- Mar 19, 2020
- 3,349
- 1,404
- 113
If you haven't made a Charger, go now. Right now. Go to the character selection screen, click the Paladin. Make one.
For those who haven't made one or read the Bible of Charging, there are essentially 3 really awesome things about Charge:
- Shift-clicking and bombing around the screen like a madman
- Refilling huge chunks of life/mana in a single (extremely satisfying) hit
- CHARGE CHAINS. The rumours are true, they are awesome.
I chose to make a Convicted Charger variant because:
1) More than enough %ED from Charge itself
2) Not having to think about AR is nice
3) I like the way the aura looks
First things first for the more impatient folks out there, here is some info and the full dump (with some bulk trimmed out). Some thoughts will follow:
Stats:
Name: Gary_Lasereyes
Class: Paladin
Experience: 1299007278
Level: 87
Strength: 160
Dexterity: 68
Vitality: 414
Energy: 45
HP: 1635 (2580 after BO)
Mana: 184 (332 after BO)
Resists: 47/9/53/-13
Charge Dmg: 13-17k
Charge AR: 5566 (wayyy more than enough with Conviction)
Zeal Dmg (5 hits): 5-6.6k
Vengeance Dmg (for PIs): 6.1-8k
Skills:
20 Charge
20 Might
20 Vigor
17 Conviction (enough to the point of dimishing returns on the -def)
1 Redemption (Corpse Removal)
1 Salvation (Gloams)
1 Vengeance (for Unbreakable PIs)
9 (the rest) in Zeal (quite frankly I had nothing else to do with them)
Equipment:
Helm: Guillaume's Face - Scintillating (13 res all) Jewel of Bliss (9 min dmg)
Armour: 'Fortitude' Dusk Shroud (why? low requirements, and I had one available)
Gloves: Laying of Hands
Belt: String of Ears
Boots: Gore Rider
Amulet: Highlord's
Rings: Ravenfrost and a rare dual-leecher
Weapon:
Switch: Cta/Lidless
As you can see, a healthy dose of Deadly Strike and Crushing Blow to help things along.
Charms: Sharp GCs/Life/Resistances (see dump for details)
Merc:
A2 Offensive (Might)
Helm: Vamp Gaze
Armour: Treachery
Weapon: Eth Reapers
No real logic behind the merc gear aside from Reapers for the decrep. He was essentially a walking aura/decrep proc and a punching bag for herding baddies.
The Journey
This was all born out of an ancient goal I set for myself way back in the 1.09 days. BotD Archon Staff was one of my very first "Hey, I want to make that weird and awesome thing one day" items, however it was nothing but a pipedream until 1.13 came along and made runes actually findable. A Charger was always on my to-do list so I figured; two birds, one stone.
Norm/NM were done entirely on /p8 (including Act bosses). Twinking gear was pretty simple and I didn't plan it out very much; Envy jeweled War Staff and Helm/Armour, Angelic gear for AR and some other scraps to start. He switched to an 'Insight' Rune Staff later as other gear started to become available. I kept all his weapons in the same staff "family", just for fun and because I like themes.
Normal was smooth sailing with most things being one or two-shotted until Gary killed Baal at level 40. He leveled until 47 to get some end-game pieces (Ravenfrost, Gores) before heading to NM. A Might merc was grabbed in the desert, and he cruised until Nihlathak where he hit 69 and was able to equip his Archon Staff. Let's just say improving your damage from 1-5k to 13-17k makes a noticeable difference in killing speed.
NM was completed at 72, and he paused here to level to 76 (merc to 75 for Reapers) before re-gearing, charm swapping, re-speccing now that he had +30 attributes from BotD, and heading out into Hell.
I decided that since he had come this far on /p8 that he would continue that way for the entirety of Hell. Yes, even Act Bosses, Nihlathak, and the Ancients. It didn't slow him down at all. Larger monsters weren't typically getting one-shot anymore, but that's actually better since it gave a chance to get some charge chains going and utilize the skill a bit more. He is also a lot sturdier than I expected, as long as I remember to refresh BO.
