The Runefinding Tour - Jaunt though Sanctuary's richest quarries

Luhkoh

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Jan 3, 2019
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The Runefinding Tour

Hello everyone!

Was feeling the need for a bit more runefinding lately in an attempt to make some progress on my runeword grail. With how much I've been enjoying my 1kmw project for making magic finding progress while keeping things fresh, I thought I should do something similar for runefinding. And somehow it's been so long since I've run LK that it sounds kinda fun to me :p. So I came up with the idea for The Runefinding Tour.

What is it?
10 hours each of:
  1. Lower Kurast
  2. Secret Cow Level
  3. Travincal
  4. Arcane Sanctuary
Optional additional "destinations" (extend your tour if desired).
  1. Chaos Sanctuary
  2. The Pit
Participation
I am planning on running each of these 10 hour "destinations" very slowly and in-between other projects. This is not a competition and there is no timeline. I will knock out this tour over however long it takes and post the results as I finish the 10 hours of each area. If anybody else thinks it sounds fun and wants to participate, please do, and post about it here! Otherwise, hopefully I'll mine some valuable rocks, and summarize it below! Seems like a fun way to work on my runeword grail, and may be fun to "complete the tour" a few times and see what I find :).
 
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This sounds like fun with my HC characters. 10 hrs in LK will hopefully get at least one Ohm for CtA, maybe more for my assassin to move toward Enigma. But it will be very slow as I hope to progress the last two 99ers after some other projects took precedence
 
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Sounds great. I honestly bet I'll get done about 1 of these destinations per month, since I'll be mixing them in heavily with other projects and other video games. Should be fun though!

EDIT: I think I'm going to change the "tour" to just the first four destinations, and add no's 5 and 6 as "optional". I was beginning to think they don't really fit the pattern of an extremely rune-centric run like the other 4, and four destinations seems much more approachable than six, so hopefully some others will join in :). Started the LK runs over the weekend!
 
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I like it. These 10 hour sets work better for me compared to 20. I get bored easily. Doing some Pits with Venomancer Lars and maybe mix some Cows and Travi in there aswell.
 
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Hit the 5-hour mark for LK set with my HC sorc, but I'll hold off on results until the set is finished. I hope to finish it up in the next two weeks, with an eye toward likely entering her in the MFO Pindle+ category.
 
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Did 6 hours of P7 Pit farming with Lars (Venomancer) and a total of 4 hours of P1-P3 Chaos and Hephasto runs with Harvester (bowazon).

Lars.png
Harvester.png

Rune-wise a rather underwhelming result:
Screenshot010.jpg
Screenshot017.jpg

I checked if I had a chest map on RoF and realized I had an interesting Hephasto map. Here's heat map:
Rof.jpg
There's 5-6 boss pack spawns and for a bowazon who relies on running the tiny map works well. Obviously not the most effiecient way of farming with run times of 1 minutes 30 seconds and done mostly on P1 because on P3 the physical immune bosses take too long and they do spawn pretty often. It was fun for 1,5 hours though.
 
Think I will join this until MFO at least – I don't want to burn out before MFO but on the other hand want to stay engaged with D2, otherwise I'll just disappear again. :D

I'll do 10 hours of LK . Hoping mostly for a couple of charm upgrades tbh, but I could use a few Ist-Lo runes, too. Don't like switching items around between characters too much ;) and the last batch of CtAs I rolled all got 1-3 BO, also still looking for a second 390+ Grief...
 
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~~Destination 1: Lower Kurast~~
Character: 200 fcr sorc
Area: Lower Kurast
Playersetting: 7

Xrxra6p.png


Map
I had what I think is the best LK map possible a while back, but long since rerolled it. Fortunately it seems like it's pretty easy to get a very good LK map, and indeed I got this one within a few minutes.
wsTwn7v.png

Runtimes were so much better than last time I ran LK. I think the primary difference was only picking up flawless amethysts in the gem department, and just being rich enough finally that I wasn't overly concerned about missing things. I was just lookiing for the orange flash and moving on unless I happened to see a sc/gc/flawless amethyst. Those I would also turn around for if I saw them as I was tele'ing away. Jewels I picked up when I saw them and when it was convenient to pick, but I didn't turn around for them or care that much. Was fun that the 10 hours came out to an even 1700 runs. I decided to just use the "Tot Time" as the set end, rather than (number of runs * avg runtime). The latter is more accurate and what I would do in a tourney, but since this is meant to be chill and its nice to see that even 10 hour mark, I went with that.

