Seven More Swords

maxicek

Moderator
Moderator
Guide Author
Aug 5, 2005
8,074
2,586
113
The_Nazgul

Frodo was hardly less terrified than his companions; he was quaking as if he was bitter cold, but his terror was swallowed up in a sudden temptation to put on the Ring. The desire to do this laid hold of him, and he could think of nothing else. He did not forget the Barrow, nor the message of Gandalf; but something seemed to be compelling him to disregard all warnings, and he longed to yield. Not with the hope of escape, or of doing anything, either good or bad: he simply felt he must take the ring and put it on his finger. He could not speak. He felt Sam looking at him, as if he knew that his master was in some great trouble, but he could not turn towards him. He shut his eyes and struggled for a while; but resistance became unbearable, and at last he slowly drew out the chain, and slipped the Ring on the forefinger of his left hand.

Immediately, though everything else remained as before, dim and dark, the shapes became terribly clear. He was able to see beneath their black wrappings. There were five tall figures: two standing on the lip of the dell, three advancing.

In their white faces burned keen and merciless eyes; under their mantles were long grey robes; upon their grey hairs were helms of silver; in their haggard hands were swords of steel....Two of the figures halted. The third was taller than the others: his hair was long and gleaming and on his helm was a crown. In one hand he held a long sword, and in the other a knife; both the knife and the hand that held it glowed with a pale light. He sprang forward and bore down on Frodo.

At that moment Frodo threw himself forward on the ground, and he heard himself crying aloud: O Elbereth! Gilthoniel! At the same time he struck at the feet of his enemy. A shrill cry rang out in the night; and he felt a pain like a dart of poisoned ice pierce his left shoulder.



I have had the idea of making a daggermancer around a Nazgul theme probably ever since 1.11 was released and the Treachery runeword made Fade available to all characters. I didn't even know about the Venom + Dagger bug / feature back then that made it even more attractive. I was originally planning to make the build with a 'Passion' flail on switch, as the character appears in the siege of Minas Tirith, but the poor damage just didn't make it attractive.


And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth.

So the build remained in the planning stage. Then came the forging of the eBoTD. One I had made this, another two handed sword Necromancer was always on the cards. Over the summer I was watching the extras from The Fellowship of The Ring Extended Edition and came across the concept sketch below by John Howe. So I decided to combine the two build ideas into one. The Witch King, the Lord of Angmar, Lord of The Nazgul was born.


Patriarch The_Nazgul, LoTR themed Melee / Daggermancer

1586644670781.png


Stats

1586644656490.png

Name: The_Nazgul
Class: Necromancer
Experience: 1015287896
Level: 84

Naked/Gear
Strength: 144/179
Dexterity: 46/108
Vitality: 295/365
Energy: 25/60
HP: 789/967
Mana: 191/231
Stamina: 442/741
Defense: 11/1346
AR: 185/1290

Resists before fade - all at 75 when Fade triggers.
Fire: 131/91/31
Cold: 148/108/48
Lightning: 129/89/29
Poison: 129/89/29

MF: 0
GF: 89
FR/W: 40
FHR: 89
IAS: 120
FCR: 20


Skills
Amplify Damage: 1/6
Dim Vision: 1/6
Weaken: 1/6
Iron Maiden: 1/6
Terror: 1/6
Confuse: 1/6
Life Tap: 1/6
Attract: 1/6
Decrepify: 1/6
Lower Resist: 1/6

Teeth: 1/7
Bone Armor: 1/7
Poison Dagger: 20/26
Corpse Explosion: 10/16
Bone Wall: 1/7
Poison Explosion: 20/26
Bone Spear: 1/7
Bone Prison: 20/26
Poison Nova: 7/13
Bone Spirit: 0/0

Clay Golem: 1/4
Golem Mastery: 1/4
Summon Resist: 1/4


Equipment
Over the hills of slain a hideous shape appeared. He halted and held up a long pale sword. And as he did so a great fear fell on all, defender and foe alike, and the heads of men drooped to their sides, and no bow sang. For a moment all was still.

Weapon: Ethereal 'Breath of The Dying' Colossus Blade

Switch Weapon: Blackbog's Sharp 'Shael'
Switch Shield: Trang Oul's Wing

Helm: Crown of Ages
Armour:' Treachery' Kraken Shell
Belt: Verdungo's Hearth Cord
Boots: Aldur's Advance
Gloves: Trang's Claws

Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope
Ring1: Ravenfrost
Ring2: Rare 'Blood Spiral' with AR, resists and dexterity.

Inventory: 3x Steel GCs, 3x P&B GCs, a few resist SCs and SCs of Vita.

Equipment Readouts:
Code:
Breath of the Dying
Colossus Blade
VexHelElEldZodEth
One Hand Damage: 198 - 520
Two Hand Damage: 467 - 923
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 144
Required Dexterity: 80
Fingerprint: 0x3fffe1eb
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
50% Chance to cast level 20 Poison Nova when you Kill an Enemy
Indestructible
+60% Increased Attack Speed
437% 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


Crown of Ages
Corona
Defense: 378
Durability: 25 of 50
Required Level: 82
Required Strength: 174
Fingerprint: 0x61cbabc1
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+1 to All Skills
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+79 to Attack Rating
+50% Enhanced Defense
+129 Defense
All Resistances +30
Damage Reduced by 11%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Argent Jewel of Fervor

Argent Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 36
Fingerprint: 0xd42913b9
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+79 to Attack Rating

Treachery
Kraken Shell
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 504
Durability: 47 of 48
Required Level: 61
Required Strength: 174
Fingerprint: 0x842ab1bf
Item Level: 85
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

Trang-Oul's Wing
Cantor Trophy
Defense: 186
Chance to Block: 40
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x9253a337
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
30% Increased Chance of Blocking
+125 Defense
+25 to Strength
+15 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +44%
Poison Resist +40%
Set (3 items): -25% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Set (4 items): Replenish Life +15

Blackbog's Sharp
Cinquedeas
One Hand Damage: 30 - 76
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 88
Fingerprint: 0xc1d52b46
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+50% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 15 - 45 Damage
Adds 488 Poison Damage Over 10 Secs (250 Frames)
+5 to Poison Dagger (Necromancer Only)
+4 to Poison Explosion (Necromancer Only)
+4 to Poison Nova (Necromancer Only)
Slows Target by 50%
+50 Defense
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune

Verdungo's Hearty Cord
Mithril Coil
Defense: 139
Durability: 14 of 16
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 106
Fingerprint: 0x74db0c7d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+112% Enhanced Defense
+35 to Vitality
Replenish Life +12
+119 Maximum Stamina
Damage Reduced by 15%

Aldur's Advance
Battle Boots
Defense: 39
Durability: 9 of 18
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0xae71fad6
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+40% Faster Run/Walk
+50 to Life
+180 Maximum Stamina
Heal Stamina Plus 32%
Fire Resist +50%
10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Set (2 items): +15 to Dexterity
Set (3 items): +15 to Dexterity
Set (4 items): +15 to Dexterity


Trang-Oul's Claws
Heavy Bracers
Defense: 73
Durability: 15 of 16
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xc5c1abd6
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+25% to Poison Skill Damage
+30 Defense
Cold Resist +30%

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x35d8bdcd
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +21

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x485fa3ec
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+226 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+18 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

Blood Spiral
Ring
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x674e9873
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Maximum Damage
+82 to Attack Rating
+9 to Dexterity
Lightning Resist +26%
Poison Resist +28%
26% Extra Gold from Monsters

Charms
Code:
Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xb919fd58
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +11%

Emerald Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xa8a3e8f9
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +10%

Emerald Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x7c3770e4
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +10%

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x4500a4f1
Item Level: 56
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +11%

Steel Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0xbe3cd39d
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
+131 to Attack Rating

Steel Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0x2705f770
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12% Faster Hit Recovery
+122 to Attack Rating

Lapis Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0xec5fd8a4
Item Level: 70
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +7%

Fungal Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x4ca0edcf
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)

Fungal Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xd0075b4b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x365e2b0d
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x306bec96
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xdd764d07
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x2786c82c
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x64efa826
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life

Fungal Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xefcbb718
Item Level: 68
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
13% Extra Gold from Monsters

Steel Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x3c258b31
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+105 to Attack Rating
+38 to Life


Mercenary
Mizan, A2 NM Offensive
Helm: Tal Rasha's HC
Armour: Treachery
Weapon: Infinity

Code:
Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest
Death Mask
Defense: 127
Durability: 11 of 20
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x352d6f8b
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Mana stolen per hit
10% Life stolen per hit
+45 Defense
+60 to Life
+30 to Mana
All Resistances +15

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

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 Rune


The Build

Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant. The one who will lead Mordor’s armies in war. The one they say no living man can kill. The Witch King of Angmar. You’ve met him before. He stabbed Frodo at Weathertop. He is the lord of the Nazgul, the greatest of the Nine.

