would have gotten Mitsuki from Act 1 to the end of Normal when she can't use it in Act 4 Normal.
My first priority was to get a bow that could be obtained as soon as possible, equipped immediately, and could be upgraded to last me through the early stages. Her first priority was a Hunters Bow, very fast attack speed, with +10 Damage Orbs. After that, she could farm some gold and rares, pick up more +10 Damage Orbs, +X MF Orbs, and progress with enough upgradable damage.
From there, when I found the site for Honorifics, and could get some more gold, I went to an Honorific Bow, again, continuously upgradable, and Honorifics for great Magic Finding - again, to improve gold hunting and development.
That has been my exploration and strategy of early-game Median, and I have to say, I can't complain. It may not be the most efficient, or strongest, but I can not say that the items I have used to great effect are "rubbish." It has so far dominated everything from A1 -> A4. Towards mid-game, I will be required to change setups to suit the coming dangers, but they're different stages, and a natural progression. It doesn't mean that items in previous stages of a progression are "rubbish."
In that area, I could argue that a Tier 4 Herald of Skartara is rubbish, based on certain parameters and perspectives (Mitsuki's.) So please be careful with your points - maybe try to be more flexible towards perspectives and individuals' priorities, and if you must be that blunt, please provide supporting points.
Of course, in the end game, once you've reached level 120 and gotten >500 Str/Dex and Sacreds, it is less useful than a high tier-Skartara, but outright rubbish?
Having just used that Honorific, and a tier 3 Herald of Skartara, I can honestly say I prefer, at the stage of Normal I am at, the Honorific bow.
I can see that in a couple of Acts, I will upgrade to the Tier 3 (and 4 when possible) Skartara, but that still doesn't mean that the Honorific is "rubbish."
At this stage, with the items Mitsuki has, they are approximately comparable in damage and speed, but the major downfall of the Tier 3 (and 4 which I cannot use yet, at Level 50!) Skartara are the lack of life leech, availability/access to, and stat requirements - 299 Dex for T4 Skartara is massive when I had to invest heavily in Str for other bonuses/items - which in turn improve Dexterity in the longer term anyway. There's no way in hell a tier 4 Skartara would have gotten Mitsuki from Act 1 to the end of Normal when she can't use it in Act 4 Normal.
My first priority was to get a bow that could be obtained as soon as possible, equipped immediately, and could be upgraded to last me through the early stages. Her first priority was a Hunters Bow, very fast attack speed, with +10 Damage Orbs. After that, she could farm some gold and rares, pick up more +10 Damage Orbs, +X MF Orbs, and progress with enough upgradable damage.
From there, when I found the site for Honorifics, and could get some more gold, I went to an Honorific Bow, again, continuously upgradable, and Honorifics for great Magic Finding - again, to improve gold hunting and development.
That has been my exploration and strategy of early-game Median, and I have to say, I can't complain. It may not be the most efficient, or strongest, but I can not say that the items I have used to great effect are "rubbish." It has so far dominated everything from A1 -> A4. Towards mid-game, I will be required to change setups to suit the coming dangers, but they're different stages, and a natural progression. It doesn't mean that items in previous stages of a progression are "rubbish."
In that area, I could argue that a Tier 4 Herald of Skartara is rubbish, based on certain parameters and perspectives (Mitsuki's.) So please be careful with your points - maybe try to be more flexible towards perspectives and individuals' priorities, and if you must be that blunt, please provide supporting points.
Of course, in the end game, once you've reached level 120 and gotten >500 Str/Dex and Sacreds, it is less useful than a high tier-Skartara, but outright rubbish?
Disenchanting, Cubing and Uptiering Uniques - Cube recipes
Below are just the correct recipes, as I had to look them up to get them to work. I found out the details of Honorifics not that long ago, and didn't look further, as I wanted to play with the basics of Honorifics before moving onto a new recipe.
That said, I played with cubing and uptiering unique items, and like the concept. It's adds a purpose to those random unique drops, other than Charsi fodder.
