- Jan 1, 2011
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Or how to nerf a build and still come out smelling like roses.
The intent at the beginning was to make a Fohdin with a complementary skill for the situations where Fist of Heavens doesn’t work. Then I let my normal play style of no respecs and getting enamored with Excalibur’s Uber Smiter lead me astray.
The plan was to max Fist of Heaven, Fanaticism, Holy Shield and Smite; 4 into Zeal and 1 point into Holy Shock and Salvation plus 1 point in prerequisites. That’s beyond level 85, but that was the plan. If I recall correctly the 4 points in zeal came about because I very quickly realized that I didn’t want to Smite my way to level 30. In hind sight, I built a smiter and not a Fohdin and never realized it.
So, if I nerfed the build, why do I say I came out smelling like roses? Well, I was able to play Hell at Players 8 until my first death in the Halls of Pain in Hell Act 5, at which point I was at level 89. I basically did full clears, did not do any farming or any of the cow levels. After the death, I dropped the settings to Players 3 to speed up play and finished at level 89.5. So clearly, I did something right. What I did right was in the gear I chose and specifically an Exile shield, an Infinity in a 1.07 Eth Thresher and Oath in an Eth Scourge.
Here's my end gear:
Helm – Harlequin Crest
Armor – Fortitude Archon Plate
Weapon – Oath Eth Scourge
Shield – Exile Sacred Targe
Gloves – Steelrend
Belt – Thundergod’s Vigor
Boots – War Travelers
Ring – Stone of Jordan
Ring – Ravenfrost
Amulet – Mara’s
Switch – Asteron’s Wand and Herald of Zakarum
Clearly this is not the usual gear selection for a Fohdin, but it is most of what Excalibur suggested for his Uber Smiter. I did try for a long time with appropriate Fohdin gear. At level 30 I equipped an Honor Divine Scepter with +3 Fist of Heavens, Skin of the Vipermagi, Frostburns, Silkweave (at 36) String of Ears, and Stone of Jordan I found that Zeal was still a more potent attack.
Then somewhere in Nightmare Act 3 I reached level 60 and started making some changes. Both my Griefs are on my Wolfbarb and his merc and I didn’t want to be switching back and forth so for when using Zeal, I equipped the Exile shield and an Oath Eth Scourge and when my merc reached level 63 I equipped the Infinity Thresher and Devin began really flying through Nightmare.
At this point, FoH basically got ignored for the most part as I ripped through Nightmare Acts 4 and 5. I realized that FoH would end up being a contributor against packs at best. Cast it a few times and then wade into the mobs. I also realized that I got a lot more fun smashing monster with Oath than I did in casting FoH. As a result, somewhere in Act 5 and in the mid-70s I gave up on the FoH gear and went with most of the gear suggested by Excalibur.
Once I got in Hell, I decided that I would try and play the first Act at players 8,. That went so well that I decided to play the second Act at players 8 or until I died. I’m sure that doing full clears at p/8 slowed me down a little, but everything was still dying quickly and I wasn’t dying. I finished Duriel off at level 86.85. Meph bit the dust just as I reached level 88. Act 4 saw me only get not quite halfway to 89. After clearing the bloody Foothills and the Frigid Highlands 88.675. After clearing the Glacial trail and the Frozen River he’s at 88.9. I made level 89 in the Halls of Anguish and died for the first time to quill rats in the Halls of Pain. I was able to recover the body. After dying I decided to speed things up and switched to players 3. Finished Baal off at level 89.5.
Hell Forge – A Pul in Nightmare and a Ko in Hell. I was robbed of the Ko when the game quit on its own moving beyond the River of Flame waypoint. The Game remembered that I had smashed the soul stone, but I lost the Ko and gems.
THOUGHTS
I tried three helms; Delirium, Griffon’s eye and Harlequin Crest. Delirium provided a lot crowd control and while there was some conflict between confuse and life tap they both seemed to work together quite well. Griffon’s was obviously tried to increase FoH effectiveness, which it did, but not enough to make a real difference. Ultimately, at the beginning of Hell Act 5 I went with the Harley for the increase in Life and Mana.
