[2016] The Untwinked Level 99 Progress Thread [by Kitteh]

Vildecor · Mar 7, 2021

liquid_mage said:
Got the Blizzard Sorc to level 73 and completed NM. I had no luck getting any drops yesterday even though I gained 14 levels thanks to getting the afternoon off. I'm not sure my merc is up to killing CI monsters by himself yet, and i need more FCR so I may have to run some more NM before moving to hell.

Part of me wants to play the paladin, I like the idea of hammers to clear areas and a little crushing blow to tear down P7/P8 bosses. I just need to decide if I want to run a lot of LK to get the Enigma runes.

liquid_mage said:

Okay I took a break and leveled a Hammerdin to 25, but for now i'm sticking with my Blizzard Sorc for this 99 challenge. She is still level 73 I was running NM Meph on and off the last few days and the best find so far is a Tals Helm for my merc, which is a big upgrade. I think I need a better weapon for my merc to kill CIs in Hell(ones that I can't skip) and a bit more FCR. NM Meph doesn't give any XP so I think I will move to running NM Pindle and Baal to level 75-76, if I don't get any upgrades I'll just grind to Hell Meph, which would give me access to AT and LK as well as Hell Meph runs.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.50          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.4           No         3724        457            3         287
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        361            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -        326           15           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     79             Yes         106         81            5           -
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      78             No            -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      73             Yes           -         54           11           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
TwentyMule   Valus           HC      Barb      47             Yes          11          8            -           -
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Zenigma said:
Yep, so I defintiely haven't had much time to post, nor have I had much time to play for that matter, but I found some time tonight. Ayura has been running lots of LK

I'm just gonna go ahead a put down some of the interesting finds. Some related, some not. But overall, LK has proven quite fruitful! I have a semi-stable weapons rack in the superchest hut. It provides ~40% cleavers, ~15% flying axes, and ~10% franciscas. Keep in mind, those are very rough estimates, based only on my middling interest in its drop rates. All I know is that I see a significant amount of flying axes, so I'm hoping for some gimmers to drop. Or hopeful some eth scalpers somewhere down the line, assuming I don't accidentally reroll my hell map before that happens, hahaha. That said, one might understand the frustration of getting a unique I don't want off of that rack:

Firelizard's Talons
Feral Claws
One Hand Damage: 79 - 190
Durability: 27 of 52
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 113
Required Dexterity: 113
Fingerprint: 0xa19c49d5
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Martial Art Skills (Assassin Only)
+15% Increased Attack Speed
260% Enhanced Damage
Adds 236 - 480 Fire Damage
+2 to Wake of Inferno (Assassin Only)
+1 to Wake of Fire (Assassin Only)
Fire Resist +69%

Yeah... not great

Class-related finds:

Fear not--that rack actuallly provided Ayura with his first unique throwing item! I don't think it's going to see use, but I can't say it definitely won't, considering how relatively easy it is to upgrade uniques over rares.

The Scalper - meh. I guess I'm spoiled for throwers on the basis of my rares and crafts. Either that or normal scalpers just aren't tremendously valuable to me
Francisca
Throw Damage: 52 - 97
One Hand Damage: 32 - 64
Quantity: 130
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 80
Fingerprint: 0xedace06f
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Increased Attack Speed
194% Enhanced Damage
25% Bonus to Attack Rating
5% Life stolen per hit
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+4 to Mana after each Kill
Replenishes quantity

Demon Thirst - too bad there's no rep q / amp damage / fools D: but it's neat aside from that
Balanced Knife
Throw Damage: 19 - 36
One Hand Damage: 3 - 26
Quantity: 160
Required Level: 60
Required Dexterity: 51
Fingerprint: 0xa513c604
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
230% Enhanced Damage
+166 to Attack Rating
Adds 34 - 92 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)

Realgar Jewel of Fervor - I can see myself putting this in a helm
Jewel
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x65452924
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
28% Enhanced Damage

I have also found a host of useful charms, most among them are high health scs and scs with resists. (and some with a combination of the two) but I have way more than I have the patience to get readouts for. Somewhere down the line, maybe I'll post a tribute post to the charms I've gotten use from.

Non-related but still fun finds:

Entrapping Grand Charm of Sustenance - perhaps the best skiller I've found
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xc5662bea
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+1 to Trap Skills (Assassin Only)
+35 to Life

Chilling Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x2e8e48a5
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Cold Skills (Sorceress Only)

Sparking Grand Charm of Dexterity
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xddd20fbb
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
+3 to Dexterity

Dire Tower - Honestly, I just think this thing is cute
Buckler
Defense: 4
Chance to Block: 10
Durability: 9 of 12
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 12
Fingerprint: 0x86a1a607
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+15% Faster Block Rate
10% Increased Chance of Blocking
Replenish Life +4
+5 to Mana
All Resistances +20
Lightning Resist +12%

Imp Fringe - Definitely the best rare belt I've found in recent memory
Battle Belt
Defense: 86
Durability: 16 of 18
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 88
Fingerprint: 0xc4fcf909
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24% Faster Hit Recovery
+100% Enhanced Defense
+19 to Strength
+51 to Life
+10 to Mana
Fire Resist +9%

All in all, I'm excited about the finds thus far and I'm feeling pretty good about getting more useful things before venturing too mcuh further

Neksja said:
Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 98.50 No 3064 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 98.4 No 3724 457 3 287 T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 97 Yes 1594 394 11 148.5 PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 96 Yes - 361 9 - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 95 Yes 894 316 - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 94 Yes - - - - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 93 Yes - 326 15 - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - Neksja Aura SC Paladin 86 Yes 77 69 - - Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 78 No - - - - Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 0 liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 73 Yes - 54 11 - MercMan Este SC Ama 68 Yes 178 122 2 Classified Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 47 Yes 11 8 - - Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

My update comes only a week late. Whoops...

Turirao:

Turirao is a Patriarch! Unfortunately, I don't have screenshots of his journey as I realised after Duriel and Mephisto that I forgot to took screenshots of killing them Anyhow...

Act1 and 2 were done very quickly. Oath Feral Axe is pretty lethal weapon, I think if I'd reroll and get a like 325ed+ roll, that weapon would carry me probably close to 95, if not longer, provided that I get Fortitude at some point. Anyway, I pretty much just wanted to run through the quests as fast as possible. I was worried at first about how to handle Poison and Physical Immunes, but a solution came from Rakanishu if I'm not mistaken:

Code:

Atma's Scarab Amulet Required Level: 60 Fingerprint: 0x6a7924eb Item Level: 82 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 5% Chance to cast level 2 Amplify Damage on striking 20% Bonus to Attack Rating Adds 40 Poison Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames) Poison Resist +75% Attacker Takes Damage of 5 +3 to Light Radius

This was a game changer, definitely. I found 3 Nokozan's before finding this, so I really lucked out with this. Now I don't have to figure out where to farm for that Reaper's Toll, maybe later though so I can change to some other amulet. But I did notice, that the ctc Amplify Damage works best if I used Feral Rage or Rabies instead of Fury. Might be common knowledge or not, but news to me, but if the first hit of Fury cycle doesn't proc Amp damage, the rest won't either. So, using Rabies/Feral rage until Amp procs and then switching to Fury works best as it takes a while to go through a Fury cycle so you have less chances per sec to proc Amp.

Neither Andariel or Duriel caused any harm. Pretty boring stuff to be honest, although, Puppy feels a bit fragile with only 2.2k life and no block. I guess I should try to respec as I have Dex up at 136 for Grief, if I eventually get one.And that's quite a big if. I'll see about that later.

Puppy was in Act 3. I hate that place with a melee char. All of a sudden you'll get hit by 5+ darts from those flayers, so you need to be prepared to drink some quick juvies. I actually ran through most of Act 3 with my switch active (Redeemer + Lidless Wall), to have at least a mediocre chance at blocking those darts. This time I was ready for dolls, so dolls didn't get Puppy in Hell. Travincal was quite easy, although with 50ish Fire Res, I had to be cautious. After Travincal, I decided to swap my gloves, so off to crafting I was! Didn't craft anything super amazing, but ended up keeping and using these:

Code:

Havoc Finger Sharkskin Gloves Defense: 52 Durability: 12 of 14 Required Level: 50 Required Strength: 20 Fingerprint: 0x128651d2 Item Level: 82 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 14% Chance to cast level 5 Nova when struck 3% Life stolen per hit 8% Chance of Crushing Blow +32% Enhanced Defense +15 to Life Cold Resist +11% Lightning Resist +28%

I think the increase from 15% to 23% Crushing Blow was worth dropping my Fire res by 11 to 40ish. Worked well against Mephi, I guess I lucked out a bit as I think the first Fury cycle had Crushing Blow applied 3 times. So Mephi went down really quick.

Quickly ran through to Izual, who also went down quickly and off to Hephasto. Hellforge was Um, which was nice in case I want to use it for Jalal's or Stone for Merc. CS was okay, Infector's gang almost killed me twice because of my low Fire res, but I made it through. Diablo himself was pretty easy too, but I didn't expect it to be difficult at p1.

Act5, I stopped at Eldritch again as I enjoy running the pack and they usually give me lots of goodies. No luck this time and I moved on after reaching lvl86. Saving Anya was quite painful because of the Succubus casting Amp damage on me all the time. I just slowed down, separated groups to smaller packs and dealt with them that way. That's pretty much the Wolf way anyways, but I was in a rush to Patriarch Puppy. Then facing the Ancients, I was a bit scared of that match-up, not knowing if Puppy can take three badasses at once without separating them much. Good start, no Physical Immunes (not sure if they can be Physical Immunes?), so off I was running around. Got lucky and Madawc got stuck somewhere so I dealt with Talic and Korlic together, which didn't take too long as they didn't have their throwing brother causing me troubles. Then it was just hunting down Madawc and taking him down. I was not lvl87 as I got to WSK2 waypoint, so I decided to do some Pit runs and get to lvl87 before taking on Baal and his minions. I was kinda surprised that not even Lister's gang caused any troubles, Puppy was pretty strong and had pretty good life leech (+9 from gear + Feral Rage). Baal annoyed the living hell of me by casting his clone and that cold attack of his, so I was really slow and trying to deal with his clone as well. Eventually, I beat Baal down and was rewarded with Harlequin Crest. Pretty great drop considering all other quest Boss drops of Puppy, but it's not gonna replace Jalal's Mane.

The plan now is to go back to Pits, keep grinding until 90-92ish and if no Lo dropped, then move to LK and grind two Lo runes for Fortitude and Grief. After that, I don't really know yet.

Aura:

As I mentioned some time ago, I started a Hammerdin as I wanted a caster type char to run in this "tournament" as well, but I have a lvl94 Blizzsorc (who is untwinked as well, so if I feel really desperate, I'll add her in to the table as well ).

Aura was named after a Finnish brand of blue cheese, as Hammerdins are the definition of cheesy character in D2. Plus, Aura can refer to Paladin auras as well, so win-win.

Questing through Normal and Nightmare were pretty uneventful. He didn't have much MF gear on, so drops were really quite bad, but I did manage to find possibly the cutest pair of rare gloves I'll ever find in Act 1 Normal:

Code:

Brimstone Touch Leather Gloves Defense: 2 Durability: 26 of 36 Required Level: 1 Fingerprint: 0x7869dd3e Item Level: 1 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to Strength +1 to Dexterity Cold Resist +5% Fire Resist +5% Poison Resist +5%

Triple res and double stat. The only other attribute available at lvl 1 as far as I know is Self-Repair, so with that, the gloves would be perfect. I'll probably hold on these forever, they look so nice

Anyhow, Aura kept running through Normal as fast as possible, only stopping at certain places like Countess, Arcane Sanctuary and River of Flame to run for experience. In no time, Aura was in Act5 beating Eldritch over and over and over again. I was using Rhyme shield with Rusthandle that I got from Mephisto I think and found nothing really worthy of note and I got to level 45ish. So, let's move on to Nightmare.

Act 1, I made a plan of finding a 4os Sword and Shield. I found them in Arcane Sanctuary... Dual Spirit and things get really fast as a Hammerdin. I kept running Arcane Sanctuary to gain levels and hoping for a better base for my Spirit shield, but no luck. At lvl53-54, I moved on and rushed through to Act 5 Eldritch again. My luck was turning around a little bit. I got 4os +37 all res Akaran Rondache so I got myself a new Spirit. I was about to reach level 70, when they gifted me with a rune, Mal rune. Got me pretty excited, don't think I've seen that high rune in NM before. Not that I needed it for anything, but it was a nice surprise none the less. At lvl72 I felt bored and decided that the faster I get to Hell Lower Kurast, the earlier I can start to hunt for Enigma so I went and rescued Anya and beat Baal. I can barely remember how these went as it took me like about an hour to quest through Act 5.

Act 1 Hell, oh boy is Aura fragile! Thankfully, I'm going for max block (because why not with Holy Shield), so I was relatively safe, but any boss pack was a real threat. I managed to get to Rakanishu and started to reset my maps for a good one to run Rakanishu, when a Zombie pack in one ugly map dropped this:

Code:

Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band Ring Required Level: 58 Fingerprint: 0xfc6badfd Item Level: 71 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to All Skills 5% Life stolen per hit +43 to Life (Based on Character Level) +50 Maximum Stamina

Wow, I as expecting to see this item earliest from Mephisto/CS runs! Amazing luck for Aura! Finally got good map for Rakanishu, ran him for quite a few levels, I think until 79 and then moved on to Pits until I was 81 and decided to move on towards LK. Andariel was quite easy, Stealth armor gives a nice amount of Poison res so she didn't really hurt me much. Act 2, oh dear god. Maggot Lair. Maggot, freaking, lair. That's not a place for a Hammerdin. So, I relied on my Merc poking around and walking away and me using probably 25-30 Town Portals during those 3 levels. It was a real pain in the ass, but I made it. Duriel was easy to handle, Merc died almost instantly, but Blessed Hammer is not that mana consuming, so no necessary need for Insight. There I was, Act 3. I was Vigoring through it as fast as I could until I was in Lower Kurast. First map, one bonfire pretty close to waypoint but I didn't want to change map yet as the armor rack dropped Sacred Rondaches. Few hours later, I got myself 4os +42all res Sacred Rondache and thought that it was good enough and then changing maps. Now, I have a decent map where I have two bonfires almost next to each other next to the waypoint, so I'm now getting around 40-45 sec runs (approximate, haven't timed myself yet), which is not great, but it's something and I doubt I can make it much faster with a non teleport character.

edit. I did two test runs, both were pretty spot on 36 seconds each, but they were runs with very limited number of enemies around, so I would assume my average time is around ~40 seconds, because if there's more monsters, I need to run around them, lure them away from chests or kill them, which takes time. I need to check if I could get faster by using a Town Portal at the end of the run, wp to Act1 and Save and Exit there instead of Save and Exit in Act3 and running from the docks. With Vigor, I think it's probably faster to just run from Act 3 docks to waypoint.

So far, I lucked out within the first 2 hours of running by finding that Sur I posted earlier. After that, I've done around 12 hours of running, so roughly 1k runs and I've gotten 1 Mal rune and 3 Lem runes. Not impressed. But I gotta keep going, I still have quite a bit to go, I set myself a target of finding a one Vex+ rune each week (I think that's quite plausible if I can do over 1k runs each week), so obviously I'm in target this week, but I gotta break this slump before it gets longer.

In case anyone is wondering Aura's gear, here it is:

Code:

Priest's Coronet of Razors Coronet Defense: 35 Durability: 30 of 30 Required Level: 67 Fingerprint: 0x869e3c01 Item Level: 83 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +2 to Paladin Skill Levels Attacker Takes Damage of 9 Order Scarab Amulet Required Level: 15 Fingerprint: 0xe89a19d2 Item Level: 34 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only) +17 to Attack Rating +27 to Life Replenish Life +7 Fire Resist +10% Spirit Crystal Sword TalThulOrtAmn One Hand Damage: 5 - 15 Durability: 20 of 20 Required Level: 25 Required Strength: 43 Fingerprint: 0xd9ec26bd Item Level: 48 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +2 to All Skills +34% Faster Cast Rate +55% Faster Hit Recovery Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames) Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames) 7% Life stolen per hit +250 Defense vs. Missile +22 to Vitality +102 to Mana +3 Magic Absorb 4 Sockets (4 used) Socketed: Tal Rune Socketed: Thul Rune Socketed: Ort Rune Socketed: Amn Rune Duriel's Shell Cuirass Defense: 640 Durability: 141 of 150 Required Level: 41 Required Strength: 65 Fingerprint: 0x99f214e3 Item Level: 83 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +163% 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 Spirit Sacred Rondache TalThulOrtAmn Defense: 155 Chance to Block: 0 Durability: 57 of 68 Required Level: 52 Required Strength: 109 Fingerprint: 0xf2019229 Item Level: 79 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +2 to All Skills +35% Faster Cast Rate +55% Faster Hit Recovery +250 Defense vs. Missile +22 to Vitality +108 to Mana Cold Resist +35% All Resistances +42 Lightning Resist +35% Poison Resist +35% +3 Magic Absorb Attacker Takes Damage of 14 4 Sockets (4 used) Socketed: Tal Rune Socketed: Thul Rune Socketed: Ort Rune Socketed: Amn Rune Frostburn Gauntlets Defense: 48 Durability: 23 of 24 Required Level: 29 Required Strength: 60 Fingerprint: 0xa34acfd9 Item Level: 60 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 5% Enhanced Damage Adds 1 - 6 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames) +16% Enhanced Defense +30 Defense Increase Maximum Mana 40% Scintillating Ring Ring Required Level: 59 Fingerprint: 0xfae5effd Item Level: 70 Version: Expansion 1.10+ All Resistances +15 Tal Rasha's Fine-Spun Cloth Mesh Belt Defense: 35 Durability: 11 of 16 Required Level: 53 Required Strength: 38 Fingerprint: 0x7a8db5e1 Item Level: 62 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +20 to Dexterity +30 to Mana 37% Damage Taken Goes To Mana 10% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Requirements -20% Set (2 items): +60 Defense Set (3 items): +10% Faster Cast Rate Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band Ring Required Level: 58 Fingerprint: 0xfc6badfd Item Level: 71 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to All Skills 5% Life stolen per hit +43 to Life (Based on Character Level) +50 Maximum Stamina Tearhaunch Greaves Defense: 61 Durability: 23 of 24 Required Level: 29 Required Strength: 70 Fingerprint: 0xc1f8e99d Item Level: 83 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +20% Faster Run/Walk +2 to Vigor (Paladin Only) +64% Enhanced Defense +35 Defense +5 to Strength +5 to Dexterity All Resistances +10

liquid_mage said:

I was sick on Saturday so I got a lot of playing time.

Per my previous posts I stalled out a bit at the end of NM, beginning of Hell around level 73. So i did the following:
1. Rolled a new Spirit sword with 35FCR, got lucky and got 35% on my first re-roll.
2. Put on Trang's gloves, this gave me 55FCR.
3. Then I upgraded my Merc to a Grim Scythe Insight, instead of his etheral Poleaxe. It was a 20% damage increase for him.
This allowed me to run NM Baal on P7 until level 77, then I jumped to Act 1 Hell. Some notes about early Hell.
1. Tree head wood guy sucks it took me 5 tries to get the book to free Deckard Cain.
2. I did about 20 p3 countess runs that got me to level 78. No good runes dropped, nothing higher than IO.
3. Andy was a piece of cake, she didn't drop anything special.
4. Then I rushed to the Lost City WP, and rolled 5-6 maps go get a decent AT map that was close to the WP.
5. I have been running P3 AT and hit level 85.
No good drops in AT, still need a HC Shako. The best things about AT so far is that I have gotten some good item bases. I've upgrade my merc's Insight to a Colossus Voulge, my Rhyme shield is now in a Grim Shield, and i was finally able to get 4os armor for 4 P.Topazes.

A side note when upping your rare boots, always check what the new strength requirement will be. Really nice R/W, Tri-Resist, MF boots.

My best find so far in AT.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.50          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.4           No         3724        457            3         287
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        361            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -        326           15           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   86             Yes          77         69            -           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      85             Yes           -        160            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      78             No            -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
TwentyMule   Valus           HC      Barb      47             Yes          11          8            -           -
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

TwentyMuleTeam said:

@OldSoldier thanks! Go Blue! And LGRW! Watching the game right now

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.50          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.4           No         3724        457            3         287
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        361            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -        326           15           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   86             Yes          77         69            -           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      85             Yes           -        160            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      78             No            -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
TwentyMule   Valus           HC      Barb      74             Yes          94         72            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

I've been pretty busy with work lately, but I've played a bit on and off over the past week. I'm pleased to say that Valus the Concentrate Barb has moved onto Hell at the ripe age of 74!

Running meph was fun for awhile, stashing everything he dropped because of the restart, but running with a barb was quite tedious, so I moved on after only 25 runs or so. I did manage to get a couple of useful items from him, however.

I had a nice little surprise running Eldritch for XP:

Not sure what to think of it, but after running the pits in hell a couple of times I think I need a new weapon. Maybe you guys could help me out. Here's a readout of my current gear:

Code:

Earthshaker
Battle Hammer
One-Hand Damage: 98 to 162
Durability: 54 of 105
Required Strength: 100
Required Level: 43
Mace Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x3dfba455
+180% Enhanced Damage
+50 Maximum Durability
Knockback
30% Increased Attack Speed
Hit Blinds Target +1
150% Damage to Undead
+3 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
5% Chance to cast Level 7 Fissure on striking

Myth
Superior Templar Coat
'HelAmnNef'
Defense: 313
Durability: 49 of 67
Required Strength: 100
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0xab9847bd
+14% Enhanced Defense
+30 Defense vs. Missile
Replenish Life +10
Increase Maximum Durability 11%
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
Requirements -15%
10% Chance to cast Level 1 Taunt on striking
3% Chance to cast Level 1 Howl when struck
Socketed (3: 3 used)

Whitstan's Guard
Round Shield
Defense: 154
Chance to Block:  87%
Smite Damage: 7 to 14
Durability: 54 of 64
Required Strength: 53
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x2699d244
+175% Enhanced Defense
+55% Increased Chance of Blocking
All Resistances +19
+5 to Light Radius
40% Faster Block Rate
Half Freeze Duration
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Guillaume's Face
Winged Helm
Defense: 217
Durability: 30 of 40
Required Strength: 115
Required Level: 34
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0xa99e0c5d
+15 to Strength
+120% Enhanced Defense
30% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike

Magnus' Skin
Sharkskin Gloves
Defense: 60
Durability: 10 of 14
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 37
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x15050843
+50% Enhanced Defense
+100 to Attack Rating
Fire Resist +15%
+3 to Light Radius
20% Increased Attack Speed

Infernostride
Demonhide Boots
Defense: 101
Durability: 3 of 12
Kick Damage: 26 to 46
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 29
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0xee5ed6
+141% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Fire Resist +30%
+10% to Maximum Fire Resist
Adds 12-33 fire damage
54% Extra Gold from Monsters
+2 to Light Radius
20% Faster Run/Walk
5% Chance to cast Level 8 Blaze when struck

Death's Guard
Sash
Defense: 22
Durability: 11 of 12
Required Level: 6
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 59
Fingerprint: 0x4c4af50b
+20 Defense
Cannot Be Frozen

***Partial Set Item Bonuses***
All Resistances +15
***Partial Set Item Bonuses***


Bone Grasp
Ring
Required Level: 14
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x7ac84b07
+2 to Minimum Damage
Fire Resist +16%
Lightning Resist +8%
Cold Resist +16%
3% Life stolen per hit
Level 1 Charged Bolt (22/22 Charges)

Stone Turn
Ring
Required Level: 41
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x269b9fb7
+2 to Strength
+50 to Attack Rating
Lightning Resist +28%
3% Life stolen per hit
Replenish Life +6
8% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Dread Mark
Amulet
Required Level: 33
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x39c5ce86
+8 to Dexterity
Lightning Resist +32%
Poison Resist +30%
+50 poison damage over 3 seconds
4% Mana stolen per hit

I'm sure I could have done a better job of keeping current on runeword armors and whatnot but, that's the best I could find so far. The belt is, unfortunately, the only CBF mod I possess.
Keep in mind I play hardcore. So what should I use the Mal for? Oath? Sanctuary? I've yet to use 90% of the runewords out there but those make the most sense to me. I could save it for Grief, but the first Lo I see is going into fortitude. What do you guys think?

NanoMist said:
@TwentyMuleTeam - Oath will do nicely until you find that Lo rune and 5 os phase blade. You'll most likely come across another Mal rune by then, so I wouldn't save it for Grief just yet. Good luck with the weapon bases though. Personally I would try to reach LK as soon as possible to go for Grief and Enigma, as those two items will vastly improve your overall kill speed. Barb can run LK safely with his huge life pool and crowd control skills.

T72on1 said:
Yes, agreed. Oath is very good. Try to find a good ethereal base and you are set.

liquid_mage said:

@TwentyMuleTeam I salute you for giving the untwinked 99 challenge ago with a concentration barb. While i've been sticking with my Blizzard Sorc for now, part of me would love to try this with a different character. I love melee characters.

The blizzard sorc is up to level eighty eight now. A quick run down goes as follows:
1. Ran AT from level 78 to level 88, my best find in AT was a MAL rune and a Ravenlore boo.
2. After I hit 88 and was not finding much in the way of useful gear in AT I decided to push to Mephisto.
3. Some areas where pretty rough and loaded with CIs but I as able to TP around with only a few save and exits when things got really ugly. Duriel and Meph didn't drop much on my first play through.
4. I will run Meph for a bit to get some basic gear, Shako, Skin of the Viper or Skulders, Vamp Gaze or Guillaume's helm, etc...
5. Tonight I need to grab my Act4 extra skill points and do my hell forge as well.

A big part of the reason I pushed to Meph is that I feel that upgrading 2-3 pieces of gear will help me run AT higher than P5. Right now my merc gets killed in 1/3 of my runs at P5 and I'd like to push for P7 or P8 for more XP.

Notable drops from AT:
UM (mentioned above)
Mal
+5/-4 Cold Facet
Ravenlore
P&B Skill Charm with 12% FHR
P&B Skill Charm (+2-3 Fire damage, boo)

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.50          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.4           No         3724        457            3         287
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        361            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -        326           15           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   86             Yes          77         69            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      78             No            -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
TwentyMule   Valus           HC      Barb      74             Yes          94         72            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

TwentyMuleTeam said:
@liquid_mage It's definitely different from what I'm used to but it's a fun challenge. I usually rock the blizz sorc because I love to farm

Thanks for the feedback guys, I'll keep a lookout for an eth 4os weapon on my way to LK.
I did luck out and find a non eth 4os ettin axe in the pits and made use of it, so my kill speed went up significantly;

Code:

Passion Ettin Axe 'DolOrtEldLem' One-Hand Damage: 95 to 190 Durability: 19 of 24 Required Dexterity: 45 Required Strength: 145 Required Level: 52 Axe Class - Fast Attack Speed Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion Item Level: 85 Fingerprint: 0x79424495 +189% Enhanced Damage Adds 1-50 lightning damage 75% Extra Gold from Monsters 25% Increased Attack Speed +1 to Berserk +1 to Zeal Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25% Hit Blinds Target +10 71% Bonus to Attack Rating 75% Damage to Undead +50 to Attack Rating against Undead Level 3 Heart of Wolverine (12/12 Charges) Socketed (4: 4 used)

Not a bad roll and the speed is VF on my barb.
I was also able to finally use some skill points I was saving for a mastery. Just needed the weapon.

Pb_pal said:

Great progress everyone, enjoying reading about your journeys. That phase of the trip seems like so long go, it's nice to hear about it again!

Speaking of which, we're halfway from halfway to the end! Also known as 75% complete.

.
We've shifted gameplay style again, going for full-blown XP efficiency and ease of playing now. That means almost all of our MF is now gone (only 37% remains) in favour of survival gear, so S/U frequency has ground to a halt. I don't mind though, as I stopped counting S/U numbers once she hit halfway.

The bigger change is that we've re-rolled our map to get one with the quickest configuration on the Halls of Pain, and we're completely ignoring shrines now. Yes, you read that right. After all that testing and number crunching I've come to the conclusion that (for me, in this specific scenario) it's better to ignore shrines.

The reason for this is not necessarily that the XP comes significantly faster this way, because it doesn't (although it does seem to come a little bit faster, but that just might be confirmation bias). It's simply to make gameplay as seamless and straightforward as possible. It's now just a matter of teleporting in a direct line to exactly where I need to go without having to pay attention to anything along the way.

My runtimes without shrines are consistently around 28 seconds/run, whereas with shrines they could bump up to 31-32 fairly often.

Of course, as Nanomist previously pointed out, this does carry the inherent risk that my number or runs needed to complete the level increase, and with them bring a higher risk of dying, but it's a trade that I'm more than willing to make at this junction.

Eleanor still hasn't died yet this level, and I'm so used to the runs now and knowing when to abort, it feels extremely safe. Only just over 3k runs to go!

Finds:
- Ber
- Ohm (though I can't find the screenie)
- A couple decent Elites (Andy's Visage, Reapers)

--

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.75          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.4           No         3724        457            3         287
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        361            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -        326           15           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   86             Yes          77         69            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      78             No            -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
TwentyMule   Valus           HC      Barb      74             Yes          94         72            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

T72on1 said:
Tremendous !!! Keep it up for that final small part. Well, small ...

Grape said:
Great going @Pb_pal !

Glad to hear the build is working for you. I'm amazed you can run Nihlathak so safely with a sorc with "just" a little over 2k ilfe. Best of luck for the remaining runs!

Pb_pal said:
Grape said:

Great going @Pb_pal !

Glad to hear the build is working for you. I'm amazed you can run Nihlathak so safely with a sorc with "just" a little over 2k ilfe. Best of luck for the remaining runs!

Click to expand...

Well, "safe" is relative.

I often end up below half life, and still have some pretty serious NDEs. I managed to drill it into my head that it's better to abort than try for that extra kill, so erring on the side of caution in that regards keeps me well away from the more scary circumstances detailed in her last update. The fact that I'm rarely jumping in to pick up drops now is what keeps me the most safe, as once I have an established position (usually near the bottom-right corner of the room) all the monsters focus on the merc and I can spam my Blizzards in peace until Nihl goes down.

liquid_mage said:
@Pb_pal do you mind sharing what gear your wearing? I've been thinking about gear for my sorc quite bit lately. I'll probably where ~200mf until I hit level 95-96. But I'm also thinking of going strictly survival once I hit mid 90s and death's hurt a lot. I see you did not go the block route due to your ~80dex in your screen shot.

Also great progress.

Pb_pal said:
@liquid_mage - Sure! And yes you're right, no block for Eleanor. I never do blocking on sorcs, though not for any really particular reason. I do shudder to think how low her life would be is I didn't have her as pure vita though.

Her gear is as follows:

Head: Nightwing's (perfect 15%) socketed with a 15res/7str Jewel
Body: Ormus Robes (Blizzard, +13% cold dmg) socketed with a +3/-5 cold facet
Belt: Arachnid's Mesh
Gloves: Trang's
Boots: Aldur's
Main Weapon: +21% cold, +37% light (relevant since she's a Blova) Fathom socketed with an Ist
Main Shield: 35% FCR Spirit Monarch
Amulet: Tal Rasha's
Rings: Nature's Peace/SoJ
Switch: CtA (+5BO)/Spirit

Charms: 3 Cold Skillers, 2 Light Skillers and the rest are various Life and/or Res charms, including a 5%FHR/7%LR to hit the 60%(8 frame) FHR breakpoint with Spirit.

Your plan sounds solid, and IIRC that's pretty much exactly what I did. Full MF setup until ~95 as I was running AT. After that I switched to running the CS, so had to switch out some MF for survival at that point, but still kept MF at a decent number (I think around 150). I actually switched to Baal at ~97.5 to use her in the MFO, but if you stay in the CS until 98 you can maximize your Ancient's reward. You should be able to amass most of your gear going that route, the only gear upgrade I can remember off the top of my head post-95 was the Nightwings, and maybe the Arachs (granted, I got extremely lucky getting a Fathom at around 91/92 or so).

One thing to note is that I do keep a "body retrieval kit" in the stash that comprises of a Mosers (2xPDiamond), HoTo and a Goldwrap (just for potions). Highly recommended that you make one up too, as like you said, death's at high levels are nothing to joke about.

EDIT: Forgot the merc.

Emilio - Holy Freeze
Head: Delerium
Body: CoH (Eth Archon Plate)
Wep: Infinity (Eth Giant Thresher)

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.75          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.4           No         3724        457            3         287
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        361            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -        326           15           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   91             Yes         153        122            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      78             No            -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
TwentyMule   Valus           HC      Barb      74             Yes          94         72            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Time to do a quick update now, next one coming up in couple of weeks since I'm off to a holiday back home on Tuesday so very limited, if any, D2 for me in the next two weeks.

Turirao:

Don't believe what the "experts" say, Wolves do hibernate. Trust me, I'm a biologist. Turirao is hibernating and expected to wake up in few weeks.

Aura:

Aura took a quick break from LK and quested through to Act5 and Eldritch and eventually saved Anya as well, but no further just now. I already posted on IFT about the two "big finds", Ist from Lord de Seis and Lo from Eldritch.

I kept running Eldritch since I needed a break from LK really bad. I kept running Eldritch until level 91 and managed to find Tal's Armor and Trang-Oul's Armor and Gloves. So, now Aura has two different setups, one with Tal Armor for MF and Eldritch runs, one with Trang-Oul's Armor for LK runs.

I have now decided to go back to /p3 in LK and stop picking up gems, unless I am picking up charms/runes and there's a gem right next to it as well. At the moment I have almost 400 pgems stashed so I want to focus on runes. Running /p3 makes runs faster as I face less mobs and the chest drops are typically smaller so less time spent checking the drop. /p7 didn't give me anything for like 1500-1600 runs, so I'm hoping /p3 works better, that first Sur was on /p3.

I have been holding off for doing my first respec, as I kinda want that Enigma to save points in Strength and also to calculate properly how much Dex I need for Max Block. I have also been toying with the idea of not maxing Holy Shield, as with my planned end game gear, the difference between 13 and 20 hard points in Holy Shield results in +1% chance to block. I've noticed quite a few 99 Hammerdins who've levelled up in CS have used Hotspur boots for the +15% max Fire res, so instead of Hotspurs, I was thinking of 10 hard point in Resist Fire (to get +5% max Fire res) and then use Waterwalks for the another +5% and a decent boost to life and Dex. Haven't made up my mind yet.

Here's some charms/jewels I've found so far with Aura:

Skillers:

Code:

Chilling Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x963473c3
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Cold Skills (Sorceress Only)
+12% Faster Hit Recovery

Hexing Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x6bdbf7b6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+12% Faster Hit Recovery

Natural Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x33a04c23
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
16% Extra Gold from Monsters

Fungal Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x8514794b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)

Sounding Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x21931f64
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Warcry Skills (Barbarian Only)
37% Extra Gold from Monsters

Acrobatic Grand Charm of Greed
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xace8696b
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)
13% Extra Gold from Monsters

Fungal Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x41277156
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)

Hexing Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x8c3fe750
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Curses (Necromancer only)

Trainer's Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x5267587a
Item Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Summoning Skills (Druid Only)
+7 to Life

Other charms:

Code:

Fine Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xa1778d46
Item Level: 71
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
+2 to Dexterity

Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xaa9481df
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+3 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating

Fine Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xd7a4a089
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+13 to Attack Rating
+20 to Life

Arcing Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 57
Fingerprint: 0x876f88a7
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 2 - 54 Lightning Damage

Shimmering Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0xae812560
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +5

Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0xbc007802
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
133% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 11%
20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Of course the only Gheed's I've managed to find is worst possible MF and second worst Vendor price. Also posted in IFT, was this thing of beauty I crafted at lvl90:

Code:

Entropy Noose
Amulet
Required Level: 89
Fingerprint: 0xe4233157
Item Level: 91
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+15 to Attack Rating
+13 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 5%
All Resistances +20
Lightning Resist +7%
+1 to Light Radius

Next up, a lot more LK running and gambling Coronets. I've had the worst luck with head gear so far, no useful uniques/sets, all coronets/circlets have been rubbish and I'm actually using this at the moment:

Code:

Priest's Coronet of Razors
Coronet
Defense: 35
Durability: 20 of 30
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x869e3c01
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
Attacker Takes Damage of 9

Not really a suitable helm for lvl91 character, but what can you do. I'd run Mephi for Shako, but I have possibly the worst Mephi map ever (WP is almost exactly the opposite side of the map to Mephi's lair) and my LK map is pretty good, so I'm not willing to move on from it yet. Maybe if LK keeps staying dry, I'll try a better Mephi map and possibly some RoF chests for Jah.

liquid_mage said:
I haven't leveled any but i'm never re-rolling this LK map. I found these all in one day!

I also found these two items today. My son wanted me to fight Diablo and it was worth while, this dropped in CS.

And I got this on one my runs.

Jean Avila said:

Guys this is a good chance to play this blessed game again.
I create a new character called SpeedAdict a strafezon based on pure attack speed.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.75          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.4           No         3724        457            3         287
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        361            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -        326           15           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   91             Yes         153        122            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      78             No            -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
TwentyMule   Valus           HC      Barb      74             Yes          94         72            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila  SpeedAdict        SC      Ama     0            No            -          -            -          -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

T72on1 said:
Great !!! Welcome .

Vildecor · Mar 9, 2021

Kitteh said:
Any other updates guys? I'm focusing on Fordyl just now, but I fully intend to come back to this.

liquid_mage said:
zDadColdSorc is still sitting at level 88 eighty-eight. I have been focusing on farming some basic gear before leveling more. Although I may grind it out to level 90 to see if I get any of the high TC drops(Nightwing or Death's Fathom) and finish my wish list.

Notable items found(including the runes in my last post)
Pul x 2
Um x 2
Mal
Ist x 2
Ohm
Lo
Sur
Wolf Howl
Raven Lore
Tal's Ammy x2
Shako x 2

Wish List (drop-able by Meph or runes from LK):
Spirit Monarch (I've cubed 3-4 monarchs and cannot get 4os)
HoTO (need Vex, this Vex is why I started running LK and got lots of other awesome runes)
Skulder's Ire, Chains of Honor(need 1 ber), or a nice Viper Magi
Mara's Ammy
T-Gods Belt would be nice for AT

qwernt said:
CanbeOnlyBlizz found:
Cleglaws Pinchers,
RazorTail,
and my first Buri
in a half hour stretch. I decided the game was trying to tell me something and switched to amazon... twinked. She is sitting at 69 when I realized that I couldn't add her to this table and I decided to make an untwinked gunslinger. Takes FOREVER untwinked... AmAgainstAll just hit 39 running Eldritch (with a sparkly chest a few seconds away - didn't now they were in the Highlands). Will add her after she hits 50 or so. Good finds: Chance Gloves, 2xUmbral Disk (blinding lightning fury is fun), Hsarus's set, Razortine (boss killer) and a Light Resist 40% yellow amulet (with 9% MF, 12% damage goes to Mana, 2min damage, and 4 mana - nice little all around value).

Question: Is there an easy way to know where a given item can show up (so I know where to run)? RazorTail is high on the desire list... Required level shows up as 32, and Eldritch is 34, so he should be able to drop it, correct?

Edit:
best & most timely use of Charsi quest I ever had:

T72on1 said:
I did some more CS runs after LK, but xp is so incredibly slow at this stage. As a consequence, my Sorc still isn't very far on her way to 98. Maybe the 1/10 mark, or not even there.

I'm all over D3 now though, so it might be a while before I'm back to this.

TwentyMuleTeam said:

Whoops. I've learned a valuable lesson today. Don't play hardcore D2 while intoxicated and trying to catch up on the walking dead. Very frustrating as you can see the full juvs in my belt. No matter, I don't think it was my play style anyhow.

So! Introducing Gaius the trapsin. Level 17 and making her way through the jail.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.75          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.4           No         3724        457            3         287
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        361            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -        326           15           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   91             Yes         153        122            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      78             No            -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -      
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama        0             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

T72on1 said:
Ouch . Condolences, and good luck with the Trapsin !!

Tarantella said:
Takes a good fatality to get the HC players interest.

Been a while since Tarasha's last update so well done in getting to 90+ and welcome to all the new recent arrivals.

Tarasha has been running the 4 chests in the mausoleum and crypt solidly but in indolent fashion for a while now stepping down her gear to improve mf and increase safety. (in practice replacing 4 of the cold skillers with resist sc's and gc's). She has an away team now!

And on finding a pair of 43 travellers her 40 chanceguards, shaco, isted alibabas, 40 gheeds etc take her mf up to ~ the 350 mark. She's rolled a rare diadem thirteen times now, has 300+ pgems stashed, picked up a gul,mal and um out of the chests but still has to find a suitable eth polearm saving her 3 socketing quests for something special. Along with unique archon staff, treks , a 20 lifer and a 20def/7mf sc she has also found two +4 rare orbs with 20fcr sadly both thunderstorm and this:-

Which is nearly something special.

liquid_mage said:
TwentyMuleTeam said:

Whoops. I've learned a valuable lesson today. Don't play hardcore D2 while intoxicated and trying to catch up on the walking dead. Very frustrating as you can see the full juvs in my belt. No matter, I don't think it was my play style anyhow.

Click to expand...

I don't play D2 HC but I do play D3 HC and I may or may not have had similar experiences myself Adult beverages + Netflix + D3 HC = Dead Character.

Good luck on the Trapper.

NanoMist said:

Half time update:

RJoF - posted previously in the IFT.
Gris Helm - grailer.
Moser's shield - also a grailer... unbelievable at this point.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.75          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.5           No         3953        460            3         298
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        361            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -        326           15           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   91             Yes         153        122            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      78             No            -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -   
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama        0             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

PhineasB said:
Congrats on the progress, in particular for the two level 98 players, and welcome to everyone who has joined over the past month. Condolences to @TwentyMuleTeam. I hope the trapsin goes well and is enjoyable -- I've had a blast with Mercy so far (though in SC).

I had a big break from playing due to busy work and then a nice vacation without computer (or internet access for large stretches), and then of course busy work upon returning. I wasn't able to get any play time from last week of September until this past weekend, when I focused on Hiatus. I also have enjoyed catching up on this thread and some of the others.

Hiatus made it to level 94 on AT p8 runs. I wasn't satisfied with her AT map, so I rerolled every 10 or so runs until I found one that seemed efficient for experience. There are many others on the forums who have studied this carefully (many thanks!), so I tried to follow the basic concept of high boss back density relative to amount of teleporting around the map between packs.

In looking for maps, Hiatus finally found a Shako. This map ended up being the winner, despite appearances. As this screen shot of a second Set Vortex Shield shows, from the entrance, two teleports lead into a big room and then one teleport to a junction where the left turn leads to short hallway to sparkly chest. That segment alone had a minimum of 3 boss packs and up to 6, with 5 or 6 the most common and only 3 very rare. Ignoring the rest of the map led to very quick and safe runs with a pretty high boss pack density. The XP gains were pretty good and Hiatus made what felt like steady progress to 94, with no deaths or NDEs.

Along the way she finally got a 4os Monarch. I haven't bothered to look back through earlier posts, but I am pretty sure this was at least the 6th roll with the cube recipe, not to mention a number of grey Monarchs that dropped with the wrong number of sockets. But no complaints now that she finally has Spirit, which sped the last third of the level considerably and will make the transition to CS possible for the next level. Additional (notable) finds were a Cold Skiller (the first) and a Martial Arts skiller, and a Reaper's Toll.

I hope to spend some time this weekend running Baal with Mercy, who is about 1/7th of the way to 97. Table update is below.

* * *

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 98.75 No 3064 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 98.5 No 3953 460 3 298 T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 97 Yes 1594 394 11 148.5 PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 96 Yes - 367 9 - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 95 Yes 894 316 - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 94 Yes - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 94 Yes - 338 15 - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - Neksja Aura SC Paladin 91 Yes 153 122 - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 88 Yes - 160 - - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 78 No - - - - Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 0 MercMan Este SC Ama 68 Yes 178 122 2 Classified Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - - TwentyMule Gaius HC Assn 17 Yes 1 - - - Jean Avila SpeedAdict SC Ama 0 No - - - -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 76 Yes - - 1 - Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

Jean Avila said:

After ten hours i get the level 28, it was complicated because i do not found any usefull bow.
I'm very surprised i found many set and unique items althrough have 15% mf.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.75          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.5           No         3953        460            3         298
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   91             Yes         153        122            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      78             No            -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila  SpeedAdict      SC      Ama        29            No            -          -            -          10
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Zenigma said:
Awww, dude, has it been some time.... Truth be told, I haven't played too much recently, between work life and social life. Despite that, I had a fairly bad day at work on Friday and I decided to cheer myself up with some D2 afterwards. So I ran more LK, after picking up more random equipment, I decided to step down to /p5 for the increased Lo rune drop rate from chests. At the point, I set aside two hours to run, figuring I could get around 350-ish runs in before getting too mindless. Well, in a couple minutes, my beloved Lo rune dropped.

But that was not before getting another of these cuties:

I had an extra Pul rune after the last one, so I decided to cube it up. Not sure how I feel about it not being a Gimmer, but I'm not displeased.

The Scalper
Flying Axe
Throw Damage: 44 - 196
One Hand Damage: 50 - 193
Quantity: 94
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 88
Required Dexterity: 108
Fingerprint: 0xb024535
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Increased Attack Speed
198% Enhanced Damage
25% Bonus to Attack Rating
4% Life stolen per hit
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+4 to Mana after each Kill
Replenishes quantity
Required Level +7

Considering the ED roll, I can't be unhappy with it.

Now I just need to find a handful of ethereal unique throwers. Unfortunately, gg ethereal rares aren't all that good for PVM, because even with rep q, they replenish far too slowly.
But if I stumble up some ~400+ED or ~250-300ED + fools, especially with rep q, you won't see me arguing

Now, after finding that Lo, my next quest was to find a suitable armor to house it in, along with El, Sol, and Dol runes... One my first non-eth elite armor, I managed to roll my four sockets, which kinda makes up for all the failed attempts at rolling sockets into ethereal elite polearms... :|

But with my newly rolled armor, I made this!

Fortitude
Dusk Shroud
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1386
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0xf22eb5a7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+94 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +28
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: El Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune

It had 457 defense originally methinks, which is pretty dang good on a dusk. Not a great roll on life per level (1.125 per), but not terrible on resists. I'm pleased. My main concern is losing the ias I had from treachery. I'm managing with only 30 from ias jewels in my helm after I hel'd out the ptops a while ago. Hoping to get some 20 ias gloves (C'mon LoH!!) and a Cat's Eye or preferably and Highlord's Wrath.

Now I mentioned rolling sockets into eth elite poles, I had several fails (which I tossed) and a couple like the following thatI wish I could roll sockets into...

Superior Cryptic Axe
Two Hand Damage: 53 - 247
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 155
Required Dexterity: 93
Fingerprint: 0x26907730
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Enhanced Damage
+2 to Attack Rating
Ethereal

Superior Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 18 - 211
Durability: 37 of 37
Required Level: 53
Required Strength: 142
Required Dexterity: 108
Fingerprint: 0xd59df8d1
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Attack Rating
Increase Maximum Durability 14%
Ethereal

I wasn't not all too picky either, I was looking for 3-5 sockets rolled, just so I could upgrade my merc from the garbage he was using since nightmare mephisto...

Husoldal Evo
Bec-de-Corbin
Two Hand Damage: 58 - 281
Durability: 53 of 55
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 133
Required Dexterity: 91
Fingerprint: 0xb5bdb4eb
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Increased Attack Speed
193% Enhanced Damage
Adds 20 - 32 Damage
+245 to Attack Rating
Prevent Monster Heal
Replenish Life +20

Finally found an eth ogre axe, which the cube spat out with 3os, and I decided to make this:

Crescent Moon
Ogre Axe
ShaelUmTir
Two Hand Damage: 125 - 648
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 185
Required Dexterity: 65
Fingerprint: 0x9cff2731
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 17 Chain Lightning on striking
7% Chance to cast level 13 Static Field on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
199% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
-35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+9 Magic Absorb
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Level 18 Summon Spirit Wolf (30/30 Charges)
Ethereal
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune

I had an extra Um rune, and I don't really have much else to use it on, so I made this to fill the void between now and end game. I still have another Um, should I fancy making a Duress armor or something else. Can't see myself using it for resists because I'm actually doing alright in that respect. Yeah... the only other thing I'll use an Um for is upgrading a rare weapon. I actually still have an Um sitting in my stash because the Tamoe Highland decided I was worthy of another.

Honestly I don't know what my merc will end up being... I have some options in mind:
The most straightforward would be act 2 might with reaper's toll. Don't know what would be better to outfit it with: guillame's or andy's, fortitude or treachery...
Alternatively, i could go for rogue wielding faith. She would likely use a deli helm for the crowd control. Not sure about the armor. Not eve sure about the base for the faith. If I equip her with a fort, a great bow would be two frames faster than hydra or cru as well as one frame faster than shadow, albeit at a lower average damage than the others, and a shadow bow would be one frame faster than the hydra or cru, again with the lower average damage. If I give a treachery, the great bow would be 2 frames faster than all of crusader, hydra, and shadow bows.... Can't decide which is best.
Heck, maybe the the deli helm isn't even necessary when I use her. Either for not needing CC because of the high damage output or because a one-point wonder grim ward does more than enough to keep the baddies off--I use it sparingly, because a stock melee merc can tank so much face damage as is. If I opt out of deli on a rouge, that opens doors to guill's and andy's alike.

