Patriarch Dedekind, Faith Hunter Druid

[snickersnack]

So, to start, this build was only possible with the (long lived) generosity of one NagisaFurukawa. I don't remember if he/she/they is even on this forum, but they were very kind to me on the older forum. Several of the Mat/Pat threads I posted there (now reposted here) included a thanks to NF.

This is another build that I started in/around 2010, and I don't remember why I started it. There's some chance that I started it because NF gave me the Faith explicitly so I could. I don't know.

As I said, I'm not sure why I started this build, but most of the choices make sense to me. Overall, this character was a hunter first and a summoner second; the act 2 moron was chosen by default, not as a design choice.

I picked this build up in early hell act 2, as has been a theme with these 'found' builds. I played through acts 2-4 on random players counts. Parts were a on p1 and others on p7. The character is quite safe on lower player counts and still reasonably safe on higher counts. Max Dex + Fort brings a lot of defense and (almost) maxed Cyclone Armor works wonders. I never quite had max resists, but I did work in at least some absorb at times. In any case, elemental ranged damage wasn't much of an issue, due to some resists and absorb coupled with CA. I had what I consider to be a lot of deaths, overall, but I usually play less risky characters (i.e. max vit). I've felt a bit slow and clunky playing D2 the past few weeks. Maybe not playing for 10 years has dulled my responses.

The Chaos Sanctuary wasn't particularly difficult. I think I had a couple of deaths in the CS, but none to the boss. I think I killed D on /p3.

Act 5 was fine. I sailed through most of it on /p5, with no major issues. I did die a couple of times, though (Hello, PI Frenzytaurs!). It's pretty easy to recover since I can just resummon things, res my merc, approach slowly, then dart in and get my stuff. Ancients killed me on my first attempt, but it was a bit weird. I was using Grizzly instead of dire wolves, of course, and after the first ancient dropped, one of them 1/2 shotted me. The second attempt was totally smooth.

The WSK was fine (/p1). No deaths, I think. The Baal kill was on /p3.

I want to say something about the playstyle, but it's a pretty standard hunter. I don't think that I tried anything too uncommon. On items, though, I did go through a few changes. When I first loaded him up, he was sporting a Jalal's Mane, hit power gloves, and Razortail (probably other stuff, too). Jalal's Mane is a great item for most druids, but it started to feel like a hindrance with this one. The +Druid Skills don't help my shouts and there aren't many combat stats. I thought about replacing the Ort with an Um, but never did. Also, the +126 life on the Shako was tempting on this low vit character. The Pierce on the Razortail probably helped my DPS a bit, but that's all it did, and so I replaced with Thundergod's for the absorb (and Str due to my stat woes). The hitpower gloves (knockback, ias, resists) worked well, but I started to notice (especially with the grizzly) that I was knocking mobs out my minions' range sometimes. It seemed like LoH would boost my damage enough to be worth the switch.

On charms: when I loaded up the character, I had two max damage grand charms (+18 and +20, iirc) in the inventory, but I removed those and put in charms to shore up life and resists. I also added a lot of elemental damage charms. I hadn't really planned that last part, but it kind of worked out as I was choosing charms to use. I used one trainer's skiller, but that one has +30 life, so it was an easy choice. I focused on life, resists, and elemental damage with the rest.



That screenie shows my AR at ~11k, but it was usually at 16k through most of the playthrough. I'm not 100% sure what I changed to change that. Maybe HoW isn't triggering there?



Yeah, that seem more like it.

Stats (40 saved):

Spoiler

Name: Dedekind
Class: Druid
Experience: 1027294044
Level: 84

Naked/Gear
Strength: 75/114
Dexterity: 350/371
Vitality: 25/47
Energy: 20/22
HP: 239/781
Mana: 186/352
Stamina: 167/187
Defense: 87/2478
AR: 1720/651063 <--------Um, I'm not sure what this is. LCS usually showed ~16k all buffed.