I initially chose to go with Infinity to make FoH more effective. However, the -83% reduction to defense made the damage that Zeal was doing even more effective. Infinity doesn't break Physical immunities, but other than that I thought it was more useful the Decrepify from Reaper's Toll.
As far as those PIs go I had access to a Bone Breaker Sunder Charm, but I found that FoH was faster especially for ghosts.
Merc - I picked up two things recently from other threads. First, was using Sigon’s Helm and Armor on the Merc at early levels.. Like many I frequently use Sigon’s gear on low level characters, but hadn’t consider using it on a Merc. The strength requirements are nothing for an Act 2 Merc and the bonuses are nice for 2 items especially the 10% life steal. The second was using the Runeword Honor in a Lance for Act 2 Mercs. I never even botheered looking at lance till I read this and had none in my stashes, but it didn’t take that long to find one and it was outstanding. An awesome combination he wore the armor and carried the lance until reaching level 63 and equipping Infinity.
The intent at the beginning was to make a Fohdin with a complementary skill for the situations where Fist of Heavens doesn’t work. Then I let my normal play style of no respecs and getting enamored with Excalibur’s Uber Smiter lead me astray.
The plan was to max Fist of Heaven, Fanaticism, Holy Shield and Smite; 4 into Zeal and 1 point into Holy Shock and Salvation plus 1 point in prerequisites. That’s beyond level 85, but that was the plan. If I recall correctly the 4 points in zeal came about because I very quickly realized that I didn’t want to Smite my way to level 30. In hind sight, I built a smiter and not a Fohdin and never realized it.
So, if I nerfed the build, why do I say I came out smelling like roses? Well, I was able to play Hell at Players 8 until my first death in the Halls of Pain in Hell Act 5, at which point I was at level 89. I basically did full clears, did not do any farming or any of the cow levels. After the death, I dropped the settings to Players 3 to speed up play and finished at level 89.5. So clearly, I did something right. What I did right was in the gear I chose and specifically an Exile shield, an Infinity in a 1.07 Eth Thresher and Oath in an Eth Scourge.
Code:
Name: Devin
Class: Paladin
Experience: 1554800144
Level: 89
Naked/Gear
Strength: 171/247
Dexterity: 128/174
Vitality: 226/281
Energy: 15/50
HP: 894/1237 Actually 1402
Mana: 147/340
Stamina: 378/407
Defense: 32/3098 with Defiance 18627 with Chilling armor over 23,000
AR: 625/1048 with fanaticism 3982
Zeal Damage 400-6669
Foh Damage 1652-1708
Fire: 178/138/78
Cold: 171/131/71
Lightning: 190/150/90
Poison: 175/135/75
MF: 175 Block: 53
GF: 105 FR/W: 25
FHR: 12 IAS: 50
FCR: 25
Sacrifice: 1/7
Smite: 20/26
Holy Bolt: 2/8
Zeal: 4/10
Charge: 1/7
Vengeance: 1/7
Blessed Hammer: 1/7
Conversion: 1/7
Holy Shield: 20/26
Fist of the Heavens: 20/26
Might: 1/9
Holy Fire: 1/9
Thorns: 0/0
Blessed Aim: 1/9
Concentration: 1/9
Holy Freeze: 1/9
Holy Shock: 1/9
Sanctuary: 0/0
Fanaticism: 20/28
Conviction: 0/0
Prayer: 0/0
Resist Fire: 0/0
Defiance: 0/0
Resist Cold: 0/0
Cleansing: 0/0
Resist Lightning: 1/7
Vigor: 0/0
Meditation: 0/0
Redemption: 0/0
Salvation: 1/7Here's my end gear:
Helm – Harlequin Crest
Armor – Fortitude Archon Plate
Weapon – Oath Eth Scourge
Shield – Exile Sacred Targe
Gloves – Steelrend
Belt – Thundergod’s Vigor
Boots – War Travelers
Ring – Stone of Jordan
Ring – Ravenfrost
Amulet – Mara’s
Switch – Asteron’s Wand and Herald of Zakarum
Code:
Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1491
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0xd71bad6a
Item Level: 85
Version: Resurrected
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+122 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
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Devin's Oath
Scourge
ShaelPulMalLum
One Hand Damage: 16 - 500
Indestructible
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 115
Required Dexterity: 67
Fingerprint: 0xadb221f2
Item Level: 86
Version: Resurrected
30% Chance to cast level 20 Bone Spirit on striking
Indestructible
+50% Increased Attack Speed
317% Enhanced Damage
+75% Damage to Demons
+100 to Attack Rating against Demons
+150% Damage to Undead
Prevent Monster Heal
+10 to Energy
Magic Absorb 11%
Level 16 Heart of Wolverine (20/20 Charges)
Level 17 Iron Golem (14/14 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Pul Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Lum Rune
Exile
Sacred Targe
VexOhmIstDol
Defense: 491
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 45 of 45
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 86
Fingerprint: 0x348d2c52
Item Level: 79
Version: Resurrected
15% Chance to cast level 5 Life Tap on striking
Level 14 Defiance Aura When Equipped
+2 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
+30% Faster Block Rate
Freezes target +1
+241% Enhanced Defense
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Cold Resist
+5% to Maximum Fire Resist
All Resistances +44
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Repairs 1 Durability in 4 Seconds
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Steelrend
Ogre Gauntlets
