- Aug 5, 2005
- 8,080
- 2,591
- 113
The_Limper
“What the hell?” I asked Goblin. “That’s strange.” Wide, low, black humps pimpled the meadows. There were bodies everywhere.
“That’s one reason the Taken are feared. Killing spells. Their heat sucked the ground up.”
I stopped to study a hump.
The blackness could have been drawn with a compass. The boundary was as sharp as a penstroke. Charred skeletons lay within the black. Swordblades and spearheads looked like wax imitations left too long in the sun. I caught One-Eye staring. “When you can do this trick you’ll scare me.”
“If I could do that I’d scare myself.”
I checked another circle. It was a twin of the first. Raven reined in beside me. “The Limper’s work. I’ve seen it before.”
- Glen Cook, The Black Company
Patriarch The_Limper, Vengeance Fire Summoner Druid
Continuing my plundering of fantasy literature for character inspiration is The_Limper. A member of a group of powerful sorcerers called 'The Ten Who Were Taken,' he uses powerful battlefield spells and is seen fighting with a sword in the Battle of Juniper. Whilst he is powerful, he is not a good tactician, just relying on brute force. He is killed several times in the books, but always seems to somehow come back again. This seemed perfect for a softcore character.
Skills
All of my two handed sword druids to date have been shapeshifters, so using vengeance meant this character had to be in human form. I wanted to make the character a hybrid, with a good balance between his normal class skills and the oskill.
As the quote above describes The Limper as melting the enemies, Armageddon and Fissure seemed obvious. These are also great for this build as they don't need FCR, meaning it is much easier to get the required mods in the gear. Casting these on a pack before going in with the sword softens up or kills anything that is not fire immune, Vengeance clears up the rest. The fire skills were great against some of the more annoying monsters for a 2h melee character. Witches, Gloams and Ghosts move predictably over fissures so can be eliminated easily.
Grizzly was pretty strong, even when I played solo and as usual is a great recastable tank. Oak actually survived fairly well, most of the time. Playing solo to the Hellforge, a single point in Hurricane and Twister helped with FI Pit Lords. I used Cyclone Armour too, it was useful in some areas for a bit of extra protection.
Raven: 1/9
Oak Sage: 1/9
Summon Spirit Wolf: 1/9
Summon Dire Wolf: 10/18
Summon Grizzly: 1/9
Firestorm: 16/31
Molten Boulder: 1/16
Arctic Blast: 1/16
Fissure: 20/35
Cyclone Armor: 1/16
Twister: 1/16
Volcano: 20/35
Tornado: 1/16
Armageddon: 20/35
Hurricane: 1/16
Stats
Name: The_Limper
Class: Druid
Experience: 1120909003
Level: 85
Naked/Gear
Strength: 130/185
Dexterity: 52/77
Vitality: 313/333
Energy: 20/25
HP: 817/1157
Mana: 188/218
Stamina: 456/556
Defense: 13/1396
AR: 230/11907
Fire: 190/150/90
Cold: 190/150/90
Lightning: 190/150/90
Poison: 190/150/90
MF: 50 Block: 7
GF: 40 FR/W: 40
FHR: 59 IAS: 70
FCR: 0
Damage Numbers:
Vengeance (with Might): 2416 - 6050
Armageddon: 6031-6820
Fissure: 2718-2840
Equipment
Limper left his aerial steed, marched uphill with a long, black sword that glimmered evilly in the light from the burning fortress. He radiated a glow not unlike that protecting the castle creatures. His, however, was far more puissant than theirs, as he demonstrated when he pushed through the press and attacked them. Their weapons could not reach him. His sliced through them as though they were made of lard.
- Glen Cook, Shadows Linger
I went round and round in circles with the gear for this character. Kingslayer Balrog Blade needed a total of 63IAS to hit a whopping 14 frames per attack. 86IAS would get me to 13 frames. I wanted to max the resists for MP play as I knew I would be doing less running away than I normally do. CBF is obviously required but I didn't want to wear a RAvenfrost and drop +2 skills from BKWB. I needed mana leech and at least some FHR. I wanted to keep the elemental skills strong so that meant skillers in the inventory, not filling it with resist charms. Darksight Helm was considered but left me low on resists. I looked at Andariels for a 90IAS setup, until I remembered it needed clvl83.