Fire: 179/139/79
Cold: 118/78/18
Lightning: 149/109/49
Poison: 100/60/0

MF: 61 Block: 42
GF: 75
FR/W: 30
FHR: 0
IAS: 40
FCR: 25

Skills (9 saved):

Spoiler

Raven: 1/7
Poison Creeper: 0/0
Oak Sage: 1/7
Summon Spirit Wolf: 1/7
Carrion Vine: 0/0
Heart of Wolverine: 20/26
Summon Dire Wolf: 20/26
Solar Creeper: 0/0
Spirit of Barbs: 0/0
Summon Grizzly: 20/26

Werewolf: 0/0
Lycanthropy: 0/0
Werebear: 0/0
Feral Rage: 0/0
Maul: 0/0
Rabies: 0/0
Fire Claws: 0/0
Hunger: 0/0
Shock Wave: 0/0
Fury: 0/0

Firestorm: 0/0
Molten Boulder: 0/0
Arctic Blast: 1/6
Fissure: 0/0
Cyclone Armor: 18/23
Twister: 1/6
Volcano: 0/0
Tornado: 1/6
Armageddon: 0/0
Hurricane: 1/6

Items:

Main: Faith Blade Bow
Switch: CTA, Lidless Wall
Chest: Aconite's Fortitude, AP
Helm: Shako, Um
Hands: Laying of Hands
Feet: Gore Rider
Belt: T God's Vigor
Ammy: Highlord's Wrath
Rings: Ravenfrost, Rare AR/leech/str

Spoiler

Corruption Band
Ring
Required Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x234d55b8
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+122 to Attack Rating
6% Life stolen per hit
+20 to Strength
+5 to Mana
Poison Resist +30%
+1 to Light Radius

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x69a47c1c
Item Level: 99
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

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x7f9e3b30
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+225 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

Plague Circle
Ring
Required Level: 60
Fingerprint: 0xb6e39a8e
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+113 to Attack Rating
6% Life stolen per hit
+9 to Strength
+36 to Life
Lightning Resist +20%

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 143
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0xde58209e
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+165% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Aconite's Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1581
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0xaab9dee7
Item Level: 84
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
+115 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +29
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

Thundergod's Vigor
War Belt
Defense: 145
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 110
Fingerprint: 0xc6f3a0ee
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)
+174% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
+10% to Maximum Lightning Resist
+20 Lightning Absorb

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 122
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xf0b8a2d1
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+126 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+126 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
All Resistances +15
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um Rune

Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 81
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xe7052d78
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 3 Holy Bolt on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+350% Damage to Demons
+25 Defense
Fire Resist +50%

Call to Arms
Superior Crystal Sword
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 18 - 56
Durability: 23 of 23
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xc121df05
Item Level: 73
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
279% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+5 to Battle Command
+6 to Battle Orders
+2 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Increase Maximum Durability 15%
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune

Lidless Wall
Grim Shield
Defense: 314
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x740a1790
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+108% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Energy
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
+3 to Mana after each Kill
+1 to Light Radius

Faith
Superior Blade Bow
OhmJahLemEld
Two Hand Damage: 93 - 182
Durability: 21 of 32
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 76
Required Dexterity: 119
Fingerprint: 0xfe25e5cf
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 12 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+2 to All Skills
345% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
300% Bonus 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

Charms:

Spoiler

Boreal Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x6b8ee125
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 7 - 9 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+20 to Life

Static Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x35426ecf
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 10 Lightning Damage
+19 to Life

Trainer's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x7a9ce0a3
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Druid Only)
+30 to Life

Stalwart Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x9e2021b2
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+97 Defense
+40 to Life

Snowy Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x43cd709
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 3 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
+20 to Life

Arcing Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 57
Fingerprint: 0xdeeffb23
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 36 Lightning Damage
+16 to Life

Smoking Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 56
Fingerprint: 0x96bb8de
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 7 - 12 Fire Damage
+17 to Life

Cobalt Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xbbeb582a
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
Cold Resist +9%

Viridian Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xdcbad6f
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Poison Resist +6%

Lapis Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xbf698902
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Cold Resist +6%

Cobalt Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x9ba1a3ec
Item Level: 68
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Cold Resist +9%

Garnet Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0xd16fa473
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 26 Lightning Damage
Fire Resist +8%

