I started my Cube Grail quest on April 21st of this year. Seven months later the quest is not yet accomplished, but along the journey I completed my first ever Sept. I'd like to share a report here for each, in the order in which I played them.
Merc gear:
Sparking Mail (unique) mesh armor
Guillaume's Face (set) winged helm
Strength (runeword) stygian pike
Thoughts:
My only untwinked character. Of course, necessarily so because I started the project with him! He's not exactly a "fishymancer;" I chose instead to focus on skeletal mages rather than boost his amplify damage curse. By the time Swamp finished his fights with hell-difficulty hell bovines, he had helped me complete 84 of the 117 enumerated Horadric Cube recipes.
I repeatedly ran several targets with him (such as Countess, Andy, Lower Kurast) in all three difficulties, as well as a few Pit runs in hell difficulty. He had some amazing luck finding some key set and unique items, including a Tarnhelm skull cap, a Peasant Crown war hat, a Harlequin Crest shako, a Guillaume's Face winged helm, a Gerke's Sanctuary pavise, and a Raven Frost ring. These would each be twinkie-shared among several succeeding characters.
Equipment:
Harlequin Crest (unique) shako (socketed with PTopaz)
"Wraith Pelt" (rare) field plate (defense, resists)
"Fiend Claw" (rare) gauntlets (defense, resists, MF)
"Ghoul Harness" (rare) demonhide sash (defense, replenish life, fire resist)
"Eagle Shank" (rare) chain boots (FRW, defense, resists)
"Chaos Finger" (rare) ring (FCR, replenish life, resists)
"Chaos Band" (rare) ring (energy, poison resist, MF)
"Chas Wing" (rare) amulet (skills, life, poison resist, GF)
Volcanic (magic) clasped orb of the Sentinel (+3 fire skills, mana, MDR)
"Pain Guard" (rare) defender (Nova proc, blocking, resists)
"Storm Song" (rare) Jared's stone (cold skills, Cold Mastery, energy, mana, cold resist, mana after kills)
"Skull Rock" (rare) defender (Frost Nova proc, blocking, resists)
Merc equipment:
Wormskull (unique) bone helm
Iron Pelt (unique) trellised armor
"Viper Goad" (rare ethereal) ogre axe (Nova proc, AR, life leech)
Thoughts:
After the skeleton summoner, I figured this build would be almost as easy to push through the game while farming for stash-worthy items. I really enjoy pulling up hydras around enemies; although each is stationary and temporary, they're the closest thing to a "summoned minion" among all of the sorceress skills.
Even after mat-ting her, I kept using her to run NM Countess and Andy. I think by now I have made her teleport through the catacombs at least 1500 times. She did get one Stone of Jordan unique ring, after running /p7 NM Andy about 700 times. I'll probably keep doing those runs now and then, unless some other character happens to get a second SoJ first. She also ran hell difficulty Mephisto and Diablo about a dozen times each in order to get essences, and she also did a few hundred /p7 runs in hell Lower Kurast, popping chests for runes and a few more unique and set items. But I think her best finds while she quested were a Stormshield unique monarch and a Rainbow Facet unique jewel. She also helped me check off another 12 cube recipes. [edited: spelling]
Mercenary Gear:
Naj's (set) circlet
Iceblink (unique) splint mail
"Soul Scratch" (rare) battle scythe (damage, AR, life leech)
Thoughts:
Once she reached level 30, I was surprised at how quickly she was able to advance through each quest. She helped me complete four more Horadric Cube recipes. She couldn't do hell LK runs as quickly as the teleporting sorceress, but she did between 200 and 300 of those anyway. She wasn't as efficient as I had hoped with farming hell cows or Arcane Sancuary. I think she needs more lightning synergies, and better yet some gear which lowers enemy lightning resistance, in order to get a worthwhile killing speed in the Moo Moo Farm or the AS. Regardless, I don't regret spending her skill points in Valkyrie and Decoy minions instead of lightning synergies.
Thoughts:
Although I had played trapper assassins before, I had never played a dancer. I had read in guides that they need good gear to succeed, and those guides were probably referring to high-end elite boots for effective kicking attacks. I had found plenty of nice rare, craftable magic, and imbue-able mirrored and scarabshell boots, enough that I think this is a build that shouldn't be too hard to achieve untwinked. She's a pretty effective hell Countess/Andy/LK/Shenk/Eldritch/Pindleskin runner, and I continue to use her to farm these.
She helped complete four more cube recipes. I think her best find was an Arreat's Face, which my barbarian would end up wearing a few short weeks later.
Mercenary gear:
Crown of Thieves (unique) grand crown (socketed with PTopaz0
Skin of the Flayed One (unique) demonhide armor
Kelpie Snare (unique ethereal) fuscina (socketed with amn)
Thoughts:
This was my first and only charactrer with whom I felt comfortable running hell Baal. He would use the Lacerator with the Maul skill until an amplify damage spell was triggerd, then he wold switch to Ribcracker and see how many times he could hit Baal before the curse wore off. After that, switch back to Lacerator and do it all again. Wadge completed just one more recipe: after a handful of Baal runs, he was able to find the last act boss essence, and cube it and the other three into a token of absolution.
Name: Uncia
Class: Paladin
Experience: 1123106601
Level: 85
Naked/Gear
Strength: 140/174
Dexterity: 125/128
Vitality: 240/272
Energy: 15/41
HP: 928/1088
Mana: 141/268
Stamina: 388/395
Defense: 31/1063
AR: 610/16149
Fire: 129/89/29
Cold: 131/91/31
Lightning: 139/99/39
Poison: 137/97/37
MF: 256 Block: 54
GF: 311 FR/W: 25
FHR: 0 IAS: 10
FCR: 0
Sacrifice: 1/9
Smite: 1/9
Holy Bolt: 20/28
Zeal: 1/9
Charge: 1/9
Vengeance: 1/9
Blessed Hammer: 1/9
Conversion: 1/9
Holy Shield: 1/9
Fist of the Heavens: 20/31
Might: 1/6
Holy Fire: 1/6
Thorns: 1/6
Blessed Aim: 0/0
Concentration: 0/0
Holy Freeze: 1/6
Holy Shock: 20/25
Sanctuary: 1/8
Fanaticism: 0/0
Conviction: 17/22
Prayer: 1/5
Resist Fire: 0/0
Defiance: 1/5
Resist Cold: 0/0
Cleansing: 1/5
Resist Lightning: 0/0
Vigor: 1/5
Meditation: 1/5
Redemption: 1/5
Salvation: 0/0
Tome of Identify
Fingerprint: 0xf59d5712
Item Level: 6
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Azure Large Charm of Greed
Large Charm
Required Level: 5
Fingerprint: 0xdc7b84e6
Item Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +5%
7% Extra Gold from Monsters
Key
Fingerprint: 0xed4ecd38
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Captain's Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xee9d5e50
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
26% Extra Gold from Monsters
Lapis Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x62c2fa2f
Item Level: 22
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +7%
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xc48d281c
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x39bac92f
Item Level: 66
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Life
Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0x76f20d2e
Item Level: 68
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Smoldering Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xfe6fbbcb
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 5 Fire Damage
3% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Amber Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x1e03f494
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +11%
Jade Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xd3a41da1
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +8%
4% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ruby Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xe2e43a24
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +10%
Coral Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xa8711f76
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Dexterity
Lightning Resist +9%
Bone Wand of Terror
Bone Wand
One Hand Damage: 3 - 7
Durability: 15 of 15
Required Level: 24
Fingerprint: 0xe326db2a
Item Level: 73
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bone Prison (Necromancer Only)
Level 5 Terror (97/97 Charges)
Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 114
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x62b81961
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+127 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+127 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
74% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%
Rune Mark
Amulet
Required Level: 30
Fingerprint: 0x9b38cfad
Item Level: 78
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
+4 to Minimum Damage
+2 to Strength
+7 Maximum Stamina
All Resistances +15
Damage Reduced by 2
Heavenly Garb
Light Plate
Defense: 216
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 41
Fingerprint: 0x614a34f1
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+50% Damage to Undead
+100 to Attack Rating against Undead
+100% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Energy
Regenerate Mana 25%
All Resistances +10
Nagelring
Ring
Required Level: 7
Fingerprint: 0x783aa15c
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+54 to Attack Rating
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
Attacker Takes Damage of 3
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Nagelring
Ring
Required Level: 7
Fingerprint: 0xe52da748
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+65 to Attack Rating
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
Attacker Takes Damage of 3
26% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Goldwrap
Heavy Belt
Defense: 35
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 45
Fingerprint: 0x78ca6905
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Increased Attack Speed
+55% Enhanced Defense
+25 Defense
78% Extra Gold from Monsters
