Given that I'm already playing HC and have a rule that none of my characters will ever wear an Enigma, I feel like Terror Zones would be a fair tradeoff, and that I'd still be trying to get to 99 the "hard way". Does my rationale make sense?
As for the discussion re: a separate table, given how OP Enigma is (well, in my opinion, anyway), should that get a separate table as well? Because in theory, the real "hard way" of getting to 99 would be to not use any of the OP rune words at all, wouldn't it?
I think getting to level 99 in single player, no matter which way you get there, is an impressive achievement. Can't see an issue with somebody playing Terror Zones to make the grind to 99 more enjoyable.
re: 'Enigma': I feel like the addition of Terror Zones could make 'Enigma' less of an important item because, as far as I can tell, it is beneficial to do full clears of TZs rather than just teleporting around to only certain target monsters. I'm not a fan of 'Enigma' (and couldn't afford the runes to make one anyways so don't have one!) but I haven't felt a need or desire to teleport with any of my characters in Terror Zones. Even with my Sorcs, Teleport has mostly been reserved for escaping from dangerous spots. I'm having a blast running TZs and fully clearing them out.
A final thought (just for funsies--I really have no strong opinions about this!)... Perhaps the real "hard way" of reaching level 99 would not be to say "No 'Enigma'" or "No OP rune words", but rather "No Lower Kurast" To get to to 99 using only the items you find/make/craft along the way via killing monsters, without hundreds (or thousands?) of LK runs just popping chests hoping for high runes, is a legit challenge. But, like, just put everybody in one big table, it's all good It's a big challenge whichever way somebody gets to level 99.
An opinion from someone who is NOT going to take a character to 99 untwinked. My one and only untwinked Pat was my first. I was in awe of Duck and his single pass untwinked Druid as I simply do not have the patience to do that.
For a long time my Barbs could not use swords. While I twink my characters if I am going to make a certain build then I do that build from the beginning or at least any points I put into a skill to make it easier in the beginning get left through the game. The only time I respec is if I made a dumb mistake or once a character is done to experiment with other builds. The reality is that we can impose on ourselves all sorts of conditions that others think just plain wierd and many times those conditions make the journey more difficult.
Now that I am actually trying to take a character to 99, I have a much better understanding of the effort and dedication of those that have gone before me. Given that I believe that many of you have self imposed conditions that don't show up on the list, I think that the untwinked 99 list should remain as a single list. Dates will give an indication if TZ were used, but I think it would be nice to reward the traditionalist with some sort of Asterisk to indicate that they didn't use TZs. Beside it will help the rest of us to know who the really wierd one are
Regarding Terror Zones...I am really torn on that. On the one hand, I would really like to try them out for variety, use Sunder Charms etc. On the other hand, I suppose it wouldn't feel the same for me to reach level 99 that way. After weighing the options the last few days, I think I will go for Terror Zones with my UT99er though...I already have so much else to do in real life and almost no time for games, that I would basically have to choose between going "pure" 99 without Terror Zones and never have the time to try Terror Zones ot simply accept Terror Zones as part of the game and the way to 99.
I am all in for additional columns in the table, like we use an asterisk in the tournaments to signal single pass play, we could add a "TZ" or something for those using terror zones/sunder charms. I don't think a separate table is necessary - but that is just my opinion.
EDIT: So, after 2.5 hours of Terror Zone runs (conveniently the first 3 sunder charms all were cold charms), 1 hour of which was Terrorized Pindleskin, I made 3,269 XP/sec as compared to previously 1,290 XP/sec in 2 seal runs in the CS. This might go down again, because - come on, Terrorized Pindleskin? That is awesome. Gave me around 135k XP/run which, considering my run times (around 30 seconds) is more than the 1.5 hours before Pindleskin (I made around 2,500 XP/sec before Pindelskin).
So overall it is a big improve over CS runs for me, but going from 97 to 98 will still take 22-30 hours for my setup (compared to 57 hours without terror zones/sunder charm).