The Lord of The Rings specifically mentions the Lord of The Nazgul as a necromancer. He wears a crown and is himself invisible to normal eyes, although Frodo seems him as a ghostly figure when wearing the ring. So overall, I think the character and his appearance fitted the theme well. Sure, there is no reference to poison novas, but all the elements that are mentioned in the book are present.

Unfortunate D2 allows no spaces in names and only one underscore. Maybe I should have gone with The_WitchKing or something, but I decided on The_Nazgul early on, as a shortening of The Lord of The Nazgul.


Then the Black Captain rose in his stirrups and cried aloud in a dreadful voice, speaking in some forgotten tongue words of power and terror to rend both heart and stone.
Thrice he cried. Thrice the great ram boomed. And suddenly upon the last stroke the Gate of Gondor broke. As if stricken by some blasting spell it burst asunder: there was a flash of searing lightning, and the doors tumbled in riven fragments to the ground.


One of the criticisms that is often leveled at meleemancers is that they are not truly melee if they use Corpse Explosion. On the other hand, without it you can find yourself hiding behind a golem and the mercenary, just casting curses and running away. However you look at it necromancers are weak in melee. I chose to use CE and was very glad I did. It helped in the areas like the Arcane Sanctuary against packs of Ghosts. I didn't use it all the time, but I was glad that I put the points into it.


I was unsure how effective the Poison Nova would be, especially as swinging at 14FPA meant that my kill speed was going to be fairly low. In fact is was quite effective, especially in A1 and the jungle. I was somewhat surprised to find that it triggered not just when I killed something with normal attack, but also when the nova itself killed something. This created many pretty multi novas:
1586644503906.png


Chasing hobbits on Weathertop:
1586644491729.png


I didn't use Poison Dagger that much. It really is a bit too slow acting in practice. The time that it came in most useful was fighting The Ancients. My mercenary decided to take an early shower, leaving me and a clay golem facing three full strength ancients. As I had lost the conviction and might, my AR meant I had no chance of hitting with the sword. So I switched to dagger and ran around weathertop cursing them with lower resist and poking them with the dagger occasionally, whilst the golem slowed the pace down to a manageable level. They went down on the first attempt. Actually, ol' Gumby is about the only part of this build that I don't think fits the theme very well. For that reason he was only used for Hell act boss fights and The Ancients.

The Worldstone Keep gave me my biggest problem when I got cornered by Black Souls at The Throne and couldn't retrieve my body. After two further deaths and several merc resurrections, I eventually managed to Dim Vision them and get my gear back. After that the minion waves and Baal posed little problem.
1586644476353.png

Nazgul with lance by John Howe
Witch King portrait by John Howe


Finds
Hellforge: ? NM, Ko Hell.
I found a 109/23 Steel of GC of Sustenance which is always useful. Apart from that nothing memorable. Although after about six years playing this game, the variety of drops that I class as 'memorable' gets smaller and smaller.


Update 2020
The_Nazgul got respecced as my cow runner for the last few RFLs, he is now level 91. He will stay as a pure poisonmancer for a bit, I may use him to run The Pit at the next MFO. After that he will get respecced back to his original build for retirement.
 
Last edited:
Ninefingers

Patriarch Ninefingers, Fanatic Leaping Berserk Zealot Barbarian

There are few men with more blood on their hands than me. None, that I know of. The Bloody-Nine they call me, my enemies, and there’s a lot of ’em. Always more enemies, and fewer friends. Blood gets you nothing but more blood. It follows me now, always, like my shadow, and like my shadow I can never be free of it. I should never be free of it. I’ve earned it. I’ve deserved it. I’ve sought it out. Such is my punishment.

Logen Ninefingers, aka The Bloody-Nine, is one of the main characters in Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy. If you haven’t read it yet, I can’t recommend it highly enough, especially if you like Barbarians. He hails from extreme north of Angland and is a very dangerous fighter. Under pressure there is a risk he goes into a berserk state - Then both allies and enemies must beware the Bloody-Nine.


Skills

Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say he’s a fighter.

This build is actually a combination of two. When I first started D2, I read the Booyaka Barb guide and it sounded interesting. But I didn’t want to be a pure leaper. Zeal was interesting from Passion as it meant a rapidly hitting skill that I could use to cope with multiple enemies, and leech from. One point in Berserk filled out the Bloody-Nine part. I also decided to invest in War Cry for crowd control, which also seemed to fit the theme. I liked the idea of having a variety of attacks to play with, to keep the gameplay varied.

Bash: 1/4
Leap: 11/14
Double Swing: 0/0
Stun: 1/4
Double Throw: 0/0
Leap Attack: 20/23
Concentrate: 1/4
Frenzy: 0/0
Whirlwind: 0/0
Berserk: 1/5

Sword Mastery: 20/24
Axe Mastery: 0/0
Mace Mastery: 0/0
Pole Arm Mastery: 0/0
Throwing Mastery: 0/0
Spear Mastery: 0/0
Increased Stamina: 1/5
Iron Skin: 1/5
Increased Speed: 1/5
Natural Resistance: 1/5

Howl: 1/4
Find Potion: 0/0
Taunt: 1/4
Shout: 1/4
Find Item: 0/0
Battle Cry: 1/4
Battle Orders: 20/23
Grim Ward: 0/0
War Cry: 12/15
Battle Command: 1/4


Stats
Name: Ninefingers
Class: Barbarian
Experience: 1051411191
Level: 85

Naked/Gear
Strength: 142/142
Dexterity: 54/96
Vitality: 309/309
Energy: 10/10
HP: 1419/1632
Mana: 94/146
Stamina: 460/497
Defense: 13/1783
AR: 255/144900

Fire: 139/99/39
Cold: 89/49/-11
Lightning: 140/100/40
Poison: 97/57/-3

MF: 0 Block: 11
GF: 75
FR/W: 30
FHR: 29
IAS: 65
FCR: 25

LCS with Zeal - Damage doesn't show properly as it thinks I will hit with the War Scepter. When you enter a game it will, you have to weapon swap to make it hit with the sword.
1585217781850.png

LCS with Berserk & Leap
1585217763549.png
Equipment

‘This is better,’ said Logen. It was a simple, solid-looking sword, in a scabbard of weathered brown leather. ‘Oh, yes indeed. Much, much better. That blade is the work of Kanedias, the Master Maker himself.’ Bayaz handed his torch to Logen and took the long sword from the rack. ‘Has it ever occurred to you, Master Ninefingers, that a sword is different from other weapons? Axes and maces and so forth are lethal enough, but they hang on the belt like dumb brutes.’ He ran an eye over the hilt, plain cold metal scored with faint grooves for a good grip, glinting in the torchlight. ‘But a sword . . . a sword has a voice.’

Weapon: 1.07 Death Colossus Blade

Switch Weapon 1: 1.07 Death Colossus Blade
Switch Weapon 2: Passion War Scepter with +3 Zeal

I wanted to use an Ethereal weapon as the Sword of the Maker, I considered Oath but decided Death with a Faith Merc fitted better, and of course gave me huge Crushing Blow and Deadly Strike.

The two weapon switches are supposed to reflect the split personality of the character, More like two different ways of attacking with the same weapon, rather than two different weapons. The Passion + Death side is Ninefingers, the quick and skillful fighter using Zeal and War Cry. The two-handed Death is The Bloody-Nine, the berserker leaping into battle.

Bayaz took a helmet from a suit of ancient, gilded plate armour and looked it over with a frown. ‘What do you make of that?’
‘I’ve never been much for armour.’


I could have gone 100% CB and DS with a Guillaume’s Face, but that wouldn’t have fitted the theme. I wanted to go all leather / padded armour types, luckily I already had a Dusk Shroud Fortitude. Yeah, I know Gore’s are metal, but the mods are too good to resist. They don’t show in game anyway.

Helm: Rune Cowl - Rare Circlet with AR & Resists
Armour: Fortitude Dusk Shroud
Belt: Storm Chain - Crafted Blood Belt
Boots: Gore Rider
Gloves: Laying of Hands

Amulet: Highlord’s Wrath
Ring1: Ravenfrost
Ring2: Eagle Band - Rare with LL, AR & Resists

Inventory: Sharp GCs, Steel SCs and even a Fanatic Skiller.