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Light Radius
War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 127
Durability: 48 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x92ef30b0
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+166% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
44% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability
Chance Guards
Chain Gloves
Defense: 27
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 15
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0xea9a3285
Item Level: 69
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25 to Attack Rating
+28% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
200% Extra Gold from Monsters
39% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Light Radius
Zakarum's Hand
Rune Scepter
One Hand Damage: 40 - 75
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xdc9be24b
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
6% Chance to cast level 5 Blizzard on striking
+30% Increased Attack Speed
213% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
+150% Damage to Undead
8% Mana stolen per hit
+2 to Holy Shock (Paladin Only)
+2 to Holy Freeze (Paladin Only)
Regenerate Mana 10%
Heal Stamina Plus 15%
Doom Ward
Tower Shield
Defense: 48
Chance to Block: 34
Durability: 31 of 31
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xc2054385
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Defensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
+15% Faster Block Rate
10% Increased Chance of Blocking
+24% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +38
Damage Reduced by 2
Repairs 1 Durability in 33 Seconds
Ethereal
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Perfect Diamond
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +68% Damage to Undead
Armor: +100 to Attack Rating
Shields: Cold Resist +19%
Lightning Resist +19%
Fire Resist +19%
Poison Resist +19%
Perfect Diamond
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +68% Damage to Undead
Armor: +100 to Attack Rating
Shields: Cold Resist +19%
Lightning Resist +19%
Fire Resist +19%
Poison Resist +19%
Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0x7095a63e
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Emerald Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x3d6a6a89
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +10%
Lucky Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Fingerprint: 0x69d371c1
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Tome of Town Portal
Fingerprint: 0x57b15fa5
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 35%
Replenishes Health 35%
Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 35%
Replenishes Health 35%
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Uncia's Gemmed Seraph Rod
Seraph Rod
One Hand Damage: 45 - 54
Durability: 60 of 60
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 108
Required Dexterity: 69
Fingerprint: 0xea2be62b
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+150% Damage to Undead
+3 to Fist of the Heavens (Paladin Only)
+2 to Sanctuary (Paladin Only)
+9 to Energy
All Resistances +14
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Scintillating Jewel of Knowledge
Scintillating Jewel of Knowledge
Jewel
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x782f36e8
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Energy
Cold Resist +14%
Lightning Resist +14%
Fire Resist +14%
Poison Resist +14%
Herald of Zakarum
Gilded Shield
Defense: 464
Chance to Block: 52
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 89
Fingerprint: 0xe58a3a9b
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
+30% Faster Block Rate
30% Increased Chance of Blocking
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+175% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
All Resistances +50
Mercenary:
Name: Neeraj
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Def-Normal
Experience: 68371852
Level: 85
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 190/190
Dexterity: 154/154
HP: 1830/1830
Defense: 1345/1977
AR: 1976/1976
Fire: 152/112/52
Cold: 152/112/52
Lightning: 152/112/52
Poison: 152/112/52
Skin of the Flayed One
Demonhide Armor
Defense: 380
Durability: 58 of 58
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x661bcde9
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Life stolen per hit
+178% Enhanced Defense
Replenish Life +21
Attacker Takes Damage of 15
Repairs 1 Durability in 10 Seconds
+30 Maximum Durability
Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x4b0ee139
Item Level: 73
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
8% Mana stolen per hit
6% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 13
Woestave
Great Poleaxe
Two Hand Damage: 84 - 233
Durability: 31 of 55
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 169
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0x27d047d2
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
23% Enhanced Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
50% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
Hit Blinds Target +3
Freezes target +1
Slows Target by 50%
-50 to Monster Defense Per Hit
-3 to Light Radius
Required Level +12
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Focused skills: 20 Fist of the Heavens, 20 Holy Shock, 20 Holy Bolt, 17 Conviction
One-poniters: each of the other eight combat skills, Might, Holy Fire, Holy Freeze, Thorns, Sanctuary, Prayer, Cleansing, Meditation, Defiance, Vigor, Redemption
Gear:
Harlequin Crest (unique) shako (socketed with PTopaz)
Heavenly Garb (unique) light plate
Chance Guards (unique) chain gloves
Goldwrap (unique) heavy belt
War Traveler (unique) battle boots
Nagelring (unique) ring (x2)
"Rune Mark" (rare) amlet (combat skills, resists, PDR)
Zakarum's Hand (unique) rune scepter
"Doom Ward" (rare ethereal) Tower Shield (+2 defensive aura skills, blocking, defense, resists, auto-repair)
Gemmed (normal) Seraph Rod (socketed with jewel granting energy and resists)
Herald of Zakarum (unique) Gilded Shield
Mercenary Gear:
Vampire Gaze (unique) Grim Helm
Skin of the Flayed One (unique) Demonhide Armor
Woestave (unique ethereal) Great Poleaxe (socketed with Amn)
Thoughts:
I chose to focus on Fist of the Heavens, because I had achieved patriarch before with that skill many years ago. I have never successfully done that with any other paladin build (yet). I observe in my reading here that the most popular "cookie-cutter" builds for paladins focus on either Zeal or Blessed Hammer, but I had tried them and found both pretty frustrating, so I must have been playing them wrong. I also knew that I could do Moz runs (mausoleum) pretty efficiently with a heavily synergized Holy Bolt attack and a point in Sanctuary, and I wanted to throw my hat into this years Magic Find Olympics, so that was another incentive to build an FoH templar. As it turned out, he wasn't as efficient as I remembered, so I created and quickly leveled a blizzard sorceress, who was a much more efficient Ancient Tunnels runner. I think Uncia only found one qualifier in that MFO.
To engage lightning immune enemies, or to fight when his mana was depleted, Uncia used Zeal with a Zakarum's Hand scepter on switch, with either a Might aura (to increase physical damage by about fifty percent) or a Redemption or Meditation aura (to replenish mana before switching back to summoning lightning fists). The most useful properties of his Zakarum's Hand in these situations were its Ignore Target Defense and its 8% mana-leech. The mercenary's gear, especially the upped ethereal Woestave, was fantastic for both questing and boss fights, but he could have been even better if he had something to provide crushing blows.
Uncia completed two more of the remaining cube recipes.
Equipment:
Arreat's Face (unique) slayer guard
Duriel's Shell (unique) cuirass
Immortal King's Forge (set) war gauntlets
Immortal King's Detail (set) war belt
Immortal King's Pillar (set) war boots
Nagelring (unique)
"Wraith Grasp" (rare) ring (Chain Lightning proc, resists, MDR)
"Order Eye" (rare) amulet (skills, cold damage, fire resist, MF)
Heart Carver (unique) rondel (x2)
Hellslayer (unique) decaptitator
In the stash, he also kept a stack of Gimmershred unique flying axes and a Whitstan's Guard unique round shield (socketed with a PDiamond), which he pulled out just one time to fight a tough unique boss that was both stone skin and immune to magic attacks. (Sorry, but I can't remember what was that monster.)
Mercenary Equipment:
Guillaume's Face (set) winged helm
Guardian Angel (unique) templar coat
Hone Sundan (unique) yari - oh noes, I forgot to put anything in its sockets!
Thoughts:
I figured if I was going to try berzerk, I would go completely berzerk with maxed synergies and a maxed weapon mastery too. I highly recommend it. I was pretty sure I could neglect pumping Battle Orders and still cope, and I was right. All those points in Shout meant that I could go several minutes before I needed to recast BO/BC, and a point in Find Potion with a couple of Heart Carver knives meant that I could drink lots of red potions without having to shop for them.
I really should have put at least one amn rune in the mercenary's weapon, but it turned out that he handled himself just fine without it.
I didn't know at first which weapon mastery I would choose for Qursh, but after my other patriarchs and the blizzard sorceress had found all four unique elite two-handed axe weapons (Ethereal Edge, Messerschmidt's Reaver, Hellslayer, and Executioner's Justice), I committed to Axe Mastery so I could test-drive all four of them. They were all fun and effective. Hellslayer turned out to be my favorite, and I finished most of acts 4 and 5 with that weapon. Against all but one of the magic immunes, I used the same weapons, but switched to using the Concentrate skill, which worked out just fine.
