Isen and Kasim finished up Nihl and Cows then ventured on into NM with generally the same tactics, except for when confronted with hordes of undead creatures, which tend to prevent getting Holy Bolts to Kasim and Shamans and their minions who we needed to convert until Kasim could kill off all the little Carvers and then slay the Shamans just as they changed back to the enemy once again. Kasim had to be resurrected dozens of times throughout Act I thus far.
Found an Impaler War Spear in the Hole as well as another Crushflange. A second Cathan's ring and two Beserker's axes were dropped in Trist. Found another Isenhart's breastplate and actually
gambled a set of Threads of Cthon boots. First S/U I've think I ever gambled. Cows dropped Bladebone Axe, Arcanna's helm and a Leadcrow crossbow.
All in all it hasn't been too terribly exciting, just shooting thousands of Holy Bolts at Kasim and switching from Cleanse to Salvation depending on if he gets confronted with a nasty elemental Unique pack such as these fellows. The cold enchanted, stone skin or extra strong ones such as Sharp Froth the Grim being the worst.
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I tried my luck at converting these suckers and having them fight two boss pack archers on one normal zombie after they toasted Kasim and they only did measly damage to one another for how badly they were damaging the pair of heroes. They serve better as a distraction than a useful weapon like a Necromancer's Summoned Monsters. It's fun to manage them though and it a great crowd control spell for sure.
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If Isen can stand back and gain a clear shot at Kasim he can stand in an entire swarm of monsters hammering on him and stay alive, even though he gets caught in hit recovery quite a bit it's still no worries usually, unless they are really nasty or start messing with Isen when he gets to close. Kasim is definitely earning his paycheck!
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His Insight Partizan is doing sufficient damage still once he gets in the groove and pokes them a few times consistently. He lacks life leech like he had on his previous Savage weapon, which made his health a whole lot easier to manage.
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This was quite the showdown, but Kasim eventually prevailed as the thorns of the Edge bow is a great help against hard hitting beasts when Conversion is not needed.
View attachment 2309Dang found the wrong skillset booster for this tourney.
View attachment 2310 This Unique bosses' pack was downright nasty, I think she killed Kasim multiple times and Isen had to give her a wide berth every time she would curse them. They took out her partners first and then was able to best her as well. When Kasim is cursed it's usually lights out for him if Isen isn't close enough to quickly start blasting him with bolts.
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Moving a bit slower now in NM, since this is definitely a defensive build and sometimes it's difficult getting Kasim to move properly without putting Isen at too much risk. It will only get worse I'm sure.
Isen and Kasim, Level 50, Approaching the Malus