Patriarch BurritoofFury (Exceptional Sept)

[maareek]

I'd never done a shifted druid, though I had done a wolfbarb, so that seemed simple enough here and I didn't really find a bear build I really wanted to do with the gear limitation plus I really like Feral Rage, leading to a fairly straightforward decision.

As a reminder: the rules for the sept are cookie cutters with gear "easily" obtainable from NM Mephisto. Easily in this case being arbitrarily set at 1:3000 odds at 0MF which translates to a little over 1:1000 at 250 MF. Low-level runewords are allowed, and I reserved the right to allow exceptions if I so chose. Spoiler: there's an exception made on this char.

[highlight]The Character[/highlight]:

Name: BurritoofFury
Class: Druid
Level: 83

Strength:  115/135 <--whoops
Dexterity: 80/132
Vitality:  290

Fire:       88 (85)
Cold:       76 (75)
Lightning:  83 (75)
Poison:     23

HP:   842 (2189)
FHR:   50 (4 frames)
IAS:  120 (5/5/5/5/8)

Feral Rage damage: 626-2249 (with HoW); AR: 11560
Fury damage:       959-3577 (with HoW); AR: 12114

He reached patriarch in 23 hours, 47 minutes and 16 seconds.

Skills
Werewolf, Lycanthropy, Fury: 20 (24)
Heart of Wolverine: 20 (22)
Feral Rage: 12 (16)

At various points in planning I considered both ravens and solar creeper, but never for long.

Gear

Buriza-Do Kyanon
Ballista
Two Hand Damage: 91 - 358
Durability: 34 of 50
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 110
Required Dexterity: 80
Fingerprint: 0x6019cb9e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+100% Increased Attack Speed
Piercing Attack
176% Enhanced Damage
+207 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
Adds 32 - 196 Cold Damage Over 8 Secs (200 Frames)
Freezes target +3
+109 Defense
+35 to Dexterity
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

Jalal's Mane
Totemic Mask
Defense: 251
Durability: 17 of 20
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xa47c2d25
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+2 to Druid Skill Levels
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+154% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Energy
All Resistances +30
Lightning Resist +30%
+5 to Mana after each Kill
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ort Rune

Nokozan Relic
Amulet
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x8a700978
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 3 - 6 Fire Damage
+10% to Maximum Fire Resist
Fire Resist +50%
+3 to Light Radius

Goldskin
Full Plate Mail
Defense: 387
Durability: 68 of 70
Required Level: 28
Required Strength: 80
Fingerprint: 0xec3293ad
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+139% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +35
Lightning Resist +30%
Attacker Takes Damage of 10
100% Extra Gold from Monsters
+2 to Light Radius
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ort Rune

Manald Heal
Ring
Required Level: 15
Fingerprint: 0x4141e8eb
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Mana stolen per hit
+20 to Life
Replenish Life +8
Regenerate Mana 20%

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xc4e540c4
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+250 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+17 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 108
Durability: 21 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x3b50ac24
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
8% Life stolen per hit
+167% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 14%
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
+10 Maximum Durability

Goblin Toe
Light Plated Boots
Defense: 33
Durability: 16 of 18
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x29c92a18
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
+58% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 1
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
-1 to Light Radius

Magnus' Skin
Sharkskin Gloves
Defense: 60
Durability: 11 of 14
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x259deb99
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+100 to Attack Rating
+50% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +15%
+3 to Light Radius

Coldsteel Eye (on switch)
Cutlass
One Hand Damage: 27 - 72
Durability: 72 of 72
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 52
Fingerprint: 0x41b08448
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Increased Attack Speed
243% Enhanced Damage
6% Mana stolen per hit
50% Deadly Strike
Hit Blinds Target +1
Slows Target by 30%
+50 Maximum Durability

