- Mar 14, 2020
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Patriarch Aldur, Earthshifter Druid with Reaper's Might Merc
As my last few posts have noted, I'm working through builds I've wanted to make (or remake with better gear) and that don't fit into a sept. This guy was a classic build based around a TC87 that I didn't have until relatively recently. Earthshifter Druid based on this build guide by Liquid_Evil.
Summary of Playthrough
As the name suggests, I had started this guy as a Druid to use in the Class Set MP group, but ended up going Sorc. He was already in A3 N, so I decided there was no need to rerun A1 and A2 with a new character
He ran as fire druid up to lvl 67 before switching to Windy to use this awesome circlet one of my untwinked 99ers had gambled (think it was the Pally), just to use it:
At lvl 70, he equipped Earthshifter and respec'ed and did a few NM Baal runs to get used to the play. He was quite lucky on the rune front, picking up Um for NM HF and then a Pul during the NM Baal runs.
He was p5 for A1, dropping to p3 in A2 where he stayed because of fragility around amp. We full cleared all A85 areas and completed all quests, but otherwise played direct, and skipped all non-A85 dungeon areas that weren't necessary for quests.
For Hell, I initially went with Infinity on the merc and elemental charms for the PI solution, but it was not optimal given the relatively low life and terrible defense. At p5 in A1, any amp roll took real care to manage around. We finally made the switch to Reaper's at Canyon of the Magi after (thankfully) getting the Summoner on the first arm of AS and struggling mightily with ghosts at p3. Much smoother thereafter. There was actually nothing of note through A3, except lots of PI rolls that prompted screenshots, but really weren't too much trouble relative to later Acts.
I ended up keeping TGods in the stash because of Gloam concern, and went with that full-time after Plains and disgusting fight with double Gloam bosspack with one convicted/LI and the other HF and some normal Gloams floating around. Here's a sceenie after I took them down, which involved full-fledged retreat to TP out and equip TGods and lure some normals out before charging in to take out the convicted boss and guzzle some purples before working on the others. It worked, with only the merc paying the price.
Hephasto was a handful with FI/PI roll, prompting another retreat and eventually shifting Dracul's to the cube to avoid overriding the merc's decrep. Aldur was amply rewarded with Gul from the HF (for Um/Gul from HFs), and Diablo fell easily. The runes continued with an Ist in the Highlands. Anya rescue was nasty, with dual witches including the amp casters and shambling horde. Yikes, he was fragile and the merc even more so. I worked through all full purples in the belt, with a half dozen merc resurrections before unfreezing the lass.
The Ancients fight took some finesse, including three rerolls where amp triggered, but mostly separating them out. But it was safely managed at p3 (Madawc, Korlic, Talic). This was a quite a convergence of boss packs in WSK2, I think possibly being 6 but no less than 5. Thankfully the rolls weren't too tough. WSK3 was less forgiving with PI witches and Blood Lords, with OKs. It took lots of care, including this overlapping double pack of unbreakable PIs that were also FI, with a third witch pack that I didn't screenshot but not FI:
Dire Killer had to be parked, but all others were taken care of. Waves were easy after that, with some strategic running away needed to navigate Lister's pack. Baal feel in a heap:
Thoughts on Build
Meh? I'm glad to try the build, but I've enjoyed all my other Fury builds more, and expect to enjoy my eTomby Fire Mauler much more. It was pretty standard on gear per LE's guide, especially when I went with Reaper's on the merc. I definitely preferred the TGods, and I went with HotO on switch because CtA adds very little and AR charms made enchant charges largely unnecessary, so extra skills (and life) on shifting were welcome.
The constant recasting of Armegeddon makes for less smooth play (but as LE noted in his guide, definitely something you get into the groove of). I'm not sure why, likely the slower attack speed, but compared to other Fury Druids, PIs are tough, and amp generally prompted immediate retreat. Even with Life Tap, which I generally skip. I think the lower shifter skills mean less life, and I'm not 100% sure maxed Armegeddon is worth it relative to higher life from shifting. That said, I'm glad I made this guy, and happy to tick that build off the list.
Next up are a few Assassins, but the new characters may slow down as we return to the untwinked 99er Druid for RFL Rd 3, and a new tourney that @Pb_pal and I have been discussing for post-RFL that will likely absorb all my non-99er time in the near future.
Thanks for reading!
Readouts
As my last few posts have noted, I'm working through builds I've wanted to make (or remake with better gear) and that don't fit into a sept. This guy was a classic build based around a TC87 that I didn't have until relatively recently. Earthshifter Druid based on this build guide by Liquid_Evil.
