Patriarch FireMage, Trang Fire Mage Lord of Mages with Lower Resist and Infinity Merc

[PhineasB]

Patriarch FireMage, 3-piece Trang Lord of the Mages Necro with with A2 Infinity Merc

FireMage is the fourth character in my oSkills Sept. I hadn't used the fire skills for my full Trang Necro, due to the terrible cast rate for the Vampire form. When I decided to do it for this Sept, I dug into the options and realized he could be quite solid. A classic not-as-strong-as-the-base-character (FireWall Sorc), but with interesting twists that could still make him powerful with the right gear. I've been meaning to get this posted, but I wanted to make sure to do the Pat post justice to underscore a fun and quirky build, so it was delayed a bit due to busy schedule.

Build and Equipment Overview
The 3-piece set opens up FireWall as main damaging spell, with maxed mages to supplement elemental damage. Lower Resist helps keep elemental damage relevant, along with Merc's Infinity. The merc and Insight IG do solid physical damage to help with FIs, and 1-point skeletons are mostly about defense. Enigma allows improved positioning (okay, closer to tolerable, because the AI on Mages is not great), and maximizing+skills helps with all skills, and FireWall is further aided by two facets. I think this might be the first Necro I've done without a single point in CE. He didn't need it in the end.

Gear
- 40@ HotO / Trang's Wing w Fire Facet
- Swtich: CtA / Lidless
- Enigma Light Plate
- Shako w Fire Facet
- Rare Boots with 37FR, 19 LR, 20 FWR, 24 MF
- Trang's Gloves
- Trang's Belt
- Mara's 29@
- BKWB / SoJ
- Backback: 8 Graverobbers (with life, strength, etc), SCs for resists and 20 FHR

After Anya, he was 75/75/67/70, with 20 FHR and teleport, and a mess load of summons to help split up ranged damage and occupy melee attackers.

Merc:
- Infinity eth Thresher
- eth Fortitude
- eth Vamp w shimmering jewel with damage

Playthrough
He had slower than normal leveling: Envy gear -> damage jewels/charms -> Bonesnap -> Ribby (as Fishymancer) -> Lord of Mages at level 42 (A1 NM). Fishy and Mages aren't as strong as other twinking options, but he equipped Trang's gear as he went, and got full gear in NM Chaos Sanctuary.

He was then quite strong, and cleared Hell at p3. That was quite smooth. With 14 mages, 8 skeletons, Insight IG and Merc, the minions generally trailed the Necro, but I could also teleport to consolidate the pack. Infinity with LR broke most FIs, with extra lowering, and had most other monsters in negatives to fire. He was pretty constant in casting Fire Walls at non-FI monsters, and then adding some damage to broken FIs. But the Merc and IG were very strong and took out FIs plenty fast, with Mages' elemental likely making a difference?

All said, I will definitely put in a plug for this build. I'm somewhat surprised only one is included in the Mat/Pat compilation: It was a really engaging playthrough, with plenty to do in terms of Fire Walls, recasting minions, and LR (or teleporting to improve positioning and minion focus). At p3, it never got tedious with FIs, given the Merc and IG. I definitely recommend, and I think it would be particularly interesting in D2R with Fire Sunder Charms available.

More detailed updates from the Sept thread, which include more detail and some screenies, are here (to Hell), here (A1-A3 Hell), and here (A4-A5 Hell) with some fun screenshots there.

We finally got some decent runes in this Sept, with Um from NM HF and Mal from H HF. He also picked up a Tal's Plate in A5. Per my usual, he completed all quests and full-cleared all A85 areas and the A5 Portals. The fifth character has gotten to Hell, and then leveled to 84 to allow eTomby, so hoping to post that update and maybe progress through A1 tomorrow.