Defense: 255
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 185
Fingerprint: 0xe5a3f61f
Item Level: 86
Version: Resurrected
31% Enhanced Damage
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+190 Defense
+20 to Strength
War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 130
Durability: 48 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x8aa4ac5b
Item Level: 86
Version: Resurrected
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+171% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 9
42% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30
Thundergod's Vigor
War Belt
Defense: 140
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 110
Fingerprint: 0xca844bda
Item Level: 99
Version: Resurrected
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)
+166% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
+10% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Lightning Absorb 20%
Maximum Durability
Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 111
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x629a0d3f
Item Level: 83
Version: Resurrected
100% Chance to cast level 41 Nova when you Level-Up
+2 to All Skills
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-5% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+4% to Lightning Skill Damage
All Stats +2
+133 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+133 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet
Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xde163c04
Item Level: 87
Version: Resurrected
100% Chance to cast level 41 Nova when you Level-Up
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-5% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+4% to Lightning Skill Damage
The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x4aa0da3e
Item Level: 85
Version: Resurrected
+1 to All Skills
Adds 1 - 12 Lightning Damage
+20 to Mana
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x95c5d9a5
Item Level: 99
Version: Resurrected
+193 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+20 Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen
Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x7f28d8bb
Item Level: 82
Version: Resurrected
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +23
Herald of Zakarum
Gilded Shield
Defense: 437
Chance to Block: 52
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 89
Fingerprint: 0xc28fcc2f
Item Level: 87
Version: Resurrected
+2 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
+30% Faster Block Rate
30% Increased Chance of Blocking
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+159% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
All Resistances +69
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Astreon's Iron Ward
Caduceus
One Hand Damage: 136 - 158
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 60
Required Strength: 97
Required Dexterity: 70
Fingerprint: 0xe61d332d
Item Level: 88
Version: Resurrected
+4 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
+10% Increased Attack Speed
269% Enhanced Damage
Damage +81
168% Bonus to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 80 - 240 Magic Damage
33% Chance of Crushing Blow
Slows Target by 25%
Damage Reduced by 4
Code:
Name: Durga
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Defiance-Normal
Experience: 78465610
Level: 89
Naked/Gear
Strength: 197/197
Dexterity: 160/160
HP: 1990/2079
Defense: 1459/3244
AR: 2024/2024
Fire: 186/146/86
Cold: 186/146/86
Lightning: 186/146/86
Poison: 186/146/86
Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 24 of 40
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xa9f8b212
Item Level: 88
Version: Resurrected
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
8% Mana stolen per hit
8% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 18%
Magic Damage Reduced by 15
Fortitude
Superior Wire Fleece
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1533
Durability: 32 of 32
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 111
Fingerprint: 0x733dae0b
Item Level: 85
Version: Resurrected
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+215% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+89 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +30
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
Infinity
Thresher
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 83 - 974
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 142
Required Dexterity: 108
Fingerprint: 0x6f53121a
Item Level: 87
Version: Resurrected
50% Chance to cast level 20 Chain Lightning when you Kill an Enemy
Level 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Run/Walk
362% Enhanced Damage
-50% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
+44 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30/30 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist RuneClearly this is not the usual gear selection for a Fohdin, but it is most of what Excalibur suggested for his Uber Smiter. I did try for a long time with appropriate Fohdin gear. At level 30 I equipped an Honor Divine Scepter with +3 Fist of Heavens, Skin of the Vipermagi, Frostburns, Silkweave (at 36) String of Ears, and Stone of Jordan I found that Zeal was still a more potent attack.