So... suffice to say I have my options open.

For now, it's a might merc with crescent moon. Static definitely provides some solid AOE for the time being. Even with the 33% piercing from razortail enabling me to hit multiple enemies per throw, I can always appreciate a horde of enemies succumbing to the power of static field.

.....So..... yeah... good things

Oh, and one last thing, why is it the game wants to give you the most useless stuff when all you want from LK is a perfect emerald?? For real game, I don't need this garbage when I'm trying to upgrade my scalpers....

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 98.75 No 3064 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 98.5 No 3953 460 3 298 T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 97 Yes 1594 394 11 148.5 PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 96 Yes - 367 9 - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 95 Yes 894 316 - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 94 Yes - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 94 Yes - 338 15 - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - Neksja Aura SC Paladin 91 Yes 153 122 - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 88 Yes - 160 - - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 84 No - - - - Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 0 MercMan Este SC Ama 68 Yes 178 122 2 Classified Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Jean Avila SpeedAdict SC Ama 29 No - - - 10 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - - TwentyMule Gaius HC Assn 17 Yes 1 - - -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 76 Yes - - 1 - Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

qwernt said:
Jean, for my gunslinger, I ran countess to get 3 Rals, sacrifice a couple of points to explosive arrow and you have a good way to deal damage (since the ral damage is add to explosion damage). I ran this way to 30 when I switched to lightning side of the slinger. Now at level 50 I just made edge and it is a decent bow - though doesn't compare to fury/charged strike.

Tarantella said:
3 rals of course gives you an ort and ort eth (zephyr) in a reflex bow does quite nicely too with the extra run speed very good for running weapon racks and bosses.

qwernt said:
Agree, I had Zephyr as a switch, for the run speed. But when you take on big groups the explosion damage was nice to speed things along.

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      98.75          No         3064        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.5           No         3953        460            3         298
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   92             Yes         250        167            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila  SpeedAdict      SC      Ama        29            No            -          -            -          10
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Brief update on Aura:

So, I was back home for about a week, lots of people to see and things to do, so I was limited with D2 time, I usually wake up a bit earlier than everyone else, so what else should I do other than D2? I didn't have a mouse with me and it's really annoying to run LK with a trackpad (especially on Macbook), so I went with Eldritch runs.

An hour here, half an hour there, 15 minutes there. I tried to rack up some /p8 Eldritch runs. On Friday morning, I actually got a level up to 92, so from now on, I think I can't really effectively gain experience elsewhere than CS (or other A85 areas, but CS is my choice for this character). Drops were absolutely horrible, only one worth mentioning is Nature's Peace, which might come handy in case I decide to try and level up doing Nihlathak runs at lvl98, but that's still quite far away.

Now, back home and I have a mouse to use. Straight to LK, having a good week and a half off from there really did good for me as I didn't feel so bored immediately. And, in half an hour or so, I got this one (also in IFT):

I was pretty excited to see that! I have like 2.0-2.1k LK runs under my belt before that previous Sur, so it was a really great surprise. And, now I am again back at my original aim of 1 Vex+ per week. Aura's rune count for Vex+ at the moment is Sur x2 and Lo x2. "Only" 2 Ber runes away...

I am keeping my 2 Lo runes as absolutely the last resorts for Enigma, if I am sitting at something like 1 Ber and 3 Surs for like 2.5k LK runs, I'll probably give in and cube those Lo runes, but I really, really hope that is not going to be the case. I want to use those Lo runes for Fortitude and Grief for other characters.

While we're at it, I might not make an e-bugged Fortitude for my Merc. He already gets quite a good boost of ED from my Concentration Aura, so I might look into using Duress or some other armor instead. Fortitude has pretty great other mods too, so we'll see.

Neksja said:
Weekend edition of Aura's progress:

I won't even bother updating the tables. Not that I have not gained XP, but I've equally efficiently lost it due to deaths in River of Flame. But let's recap what I've managed to done.

LK running. Going as expected, looking at another 2k-ish dry spell without great runes. On Saturday morning, I got my first Gul rune, I think it was the first non-HF Gul I've found so it was pretty great.

I was excited, I was looking at my runes that I could now cube up to Vex and make Hoto. Brilliant, but I'll keep running for a while in case I get a Vex rune, back to LK, load up my char and press N. Nightmare. Damn, my great LK map was now gone. So, I decided that I'd take a break from LK and try my luck with River of Flame and their superchests. On my way of rolling maps, I found couple of pretty decent Hephasto maps, where his throne was literally right next to the Waypoint, so I did some Hephasto runs, in hopes of him dropping a Jah, but no luck. My Blizzsorc will be pretty happy this find though:

Code:

Nightwing's Veil Spired Helm Defense: 347 Durability: 34 of 40 Required Level: 67 Required Strength: 96 Fingerprint: 0xcc21b144 Item Level: 88 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +2 to All Skills +14% to Cold Skill Damage +117% Enhanced Defense +15 to Dexterity +6 Cold Absorb Half Freeze Duration Requirements -50%

Also picked up an Um rune (didn't bother to upload the screenshot) and Set Buckler (grailer) while running Hephasto, but it was time to find that RoF superchest map. Finally managed to find one and started running p7 and I got this one:

A second Gul within 24 hours from the last one! Now I was seriously considering to cube those Guls to Vex and make a Hoto, but I decided not to yet, still because of if I could find a Vex rune. I checked the forums for the RoF patterns thread to realize, that only p5 has had a confirmed Jah dropped, so I changed to p5, which was a blessing since I was dying quite often when playing p7. /p5, got me half-way Enigma:

That's from a random monster, not even a minion I think. That gets me with 3x Sur and 2x Lo with this character, two Surs from superchests, others from random places. I am starting to think I need to focus on the other things in the runs and just pop the superchests as a secondary motive

I was still dying, so I made the call, Hoto time it is. Not that I really need those Gul runes as they are for anything, so best to improve Aura as soon as possible. I also decided that every Gul/Vex would go towards getting a 40 all res Hoto from now on, so I am prepared to begin so rerolling just in case. Well what do you know, no need to do that at all:

Code:

Heart of the Oak Flail KoVexPulThul One Hand Damage: 1 - 24 Durability: 25 of 30 Required Level: 55 Required Strength: 41 Required Dexterity: 35 Fingerprint: 0x2e0882cd Item Level: 36 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +3 to All Skills +40% Faster Cast Rate +75% Damage to Demons +100 to Attack Rating against Demons +150% Damage to Undead Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames) 7% Mana stolen per hit +10 to Dexterity Replenish Life +20 Increase Maximum Mana 15% All Resistances +40 Level 4 Oak Sage (25/25 Charges) Level 14 Raven (60/60 Charges) 4 Sockets (4 used) Socketed: Ko Rune Socketed: Vex Rune Socketed: Pul Rune Socketed: Thul Rune

That's my second Hoto since coming back, I'm glad I made that first one with my light sorc as it was 31 all res, so I took the bad roll out and now I have a perfect one. Hoto 40 all res and my 35fcr Spirit in 42 all res Sacred Rondache are pretty much the core of this character, just need that elusive armor to be made now.

Other than the above finds, I've found quite a selection of different skiller charms, but these two were the only ones with a useful other mod (I have some gold find ones which can be useful, but not too desirable):

Code:

Fanatic Grand Charm of Sustenance Grand Charm Required Level: 42 Fingerprint: 0x7423cf4d Item Level: 85 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to Masteries Skills (Barbarian Only) +23 to Life Sparking Grand Charm of Sustenance Grand Charm Required Level: 42 Fingerprint: 0x607de059 Item Level: 80 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only) +23 to Life

And two jewels that I might find some use at some point with other characters, but not really sure I do:

Code:

Aureolic Jewel of Fervor Jewel Required Level: 31 Fingerprint: 0x296383 Item Level: 80 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +15% Increased Attack Speed +3 to Mana after each Kill Havoc Eye Jewel Required Level: 12 Fingerprint: 0xff8f062a Item Level: 88 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +5 to Life Cold Resist +14% Lightning Resist +7% Fire Resist +7% Poison Resist +7% 30% Extra Gold from Monsters

Anyone else have any updates?

japanzaman said:
I think there is a way to start up Diablo using key presses instead of using the mouse. This is the best way to prevent losing what could be a great LK map, or any other map for that matter.

Neksja said:
japanzaman said:

I think there is a way to start up Diablo using key presses instead of using the mouse. This is the best way to prevent losing what could be a great LK map, or any other map for that matter.

Click to expand...

There is, H for Hell, N for Nightmare and I think it's something like R for Normal. But that's what I did, accidentally pressed N instead of H. I guess I could have kill the software process and reopen it then, but I don't mind too much. It's not that difficult to get a new LK map and luckily, the RoF map has proved to be quite fruitful

Pb_pal said:
@Neksja - Grats on perfect HoTo! Nice Nightwings too, only 1% off from perfect. Your Blizzy will indeed be quite happy with that, Eleanor has adored hers, it makes a big difference.

Vildecor · Mar 9, 2021

Pb_pal said:

Well, there it is! After a bit of a grind to finish it, Eleanor has reached her goal. Not much to report from the last quarter other than finding a +3 Enchant Ormus Robes (she found 5 total - Enchant, Thunderstorm, Fire Wall, Meteor, and the Blizzard one she wears).

Look for the full writeup coming in the next few days or so, once I get around to writing it/uploading the video of her 99 ping.

Thanks Kitteh and everyone else! This was fun.

--

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.5           No         3953        460            3         298
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   92             Yes         250        167            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0           0
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       68             Yes          178       122            2      Classified
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila  SpeedAdict      SC      Ama        29            No            -          -            -          10
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Neksja said:
Congrats @Pb_pal ! I am currently reading through your (as well as others) adventures from the beginning of this thread and seeing you just dinged 99 is amazing. Really looking forward to that full writeup!

What's next for you in D2?

Pb_pal said:
Neksja said:

Congrats @Pb_pal ! I am currently reading through your (as well as others) adventures from the beginning of this thread and seeing you just dinged 99 is amazing. Really looking forward to that full writeup!

What's next for you in D2?

Click to expand...

Thanks! Probably a bit of a break, honestly. I do want to get back to my tournament characters though, especially the "Old Gods". I'll have to see though, I'm anticipating a very strange void left by the lack of leveling I now need to do, so anything is possible!

Grape said:
Huge congrats!

Filling the void is an easy task. Just start taking steps toward Zod God

Your Sorc's name always reminded me of this Beatles' classic:

Pb_pal said:
Haha don't kid yourself, the Zod God tempts me. I do have 2 Zods to my name so far, and one was found by Eleanor so maybe she was destined all along to be finally converted to a Trav runner. Hmm...

Grape said:
Awesome!

No kidding, I'd love to have some company besides @pharphis. There's plenty of Grailers to go, for all of us

zticazzy said:
@Pb_pal this is amazing, you are amazing! I can't wait to see your write-up. Huge congrats man!

LiquidClear said:
Nice work. When can we expect the next 99 and what class?

NanoMist said:
@Pb_pal - Congrats! What a legend!

PhineasB said:
@Pb_pal - Wow! Very nicely done, and congrats on pushing through to finish it off so quickly.

Pb_pal said:
LiquidClear said:

Nice work. When can we expect the next 99 and what class?

Click to expand...

Oh boy. Not for a long time, if at all. Then again, I think every time I've said that about this game I've got back on my word, so who knows.

Thanks for the kind words everyone, this was a really fun challenge and I thank you all again for helping/motivating/entertaining me along the way. Now get back to running, I want to see more 99ers!

Here is her write-up thread, for future reference. Happy running, folks!

Neksja said:
Okay people, let's get back to business as usual, nothing to see here from @Pb_pal!

Mid-week update:

Aura went back to LK, took me almost 2 hours to get a decent 6 chest map, it's a bit longer run than my previous map, but now I am hitting minimum of 4 corpses, 2 logs and a skeleton each run as well, so I'm counting each run as 1.5 runs Anything to keep you going, right?

Did about 150-200 runs, one of the corpses has become my beacon of hope, since it has given me 2 Pul runes so far. But then last night, I popped Sur #4:

So close that I am starting to feel it. One more Sur (or Ber) and I can make Enigma, but finding Sur would mean cubing up those two Lo runes I found. Not too keen on that, but at this point, the rune hunting is really killing me so I'll probably just do it and hope to find replacements in CS eventually.

To prepare for Enigma, I made an upgrade on my Merc's weapon:

Code:

Insight Cryptic Axe RalTirTalSol Two Hand Damage: 183 - 801 Durability: 33 of 33 Required Level: 59 Required Strength: 155 Required Dexterity: 93 Fingerprint: 0xe285071c Item Level: 85 Version: Expansion 1.10+ Level 17 Meditation Aura When Equipped +35% Faster Cast Rate 256% Enhanced Damage +9 to Minimum Damage 232% Bonus to Attack Rating Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames) +5 to Critical Strike All Stats +5 +2 to Mana after each Kill 23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Ethereal 4 Sockets (4 used) Socketed: Ral Rune Socketed: Tir Rune Socketed: Tal Rune Socketed: Sol Rune

Found that eth 5os Cryptic Axe on Monday I think and decided that I'd roll until I get lvl17 Meditation and at least +230ed and +3 Critical Strike. I got one with 17Med, 215ed and +6 Critical Strike on 2nd roll, but kept going until I got this on my 11th roll.

Also, in anticipation of getting Enigma before I find Arachnid's Mesh, I wanted to roll some caster belts to keep my 125fcr breakpoint and this was the one I kept from 25 crafts:

Code:

Dread Lash Sharkskin Belt Defense: 34 Durability: 10 of 14 Required Level: 47 Required Strength: 20 Fingerprint: 0x12af51df Item Level: 93 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +10% Faster Cast Rate +24% Faster Hit Recovery +6 to Strength +59 to Life +10 to Mana Regenerate Mana 10% Lightning Resist +8%

Nothing too fancy, but 10fcr, high life and fhr, although the fhr is pretty much useless as I won't reach the next breakpoint with Spirit and that. Otherwise, my other finds have been pretty much limited to these two:

Code:

Trang-Oul's Guise Bone Visage Defense: 240 Durability: 30 of 40 Required Level: 65 Required Strength: 106 Fingerprint: 0x7618e554 Item Level: 88 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +25% Faster Hit Recovery +91 Defense Replenish Life +5 +150 to Mana Attacker Takes Damage of 20 Fanatic Grand Charm of Life Grand Charm Required Level: 42 Fingerprint: 0x394c352e Item Level: 80 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to Masteries Skills (Barbarian Only) +14 to Life

That's my second +life Masteries skiller, the game is really telling me to try out oskill Barbarian or something

Again, won't update the XP table as I've gained only like 1/10 of a level, I'll update once I get to 93.

Keep running folks! Once I get my Enigma, I'm gonna hunt you all down and beat you to the buzzer (except you @NanoMist)!

T72on1 said:
@Neksja I might be on a break from this, but I'll try hard to stay in the place I'm currently am if needed ... . Congrats on the finds so far. Close to Enigma indeed.

@Pb_pal I'll say it again in your write-up thread, but it deserves mentioning here as well: major congrats !!! Awesome what you did there, and in a relatively short time span. Makes me want to get back to this as well.

Pb_pal said:
@Neksja - Nice job! Congrats on the Sur.

@T72on1 - Thanks! You should definitely come back, can't let Neksja declare he'll beat everyone and then allow him to follow through!

T72on1 said:
@Neksja ?? Hah, he (she?) will only be able to clean up the mess I left when getting to 99 ...

Neksja said:
@T72on1 better get out of your comfort zone then. I'll let you know that I'll get my annual vacation days for 2017 starting from December, so I might just use all of them then and be done with this silly sprint before end of the year. And Lord Nibbler is a he, you might as well catch up on Futurama to get your facts straight instead of watching in denial while I run past you in the table.

Xios said:
Mulling over giving this an attempt. I've mostly only played on Ladder in the past, but as a relatively fresh singleplayer user the ability to try and take a character forward seems much more appealing, particularly if I can mule [out] my findings. At the very least it'd help to amass a good collection for future characters.

We'll see how I feel after pushing my latest character through the Old Gods tournament and with Ladder reset looming in the near future.

Good luck to all of those still attempting, it's certainly a checkbox not everyone crosses off.

T72on1 said:
Neksja said:

@T72on1 better get out of your comfort zone then. I'll let you know that I'll get my annual vacation days for 2017 starting from December, so I might just use all of them then and be done with this silly sprint before end of the year. And Lord Nibbler is a he, you might as well catch up on Futurama to get your facts straight instead of watching in denial while I run past you in the table.

Click to expand...

If the end of the year is the time frame you want to finish this in then ... I'm completely out of competition . Overall I don't have that much time to play anyway, and right now I'm doing mainly D3 and in RL preparations for another 50K run. So yeah, even if I get back to D2 full time, I'll be glad to reach 98 by the end of the year, let alone 99.

I'll still try to give you good competition though ...

Good luck !!!

OldSoldier said:
Congrats Pb_pal!!!!

MercMan said:

Este is now lvl 86, having completed the Hell Anya quest. Nothing terribly exciting to report along the way. I spent way too much time on NM Mephisto to find a Titan's but thought it would be good to have some phys damage for mana and life steal.

She is now farming LK to make an Infinity. HR's have been scarce, with only one Ohm found. Strangely enough, the Guls and Ists have been raining with three of each found.

Back to the grind.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.5           No         3953        460            3         298
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   92             Yes         250        167            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0     
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila  SpeedAdict      SC      Ama        29            No            -          -            -          10
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Vildecor · Mar 9, 2021

Neksja said:
Today was a pretty decent day in LK. First hour, I didn't really get anything, but then it started.

What a nice surprise! I really needed that rune before I find Sur/Ber, so I can make a CTA. That's the one runeword for this character that I was really scared of rolling, +1 BO and +6 BO is a huge difference. Scared, I went and took my chance:

Code:

Call to Arms Crystal Sword AmnRalMalIstOhm One Hand Damage: 17 - 52 Durability: 20 of 20 Required Level: 57 Required Strength: 43 Fingerprint: 0xd54fb4dd Item Level: 79 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to All Skills +40% Increased Attack Speed 252% Enhanced Damage Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage 7% Life stolen per hit Prevent Monster Heal +4 to Battle Command +4 to Battle Orders +4 to Battle Cry Replenish Life +12 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

PHEW! 4/4/4 is a pretty good roll! So good, that I sighed with relief as I knew this is a CTA that should give me enough life/duration to start properly running CS once I get Enigma. So glad! Although, if I start swimming in Ohms, I'll probably try to roll another one (in a different base), if I could get a +6BO one. But very glad about the roll!

Kept running LK and within an hour of that Ohm, I get Mal and 2x Um. Pretty cool, since I've only found 2 Ums before those two, so it was nice to get few extra in case I want to make Duress/Stone for Merc and possibly socket in Shako/Rare circlet eventually. Ums seem to be quite rare for me. Also found a semi-decent rare jewel, that I'll probably use at some character who needs a slight reduction in required stats:

Code:

Shadow Eye Jewel Required Level: 13 Fingerprint: 0xad899d62 Item Level: 80 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +2 to Strength Cold Resist +7% Lightning Resist +7% Fire Resist +7% Poison Resist +7% Requirements -15%

Oh, and I made a minor upgrade on Aura's armor:

Managed to get Sur #5 in LK few hours after that Ohm:

Took me pretty much exactly 2 hours to get 3x flawless amethyst, 2x flawless topaz, 1x flawless sapphire to cube up the runes plus finding the Light Plate, managed to get 3os on my 3rd Light Plate, luckily this base was 106def, 1 off from perfect without ED.

Pb_pal said:
Congrats on the Enigma! Pretty decent roll on the CtA as well, nicely done. Are you done with LK now, or is there more you're looking to farm?

Neksja said:
No more LK running, at least for now. At the moment, I'm doing a mix of Mephi runs and Grand Vizier/Infector runs. Mephi runs in attempt at finding Shako/Mara's and better Waterwalks, my current one has only 47 life. CS runs to get a level so I can finally update the table. Mephi runs are okay, but the fact that I am keeping all my S/U finds, I need to spend quite a bit of time muling items off, so that's not fun. Hoping to luck out and get a Shako from CS, at this point I've already seen 3 failed sets, it's quite infuriating...

Also having a bit of a headache figuring out my Merc gear. Eth Cryptic Axe Insight and Concentration from me deals enough damage, so I only need a source of leech and then extra def/reduced damage/resists/CBF. I might at some point return to LK to farm another Ber for CoH, but I'm not sure that's the way to increase Merc survivability. Suggestions are more than welcome from anyone

T72on1 said:
Great !!! Enjoy the new goodies, Neksa .

Pb_pal said:
Treachery is always a good budget option, once fade procs his survivability goes way up. I always suggest a Delerium for the helm, as the crowd control from the confuse procs will keep him alive as well. Good luck on the Shako!

NanoMist said:

98.7 now - I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Quite a few rune highlights in this update - with video too! The highlights were uploaded directly from twitch, so I blame them for the loss in quality. I don't stream much, so I was fortunate to even capture a few of these drops.

Finds:
Eth Reapers
Sur Rune - video
Vex Rune
Cham Rune #1 - video
Cham Rune #2
15 Res/7 FHR Jewel
Ber Rune - video

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.7           No         4441        465            4         324
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   92             Yes         250        167            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0 
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila  SpeedAdict      SC      Ama        29            No            -          -            -          10
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Zenigma said:
Okay, it's definitely about time that I've update my progress...

Ayura has been a busy little boy in pindle. Making some decent progress, finding some decent items, upgrading random rare throwers as he sees fit for the occasion... Made this little bad boy in order to bump up the player setting on pindle without losing too much efficiency in runs

Code:

Viper Song Winged Harpoon Throw Damage: 35 - 262 One Hand Damage: 87 - 126 Quantity: 50 Required Level: 77 Required Strength: 76 Required Dexterity: 145 Fingerprint: 0xd5d45242 Item Level: 86 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 5% Chance to cast level 1 Amplify Damage on striking 224% Enhanced Damage +13 to Maximum Damage +14 to Attack Rating Replenishes quantity Required Level +12

Also found this cutie

Code:

Ghoul Bite Winged Knife Throw Damage: 98 - 166 One Hand Damage: 115 - 149 Quantity: 200 Required Level: 57 Required Strength: 45 Required Dexterity: 142 Fingerprint: 0x848ed851 Item Level: 83 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 327% Enhanced Damage +333 to Attack Rating Adds 5 - 95 Lightning Damage

It's got the big thing: damage; but it's missing some of the preferred secondary stats: amp, ias, cold, the like. As I can tell by the color when holding, it rolled with ferocious instead of cruel. Maybe massive, not sure if the hue of yellow is different between the two. Either way, over 300% ED is cool.
It did roll +damage, +damage/ar, and +ar. That is rare enough in itself.

Anywho, I accidentally walked on into nightmare or normal while trying to open in hell .... so I lost my map D:
And that's unfortunate, because I had a decent enough LK map, only one campfire. I had a good countess map, and I also had a fair pit map. All in one. And it is now gone. Tried to end the process, but the new roll had already taken.
I use shortcuts to open difficulty, I accidentally pressed j instead of h, and in instinctively clicking in the direction of intended travel, I pressed on normal or nightmare in the difficulty select before I could correct myself to press h.

I'm mostly running pindle for the so it's not a massive loss; I was done for the foreseeable future in LK, having made my fort. If desperately need to have faith, I'm just sur away, so there's that. I could roll a LK map fast enough should the need arise.

All that said, I was taken aback enough to sideline Ayura. He's earned the rest; should any of you want to hear the man talk, he'll be tossing a few back with Geglash.

Now, with him sidelined, I decided to push a bit further on Gnosis. Gnosis, having been parked at the outer cloister, was chomping at the bit to crush some foes. Having run a few pits at varying difficulties, he decided he had had enough and went forth cruising through at /p8. It was rough going, but he made it to catacombs level 4, and decided to bump it down to /p3 for the demon queen. That was a mistake. Gnosis found her so easy at that level, he thought someone was playing a practical joke. There was no way she went down so easily. But she had. So he picked up his belongings and moved to Lut Gholein. (still wish I could have gotten the quest drop at a higher player setting)

Act 2 was uneventful. I can't even remember which difficulty setting he ran it at. I think I mixed it up frequently. Though I disitinctly remember going through the sewers at /p8 only to get a physical immune radament. And he was either regenning too quickly or he was cold immune too--I couldn't kill him with hurricane, so I had to run that hell again. I bumped it down to /p1 for that, because at that point, I was simply done with act 2.
...this was after killing Duriel, mind you

Act 3, also not particularly interesting, I went through again at varying /p levels. Did that as quickly as I could, because I wanted to get to act 4 in order to run LK as efficiently as I could. I only recently finished running LK on my barb, so I'm already halfway fed up with it. So I finished act 3, and proceeded to roll a LK map. Found one with two camp fires near the wp, which only took a half-hour. After starting to run the new LK map, I started mentally noting his deficits. Not only did he need the enigma, which I'm still running the runes for, but I needed a spirit monarch for him. Relying on enigma's strength bonus, I should make my way to equipping a monarch quite easily.

So with that in mind, I started running some pits as well. I found a mage plate in act 2 or 3, which I cubed 3 sockets into. It had fair enough a defense rating that I was pleased to roll an enigma into it. But while running pits, I found this:

Code:

Dusk Shroud Defense: 465 Durability: 20 of 20 Required Level: 49 Required Strength: 77 Fingerprint: 0x365af3d9 Item Level: 85 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 3 Sockets (0 used)

And I didn't even need to roll sockets into it. After some calculations, I found that I would necessarily have to the strength to equip it in order to equip the spirit monarch (a plain monarch being the main reason for which I was running the pits in the first place). After those calculations, I decided to stash the mage plate for another class at another time, should I decide I want it. On top of that, its defense is 2 off perfect, so I'm good with the upgrade over mage plate.

Anywho, I eventually found my monarch, later that day, no less. And I immediately rolled sockets into it. It took longer to find this first monarch than I had anticipated. And I knew going into this endeavor that I would need to find multiple monarchs in order to get the 4 socket roll out of the cube. And I wasn't about to use one of my socket quests on it. I'm saving those for very specific drops--reach goals: eth reapers, rare pelt, and whichever merc helm I end on (I currently have guillame's, which is a very possible endgame helm for my merc, so that's kinda exciting). without further side-tracking, I'm happy to say that I rolled 4 sockets on my first try. My luck with rolling 35% fcr (which unfortunately is what I need to hit 99% fcr with the planned gear that I have acquired) has been lack-luster. I believe my rolls thus far, in order, have been as follows: 31, 25, 25, 34, 30, 25, 33. I had numerous sets of spirit runes when I started, now not so much. And let me say, it's harder to stockpile runes for rerolling when you don't access your extended stash, which I still intend to not do on this guy. I've gotten so far without it, so I'm happy to keep running instead of drawing upon his extended stash, which I'm keeping for the sake of legacy, even though I know I've left several items behind because I'm too lazy to pick some items up. Anyways, I'm running LK with the foremost intent to roll the spirit to 35% fcr, so I don't get discouraged on the Hr front.

Granted, I found these literally in under ten minutes of each other friday night.... checking the timestamps on the screenies, they were 9 minutes and 50 seconds apart.

Obviously I was supposed to make a melee character instead.
Good grief....

Pun intended... I know, I'm the worst

And because I don't want to insert another spoiler into this... I found this in LK yesterday

So I guess I'm a 1/4 of the way to enigma, plus a good base

Now all of this is well and good, but the actual reason why I decided to post this right now...

Code:

Falcon Mask Defense: 21 Durability: 20 of 20 Required Level: 30 Required Strength: 28 Fingerprint: 0xe0c79ba8 Item Level: 80 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +3 to Summon Grizzly (Druid Only) +3 to Tornado (Druid Only) +2 to Hunger (Druid Only) 3 Sockets (0 used)

It came with the 3os. Until I find the rare pelt (should I be so lucky) I can make a delirium out of this baby. I know it's not the best helm, but putting it to use on a druid comes with the benefit of being able to shift out of the bone fetish shape with a simple one point investment into one of either werewolf or werebear.

Once upon a time, back in my early 1.10 days, delirium was a goal runeword of mine. I never made it. Now is my chance to put it to use on a character that isn't terribly set back by the aforementioned shortcoming of bone fetish.

As icing on the cake, falcon masks don't look as bad as rams' heads on the druids. Those things look downright silly...

Though I would have preferred the wolf head

And another side-note, I want to sell it just to see how much a vendor would sell it back to me for, but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to afford to buy it back, even with millions of gold stashed.

That's plenty enough writing for now, I'll regale you all with some of h is muled-off finds sometime later. And though he's made some significant progress, I don't feel like updating the table at this time. It's not been too earth-shattering of progress, and I don't anticipate much more leveling until I make that enigma.

Pb_pal said:
@NanoMist] - Wow! Nice rune finds! Getting close to the end now.

@Zenigma - GG Delerium! One of my favourites.

T72on1 said:
@NanoMist That is awesome !!! Congrats on the progress and on the impressive rune finds.

@Zenigma Good progress there. Good luck on the rest of the journey !!!

I'm happy to say that I picked up running CS again in between playing D3. Not much, not even enough to see the xp bar move in my opinion. But then again at level 97, you don't see it moving anymore anyway, you just hope it will at one point ... . Nothing major yet, only Dracul's and Levithian. And one close call, which reminded me that dying almost isn't an option, as I would have a really hard time finding the motivation to continue when that happens.

Still hoping to find more runes, especially after seeing Nanomist's goodies. Then again we might get the impression he found it in a short time span, because he is still at the same level. But who knows how many hours it took him ...

Pb_pal said:
@T72on1 - Great to see you back running! Glad you didn't die, I always find it's the most dangerous right after a break. Hopefully the runes come for you soon, I found most of my runes in the CS, so keep your hopes up!

T72on1 said:
Yes indeed it was within' the first 40 runs or so. Getting back focus was definitely the issue. Even more so because pace in D3 is completely different, which is always quite dangerous to deal with.

Thanks for the encouraging words. And I'll stop whining about the runes now. I'll just find them instead ... .

qwernt said:

AgainstAll is having fun. Went to Hell mode a bit early (70) but had a map with way point next to Rakanishu so ran that till 76 at which point I needed a change of pace so I added the Pit. Yeah, still a little early for the pit power-wise, but anything not LI evaporates and LI tends to not be CI so freeze'em and watch the Merc wack'em with Insight. If LI/CI, strafe with riphook+cleglaw's pincers mean they don't get to move much. . Now sitting at 81, decided I could risk running to LK. killed Duriel last night, so should start LK running today sometime (Harmony + Stealth + 40% boots should let me run pretty fast, freeze/lightning fury anything that gets in the way).

Key finds:
Early in her career she found chances gloves, which means now she has fun stuff like: Atma's Scarab, The Stone of Jordan, String of Ears & Snowclash, and the aforementioned riphook. She is still sporting her Normal reward imbued circlet (+1 amazon, +20 resist all, 16-54 fire damage, +4 dex, +4 max damage). Peace and Cleglaw's Pincers/Chances round out questing mode.

Grail finds for me:
Boneshade, Suicide Branch, 2x Cloudcrack , Coldsteel Eye

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.7           No         4441        465            4         324
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   92             Yes         250        167            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila  SpeedAdict      SC      Ama        29            No            -          -            -          10
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

T72on1 said:
Congrats on the SoJ !!!

NanoMist said:
T72on1 said:

Still hoping to find more runes, especially after seeing Nanomist's goodies. Then again we might get the impression he found it in a short time span, because he is still at the same level. But who knows how many hours it took him ...

Click to expand...

Good thing my hours played in that span can be figured out..

As for the rune drops, I did expect to see a couple though. Death sentry kills everything in the screen that isn't an Arach, and I'd say I'm averaging 20-something monster kills per run. That's enough kills to be expecting something with my number of runs. Still incredible to find back to back Chams though.

T72on1 said:
Yes, speaking about those ... what are you going to do with that Zod ... ?

NanoMist said:
I'll keep the Cham runes for future use, I may need the CBF on another character. Still waiting/dreaming for that 3os Etomb.

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.7           No         4441        465            4         324
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   94             Yes         877        304            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila  SpeedAdict      SC      Ama        29            No            -          -            -          10
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Mid-week(ish) update on Aura!

As per my previous update, I finally acquired Enigma for Aura. Things really started to roll from there. The plan was to run Mephi until my eyes bleed or until I find Shako/Arachnid Mesh/Mara's.

But that didn't happen. I realised that Aura was pretty low on MF (around 180%), so I did maybe 2 hours worth of Mephi without much useful finds and decided to go back to CS. I am now taking the route "I'll either find those 3 items in CS or I'll never find them".

Off to CS I was again! Decided to reroll my map, since the one with decent Mephi map had the L-shape Grand Vizier, so 75% of the time that pack was missing lot of minions. So, I rerolled to get a pretty good map, also pretty dangerous. I died twice while getting used to the map. So what's the deal? There's minimum of 1 boss pack spawning at Grand Vizier seal, sometimes 2, but very often 3 boss packs. That's 3 boss packs and Grand Vizier's crew! That's pretty great XP, but also makes very dangerous runs if there's Fana/Conv/Might auras present and OK's curses. While that place is dangerous, Infector is slightly easier, there's occasionally one additional boss pack there, but more often not. So, the best runs are Grand Vizier + Infector + 4 boss packs. All around 1 minute.

Which brings us to my current run times. So far my run times seem to average around 55-57 seconds while playing /p8, but that's without muling items off to GoMule stashes, so 1 minute per run is pretty accurate. I've not been looking at my gained XP per run (or per hour) yet, but I think the few runs I've kinda kept an eye on it, I've gotten 750k per run. Now at lvl94, I'm roughly 190m from lvl95, which would mean that I'd need ~250 runs (or ~4hours plus some) to level up again. Not too bad, but this is still child's play when it comes to last level.

My finds? Glad you asked! It's not all Nanomisted out there, some people really have it rough. For runes, between 92-94, I found 1x Mal and 2x Lem (and additional Um from a poppable at RoF waypoint if I recall). Then again, I haven't run that much yet. Here are some other selected finds from past two levels:

Code:

Amber Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xe08f1004
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Life
Lightning Resist +11%

Arkaine's Valor
Balrog Skin
Defense: 1367
Durability: 20 of 30
Required Level: 85
Required Strength: 165
Fingerprint: 0x9a5f3cf1
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+164% Enhanced Defense
+46 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 14

Bitter Stalker
Sharkskin Boots
Defense: 36
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 47
Fingerprint: 0x90256bed
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+6 to Dexterity
Cold Resist +8%
Fire Resist +29%
Poison Resist +29%
18% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Repairs 1 Durability in 20 Seconds

Carrion Wind
Ring
Required Level: 60
Fingerprint: 0x76a84472
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 10 Poison Nova when struck
8% Chance to cast level 13 Twister on striking
6% Life stolen per hit
+117 Defense vs. Missile
Poison Resist +55%
10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Level 21 Poison Creeper (4/15 Charges)

Chance Guards
Chain Gloves
Defense: 27
Durability: 9 of 16
Required Level: 15
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0x55b651f3
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25 to Attack Rating
+23% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
200% Extra Gold from Monsters
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Light Radius

Eschuta's Temper
Eldritch Orb
One Hand Damage: 18 - 50
Durability: 22 of 30
Required Level: 72
Fingerprint: 0x1ac8afc5
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Sorceress Skill Levels
+40% Faster Cast Rate
+12% to Lightning Skill Damage
+18% to Fire Skill Damage
+21 to Energy

Lightsabre
Phase Blade
One Hand Damage: 97 - 129
Indestructible
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x6653913a
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 18 Chain Lightning on attack
+20% Increased Attack Speed
183% Enhanced Damage
Adds 10 - 30 Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 60 - 120 Magic Damage
Adds 1 - 200 Lightning Damage
5% Mana stolen per hit
Lightning Absorb 25%
+7 to Light Radius

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xd71a06fa
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 51 Poison Nova when you Die
Adds 37 Poison Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
-4% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+5% to Poison Skill Damage

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x1c0851e9
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 29 Blaze when you Level-Up
Adds 17 - 45 Fire Damage
-4% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+5% to Fire Skill Damage

Hexing Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xe3f88215
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+22 to Life

Scintillating Jewel
Jewel
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0x98324b36
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +12%
Lightning Resist +12%
Fire Resist +12%
Poison Resist +12%

Tal Rasha's Adjudication
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xbfb40455
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Sorceress Skill Levels
Adds 3 - 32 Lightning Damage
+50 to Life
+42 to Mana
Lightning Resist +33% Set (4 items): +10% Faster Cast Rate

Tal's ammies are flying around for me. Before my long break, I didn't find a single one in like 3-4 years, now I've found 3 in ~3 months. Arkaine's Valor, Carrion Wind and Lightsabre all grailers (including ALL my characters now).

Here's my current gear:

Code:

Dread Shell
Circlet
Defense: 23
Durability: 34 of 35
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xf06eda50
Item Level: 89
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
+11 to Strength
All Resistances +13
Level 4 Frost Nova (30/30 Charges)

Entropy Noose
Amulet
Required Level: 89
Fingerprint: 0xe4233157
Item Level: 91
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+15 to Attack Rating
+13 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 5%
All Resistances +20
Lightning Resist +7%
+1 to Light Radius

Enigma
Light Plate
JahIthBer
Defense: 877
Durability: 59 of 60
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 41
Fingerprint: 0x7e34c234
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 to Teleport
+771 Defense
+70 to Strength (Based on Character Level)
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Damage Reduced by 8%
+14 Life after each Kill
15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
94% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Ith Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune


Plague Touch
Ring
Required Level: 51
Fingerprint: 0x658178c5
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 6 - 3 Damage
+107 to Attack Rating
Cold Resist +11%
All Resistances +7

Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xfc6badfd
Item Level: 71
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
5% Life stolen per hit
+47 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina

Dread Lash
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 34
Durability: 13 of 14
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x12af51df
Item Level: 93
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+24% Faster Hit Recovery
+6 to Strength
+59 to Life
+10 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 10%
Lightning Resist +8%

Waterwalk
Sharkskin Boots
Defense: 120
Durability: 12 of 14
Required Level: 32
Required Strength: 47
Fingerprint: 0xbb9b2d2d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Run/Walk
+200% Enhanced Defense
+100 Defense vs. Missile
+15 to Dexterity
+47 to Life
+40 Maximum Stamina
Heal Stamina Plus 50%
+5% to Maximum Fire Resist

Trang-Oul's Claws
Heavy Bracers
Defense: 67
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x19aadcda
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+25% to Poison Skill Damage
+30 Defense
Cold Resist +30%


Call to Arms
Crystal Sword
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 17 - 52
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xd54fb4dd
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
252% Enhanced Damage
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+4 to Battle Command
+4 to Battle Orders
+4 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune

Spirit
Akaran Rondache
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 137
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 59
Fingerprint: 0x3caf2f03
Item Level: 71
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+29% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+106 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
All Resistances +37
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+3 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Heart of the Oak
Flail
KoVexPulThul
One Hand Damage: 1 - 24
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x2e0882cd
Item Level: 36
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
+75% Damage to Demons
+100 to Attack Rating against Demons
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
+10 to Dexterity
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
All Resistances +40
Level 4 Oak Sage (25/25 Charges)
Level 14 Raven (60/60 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ko Rune
Socketed: Vex Rune
Socketed: Pul Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune

Spirit
Sacred Rondache
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 155
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 66 of 68
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 109
Fingerprint: 0xf2019229
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+108 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
All Resistances +42
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+3 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

Merc gear:

Code:

Stealskull
Casque
Defense: 239
Durability: 12 of 24
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 59
Fingerprint: 0xf21ce766
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Increased Attack Speed
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
5% Mana stolen per hit
5% Life stolen per hit
+228% Enhanced Defense
48% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Duriel's Shell
Cuirass
Defense: 705
Durability: 31 of 150
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0xf2d9557b
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+190% Enhanced Defense
+117 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+15 to Strength
+94 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +20
Cannot Be Frozen
+100 Maximum Durability


Insight
Cryptic Axe
RalTirTalSol
Two Hand Damage: 183 - 801
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 155
Required Dexterity: 93
Fingerprint: 0xe285071c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 17 Meditation Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Cast Rate
256% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
232% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
+5 to Critical Strike
All Stats +5
+2 to Mana after each Kill
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune

And @T72on1, I thought you were enjoying D3? I kinda need you distracted from D2 for a liiittle bit longer

No more running for you!

Pb_pal said:
Go Nibbler go!

1 min/run is very very respectable, especially at 75k XP.

When Eleanor was at her CS-running peak (lvl 97) she was cranking out just over 80k/minute, so you're not far off already. With some gear upgrades and practice I wouldn't be surprised if you surpassed her handily! Well done.

Jean Avila said:

Guys this is my drops in nightmare.

I'm collecting gold because I'm using the rw harmony for the revive skill, I'm stafezon lvl 77 act 2.

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WWjMcRFIPXGm0RkFfXrUAlUNcrilrHvo05XGt7jK3BLbvGxxOulS1s56RED_2JaNeeLSRGlyMv0zQ0-AFpye21bhbk7KuhjVxScP_bN1-qWPWzqlzqgsCOlzUXcFPB_1jq1g95nRT7IayFg2HwTdSOzpngovGvHHrse12Opk_urxl9t-Z1dzy5x1a22yCI2hMfu8RD7Rr4-FQLuwgzDpzgpqiMyTEFH88QnY2z0xQFZOKNCiV82sJlymkLXBpPimN6VwMz4e9yWAY5kbHb90EK_zo79etUoFiyBvZOOvutHUnFD1rSRNkXFRap6g4MNlTj327QUK3Iw2giCJFOePTUqHN4kzCKuG0ufFRlYsjbvr0XAZ603Ebmzq_S_TGNW8u6rBYumVLDsMF8ccLXsgBZKWxT-_y2axsI1BuU1EkTYXpiB-PooiYNzTpXaKUeOuRe6-ovJM2iGZnm-eiSkYgy6VpRmhg2Zuuf0-ksq2RWq2rvqwOoIZrGSDfunmm8QmbcC6tUa2gvivqOPAVnyNO4W-10G9lZ17tWxZ6XBDiYoO1dsJgBpH10doXFFzY5wLfcjWQQeJld49G9R1mjQXusd3iXRpS97pUwti3hOJWb_Gsjc=w800-h600-no

wfxpSIUaUo0cGqjYjCRpg3HV6RqZXYMwaHVWynwDX_UV7gPekFiVUdnY3yyQGDut9Lx2mVV6Jippiz3YuKJuS5IgV0kkNC_B6_E1ycfdgG2Di3T7RZe2dQOixX-SUi-Q9l40ESk1kuiOviLdlBIdu9xOPry2VQRft06njLuFTszcaPfs0TqrXTtskc80rGwBKQH712Gp_xwRNdAzB4s5U5AV3wxH_aJ8DkHBT3B3W3x4sgNS7w1djmIlZ5e3DyX9zPESmfz7XoWs_DVjeX8yIQX3W_PVVWxb7PjHv3IzlhIv4zV3Bl-BSCfgruQ2Zt2EDhwCDCMPilLCBmgXNfIXAIxl4CshLJ5bHKACXfd1Qa6AlPx4J6l1UNZw6w1cmUaPYbrrbGFQI4zE152FGpg-PJQkvc0mCIL5ndQao61_qseOcPoDNt1KxVR5DM4hVSKlO_XOkytGiei0qc2zQFYdhjKb_j9AfL5US-ewnHnQoYCJxc3K4R1KM4quumshPT1NB1HkulCI0xzegtqVw8qJXjnd-Zkk9BAf0HXhlLChNSf9uQZjuWEytfyQiwaw4HbdcrWCCc5srOrxvvVHa2TNn_hgO55YfuLWpyoDHjtr9r3b4YQ=w800-h600-no

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.7           No         4441        465            4         324
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   94             Yes         877        304            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila  SpeedAdict      SC      Ama        77            No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

T72on1 said:
Neksja said:

And @T72on1, I thought you were enjoying D3? I kinda need you distracted from D2 for a liiittle bit longer No more running for you!

Click to expand...

I'm still enjoying D3 a lot, no worries . But the call of D2 and particularly this project is strong, so I have also picked up running CS again. It's only half an hour here and 45 minutes there, so nothing major. You'll probably still catch up on me, but I'm not giving it away for free .

For reference: I'm currently sitting at some 3.003M xp, so that is roughly 15% from 97 to 98. Not sure how long that took me, I should check when I'm home and have my notes. I think something like 10 - 11 hours. Quite some time to go before I hit 89 ... I'm doing roughly 1 run in a minute, muling included. I currently have the L-shaped Grand Vizier, because I find that one a lot easier to run, but indeed that one misses some minions from time to time, so I might be better off to change to the other layout. Not sure if there's other things to look for in a good CS map?

Good luck !!!

Vildecor · Mar 9, 2021

Grape said:
@T72on1 when I recently took my sorc to 97 running CS, I had a shrine close to the Infector seals. If it had Experience Shrine, I made a quick check if the area had any mages. If not, I took the shrine, and if it had, I took the shrine after Infector and teleported to Vizier pack with it.

It surprised me how often I could keep the shrine for either or both of the packs. Probably not making too much of a difference as a whole, but something to keep your eyes on.

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.7           No         4441        465            4         324
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97             Yes        1594        394           11         148.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   95             Yes         954        313            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Weekend update on Aura!

Past few days have been spent efficiently at CS, although I did few Eldritch runs to get easy and safe gold, as I was reviving my Merc too often, I was running low on funds. Anyhow, I managed to die twice between 94-95, both times to Conviction Infector pack. After the second death, I decided to S&E every time I encountered Conviction Infector, which was maybe 10ish times after that. So, I’d estimate lvl94-95 took me around 5-6 hours, without deaths and getting more gold for Merc revivals, I’d probably would’ve gotten sub 5 hours.

Like 92-94, the drops just weren’t there. Highest rune was Um and the next highest was Hel. Very disappointing, but again, that was few hundred CS runs only focusing on two seal bosses with few other boss packs and still relatively low mf, I shouldn’t expect too much.

I did still find some things! Two grailers as well, so I’m not going to complain. Here’s selected few finds that I had 94-95:

Code:

Amber Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xd579d74d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
Lightning Resist +11%

Amber Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xe08f1004
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+12 to Life
Lightning Resist +11%

Arreat's Face
Slayer Guard
Defense: 306
Durability: 29 of 55
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 118
Fingerprint: 0xb0e6b21f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
3% Life stolen per hit
+153% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
All Resistances +30

Dracul's Grasp
Vampirebone Gloves
Defense: 136
Durability: 7 of 14
Required Level: 76
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xcb38a3ce
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 10 Life Tap on striking
10% Life stolen per hit
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+107% Enhanced Defense
+11 to Strength
+7 Life after each Kill

Herald of Zakarum
Gilded Shield
Defense: 466
Chance to Block: 52
Durability: 31 of 50
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 89
Fingerprint: 0xa35d6aaf
Item Level: 88
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
+176% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
All Resistances +50

Leviathan
Kraken Shell
Defense: 1568
Durability: 36 of 48
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 174
Fingerprint: 0x45a25062
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+179% Enhanced Defense
+107 Defense
+41 to Strength
Damage Reduced by 24%

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x9722f29
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+248 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+19 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen

Sparking Grand Charm of Inertia
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x26605ca5
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
+7% Faster Run/Walk

Vidala's Ambush
Leather Armor
Defense: 67
Durability: 16 of 24
Required Level: 14
Required Strength: 15
Fingerprint: 0x38b01c12
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+50 Defense
+11 to Dexterity Set (2 items): Fire Resist +24% Set (3 items): +235 Defense (Based on Character Level)

That Ravenfrost is probably the best one I’ve ever seen, 2ar and 1dex off from perfect. Vidala’s Ambush was a very nice surprise until I realised that the chance of that dropping from Infector was about 3x lower than Harlequin Crest, which I would’ve preferred. Oh well, RNG is a B.

I think the next level will be the most challenging one for me, mentally. So far, I’ve been motivated by getting the highest level character on my character screen, that has now been accomplished since Aura took over from my Blizzsorc, who is lvl94. Additionally, my highest level character ever has been lvl96, so getting from 95 to 96 is not giving me a “reward” in that sense. Also, I’ve been motivated by taking over people on the table, next level still gets me two spots up, provided that Xylene and/or hasu won’t level up before me. Anyhow, I am my worst enemy in this tournament and I really hope that I get some decent drops early on for the next stint, to keep me motivated. After lvl96, it will be great again since I have a goal of achieving that first above lvl96 character and after lvl97, I’m hoping I’ll be getting close-ish to T72on1 and we can have our own little race like Pb_pal and Nanomist had, which again keeps me running.

Happy running everyone for the next week! Keep those updates coming

T72on1 said:
Good progress !!! Too bad about the deaths, but yeah Conviction Infector is very dangerous. I usually take on him by teleporting away a bit and have Blizzard kill him off, but if it get's too hairy, I just leave him alone.