Spoiler: Pat Stats

Name:       FireMage
Class:      Necromancer
Experience: 991321162
Level:      84

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   73/184
Dexterity:  29/64
Vitality:   383/390
Energy:     25/32
HP:         965/1307
Mana:       191/373
Stamina:    530/610
Defense:    7/1800
AR:         100/275

Fire:       184/144/84
Cold:       178/138/78
Lightning:  167/127/67
Poison:     170/130/70

MF:         158       Block:      17
GF:         0
FR/W:       65
FHR:        20
IAS:        0
FCR:        60

Amplify Damage: 1/14
Dim Vision: 0/0
Weaken: 1/14
Iron Maiden: 1/14
Terror: 1/14
Confuse: 0/0
Life Tap: 1/14
Attract: 0/0
Decrepify: 1/14
Lower Resist: 20/33

Teeth: 0/0
Bone Armor: 1/14
Poison Dagger: 0/0
Corpse Explosion: 0/0
Bone Wall: 1/14
Poison Explosion: 0/0
Bone Spear: 0/0
Bone Prison: 0/0
Poison Nova: 0/0
Bone Spirit: 0/0

Skeleton Mastery: 20/39
Raise Skeleton: 1/20
Clay Golem: 1/20
Golem Mastery: 20/39
Raise Skeletal Mage: 20/39
Blood Golem: 1/20
Summon Resist: 1/20
Iron Golem: 1/20
Fire Golem: 2/21
Revive: 0/0

Spoiler: Gear

FireMage's Trang-Oul's Claws
Heavy Bracers
Defense: 74
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x2eb55e3f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+25% to Poison Skill Damage
+30 Defense
Cold Resist +30%

(2 items): Regenerate Mana 15%
(3 items): Regenerate Mana 15%

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 122
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x65d1bbdd
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 29 Blaze when you Level-Up
+2 to All Skills
Adds 17 - 45 Fire Damage
-4% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+5% to Fire Skill Damage
All Stats +2
+126 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+126 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: 0x66ea60e0
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 29 Blaze when you Level-Up
Adds 17 - 45 Fire Damage
-4% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+5% to Fire Skill Damage

Trang-Oul's Girth
Troll Belt
Defense: 159
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x927cf8e6
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+94 Defense
+66 to Life
Replenish Life +5
+36 to Mana
+30 Maximum Stamina
Cannot Be Frozen
Requirements -40%
Set (3 items): Cold Resist +40%

(2 items): Regenerate Mana 15%
(3 items): Regenerate Mana 15%

Septimus's Enigma
Light Plate
JahIthBer
Defense: 846
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 41
Fingerprint: 0xbaecf51a
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 to Teleport
+755 Defense
+63 to Strength (Based on Character Level)
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Damage Reduced by 8%
+14 Life after each Kill
15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
84% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Ith Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune

Doom Brogues
Sharkskin Boots
Defense: 50
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 47
Fingerprint: 0x8c64015
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Run/Walk
+26% Enhanced Defense
+3 to Dexterity
Lightning Resist +19%
Fire Resist +37%
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Call to Arms
Superior Crystal Sword
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 19 - 57
Durability: 22 of 22
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x7a78316c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
282% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+3 to Battle Command
+6 to Battle Orders
+4 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Increase Maximum Durability 10%
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune

Lidless Wall
Grim Shield
Defense: 344
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xde82e877
Item Level: 55
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+128% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Energy
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
All Resistances +19
+5 to Mana after each Kill
+1 to Light Radius
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond

Perfect Diamond
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +68% Damage to Undead
Armor: +100 to Attack Rating
Shields: Cold Resist +19%
Lightning Resist +19%
Fire Resist +19%
Poison Resist +19%

FireMage's Trang-Oul's Wing
Cantor Trophy
Defense: 189
Chance to Block: 40
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x1179495f
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 29 Blaze when you Level-Up
+2 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
30% Increased Chance of Blocking
Adds 17 - 45 Fire Damage
-4% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+5% to Fire Skill Damage
+125 Defense
+25 to Strength
+15 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +39%
Poison Resist +40%
Set (3 items): -25% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Set (4 items): Replenish Life +15
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet

(2 items): Regenerate Mana 15%
(3 items): Regenerate Mana 15%

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x39c9fe06
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 29 Blaze when you Level-Up
Adds 17 - 45 Fire Damage
-4% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+5% to Fire Skill Damage

Heart of the Oak
Flail
KoVexPulThul
One Hand Damage: 1 - 36
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 31
Required Dexterity: 25
Fingerprint: 0x776d7dc0
Item Level: 58
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)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ko Rune
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Pul Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xc25a7afc
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +29

Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xa87ba9c0
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
5% Life stolen per hit
+42 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina

The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0xca789f22
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
Adds 1 - 12 Lightning Damage
+20 to Mana
Increase Maximum Mana 25%

Spoiler: Charms

Graverobber's Grand Charm of Storms
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x936a7cd8
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
Adds 1 - 23 Lightning Damage

Graverobber's Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xc33fdb9e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
+6 to Strength

Graverobber's Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x6896df6b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
+6 to Strength

Graverobber's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x72b7d34f
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
+22 to Life

Graverobber's Grand Charm of Storms
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x973360f9
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
Adds 1 - 33 Lightning Damage

Graverobber's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xd2f354c4
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
+24 to Life

Amber Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x75c726c9
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Lightning Resist +10%

Amber Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xc95b5c9b
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%

Shimmering Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0xe0eb5b0a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
All Resistances +4

Shimmering Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xb1de0c2c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life
All Resistances +5

Amber Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xd8ffb4f6
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%

Emerald Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x9475875d
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Poison Resist +11%

Amber Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x5fe7815f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%

Graverobber's Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x10a6d8f9
Item Level: 66
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
+4 to Strength

Emerald Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x8c986412
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Poison Resist +11%

Graverobber's Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x521c8164
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
+7 to Life

Spoiler: Merc

Name:       Chalan
Race:       Desert Mercenary
Type:       Off-Nightmare
Experience: 72000882
Level:      84
Dead?:      false

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   184/184
Dexterity:  148/148
HP:         1727/1821
Defense:    1274/4658
AR:         1898/1898

Fire:       186/146/86
Cold:       186/146/86
Lightning:  186/146/86
Poison:    186/146/86

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

Scintillating Jewel of Truth
Jewel
Required Level: 36
Fingerprint: 0x133018ca
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +13%
Lightning Resist +13%
Fire Resist +13%
Poison Resist +13%

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
+94 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
Infinity
Thresher
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 64 - 757
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 142
Required Dexterity: 108
Fingerprint: 0xdae0dcd1
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
50% Chance to cast level 20 Chain Lightning when you Kill an Enemy
Level 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Run/Walk
259% Enhanced Damage
-52% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
+42 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 Rune

 

[SirName]

Nice pat!

Did you consider full Trang’s for firemastery? Or would the lack of teleport alone have killed the build or also the crappy cast rate? (Not that Firewall is that dependant of it)

As a side note: If I have understand correctly this build is slightly better in D2R as no nextdelay hampering several firewalls on same target.

 

[TheNix]

Congrats on the Pat. Would you believe that I'm in Act 2 Nightmare with a Poison/Fire Full Trang's Necro at the moment?

 

[PhineasB]

@SirName I did consider full Trang's, but concluded the loss of teleport to reposition the Mages would be significant. Given my interest in making the Mages a focus of the build, that ended up being the right choice. But as I noted in the write up, they didn't add a ton of damage in the end. (I had also initially planned to use Fire Ball, so the FCR impact was also a consideration, although it didn't end up being relevant in the end.)

The other key point was that +skills from Enigma and Shako boosted Fire Wall damage significantly. I didn't do the precise calculation, but the +4 skills gave a healthy boost to Fire Wall damage (~300/s) that came close to what the +3 Mastery would provide.

Ultimately, I concluded full Trang's was more of a distinct build, likely dropping Mages and instead going with Skeletons or Poison for better value on those skill points. I've actually equipped FireMage with the full set though, planning to try a Pit run or two. But I'm also looking forward to the write up from @TheNix with the Fire/Poison hybrid (and likely Sunder charms?).