I didn't use any new cube recipes with Qursh, but I did get an unexpected jackpot with him. I had /players7 active when I started Act 5, and shortly after fighting Shenk in the bloody foothills, a spear cat coughed up a Zod rune! I'm glad Qursh could handle a high players setting in hell difficulty, because I'm not sure whether such a lucky drop would have happened with a lower /players settting.
Equipment:
Vampire Gaze (unique) grim helm
Shaftstop (unique) mesh armor (socketed with PTopaz)
Ghoulhide (unique) heavy bracers
Trang-Oul's Girth (set) troll belt
War Traveler (unique) battle boots
Nagelring (unique) ring
Raven Frost (unique) ring
Seraph's Hymn (unique) amulet
Hone Sundan (unique ethereal) yari (socketed with one amn and two shael runes)
Astreon's Iron Ward (unique) caduceus (socketed with amn)
Herald of Zakarum (unique) Gilded Shield
Thoughts:
I had never played a vengeance paladin before. Rather than an "avenger" with a conviction aura, I wanted him to max and use the defensive resistance auras that synergize vengeance. Most of the time, he had the Sanctuary Salvation aura active, except a few times when he switched to Resist Fire or Resist Lightning to get some extra safety to that element. The Hone Sundan is a higher-damaging weapon, but he only used it occasionally in hell difficulty; instead, he mostly swung the Astreon's hammer-scepter, blocked a lot with the HoZ shield, and tried to attract monsters attention to keep the heat off of his cold-arrow Rogue mercenary Olena. In late Hell difficulty, she was very generous with Inner Sight. Each time she cast that spell, Peavy's maxed Vengeance provided enough attack rating that missed attacks were very infrequent. She was also generous with cold arrows, and those coupled with her Riphook helped to slow enemies down a lot.
I forgot to swap out his Raven Frost ring for something else after he got the "cannot be frozen" attribute from his belt.
Equipment:
"Stone Circlet" (rare) alpha helm (+1 elemental skills, +3 Volcano, +3 Solar Creeper, lightning and poison resists, FHR, socketed with PTopaz)
The Spirit Shroud (unique) dusk shroud (socketed with PTopaz)
Magefist (unique) light gauntlets
"Spirit Chain" (rare) spiderweb sash (resists, chance-to-cast nova when struck)
"Blood Trample" (rare) boneweave boots (FRW, resists, MF)
"Bitter Grasp" (caster craft) ring (lightning resist, MF, energy, mana, mana regen)
"Eagle Coil" (rare) ring (resists, MF, energy)
"Chaos Clasp" (rare) amulet (+2 elemental skills, mana, MF)
Earthshaker (unique) battle hammer
Gerke's Sanctuary (unique) pavise (socketed with PDiamond)
Dark Clan Crusher (unique) cudgel
Lidless Wall (unique) Grim Shield
Stashed, but used a few times:
"Blood Bolt" (rare) pellet bow (405% enhanced damage, some lightning and poison damage, 5% life leech, socketed with IAS/lightning resist jewel)
Mercenary gear:
Guillaume's Face (unique) winged helm
Shaftstop (unique) mesh armor (socketed with PTopaz)
Hone Sundan (unique ethereal) yari (socketed with one amn and two shael runes)
Thoughts:
Fire druids are known to progress pretty rapidly through normal and nightmare difficulties, but in hell they have a slow reputation. This one did better in hell than I expected. Molten Boulders, Volcanoes, and the mercenary worked well enough against fire immunes, and Oleum even occasionally swung his weapon at some of them between spellcast timeouts. With the crossbow and hurricane/arctic blast (+skills brought each of these up to skill level 12), Oleum even whittled down and defeated a few FI/PI monsters. He recast Cyclone Armor quite a lot. It could absorb over two hundred elemental damage, helping a lot to keep such damage away from his red bulb. Without spending a single skill point in the summoning tree, his pelt still provided a reasonably sturdy solar creeper to slink around, eat corpses, and distract monsters.
This was one of the most fun characters I have ever played. He isn't a very efficient "burger flipper," but I understand that he would be able to run the cow level much quicker if he ever gets and equips gear that reduces enemy fire resistance.
Name: Noxio
Class: Necromancer
Experience: 1165090036
Level: 86
Naked/Gear
Strength: 55/67
Dexterity: 240/253
Vitality: 200/200
Energy: 25/25
HP: 602/692
Mana: 195/214
Stamina: 349/361
Defense: 60/817
AR: 1155/1287
Fire: 176/136/76
Cold: 184/144/84
Lightning: 204/164/104
Poison: 136/96/36
MF: 75 Block: 34
GF: 0 FR/W: 37
FHR: 17 IAS: 30
FCR: 50
Amplify Damage: 1/7
Dim Vision: 0/0
Weaken: 1/7
Iron Maiden: 1/7
Terror: 1/7
Confuse: 0/0
Life Tap: 1/7
Attract: 0/0
Decrepify: 1/7
Lower Resist: 20/26
Teeth: 1/6
Bone Armor: 1/6
Poison Dagger: 20/30
Corpse Explosion: 1/6
Bone Wall: 0/0
Poison Explosion: 20/29
Bone Spear: 0/0
Bone Prison: 0/0
Poison Nova: 20/31
Bone Spirit: 0/0
Skeleton Mastery: 0/0
Raise Skeleton: 1/3
Clay Golem: 1/3
Golem Mastery: 1/3
Raise Skeletal Mage: 1/3
Blood Golem: 1/3
Summon Resist: 1/3
Iron Golem: 1/3
Fire Golem: 0/0
Revive: 1/3
Viridian Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 14
Fingerprint: 0x3784dbec
Item Level: 24
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Life
Poison Resist +7%
Fungal Grand Charm of Strength
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xb724640f
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
+6 to Strength
Tome of Identify
Fingerprint: 0x4d9946f
Item Level: 6
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Rugged Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xd70a021d
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life
+12 Maximum Stamina
Toxic Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0xde9ea9d3
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 100 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
Toxic Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0x6ec5e07e
Item Level: 78
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 100 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0x935c20ed
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Key
Fingerprint: 0x120debcd
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xc6720740
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fungal Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x40c8e8c3
Item Level: 50
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
Hexing Grand Charm of Inertia
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x96d32290
Item Level: 50
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+7% Faster Run/Walk
Hexing Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xc92be2bc
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+30 to Life
Fungal Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x34b3555b
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0x5eadd50f
Item Level: 48
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Loath Hood
Death Mask
Defense: 167
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 60
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x5b5bf411
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+92% Enhanced Defense
+32 to Life
Lightning Resist +27%
Fire Resist +19%
Grim Torc
Amulet
Required Level: 35
Fingerprint: 0xc0b131d5
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+13 to Dexterity
All Resistances +16
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
Half Freeze Duration
Chaos Gyre
Ring
Required Level: 34
Fingerprint: 0x5c5ab06e
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
12% Chance to cast level 4 Nova when struck
+4 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Mana
Lightning Resist +23%
Fire Resist +28%
Nagelring
Ring
Required Level: 7
Fingerprint: 0x8eea25a1
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+67 to Attack Rating
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
Attacker Takes Damage of 3
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Bone Clasp
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 41
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0xa87ae94b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13% Enhanced Defense
+6 to Strength
Cold Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +25%
Poison Length Reduced by 25%
Attacker Takes Damage of 3
Silkweave
Mesh Boots
Defense: 126
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 36
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xb7a843ca
Item Level: 57
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
+182% Enhanced Defense
+200 Defense vs. Missile
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
+5 to Mana after each Kill
Trang-Oul's Claws
Heavy Bracers
Defense: 74