PIs suck, but as long as they could be broken by Waheed's decrep all it did was make for extra long charge-chains (which is super fun!). There were a few unbreakable PIs like this guy in Nihl's temple, and a couple more which I neglected to take screenshots of apparently. One good thing about making a Convicted Charger is that it really helps Vengeance along in these situations, and any unbreakables went down in short order.
The ancients were a cakewalk. Shift-charge to the stairs to lose Madawc, and since charge is no good if you can't knock back the monsters, it was Zeal all the way. Korlic was Cursed, but Gary didn't even flinch while he took him and Talic down with ease. Madawc followed suit and it was a quick jaunt through the WSK (no gloams, which was extremely fortunate) before we hit the Throne. The waves themselves were not memorable, other than Lister killing the merc a few times. Baal, like everything else, was taken on /p8. He summoned his clone immediately, but Gary and Waheed didn't shy away from some nice 2v2 action. Only took a few minutes of zealing for the duo to reign victorious.
Final plans for him? Retirment. I might bomb around with him a little bit here and there, but he likely won't get much more play. What IS likely though, is that I'll be making more chargers in the future. Man are they fun. Again, if you haven't yet, go make one now.
Some Thoughts
- This was an extremely powerful character. The style of play takes some getting used to, but man is it ever fun once you have the hang of it. Charge is easily the most satisfying skill I've ever used. When it goes right, it goes VERY right.
- It's really fun clearing the Hellforge, luring Hephasto all the way out and the charge-chaining him all the way back to the Forge. (yes, he can be knocked back)
- Least favourite Area: Arcane Sanctuary. Tight spots with lots of corners + PI Ghosts. Yuck.
- The bugs actually weren't as bad as all the guides made it seem. Weapon switching fixes the lock, and the only time it's really buggy is in high-knockback areas (Snakes, Prowling Dead types, etc). If you get KBed mid-charge it makes you "moonwalk" back the way you came. Easily fixed by simply walking a few steps, but it is the most annoying of the bugs. I can see these being more of an issue if he didn't kill so damn fast, but I didn't have to worry about that.
- I did have a few deaths here and there, mostly due to either trying to charge passed big groups and getting locked, or being stubborn and not using purples while surrounded.
- I really wish this would be made into an Oskill. That would be SO cool.
I used a few different tactics while playing:
- let the merc tank and pick guys off around the outside on angled charges.
- Start charging enemies before they coalesce into a group and keep knocking them away from the pack
- with merc tanking; charge, step back, charge, repeat until dead. (tight quarter fighting)
- "Monster Pinball" where you charge from one to the other in a line back and forth until they die. Mostly used in open spaces
- If you get swarmed, or are playing Act 3 Jungles/Maggot Lair/Arcane, zeal like mad until you get some space and charge out to re-group.
It's a bit tough to get screenies showing these tactics, or any gameplay really (I tried, really!). Instead, how about a little video of a /p8 romp in the Hell Ancient's Way? I tried to get all of the different types of play-styles in there at least a little bit. I also chose not to overlay any music since the sound of Archon Staff Charge hits is just so wonderful. Gear and such at the end of the video, if you're so inclined.
Thanks for reading!
For those who haven't made one or read the Bible of Charging, there are essentially 3 really awesome things about Charge:
- Shift-clicking and bombing around the screen like a madman
- Refilling huge chunks of life/mana in a single (extremely satisfying) hit
- CHARGE CHAINS. The rumours are true, they are awesome.