Hurricane-Syd has a update. Half way through level 97. 97.5 feels good. I will have to walk back my comment about not using Terror Zones to complete the grind to 99. I will place a TZ next to my "forumite" name to signify this. I tried for 2 days to avoid them but every time that message popped up, it was harder and harder to ignore. At 97.1 I gave in to temptation and began running Terror Zones. Seeing that experience bar constantly moving throughout the hour after hour of running Terror Zones is nice. I ran dozens of P8 Chaos/Nihl/Baal waves/P3 Baal and barely seeing a single tick was tiring. After a week of Terror Zones, Syd gained 40% of the level running about 2-3 hours of Terror Zones a night or every other night. I actually had 2 very close calls while running WSK Terrorized and Frozen River Terrorized. I had not had a close call in a very long time while running Chaos/Baal/Nihl. So I do think with this specific character of a Wind Druid, the Fanat/Might/Extra Strong/Conviction/Lightning boss packs can hit very hard and make you pay more attention than mindlessly running Chaos/Nihl/Baal for thousands of runs and hundreds of hours.
Throughout this 1/2 of level 97 have had its fair share of drops in random areas that would have never been considered if not for the Terror Zone. Found 11 Sunder Charms, only kept 10 because 1 was a -90 Cold Resist which has no use for any character. Pictures of drops attached to the post.
Current plan is to run Hurricane-Syd to 98 with Terror Zones, then pick up Sydney the Poison Javazon running LK for Inifinty...She is currently at Level 88 and has 1 Sur rune towards Infinity after using the first Sur for Bramble. I'll make a post about her once Hurricane-Syd reaches 98. The other long term plans are finishing a FoH/Smite pally and then creating an Assassin to make the new Mosaic Runeword build which looks crazy.
Well, that was a nice present from my 1st terrorized AT run...
and immediately after that Tal's Armor, too
and after that came Terrorized Eldritch, and now terrorized Pindle again...this looks really good for my plan to reach level 98 this year although I have to pass on Pindleskin, because I have to go to bed...
So what is everyone's experience with Terror Zones and XP? Those who are using TZs: Do you do full clears? Only boss packs? In case of Nihlatak's temple only Pindleskin?
So what is everyone's experience with Terror Zones and XP? Those who are using TZs: Do you do full clears? Only boss packs? In case of Nihlatak's temple only Pindleskin?
I do mostly full clears, but in the case of Nihlathak's temple it depends on what character I feel like playing on that day and what kinds of monsters emerge inside the temple. Some monster spawns just aren't worth the trouble for certain builds!
It feels like a good time to provide an update. I'm still running LK, though not as zealously as others. I found a sur this morning but forgot to take a SS of the drop. That puts us at 2/3 for Enigma. This made the morning even better:
That's the last rune I needed for Call to Arms, though I don't have a base for it yet. CtA isn't very helpful for LK so I'll hold off until I finish the LK grind, then go look for a base for it.
It breaks my heart to Ormus this:
Finally, here's an image of my high rune hoard. Looking pretty nice! I still need Lo, Vex, and another Ber (or 2 Sur) before I call this grind done
Lastly, I do have a superior 3os mage plate. I can't decide if I want to put my eventual Enigma in it or not. Extra defense doesn't do much, but if I don't find something different when I look for bases, I don't love the idea of doing more farming to look for something different. Repair costs shouldn't be terrible since I'm not hammers or melee so I shouldn't be getting hit too much. Would love some advice if anyone has any
Hurricane-Syd has reached level 98. 1 more to go! Terror Zones substantially cut down on the time of the grind. I leveled the last half of 97 in about 9 days. I took a screenshot of 3.2 billion exp because I was so close after a run to being right on it, only 5,111 over. Thought it was interesting. I would have never guessed or believed anyone that I would ding level 98 in the Barracks of all places. Thanks TZs.
The Grail for this character by itself now sits at -50 after Spirit Ward dropped. No way to find the rest before 99 in the TZs but I hope to get that number to maybe -40 by the end.
The last screenshot is the runes Syd has stockpiled over all the levels. Not including all the runes cubed or used for 2 HoTo's, CtA, Enigma, Fortitiude and the Cham'd SS. Plus 1 UM rune that was in the SS before the Cham. I'll have a complete/compiled list of all the runes once Hurricane-Syd completes the journey/grind to 99.
Where does everyone usually get their important bases? Mainly I'm looking for an Infinity base. For Villanelle I was lucky with a rack, but I'm wondering about racking vs running The Pit for example.
@maxicek would highly vouch racking if you’re ok with sacrificing your map. Don’t put too much stock into finding some perfect rack that’s producing the base you want every other run. Even something that’s dropping Thresher 1/5 runs is going to have a good chance to get you to your goal very quickly because the runs are very fast.
