Wow, this is some incredible dedication! (Same goes for several others posting in this thread, of course.) Bravo. I don't think I have it in me to do this, but I love reading about it.
@Kstil3227 - how hairy was it getting your torch? Being 100% HC, I've never gotten one before because of the horror stories I've heard regarding facing Lilith, and then the actual Ubers. I think if I were to try it, my Freezing Arrow Bowazon would not be an ideal toon to try and go for this, unless I were decked out with Ice, Chains of Honor, Infinity (for the Merc), etc.
@Kstil3227 - how hairy was it getting your torch? Being 100% HC, I've never gotten one before because of the horror stories I've heard regarding facing Lilith, and then the actual Ubers. I think if I were to try it, my Freezing Arrow Bowazon would not be an ideal toon to try and go for this, unless I were decked out with Ice, Chains of Honor, Infinity (for the Merc), etc.
As long as I could get life tap to proc within the first 3-4 hits it was pretty easy because the damage and life steal was plenty (with both Maul (mini Ubers) and Fury (Main Ubers)) to not even lose 100hp or just smash a full juv if I did.
Lilith didn’t deal as much Psn damage to my Werebear as I thought she would and a full juv would heal him fast enough, sometimes it was better to have 1-2 regular monsters by her to proc life tap cause they were easier to hit.
The main Ubers were my scariest, especially Mephisto if life tap didn’t proc fast enough, that would be a full juv every 2-3 seconds and my heart would skip or I wouldn’t breathe til it proc’d.
I made sure to have a fully stocked belt of full juvs pretty much with Lilith and Meph.
Ya I would not go for a torch with a freezing arrow build, even if she was fully decked out.
I know smiter is the easiest, but I have also done a lot of SC before switching to HC exclusively and I did all my Ubers with a Fury Druid before so I knew the fight really well.
The most fun build I have done Ubers with though was a Rift-Sin. She melts the Ubers. I can just tank all 3 and not have to worry about kiting them 1 by 1. That’s my plan for my next HC toon is a Rift-Sin.
DING LEVEL 94 for Hurricane-Syd. Just 5 levels to go....
I was able to level Syd throughout the week to level 94 with some hours each day/evening after work, after kids soccer, or after everyone was asleep. The leveling process for this level was an hour long run that consisted of Pits, Stony Tomb, Ancient Tunnels, Arachnid Lair, Act 3 Temples, Sewer Lvl 1 Icehawk Riftwing Super Unique, Super chests on Lvl 2, Chaos+Diablo, Drifter Caverns and Baal waves (ALL ON P8). It took 13 runs total go from 92.7 to 94. I will be continuing this loop for some of Level 94 to see how the exp bar moves. If I don't like the progress, I'll adjust. D2R changes with the added 85 areas is nice because Syd gets to use all 5 Acts for some change of pace compared to legacy/1.14d.
Instead of just running Pits, Tunnels, Chaos, Baal over and over for the time being. I know once level 96 hits, it'll be just chaos/baal waves, and then at 97-99 just Diablo/Baal/Nihl because by then the 85 areas and Baal Waves just don't give any Exp hardly worth the time.
11 screenshots worth of notable things that happened or dropped during the leveling. Here they are in the order that they dropped.
Syd did manage to get 1 Diablo GC to use for re-rolling but I did not SS it and I have not re-rolled it yet.
First up was a nice jewel that dropped during a Baal run. Too bad it was fire res.
Next was Medusa's Gaze Aegis (Not the best unique but worth noting I think)
Next was a rune drop in Chaos. Best drop by far.
Next in the Pits shortly after was a very nice SC that can be used on a Zerk barb.
A nice exceptional unique pair of boots dropped along the way in the Pits as well. Treks (56 Life)
A good mid rune decided to make an appearance during this level as well. UM rune.
DING level 94 in Chaos.
Once this run was done and level 94 was accomplished. I decided to do a crafting session of 200 caster amulets. Hoping for a 2skill/9+FCR/15all res amulet to get rid of 1 of the FCR rings to get my ravenfrost on while having 99FCR and maintain most resists
3 note worthy Druid amulets came from 200. 1 MASSIVE TROLL Amulet. Soooo mad about it too. It was so close to the best GG amulet I've ever crafted.
Amulet #1 so close, just missing the resists
Amulet #2 (TROLL ) Why not +2!!!!!!!!!