Ruby Small Charm of Winter
Small Charm
Required Level: 38
Fingerprint: 0xdf357d02
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 5 - 9 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Fire Resist +11%

Shimmering Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x62a363e4
Item Level: 69
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Strength
All Resistances +15

Garnet Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x4ea7a071
Item Level: 43
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Life
Fire Resist +8%

Garnet Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x21f609e4
Item Level: 45
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
Fire Resist +8%

Lucky Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0xc8365de0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5 to Strength
11% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Stash:

Spoiler

Jalal's Mane
Totemic Mask
Defense: 288
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x84d75578
Item Level: 87
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
+191% 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

Dracul's Grasp
Vampirebone Gloves
Defense: 126
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 76
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x378ded51
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 10 Life Tap on striking
8% Life stolen per hit
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+92% Enhanced Defense
+14 to Strength
+9 Life after each Kill

Dwarf Star
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xdffa9bad
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40 to Life
+40 Maximum Stamina
Heal Stamina Plus 15%
Fire Absorb 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 15
100% Extra Gold from Monsters

Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 105
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 32
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x61b9e485
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Piercing Attack
+10 to Maximum Damage
+145% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+15 to Dexterity
Attacker Takes Damage of (Based on Character Level) 84

Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x5cd63d51
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
5% Life stolen per hit
+4 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina

Mercenary:

The Reaper's Toll
Stone, eth AP
Vampire Gaze, eth

Spoiler

Name: Ahsab

Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Nightmare
Experience: 71979668
Level: 84
Dead?: false

Naked/Gear
Strength: 184/200
Dexterity: 148/148
HP: 1727/1727
Defense: 1274/5613
AR: 1898/1898

Fire: 178/138/78
Cold: 178/138/78
Lightning: 178/138/78
Poison: 178/138/78

Stone
Archon Plate
ShaelUmPulLum
Defense: 3961
Durability: 31 of 31
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 93
Fingerprint: 0xb00d914e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+60% Faster Hit Recovery
+273% Enhanced Defense
+300 Defense vs. Missile
+16 to Strength
+16 to Vitality
+10 to Energy
All Resistances +15
Level 16 Molten Boulder (80/80 Charges)
Level 16 Clay Golem (16/16 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Pul Rune
Socketed: Lum Rune

Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 378
Durability: 21 of 21
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 48
Fingerprint: 0x9f678bf5
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
8% Mana stolen per hit
6% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
All Resistances +15
Damage Reduced by 17%
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um Rune

The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 39 - 462
Durability: 48 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0xfc63c33e
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
228% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 0 Secs (6 Frames)
13% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%

Drops: Well, well, well. What have we here? That's probably the most notable drop in my D2 career, so if I quit tomorrow, starting up again was well worth it!

When I loaded up Dedekind, he had a Pul rune, presumably from NM hellfore. He found an Um at some point (I have a screenie). His hell hellforge was Lem. I just started posting here recently, and though I've kept screenshots of notable drops, most are not yet posted in the IFT. I'm not sure that I'll try to trade/gift them, so I'm not too worried about that just yet.

Other drops: lacerator, infernostride, eth 0soc feral axe*, naj's light plate, flamebellow (hell D), Tal's Lidless Eye (meh roll), IK Stone Crusher, Tal's H Crest, Diggler (hehe), Spirit Shroud (hell B). Overall, not a bad haul, even discounting the runes.

Plans for this character: I have some saved skill/stat points, so I could make some significant changes, or just respec. This build isn't especially good at any one thing, but it was fun. I kind of want to try regearing to focus on summoning first and pew pewing second, but I may not bother.

Future plans in general: Maybe I should make a Faith necro? Maybe I should make a build that relies on the Rogue merc using Faith?

That Cham rune, though, brings up some possibilities. I could make a Doom weapon. I have a 0 socket eth berserker axe from 1.07 that I could try to get 5 sockets in. I may have enough runes to ebug it as well. There are a number of builds in the mat/pat thread using Doom, and I seem to have the components for a good one. Can anyone recommend a good (read: FUN, not necessarily baller) build using Doom on the character and faith on the merc? I was thinking that just a fairly plain avenger would make good use of a Doom BA.

