- Mar 14, 2020
- 1,923
- 2,640
- 113
Patriarch Spare, Bowler and A2 HF Infinity Merc
After completing a few Septs as vehicles for questing new characters through, and trying new builds (for me) or prior builds with new equipment, I am now working on a Lesser Skills Sept, which is about using less common (or commonly thought to be underpowered) skills. I completed the Sorc and Amazon, and next up was the Druid.
I've used every skill for a Druid, except Molten Boulder. So a Bowler it was! I wanted it to be powerful enough to keep at least p3 for as long as possible, so he was twinked to the utmost: Phoenix, Ravenlore, CoH, a backback full of skillers, and Infinity on the Merc. I ended up settling on HF merc to slow down the monsters, which aided both the aiming of boulders and reducing risk of getting swarmed. A 1-point Grizzly also helped on the tanking front, allowing extra points that I ultimately got sunk into Armageddon. That allowed some extra AoE fire damage to be buffed for heavy hitters (e.g., Stormtree) or employed for swarming, low-life fast movers (e.g., flayers) that are hard to hit with boulders. It also opened up 1-pt Hurricane, which with +skills was powerful enough to whittle down unbreakable FI/PI bosses.
In all, he was a surprisingly well-rounded character, and could take on every roll in the game. He was also an absolute blast to play, and I highly recommend the Bowler for those looking for a distinctive play style. More details on the playthrough are below, but first a quick summary of final gear.
Build and Gear
- HotO (40@) / Phoenix
- Swtich: CtA / Spirit
- CoH
- Ravenlore w facet
- Rare boots w 20 FWR / 10 FHR / 39 FR / 37 CR
- Magefist
- Rare with 24 FHR / 23 LR / +life
- 29@ Mara's
- BKWB / SoJ
- Backback: 8 skillers (+gold, dext and strength; good ones are on my Cow Druid), no SCs because they weren't needed, Cube, 2x2 open
Merc:
- eth Infinity Cryptic Axe
- CoH
- Delirium
So he was 85/75/80/75 on resists and >1700 life with Battle Orders, with Conviction from Merc and -47 eFR, with fire and physical damage, with cold back up. The merc was quite solid, providing HF and delirium crowd control, with the secondary tank as Grizzly. His FHR was only 34, which may be the lowest I've gone there in a long time, but he had good mobility and the two tanks, so was able to avoid getting hit mostly.
Thoughts on the Build and Playthrough
Wow, lots of fun. Key progress updates from the Sept thread are here, here, here and here. He was heavily twinked, early melee, and then I stayed disciplined about using MB the whole way once it got strong enough to damage enemies. As synergies were pumped, it kept up on the damage front, but took some getting used to on aiming and the cool down timer (more on that below). Being able to use HF merc in NM A2 made a difference and ultimately allowed me to get comfortable with aiming and managing crowds.
The knockback of the MB allows fun tactics for aiming it, and also casting firestorm to take out stragglers or high-life single targets. With merc (and his HF and delirium) and the Grizzly, the 30 FRW allowed Spare to get positioned to cast MB for maximum effect on packs. The casting delay's length is sort of silly, given the relatively modest damage output of MB, but those breaks resulted in focus on positioning to maximize impact of each cast, and also some selective firestorms or recasts of Grizzly to maximize control of the battlefield. As noted in my updates, I found the playstyle quite engaging, and it's in large part due to not simply being able to spam the skill. The mixing and matching of secondary skills as needed based on monster types also kept things interesting.
A4, and A5 in particular, present a distinct challenge due to frequency of monsters that can't be knocked back by MB. It just explodes upon hitting, and does limited damage. That's where firestorm was a great backup skill. And he could generally get up close without issue, with the merc and Grizzly helping offer alternative targets for enemy melee attacks, and Infinity allowing the non-FIs to get taken down very quickly. Phoenix redemption aura meant life and mana were topped off and resurrectors weren't a problem, which was nice. More details on the different approaches and combos are in the progress updates for Hell.
He got Pul/Lem for Hell forges, and the only notable find was a 2/18/20 SC. As noted, this was a really fun character, and I highly recommend giving one a shot, especially if you have higher end gear. Thanks for reading! I finished up the Dentist this morning, so I will try to get his Pat thread posted sooner than it took for this one
After completing a few Septs as vehicles for questing new characters through, and trying new builds (for me) or prior builds with new equipment, I am now working on a Lesser Skills Sept, which is about using less common (or commonly thought to be underpowered) skills. I completed the Sorc and Amazon, and next up was the Druid.