I'm joining you guys! My goal is to make 99 lvl for the first time. I'll keep you posted on my progress here and on my topic that I created. It's great to be part of such a team! I play trapsin
Hurricane-Syd has reached level 98.61. Syd is currently running in the RFL round 1 at the moment. Based on the exp gained so far in the RFL, it should put Syd around 98.75 when done with round 1. On to the finds of the first 1/2 or so of 98! Syd also found a 43 Lifer Ele GC in the Blood Moor or Den of Evil while it was Terrorized! 2nd Ele lifer found for Syd.
Death Cleaver (Grailer for Syd)--Tristam
Trang's Wing--Durance Lvl 3
Rainbow Facet (-3/4 Cold)--Trav
Halaberd's Reign--Outer Steppes
Stone Crusher--Cows
Bow/Xbow GC--Arreat Plateau
Arach's--Cave Lvl 1
Cow King's Boots (Grailer for Syd)--Cows
43 Life Ele GC--Blood Moor/Den of Evil
40 MF Chance Guards--Blood Moor/Den of Evil
Blood Raven's Charge--Den of Evil
Nice rare ring--Stony Field
RFL Rune #1--Pits (Can't post screenshot til round 1 is over)
-70 Psn Res Sunder GC--Arreat Plateau
Stone Crusher--Arreat Plateau
Started the RFL at 98.45 (3.358 Exp), Currently at 3.410. Just shy of 100 mill exp to go....so close yet so far it seems like. Until next time. Good luck, stay safe and enjoy the grind to 99.
Been catching up on this thread as I'm still thinking about moving my 1.14 HC 99er Barb to D2R. I really wanted to do it without TZs and all those other D2R shenanigans, but frankly don't see myself finishing him in 1.14 with less and less time to play.
@Kstil3227 awesome progress, gogogo! Haven't made a Windy yet in D2R, but I'll get a round to it some time soon. Seems very solid and safe in HC, apart from anni/torch the sunder charms are very useful. Also the AFK farming Hurricane focused P1 high MF build seems more viable with those. Planning to make one after RFL.
Been catching up on this thread as I'm still thinking about moving my 1.14 HC 99er Barb to D2R. I really wanted to do it without TZs and all those other D2R shenanigans, but frankly don't see myself finishing him in 1.14 with less and less time to play.
@Kstil3227 awesome progress, gogogo! Haven't made a Windy yet in D2R, but I'll get a round to it some time soon. Seems very solid and safe in HC, apart from anni/torch the sunder charms are very useful. Also the AFK farming Hurricane focused P1 high MF build seems more viable with those. Planning to make one after RFL.
Thanks. Just finished up round 1 of RFL with Syd, and the exp is up to 98.8+ (3.475) So close now.
Wind is definitely safe for sure if geared for survivability rather than MF. I would like to complete the grail possibly with just a HC Druid that is untwinked. I would look into a P1 Hurricane build with cold sunder and lots of MF SCs. Can't get ahead of myself though and focus on the last 15% of this level.
Hurricane-Syd has finished the GRIND TO 99! Definitely a tough grind. It was by far made easier due to the latest patch implementing Terror Zones into single player. I grinded the 1st 10% of level 98-99 with Chaos/Nihl/Baal and hats off to everyone before me that made that grind.
Whether it was harder or just more time consuming could be up for debate compared to the Terror Zones.
Time to make the write up for my first ever 99 character! Started Syd a little over a year ago in a tournament, Hardcore, untwinked all the way, and now its 99! Still wrapping my head around this.
I will link the write up to Syd's name on the table once it is done.
Hall of Fame
So, 94 lvl. I've been sitting in Pit for a while. Unfortunately. I didn't find any Sur or ber so I'll have to go back to Lower Kurast to collect runes for Infinity, and then? Probably chaos to 95, ancient and baal to 98. Need to get patience because there is no telling how much will go down on Lower Kurast now.