Weapon: 'Kingslayer' Balrog Blade
Switch Weapon: Beta 'Call to Arms' War Scepter
Switch Shield: 'Spirit' Monarch
Helm: Kira’s Guardian
Armour: 'Chains of Honour' Dusk Shroud
Belt: Gloom’s Trap
Boots: Immortal King's Pillar
Gloves: Immortal King's Forge
Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope
Rings: 2x Beta Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Inventory: 7x Natural Grand Charms, Small charms with life, FHR, AR & Mana
In the end I went with a very similar setup to Monza_Murcatto. I was still thinking about changing to a 90IAS setup with Andariel's later, so kept in IK Gloves & Boots. In the end the MP group had fanaticism, so I didn't make the change. However the 70IAS took The Limper to the 11FPA cap with fanaticism, so it wasn't wasted.
Mercenary
Merc: Ashab, A2 NM Offensive 'Might'
Merc Weapon: 'Infinity' Thresher
Merc Helm: Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Merc Armour: 'Treachery' Ethereal Great Hauberk
Finds
Unique Ataghan in the single Pit run we did in the MP group. Vex in the Jungle. HF was an Io. ffs picked up an ethereal GPA, a 15% ED Wire Fleece and a Pul.
Gameplay
The_Limper was played through hell in The Avengers MP Group at players 8. He was joined by:
@ffs - ZodPal, a HF Dreamer Paladin
@PhineasB - Alastor, a Melee Lord of Mages Necromancer
@skiffcz - Whor, a Executress Sorceress
@D2DC - Regicídio, a 2H-Vengazon Amazon
How did it go? Like an enchanted phase blade of incineration through butter. I had a single death in the WSK, you can see it in the video below (about 5.05). At that point we were rushing a bit due to time constraints and wanted to finish. Other than that he was pretty safe and very strong.
Thanks once again to the MP group. It has been many years since I have done something like this and it was awesome!
“What the hell?” I asked Goblin. “That’s strange.” Wide, low, black humps pimpled the meadows. There were bodies everywhere.
“That’s one reason the Taken are feared. Killing spells. Their heat sucked the ground up.”
I stopped to study a hump.
The blackness could have been drawn with a compass. The boundary was as sharp as a penstroke. Charred skeletons lay within the black. Swordblades and spearheads looked like wax imitations left too long in the sun. I caught One-Eye staring. “When you can do this trick you’ll scare me.”
“If I could do that I’d scare myself.”
I checked another circle. It was a twin of the first. Raven reined in beside me. “The Limper’s work. I’ve seen it before.”
- Glen Cook, The Black Company
Patriarch The_Limper, Vengeance Fire Summoner Druid
Continuing my plundering of fantasy literature for character inspiration is The_Limper. A member of a group of powerful sorcerers called 'The Ten Who Were Taken,' he uses powerful battlefield spells and is seen fighting with a sword in the Battle of Juniper. Whilst he is powerful, he is not a good tactician, just relying on brute force. He is killed several times in the books, but always seems to somehow come back again. This seemed perfect for a softcore character.
Skills
All of my two handed sword druids to date have been shapeshifters, so using vengeance meant this character had to be in human form. I wanted to make the character a hybrid, with a good balance between his normal class skills and the oskill.
As the quote above describes The Limper as melting the enemies, Armageddon and Fissure seemed obvious. These are also great for this build as they don't need FCR, meaning it is much easier to get the required mods in the gear. Casting these on a pack before going in with the sword softens up or kills anything that is not fire immune, Vengeance clears up the rest. The fire skills were great against some of the more annoying monsters for a 2h melee character. Witches, Gloams and Ghosts move predictably over fissures so can be eliminated easily.