To cube uniques you need to cube a Catalyst of Disenchantment with any Unique item to create 1x Arcane Shard.
5x Arcane Shards -> 1x Arcane Crystal
2x Arcane Crystals + Oil of Enhancement + Base item -> Unique of the same base
1x Arcane Crystal + Rune + Tiered Unique -> Same unique with +1 tier
That said, I played with cubing and uptiering unique items, and like the concept. It's adds a purpose to those random unique drops, other than Charsi fodder.
To cube uniques you need to cube a Catalyst of Disenchantment with any Unique item to create 1x Arcane Shard.
5x Arcane Shards -> 1x Arcane Crystal
2x Arcane Crystals + Oil of Enhancement + Base item -> Unique of the same base
1x Arcane Crystal + Rune + Tiered Unique -> Same unique with +1 tier
Dragon eggs lie in the same basket as Ubers and playing HC chars for me. It's not about whether killing a dragon will help, but overcoming a challenge. Doing something that seems difficult; that A3 Dragon will die, but only when I've seen enough to know what to look out for.
Screenies
Ni Va Immunity Shield - Love these guys.
Mephisto going down without a challenge - re-ran him a few times while hunting uniques, but didn't feel safe with his... Starfire-explosion thingy. If it can kill the merc almost instantly, then it's sure to be GG Noob if Mitsuki stayed inside it. It should be noted that for Travincal to Meph, Mitsuki dropped down to /players1 for safety (fast kills,) and to reduce levelling, as I don't want to take on the Tran Athulua Level Challenge 1 quite yet.
Drystan I apologize. Perhaps it was a bit blunt and not correctly said.
The docs say that HoS(4) is level 39. I've never known the docs to be wrong so you must have done something like socket it with MOs or put a high level jewel in it. HoS(5) is level 48.
Tiered items are meant for twinking. That's their purpose really, they get you through the early game quickly. Especially the weapon is a big deal in WDM based builds- for every build the early game is the same - just get your Tiered weapon asap and upgrade it when you can. Terra Indiges for spearazon. Na-Krul's spine for naginata assassin. Talon's reach for melee necro.
And of course, Herald of Skartara is pretty much THE twinking weapon for bow amazons. Just look at the stats on it, why would one not want to use it?
Btw, LL is not that important and I don't think HC players should rely on it anyway. It gets huge penalties later on ( like 1/65 in Destruction ).
A couple of more pointers.
Rejuv potions/full rejuv potions drop in this game, but they don't actually work. The only potion that instantly heals is moon crescent which is sorceress enead challenge ability ( and no other class can use it ).
Mephisto isn't too dangerous but in his level the guys on the left (panthers) are immune to ranged attacks so you can either get a melee merc/other methods or simply go from the right hand side.
Edit: Eh it seems you already killed Mephisto..
For act 4:
Hephasto: Don't let him hit you, he'll cast a barrier of ice but you can blink out.
Diablo: He can be hard. Watch out for his flamestrike, and max fire res anyway
Landmasses: Watch out for these guys, they're tough.
The docs say that HoS(4) is level 39. I've never known the docs to be wrong so you must have done something like socket it with MOs or put a high level jewel in it. HoS(5) is level 48.
Tiered items are meant for twinking. That's their purpose really, they get you through the early game quickly. Especially the weapon is a big deal in WDM based builds- for every build the early game is the same - just get your Tiered weapon asap and upgrade it when you can. Terra Indiges for spearazon. Na-Krul's spine for naginata assassin. Talon's reach for melee necro.
And of course, Herald of Skartara is pretty much THE twinking weapon for bow amazons. Just look at the stats on it, why would one not want to use it?
Btw, LL is not that important and I don't think HC players should rely on it anyway. It gets huge penalties later on ( like 1/65 in Destruction ).
A couple of more pointers.
Rejuv potions/full rejuv potions drop in this game, but they don't actually work. The only potion that instantly heals is moon crescent which is sorceress enead challenge ability ( and no other class can use it ).
Mephisto isn't too dangerous but in his level the guys on the left (panthers) are immune to ranged attacks so you can either get a melee merc/other methods or simply go from the right hand side.