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x4f8a2cd4
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+25% to Poison Skill Damage
+30 Defense
Cold Resist +30%
Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0xe8c258a1
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Tome of Town Portal
Fingerprint: 0xd7dc2f12
Item Level: 6
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0x1138a229
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Wand of Amplify Damage
Wand
One Hand Damage: 2 - 4
Durability: 15 of 15
Required Level: 1
Fingerprint: 0xb9d1f1e5
Item Level: 1
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 1 Amplify Damage on striking
+3 to Bone Armor (Necromancer Only)
Preserved Head
Defense: 4
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 12
Fingerprint: 0xb4d19bf5
Item Level: 10
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 7 Poison Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
+3 to Bone Armor (Necromancer Only)
2 Sockets (0 used)
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Noxio's Havoc Ward
Unraveller Head
Defense: 10
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 36
Required Strength: 13
Fingerprint: 0xdaa2d397
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 13 - 28 Poison Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+3 to Poison Nova (Necromancer Only)
+2 to Iron Golem (Necromancer Only)
All Resistances +12
Fire Resist +27%
Level 1 Bone Spirit (67/67 Charges)
Requirements -30%
Noxio's Shadow Aegis
Fetish Trophy
Defense: 63
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 29
Fingerprint: 0xa8b144c1
Item Level: 48
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 5 - 14 Poison Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
+2 to Poison Nova (Necromancer Only)
+19% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +48
Requirements -30%
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Perfect Diamond
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +68% Damage to Undead
Armor: +100 to Attack Rating
Shields: Cold Resist +19%
Lightning Resist +19%
Fire Resist +19%
Poison Resist +19%
Perfect Diamond
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +68% Damage to Undead
Armor: +100 to Attack Rating
Shields: Cold Resist +19%
Lightning Resist +19%
Fire Resist +19%
Poison Resist +19%
Noxio's Shadow Aegis
Unraveller Head
Defense: 13
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 13
Required Strength: 18
Fingerprint: 0xe352c4b4
Item Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 5 - 14 Poison Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
+21% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +23%
Lightning Resist +27%
Repairs 1 Durability in 33 Seconds
Blackbog's Sharp
Cinquedeas
One Hand Damage: 30 - 76
Durability: 19 of 24
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 88
Fingerprint: 0xcf4d02cd
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 15 - 45 Damage
Adds 488 Poison Damage Over 10 Secs (250 Frames)
+4 to Poison Nova (Necromancer Only)
+4 to Poison Explosion (Necromancer Only)
+5 to Poison Dagger (Necromancer Only)
Slows Target by 50%
+50 Defense
Brimstone Stinger
Bone Knife
One Hand Damage: 63 - 138
Durability: 22 of 26
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 38
Required Dexterity: 75
Fingerprint: 0x631e5ca3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
176% Enhanced Damage
+3 to Maximum Damage
+177 to Attack Rating
Adds 50 - 88 Fire Damage
Adds 1 - 112 Lightning Damage
Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x658dfbc3
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+120% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +35
Magic Damage Reduced by 11
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%
Glyph Cloak
Splint Mail
Defense: 254
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 28
Required Strength: 41
Fingerprint: 0x5616039d
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
14% Chance to cast level 5 Nova when struck
+77% Enhanced Defense
+3 to Life
Lightning Resist +26%
Repairs 1 Durability in 33 Seconds
Ethereal
Mercenary:
Name: Mizan
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Def-Nightmare
Experience: 77219180
Level: 86
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 188/203
Dexterity: 151/176
HP: 1807/1943
Defense: 1330/2303
AR: 1922/1922
Fire: 203/163/103
Cold: 200/160/100
Lightning: 170/130/70
Poison: 170/130/70
Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 663
Durability: 144 of 150
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x615731e1
Item Level: 68
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+174% Enhanced Defense
+107 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+86 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 Maximum Durability
Crown of Thieves
Grand Crown
Defense: 310
Durability: 47 of 50
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x6876a247
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
11% Life stolen per hit
+172% Enhanced Defense
+25 to Dexterity
+50 to Life
+35 to Mana
Fire Resist +33%
90% Extra Gold from Monsters
Hone Sundan
Yari
Two Hand Damage: 146 - 298
Durability: 15 of 15
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 91
Fingerprint: 0x31dc6ce5
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
194% Enhanced Damage
Adds 20 - 40 Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
45% Chance of Crushing Blow
Repairs 1 Durability in 10 Seconds
Ethereal
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
Focused skills: 20 Poison Dagger, 20 Poison Explosion, 20 Poison Nova, 20 Lower Resist
One-pointers: Teeth, Corpse Explosion, Bone Armor, Amplify Damage, Weaken, Terror, Decrepify, Iron Maiden, Life Tap, Clay Golem, Blood Golem, Iron Golem, Golem Mastery, Summon Resist, Raise Skeleton, Raise Skeletal Mage, Revive
Equipment:
"Loath Hood" (rare) death mask (resists, life)
Skin of the Vipermagi (unique) serpentskin armor (socketed with PTopaz)
Trang-Oul's Claws (set) heavy bracers
"Bone Clasp" (unique) sharkskin belt (resists, strength)
Silkweave (unique) mesh boots
Nagelring (unique) ring
"Chaos Gyre" (rare) ring (resists, mana, chance-to-cast nova when struck)
"Grim Torc" (rare) amulet (+1 necromancer skills, resists, dexterity)
Blackbog's Sharp (unique) cinquedeas
"Shadow Aegis" (rare) fetish trophy (+2 Poison Nova, resists, FHR, socketed with two PDiamonds)
blue (magic) wand (+3 Bone Armor, chance-to-cast Amplify Damage on striking)
Socketed (normal) preserved head (+3 Bone Armor, two empty sockets)
Mercenary gear:
Crown of Thieves (unique) grand crown
Duriel's Shell (unique) cuirass
Hone Sundan (unique ethereal) yari (socketed with one amn and two shael runes)
Thoughts:
Noxio was another efficient quester. I'm happy that I chose to max the Lower Resist curse. Despite that it suffers decreasing returns with higher skill levels, its duration and area of effect were very pleasant. Against poison immune monsters that Lower Resist could not break, melee damage from Poison Dagger, and from Mizan the holy-freeze-aura mercenary, were still effective enough to prevail. He switched his weapon/shield to cast a decent Bone Armor that could absorb well over a hundred damage.
One of his interesting battles was in the Halls of Vaught. Poison Explosion is mana-cheap and rapid to cast, and helped to clean away corpses before Nihlathak could try to explode them under Noxio or Mizan.
I used him to farm for magic items or runes, and found that he is reasonably effective in The Pit, the Arcane Sanctuary, Travincal, and the cow level. However, I found him quite busy and involved to play, with a lot of positioning for effective poison nova squirts, and frequent switching between skills. I should practice more, to better master his frantic hot-key selections.
He found another high rune that let him complete another rune upgrade recipe.
Thoughts:
I did not intend to build another lightning fury amazon, but I'm too old and curmudgeonly to fiddle with respecs, and so I built another specifically to farm cows and arcane sanctuary in the recent RFL. With her high resists and also the lightning absorb on both her headgear and belt, the lightning spires in the arcane sanctuary actually healed her every time they sent lightning through her. Her Jab skill was brought up to level ten with +skills, and against lightning immunes, jabbing was very effective. She found her second stack of Titan's Revenge javelins shortly before she achieved Matriarch.
She also found five high runes during the tournament, but not enough to check of any new recipes.