Damage Output (according to LCS)
Zeal
Berserk
Leap Attack

All with:
88% Deadly Strike
65% Crushing Blow
20% Open Wounds

Code:
Death
Superior Colossus Blade
HelElVexOrtGul
One Hand Damage: 202 - 531
Two Hand Damage: 476 - 942
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 144
Required Dexterity: 80
Fingerprint: 0x67bf2e2b
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
100% Chance to cast level 44 Chain Lightning when you Die
25% Chance to cast level 18 Glacial Spike on attack
Indestructible
448% Enhanced Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+51 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
7% Mana stolen per hit
50% Chance of Crushing Blow
42% 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

Death
Colossus Blade
HelElVexOrtGul
One Hand Damage: 170 - 446
Two Hand Damage: 400 - 791
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 144
Required Dexterity: 80
Fingerprint: 0x62d8b032
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
100% Chance to cast level 44 Chain Lightning when you Die
25% Chance to cast level 18 Glacial Spike on attack
Indestructible
360% 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
42% 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

Passion
War Scepter
DolOrtEldLem
One Hand Damage: 26 - 44
Durability: 69 of 70
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x304df2b4
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
+25% Increased Attack Speed
160% Enhanced Damage
71% Bonus to Attack Rating
+225% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
+3 to Vengeance (Paladin Only)
+3 to Zeal (Paladin Only)
+1 to Berserk
+1 to Zeal
Hit Blinds Target +10
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Level 3 Heart of Wolverine (12/12 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Eld Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune

Rune Cowl
Coronet
Defense: 36
Durability: 24 of 30
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x4f2096af
Item Level: 93
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+97 to Attack Rating
+6 to Dexterity
+28 to Life
All Resistances +32
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um Rune

Fortitude
Dusk Shroud
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1377
Durability: 14 of 20
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0x7f9f9547
Item Level: 86
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
+85 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +26
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

Storm Chain
Mithril Coil
Defense: 108
Durability: 14 of 16
Required Level: 78
Required Strength: 106
Fingerprint: 0x95d4d7c0
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24% Faster Hit Recovery
2% Life stolen per hit
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+65% Enhanced Defense
+11 to Life
Lightning Resist +16%
Poison Resist +8%

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 153
Durability: 30 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0xa2428bf
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+185% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 85
Durability: 10 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xeee8d90a
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%

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x4a70476c
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
31% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15

Eagle Band
Ring
Required Level: 48
Fingerprint: 0xd0b5d753
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+114 to Attack Rating
6% Life stolen per hit
+12 to Dexterity
+17 Maximum Stamina
All Resistances +11

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x144535a8
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+225 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+18 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0x1cfe8181
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+66 to Attack Rating
+32 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 63
Fingerprint: 0x888acbaa
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Maximum Damage
+74 to Attack Rating

Snake's Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x37b6b7de
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+12 to Mana

Fanatic Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xadcc68d2
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Masteries Skills (Barbarian Only)
+6 to Dexterity

Sharp Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xf69339a6
Item Level: 42
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+74 to Attack Rating

Sharp Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x61f2cc79
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+76 to Attack Rating

Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x300e9bac
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7 to Maximum Damage
+69 to Attack Rating
+11 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x29e957aa
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+32 to Attack Rating
+7 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xab67fc9e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+32 to Attack Rating
+8 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x693ba932
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+31 to Attack Rating
+7 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x83064348
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+35 to Attack Rating
+10 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x56d5abfe
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+33 to Attack Rating
+7 to Life

Steel Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x24bc98ea
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+27 to Attack Rating
+7 to Life

Sharp Grand Charm of Shock
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xeabb4ae1
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+74 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 3 Lightning Damage


Mercenary

In the books Ninefingers is accompanied by Ferro Maljin, an exceptional archer. An A1 merc with Faith fitted this nicely, and of course solved all my IAS problems.

Mercenary Type: A1 Fire Arrow
Helm: Andariel’s Visage
Armour: Fortitude
Weapon: Faith Ward Bow
Code:
Name:       Sharyn
Race:       Rogue Scout
Type:       Ice - Nightmare
Experience: 69671196
Level:      84
Dead?:      false

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   134/160
Dexterity:  202/202
HP:         1376/1470
Defense:    1140/2980
AR:         2160/650160

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

Faith
Ward Bow
OhmJahLemEld
Two Hand Damage: 86 - 227
Durability: 47 of 48
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 72
Required Dexterity: 146
Fingerprint: 0x7a73f069
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 14 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+2 to All Skills
330% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
300% Bonus to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 120 - 120 Fire Damage
All Resistances +15
10% Reanimate as: Returned
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune
Socketed: Eld Rune

Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1515
Durability: 57 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0xe5dc704a
Item Level: 84
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
+94 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25
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

Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 325
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 102
Fingerprint: 0x5e8d263f
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
10% Life stolen per hit
+110% Enhanced Defense
+26 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist +0%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (20/20 Charges)
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ral Rune


Finds

Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say that he has poor luck.

I found an Ohm somewhere along the journey I think, at least that is what I wrote down but I can't find a screenshot. So it may have been from a different Barb running Pindle. Other than that, nothing of note.


Thoughts

A choice between killing and dying is no choice at all. You have to be realistic about these things.

Ninefingers was levelled old school style. Envy Jewel gear until level 15, 1.07 Ravenclaw until level 30ish, then WW from Bloodletter with various other weapons as primary until I could equip Passion. After that it was leaping, zerking, and zealing all the way.

When I planned this character I was thinking that I could use Leap Attack a bit like charge. I would destroy Uniques and Champions with a Leap, then mop up anything left with a few Zeal strikes. Unfortunately Leap Attack doesn’t work as well as you may expect.

The problem is you don’t so much fly through the air as float through the air. Waft maybe. Short leaps work fine, but if you are at a short range, you may as well Zeal or Berserk. Long range, as you float gently towards the target, the target moves away, often towards where you leapt from. Then you hit empty space and nothing happens. Charge on the other hand moves quickly and along the ground. If the target moves towards you, it gets splatted earlier.

War Cry is awesome, ten points with a few +skills worked well enough, but more points would of course have been even better. The Zeal + Passion switch was also effective and it was useful to have a quick leeching attack for a zero point investment. Mana burn ghosts were problematic at first when they stack, but War Cry and Berserk combined with a bit of running away to spread them out worked.

Ninefingers has all his respecs remaining, so next he will be a Trav Barb until he hits about level 92 or 93. If I can get a decent map he may even take part in the RFL round 2. After that he will get respecced back to his original build, or something close to it. I'm not sure if I will invest so many points into leap again, the two handed switch will be more Berserk focussed.

1585217634239.png
 
Last edited:
Brienne
Matriarch Brienne - 2h Sword Vengeance Amazon

Brienne is my third two handed sword wielding Amazon. Zeal is pretty horrible with a 2h sword on an Amazon and, as I have already done Berserk and a Bear, that only really left Vengeance. It is about 12 years since my first 2h sword sept, so the available gear has improved somewhat since then...

Unless you have been deliberately ignoring it for the last few years, you will have probably guessed that she is a themed character based on Brienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones.

Equipment
Weapon: “Kingslayer” Balrog Blade

The coincidence of this name was just too good, given who gives Brienne the sword in the series.

Switch: “Call to Arms” Colossus Crossbow

The crossbow has a special significance in GoT, so I wanted to incorporate it somehow. I did think about an upped Burrito Cannon for a while, but there is no point being able to dish out huge damage with a 2h Sword if you have to run away all the time as you have low life. CtA Crossbow worked well, damage was high enough to help thin out big packs like in The Flayer Jungle.

Helm: Kira's Guardian
Much needed resists and CBF frees up a ring slot.

Armour: 1.07 Garnet Ancient Armor of the Titan 4os

I wanted a dark coloured full armour look. Fortitude doesn’t really help for this build, so I went shopping in 1.07. Many hours and arguments with Larzuk later, I had something serviceable. 30IAS solved my attack speed problems the rest was stuffed for damage.
(This has unfortunately since been Heled though.)

Belt: Rare with FHR and Strength
Boots: War Traveller
Gloves: Crafted Blood Gloves with 20% IAS and Mana Leech

War Traveller for the damage. Gloves needed IAS, as LoH is not really helpful for vengeance I went for more crushing blow.