Amulet #3 (Using this one instead of Mara's now)
So gear update at Level 94 for Hurricane-Syd. Important Stats--43%DR, 196%MF, +6%EXP, 30%FHR, 99%FCR, CBF
Helm--Jala's (197ED)
Amulet--2skill/9FCR/Res Amulet (Pic above)
Armor--Enigma Mage Plate
Weapon--39 Res HoTo
Shield--Stormshield socketed with an UM
Gloves--Trang's Gloves
Belt--Arach's
Boots--War Trav's (44MF)
Ring 1--Ravenfrost (18 Dex)
Ring 2--10FCR/94AR/1 Dex/20MF rare ring (gambled)
Switch--3 BO CTA/Spirit
Inventory---14 Stat/18 Res Druid Torch, 14 Stat/10Res/6 Exp Anni, 150/15/38MF Gheed's, 14 All Res GC, 2 Ele Skillers, assorted 17-20 life SCs with a couple having +7-8% res. Cube, TP and ID Books as well.
I attempted to add in the table....Its not exactly the same from the last post it was on, but its close. I need to really get better at this part. I did add in Syd to the table though.
Hall of Fame
DING LEVEL 94 for Hurricane-Syd. Just 5 levels to go....
I was able to level Syd throughout the week to level 94 with some hours each day/evening after work, after kids soccer, or after everyone was asleep. The leveling process for this level was an hour long run that consisted of Pits, Stony Tomb, Ancient Tunnels, Arachnid Lair, Act 3 Temples, Sewer Lvl 1 Icehawk Riftwing Super Unique, Super chests on Lvl 2, Chaos+Diablo, Drifter Caverns and Baal waves (ALL ON P8). It took 13 runs total go from 92.7 to 94. I will be continuing this loop for some of Level 94 to see how the exp bar moves. If I don't like the progress, I'll adjust. D2R changes with the added 85 areas is nice because Syd gets to use all 5 Acts for some change of pace compared to legacy/1.14d.
Instead of just running Pits, Tunnels, Chaos, Baal over and over for the time being. I know once level 96 hits, it'll be just chaos/baal waves, and then at 97-99 just Diablo/Baal/Nihl because by then the 85 areas and Baal Waves just don't give any Exp hardly worth the time.
Great stuff, mate! So the Jah dropped on P8, correct? I'm nowhere near being able to handle that with my Frostmaiden - P3 seems to be the limit at the moment in terms of severely slowing down killing speed with anything higher.
Quick update on my part - I've reached level 89 on my Frostmaiden. I decided to cube up the runes to make my first ever Infinity, as I just could not stomach any more LK runs. Seems like a decent roll to me:
It is certainly helping out a lot with killing speed, and allowing me to at least achieve P3 with Chaos runs, and P5 with Stony Tombs / Ancient Tunnels. She's currently equipped with Lycander's Aim, so she's getting +4 to Bow Skills. The Attack Speed could be quicker, but I'm currently keeping an eye out for either a Wizendraw or a +3 to Bow Skills Matriarchal Bow in which to put Melody.
I've come across what to me feels like a couple of very, very odd Andariel drops:
I didn't know it was possible for Andy to drop so little, but apparently the proof is in the proverbial pudding here (or lack thereof). Anyway, she's almost at level 90, and currently varying between P5 Stony Tombs / Ancient Tunnels, P3 Chaos and Andariel. I sometimes throw in some P3 Arachnid Lair as well, since that's the only area in ACts III-V that lack regular Cold Immunes (yes, the Swampy Pit in Act III is also a place, but that area has dolls in it, so as HC I try to avoid it if I can).
I've been debating trying to start Nihlathak runs since they "fixed" the Tomb Vipers and also the Anya portal, because I feel like the Frostmaiden's ability to shatter all kills lends itself well here. But I have yet to actually test out that theory. LOL
Back from another hiatus; but sad to report that I lost my char stash on my recent transition to m.2 ssd.
I backed up all my game files; but forgot that D2R force designated a new spot for all char files.
I'm taking off the necro for now.
Congrats to all recent progress, and glad to see this thread still going strong.
Holiday weekend in the US means no work and lots of time to play. So Syd leveled to 95 this past weekend. Ran the same route as level 94. I was averaging around 8.5mil per run which was about 4% a level per run. I was glad I added those extra areas because the pits and tunnels had nothing to note for drops. All the drops this time came from the Act 3 temples and Act 5 Drifter Caverns. Diablo had 1 note worthy drop along the way.
I screenshotted all the drops but to keep the pictures to a minimum, I will list most drops and show the screenshots of the exciting drops.