Tiamat's Rebuke (on switch)
Dragon Shield
Defense: 184
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 114 of 116
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 91
Fingerprint: 0xeb33e9ee
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
3% Chance to cast level 6 Hydra when struck
5% Chance to cast level 7 Nova when struck
5% Chance to cast level 9 Frost Nova when struck
Adds 35 - 95 Fire Damage
Adds 1 - 120 Lightning Damage
Adds 27 - 53 Cold Damage Over 6 Secs (150 Frames)
+172% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +34
+40 Maximum Durability

Charms

Sapphire Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xe5db6ef4
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+34 to Life
Cold Resist +26%

Steel Grand Charm of Inertia
Grand Charm
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0x46629f45
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7% Faster Run/Walk
+126 to Attack Rating

Cobalt Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xebd119f0
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
Cold Resist +8%

Shimmering Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xa0fa5e9
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +14

Steel Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0xa5a0b93d
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+131 to Attack Rating

Steel Small Charm of Anthrax
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x42b9e9d3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+36 to Attack Rating
Adds 50 Poison Damage Over 6 Secs (150 Frames)

Fine Small Charm of Anthrax
Small Charm
Required Level: 36
Fingerprint: 0xaa2505a7
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating
Adds 50 Poison Damage Over 6 Secs (150 Frames)

Iron Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0xf420ad78
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24 to Attack Rating
+14 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x1213537
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
+6 to Life

Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xbc2f9e81
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+20 to Attack Rating

Cobalt Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x81fb0327
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
Cold Resist +8%

Shimmering Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xd229a880
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +14

Sapphire Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xc74ee4f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
Cold Resist +11%

Klaudia, Fire Rogue

Wormskull
Bone Helm
Defense: 35
Durability: 27 of 40
Required Level: 21
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0xe1f28141
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
Adds 80 Poison Damage Over 8 Secs (200 Frames)
5% Life stolen per hit
+10 to Mana
Poison Resist +25%

Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 659
Durability: 38 of 150
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x5d039965
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+174% Enhanced Defense
+103 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+83 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 Maximum Durability

Harmony
Superior Short Siege Bow
TirIthSolKo
Two Hand Damage: 57 - 120
Durability: 22 of 40
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 65
Required Dexterity: 80
Fingerprint: 0xb0da0864
Item Level: 66
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 10 Vigor Aura When Equipped
270% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
+9 to Maximum Damage
Adds 55 - 160 Fire Damage
Adds 55 - 160 Lightning Damage
Adds 55 - 160 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (85 Frames)
+5 to Valkyrie
+10 to Dexterity
Regenerate Mana 20%
+2 to Mana after each Kill
+2 to Light Radius
Level 20 Revive (25/25 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Ith Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Ko Rune

[highlight]Playthrough[/highlight]:
Clearly my gear stipulations didn’t really change this guy a ton from a stock buriza fury wolf, though the rogue is obviously a deviation. Harmony’s a bit of a stretch on the ruleset, but I felt like it was reasonable and I liked the plan of switch + merc for a PI solution with the char’s boots for a boss solution as opposed to just weapon switch for PIs and a desert merc for bosses, even though Holy Freeze would've been nice. PIs were certainly still a pain, but ones that weren’t mana burn were definitely doable. Ghosts sort of weren’t, and, beyond keeping me from doing leveling runs on the countess, warranted some serious avoidance technology, including the good old drop a TP here while I run back plan in the Arcane Sanctuary. I never actually had to go all the way back to the waypoint to give the ghosts the slip, though.

I had to abandon the first attempt on the ancients despite fairly quickly dispatching the leaper because the other two, both Stone Skin, managed to hit hard enough to burn through the cube full of potions I had brought along. It’s possible I may have gone overboard on the next try. Korlic was the lone Stone Skin this time, and was served up on a platter by his friends so the second time around was something of a breeze.

