Gripphon
Well-known member
General considerations for PvP
I write this from my experience playing PvP in single player and these are just general guidelines which may help with better balancing of characters. Have in mind runes are NOT an issue, we will socket Ber runes for extra damage reduction as a norm
Always hit necessary breakpoints (FCR, FHR, Whirlwind IAS...)
- depends on a character, more on this in following post(s)
Damage reduction setup is main setup
- there is nearly always at least one physical damage character on the playing field, situations when there isn't are very rare. Be equipped with decent damage reduction.
If you have max block, you would naturally use Stormshield (except paladin) and already have high damage reduction. What if you go vita?
Crown of Ages is the best option, with two sockets. Dual Ber CoA gives 26-31 damage reduction by itself and great resistances and FHR. Coupled with Enigma character would already have 34-39 DR which is some kind of a minimum to be useful.
Verdungo belt gives 10-15 % more, or alternatively String of Ears. You could use 50% DR setup if you want to depending on a situation. Generally aiming for 35+ is good enough unless there are more physical damage characters present.
Circlet with fcr with Ber + Verdungo (15% DR) + Enigma brings us to 31% which is okayish.
1.07 Shako with Ber is also decent option if used with Verdungo.
1.13 Shako gives 10% DR by itself, although CoA is simply superior option, no reason not to go with CoA... 1 skill isn't worth all the things we lose by not using CoA
Is 50% damage reduction needed?
Not really, but if you face bowazon and barb/charger in the same fights, you will definitely profit a lot by having it at 50. Difference between 35% DR and 50% DR is ~30% effective life. That is huge. However, if you can't hit 50% due to gear restrictions, use as much as you can. I usually use 39% on a few of my characters, but would go 50% if more physical characters are present.
Block or vita?
- the ages old question. Depends on a character. Have in mind strongest characters are spellcasters which would mean vita approach makes you stronger against them. Block is always an option you can choose if you want to.
Amazon - block, no IFs BUTs WHENs
Barb - 99% vita unless you really want to go block for a specific reason
Wind druid - 50-50 option, I prefer block on him but that is debatable
Necro - mostly vita, he has bone shield and creeps to keep him safe. Block if you really want to
Assassin - she has clawblock
Sorceress - if caster, mostly vita. If melee, always block.
Paladin - block, no IFs BUTs WHENs
Always have option to have maxed resistances
Don't forget Anya bug. Once you get killed, you lose 30 allresistances given by her quest. Make sure you can have 75% all resistances, otherwise random fireball sorc or trapper will kill you so fast you won't believe it. Really, make sure resistances are at 75%, not 65% or any other value. Difference between 75% and 65% is 40% effective life!
Full skillers aren't necessarilly the best way to go
- more damage, but damage is slightly overrated. Many casters don't need a ton of damage, rather more mana/life and still do very well. Besides good skillers are hard to come by. I personally don't use more than 5 skillers on any character except leap barb. Because leap!
Mana is your friend
- having less than 600 mana will make you struggle and leave you without mana too many times right in the middle of the fight. Aim for 700+ at least if you can for some comfort.
Don't stand too much
- this will come with experience, but be always on the move. Many characters would love nothing more than a stationary target.
Use stronger characters as starters
- using hard to play or weak characters first might leave you frustrated. Getting used to PvP pace takes time and there are several strong characters who work well if you can just point and click with a mouse
Strong characters good to start with
Bone necro
Trapper
Fireball sorceress
Hammerdin
Characters you could use if you are naturally good PvM player and have experience playing them
Ghost assassin
Mage paladin (hammer/FoH)
Blizzard sorceress
Lightning sorceress
Wind druid *
Characters to avoid as starter because they are either weak or hard to play
Any amazon - hard to play
Any barb - hard to play
FoH paladin - weak, rather use hammer/FoH variation
Zeal paladin - hard to play
Kicker - weak
Melee sorc - weak
Wind druid *
Hybrid assassin (WW/trap) - chaotic to learn
Liberator (Hammer/charge) - chaotic to learn
Poison necro - lower resistance ruins ffa for everyone
, and you still die
* Wind druid - very strong in experienced hands, but he requires good namelock skills and experience since he is basically "melee". Assassins are very hard to deal with as a beginner. Could be solid if you are fast, or totally terrible if you aren't. I've seen both versions of this character. Does a ton of damage, but once assassin comes around, you either know what to do or you die.
