Patriarch Phaedrian, FoHdin and A2 HF Infinity Merc

[PhineasB]

Patriarch Phaedrian, FoHer with A2 HF Infinity Merc

This guy is the final character in my Lesser Skills Sept, which focuses on less common (or commonly thought to be underpowered) skills for each class. I had quite a few Pally combat skills that I'd never used available: Conversion was ruled out for the frustration level of waiting for monsters to unconvert, Sacrafice as a single target physical attack doesn't do much for me. Charge was considered, or a hybrid of Charge/FoH, but I went with "pure" FoH, although I used Zeal and Smite as backups depending on situation as explained below.

Not a lot to say about him, actually. He sniped with FoH while the merc occupied packs, switching to zeal on FoH/conviction switch (for decent chance to hit) if there were swarms or lots of low-life, latent LI fast movers (looking at you, A3 jungles!), and smite on switch if needed to stun and knockback heavy hitters or for Act bosses. All that said, I enjoyed him and didn't find it monotonous to use FoH with the long timer and limited effectiveness of holy bolt component in v1.14. Repositioning between casts or throwing in a volley of Zeal, or switching to smite and trigger life tap for the merc, kept things interesting enough. And it was fun to use a really strong single-target ranged attack, which is unusual across the classes.

He was very safe, no deaths, although I only went with p1 in Hell due to needing multiple FoH hits for even non-LI monsters at p3. The only real challenge was Galeb, who was convicted LE/CE, and shredded the merc and took off major chunks on Smite switch until I realized he was convicted and applied that aura to override. As per my usual, he completed all quests in Hell and full-cleared all A85 areas and the red portals in A5. Drops were minimal, with a 1os Tomby the only notable, with Pul/Ko Hell Forges. Updates are here (Normal), here (NM), here (A1-A3 Hell) and here (A4-A5 Hell).

Build and Gear: Here's a quick summary of skill allocation and final gear, before the full readouts. FoH and Holy Lightning were maxed, Conviction is lvl 26 with +skills (17 hard points), threw 8 hard points in Holy Bolt, before spreading the last few across Holy Shield (for extra percent CtB and smite damage), Smite (for damage and length), Defiance (for latent defense bonus), and Zeal (extra AR), on top of the 1 pt in all Combat skills and defensive auras to Redemption.

For gear, he was 93@ and solid defense, with the skill allocation and the following:
- +4 skills Astreon's (5/3 facet) / up'ed HoZ (pDiamond)
- eDeath Warspike / eExile 45@ Sacred Rondache
- CoH
- Shako (5/4 facet)
- War Traveler
- Magefist
- Arachnid's
- Mara's 29@
- SoJ / 250/19 Ravenfrost
- Backback: 8 PCombat Skillers (+ gold and other minor modifiers), 4 SCs with defense and FHR, Cube, TP Tomb, so 2x1 and 4x1 open

Merc: A2 HF
- eth Insight
- eth DFortitude
- Vamp w Realgar JoF

What's Next? I've gotten 10-20 minutes in here and there with my untwinked 99er Sorc, and she's nearly gotten the first tenth of the level to level 98. I'll probably keep that up, maybe getting more time having completed this Sept. I also have another Sept in mind, the obligatory oSkill Sept, and then need only four more characters to finish up what I am calling my Sept-Sept Sept and would finish up another 7x7 (this time with a +1 for an extra Paladin who's already finished). But I also have been interested to see all Terror Zone runs, so I may log into the D2R game and push the Sorc I have in A1 NM through to Mat, just to have an option to play D2R.

Also, RFL needs hosting, so will get a thread up with proposed format and gauge interest and best timing for folks. Thanks for reading!

Spoiler: Pat Stats

Name:       Phaedrian
Class:      Paladin
Experience: 822994611
Level:      82

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   85/142
Dexterity:  93/119
Vitality:   312/349
Energy:     15/22
HP:         1138/1261
Mana:       136/319
Stamina:    457/457
Defense:    23/2950
AR:         450/149400

Fire:       193/153/93
Cold:       193/153/93
Lightning:  193/153/93
Poison:     193/153/93

MF:         124       Block:      52
GF:         113
FR/W:       25
FHR:        20
IAS:        10
FCR:        40

Sacrifice: 2/26
Smite: 4/29
Holy Bolt: 8/32
Zeal: 1/25
Charge: 1/25
Vengeance: 1/25
Blessed Hammer: 1/25
Conversion: 1/25
Holy Shield: 4/28
Fist of the Heavens: 20/44

Might: 1/11
Holy Fire: 1/11
Thorns: 1/11
Blessed Aim: 0/0
Concentration: 0/0
Holy Freeze: 1/11
Holy Shock: 20/30
Sanctuary: 1/11
Fanaticism: 0/0
Conviction: 17/27

Prayer: 1/11
Resist Fire: 0/0
Defiance: 4/14
Resist Cold: 0/0
Cleansing: 1/11
Resist Lightning: 0/0
Vigor: 1/11
Meditation: 0/0
Redemption: 1/11
Salvation: 0/0

Spoiler: Gear

Magefist
Light Gauntlets
Defense: 25
Durability: 17 of 18
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 45
Fingerprint: 0x671fba44
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 6 Fire Damage
+26% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense
Regenerate Mana 25%

