Patriarch Poisson, eBOTDz Fishy/Commandomancer

snickersnack

Well-known member
Dec 23, 2007
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poisson01.jpg

The Build

I planned on doing this character when I found a Zod and made Breath of the Dying. I put some other builds first, but I finally got around to finishing this one.

Stats Dump:
Name: Poisson
Class: Necromancer
Experience: 1317534678
Level: 87

Naked/Gear
Strength: 143/227
Dexterity: 120/197
Vitality: 237/295
Energy: 25/103
HP: 678/960
Mana: 197/237
Stamina: 387/447
Defense: 30/2705
AR: 555/1560

Fire: 134/94/34
Cold: 168/128/68
Lightning: 194/154/94
Poison: 136/96/36

MF: 40 Block: 75
GF: 253 FR/W: 30
FHR: 0 IAS: 115
FCR: 45

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: 1/14

Teeth: 1/10
Bone Armor: 0/0
Poison Dagger: 20/29
Corpse Explosion: 1/10
Bone Wall: 0/0
Poison Explosion: 20/29
Bone Spear: 0/0
Bone Prison: 0/0
Poison Nova: 0/0
Bone Spirit: 0/0

Skeleton Mastery: 1/10
Raise Skeleton: 20/29
Clay Golem: 1/10
Golem Mastery: 1/10
Raise Skeletal Mage: 1/10
Blood Golem: 1/10
Summon Resist: 1/10
Iron Golem: 1/10
Fire Golem: 0/0
Revive: 1/10

Poison Dagger: 20
Poison Explosion: 20
Raise Skeleton: 20
Skeleton Mastery: 1
Revive: 1
Summon Resist: 1
Lower Resist: 1 (I mainly used Amp and Decrep, though)
Saved: 21 (Skellie Mastery? Revives?)

Early Leveling

I started this character the same way as my Bone Spirit melee necro. It was mostly standard melee twinking gear. /p8 all the way.

Mid Leveling

I don't recall much of this. I've been playing D2R only sporadically over the past few months and I didn't take any notes. :( /p8 all the way.

Late Game

/p8 all the way part of the way. I left the game on /p8 when I started Hell difficulty, but the pace started to slow down a bit, so in late Act 2 or early Act 3, I dropped it down to /p5 just for some speed. The rest of the playthrough was on /p5.

To my surprise, I found that Lower Resist wasn't that great, even though all of my AOE comes in the form of poison damage. I used Decrepify situationally, mostly for bosses, but the rest of the time, I pretty much just used Amplify Damage. While this didn't boost my poison damage, it did get kills faster so that I could proc Poison Nova more frequently. I also noticed that my skellies KSed a lot, so I wasn't even getting a chance to get the proc much of the time. I often tried to attack enemies on a flank or (if I'm feeling bold) from behind the front line to ensure the best chance at a PN. I wonder if the build might be more effective without skellies or maybe just with fewer...

OTOH, in some areas (eg Great Marsh), I'd get 2 or 3 PN procs a second. As a result, I'm pretty sure that kills from PN proc more PNs. Adding Andy's in the helm slot helped with getting more procs, and the +70% poison resist made holding a Rotting Fissure tolerable. I don't have the wherewithal right now, but I might record a short video showing the green fireworks in the future.

Here's his gear at the end:

weap: BotD eBA
shield: Homonculus (pdiamond)
switch: CtA, Spirit
helm: Andariel's Visage (Fire Res / IAS jewel)
chest: Fortitude
belt: String of Ears
gloves: Trang Oul's Claws
boots: Gore Rider
ammy: Highlord's Wrath
rings: 2xRavenfrost
charms: rotting fissure, anni, torch, life/res/ar

merc:
weap: Infinity eth 1.07 GPA
chest: Treachery Dusk Shroud
helm: Andariel's Visage (no socket)

Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xcf1b3129
Item Level: 47
Version: Resurrected
+7 to Maximum Damage
+63 to Attack Rating
+15 to Life

Steel Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0xf9c1af48
Item Level: 60
Version: Resurrected
+121 to Attack Rating
30% Extra Gold from Monsters

Grand Charm
Required Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0xd05bc81d
Item Level: 99
Version: Resurrected
Monster Poison Immunity is Sundered
Poison Resist +-72%

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x57658429
Item Level: 79
Version: Resurrected
+2 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating
+17 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xdc6d8318
Item Level: 79
Version: Resurrected
+30 to Attack Rating
+18 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x4c6f3fbc
Item Level: 75
Version: Resurrected
+28 to Attack Rating
+14 to Life

Hellfire Torch
Large Charm
Required Level: 75
Fingerprint: 0x4fbd8e52
Item Level: 99
Version: Resurrected
5% Chance to cast level 10 Firestorm on striking
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
All Stats +13
All Resistances +10
+8 to Light Radius
Level 30 Hydra (10/10 Charges)

Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0xf076d4a
Item Level: 88
Version: Resurrected
123% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 12%
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Annihilus
Small Charm
Required Level: 70
Fingerprint: 0xd44ed800
Item Level: 99
Version: Resurrected
+1 to All Skills
All Stats +15
All Resistances +11
+6% to Experience Gained

Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 325
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 102
Fingerprint: 0x8ea4fa62
Item Level: 88
Version: Resurrected
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+35% Increased Attack Speed
10% Life stolen per hit
+110% Enhanced Defense
+26 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist +-4%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (20/20 Charges)
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel of Fervor

Ruby Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x2e60f35d
Item Level: 80
Version: Resurrected
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Fire Resist +26%

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xfd80d04c
Item Level: 80
Version: Resurrected
+248 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+19 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+20 Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

Dwarf Star
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x6012abe7
Item Level: 78
Version: Resurrected
+40 to Life
+40 Maximum Stamina
Heal Stamina Plus 15%
+15 Fire Absorb
Magic Damage Reduced by 13
100% Extra Gold from Monsters

String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 112
Durability: 22 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x9db0d533
Item Level: 99
Version: Resurrected
7% Life stolen per hit
+179% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 15
+10 Maximum Durability

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 143
Durability: 34 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0xde58209e
Item Level: 87
Version: Resurrected
+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

Trang-Oul's Claws
Heavy Bracers
Defense: 73
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x555b46f5
Item Level: 94
Version: Resurrected
+2 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+25% to Poison Skill Damage
+30 Defense
Cold Resist +30%

Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1587
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x9c6f6ed6
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
+130 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
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

El Rune
Required Level: 11
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: +50 to Attack Rating
+1 to Light Radius
Armor: +15 Defense
+1 to Light Radius
Shields: +15 Defense
+1 to Light Radius

Sol Rune
Required Level: 27
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Armor: Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Damage Reduced by 7

Dol Rune
Required Level: 31
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
Armor: Replenish Life +7
Shields: Replenish Life +7

Lo Rune
Required Level: 59
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: 20% Deadly Strike
Armor: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Shields: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist

Sharp Large Charm of Life
Large Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xe9e9cd2c
Item Level: 61
Version: Resurrected
+5 to Maximum Damage
+48 to Attack Rating
+14 to Life

Amber Small Charm of Thunder
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xd8ea20fa
Item Level: 76
Version: Resurrected
Adds 1 - 17 Lightning Damage
Lightning Resist +11%<--- redundant after Anya, but meh...

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x77c47b4d
Item Level: 85
Version: Resurrected
+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

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x85b90640
Item Level: 80
Version: Resurrected
+2 to Maximum Damage
+13 to Attack Rating
+16 to Life

Amber Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x6b3d365e
Item Level: 68
Version: Resurrected
+18 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%

Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 213
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 44 of 44
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 146
Fingerprint: 0x8bdce58
Item Level: 85
Version: Resurrected
+2 to All Skills
+33% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+97 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
Magic Absorb 5%
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Tal Rune
Required Level: 17
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
Armor: Poison Resist +30%
Shields: Poison Resist +35%

Thul Rune
Required Level: 23
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Armor: Cold Resist +30%
Shields: Cold Resist +35%

Ort Rune
Required Level: 21
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
Armor: Lightning Resist +30%
Shields: Lightning Resist +35%

Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14

Call to Arms
Crystal Sword
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 18 - 56
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x3416b4a1
Item Level: 82
Version: Resurrected
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
279% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Battle Command
+3 to Battle Orders
+2 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune

Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14

Ral Rune
Required Level: 19
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
Armor: Fire Resist +30%
Shields: Fire Resist +35%

Mal Rune
Required Level: 49
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Prevent Monster Heal
Armor: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Magic Damage Reduced by 7

Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Ohm Rune
Required Level: 57
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: +50% Enhanced Damage
Armor: +5% to Maximum Cold Resist
Shields: +5% to Maximum Cold Resist

Tome of Town Portal
Fingerprint: 0x25e72bf4
Item Level: 12
Version: Resurrected

Tome of Identify
Fingerprint: 0x999a9b45
Item Level: 12
Version: Resurrected

Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0x576c6a9a
Item Level: 13
Version: Resurrected

Breath of the Dying
Berserker Axe
VexHelElEldZodEth
One Hand Damage: 196 - 577
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 103
Required Dexterity: 40
Fingerprint: 0x51970345
Item Level: 90
Version: Resurrected
50% Chance to cast level 20 Poison Nova when you Kill an Enemy
+60% Increased Attack Speed
445% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
+50 to Attack Rating
+200% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
7% Mana stolen per hit
14% 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

Vex Rune
Required Level: 55
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: 7% Mana stolen per hit
Armor: +5% to Maximum Fire Resist
Shields: +5% to Maximum Fire Resist

Hel Rune
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Requirements --20%
Armor: Requirements --15%
Shields: Requirements --15%

El Rune
Required Level: 11
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: +50 to Attack Rating
+1 to Light Radius
Armor: +15 Defense
+1 to Light Radius
Shields: +15 Defense
+1 to Light Radius