Grizzly was pretty strong, even when I played solo and as usual is a great recastable tank. Oak actually survived fairly well, most of the time. Playing solo to the Hellforge, a single point in Hurricane and Twister helped with FI Pit Lords. I used Cyclone Armour too, it was useful in some areas for a bit of extra protection.
Raven: 1/9
Oak Sage: 1/9
Summon Spirit Wolf: 1/9
Summon Dire Wolf: 10/18
Summon Grizzly: 1/9
Firestorm: 16/31
Molten Boulder: 1/16
Arctic Blast: 1/16
Fissure: 20/35
Cyclone Armor: 1/16
Twister: 1/16
Volcano: 20/35
Tornado: 1/16
Armageddon: 20/35
Hurricane: 1/16
Stats
Name: The_Limper
Class: Druid
Experience: 1120909003
Level: 85
Naked/Gear
Strength: 130/185
Dexterity: 52/77
Vitality: 313/333
Energy: 20/25
HP: 817/1157
Mana: 188/218
Stamina: 456/556
Defense: 13/1396
AR: 230/11907
Fire: 190/150/90
Cold: 190/150/90
Lightning: 190/150/90
Poison: 190/150/90
MF: 50 Block: 7
GF: 40 FR/W: 40
FHR: 59 IAS: 70
FCR: 0
Damage Numbers:
Vengeance (with Might): 2416 - 6050
Armageddon: 6031-6820
Fissure: 2718-2840
Equipment
Limper left his aerial steed, marched uphill with a long, black sword that glimmered evilly in the light from the burning fortress. He radiated a glow not unlike that protecting the castle creatures. His, however, was far more puissant than theirs, as he demonstrated when he pushed through the press and attacked them. Their weapons could not reach him. His sliced through them as though they were made of lard.
- Glen Cook, Shadows Linger
I went round and round in circles with the gear for this character. Kingslayer Balrog Blade needed a total of 63IAS to hit a whopping 14 frames per attack. 86IAS would get me to 13 frames. I wanted to max the resists for MP play as I knew I would be doing less running away than I normally do. CBF is obviously required but I didn't want to wear a RAvenfrost and drop +2 skills from BKWB. I needed mana leech and at least some FHR. I wanted to keep the elemental skills strong so that meant skillers in the inventory, not filling it with resist charms. Darksight Helm was considered but left me low on resists. I looked at Andariels for a 90IAS setup, until I remembered it needed clvl83.
Weapon: 'Kingslayer' Balrog Blade
Switch Weapon: Beta 'Call to Arms' War Scepter
Switch Shield: 'Spirit' Monarch
Helm: Kira’s Guardian
Armour: 'Chains of Honour' Dusk Shroud
Belt: Gloom’s Trap
Boots: Immortal King's Pillar
Gloves: Immortal King's Forge
Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope
Rings: 2x Beta Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Inventory: 7x Natural Grand Charms, Small charms with life, FHR, AR & Mana
In the end I went with a very similar setup to Monza_Murcatto. I was still thinking about changing to a 90IAS setup with Andariel's later, so kept in IK Gloves & Boots. In the end the MP group had fanaticism, so I didn't make the change. However the 70IAS took The Limper to the 11FPA cap with fanaticism, so it wasn't wasted.