Amulet: Mara’s
Ring 1: BKWB
Ring 2: Rare with dual leech and AR

Inventory:
A few Amber charms
One Sharp for a bit of base AR
Rest 1.07 max damage

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
Valerian Steel
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Gul Rune
Socketed: Fal Rune

Call to Arms
Colossus Crossbow
AmnRalMalIstOhm
Two Hand Damage: 118 - 337
Durability: 45 of 50
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 163
Required Dexterity: 77
Fingerprint: 0x754fe3a1
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
271% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+4 to Battle Command
+3 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

Kira's Guardian
Tiara
Defense: 148
Durability: 19 of 25
Required Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0x89a6ce6a
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+106 Defense
All Resistances +68
Lightning Resist +7%
Cannot Be Frozen
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Camphor Jewel of Fervor

Garnet Ancient Armor of the Titan
Ancient Armor
Defense: 231
Durability: 36 of 60
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 100
Fingerprint: 0x75700d3d
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion
+30% Increased Attack Speed
+62 to Maximum Damage
+16 to Strength
Fire Resist +25%
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Carmine Jewel of Fervor
Socketed: Carmine Jewel of Fervor
Socketed: Vermilion Jewel of Wrath
Socketed: Vermilion Jewel of Wrath

Carmine Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x1c2905fa
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+9 to Maximum Damage

Carmine Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0xe7385075
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+7 to Maximum Damage

Vermilion Jewel of Wrath
Jewel
Required Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0xdfbd122c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+23 to Maximum Damage

Vermilion Jewel of Wrath
Jewel
Required Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0x7aac638e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+23 to Maximum Damage

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x6c66bea
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +25

Shadow Finger
Ring
Required Level: 74
Fingerprint: 0x38ee4512
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+114 to Attack Rating
6% Mana stolen per hit
4% Life stolen per hit
+7 to Energy
Lightning Resist +15%

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
+41 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina

Rune Clasp
Mesh Belt
Defense: 52
Durability: 7 of 16
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x4c52a9c9
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+27% Enhanced Defense
+18 to Strength
Cold Resist +19%
Lightning Resist +14%
Attacker Takes Damage of 2

War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 137
Durability: 40 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0xcd77c0a6
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+187% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability

Corpse Touch
Sharkskin Gloves
Defense: 44
Durability: 9 of 14
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x42fb7e52
Item Level: 92
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Increased Attack Speed
3% Mana stolen per hit
1% Life stolen per hit
9% Chance of Crushing Blow
+12% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x3bad483a
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +10%

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x7681a23b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +10%

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x76bd9271
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +10%

Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x6b08b5e0
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage

Jagged Small Charm of Maiming
Small Charm
Required Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0x17ad0f56
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+7 to Maximum Damage

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

Small Charm of Maiming
Small Charm
Required Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0x4f2318b8
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion
+6 to Maximum Damage

Small Charm of Maiming
Small Charm
Required Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0x1780e7c7
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+6 to Maximum Damage

Sharp Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xc5662a33
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+69 to Attack Rating
+40 to Life

Serrated Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x1270831c
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage

Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x157c6576
Item Level: 47
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage

Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x27364375
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage

Serrated Grand Charm of Quality
Grand Charm
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x69340324
Item Level: 93
Version: Expansion
+28 to Maximum Damage

Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x4cc0b1a6
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage


Skills
Magic Arrow: 1/5
Cold Arrow: 1/5
Multiple Shot: 5/9
Ice Arrow: 1/5
Guided Arrow: 1/5
Strafe: 1/5
Freezing Arrow: 1/5

Inner Sight: 1/5
Critical Strike: 10/14
Dodge: 12/16
Slow Missiles: 6/10
Avoid: 10/14
Penetrate: 13/17
Decoy: 1/5
Evade: 12/16
Valkyrie: 16/20
Pierce: 1/5

Nothing in Javelin


Stats
Name: Brienne
Class: Amazon
Experience: 928803336
Level: 83

Naked/Gear
Strength: 126/185
Dexterity: 72/77
Vitality: 292/307
Energy: 15/27
HP: 1090/1181
Mana: 138/138
Stamina: 438/488
Defense: 18/631
AR: 330/11298

Fire: 138/98/38
Cold: 132/92/32
Lightning: 189/149/89
Poison: 113/73/13

MF: 40 Block: 9
GF: 40 FR/W: 25
FHR: 35 IAS: 95
FCR: 0

Damage & Attack Rating
Vengeance: 2371-7600 / 1694 AR
Multiple Shot: 492 - 1902 / 1694 AR


Mercenary
I went with a Delirium + Infinity merc for crowd control, that meant Chains of Honor for leech. It was the first time I have ever used this combination. Needless to say it provided much needed crowd control and was very durable. I have used Holy Freeze and Reapers before, this was comparable in terms of safety but had much better damage for this build and meant I didn’t really need to worry about AR.

Brienne Delerium Fireworks.png

Code:
Name:       Emilio
Race:       Desert Mercenary
Type:       Off-Nightmare
Experience: 69456774
Level:      83
Dead?:      false

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   183/203
Dexterity:  147/147
HP:         1687/1687
Defense:    1245/2340
AR:         1889/1889

Fire:       212/172/112
Cold:       212/172/112
Lightning:  212/172/112
Poison:    212/172/112


Chains of Honor
Dusk Shroud
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 776
Durability: 17 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

Delirium
Diadem
LemIstIo
Defense: 319
Durability: 12 of 20
Required Level: 64
Fingerprint: 0x42ffe758
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
+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
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
+41 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 Rune


Finds
I seemed to find a lot of low level Uniques, but nothing really interesting. I picked up a +3 / 3os Mat Bow, likely just to go in the stash. This Jewel is maybe interesting if LLD18 ever happens again:
Code:
Rusty Jewel of Carnage
Jewel
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0xb6334d07
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
18% Enhanced Damage
+14 to Maximum Damage
Hellforge dropped a Gul.
Brienne Unique Drops.png

Gameplay
The whole game was players at /p3 which felt like a decent balance. If I went higher it too long to kill stuff and I could quickly get surrounded. Somewhere into Act 1 I was thinking that I may actually manage to get this character through Hell without a single death. Then I was standing outside the monastery gate cleaning up some stragglers from a pack we had just been slaughtered and then got killed by my own Valkyrie. Except it wasn't, it was a unique Corrupt Rogue Spearwoman with almost the same coloured armour, who I had mistaken amongst the fireworks from Delirium. Act 1 was fairly easy other than that, except for Ghosts in the monastery. Vengeance looks on paper to be a good PI solution, but it is mana intensive and with a slow attack speed you get drained very often. They were particularly a problem when they stacked, so lots of running away to separate them was required.

The remaining acts were fairly uneventful, just thin out any big packs with Multi Shot, then wade in with the sword. With almost 2K life after BO she was fairly robust, most of my other deaths were when it ran out.

Brienne Itchies.png

I chugged a load of thawing potions before Duriel as I was a bit worried about the cold damage without Ravenfrost.
Brienne Thawing Potions Duriel.png

Acts 3 and 4 were fairly uneventful, just thin out any big packs with Multi Shot, then wade in with the sword.
Brienne LCS Crossbow.png

Brienne looking badass fighting Diablo.
Brienne Diablo.png

Act 5 was going well until I hit the Crystalline Passage and ran into these Frenzytaurs.
Brienne Frenzytaurs.png

Ancients were easy by comparison
Brienne Ancients.png

LCS with the sword fighting Baal
Brienne LCS Baal.png
 
Last edited:
Monza_Murcatto
Matriarch Monza_Murcatto, 2h Sword Vengeance Assassin


“The dead can forgive. The dead can be forgiven. The rest of us have better things to do." - Monza Murcatto


Monza_Murcatto is a loosely themed character based on a character from Joe Abercrombie's book Best Served Cold. You can follow the link if you want to find out more, but beware of spoilers. In summary it is a story of revenge for getting thrown out of a window, so this is where the vengeance theme comes in. The character is good with a sword, but I think in D2 terms a Cryptic Sword would be more appropriate than a Balrog Blade. But then that wouldn’t be nearly as fun, would it?


Skills
Fire Blast: 1/9
Shock Web: 1/9
Blade Sentinel: 1/9
Charged Bolt Sentry: 1/9
Wake of Fire: 1/9
Blade Fury: 1/9
Lightning Sentry: 1/9
Wake of Inferno: 0/0
Death Sentry: 15/23
Blade Shield: 0/0

Claw Mastery: 1/9
Psychic Hammer: 1/9
Burst of Speed: 7/15
Weapon Block: 1/9
Cloak of Shadows: 3/11
Fade: 1/9
Shadow Warrior: 1/9
Mind Blast: 1/9
Venom: 20/28
Shadow Master: 20/28

Tiger Strike: 0/0
Dragon Talon: 14/22
Fists of Fire: 0/0
Dragon Claw: 1/9
Cobra Strike: 0/0
Claws of Thunder: 0/0
Dragon Tail: 1/9
Blades of Ice: 0/0
Dragon Flight: 1/9
Phoenix Strike: 0/0

I wanted a strong Shadow, so 20 points went there. Venom was also an obvious choice for a bit more damage. When you attack at 12FPA (the quickest possible for an Assassin with a 2h sword) the 0.5s duration works quite nicely. I put a few extra points in Burst of Speed for the duration, likewise with CoS. A point in Dragon Flight of course, because it is awesome.

After that, it was a bit whatever. I put some points in Dragon Talon for a rapid attack to apply crushing blow against bosses. 1 in Blade Fury for a ranged attack, but I never used it. The rest went in Death Sentry, but I never used it myself, I thought it may be useful to have in case I do some runs in the future. I decided to let the Shadow take care of DA, the randomness made combat more interesting.