Forumite Character SC/HC Class Level Exp Date E/S S/U Grail Deaths Hours D2/D2R
--------------- --------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---------- --- ---- ----- ------ ----- ------
Vildecor Trina SC Ama 98 3.22 2020-03-20 Yes - 443 17 -
ulof LiveAndLearn HC Sorc 97 3.09 2021-03-10 Yes - 477 - -
Vildecor Mina HC Zon 96 2.78 2022-02-10 Yes - 363 1 -
ulof BillyIdol HC Necro 96 2.71 2021-01-10 Yes - 430 1 -
1have2much3time Vagabond HC Necro 95 2.66 2019-06-22 Yes - - 1 -
RIP Kaira_II HC Sin 95 2.55 2018-09-06 Yes - 399 - -
T72on1 ShouldBeEasy HC Pala 95 2.52 2019-01-04 Yes lots 320 NA 103
Babyhell IpBanPrevales SC Sin 95.5 2.60 2019-09-22 Yes - - 9 -
ulof ArmyOfMe HC Nec 92 ?.?? 2021-07-25 Yes - 286 - -
Babyhell BabyNinetyNiner SC Pala 91 ?.?? 2019-08-02 Yes - - 3 -
Lord Molybdenum Verisimilitude SC Ama 91 1.62 2018-06-02 No 98 77 3 -
Tears85 EoEF_Untwinked HC Barb 90 1.63 2020-09-23
Shuffleblast Translocator HC Sorc 89 1.48 2019-11-23 Yes - - 1 -
Lord Molybdenum Cruise_Control SC Necro 88 1.?? 2018-06-02 No 128 101 22 -
Kitteh Gwynt HC Druid 87 XXXX 2018-11-07 Yes - - - -
Bewitch itsreal HC Sorc 87 1.xx 2018-04-24 No - - - -
MizzouFTW Pure HC Necro 86 1.15 2018-01-10 Yes - - 1 -
Babyhell Frida HC Ama 85 ?.?? 2020-11-24 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Ivar SC Pala 84 1.02 2019-09-02 Yes - 307 3 -
Vildecor Celia HC Ama 84 0.99 2018-05-30 Yes 125 97 1 -
Lord Molybdenum Essa SC Sorc 84 0.?? 2018-06-02 No 20 19 5 -
Lord Molybdenum But_Why SC Sin 81 0.74 YYYY-MM-DD No 55 51 53 -
coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 0.74 2016-04-07 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Zinerva SC Ama 80 0.70 2020-04-24 Yes 309 195 0 -
RIP Attila HC Barb 78 0.59 2018-09-26 Yes - 73 no -
TwentyMuleTeam Valus HC Barb 76 0.48 2016-10-27 Yes - - 1 -
Pb_pal Stevesy HC Pala 76 0.48 2017-06-19 Yes - - 1 -
Vildecor Rikka HC Ama 76 0.00 2020-04-05 Yes 63 56 - -
Shuffleblast Translocator HC Sorc 67 0.00 2019-11-03 Yes - - 1 -
weezaard Cypher SC Druid 66 0.00 2018-02-21 Yes - - 20+ -
Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 0.04 2016-06-16 Yes - 0 1 -
Vildecor Mina-II HC Zon 45 - 2022-02-24 Yes - - - - D2R
Pijus Pyrestarter HC Druid 36 0.00 2018-05-21 Yes - - 1 -
coju fB HC Sorc 29 0.00 2016-04-09 Yes 1 1 1 2
Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 0.00 2016-03-25 No - - 1 -
logoutzero Rolex HC Barb 21 0.00 2016-03-26 Yes 0 0 1 1
Savine is my Mosaic Martial Arts Assassin, I started her when Patch 2.6 came out. I started using Fists of Fire until I could use Claws of Thunder. Once I had Phoenix Strike I used the second charge and pumped the synergies. I focussed on getting claws with some physical damage for leech on the main switch and shopped some +1 claws for pre-buff. I found a Hawkmail which was nice for the CBF.