Gear
Helm: 20 fcr rare circlet with mana
Amulet: 20 fcr caster amulet
Weapon: Wizardspike
Body: Vipermagi
Shield: 30fcr Spirit
Gloves: Magefist
Belt: 10fcr caster belt
Ring1: fcr rare with mana
Ring2: fcr rare with mana
Boots: Aldurs
Charms: 1x fhr/mana sc, 11x life scs (to get >1k life)
Merc: Prayer with insight, treachery, tals mask

200 fcr sorc is the only choice to run LK in sc in my opinion. The quality of life from fast teleport and telekinesis is just too good. And I find she lives just fine with >1k life when shes lvl 87ish or higher. Seem to be able to tele out of most packs and rarely dies despite me not using BO (I think its a waste of time in sc LK) as well as just piling on random spare gear.

Finds
3llVNuo.png

sHGYqj8.png

rTSXahs.png

RFtwnsg.png

And here are the hours at which I found them
Code:
Hour   Finds
----   -----
1     pul, pul, um, um
2     ist
3     --
4     --
5     sur (run 813)
6     pul
7     ohm (run 1139)
8     gul
9     --
10     sur (run 1681)

So 10 pul+ and 3 vex+. A bit below average on both, but I think the 2 surs make this set more than lucky enough. I was actually hoping for 2 surs this set, since I started it with 3 bers in my stashes and zero surs, and need some surs for the runeword grail. Weird situation. The ist is always welcome too, as I always seem to be short on ists and mals.

Other Finds
Small Charms: 167 (3x 6mf, 0x 7mf)
Grand Charms: 166 (5sk: Chilling, Expert, Fanatic, Lion Branded, Sparking)
Jewels: 101
Flawless Ameth: 100
Rare Circlets: 5
Rare Pelts: 9

Probably time for a caster ammy rolling session soon.

Sample Runs
Got a nice 18.3s runtime avg over these 20 sample runs

What's Next?
Next up will be 10 hours of cow level with my javazon. Should be fun there finally having griffons for the first time :). No chance I'll finish it before mfo though so will probably be a month or more. Good luck everyone! And welcome @ffs.
 
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Nice @Luhkoh I also finished my 10-hour set, with really good results in HC, but for some reason imgur won't let me upload .jpg files all of a sudden. I don't have focus to sort out now, so I'll hold off on posting until this weekend (and hopefully having figured out the issue).
 
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@PhineasB sounds weird on imgur! Hopefully it's just a thing that sorts itself out. But sounds great, and I'm looking forward to seeing your set. No rush on the post :).
 
DISCLAIMER: I'll be honest... I'm not going to edit my posts as beautifully as Luhkoh does. It looks amazing, but I don't want to go through all the work XD

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SORC
Circlet of the Magus
Circlet
Defense: 21
Durability: 35 of 35
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x9591e223
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Cast Rate

Amulet of the Apprentice
Amulet
Required Level: 3
Fingerprint: 0xe1f2aa40
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate

Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 22 of 24
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x1f894f0d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+120% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +29
Magic Damage Reduced by 9

Serpent's Ring of the Apprentice
Ring
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x47fdc174
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+20 to Mana

Ring of the Apprentice
Ring
Required Level: 3
Fingerprint: 0x9737fa2
Item Level: 5
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate

Arachnid Mesh
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 125
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x2876c056
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Slows Target by 10%
+99% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (11/11 Charges)

Aldur's Advance
Battle Boots
Defense: 41
Durability: 10 of 18
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0xc8473ee1
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+40% Faster Run/Walk
+50 to Life
+180 Maximum Stamina
Heal Stamina Plus 32%
Fire Resist +48%
10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana

Magefist
Light Gauntlets
Defense: 25
Durability: 17 of 18
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 45
Fingerprint: 0x8fe96549
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Fire Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 6 Fire Damage
+26% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense
Regenerate Mana 25%

Wizardspike
Bone Knife
One Hand Damage: 23 - 49
Durability: 19 of 26
Required Level: 61
Required Strength: 38
Required Dexterity: 75
Fingerprint: 0x5e367758
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+50% Faster Cast Rate
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
+160 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Regenerate Mana 15%
All Resistances +75

Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 145
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 85 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x45ca84f9
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
+93 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+7 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14

MERC
Treachery
Superior Boneweave
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 679
Durability: 25 of 25
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 148
Fingerprint: 0x3888c512
Item Level: 80
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
Increase Maximum Durability 13%
Ethereal