Edit: Eh it seems you already killed Mephisto..
For act 4:
Hephasto: Don't let him hit you, he'll cast a barrier of ice but you can blink out.
Diablo: He can be hard. Watch out for his flamestrike, and max fire res anyway
Landmasses: Watch out for these guys, they're tough.
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Nah, it was the stat requirements mainly for T4 Skartara that Mitsuki has no chance of meeting at that level. 299 Dex, when she had to invest heavily in Strength, which looks like it will work out better in the long run, but initially, it draws a lot of stat points. At just before level 50, Mitsuki still had about 70 Dexterity below the requirements for a T4 Skartara - but that gap closes with Tal runes and +% bonus to Dexterity.
If you've got all the equipment and stat progression ready, you could meet the requirements, but not knowing what items Mitsuki will find, or specific uniques to boost Dexterity, she has much more limited choices, and more restricted stat points.
As to life leech, I heard it was worse than 1/65. I heard in Destruction, it was reduced to 1/200, to compensate for the massive damages (possibly an exaggeration?.) But in Hatred, there is nothing wrong with life leech. In HC (for me,) I always want full health - if I'm missing 50 life, I'll want to use a potion, just to keep it at full (possibly slightly OCD?) Leech probably becomes less useful when it gets nerfed in later difficulties, and when monsters do much more damage. But between the Skartara and Honorific, the difference in leech is very noticable in Hatred. As I'm leaving the early stage, and going into mid, the items will change with that progression. The Honorific can't get much more damage, and the life leech gets nerfed, so becomes less useful at this stage. I will need to change weapons to keep up with monster life and survival, but for the early stage, the Honorific bow was great.
Initially, I didn't notice potions being sold by the vendors, so I thought Median removed buying potions, but they are sold as normal... Oops.
Is it that rejuvies don't work, or were changed to work differently? They still regenerate life and mana at the same time, but over time now. I kind of like this, but at the same time, there's no "Oh ****!" panic button.
Mephisto wasn't too bad. The Durance Twilight Archons (unique version is called Que'Hegan and Peacekeeper guys I think,) seem pretty dangerous at times, and have a fast, strong missile attack, but since I lowered the /players settings, Mitsuki cleared the rooms pretty easily. I didn't run into too many of them.
The left side of DoH3 did have a weird ability. My skills couldn't be used, except Normal attack. I killed them by running away a significant distance to allow my skills to be usable again, and ranged them, quite often just letting the Rogue and Fire Elementals slowly whittling them down.
I'm considering getting that unsupported mod for the shared stash now - only for Median. I sort of want to create a Totemancer (maybe not HC,) but make use of some of the other Unique items, twinking, skills, and rushing through to get to the Ubers. I don't think Mitsuki's going to get far into NM, so I want a proper backup character, but we'll see.
The Bloodmage has a great instant healing ability, but you can't rely on it. He only uses it while he's engaged in battle, and he's injured, which isn't really that often.
Thanks for the tips! Can you run out of Hephasto's ice barrier, or does it block you inside it? Is it similar to Mephisto's stunning barrier?
Next up: [highlight]Tran Athulua[/highlight]
If you've got all the equipment and stat progression ready, you could meet the requirements, but not knowing what items Mitsuki will find, or specific uniques to boost Dexterity, she has much more limited choices, and more restricted stat points.
As to life leech, I heard it was worse than 1/65. I heard in Destruction, it was reduced to 1/200, to compensate for the massive damages (possibly an exaggeration?.) But in Hatred, there is nothing wrong with life leech. In HC (for me,) I always want full health - if I'm missing 50 life, I'll want to use a potion, just to keep it at full (possibly slightly OCD?) Leech probably becomes less useful when it gets nerfed in later difficulties, and when monsters do much more damage. But between the Skartara and Honorific, the difference in leech is very noticable in Hatred. As I'm leaving the early stage, and going into mid, the items will change with that progression. The Honorific can't get much more damage, and the life leech gets nerfed, so becomes less useful at this stage. I will need to change weapons to keep up with monster life and survival, but for the early stage, the Honorific bow was great.