Summary of Playthrough
As the name suggests, I had started this guy as a Druid to use in the Class Set MP group, but ended up going Sorc. He was already in A3 N, so I decided there was no need to rerun A1 and A2 with a new character
He ran as fire druid up to lvl 67 before switching to Windy to use this awesome circlet one of my untwinked 99ers had gambled (think it was the Pally), just to use it:
Code:
Loath Visage
Coronet
Defense: 30
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x13a590a
Item Level: 98
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Druid Skill Levels
+30% Faster Run/Walk
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+79 to Attack Rating
+13 to Energy
Fire Resist +39%He was p5 for A1, dropping to p3 in A2 where he stayed because of fragility around amp. We full cleared all A85 areas and completed all quests, but otherwise played direct, and skipped all non-A85 dungeon areas that weren't necessary for quests.
For Hell, I initially went with Infinity on the merc and elemental charms for the PI solution, but it was not optimal given the relatively low life and terrible defense. At p5 in A1, any amp roll took real care to manage around. We finally made the switch to Reaper's at Canyon of the Magi after (thankfully) getting the Summoner on the first arm of AS and struggling mightily with ghosts at p3. Much smoother thereafter. There was actually nothing of note through A3, except lots of PI rolls that prompted screenshots, but really weren't too much trouble relative to later Acts.
I ended up keeping TGods in the stash because of Gloam concern, and went with that full-time after Plains and disgusting fight with double Gloam bosspack with one convicted/LI and the other HF and some normal Gloams floating around. Here's a sceenie after I took them down, which involved full-fledged retreat to TP out and equip TGods and lure some normals out before charging in to take out the convicted boss and guzzle some purples before working on the others. It worked, with only the merc paying the price.
Hephasto was a handful with FI/PI roll, prompting another retreat and eventually shifting Dracul's to the cube to avoid overriding the merc's decrep. Aldur was amply rewarded with Gul from the HF (for Um/Gul from HFs), and Diablo fell easily. The runes continued with an Ist in the Highlands. Anya rescue was nasty, with dual witches including the amp casters and shambling horde. Yikes, he was fragile and the merc even more so. I worked through all full purples in the belt, with a half dozen merc resurrections before unfreezing the lass.
The Ancients fight took some finesse, including three rerolls where amp triggered
, but mostly separating them out. But it was safely managed at p3 (Madawc, Korlic, Talic). This was a quite a convergence of boss packs in WSK2, I think possibly being 6 but no less than 5. Thankfully the rolls weren't too tough. WSK3 was less forgiving with PI witches and Blood Lords, with OKs. It took lots of care, including this overlapping double pack of unbreakable PIs that were also FI, with a third witch pack that I didn't screenshot but not FI:Dire Killer had to be parked, but all others were taken care of. Waves were easy after that, with some strategic running away needed to navigate Lister's pack. Baal feel in a heap:
Thoughts on Build
Meh? I'm glad to try the build, but I've enjoyed all my other Fury builds more, and expect to enjoy my eTomby Fire Mauler much more. It was pretty standard on gear per LE's guide, especially when I went with Reaper's on the merc. I definitely preferred the TGods, and I went with HotO on switch because CtA adds very little and AR charms made enchant charges largely unnecessary, so extra skills (and life) on shifting were welcome.
The constant recasting of Armegeddon makes for less smooth play (but as LE noted in his guide, definitely something you get into the groove of). I'm not sure why, likely the slower attack speed, but compared to other Fury Druids, PIs are tough, and amp generally prompted immediate retreat. Even with Life Tap, which I generally skip. I think the lower shifter skills mean less life, and I'm not 100% sure maxed Armegeddon is worth it relative to higher life from shifting. That said, I'm glad I made this guy, and happy to tick that build off the list.
Next up are a few Assassins, but the new characters may slow down as we return to the untwinked 99er Druid for RFL Rd 3, and a new tourney that @Pb_pal and I have been discussing for post-RFL that will likely absorb all my non-99er time in the near future.
Thanks for reading!