The Ravenfrost is really nice. I had a 20 dex 247 AR one once, but ever since returning, the rolls have been really meh.

Good luck on the way to 96. Good drops definitely are a good source of motivation, so I'll keep my fingers crossed you'll get some .

Neksja said:
At least I got a decent start with the finds, Aura had not found a single TC87 Set/Unique until this morning, these twin brothers dropped 23 minutes apart:

In addition to those two, I found a Lacerator like 10 minutes before these, so I quite barbaric start I'd say Also, kinda nice to see that XP bar still moving relatively quickly, slightly dreading the day when you can see an increase of a pixel per day or something.

PhineasB said:
Congrats to @NanoMist (getting close! plus some really nice finds), @Neksja and others for progress. @Neksja and @T72on1 are helping with motivation to keep both my characters running!

It’s been a while since I’ve done an update. Although Mercy and Hiatus haven’t gained any levels, I thought I’d add some highlights of progress to contribute to the thread.

Mercy is about just short of 96.5 – 3/7th of the way there sounds encouraging, no? She has gone back and forth between Baal runs (p1/p8/p3) and Gripphon runs at p7 in CS. Neither has been entirely satisfying. Ventar or Lister end up needing teleporting around and three or more rounds of traps every 2 or 3 runs, and Baal at p3 was annoying. So runs aren’t quick on average, and I have a hard time plowing through more than two hours at one time. And CS is hard any time multiple Oblivion Knights spawn near either seal, even just normal ones – a champ pack generally results in a dead merc.

She tried changing merc gear about a quarter way to 97 by cubing up runes to make a CoH. I was surprised that it actually made the merc more fragile in the end, as I guess the lower +% damage from losing Fortitude impacted the amount of life leech. So she is back to using Fortitude and Tal’s helm for now. Vamp’s gaze would probably be a nice upgrade if it drops. She is going to try a HF merc for comparison, based on the approach most others have used, and try different gear combinations to see if that makes things progress more smoothly.

But she had some decent finds so far, including another unique spired helm (Veil of Steel this time), set Ward, an Um and a Pul in CS, a 4/4 lightning facet, a Leviathan from Baal, and an Azurewrath (roll). One Baal run let to a “Why not the other item as a unique” moment, because that’s human nature. Still no Arachnid’s Mesh . . . .

Hiatus did a quick set of 50 runes found at LK, collecting a Harpoonist’s GC of Sustenance, Gul #3, an Um, and a 5@ SC of Strength. She then cubed a couple runes to make Delirium for the merc, and did some CS runs at p5 to get comfortable, recently moving up to p8.

It is not efficient by any stretch, but I can still see meaningful progress from just a few runs. The merc still doesn’t have better armor than Duriel’s shell. For XP, she is barely past where the running icon gives way to the yellow of the stamina bar to level 95. Plans are to make a Treachery and get a HF merc to test out that combination for CS.

Good luck to everyone still running. It helps keep focus to see others making progress, so please continue to share updates.

Xios said:
Good stuff everyone.

Hearing you guys at high levels describing relatively how close you are to leveling takes me back to playing with friends and we'd type out in chat "|------|" to indicate how much left in the bar we had to go.

Some parts of that still ring true, as I still don't take too much stock in hard numbers. "How much experience is 500 million experience?" for example is something I'd have difficulties quantifying even now. I know Hell Ancients is 40 million, that's my only real point of comparison.

Just shows my naivety when it comes to trying (or not trying in this case) to get a character to 99 I suppose!

T72on1 said:
@PhineasB I definitely found the Holy Freeze merc to greatly increase safety overall, and his survivability in particular. @Pb_pal used Delirium on his merc to great success, so you might want to try that. That's what I did too recently, but it didn't work that well. Partially because it meant he had no leech (don't have the runes to make a CoH for him as well), so he would need a big rejuv about as many times as he needed one without the Delirium, partially because it often spread out the Infector or Vizier pack, which resulted in more time needed to kill the packs. I can definitely see it work against Nihl though.

As for myself, I made some more progress. Not so much, still 'only' at 3.015M xp, but the runs are going well. I switched maps, so I didn't have the L-shaped Vizier map anymore. I really needed some time to get used to it initially, resulting in longer running times. There's so much more enemies in that map layout than in the L-shaped one. But after a while I did get used to it, and it's definitely fun running like this, because it really keeps me on my toes. I also often get to kill 1 - 2 boss packs near the seal, as well as some trash mobs. Not sure if I still get any xp of those, but they usually get killed in almost the same effort it takes me to kill Vizier, so I'll definitely stick to this map layout.

I also did get a shrine nearby, but don't bother with it. I tried a few times, but always get cursed immediately, removing the xp shrine, so it doesn't seem worth it for me.

One thing I found strange was that now, sometimes the Infector pack spawns very close to the seal, resulting in fewer minions in the pack. It's strange, because I had this layout for Infector on my previous map as well (the one with the seals more or less across each other, not the one with the Infector seal at the end, after a double right turn), but can't recall this ever happened on that map. Doesn't happen enough to bother and reroll though.

O yes, and the good news (because complaining always helps) ...

.

.
Found them during a short, 40 minute session, with only run in between them !!! I still would have preferred a Ber for that Infinity, but I'll gladly take this for now .

These put me at 10 Mal, 4 Ist, 8 Gul, 1 Vex, 4 Ohm, 1 Lo, 1 Sur, 1 Ber and 2 Cham, next to the dual HotO, the CoH and the CtA I created for this character, so I definitely start to get a nice collection of runes. I might make a Fortitude for my merc, just to see if it makes a noticeable difference with the Treachery he is currently using, although if I'd do that, I'd make a non-eth for now, since I also want Fortitude for the oskill Sept I'm doing (and which I should pick up again).

MercMan said:
Este has been running LK diligently to create her very own "Moron's stick of Imbalance". Progress was slow because I was out of town last week but I found a few hours to play Sunday thru Tuesday and the results have been quite pleasing.

I already have a nice 4os eth CA so I'm now within a single drop of my goal. After that it will be all exp runs, crafting and optimization. As a degenerate crafter and reroller of charms, I'm pretty excited that I'm creeping up on 1000pgems too.

Back to the grind

Kitteh said:
Sorry everybody, I have been horribly busy and not been keeping up. Any issues? This tournament kind of runs itself

T72on1 said:
There are a few people in the list we haven't heard of in quite some time now. But the rest ... still doing a great job, even enough to already drag me back from D3 to D2 (although I still play D3 in between as well).

@MercMan is close to having an Infinity.

@PhineasB is making great progress with both his characters, with the highest being halfway to 97.

@Neksja is currently 'only' at 95 with his Paladin, but don't blink too much, or you'll miss him hitting 96 and 97 . After which he'll be chasing me. Really gotta give him kudos for getting my motivation from 100% back to 300% !!! Not sure if he is still running his Druid as well.

@qwernt hit the lvl 90 mark with one sorc, which is always a milestone. With the other sorc he found really good stuff like Atma's Scarab and a SoJ, so yeah, good stuff there.

@NanoMist is progressing really well, and is currently at the lvl 98.7 mark. Obviously we are all cheering for him from the sidelines. O yes, while doing all those Nihl runs, he found a tremendous batch of HRs, including 2 Chams !!!

@Zenigma is doing great with his 2 characters. I particularly like his double throw Barb, since that is really off the beaten path for a 99er project. Found him so very cool rare throwing weapons, so he should be able to put out the hurt ... a lot.

And then we have some new people who joined the fun, like @Jean Avila, who is making progress rapidly with an Amazon.

So no, no issues. Just business as usual ... .

SunsetVista said:
@T72on1 - wonderful summary! Thanks for doing that!

Good luck to everyone!

Neksja said:
@T72on1 that's a great summary, thanks! And to update my druid, he's still hibernating and I assume he'll be hibernating for quite some time. I'm really on the roll with Aura and I want to keep my motivation focused on him, after more than a decade with this game, I finally think I have a build and area to run that should keep me motivated until that elusive lvl99. Don't get me wrong, I love playing Werewolf druids, but I've been struggling to figure out, how am I going to get one to 99. That's coming up next, I'll still occasionally play Turirao, but the progress is not really there now with full focus on Aura. Maybe by the end of 2017, I'll have two 99 characters from this tournament

T72on1 said:
Well, I loved my Grief wielding Fury / Rabies wolf, and such a character should be a good character to get to 99, as it has great killing speed, even against crowds (which a lot of melee characters lack). Having said that, Enigma and teleporting is required to get to 99 as fast as possible, and I don't have a clue if that would fit into the equation for that character or not. But looking at the list of characters who actually reached level 99, there's quite some different builds, so yeah, why not?

In the long run I certainly see myself giving another character a shot to get to 99 after I finish this one. I don't think I'd go untwinked again, since I don't feel like running LK a lot again. But you never know of course ....

Neksja said:
I am running a Fury/Rabies, but since I'm lacking runes with him and I have barely been out of LK with Aura for like 2 weeks or so, I'm not quite ready to go back yet to start farming for Grief and Fortitude/Enigma. And a really big con for Werewolves/bears, you can't teleport in wereform, so you need to teleport in human form and once you reach your destination, then transform. Possibly makes it really dangerous to teleport around. But I'm sure I'll figure a way around it And I really like Fortitude on a melee char, so Turirao might be a super-long project, crawling towards 99 without teleport.

But I guess that's enough of OT right now (or at least non-update talk), I guess I'll need to get back to grind so I can put some pressure on other runners

T72on1 said:
Well, Feral Rage has quite a big frw bonus, so with a good map the runs probably don't take too long. You might be better off with something else than CS in that case though, probably Lister runs with very good maps on both WSK2 and WSK3.

And yes, please get back to running now. Give us competition !!!!

T72on1 said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.7           No         4441        465            4         324
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.2           Yes        2190        425            11        208.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   95             Yes         954        313            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

I updated the table, mainly to reflect the hours spent up to now. 148 hours started to sound really low for a level 97.2, especially considering I spent 23 hours on Pindle pre-97 and almost 20 hours running Travincal, both of which weren't directly tied to finding better gear for Neverland herself.

Anyway, seems like I spent 60 hours so far after hitting level 97, but only a little less than 14 hours of those were spent in CS. Now that I picked that up again and (sometimes) get up to speed with it, passing the 97.2 mark, I'm definitely positive about getting to 98. We'll have to see after that, although I should have some kind of a head start by doing the Ancients and then enjoy the first batch of the Nihl runs, as that is completely new to me. But that is still far off from now of course.

As for drops, I stopped counting total amount of S/U. It was taking some time I didn't want to spend on it anymore, and it just distracted from the runs too much. I'm at grail -79 now, which seems in line with what @NanoMist and @Pb_pal had at the time.

Since one can't really know without measuring, I decided to do a 1 hour run during my lunch break and see what amount of xp I got in that time. It was a bit disappointing

. 4.1M, so 68.3k/minute. As a reference, @Pb_pal hit 80k/min at level 97. I only did 50 runs in that hour though, which is about 10 less than usual. I had a real hard time getting into the right pace for some reason. If I can do a run in one minute on average, I'm at that 80k/min mark, so next time I'll keep track again, and hopefully it will go better.

O yes, small detail. During those runs I found my second Azurewrath. Which puts me at a 4/2 ratio of Lightsabre vs Azurewrath. Quite lucky there.

Btw, I just realized that, juding by @Neksja 's description, our CS maps are really similar. Dangerous indeed, but a lot of kills even if you don't want to, so xp and over time drops should come.

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.7           No         4441        465            4         324
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.2           Yes        2190        425            11        208.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        367            9           -
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   96             Yes        1134        340            -           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      94             Yes           -        338           15           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Pre-weekend update on Aura.

lvl96! And finally, a level-up without any deaths, that's what I'm talking about. And I still haven't bothered fixing my Merc gear, but that's coming up.

Finds! Well, runes were still underwhelming, 4x Um and 1x Pul. I'm really starting too feel like I am due for a great rune drop. Aura doesn't necessarily need any runes for gear updates for him/merc, but I'm still optimistic that I'll find some higher runes for some high-end runewords in case I want to go crazy and do this 99 running again with a twinked char (looking mainly for Infinity, CoH, Fortitude etc). When it comes to other finds, I was a bit more luckier, as those BK swords showed, but here's selection of finds:

Code:

Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 327
Durability: 12 of 20
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 102
Fingerprint: 0x780ff940
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
9% Life stolen per hit
+111% Enhanced Defense
+29 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist -30%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (14/20 Charges)

Bul-Kathos' Sacred Charge
Colossus Blade
One Hand Damage: 75 - 195
Two Hand Damage: 174 - 345
Durability: 44 of 50
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 189
Required Dexterity: 110
Fingerprint: 0x19638ef9
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Increased Attack Speed
200% Enhanced Damage
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
Knockback
All Resistances +20

Bul-Kathos' Tribal Guardian
Mythical Sword
One Hand Damage: 120 - 150
Durability: 22 of 44
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 147
Required Dexterity: 124
Fingerprint: 0x8c12ac04
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Increased Attack Speed
200% Enhanced Damage
Adds 50 Poison Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
+20 to Strength
Fire Resist +50%

Carrion Wind
Ring
Required Level: 60
Fingerprint: 0xfeae7434
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 10 Poison Nova when struck
8% Chance to cast level 13 Twister on striking
7% Life stolen per hit
+115 Defense vs. Missile
Poison Resist +55%
10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Level 21 Poison Creeper (11/15 Charges)

Expert's Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xcb285d91
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
+12 to Life

Fiend Brow
Tiara
Defense: 42
Durability: 22 of 25
Required Level: 52
Fingerprint: 0xf30e39b8
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+20 to Strength
+15 to Energy
All Resistances +18
Fire Resist +25%

Fleshripper
Fanged Knife
One Hand Damage: 59 - 226
Durability: 21 of 36
Required Level: 68
Required Strength: 42
Required Dexterity: 86
Fingerprint: 0xa92dcb4f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
298% Enhanced Damage
-50% Target Defense
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
33% Deadly Strike
50% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
Slows Target by 20%

Gargoyle's Bite
Winged Harpoon
Throw Damage: 35 - 248
One Hand Damage: 87 - 113
Quantity: 80
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 76
Required Dexterity: 145
Fingerprint: 0x832f19c1
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
223% Enhanced Damage
Adds 293 Poison Damage Over 10 Secs (250 Frames)
12% Life stolen per hit
Replenishes quantity
Level 11 Plague Javelin (40/60 Charges)

Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x7b0197ec
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
3% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15

Lacerator
Winged Axe
Throw Damage: 20 - 174
One Hand Damage: 32 - 162
Quantity: 180
Required Level: 68
Required Strength: 96
Required Dexterity: 122
Fingerprint: 0x429d21f8
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 3 Amplify Damage on striking
+30% Increased Attack Speed
191% Enhanced Damage
33% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 50%
Replenishes quantity

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xc1b6245b
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +21

Sacred Targe
Defense: 146
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 29 of 45
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 86
Fingerprint: 0xadeb5277
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +45
3 Sockets (0 used)

Sapphire Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xebe72c09
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +11%

Titan's Revenge
Ceremonial Javelin
Throw Damage: 72 - 192
One Hand Damage: 72 - 142
Quantity: 140
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 109
Fingerprint: 0x27c687d3
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Javelin and Spear Skills (Amazon Only)
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
+30% Faster Run/Walk
164% Enhanced Damage
Adds 25 - 50 Damage
5% Life stolen per hit
+20 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
Increased Stack Size
Replenishes quantity

Wraith Flight
Ghost Glaive
Throw Damage: 116 - 327
One Hand Damage: 72 - 232
Quantity: 48
Required Level: 76
Required Strength: 79
Required Dexterity: 127
Fingerprint: 0x6ce93345
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
158% Enhanced Damage
11% Life stolen per hit
+15 to Mana after each Kill
Replenishes quantity
Ethereal

Got really excited to see Combat skiller with +life, only to realize it was for Barbarian. And that Sacred Targe, so, so annoyed it was 3os, but I guess it's still nice for potential future project. And that Tiara, so, so close again, even comes with extra fire res to compliment Spirit. Oh well. It's nice that I got Mara's, although only 21@, but it might come handy if I find Arachs so I can swap it with my current +2pala, 20@, 10fcr amulet, to get that extra +1@ and mostly, +2 extra for BO. And I gotta figure out a build for that near perfect Fleshripper as well.

Next coming up, possibly a break from CS and back to Mephi for Arachs and Harlequin Crest. I've grown so annoyed seeing white Diadems/Coronas/Dimensional Shards, that I gotta pump up that MF. Currently have 181MF, so with Ptopaz'd Shako, I'd get 255%. And above all that, I'd get an increase in life, mana, %dr. While I've been writing this, I've made my mind that I'll go back for Mephi for a while

Great progress @T72on1 ! Make sure you'll check those Steam sales very, very thoroughly, I still need a bit more time to catch you

@NanoMist any progress? Give us something, you are so close now. Or are you busy running like crazy until you hit 99?

@Kitteh are you getting back on this ride?

T72on1 said:
@Neksja Nah, you don't need me losing time on things like Steam . At the pace you are going, you'll advance fast enough to catch up on me. Nice finds btw !!! Mara's, Highlord's ... still desperatly seeking for those for example. Not for my sorc, but for characters in my Sept.

As for me ... I think I'll have to call my current CS map the Ohmap:

That's 3 Ohms in something like 80 runs !!!

Next to that 3 grailers and a 4os 43% res all Akaran Targe (sorry Neksja), so a very good 1 hour run I just finished. Too bad I have to go do some gardening now.

Kitteh said:
I will be eventually, but I get little D2 time just now, so I'm trying to get the last third or so of the way to 99 with Fordyl, then I will jump back on this

ThomasJohnsen said:
@Kitteh: Are you playing mtgo? Saw someone named kitteh there playing the "twisted color pie"-cube. Well if you are, you might just bump into me - I'm kinda addicted to it (being the cube) atm.

Vildecor · Oct 2, 2021

Neksja said:
@T72on1 you lucky Ohmstard! Keep that map and hope you never accidentally change difficulty. That Akaran Targe does nothing for me, too low % to block, needs to be a Sacred Targe. I already have a Spirit in 42@ Sacred Rondache, Sacred Targe base would save me points in Dex to reach Max block, so more life. But if the calculator online is correct, I save 3 points in Dex with Sacred Targe, so probably not really useful to try to pursue this very actively

PhineasB said:
Hiatus hit level 95.

Thanks to @T72on1 for feedback on the merc. She switched over to HF and made Treachery and it made a big difference. She switched around merc gear until finally finding a good combo. Like @T72on1, I found that Treachery with the Delirium didn’t work well due to lack of life leach. Resists are also only 58@ for fire, lightning and poison (level 94 merc), and confuse from Delirium wasn’t enough to keep him safe. Although I think it will be useful if she makes it to level 98 and decides to run Nil.

Andy’s ended up working best among the options, and the faster attack on Delirium and Andy’s seemed to make a big difference in how the merc leeches. Hiatus finally ditched the Tal’s armor, as I recognized +skills would help and the focus on MF was impacting kill speed. So she adjusted charms, added Vipermagi and it made a huge difference. First, the faster cast gained breakpoint for teleport, which sped up the runs noticeably. Second, all resists were now maxed and the extra skill point seemed to improve survivability and reduce need for repositioning between Blizzard drops near the seals.

The change in merc also led to a much better (but more dangerous map). There are between 1-3 boss mobs in the area immediately to the left of the pentagram on the way to Vizier’s seal, with sometimes up to 2 additional bosses around the seal. Then there are up to 2 other bosses on way to Infector or around his seal. She had one death when playing around with gear combos, which was annoying, but the body recovery kit worked to minimize XP loss.

Generally, she picked up all flawless gems, charms, jewels and runes, along with interesting uniques/sets and socketables. She cubed the gems as she went and rolled GCs and caster amulets as a way to keep engaged due to long stretches without exciting drops. She had 2x8 open inventory, which is going to be pared down as she gets more and better charms. At this point, there was nothing worth carrying to fill that space.

Finds were okay, with the highlight a new skiller. Early on I hoped that she had gotten a game changer, but it turned out to be a Veil of Steel. She then lucked out with GC rolling, hitting a Chilling GC of Sustenance. That’s her second skiller (other is plain). A Gul dropped fairly early on, with an Um and a Pul the only other runes of note for the level. About half way in, a 5/3 Cold facet dropped, which will be useful down the road. Then another good GC reroll (Trap with + life), although it’s a shame it wasn't with Mercy. Near the end she rolled a 2/20 necro caster ammy, although the rest of the mods aren’t very good.

That’s it. She going to take a little break in LK, with a goal of another 100 runes. Hopefully there will be some charm upgrades, with more GC rerolling included. If she’s lucky, she will find another Sur or a Ber and be able to make COH, which will allow some reshuffling of belt and gloves plus another + skill (although she also needs an Ist, I think).

Congrats to @Neksja for the great progress. After completing the LK runs with Hiatus, I need to return to Mercy so she get to 97 before you do.

Table Update below.

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 99 No 3068 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 98.7 No 4441 465 4 324 T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 97.2 Yes 2190 425 11 208.5 PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 96 Yes - 380 9 - Neksja Aura SC Paladin 96 Yes 1134 340 - - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 95 Yes 894 316 - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 95 Yes - 345 16 - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 94 Yes - - - - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 88 Yes - 160 - - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - MercMan Este SC Ama 86 Yes 1212 278 2 Classified Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 84 No - - - - Qwernt AmaAgainstAll SC Sorc 81 Yes - - - - Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - Jean Avila SpeedAdict SC Ama 77 No - - - 50 logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - - TwentyMule Gaius HC Assn 17 Yes 1 - - -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 76 Yes - - 1 - Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

Kitteh said:
Haha, no I'm not. I did consider it a while ago, but far too much going on. Plus, I have some games waiting to be played...

PhineasB said:
Hiatus finished the 100 runes in LK. As luck would have it, she found her Sur. Next highest rune found was a Ko, and no major charm upgrades except a second 5@ SC, this one with some Dexterity. Cubing up all found runes, she is still a Mal short of the Ist needed for CoH. So she will go back to CS until level 96 and hope the runes drop along the way.

I'm back to Mercy now, who did ~25 Baal runs before calling it a day. She went back to NM for a HF merc, which I think is the right choice, as runs are safer, if maybe a little slower in killing Ventar due to lower damage from merc, but less annoying for Lister and Baal due to less moving around (or at least it seems that way). Still not quite half way to 97.

T72on1 said:
Good progress @PhineasB !!! One thing though: I'm not sure it's worth it to do Baal if you want to maximize xp efficiency.

Neksja said:

Aura is going back to CS.

After approximately 550-600 Mephi runs (last 500 of those with 525MF with kill switch and Merc doing the killing) and 875 Sets/Uniques, I've finally gotten what I was after:

edit. Forgot to mention that in addition to above stats, that Arachs came after 8 failed Set Spiderweb Sash...

Code:

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 129
Durability: 10 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x166f7682
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+144 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+144 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
74% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz

Arachnid Mesh
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 134
Durability: 9 of 12
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x42056175
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Slows Target by 10%
+113% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (8/11 Charges)

While running, I managed to upgrade my Mara's as well, which was pretty great since with the 21@ Mara's I found earlier, I was not at max fire res and now I should be:

Code:

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x59c58222
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +25

Before finding that elusive Spiderweb Sash I found two decent runes as well:

As per tradition for Aura's updates, here is a selection of finds from these Mephi runs:

Code:

Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 549
Durability: 11 of 11
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 92
Fingerprint: 0xa34b8399
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
8% Life stolen per hit
+137% Enhanced Defense
+29 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist -30%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (4/20 Charges)
Ethereal

Felloak
Club
One Hand Damage: 1 - 10
Durability: 18 of 24
Required Level: 3
Fingerprint: 0x885bbca0
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
75% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 6 - 8 Fire Damage
Knockback
Lightning Resist +60%
Fire Resist +20%

Guardian Angel
Templar Coat
Defense: 783
Durability: 53 of 60
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 118
Fingerprint: 0xb2343f97
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Paladin Skill Levels
+30% Faster Block Rate
20% Increased Chance of Blocking
+187 to Attack Rating against Demons (Based on Character Level)
+185% Enhanced Defense
+15% to Maximum Poison Resist
+15% to Maximum Cold Resist
+15% to Maximum Lightning Resist
+15% to Maximum Fire Resist
+4 to Light Radius

Gull
Dagger
One Hand Damage: 2 - 21
Durability: 9 of 9
Required Level: 4
Fingerprint: 0x40e3fbeb
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 15 Damage
-5 to Mana
100% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ethereal

Gull
Dagger
One Hand Damage: 2 - 19
Durability: 14 of 16
Required Level: 4
Fingerprint: 0x53d34a04
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 15 Damage
-5 to Mana
100% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 195
Durability: 7 of 7
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 40
Fingerprint: 0x275f9600
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+112 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+112 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ethereal

Homunculus
Hierophant Trophy
Defense: 266
Chance to Block: 52
Durability: 11 of 11
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 48
Fingerprint: 0xfba63e35
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+30% Faster Block Rate
40% Increased Chance of Blocking
+151% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Energy
Regenerate Mana 33%
All Resistances +40
+5 to Mana after each Kill
Ethereal

Hotspur
Boots
Defense: 10
Durability: 8 of 12
Required Level: 5
Fingerprint: 0x96ce96aa
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 3 - 6 Fire Damage
+20% Enhanced Defense
+6 Defense
+15 to Life
+15% to Maximum Fire Resist
Fire Resist +45%

Infernal Cranium
Cap
Defense: 5
Durability: 6 of 12
Required Level: 5
Fingerprint: 0x1de016bc
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +10
20% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Set (2 items): +150 Defense (Based on Character Level)

Infernal Cranium
Cap
Defense: 3
Durability: 7 of 12
Required Level: 5
Fingerprint: 0xb5ef5f73
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +10
20% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Set (2 items): +150 Defense (Based on Character Level)

Iron Pelt
Trellised Armor
Defense: 626
Durability: 142 of 142
Required Level: 33
Required Strength: 51
Fingerprint: 0x66be0269
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+74% Enhanced Defense
+225 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+25 to Life
Damage Reduced by 16
Magic Damage Reduced by 14
+125 Maximum Durability
Ethereal

Jalal's Mane
Totemic Mask
Defense: 292
Durability: 18 of 20
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x7a986740
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
+2 to Druid Skill Levels
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+195% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Energy
All Resistances +30
+5 to Mana after each Kill

Lightsabre
Phase Blade
One Hand Damage: 98 - 129
Indestructible
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x602e2f6
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 18 Chain Lightning on attack
+20% Increased Attack Speed
185% Enhanced Damage
Adds 10 - 30 Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 60 - 120 Magic Damage
Adds 1 - 200 Lightning Damage
5% Mana stolen per hit
Lightning Absorb 25%
+7 to Light Radius

Lightsabre
Phase Blade
One Hand Damage: 89 - 119
Indestructible
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x5602790a
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 18 Chain Lightning on attack
+20% Increased Attack Speed
157% Enhanced Damage
Adds 10 - 30 Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 60 - 120 Magic Damage
Adds 1 - 200 Lightning Damage
5% Mana stolen per hit
Lightning Absorb 25%
+7 to Light Radius

Metalgrid
Amulet
Required Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0xb8c0813a
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+435 to Attack Rating
+347 Defense
All Resistances +35
Level 22 Iron Golem (11/11 Charges)
Level 12 Iron Maiden (13/20 Charges)

Nature's Peace
Ring
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x827891bc
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Prevent Monster Heal
Slain Monsters Rest in Peace
Poison Resist +29%
Damage Reduced by 9
Level 5 Oak Sage (20/27 Charges)

Plague Visor
Coronet
Defense: 32
Durability: 63 of 90
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x98bb22c7
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
7% Life stolen per hit
+17 to Strength
All Resistances +16
Lightning Resist +38%

Shaftstop
Mesh Armor
Defense: 629
Durability: 40 of 45
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 92
Fingerprint: 0xcc601228
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+194% Enhanced Defense
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+60 to Life
Damage Reduced by 30%

Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 23 of 24
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xbcbb482d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+120% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +35
Magic Damage Reduced by 10

Skullder's Ire
Russet Armor
Defense: 668
Durability: 67 of 90
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 97
Fingerprint: 0x46db72fc
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+174% Enhanced Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
120% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)
Repairs 1 Durability in 5 Seconds
+60 Maximum Durability

Stormshield
Monarch
Defense: 420
Chance to Block: 47
Durability: 46 of 86
Required Level: 73
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x6572e3b2
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+35% Faster Block Rate
25% Increased Chance of Blocking
+281 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+30 to Strength
Cold Resist +60%
Lightning Resist +25%
Damage Reduced by 35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 10

The Gladiator's Bane
Wire Fleece
Defense: 1423
Durability: 27 of 135
Required Level: 85
Required Strength: 111
Fingerprint: 0x170382bd
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+185% Enhanced Defense
+50 Defense
Damage Reduced by 15
Magic Damage Reduced by 19
Cannot Be Frozen
Poison Length Reduced by 50%
Attacker Takes Damage of 20
+103 Maximum Durability

The Oculus
Swirling Crystal
One Hand Damage: 18 - 42
Durability: 34 of 50
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x7bb7ab24
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
25% Chance to cast level 1 Teleport when struck
+3 to Sorceress Skill Levels
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+20% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Vitality
+20 to Energy
All Resistances +20
+5 to Mana after each Kill
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Titan's Revenge
Ceremonial Javelin
Throw Damage: 78 - 211
One Hand Damage: 78 - 154
Quantity: 72
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 109
Fingerprint: 0xe714a990
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Javelin and Spear Skills (Amazon Only)
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
+30% Faster Run/Walk
199% Enhanced Damage
Adds 25 - 50 Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
+20 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
Increased Stack Size
Replenishes quantity

Verdungo's Hearty Cord
Mithril Coil
Defense: 155
Durability: 11 of 16
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 106
Fingerprint: 0x1616904d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Hit Recovery
+136% Enhanced Defense
+32 to Vitality
Replenish Life +10
+108 Maximum Stamina
Damage Reduced by 15%

War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 136
Durability: 46 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0xc62678ce
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+185% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
32% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability

War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 125
Durability: 13 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x7a1099e3
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+161% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 10
39% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability

Quite a decent haul, if I may say. Now I really need to figure out my Merc gear. I am fairly sure I'll go with Eth Andy's as a helm, but then the armor becomes an issue. Probably Glad's Bane socketed with Um to get CBF, Damage reduction and fill in the needed resists, but I'm still kinda wondering if non-eth Glad's Bane is worth one of my last two Socket quests. I know the Eth Andy's is, as it has near perfect Str roll, above average %ED roll, sadly lowest possible Life leech. And I don't really a have decent fire res jewel to put in there, but I'll probably go with Ral for now and hopefully find a decent one before 99

I did count that from those Mephi runs, I got 11 grailers, so I am now -58 since restart. Majority of those can't be found from Mephi, so I'm really counting that the last 3 levels in CS will get me some of those TC84/87s.

@PhineasB how close to 97 are you with Mercy? And great progress with Hiatus!

Now, to use my last respec and then back to chasing down @T72on1 and @PhineasB

T72on1 said:
Great finds there !!! So many TC3s, very cool. And Metalgrid, didn't know that could drop from Meph. I never found that one in my entire life.

NanoMist said:
Great progress there, @Neksja. Don't worry, I'm still running, it's just that updates at 98 take a while.

MercMan said:
I haven't had a ton of time to play over the last few days but I did manage an Ist, an Um and a Pul along with this fun pally tiara.

Fiend Crest
Tiara
Defense: 40
Durability: 12 of 25
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x6201fe36
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 67 Lightning Damage
Lightning Resist +37%
Damage Reduced by 4

Off to find that second Ber.

T72on1 said:
Nanomist said:

Great progress there, @Neksja. Don't worry, I'm still running, it's just that updates at 98 take a while.

Click to expand...

Two Cham runes?

Neksja said:
@T72on1 yes, I think Mephi can drop all unique jewelry. And that Metalgrid is pretty great roll as well, perfect Resists (25-35 variable), 3 off from perfect Defense (300-350) and 15 off from perfect AR (400-450). Not bad at all! Considering that I remember back in the day finding 2 Metalgrids, both 25@ so this one was pretty amazing.

First proper testing session for Aura towards 97. 1 hour session, 65 runs and that landed me with ~198k XP/min. That means roughly 20 hours to lvl97, provided that I don't die. Fastest run timed, 44 seconds, but that was almost literally with no one else in the CS than seal bosses. I am now considering if I encounter this, if I should just go for it and kill Lord de Seis as well and then Diablo, to land with some really badass time for my fastest /p8 Diablo run

+5 extra BO (Mara's, Shako, Arachs) in addition with respeccing for more Vita really helps out with safety, now at 3.2k life (and 10% DR from Shako). Merc seems to do better now as well, that BO helps him too, but I think that Eth Andariel's might have been a bigger impact though, I can see him attacking a lot faster and leeching better. Merc is still rocking that Duriel's Shell, for res and CBF, if I had found an Ethereal version of that, I could have seen myself upgrading that and socketing it with Sol or IAS jewel, but I'm not gonna bother with non-eth version. This setup works for now, so I'll keep an eye on possibly Ethereal Glad's Bane or something else for him.

@NanoMist yeah I got that at lvl98 the progress is slow I guess, I'm just too eager to see you ding that lvl99 so hearing about even the slightest progress is amazing. Keep running!

PhineasB said:
@Neksja - Mercy is a little more than 1/2 way, ~ 2.86B. I am going to do some more runs this afternoon so she'll hopefully make more progress before the weekend's over.

On that note, I hadn't really looked at her gear for a while, and wanted to look at faster cast after how much better the runs with Hiatus were when she hit the 105 break point. I looked at the Assassin IAS tables by @maxicek and I think I've read it right.

With the flail (-10WSM) and a lvl 10 BoS (1 pt with plus skills), she needs +7 IAS to hit max trap laying speed. She had been using +20% IAS gloves to get max trap laying speed. But I had since swapped out the belt for Goldwrap for MF, so she already has enough IAS without the gloves. So I went with Magefist, for the +1 to fire skills and FCR, for the 102 breakpoint.

Much faster teleports through the WSK, and I don't think it was slower trap laying speed. I swapped in an extra Shimmering GC to make up for the lost resists from the gloves and she now has maxed resists on everything except one off for cold.

The current WSK keep is great (five teleports to first stairs, four to the second). But it seems like there are regularly lots of monsters in the throne room and in the corners in particular, which slows runs down a lot to hunt them down, especially the corners. Does the seed impact that, or is it just random? I will probably reroll if it does.

Good luck running everyone. Nice finds @Neksja .

NanoMist said:
T72on1 said:

Two Cham runes?

Click to expand...

I would settle for a measly Zod rune to complete the (drop only) rune grail for Izuna.

Lynchgrinch said:
Alrighty!

Here we go!

So, I started playing again two days ago for the first time in about 8 years. The last character I was playing before I stopped was a dedicated MF'er CL/FO Sorc who was pretty successfully running Hell Mephisto, Andy, LC, AT, Act 5 Super Uniques and Pit...with Baal at a push. So I decided to resurrect her!

Name: Tattersail
Class: Sorceress
Experience: 59241845
Level: 52

Naked/Gear
Strength: 60/63
Dexterity: 40/44
Vitality: 100/100
Energy: 135/144
HP: 291/299
Mana: 337/386
Stamina: 215/215
Defense: 10/264
AR: 150/170

Fire: 45/5/-55
Cold: 77/37/-23
Lightning: 52/12/-48
Poison: 108/68/8

Currently in NM act 2 and just killed Radament. The plan is to sit nice on NM Mephisto this afternoon and bang out ~100 or so runs to get some of the easier to find useful items, finish NM and stroll on into hell.

I'm playing Softcore and strictly /players8...with a maxed out FO and lvl 17 CM NM is a cakewalk except for Lightning Immune Bosses. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Before I stopped playing my grail was about 70% done, now i'm down to scratch....or rather, I was....notable finds so far include Undead Crown...and that's about it. I'm about 10% done with the normal uniques grail and have a paltry 50% MF

This character, once the build is completed, will be a dedicated MF'er for my other builds. She will play untwinked, of course, since I have nothing to twink her out with! Provided she can deal with Hell Baal i recon I can get this sucker to 99.

Bonus points if anyone gets the reference of the name "Tattersail"

Happy playing!

Neksja said:
Welcome aboard @Lynchgrinch! Good luck and endurance Tattersail, you are going to need it

When you have some spare time from running, make sure to read this thread from the very beginning, there's plenty of great tips about most efficient ways to gain experience etc. And also a lot of motivation to be gained from the progress updates of the 2 "winners" (soon to be three, since we have a runner at 98.7+) and of course, the juicy loot everyone has been gathering! Do you have a specific plan for Hell and improving your runner? I'd assume some LK running will be involved to get couple of Ber runes for Infinity for your Merc? Also, include yourself into the table of runners as well Again, welcome aboard.

I'll try to give an update on Aura at some point this weekend. He's been running CS as much as I can, steadily gaining XP to crawl towards 97, but not sure I can level up this weekend yet, have some plans for both Saturday and Sunday, so probably won't have much time to run. Any updates @T72on1 @PhineasB or @NanoMist or others? I noticed that Fortitude @T72on1 you posted on IFT, I would've gone with Archon Plate though...

T72on1 said:
Welcome aboard, and good luck !!!

Not much to report no. Did more runs, but no special drops, and a bit slow to my taste. I spent some 21 hours in CS from 97 now, close to 1/3 I think. Since you are closing in on 97, you are probably only some 25 hours max behind me. Nice job !!!

Considering the Fortitude ... maybe yeah. Had this one laying around and it seemed really suited. Almost max def I think, some extra defense % en good str req.

Btw, it makes a big difference on my merc. Didn't die anymore, not even close. Even hardly needs any potions now.

Lynchgrinch said:
How exactly do I play with the table codes? Is there a guide somewhere?

Update:

Sitting at lvl 58 now, after ~100 NM Andy runs. Dropcalc told me I've got a better chance of finding Goldwrap and Vipermagi there than anywhere else. So far no luck. Got pretty lucky with grailers though. 3 days of playing and I'm 26% into my grail. Best drop so far has been a Ko rune in the spider forest plus a couple of nice +skills yellow items for necro and pally. Currently sitting on 100 MF so still pretty tough grinding those much needed items although Andy has been nice to me with +res gear so I'm up at max res for NM, which is nice. Flayer shamans and burning dead archers were getting beyond a joke! Gloams in the Great Marsh too!! That was enough to dissuade my ideas of running Mephy before getting my res up.

So far I'm pretty happy. Wish I could find a way around the lack of RWM for v.1.14b...which btw is BUGGY AS HELL.

A few low lvl runewords could help a lot!!

Happy Running/Hunting!

Neksja said:
Lynchgrinch said:

How exactly do I play with the table codes? Is there a guide somewhere?

Click to expand...

I vaguely remember someone writing a guide for using the table codes, but I couldn't find it just now. But here's what I do:

Copy the latest table posted to the thread and paste it to Text Editor (as you are using Mac). Make sure that in your Text Editor preferences, you have changed the format to "Plain text" as the default is "Rich text", which will mess up the table. Plain text format makes it work similar to Notepad on Windows (in case you find that guide for table coding, it most likely uses Notepad as an example) After you copy-pasted that in, add in/update your details, you can use spaces to line up all the details in the rows. So for example, after your forum name, use as many spaces you need until your Character name lines up with it's own column. After you've added/edited everything, just cut and paste your whole row to it's rightful rank according to level. After you've fixed the table in Text editor, it is time to post it to the forums. What I do is that I quote the last post with the tables, remove everything except the two tables (active runners and The Fallen) and then just copy the table I've created in Text Editor and paste it to replace the previous active runners table. Then I usually use Preview to double that it looks fine before hitting Reply.

The above might not be the easiest, fastest or most convenient way, but something I've come used to. I have added you in the table in the end of this post, but you might want to update the rest of your details like Use of Extended stash, grailers found etc.

Lynchgrinch said:

So far I'm pretty happy. Wish I could find a way around the lack of RWM for v.1.14b...which btw is BUGGY AS HELL.

Click to expand...

Buggy as hell? What do you mean? The only thing that occurs for me is that certain ranged monsters, such as Oblivion Knights in CS and Dark Archers in the Pits, can cause an annoying drop in FPS if there's several of them, but what I gathered, it happens to quite a lot of Mac users. Hopefully there'll be a fix for that at some point. Also, since you are playing v1.14 already, you can always update from 1.14b to 1.14d, which IIRC fixed some other bugs for Mac users.

Good luck and keep running!

(Aura's update is coming tomorrow most likely)

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 99 No 3068 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 98.7 No 4441 465 4 324 T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 97.2 Yes 2190 425 11 208.5 PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 96 Yes - 380 9 - Neksja Aura SC Paladin 96 Yes 1134 340 - - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 95 Yes 894 316 - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 95 Yes - 345 16 - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 94 Yes - - - - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 88 Yes - 160 - - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - MercMan Este SC Ama 86 Yes 1212 278 2 Classified Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 84 No - - - - Qwernt AmaAgainstAll SC Sorc 81 Yes - - - - Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - Jean Avila SpeedAdict SC Ama 77 No - - - 50 logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 Lynchgrinch Tattersail SC Sorc 58 ? ? ? ? ? Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - - TwentyMule Gaius HC Assn 17 Yes 1 - - -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 76 Yes - - 1 - Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

Lynchgrinch said:
Buggy as hell? What do you mean? The only thing that occurs for me is that certain ranged monsters, such as Oblivion Knights in CS and Dark Archers in the Pits, can cause an annoying drop in FPS if there's several of them, but what I gathered, it happens to quite a lot of Mac users. Hopefully there'll be a fix for that at some point. Also, since you are playing v1.14 already, you can always update from 1.14b to 1.14d, which IIRC fixed some other bugs for Mac users.

Click to expand...

Disappearing merc, monsters and mercs walking through doors in act 2 tombs and maggot lair slime doors. TP's turning green and moving temporarily. I've updated to v1.14d now and it's fixed a bunch of them but a few have persisted.

I'll play about with that code in a little bit! Wish me luck!

Update: Tattersail is lvl 66 now and just stomped NM Diablo with no issues. /players8 is great for getting fast xp with minimal effort. Finally maxed CL but FO is still doing 98% of my killing, CL won't be worth a damn until i stack the lightning and LM skills...Hell is gonna be fun with Cold Immunes. Not! NM Hellforge dropped a Dol and Mephy has dropped nothing but the usual useless S/Us. All grailers but none of them useful. So...I gave up after 20 runs or so. Still none of those godly Sorc items showing up. Boohoo!!

qwernt said:
I got jealous of all the runes, so for the last few nights I have been running LK with CanBeOnlyBlizz. 25-30 seconds per run can cover 2 firepits (yeah, I am old and slow). After 8 hours (yes about 1000 runs) over 3 days... with nothing greater than SOL (so tired of Tal and Ort), I was a little frustrated.... then it happened. PUL (number 4) then 2 runs later MAL (Number 2, but with the PULs, it means I can cube the IST and still have a MAL). At this point I was feeling lucky, so I switched to 5P in hopes of finding a LO for fortitude... after which I found: SUR and BER (my second). PUL+MAL+SUR+BER... in 15 minutes... Uh... WOW. HaPpY DaNcE. Hopefully the game isn't out of runes now 8^).
What was it I wanted to make again? COH or Infinity. COH or Infinity. COH sounds good if I want to keep running LK & AT. But Infinity should allow me to respect and finally do something other than blizz (which I get a little tired of - as crushingly good as it is) and head to CS, maybe BLOVA time? Or CLOrb? FB CL (ramp the casting speed baby)?? Nova bomber? Single Tree Lightning? Or I can say screw you sorc, and cube the Jah for my first ever Faith bow... Anyone have recommendations? I don't have any skiller GCs (maybe 1 lightning skiller in the stash), but I do have HeartofOak & Maras and +1 from the splendor shield(no spirit yet). So probably +6 total. Decisions, decisions.
Of course I still need to run LK for the LO so stupid can have his Fort armor...
Oh, still level 90. no change there.

AmAgainstAll is currently sitting at level 86. She is kind of lost for direction at the moment. I love strafe but find it killing too slowly, so she is more of a FishyZon than a GunSlinger at the moment. I found a WWS, but no PUL to upgrade so the power just isn't there yet (even with Atma's amulet boosting the amp% to 10). She really would love for CanBeOnlyblizz to make that Faith bow - at which point she couldn't be in this tourney anymore, too much time invested to twink now, I won't do that. She will have to find her own Jah.

Vildecor · Oct 2, 2021

PhineasB said:
Welcome to the party @Lynchgrinch ! I can't help on your questions about bugs on the Mac. But unless I'm mistaken, you can still make runewords without the RWM as long as they aren't ladder only. That rules out Spirit, Insight and Infinity, which are biggies for sorcs, but other useful runewords are still out there like HoTo, Delirium and Chains of Honor. Good luck on leveling!

Looking forward to the update @Neksja . I ended up doing a few more runs last weekend with Mercy but didn't have time this week until this afternoon. She's made steady progress and is getting close (relatively speaking) to 97. I'll hold off on updating until she gets there though.

@qwernt - I think @Pb_pal concluded that Infinity is nice to have but not completely needed. Given that you have two Bers already, I'd probably make CoH, which will make it easier for you to run Chaos Sanctuary sooner. It certainly should make AT runs safer in the meantime. And you will probably/hopefully find more high runes along the way to higher levels, so you can save the extra Ber and possibly make Infinity later. At this point, I'm trying to make CoH for Hiatus and she'll be happy when that's possible. I can also sympathize to lack of Spirit shield this late in the running -- my characters had pretty poor luck with Monarchs. If I recall correctly, Hiatus didn't get a first Spirit until level 92 and only recently got the second for her switch.

Pb_pal said:
Welcome to the new runners, and congrats on all the progress and finds!

@qwernt - @PhineasB nailed it. CoH will up your survivability, which is crucial especially if you're looking to switch to the CS soon. As Phineas mentioned, for my testing Infinity was slightly faster, but you won't notice any appreciable difference until the later levels anyways so stick with Insight for now. Here is the post in which I outlined my testing of Infinity vs Insight, which you can always read if you'd like some more specific info on time saved, benefits, and compromises of Infinity over Insight.

Happy running everyone!

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.7           No         4441        465            4         324
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.2           Yes        2190        425            11        208.5
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97             Yes        2489        415            -           -
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        380            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        345           16           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      58             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Weekend update on Aura!

Here we go, finally breathing on @T72on1 's neck, lvl97. I wish I could say this was another level without any deaths but I can't. Then again, the good thing is that the only death came in on the 2nd run after hitting lvl96, so I practically lost a minute and half of progress, so not bad

And why did I die? Because I thought I had hit Esc to pause the game to get a beverage, but apparently I did not. Tsk, lesson learnt, only taking breaks between runs from now on.

Levelling to 97 was to be honest, a bit dull. Most of the level, I was focusing on Vizier and Infector, rarely hitting any other bosses, so S/U drops just weren't there. I ended up with only two tc87s in that 1.2-1.3k CS runs, which felt really low for an Area 85 running. Then again, it's not proper A85 running, since I was not hitting boss packs consistently. This has now changed, as I've decided to kill all boss packs (except really nasty mod combinations) between the two seals and now that I changed maps, for the 97-98 grind, I should kill around 2-4 extra boss packs per run. Also, that should keep the runs more interesting.

The finds? Well, remember how I was saying that I hoped the Glad's Bane I got from Mephi was ethereal? The reason I changed maps was to visit NM and create this beast:

Code:

The Gladiator's Bane
Wire Fleece
Defense: 2168
Durability: 120 of 120
Required Level: 85
Required Strength: 101
Fingerprint: 0x1fb5310b
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+193% Enhanced Defense
+50 Defense
All Resistances +15
Damage Reduced by 17
Magic Damage Reduced by 19
Cannot Be Frozen
Poison Length Reduced by 50%
Attacker Takes Damage of 20
+103 Maximum Durability
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um Rune

High def roll, low-ish DR but high MDR, it's amazing. For nostalgic reasons, I kept Duriel's Shell on my Merc until I reached lvl97, but since I did a handful of runs after that (around 25-30), Merc has become a proper tank now. Only if there is boss pack of Doom Knights/Oblivion Knights with Fana aura, I can notice Merc losing health, otherwise, the small amount he loses health, he gains it back immediately. It's amazing, I don't have to worry about my Merc at all anymore. Eventually, if I manage to find a 14+all res/15 ias jewel, I'll probably plug that in to the Glad's Bane.