I chose to make a Convicted Charger variant because:
1) More than enough %ED from Charge itself
2) Not having to think about AR is nice
3) I like the way the aura looks
First things first for the more impatient folks out there, here is some info and the full dump (with some bulk trimmed out). Some thoughts will follow:
Stats:
Name: Gary_Lasereyes
Class: Paladin
Experience: 1299007278
Level: 87
Strength: 160
Dexterity: 68
Vitality: 414
Energy: 45
HP: 1635 (2580 after BO)
Mana: 184 (332 after BO)
Resists: 47/9/53/-13
Charge Dmg: 13-17k
Charge AR: 5566 (wayyy more than enough with Conviction)
Zeal Dmg (5 hits): 5-6.6k
Vengeance Dmg (for PIs): 6.1-8k
Skills:
20 Charge
20 Might
20 Vigor
17 Conviction (enough to the point of dimishing returns on the -def)
1 Redemption (Corpse Removal)
1 Salvation (Gloams)
1 Vengeance (for Unbreakable PIs)
9 (the rest) in Zeal (quite frankly I had nothing else to do with them)
Equipment:
Helm: Guillaume's Face - Scintillating (13 res all) Jewel of Bliss (9 min dmg)
Armour: 'Fortitude' Dusk Shroud (why? low requirements, and I had one available)
Gloves: Laying of Hands
Belt: String of Ears
Boots: Gore Rider
Amulet: Highlord's
Rings: Ravenfrost and a rare dual-leecher
Weapon:
Code:
Breath of the Dying
Archon Staff
VexHelElEldZodEth
Two Hand Damage: 600 - 716
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x22cbe93e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
50% Chance to cast level 20 Poison Nova when you Kill an Enemy
Indestructible
+60% Increased Attack Speed
384% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
+50 to Attack Rating
+200% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
7% Mana stolen per hit
13% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
All Stats +30
+1 to Light Radius
Requirements -20%
Ethereal
6 Sockets (6 used)
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Hel Rune
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Eld Rune
Socketed: Zod Rune
Socketed: Eth RuneSwitch: Cta/Lidless
As you can see, a healthy dose of Deadly Strike and Crushing Blow to help things along.
Charms: Sharp GCs/Life/Resistances (see dump for details)
Merc:
A2 Offensive (Might)
Helm: Vamp Gaze
Armour: Treachery
Weapon: Eth Reapers
No real logic behind the merc gear aside from Reapers for the decrep. He was essentially a walking aura/decrep proc and a punching bag for herding baddies.
Code:
Name: Gary_Lasereyes
Class: Paladin
Experience: 1315827732
Level: 87
Naked/Gear
Strength: 111/160
Dexterity: 20/68
Vitality: 384/414
Energy: 15/45
HP: 1364/1635
Mana: 144/184
Stamina: 534/565
Defense: 5/2208
AR: 85/1237
Fire: 147/107/47
Cold: 109/69/9
Lightning: 153/113/53
Poison: 87/47/-13
MF: 0 Block: 9
GF: 36
FR/W: 30
FHR: 47
IAS: 100
FCR: 25
Sacrifice: 1/2
Smite: 1/2
Holy Bolt: 0/0
Zeal: 9/10
Charge: 20/21
Vengeance: 1/2
Blessed Hammer: 0/0
Conversion: 0/0
Holy Shield: 0/0
Fist of the Heavens: 0/0
Might: 20/21
Holy Fire: 1/2
Thorns: 1/2
Blessed Aim: 0/0
Concentration: 0/0
Holy Freeze: 1/2
Holy Shock: 0/0
Sanctuary: 1/2
Fanaticism: 0/0
Conviction: 17/18
Prayer: 1/2
Resist Fire: 0/0
Defiance: 1/2
Resist Cold: 0/0
Cleansing: 1/2
Resist Lightning: 0/0
Vigor: 20/21
Meditation: 0/0
Redemption: 1/2
Salvation: 1/2
Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0xbb9db13d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Maximum Damage
+65 to Attack Rating
+30 to Life
Sharp Grand Charm of Craftmanship
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x49ff4ef2
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+64 to Attack Rating
Shimmering Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x5c8b6733
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Strength
All Resistances +4
Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0x18145402
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Maximum Damage
+70 to Attack Rating
+21 to Life
Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x17bab175
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+75 to Attack Rating
+29 to Life
Fine Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x63e00831
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
+19 to Life
Fine Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x53de1691
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+2 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating
Shimmering Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x6db61082
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
All Resistances +5
Ruby Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xbe2b4b26
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Fire Resist +10%
Shimmering Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x77e259e6
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Strength
All Resistances +5
Sharp Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xfc4bd06f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+73 to Attack Rating
Sharp Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xdc4b60bd
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+62 to Attack Rating
36% Extra Gold from Monsters
Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xf248d697
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+51 to Attack Rating
+16 to Life
Sharp Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x38eb913c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
+10 to Maximum Damage
+58 to Attack Rating
Amber Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x436d2d6
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%
Fine Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x493148b2
Item Level: 50
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+10 to Attack Rating
+2 to Dexterity
Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xd16b4ad2
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +11%
Amber Small Charm of Frost
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x17a479b2