Temples drops: Ravenfrost, Metalgrid, Ist Rune, and Telling of Beads. They also dropped the 2 best drops of this level by far. One temple dropped an overall grailer for myself as well. I have never dropped this item ever which was a complete shock to me. My overall grail now stands at -3 for the entirety of my Diablo 2 playing. (Tyreal's, Mangs, and Cranium Basher)
Anit-perfect rolls but non the less, first ever and I'll take whatever rolls
A high rune decide to drop out of a super chest not in LK but still in the Kurast area.
The Temples also gave me my first real scare in quite some play time. A lovely stair trap finally. Luckily I could tele fast enough to a safe distance for the Merc and Bear to take the heat. 3 boss packs ended up being there, no might or fanat which was huge.
The only notable drop for Diablo/Chaos this time around was Boneflame.
The Drifter Caverns/Baal drops were Kira's, Giant Skull, and a very strong pack of Moon Lords that had to be dealt with from a distance.
Finally the ding of level 95.
4 levels to go..... Time to just elite hunt the 85 areas at P8 instead of full clears. I will keep the runs the same hitting all the areas still. It keeps the brain focused by changing the monster types and areas. I feel like I'd burn out if I switched to just Chaos/Baal now. I'll leave that for maybe 96+ but definately 97+
I'm really enjoying this thread. Starting my first untwinked character in quite a while, so this is inspiring to see you guys grinding through the 90s. Love all the screenies!
If you've already been in the IFT then you already know ...
... but for those of you starting here ...
*Ding.*
Das-Omen CLVL 98 Lightning Sorceress
CLVL 97 was Baal, Baal, Baal, and more Baal. Diablo was just as good of an option for xp, but I just couldn't tear myself away from having Baal as the treasure chest at the end of the run . From Baal alone I scored the following TC 87s while leveling through clvl 97:
I love you Diablo, but you just can't drop those things. And with a personal grail increasingly dominated by TC 87s, you've got to go where you can get the drops!
For those wondering, her personal grail stands at -21 and is as follows:
So, not a lot of low hanging fruit left. In fact, other than Halaberd's Reign, those are all pretty hard hitters. Still, clvl 98 is long ... So there will be plenty of chances to get lucky! So I suppose that brings me to:
Future Plans:
Baal. More Baal. The rate of xp will remain comparable to Diablo and I feel like there's a better shot at TC 87s. But, if/when I got bored, there's nothing wrong with mixing in a little Chaos. I've got a great map for both and I don't even need to swap any gear. Speaking of ...
Gear:
Das-Omen
Lightning Sorceress
Griffon's Eye, Diadem (-18/+13 <--Socketed w/-5/+5 L Facet) Mara's Kaleidoscope, Amulet (23@) Enigma, Dusk Shroud
Heart of the Oak, Flail (38@) Spirit, Monarch (35 FCR, 105 Mana, 6 Magic Absorb) The Stone of Jordan, Ring
The Stone of Jordan, Ring Crafted, Demonhide Gloves (10 Fire Resist, 7 Lightning Resist, 25 MF, 18 Mana, Regenerate Mana 8%, +3 MPK) Arachnid Mesh, Spiderweb Sash
War Traveler, Battle Boots (46 MF)
On Switch: Call to Arms, Crystal Sword (6 BC, 5 BO) Spirit, Monarch (35 FCR, 98 Mana, 7 Magic Absorb)
Inventory: Annihilus, Small Charm (13/19@/8) <-- From SoJ #4, found at H Andariel during some random MFing. Gheed's Fortune, Grand Charm (155% Gold, 36 MF, 15% Prices) Hellfire Torch, Large Charm (Sorceress, 14/20@) Lightning Skillers x3 Resistance, Life, Mana, FHR, Small Charms
Sixteen spaces left open for looting ... I love looting ...
So, no surprise, pretty much the same gear as at the start of clvl 97. The only changes were I found a -5/+5 Lightning Facet for the Griffon's (replacing a -4/+5 Lightning Facet). I found 46 MF War Travelers, to replace her 44 MF War Travelers . I rolled a second CTA with one of the six Ohm Runes she had stashed, and got +5 BO (improving upon her +4 BO first attempt). And the big change: I moved the Horadric Cube from her inventory to the stash. No. No. You don't understand. I've never run a character without having the Horadric Cube in their inventory ... This is HUGE. I've always loved having that extra looting space, but in D2R, with items in the Cube not getting identified by Cain, I found I was using it for looting less and less. So finally, eight months after launch, I removed the Cube from a character's inventory. With the extra four spaces I brought in a third Lightning Skiller, and a 8 Fire Resist, 7 MF Small Charm. With that little extra fire resistance I then decided to drop the Rare, Sharkskin Gloves (19 Fire Resist, 16 Poison Resist, 25 MF) ... that I'd been using, for the Crafted, Demonhide Gloves that are described above. So, both have the same MF (25), but now I'm getting some extra help with mana without losing resistances. Still, I'm not quite sure I'm totally sold on these gloves either. If I could find a 30@ Mara's I'd probabably just switch to 40 MF Chance Guards. Or perhaps, I could still roll some 25 MF, 60 Mana, godly crafted gloves. Hey, it could happen! Stay tuned ...