War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 120
Durability: 47 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x77b48d99
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+150% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
49% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xd137b31e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+250 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

The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x4041ed81
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
Adds 1 - 12 Lightning Damage
+20 to Mana
Increase Maximum Mana 25%

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 103
Durability: 9 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xafb952e1
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
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
+123 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+123 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet

Chains of Honor
Archon Plate
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 884
Durability: 59 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0xafa1e431
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+200% Damage to Demons
+100% Damage to Undead
8% Life stolen per hit
+70% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
Replenish Life +7
All Resistances +65
Damage Reduced by 8%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist 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

Arachnid Mesh
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 123
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x1c6499c9
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Slows Target by 10%
+96% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (11/11 Charges)

Death
War Spike
HelElVexOrtGul
One Hand Damage: 212 - 339
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 99
Required Dexterity: 36
Fingerprint: 0xb18682b
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 44 Chain Lightning when you Die
25% Chance to cast level 18 Glacial Spike on attack
Indestructible
372% Enhanced Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+50 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
7% Mana stolen per hit
50% Chance of Crushing Blow
41% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
+1 to Light Radius
Level 22 Blood Golem (15/15 Charges)
Requirements -20%
Ethereal
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Hel Rune
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Gul Rune

Doom's Exile
Sacred Rondache
VexOhmIstDol
Defense: 1142
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 35 of 35
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 99
Fingerprint: 0x26ea1006
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
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
+243% Enhanced Defense
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Cold Resist
+5% to Maximum Fire Resist
All Resistances +45
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Repairs 1 Durability in 4 Seconds
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune

Astreon's Iron Ward
Caduceus
One Hand Damage: 135 - 157
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 60
Required Strength: 97
Required Dexterity: 70
Fingerprint: 0x775fffd3
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 47 Chain Lightning when you Die
+4 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
+10% Increased Attack Speed
267% Enhanced Damage
Damage +54
159% Bonus to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 80 - 240 Magic Damage
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-5% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+3% to Lightning Skill Damage
33% Chance of Crushing Blow
Slows Target by 25%
Damage Reduced by 5
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet

Herald of Zakarum
Zakarum Shield
Defense: 524
Chance to Block: 52
Durability: 64 of 65
Required Level: 68
Required Strength: 142
Fingerprint: 0xd035f6f8
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+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
+198% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
All Resistances +69
Required Level +7
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond

Spoiler: Charms

Burly Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x45f7edce
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+18 Defense

Burly Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x7bff197b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+19 Defense

Burly Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x4d95b43b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+17 Defense

Burly Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x42ae73d8
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+15 Defense

Lion Branded Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x2fb160d0
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
18% Extra Gold from Monsters

Lion Branded Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xc828bb22
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
39% Extra Gold from Monsters

Lion Branded Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x5a7e3899
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
38% Extra Gold from Monsters

Lion Branded Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xd438165b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
18% Extra Gold from Monsters

Lion Branded Grand Charm of Frost
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x3051ec05
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
Adds 1 - 2 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)

Lion Branded Grand Charm of Flame
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xa779dc9e
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
Adds 1 - 2 Fire Damage

Lion Branded Grand Charm of Craftmanship
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xf634f475
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
+1 to Maximum Damage

Lion Branded Grand Charm of Craftmanship
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x4226e133
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
+1 to Maximum Damage

Spoiler: Merc

Name:       Azrael
Race:       Desert Mercenary
Type:       Def-Nightmare
Experience: 66621718
Level:      81
Dead?:      false

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   179/184
Dexterity:  144/149
HP:         1607/1719
Defense:    1189/4861
AR:         1865/430815

Fire:       173/133/73
Cold:       173/133/73
Lightning:  173/133/73
Poison:    173/133/73

Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 3420
Durability: 31 of 31
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 93
Fingerprint: 0x65777894
Item Level: 88
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
+112 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +28
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

Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x83dc856f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
24% Enhanced Damage
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
6% Mana stolen per hit
6% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 19%
Magic Damage Reduced by 14
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Realgar Jewel of Fervor

Insight
Cryptic Axe
RalTirTalSol
Two Hand Damage: 171 - 744
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 155
Required Dexterity: 93
Fingerprint: 0x88b658a0
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 17 Meditation Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Cast Rate
231% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
230% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
+1 to Critical Strike
All Stats +5
+2 to Mana after each Kill
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune

 

[LouB]

Congrats on another interesting build. and helpful since I'm aslo working on a FoHdin. I think every build I seen joins FoH with Conviction, for good reason. However, I'm considering using an Act 2 merc using Infinity and using the points that would go into Conviction for Fanaticism for when I Zeal and Smite.

 

[little birdy]

@LouB : The FoHdin that I Pat'd ran Conviction, and in the end I found it to be not very helpful. I would definitely do it differently a second time round. Holy Bolts sent out by FoH don't benefit from Conviction, and Conviction doesn't help the single-target lightning damage from FoH that much. There are also some pesky animal-type lightning immunes (beetles, Act III zealots, etc.) that, even if you break the immunity, are slow to kill just with the lightning damage from FoH. A hybrid approach running Zeal/Smite and Fanaticism seems like a nice solution. Even Blessed Hammer as a secondary attack isn't a bad idea, though it wouldn't be my first choice.