Stats
Name: Monza_Murcatto
Class: Assassin
Experience: 992968588
Level: 84

Naked/Gear
Strength: 138/196
Dexterity: 72/77
Vitality: 280/310
Energy: 25/30
HP: 1056/1198
Mana: 149/149
Stamina: 523/623
Defense: 18/1436
AR: 100000324/2100011340

Fire: 177/137/77
Cold: 177/137/77
Lightning: 177/137/77
Poison: 177/137/77

MF: 71 Block: 9
GF: 40 FR/W: 25
FHR: 32 IAS: 30
FCR: 0

LCS Damage / AR
Vengeance: 3374-8592 / 1278 AR
Dragon Talon: 515-1237 / 5059 AR

1585032876041.png

1585032866841.png

Equipment
“Good steel bends, but never breaks. Good steel stays always sharp and ready. Good steel feels no pain, no pity, and above all, no remorse”

Weapon: 'Kingslayer' Balrog Blade

Switch Weapon: 'Call to Arms' Crystal Sword
Switch Shield: 'Spirit' Monarch

Helm: Kira’s Guardian
Armour: 'Chains of Honor' Dusk Shroud
Belt: Gloom’s Trap
Boots: War Traveller
Gloves: Crafted Blood Gloves

Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope
Ring 1: 1.10a Bul Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring 2: 1.10a Bul Kathos' Wedding Band

Inventory: 1.07 Damage Charms, Sharp GC, Fine SCs, Shimmering SC

I decided to go for +Skills on this one and use CoH. With Kira’s it meant my resists were pretty much maxed already and I could go for full on damage in the rest of the gear and pack the inventory with 1.07 Max Damage Charms.

Gloom’s Trap solved my lack of Mana Leech and meant I could go for 2x Beta BKWBs. I started Hell using Steelrends, but changed to the Blood Gloves for more Mana Leech.

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: 152
Durability: 17 of 25
Required Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0xbc6b668a
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+27% Faster Hit Recovery
+82 to Attack Rating
+109 Defense
All Resistances +66
Cannot Be Frozen
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Argent Jewel of Truth

Chains of Honor
Dusk Shroud
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 776
Durability: 11 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: 96
Durability: 12 of 16
Required Level: 36
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xd3e53674
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Mana stolen per hit
+135% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Vitality
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
Regenerate Mana 15%
-3 to Light Radius

War Traveler
Mirrored Boots
Defense: 164
Durability: 41 of 48
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 163
Fingerprint: 0x67237edf
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+179% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
46% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Required Level +7
+30 Maximum Durability

Loath Fist
Vampirebone Gloves
Defense: 85
Durability: 10 of 14
Required Level: 73
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xf85e5c13
Item Level: 89
Version: Expansion 1.10+
3% Mana stolen per hit
2% Life stolen per hit
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+29% Enhanced Defense
+11 to Strength
+18 to Life
Level 3 Inner Sight (27/27 Charges)

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x1b84ac
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +23

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
Crystal Sword
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 18 - 56
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xcd65259d
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
278% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Battle Command
+4 to Battle Orders
+1 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: 144
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x4601f171
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+32% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+98 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+3 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Shimmering Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0xa150479f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +3

Fine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xe2d1cb71
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+20 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xa5bb6eb7
Item Level: 52
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+20 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength

Jagged Small Charm of Maiming
Small Charm
Required Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0x17ad0f56
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+7 to Maximum Damage

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

Small Charm of Maiming
Small Charm
Required Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0x1780e7c7
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+6 to Maximum Damage

Small Charm of Maiming
Small Charm
Required Level: 43
Fingerprint: 0x4f2318b8
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion
+6 to Maximum Damage

Sharp Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xc5662a33
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+69 to Attack Rating
+40 to Life

Serrated Grand Charm of Quality
Grand Charm
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x69340324
Item Level: 93
Version: Expansion
+28 to Maximum Damage

Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x6b08b5e0
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage

Serrated Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x1270831c
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage

Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x157c6576
Item Level: 47
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage

Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x27364375
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage

Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x4cc0b1a6
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion
+20 to Maximum Damage


Mercenary
Merc Type: A2 NM Offensive - Might
Merc Weapon: 'Infinity' Ethereal Thresher
Merc Helm: Ethereal Vampire Gaze ‘Um’
Merc Armour: 'Treachery' Ethereal Kraken Shell

If Infinity soooo good for these Vengeance builds as it solves all AR problems as well as giving the obvious huge boost in damage.

No need for the crowd control from Delirium on this character (unlike the last), I used a fairly standard Treachery setup. I didn’t want him to be too powerful, so avoided Fortitude on purpose.

Code:
Name:       Ilzan
Race:       Desert Mercenary
Type:       Off-Nightmare
Experience: 71990476
Level:      84
Dead?:      false

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   184/184
Dexterity:  148/148
HP:         1727/1727
Defense:    1274/2468
AR:         1898/1898

Fire:       163/123/63
Cold:       193/153/93
Lightning:  163/123/63
Poison:    163/123/63


Treachery
Kraken Shell
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 942
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 61
Required Strength: 164
Fingerprint: 0x889077aa
Item Level: 85
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

Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x66077ece
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
6% Mana stolen per hit
8% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
All Resistances +15
Damage Reduced by 16%
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um 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 Rune


Finds
Hellforge dropped a yawn worthy Fal, but I got a Gul shortly after, just past the River of Flame waypoint. The Redeemer dropped in Act5, but that was about all of interest.

1585032742728.png


Gameplay
“You were a hero round these parts. That’s what they call you when you kill so many people the word murderer falls short.”

Gameplay was pretty simple. Run around quickly thanks to Burst of Speed, cast Cloak of Shadows. If I had out distanced the Merc, pull him into combat with a Dragon Flight, then whack away with the sword. The Shadow was useful with area of effect damage and if obviously cleared everything if she decided to cast Death Sentry. Dragon Talon was used for high life targets to apply Crushing Blow.

I paid the countess a visit for the first time since about 1.11. Forgot this even existed.
1585032729561.png

Shadow laying down some pretty but ineffective traps in the City of The Damned.
1585032708974.png



1585032699159.png

Red balls of pain.
1585032687744.png

Blood on The Summit.
1585032679242.png

Cloak of Shadows makes Venom Lords stand around doing nothing.
1585032667876.png

Obviously there are similarities with the last character in this series, Brienne. Overall I felt this one was stronger, but that may just be my preference for Assassins. Cloak of Shadows is a more reliable crowd control method than Delerium triggers. Damage numbers were similar, but I quite like the fact that this character had all four elements and physical damage.

 
Last edited:
Ardala
Matriarch Ardala, Revive Enchantress

Ardala is a fairly standard melee enchantress using revive charges from Eternity. It isn't really a 2h sword character if you don't swing the sword yourself, so she had to be able to melee too.


Skills
Fire Bolt: 1/14
Warmth: 20/33
Inferno: 0/0
Blaze: 0/0
Fire Ball: 1/14
Fire Wall: 0/0
Enchant: 20/33
Meteor: 0/0
Fire Mastery: 20/33
Hydra: 0/0

Charged Bolt: 1/8
Static Field: 5/12
Telekinesis: 20/27
Nova: 0/0
Lightning: 1/8
Chain Lightning: 1/8
Teleport: 1/8
Thunder Storm: 0/0
Energy Shield: 1/8
Lightning Mastery: 0/0

Ice Bolt: 1/8
Frozen Armor: 1/8
Frost Nova: 0/0
Ice Blast: 1/8
Shiver Armor: 2/9
Glacial Spike: 0/0
Blizzard: 0/0
Chilling Armor: 0/0
Frozen Orb: 0/0
Cold Mastery: 0/0

Standard Enchantress skill layout with a weak ES for a bit more resilience. A few spare points in static, but I didn't use it much.

Ardala LCS.jpg


Stats
Name: Ardala
Class: Sorceress
Experience: 1176538650
Level: 86

Naked/Gear
Strength: 158/190
Dexterity: 110/110
Vitality: 212/226
Energy: 35/35
HP: 589/1030
Mana: 205/228
Stamina: 361/497
Defense: 27/1303
AR: 500/696

Fire: 130/90/30
Cold: 100/60/0
Lightning: 155/115/55
Poison: 163/123/63

MF: 55 Block: 11
GF: 0 FR/W: 20
FHR: 40 IAS: 70
FCR: 20


Equipment
Weapon: 'Eternity' Colossus Blade

Weapon 2: Beta 'Call to Arms' War Scepter
Shield 2: Spirit

Helm: Archangel’s Coronet of Life Everlasting (2os) wit 2x Silver Jewels of Fervour
Armour: 'Chains of Honor' Dusk Shroud
Belt: Crafted 10FCR Caster Belt
Boots: Sandstorm Trek
Gloves: Laying of Hands

Amulet: Highlord’s Wrath
Ring 1: Beta BKWB
Ring 2: Rare with 10FCR & Mana Leech

Inventory: 6x Burning GCs of Vita, Resist Charms, SCs of Vita

Balancing out the gear with leech, resists, +skills to boost Enchant and get a bit of FCR was quite challenging. After the huge investment in Strength and Dext to wield a Colossus Blade, life was a bit low, so I borrowed the Burning GCs from my PvP Fire Sorc. I decided to drop the idea of using a Memory switch too and went for the CTA & Spirit instead.