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 2 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Lightning Resist +10%
Guillaume's Face
Winged Helm
Defense: 217
Durability: 33 of 40
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 115
Fingerprint: 0x9376d8c1
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+9 to Minimum Damage
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
+120% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Strength
All Resistances +13
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Scintillating Jewel of Bliss
Scintillating Jewel of Bliss
Jewel
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x22fa4d16
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Minimum Damage
Cold Resist +13%
Lightning Resist +13%
Fire Resist +13%
Poison Resist +13%
Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0xc2ad32c3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
32% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
Fortitude
Dusk Shroud
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1278
Durability: 11 of 20
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0xdc977910
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
+108 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
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x91e15bfe
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+248 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+16 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen
Death Grasp
Ring
Required Level: 46
Fingerprint: 0x7003241c
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+54 to Attack Rating
5% Mana stolen per hit
3% Life stolen per hit
+11 Maximum Stamina
Cold Resist +22%
String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 105
Durability: 20 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xc8567f7b
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
8% Life stolen per hit
+158% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 13
+10 Maximum Durability
Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 162
Durability: 26 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0x1804a79b
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+200% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability
Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 87
Durability: 6 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x4a98c6d
Item Level: 99
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: 19 - 59
Durability: 22 of 22
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x5e473b04
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
289% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Maximum Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Battle Command
+5 to Battle Orders
+3 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Increase Maximum Durability 12%
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Lidless Wall
Grim Shield
Defense: 342
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x4f89ecc5
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+127% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Energy
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
+5 to Mana after each Kill
+1 to Light Radius
Breath of the Dying
Archon Staff
VexHelElEldZodEth
Two Hand Damage: 600 - 716
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x22cbe93e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
50% Chance to cast level 20 Poison Nova when you Kill an Enemy
Indestructible
+60% Increased Attack Speed
384% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
+50 to Attack Rating
+200% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
7% Mana stolen per hit
13% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
All Stats +30
+1 to Light Radius
Requirements -20%
Ethereal
6 Sockets (6 used)
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Hel Rune
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Eld Rune
Socketed: Zod Rune
Socketed: Eth Rune
Mercenary:
Name: Waheed
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Nightmare
Experience: 79944094
Level: 87
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 190/190
Dexterity: 153/153
HP: 1847/1847
Defense: 1359/2064
AR: 1937/1937
Fire: 151/111/51
Cold: 181/141/81
Lightning: 151/111/51
Poison: 151/111/51
Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 33 of 40
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xc201581b
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
6% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 18%
Magic Damage Reduced by 13
Treachery
Archon Plate
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 453
Durability: 45 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0xe8e5d4a9
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 15 Fade when struck
25% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune
The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 57 - 668
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 107
Required Dexterity: 81
Fingerprint: 0x11ab39b1
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
217% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (38 Frames)
11% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
EtherealThe Journey
This was all born out of an ancient goal I set for myself way back in the 1.09 days. BotD Archon Staff was one of my very first "Hey, I want to make that weird and awesome thing one day" items, however it was nothing but a pipedream until 1.13 came along and made runes actually findable. A Charger was always on my to-do list so I figured; two birds, one stone.
Norm/NM were done entirely on /p8 (including Act bosses). Twinking gear was pretty simple and I didn't plan it out very much; Envy jeweled War Staff and Helm/Armour, Angelic gear for AR and some other scraps to start. He switched to an 'Insight' Rune Staff later as other gear started to become available. I kept all his weapons in the same staff "family", just for fun and because I like themes.