As per usual, here are the other notable finds from this stretch:

Code:

Arctic Furs
Quilted Armor
Defense: 45
Durability: 13 of 20
Required Level: 2
Required Strength: 12
Fingerprint: 0xc20e5661
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+282% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +10
Set (2 items): +288 Defense (Based on Character Level)
Set (3 items): Cold Resist +15%

Cinnabar Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0xa0184186
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
6% Enhanced Damage

Fanatic Grand Charm of Balance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x5282f4c9
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Masteries Skills (Barbarian Only)
+12% Faster Hit Recovery

Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 156
Durability: 14 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0x7397e734
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+189% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 108
Durability: 8 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xc5dcfc12
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+112 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+112 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Kira's Guardian
Tiara
Defense: 101
Durability: 14 of 25
Required Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0x533adb28
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+56 Defense
All Resistances +54
Cannot Be Frozen

Kira's Guardian
Tiara
Defense: 161
Durability: 23 of 25
Required Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0xc2e9defd
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+116 Defense
All Resistances +65
Cannot Be Frozen

Kira's Guardian
Tiara
Defense: 165
Durability: 17 of 25
Required Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0x12a29aef
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+115 Defense
All Resistances +50
Cannot Be Frozen

M'avina's True Sight
Diadem
Defense: 207
Durability: 17 of 20
Required Level: 64
Fingerprint: 0x3ab59457
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Increased Attack Speed
+150 Defense
Replenish Life +10
+25 to Mana
Set (2 items): +1 to All Skills
Set (3 items): 50% Bonus to Attack Rating
Set (4 items): Cold Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +25%
Fire Resist +25%
Poison Resist +25%

Natalya's Mark
Scissors Suwayyah
One Hand Damage: 120 - 153
Durability: 41 of 68
Required Level: 79
Required Strength: 118
Required Dexterity: 118
Fingerprint: 0xf619f695
Item Level: 85
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)

Natural Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0x6fb55598
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
+31 to Life

Sapphire Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xebe72c09
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +11%

Sapphire Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x5ba91f64
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Cold Resist +10%
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0x326dd3a3
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+74 to Attack Rating
+33 to Life

Tal Rasha's Adjudication
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x8c9a34ae
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Sorceress Skill Levels
Adds 3 - 32 Lightning Damage
+50 to Life
+42 to Mana
Lightning Resist +33%
Set (4 items): +10% Faster Cast Rate

Vortex Shield
Defense: 206
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 54 of 90
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 148
Fingerprint: 0x4154b238
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +45
4 Sockets (0 used)

Not much to write home about, right?

As I said, drops just weren't there. But how about runes? So, I found Ist, Mal, 4x Um and 3x Pul. Not very good either? Yup, but I found something a bit better as well:

All together, so far this is Aura's total number of HRs (Vex+) found:

Code:

Ber 2 (2 CS)
Sur 6 (4 LK, 1 RoF, 1 CS)
Lo 2 (1 LK non-super chest, 1 Eldritch)
Ohm 2 (1 LK, 1 Mephi)

I'd say that's a decent haul, but I am hoping those numbers will go up and I can add in a Jah+ to the list at some point. At least I know that I have thousands of CS runs left to find more

So as I mentioned, the plan now is to keep running CS, but hitting more boss packs to increase S/U drops, especially tc84+. I managed to get that first white blip towards lvl98 this morning, took around 25 runs and according to those runs, I was averaging around 90-95k XP/min. The runs did feel like going extra well, killing everything quickly and no Conviction bosses or mobs covering the seal requiring them to be cleared before getting the seal boss. So, I assume my XP/min will end up being around 85-90k. My estimate is that I need to do around 2,750 CS runs to level up, which will take quite some time and I am hoping to hit 98 before 2017. Then, I'll probably try how Aura can deal with Nihlathak and see if it's worth it to run there for the last level or go with p7 Diablo. Nihlathak has the advantage of being able to drop any S/U in the game (right?), where as Diablo can only drop up to tc84. We’ll see about that later. I keep telling myself that “Grinding for the last level is so far away” and here I am, maybe 4-5 weeks away from hitting that 98, so it’s not that far away anymore.

For 97-98 stretch, I'll probably do quarter updates, which would mean once a week or so. Although, I assume most of my running for this level will be done between Christmas and New Year’s, so I might just do a random update here or there

Good luck everyone! Keeping running and keep us updated!

Lynchgrinch said:
Yeah, I realised that yesterday...and promptly dug around my extended stash and made Rhyme. That extra res and mf is great.

Currently looking for a good base armour for Stealth and...if I get lucky, a Lem for making Wealth. Ko already dropped while smashing the spider forest on NM. Happy days!

I forgot how useful some of the low lvl runewords are.

T72on1 said:
@Neksja Congrats on 97 !!! And a lot of good runes along the way .

You definitely get a great deal of xp/min. Like I said, Pb_pal had something like 80k/min, I'm not even up to 70k/min. I really need to look into what I have to do to improve this, because it makes a big difference in the long run. Maybe I need to reroll maps again. My runs are often very difficult, with lots and lots of enemies around, which make it so that I can't strictly focus on the seal bosses. Infector usually isn't a problem, but Vizier ...

Anyway, good luck on your way to 98. My initial plan was to finish it before 2017 too, but chances are slim I'll make that. Not much time to play this week to start with, and probably not that much improvement afterwards.

Pb_pal said:
@Neksja - Grats on 97! The runes are nice too

@T72on1 - The map probably has a good deal to do with it, yes. Getting one with consistent seal boss spawn locations and a low-ish density of other packs around the seals will streamline the process. My favourite configuration ended up being the linear branch for Infector (the nearest seal spawns him, and I found he pops up in the same spot very consistently), and the forked branch for Vizier (I found with the other Vizier configuration, he often spawned with less minions and the seal was overrun with OKs)

EDIT: another thing to consider is what breakpoints you're reaching too. Eleanor ran 105 FCR (I think this is what Neverland is at as well IIRC?) and 60 FHR. The FHR bp can be reached with just a 5% FHR charm (assuming you're using Spirit), and really makes a difference in being able to get yourself out of trouble if you tele into a boss pack.

Neksja said:
@Pb_pal is right about the map, consistency really helps to streamline the runs. Below, you have my current CS map with superbly awesome Paint skills:

Green "boxes" represent Vizier/Infector spawning area. I'd estimate Vizier spawns in that area 80% of the runs, which is quite high, but Infector spawns like 95% in his area. Makes it super easy to kill when you pretty much know where the pack is gonna be, also that spawn is amazing in a way, that Infector is always on the outer edge of his pack, so all my hammers hit him immediately, so he is killed quickly and if he spawns with Conviction aura, I don't have to S&E anymore (but I still do if I am watching TV or something when I'm not fully concentrated on running).

X's mark boss packs. Orange ones are always there, almost literally. The one next to the shrine and Diablo's spawn spot is not always there, maybe only 90% of the runs, but the other 2 are always there. Red X's are more iffy, seems like it's pretty much 50-50 if they are there or not, except I've noticed that the 2 close to Infector always come together, I don't think I've seen only one of them spawn, always together and that's why it's a decent stop for MFing as you can kill them together faster.

Why I marked the boss packs is that having highly consistent pack spawn locations really, really helps, makes your runs faster. I mean, if I am killing just the seal bosses, I know which way to teleport for safest route and avoid bosses. Also helps when MFing obviously, since I know where the few locations where the packs are, the runs are really streamlined since there is not a lot of variation and surprises in pack spawns.

I may have done a little bit of running already today, first 20mil gained towards 98. I figured that I could probably increase my run speeds by swapping 6x plain 7mf SCs to 2 Paladin Combat skillers. The problem is, that I don't have more than 2 yet. And those were Diablo charms that I spent about 200 pgems each to reroll. So, I might need to hit LK every now and again to see if I can find 2 more or at least get some pgems to reroll Diablo charms. We'll see what I come up with

T72on1 said:
Thanks for the hints.

@Neksja I prefer the map layout that @Pb_pal suggests. I ran with yours for a while too, but couldn't get into the Infector one. Too dangerous too many times, while the other version is very easy 95% of the time.

So it's probably worth it to reroll maps again. Right now the Vizier spawn point varies quite a bit, and there's always 2 - 3 bosses in that branch,as well as some other packs. Probably perfect in terms of potential drops if you can do it fast and safe, but that's clearly the issue for me. Infector sometimes is very crowded too, with quite often a boss pack as well, but there always seems a safe spot to get to (usually the outer right of the map), so that isn't an issue.

I was wondering if killing normal boss packs would be worth it at level 97. I seemed to recall an answer from Pb_pal some time ago that, after some testing, he didn't do so, unless they were near Infector / Vizier and he could kill them (almost) within' the same time frame. But looking at your really high xp rate, I might have to change my mind. If that would be the case, my current map would actually be really good, since it seems to have the same density of boss packs as yours. In that case I'll just have to learn to kill quicker while still being safe I guess. While I don't have a Death's Fathom or Nightwing's Veil, I do have 7 cold skillers and a Snowclash belt, next to my HotO, CoH, Shako, Tal's amulet and Spirit Shield. So my damage isn't too bad either, and I should be ok to kill fast. Still farming for that Sur / Ber to make Infinity, to see if the (small) increase in killing speed matches with Pb_pal's experience in that respect.

And yes, @Pb_pal you are right about my breakpoints: fcr @105, fhr @60 due to Spirit and one charm.

O yes, @Neksja 20M xp gained already? See you soon, as you race right past me, in that case ... .

Lynchgrinch said:
Wooooo!

Update: Tattersail is doing very well. Just made Lvl 71 killing NM Baal who dropped Blackhorn's Face and Blackhand's key. NM has been an absolute breeze, Meph, Diablo and Baal were all shockingly easy to take down even on /players8. More excitingly, A boss pack in Andy's lair dropped Lem! Exiting? Yes! I now have the Runes for making Wealth...I just need a good base armour to shove it in.

Hell is HARD. Cold Immune dark rogues are giving me all sorts of NDEs in the Underground Passage. My CL just isn't doing enough damage right now, not without +skills items...So I've given up on Hell just now to do some hardcore farming in NM.

Currently running NM Andy and Meph on tandem to flesh out my low-mid grail and to hopefully get the gear that I desperately need to make a CL/FO Sorc actually viable in Hell. Please drop Occulus...someone needs to!

Quick question about finding good base items for runewords. Is the Moo Moo Farm my best bet? How do I make sure not to kill the King? My FO ripped through Normal Cow King without me even realising it :/

I'm really enjoying getting back into this game! Can you tell?!

T72on1 said:
It's not uncommon that your Sorc has issues early on in Hell. While NM Andy and Meph surely aren't the worst targets out there, I still think you are better off farming in Hell. Either try the easier zones first (Mausoleum and the Crypt) or just teleport past everything, only do the necessary quests and go straight for AT and/or Meph. While questing, don't bother with higher player settings, it's not worth it. While farming AT and / or Meph, it is worth to up the player setting, but only if you can do so while still being relatively safe and being able to do it fast.

About base items: not sure what can drop from NM Cows. I'd just continue to AT for now. Maybe you'll get good bases while doing so, and otherwise in AT itself. If not, LK racks might be another good option. Not sure, I have never done LK for that purpuse.

Good luck !!!

Neksja said:
@T72on1 about killing boss packs in CS. I'm fairly sure it's not XP efficient, as killing the 3 consistently located boss packs slows me down maybe up to 15 seconds. The advantage with Hammerdin is having max block, relatively high defense, 3+k life, so I can stomp those bosses easily, throw in few hammers and move to next one. But why I am killing them now is that it keeps me more motivated on running, knowing that I am not limited to TC78 drops (and to Cham) from the Seal bosses. So, running 25 slower runs with a chance of finding anything and getting a little XP is better than running 30 runs faster with limited drops and higher XP. I am considering dropping them though, since I only have around +250% MF, so not sure if it's smart to try and MF with this char. If I ever get another Combat skiller for Aura, I'll go down in MF even more and then I'll definitely leave the boss packs alone and just focus on Seal bosses. So far, I've acquired 50 skiller GC's with Aura, 2 Paladin Combats (both through cubing), 2 Defensive Auras, rest for other chars. I think I have 6-7 Druid Elemental skillers, so I am only slightly annoyed by this...

But do some test runs, see how quickly you can kill the extra boss packs. And also, make up your mind if you are in CS purely for XP efficiency or XP and drops

@Lynchgrinch I agree with @T72on1, stick with Hell. I've always found Rakanishu a decent place to get few extra levels in low 70s, just reroll maps until you get the Stones right next to the Waypoint, then do some /p8 Rakanishu runs, shouldn't take more than 20 seconds each and you might find something useful for now. Although, moving to AT is not a bad idea at all, since you can find anything there.

If you really want to farm NM Cows, I'd recommend a strategy for running where you avoid the area where Cow King spawns completely. Just teleport past it and kill others. For my Blizzsorc, I had a map where the Cow King spawns in North-East corner and the Portal opens in the center of the map. I used to just teleport close-ish to Cow King's spawn area and then just go through the Map clock-wise until I reached Cow King again and Exit and repeat. If you do go and run NM Cows, don't forget to pile up with MF, those Bovines can drop some pretty useful stuff there like Oculus, Skin of the Vipermagi etc. Good luck!

Lynchgrinch said:
@Neksja and @T72on1 - Thanks for the advice. As you can tell, I'm still a little rusty.

Sounds like pushing on towards the AT might be the best bet. IIRC my last CL/FO Sorc was really fast through the AT. Might be a good shout. Never heard of doing Rakanishu runs before. What item class can he drop up to?

Grape said:
Neksja said:

Here we go, finally breathing on @T72on1 's neck, lvl97.

Click to expand...

Finally? You know, as someone who has been following this at the audience, you got the there pretty damn fast. Congrats on 97, and gl for the remaining big grind! Gogo CS Hammerinds! Gogo @T72on1 the race is on, and there's plenty of time to pick up your pace again

@Lynchgrinch nice progress! +1 for getting to the AT asap. I'd go as far as respec'ing to a full Blizz for the MF phase, but 100% up to you ofc. Blizz sorcs are just so practical there.

NanoMist said:
I agree there, Aura has reached 97 very quickly.

For another point of comparison, my 97 exp. rate with p8/p3 Baal runs was about 70k/min. That's probably as low as you want to go at 97.

Neksja said:
Just to clarify, by "finally", I meant that I have been eyeing on that 4th spot on the table since Aura was born. I knew I couldn't catch @Pb_pal or @NanoMist but I knew I had a chance of catching @T72on1 if I really put all my efforts to it. I know I made it to 97 quite quickly, a lot faster than I expected. So that "finally" was more about me getting within reach of that 4th spot, not that it took me a long time to get there.

Thanks @NanoMist for a reference. I'm saving Ancients for the end, so I get a nice 40mil boost there, so no Baal running for me. But it is good to know. How much are you getting now doing Nihlathak runs? I think it's the last level where I want to figure out the fastest XP/min option for me as it's going to take a long time anyways, so then losing speed for MF is out of question. Now, I can compromise some XP efficiency

Pb_pal said:
Nanomist said:

For another point of comparison, my 97 exp. rate with p8/p3 Baal runs was about 70k/min. That's probably as low as you want to go at 97.

Click to expand...

I agree with this. T72 is right in that Eleanor was floating around 80k/min, but honestly in an untwinked situation that's probably near the top-end of what can be likely achieved for a Blizzy, seeing as how she had some serious firepower having found a Nightwings, Fathom and Blizzard Ormus by then, as well as a pile of skillers which she was very fortunate with.

Neksja said:

How much are you getting now doing Nihlathak runs? I think it's the last level where I want to figure out the fastest XP/min option for me as it's going to take a long time anyways, so then losing speed for MF is out of question. Now, I can compromise some XP efficiency

Click to expand...

I'll jump in here too, even though you asked Nanomist. Eleanor was banging out ~47k/min at Nihlathak (not factoring in shrines), with 28 seconds average for her runs. Diablo runs netted her ~31k/min (again, no shrines accounted for), and Baal ~22k/min.

Long story short, Nihlathak should almost always be the most efficient target. It also is by far the most dangerous though, and for non-sorcs (no native teleport) unless you're like zticazzy (ie, insane ) and have multiple Enigmas in your stash, body retrieval is going to be tough if you die.

For Hammerdins specifically, note that Nihl has an innate 25% Magic resistance. If he spawns Mana Burn that gets bumped to 45%.

I know @Kitteh tried out Nihlathak runs with his 98 Hammerdin, but I think he decided to stick with Diablo runs in the end. Hammerdins are so damn good at CS/Diablo runs that it is a very viable option, especially since he's by far the easiest target to carry a shrine with.

Kitteh said:
I find CS runs far, far safer than Nihlathak. Also, gem shrines (amethysts) and experience shrines are aplenty

NanoMist said:
Trappers aren't great at sniping boss packs, and that forced me to go Baal running til 98 and lose out on Ancients. My Nihlathak runs are 41k/min, but hammerdins should be closer to 50k/min due to faster teleport and kill speed, similar to Pb_pal's rate. Definitely do some testing once you reach 98; you won't lose much progress in the beginning if you die. Body retrieval saves you 7.5% progress, so it's up to you to compare that to the danger of retrieving the body.

Other things to consider:
More S/U drops to manage with Diablo, if you are still counting these at all.
No player setting adjustments with Nihlathak - always p8.

Grape said:
When I did my 99 Hammerdin I was supposed to switch to Smiter running Nihlathak for the 98-99. Would've been faster than Hammerdin, but I preferred the drops CS has to offer.

T72on1 said:
I thought that @NanoMist's and @Pb_pal's drops from Nihl weren't too bad either, although it's mostly the rune drops that I remember from their posts. CS surely hasn't been that great for drops for me lately, but maybe it gets better when Diablo is included.

Vildecor · Oct 2, 2021

Lynchgrinch said:
Small update:

Act 1 Hell was awful for Tattersail. Cold Immunes are the bane of her existence. Skipped The Countess on account of getting ABSOLUTELY MAULED 3 times in a row. Andy wasn't too bad though. Gonna need to get my Lightning skills up and better gear for my merc. Just made lvl 75. Currently farming NM /Players8 Cows and Hell AT. Although, I'm not moving quickly enough through AT for it to really be worth it. Found Rockstopper (34%, 27%, 32%....pretty meh roll but it'll do) and Chance Guards (+39% MF, so close!) which are helping with res and MF. Still no decent base for making Wealth. Remade Rhyme in a Grim shield from the cows...much better def and CTB than my previous kite shield

It's gonna be a while before I'm really Hell worthy, progress is grinding to a halt without help from much better gear. I might respec to full Blizzsorc for AT MFing.

T72on1 said:
Blizz Sorc is much stronger and easier to play (less dependant on fcr) in AT than any other Sorc. You won't regret the switch.

As I said before, don't sweat it if you can't cope with a higher player setting in Hell. Farming it fast is more important now, as you'll get good gear much faster and safer. Xp will come later, and only then, when the real grind starts, the difference between /p8 and lower settings will really matter.

Good luck !!!

Lynchgrinch said:
Yeah, sounds like a plan. I've been playing on /p1 in hell and i'm still getting mooshed.

Happy days, though! I just found War Travs AND Ali Baba's AND Tal-Rasha's Lidless Eye. Finally the standard build equipment is starting to show up. Sitting on about +150% MF just now so when I get wealth i'll be sitting on ~+250% MF. am I right in thinking that's about the standard amount for MF'ing based on diminishing returns?

T72on1 said:
Higher is always better, but don't sweat it. 250%mf definitely is a good start. From there try increasing your killing power without decreasing your mf%. Once you have your killing power where you want it to be and you manage to add more mf%, you can do so. Otherwise definitely don't. Killing speed is far more important in that case (and in most cases).

Congrats on that drops.

Kitteh said:
I stopped running CS for drops and swapped to a P1 seals/P7 Diablo routine, which has sped things up a bit. Cyrax suggested that, and I am confident that is is faster, although the drops obviously tail off a lot.

Also, higher MF is not always better! *throws an egg at T72*

darkstarhub said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.7           No         4441        465            4         324
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.2           Yes        2190        425            11        208.5
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97             Yes        2489        415            -           -
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        380            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        345           16           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      89             Yes           -          -            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      58             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

I figured I would throw my name on the list with this character since she is untwinked. Hopefully I got the table right, but she is 89 at the moment, and doing some LK running to hopefully find a Vex Rune for HOTO. I stopped questing in Hell right before Diablo, and might just go on because LK is being stingy at the moment. It will probably take me awhile to get to 99 because I am not the fastest or most efficient runner. If I see a named pack, I feel compelled to kill the monsters. Most of the time its for nothing more than a little XP, but every now and then something good drops.

Lynchgrinch said:
LOL. Nope. I'm still not getting this code thing done right...

Kitteh said:
It looks ok to me. Are you using notepad? It makes it much easier to edit it there and C & P, although I always have to insert the links again because they disappear

qwernt said:
When editing the table, don't use IE (yeah, no one does). It will wipe out the spacing on paste/post. Chrome of Firefox on windows are ok.

T72on1 said:
@darkstarhub Welcome to the fun . Btw, you can put your name a few places higher in the list, as those ** are censored eighty eights. So you are already almost top 10, gg !!!

darkstarhub said:
Thanks man. I had some pretty good runs last night. No good Runes, but some grailers. I need to go through what I have found so far so I can actually keep track of them with a number. Since I somehow managed to lose my old mule characters, I will start my grail over again. Now that I have GoMule working, things are sooooooooo much easier. That program is really nice to use, plus I can keep more crafting supplies for when I want to go on a caster amulet crafting binge. I did find a decent rare replacement last night though.

Lynchgrinch said:
Gah!! Lucky on that ammy @darkstarhub!!!!

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.7           No         4441        465            4         324
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.2           Yes        2190        425            11        208.5
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97.2           Yes        2722        421            -           -
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        380            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        345           16           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      89             Yes           -          -            -           -
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Weekend update on Aura (also moved @darkstarhub and @Lynchgrinch to their correct places according to their previous updates):

First 1/5 done towards 98, majority of it came on last Sunday though. I'm slowing down a bit, not XP/min, but time played overall. Christmas coming up, got gifts to buy/wrap, busy time at work to make sure everything is finished before week and a half off etc. Also, most friends going home for Christmas so trying to socialize with them before they leave.

Anyhow, first week didn't really bring much of excitement. Managed to find a whopping 1 TC87, which of course was something I already had found with Aura, Mavina's Diadem. That was more than annoying find, but something good came out of it. The next 100ish runs gave me zero Elite S/U drops, even when killing 3-4 boss packs each run in addition to seal bosses, I stopped killing them. Now I'm only killing seal bosses and Storm Caster bosses if there's any around (very, very quick to kill) and that's it. Aura is not meant for MFing, that has been decided.

Last night, I got a combo that was very much needed:

Code:

Lion Branded Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x9d5362b4
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)

Captain's Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xdb28972
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)

These were back-to-back Grand charms, 3 or 4 runs apart. Amazing how plain skillers can be so great finds for an untwinked character and now I swapped 6x 7mf charms for a bit more killing power. My MF dropped down to 214, which is still okay-ish, but my Hammer damage is now 11k and I guess that +1 in Concentration also helps Merc? I noticed that I am killing Infector pack slightly faster now, maybe saving 1-2 second(s) each run. It's not much, but it's an improvement!

S/U finds were pretty poor, except for Arctic Horns, seems like I'm getting plenty of those useless bows. Still, here's a selection of finds:

Code:

Fungal Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xfb40be08
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
+32 to Life

M'avina's Caster
Grand Matron Bow
Two Hand Damage: 40 - 207
Durability: 36 of 55
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 108
Required Dexterity: 152
Fingerprint: 0xfa830e25
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
Fires Magic Arrows
188% Enhanced Damage
+50 to Attack Rating
Set (2 items): Adds 114 - 377 Magic Damage
Set (3 items): 10% Chance to cast level 15 Nova on striking
Set (4 items): +2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

M'avina's True Sight
Diadem
Defense: 202
Durability: 10 of 20
Required Level: 64
Fingerprint: 0xfdce78b2
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Increased Attack Speed
+150 Defense
Replenish Life +10
+25 to Mana
Set (2 items): +1 to All Skills
Set (3 items): 50% Bonus to Attack Rating
Set (4 items): Cold Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +25%
Fire Resist +25%
Poison Resist +25%

Rixot's Keen
Short Sword
One Hand Damage: 9 - 14
Durability: 15 of 24
Required Level: 2
Fingerprint: 0xd14686f5
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Enhanced Damage
+5 to Minimum Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
+25 Defense
+2 to Light Radius

Shadow Talisman
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x22a7763c
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 95 Lightning Damage
+9 to Strength
+9 to Dexterity

Shimmering Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0xf040d341
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +4

Tomb Reaver
Cryptic Axe
Two Hand Damage: 111 - 508
Durability: 47 of 65
Required Level: 84
Required Strength: 165
Required Dexterity: 103
Fingerprint: 0x95da1dd1
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+60% Increased Attack Speed
239% Enhanced Damage
+209% Damage to Undead
+345 to Attack Rating against Undead
All Resistances +37
10% Reanimate as: Returned
+14 Life after each Kill
55% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+4 to Light Radius
3 Sockets (0 used)

Warshrike
Winged Knife
Throw Damage: 71 - 121
One Hand Damage: 84 - 109
Quantity: 200
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 45
Required Dexterity: 142
Fingerprint: 0x64e867e6
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
25% Chance to cast level 9 Nova on striking
+30% Increased Attack Speed
Piercing Attack
212% Enhanced Damage
50% Deadly Strike
Replenishes quantity

Tomb Reaver was a great find, 3os as well, mediocre damage and low rolls on others. Good to get the first one out of the way, now I can focus on finding that ethereal 3os high damage one

Warshrike drop completed all Throwing weapon Uniques for me, @Zenigma's thrower Barb could have enjoyed some of those finds

Rune-wise, I started strong, finding Ist and Mal within the first hour or so, but then came in dark times. No runes higher than Lem until this morning. Like the Paladin skillers above, these 2 were back-to-back (there may have been an Ort or two between), 11 runs from each other:

@T72on1, Aura is now "tied" with Neverland on the table. I know you are further ahead, so enjoy your 4th spot while it lasts. I'd assume you want to update at least once more before I take over?

Although, it looks like I will not have much time to run for the rest of this weekend or next weekend, so I'll probably stay at 5th place until I level up, if you keep running.

@PhineasB any updates on Mercy/Hiatus?

@NanoMist you better hurry up before I'll get super optimistic about catching you as well

T72on1 said:
@Neksja Congrats on the Lo runes !!! And on the swift progress.

I haven't been playing this weekend, as I was out of town to run a 50K trail, but will probably play a few hours tomorrow. I'm currently at 3.073M xp, so yes I'm still ahead, but I know it won't last long. Then again I probably won't be doing any running this week, so that means some more time for D2. Anyway, I wanted to do my next update at the 97.5 mark, but maybe I'll do it a bit earlier if that is easier for you as a reference.

Good luck !!

Kitteh said:
How did the race go?

NanoMist said:

@Neksja - Great progress update and the two Lo runes! Here's an update that should put your optimism to bed.

Not quite 99 but as close as I'll ever be.

Drops:
Jah
Ber (video)
Griffon's -17/+12
Cham
158/40/15 Gheed's (video)
Windforce (video)
Mara's @29 (video)

Incredibly, this is the 3rd 40/15 Gheed's out of the 13 total Gheed's found by Izuna. Even the gold find stats are high- 154%, 152%, and now 158%. Hot muled the previous one. Unfortunately, I did not get a video of the Jah and Cham, as those dropped during short playing sessions that I did not bother to record. Running out of time for that Zod though.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.9           No         4858        468            4         348
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.2           Yes        2190        425            11        208.5
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97.2           Yes        2722        421            -           -
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       96             Yes           -        380            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        345           16           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      89             Yes           -          -            -           -
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Pb_pal said:
Gogo Nanomist! Some sweet rune hauls too, looking forward to the final update!

darkstarhub said:
The finish line is in view Nanomist! Way to man, and awesome finds as well. I found my first Gheeds(with this character) and it was a lowly 23%MF. I have found a few 40%ers in the past, but it's better than no Gheeds for now, just barely.

I wanted to hit 90 this weekend, but Saturday was spent actually getting out of the house. I need to start hitting the better XP spots, but I really need a Vex for HOTO so I can up the players setting and still maintain so symbalance of efficiency. Speaking of efficiency, I really need to quit messing around with things not directly in my path. If I ever hope to get to 99 my skill must increase, as far as not getting killed, and my drops have to get better.

T72on1 said:
Great Nanomist !!! Just keep focused, now that you are so close, and don't die, ok?

O yes, and congrats on those runes !!! I'm looking forward to seeing the total rune haul once you get to 99. Iirc, you already found quite a few.

@Kitteh The trail went good, and not so good ... I had stomach issues from the very first minute to the very last. Actually I had been having those for the last 2 days, probably something my body was fighting against, as one of our boys had diarrhea since Friday. Anyway, so I wasn't feeling so good to start with, and that only got worse because of the effort I was doing. As a consequence I didn't feel like eating and drinking at all, except for some water. I did force myself to eat a bit, but not even close to being enough.

So at the 36 km mark I was feeling completely empty, had no energy left, had black spots in front of my eyes ... Luckily my stomach was a bit better at that time, so I started eating more, and at the 37 km aid station drank half a liter of cola and had quite some salt chips. Decided to carry on anyway, since it was only 14 km more. And it worked, as from that moment on it went better and better. I still felt pretty beaten up, can't make up for the shortage of energy take-in completely, but all in all it wasn't too bad.

To my surprise I finished in just a little over 6 hours, for 51.4 km and some 1600 m altitude gain. Placed 43th out of 190 or so, so that was far better than expected.

Kitteh said:
Considering circumstances mate, that is a pretty good effort, well done!

Vildecor · Oct 2, 2021

Lynchgrinch said:

Wow, congratulations on being so close @NanoMist!

Update: Tattersail is finally starting to pull her weight. MF'ing is going well! Finally found myself Skin of the Vipermagi from NM Mephisto! I forgot how much it really does help. Got myself a set of Nagelrings from Andy who was also nice enough to drop me a few other goodies that i'll be using! Here's the NM Andy/Meph haul in the last few days...

Code:

Tarnhelm
Skull Cap
Defense: 11
Durability: 10 of 18
Required Level: 15
Required Strength: 15
Fingerprint: 0x24bbcc2d
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
35% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Viper Emblem
Amulet
Required Level: 26
Fingerprint: 0xd60ea53c
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Maximum Damage
All Resistances +14
Damage Reduced by 4
Half Freeze Duration

Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 18 of 24
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x4805385e
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
+120% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +24
Magic Damage Reduced by 11
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Perfect Topaz

Nagelring
Ring
Required Level: 7
Fingerprint: 0x1fb80cde
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+57 to Attack Rating
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
Attacker Takes Damage of 3
29% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Nagelring
Ring
Required Level: 7
Fingerprint: 0xee5e5c28
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+50 to Attack Rating
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
Attacker Takes Damage of 3
28% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 120
Durability: 42 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x643c9da0
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+152% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 9
34% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability

Demon Song
Sacred Globe
One Hand Damage: 3 - 8
Durability: 90 of 90
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x6c47adb1
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Sorceress Skill Levels
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 153 Lightning Damage
+19 to Energy
+28 to Life
Poison Resist +12%
Level 3 Fire Ball (41/41 Charges)

Chance Guards
Chain Gloves
Defense: 27
Durability: 9 of 16
Required Level: 15
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0x9564cba2
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25 to Attack Rating
+23% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
200% Extra Gold from Monsters
39% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Light Radius

Rockstopper
Sallet
Defense: 175
Durability: 15 of 18
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x780d594b
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+178% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Vitality
Cold Resist +36%
Lightning Resist +25%
Fire Resist +42%
Damage Reduced by 10%

Blade of Ali Baba
Tulwar
One Hand Damage: 33 - 74
Durability: 20 of 32
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 70
Required Dexterity: 42
Fingerprint: 0xde77b582
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
112% Enhanced Damage
+7 to Dexterity
+15 to Mana
187% Extra Gold from Monsters (Based on Character Level)
75% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)
2 Sockets (0 used)

And then a few other things I'm pretty happy about that I found while running around like a headless chicken in NM and Hell...

Code:

Um Rune
Required Level: 47
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 25% Chance of Open Wounds
Armor: Cold Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%
Shields: Cold Resist +22%
Lightning Resist +22%
Fire Resist +22%
Poison Resist +22%

M'avina's True Sight
Diadem
Defense: 206
Durability: 17 of 20
Required Level: 64
Fingerprint: 0xbeed7747
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Increased Attack Speed
+150 Defense
Replenish Life +10
+25 to Mana
Set (2 items): +1 to All Skills
Set (3 items): 50% Bonus to Attack Rating
Set (4 items): Cold Resist +25%
Lightning Resist +25%
Fire Resist +25%
Poison Resist +25%

Coral Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x352d04c4
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
Lightning Resist +9%

Garnet Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xd0707703
Item Level: 45
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+11 to Life
Fire Resist +8%

Russet Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0xcbeb417
Item Level: 43
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +7%

The total haul is much bigger than that of course, but these are the ones I'm actually excited about

Tattersail breezed through Hell act 2 and 3 after a really tough Act1. Those items have really helped out her killing power! Currently sitting on Lvl 78 with +214%MF and just about to kill Izual. Expect a new Matriarch by the end of the week!

The goals from here on out are to Mat Tattersail, and then farm AT for XP and items that could be useful. I'd really love a Shako, The Oculus and Lidless Wall...not to mention Goldwrap, which is still avoiding me!

Current grail is 185/352 after about 2.5 weeks of being back in the game playing from scratch and 8 years out of the game. Pretty chuffed to say the least.

PhineasB said:
Almost there @NanoMist ! Your rune finds so far from 98 to 99 are new motivation to keep pressing forward with Mercy's Baal runs for the last bit to 97 and then to 98.

@Neksja : no real progress update on my end. I've had only 15 minutes here, 20 minutes there for Baal runs with Mercy over the past two weeks, until yesterday. But I started a cultist in the Gods of Chaos tourney and focused on her instead. After this week, my work schedule lightens up so I hope to make some real progress again starting next weekend. That tourney will be a nice break when I get bored with Baal (Mercy) or CS runs (Hiatus).

zticazzy said:
go @NanoMist go! can't wait to see your 99 thread!

Neksja said:
Very brief update on Aura.

This week, 0 runs completed. Next week, most likely 0 runs to be completed. On Monday when coming home from work, managed to somehow slip and fall and bust my hand, seems like a sprained wrist and two fingers cut pretty well, so my left hand is pretty much taped to one position and using a keyboard hurts like hell. I haven't managed to find out how to do CS runs with mouse only yet

I'll be back at this after Christmas. Good luck everyone!

Kitteh said:
@Neksja
I have a gaming mouse, its is awesome Oh, and get better soon!

T72on1 said:
That's no fun. Get better soon.

darkstarhub said:
Neksja, get a razer naga epic with the 12 buttons on the thumb side. You could map everything to them and still grind!!!!

I've never tried to use one, but a few people I used to play D3 with had one and they really liked it. The mouse also has several different sides you can put on it for different grips. It's kinda expensive, well the last time I looked at one anyway. There are also some cheaper mice with side buttons you could try as well.

ILikeRocks said:
So I know a few people have already made it to 99 but I just got back into the game a couple months ago and need something to keep me going.

Can I still join in on this, everything is gonna be untwinked for a while since I have nothing right now. Thinking a Sorc to start with and see where we can go.

Another quick question: does gomule or Atma work with the newest patch? If I make her very far, I would like to be able to mule things off. Thank you in advance guys!

NanoMist said:
Welcome back, it's never too late to join! GoMule works with 1.14d- I'm using it.

ILikeRocks said:
Awesome! I will be playing Rowsdower the sorc of some sort. I will add myself to the table when I get in a little further. Definitely gonna start SC even though I used to be a strictly HC player.

Thank you for the info!

Good luck on your last leg to 99! Can't wait to read your write up!!!!

Kitteh said:
Join whenever you like my friend, this is an ongoing tournament

T72on1 said:
'You can checkout any time you like, but you can never leave!' ... Welcome back @ILikeRocks , and welcome to this very fun project. Good luck on your journey. Make sure to skim through this thread for lots of great tips on how to progress, efficiently grind, ...

As for myself ... finally another major update. The good news? I made it to 97.5, even some 4M past it.

The bad news? I died 2 times recently, one time a bit prior to hitting the 3.096M mark, one time when I was at 3.102M . I had only died once since running CS, probably somewhere a bit before or after hitting 94. So it hurt. Luckily I could retrieve my body 2 times, but still, otherwise I would have been at some 3.113M now. That's more or less my goal to take a short break from this character, or at least from CS, since it would put me at the #1 spot of all 99 runners, as can seen in this post. Nothing special, but just a good timing to take a break. Ah well, a bit over 2 hours of running should get me there.

After that I'll be either leveling up characters from my oskill Sept, level up my MF Barb or level up a new Sorc. The latter 2 would be in case I want to participate in an MFO or RFO. I would hate to use my current Sorc there and have her die while doing so, xp is too precious at this point ...

Btw, lol at that picture of my character screen. When I died, I tried to put on the body retrieval kit (HotO Flail, Vipermagi, Spirit Monarch) I had in my stash, only to find out I was 2 Dex short to equip the HotO Flail. So I paid a visit to almost all vendors in the differenct acts to find gloves, boots, belt or helm with at least 2 Dex. Took me quite the time, but one of the last ones I could visit, had some Boots with +Dex. Apparantly I missed the fact that I had left 5 attribute points unspent exactly for when something like that would happen . Struck me right as I inserted the picture now.

Anyway, Neverland's journey since my last update ... Not much to say actually. CS runs, CS runs, and more CS runs ...

Right after my precious update, I had a really good streak, with that third Ohm in a very short time span first, then 3 grailers in quick succession and a 43% res all sacred targe. After that a bit of a dry period, with only an odd Mal and a grailer (Sazabi's Sword). On the upside, I got more focused on my runs again, so I finally managed to do 1 min runs, averaging some 4.5M per hour.

Then things picked up again, with a Gul, Ist, eth Baranar's Star (thought that was cool for my eth grail, until I found out it was my third already !!!) and another, regular Baranar's Star in one session, then Steel Carpace, Stormshield, Gladiator's Bane and a Mal in another session. In my latest sessions I found 3 facets (Cold, Poison and my first Fire one), Lenymo (not a grailer, but I love finding TC3s), my 7th Cold Skiller and finally, after some 10-15 other Gheed's, my first 40% mf one:

Code:

Gheed's Fortune Grand Charm Required Level: 62 Fingerprint: 0xa58044dc Item Level: 88 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 145% Extra Gold from Monsters Reduces all Vendor Prices 12% 40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

I tried the seventh cold skiller briefly, but ended up stashing it. Replacing my +40 life / fire res GC with it made me feel too vulnerable. If I replaced my Gheeds with it, my mf% dropped to 120%, which feels too little to be worthwhile. Also, it didn't seem to affect my kill speed much, so like I said, I stashed it.

Since my last update at the 97.2 mark I did 1116 more CS runs in 20 hours time, for a total of 1946 CS runs in almost 35 hours since hitting 97. My running times are quite a bit faster than they were when I started at 97, so I should be able to complete the road to 98 in 30 hours max, normally closer to 29 or even 28 hours. That's if I don't die though ... .

I do hope to find at least one HR and / or TC87 or very useful unique in the last runs before my break, because I haven't gotten any of those in this last stretch, except for the Ohm at the very start, and they are sometimes needed to keep being motivated

@NanoMist Anxiously waiting for you to finish that last 1/10 of the way from 98 to 99. Although I have no clue what amount of time we are talking about for that 'little' effort. Something 10 hours? Good luck in any case.

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 99 No 3068 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 98.9 No 4858 468 4 348 T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 97.5 Yes 2190+? 433 13 228.5 Neksja Aura SC Paladin 97.2 Yes 2722 421 - - PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 96 Yes - 380 9 - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 95 Yes 894 316 - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 95 Yes - 345 16 - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 94 Yes - - - - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know darkstarhub Neptune SC Sorc 89 Yes - - - - LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 88 Yes - 160 - - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - MercMan Este SC Ama 86 Yes 1212 278 2 Classified Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 84 No - - - - Qwernt AmaAgainstAll SC Sorc 81 Yes - - - - Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - Jean Avila SpeedAdict SC Ama 77 No - - - 50 logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - Lynchgrinch Tattersail SC Sorc 75 ? ? ? ? ? Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - - TwentyMule Gaius HC Assn 17 Yes 1 - - -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 76 Yes - - 1 - Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

Kitteh said:
I would also check out the progress to 99 thread, lots of good stuff in there, and it is worth reading the previous 99er threads (not just from this tournament) too, even if just for inspiration.

darkstarhub said:
Way to go T72on1. In all my years I've never had a 99. I have several 97 almost 98's, but that last push was something I always stopped short of. Most of the time I wanted to try another build or class and that would cause me to lose interest. Also, dying at that level just made me intensely angry. Not that I would want that penalty changed, but man it sucks. This time I will employ a body retrieval kit for sure since I have GoMule and the stash space isn't at so much of a premium.

Something else is my method of playing. I am somewhat methodical and not really that quick. Frozen Orb/Fireball isn't the fastest killer either, but I am getting my feel back for placing the orb so maybe things won't be so bad. My favorite places to run are areas like AT and the Pit, but those would take forever.

T72on1 said:
I hear you. I can see myself getting to 98. But 99? I don't know yet.

Kitteh said:
You will do it. I have been playing Fordyl for what feels like forever, but I play a lot less than you haha

Also, when Fordyl hits 99, I will be replaying this, and not dying in f'in normal

ILikeRocks said:
@T72on1 I have read through this whole thread, and the previous untwinked 99 progress thread. It is a lot of work once you get 85-90+ I have never had any toon get past 97 and that was a long time ago. This will be good for setting up stashes too.

I have made some progress, Rowsdower made it up to the Dark Woods and got the scroll. Cruising along at lvl 13. I played P8 until I hit 12 then am gonna go through quick on P1 until I get to an area I wanna run to level up.

This is very strange for me, as I usually play P8 all the way through, but I feel that would be way too slow for this considering I am already pretty far behind and just now coming back to the game.

PhineasB said:
Very sorry to hear about the injury @Neksja . That sounds like a pretty nasty spill. Hope you recover quickly.

Welcome back @ILikeRocks and welcome to the untwinked challenge! I look forward to following Rowsdower’s journey.

And finally, good progress @T72on1 . I hope the run speeds pick up as you suggest. It’s helpful, I think, to have several different things (drops, XP progress, and improved runs) to keep motivated and focused.

For my update:

Matriarch Mercy and Azrael the HF Desert Merc, Lvl 97 (pic)

Mercy’s last real update was about 3/7 of the way to 97. The 20 minutes here, 30 minutes there so far this month, plus two two-hour sessions the last two days, finally pushed her through.

The approach to running continued to evolve, as well as continuing to mix things up a bit in terms of targets. She still isn’t quite powerful enough to plow through waves 4 and 5 without repositioning and recasting traps several times, and Baal generally takes three rounds of traps. So I’ve changed up targets for a brief break when I start slowing down or getting annoyed (and it ended up being pretty lucrative with lucky drops while messing around).

Early on during her Baal runs, she got another Pul, another shimmering GC that she ended up using when she switched up gear to hit the 102 FCR breakpoint, Messerschmidt’s (her second), the set Corona (her first), and a 5/5 fire facet. About 3/4 of the way to 97, she found a Lion Branded skiller with gold find, which my hammerdin will appreciate.

At this point, she took a little break in CS, netting a Mal. Back to Baal, and she was again disappointed at the RNG for not making the other one a Unique. Gheed’s was lower than then-current 26% MF, and still no Arachnid’s. Hotspur dropped, bringing her to Grail -100, which seemed fitting. Another 3os Tomb Reaver (non-eth) plus a passive skills Zon skiller dropped.

Then she got the highlight of this level to match the low roll Eth one found earlier:

Highest roll for +cold damage and absorb, high roll on Dext. Only the +defense was low-end. Nice! Shortly after that, I was burning out on Baal runs, and started messing around with p8 Act boss running (A1-A3) and some more CS runs at p1 for seals and p7 for Diablo. In part, I was hoping Archnid’s might drop from Meph (this was right after @Neksja had found one), but also because I was curious how powerful would be on p8 on Andy, Duriel and Meph. So I decided to 25 runs for kicks. It paid off with a Ber from Duriel, a Mal from Durance and a Vex in CS.

The Mal made it possible to cube an Ist for Delirium, which the Merc got to accompany his CoH, returning to Baal runs. Not a fan for Baal runs – the runs are slow enough and his defense low enough that he turned into a doll almost every run. Maybe it’s my imagination, but he seems less durable and to do less damage when transformed. So we tried more gear combos. Vamp Gaze would be good, but she still hasn’t found one. Interestingly, Blackhorn’s was safer than every other option I tried, I guess because of the slow. But I settled on Guillame’s because the FHR and extra crushing blow sped up Baal slightly and was safe enough.

The final stretch saw a Unique Berserker Axe (first for Mercy) and a nice pair of tri-resist boots that may get some use if she makes it to lvl98. The second best drop of this level fell near the end: the unique chicken head. Low -fire resist roll, but highest for resist all. That brought my overall grail to -9, so I was happy.

* * *

A couple thoughts on her evolution through this level. Curious on the perspective of others who have done theorycrafting and know the game mechanics better than me.

First, I think Ventar only runs would have been more efficient, given my run times and occasional difficulty with Lister and Baal. I did that for a little while around the half way point, but the drops were so minimal that I realized I would lose motivation. Baal ended up having some nice drops that kept me motivated, so even if it was less efficient, it was net worth-it.

Second, around the 3/4 mark, I decided to immediately bail if Lister was lightning immune. I found it frustrating to park him, and he often tore through my merc when spawning lightning immune in a way he didn’t otherwise, leading to more time for merc resurrections. I wasn’t counting runs or times, but it definitely felt like that made a pretty significant difference in efficiency.

Third, around the same time, Mercy kept an antidote potion handy for each run, quickly hitting Malah at the start of a run if necessary. With Baal’s mana drain (needing a row of mana potions in the belt), wanting TP scrolls in the belt, and not wanting to risk only one row of big purples in the belt, the poison from wave two was annoying and often put Azrael at risk from hydras or Ventar’s mob. Again, for me, it made the runs more efficient and less annoying. But I’m curious to hear if there are better solutions that I’m missing. @NanoMist – if you have any pointers from your 94-98 journey (or maybe a video to show your approach), I’d appreciate it.

Finally, I agree wholeheartedly with a point @T72on1 made in the Quest for level 99 thread:

Which brings us to another point: fun !!! Everyone will be very motivated when they start this journey. But when the real grind kicks in, you have to stay motivated as well. After all it's still a game, and one you play to have fun. It would be a shame if someone burns out on D2 on the whole because the grind drives him or her insane. So despite the fact that we all have been talking about and giving tips about efficiency here, don't neglect the fact that you should still be having fun. It's not as refreshing as starting a new character, it's not as exciting as participating in that MFO or RFO and get awesome drops quite often, it's not as cool as trying out that new runeword on a concept character ... it will always be a grind up to a certain degree. But try to find things that keep it fun for you. Alternate targets for a while if you feel like it. Switch CS with Baal if that's what keeps you going. Get back to AT for a while. Hit Travincal in search for runes, jewelry and gold like I did, even if your 99er runner doesn't need it, because you never know what you get (a Cham in my case) and the drops might allow you to start brainstorming on other D2 projects or characters.

Click to expand...

If I’d focused only on Baal runs, which is probably most efficient, I’m not sure I would have pushed through. For me, at least, drops still matter for motivation, so slightly less efficient options that have better drops may be better over the long term.

Next steps: I am going to look for a map that has a good CS and WSK set up and do some testing with different player settings and also give Nihl a shot before picking up XP, just to get a feel for it.

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 99 No 3068 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 98.9 No 4858 468 4 348 T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 97.5 Yes 2190+? 433 13 228.5 Neksja Aura SC Paladin 97.2 Yes 2722 421 - - PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 97 Yes - 408 9 - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 95 Yes 894 316 - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 95 Yes - 345 16 - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 94 Yes - - - - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know darkstarhub Neptune SC Sorc 89 Yes - - - - LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 88 Yes - 160 - - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - MercMan Este SC Ama 86 Yes 1212 278 2 Classified Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 84 No - - - - Qwernt AmaAgainstAll SC Sorc 81 Yes - - - - Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - Jean Avila SpeedAdict SC Ama 77 No - - - 50 logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - Lynchgrinch Tattersail SC Sorc 75 ? ? ? ? ? Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - - TwentyMule Gaius HC Assn 17 Yes 1 - - -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 76 Yes - - 1 - Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

T72on1 said:
@PhineasB Terrific progress !!! And congrats on the drops.

Kitteh said:
Keep at it!

P.S. There is a distinct lack of HC entries... /hint /hint /hint

Vildecor · Oct 2, 2021

NanoMist said:
@PhineasB - Congrats on 97 and all the good finds, especially that Ber from Duriel!

It feels like ages since I've done Baal runs, so I'll try to do my best with the advice.

Here's a video with 4 Baal runs- felt awkward and sloppy due to being out of practice, so I apologize for that. I don't even have shock web or BO/BC hotkeyed since I don't need it hotkeyed for Nihla. The format is p1 throne, p8 waves, and p3 Baal, which is also what you're running, IIRC. Running Baal with 32 light res was a bit scary, since my setup is optimized for Nihla. Maybe dropping Baal could be more efficient, but I couldn't resist the temptation to kill him for S/U drops.

Generally, lightning traps are placed to maximize the number of targets hit, which is usually at the perimeter of the monster pack. I don't follow this guideline in my Nihla runs, but that is a special case where I must have corpses next to Nihla.