I've used every skill for a Druid, except Molten Boulder. So a Bowler it was! I wanted it to be powerful enough to keep at least p3 for as long as possible, so he was twinked to the utmost: Phoenix, Ravenlore, CoH, a backback full of skillers, and Infinity on the Merc. I ended up settling on HF merc to slow down the monsters, which aided both the aiming of boulders and reducing risk of getting swarmed. A 1-point Grizzly also helped on the tanking front, allowing extra points that I ultimately got sunk into Armageddon. That allowed some extra AoE fire damage to be buffed for heavy hitters (e.g., Stormtree) or employed for swarming, low-life fast movers (e.g., flayers) that are hard to hit with boulders. It also opened up 1-pt Hurricane, which with +skills was powerful enough to whittle down unbreakable FI/PI bosses.
In all, he was a surprisingly well-rounded character, and could take on every roll in the game. He was also an absolute blast to play, and I highly recommend the Bowler for those looking for a distinctive play style. More details on the playthrough are below, but first a quick summary of final gear.
Build and Gear
- HotO (40@) / Phoenix
- Swtich: CtA / Spirit
- CoH
- Ravenlore w facet
- Rare boots w 20 FWR / 10 FHR / 39 FR / 37 CR
- Magefist
- Rare with 24 FHR / 23 LR / +life
- 29@ Mara's
- BKWB / SoJ
- Backback: 8 skillers (+gold, dext and strength; good ones are on my Cow Druid), no SCs because they weren't needed, Cube, 2x2 open
Merc:
- eth Infinity Cryptic Axe
- CoH
- Delirium
So he was 85/75/80/75 on resists and >1700 life with Battle Orders, with Conviction from Merc and -47 eFR, with fire and physical damage, with cold back up. The merc was quite solid, providing HF and delirium crowd control, with the secondary tank as Grizzly. His FHR was only 34, which may be the lowest I've gone there in a long time, but he had good mobility and the two tanks, so was able to avoid getting hit mostly.
Thoughts on the Build and Playthrough
Wow, lots of fun. Key progress updates from the Sept thread are here, here, here and here. He was heavily twinked, early melee, and then I stayed disciplined about using MB the whole way once it got strong enough to damage enemies. As synergies were pumped, it kept up on the damage front, but took some getting used to on aiming and the cool down timer (more on that below). Being able to use HF merc in NM A2 made a difference and ultimately allowed me to get comfortable with aiming and managing crowds.
The knockback of the MB allows fun tactics for aiming it, and also casting firestorm to take out stragglers or high-life single targets. With merc (and his HF and delirium) and the Grizzly, the 30 FRW allowed Spare to get positioned to cast MB for maximum effect on packs. The casting delay's length is sort of silly, given the relatively modest damage output of MB, but those breaks resulted in focus on positioning to maximize impact of each cast, and also some selective firestorms or recasts of Grizzly to maximize control of the battlefield. As noted in my updates, I found the playstyle quite engaging, and it's in large part due to not simply being able to spam the skill. The mixing and matching of secondary skills as needed based on monster types also kept things interesting.
A4, and A5 in particular, present a distinct challenge due to frequency of monsters that can't be knocked back by MB. It just explodes upon hitting, and does limited damage. That's where firestorm was a great backup skill. And he could generally get up close without issue, with the merc and Grizzly helping offer alternative targets for enemy melee attacks, and Infinity allowing the non-FIs to get taken down very quickly. Phoenix redemption aura meant life and mana were topped off and resurrectors weren't a problem, which was nice. More details on the different approaches and combos are in the progress updates for Hell.