Normal was smooth sailing with most things being one or two-shotted until Gary killed Baal at level 40. He leveled until 47 to get some end-game pieces (Ravenfrost, Gores) before heading to NM. A Might merc was grabbed in the desert, and he cruised until Nihlathak where he hit 69 and was able to equip his Archon Staff. Let's just say improving your damage from 1-5k to 13-17k makes a noticeable difference in killing speed.
NM was completed at 72, and he paused here to level to 76 (merc to 75 for Reapers) before re-gearing, charm swapping, re-speccing now that he had +30 attributes from BotD, and heading out into Hell.
I decided that since he had come this far on /p8 that he would continue that way for the entirety of Hell. Yes, even Act Bosses, Nihlathak, and the Ancients. It didn't slow him down at all. Larger monsters weren't typically getting one-shot anymore, but that's actually better since it gave a chance to get some charge chains going and utilize the skill a bit more. He is also a lot sturdier than I expected, as long as I remember to refresh BO
.PIs suck, but as long as they could be broken by Waheed's decrep all it did was make for extra long charge-chains (which is super fun!). There were a few unbreakable PIs like this guy in Nihl's temple, and a couple more which I neglected to take screenshots of apparently. One good thing about making a Convicted Charger is that it really helps Vengeance along in these situations, and any unbreakables went down in short order.
The ancients were a cakewalk. Shift-charge to the stairs to lose Madawc, and since charge is no good if you can't knock back the monsters, it was Zeal all the way. Korlic was Cursed, but Gary didn't even flinch while he took him and Talic down with ease. Madawc followed suit and it was a quick jaunt through the WSK (no gloams, which was extremely fortunate) before we hit the Throne. The waves themselves were not memorable, other than Lister killing the merc a few times. Baal, like everything else, was taken on /p8. He summoned his clone immediately, but Gary and Waheed didn't shy away from some nice 2v2 action. Only took a few minutes of zealing for the duo to reign victorious.
Final plans for him? Retirment. I might bomb around with him a little bit here and there, but he likely won't get much more play. What IS likely though, is that I'll be making more chargers in the future. Man are they fun. Again, if you haven't yet, go make one now.
Some Thoughts
- This was an extremely powerful character. The style of play takes some getting used to, but man is it ever fun once you have the hang of it. Charge is easily the most satisfying skill I've ever used. When it goes right, it goes VERY right.
- It's really fun clearing the Hellforge, luring Hephasto all the way out and the charge-chaining him all the way back to the Forge. (yes, he can be knocked back)
- Least favourite Area: Arcane Sanctuary. Tight spots with lots of corners + PI Ghosts. Yuck.
- The bugs actually weren't as bad as all the guides made it seem. Weapon switching fixes the lock, and the only time it's really buggy is in high-knockback areas (Snakes, Prowling Dead types, etc). If you get KBed mid-charge it makes you "moonwalk" back the way you came. Easily fixed by simply walking a few steps, but it is the most annoying of the bugs. I can see these being more of an issue if he didn't kill so damn fast, but I didn't have to worry about that.
- I did have a few deaths here and there, mostly due to either trying to charge passed big groups and getting locked, or being stubborn and not using purples while surrounded.
- I really wish this would be made into an Oskill. That would be SO cool.
I used a few different tactics while playing:
- let the merc tank and pick guys off around the outside on angled charges.
- Start charging enemies before they coalesce into a group and keep knocking them away from the pack
- with merc tanking; charge, step back, charge, repeat until dead. (tight quarter fighting)
- "Monster Pinball" where you charge from one to the other in a line back and forth until they die. Mostly used in open spaces
- If you get swarmed, or are playing Act 3 Jungles/Maggot Lair/Arcane, zeal like mad until you get some space and charge out to re-group.
It's a bit tough to get screenies showing these tactics, or any gameplay really (I tried, really!). Instead, how about a little video of a /p8 romp in the Hell Ancient's Way? I tried to get all of the different types of play-styles in there at least a little bit. I also chose not to overlay any music since the sound of Archon Staff Charge hits is just so wonderful. Gear and such at the end of the video, if you're so inclined.
Thanks for reading!
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