Readouts
Code:
Name: Aldur
Class: Druid
Experience: 1177795289
Level: 86
Naked/Gear
Strength: 176/274
Dexterity: 20/44
Vitality: 304/329
Energy: 20/45
HP: 800/1085
Mana: 190/245
Stamina: 448/468
Defense: 5/1813
AR: 70/24969
Fire: 187/147/87
Cold: 187/147/87
Lightning: 206/166/106
Poison: 187/147/87
MF: 25 Block: 3
GF: 0
FR/W: 30
FHR: 54
IAS: 30
FCR: 10
Raven: 0/0
Poison Creeper: 0/0
Oak Sage: 0/0
Summon Spirit Wolf: 0/0
Carrion Vine: 0/0
Heart of Wolverine: 0/0
Summon Dire Wolf: 0/0
Solar Creeper: 0/0
Spirit of Barbs: 0/0
Summon Grizzly: 0/0
Werewolf: 3/14
Lycanthropy: 1/12
Werebear: 0/0
Feral Rage: 1/12
Maul: 0/0
Rabies: 1/12
Fire Claws: 0/0
Hunger: 0/0
Shock Wave: 0/0
Fury: 20/31
Firestorm: 20/33
Molten Boulder: 1/14
Arctic Blast: 1/14
Fissure: 5/18
Cyclone Armor: 1/14
Twister: 1/14
Volcano: 20/33
Tornado: 1/14
Armageddon: 20/33
Hurricane: 1/14
Code:
Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x99e0e71
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +28
Chains of Honor
Archon Plate
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 884
Durability: 55 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0xafa1e431
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+200% Damage to Demons
+100% Damage to Undead
8% Life stolen per hit
+70% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
Replenish Life +7
All Resistances +65
Damage Reduced by 8%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xd137b31e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+250 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+19 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen
Ghoul Touch
Ring
Required Level: 74
Fingerprint: 0xe0b7243f
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+120 to Attack Rating
6% Mana stolen per hit
+12 to Strength
+8 to Life
Lightning Resist +19%
+2 to Light Radius
Gore Rider
Myrmidon Greaves
Defense: 183
Durability: 31 of 34
Required Level: 72
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0xa15d80c3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+178% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Required Level +7
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability
Jalal's Mane
Totemic Mask
Defense: 297
Durability: 18 of 20
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xf50adf01
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+2 to Druid Skill Levels
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+9 to Minimum Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+80 to Attack Rating
+200% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Energy
All Resistances +30
+5 to Mana after each Kill
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Argent Jewel of Bliss
Argent Jewel of Bliss
Jewel
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x99a7f00b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Minimum Damage
+80 to Attack Rating
Dracul's Grasp
Vampirebone Gloves
Defense: 130
Durability: 12 of 14
Required Level: 76
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x2806b121
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 10 Life Tap on striking
8% Life stolen per hit
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+97% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Strength
+7 Life after each Kill
Thundergod's Vigor
War Belt
Defense: 139
Durability: 22 of 24
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 110
Fingerprint: 0xc6ede33e
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 7 Fist of the Heavens when struck
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
+3 to Lightning Fury (Amazon Only)
+3 to Lightning Strike (Amazon Only)
+164% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
+10% to Maximum Lightning Resist
+20 Lightning Absorb
Heart of the Oak
Flail
KoVexPulThul
One Hand Damage: 1 - 24
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x4a8952a8
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
+75% Damage to Demons
+100 to Attack Rating against Demons
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
+10 to Dexterity
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
All Resistances +40
Level 4 Oak Sage (25/25 Charges)
Level 14 Raven (60/60 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ko Rune
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Pul Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Spirit
Superior Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 169
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0xd1f4c565
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+25% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+14% Enhanced Defense
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+97 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+6 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Earth Shifter
Thunder Maul
Two Hand Damage: 130 - 712
Durability: 18 of 60
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 253
Fingerprint: 0x7b9abc5d
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
25% Chance to cast level 14 Fissure on striking
+7 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+30% Increased Attack Speed
+10% Faster Cast Rate
296% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
33% Chance of Crushing Blow
Level 14 Volcano (30/30 Charges)
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Code:
Shimmering Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0x69d4c8c0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+31 to Life
All Resistances +15
Spiritual Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xd007e12c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+6 to Strength
Steel Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0x85571867
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
+129 to Attack Rating
Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xf7f375e0
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30 to Attack Rating
+19 to Life
Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xa237ca82
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30 to Attack Rating
+18 to Life
Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x8004b1b6
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+36 to Attack Rating
+16 to Life
Steel Small Charm of Winter
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x9f6432cf
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+35 to Attack Rating
Adds 4 - 7 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0x14024a11
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Spiritual Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x969e06d6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+40 to Life
Spiritual Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x27ecdd2c
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
Shimmering Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0x3481aa33
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+44 to Life
All Resistances +14
Steel Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x5d28050f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+127 to Attack Rating
+40 to Life
Steel Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0x86428cd3
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+132 to Attack Rating
+32 to Life
Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x3c8a2fec
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30 to Attack Rating
+18 to Life
Shimmering Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x5ad85073
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 26 Lightning Damage
All Resistances +5
Serpent's Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x5e53346c
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
+15 to Mana
Code:
Name: Haseen
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Nightmare
Experience: 77220106
Level: 86
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 188/188
Dexterity: 151/151
HP: 1807/1903
Defense: 1330/4714
AR: 1922/1922
Fire: 188/148/88
Cold: 188/148/88
Lightning: 188/148/88
Poison: 188/148/88
Fortitude
Dusk Shroud
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 3132
Durability: 11 of 11
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 67
Fingerprint: 0x3c7aabc5
Item Level: 85
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
+96 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xd28d23a
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
7% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
All Resistances +13
Damage Reduced by 20%
Magic Damage Reduced by 14
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Scintillating Jewel of Truth
The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 40 - 477
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0xc89666d4
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
239% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (33 Frames)
13% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
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