Name: Mafic
Class: Assassin
Experience: 1059496046
Level: 85
Naked/Gear
Strength: 160/215
Dexterity: 120/148
Vitality: 215/256
Energy: 25/30
HP: 863/998
Mana: 151/184
Stamina: 443/555
Defense: 30/1742
AR: 100000564/100000704
Fire: 126/86/26
Cold: 198/158/98
Lightning: 149/109/49
Poison: 124/84/24
MF: 108 Block: 56
GF: 113 FR/W: 43
FHR: 10 IAS: 40
FCR: 0
Fire Blast: 15/18
Shock Web: 1/4
Blade Sentinel: 1/4
Charged Bolt Sentry: 1/4
Wake of Fire: 20/23
Blade Fury: 1/4
Lightning Sentry: 15/18
Wake of Inferno: 20/23
Death Sentry: 20/23
Blade Shield: 0/0
Claw Mastery: 1/5
Psychic Hammer: 0/0
Burst of Speed: 1/5
Weapon Block: 0/0
Cloak of Shadows: 0/0
Fade: 0/0
Shadow Warrior: 0/0
Mind Blast: 0/0
Venom: 0/0
Shadow Master: 0/0
Tiger Strike: 0/0
Dragon Talon: 0/0
Fists of Fire: 0/0
Dragon Claw: 0/0
Cobra Strike: 0/0
Claws of Thunder: 0/0
Dragon Tail: 0/0
Blades of Ice: 0/0
Dragon Flight: 0/0
Phoenix Strike: 0/0
Verdungo's Hearty Cord
Mithril Coil
Defense: 144
Durability: 15 of 16
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 106
Fingerprint: 0xf68235b3
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+119% Enhanced Defense
+36 to Vitality
Replenish Life +12
+112 Maximum Stamina
Damage Reduced by 11%
Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0xafb2ab78
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Tome of Identify
Fingerprint: 0xd8b3142f
Item Level: 6
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Tome of Town Portal
Fingerprint: 0x7159ed1
Item Level: 12
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Mafic's Fiend Claw
Scissors Katar
One Hand Damage: 13 - 37
Durability: 68 of 68
Required Level: 14
Required Strength: 55
Required Dexterity: 55
Fingerprint: 0xa8c7bdf
Item Level: 35
Version: Expansion 1.10+
51% Enhanced Damage
+12 to Maximum Damage
+47 to Attack Rating
5% Mana stolen per hit
Mafic's Stone Bite
Greater Claws
One Hand Damage: 34 - 61
Durability: 52 of 52
Required Level: 33
Required Strength: 76
Required Dexterity: 76
Fingerprint: 0x96380b38
Item Level: 71
Version: Expansion 1.10+
57% Enhanced Damage
Adds 6 - 3 Damage
+268 to Attack Rating
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Mind Blast (Assassin Only)
+1 to Wake of Inferno (Assassin Only)
+3 to Wake of Fire (Assassin Only)
Cold Resist +11%
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x1b290926
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +28
Shimmering Ring of Fortune
Ring
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x7c498f4f
Item Level: 67
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +6
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Corruption Circle
Ring
Required Level: 19
Fingerprint: 0xb85dc03c
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
14% Chance to cast level 5 Charged Bolt when struck
+1 to Strength
+33 to Mana
Fire Resist +27%
18% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Large Charm of Vita
Large Charm
Required Level: 50
Fingerprint: 0xbfc79a87
Item Level: 68
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30 to Life
Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x2fa71b70
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
113% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 10%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Entrapping Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xdcbbded2
Item Level: 54
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x774c9569
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
Stalwart Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0xf7de7636
Item Level: 76
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+28 Defense
+20 to Life
Small Charm of Winter
Small Charm
Required Level: 38
Fingerprint: 0xdf002a2a
Item Level: 68
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 4 - 9 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Small Charm of Winter
Small Charm
Required Level: 38
Fingerprint: 0x7d7e937c
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 4 - 9 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Mafic's Fiend Claw
Gauntlets
Defense: 25
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 60
Fingerprint: 0xbe0cf784
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+57% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +24%
Lightning Resist +7%
18% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Natalya's Soul
Mesh Boots
Defense: 149
Durability: 65 of 266
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xf0f2119e
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Run/Walk
+106 Defense
Heal Stamina Plus (Based on Character Level) +21%
Cold Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +18%
+50 Maximum Durability
(2 items): Magic Damage Reduced by 15
(3 items): +200 Defense
(4 items): Poison Resist +20%
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
14% Mana stolen per hit
14% Life stolen per hit
+150 Defense
Cold Resist +50%
Lightning Resist +50%
Fire Resist +50%
Poison Resist +50%
Damage Reduced by 30%
Unrecognized property: 181
Natalya's Totem
Grim Helm
Defense: 288
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x17061d68
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+164 Defense
+19 to Strength
+23 to Dexterity
All Resistances +16
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
(2 items): Magic Damage Reduced by 15
(3 items): +200 Defense
(4 items): Poison Resist +20%
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
14% Mana stolen per hit
14% Life stolen per hit
+150 Defense
Cold Resist +50%
Lightning Resist +50%
Fire Resist +50%
Poison Resist +50%
Damage Reduced by 30%
Unrecognized property: 181
Natalya's Shadow
Loricated Mail
Defense: 648
Durability: 36 of 36
Required Level: 73
Required Strength: 149
Fingerprint: 0x3e96aca2
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Shadow Discipline Skills (Assassin Only)
+193 Defense
+85 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Poison Resist +25%
Poison Length Reduced by 75%
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
(2 items): Magic Damage Reduced by 15
(3 items): +200 Defense
(4 items): Poison Resist +20%
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
14% Mana stolen per hit
14% Life stolen per hit
+150 Defense
Cold Resist +50%
Lightning Resist +50%
Fire Resist +50%
Poison Resist +50%
Damage Reduced by 30%
Unrecognized property: 181
Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%
Battle Cestus
One Hand Damage: 36 - 42
Durability: 72 of 72
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 110
Required Dexterity: 110
Fingerprint: 0x806f181f
Item Level: 78
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Death Sentry (Assassin Only)
1 Sockets (0 used)
Greater Claws
One Hand Damage: 18 - 37
Durability: 52 of 52
Required Level: 33
Required Strength: 76
Required Dexterity: 76
Fingerprint: 0xfa811d80
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Death Sentry (Assassin Only)
+1 to Cloak of Shadows (Assassin Only)
+3 to Weapon Block (Assassin Only)
3 Sockets (0 used)
Natalya's Mark
Scissors Suwayyah
One Hand Damage: 9720 - 12393
Durability: 68 of 68
Required Level: 79
Required Strength: 118
Required Dexterity: 118
Fingerprint: 0x347c9f92
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
200% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
+200% Damage to Demons
+200% Damage to Undead
Adds 12 - 17 Fire Damage
Adds 50 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
(2 items): Magic Damage Reduced by 15
(3 items): +200 Defense
(4 items): Poison Resist +20%
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
14% Mana stolen per hit
14% Life stolen per hit
+150 Defense
Cold Resist +50%
Lightning Resist +50%
Fire Resist +50%
Poison Resist +50%
Damage Reduced by 30%
Unrecognized property: 181
Stormshield
Monarch
Defense: 451
Chance to Block: 47
Durability: 81 of 86
Required Level: 73
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x16360d81
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+35% Faster Block Rate
25% Increased Chance of Blocking
+318 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+30 to Strength
Cold Resist +60%
All Resistances +19
Lightning Resist +25%
Damage Reduced by 35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 10
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Diamond
Perfect Diamond
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +68% Damage to Undead
Armor: +100 to Attack Rating
Shields: Cold Resist +19%
Lightning Resist +19%
Fire Resist +19%
Poison Resist +19%
Mercenary:
Name: Ilzan
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Def-Nightmare
Experience: 74576296
Level: 85
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 186/186
Dexterity: 150/190
HP: 1767/1817
Defense: 1302/2109
AR: 1913/1913
Fire: 182/142/82
Cold: 149/109/49
Lightning: 149/109/49
Poison: 149/109/49
Crow Caw
Tigulated Mail
Defense: 488
Durability: 36 of 36
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 86
Fingerprint: 0xd9d4070e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+15% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Chance of Open Wounds
+156% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Dexterity
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%
Crown of Thieves
Grand Crown
Defense: 319
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x3d40dc03
Item Level: 77
Version: Expansion 1.10+
12% Life stolen per hit
+180% Enhanced Defense
+25 to Dexterity
+50 to Life
+35 to Mana
Fire Resist +33%
90% Extra Gold from Monsters
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%
Hone Sundan
Yari
Two Hand Damage: 146 - 298
Durability: 15 of 15
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 91
Fingerprint: 0x31dc6ce5
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
194% Enhanced Damage
Adds 20 - 40 Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
45% Chance of Crushing Blow
Repairs 1 Durability in 10 Seconds
Ethereal
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
Focused skills: 20 Wake of Inferno, 20 Wake of Fire, 20 Death Sentry, 15 Fire Blast, 15 Lightning Sentry
One-pointers: Blade Fury, Shock Web, Charged Bolt Sentry, Claw Mastery, Burst of Speed
Equipment:
Natalya's Totem (set) grim helm
Natalya's Shadow (set) loricated mail (socketed with PTopaz)
"Fiend Claw" (rare) gauntlets (resists, MF)
Verdungo's Hearty Cord (unique) mithril coil
Natalya's Soul (set) mesh boots
blue (magic) ring (resistances, MF)
"Corruption Circle" (rare) ring (fire resist, MF, mana)
Mara's Kaleidoscope (unique) amulet
socketed (normal) battle cestus (+3 Death Sentry, one empty socket)
socketed (normal) greater claws (+1 Death Sentry, +1 Cloak of Shadows, +3 Weapon Block, three empty sockets)
Natalya's Mark (set) scissors suwayyah
Stormshield (unique) monarch (socketed with PDiamond)
Mercenary gear:
Crow Caw (unique) tigulated mail (socketed with PTopaz)
Crown of Thieves (unique) grand crown (socketed with PTopaz)
Hone Sundan (unique ethereal) yari (socketed with one amn and two shael runes)
Thoughts:
Since I found every item in Natalya's set, I decided to put them on Mafic, and the set worked pretty well for a fire trapper. I like the Wake of Inferno skill. I must have a disturbed sadistic mind, because I enjoy watching enemies' hit points smoothly burn away, instead of reduce in successive instant bursts of damage as happens with most other fire skills.