I write this from my experience playing PvP in single player and these are just general guidelines which may help with better balancing of characters. Have in mind runes are NOT an issue, we will socket Ber runes for extra damage reduction as a norm
Always hit necessary breakpoints (FCR, FHR, Whirlwind IAS...)
- depends on a character, more on this in following post(s)
Damage reduction setup is main setup
- there is nearly always at least one physical damage character on the playing field, situations when there isn't are very rare. Be equipped with decent damage reduction.
If you have max block, you would naturally use Stormshield (except paladin) and already have high damage reduction. What if you go vita?
Crown of Ages is the best option, with two sockets. Dual Ber CoA gives 26-31 damage reduction by itself and great resistances and FHR. Coupled with Enigma character would already have 34-39 DR which is some kind of a minimum to be useful.
Verdungo belt gives 10-15 % more, or alternatively String of Ears. You could use 50% DR setup if you want to depending on a situation. Generally aiming for 35+ is good enough unless there are more physical damage characters present.
Circlet with fcr with Ber + Verdungo (15% DR) + Enigma brings us to 31% which is okayish.
1.07 Shako with Ber is also decent option if used with Verdungo.
1.13 Shako gives 10% DR by itself, although CoA is simply superior option, no reason not to go with CoA... 1 skill isn't worth all the things we lose by not using CoA
Is 50% damage reduction needed?
Not really, but if you face bowazon and barb/charger in the same fights, you will definitely profit a lot by having it at 50. Difference between 35% DR and 50% DR is ~30% effective life. That is huge. However, if you can't hit 50% due to gear restrictions, use as much as you can. I usually use 39% on a few of my characters, but would go 50% if more physical characters are present.
Block or vita?
- the ages old question. Depends on a character. Have in mind strongest characters are spellcasters which would mean vita approach makes you stronger against them. Block is always an option you can choose if you want to.
Amazon - block, no IFs BUTs WHENs
Barb - 99% vita unless you really want to go block for a specific reason
Wind druid - 50-50 option, I prefer block on him but that is debatable
Necro - mostly vita, he has bone shield and creeps to keep him safe. Block if you really want to
Assassin - she has clawblock
Sorceress - if caster, mostly vita. If melee, always block.
Paladin - block, no IFs BUTs WHENs
Always have option to have maxed resistances
Don't forget Anya bug. Once you get killed, you lose 30 allresistances given by her quest. Make sure you can have 75% all resistances, otherwise random fireball sorc or trapper will kill you so fast you won't believe it. Really, make sure resistances are at 75%, not 65% or any other value. Difference between 75% and 65% is 40% effective life!
Full skillers aren't necessarilly the best way to go
- more damage, but damage is slightly overrated. Many casters don't need a ton of damage, rather more mana/life and still do very well. Besides good skillers are hard to come by. I personally don't use more than 5 skillers on any character except leap barb. Because leap!
Mana is your friend
- having less than 600 mana will make you struggle and leave you without mana too many times right in the middle of the fight. Aim for 700+ at least if you can for some comfort.
Don't stand too much
- this will come with experience, but be always on the move. Many characters would love nothing more than a stationary target.
Use stronger characters as starters
- using hard to play or weak characters first might leave you frustrated. Getting used to PvP pace takes time and there are several strong characters who work well if you can just point and click with a mouse
Strong characters good to start with
Bone necro
Trapper
Fireball sorceress
Hammerdin
Characters you could use if you are naturally good PvM player and have experience playing them
Ghost assassin
Mage paladin (hammer/FoH)
Blizzard sorceress
Lightning sorceress
Wind druid *
Characters to avoid as starter because they are either weak or hard to play
Any amazon - hard to play
Any barb - hard to play
FoH paladin - weak, rather use hammer/FoH variation
Zeal paladin - hard to play
Kicker - weak
Melee sorc - weak
Wind druid *
Hybrid assassin (WW/trap) - chaotic to learn
Liberator (Hammer/charge) - chaotic to learn
Poison necro - lower resistance ruins ffa for everyone
, and you still die* Wind druid - very strong in experienced hands, but he requires good namelock skills and experience since he is basically "melee". Assassins are very hard to deal with as a beginner. Could be solid if you are fast, or totally terrible if you aren't. I've seen both versions of this character. Does a ton of damage, but once assassin comes around, you either know what to do or you die.
Last edited:
Life amounts are post-BO but without stuff like Oak. Otherwise that about covers where I am.