Code:
Eternity
Colossus Blade
AmnBerIstSolSur
One Hand Damage: 109 - 261
Two Hand Damage: 242 - 462
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 189
Required Dexterity: 110
Fingerprint: 0x1be7230d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
Indestructible
302% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
Hit Blinds Target +1
Slows Target by 33%
Replenish Life +16
Regenerate Mana 16%
Cannot Be Frozen
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 8 Revive (60/88 Charges)
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Sur Rune

Arch-Angel's Coronet of Life Everlasting
Coronet
Defense: 32
Durability: 28 of 30
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xf6c3fb09
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Sorceress Skill Levels
+30% Increased Attack Speed
+92 to Attack Rating
Damage Reduced by 15
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Silver Jewel of Fervor
Socketed: Silver Jewel of Fervor

Chains of Honor
Dusk Shroud
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 776
Durability: 20 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

Demon Lock
Vampirefang Belt
Defense: 62
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 73
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x89664c8f
Item Level: 89
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+39 to Life
Replenish Life +8
+18 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 6%
Poison Resist +14%

Sandstorm Trek
Scarabshell Boots
Defense: 173
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 64
Required Strength: 91
Fingerprint: 0xe1edfa56
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Run/Walk
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+163% Enhanced Defense
+12 to Strength
+14 to Vitality
+86 Maximum Stamina (Based on Character Level)
50% Slower Stamina Drain
Poison Resist +69%
Repairs 1 Durability in 20 Seconds

Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 86
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xc910a3ec
Item Level: 85
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%

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0xbc8bbe74
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

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
+43 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina

Ghoul Loop
Ring
Required Level: 74
Fingerprint: 0xcb191d8f
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+104 to Attack Rating
6% Mana stolen per hit
+5 to Mana
Lightning Resist +24%
Damage Reduced by 2

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: 147
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0xd10d7c64
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+25% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+90 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+4 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Shimmering Grand Charm of Incineration
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x4c64dfb0
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 7 - 10 Fire Damage
All Resistances +15

Burning Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xfe8dd4a9
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills (Sorceress Only)
+39 to Life

Burning Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0xca49514
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion
+1 to Fire Skills (Sorceress Only)
+39 to Life

Burning Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x23f2355b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills (Sorceress Only)
+38 to Life

Burning Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x464f4706
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills (Sorceress Only)
+38 to Life

Burning Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x43302256
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills (Sorceress Only)
+38 to Life

Burning Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x9c5571eb
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills (Sorceress Only)
+37 to Life

Coral Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x319da01
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
Lightning Resist +8%

Coral Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x1812e3c8
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+14 to Life
Lightning Resist +8%

Sapphire Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x2561cf21
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +10%

Sapphire Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x64f51760
Item Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +10%

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xd43f03f4
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xb8ee6e21
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xc3e568ce
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x3c91b505
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life

Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x311b750d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life


Mercenary
A2 NM Offensive
Merc Weapon: Infinity
Merc Helm: Vampire Gaze
Merc Armour: Treachery
Code:
Name:       Kasim
Race:       Desert Mercenary
Type:       Off-Nightmare
Experience: 77223808
Level:      86
Dead?:      false

            Naked/Gear
Strength:   188/188
Dexterity:  151/151
HP:         1807/1807
Defense:    1330/2524
AR:         1922/1922

Fire:       165/125/65
Cold:       195/155/95
Lightning:  165/125/65
Poison:    165/125/65

Treachery
Kraken Shell
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 942
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 61
Required Strength: 164
Fingerprint: 0x889077aa
Item Level: 85
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

Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x66077ece
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
6% Mana stolen per hit
8% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
All Resistances +15
Damage Reduced by 16%
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um 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
+43 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 Rune


Finds
Absolutely nothing other than a few gems and crafting runes.


Gameplay

First big challenge was keeping the merc alive against Andariel.
Ardala Andariel.jpg

Dolls make awesome revives - fast moving & hit hard. The only problem is staying alive before you have revived them.
Ardala Dolls.jpg

Burning archers (and archers in general) were terrible revives, their rate of fire seems much lower
Ardala Bloody Foothills.jpg

Ardala CS.jpg

Ardala Diablo.jpg

Ardala Hephasto.jpg

Ardala Ancients.jpg

I was going to add a top revives list, but as I have been re-collecting my 2h Sword threads, I realised that I have already done if in Corum's write up. Most of what I wrote then still holds true, but the speed of the slower revives wasn't a problem as I had teleport.

Repair bills were not too extortionate, about 300K iirc. Mule on a full inventory of gold and it pretty much lasted an act. This isn't a build anyone is likely to do untwinked, so I doubt anyone would try and self finance the repair charges by selling items.

I thought initially that I would not need to swing the sword much as I had a small army of enchanted revives, but the ability to swing the sword was essential. On several occasions it was just me and the merc left standing as the revives had either lost interest and gone elsewhere or poofed at the crucial moment.

Overall a fun character to play, and a great use of the runeword.
 
Last edited:
Aubec

Patriarch Aubec, 2h Sword Tesla-Fire Zealot


Had I hung for an eternity in limbo? Was I alive—dead? Was there a memory of a world that lay in the far past or the distant future? Of another world which seemed closer? And the names? Was I John Daker or Erekosë? Was I either of these? Many other names—Corum Jhaelen Irsei, Aubec, Seaton Begg, Elric, Rackhir, Ilian, Oona, Simon, Bastable, Cornelius, the Rose, von Bek, Asquiol, Hawkmoon—fled away down the ghostly rivers of my memory. I hung in darkness, bodiless. A man spoke. Where was he? I tried to look but had no eyes with which to see…


Earl Aubec of Malador, to give him his full title, is an incarnation of Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion. He is mentioned several times in the books, but only really appears in a brief prelude chapter - The Dream of Earl Aubec in the book The Weird of The White Wolf.

In the story he ventures to the castle Kaneloon at the World's Edge, where his land borders Chaos. After proving his worth by defeating an Iron Golem, he is persuaded by a sorceress to venture alone into the lands of Chaos to bring order and expand his Queen's empire.

There isn't really much to go on as a themed character, but I took him to be a Paladin in full armour with a two-handed sword. The classic knight in armour, faithfully serving his queen.


Equipment
The straw was piled in a niche created by a buttress and the outer wall and the room was well-lighted by Malador’s lantern. But the air was cold as he lay down on the straw with his hand close to the two-handed broadsword of prodigious size. This was his only weapon. It looked as if it had been forged for a giant—Malador was virtually that himself—with its wide crosspiece and heavy, stone-encrusted hilt and five-foot blade, smooth and broad. Beside it was Malador’s old, heavy armour, the casque balanced on top with its somewhat tattered black plumes waving slightly in a current of air from the window.

The original plan was to go as a Tesladin with physical damage - Crescent Moon Champion Sword, Fortitude and as many +skills as I could cram in. When I made Hand of Justice for the Runeword Grail, I decided to incorporate it with the Holy Shock to use both Auras. Dragon armour took me to level 30 Holy Fire, which sounded reasonable.

Weapon: 'Hand of Justice' Champion Sword

Switch Weapon: 'Call to Arms' Crystal Sword
Switch Shield: Spirit

Helm: Kira’s Guardian with Ruby (FR) Jewel of Fervor
Armour: 'Dragon'
Belt: Nosferatu’s Coil
Boots: Rare
Gloves: Laying of Hands

Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
Ring 1: Ravenfrost
Ring 2: Rare with Mana Leech & Lightning Resist

Inventory: 7x Captain's GCs, SCs with AR & Life

Code:
Hand of Justice
Champion Sword
SurChamAmnLo
One Hand Damage: 97 - 219
Two Hand Damage: 288 - 337
Durability: 36 of 40
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 163
Required Dexterity: 103
Fingerprint: 0x17a303e6
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 36 Blaze when you Level-Up
100% Chance to cast level 48 Meteor when you Die
Level 16 Holy Fire Aura When Equipped
+33% Increased Attack Speed
307% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
-20% to Enemy Fire Resistance
7% Life stolen per hit
20% Deadly Strike
Hit Blinds Target +1
Freezes target +3
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Sur Rune
Socketed: Cham Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

Kira's Guardian
Tiara
Defense: 116
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0x57614ace
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+76 Defense
All Resistances +69
Fire Resist +23%
Cannot Be Frozen
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel of Fervor

Dragon
Sharktooth Armor
SurLoSol
Defense: 616
Durability: 48 of 48
Required Level: 61
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x3bdd4c19
Item Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 18 Venom when struck
12% Chance to cast level 15 Hydra on striking
Level 14 Holy Fire Aura When Equipped
+360 Defense
All Stats +4
+230 Defense vs. Missile
+31 to Strength (Based on Character Level)
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Damage Reduced by 7
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Sur Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune

Nosferatu's Coil
Vampirefang Belt
Defense: 57
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xefa0091f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Increased Attack Speed
7% Life stolen per hit
Slows Target by 10%
+15 to Strength
+2 to Mana after each Kill
-3 to Light Radius

Spirit Greaves
Greaves
Defense: 15
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 70
Fingerprint: 0xdaa68ee6
Item Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Run/Walk
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +36%
Lightning Resist +36%
Fire Resist +10%
62% Extra Gold from Monsters

Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 81
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x3f3befcd
Item Level: 86
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
Crystal Sword
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 18 - 56
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xcd65259d
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
278% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Battle Command
+4 to Battle Orders
+1 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
Gilded Shield
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 158
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 89
Fingerprint: 0x80284a02
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+33% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+92 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
All Resistances +44
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+5 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x8ce6d457
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
31% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xf462bd6d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+205 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

Storm Finger
Ring
Required Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x24562ba4
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 23 Lightning Damage
5% Mana stolen per hit
+18 to Strength
Lightning Resist +26%

Captain's Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x3aa260b4
Item Level: 76
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
36% Extra Gold from Monsters

Captain's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xbd54e4
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
+28 to Life

Captain's Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xb08da35b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
+3 to Dexterity

Captain's Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x46e27a62
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)

Captain's Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x71e0332c
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)

Captain's Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x606ac908
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)

Captain's Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xb26ad2ff
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)

Iron Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x2ffb00f8
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Attack Rating
+16 to Life

Iron Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xcd1cae8f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Attack Rating
+16 to Life

Iron Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xe8b8f3a7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Attack Rating
+16 to Life

Iron Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xb78e5b5e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+21 to Attack Rating
+20 to Life

Shimmering Large Charm
Large Charm
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0x36f5710b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +8

Shimmering Small Charm of Shock
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0xf6fc492
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 3 Lightning Damage
All Resistances +4

Emerald Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x40c0a08f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Dexterity
Poison Resist +11%

Shimmering Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0xd035d2f
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +3

Skills
Sacrifice: 1/2
Zeal: 4/5

Might: 1/9
Holy Fire: 1/9
Thorns: 1/9
Holy Freeze: 1/9
Holy Shock: 20/28
Sanctuary: 1/9

Prayer: 1/2
Resist Fire: 20/21
Defiance: 1/2
Cleansing: 1/2
Resist Lightning: 20/21
Vigor: 1/2
Redemption: 2/3
Salvation: 20/21

Physical Damage (with Might) 1527-1866
Holy Fire 1513-1583
Holy Shock 1-6249
Total Damage 3041-9698


Stats
Name: Aubec
Class: Paladin
Experience: 1114209449
Level: 85

Naked/Gear
Strength: 98/166
Dexterity: 77/104
Vitality: 330/334
Energy: 15/19
HP: 1198/1294
Mana: 141/181
Stamina: 478/478
Defense: 19/1069
AR: 370/784

Fire: 187/147/87
Cold: 140/100/40
Lightning: 201/161/101
Poison: 115/75/15

MF: 0 Block: 15
GF: 98 FR/W: 20
FHR: 30 IAS: 98
FCR: 0

Aubec Baal LCS.jpg

Mercenary
Azrael, A2 NM Offensive Might Merc
Merc Weapon: Infinity
Merc Helm: Delirium
Merc Armour: Chains of Honour

Code:
Chains of Honor
Dusk Shroud
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 776
Durability: 20 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

Delirium
Diadem
LemIstIo
Defense: 319
Durability: 12 of 20
Required Level: 64
Fingerprint: 0x42ffe758
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
+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
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 Rune


Gameplay
So how did it work out? Well in many respects I couldn't help thinking I should have stuck with my original plan. Dealing three types of damage is fairly decent, but maybe more physical would have been better. Level 30 Holy Fire does about 1500 damage fully synergised, Holy Shock was about double that average damage. Going with Crescent Moon would have boosted my lightning damage and added static too of course. Originally I had planned to use this as a switch weapon, I started hell this way. It became apparent by the time I got to the end of Act 1 that I was going to need more life if I was to complete the playthrough at /players 5, so a standard Call to Arms and Spirit was muled on. At that point I hadn't been using the CM much anyway. It hit a frame slower with this setup and I had trouble telling which sword was out.

I encountered several unbreakable Lightning Immunes and the fire damage came in very useful then, so I don't think it was a bad choice by any means. Maybe it was just the Paladin's lack of crowd control. Relying on the safety from Delirium was a gamble. If it went off it was easy, if it didn't it could be problematic. Maybe I should have dropped the bit of extra damage from Might and gone for Holy Freeze instead - All three elemental auras would have been great for style points.

I had a huge problem with Dolls in the Durance of Hate. I had nasty boss packs on about three different occasions which shredded my Merc. Without any crowd control I had to employ the knightly tactic of running away.
The Udar in the picture below was a nightmare, especially as dolls were with him too.

Aubec PI LI Problems.jpg

Aubec wasn't my favourite character to play and I was quite glad to get him finished. But looking back at him now, maybe it wasn't that bad.

Aubec Lost City.jpg

Aubec Canyon.jpg

Aubec Pindle Garden.jpg

An epic strike with the sword
Aubec ANcients Talic.jpg
 
Last edited:
Ghost
Patriarch Ghost, 2h Sword Flaming Rabies Werewolf

A while ago I found a perfect Griffon's Eye and @nulio wanted to get his hands on it. Several PMs followed and private conversations in the IRC channel some of us used back then. nulio isn't a guy who is easily dissuaded when he decides he wants something. There wasn't particularly anything I needed at the time, so I said "Beta Bramble" so he would leave me alone. Actually he may have even offered it, I can't remember. A short time later it was sitting in my stashes. And apart from a brief foray on a PvP Bowsin, it has pretty much sat there ever since.

So I wanted to use it for a Rabies based Druid, who was originally going to be called Tormund, after the wildling in A Game of Thrones. I think the appearance of the Druid would have perfectly fit this name. But @Luhkoh got there first with a Barbarian.

I have also wanted to use Cerberus' Bite for a long time, but always end up going with Jalal's. This time I decided to go for it and the name to choose became obvious. The white wolf, Ghost.

Game-Of-Thrones-Season-8-Ghost-the-Direwolf-Is-the-Best-Choice-for-the-Iron-Throne-1280x720.jpg


Equipment

Weapon: Ethereal 'Breath of The Dying' Colossus Blade
60IAS makes eBoTD CB pretty good weapon choice on a werewolf. Not the quickest, but quick enough at 7FPA Rabies and Feral Rage and 9FPA Fire Claws.

Switch Weapon: 1.10s Call to Arms
Switch Shield: Ethereal ‘Spirit’ Monarch

eBotD requires 142 strength, I forgot about a Spirit Monarch on switch. I made one in an Ethereal base to save 10 points in strength, it isn't like I'm going to get hit often when in the BO switch.
As D4 approaches I have been thinking about how we use weapon switch in the Diablo series. In D1 and D2 Classic it didn't exist, but in Lod we mainly seem to use it as a pre-buff these days, sometimes a solution for immunities.
In D3 it was removed as the one time Jay Wilson played d2, he never used it. Then all attacks, no matter what class, were made to look like spells so weapon type didn't matter anyway. In some respects, I do agree that a switch shouldn't be there if it all is for buffing the character, I don't think this is great game design. This could be done in different ways, e.g. charms, without the need for a switch.
I think the real elegance in a weapon switch is if it brings a new direction to the gameplay - Think rocket launcher / sniper rifle / assault rifle in a shooter. If your character can pull out a bow, plink a few monsters from a resistance then engage in melee with a sword, that is a more realistic and useful approach to switching weapons. Hopefully we will see this in D4. Of course if your two handed hammer can inexplicably do some kind of ranged attack off screen, there is no point.

Helm: Cerberus Bite ‘Um’
The biggest trouble with Cerberus Bite is that Jalal's is just so much better. If I had the extra 30 resists I could have dropped resist charms for two more skillers. But sometimes you just have to compromise logic for style.

Armour: 1.10s Bramble
It is a superior base and the repair bills will bankrupt you unless you mule on lots of gold.

Belt: Trang Oul’s Girth
Boots: Aldur’s Advance
Gloves: Trang Oul’s Claws
3 set pieces, all were pretty much best in slot. Trang's gloves for the poison damage boost, the belt allowed me to drop Ravenfrost for an extra BKWB and gave a massive life boost. Aldur's boots for the fire resist and the life.