I seldom used Fire Blast, but when I did, I tended to use it merely to add supplemental fire damage after five stationary traps were deployed. Thus, rather than max it, I put just enough in it as a synergy to bring Death Sentry's ammunition count from five up to ten. Then I put leftover points into Lightning Sentry, so that Death Sentry (and Lightning Sentry as well) could serve as reasonably hurty backup trap attackers against fire immunes.
I think this is the first time I ever matted an assassin with no shadow minion. Even though her traps are kind of like minions that dish out damage (but don't take any), I confess it's a bit of a confidence booster, that I could learn to drive a somewhat fragile hero with no "meat shield" other than the mercenary to distract and draw bad guys away from the main character.
Thoughts:
The name Koine is derived from a Greek word meaning "common," as in "common language." I flirted with the idea of building him as a Hoplite-themed ancient Greek warrior, with a melee javelin and a hyperion shield. But for now, a sword-and-shield build was easier for me to manage. I chose to make a stun barbarian for novelty's sake, because so few players have reported patting one of these. I maxed out each and every one of Stun's displayed synergies, and then put most of the leftover points into his weapon mastery. This is yet another of my barbarians that only put one point in Battle Orders. He also didn't use Battle Command, except for a few levels in nightmare difficulty, during which he wore a helmet that granted that skill. He could never hork any corpse unless he switched to his backup weapons.
Stun duration is accurately displayed in the skill tree. Enemies stay paralyzed during the entire advertised stun duration, regardless of difficulty (normal/NM/hell). Sometimes I just made Koine walk around a pack of monsters, stun each one-by-one, and then continue to walk around and re-apply the stun paralysis to each until the mercenary felled them all. Even champion and unique bosses can be stunned, although they seem to be unfazed by about nineteen out of every twenty attempts to stun them.
Koine mostly used Stun and Bash throughout normal difficulty, and some of nightmare too. After big investments in War Cry, his singing paralyzed nearby enemies for almost four or five seconds, and Stun duration shot up to ten seconds. The single point in Berserk served to handle physical immunities. (Fortunately, Stun could still paralyze PIs, despite that it could not cause them physical damage.)
Concentrate was maxed last, and it helped improve Stun's chance-to-hit. After Concentrate was maxed, it caused a little more damage per strike and had a slightly better chance-to-hit than either Bash or Stun, so in hell difficulty Concentrate became the primary attack against stunned victims. (Concentrate gets a weaker synergy boost from Bash than from its other damage synergy, but the boost is enough to make it hit just slightly harder than either Stun or Bash.) One of Concentrate's best perks was its defense bonus. Koine already enjoyed a decent defense rating, due to his Leviathan/Demonhorn's Edge/IK-trio, and to one skill point each in Iron Skin and Shout. Moreover, during every Concentrate swing animation, Koine's defense shot up to nearly twenty thousand, and when bad guys recovered out of their stun hazes, they still had slim chances to land blows on him.
Throughout hell difficulty, he swapped swords a lot. BKTG was his hardest hitter, and sometimes he switched to Djinn Slayer against things that weren't fire immune, Lightsabre against things that weren't lightning immune, or his very fast rare falcata against things that weren't cold immune. I forgot to fetch crushing-blow gear out of my GoMule stashes for Koine's boss fights, so those skirmishes took some extra time to complete, but he was still able to bring each boss down without too much trouble.
I think a mildly determined player could do very well untwinked with a stunning barbarian. However, I probably would not recommend a stun paralyzer like mine to a new player, because I still think that player would have an easier time learning how to beat hell difficulty with a build focused on a more popular combat skill choice, such as berserk, concentrate, frenzy, or whirlwind.
Equipment:
Harlequin Crest (unique) shako (socketed with PTopaz)
Skin of the Vipermagi (unique) serpentskin armor (socketed with PTopaz)
Magefist (unique) light gauntlets
Snowclash (unique) battle belt
War Traveler (unique) battle boots
Raven Frost (unique) ring
"Raven Touch" (caster craft) ring (resistances, energy, mana, mana-regen)
Glacial (magic) amulet of Enlightment (+3 cold skills, energy)
"Corpse Scalpel" (rare) dirk (lower resist charges, poison resist)
"Storm Aegis" (rare) ancient shield (FHR, enhanced defense, -30% requirements, socketed with PDiamond)
Death's Fathom (unique) dimensional shard
"Pain Guard" (rare) defender (faster block rate, increased chance of blocking, cold resist, socketed with PDiamond)
Stashed, but used frequently for magic item farming runs:
Chance Guards (unique) chain gloves
Goldwrap (unique) heavy belt
Blade of Ali Baba (unique) tulwar (socketed with two ist runes)
Mercenary gear:
Stealskull (unique) casque
Iron Pelt (unique) trellised armor
Hone Sundan (unique, but this one is not ethereal) yari (socketed with one amn and two shael runes)
Thoughts:
Xylia was the main star that earned a top-ten ranking in last year's Magic Find Olympics. I had read several recommendations to use a single (cold) tree Blizzard sorceress to run Ancient Tunnels, so I heeded the advice. It was very good advice. She managed to find one of the most coveted TC87 items: a Death's Fathom, which she would later use to defeat Hell Baal and finally achieve her matriarch title. (Well, actually, she used the DF just through the minion waves. After Lister, she switched back to her Blade of Ali Baba just in case Baal would be generous, but alas, he didn't drop any elite uniques nor set items.) Anyway, that elite dimensional shard orb added 16% to her cold skill damage. That is comparable to more than three synergy points worth of added cold damage to her Blizzard spells! After the MFO, she continued to do several casual MF runs, including a few hundred NM Andy runs which netted one of my Stones of Jordan.
I waited quite a while to advance her beyond the Lost City and Ancient Tunnels of hell difficulty act 2. I still wasn't confident that she and her mercenary could handle some of the cold immune monsters that she would have to face (such as the snake demons guarding the Viper Amulet, the thrashing tree monsters in act 3's jungles, etc.) Also, I wasn't confident in my ability to teleport her around and out of harms way without risking death and its subsequent dreadfully scary corpse retrieval sorties. Just to get her to the ancient tunnels, several deaths had cost her a fair amount of gold and experience already. But with some practice, I learned that Xylia could coax cold-immune monsters to follow to her toward some advantageous place. Then she could cast Telekinesis to knock back and pin a monster against a wall or obstacle, and she could repeatedly recast TK fast enough to put a monster into its hit-recovery animation pretty consistently. As long as there weren't too many other monsters nearby trying to wallop on the mercenary, Telekinesis gave him some safety and breathing space to work on and kill that monster. So with this divide-and-conquer strategy, she didn't have to teleport beyond nearly as many cold-immunes as I thought she might. It has given me some confidence that I someday I might be able to mat another single-tree sorceress, or maybe even an energy shield build.
Xylia advanced from about level 86 to level 90 during the MFO, and she was still level 90 when she beat hell Baal. I thought she might get to level 91, but after completing a couple of tours of the hell cow level, she is still just over three million experience short of that milestone.
I used Xylia to complete what I thought would be the most difficult cube recipe: she used skulls and a Stone of Jordan to reroll a rare tiara into a higher-level rare tiara - which I then decided not to use because I later found something better!
Mercenary gear:
Guillaume's Face (set) winged helm
Black Hades (unique) chaos armor (socketed with 3 PTopazes)
Demon's Arch (unique ethereal) balrog spear
Thoughts:
My favorite character class is druid, and my favorite druids are hunter summoners. I built a "tank-hunter" druid many years ago on a Battle.net realm, and I was happy to build another in single player. I call this build a "tank hunter" because all of his summons are tanks: a Solar Creeper has more life than any other vine, a Spirit of Barbs has more life than any other phantom, and the life "mastery" synergy bonus from maxed Dire Wolf gives a grizzly many thousands of life points. Lots of life means that each summon can take more damage and stay alive a little longer.
