Since Hsarus had found a complete magic finding hat and packed above 200% I took a look at the odds of finding Hsarus' items. The numbers were not that encouraging but there are much, much worse set cases... The hardest item to find is the shield, and it is most commonly found among the first of the super unique enemies. This led to the somewhat unorthodox running targeting of Bishibosh - which I was very lucky to encounter just next to the waypoint of the Cold Plains, and on occassion Corpsefire and Bonebreaker. I decided to skip the latter quite early due to the remoteness. A great deal of bucklers dropped, and even the unique one so the strategy was evidently working. I also encountered this most aptly named shaman.
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Long past the time when this running had become boring and transcended into tiresome Hsarus reached his primary goal. I believe it took a couple of hours but I'm not quite sure. Next stop was Andariel. In contrast, Hsarus' belt dropped after just a very few runs.
Hsarus had his set!
My next decision, after this mind--numbing grind, was one that only a hopeless veteran Diablo II player would make. I would of course hunt for a SECOND Hsarus' shield. The lack of weapon on the set unlocks a lot of very interesting potential for weapon switching. Melee/missile, weapon/wand, main weapon/weakening weapon... This took quite the time as well. After many dull moments Bishibosh matched Corpsefires generosity and gave me the second shield. Hsarus was free to play the game and hunt for much more fun things. And contrary to the grind of finding his set pieces, he would be very, very lucky with those. First, his rogue Gaile was using the Rattlecage plate. What turned up in the forgotten tower if not a scary mask to add to her dreadfulness? I was really after a Sol rune to upgrade Hsarus's weapon (Bloodrise morning star) but found some set pieces from other sets on the way...it is quite a good place for that too it would seem.
Andariels quest drop was the worst in memory, just one rare and some gems. But the next time she more than made up for it. First, what a cool francisca. Secondly, what have we here if not the best notmal unique after Woestave? And yes, I have Cleglaws gloves too. And Bloodfist, which will be good against bosses who can't be slowed to more than 50% anyway.
Rounding it all down, Twitchthroe! Cleglaw has that as well, and is therefore able to block things despite the puny shield. I did contemplate going for the same thing with Hsarus for the style of it (blocking with a mere buckler...) but I disliked the looks of the armor so much that I have decided against the idea. Besides, Hsarus runs around so much that blocking is a wasted investment and there will be much more prioritized bonuses to be gained from other armours.
Now, Hsarus has risen to greatness at level 51 and is ahead of Cleglaw in nightmare Far Oasises. He still wears mostly magic finding equipment apart from his set and gameplay is very risky due to that. I am also being a bit too reckless running around close to enemies to hit them with the hurricane. Place your bets on whether the tankless caster can survive that for very long.
By the way, this is the first appearance I think of my new frames for druids and maybe assassins pictures too. Made it from part of the Horadric cube interface.