Amulet: Mara’s Kaleidoscope
Ring 1: 1.10a BKWB
Ring 2: 1.10a BKWB

Inventory: 6x Spiritual Skillers, 30% total resist all and 83% total resist lightning charms

Ghost Repair Costs.jpg

Code:
Breath of the Dying
Colossus Blade
VexHelElEldZodEth
One Hand Damage: 198 - 520
Two Hand Damage: 467 - 923
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 144
Required Dexterity: 80
Fingerprint: 0x3fffe1eb
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
50% Chance to cast level 20 Poison Nova when you Kill an Enemy
Indestructible
+60% Increased Attack Speed
437% 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


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: 325
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 42 of 44
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 146
Fingerprint: 0x3ab0f75e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+34% 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%
+6 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Cerebus' Bite
Blood Spirit
Defense: 347
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 86
Fingerprint: 0xbefa9a8a
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+4 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
103% Bonus to Attack Rating
9% Life stolen per hit
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+1 to Feral Rage (Druid Only)
+138% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +15
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um Rune

Bramble
Superior Archon Plate
RalOhmSurEth
Defense: 903
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0xd7112f9
GUID: 0xf1d9f990 0x6ab14d8 0x0
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
Level 16 Thorns Aura When Equipped
+50% Faster Hit Recovery
+115% to Poison Skill Damage
+15% Enhanced Defense
+300 Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Regenerate Mana 15%
+5% to Maximum Cold Resist
Fire Resist +30%
Poison Resist +100%
+13 Life after each Kill
Level 13 Spirit of Barbs (33/33 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Socketed: Sur Rune
Socketed: Eth Rune

Trang-Oul's Girth
Troll Belt
Defense: 138
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 33
Fingerprint: 0x3ea66c78
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+78 Defense
+66 to Life
Replenish Life +5
+50 to Mana
+30 Maximum Stamina
Cannot Be Frozen
Requirements -40%

Aldur's Advance
Battle Boots
Defense: 45
Durability: 9 of 18
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x746dc400
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+40% Faster Run/Walk
+50 to Life
+180 Maximum Stamina
Heal Stamina Plus 32%
Fire Resist +49%
10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Set (2 items): +15 to Dexterity
Set (3 items): +15 to Dexterity
Set (4 items): +15 to Dexterity

Trang-Oul's Claws
Heavy Bracers
Defense: 70
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xb9ba061a
Item Level: 45
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+25% to Poison Skill Damage
+30 Defense
Cold Resist +30%

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x30679c29
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +28
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
+43 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
+43 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina

Spiritual Grand Charm of the Glacier
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x2c678926
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
Adds 3 - 7 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)

Spiritual Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x8ad49422
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+4 to Strength

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xd81660c2
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +11%

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xda85c755
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +11%

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x8979c93b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +11%

Spiritual Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xe0912c62
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+8 to Life

Spiritual Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x60fe8e5c
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+4 to Dexterity

Spiritual Grand Charm of Craftmanship
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x8112a360
Item Level: 66
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+1 to Maximum Damage

Shimmering Small Charm of the Icicle
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x7cdd19a7
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 4 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
All Resistances +5

Shimmering Small Charm of Fire
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0xb909ecab
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 4 Fire Damage
All Resistances +5

Shimmering Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0xde2869a9
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +5

Shimmering Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x66d5b2e8
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+6 to Strength
All Resistances +15

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xed85777f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +10%

Spiritual Grand Charm of Frost
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x74671426
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
Adds 1 - 2 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)

Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xb75941f4
Item Level: 71
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +10%

Amber Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 22
Fingerprint: 0x543c2f08
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +30%


Skills

Poison Creeper: 20/26

Werewolf: 1/17
Lycanthropy: 1/17
Werebear: 1/17
Feral Rage: 1/18
Maul: 1/17
Rabies: 20/36
Fire Claws: 20/36
Fury: 1/17

Firestorm: 20/26
Molten Boulder: 10/16


Stats
Name: Ghost
Class: Druid
Experience: 1211256125
Level: 86

Naked/Gear
Strength: 131/176
Dexterity: 69/108
Vitality: 285/320
Energy: 20/55
HP: 762/972
Mana: 190/240
Stamina: 429/739
Defense: 17/1855
AR: 315/58240

Fire: 172/132/72
Cold: 123/83/23
Lightning: 176/136/76
Poison: 193/153/93

MF: 0 Block: 10
GF: 0 FR/W: 40
FHR: 50 IAS: 60
FCR: 20

Ghost FC LCS Baal.jpg

Ghost LCS Fury.jpg


Mercenary
Merc Act: Mizan, A2 NM Offensive Might
Merc Weapon: Infinity
Merc Helm: Delirium
Merc Armour: Chains of Honor

Delirium & Infinity was perfect for this build, the confused monsters allowed the rabies to do it's work, terror helped spread the poison.

Code:
Chains of Honor
Dusk Shroud
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 776
Durability: 20 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

Delirium
Diadem
LemIstIo
Defense: 319
Durability: 12 of 20
Required Level: 64
Fingerprint: 0x42ffe758
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
+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
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
+43 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 Rune


Finds
I actually found a few reasonable items this time. In A1 Hell some white Greater Talons with +3 WoF, +1 DF & 2os. Potential Base for Strength for my fire trap / kicker. An Ambergris Jewel of Fervour which is one of the most useful jewels for me, shame this one is only 19% though.
Preservers GC of Inertia to add to my useless charms collection. A Gul rune dropped in the Plains of Despair. A Runemaster too in A5, but I didn't pick it up.

Ghost Gul.jpg


Gameplay
Ghost was a 1.07 rush through Normal & Nightmare, which took him to level 42. After that it was back through the acts to clean up all the quests that got skipped - clean the Den, Anya, The Golden Bird, Izual, the Tome. I then levelled to the mid 70s with NM Eldrich & Shenk runs, then NM Baals.

I had all my equipment on at level 69 when I equipped the eBoTD, but the gear got a bit of a change around before I started Hell. I remembered the advice Nightfish gave me years ago "RIngs are a really bad place to get resists - Use charms instead." So out went a couple of skillers for resist charms. CbF from Ravenfrost was replaced by Trang's Girth, Aldur's boots provided fire resist & life. Overall I got +2 more skills and a load of life.

I have done the classic Rabies Fury Wolf twice now, so I wanted to avoid doing it again. I read an old Flaming Rabies guide that recommended using the old 1.10 charges bug (aka the Marrowalk Bug) so I was worried it wouldn't be strong enough.

So how did he play? Abso-bloody-lutely awesome! Get the shiny pink Feral Rage ball spinning for insane life leech and movement speed. Bit a few monsters to get the rabies spreading. Go in with the fireclaws on the weakened. Poison immune? Great carriers of rabies. Physical immune? Rabies and/or fireclaws. Typical bottlenecks like doorways and the Maggot Lair are great for rabies. The monsters all queue up at the choke point, so a dose of Rabies swiftly spreads back through the pack. Fire Claws does respectable damage with decent +skills and a single synergy.

Ghost Maggot Disco.jpg

The only real trouble I had was with dual Physical & Fire immunes. These guys needed a bite and run tactic. I spent a while running around the Glacial Trail with Frenzytaurs after me.

Ghost Moon Lords Rabies.jpg

Ghost FI PI Infector.jpg

The last point I put in was for Fury. I wanted it to help out with dual fire & poison immunes, which I seem to have quite a few of in Act 5. I didn't use it that much in the end, but it came in useful a few times.

I went at /players5 all the way and /players7 for some sections, especially early in Act 5. I actually thought I may get through the game without dying this time, but my first death came in LK when I forgot to press pause when I was distracted. I had a couple more later, but Ghost did pretty well for one of my characters.

If you are looking for a fun build and have a few shapeshifting skillers unused, I thoroughly recommend it. You don't need Beta Bramble, a fast one hander and a Spirit shield would work well too.

I actually liked this character so much, I don't want to retire him. I'm thinking about switching to eTomb Reaver and trying him as a Cow Runner. I don't think he will break any records though.


Where Wolf?
Ghost Where wolf.jpg

Ghost Diablo.jpg

Ghost Souls.jpg
 
Last edited:
Another two handed sword sept done.

I actually said last time that I didn't think I would do a third sept, but this time I really think that is it. Not the end of 2h Sword Characters though. I still have a few runewords to make for the grail, where possible they will be in 2h Swords and I intend them to get some use. I have another necro planned with a 2h sword & a Paladin too. A Barb will also be using one but as a one hander. I could do a Berserker Assassin, but 2h swords are a bit slow with a 13FPA cap. Sorc & Amazon have no interest though. Now that sounds like plans for 4/7...

I have also recompiled the previous two septs and added the pictures back in, it was quite interesting to see how things have chaged in the intervening years.
The Seven Swords
The Faithful Seven Swords


Thanks for reading everyone.
 
Last edited:
I'm so glad that you reposted the first two, as a lot of pictures and other items had fallen out from the versions I migrated. And this one is great also :) A 2H melee sept is next on my to-do list.
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxicek
Diablo 4 Interactive Map
PurePremium
Estimated market value
Low
High