Jumby only needed mana to summon. I named the Solar Creeper vine "Reddy," because he has a red hue in his minion portrait. Reddy's primary purposes were to distract enemies and dispose of corpses. Any time I needed Reddy to clean up corpses, to keep them from being revived or otherwise used against me, Jumby would recast another Spirit of Barbs (or Grizzly or Dire Wolf), and instantly the vine would get to work consuming corpses to replenish Jumby's blue mana bulb. I named the Spirit of Barbs "Barbie," and her primary purpose was to merely distract monters and keep the pressure off of Jumby and the other minions; however, Barbie's melee-damage-returning aura turned out to be reasonably effective against a few of the monsters in hell difficulty, including Duriel, Lister, "frenzytaur" minotaurs, and "blunderbore" urdars and maulers. I often kept Barbie summoned when fighting just about any melee attacker, but sometimes I would summon a Heart of Wolverine (I named her "Candy") instead of Barbie in situations for which I judged that improved attack rating and damage were better than just having a ghostly tank take damage, and in the cases of physical melee damage, magnify it a little bit and return it back.
The Witchwild String is my favorite hunter's bow. It transforms normal attacks into level 20 Magic Arrow attacks, which means that it never depletes ammunition and it provides its own PI solution. I did encounter a couple of unique monsters that were immune to both physical and magic damage, and might-mercenary Kasim could handle those by jabbing them with fire and lightning damage from his unique javelins.
He was great fun to quest with, but like most summoners, he's quite mediocre at rerunning areas. I still occasionally use him to rerun hell Countess for runes. He's deliberately slow at those runs, but still kind of relaxing.
Jumby was the lucky character that helped transmute two Sur runes into a Ber.
Name: Ixtle
Class: Barbarian
Experience: 1030194613
Level: 84
Naked/Gear
Strength: 230/256
Dexterity: 115/174
Vitality: 160/170
Energy: 10/10
HP: 821/909
Mana: 93/133
Stamina: 310/368
Defense: 28/2424
AR: 560/1046
Fire: 126/86/26
Cold: 136/96/36
Lightning: 102/62/2
Poison: 84/44/-16
MF: 118 Block: 23
GF: 109
FR/W: 30
FHR: 20
IAS: 90
FCR: 0
Bash: 0/0
Leap: 0/0
Double Swing: 0/0
Stun: 0/0
Double Throw: 0/0
Leap Attack: 0/0
Concentrate: 0/0
Frenzy: 0/0
Whirlwind: 0/0
Berserk: 0/0
Sword Mastery: 0/0
Axe Mastery: 0/0
Mace Mastery: 0/0
Pole Arm Mastery: 20/22
Throwing Mastery: 0/0
Spear Mastery: 0/0
Increased Stamina: 1/3
Iron Skin: 20/22
Increased Speed: 20/22
Natural Resistance: 11/13
Howl: 1/4
Find Potion: 0/0
Taunt: 0/0
Shout: 20/23
Find Item: 0/0
Battle Cry: 0/0
Battle Orders: 1/4
Grim Ward: 0/0
War Cry: 0/0
Battle Command: 1/4
Garnet Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xc382e103
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +9%
Coral Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xb6e74eee
Item Level: 43
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
Lightning Resist +9%
Cobalt Small Charm of Greed
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xae192b8c
Item Level: 43
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +9%
9% Extra Gold from Monsters
Coral Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x76dfa591
Item Level: 45
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +9%
Garnet Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xf8631301
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +9%
Fanatic Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xcace240d
Item Level: 55
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Masteries Skills (Barbarian Only)
+8 to Life
Fanatic Grand Charm of Storms
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x9438581a
Item Level: 73
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Masteries Skills (Barbarian Only)
Adds 1 - 31 Lightning Damage
Tome of Identify
Fingerprint: 0x2df5efbd
Item Level: 6
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fine Small Charm of Incineration
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x67c9f56
Item Level: 68
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+10 to Attack Rating
Adds 6 - 11 Fire Damage
Smoldering Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0xffccc0e5
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 3 - 4 Fire Damage
Adds 1 - 28 Lightning Damage
Steel Small Charm of Incineration
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x9312e90a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+26 to Attack Rating
Adds 6 - 10 Fire Damage
Jade Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x981bd53a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+11 to Life
Poison Resist +9%
Burly Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0xc53ef731
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 24 Lightning Damage
+20 Defense
Key
Fingerprint: 0x33fca3c8
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Horadric Cube
Fingerprint: 0x6f79b7e2
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Coral Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xc4004362
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +9%
Tome of Town Portal
Fingerprint: 0xe14bc77a
Item Level: 6
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cobalt Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x415700ae
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Life
Cold Resist +9%
Garnet Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x6fbd743b
Item Level: 43
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +9%
Bonehew
Ogre Axe
Two Hand Damage: 134 - 696
Durability: 34 of 50
Required Level: 64
Required Strength: 195
Required Dexterity: 75
Fingerprint: 0xe30bfde8
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
50% Chance to cast level 16 Bone Spear on striking
+30% Increased Attack Speed
380% Enhanced Damage
Prevent Monster Heal
Level 14 Corpse Explosion (30/30 Charges)
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel
Socketed: Ruby Jewel
Ruby Jewel
Jewel
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xbadc2030
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
32% Enhanced Damage
Ruby Jewel
Jewel
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x6e90ed1c
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
31% Enhanced Damage
Ixtle's Havoc Circlet
Avenger Guard
Defense: 60
Durability: 55 of 55
Required Level: 18
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x10cef82b
Item Level: 45
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Find Item (Barbarian Only)
+18% Enhanced Defense
+9 to Life
Poison Resist +11%
Poison Length Reduced by 25%
48% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Repairs 1 Durability in 20 Seconds
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%
Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%
Ixtle's Cruel Spike
Lochaber Axe
Two Hand Damage: 6 - 58
Durability: 50 of 50
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 80
Fingerprint: 0x7b89d1cd
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+106 to Attack Rating
Adds 1 - 145 Lightning Damage
Adds 8 - 27 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (25 Frames)
Wolfhowl
Fury Visor
Defense: 333
Durability: 34 of 35
Required Level: 79
Required Strength: 129
Fingerprint: 0x15cd991e
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Warcry Skills (Barbarian Only)
+5 to Feral Rage
+4 to Lycanthropy
+4 to Werewolf
+121% Enhanced Defense
+11 to Strength
+14 to Dexterity
+10 to Vitality
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 15 Summon Dire Wolf (18/18 Charges)
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%
Wraith Gorget
Amulet
Required Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x774859d5
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Mana stolen per hit
Replenish Life +3
All Resistances +12
Magic Damage Reduced by 2
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+1 to Light Radius
Steel Carapace
Shadow Plate
Defense: 1668
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 230
Fingerprint: 0xe1b35156
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
8% Chance to cast level 6 Iron Maiden when struck
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+199% Enhanced Defense
Regenerate Mana 13%
Cold Resist +43%
Damage Reduced by 10
Repairs 1 Durability in 20 Seconds
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x1262da6e
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+155 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+16 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen
Dwarf Star
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x8876f005
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40 to Life
+40 Maximum Stamina
Heal Stamina Plus 15%
Fire Absorb 15%
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
100% Extra Gold from Monsters
Nosferatu's Coil
Vampirefang Belt
Defense: 56
Durability: 12 of 14
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x7e0355f1
Item Level: 81
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
Cow King's Hooves
Heavy Boots
Defense: 31
Durability: 10 of 14
Required Level: 13
Required Strength: 18
Fingerprint: 0x14693873
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 25 - 35 Fire Damage
+25 Defense
+20 to Dexterity
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Lava Gout
Battle Gauntlets
Defense: 128
Durability: 35 of 38
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 88
Fingerprint: 0x69155ab9
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
2% Chance to cast level 10 Enchant on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 13 - 46 Fire Damage