Code:
Kingslayer
Balrog Blade
MalUmGulFal
One Hand Damage: 86 - 437
Two Hand Damage: 320 - 692
Indestructible
Required Level: 53
Required Strength: 175
Required Dexterity: 77
Fingerprint: 0x3b145028
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
+30% Increased Attack Speed
291% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
33% Chance of Crushing Blow
50% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
+1 to Vengeance
+10 to Strength
40% Extra Gold from Monsters
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Gul Rune
Socketed: Fal Rune
Kira's Guardian
Tiara
Defense: 135
Durability: 20 of 25
Required Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0x62b2edb8
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+84 to Attack Rating
+94 Defense
All Resistances +65
Cannot Be Frozen
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Argent Jewel of Fervor
Chains of Honor
Dusk Shroud
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 776
Durability: 10 of 20
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0xf0c887ec
Item Level: 86
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
Gloom's Trap
Mesh Belt
Defense: 94
Durability: 11 of 16
Required Level: 36
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x3a12f9b2
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Mana stolen per hit
+131% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Vitality
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
Regenerate Mana 15%
-3 to Light Radius
Immortal King's Pillar
War Boots
Defense: 118
Durability: 19 of 24
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 125
Fingerprint: 0xc09a926d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Run/Walk
+110 to Attack Rating
+75 Defense
+44 to Life
Set (2 items): 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Set (3 items): +2 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
Set (4 items): +160 Defense
Set (5 items): Half Freeze Duration
(2 items): +50 to Attack Rating
Immortal King's Forge
War Gauntlets
Defense: 118
Durability: 18 of 24
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 110
Fingerprint: 0xd8332e67
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
12% Chance to cast level 4 Charged Bolt when struck
+65 Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
Set (2 items): +25% Increased Attack Speed
Set (3 items): +120 Defense
Set (4 items): 10% Life stolen per hit
Set (5 items): 10% Mana stolen per hit
Set (6 items): Freezes target +2
(2 items): +50 to Attack Rating
Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x47d7b64f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +30
Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xd37a79fe
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
5% Life stolen per hit
+42 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina
Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xdb4669c0
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
5% Life stolen per hit
+42 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina
Call to Arms
Superior War Scepter
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 37 - 63
Durability: 80 of 80
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0xd24f673
GUID: 0x3ff0f5af 0x14584f 0x0
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
+2 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
271% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+1 to Sanctuary (Paladin Only)
+1 to Holy Shield (Paladin Only)
+3 to Vigor (Paladin Only)
+9 to Battle Command
+12 to Battle Orders
+10 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Increase Maximum Durability 15%
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 136
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x99904e50
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+109 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+8 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Natural Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x82538845
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
Natural Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x101ac403
Item Level: 50
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
Natural Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xb694c3c5
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+29 to Life
Natural Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x3ed9ea87
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+28 to Life
Natural Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x682f5671
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+28 to Life
Natural Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xab34fcc3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+25 to Life
Natural Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x7e926c1c
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+22 to Life
Serrated Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x6790f865
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+6 to Maximum Damage
Serpent's Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x5aa8df05
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+15 to Mana
Serpent's Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0xbc4ff5b5
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+15 to Mana
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x93d51200
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x313d2778
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xf8f5061e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Iron Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xf39b2778
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Attack Rating
+20 to LifeMercenary
Merc: Ashab, A2 NM Offensive 'Might'
Merc Weapon: 'Infinity' Thresher
Merc Helm: Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Merc Armour: 'Treachery' Ethereal Great Hauberk
Code:
Treachery
Great Hauberk
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 1084
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 56
Required Strength: 108
Fingerprint: 0x2d9806ae
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
Ethereal
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune
Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Death Mask
Defense: 114
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x57f84a09
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
10% Mana stolen per hit
10% Life stolen per hit
+45 Defense
+60 to Life
+30 to Mana
All Resistances +15
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Infinity
Thresher
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 71 - 833
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 142
Required Dexterity: 108
Fingerprint: 0x2c532938
Item Level: 80
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
295% Enhanced Damage
-53% 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 RuneFinds
Unique Ataghan in the single Pit run we did in the MP group. Vex in the Jungle. HF was an Io. ffs picked up an ethereal GPA, a 15% ED Wire Fleece and a Pul.
Gameplay
The_Limper was played through hell in The Avengers MP Group at players 8. He was joined by:
@ffs - ZodPal, a HF Dreamer Paladin
@PhineasB - Alastor, a Melee Lord of Mages Necromancer
@skiffcz - Whor, a Executress Sorceress
@D2DC - Regicídio, a 2H-Vengazon Amazon
How did it go? Like an enchanted phase blade of incineration through butter. I had a single death in the WSK, you can see it in the video below (about 5.05). At that point we were rushing a bit due to time constraints and wanted to finish. Other than that he was pretty safe and very strong.
Thanks once again to the MP group. It has been many years since I have done something like this and it was awesome!
Last edited:
Google