Initially, I didn't notice potions being sold by the vendors, so I thought Median removed buying potions, but they are sold as normal... Oops.
Is it that rejuvies don't work, or were changed to work differently? They still regenerate life and mana at the same time, but over time now. I kind of like this, but at the same time, there's no "Oh ****!" panic button.
Mephisto wasn't too bad. The Durance Twilight Archons (unique version is called Que'Hegan and Peacekeeper guys I think,) seem pretty dangerous at times, and have a fast, strong missile attack, but since I lowered the /players settings, Mitsuki cleared the rooms pretty easily. I didn't run into too many of them.
The left side of DoH3 did have a weird ability. My skills couldn't be used, except Normal attack. I killed them by running away a significant distance to allow my skills to be usable again, and ranged them, quite often just letting the Rogue and Fire Elementals slowly whittling them down.
I'm considering getting that unsupported mod for the shared stash now - only for Median. I sort of want to create a Totemancer (maybe not HC,) but make use of some of the other Unique items, twinking, skills, and rushing through to get to the Ubers. I don't think Mitsuki's going to get far into NM, so I want a proper backup character, but we'll see.
The Bloodmage has a great instant healing ability, but you can't rely on it. He only uses it while he's engaged in battle, and he's injured, which isn't really that often.
Thanks for the tips! Can you run out of Hephasto's ice barrier, or does it block you inside it? Is it similar to Mephisto's stunning barrier?
Next up: [highlight]Tran Athulua[/highlight]
Yea, the guys on the left side of Durance 3 are immune to ranged attacks, so if you're a ranged character just go from the right side.
Hephasto's ice barrier is just a variant of the assassin skill barrier strike, so you can't run out of it. Don't recall if Mephisto uses that one.
Good luck for LC1!
Hephasto's ice barrier is just a variant of the assassin skill barrier strike, so you can't run out of it. Don't recall if Mephisto uses that one.
Good luck for LC1!
Tran Athulua
Well, this wasn't as bad as I thought. Mitsuki moved slowly up, firing Wyrmshot at nothing, and used hit and run tactics. She didn't stay in range for too long, as she could still take damage from stray shots, or guided/piercing shots. She raised her life leech and +life regen quite substantially, so that she could regen her life and mana quite quickly.
She used maps and guides to know where to head, and some tactical gaps to fire from safety and hired a Bloodmage for some extra damage, although, he wasn't really required with Mitsuki using Wyrmshot.
And slowly but steady, Mitsuki found her prizes: Fire, Ice and Thunder.
The Priestesses have some decent attacks - a defensive Phalanx, which can quickly kill if you stay in range, and an Earthquake type move, which is no challenge as long as you keep your distance. All good for a ranged character!
The Truth
Well, this wasn't as bad as I thought. Mitsuki moved slowly up, firing Wyrmshot at nothing, and used hit and run tactics. She didn't stay in range for too long, as she could still take damage from stray shots, or guided/piercing shots. She raised her life leech and +life regen quite substantially, so that she could regen her life and mana quite quickly.
She used maps and guides to know where to head, and some tactical gaps to fire from safety and hired a Bloodmage for some extra damage, although, he wasn't really required with Mitsuki using Wyrmshot.
And slowly but steady, Mitsuki found her prizes: Fire, Ice and Thunder.
The Priestesses have some decent attacks - a defensive Phalanx, which can quickly kill if you stay in range, and an Earthquake type move, which is no challenge as long as you keep your distance. All good for a ranged character!
The Truth
Well, taking on this place with no experience is a death wish. I made a SC Amazon, same build, that could test obvious danger zones to form a strategy/plan before taking it on in HC. The SC Amazon died multiple times before getting a plan down, and Mitsuki followed that plan.
Firstly, while a Bloodmage can kill everything in Tran Athulua, you will still die if you don't know what to expect. The Amazons have a Guided/Pierce Arrow, which will track you down, behind your Bloodmage, and deal decent damage - enough to kill. So you still need to hit and run, and Wyrmshot is great to take out most of them before they shoot.