I took a left when I got into the throne, seeing a bosspack of greater mummies as I got to the corner. “This doesn’t look goo – oh shhhhhhh!” Upon rounding said corner and starting the previous statement a bosspack of extra fast + conviction dolls sprints down at me, prompting the final part of that statement and a hasty retreat to the bottom right corner and a TP out, partly to formulate a plan but mostly to write this. Separated the doll pack and downed them easily, finding out the mummy was cursed the hey-cool-I-didn’t-die way. First intersection also brought a cursed doll bosspack chase, but I was able to separate him as well. Just his explosion still took over half the bulb away, though. Third monster type was gloams, as you’d expect, but no ridiculous packs of those. No real issues with the waves, and, despite getting off a clone, Baal was kept pretty well in check by occasional applications of the Coldsteel Eye.

Finds
Forges: Ral/Sol/Gul
-Pluckeye in Normal Spider Forest
-Fal rune in NM Viper Temple
-Fleshripper in the Pits
-Arioc’s Needle in the Pits
-33% Chancies in the Spider Forest

Deaths
14. I really wasn’t feeling this playthrough until like halfway through leveling in the Pits, so most of the way up to there was just hold down the right mouse button like he was a generic overpowered wrecking ball. Which he was most of the time, except when surrounded and amped and/or stunned, which accounted for 11 of the 14 deaths. The other three stemmed from me being too apathetic to drink a potion despite watching his health drop steadily (ES archers in the Pits, Fana/LE Devilkin in the Pits, Conviction Bremm.)

Thanks for your time and remember: you don't have to be in London to be a werewolf. A-hoo!

 

[maxicek]

Werewolf?
[youtube]gQQtgx4iG8E[/youtube]

Congratulations on the Patriarch. The gear makes it seem like an thread from when I joined the forum!

 

[nulio]

Grats!

(Do I need to lock all my sheep inside the house? Uuuh I hope I do behave with all those sheep laying around...)

 

[maareek]

@max: Thanks, I thought the same thing when I decided on the gear for him. Times, they do change. But something that doesn't change is how funny Young Frankenstein is. I should watch that again. "What was the name on the jar?" "Abbey." "Abbey what?" "Abbey Normal."

@nulio: c'mon now, that joke is baaaaaaaaaad. ;p

 

[BBS_Agonistes]

Great write up! I really like seeing the Rogue mercs, although I'm too addicted to Act 2 mercs to give them a try at the moment.

Now teach me how to get Hellforge to drop something nice like a Gul.

 

[maareek]

@BBS: Thanks. Meh, in general Rogues are only really where you want to be when your plan's needs intersect at "need to have fanaticism" and "want the fanaticism to come from the merc." ;p They're still awesome, though.

I've reached Hell's forge with at least 33 characters and have either 3 or 4 Guls (including the back to back Gul streak I'm currently on) and 3 or so Ists, so I'm not sure I'm the person to ask, but in case I am, here's a quick lesson.

Step 1: Don't care what drops.
Step 2: Don't need runes.
Step 3: Do a dance to the god of lucksacks.
Step 4: Complain irrespective of the result.

For the last step, a sullen "that's not a Ral" seems to work just fine.

 

[NagisaFurukawa]

This thread is too thoroughly devoid of kpop to be legitimately maareek's.

Additionally, congrats.

 

[maareek]

Hmm, if the community demands that each of my threads must include kpop then who am I to deny them? I'll keep that in mind for the future. As both a mark of sincerity and a nod towards the actual list of people I would expect to vote in favor of the above I present this:

 

[BBS_Agonistes]

@BBS: Thanks. Meh, in general Rogues are only really where you want to be when your plan's needs intersect at "need to have fanaticism" and "want the fanaticism to come from the merc." ;p They're still awesome, though.

Yeah, coincidentally I just ran the numbers on the Avengeress I’m planning and Faith would make reaching max IAS a breeze! I don’t have the runes yet, though, and probably need to stick to working toward Infinity since that’s probably one of the more useful RWs out there.