I use a might mercenary with Infinity/Fort/Andy to maximize his damage, which is really needed against fire & lightning resistant/immune monsters, while also improving life leech. Plain 15% IAS jewel in the Andy to hit the next breakpoint with CV, so the lower fire resist is not great. But there are other ways to deal with wave 3 hydras that I'll explain later. Noticeable difference in Wave5/Baal survival with chilling armor defense boost. Not a fan of Delirium when assassins have superior crowd control skills in CoS and MB.

Phineas, I don't remember exactly how you're running Baal so here's my general strategy.

Wave 1
Use shock web for supplemental damage, but this wave will melt against lightning sentry. If minion scattering is an issue, use CoS at the beginning to prevent it. Tele-stomp FI/LI Colenzo with merc.

Wave 2
Use both shock web and fire blast, with emphasis on fire blast against the Unravelers. There are blind spots on Achmel's poison, which was a bonus considering my trapper's poor poison resist. Merc has 85% PR and is not too bothered by poison. Death sentry is good for clean up.

Wave 3
I had two ways of dealing with the hydras.
1. Drop a frame perfect CoS on wave 3 to prevent all the minions except Bartuc from casting it.
2. Position the character and merc in melee range so that the council members use their melee attack instead. (Can be dangerous)

It's possible to do both of the above and prevent any hydra from being cast, as seen in the 4th run of my video. The 1st way with CoS isn't reliable, but can be done successfully with practice. If not, spam fireblast at the spawn point and hope that it instantly triggers hit recovery on the council members. If all else fails, tank the hydras for your merc during the fight. considering the hydras are subjected to the 1/6 PVP damage penalty against players, you are in a much better position to tank hydras than the merc. Plenty of potions to drink between waves.

Wave 4
Supplemental damage from shock web and death sentry(good against LE Ventar). Occasional CoS to help merc against nasty might/fanat/extra strong packs.

Wave 5
I use the stair trap method to bottleneck this wave. Shock web for supplemental damage between mind blasts. Too much MB and not enough SW in my video though. Try to keep everything stunned and position traps depending on how the minions are dispersed. Definitely want lightning sentries to be hitting multiple targets per shot. LI Lister is either parked or the run ends, up to runner's preference. Forgetting to switch to p3 when fighting Baal also ends the run. I made this mistake in the 3rd run of the video.

Hopefully this post can help make your Baal runs more efficient and less annoying, which should improve your desire to run. My actual average Baal run duration is longer then the video would suggest, once I factor in bad spawns/muling/etc. Between 3:30-3:40 mark, not 3:15.

PhineasB said:
@NanoMist. But yikes, I hadn't expected you to risk doing some new, non-optimized runs. I would have felt terrible if something had happened to Izuna!

Andy's would definitely be good, or even a Vamp Gaze. The best LL helm option is Tals mask, which is part of why I switched up to CoH. But I think I am going to try the Fortitude again when I fiddle around with merc gear -- you're right, he got hit less when he was wearing it before. And maybe go back to a Might merc again.

It was very helpful to see your runs. I follow a pretty similar pattern for the first three waves, except I use Death Sentry regularly. I will try going with LS only, unless one of them is immune. I also use stair trap for Lister, but saw several things on waves 4 and 5 that I will try when I get back to Baal runs. I generally stay near throne for wave 4, and place traps for both waves near the lamps closest to the throne. You place the sentries on the other side from the throne of the lamps furthest away, and stay back there for Ventar. I can't believe I hadn't thought of that, as it moves out of decrep range for Ventar and creates broader spread of lightning to hit all the minions for each wave. I also use DS as soon as one of Lister's minions goes down, but again saw that you focused on LS. It has higher damage, so it makes sense. In general, it looks like I should use DS less!

Mercy also still has only a +2 traps ammy, no +skill rings, no Arachnid's, and three skillers. So her traps are only level 34. I suspect a few more +skills would make a big difference too.

One final thing I noticed where I may have an efficiency edge. For p-settings, I type /players once at the start of the session, and then hit enter and the "up" button. It autofills the last thing typed. I hit enter, up, enter 10 times, and it sticks as the autofill for the entire session. Once I clear the throne, I hit enter, up, 8, and enter, and it goes to p8. Quick to change back to p3 for Baal. And then after the S&E, I hit enter, up and enter to reset to p1. Not sure where I read that, but it saves a lot of typing (and I mis-type regularly when trying to type fast).

ILikeRocks said:
My Tower/WP is so close! I haven't gone in yet but this is the closest I can remember having them...

Now my question is; Is it worth running normal Countess? She can drop up to Tal?

Actual update though, Up to lvl 15, saved Cain in about 15 minutes worth of playing. I have to be up early or I would keep playing but real life is so much more work than when I had all the time to play...

NanoMist said:
@PhineasB - My Infinity is in a CV, had to go Andy for the IAS and LL. If there's LL in helm slot, then Fortitude over CoH. After all, doubling damage is effectively doubling amount of life leeched back, isn't it?

My traps were level 37 at the time of Baal running, but it's 39 in the video. The two skill difference came from finding a 5th trap skiller and swapping a res/str/life ring with a BK ring for Nihla. I too am using a +2 trap amulet. Not sure what times you have now, but even with level 34 traps, sub 4 minute Baal runs are very doable. Strive for 3:30? Maybe someone else has input on this.

Death Sentry is fine for waves 2-4, I will place a few depending on the conditions. However, it's very poor against wave 5 due to the fire immunity and 50% physical resistance. That is why I use lightning sentry all the way for Lister & co.

PhineasB said:

One final thing I noticed where I may have an efficiency edge. For p-settings, I type /players once at the start of the session, and then hit enter and the "up" button. It autofills the last thing typed. I hit enter, up, enter 10 times, and it sticks as the autofill for the entire session. Once I clear the throne, I hit enter, up, 8, and enter, and it goes to p8. Quick to change back to p3 for Baal. And then after the S&E, I hit enter, up and enter to reset to p1. Not sure where I read that, but it saves a lot of typing (and I mis-type regularly when trying to type fast).

Click to expand...

It's a good thing I already did this! I don't think I ever typed it out in the video, did I? Prior to recording the video, I scouted WSK for throne room and spammed /players so I didn't have to do it in the video.

Kitteh said:
That is some life that you are packing for an assassin! What the hell is your gear setup? Haha

PhineasB said:
@NanoMist - you were so fast with the buttons that it must have just looked like you were typing "players"

NanoMist said:
@Kitteh - My item highlight videos has the setup on the left. It doesn't list the charms, but anything not a skiller or Gheed's has +life on it. Also, investing 27 strength with the remainder going to vitality really helps.

T72on1 said:
Yes, Fortitude on the merc helps him survive big time. Since I equiped mine with one, he hasn't died anymore, and even rarely need any pots in the CS.

Thanks for the tip on the /p setting sticking. Didn't know that.

Neksja said:
Great stuff everyone! Congrats @PhineasB for reaching lvl97, I gotta keep my eye on you so you don't catch Aura.

and @T72on1, what's this non-sense of "not sure if I'll reach lvl99"? Isn't this thread already motivation enough to keep running? And no one expects you to ding 99 at the second week of January or anything, just take your time And I'm sure once I'm back running again, you'll find some motivation

And everyone who suggested getting a gaming mouse, that's definitely on my list of things to buy, but I assume I'm getting one at the Boxing Day sales the earliest and I am hoping at that point I don't need to play one-handed D2 But I still want one, my current one is some cheap one I bought from Amazon like 2 years ago to carry with me instead of relying on just trackpad.

Thanks for wishes to get better. Wrist definitely feels a lot better already, but gaming is still out of question for at least few more days as even typing for couple of minutes starts to hurt, so gotta take it easy. Although, really getting the itch of trying a CS run or two, but must resist. I'll have a full week after Christmas to run, so I need my rest for that I am mentally now prepared to get to lvl98 after @T72on1 but if I am not mistaken, I still have the advantage of doing Ancients and getting that 40mil boost over Neverland, so I'll catch up that way then

Enjoy your week coming up to holidays, make sure you are prepared and not stressing out about gifts/food/whatever

T72on1 said:
Nope, wrong . I have Ancients still stashed away as well ...

Keeping my fingers crossed that you get better soon.

Xios said:
I just noticed that given what level my Old Gods tournament character finished at he would technically be the highest level Necro on the list if he was added.

Victory by forfeit.

I'm now convinced this was all an elaborate ruse to try and make me consider converting him to a regular Novamancer to do runs.

I'm on to you people.

ILikeRocks said:
Rowsdower has the cube now! Going at P1 is so simple, but leveling up takes a long time. I am ran and grabbed the Far Oasis WP and had to come to work. I am trying to get the runes for Leaf to make things go a little quicker. I am using the RWM but just a question... How long did it take for you guys to get the runes for Infinity? (if you've made one) On the realms it was easy so long ago, but coming back and having nothing, it seems like it is gonna take a whie.

Xios said:
Unless there were ninja changes I'm unaware of, the last functional change to Runes and their availability was 1.13c (this statement is true for a large majority of in-game mechanic related things) with the improved drop rates, which was back in March 2010. So depending on how far back a long time ago is for you, things may have improved.

Of course there's plenty of ways that single player helps with Rune hunting. While you lose the wide net of trading, you get fixed maps for places like LK or Countess, as well as the ability to shift to whatever player setting you'd like.

The Countess in normal drops up to Ral, so if you really want to pick up Leaf, I'd go and run her a handful of times. Maybe go all speedrunner style and build a Stealth for yourself while you're at it?

I'll leave the Infinity advice more to the people who regularly farm HRs. But my remark would be that Insight can be made once you find a 4os Polearm (Burning Larzuk socket quest on [very] late Normal gear / getting moderately lucky at start of NM) and can be a strong subtitute until the time comes where you could make an Infinity-- or like most of my characters, just get them all the way to the end.

None of them were ever trying for 99 though, so the sense of time is distorted ~~in Lordran~~ as far as "how long is too long" to go item hunting.

ILikeRocks said:
I had planned on getting Leaf, I was thinking infinity so I could go Just pure Light sorc. That won't be until much later in the game of course. The last time I really played this game, was around 2012, but I didn't MF or RF, I was just on here playing some tournaments.

Before that was too long ago.

Right now I am using a combo of Fireball and Lightning both really low levels, but it works just fine on P1. I am just not sure how much time I should dedicate to MFing or if I should run as fast as I can to get to a high enough level to run AT or Pindle and hope some lucky drops come before then...

T72on1 said:
It's hard to put an amount of time needed to acquire Infinity. With the increased drop rates of 1.13 and static maps it's very doable now, and some of the runners in this thread actually have (or had, in the case of Pb_pal) an Infinity. Your best bet is LK obviously, which should cough up the necessary Bers or Surs within' a reasonable timeframe.

Having said that, I have found plenty of Ohms, a Vex, a Lo, a Sur, two Ber and even 2 Cham runes with my character, but since that first Ber went to CoH, I still need a Ber to make Infinity. Then again it doesn't make a big difference for a Blizzard Sorc before 98, and Insight is just so convenient .

O yes, speaking about Insight ... I wouldn't burn a Larzuk quest to get the right base item. You'll get a 4os Polearm soon enough. You will want to save your Larzuk quests for your endgame gear.

Pb_pal said:
T72 nailed it about Infinity. I got mine without specifically working for it (and minimal LK running in general), but then again that took until ~97.5 (although I had already made a CoH before then).

For information's sake, if you really want one the best way to go about getting one would be to hammer LK. Assuming 30 second runs on a 2-campfire map (definitely doable with a sorc), it'll take you somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 hours to find the 4 Surs you will need.

Now that doesn't factor in cubing lesser runes or popping a Ber, so in reality it shouldn't take you that full timeframe. Food for thought anyways.

Great progress everyone, keep it up!

ILikeRocks said:
Thank you @T72on1 and @Pb_pal very helpful! I am still in normal at the moment, so that is a ways off but during this holiday season, I will have a lot of time to work on it!

I definitely won't burn my Larzuk quest reward for a 4os Polearm, I am sure a decent one will pop up for me.

On a sorc I will definitely need CoH and would definitely like a HotO as well, that is why I was wondering on timeframes I have a feeling this is going to be one of the slower runs just from me not playing for so long and rolling maps to see what are good one.

Xios said:
ILikeRocks said:

Right now I am using a combo of Fireball and Lightning both really low levels, but it works just fine on P1. I am just not sure how much time I should dedicate to MFing or if I should run as fast as I can to get to a high enough level to run AT or Pindle and hope some lucky drops come before then...

Click to expand...

I've always liked going Mono-Element on my Sorcs until later in nightmare where you start to make the transition, just to focus on getting absolutely absurd early damage which can allow you to crank up the player settings if you're so inclined, with particular ease if you pick up an Insight to resolve mana issue. For the Mono-Element, Lightning based is popular but I've always liked Fireball since I wind up with Meteorb Sorcs more often than not and the switch from Fireballer --> Meteorb doesn't even require a respec most of the time.

Given the class (and being SC) for myself I'd most likely be pushing through the game as fast as I can then stopping at the usual suspects (Pindle, Baal, etc) for a bit of powerleveling, then moving on again and doing the same in Nightmare. At around that time you have your pick of the litter with options to powerlevel (same places as before) but you're also poised to have decent MF locations (NM Meph, Hell Andy, either Countess, certain 85 zones depending on build, etc)

T72on1 said:

O yes, speaking about Insight ... I wouldn't burn a Larzuk quest to get the right base item. You'll get a 4os Polearm soon enough. You will want to save your Larzuk quests for your endgame gear.

Click to expand...

It wasn't so much a recommendation to do so, more just a list of possibilities. I'm normally too far on the "save it for the best thing ever" to the point that I sometimes never use it when I probably could/should have, while other people I play with will use it immediately. Specifically for Insight I find it has a pretty good ratio of finding your 4os Halberd and your Sol rune near the same time just walking in Nightmare.

That being said you never know who just happens to have like, 80 characters sitting around with all their Larzuks still available (granted this thread is for untwinked play, but more generally..). Which one of you is it? Hands up.

ILikeRocks said:
I love lightning skills, I just get bored sometimes using the same thing for everything in the early game, that is why I went with both fire and lightning skills. Also fire is much more simple since I can create Leaf and just mow through things. I will probably just power through to get to those areas that are good for leveling. Norm-50ish should be good I would think then moving to NM.

I usually save Larzuk until I find a nice dusk shroud to put some sockets in or some base for hoto/spirit.

T72on1 said:
Yes, @Xios is right: just plow through the game, and only stop at certain targets to gain levels. For me that was only Pindle in normal and NM, on the highest possible setting which I could still run fast. Gets you xp really fast.

Vildecor · Oct 2, 2021

ILikeRocks said:
Finally through Act 2, definitely the most boring in my opinion. Found a few greens and an 18% Nagel. And I made this to help out quite a bit with running.

+6 to warmth is really helping with mana!

ILikeRocks said:
Sorry for the double post here, but now I am at an impasse...

I just killed meph and am about to move onto Act 4, but I am only level 24 and am in dire need of some item upgrades for my merc... I ran countess until I had enough to make Malice, but it is in a really slow stick and damage isn't very high. He is wearing terrible armor and helm, that were just gambled. I have found quite a few s/u's but no helms or armors that would be worth it.

Where should I go to get better gear? Norm Meph doesn't sound all that exciting and my merc couldn't stand up to him, had to teleport across the moat and hit him with fireballs a lot to get this far.

T72on1 said:
Just continue, straight for Act 5 Pindle. Your merc only really matters once you can make him Insight anyway.

As for keeping the merc alive ... better stuff will drop soon. Until then try to give him a source of life leech (Amn in the highest possible damage beatstick at that point?), and equip him with some cheap stuff like Stealth Armor (Tal Eth), helm with Sols and / or runes for resists (Thul etc), ... Or switch to an act 3 cold merc until you can make an Insight. They provide quite good crowd control.

There's probably far better gear options for cheap that I'm forgetting now, as I'm in a hurry, because I want to go out for a run after a very long work day. The thing is: it doesn't really matter too much at this point .

Good luck.

Neksja said:
@T72on1 "the chase" is back on. My wrist is getting a lot better and I can get back to running. I'm still going to take it easy, max 20-25min sessions, so I won't stress my hand too much.

And just to rub some salt into wounds, this is how CS treated me with my first ~15min of running:

That's Ber #3 for me since lvl96. At the moment, it looks pretty great for my future Sorceresses, because I can make Infinity/CoH any time I want from now on Although, I'm kinda waiting not to do that, in case I can hold on for all my runes until 99 and make a badass rune haul pic

T72on1 said:
@Neksja So that's where all my Ber runes go ?! Right now I feel like saying that I would have preferred to find one Cham rune less and two Bers instead. But in the long run I'm sure I'll be quite happy with those 2 Chams. And the Bers will come eventually.

So congrats !!! That's the game telling you it's glad you are back. And so are we .

Good luck, and take good care of that wrist, so that it doesn't go the wrong way again.

darkstarhub said:

I made it up to 90.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       98.9           No         4858        468            4         348
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.5           Yes        2190+?      433           13        228.5
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97.2           Yes        2722        421            -           -
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97             Yes           -        408            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        345           16           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -            -           -
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

ILikeRocks said:
We are moving along quite nicely! Made it up to 40 now. Looking for a good base for Spirit and Insight now, that will make things go even faster! I have found 15 S/U's now, nothing really good. But some upgrades to my terrible gear lol.

Neksja said:
Aura has reached 97.3, but I shall update the table after Christmas, hoping that I can do a proper update then to show some actual progress instead of some lousy 20 mil XP gained.

Anyhow, I have noticed a potential new way of grinding for me. P7 seals and Diablo. I did some test running last night, only ~30mins though, and noticed that the lowest XP gained per run was 122k and the highest run was somewhere around 150k. I averaged roughly 93 second runs, but that excluded time muling items in GoMule. I will probably be doing some more P7 Seals+Diablo runs to get a better idea (and include muling in timing), but it seems that it could be faster way to level up, especially if the map you have, has a consistent boss pack spawns near seals, so you get the extra XP easily.

So, I will be running the rest of lvl97-98 alternating between the following three setups:

Code:

P8 Vizier+Infector P8 Vizier+Infector+boss packs P7 Seal bosses+Diablo

Between Christmas and New Years, I'll try to do 2-3 hours with each setup and see which is the fastest and get some numbers for other people to reference for future. I have a feeling that P7 Seals+Diablo will be the fastest for characters who are NOT collecting every S/U drop. I had to mule items off roughly every 4th run, so that's slowing down the runs quite a bit, but with a good map and solid character like a decked out Hammerdin, you might crack 100k/min if you ignore the rubbish Diablo drops. I mean, there was a drop from Diablo, where I got unique Poleaxe, set War Staff and set Long Battle Bow. That's half a stash in one drop and any sensible runner would just S&E and move on. Thank god there are pack rats like me, who just pick up and stash everything...

If I have time and interest, I'll try out P7 Seals+Diablo runs with Merc using 3x Shael Hone Sundan, if that 45% CB will speed up killing the big man himself. I'd be carrying Hone Sundan in stash and swap it with Insight for Diablo, but I'm not sure that's going to be too beneficial. Also, probably ends up being horribly annoying for me since I would be wasting 2x4 spaces of inventory on saving few seconds tops per each run, I'll probably lose all the seconds saved (and more), trying to get all the S/Us to my stash. But I'll try to find time to test this scenario out as well. For science of course! I also might try P8 Seals+Diablo, but don't think that's worth while since you only get more XP from Seal bosses and most of the XP comes from Diablo anyway.

Neksja said:
Sorry for double post.

This morning, I did an hour of P7 Seals+Diablo running. I averaged 78k/min, which isn't too bad, but it could be better and considering I've now just done about 1.5 hours of those runs, I'm not completely comfortable with Lord de Seis -pack and I could use a better map. Just to paint the picture of the hour, I had to empty my stash 7 times and only items really worth picking up were Paladin Combat skiller (pretty great find actually), Lem rune and 3-5 Ral runes. So, that's about ~7 minutes time lost, not counting the time spent identifying stuff, taking them to the stash etc. Additionally, Merc died 3 times. Guess how many times I clicked "Go to Harrogath" instead of reviving Merc? Yes, three times. So I'd go with total of at least 8 minutes of running time lost. That's at least 4 more runs, maybe even 5 with a good map, but let's go with 4. That's ~600k extra XP gained, increasing your xp/min to 88k. Go and get a map with few shrines to get a chance of XP shrine and you are looking at 90k+/min efficiency, which is pretty great. As I said in my previous post, I wouldn't be surprised reaching 100k/min XP with this.

I'd also would like to try these runs on PC, but that's not possible at the moment. On Mac, there is this horrible FPS drop when there are 3 or more OKs on the screen, which slows down running A LOT, so either a solution to that or switching to PC would make these runs even more efficient. I would have to say that this FPS drop is by far the most significant factor of me not gaining XP faster, even teleporting past few OKs will slow me down by up to few seconds, so in a long-term project like this, the seconds really start to rack up.

I was trying to convert my current speed to find out my XP gain for 98-99 run and it looks like I might be able to push 1.9mil/hr with P7 Diablo+Seals. @Pb_pal @NanoMist @zticazzy what kind of xp/hour you were/are getting at your final level? Just wondering whether that's a good rate of xp or not.

T72on1 said:
That's so incredibly fast compared to me. At your rate, I would have been close to 98, I think .

Anyway, still grinding away. Currently at the 3.131M mark. Will do an update of the table once I hit the 97.75 mark. O yes, and I found this one:

So I can now make Infinity. Only it appears I don't have a proper base . I tried the cube recipe on two Eth Threshers, but no luck. I have 2 more to try I think.

Neksja said:
T72on1 said:

That's so incredibly fast compared to me. At your rate, I would have been close to 98, I think .

Anyway, still grinding away. Currently at the 3.131M mark. Will do an update of the table once I hit the 97.75 mark.

Click to expand...

It looks like you have the advantage of having more time on your hands to play D2, I just keep falling more and more behind. I'm somewhere around 75 mil behind you at the moment :/ I even considered killing Ancients to catch you but that would have been just silly at this point I just need to find more time to run.

T72on1 said:

So I can now make Infinity. Only it appears I don't have a proper base . I tried the cube recipe on two Eth Threshers, but no luck. I have 2 more to try I think.

Click to expand...

Congrats on Sur! Also, that's why you keep picking up every single potential RW base! On the other hand, I still haven't managed to find a single ethereal Giant Thresher yet, which I want for my Infinity base. Just for style points I guess Hopefully that Infinity will serve you well and help you on the way to 99

zticazzy said:
@Neksja about 2.9-3.0 mil/hr for me. For reference, see this video I posted earlier: "20 Nihla kills + 2 bonus kills from 4 exp shrines = ~500000 exp points in less than 10 mins, ~25 secs per kill on average." I've been lucky while recording this, many exp shrines and few accidents, but yeah, my overall average wasn't too far from that. If you'll ever choose the Nihla's route, then good luck. I see you gotta go fast but take your time to see what's best (fastest / safest) for your char, that place is tricky.

NanoMist said:
@Neksja - My rate is 2.5 mil/hr. Keep in mind the exp. to next level is 291 million, or 251 million after Ancients. You can figure out total time spent from there. Can't help you with the FPS drop issue though, no Mac here. Hopefully you can fine tune your runs better. I remember Lawbringer mercs back in the Iron Maiden days, but I think losing Insight may be too inconvenient.

Kitteh said:
I'm going to time an hour of runs tonight and see what mine is. I have a feeling that I am horribly lower than even 2.5 mil/hour... Although, not actually the untwinked tourney

PhineasB said:
Good job @Neksja and @T72on1 . As far as I'm concerned, you are both making amazing progress.

Hope the progress continues well @NanoMist - I've come to the main page and see you as the most recent post in this thread a few times recently and hoped it was THE post.

I have focused mostly on two tourney characters lately, but have gotten in some time with Mercy and Hiatus. My goal is to get Mercy to 3.00B and then focus on Hiatus to reach level 96. Rerolled Mercy's map, with a slight upgrade due to direct line teleporting only.

With thanks to @NanoMis for the video on Baal runs, Mercy's approach has changed, with some improvement. I ultimately settled on portal to Malah to remove poison from wave 2 bc plenty of scrolls drop and a belt slot for poison potions just wasn't worth it. Mercy just sits right in the spawn area for the first three waves and telestomps Colenzo with the merc. The others go down quick. Ventar's group now goes down with a single round of traps, with only occasional need to get 1-2 stragglers with a second round. Lister and Baal are still a challenge, requiring a minimum three rounds of traps each. That's actually an improvement with Lister in some way, as the third round is just needed to clean up, usually, 1 or 2 that are left.

The XP/hr discussion above made me realize that taking some time to focus on upgrading gear would potentially save time over the long run. This seed has a great Andy map (maybe get a +skill ring), Meph map is decent (7 teleports to stairs), but the Pits map ended up being very solid. It takes a bit of teleporting to get there, but there are 3-5 boss packs (average is probably 4) from entrance to level 2, with only 10 teleports total to get there. Level 2 has 3 boss packs regularly, with only one very rarely. I was curious and checked XP, and she averages ~50K per run at <1 min per run.

Given slow Baal times (haven't timed a long set, but I think it's probably ~4 minutes), it's not a total waste from XP perspective. And there are lots more drops. She throws in Meph at the beginning. Early returns were great, and she was thrilled to get another skiller and then her first Nature's Peace (BKWB or SOJ would have been better, but not complaints ).

The skiller required some stash adjustments. Her HoTo was only 31@, so she used the stashed Vex to reroll, with an upgrade to 36@. She dropped one SC of Vita and two Shimmering SCs (8@ total) and is still maxed on all resists except cold, which is in 60s. She going to mix up Baal and Pits for a while and hopefully get closer to 3B this weekend.

* * *

Hiatus is back in LK looking for the Ist (or Mal to cube up) for CoH. Last night I had really unusual and frustrating sequence -- just under 20 minutes of running with not a single rune drop. I don't count runs, but runes found and planned on doing a set of 5 before bed to get back into LK. That's why I know how long it took. Found 2 runes on first run, and then nothing. I had to empty stash 2 times before finding the third rune (which was, of course, a Tal).

Here's a pic just before emptying it the first time. It got filled and emptied again before next rune (although she did pick up two pairs of rare boots in second batch).

I can't recall ever having a stretch that long without a single rune. The odds seem astronomical given chest drops. The flawless gems, jewels and charms were dropping like mad, so it may end up working out if she nets a nice skiller from GC rerolls.

Edit: This changes things, I think.

Stormlash:

What's the best approach -- keep it in the cube and switch for Baal?

Kitteh said:
So I just did an hour of runs whilst watching Star Wars, and got 1.8mil... That was over 32 runs. Pretty poor really. I do pick up a fair bit though, gems, charms, rare pelts'barb helms/boots. I also visit the stash every 2-3 runs as I only have my cube and 2x2 (1 of which is a flawless amethyst for gem shrines). Really not good

I will do an hour using my old routine, P8 all the time, and see what the difference is. Perhaps Cyrax tricked me into a slower method, you baddie!

DaveW said:
Merry Xmas everyone. This awesome thread has inspired me to join up. I have a HC Sorc in NM Act 3 that Ive been levelling the last few days. I'll enter her name on the table when I figure that one out. Grats to those that have completed this challenge (pb_Pal and zticazzy) and encouragement to those on the cusp (Nanomist, T72Zon and Neksja) Take care and will give update soon.

NanoMist said:

Finally made it!!

Not much to report on the finds except for a pair of Vex runes (1 and 2).
Rune haul screenshot for all Vex+ runes found in 11802 Nihlathak runs.

A very big thank you to all those who have supported me and followed my journey!

I will try to post the 99 thread in the next few days.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.5           Yes        2190+?      433           13        228.5
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97.2           Yes        2722        421            -           -
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97             Yes           -        408            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        345           16           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -            -           -
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

DaveW said:
Allow me to be the first to congratulate you Nanomist. That is one great achievement. Can't wait for ur 99 thread.

PhineasB said:
Huge congrats @NanoMist! Nice to see a third class reach 99.

Vildecor · Oct 3, 2021

darkstarhub said:
Congrats Nanomist!!!! No under extended stash means you didnt use GoMule or anything right? That is just insane man.

Neksja said:
Congrats @NanoMist! Now, go and rest for a a day, come back and write us the 99-thread and let us know then what you're next project is! And thank you for all the help and info you gave all of us during your run.

Kitteh said:
Brilliant Nano, well done! Loving the haul pic Its like memes, but D2!

zticazzy said:
Bravissimo Nano! Huge commitment and fantastic rune haul!

ILikeRocks said:
That is awesome @NanoMist big congrats!!! Can't wait to see a write-up for it!

Pb_pal said:
@NanoMist - AWESOME!!!! Huge congrats, what a journey. Looking forward to the writeup.

NanoMist said:
Thanks everyone! Doing the write-up and the video of the final run will be posted there too.

@Neksja - Next project? I don't know, prepare for some rune finding??

T72on1 said:
Aha, the post we have all been waiting for !!! Major congrats Nanomist, splendid achievement !!! Looking forward to the write-up. Man, that rune haul pic !!!

And I agree with Neksja, thanks a lot for the inspiration .

ThomasJohnsen said:
Belated congratulations also from me on this huge achievement.

PhineasB said:
Mini update: Mercy hit 3B XP. A few drops to keep up the motivation

Looking forward to Nano's write up! And good luck to all the other runners!

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97.75          Yes        3755        444            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.5           Yes        2190+?      433           13        228.5
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97             Yes           -        408            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        345           16           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -            -           -
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Aura post-Christmas update!

Since @T72on1 said he'd update the table once Neverland hits 97.75, I thought it might be fun to try and beat him on that feat

That means, a pretty huge update in terms of XP, from 97.2 to 97.75 (I don't count in that Ber drop show off at 97.3 as an update. To be fair, I am not sure whether I should be happy or not with the drops from this stretch. Not too happy that I only got one 1 tc87 drop, which was this one:

First one ever for me, never seen a golden one! I let it stay unidentified in my stash until I the stash was full, then I identified it:

Code:

Templar's Might
Sacred Armor
Defense: 1893
Durability: 55 of 60
Required Level: 74
Required Strength: 232
Fingerprint: 0xed449e1d
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+215% Enhanced Defense
+267 Defense vs. Missile
+12 to Strength
+11 to Vitality
+45 Maximum Stamina

The wrong one and a horrible roll as well

I kept on trucking, beating Diablo from left and right and I kept getting grailers, filling it quite nicely and now I am somewhere around -40 I think. As per usual, here's a selection of Aura's S/U finds from the past half a level:

Code:

Arachnid Mesh
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 127
Durability: 11 of 12
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xd81c2b0f
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Slows Target by 10%
+102% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (6/11 Charges)

Arachnid Mesh
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 136
Durability: 6 of 12
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x5636b2b6
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Slows Target by 10%
+116% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (11/11 Charges)

Arctic Furs
Quilted Armor
Defense: 46
Durability: 19 of 20
Required Level: 2
Required Strength: 12
Fingerprint: 0x60ea7d9d
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+290% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +10
Set (2 items): +225 Defense (Based on Character Level)
Set (3 items): Cold Resist +15%

Arreat's Face
Slayer Guard
Defense: 359
Durability: 34 of 55
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 118
Fingerprint: 0x4b5181e6
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
3% Life stolen per hit
+197% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
All Resistances +30

Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x8d6f6519
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
3% Life stolen per hit
+4 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina

Death's Guard
Sash
Defense: 22
Durability: 8 of 12
Required Level: 6
Fingerprint: 0xbb27dd6c
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 Defense
Cannot Be Frozen
Set (2 items): Cold Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%

Death's Hand
Leather Gloves
Defense: 2
Durability: 6 of 12
Required Level: 6
Fingerprint: 0x1f9adaa8
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +50%
Poison Length Reduced by 75%
Set (2 items): +30% Increased Attack Speed

Doombringer
Champion Sword
One Hand Damage: 104 - 267
Two Hand Damage: 250 - 357
Durability: 32 of 40
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 163
Required Dexterity: 103
Fingerprint: 0xae7f9666
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
8% Chance to cast level 3 Weaken on striking
Indestructible
210% Enhanced Damage
Adds 30 - 100 Damage
40% Bonus to Attack Rating
5% Life stolen per hit
Increase Maximum Life 20%

Dragonscale
Zakarum Shield
Defense: 560
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 50 of 65
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 142
Fingerprint: 0x771be3f8
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 211 - 371 Fire Damage
+15% to Fire Skill Damage
+10 to Hydra
+189% Enhanced Defense
+25 to Strength
+5% to Maximum Fire Resist
Fire Absorb 19%

Firelizard's Talons
Feral Claws
One Hand Damage: 69 - 168
Durability: 40 of 52
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 113
Required Dexterity: 113
Fingerprint: 0xf51c7e50
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Martial Art Skills (Assassin Only)
+15% Increased Attack Speed
218% Enhanced Damage
Adds 236 - 480 Fire Damage
+1 to Wake of Inferno (Assassin Only)
+2 to Wake of Fire (Assassin Only)
Fire Resist +58%

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 115
Durability: 10 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x673e5708
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+145 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+145 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 101
Durability: 7 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xcaed9451
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+112 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+112 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Head Hunter's Glory
Troll Nest
Defense: 567
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 37 of 74
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 106
Fingerprint: 0x51a87f24
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+399 Defense
+350 Defense vs. Missile
Fire Resist +26%
Poison Resist +31%
+7 Life after each Kill
3 Sockets (0 used)

Horizon's Tornado
Scourge
One Hand Damage: 10 - 287
Durability: 55 of 65
Required Level: 64
Required Strength: 100
Required Dexterity: 62
Fingerprint: 0x17236619
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Tornado on striking
+50% Increased Attack Speed
259% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Slows Target by 20%
Requirements -20%

Lightsabre
Phase Blade
One Hand Damage: 87 - 117
Indestructible
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x3029193d
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 18 Chain Lightning on attack
+20% Increased Attack Speed
151% Enhanced Damage
Adds 10 - 30 Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 60 - 120 Magic Damage
Adds 1 - 200 Lightning Damage
6% Mana stolen per hit
Lightning Absorb 25%
+7 to Light Radius

Lightsabre
Phase Blade
One Hand Damage: 91 - 121
Indestructible
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0xacbb98e
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 20 Chain Lightning on attack
+20% Increased Attack Speed
162% Enhanced Damage
Adds 10 - 30 Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 60 - 120 Magic Damage
Adds 1 - 200 Lightning Damage
6% Mana stolen per hit
Lightning Absorb 25%
+7 to Light Radius

M'avina's Caster
Grand Matron Bow
Two Hand Damage: 40 - 207
Durability: 37 of 55
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 108
Required Dexterity: 152
Fingerprint: 0x7e4292e3
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
Fires Magic Arrows
188% Enhanced Damage
+50 to Attack Rating
Set (2 items): Adds 114 - 377 Magic Damage
Set (3 items): 10% Chance to cast level 15 Nova on striking
Set (4 items): +2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

M'avina's Embrace
Kraken Shell
Defense: 1169
Durability: 25 of 48
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 122
Fingerprint: 0x5577badb
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 3 Glacial Spike when struck
+2 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)
+300 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+350 Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 9
Requirements -30%
Set (3 items): +30% Faster Hit Recovery

Marrowwalk
Boneweave Boots
Defense: 193
Durability: 8 of 16
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 118
Fingerprint: 0x2351951e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Skeleton Mastery (Necromancer Only)
+185% Enhanced Defense
+17 to Strength
+17 to Dexterity
Regenerate Mana 10%
Heal Stamina Plus 10%
Half Freeze Duration
Level 33 Bone Prison (3/13 Charges)
Level 12 Life Tap (4/10 Charges)

Messerschmidt's Reaver
Champion Axe
Two Hand Damage: 177 - 509
Durability: 42 of 75
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 167
Required Dexterity: 59
Fingerprint: 0x47c66658
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
200% Enhanced Damage
+242% Enhanced Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
100% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 20 - 240 Fire Damage
All Stats +15
+25 Maximum Durability

Ormus' Robes
Dusk Shroud
Defense: 453
Durability: 14 of 20
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0x23f93bca
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+10% to Cold Skill Damage
+11% to Lightning Skill Damage
+14% to Fire Skill Damage
+3 to Blizzard (Sorceress Only)
+14 Defense
Regenerate Mana 14%

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xb0373df0
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 47 Chain Lightning when you Die
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-5% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+5% to Lightning Skill Damage

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xa8ec8105
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 43 Frost Nova when you Level-Up
Adds 24 - 38 Cold Damage Over 0 Secs (3 Frames)
-5% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+4% to Cold Skill Damage

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x67b208a6
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 23 Venom when you Level-Up
Adds 37 Poison Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
-3% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+3% to Poison Skill Damage

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x79e9d07c
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 31 Meteor when you Die
Adds 17 - 45 Fire Damage
-3% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+5% to Fire Skill Damage

Realgar Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0xdfeea39f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
21% Enhanced Damage

Ruby Jewel of Daring
Jewel
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xf8e34c9d
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
39% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Dexterity

Seraph's Hymn
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x9dfcac6
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+2 to Defensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
+39% Damage to Demons
+237 to Attack Rating against Demons
+36% Damage to Undead
+198 to Attack Rating against Undead
+2 to Light Radius

Shimmering Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x37feab2d
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +5

Spirit Keeper
Earth Spirit
Defense: 422
Durability: 15 of 20
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 104
Fingerprint: 0x1f03d8e9
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Druid Skill Levels
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+176% Enhanced Defense
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist +30%
+11 Lightning Absorb
Cold Absorb 23%

Steel Carapace
Shadow Plate
Defense: 1674
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 230
Fingerprint: 0x51fab832
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
8% Chance to cast level 6 Iron Maiden when struck
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+200% Enhanced Defense
Regenerate Mana 15%
Cold Resist +47%
Damage Reduced by 13
Repairs 1 Durability in 20 Seconds

Stone Whorl
Jewel
Required Level: 12
Fingerprint: 0xef310bc6
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+5 Defense
Cold Resist +9%
Lightning Resist +9%
Fire Resist +9%
Poison Resist +9%

Tal Rasha's Adjudication
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x6972ad59
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Sorceress Skill Levels
Adds 3 - 32 Lightning Damage
+50 to Life
+42 to Mana
Lightning Resist +33%
Set (4 items): +10% Faster Cast Rate

Tal Rasha's Adjudication
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x6785cd3b
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Sorceress Skill Levels
Adds 3 - 32 Lightning Damage
+50 to Life
+42 to Mana
Lightning Resist +33%
Set (4 items): +10% Faster Cast Rate

Tal Rasha's Adjudication
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xeec3216f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Sorceress Skill Levels
Adds 3 - 32 Lightning Damage
+50 to Life
+42 to Mana
Lightning Resist +33%
Set (4 items): +10% Faster Cast Rate

Tancred's Hobnails
Boots
Defense: 2
Durability: 10 of 12
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xc14b5e84
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Dexterity
Heal Stamina Plus 25%
Set (2 items): +30% Faster Run/Walk
Set (3 items): +10 to Strength

Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 252
Durability: 29 of 40
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0xdf5618ff
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
6% Mana stolen per hit
7% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 17%
Magic Damage Reduced by 14

Wraith Heart
Jewel
Required Level: 13
Fingerprint: 0xdc5852e7
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
11% Enhanced Damage
+2 to Strength
+4 to Life
Cold Resist +8%
Lightning Resist +8%
Fire Resist +8%
Poison Resist +8%

Yes, that is correct. 3x Tal's Amulet, those would be 3rd, 4th and 5th for Aura. Funnily enough, these three were found during one 2 hour session, I started laughing when I id'd that 5th Tal's Ammy, that was 3 in a row for Set Amulets. Incredible, I'll never need all these, so I might give few away once Aura reaches 99.

Otherwise, pretty decent haul, was glad to see my second BK ring and some tc84 grailers like Messer's, Mav's Armor and Steel Carapace. Those two all res jewels look nice as well, probably gonna put them to some twink gear that I use on my other characters during Normal. I was also quite pleased to see all the facets, especially the 5/5 Lightning one now that I am planning and levelling a Javazon. Also got a decent ED/IAS jewel there, not sure where I'm going to use it, unless I somehow manage to find eth Tomb Reaver and a Zod, then again I think that might be too low ED for such a beast. We'll see what happens with that one

Runes! After that 3rd Ber, yikes what a drought! Literally not a single Lem+ rune in few days. Then again, I was not complaining with all the Bers and Los dropping. But you know how on Boxing Day, there are these Boxing Day sales and other events? D2 gods rewarded my loyalty with this nice 2-4-1 promo:

Hands down, possibly my favorite screenshot so far since restarting few months ago. And most importantly, that Sacred Targe was only 36@ so I tossed it back on the ground.

There are some plans for organising RFO or Zodthon (or both) and I noticed @T72on1 mentioned in other thread that Neverland also runs Travincal when CS is too boring. Well, I decided to give it a go, I thought I'd try 10 runs on p3 and see if it's feasible for Aura to run there for RFO instead of using my Blizzsorc. It was surprisingly fast and safe, Merc died once because of Conviction. I hope I didn't spend too much of my luck on run #7:

And that's all she wrote! No other rune goodies yet, but again, I am not complaining. Still, somehow I find myself a bit disappointed since I have not found a Jah rune yet. Not that I really need it for anything, but previous CS running Hammerdin 99ers seemed to have found a truckload of Jahs (by truckload I mean more than one), so I'd really like one. But again, I'm quite happy with what I've got so far.

I think I promised some numbers on how different running tactics give me XP. I only tested two scenarios, p8 Vizier+Infector and p7 Seals + Diablo.

p8 Vizier+Infector, 82k/min.

I was expecting a bit more to be honest, but I did my 2 hour test session between p7 Diablo runs, so I did things I usually do when doing Diablo runs like open the second seal etc. Still, not a bad rate at all, but I think I could improve on this. My current map is quite crowded at seals, so sometimes runs are a bit slow since I need to clear the seal. But it works well for Diablo runs.

p7 Seals+Diablo, 84k/min.

Wasn't expecting that to be honest! So 6k/min increase from my previous testing and I think the biggest reason for the increase was learning how to deal with Lord de Seis better. Still occasionally, that pack is quite frustrating since, as I mentioned, my current map is quite crowded around seals, so sometimes where de Seis gang spawns, there's couple of other OK boss packs as well, so I need to kill them all quite cautiously instead of just waiting for my chance to stomp Lord himself alone. But this is definitely the run I enjoy most, it's quite relaxing, ends with a boss kill, love it.

While I am at it, I am now ruling out Nihlathak for the last level. Yesterday, I spent about half an hour trying to figure out the best way to deal with him but it was just quite slow, dangerous and not rewarding in terms of drops. Obviously I was not optimised with gear/Merc anything for it, so that counts as well, but considering how fast (at least in my opinion) I've become with Diablo running, I'm only considering that as my method for the last level.

@PhineasB nice going with Mercy! Just keep going

@Kitteh and everyone else, I have a question. Are we allowed to "lend" our items to other characters? What I mean is, could I theoretically lend Aura's Enigma to another character (Javazon in this case) for a while and then return it to Aura to be used again while keeping untwinked status? I haven't done so of course yet (and won't if it's against the rules), just wanted to double check. Of course the item itself would never be altered in any way, just used by another character. I am not ready yet to make a second Enigma, that's why I am asking. Thanks!

Kitteh said:
I would suggest not. You can give it to that character, but I would suggest that it has to keep it. Mostly because it saves confusion and keeps everything strict. Items off, but not items on. However... I'm open to public opinion, if you guys collectively think otherwise, then we can allow it This is OUR tournament, I am merely hosting it. Well, hosting it actually

Regarding Tomb Reaver, somebody did get an ethereal one (pretty high ED if I remember) and Zod/jeweled it up, it was beautiful. I will try and hunt it down later.

I think that Fordyl has found one Jah in CS, and he is about 100 million away from 99. However, he has been ongoing for a LONG time, so I might have just forgotten

Nihlathak seems to be optimal for experience, but I think that you really have to get the build right, he is dangerous!

Neksja said:
Kitteh said:

I would suggest not. You can give it to that character, but I would suggest that it has to keep it. Mostly because it saves confusion and keeps everything strict. Items off, but not items on. However... I'm open to public opinion, if you guys collectively think otherwise, then we can allow it This is OUR tournament, I am merely hosting it. Well, hosting it actually

Click to expand...

That makes a lot of sense, not to confuse items between characters. Although, it's not like I can mix up my only Enigma But I see your point, would make it a hassle if people started to share tons of items found with their runner and then trying to return them. I'll stay away from sharing my Enigma for now and I'll see if I can come up with another solution for my Javazon.

Kitteh said:

Regarding Tomb Reaver, somebody did get an ethereal one (pretty high ED if I remember) and Zod/jeweled it up, it was beautiful. I will try and hunt it down later.

Click to expand...

That was @zticazzy right? I do really want one of those things at some point, I've probably found 4 Tomb Reavers in my life, all non-eth 3os, so once I'll find that Eth Tomby, it's bound to be 1os...

T72on1 said:
@Neksja very nice !!! One thing though ...

Neksja said:

It looks like you have the advantage of having more time on your hands to play D2, I just keep falling more and more behind. I'm somewhere around 75 mil behind you at the moment :/ I even considered killing Ancients to catch you but that would have been just silly at this point I just need to find more time to run.

Click to expand...

I sincerely hope you weren't serious when posting that . I mean, that's 4 days ago !!! 4 days in which I didn't play much, but still some, and I'm still some 4 hours away of reaching 97.75. So me more time on my hands than you ... ? I don't think so .

Anyway, very well done !!! Good luck on reaching 98. Won't be long now at your rate. I'm at a steady rate of 1 minute runs for Vizier and Infector now, which equals 75k/min. I'm too afraid of dying again since last two deaths, hence I'm taking it a bit slower and don't push it beyond my current rate.

O yes, about drops. Iirc, you have about the same amount of mf as I do, around 160%. I don't think you can expect more than what you have found with that amount of mf and doing mostly seals only. I know I have gotten far less, but that's mainly because you include Diablo at times, I reckon.

As for runes ... I'd be happy to score as many HRs as you in CS to be honest, and more importantly, to start finding Surs and Bers instead of yet another Ohm (which happened yesterday, although it was at Travincal). Next goals in terms of runewords are Enigma and dual Dreams, so Ohms aren't going to get me even close to that.

But that should be enough complaining to get some runes to drop soon . So I'm going to stop here. Like I said, good luck on the final stretch to 98.

@PhineasB Well done !!! Keep it up.

Kitteh said:
It was Liquid Evil. The image links are broken it seems, but still;

http://www.diabloii.net/forums/threads/liquid-evils-big-stick-of-hurtiness.339731/

Neksja said:
T72on1 said:

I sincerely hope you weren't serious when posting that . I mean, that's 4 days ago !!! 4 days in which I didn't play much, but still some, and I'm still some 4 hours away of reaching 97.75. So me more time on my hands than you ... ? I don't think so .

Click to expand...

I was actually dead serious then. And I still am, as I am at the moment running at an unsustainable rate. Holiday week, don't have much else going on than D2, films, board games etc. so I can grind quite a bit more than usually. So once January comes in, I'll be back to my ~1hr/week day, ~5hr/weekend schedule, so I'm not going to make fast progress then. That's why I am running like crazy now and I still kinda dream of reaching that 98 before 2017 as I planned at the start of December.

T72on1 said:

O yes, about drops. Iirc, you have about the same amount of mf as I do, around 160%. I don't think you can expect more than what you have found with that amount of mf and doing mostly seals only. I know I have gotten far less, but that's mainly because you include Diablo at times, I reckon.

Click to expand...

@Kitteh, you decided to go old school with L_E's Big Hurty Stick. I remember that one, but I think zticazzy made one as well with Perkele, if you want a more recent example

Kitteh said:
Seriously, the 99er thread that was like... a month ago? How have I managed to forget that?

zticazzy said:
@Neksja yes it's-a me! Since you're all talking about it, I decided to take a pic (an english one, at last) of my tomby (left) and show it along with Liquid_Evil's one for comparison (right):

Please note that while mine is untwinked and meant for a WW summonbarb , L_E's one was for druids, so he had to trade for a Zod and two 40/15 jools to go with its perfect %ed.

P.S. Neksja that double HR screenshot is glorious, I always hope to see that myself someday and I'm jelly now. gg

Neksja said:
Those Eth-Tomb Reavers make me drool... So beautiful, so great. Thanks for sharing the comparison zticazzy! And yes, double-HR drop is something quite amazing, something you dream of but never expect to see. Now I can tick that off from my D2 bucket list

PhineasB said:
Nice job @Neksja! Getting close to 98. Mercy will try to keep within 3/4 of a level for the next little bit

Small update for Hiatus: as mentioned in an earlier post, she had returned to LK to try to find an Ist or Mal to allow her to complete CoH. My goal was 100 runes found and maybe some charm upgrades. She had just a few pixels of XP on the bar, so I wasn't worried too much about deaths, which was good because she died about 10 runes in .

The highest rune was a Lem, with Lum the next highest. She also found some decent charms for other characters (9% LR w FHR, steel SC with 7% MF, which she actually is using for the MF, plain Traps skiller), but no major upgrades.