I didn't see much of the Earthquake or Phalanx spells, but I did occasionally get hit by them. The Phalanx that got me was an almost insta-death, while the Earthquake seemed to take your health down by a percentage - the health dropped, but I don't think it killed - it would make any other hit do enough damage to be dangerous though, so life regen, health potions or keeping solid distance from the Priestess were all required.
Once a solid hit and run tactic were developed though, it really wasn't that difficult, but you do need to move to avoid those Guided arrows.
Firstly, while a Bloodmage can kill everything in Tran Athulua, you will still die if you don't know what to expect. The Amazons have a Guided/Pierce Arrow, which will track you down, behind your Bloodmage, and deal decent damage - enough to kill. So you still need to hit and run, and Wyrmshot is great to take out most of them before they shoot.
I didn't see much of the Earthquake or Phalanx spells, but I did occasionally get hit by them. The Phalanx that got me was an almost insta-death, while the Earthquake seemed to take your health down by a percentage - the health dropped, but I don't think it killed - it would make any other hit do enough damage to be dangerous though, so life regen, health potions or keeping solid distance from the Priestess were all required.
Once a solid hit and run tactic were developed though, it really wasn't that difficult, but you do need to move to avoid those Guided arrows.
)
In my above post, open up the picture "tactical gaps."
That is the skill, Wyrmshot. It shoots a dragon, which shoots out those fire arrow. The higher the skill level, the more fire arrows the dragons can shoot - the dragons automatically shoot at nearby enemies - the higher skill level, the more targets.
So you shoot 5 Dragons (arrows) - and they shoot at 10 enemies each - AND they shoot multiple times.
The more enemies there are, the more damage it can do, and is strong enough to clear most areas in Normal. Haven't been in NM yet, but it should be consistent through the game. Initially, it is very mana intensive though, and even during Tran Athulua, Mitsuki had to pause to let her mana and life regen.
That is the skill, Wyrmshot. It shoots a dragon, which shoots out those fire arrow. The higher the skill level, the more fire arrows the dragons can shoot - the dragons automatically shoot at nearby enemies - the higher skill level, the more targets.
So you shoot 5 Dragons (arrows) - and they shoot at 10 enemies each - AND they shoot multiple times.
The more enemies there are, the more damage it can do, and is strong enough to clear most areas in Normal. Haven't been in NM yet, but it should be consistent through the game. Initially, it is very mana intensive though, and even during Tran Athulua, Mitsuki had to pause to let her mana and life regen.
There's no natural life regen, however, in Normal, life leech is good, since you can deal heavy and fast damage. In later difficulties, it gets nerfed seriously. I heard 1/200 to compensate for the massive amounts of damage you deal, zaphod said 1/65, but I don't know. Much less effective, but with higher gear and more damage? Maybe it possibly has some use, although, if most hits take significant portions of your bulb or quick deaths - wouldn't rely on it with the damage monsters deal.
Having tested Tran Athulua in SC, I knew I'd take the occasional hit, but I didn't want to buy potions to heal 200 points of life. On my Honorifics (which get double the bonuses of Mystic Orbs,) I stacked up Regenerate Life +5 Orbs. The end result was around +150-200 life regen, so that I could just wait a little bit and have my life regen with mana.
The Bloodmage has a skill (basically useless,) where whenever he's engaged in battle, and injured (not very often,) he'll instantly completely heal the party. You can't rely on it.
Having tested Tran Athulua in SC, I knew I'd take the occasional hit, but I didn't want to buy potions to heal 200 points of life. On my Honorifics (which get double the bonuses of Mystic Orbs,) I stacked up Regenerate Life +5 Orbs. The end result was around +150-200 life regen, so that I could just wait a little bit and have my life regen with mana.
The Bloodmage has a skill (basically useless,) where whenever he's engaged in battle, and injured (not very often,) he'll instantly completely heal the party. You can't rely on it.