Azure Large Charm
Large Charm
Required Level: 1
Fingerprint: 0xf194e483
Item Level: 19
Version: Resurrected
Cold Resist +6%
Tangerine Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 1
Fingerprint: 0x42a80271
Item Level: 4
Version: Resurrected
Lightning Resist +4%
Beryl Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 1
Fingerprint: 0xf9148358
Item Level: 1
Version: Resurrected
Poison Resist +4%
Crimson Small Charm of Greed
Small Charm
Required Level: 15
Fingerprint: 0x9599274c
Item Level: 17
Version: Resurrected
Fire Resist +5%
7% Extra Gold from Monsters
Lapis Small Charm of Greed
Small Charm
Required Level: 15
Fingerprint: 0xd996f960
Item Level: 22
Version: Resurrected
Cold Resist +7%
6% Extra Gold from Monsters
Lapis Grand Charm of Frost
Grand Charm
Required Level: 7
Fingerprint: 0xf6993a9a
Item Level: 20
Version: Resurrected
Adds 1 - 2 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Cold Resist +18%
Bitter Eye
Ring
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0xf6447ec0
Item Level: 21
Version: Resurrected
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+11 to Attack Rating
3% Life stolen per hit
+5 to Mana
Poison Resist +7%
Gold Ring of the Leech
Ring
Required Level: 12
Fingerprint: 0x3c26e487
Item Level: 17
Version: Resurrected
+94 to Attack Rating
4% Life stolen per hit
Russet Plated Belt of Strength
Plated Belt
Defense: 10
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 60
Fingerprint: 0xad03073e
Item Level: 30
Version: Resurrected
+1 to Strength
Fire Resist +15%
Hawkmail
Scale Mail
Defense: 118
Durability: 36 of 36
Required Level: 15
Required Strength: 44
Fingerprint: 0xd7661faf
Item Level: 40
Version: Resurrected
+10% Faster Run/Walk
+94% Enhanced Defense
+15% to Maximum Cold Resist
Cold Resist +15%
Cannot Be Frozen
Russet Amulet of the Sentinel
Amulet
Required Level: 12
Fingerprint: 0xc66a0170
Item Level: 19
Version: Resurrected
Fire Resist +16%
Magic Damage Reduced by 2
Fortuitous Ring
Ring
Required Level: 8
Fingerprint: 0xa12484c
Item Level: 17
Version: Resurrected
13% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Amulet of Regrowth
Amulet
Required Level: 12
Fingerprint: 0x4a001493
Item Level: 30
Version: Resurrected
Replenish Life +9
Beryl Large Charm of Shock
Large Charm
Required Level: 5
Fingerprint: 0x2239f581
Item Level: 2
Version: Resurrected
Adds 1 - 5 Lightning Damage
Poison Resist +7%
Merciless Blade Talons of Gore
Blade Talons
One Hand Damage: 19 - 37
Durability: 69 of 69
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 50
Required Dexterity: 50
Fingerprint: 0xb8ff27b5
Item Level: 42
Version: Resurrected
93% Enhanced Damage
+10 to Maximum Damage
Snake's Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0xb95e887b
Item Level: 45
Version: Resurrected
+27 to Life
+27 to Mana
Death Torc
Amulet
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x7bdd9dbb
Item Level: 32
Version: Resurrected
+3 to Minimum Damage
3% Life stolen per hit
Replenish Life +3
+10 to Mana
+9 Maximum Stamina
Fire Resist +8%
Great Wyrm's Circlet of Luck
Circlet
Defense: 30
Durability: 34 of 35
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x24ba2afe
Item Level: 38
Version: Resurrected
+70 to Mana
32% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Coral Ring
Ring
Required Level: 13
Fingerprint: 0x2bc2d7b8
Item Level: 36
Version: Resurrected
Lightning Resist +29%
Fine Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 16
Fingerprint: 0x1eda2fe6
Item Level: 33
Version: Resurrected
+5 to Maximum Damage
+41 to Attack Rating
+6 to Dexterity
Death Thirst
Claws
One Hand Damage: 12 - 40
Durability: 111 of 192
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 46
Required Dexterity: 46
Fingerprint: 0x8f5fd4ef
Item Level: 60
Version: Resurrected
+20% Increased Attack Speed
57% Enhanced Damage
+17 to Maximum Damage
+84% Damage to Undead
+157 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 21 Poison Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
2 Sockets (0 used)
Strength
Superior Claws
AmnTir
One Hand Damage: 11 - 22
Durability: 60 of 64
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 46
Required Dexterity: 46
Fingerprint: 0xa9ac318e
Item Level: 20
Version: Resurrected
49% Enhanced Damage
+2 to Attack Rating
7% Life stolen per hit
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
+20 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
+2 to Mana after each Kill
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Magekiller's Blade Talons
Blade Talons
One Hand Damage: 10 - 14
Durability: 60 of 69
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 50
Required Dexterity: 50
Fingerprint: 0x42ca1f03
Item Level: 42
Version: Resurrected
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
Goldwrap
Heavy Belt
Defense: 35
Durability: 14 of 18
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 45
Fingerprint: 0xcaf2f335