Returned to AT and CS for a bit, but the runs were just too hectic to be sustainable for stretches. Her life was barely over 1200 prior to BO (~1750 with BO), with charms needed to keep key resists maxed rather than being able to focus on +life. She found a Unique Troll Nest in AT (her second) but nothing else of note.

So I eventually bit the bullet and returned to LK, determined to run until an Ist or Mal dropped. She had gained some XP, so I rerolled maps to find one with only 1 blind teleport into a hut and took a more careful approach. The fifth rune found (from a corpse) was a Mal and she finished a set of 25 with a Fal the next highest rune.

The Mal allowed her to cube up the Ist and with the two stashed Surs, a Ber. She dusted off a superior Scarab Husk (higher defense than the best Archon Plate she had, and I like the look of the leather armor with Shako -- though she may regret it if she finds Nightwing's because it won't match ).

And she had CoH (thought I'd taken a screenie when she made it, but apparently not, so just took one). Major difference -- the extra +skill is noticeable and mainly the resists allowed charm reshuffle to add vita SCs. Life with BO active is now above 2000 and she's much more durable. The new CS map also has 1-2 fewer boss pack on average near Vizier but a stable boss pack in the big room prior to Infector's seal. It lowers the possible XP a little but makes the runs safer and quicker. She made solid progress and is ~1/5 way to 96.

I'm going to focus on Mercy and hope to get her to 97.25 to stay "close" to @Neksja and @T72on1, but look forward to returning to Hiatus soon in the hopes of getting her to 96.

Vildecor · Oct 3, 2021

Kitteh said:
Excuse me while I change my pants.

Neksja said:
Nice progress @PhineasB! Sometimes I think you might the craziest, krohom, the most goal oriented, here. Running two characters both at the same time to mid/high 90s! Aura definitely wouldn't be where he is now if I kept playing Turirao and trying to get him to 90+.

T72on1 said:

@PhineasB Yeah, indeed quite insane to do it with 2 characters at the same time !!! Good luck

.

As for me ... after 849 more CS runs since my previous update I finally hit 97.75 if I counted correctly: 3.166M xp !! I already posted about the Sur I found in one of those runs. Still no good base to make Infinity in though.

Other good runes were Gul, Mal and 2x Um, so nothing to write home about, considering the amount of runs and the amount of monsters my Sorc usually kills. Notable drops were a low roll, 2os Tomb Reaver (still happy about it, despite the roll), my first Runemaster (4os), Firelizard's Talons, yet another Seraph's Hymn, Jalal's Mane, finally a 40% CB IK Maul, Demon Limb (also finally ...), Mara's (23% res all, another one which I expected / hoped to get earlier) and the TC3s Felloak, Hotspur and Tancred's Boots.

It took me a long time to really get over the deaths just prior to my last update, so I took things really carefully, which slowed me down a bit and kept me between 4M and 4.5M xp per hour. This afternoon the runs finally went more confident again, so I got close to the 80k/min that Pb_pal mentioned somewhere as his xp gain in CS. Things went really well, so it will be a matter of not getting overconfident now.

In between I have been running Travincal somewhat. Initially because I was getting short on gold, but when I found out I had a very good map there, also because I just like it so much. I do these runs whenever I get bored of CS, I feel my game play is getting too sloppy for CS or whenever I only have a limited time to spend. So far I did 176 runs that way, which netted me the Ohm I posted in the IFT.

Now that the xp bar has moved so far to the right side, I'm positive about hitting 98 quite soon. At my current rate it should take me some 15 hours max, which isn't so much anymore. After that I'm very much looking forward to switching things up a bit, both with Neverland as with other characters.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97.75          Yes        3755        444            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.75          Yes        2190+?      441            13        245
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97             Yes           -        408            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      95             Yes         894        316            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        345           16           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -            -           -
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

ILikeRocks said:
Finally through Nightmare! Lvl 63 so really low. But getting there!

T72on1 said:
@ILikeRocks Well done !!!

I'd do NM Pindle runs until you are level 75 if I were you. Goes very fast, you should be able to do them at /p8 at this stage, and as a consequence you'll level up really fast.

After that I'd hit Mausoleum, Pit, AT or Meph, depending on your needs and interest.

Good luck.

Neksja said:
@T72on1, great progress there! I see I have a bit of an edge against you, but if you go with Nihlathak route for 99, I need to be able to get ahead so I can beat you Good to see you gaining back confidence and being able to get back to near 80k/min, let's hope no more deaths for Neverland (and Aura for that matter).

@ILikeRocks good job! And I agree with @T72on1 on staying in Nightmare for the time being, Pindle is such an easy and great target in NM to gain few levels. Eldritch and Shank are not a bad option either, decent XP, super safe runs and can drop some pretty useful stuff to clear first few acts of Hell.

I'll update the table on Aura's progress once he hits 98, which I assume happens most likely on Monday. Have plans for the whole Saturday and most of today so won't be running that much until Sunday.

ILikeRocks said:
Thank you! I will definitely run Pindle for a while. It took until just after the ancients when I was going down to baal to finally find a 4os Polearm for Insight... Things are going very fast now that I don't have to worry about mana so much. Lvl 17 meditation is really helping.

I do have a question for you guys. I have been pure light sorc this whole time. I feel like things are gonna be really hard unless I can get the runes for Infinity which wouldn't be until act 3 and a lot of runs. Should I respect and go 2 elements? I know in old 99ers threads, some people were doing just Blizz sorcs... How can you do it with packs of cold immunes?

T72on1 said:
Blizz is strongest and fastest yes. Just skip past CIs and head straight for your target: Meph, AT or Hell Pindle. None of these is CI.

Xios said:
I definitely wouldn't hold your breath on getting your Infinity, so as far as brute forcing pure Lightning, that'd probably not be recommended.

That being said, like anyone who runs into immunities (and particularly Sorcs) you can always just flee/avoid monsters that you can't kill; unless you need to kill them of course.. something like Council or Ancients comes to mind.

I wouldn't look at "early game" Hell (particularly on Softcore) as a test of whether you can kill everything, rather mostly just whether you can arrive at whatever desired location (presumably one you can clear) without extreme amounts of problems; because usually entering into Hell implies you've leveled to a comfortable level (probably somewhere in the 70s), have some amount of gear you can reasonably farm in NM, and have a decent health pool to not just randomly get one shot over and over (1000+ depending on the build). You're going into Hell then not to get your Pat but to get more levels or get gear/Runes you can't feasibly find in Nightmare to begin setting up your build.

Using that logic, Blizzard Sorcs for example can easily get to Mausoleum, AT or be doing [act] boss runs which conveniently don't have any [inherent] Cold Immunes. This is of course assuming they've already had their fill of whatever Nightmare runs they were doing. If they're pure Blizzard, they're mostly likely cherry picking their zones, and/or just using an unadvertized dual element backup where necessary (as well as their merc).

That is a relatively unique case for Blizzard Sorcs however, as most zones are not so forgiving to single elements. So yes, it's probably in your best interest to prepare setting up one of the low investment backups (of which there's a few for Sorcs, take your pick.) if you want to stick with mostly Lightning. I'd start looking into what zones you'd like to try and farm and prepare accordingly. From memory though your hands would be quite tied-- Countess (herself, not the whole tower) isn't default immune, nor are act bosses (namely Meph, although I want to say he has high Lightning Resistance) and Pindle isn't either. Of course all the superuniques 'could' be immune if they roll the modifiers, and to get to some of those you'll probably have to fight some immunes (Council, Chaos Sanctuary, etc).

Until you decide to branch out or respec temporarily though, I'd just enjoy the simplicity of NM resistances, haha.

ILikeRocks said:
Yeah Infinity seems pretty far off, I think I am just gonna respect and go Blizz. I have 2 respecs so if I want to come back and go Lightning when I do finally get an Infinity then I can. I will just run Pindle a bunch, maybe branch out and run Eldrich or Shank.

What can NM Meph drop that would be good for me now? Can he drop Skin of the Vipermagi in NM? I am in need of some armor and gloves before starting Hell...

Xios said:
He can indeed. With not particularly bad chances either.

A lot of the decent caster gloves are relatively low tc as well, Magefist being a prime example.

ILikeRocks said:
Perfect, I think some NM Meph runs for gear upgrades are in order. After that Pindle to 75ish and on to hell and see if I need to respect or not! Thank you for answering my n00bish questions guys!

hasuprotoss said:

Reina is back from her brief retirement (because I'm too lazy to play her...) and has finally made it to 96! Not too much in the way of drops that I can recall but a few have happened since I came back (about the past 3 or 4 days I think? Enough for about half the level).

Our 1,000th S/U in total...

Hey, I think this is generally a sought after item in those MFO thingies!

The ding pic!

I also had a long time between finding Isenhart's Cases and was afraid when Cathan's Seal caught up to it for most found at 26 total... but with about 25 runs to go green Breast Plate #27 dropped and it's back in sole position of most found S/U item for Reina.

Now it's time to sit back, think about how to move forward, and begin the grind to 97!

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97.75          Yes        3755        444            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.75          Yes        2190+?      441            13        245
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97             Yes           -        408            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes         1100       339            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        345           16           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -            -           -
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

PhineasB said:

Welcome back @hasuprotoss. Congrats on 96. I was worried that Hiatus would be alone moving forward because most of the other runners haven’t made progress for a while. And congrats on the Mang’s – that is one item I still have never found!

Mercy hit 97.2. Nothing major to report in terms of finds or excitement, aside from the set Colossus Blade and a decent +2 assassin skill caster ammy. It’s exactly enough FCR to reach 102 breakpoint if she were to drop the 10% FCR for a +1 skill ring. She doesn’t have one of those yet, so . . . She’d lose 15@ resists and 20% MF, but it’s easy enough to pick those up by dropping vita SCs.

I’ll probably take a short break, maybe returning to her on Monday, my last day off during the holidays.

Table Update

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97.75          Yes        3755        444            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.75          Yes        2190+?      441            13        245
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.2           Yes           -        418            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -            -           -
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

darkstarhub said:
I made it to 91, but not really killing it right now in terms of XP because of running LK. The AT runs are most of the XP I am getting right now. I am thinking about adding in some Pit runs as neither LK or AT is being all that good to me right now. The thing is, the Pit was where I had some really hard deaths last time I was playing, and a cursed pack of Archers in level 2 near the door makes it next to impossible to get the corpse.

I should have stayed in NM a little longer to get a few things, but the chase of HR's put me on the track to getting to LK as fast as possible. It will turn around, I know, as I have had dry runs before. If I look at the positive side, I am getting a ton of jewels and Pgems.

Table Update

darkstarhub said:

I messed something up in the table so here it goes again haha.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97.75          Yes        3755        444            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.75          Yes        2190+?      441            13        245
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.2           Yes           -        418            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      94             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

T72on1 said:
Nice progress everyone !!! And @hasuprotoss welcome back, and congrats on that Mang Song's !!!

Tarantella said:
Tarasha dinged 95 this morning right on schedule (it's a slow one).

Whilst not in the comfort zone for my playing preference Tarasha has been running in the crypt and mausoleum in absolute safety picking up all the gold and selling all the saleables gambling well over the half billion mark and farming gems. She's had 15 rolls on the rare diadem now and 75 on the 2 Baal GC's one of which rolled a lightning skiller with 17 life which may come in handy later. Her search for more powerful orbs yielded 2 nice buffing items.

And this rarity was also spotted.

Well done to the 99ers for 2016 and gl next year to those still running.

Tarantella said:

Just sneaking 8th spot on the last day of the year (that's if Xylene isnt paying attention

)

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   97.75          Yes        3755        444            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.75          Yes        2190+?      441            13        245
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.2           Yes           -        418            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes          -          -            -          -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98             Yes        4408        452            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.75          Yes        2190+?      441            13        245
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.2           Yes           -        418            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes          -          -            -          -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Aura has corrected the wrongfulness in this Tourney for not having anyone at lvl98. So here we are, as I was aiming for in December, 98 before 2017 (and with mere 4 hours to spare!)

The last quarter of 97-98 was quite uneventful. No HRs and only one TC87, which happened to be a grailer:

Code:

Executioner's Justice
Glorious Axe
Two Hand Damage: 207 - 429
Durability: 25 of 50
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 164
Required Dexterity: 55
Fingerprint: 0x3b22d0ee
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
50% Chance to cast level 6 Decrepify when you Kill an Enemy
+30% Increased Attack Speed
246% Enhanced Damage
-33% Target Defense
25% Chance of Crushing Blow

Almost the worst possible roll, but it's not like I'm planning a character using Executioner's Justice so no biggie. But I did manage to find some useful stuff as per usual and some grailers etc. And speaking of Grail, Aura has now managed to find every single unique ring, now that he found that elusive Stone of Jordan. Now from unique jewellery, he is missing Cat's Eye and Lightning Lvl-up facet, so pretty good I'd say! And as tradition, here's Aura's selected finds since last update:

Code:

Arkaine's Valor
Balrog Skin
Defense: 2066
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 85
Required Strength: 155
Fingerprint: 0xa3345b4b
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+166% Enhanced Defense
+48 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 15
Ethereal

Arkaine's Valor
Balrog Skin
Defense: 1362
Durability: 28 of 30
Required Level: 85
Required Strength: 165
Fingerprint: 0x89deeac7
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+163% Enhanced Defense
+48 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 15

Azurewrath
Phase Blade
One Hand Damage: 113 - 128
Indestructible
Required Level: 85
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0xf4d89f7b
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Level 11 Sanctuary Aura When Equipped
+1 to All Skills
+30% Increased Attack Speed
266% Enhanced Damage
Adds 250 - 500 Magic Damage
Adds 250 - 500 Cold Damage Over 10 Secs (250 Frames)
All Stats +6
+3 to Light Radius

Cerebus' Bite
Blood Spirit
Defense: 341
Durability: 14 of 20
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 86
Fingerprint: 0x39467ff6
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+4 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
90% Bonus to Attack Rating
9% Life stolen per hit
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+2 to Feral Rage (Druid Only)
+134% Enhanced Defense

Cerebus' Bite
Blood Spirit
Defense: 341
Durability: 16 of 20
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 86
Fingerprint: 0x99316890
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+4 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
**% Bonus to Attack Rating
8% Life stolen per hit
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+2 to Feral Rage (Druid Only)
+134% Enhanced Defense

Death's Guard
Sash
Defense: 22
Durability: 10 of 12
Required Level: 6
Fingerprint: 0x53d54e28
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 Defense
Cannot Be Frozen
Set (2 items): Cold Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%

Death's Hand
Leather Gloves
Defense: 3
Durability: 11 of 12
Required Level: 6
Fingerprint: 0xe76a78ad
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Poison Resist +50%
Poison Length Reduced by 75%
Set (2 items): +30% Increased Attack Speed

Eaglehorn
Crusader Bow
Two Hand Damage: 45 - 311
Durability: 27 of 44
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 97
Required Dexterity: 121
Fingerprint: 0xe0886e3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Amazon Skill Levels
200% Enhanced Damage
+194% Enhanced Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
Ignore Target's Defense
+582 to Attack Rating (Based on Character Level)
+25 to Dexterity

Eaglehorn
Crusader Bow
Two Hand Damage: 45 - 311
Durability: 39 of 44
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 97
Required Dexterity: 121
Fingerprint: 0x1ad5aa07
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Amazon Skill Levels
200% Enhanced Damage
+194% Enhanced Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
Ignore Target's Defense
+582 to Attack Rating (Based on Character Level)
+25 to Dexterity

Felloak
Club
One Hand Damage: 1 - 10
Durability: 15 of 24
Required Level: 3
Fingerprint: 0xe99c8805
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
76% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 6 - 8 Fire Damage
Knockback
Lightning Resist +60%
Fire Resist +20%

Fiend Scythe
Crystal Sword
One Hand Damage: 18 - 103
Durability: 30 of 60
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 35
Fingerprint: 0xc36a39f2
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Increased Attack Speed
268% Enhanced Damage
+48 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+1600 to Attack Rating (Based on Character Level)
+1 to Mana after each Kill
Level 2 Concentrate (22/25 Charges)
Requirements -20%

Frostwind
Cryptic Sword
One Hand Damage: 15 - 234
Durability: 31 of 44
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 99
Required Dexterity: 109
Fingerprint: 0xd14d044d
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Increased Attack Speed
205% Enhanced Damage
Adds 237 - 486 Cold Damage Over 6 Secs (150 Frames)
+10 to Arctic Blast
Freezes target +4
Cold Absorb 11%
Half Freeze Duration

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 99
Durability: 10 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x64dbcd6e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+112 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+112 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 140
Durability: 6 of 12
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0xad575c66
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+145 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+145 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Kira's Guardian
Tiara
Defense: 134
Durability: 19 of 25
Required Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0xdc8f0c09
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+84 Defense
All Resistances +69
Cannot Be Frozen

M'avina's Embrace
Kraken Shell
Defense: 1156
Durability: 30 of 48
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 122
Fingerprint: 0xb1c87d8c
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 3 Glacial Spike when struck
+2 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)
+300 Defense (Based on Character Level)
+350 Defense
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
Requirements -30%
Set (3 items): +30% Faster Hit Recovery

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x2da1d6bd
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +25

Messerschmidt's Reaver
Champion Axe
Two Hand Damage: 177 - 509
Durability: 34 of 75
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 167
Required Dexterity: 59
Fingerprint: 0xa812310b
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
200% Enhanced Damage
+242% Enhanced Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
100% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 20 - 240 Fire Damage
All Stats +15
+25 Maximum Durability

Pearl Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x358912dd
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
+45% Damage to Undead
+48 to Attack Rating against Undead

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xf020b14e
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 37 Blizzard when you Die
Adds 24 - 38 Cold Damage Over 0 Secs (3 Frames)
-3% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+3% to Cold Skill Damage

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x3d9544d4
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 29 Blaze when you Level-Up
Adds 17 - 45 Fire Damage
-3% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+5% to Fire Skill Damage

Rixot's Keen
Short Sword
One Hand Damage: 9 - 14
Durability: 17 of 24
Required Level: 2
Fingerprint: 0x109a570f
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Enhanced Damage
+5 to Minimum Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
+25 Defense
+2 to Light Radius

The Hand of Broc
Leather Gloves
Defense: 14
Durability: 6 of 12
Required Level: 5
Fingerprint: 0xb12cf06a
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
3% Mana stolen per hit
3% Life stolen per hit
+16% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense
+20 to Mana
Poison Resist +10%

The Stone of Jordan
Ring
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0x7d7bd9d3
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
Adds 1 - 12 Lightning Damage
+20 to Mana
Increase Maximum Mana 25%

Widowmaker
Ward Bow
Two Hand Damage: 54 - 143
Durability: 35 of 48
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 72
Required Dexterity: 146
Fingerprint: 0x500db7ad
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fires Magic Arrows
171% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
33% Deadly Strike
+4 to Guided Arrow

Too bad that the Mara's Aura found is the same roll as his current one, not sure if those extra 1-5 all res (fire res mainly) would help against Conviction bosses, but every improvement would be closer to perfection! Really happy about that SoJ, but not planning on using it with Aura, I find that extra 40ish life more valuable to mana.

Also wondering whether that Pearl Jewel of Fervor has any uses? Maybe for a melee char running AT often? Don't know, but I since I don't throw away any Jewels of Fervor with a prefix, I'll hold on to it.

So, the plan for 98-99 push? First, I'm gonna start a bit of test runs whether P7 Seals+Diablo is faster than P1 Seals + P7 Diablo. Seal bosses apparently give like 6-8k XP at P7, so might not be worth it. We'll see, I'll post some of my findings later on. Once I figure out the fastest way, I'll just keep running and try to focus on other characters as well as I think this stretch might burn me out if I don't do something else in D2 as well.

I am hopeful to give an update every week, possibly every 10% of a level gained, but I'm not holding it as strict target. Gonna just keep running and hope I don't die, I have not died in couple of levels now so that shouldn't be much of an issue.

Happy New Year everyone and let's hope we get at least another 3 Heroes in 2017

Vildecor · Oct 3, 2021

darkstarhub said:
@Neksja Congrats on reaching 98 man. The last part of the mountain is the most vertical, and the toughest. Or so I have heard. But, overall I would say the list of people who have done it legitimately is not all that big to be honest.

I am at a strange spot right now. Being 91, and not having the gear to really push P7/8 efficiently, and not being that efficient to begin with I will probably stay running AT and LK for now. Since I am early in 91, the Pit is gonna be ran a little bit so if I die it wont be such a heart breaker. I never was very good at running Baal with FB/FO on high player settings so I will save the Ancients for later. One thing that sucks is that I havent found a Ravenfrost ring for cant be frozen, which is why I am still using a Rhyme shield and Spirit weapon. I know, I know, Sorc has Teleport and being frozen is not a huge deal, but it is something every character I have ever made has used(Ravenfrost). The truth is, if I ever really stand a chance at getting to 99 I have to find a way to efficiently run Big D with FB/FO. It's not inconceivable to respec at a certain point, but I'll just have to see how it goes.

T72on1 said:
@Tarantella Congrats for being the top HC player in this journey now !!! Keep it safe .

@Neksja Tremendous achievement already there !!! I'll try to follow you soon. Still some 58M to go, so not quite soon. O yes, and congrats on that SoJ .

Pb_pal said:
Go Nibbler Go!

Grats on 98

T72on1 said:
Definitely a good start of the year in CS:

darkstarhub said:
Man, I need to get on the chair this evening if your luck is that good. That Ethereal Reaper's is freakin sweet. And a 5/5 lightning facet.

Neksja said:
Thanks everyone Nibbler will go and go and go, which will probably feel like a forever...

I did some quick test runs, up to the point where I got the beacon of light, aka the first white sliver on the XP bar. During that time, I was running roughly 2mil/hour, but I did mess up several runs by forgetting to set P7 for Diablo I am now trying a following method: P1 when entering the game, kill Infector and Lord de Seis, set P7, kill Grand Vizier and Diablo, rinse and repeat. I did few runs that way and was rewarded with Mal rune, so I'm definitely keeping this, not just for the higher chance of HRs but to prevent myself killing Diablo at P1. During that first ~1.5h, only once I killed Diablo with XP shrine, so I'll most likely do some map hunting soon to get more than one shrine spawning in CS, if I could get XP shrine a bit more often. I am not going to hunt those shrines at Travincal/wherever, I need my runs to be simple and streamlined. As I said, I even manage to mess up setting players several times so adding Shrine hunting to that is a no-no, at least for now.

Really nice finds @T72on1! That eth Reaper's is quite a beauty! Even above average ED roll, amazing stuff.

@darkstarhub, good luck with AT/LK runs. At lvl91, I think it's most important that you farm for your end game gear, whether that's Infinity/CoH/whatever and then start making your way towards higher levels, you'll save a lot of time this way, so I wouldn't be too concerned not being able to clear areas at P7/P8. Just keep running AT at lower /p-setting for now, you never know if you find a Fathom or something and you're good to go until 99 Improvements on gear one by one will get you there. I mean, at level 91, my Hammerdin didn't have Harlequin Crest, Arachnid's Mesh or Enigma (not sure if I had Hoto yet or was it at lvl92). After I farmed for those gear, I really started flying at higher player settings. So take your time to farm all the gear you need, you have plenty of time to get that p7/p8 clearing efficiency right

Chaostar said:
Hi ! I'm returning to Diablo2 after a long pause. I want to try this, especially because I never get over lvl 94, such a shame.
If I can get some items I never ever found, it could be even better. I think it will take me years to achieve, but I'll try.

I don't know yet which character I'll play. Any advice ?

Neksja said:
Welcome back @Chaostar! Personally, I'd probably go with a Sorceress, mainly because of native teleport, which will make things a lot easier early on. If you are serious about going for 99, it shouldn't matter too much on which character to play, since all will most likely farm for a high-end Runeword (Infinity/CoH for Sorceress, Enigma for most other characters, possibly additional Infinity and so on). Any specific character/build you really enjoyed playing before break? In the end, it's gonna come down to what you enjoy playing. Let's say you go with Sorceress but don't enjoy playing her, you'll have a tough time making a 99er. So best to go with a character you know you'll enjoy playing and then figure out how and where to farm enough gear to make a serious push at 99

Kitteh said:
I would suggest that you play a build you will enjoy long term. The road to level 99 is LONG, and you do not want to be stuck playing a character that you are bored of. It is so easy to get enigma these days that teleport isn't such an issue, nor is it actually required. Also, if you are going HC additional defences. Dying at 98 is painful enough in SC!

Also, welcome

T72on1 said:
@Chaostar Welcome back, and welcome to this challenge.

I agree with the others here. Most important thing is you pick something you like ... a lot, as it will take a while to get to 99. Sorc is probably easiest to play early on, but in the long run the main difference is finding the runes for Enigma. That might sound like much, but it isn't in the big scheme of things. So if you prefer other builds more, go for it. There is plenty of strong choices: Trapper, Hammerdin, Wind Druid, ... to name a few.

OldSoldier said:
Goodness, I go do some other stuff for a few weeks and come back to find two more 99ers? Well congrats to everyone making the trek! I'll pick it up again some day but not quite yet. I still have too much work to do around the house!

darkstarhub said:
@OldSoldier Fellow Red Wings fan myself. I am gonna try my Yzerman jersey tonight for good luck in LK.

@Neksja Thanks for the words or encouragement man! My Sorc from a few years ago was decked out in full Tal's and pretty much all MF gear for the rest. This time around, while I am not going to completely forgo MF, I am definitely going to gear for more dmg and defense. I need some skillers for that, but unfortunately no Sorc skillers have dropped, but I do have a ton of crafting materials to reroll some high level ones. As long as the item level is high enough for a skiller plus vita roll it should be good to go right? Or is it the higher the better as far as item level? I have a couple that are plain vita skillers that are item level 85 so I think they will work.

I read the patch notes for the 1.14d patch, but does anybody know if there were any "undocumented" changes? As we all know, Blizzard is famous for undocumented changes. It just seems I am not getting the drops from clickables I used to. I went back and looked at my collection of screen shots from a couple years ago when I was playing 1.13, and most of my high runes came from clickables. There were a few from the LK chests, but mostly from logs, dead bodies, stashes, and pots. IDK, its probably just RNG being the fickle thing it is.

T72on1 said:
I think that should be rng. I didn't notice any difference myself concerning rune drops from clickables. The only undocumented change is that accounts beginning with a 'T' which also have '72' in the name, have a strongly reduced change to find Highlord's Wrath and Arachnid's. But that shouldn't affect too many people ...

GCs with an ilvl that is high enough (those dropping from NM Flayer Jungle on iirc) should be good to go as a skiller. However a higher ilvl gives access to the higher lvl affixes. Mostly meaning higher +life for most people, I'd guess. Not sure about the exact ilvls, but I'd think that any GC you find in Hell should have the possibility of rolling up to +40 life, and then those dropped from Diablo and Baal can even roll up to +45 life.

Neksja said:
If I recall, you need ilvl 50 to get a +skill on a GC, which is also good for up to +30 life. To get 'of Vita' GCs, you need ilvl77 or higher GC, so all the charms you find in A85 levels, such as AT, Pits or CS, are capable of getting 'of Vita' and up to +40 life. If you want to get access to +41-45 life, you need ilvl91 or higher charms and you can get these from Diablo, Nihlathak or Baal. So whatever GCs you find in AT are good for rerolling if you don't mind not having a chance of getting that up to +5 extra life. If you are planning on doing a lot of Diablo/Nihlathak/Baal runs, I'd wait rerolling until you start getting ilvl91+ charms and use those.

darkstarhub said:
Thanks guys. I was thinking as long as the charm was item level 77 it could roll vita, but if I could just get a Sorc skiller out of one right now I would take it, much less a vita roll. I read the charm write up a few weeks ago, but I am getting old haha.

Chaostar said:
Thanks guys ! I really like sorceress ( I never had an Enigma, so as far as I'm concerned she's the only one who can teleport )
So I guess I'll create a new one for this challenge ! I'll play softcore, but in the hardcore way, trying to avoid death as far as possible.

I guess I'll try a Cold/light sorc, then pure light, cause I already played too much the classic and powerful fireorb.

For the moment, I read all this topic from the begining

T72on1 said:
Cool, good luck !!!

I'd advice to focus on Blizzard early on, as Cold / Lightning only starts to shine with some decent gear. Blizzard sorc wrecks everything with ease. Since you are reading this thread from the beginning, you'll encounter Pb_pal's and my experiences with a Blizzard sorc, and see that it worked really well .

Lightning or cold / lightning can work as well though, so choice is up to you of course.

Tarantella said:
Tarasha has being using fireball/orb to 95 and has now switched to chain/orb to reach 96. Finally she has used the high runes and made an enigma mageplate armour (with a respec) and cubed up a second vex to make another HOTO luckily finding a replacement vex within 2 hours of running the Keep. Mf has dropped to the 200 mark and the gear check of Frostburns/SoJ/Thundergods/Ravenfrost/Aldurs usually keeps the mana bulb full whilst running without ES. Life has increased somewhat to the 1675 mark to reduce chances of being stunned. Charm collection is improving with 4 20 lifers and some good resistance charms accompanying the 2 shimmering GC's (a 14 and an 11) and a 4 SC currently being used. Picked up a 3rd Baal GC and after even having burned in excess of 450 pgems so far still have 250 sitting in the stash. 110 crafting attempts have been made (10 rings/30 belts/70 Amulets) but a godlike crafted amulet to replace the very good rare she still wears eludes her but the Shako and belt have both been replaced with higher defense ones found in the mausoleum. Two imbues and 3 socketing quests still left Tarasha is still looking for eth polearm for the mercenary.

PhineasB said:
Let me add belated congrats @Neksja. Nice to have that lvl 98 spot filled again! And welcome back and good progress to the returning Sorcs at levels 95 and 96. It looks like with @Tarantella and @hasuprotoss, we'll have a group of at least three Sorcs to keep each other company.

And I'll add my 2 cents for the question from @Chaostar. First, welcome to this project! Second, the earlier responses are spot on, in my view. Pick a character that is fun for you. Or pick 2! From my experience, having another project or two to focus on when you start feeling bored or burned out with the 99er is important. I have a second 99er that runs different targets (Assassin versus Sorc) and another option with two tourney characters when questing sounded nice. For me, Mercy would obviously be further along if the time focused on Hiatus had been dedicated to Mercy's Baal runs, but I'm not sure either character would have made it this far without the change up. Even one 99er is a long-term project, after all, so two long-term projects isn't too much worse?

More specifically, I agree that Sorcs are faster earlier. But I found it slower in the 80s and 90s than the Assassin because the Sorc had been able to move through faster with less optimal gear so I had not focused on the gear optimization until later. I guess she could have hit LK sooner for the runes for Chains of Honor . . . So if you go the Sorc route, I'd suggest doing that!

Minor mini-update: Mercy is a few Baal runs from 97.25, with a little time the last two days of the holiday. So it'll be back to 20 minutes here, 30 minutes there for a couple weeks, i.e., slow progress for a bit. Good luck to everyone!

Xios said:
Only tangentially related, so feel free to point me towards a proper discussion thread instead (I've done some initial poking around), but I have a feeling a lot of the people in the thread will know this off hand given the nature of the topic.

I'm mulling over running LK for a spell on a character without teleport, although I'm fairly certain I'll be able to cobble together some sort of quirky FRW/Vigor combination to make it a bit more bearable and speedy.

What's the traditional wisdom as far as player settings is concerned? I've seen data listed on the forums for /p7 and /p8, I assume the latter is the default for most, or is that misguided?

Any other snippets of guidance as far as general choices (pickups, poppables, process) are concerned? My default assumptions would be Gems, Charms, Runes, and anything unexpected from poppables, and as far as hitting them is concerned it'll probably be dependent on my specific route, which might be different than a teleporting one. I'll also assume I can and should just avoid any monsters in the way.

I have a lovely map right now, I'll need to test with a running based build if WP to Act 4 is worth the effort compared to just blitzing through Kurast.

Vildecor · Oct 3, 2021

Neksja said:
@Xios I am by no means an expert, but I'll try to help an give my 2cents.

You should be running p7, superchests are the same whether it's p7 or p8 (same for p5 and p6, p3 and p4, and p1 and p2), so lower setting helps running around the monsters. Or alternatively killing them more easily if you are in pickle and need a way out. But generally, avoid monsters while running, I did kill some boss packs to break boringness and gain a bit of XP.

General pickups? I'd say depends on what are you after and how much gems you already have. If you need a lot of runes, like for Enigma, I'd leave out Gems or only collect the ones you plan on using on crafting. Also, unless you are pack rat like me, leave all the low runes on the ground as well, all below Tal at least and between Tal-Hel, I'd probably pick the useful ones like Rals, Orts and Sols. It's not about picking up the items, but your stash fills up faster and you'll spend more time moving stuff from your in-game stash to GoMule/Atma stash. In the end with my Hammerdin, I ended up picking up runes, small and grand charms, jewels and rare rings/coronets. But I knew I was going to spend several thousand runs in LK, so I needed to cut down the time spent per run and stashing items and with those pickups, I still spent significant amount of time stashing. If you are only looking for a single Ber or similarly just a rune or two (and don't have a huge stash of Perfect gems), might be worth picking up gems and random rare stuff.

When it comes to other poppables than superchests, the consensus seems to be that "pop them if they don't slow you down much". For example, my runs took roughly 5-7 seconds longer if I popped other stuff on my way, which, if I recall, contained somewhere around 6-8 poppables. I did manage to find a Lo rune, Ohm rune and a Gul rune from these, so not complete waste of time Test yourself few runs and see if you can pop those corpses and logs quickly enough without slowing too much down, I know people have found very nice runes like Ber from these, so definitely worth looking into. But it depends on your map as well, you might find a brilliant map where on your route can pop few logs on your way without slowing down at all, but if you don't have any poppables close to your fastest route to superchests, don't bother going after them. Additionally, I think I read that normal chests are not worth opening at all, so keep your extra poppables at logs/corpses/skeletons.

The map for a non-teleporting character, I'd recommend a one where the superchest bonfires are lined up instead of in a circle, I personally found it faster to run and then just Save and Exit after popping the last superchest and speed through the Act3 town instead of going back to the Waypoint and going back to Act 4. If you get a Harmony and stack frw, you'll be fine running through Act3 town to start the run. I've heard people recommending using a town portal at the end of run, using Act3 town Waypoint to go to Act 4 and then Save and Exit. I never tried it as I felt it would have been too much of a hassle.

NanoMist said:
Just to add, my assassin was able to stack BoS with vigor from Harmony, which allowed me to blitz the docks instead of going to Act 4. I went for poppables on the way, and maybe racks if you can get a good base to spawn. I kept Naj's staff on switch for cheapest teleport charges- useful for evading fast monsters and escaping crowded huts.

Xios said:
I appreciate the input. It'll mostly be about Runes and to a lesser extent Charms, but I don't have such a gem collection that I feel like I'd be willing to pass up on the crafting materials. Mainly I'm just testing the waters to see what fruit it can bear and how my patience holds up to the repetition.

Has there been anything definitive as far as how the racks manage to spawn items? I know they have some predispositions towards certain things (I want to say on this character I recall Hellspawn Skulls or something to that effect being quite common) but from what I remember reading it may or may not be affected by what monsters decided to spawn, how you approach the rack / the run, and a number of other seemingly non-sequitor conditions. Has more of that been dispelled (or confirmed) or are the inner machinations still a little foggy?

In any case I really like my map (which is indeed a straight line) so if racks are based on the seed/roll of the map I probably won't take the risk.

That being said I'm slightly curious, how often do any of you use racks as a form of directed Magic Finding ("I really want X item, time to find Y base racks and keep running them.") I think that's a very interesting concept to an otherwise fairly scattershot format that is D2 magic finding, hence the "You only find the item when you've given up." fatalistic outlook. It seems relatively reliable (getting the same bases that is) and the ratio of normal to finding a unique/set seems pretty decent from what I've read, better than gambling in any case if I remember the values right. Of course all that effort for misses worth almost literally nothing (if you don't want the white item) probably isn't worth it compared to just mass rolling the dice on say, Act Bosses or 85 Zones as far as overall wealth, I'd assume.

PhineasB said:
@Xios - on the initial question, I agree with @NanoMist and @Neksja about not bothering with A4 if you have a non-teleporting character.

My assassin hit the chests and S&E, running through A3 docks quickly with Harmony, FRW gear (I recall she had Trang's armor) and BoS. I also have an untwinked Pally who is doing some LK runs with maxed Vigor and ~120 FRW from gear and few charms. He hits logs, corpses and skeletons in addition to the 6 hut chests and is also pretty quick, though not as fast as Mercy was.

I can't help on the other questions about how racks spawn. I've noticed from various threads, however, that racking for set and uniques seemed to end as a strategy by the time v1.10 came around.

darkstarhub said:
Most people would probably call me stupid for the way I run LK and high lvl areas, but historically I have had good luck doing it that way. Since I am more or less starting over after losing most of my stuff on my old laptop I am picking up more items than I may have before. GoMule has made me even worse if an item hoarder as well.

I pick up all Runes, all size charms, ammys, rings, flawless gems, and jewels. Since I am trying to complete my grail from scratch of course I pick up sets/legs unless I recognize it as something I already have. I don't pass up champion packs of certain monsters either, and it has paid if with an Ohm and several Mal and Pul Runes, plenty of full reguvs, and a host of other items. In my mind purely efficient doesn't always equal fun, but it does make the best use of the time available so I like to blend efficiency and fun; if that makes any sense.

I got back into D2 about 1.5 years before D3 launched and played until it dropped. While running LK with my Sorc, I noticed a rack that always(95% of the time anyway) dropped Slayer Guard helms. That was 1.13 of course, and I was aware of rack running, but I thought it was just a 1.07 thing. I was gearing up my Frenzy Barb(that I absolutely enjoyed the hell out of) and wanted an Arreat's Face so I thought what the hell I'll hit it as part of my LK run. I am not sure how many times I hit this rack, but I did get 3 Arreat's Face helms.

The LK map I am currently running has a rack that drops Threshers around 75% of the time but I have yet to find a Reaper's Toll.

T72on1 said:
I agree with the rest: on a FRW character, get a map with the campfires in a straight line and S/E after you hit the last chest. Well, I agree with what the rest said for the rest as well, so yeah ... redundant post is redudant . About racking: I almost hit the racks as well, but in the end don't feel like it was worth it. But then again I didn't had ones with great base items to begin with.

A bit related to this: I have a hard time finding a good base to make Infinity. What's my best chance to do so? Cows? LK racks? Something else? I want a Tresher or Giant Tresher. But should I go on until I find a Superior eth one with 4 sockets, or is that so hard to find, that I'd better settle for a normal eth one with 4 sockets? The latter can be rolled with the cube recipe, while the former has to be found like that, which makes me think it requires a huge amount of luck and time.

Back to the topic at hand ... getting to 99. It doesn't happen much that I can play D2 for 3.5 hours straight, but yesterday was one of such instances. I ran CS for the entire time, and ended up with good news and bad news.

The good news? I hit the 3.200M mark, which puts me at 29M or some 6 - 7 hours from level 98 !!! The bad news? Drops were terrible ... stuff like this to really stress just how bad it was:

But wait, my memory is coming back now ... That was only during the first 2 hours. The last part of the afternoon more than made up for it ... :

It will probably never see any use, but I still liked this one a lot.

Hell yeah, baby !!! My second ever, first one since starting over.

Very nice mf boots if resists are needed.

Another one. I have already cubed some up, but have some 12 more now. Nice to know I can cube up some more Ohms, and since have a few of those as well which I don't need, I can cube a Lo or 2 - 3.

I also found a nice grailer: The Rising Sun amulet. I still need Highlord's Wrath and Metalgrid now when it comes to amulets. I don't mind the Metalgrid too much at this point (although I never found one, so it would be cool to have it), but would love to have the Highlord's for several other builds. Ironically I never found one in SC before, not even on my tainted characters, but I found 2 or even 3 in the rather short amount of time I spent on SP HC. Ah well ...

So all in all a very good session, both making good progress and finding good stuff. Especially the Jah, as I can now make Enigma if I want to. That would mean I can't make Infinity anymore though, so I'll have to see what I'll do with that. I'll keep on playing Neverland until level 98 and then I'll decide. Maybe a Ber will drop during that time, to make things easier for me ... .

grim said:
Hi guys... Long time lurker here....

Recently returned to D2 with nothing on my computer and started on my untwinked journey with a javazon, my favourite character.The lack of high end rune words is what kept me away from SP (used to consider them unattainable in SP), but seeing your result motivated me and I learned alot from reading this thread.

Regarding LK running:
- I ran /p8 (was not sure if /p7 was equivalent - thanks for the info) on a linear map with my lvl 86-ish javazon.
- At the end of run i tele to town and use wp to act 4 - i felt it was faster and allows to quickly restock on keys + revive merc
- All the frw i could find on gear + charms + Harmony (in a low requirements bow)
- speed was about 45sec/run (fastest was about 39sec)
- popped everything in my way (corpses, racks etc.) - got only mid lvl runes for them
- picked up: all runes + flawless + small and grand charms + rare rings and ammus (items fill the inventory too fast - only if i thought they could be good)
- after filling my stash, between runs i mulle everything off with gomule in a separate stash and looked them over every 100 runs or so (advice i got somewhere in this forum) - it keeps u in a good rhythm
- after about 1000 runs: Ber + 2xSur (all from the superchests) - don't know if it's normal or was extremely lucky

So here i am with runes for infinity, but without tons of javazon required items (titans, razortail, etc.). Did not see that one coming...

Currently i am searching for infinity base (eth thresher preferably), like T72 is...

I did some Cows (which are still slow on /p1 for me - due to lack of gear) and did not find even a normal elite polearm...
I started some Pit runs on /p8 - still no eth but at least found some CAs, CVs (non eth).

Any suggestions for finding en eth infinity base is greatly appreciated... I might just cave and do it in a normal CA but really don't want to...

T72on1 said:
Neksja said:

@Kitteh and everyone else, I have a question. Are we allowed to "lend" our items to other characters? What I mean is, could I theoretically lend Aura's Enigma to another character (Javazon in this case) for a while and then return it to Aura to be used again while keeping untwinked status? I haven't done so of course yet (and won't if it's against the rules), just wanted to double check. Of course the item itself would never be altered in any way, just used by another character. I am not ready yet to make a second Enigma, that's why I am asking. Thanks!

Click to expand...

Kitteh said:

I would suggest not. You can give it to that character, but I would suggest that it has to keep it. Mostly because it saves confusion and keeps everything strict. Items off, but not items on. However... I'm open to public opinion, if you guys collectively think otherwise, then we can allow it This is OUR tournament, I am merely hosting it. Well, hosting it actually .

Click to expand...

I want to get back at this. I actually intended to do so when it was posted, but somehow forgot .

Anyway, when Neksja first posted his question, it didn't ring a bell. But later, when driving home from work, it struck me: I had done this myself ... I have briefly been playing my WW Sin after I had the chance to make a Chaos Claw, and she has been using the Fortitude I had created for Neverland's merc shortly before that. I think she also used the CtA.

So there's that. Not to put myself in a better perspective, but I didn't think much of it when Neksja first posted his question. But given Kitteh's answer? I'm afraid I crossed a line. So what to do now?

Edit: @grim Cool, welcome back !!! Do you plan on joining this journey by any chance? Would be nice .

Neksja said:
@T72on1 first of all, I hate you now with your Jah drop. Pure hatred. Second, congrats on the progress, getting really close now! I see my time off from Aura and levelling a Javazon to 70ish has given you a chance to catch me a bit, I'll try and get some CS runs done this weekend and post an update on Sunday, although I won't be at 10% mark by then unless I play all weekend, which is highly unlikely.

Third, about your Fortitude/CtA being used by another character. Personally, I don't think you crossed the line, but probably best to avoid doing that in future? I think I replied to @Kitteh that it's understandable that people won't share their items with other characters just because it might get confusing if you share multiple items and especially, if you share something you have multiple copies of found by several characters. So probably best to play it safe with item sharing to not risk your untwinked status.

But, what is done, is done. It's not like Neverland got any gains from that, so I don't really mind. Alternatively, would we punish you by not being untwinked anymore and not part of the tournament? Yeah, I don't think so. Just a slap on wrist and a "tsk-tsk" should be enough, unless you really want to go and die couple of times intentionally and give me bigger lead in the race?

Xios said:
For polearms I want to say (as some initial looking on drop calculators supports) that Hell Cows has a slightly higher chance of dropping Threshers than 85 zones, yet has a significantly lower chance of dropping Giant Threshers than 85 zones. This makes sense to me given that Threshers are a 71 quality level item whereas Giant Threshers are 85. Cow Level is an 81 zone, as far as I recall.

As far as the Ethereal ones are concerned, finding a Superior 4os one seems pretty magical Christmas land, yet some would say the same about getting the runes for an Infinity in the first place, so who knows.

As to @grim I'd probably hold out until you find a Thresher at least. It's a fairly modest downgrade to a Giant Thresher (diferent damage ranges, 0.5 DPS lost) yet it has the same [-10] base weapon speed, not to mention it should be easier to find. You'll have to check for whatever you plan on using with your Merc, but usually those IAS breakpoints line up quite nicely with the items/sockets for the usual Fortitude/Treachery and Andy/Guillaumes or what have you.

I did some very crude early runs (quite literally) in Lower Kurast. It was an interesting change of pace (again, quite literally) and it took some getting used to. I already had a Harmony in a higher requirement bow so I handed it to a Rogue, although there were some obvious drawbacks with this, from getting too much distance to the "Merc please turn on your aura!" problems. I think I'm missing a Ko (and a low req base) to build another one, but it's something to consider. I was surprised at how many FRW items I had available-- nearly every slot that supported it, and a handful of charms. I'll have to double check the exact values later. After a few dozen runs just to get my bearings and test the viability of it, I walked away with a smattering of gems and a few Lums for my troubles, not a disappointing haul given the speed and low amount of runs.

I fiddled with the Racks, they're quite a curiosity to me. On one, I could usually force Necro heads and on the other, usually Diamond Mail. Yet random experimentation yielded all sorts of seemingly inconsistent results that were much less replicatible. I'll really need to research into this more.

I'll need to test Act 4 swapping versus just running, where I defaulted to the latter. The long walk from the docks felt fairly trivial, so in perhaps a humorous twist it might win out for just being less involved, even if it's not technically faster. It also keeps the starting point the same if I have to S&E prematurely. Right now I'm probably agreeing with the consensus that it's just easier to bail out and run back.

NanoMist said:
Regarding that Infinity base: Prepare to do area clears at high player settings or get lucky with the right weapon rack.

I ran p7 pits and socketed a plain eth CV after 10-15 hours? My luck wasn't so great, I failed to get 4 OS via socket recipe on a few other eth polearms. I even found a Ber rune before finding that base.

I found maybe 8 eth threshers running Nihlathak, and I think only 1 thresher cubed into 4 sockets. So that's approximately 300K monsters killed at p8 setting. That 4 OS eth thresher might drop today or a month later, who knows.

Act 2 Merc IAS Tables - Jab use is much more frequent, so I focused on the FPJ column.

With 35 IAS on a typical Fortitude/Andariel setup, and taking average weapon damage into consideration, CV will apply 9% more integer DPS than thresher, but thresher will attack 9% faster with more CB and/or procs. Generally, I'd go with thresher, but I didn't want to wait around for small gains.
Swapping Andariel with Delirium gives thresher a greater advantage (23% faster), so this could be more relevant for others.

Grape said:
There's probably quite a lot of info about racks buried into the 1.07 thread, as rack running is the only way to get higher lvl sets/uniques there.

Racks can be quite funny indeed. Some are really stable and others - not so much. Sometimes you can figure out what triggers what. And then some racks just drop a lot of variable bases seemingly randomly. Some basic and fast to check things:

- How are you approaching the rack often changes the drop. Which side you run past that hut and so on.
- Is there monsters spawning besides the rack. Many times they affect the rack too.
- Do you use minions? With stable racks you can force the rack drop different things. Cast a Hydra or Decoy etc. next to it and it will drop something different. Cast it twice and it will "tick" the next one. In 1.07 at least this can be used very reliably, casting Decoy four times would always result in certain item for example.

If you are only going to rack running (like for that Infinity base), look only for short maps. Rolling many maps might be needed, but most likely you'll win time and find more reliable racks when it is close to the WP.

For those who use circular maps, I also encourage to try it the both ways. I used to have a map where I got all the Sacred Targes I will ever need. Quite a few bases can be beneficial to you, so it is really worth it to check them, while you have those racks there anyway.

Xios said:
Yeah I poked around in the 1.07 threads previously which was why I was considering clicking them during my LK runs, assuming at least some of it stayed consistent throughout the version change-- I was relatively comforted with how I was getting Necro heads fairly consistently if from the waypoint I ran directly to the rack, which is incredibly close to the waypoint.

Some of the factors such as monster spawns made sense to me, imagining a sort of conveyor belt of patterns, but when I was reading things like what you click first, how you approach it, or as you say, casting Hydras to change the drops I was a little skeptical, but there definitely seems to be something at play.

If I do stick to doing LK runs I think I'll do some testing on my racks there too, as it could alter my optimal route if I found a particularly interesting base that I could conjure up consistently.