He got Pul/Lem for Hell forges, and the only notable find was a 2/18/20 SC. As noted, this was a really fun character, and I highly recommend giving one a shot, especially if you have higher end gear. Thanks for reading! I finished up the Dentist this morning, so I will try to get his Pat thread posted sooner than it took for this one
Code:
Name: Spare
Class: Druid
Experience: 964501578
Level: 84
Naked/Gear
Strength: 129/159
Dexterity: 26/48
Vitality: 335/340
Energy: 20/54
HP: 859/1021
Mana: 186/186
Stamina: 477/577
Defense: 6/1698
AR: 100/210
Fire: 195/155/95
Cold: 189/149/89
Lightning: 239/199/139
Poison: 198/158/98
MF: 50 Block: 8
GF: 82
FR/W: 30
FHR: 34
IAS: 0
FCR: 60
Raven: 1/17
Poison Creeper: 0/0
Oak Sage: 1/10
Summon Spirit Wolf: 1/10
Carrion Vine: 0/0
Heart of Wolverine: 0/0
Summon Dire Wolf: 1/10
Solar Creeper: 0/0
Spirit of Barbs: 0/0
Summon Grizzly: 1/10
Werewolf: 0/0
Lycanthropy: 0/0
Werebear: 0/0
Feral Rage: 0/0
Maul: 0/0
Rabies: 0/0
Fire Claws: 0/0
Hunger: 0/0
Shock Wave: 0/0
Fury: 0/0
Firestorm: 20/41
Molten Boulder: 20/41
Arctic Blast: 1/21
Fissure: 20/41
Cyclone Armor: 2/22
Twister: 1/21
Volcano: 20/41
Tornado: 1/21
Armageddon: 4/25
Hurricane: 1/21
Git:
Magefist
Light Gauntlets
Defense: 25
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 45
Fingerprint: 0xc92302a9
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 6 Fire Damage
+25% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense
Regenerate Mana 25%
Grim Clasp
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 47
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xe1915d4c
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24% Faster Hit Recovery
+36% Enhanced Defense
+28 to Life
Lightning Resist +23%
Attacker Takes Damage of 4
Chains of Honor
Archon Plate
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 884
Durability: 60 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
Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x24a29c17
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
3% Life stolen per hit
+42 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina
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
Ravenlore
Sky Spirit
Defense: 369
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 74
Required Strength: 113
Fingerprint: 0x93df0423
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 29 Blaze when you Level-Up
+3 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
Adds 17 - 45 Fire Damage
-19% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+4% to Fire Skill Damage
+7 to Raven (Druid Only)
+137% Enhanced Defense
+29 to Energy
All Resistances +25
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet
Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x65ff7d31
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 29 Blaze when you Level-Up
Adds 17 - 45 Fire Damage
-5% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+4% to Fire Skill Damage
Skull Trample
Wyrmhide Boots
Defense: 56
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xee6c6e4e
Item Level: 76
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
Lightning Resist +27%
Fire Resist +6%
Poison Resist +9%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x8267e111
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
5% Life stolen per hit
+42 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina
Call to Arms
War Scepter
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 38 - 65
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x268d802d
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
285% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Fist of the Heavens (Paladin Only)
+1 to Holy Shock (Paladin Only)
+2 to Battle Command
+6 to Battle Orders
+4 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
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 146
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x4e480d84
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+34% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+106 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+7 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
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
Phoenix
Superior Monarch
VexVexLoJah
Defense: 159
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 97 of 97
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x5025d94c
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 40 Blaze when you Level-Up
40% Chance to cast level 22 Firestorm on striking
Level 12 Redemption Aura When Equipped
383% Enhanced Damage
-28% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+7% Enhanced Defense
+363 Defense vs. Missile
+50 to Life
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
+10% to Maximum Fire Resist
+21 Fire Absorb
Increase Maximum Durability 13%
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Socketed: Jah Rune
Code:
Natural Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x4990fd7
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+5 to Strength
Natural Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x18b2cd1e
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
21% Extra Gold from Monsters
Natural Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x6407150b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
28% Extra Gold from Monsters
Natural Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x92362726
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
33% Extra Gold from Monsters
Natural Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xac2e971e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+3 to Dexterity
Natural Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x69f94449
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+4 to Dexterity
Natural Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xf05e88bd
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
Natural Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x2fe1da12
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
Code:
Name: Hazade
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Def-Nightmare
Experience: 70275186
Level: 83
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 183/203
Dexterity: 147/147
HP: 1687/1687
Defense: 1245/2541
AR: 1889/1889
Fire: 212/172/112
Cold: 212/172/112
Lightning: 212/172/112
Poison: 212/172/112
Chains of Honor
Superior Scarab Husk
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 859
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x89c6e0b6
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+200% Damage to Demons
+100% Damage to Undead
8% Life stolen per hit
+81% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
Replenish Life +7
All Resistances +65
Damage Reduced by 8%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Increase Maximum Durability 10%
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Delirium
Superior Demonhead
LemIstIo
Defense: 437
Durability: 18 of 20
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 102
Fingerprint: 0x4e0c42ea
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
1% Chance to cast level 50 Delirium when struck
6% Chance to cast level 14 Mind Blast when struck
14% Chance to cast level 13 Terror when struck
11% Chance to cast level 18 Confuse on striking
+2 to All Skills
+14% Enhanced Defense
+261 Defense
+10 to Vitality
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 17 Attract (60/60 Charges)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Lem Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Io Rune
Infinity
Superior Cryptic Axe
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 197 - 909
Durability: 36 of 36
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 155
Required Dexterity: 93
Fingerprint: 0x6b96974c
Item Level: 88
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
304% Enhanced Damage
-49% 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
Increase Maximum Durability 11%
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30/30 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Google