And now I'm going to add myself back to the table ... and not post anything after it ... because I think that's why I keep getting dropped from these things . Let's see, got the hyperlinks back on the Hall of Fame (they disappear if you run that table through Notepad ... best just to copy that one). Added myself. Yep, I think that will do it. Happy hunting everyone!
@Pax1990 - Thanks! And, I get to play a lot. Which I now know, thanks to keeping track during the last RFL, means ... about two hours on a work day (five to six days a week), and perhaps as much as eight hours on a day off. The journey through clvl 97 coincided with lots of six day work weeks ... I'm anticipating getting back to more of a five day work week going forward. Still, I'd expect clvl 98 to take ... months. I'll check back in with this thread when I hit some landmark progress ... whatever that may turn out to be ...
Just a small update for now. I've been running with Lycander's Aim for the last couple of levels, but on a Chaos Sanctuary run last night out dropped a +3 Bow Skills Superior Stag Bow with three open sockets. Hello Melody! I'm guessing that for Freezing Arrow damage, it matters not that it's a Normal Bow and not the Elite Matriarchal Bow? Other than Matriarchal being slightly faster than Stag, of course....
Just a small update for now. I've been running with Lycander's Aim for the last couple of levels, but on a Chaos Sanctuary run last night out dropped a +3 Bow Skills Superior Stag Bow with three open sockets. Hello Melody! I'm guessing that for Freezing Arrow damage, it matters not that it's a Normal Bow and not the Elite Matriarchal Bow? Other than Matriarchal being slightly faster than Stag, of course....
I tried a quick Chaos run last night with Melody. The good news is, there is indeed a boost to killing speed and attack speed. The bad news is, I missed the extra mana and the mana leech that comes with Lycander's Aim more than I thought I would. I was chugging blue pots more than normal, for sure.
This will need more testing, and figuring out a way to increase my mana pool with either more mana, or + mana per kill, or leech, or something....
Silkweave is a decent solution for mpk. Although the 5 mpk won't solve mana issues on their own, it can reduce reliance on pots a bit. I don't think the Melody will do enough damage in Stag Bow for leech be worth the ring or other slot. I can't remember your merc choice - is Insight an option?
Silkweave is a decent solution for mpk. Although the 5 mpk won't solve mana issues on their own, it can reduce reliance on pots a bit. I don't think the Melody will do enough damage in Stag Bow for leech be worth the ring or other slot. I can't remember your merc choice - is Insight an option?
I do have a pair of Silkweaves in my stash (I think), so that would be a good one to try out, thanks. Agreed on the leeching part - the physical damage from Lycander's really bumped up the leeching a lot more than the Melody Stag Bow, for sure. I'm wondering if maybe I try Multishot on left click and see if that can help boost the leech effect back up?
My Act II merc did have Insight for a long time, and with that mana was never, ever an issue at all. But when I cubed up my runes to get my first-ever Infinity, that was the end of Insight.
Live the hardcore barbarian is chugging along slowly. Still level 87, just finished 3,000 LK runs.
Totals: ------
3 Sur
3 Ohm
3 Vex
2 Gul
3 Ist
6 Mal
10 Um
1 Pul
Hopefully I'm halfway done. All 3 surs were in the first 1,000 runs. Got some decent charms (no warcry skillers yet though). The best is a 35 life necro summon skiller.
On to the next 3,000 runs. I'll add him to the list once I finish LK.
Small update, I picked this up again after a break for a few weeks. I actually think LK almost killed D2 for me.
Anyway I now have 51 Keys of Hate to match my 51 Keys of Terror. Now off to Nihil.
I also found this in the AS. My second on this character, the first was converted to an Annihilus.
Code:
The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0xf192cb82
Item Level: 79
Version: Resurrected
Unidentified
+1 to All Skills
Adds 1 - 12 Lightning Damage
+20 to Mana
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
Highest rune was a Mal though. I am convinced HRs in the AS are a myth spread to stop others winning RFL rounds.