I'm sure LK could have some decent things on the rack in theory, or at the very least a good stab at trying for some unique/set. They use the area level of the zone (plus or minus modifers?) to dictate what quality level of items can drop right? I believe I saw that somewhere.

Kitteh said:
T72on1 said:

I want to get back at this. I actually intended to do so when it was posted, but somehow forgot .

Anyway, when Neksja first posted his question, it didn't ring a bell. But later, when driving home from work, it struck me: I had done this myself ... I have briefly been playing my WW Sin after I had the chance to make a Chaos Claw, and she has been using the Fortitude I had created for Neverland's merc shortly before that. I think she also used the CtA.

So there's that. Not to put myself in a better perspective, but I didn't think much of it when Neksja first posted his question. But given Kitteh's answer? I'm afraid I crossed a line. So what to do now?

Edit: @grim Cool, welcome back !!! Do you plan on joining this journey by any chance? Would be nice .

Click to expand...

I would say don't do it again haha I really don't think that we need to be disqualifying people for it though (unless they deliberately do it I guess?). No need to worry if people have done it though. I'm not sure how this works in other untwinked tournaments, maybe somebody experienced in tournaments could chip in. @jiansonz? Not recognising him/her to tag for some reason...

ILikeRocks said:
Rowsdower finally made it to Act 2 in Hell and I'm running AT now. I got bored of running in nightmare so I left at 67 and just plowed through Act 1. I am now level 71 and can run AT on p3 with decent speed. Still need an armor upgrade but other than that, things are going well.

Quick question here, if I am looking for just unique items, would it be better to rush to Meph and run there or just stay in AT? My resistances are poop, but I have about 175% MF. Not as high as I would like but I have to have some survivability. I know AT can drop everything, but grinding through AT so far, I have gotten 0 gold/green items, it is only really good for leveling right now...

Kitteh said:
Depends what you are after. Want Shako, run Mephisto. Want Griffon's? No point running Mephisto

Xios said:
There's lots of things that could factor into that decision.

Since AT can drop everything that also means you have a wider pool. If you're looking for some in specific there might be better zones.

While 85 zones have the potential for (mostly) everything you kill to roll the dice for something great, Act Bosses do still tend to have better individual drop tables. Not to mention that if optimized properly you can probably kill certain Act Bosses (like Meph) faster and safer (moat) than you can clear a proportional amount of AT. This would also mean you could stack up MF to improve your odds further since Mephisto can be autopiloted which is not necessarily true for a mostly undergeared/underleveled character in AT.

If you're gunning for a specific item, maybe check out a drop calculator. Otherwise I'm sure running some bosses for some staples will help you in the long run and will make running AT more efficient as well.

ILikeRocks said:
Thank you, the reason I asked instead of just checking the Drop Calc, I am travelling for work and I am not at my own computer for now. I will be back after the weekend to run some more in AT just for levels then I will probably push through to Meph for some of those staples that I need.

T72on1 said:
Meph is definitely a better option to get that first amount of uniques and sets. Things people usually want, like Shako and Arachnid's ... much more chance to get it from Meph. The only reason I skipped him this time, is because I found a Shako as first elite unique in act 1 Hell. Other times when I started over, I ran Meph a lot, a whole lot really. Btw, still haven't got that Arachnid's, so ...

As for the 4os eth elite polearm ... I have a 4os eth CV and a Cryptic Axe. But after some reading I decided against them, because Threshers and Giant Threshers seem to be better options. I have found one of each again now (eth, non socketed I mean), so I'll try my luck again. If those fail, I'll probably continue looking for another, but I might give in if I still haven't found a 4os one by the time I'll be hitting Travincal for the Tournament.

Edit: ok, I only had one to try the cube recipe on, since the other was superior (I keep forgetting it doesn't work for those). I got lucky ...

... at least for the 4os roll, because the damage roll on the Infinity is crappy beyond belief. But hey, it's still an Infinity, right? Looking forward to testing it out !!!

@Kitteh Ok, thanks for the comment. I'll be more careful next time.

Chaostar said:

Thanks everybody for your advices and welcome messages!!

I decided to start a Light/cold sorceress, who may turn into a full light in the end. So Prairie enters the competition !

I just finished Normal mode. I played in /p3 all along, and played in single pass mode, except 2 extra runs to the countess to get a Tal Rune a make a Stealth armor (what a relief !).

First acts where made of lightning bolts, and some melee attack (when I dropped my first unique item : Rixot's Keen in The Crypt).
Nothing much to say, except how boring it is to buy a full invetory of mana potions every 3 minutes.

First notable drop was into one of the fake Tal Rasha tombs, when a whatever-it-was monster dropped Chance Guards !! MF is welcome, and would help a lot.

Some grailer came, but nothing really useful. My average stuff was doing the job.

Lvl 24 and Blizzard was a huge improvement. 1 skill point in this competence worth more than maybe 15 points in lightning skills. Lvl 30, with masteries and Frozen Orb was an even better improvement, the sorceress is really powerful when she comes to lvl 30, and I think the next real difficuly from now will be in act I Hell.

So, I killed Baal at lvl 38, and found 4 unique Items and 9 set items in all Normal difficulty (11 in fact, but 2 times tancred crowbill and Sigon's Gage).
It took me almost 11 hours! I already knew this, but it confirms that I'm a very slow player

Plans for now: gear up with meph/baal maybe, because I wear some really crapy stuff (a magic ring, and my belt...) but I know I'll quickly end up in Nightmare.

BTW : What is the difference between nb of S/U and Grail ? I guess the first one is the total amount of S/U dropped, the Grail is the nb of distinct S/U items ?

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98             Yes        4408        452            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.75          Yes        2190+?      441            13        245
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.2           Yes           -        418            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Chaostar      Prairie        SC      Sorc      38             Yes          15         13            0          11
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
TwentyMule   Gaius           HC      Assn      17             Yes           1          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Vildecor · Oct 3, 2021

Neksja said:
@Chaostar, you are correct about S/U and Grail. Grail is the number of the distinct Sets and Uniques you have found and S/U is the total number of Sets and Uniques you have found. So for example, if you find 2 Isenhart's Cases and 3 Venom Wards, your grail is 2 and S/U is 5.

Aura has been doing a bit of Nihlathak runs today and it seems that for pure XP efficiency point of view, it's slower for me than Diablo runs. I had to leave my Merc dead, as he usually killed one or two monsters around Nihlathak, making the runs a lot more dangerous. Also, Merc would die instantly to those bugged Tomb Vipers, so best to leave him dead for now. I like the runs as it's a bit of a change from CS and I pick a lot less items than while killing Diablo, so that's a bonus. The biggest problem now is that Nihlathak teleports way too often, so I usually spend a bit of time chasing him (and actually locating him, that bugger is difficult to spot!). I guess it's that 25% Magic resistance he has naturally, makes me killing him a bit slower than I'd like. When he has Mana Burn modifier, it gets pumped up to 45% magic res, which makes the runs significantly longer since it's more likely the bugger will teleport somewhere and I have to start chasing him again.

I might do some test runs to see some XP/min numbers, but at the moment, for some reason I have no desire of doing that. I just rather run Diablo or Nihlathak and enjoy the last level instead of worrying about the XP efficiency too much. I'll get to the point probably sooner than later when I am gonna go full out on XP efficiency and then I'll do those test sessions for few scenarios

How's everyone else doing?

hasuprotoss said:
Neksja said:

How's everyone else doing?

Click to expand...

Just under 200 million for 97!

And while that's great and all, I'm thinking of starting a new character to join in on this again, just from the bottom. This new character will be no extended stash (I'll probably mule off to a GoMule Stash that will be separated from Reina's stashes) for a bit of a bigger challenge.

Having looked at the table, there are three classes not over 90: Amazon, Necromancer, and Druid. I'm happy starting any of these characters since they're certainly on the lower playtime for me (Barbarian is probably the lowest but I'll probably start one for some tournament when one catches my fancy). I'm thinking of doing the Amazon, and I kind of want to avoid the CS with her (Reina has enjoyed her time there, but I'm sure by the time she's getting close to 99 my enjoyment of the place will be very low...). I know I'll be losing efficiency not spending a lot of time in the CS in the mid to late 90's but I think the preservation of sanity is more important (I know... I know... this is the SPF, what's sanity!). I was thinking of making the Amazon a Fishyzon and running WSK but I think that build is more designed to run the WSK at players 1 and not 8, losing a lot of leveling efficiency.

Do any of you have any experience running Fishyzon's? If it's unreliable at best, what's the best place and build to try and level an Amazon efficiently? I know Poisonmancers are pretty great in teh Pits and Windys are pretty great in most locations, so that's why I think I'm most interested in starting an Amazon.

ILikeRocks said:
Rowsdower is plowing along, on my way to Meph to do some MFing. She hit level 76 yesterday.

I think I may stop in LK and just do some runs there for a bit. CoH sounds really good and HotO would be amazing. I may start another in tandem with this and make me a Necro. Haven't decided on a name yet, but the necro has always been my favorite class. Ever since I started playing, just having a golem out was amazing, and back when BG and IM works so well together it really got me hooked. Nothing like that now, but I will probably make a skelemancer as I have never gotten one past 94.

I have all of this great stuff I found from Rowsdower, and I started playing a Paladin and twinked him out with some stuff. It isn't as fun as I thought it would be. I am just gonna make a new tab for each of my characters and see how close I can get to full grail. All of my characters will be untwinked unless I get an enigma or infinity or something for late game running.

Does anyone else have this issue? Where twinking a character out kinda takes the fun away from the game?

Edit: I am going to go HC this time as there aren't many people running in HC.

PhineasB said:
Neksja said:

How's everyone else doing?

Click to expand...

Mercy eclipsed 97.25 and is making some decent progress with a chunk of time to play today. The highlight so far was her first Baal GC reroll with a skiller and of Vita . . .

. . . so, yeah, kind of disappointing, especially with +45 life. Either of the two other trees would have been awesome. Oh well.

It's nice to see a few others thinking about a second 99er. @hasuprotoss is correct that sanity is relative on the SPF

As for the Fishyzon question, I found mine an effective Pit runner at higher p-settings. She struggled to handle higher p-settings in WSK. I wonder if a bigger focus on cold bow skills would work for AT? The big limitation for Amazons is the cast speed, but you could roll a good AT map with entrance right by WP. Not sure, though, how she'd handle p8.

Neksja said:
Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 99 No 3068 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 99 No 5109 470 4 360 Neksja Aura SC Paladin 98.07 Yes 4911 453 - - T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 97.75 Yes 2190+? 441 13 245 PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 97.2 Yes - 418 9 - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 96 Yes 1100 339 - - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 95 Yes - - - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 95 Yes - 357 17 - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - darkstarhub Neptune SC Sorc 91 Yes - - - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 88 Yes - 160 - - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - MercMan Este SC Ama 86 Yes 1212 278 2 Classified Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 84 No - - - - Qwernt AmaAgainstAll SC Sorc 81 Yes - - - - Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - Jean Avila SpeedAdict SC Ama 77 No - - - 50 logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - Lynchgrinch Tattersail SC Sorc 75 ? ? ? ? ? Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Chaostar Prairie SC Sorc 38 Yes 15 13 0 11 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - - TwentyMule Gaius HC Assn 17 Yes 1 - - -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 76 Yes - - 1 - Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

Week 1 update on Aura for 98-99.

So, when I started running, I made a decision to try and keep up with 1% of a level or more per day. I quickly noticed that during the week, I'm lucky if I have time to crunch for 0.5%, so I need to hustle a bit during the weekend to reach that goal. Now after few hours yesterday and today, I'm back at 1%/day average. And for this 1%, I don't include the 40mil coming from Ancients, I'm saving that for post-RFO, just in case something happens and I die for example, so I can then get all of it back.

About updating the table. Instead of updating it every time I reach nice and round number like 98.1 or 98.25 for example, I'm trying to do a weekly update showing my progress to the percent I am at, so 98.07 for this week it is. I doing this to keep myself motivated and to track my overall progress better, I hope it's fine for everyone to update in smaller increments.

I did manage to do 1.5h session at Nihlathak and I remembered to take notes of my XP gain. I barely hit 2mil/hr mark and I felt those runs went mostly quite well, although still a lot of chasing Nihlathak when he teleports. Really a disadvantage of Blessed Hammer casting, I need to be at certain positions to hit Nihlathak, so it really slows the runs down.

I also did a similar-ish session at P1 Infector+de Seis and P7 Grand Vizier+Diablo session and I was at about 2.1 mil/hr, out of which first half an hour was done using Nature's Peace instead of BK ring, whoopsie So, CS clearly wins for me, plus those CS runs are a like cruising around, no real danger of actually dying, unless I am playing super reckless, but I have stopped doing that since getting to lvl96. I still need to a test session of P7 Seals+Diablo, but it's unlikely it's faster than P1+P7 method. Mostly because then I need to play more cautiously around both Infector and Lord de Seis, which causes loss of time and possible Save and Exits if too nasty mods.

So, first set of drops? Mehhh, one TC87, which was from Nihlathak so that was a nice surprise. On the other hand, it was another Mavina's Diadem, making it my 3rd one out of 9 TC87s Aura has found. 1/3 of TC87s are Mavina's freaking Diadems. Infuriating. Runes? Even bigger mehh, only Ko from CS to mention and from Nihlathak, well let's just say I'm clearly saving my rune luck for RFO since the highest rune Nihlathak coughed up was Ral. But also, that was like ~3 hours running Nihl, so can't expect too much. I still found a nice amount of kinda useful Sets/Uniques and a very juicy charm:

Code:

Arachnid Mesh Spiderweb Sash Defense: 132 Durability: 7 of 12 Required Level: 80 Required Strength: 50 Fingerprint: 0xcf874b87 Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to All Skills +20% Faster Cast Rate Slows Target by 10% +111% Enhanced Defense Increase Maximum Mana 5% Level 3 Venom (10/11 Charges) Arctic Furs Quilted Armor Defense: 50 Durability: 18 of 20 Required Level: 2 Required Strength: 12 Fingerprint: 0x3c0febb8 Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +319% Enhanced Defense All Resistances +10 Set (2 items): +225 Defense (Based on Character Level) Set (3 items): Cold Resist +15% Arctic Furs Quilted Armor Defense: 50 Durability: 12 of 20 Required Level: 2 Required Strength: 12 Fingerprint: 0x9cd0094a Item Level: 88 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +322% Enhanced Defense All Resistances +10 Set (2 items): +294 Defense (Based on Character Level) Set (3 items): Cold Resist +15% Arkaine's Valor Balrog Skin Defense: 1320 Durability: 20 of 30 Required Level: 85 Required Strength: 165 Fingerprint: 0x5a483187 Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +2 to All Skills +30% Faster Hit Recovery +155% Enhanced Defense +37 to Vitality (Based on Character Level) Damage Reduced by 14 Arkaine's Valor Balrog Skin Defense: 1331 Durability: 23 of 30 Required Level: 85 Required Strength: 165 Fingerprint: 0xa89b2e01 Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to All Skills +30% Faster Hit Recovery +157% Enhanced Defense +37 to Vitality (Based on Character Level) Damage Reduced by 10 Chilling Grand Charm of Vita Grand Charm Required Level: 69 Fingerprint: 0xfba4aea8 Item Level: 88 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to Cold Skills (Sorceress Only) +39 to Life Death's Guard Sash Defense: 22 Durability: 7 of 12 Required Level: 6 Fingerprint: 0x2d193f4f Item Level: 88 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +20 Defense Cannot Be Frozen Set (2 items): Cold Resist +15% Lightning Resist +15% Fire Resist +15% Poison Resist +15% Eschuta's Temper Eldritch Orb One Hand Damage: 18 - 50 Durability: 15 of 30 Required Level: 72 Fingerprint: 0x2555139c Item Level: 88 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +3 to Sorceress Skill Levels +40% Faster Cast Rate +20% to Lightning Skill Damage +13% to Fire Skill Damage +25 to Energy Eschuta's Temper Eldritch Orb One Hand Damage: 18 - 50 Durability: 24 of 30 Required Level: 72 Fingerprint: 0xb8507616 Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ Unidentified +3 to Sorceress Skill Levels +40% Faster Cast Rate +14% to Lightning Skill Damage +13% to Fire Skill Damage +30 to Energy Eschuta's Temper Eldritch Orb One Hand Damage: 18 - 50 Durability: 23 of 30 Required Level: 72 Fingerprint: 0x272b958 Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +3 to Sorceress Skill Levels +40% Faster Cast Rate +12% to Lightning Skill Damage +16% to Fire Skill Damage +29 to Energy Leviathan Kraken Shell Defense: 1570 Durability: 45 of 48 Required Level: 65 Required Strength: 174 Fingerprint: 0x47b748e7 Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ Indestructible +180% Enhanced Defense +103 Defense +44 to Strength Damage Reduced by 19% M'avina's Caster Grand Matron Bow Two Hand Damage: 40 - 207 Durability: 32 of 55 Required Level: 70 Required Strength: 108 Required Dexterity: 152 Fingerprint: 0xf2ccd2ac Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +40% Increased Attack Speed Fires Magic Arrows 188% Enhanced Damage +50 to Attack Rating Set (2 items): Adds 114 - 377 Magic Damage Set (3 items): 10% Chance to cast level 15 Nova on striking Set (4 items): +2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only) M'avina's Caster Grand Matron Bow Two Hand Damage: 40 - 207 Durability: 32 of 55 Required Level: 70 Required Strength: 108 Required Dexterity: 152 Fingerprint: 0x94c5e157 Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +40% Increased Attack Speed Fires Magic Arrows 188% Enhanced Damage +50 to Attack Rating Set (2 items): Adds 114 - 377 Magic Damage Set (3 items): 10% Chance to cast level 15 Nova on striking Set (4 items): +2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only) M'avina's True Sight Diadem Defense: 204 Durability: 13 of 20 Required Level: 64 Fingerprint: 0xab5fd391 Item Level: 95 Version: Expansion 1.10+ Unidentified +30% Increased Attack Speed +150 Defense Replenish Life +10 +25 to Mana Set (2 items): +1 to All Skills Set (3 items): 50% Bonus to Attack Rating Set (4 items): Cold Resist +25% Lightning Resist +25% Fire Resist +25% Poison Resist +25% Mara's Kaleidoscope Amulet Required Level: 67 Fingerprint: 0x29a48f85 Item Level: 95 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +2 to All Skills All Stats +5 All Resistances +21 Rainbow Facet Jewel Required Level: 49 Fingerprint: 0xa7b74643 Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 100% Chance to cast level 51 Poison Nova when you Die Adds 37 Poison Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames) -3% to Enemy Poison Resistance +5% to Poison Skill Damage Rainbow Facet Jewel Required Level: 49 Fingerprint: 0xfbbd7b45 Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 100% Chance to cast level 23 Venom when you Level-Up Adds 37 Poison Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames) -3% to Enemy Poison Resistance +4% to Poison Skill Damage Steel Carapace Shadow Plate Defense: 1785 Durability: 52 of 70 Required Level: 66 Required Strength: 230 Fingerprint: 0x63fe378a Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 8% Chance to cast level 6 Iron Maiden when struck +20% Faster Hit Recovery +220% Enhanced Defense Regenerate Mana 12% Cold Resist +46% Damage Reduced by 10 Repairs 1 Durability in 20 Seconds Trang-Oul's Guise Bone Visage Defense: 244 Durability: 36 of 40 Required Level: 65 Required Strength: 106 Fingerprint: 0xaf5e5442 Item Level: 84 Version: Expansion 1.10+ Unidentified +25% Faster Hit Recovery +** Defense Replenish Life +5 +150 to Mana Attacker Takes Damage of 20 Widowmaker Ward Bow Two Hand Damage: 56 - 150 Durability: 33 of 48 Required Level: 65 Required Strength: 72 Required Dexterity: 146 Fingerprint: 0x6254482b Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ Fires Magic Arrows 184% Enhanced Damage Ignore Target's Defense 33% Deadly Strike +5 to Guided Arrow Wolfhowl Fury Visor Defense: 353 Durability: 31 of 35 Required Level: 79 Required Strength: 129 Fingerprint: 0x838ba71c Item Level: 94 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +3 to Warcry Skills (Barbarian Only) +6 to Feral Rage +4 to Lycanthropy +6 to Werewolf +134% Enhanced Defense +15 to Strength +13 to Dexterity +9 to Vitality Level 15 Summon Dire Wolf (9/18 Charges)

So, another Mara's, unfortunately again a very low roll. Four Mara's found by Aura and rolls were 21, 21, 25 and 25. Not too pleased. Three +3 Eschuta's during these runs was nice, one of them with +20% light damage, so that might see some use on my Light sorc. And that Chilling GC of Vita, oh my. That combined with the +14% cold damage Nightwing's, and the FHR cold skiller, my Blizzsorc is gonna get some serious gear upgrades! Some crazy ideas running in my head about running her as a twinked 99-runner, but maybe I should focus on Aura now

I forgot to take an overall look of the Sets/Uniques I've found before starting on the last level, so I'll do it now! So the grand total is getting close to 5k, 4911 exactly with grail at 453. With my current running plan, I'll blow past @NanoMist by a mile in total S/U found, but most likely will be short on the grail. I have 26 grailers left that Diablo himself can drop (11 TC3s, 5 TC84s and Stormlash among others), but I doubt I'll find 17+ of them. Additionally, I'm missing 22 TC87s, but if I manage to find any more TC87s, they're probably another Mavina's Diadem, so I'm not holding too much hope on crossing over those TC87 grailers.

Here's couple of tables, of top 5 of most found items in each category (Normal Unique, Exceptional Unique, Elite Unique, Normal Set, Expansion Set):

Normal Uniques:

Code:

34 Venom Ward 30 Jade Tan Do 28 Ichorsting 27 Steelclash/The General's Tan Do Li Ga/Hellplague

Exceptional Uniques:

Code:

19 Skystrike 15 Kuko Shakaku 13 Duriel's Shell/Riphook/Hexfire

Elite Uniques:

Code:

12 Arioc's Needle/Djinn Slayer 11 Wizardspike 10 Ormus' Robes/Windhammer/Flamebellow

Normal Sets:

Code:

106 Cathan's Seal 95 Isenhart's Case 71 Cleglaw's Tooth 64 Isenhart's Horns 59 Isenhart's Lightbrand

Expansion Sets:

Code:

40 Sander's Taboo 34 Immortal King's Stone Crusher 30 Sander's Riprap 29 Haemosu's Adamant 26 Naj's Circlet

Nothing really surprising in the above tables, the usual suspects taking the top spots. Although, I never really thought about the most common Elite Uniques, so seeing that list was interesting, although it doesn't surprise me with 5 of the 6 items, Ormus' Robes was the only surprise, I definitely don't feel like I've found that many of them. Nice to see that only 2 of them are duplicate skills (Glacial Spike, Static Field), so having 8 out of 10 with different skills is nice. I might eventually go for the Ormus' Robes grail, 25 different options, so I'm 1/3 done!

Any odd numbers? Well, Tal Rasha's Amulets definitely, finding 5 of them is quite unusual I think, especially since I have not found a single Arcanna's Amulet, only one missing from Normal Sets.

How about those runes then? I added in those 4 Surs, 2 Los, 2 Guls, and Ohm, Ist, Mal and Pul (Enigma, HotO, CtA) to the list, but I didn't add in others like runes in Spirits I've made (or rerolled RWs, Crafts, I should have the data somewhere so I can put in the final numbers once I hit 99), so the following table is 99% of the runes I've found:

Code:

El 81 Eld 60 Tir 219 Nef 141 Eth 270 Ith 184 Tal 394 Ral 288 Ort 377 Thul 296 Amn 284 Sol 195 Shael 221 Dol 135 Hel 103 Io 65 Lum 50 Ko 25 Fal 22 Lem 29 Pul 14 Um 12 Mal 13 Ist 9 Gul 3 Vex 0 Ohm 3 Lo 4 Sur 6 Ber 4 Jah 0 Cham 0 Zod 0

And before you ask, that's all equivalent of 1.102 Zod runes Currently holding on to 4 Bers, 2 Surs, 2 Los and 2 Ohms, unable to decide what to make out of them. Probably Infinity, Beast, CoH, Grief, Fortitude and Chaos, but haven't made up my mind at all, mostly because Aura takes most of my running time at the moment. I have a Javazon in low 70s, waiting for a bit more levelling and questing through Hell before RFO and Cows part of it, so I'll likely spend 2 of the Bers then for Infinity. We'll see what else I come up with.

@PhineasB That is one crazy, pointless +45life skiller! Although, you are doing a sept-sept, so I'd be surprised if you can't manage one Def. Aura Paladin build in there

Good luck everyone with your runs and let's hope some great S/U drops for those of us who are planning on participating in RFO and great rune drops for those who aren't. We RFO-runners need to save our rune luck

darkstarhub said:
@PhineasB Wow, that is truly heartbreaking to get a +45 life roll on a skiller you most likely wont use.

@Neksja I cant believe you havent found a Vex Rune man. That doesnt hold well for me since I reallllly need one for a HOTO. I know the fickle RNG might give me 10 and somebody else none, but for your level I would think at least one would have dropped.

PhineasB said:
Phaedrus had meditated all day, asking for a vision to guide his way. He looked up to the horizon. He saw three legendary heroes who had attained the highest levels of skill in vanquishing the Prime Evils. And many others still on the journey, but much more skilled than he.

His initial aim had been much less grand, more mundane. He had sought only to defeat the Prime Evils with the tools he found on his way. So be it. He will embark on the longer journey

* * *

I was hesitant to add a third character to the table, but seeing a few others considering starting a second character made me feel slightly less crazy

I had actually started this guy a couple months ago, thinking of trying out an untwinked Holy Fire/Holy Shock zealot. He had defeated Andy, doing p8 not-quite-full clears. Around New Years, I felt like taking a small break from Mercy and Hiatus, but wasn’t excited to pick up the two tourney characters I have.

I saw this guy at the bottom of character list, and figured I’d move him forward as a possible 99er-to-be, with respec to a standard Hammerdin at some point. I figured worst case, he runs for Enigma and never makes it further than that, which would give me a second Enigma to swap among characters (Mercy isn’t giving hers up!).

So I went as quickly as possible through the first two difficulties on p1, leveling at Eldritch and Pindle. To level 40 in Normal, and then to level 65 in NM. NM HF was a Shael.

The p1 leveling approach was something I’d never tried before, and is interesting. Drops were minimal, so MF was pretty low (Normal Baal had dropped a Nagel -- yes, Phaedrus was using a random wand for FCR -- and he’d gotten a Goldwrap in NM, but no other good MF gear). And even in NM resists were challenging. So the transition to Hell was tough, and Phaedrus bounced back and forth from NM to Hell questing through A1 between 65 and 70.

His first exceptional unique was Darksight Helm, which was a pretty good find and his earliest source of CBF. He had made a spirit sword and stealth early on. But he couldn’t find either a 2os pally shield or 4os pally shield, finally settling on a 2os Heater found early in A1 H to make rhyme

He also had failed to find a 4os polearm, except for a Scythe, which really wasn’t worth it because merc was so fragile. Spire of Honor for the Merc, with his sad little 2% LL Blood craft helm, was enough of an upgrade that it warranted a screenshot. But he found a 4os flail early in NM A1, which is stashed for HoTo. Mercy and Hiatus both had some issues finding the base for that runeword, so it was nice to have it taken care of early on.

He ran Andy and Pits until level 76, finding a 12@ crown shield that the cube made 2os to allow a slight rhyme upgrade. He eventually pressed forward to LK, and it was pretty dicey with resists ~60/40/75/40. A 4os polearm dropped A3 sewers, and it was good to get insight and higher damage from the merc. He cleared to Meph, to allow a brief visit for LK for some resists. He was level 79, and ran for 25 runes, with an Io the highest, but that allowed him to cube a Lum for Smoke, which made things much more comfortable. A few low resist charms dropped (one with FHR), but that represented an upgrade.

He ran to the HF, which was an Um, and then ran another set of 25 runes at LK. He had two skillers drop in that period, the second of which was Lion Branded, which was pretty awesome. He tackled CS, which was manageable, and then leveled at Shenk and Eldritch to 84. A 39@ superior pally shield dropped, so he burned his Hell socket quest to allow a spirit shield (couldn’t think of where he’d spend that third socket quest, so it was worth it to finally get a spirit shield in A5 Hell )

From Shenk, he got his first Elite Unique. It was Veil of Steel, which helped get the merc’s resists maxed in conjunction with an upped Boneflesh for LL (and without anything else better). The merc is still pretty fragile either way.

He returned to LK for another 50 runes during this past week, with an Ist dropping early and a Sur as rune #96. So 1/6 of the way to Enigma. As good, he got his second Combat skiller.

I spent a good bit of time today on Meph runs, Eldritch to level, and then another batch of LK. Another batch of 50 runes saw a Pul and a Gul (only a Gul away from HoTo ). Then he got his first unique amulet – period – from Meph, which happened to be Mara’s. Mercy and Hiatus haven’t found one yet, so that was a surprise and helped with resists and damage (he had been wearing a 10% FCR with resists ammy because nothing better had dropped). Then back to LK, up to 225 runes found now. This batch of 75 didn’t have much on the rune front, with only Pul #2. But he found two 15@ jewels, one with +min damage as second modifier and the other with +IAS. He also got a nice upgrade for him 10FCR ring (the other was blue with 7@).

* * *

Deaths: Normal Diablo was his first death to lightning hose – holy fire was not going to work, so he used the respec to Hammerdin and that was that. I was reckless in NM tombs, with a double boss pack, cursed, conviction and a champion pack mixed in . . . ran right through the door and got stuck = second death. I forgot about the FE bug at NM council, and ran right up to one of them to cast hammers for his third death. Fourth death was to double boss pack harlots trying to rescue Anya in NM. Surprisingly, his only deaths in Hell questing were to the CE/FE explosion from a conviction boss in Jail level 1 and cursed with a double boss pack of dolls in Flayer Dungeon. He’s had two deaths in LK running.

* * *

Mercy also got another couple million XP from Baal runs, and is still recovering from that Baal GC roll.

* * *

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 99 No 3068 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 99 No 5109 470 4 360 Neksja Aura SC Paladin 98.07 Yes 4911 453 - - T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 97.75 Yes 2190+? 441 13 245 PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 97.2 Yes - 418 9 - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 96 Yes 1100 339 - - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 95 Yes - - - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 95 Yes - 357 17 - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - darkstarhub Neptune SC Sorc 91 Yes - - - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 88 Yes - 160 - - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - MercMan Este SC Ama 86 Yes 1212 278 2 Classified PhineasB Phaedrus SC Pala 86 Yes 181 118 8 - Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 84 No - - - - Qwernt AmaAgainstAll SC Sorc 81 Yes - - - - Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - Jean Avila SpeedAdict SC Ama 77 No - - - 50 logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - Lynchgrinch Tattersail SC Sorc 75 ? ? ? ? ? Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Chaostar Prairie SC Sorc 38 Yes 15 13 0 11 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - - TwentyMule Gaius HC Assn 17 Yes 1 - - -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 76 Yes - - 1 - Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

T72on1 said:
@PhineasB That's so great !!! But yeah, you are crazy. The others too, but slightly less ...

Good luck !!!

qwernt said:
Great work all!

I spent most of my limited Christmas vacation running LK. I really wanted a Jah or the runes to make one and still have my 2 Bers left over (infinity calls me). After 40+ hours of running, with a single Mal to show for it, I decided to go back to AT and run to 91. Guess what happened on run number 3...

Neksja said:
@darkstarhub, I know, I can't believe I have not found Vex either. Then again, I don't mind if that meant that I got all those Ber runes Also, you don't really need all the Mal-Gul runes, so you should be able to find few of those and cube that Vex. I cubed two Gul runes for Vex and made my HOTO. Just invest a little time in LK and you should be fine

@PhineasB, you are crazy, a third character? Good luck with Phaedrus and hopefully your stay at LK is a short one and you'll be teleporting around soon enough.

@qwernt congrats for the Jah and welcome the "Neksja hates you all Jah rune finders" -club.

And for Aura, it is really starting to hit hard, how long road this last level will be. Makes me really appreciate all the previous heroes, untwinked or twinked, on their achievement to get to 99. I'll get there eventually, just gotta make sure I don't burn out with CS runs, I have other characters that will need to get out and play. RFO should keep things interesting so that hopefully prevents any potential burn outs

darkstarhub said:
@Neksja I could make a Vex, but I hate cubing up Runes at a certain point because it never fails that I would cube a Gul or Ist and need one. I have found 2 Ohms and 2 Surs which is cool. It's just a matter of time before a Rune bust out happens one night(I hope)!

Kitteh said:
Great progress guys, loving the rune drops

TwentyMuleTeam said:

Adding my new(ish) blizz sorc to the table:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.07          Yes        4911        453            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      97.75          Yes        2190+?      441            13        245
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.2           Yes           -        418            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      86             Yes         181        118            8           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?          
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Chaostar      Prairie        SC      Sorc      38             Yes          15         13            0          11
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

After my very short attempt at playing HC, I've deleted all of my stashes and did another reset. This time I'm playing a character I know I can take the distance.

I played through normal on p8 as a fire sorc. Made a Leaf runeword pretty early and guzzled blue pots along the way. It didn't take me very long to get to NM... fireball is pretty powerful in normal. I think I went around level 42. Farming Baal runs and Eldrich for XP.

Once in NM I turned it down to p1 and teleported my way through the game. I know it's boring but I'm all about those hell meph runs so at this point I just want to get there. I did some cow runs for a 4os sword (made a spirit), 2os bone shield (rhyme) and a better 4os weapon for insight. Ended up finding a scythe somewhere else. Cubed up a couple P topaz to put into a bone helm and made wealth runeword in a breast plate for furure meph runs.

Fast forward to Act3 and I make it to Meph without much trouble. Respec to blizz sorc at this point. Go into durance level 3 with about 200 mf. I farmed meph for about an hour and ended up getting viper magi. Time to move on. Made it to act 5 no problems and found a pair of magefists along the way! Didn't help me hit the next FCR breakpoint but I'm almost there. Did baal runs at p8 until level 75.

Hell was a bit more difficult to teleport through but I made it to act3 without much trouble. Now I'm ready to do some serious meph runs! Until...... I find a perfect map and five runs later muscle memory kicks me in the butt and I click the Nightmare button going into a game (doh!). This literally happens 2 (TWO!!!!) more times! Ugh. So I took a break to get my sorc inputted on the table.

I'll run meph until I get some better gear for AT. Then I need a shield for Spirit before I start doing LK runs. I might even need to do another character reroll for better stat distribution but we'll see. The plan is to get gear for and respec into a lightning build before starting the true grind to 99.

Cheers

edit: fireball, duh

T72on1 said:
Another entrance !!! Cool. Good luck .

T72on1 said:

Jay, finally ...

After 13.5 hours and 815 more CS runs since last time, I reached level 98

. Total amount of time spent in CS to get from 97 to 98 was a bit over 63 hours, totalling 3610 CS runs. I also got some xp from the 2200 Travincal runs I have done with Neverland since 97, but not that much anyway.

Notable drops since last major update (although I probably posted pics of most of them) were Stormshield, 3 Runemasters (all 4os), eth Gimmershreds (again), Nature's Peace, eth Stealskull (which was a grailer for me, those are becoming quite rare), perfect lightning facet, eth Reaper's, Levithian, Rising Sun, Jah, Gul, Ist and Arkaine's Valor (grailer). So all in all happy about the rune drops, not so much about the rest of the drops, although eth Reaper's is really cool of course.

In total, for Vex+, I found these from 97 to 98, not counting those found outside CS, since they weren't done in the light of this project, but just as a change of pace: 3x Ohm, 1x Sur, 1x Jah.

I also found these during my last session :

Next up I'll be giving Neverland a break, so I can level up a Furyzon to run Hell Cows during the upcoming rune finding tournament. During that tournament, I'll be using Neverland for AT and Travincal. After that she will proceed to do her Ancients quest and kill Baal. After that I'll probably be running Baal for a while. I know it's the least efficient out of the 3 possible targets, in terms of xp, but I've always wanted to do this, so ...

When I get bored of that, I have the plan to change Neverland to a full Fire Sorc and see if that works with Nihl. If not it will probably be Blizznova for me, either on Nihl or Diablo. Once again, I know that Nihl should be fastest by far, but he scares the heck out of me, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to do him efficiently to begin with.

But that won't be until the rune finding tournament is over, so it will be a while before Neverland starts her journey to 99.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.07          Yes        4911        453            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.2           Yes           -        418            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      86             Yes         181        118            8           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?    
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Chaostar      Prairie        SC      Sorc      38             Yes          15         13            0          11
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Pb_pal said:
Congrats on 98! Some nice finds there too, which is always nice

Neksja said:
Very nice @T72on1, very nice! I am also really glad that you are taking a short break, so I can build up my lead a little bit more, since if you can figure out proper Nihlathak running, you should be faster than me when it comes to XP/hour, so I need some extra hours before you start running

Your plan for RFO seems really similar to mine. Javazon for Cows (mine is lvl75, Hell act1 at the moment), then I'm using Aura for Travincal, but I'm undecided for the A85 runs. I'll either do full RoF+CS clears or I'll run Nihlathak. Running Nihl would give me Aura the most XP easily, but doing full RoF+CS clears at p7 should probably land me with nice amount of runes and possibly some TC87s that I am desperately missing. I'll make up my mind soon, I'm sure. Also, looks like you have the same plan for Ancients than I do, kill them after RFO. Main reason I am looking at doing RoF+CS in RFO is that I'm 99% sure I won't die there, but Nihlathak is more dangerous and I'd hate to use Ancients to recover from a death during RFO.

@darkstarhub, the big question when it comes to cubing runes up is "Do I need these lower runes for anything?". In my case, I looked at those 2 Gul runes I had and realised that there's absolutely zero uses for Gul runes as a Hammerdin, and I'd argue that there's very few uses for Gul runes to begin with, so I went ahead and cubed them. So, if you have the runes, have a look if you need those runes for anything. If the answer is "maybe at some point", I'd just go ahead and cube them, you'll find replacements eventually and you can enjoy your Hoto for longer

darkstarhub said:
@Neksja I haven't found a Gul Rune yet either, but i know what you mean about Guls not really having a huge use. I am starting to get a little impatient so the Ists and Mals I have found might be sacrificed. But, those are always useful so it depends how much more impatient I get.

@T72on1 That number of CS runs on top of 2,000 Trav runs to go from 97-98 is crazy man. I am sure CS or Nihlatak is the best place to get XP for somebody efficient, but I wonder what the best place is for somebody that's not as efficient? From what I've read you guys get in, get out, rinse and repeat very quickly and I just can't do that very well. Running the high level areas works up to a certain point, since I have had a few 97's, but I might just have to come up with some kind of mix that will net me a decent XP/hour ratio and go from there.

Pb_pal said:
For less efficient characters/runners, if you can do them Baal runs really start to gain traction in terms of efficiency (as long as you can kill the waves pretty quickly). This is probably just due to the mechanics of how they spawn evening out the "speed" playing field, so to speak.

For certain chars (windy, for example), excluding Baal and even Lister can actually be more efficient in XP/time.

Nihl is most efficient once you hit 98, but CAN be run before that if you desire (though it is less efficient than both Baal and CS). It would take around 9k runs to go from 97-98 (not counting XP shrines). If you can do them in 30 seconds, that's just over 75 hours.

Other than that, you're pretty much looking at grinding out Pits/AT/other alvl 85s.

There are definitely options, but it really depends on the char's capabilities to determine which route is actually the fastest for that player.

T72on1 said:
To gain xp quick, you rely on a good map, but since that's a bit less important for CS (again, talking about 'not so efficient way or running') it can be combined with another target of choice. For example if you run Baal (or waves without Baal and even Lister sometimes), you can aim to get a very good map there, and chances are real you'll still get a CS map that is at least decent. It's much harder to get such combination for let's say Baal and AT/Pits.

But not going mad is actually really important in a challenge like this, so you could even just try to find a run that you do like, for example (just making something up now) AT, Pits, CS, Baal. Far less efficient, and hard to get a character that can run all of these well, but definitely doable, and if that is what you like, definitely go for it.

Or alternatively you could swap targets every x times, so for example Baal 200 times, then CS 300 times, then Nihl 500 times.

Vildecor · Oct 3, 2021

NanoMist said:
@T72on1 - Congrats on 98 and the drops! Definitely give Nihlathak a try though, you have nothing to lose right now. In my first test run, I was averaging 40+ seconds per run until I made a few adjustments, so don't give in too easily in the beginning.

Chaostar said:

Hi and gratz for the new 98'er !
Some news about my Sorceress, who improved a little !
Last time, I just finished normal mode. I needed 2 things badly : a 4s crystal sword and a 4 sockets polearms, for Spirit and Insight, because the amount of mana I had to drink started to be really anoying.
So I tried Shenk/Eldrich, and the cows, I found an incredible amount of 3sockets polarms, but luck was not on my side.
Still,I found a civerb amulet and Wall of the eyeless shield, which helped a little.
I moved on, and started Nightmare, in /p3 mode. Frozen orb is such a powerful spell than I killed everything quickly, and saved mana, so I didn't miss Insight that much.
I finally found a 4s poleaxe and a 4s crystal sword right after in act II.
All nightmare was a joke, on the other hand, drops were crappy (except a Pul at the forge, which is maybe the highest possible rune in NM ? or Um ? don't recall)...

Now, it's time to collect stuff and xp from Mephisto, Shenk, and Baal's minions.

By the way, do you know a place I can get a spreadsheet/csv file with a clean SET/unique list, to keep track of the Grail ?

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.07          Yes        4911        453            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.2           Yes           -        418            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      86             Yes         181        118            8           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?  
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      64             Yes          84         61            0          24
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

NanoMist said:
http://atma.incgamers.com/spf/index.shtml
Under Death Dealer's Medieval Mart.

GoMule also has an item report tool for your stashes.

T72on1 said:
@Chaostar I wouldn't waste too much time in NM if I were you. Just do Pindle on /p8 until you are level 75 or so, then move on to Hell, where the really good stuff is waiting for you.

BKC said:
I would like to enter this tournie with a untwinked necro. I am not sure what build i will take most likely fishy however it could be that i go for a bonemancer

Details will be added later on. (like name HC/SC choice etc). I am in a thinking process now and ofcourse suggestions are always welcome!

T72on1 said:
Cool !!! Welcome . So much fun to keep on getting fresh blood in this challenge.

A very important aspect when choosing your build, is fun. Of course efficiency isn't to be neglected either on such a long journey, but you have to have fun doing so. So we can make suggestions as far as builds go, based on strength of each build, but in the end you have to fun too.

Having said that, these are my thoughts on the different Necro builds that I see viable for this:

Fishy: probably easiest to play, maybe also strongest, certainly early on, untwinked; I don't like them though

Bonemancer: weakest of the 3, but still viable; there's some easy to get runeword options to get it going early on

Novamancer: my personal favourite; might be the strongest or even with Fishy, but you'll probably want a DWeb to achieve that

Whatever route you choose, I suspect that CE will be an important aspect of the character ...

Good luck !!!

Pb_pal said:
T72 pretty much nailed my sentiments on a necro's journey for this tournament. I would probably:

1. Start out fishy. They're great for getting through the game and you can pack on the MF to hopefully find your S/U gear sooner. Once you get to Hell do some MFing and LK to get your gear set.
2. Once you have the gear and want to switch to the leveling grind, I'd go Novamancer. Start in the pits, switch to CS if/when you can handle it.

Xios said:
Chaostar said:

[...]So I tried Shenk/Eldrich, and the cows, I found an incredible amount of 3sockets polarms, but luck was not on my side.

Click to expand...

I just wanted to clarify that if you're referring to a naturally dropping 4os polearm/sword in Normal, it has nothing to do with luck. Normal item drops are restricted to a maximum of three sockets, Nightmare to four, and Hell with no restrictions (six sockets). Of course not all items inherently can get this many, so this is unrelated to the actual base maximum of sockets items can acquire-- Think say, a Wand can only get one or two sockets depending on the type.

If the item is still high enough of a level (this usually means Cows, although there are some others-- but Normal isn't as streamlined in mlvl = alvl = ilvl as the later difficulties for regular monsters) you can still Larzuk or more realistically/logically, use the Cube recipe to try and roll for more sockets.

The differences here are ilvl 1-25 can get up to 3 sockets, 25-40 can get up to 4 sockets and 41+ can get up to 6. Note that what I mentioned above about difficulty also still remains true for dropping items naturally.

The Cube recipe only cares about the latter (and the inherent maximum of items) though. It rolls a D6 (that's rolling a six sided die, or however you want to envision this mentally) and that's how many sockets you get. But since either due to the ilvl of the item, or the maximum sockets of the item, not all of them can go up to six. What happens then is that any roll that goes over the maximum, is then the max instead. So if you found a Polearm with an ilvl of 25-40 that's not of the Bardiche type (maximum sockets 3) the item level will lock it to 4 sockets maximum. So if you were to Cube recipe say, a Halberd (maximum sockets 6, whether 4-6 it's all the same in this instance) that is ilvl 25-40, you'd either get 1 Socket (1/6 of the time) 2 Sockets (1/6 of the time) 3 sockets (1/6 of the time) or 4 sockets (3/6 or 1/2 of the time, as any roll for 5 or 6 sockets becomes 4 instead).

These two facts combined with how the Cube recipe works can let you finaggle for specific needs. Want an item that only has three sockets? If you were to find a Low Quality version of that item, cube it up to a regular one, it gets ilvl set to 1, and thus if you Cube it, it can only get 1-3 sockets, skewed towards 3. If you're looking for an item you can either Cube or find naturally with 4 sockets (assuming the item itself can get it) technically rummaging around early Nightmare (where alvl is less than 40) would allow you to either find the socketed item, or if it's just a white item, Cube it up with a 50/50 chance of success. Of course whether you think that is worth it time wise is more subjective and depends on what you need.

I certainly could have explained that clearer and I'm sure most people already know this but I felt the need to reiterate it to avoid some frustration farming for socket gear.

T72on1 said:

[...]but you'll probably want a DWeb to achieve that.

Click to expand...

Easier said than done finding one untwinked, heh. I will say though that right now my old tournament novamancer (fairly lowly geared) is able to clear Pits on low player settings without too much trouble, so if you make the switch early you're not entirely helpless, although most likely less effective than the gear independent fishy.

Chaostar said:
Thanks @Xios, I thought I already dropped 4so polearms in normal mode before, but it seems I was wrong.
Anyway, after 10 or 15 tries, I gave up normal cow level and found what I needed is nightmare, but good to know (if I don't forget this once again )

@NanoMist omist : thank you, I'll try this !

@T72on1 : yes, I planned to stay in NM until lvl 75. I'll mix WSK/pindle/shenk for xp and drops, and Mephisto, because I still have many pieces of equipement I can really improve (just put on an Sazabi helm ^^), and also because I have one of the most beautiful Mephisto map possible (6 of 7 teleport from town to Mephisto himself), the longest part of my meph run is to go throught the dock to the waypoint

T72on1 said:
@Chaostar the mod you mention there isn't allowed on the SPF and mustn't even be mentioned in the forums. So I'd advice you to remove it before @Thyiad has to do it.

I prefer GoMule as an infinite stash anyway over that other mod. Try it out, you'll love it .

BKC said:
Novamancer i always wanted to do one of those! good suggestion! Thanks guys!

I will name my mancer tonight (if i get through the snow storm of the year) and will start playing and make a small write up. write ups can be posted here right? Or is it better to do its own thread?

Chaostar said:
T72on1 said:

@Chaostar the mod you mention there isn't allowed on the SPF and mustn't even be mentioned in the forums. So I'd advice you to remove it before @Thyiad has to do it.

I prefer GoMule as an infinite stash anyway over that other mod. Try it out, you'll love it .

Click to expand...

Ok, didn't know that, didn't even think it could be forbidden, I'm surprised to read this.
I never heard about GoMule before, so I'll check it out. Thanks.

Grape said:
Mutual grats for all players for the great finds, progress etc lately! It's really cool from time to time check out the progress here. GL for all the new entrants as well.

This has been a huge success @Kitteh , way to go!

@PhineasB that 45er needs an Abbot! I think those run as Prayer as their main aura. But I have a slight suspicion your'e quite busy already with your chars

Kitteh said:
@Grape Hahaha, I just relaunched it Kestegs gets 50% for the original tournament, and you guys get 50% for kicking ass!

T72on1 said:
BKC said:

Novamancer i always wanted to do one of those! good suggestion! Thanks guys!

I will name my mancer tonight (if i get through the snow storm of the year) and will start playing and make a small write up. write ups can be posted here right? Or is it better to do its own thread?

Click to expand...

Nah, you can do them here. This is all about all those untwinked 99ers, including stories !!!

ILikeRocks said:
BKC said:

Novamancer i always wanted to do one of those! good suggestion! Thanks guys!

I will name my mancer tonight (if i get through the snow storm of the year) and will start playing and make a small write up. write ups can be posted here right? Or is it better to do its own thread?

Click to expand...

The write-ups are the best part of this! Getting the character to 99 is the goal for you, but the rest of us love reading how the journey took place! At least I do. That is why after so long I still love this board, the stories!