Eld Rune
Required Level: 11
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: +75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Armor: 15% Slower Stamina Drain
Shields: 7% Increased Chance of Blocking

Zod Rune
Required Level: 69
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Armor: Shields:
Eth Rune
Required Level: 15
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: -25% Target Defense
Armor: Regenerate Mana 15%
Shields: Regenerate Mana 15%

Homunculus
Hierophant Trophy
Defense: 203
Chance to Block: 52
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x52b28379
Item Level: 85
Version: Resurrected
+2 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+30% Faster Block Rate
40% Increased Chance of Blocking
+187% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Energy
Regenerate Mana 33%
All Resistances +59
+5 to Mana after each Kill
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond

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

Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Wand
One Hand Damage: 2 - 4
Durability: 6 of 15
Required Level: 1
Fingerprint: 0xe799e4f3
Item Level: 1
Version: Resurrected
+1 to Raise Skeleton (Necromancer Only)

Mercenary:

Name: Emilio
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Might-Nightmare
Experience: 79997524
Level: 87
Dead?: unknown

Naked/Gear
Strength: 194/220
Dexterity: 157/157
HP: 1910/1910
Defense: 1402/2170
AR: 2000/2000

Fire: 124/84/24
Cold: 184/144/84
Lightning: 154/114/54
Poison: 224/184/124

Treachery
Dusk Shroud
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 434
Durability: 14 of 20
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0x68c5a578
Item Level: 88
Version: Resurrected
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

Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate

Thul Rune
Required Level: 23
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Armor: Cold Resist +30%
Shields: Cold Resist +35%

Lem Rune
Required Level: 43
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: 75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Armor: 50% Extra Gold from Monsters
Shields: 50% Extra Gold from Monsters

Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 334
Durability: 14 of 20
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 102
Fingerprint: 0xc3ca56ae
Item Level: 95
Version: Resurrected
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
10% Life stolen per hit
+116% Enhanced Defense
+26 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist +-30%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (12/20 Charges)

Infinity
Superior Great Poleaxe
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 290 - 799
Durability: 31 of 31
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 169
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0x3e4a2172
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
321% Enhanced Damage
-50% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
+43 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Increase Maximum Durability 12%
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30/30 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune

Ber Rune
Required Level: 63
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: 20% Chance of Crushing Blow
Armor: Damage Reduced by 8%
Shields: Damage Reduced by 8%

Mal Rune
Required Level: 49
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: Prevent Monster Heal
Armor: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Magic Damage Reduced by 7

Ber Rune
Required Level: 63
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: 20% Chance of Crushing Blow
Armor: Damage Reduced by 8%
Shields: Damage Reduced by 8%

Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Resurrected
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Infinity (plus Ravenfrost and some AR charms) meant my to-hit was good, and I rarely missed when the merc was near. This build would benefit a lot from Enigma, but I needed the +ED% from Fortitiude. Overall, it was fun, much more engaging than a pure fishymancer, also tankier, but not really much faster. I used Corpse Explosion a few times just for the lulz, but I didn't rely on it for clearspeed.

As I was finishing up Act 5, I noticed that I hadn't spent any stat points in a while. My block chance was ~70% and life was ~1300 (with BO), so I bumped up the block chance to 75% and dumped the rest into Vitality, which brought me to ~1600 life after BO. 1600 is very safe, but I had gotten so used to ~1300 life that the difference didn't really matter.

Deaths

I had one death in the Arcane Sanctuary due to carelessness. I ran ahead of my entourage and got surrounded by ghosts. :( If I was using Enigma...

Finds

Not much this time. I got some skillers and other usable charms, but nothing that stands out. Hellforge was an Ist, so that's nice. :)

Edit: Hmm, I had forgotten about some of those drops. Most notable was this charm:
Amber Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x6b3d365e
Item Level: 68
Version: Resurrected
+18 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%

I guess I thought it was an old one when writing up, but no, that's new.

Future Plans

I might try doing some low /players runs just to see if the PN procs can clear better. I think that /p1 cows would clear very fast; I would be able to use LR instead of AD.

Other than that.... hmmmm, my time and zeal for D2 have been waning. I might take a bit of a break soon, but it has also been a long time since I've farmed anything. I'll probably gear up my mosaicsin and/or my nova sorc for TZs and LK when I have some time. Some more runes to enable some more new builds would be nice (Jahs, can it be Jahs?).

The only other build that has my interest is a Frenzy build using BotD. Maybe BotD/Lacerator? With a Faith merc?
 
Last edited:
@LouB LW is what I had in mind... though I'd probably make it in a PB not a BA, so more likely it'd be Grief/LW. Or, Grief/LW on the merc and BotD/Lacerator on the character. :)

Actually, though, I should probably go back to farming LK/Trav for runes since I haven't done that in a while. I think I've regained the stomach for ~1k LK runs.
 
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