+167% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +24%
Half Freeze Duration
+20 Maximum Durability
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Gimmershred
Flying Axe
Throw Damage: 45 - 201
One Hand Damage: 51 - 198
Quantity: 239
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 88
Required Dexterity: 108
Fingerprint: 0x58bef3e0
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Increased Attack Speed
205% Enhanced Damage
Adds 218 - 483 Fire Damage
Adds 29 - 501 Lightning Damage
Adds 176 - 397 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
Increased Stack Size
Tiamat's Rebuke
Dragon Shield
Defense: 165
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 116 of 116
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 91
Fingerprint: 0xf97b8d18
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
3% Chance to cast level 6 Hydra when struck
5% Chance to cast level 7 Nova when struck
5% Chance to cast level 9 Frost Nova when struck
Adds 35 - 95 Fire Damage
Adds 1 - 120 Lightning Damage
Adds 27 - 53 Cold Damage Over 6 Secs (150 Frames)
+143% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +25
+40 Maximum Durability
Ixtle's Dread Lash
Mesh Belt
Defense: 56
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xee80e3c3
Item Level: 50
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24% Faster Hit Recovery
+15 to Attack Rating
+39% Enhanced Defense
Poison Length Reduced by 25%
+1 to Light Radius
Tomb Reaver
Cryptic Axe
Two Hand Damage: 115 - 511
Durability: 24 of 65
Required Level: 84
Required Strength: 165
Required Dexterity: 103
Fingerprint: 0x4513d1ba
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+60% Increased Attack Speed
241% Enhanced Damage
+3 to Minimum Damage
+158% Damage to Undead
+257 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 1 - 73 Lightning Damage
+8 Defense
+9 to Dexterity
+4 to Life
+18 Maximum Stamina
All Resistances +33
10% Reanimate as: Returned
+3 to Mana after each Kill
+14 Life after each Kill
64% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+4 to Light Radius
2 Sockets (2 used)
Socketed: Rune Heart
Socketed: Rune Eye
Rune Heart
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x5995d835
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 73 Lightning Damage
+8 Defense
+4 to Life
+3 to Mana after each Kill
Rune Eye
Jewel
Required Level: 28
Fingerprint: 0x3ca15625
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Minimum Damage
+9 to Dexterity
+18 Maximum Stamina
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Super Healing Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenish Life +320
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Super Mana Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 250%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Full Rejuvenation Potion
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Replenishes Mana 100%
Replenishes Health 100%
Mercenary:
Name: Durga
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Normal
Experience: 65997008
Level: 84
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 188/208
Dexterity: 152/152
HP: 1790/1790
Defense: 1317/1867
AR: 1961/1961
Fire: 200/160/100
Cold: 176/136/76
Lightning: 175/135/75
Poison: 151/111/51
Skin of the Flayed One
Demonhide Armor
Defense: 349
Durability: 58 of 58
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x1da02563
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Life stolen per hit
+155% Enhanced Defense
Replenish Life +15
Attacker Takes Damage of 15
Repairs 1 Durability in 10 Seconds
+30 Maximum Durability
Rockstopper
Sallet
Defense: 201
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x990fe93f
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+220% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Vitality
Cold Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +24%
Fire Resist +49%
Damage Reduced by 10%
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz
Perfect Topaz
Required Level: 18
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 1 - 40 Lightning Damage
Armor: 24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: Lightning Resist +40%
Strength
Stygian Pike
AmnTir
Two Hand Damage: 39 - 194
Durability: 35 of 35
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 168
Required Dexterity: 97
Fingerprint: 0x572bdbf6
Item Level: 67
Version: Expansion 1.10+
35% Enhanced Damage
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
Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Tir Rune
Required Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Armor: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Shields: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Focused skills: 20 Shout, 20 Pole Arm Mastery, 20 Iron Skin, 20 Increased Speed, 11 Natural Resistance
One-pointers: Howl, Battle Orders, Increased Stamina
Skills granted by item: 5 Feral Rage, 4 Lycanthropy, 4 Werewolf
Equipment:
Wolfhowl (unique) fury visor (socketed with PTopaz)
Steel Carapace (unique) shadow plate
Lava Gout (unique) battle gauntlets
Nosferatu's Coil (unique) vampirefang belt
Cow King's Hooves (set) heavy boots
Raven Frost (unique) ring
Dwarf Star (unique) ring
"Wraith Gorget" (rare) amulet (mana-steal, life-replenish, resists, MDR, MF)
Tomb Reaver (unique) cryptic axe (socketed with two rare jewels that together provide: lightning damage, minimum damage, dexterity, life, mana after each kill, MF)
Gimmershred (unique) flying axe
Tiamat's Rebuke (unique) dragon shield
Stashed, used for most of hell difficulty:
Bonehew (unique) ogre axe (socketed with two Ruby Jewels that together raise the weapon's enhanced damage to 380%)
Mercenary gear:
Rockstopper (unique) sallet (socketed with PTopaz)
Skin of the Flayed One (unique) demonhide armor
Strength (runeword) stygian pike
Thoughts:
A wolf-barb turned out to be just as cool and fun as everyone said it would be. I spent no points at all in combat skills, in anticipation of using Feral Rage as the only combat skill once the barbarian reached level 79.
I like the faster run/walk provided by continued Feral Rage attacks, and the extra defense provided by Shout and Iron Skin, but I don't like the side-effect of dropping defense while running. By maxing Increased Speed, his walking speed was almost as fast as most character's running speed, and he never lost his defense rating while always walking.
Equipment:
Tal Rasha's (set) death mask
Tal Rasha's Guardianship (unique) lacquered plate
"Soul Fist" (rare) heavy gloves (lightning resist, half freeze duration, gold find, magic find)
Tal Rasha's Fine-Spun Cloth (set) mesh belt
"Raven Stalker" (rare) heavy boots (20%FRW, resists, MF)
"Eagle Circle" (rare) ring (life, resists, MF)
"Eagle Loop" (rare) ring (energy, resists)
Tal Rasha's Adjudication (set) amulet
Tal Rasha's Lidless Eye (set) swirling crystal
Visceratuant (unique) defender
Tal Rasha's Lidless Eye (set) swirling crystal
Lidless Wall (unique) grim shield
Mercenary gear:
Guillaume's Face (set) winged helm
Shaftstop (unique) mesh armor (socketed with PTopaz)
Kelpie Snare (unique ethereal) fuscina (socketed with amn)
Thoughts:
After achieving matriarch, it didn't take long to discover that she is my most efficient and reliable Baal runner, and so far my most effective magic item finder. She can teleport quickly to the Throne of Destruction, clear the throne room, and then just hang out on Baal's pedestal waiting for minion waves. A pattern that seems to work well is to spam Chain Lightning to quickly take out the first two waves, then drink antidote potions to recover from getting poisoned during the second wave. Next, she switches Frozen Orb, and she Teleports about the throne room trying to carefully aim and take out the third wave's council monsters. Finally, it's back to the pedestal for the rest, usually using Chain Lightning for the fourth wave and then Lightning for Lister and his minions, and also Lightning to finally finish off Baal in the Worldstone Chamber.
Many months after becoming matriarch, Hulda found a crucial Ber rune in the Throne of Destruction, during one of her casual MF runs. That lucky rune drop accelerated the completion of the cube recipe grail.
Equipment:
Hwanin's Splendor (set) grand crown
Leviathan (unique) kraken shell
Immortal King's Forge (set) war gauntlets
Immortal King's Detail (set) war belt
Immortal King's Pillar (set) war boots
"Rune Grip" (rare) ring (AR, strength, energy, lightning resist, fire resist)
Raven Frost (unique) ring
"Beast Clasp" (crafted) amulet (FRW, life-steal, life, life-replenish, resists)
Immortal King's Stone Crusher (set) ogre maul (socketed with ruby jewels that augment its enhanced damage to 270%)
"Imp Barb" (rare) balrog blade (278% enhanced damage, +160 AR, 8% life-steal)
Stashed, but retrieved a few times to use Teleport charges:
Naj's Puzzler (set) elder staff
Mercenary gear:
Immortal King's WIll (set) avenger guard
Skin of the Flayed One (unique) scarab husk (socketed with PTopaz)
Bul-Kathos' Sacred Charge (set) colossus blade
Thoughts:
I don't know why, but paladin zealots just aren't my favorites to play, I finished this one in less than a month, mostly motivated to hurry and be done with him, so that I could move on to another character. Zeal seems to work best for me when all five rapid swings can be focused on the same monster. I really disliked getting flanked or surrounded, because it effectively diluted the five Zeal swings among multiple foes.
There were a few battles in which maxed Conversion helped to temporarily recruit a few members of a mob to turn on the rest of the mob, which in turn helped to focus Zeal attacks on fewer enemies at a time.