Any suggestions on another use of a Cham rune would be appreciated. My next highest rune right now is Lo, but I have many runes below Mal, so cubing up something between Mal and Lo is possible.

* not important to most, but I have an executress that could use an eth 2-hander....if I don't want to rack for a 1.07 one.

 

[SirName]

Congrats on the pat!

Whatever you use Cham for is going to be for a niche use:
- Socket in something to open up a ringslot from Raven Frost
- Add CBF to some merc gear
- Any of the runewords containing Cham

I have had a Cham in my stash for a year or so now. I have been waiting for lightning to strike a second time in order to cube a Zod and make something great (BOTD 2- hander). After this time I can't use it for anything else anymore: Another Cham dropping the run after slapping it in a Shako or something would sting too much.

I did give Doom some thought at some point and these are my thoughts: For a melee weapon only thing what sets it apart is the HF which does not really add damage in a significant way (it is not going to be a PI solution). But it does add a defensive component with the slow. So possibly good for a two hander char! Checked a Giant Thresher would reach 5fpa Fury with some extra ias. GT is the best choice rangewize and would also be usable by a merc.

It is of course possible to use Doom as a caster weapon (2 skills & hefty -enemy cold res). That mainly leaves Hurricane (which I recall someone finding effective in Ancient Tunnels, Luhkoh?) as Sorc has mastery already.

 

[snickersnack]

Congrats on the pat!

Whatever you use Cham for is going to be for a niche use:
- Socket in something to open up a ringslot from Raven Frost
- Add CBF to some merc gear
- Any of the runewords containing Cham

I have had a Cham in my stash for a year or so now. I have been waiting for lightning to strike a second time in order to cube a Zod and make something great (BOTD 2- hander). After this time I can't use it for anything else anymore: Another Cham dropping the run after slapping it in a Shako or something would sting too much.

I did give Doom some thought at some point and these are my thoughts: For a melee weapon only thing what sets it apart is the HF which does not really add damage in a significant way (it is not going to be a PI solution). But it does add a defensive component with the slow. So possibly good for a two hander char! Checked a Giant Thresher would reach 5fpa Fury with some extra ias. GT is the best choice rangewize and would also be usable by a merc.

It is of course possible to use Doom as a caster weapon (2 skills & hefty -enemy cold res). That mainly leaves Hurricane (which I recall someone finding effective in Ancient Tunnels, Luhkoh?) as Sorc has mastery already.

Thanks for the suggestions! I also thought about BotD; that's one that I've always wanted. I think I'll probably just put the Cham on the back-burner for now and see what happens.

I also thought of using the Cham to free up a ring slot, but I'm not sure that I'd get a whole lot of utility that way. Hmm.

 

[PhineasB]

Congrats on the Pat. I really enjoyed my Faith equipped hunter druid as a balanced and different playthrough but I’m pretty sure I stayed on p1 the whole way.

Very nice with the Cham, and I’d endorse the Doom as a fun choice. But it’s definitely best for a playthrough rather than powerful end game option for XP or MFing, so I’d likely go with Cham’ed headgear myself if I was on a fresh restart for the flexibility and utility.

 

[snickersnack]

Congrats on the Pat. I really enjoyed my Faith equipped hunter druid as a balanced and different playthrough but I’m pretty sure I stayed on p1 the whole way.

Very nice with the Cham, and I’d endorse the Doom as a fun choice. But it’s definitely best for a playthrough rather than powerful end game option for XP or MFing, so I’d likely go with Cham’ed headgear myself if I was on a fresh restart for the flexibility and utility.

Thanks!

Based on your response and SirName's, I'll probably just sit on it for a while, and if I need CBF without ravenfrost, I may use it for that. I do recall using Kira's on a recent build (mostly for resists) and the flexibility of not needing Ravenfrost was nice.

Of couse, most melee builds would happily use RF for the AR and absorb, so it'd likely be a caster that would use CBF from a Cham. Maybe I should finish levelling my blizz sorc and consider using it for her.