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 100
Durability: 9 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x5a78ba49
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+120 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+120 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Insight
Thresher
RalTirTalSol
Two Hand Damage: 49 - 480
Durability: 48 of 65
Required Level: 53
Required Strength: 152
Required Dexterity: 118
Fingerprint: 0x4e14d6be
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 17 Meditation Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Cast Rate
241% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
189% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
+1 to Critical Strike
All Stats +5
+2 to Mana after each Kill
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Volcanic Coronet of Amicae
Coronet
Defense: 31
Durability: 18 of 30
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xc5b8173b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Fire Skills (Sorceress Only)
Damage Reduced by 13

Stout Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x837871fb
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 Defense
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Stout Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x1b72628a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 Defense
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Stout Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xa2b3a6b1
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5 Defense
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x1fc6e584
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+31 to Attack Rating
+18 to Life

Sapphire Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xf1fc5fa1
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +11%
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Russet Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xa4b8226
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +7%
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Natural Grand Charm of Maiming
Grand Charm
Required Level: 63
Fingerprint: 0x32386719
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+4 to Maximum Damage

Natural Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xdaa32e88
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+14 to Life

Natural Grand Charm of Anthrax
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x615df87a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
Adds 50 Poison Damage Over 6 Secs (150 Frames)

Lion Branded Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xe1644842
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xa4fea7e8
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+11 to Attack Rating
+19 to Life

Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x81d25e45
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Maximum Damage
+10 to Attack Rating
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Emerald Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xfbbf9f65
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
Poison Resist +11%

Amber Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x740a3283
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +11%
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Fortuitous Amulet of Luck
Amulet
Required Level: 19
Fingerprint: 0x39d5c19f
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
42% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Luhkoh was just telling me the other day how he wanted, most of all, to find an elemental Druid skiller. So I found three :cool: :D

EDIT: idk if this is interesting but I picked up every magic and rare: ring, amulet, jewel and circlet; as well as every SC, GC, rune and flawless gem I saw.
 

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After a decent night's sleep, it took me about 3 minutes to figure out the Imgur issue :rolleyes: For years, I've labelled my screenshots using the # to reflect if multiple version of an item fell in the same area (e.g., LK Sur #2). It's never been an issue, but apparently Imgur no longer allows file upload with that symbol in the file name. So "LK Sur 2" works fine, and I guess that saves key strokes going forward :)

Anyhow, after that preamble, here's a summary of 10-hour set with my HC Sorc:

- I have a great map (it's actually her questing map), three teleports to the first corpse, with good visibility into the hut to the north (for boss packs) then to the 2-chest hut, 3 teleports due west from that 2-chest hut to the 1-chest hut around second camp fire, down to the corpse, over to 2-chest hut, and 3 teleports back to the WP. Bosses hardly ever spawned in the second 1-chest hut, so the blind teleport wasn't too risky, and it was easier to go straight to the chest then to corpse because the third teleport due west generally landed right on the chest.

- I picked all runes that dropped for the first 5 hours (312) to get a ballpark of number of runs (I've found 2.25 runs/rune found is pretty accurate for superchests plus 2-3 poppables). That would extrapolate to ~1400 runs over the 10 hours, probably more because the runs would be faster over the last 5 hours due to no longer picking every rune.

- I felt like I was being cautious due to HC, so was pleased with the times (I skipped huts ocassionally due to nasty looking boss rolls and also bailed on runs a handful of times after landing in a bad spot). There was one really close call, within the first two hours, with panicked S&E but otherwise nothing too dicey.
LK (Close Call).jpg

- I am even more pleased with the drops! There were 17 Pul+
Rich (BB code):
Pul 2
Um 4
Mal 4
Ist 0
Gul 2
Vex 0
Ohm 3 (!)
Lo 0
Sur 1
Ber 1 (!)
It's a bit above expectations with Pul+, and the 5 Vex+ were quite nice, especially the Ber and Ohms for CtA rolls (I didn't have one in HC yet). Screenies of Vex+ are Ohm #1, Ohm #2, Sur, Ber, and Ohm #3.

The nice non-qualifiers were a Ruby (10) SC of Balance , which is very nice to match with Spirit shield for 60 FHR breakpoint, and this rare ring, which is very handy for a caster without Insight:
LK (Nice FCR Ring).jpg
With the runes found prior to this LK set, she now has a nice rune stash to build on for the next phase of her journey (which will eventually involve CS runs). Next on deck for me in this tour is AS with my HC trapper!

And she will have the benefit of the CtA (still two Ohms left to roll in other bases, so no worries on the roll):
Screenshot001.jpg

Edit: Forgot an important detail: she also picked up a second cold skiller and a second trap skiller for Eleos.
 
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Added some sample LK runs into my Destination 1 post. Meant to include those and had forgotten. I don't want to spoil anything, but my cows set is starting... rather well :).
 
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