Item Level: 60
Version: Resurrected
+10% Increased Attack Speed
+57% Enhanced Defense
+25 Defense
71% Extra Gold from Monsters
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Light Radius
Mentalist's Blade Talons
Blade Talons
One Hand Damage: 10 - 14
Durability: 69 of 69
Required Level: 15
Required Strength: 50
Required Dexterity: 50
Fingerprint: 0x165f24f9
Item Level: 42
Version: Resurrected
+1 to Shadow Discipline Skills (Assassin Only)
Dread Claw
Wrist Blade
One Hand Damage: 5 - 9
Durability: 52 of 52
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 33
Required Dexterity: 33
Fingerprint: 0x29c3a8f6
Item Level: 37
Version: Resurrected
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
+18 to Attack Rating
Adds 7 Poison Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
Cold Resist +8%
Level 2 Bash (25/25 Charges)
Gemmed Full Helm
Full Helm
Defense: 25
Durability: 26 of 30
Required Level: 12
Required Strength: 41
Fingerprint: 0x5783f4fe
Item Level: 22
Version: Resurrected
32% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Topaz
Socketed: Topaz
Savage Partizan
Partizan
Two Hand Damage: 60 - 133
Durability: 36 of 65
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 113
Required Dexterity: 67
Fingerprint: 0x8a973142
Item Level: 50
Version: Resurrected
78% Enhanced Damage
Early Nightmare was easy but things got tougher as I progressed into the later acts. I managed to put together Smoke and Lore, then moved into Hell. I decided not to run The Countess for Treachery ingredients, but instead continue to Lower Kurast as quickly as possible. This was now getting hard and there were many deaths. I had poor leech due to low damage claws. At this stage I am still just using the second charge of Phoenix Strike, or the first for LIs.
I didn't need to run LK for long to be able to put together two Mosaics & my first CtA (+4 BO). Armour was Treachery now but still using the Lore helm. The rest of the gear was mainly rares with resists. I found Tal's HC from a corpse in LK, so finally the merc had some leech. Time to kill Baal.
Wow. With the Mosaic's equipped I suddenly went from struggling at /p1 to wrecking everything at /p5. Chaos Sanctuary was easy, Diablo dropped under a hail of Meteors. It wasn't long before Baal suffered a similar fate.
After that, it was back to LK to find the runes for Enigma. Fortunately I managed that much quicker than I did with Villanelle. I started trying some Terror Zones and had a very lucky Griffon's Eye drop, just in time for the RFL. Results weren't great, but my Second CtA roll was.
Currently have just hit clvl94 and I'm back in LK for Infinity runes, I don't have a base yet either. The Merc could also use a Fortitude. Actually he is still using the Ethereal Insight Partizan I made in NM. After that I'm after Annihilus & Torch. I have 63 Keys from The Summoner, still have to do The Countess & Nhilathak. I will re-spec to a kicker for the Ubers, I need some gear for that too - Kira's and Guillaume's mainly.
I realized that I hadn't posted an update here for Redux, who is now a little more half way to level 98, so remedying that oversight! Last update was when she hit 97 at New Year's, where I said the following:
Her rune luck has been sub-par for CS, with only Ist, Vex, Ber and Ohm as Mal+ runes since lvl 93 to lvl 97. Hopefully that picks up for the last level, with a Jah, Ohm/Lo and Vex needed for Phoenix if we go the Fire route (but Lightning is always an option).
Let's just say her rune luck improved Right out the gate, she picked up Andy's, which went to the merc, followed by a Sur and this nice FCR ring upgrade that allowed some SC charm shifting to drop resists in favor of MF and vita:
Then came Vex #2 and Ber #2, followed by a high roll Ravenlore and, significantly, Nightwing's. Although the drop in the life bulb was noticeable in dropping Shako (plus the loss of MF), the extra power was quite noticeable. I then pushed to 97.2 before RFL Round 1, picking up a Gul.
The RFL round was nuts, with 10 qualifiers, 8 of which were 10+ pointers, including 2 Chams, yielding a win for the round. The drops and progress for that round is summarized in this post, but highlights were the runehaul (below) and another Cold Skiller and Lightning Skiller, plus a 50MF pair of War Travelers that she's now wearing.
I took a break from her to focus on a D2R sorc (also called Redux), who is now level 91. I may add her to the table eventually, but don't really see taking the Sorc to 99. An assassin is a more likely candidate, especially if the -elemental damage now applies to traps as it looks like from patch notes. Based on my experience so far with the Sorc, the Terror Zones really do allow faster leveling, so that could be fun.
I've done some tiddying on the table, moving to resting heroes any characters with last update in 2021.