Then somewhere in Nightmare Act 3 I reached level 60 and started making some changes. Both my Griefs are on my Wolfbarb and his merc and I didn’t want to be switching back and forth so for when using Zeal, I equipped the Exile shield and an Oath Eth Scourge and when my merc reached level 63 I equipped the Infinity Thresher and Devin began really flying through Nightmare.
At this point, FoH basically got ignored for the most part as I ripped through Nightmare Acts 4 and 5. I realized that FoH would end up being a contributor against packs at best. Cast it a few times and then wade into the mobs. I also realized that I got a lot more fun smashing monster with Oath than I did in casting FoH. As a result, somewhere in Act 5 and in the mid-70s I gave up on the FoH gear and went with most of the gear suggested by Excalibur.
Once I got in Hell, I decided that I would try and play the first Act at players 8,. That went so well that I decided to play the second Act at players 8 or until I died. I’m sure that doing full clears at p/8 slowed me down a little, but everything was still dying quickly and I wasn’t dying. I finished Duriel off at level 86.85. Meph bit the dust just as I reached level 88. Act 4 saw me only get not quite halfway to 89. After clearing the bloody Foothills and the Frigid Highlands 88.675. After clearing the Glacial trail and the Frozen River he’s at 88.9. I made level 89 in the Halls of Anguish and died for the first time to quill rats in the Halls of Pain. I was able to recover the body. After dying I decided to speed things up and switched to players 3. Finished Baal off at level 89.5.
Hell Forge – A Pul in Nightmare and a Ko in Hell. I was robbed of the Ko when the game quit on its own moving beyond the River of Flame waypoint. The Game remembered that I had smashed the soul stone, but I lost the Ko and gems.
THOUGHTS
I tried three helms; Delirium, Griffon’s eye and Harlequin Crest. Delirium provided a lot crowd control and while there was some conflict between confuse and life tap they both seemed to work together quite well. Griffon’s was obviously tried to increase FoH effectiveness, which it did, but not enough to make a real difference. Ultimately, at the beginning of Hell Act 5 I went with the Harley for the increase in Life and Mana.
I initially chose to go with Infinity to make FoH more effective. However, the -83% reduction to defense made the damage that Zeal was doing even more effective. Infinity doesn't break Physical immunities, but other than that I thought it was more useful the Decrepify from Reaper's Toll.
As far as those PIs go I had access to a Bone Breaker Sunder Charm, but I found that FoH was faster especially for ghosts.
Merc - I picked up two things recently from other threads. First, was using Sigon’s Helm and Armor on the Merc at early levels.. Like many I frequently use Sigon’s gear on low level characters, but hadn’t consider using it on a Merc. The strength requirements are nothing for an Act 2 Merc and the bonuses are nice for 2 items especially the 10% life steal. The second was using the Runeword Honor in a Lance for Act 2 Mercs. I never even botheered looking at lance till I read this and had none in my stashes, but it didn’t take that long to find one and it was outstanding. An awesome combination he wore the armor and carried the lance until reaching level 63 and equipping Infinity.
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