BKC said:
Well in that case:

Meet Poison_Vic the one day to be very powerfull poisonmancer. For now he is just a starting necromancer who just hit level 12. He ventured through the Den of Evil without any noteable issues. Went onto the cold plains straight into the hole. That is where things got a bit scary... he encountered a pack of cold crow wannabe's who just didn't want to die from his golem + 1 skellie + amp + wand damage combinations. back to town he shopped for a 3 socketed bow at charsi and socketed that with 2x chippie topaz + chippie skull that + all the other damages made him the victor of the wannabe cold crow fight.

Knowing that the true cold crow still had to be found he ventured forward to the end of the cave. Surprisingly amp + the bow made short work of cold crow and her companions. dropping this very nice early (i believe TC3?)

Code:

Arctic Furs Quilted Armor Defense: 46 Durability: 18 of 20 Required Level: 2 Required Strength: 12 Fingerprint: 0x5de1b02c Item Level: 7 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +290% Enhanced Defense All Resistances +10

Equipping this item made a big difference! Vic just loves the all ress and the strawl through stony field and the underground passage was really easy. The darkwood wp and the three where pretty close together so that cleared the way for the rescue of my friend deckard cain.

That is where vic goes into rest (or rather where i go into rest!) we continue vic's adventures tomorrow!

PhineasB said:
Welcome @BKC.

Grape said:

@PhineasB that 45er needs an Abbot! I think those run as Prayer as their main aura. But I have a slight suspicion your'e quite busy already with your chars

Click to expand...

Another one to add to the to-do list now. But no possibility for an attempt at 99 with that build

@Neksja - I've already completed the 7x7+2 (minus the Phoenix Striker Nat's Sin, who's still parked in Hel. Note to self: must Mat her). But none of those Pally's used defensive auras.

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98             Yes        4911        453            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.2           Yes           -        418            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      86             Yes         181        118            8           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ? 
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      64             Yes          84         61            0          24
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -

Aura is going for a break now. Ladies and Gentleman, never mess around in p7 CS if you're lvl98 and watching NintendoSwitch reveal videos. I have no idea who/what got me, but it was a random boss pack (or two) and I lost all progress made in the last two weeks. The progress was so slow to begin with that I can't even think of myself running CS again any time soon after this death

BKC said:

@Neksja keep your head up m8! running CS can be daunting but think about all HR's that might drop while you are there ^^

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98             Yes        4911        453            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.2           Yes           -        418            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       86             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      86             Yes         181        118            8           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      64             Yes          84         61            0          24
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

I try to add my necro lets see how that turned out
Edit: Okay there is probably a post somewhere about table allignments in this forum *runs to the search function ill be back!*
edit2: Okay now that is a lot better!

Vildecor · Oct 16, 2021

T72on1 said:
@Neksja That's no fun . I think I'd take a break too, after a death at 98. I can't even fathom doing difficult runs like CS or Nihl while watching something else (although I know other people do it too). Play something else for a change of pace, and then hopefully you'll be back to this soon.

I don't think this is the case, but if so: if you are worried about me getting to 99 faster than you ... not a chance that will ever happen. Like I said, I'll only be picking up Neverland to start the xp grind to 99 after the rune finding tournament is over, which is only in a month or two. And even then, I won't be playing her much, because my next 60K trail is in May. Add to that the deaths I'll most likely have, and you'll understand that I'll be glad to finish Neverland even before the end of the year.

@BKC Nice !!! Good luck with the Necro. And yes, that's a TC3. Next to some very high end items, they are my personal favourites to find.

NanoMist said:
@Neksja - Aura will come back stronger, don't be discouraged! Did you try to recover the corpse?

Neksja said:
No, didn't try to recover as I didn't have a recovery kit and I was super angry at that point that I just wanted to quit the game as quickly as I could. The most annoying thing is that I was just barely over the maximum penalty for dying, since my XP is now 200k over lvl98...

@T72on1 certainly playing other games for a while now. I have a bit of a backlog of games to play on PS4, so I guess I'll play one of those games through next.

Thanks all for the motivating words, I'll get back to Aura at some point, but we'll see when that happens.

Pb_pal said:
@Neksja - Ouch, that really stings. The CS is tricky like that, you can really get into a groove there but it still remains one of the more dangerous areas of the game. Take a break, let the motivation come back, and get your revenge!

ILikeRocks said:
@Neksja Sorry to hear that. I would be taking a break for a while after that!

Rowsdower is chugging along... I teleported through almost all of act 2, I had to kill Duriel alone as my merc just got 2 shotted. Run and blizz worked just fine though. Act 3, Pretty much the same so far, teleported as fast as I could through to get the eye and brain. On my way to the bazaar, I found a really good LK map that I am gonna sit and run for a while. There are also a couple boss packs that always spawn outside the left campfire that I have been killing and gaining a little exp. I will be stuck here for a while and then move on after I get anything of value. I only did 10 runs last night because I was tired.

I was running on /P7. What players do people normally run LK on?

darkstarhub said:
@Neksja I know that burning feeling of seeing that death message on the screen all to well man. I am sure the point you are at the anger is amplified even more. Take a step back, rest your heart, dust yourself off and jump back on the horse.

What usually gets me is something with Mana Burn and I don't notice it for that split second and I can't port. This results in an insta gib. A few nights ago I got hit like that, and out of the corner of my eye I noticed the life bulb said 1. In my mind I thought, "changing that life charm from 17 to a 20 saved me!"

T72on1 said:
ILikeRocks said:

ILikeRocks said:
@Neksja Sorry to hear that. I would be taking a break for a while after that!

Rowsdower is chugging along... I teleported through almost all of act 2, I had to kill Duriel alone as my merc just got 2 shotted. Run and blizz worked just fine though. Act 3, Pretty much the same so far, teleported as fast as I could through to get the eye and brain. On my way to the bazaar, I found a really good LK map that I am gonna sit and run for a while. There are also a couple boss packs that always spawn outside the left campfire that I have been killing and gaining a little exp. I will be stuck here for a while and then move on after I get anything of value. I only did 10 runs last night because I was tired.

I was running on /P7. What players do people normally run LK on?

Click to expand...

/p7.

PhineasB said:
@Neksja - Ouch. I'm sorry to hear about the death. I hope it's a short break and you're able to get back to Aura soon.

I also realized that I failed to congratulate @T72on1 on level 98. Congrats!

* * *

Mercy is a little past 97.3. Shortly after the last update, she was running Pits and found a unique ring, which turned out to be Bul-Kathos’ and the first +1 skill ring

Code:

Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band Ring Required Level: 58 Fingerprint: 0x45ad8607 Item Level: 85 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +1 to All Skills 4% Life stolen per hit +48 to Life (Based on Character Level) +50 Maximum Stamina

As mentioned in an earlier post, this led to some gear and charm reshuffling to +2 assassin ammy with +7 FCR, exactly enough to hit the 102 BP, but little else to offer. This meant losing resists from ammy and the nice stats on FCR ring, but likely worth it for +skill. Dropping a couple vita SCs and one MF SC allowed her to make up the resists.

It turned out BKWB didn’t add much life relatively because other ring had been +38 life and loss of vita SCs. But the extra skill makes a noticeable difference. Baal runs are finally consistently under 4 min, sometimes well under depending on spawn, if I’m focused on maximum efficiency. (She also rerolled maps and found a better WSK map, which contributes.)

Wave two goes down faster. I used to cast CoS when throne room had lots of OKs and dolls initially to prevent resurrections, and I never had issues with the timer to cast again for wave 3 to try to minimize hydras. But both times I used CoS after gear shuffle, Mercy wasn’t able to cast CoS for wave three. I know the extra skill adds to the timer, but I am pretty sure wave 2 is also going down faster.

Most noticeable is wave 4, which now always goes down to one round of traps unless Ventar teleports away. Lister’s mob now also consistently goes down in two rounds unless he’s LI. And Baal goes down with two rounds of traps when he doesn’t teleport away. But it still usually takes a third round to finish him off.

So I think that +skill got her across a sort of overall breakpoint in efficiency for Baal runs. Arachnids and additional trap skillers would certainly be welcome, but it was nice to finally find that ring!

My goal is to average a minimum 8 Baal runs per weekday and 40 over the weekend, which will net a little more than 20M XP per week. That would see Mercy to 98 in early March. I was four runs short of that goal during the week, which is a good sign because this week was one of the busiest work weeks I’ll have before May, with several 12 hour days.

No major finds, but she finally got a Vamp Gaze. Tried it out for a bit, thinking DR and MDR would outperform Crown of Thieves. But it’s 6% LL, and I’ve concluded the Crown of Thieves (with higher LL and +life and +dex) is better. Andy’s will almost certainly be better if it drops.

Phaedrus also got some time, finishing a set of 25 runes at LK to round off the first 250 runes found. He got a nice SC and Pul #3 for his effort. He ran a mix of Pits, Eldritch and ROF/CS full clears on p3 to gain level 87, with a very nice find for base for a spirit upgrade.

Sadly, he’s gone through all his Hels looking for 35 FCR, with 2 x 32, 25, 28, 32 and 28 rolls. He needs 35 to get next FCR breakpoint (or another 4os sword to improve the 31 FCR he has currently). So he will keep rerolling the sacred targe until it hits 35.

But Mercy will be the main focus for a while. I may even enter her in the RFO and keep doing Baal runs – 20 hours of running would well exceed the goal for those two weeks. (Edit: This would probably be inefficient for qualifying runes due to time spent on Baal and -- I think -- not being able to count any runes he dropped.)

Table Update

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 99 No 3068 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 99 No 5109 470 4 360 Neksja Aura SC Paladin 98 Yes 4911 453 - - T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 98 Yes 2190+? 446 13 260 PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 97.3 Yes - 422 9 - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 96 Yes 1100 339 - - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 95 Yes - - - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 95 Yes - 357 17 - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - darkstarhub Neptune SC Sorc 91 Yes - - - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 88 Yes - 160 - - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - PhineasB Phaedrus SC Pala 87 Yes 212 133 8 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - MercMan Este SC Ama 86 Yes 1212 278 2 Classified Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 84 No - - - - Qwernt AmaAgainstAll SC Sorc 81 Yes - - - - Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - Jean Avila SpeedAdict SC Ama 77 No - - - 50 logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - TwentyMule Rayne SC Sorc 76 Yes 195 140 ? ? Lynchgrinch Tattersail SC Sorc 75 ? ? ? ? ? Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 Chaostar Prairie SC Sorc 64 Yes 84 61 0 24 Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - - BKC Poison_Vic SC Necro 12 Yes 1 1 - 2,5

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 76 Yes - - 1 - Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

MercMan said:

It's been more than a month since my last update because I was traveling for 3 weeks over the holidays and then a week of business travel in the New Year.

However, Este did make significant strides before the end of November. She is now lvl 90 and her moron is sporting an Infinity; courtesy of cubing up several lower runes for a second Ber.

My problem now is that I just don't love the javazon play style and I find myself much more interested in playing 1.07, the upcoming RFO, and doing CS runs with my lvl 97 hammerdin. All that said, I'm not sure if and how much I will proceed with this character.

Table Update

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98             Yes        4911        453            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.3           Yes           -        422            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      87             Yes         212        133            8           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      64             Yes          84         61            0          24
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

PhineasB said:
Mercy surpassed the weekend goal, netting 80 Baal runs (double the goal of 40) and catching up the 6 not completed from the weekdays. The 120 Baal runs this week led to 30.44M XP, with a couple Pit runs thrown in.

She hit boss packs in WSK2 and WSK3 and cleared throne without resetting to p1 for the last 40 runs, which was an interesting little experiment. She shaved off having to do only 19 runs for 5M XP (i.e., the 20th run got to ~5.25M), with some extra drops and a little saved time in town due to no longer needing to reset to p1 or go to Malah for Mana potions due to extra boss mobs. I don’t think it’s an overall efficiency improvement, because she needs to add only ~13 seconds/run given base run time of 3:45 to break even. Killing the boss packs might take less than that, but picking up potions and checking drops definitely adds more than 13 seconds. But it was a nice change up and one she might use time and again to break the monotony.

Finds weren’t major, with second Boneshade being the highlight. She also found Ma’avina’s Caster, Islestrike, and Unique Buckler as her grailers (plus a facet and something else I can’t figure out, but not an Elite). Still a few exceptional uniques left, but it’s getting close to the usual TC 3s and 87s and jewelry, plus class specific uniques and Cow’s Set left.

She’s sitting a little above 3.065B. Tomorrow’s a holiday and my wife’s out of town next weekend and early the following week, so hopefully she will beat the goal for the next two weeks also.

tokerdin said:
is it to late to enter my char at lvl 91.2? she is still untwinked.
I only just started really wanting to level her higher since i hit lvl 91 and with the rfo coming up she will be my runner for the first and last stages.

T72on1 said:
Shouldn't be a problem in my opinion, if she is still untwinked. zticazzy only added his barb at the very last stage as well. But I'll let @Kitteh take the decision.

Kitteh said:
If she is untwinked (absolutely untwinked), then I don't see any issues

tokerdin said:
T72on1 said:

Shouldn't be a problem in my opinion, if she is still untwinked. zticazzy only added his barb at the very last stage as well. But I'll let @Kitteh take the decision.

Click to expand...

Kitteh said:

If she is untwinked (absolutely untwinked), then I don't see any issues

Click to expand...

Yeah she totally untwinked as she is my first char since i started playing again and i still dont have another able to do any runs yet. only an extended stash but everything self found
Sweet thanks guys i should have just added her when i first made my account here on diabloii but i was more worried about LK runs than anything lol. but now im on the verge of making my first infinity and respecing her to a single tree then i will be able to run p8 quickly.
now i just have to go read the guide to write those tables lol

Kitteh said:
No problem, and welcome to the tournament

Chaostar said:

Hi !
Some improvement for Prairie, the light/cold sorceress.
She entered Hell at lvl 74, and act I was easier than I expected for her.
Difficulty came with act 2. The killing power was still sufficient, but I had more and more dangerous situation, then I dropped a 2 sockets Wyrmhide, and realized I was still wearing a 17-def Stealth Leather armor. I improved to another stealth with more defense, and things get better for a while.
No good drop so far in Hell, it's really disappointing, so this armor is the only piece of equipment I changed from Nightmare...
I continued through act II to Act III, and with Kurast started the really hard time. It becomes really hard to kill enemies, and I have to be really cautious I i don't want to be outnumbered.
Yet I managed to get kalhim's flair, and go to Mephisto (with another godly durance-lvl 2 map) and kill him (got a crappy unique).

I can't go to act IV for the moment, it will be too dangerous. I really need to gear up (my mercenary too !!), so I think I'll wander in Act I (pit / countess / andariel) and act II (ancient tunnels) for a moment, the time to get a monarch and some stuff.

Table Update

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98             Yes        4911        453            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.3           Yes           -        422            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      87             Yes         212        133            8           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      78             Yes          144       103            0          32
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

hasuprotoss said:
Just a quick update: Reina is back to her previously mentioned 200 million from 97 mark, a lot of untimely deaths (at this point, aren't they are) marring a lot of running. No one to blame but myself and I seem to have found a pretty good speed for getting through without undue risk now.

Still haven't found an Arachnid's but this did drop just a few minutes ago:

Because my first wasn't good enough, I got -3% more for the enemy lightning rez and 6 more defense! Still terrible on the +lightning damage roll though...

Now can one of my daily Spiderweb Sashes please not be Yellow or Blue?

tokerdin said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98             Yes        4911        453            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.3           Yes           -        422            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      91             Yes           -          -            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -           -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      87             Yes         212        133            8           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      78             Yes          144       103            0          32
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

all done now off to pindle

darkstarhub said:
I made it to 92 last night and will update table when I get home from work. I was just about ready to do some cubing to get a Vex from my Ists and Mals when low and behold I got 1 Gul from LK and another from the SC in AT. There is already a 4OS Flail ready in a stash and I made sure to get a normal Ruby for cubing the 2 Guls. It was late last night so I didn't roll it so hopefully luck will be on my side and give me a decent AR roll on the HOTO when I get home.

darkstarhub said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98             Yes        4911        453            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.3           Yes           -        422            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        357            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      92             Yes           -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -           -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      87             Yes         212        133            8           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      78             Yes          144       103            0          32
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

Didnt try to roll a HOTO yet as I didnt get to play much yesterday. Of course I was going to switch over to a Spirit shield from a Ryhme, but I would lose Cannot Be Frozen, and I still havent found a Ravenfrost Ring yet. Maybe Duriel's shell until something better would work, or I could just wing it until a Ravenfrost comes along.

Vildecor · Oct 16, 2021

PhineasB said:
@darkstarhub - for a sorc, I think you're fine without CBF. Hiatus hasn't had it for a long time -- since she finally got her first 4os Monarch (~lvl 92, if I recall correctly). Due to teleporting, she hardly runs, basically teleporting between Blizzards to reposition as needed. I'd suggest giving it a shot without CBF and see how it works. The +2 skills from Spirit will likely make a noticeable difference in killing speed that will offset any slow down you experience when chilled.

T72on1 said:
I agree with @PhineasB. My sorc has been doing fine without CBF for a very long time now. I managed to score a Spirit Shield quite early on, so I have probably been without CBF for some 10 - 15 levels now. It doesn't have an effect on your casting, including teleport, so ... yeah.

So equip the Spirit, say hello to +2 skills, a silly amount of fhr, huge fcr, buckloads of mana, resists and some vitality and you'll never look back .

O yes, and congrats on 92 !!

Kitteh said:
I don't think that I have ever had CBF on a sorc, you'll be fine

PhineasB said:
It's nice to see everyone's continued progress. Here is an early weekend update.

* * *

Mercy already surpassed her weekly goal, with a nice head start from the Monday holiday of 20 runs and then another 60 through Friday. She got another 20 this morning. She didn’t reset from p3 for most of the runs, and is now and is sitting at just over 3.090,~5M shy of 97.5.

Some nice drops on this stretch, with a Lo from some random monster in the throne room (second Lo from level 97 Baal runs so far) and a Jah from Baal. Then a unique Sacred Armor from Baal, which was sadly Templar’s Might.

Code:

Templar's Might Sacred Armor Defense: 1899 Durability: 42 of 60 Required Level: 74 Required Strength: 232 Fingerprint: 0x6252758c Item Level: 99 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +2 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only) +20% Faster Hit Recovery +216% Enhanced Defense +253 Defense vs. Missile +14 to Strength +15 to Vitality +41 Maximum Stamina

Still, it was a grailer for Mercy, so not too shabby. She also got her second Dragonscale.

* * *

Hiatus made it back into the rotation also! I woke up at 4 on Monday morning and couldn’t fall back asleep. So I decided to make cinnamon rolls!

With two hours for the dough to rise, and then another 30 minutes for a second rise after being rolled and cut and then time to bake, it ended up being a little less than 2.5 hours of running. Looking at the 99 theorycrafting thread, I had figured about 9-10 hours from 95 to 96 with CS runs, because Hiatus is untwinked and I’m no GripGod . . .

It turns out that was pretty close to accurate but a slight overestimate. She moved from 95.2 to >95.5, which equates to ~ 8 hours for the level (3*2.5 + (2.5*.33) = 8.325 hours) . . . I think -- maths are not my strength.

It rained Coronas for Hiatus on Monday, with a CoA, Set and second CoA within >1 hour of play time. Both CoAs were 1os though I haven’t ever found a 2os. She also found IK Soul Cage and 15@ GC of Sustenance that will see some use if she ever finds a pair of FCR gloves and a +2 Sorc ammy. No rune drops though.

Hiatus has since had a couple 10-15 minute segments, usually after Mercy’s obligatory 8-12 Baal runs, and is now ~2.61B. It looks like 3.5-4 hours to lvl 96, hopefully/maybe getting there this weekend.

* * *

Finally, Phaedrus also made some progress during the Monday holiday, moving to level 88. He did some Meph runs at p3, but then switched up to Pits at p8. XP was better, as were drops, with an interesting pair of tri-resist +IAS gloves and Boneflame.

Code:

Boneflame Succubus Skull Defense: 343 Chance to Block: 0 Durability: 18 of 20 Required Level: 72 Required Strength: 95 Fingerprint: 0xea0661e8 Item Level: 85 Version: Expansion 1.10+ 15% Chance to cast level 3 Terror when struck +2 to Necromancer Skill Levels +20% Faster Run/Walk +134% Enhanced Defense All Resistances +21

After pinging the level, he is back to LK at least until he finds a Vex for HoTo. He did a set of 50 runes found, picking up a Mal as rune #38. Next highest was an Io.

His LK map is really good for a non-teleporting character. But his ROF and CS map is not good (L shaped Vizier and bad ROF map with no chests) and the Pits map is actually not good either. So once he gets the weapon upgrade, he’ll reroll looking for better A85 maps to level into the 90s. If he’s lucky, a Ber or even Jah will drop along the way.

* * *

It finally stopped raining for a bit, so I'm going to take advantage go for a run and get the dogs outside too. But hopefully we’ll get another >20 runs with Mercy through theweekend to reach 97.5 before spending some more time in CS with Hiatus.

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zticazzy Perkele SC Barb 99 No - - - - Pb_pal Eleanor SC Sorc 99 No 3068 437 5 - NanoMist Izuna SC Sin 99 No 5109 470 4 360 Neksja Aura SC Paladin 98 Yes 4911 453 - - T72on1 Neverland SC Sorc 98 Yes 2190+? 446 13 260 PhineasB Mercy SC Sin 97.4 Yes - 430 9 - hasuprotoss Reina SC Sorc 96 Yes 1100 339 - - Tarantella Tarasha HC Sorc 95 Yes - - - - XyleneCyanol Fishie HC Sorc 95 No - - - - PhineasB Hiatus SC Sorc 95 Yes - 365 17 - Reyz Qty SC Sorc 92 No - - - - darkstarhub Neptune SC Sorc 92 Yes - - - - OldSoldier Battleforge HC Pala 91 Yes - 236 - - tokerdin tokeress SC Sorc 91 yes - - - - Southpaw Njord SC Druid 90 Yes - - - - Qwernt CanbeOnlyBlizz SC Sorc 90 Yes - - Dont want to know MercMan Este SC Ama 90 Yes 1212 278 2 Classified LiquidClear Sally SC Assn 88 Yes 225 - 1 - liquid_mage zDadColdSorc SC Sorc 88 Yes - 160 - - PhineasB Phaedrus SC Pala 88 Yes 239 145 8 - Neksja Turirao SC Druid 87 Yes 191 124 5 - Gladstone Socrates HC Druid 86 ? - - - - Lord Molyb Cruise_Control SC Necro 84 No 104 87 16 idk Zenigma Ayura SC Barb 84 No - - - - Qwernt AmaAgainstAll SC Sorc 81 Yes - - - - Gambit Mallenroh SC Sorc 81 Yes 0 0 0 0 Chaostar Prairie SC Sorc 78 Yes 144 103 0 32 Zenigma Gnosis SC Druid 78 No - - - - Jean Avila SpeedAdict SC Ama 77 No - - - 50 logo Digimon HC Nec 76 Yes 85 65 0 - TwentyMule Rayne SC Sorc 76 Yes 195 140 ? ? Lynchgrinch Tattersail SC Sorc 75 ? ? ? ? ? Darke Rahl Bells HC Ama 74 No 19 - 0 Vildecor Celia SC Ama 59 Yes 52 43 0 - ioupainmax Durnik SC Paladin 52 Yes 50 42 - - Lord Molyb Verisimilitude SC Ama 50 No 12 9 0 idk Kitteh Darozzo HC Druid 45 No - - - - TrU Henryk SC Barb 41 Yes - - 22 12 Gambit Colossus SC Pal 39 Yes 0 0 0 0 Smancer Smancer SC Necro 26 Yes 1 - - - Ergroilnin Erilinda HC Sorc 20 No - - - - BKC Poison_Vic SC Necro 12 Yes 1 1 - 2,5

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F) Name (C) SC/HC Class Level/exp Extended Stash #of S/U Grail/504 #of deaths # of Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- coju NintyNine_orRiP HC Sorc 81 Yes - 0 0 a few TwentyMule Valus HC Barb 76 Yes - - 1 - Tenecabo OldShatterhand HC Druid 49 Yes - 0 1 - coju fB HC Sorc 29 Yes 1 1 0 2 Kitteh Verallus HC Druid 26 No N/A N/A 0 N/A logo Rolex HC Barb 21 Yes 0 0 0 1

Chaostar said:

Hi guyz ! Congrats for all the nice drops, I'm jalous, but not so much since yesterday

Prairie was bored by AT / Pit runs with not any useful drop (a monarch would be a start...), so I decided to go further in act IV.
It was not so hard, I was really cautious with dark souls, but everything went fine.
I dropped a naj armor, which was an improvement from my stealth, so I feeled happy with my decision, and got an Ist from the Hellforge

Unfortunately, I met death for the first time, a stupid death I could have avoided easily (I hit escape, but I decided to try to return to game instead of quit...). It was in the Chaos Sanctuary, with a pack of extra fast knights, who killed easily my weak merc... Not a big deal, but I hate to die.
No real problem after that, got crappy drop from Diablo, and went straight to act V.

I made my way to Frozenstein, rescued Anya for the resist bonus and open the portal to Pindleskin.
No death, but really hard situations and many near death experience, so I went back to runs for stuff.

I focused on Mephisto, because my mercerary is too weak to survive anywhere (I ran out of rejuv because of him), and II can handle mephisto alone (with the stairs trick). It takes me 3 or 4 minutes by run (Incredibly long), I remembered about rhyme RW, and my ali baba in the stash, and I had some great reward like this!

Nothing else really important... I died a second time a few hours back, in a shenk run, I don't remember how, but again, stupid me...

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98             Yes        4911        453            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.4           Yes           -        430            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        365            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      92             Yes           -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -           -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      88             Yes         239        145            8           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      82             Yes         210        131            2          44
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

T72on1 said:
Cool. Congrats on the SoJ.

Neksja said:

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.03          Yes        5269        456            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.4           Yes           -        430            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        365            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      92             Yes           -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -           -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      88             Yes         239        145            8           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      84             No            -          -            -           -
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      82             Yes         210        131            2          44
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     78             No            -          -            -           -
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Super-duper update on Aura, woop woop!

More of an update pre-RFL round 1. Yes, I have managed to find time to do several shorter (~30mins) sessions with Aura to at least get some XP going.

The little bit I have been running, has been surprisingly good, item-wise. Rune-wise, it has been a massive draught since hitting 98, no Vex+ in ages. Don't get me wrong, I'm actually quite happy about that. Why? Well, gotta build up that rotten luck until the RFL, I gotsta win that thing

So, a big draught a month before that will end up me finding multiple Ber+ runes, right? Anyhow, here's the readouts of my finds since the death:

Code:

Captain's Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x627b45a
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
+40 to Life

Death Scarab
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x98432838
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
8% Mana stolen per hit
Replenish Life +3
Cold Resist +16%
All Resistances +19
17% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Griswold's Redemption
Caduceus
One Hand Damage: 123 - 144
Durability: 61 of 70
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 78
Required Dexterity: 56
Fingerprint: 0x49fec3be
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Increased Attack Speed
235% Enhanced Damage
+350% Damage to Undead
Requirements -20%
Set (2 items): +2 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
Set (3 items): Adds 10 - 20 Damage
Set (4 items): Adds 10 - 20 Damage
3 Sockets (0 used)

Homunculus
Hierophant Trophy
Defense: 188
Chance to Block: 52
Durability: 12 of 20
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x9c526752
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Curses (Necromancer only)
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+30% Faster Block Rate
40% Increased Chance of Blocking
+165% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Energy
Regenerate Mana 33%
All Resistances +40
+5 to Mana after each Kill

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x7b0560e5
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 37 Blizzard when you Die
Adds 24 - 38 Cold Damage Over 0 Secs (3 Frames)
-3% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+5% to Cold Skill Damage

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x5e636bd
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 41 Nova when you Level-Up
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-3% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+3% to Lightning Skill Damage

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x6c38bab2
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 47 Chain Lightning when you Die
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-4% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+3% to Lightning Skill Damage

Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xcc1d0a7f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 43 Frost Nova when you Level-Up
Adds 24 - 38 Cold Damage Over 0 Secs (3 Frames)
-4% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+5% to Cold Skill Damage

Sharp Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x89661a8e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+49 to Attack Rating
+38 to Life

Thunderstroke
Matriarchal Javelin
Throw Damage: 138 - 264
One Hand Damage: 120 - 216
Quantity: 76
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 97
Required Dexterity: 141
Fingerprint: 0xd031552a
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 14 Lightning on striking
+2 to Javelin and Spear Skills (Amazon Only)
+15% Increased Attack Speed
167% Enhanced Damage
Adds 1 - 511 Lightning Damage
-15% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+3 to Lightning Bolt (Amazon Only)
Ethereal

Tomb Reaver
Cryptic Axe
Two Hand Damage: 105 - 481
Durability: 61 of 65
Required Level: 84
Required Strength: 165
Required Dexterity: 103
Fingerprint: 0xa1566f27
Item Level: 94
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+60% Increased Attack Speed
221% Enhanced Damage
+176% Damage to Undead
+309 to Attack Rating against Undead
All Resistances +49
10% Reanimate as: Returned
+10 Life after each Kill
75% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+4 to Light Radius
1 Sockets (0 used)

Vidala's Ambush
Leather Armor
Defense: 67
Durability: 19 of 24
Required Level: 14
Required Strength: 15
Fingerprint: 0xdb7bda5
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+50 Defense
+11 to Dexterity
Set (2 items): Fire Resist +24%
Set (3 items): +187 Defense (Based on Character Level)

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xc7520585
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +30

I was pretty stoked for that Captain's life skiller! First, I was "Yey, a Diablo GC to reroll later!" which then turned into "Damn, joined the club @PhineasB for the useless Paladin Aura life skillers" until I noticed it was OFFENSIVE skills. Okay, it's not as great as Combat skiller, but I'll swap it with one of my plain Combat skillers, that extra life will come in handy, I'm sure.

The Barbarian amulet was kinda neat, drop from Diablo as well. I wish that Replenish life would have been something else, but otherwise, it's most likely the best dropped rare amulet I've ever seen. Usually these kind of amulets are gambles, but not this baby

Gris Caddy dropped the first run I was doing while testing how clearing boss packs in RoF and CS, plus killing Diablo, all at p7, would work for RFL. Very nice drop, would've preferred the golden one, but this will do. At least it was not another green Diadem... Homunculus is there, because it was a "grailer", I've found an ethereal one before, but this one first non-eth since restart. Seems like a really rare item for me.

Rainbow facets were dropping surprisingly often. Horrible rolls on lightning ones, but they were compensated by two +5 Cold ones! Pretty nifty, will most likely put the -4/+5 one to the +14 NWV I found ages ago. Also, one of the lightning ones was a grailer, thus Aura has found every single unique jewellery, all the rings, amulets and facets. Woop! I'd like to say that he has found all the set and unique ones, but that Arcanna's Amulet is still haunting me.

I got super excited for the eth golden javelins. It took me like 4th/5th look until I realised they were the wrong pair

My Cow-Javazon would have been so greatful for them, but no. Oh and the Mara's? I did few Travincal runs today for fun and was lucky enough to find a perfect one

Fifth one Aura found, so not too bad!

For total finds, I've already got @NanoMist beaten by 150+ S/Us found, but trailing in grail by 14 items. I am seriously considering doing some TC3 hunting in Normal right before hitting 99, if I am close to catching Nano

I am hoping that the 20 hours of RoF/CS boss pack running for RFL will land me with at least one TC87 grailer.

Wow, this post became quite long for a 3% update

Oh well, at least all my fellow runners (and lurkers) now know that I am back to running, a bit slower pace now for the next 6-7 weeks of the RFL and then it's full-time Diablo runs until I ding 99. Have a good week everyone!

darkstarhub said:
Nice finds man. Unfortunately my luck has not been so good lately. I did finally get a Monarch that rolled 4 sockets and spent 11 sets of Runes to try to get 35% FCR, but 34% was the best I could get. There is only one Hel rune left in my stash now so I am gonna have to build them back up for another go round. I also rolled my HoTo and it only rolled 31 AR, which sucks even more when compared to the only Vipermagi I've found so far that is 26 AR. That is 18 AR missing, which to me is huge since I hate not having them all maxed. Finding a Mara's would be nice about now as well.

Equipping the HoTo, Spirit shield, Vipermagi, Magefist, War Travelers, and +2 Cold Skills rare Tiara helped alot with kill speed obviously and my MF managed to stay close to where it was before. I have played a Sorc without CBF before, and losing it is not a big deal, but its more of a quality of life thing. Somehow I think playing in groups doing Grifts in D3 with my clan members made me a better player overall even in D2. I'll never be like some of the speed runners on YouTube, but as long as I find items at a rate decent enough to keep me happy its all good.

T72on1 said:
@Neksja Glad to see you are back . Good luck.

O yes, and that Barb amulet ... looks freaking good to me.

PhineasB said:
@Neksja -- I'm glad to see Aura progressing again. And @Chaostar -- SOJ is always nice! Early weekend update from me is below.

* * *

Mercy finished up last weekend with another 20 runs on Sat to get 97.5. Because she was sitting so close to 3.1B, she got another 20 on Sunday, for a total of 140 and ~34.5M XP for the week, finishing up the week at 3.101B. The only find of note for the last 40 runs was another Veil of Steel.

I had to travel unexpectedly for work this week, so it ended up being a long week with very little time for D2. I had long travel days Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and only got 8 runs in on Monday and 8 on Friday so far.

So Mercy is behind the goal for this week, and unlikely to make it up this weekend. Thank goodness for RFL – I hope she will exceed her goal again the next two weeks and make some progress through last half level of 97.

* * *

Hiatus also got some runs in over a couple hours last weekend, not quite making it to 96. She had some nice finds, landing a Gargoyle’s Bite (thought it was the unique ghost glaive when it dropped and didn’t realize it was the TC87 one until Cain IDed it, so no screenie of the drop -- first one of these I've ever found, bringing me overall to grail -8), and eth Boneshade.

She also finally got a 35FCR Spirit (roll number 8 or 9 for her), and was disappointed with a HoTo reroll. I will probably focus more on Mercy this weekend, but I'm hoping that Hiatus gets to 96 by next weekend -- I plan to include runs with Hiatus for the RFL as a change of pace from Baal.

* * *

Phaedrus ran another set of 50 runes last Sunday, with Fal the highest drop. At this point, he was able to cube up all his high-mid and low-hi runes to a Vex with a Pul saved for HoTo. Patience was not the order of the day, so he rolled his HoTo and got a nice roll.

It was balanced out by using the four Hels found in that set to reroll his Spirit, with 25%, 31%, 28% and 29%.

He then rerolled maps and played around in the Pits at p7 (the merc is too fragile for p8 right now, especially with Phaedrus’ relatively weak hammers) and back to Eldritch and Shenk at p8 at times.

About half way to 89, I decided to keep rerolling til he found a RoF superchest map – this one has a stable boss pack by the chests and a second one that spawns ~50% at the intersection just before Phaedrus turns right to the chests, so it provides decent XP doing nothing more than superchest runs with boss pack kills. This seed also has a pretty good LK map to boot for a non-teleporter (probably better than the one he had earlier).

He ran p8 superchests until hitting level 89, with no significant finds. He will continue doing that for at least one more level and then maybe start adding CS clears at a lower p-setting to mix.

Chaostar said:
Hi again !

PhineasB, I didn't notice you 're playing 3 characters in the same time ! WOW !

Since last time, no really good improvement for Prairie : I felt pretty annoyed by the fact she is a little weak for the moment, my mercerary is even weaker (he drank almost all my rejuv stock away), and I don't find some item, like this stupid MONARCH.
I can't really complain, after founding a SoJ, I realize I'm not patient enough... Maybe the hour counting freaks me out ?

Anyway, I tried to run the countess maybe for a Lem to make a Treachery armor for Pratham, but I died twice (another 2 really really stupid death).
I failed, and tried some Lower Kurast run, again for some runes (HoTo, CTA would be really helpful, even 1 or 2 skillers...) and some pit runs.
Again nothing really nice happened, and Prairie died again (6 deaths by now).

I felt really angry about all this, I thought I would have better create an HC sorceress to pay more attention to the way I play.
One day I forgot my savefiles (I play from 2 differents locations), I even started another character, an HC Barbarian (not sure if he will be Concentrate, Zerk of WW...), I'll register him maybe, if he lives long enough

Then I gave another chance to Prairie. I decided it is ok to die in softcore, I had to accept the fact she is a Lightning + cold sorceress, and have to focus more on light skills (I don't like them really much for the moment, I have to say...), I changed 2 pieces of equipment to improve her efficiency : Trang oul gloves instead of chanceguards, I won a fast cast level ; String of ears instead of nightsmoke, only for the reduce dmg, because she is really too frail even with very good resists.

And things get better with that : I focus on Ancient Tunnels, I am really comfortable there in /p3, gain some more xp and lvl, a few useless more grailers... but still no monarch !!!

BKC said:
Chaostar said:

Hi again !

PhineasB, I didn't notice you 're playing 3 characters in the same time ! WOW !

Since last time, no really good improvement for Prairie : I felt pretty annoyed by the fact she is a little weak for the moment, my mercerary is even weaker (he drank almost all my rejuv stock away), and I don't find some item, like this stupid MONARCH.
I can't really complain, after founding a SoJ, I realize I'm not patient enough... Maybe the hour counting freaks me out ?

Anyway, I tried to run the countess maybe for a Lem to make a Treachery armor for Pratham, but I died twice (another 2 really really stupid death).
I failed, and tried some Lower Kurast run, again for some runes (HoTo, CTA would be really helpful, even 1 or 2 skillers...) and some pit runs.
Again nothing really nice happened, and Prairie died again (6 deaths by now).

I felt really angry about all this, I thought I would have better create an HC sorceress to pay more attention to the way I play.
One day I forgot my savefiles (I play from 2 differents locations), I even started another character, an HC Barbarian (not sure if he will be Concentrate, Zerk of WW...), I'll register him maybe, if he lives long enough

Then I gave another chance to Prairie. I decided it is ok to die in softcore, I had to accept the fact she is a Lightning + cold sorceress, and have to focus more on light skills (I don't like them really much for the moment, I have to say...), I changed 2 pieces of equipment to improve her efficiency : Trang oul gloves instead of chanceguards, I won a fast cast level ; String of ears instead of nightsmoke, only for the reduce dmg, because she is really too frail even with very good resists.

And things get better with that : I focus on Ancient Tunnels, I am really comfortable there in /p3, gain some more xp and lvl, a few useless more grailers... but still no monarch !!!

Click to expand...

Keep at it sir that is where my monarchs came from oh and shenk + eldritch easy wp easy clear

Zenigma said:

So....

Uhm... I've been slacking...

But I'm getting that itch again. So D2 it is! And I noticed while scrolling through the pages that I never updated my Druid before I dropped off... Too bad I can't remember exactly where my updates stopped with him, but it wasn't too far back. Let's recount his "recent" progress. Hmmm, he made his delirium, I'm sure some of you remember. Not sure I ever posted this cutie pie:

Code:

Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 140
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x15d94c3f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+101 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+8 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune

As I recall, it took a lot of rolls to hit that coveted 35% - both rolling white monarchs, and rerolling the runeword. Frustrating, but worth it. And with it, I'll 99% fcr after I pick up a Jah to make my enigma - have a 465 def 3os ds, I remember posting that. I also already have the Ber. It's only a matter of time, assuming I play him hahaha. Anyways, I remember running pits for that. So he bumped up in level while doing that
I'll have 99% fcr between that, my 34% spirit sword, and 10 on each of my ammy, belt, and one ring. (Still have that SoJ to get a free skill boost :3 aw yeah)

Beyond that, I remember running more pindle on varying /p levels with Ayura to bump up a bit more before I stopped playing for a while. Not sure if I ever posted the Reaper's he found... Just looked back, looks like I didn't so here you go!

Code:

The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 35 - 415
Durability: 52 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0x4dee1452
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
195% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (32 Frames)
11% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%

Makes life easier. Now to find one that's ethereal! More pindle in the future, hoping to pick up some better throwers, but I will switch it up as I see fit so as not to become bored. Not going to play if I'm not having fun (as evidence in my absence)

Anyways, that's what my last update months ago should have been... in a nutshell... >.>
<.<

...Here's the table

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.03          Yes        5269        456            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.4           Yes           -        430            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      95             Yes           -        365            17          -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      92             Yes           -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -           -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      88             Yes         239        145            8           -
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      88             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     86             No            -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      82             Yes         210        131            2          44
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

PhineasB said:

This past weekend was productive, both from XP and drops. Mercy caught up to her weekly goal with 56 Baal runs on Saturday and then 8 + 1 on Sunday on top of the only 16 runs from the weekday for a total of 81 runs and >20M XP.

Wait – what’s up with the extra run?!? I can explain – drops. Another skiller (with FHR) dropped from one of the boss mobs on WSK2 during her 8th run (and final to hit the goal of 80 for the week). When she IDed it, I was very, very happy.

I thought 4 skillers was great, but this was super awesome.

This led to shuffling of charms, notably dropping the Ruby GC (with 20 life) for the skiller and adding a Garnet SC with FHR for a 6MF SC. Fire resists are 72 instead of slight overstack, which is definitely workable, and slightly lower life pool (but still over 3400 with Battle Orders).

The slight OCD won out, as you can see from the reshuffled inventory featuring the new skiller. With the extra FHR, she is also just one FHR SC away from the 86FHR breakpoint. It isn’t necessary at the moment, but she will probably fill that final SC spot in the inventory with one when she reaches 98.

With all that, she couldn’t just close out without testing the new rig on at least one run. My earlier theory that the +1 skill from BKWB crossed some natural breakpoint for more efficient waves 4 and 5 and Baal was not sound – every new skill helps speed things up in some way.

So in only 8 runs, we got another skiller (and an interesting little Baal SC). The 56 runs on Saturday netted only a second BoneFlame – and another, “Wait, wrong one!” moment.

The Phase Blade was another Light Sabre. Still no Arachnid’s, but certainly no complaints given other upgrades.

She got 4 runs on Monday to open the week and hit 97.6.

* * *

Hiatus also got some runs, enough to ping level 96. No major finds, with an Um, Unique Champion Sword, Nature’s Peace (first for her), and Unique Winged Axe. She also found a fun +2 traps ammy that will likely never see use.

* * *

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.03          Yes        5269        456            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.6           Yes           -        433            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      96             Yes           -        375           17           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      92             Yes           -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -           -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      89             Yes         268        156            9           -
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      88             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     86             No            -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      82             Yes         210        131            2          44
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

T72on1 said:
@Zenigma Great to see you are up and running again !!! Good luck .

@PhineasB Great progress again. Congrats on hitting 96 with Hiatus. Mercy is definitely making steady progress. Won't be long (relatively speaking) before you will hit 98.

PhineasB said:
Thanks @T72on1. Mercy is moving along, and the RFL will help -- if she completes a full 20 hour set, she should be right at 3.20B and have only ~120 Baal runs left to hit 98. She got in one hour after work today, and I have a nice chunk of time tomorrow to make some serious headway.

In the meantime, I think this is a nice little craft -- although it would have been more useful with at least 10% FCR, and 20% would have been outstanding, of course:

hasuprotoss said:
That's a really nice amulet! Mine is -1% FCR and no all res (only poison).

Also, we're now half-way through 96. About 122 million more exp to go until we're 97. Slow progress has been made since I'm very good at forgetting how long it takes to recover from deaths but we're still making progress.

Reina finds are below:

A nice Ohm. Will be used for a re-roll on CtA, I imagine.

A little "heart in mouth" moment here...

A Gul!

Also found quite a few grailers since my last table update, which is fun but still no Arachnid Mesh

Happy running to the rest of you! I know many of you are in the RFO so hopefully the runes I found in the past few days show up for you as well!

PhineasB said:
Mercy is making steady progress, thanks to the RFL, where she's almost 1/2 through a 20-hour set. Progress, including (non-rune finds) is summarized here: 2017 Winter RFL Sign-Up and Running Thread: 1st Round.

With the 16 runs from Monday-Thursday and the 160 since Friday, she's netted ~46M XP and is a little past 97.75. I'm going back and forth about whether to finish the 20 hour set with Mercy or mix in some CS with Hiatus. But if Mercy finishes the set, she'll be > 97.9. So getting close-ish.

Chaostar said:

Hi !!

Some (little) improvement for prairie.
Since last time, she died again and again, found a Vipermagi on Mephisto's corpse, and nothing else much, I'm afraid. Still no Monarch (except 1-socketed, or a superior Monarch I can't pierce with the cube formule, and I don't want to waste a Larzuk quest for this...). I don't remember I ever had so much trouble to find a stupid monarch. Impressive.

I found this bucler instead, think it could be nice for some runeword, I keep it.

I reached lvl 88, I registered Prairie in the RFL torney, I need runes badly (for CTA especially), but also nice stuff and charms, so I hope i'll end up with some nice stuff.

Code:

Name (F)     Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.03          Yes        5269        456            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.6           Yes           -        433            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      96             Yes           -        375           17           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      92             Yes           -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -           -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           -          -        Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      89             Yes         268        156            9           -
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      88             Yes         335        190            8          82
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      88             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     86             No            -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      75             ?             ?          ?            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen:

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Lynchgrinch said:

Not updated in a while, aggggges actually... and this is my first attempt at doing the table. I hope it works :s

Tattersail has been Mat'd and is now grinding for high runes as part of the RFL. She is now at clvl89 and is gaining xp waaaaaay faster after re-specking to Blizzard from CL/FO.

The game is on

Code:

Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.03          Yes        5269        456            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.6           Yes           -        433            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      96             Yes           -        375           17           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      92             Yes           -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           ?          -      Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      89             Yes           ?        321         too many     lots
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      89             Yes         268        156            9           -
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      88             Yes         335        190            8          82
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      88             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     86             No            -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

EDIT: WOOOOOOOO! The tables worked!!

Vildecor · Oct 16, 2021

Kitteh said:
Good progress guys! Sorry, but I am really snowed under with work just now and not getting on the forums much. Keep it up

Pringlesman said:
I know this thread is for 1.13, but how many videos of people hitting level 99 are there?

My 1.09D hybridzon hitting 99.

PhineasB said:

Mercy is making good progress, thanks to the RFL. Summary of finds (minus runes) is here. Beyond the finds noted there, she has filled in some jewelry and exceptional uniques and is getting close to grail -50.

When she finishes her 20 hour set in RFL, I'll probably switch up to Hiatus for a bit, and plan to get the last 20M to 98 for Mercy during the week.

Table update:

Code:

Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.03          Yes        5269        456            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.9           Yes           -        445            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      96             Yes           -        375           17           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      92             Yes           -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           ?          -      Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      89             Yes           ?        321         too many     lots
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      89             Yes         268        156            9           -
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      88             Yes         335        190            8          82
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      88             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     86             No            -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

PhineasB said:
A little catch up, mostly to include some nice finds over 20 additional runs after Mercy finished her 20 hours set for RFL.

The last two weeks saw 104M XP, with 180 runs each week: 20 before RFL started last week, 160 from Friday through Sunday last week, 160 this week through Sunday, and then 20 after she finished 20 hour set earlier today. Mercy is currently sitting at 3.215B, which should be ~56 Baal runs to 98.

The big improvements in her gear during that period were Andy's Visage (I ran Meph/Pits outside the RFL set for about an hour while watching TV last weekend) and Mara's (which will get some use if Mercy ever finds Arachnid's). She also found a Fletcher's skiller and an interesting +2 barb skillls/20 FCR circlet (without much resists, I am not sure how good it is though -- maybe use one of those 15IAS/15@ jewels on it?):

The Merc is wearing the Andy's now, and it's generally been a upgrade: Baal and Lister are faster, but Ventar is now dangerous on occasion due to -fire resistance. She still has one socket quest, which will be used either on the Andy's or the Stormlash (still skeptical kicker will be better, but I will try it out and feel like I should use the socket quest on there to give it best possible chance).

Then the last 20 runs were very lucky, from grail and quality perspective: Unique Ward (first for her), then:

Not quite as good as @Neksja, but I'll take it. It's 2 better on -EPR than the other one I've found.

Code:

Death's Web Unearthed Wand One Hand Damage: 22 - 28 Durability: 11 of 18 Required Level: 66 Required Strength: 25 Fingerprint: 0x3bc1ccaf Item Level: 88 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +2 to All Skills +1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only) -48% to Enemy Poison Resistance +12 to Mana after each Kill +9 Life after each Kill

And another Nightwing's with 15% cold damage:

Code:

Nightwing's Veil Spired Helm Defense: 348 Durability: 28 of 40 Required Level: 67 Required Strength: 96 Fingerprint: 0x8720f02 Item Level: 99 Version: Expansion 1.10+ +2 to All Skills +15% to Cold Skill Damage +118% Enhanced Defense +17 to Dexterity +7 Cold Absorb Half Freeze Duration Requirements -50%

And finally another fun little double elite unique drop.

T72on1 said:
Terrific finds there, PhineasB.

Burgomaster3 said:
PhineasB said:

interesting +2 barb skillls/20 FCR circlet (without much resists, I am not sure how good it is though -- maybe use one of those 15IAS/15@ jewels on it?)

Click to expand...

It's a nice circlet, but in general, I don't think Barbarians have that many uses for FCR Circlets, since they can quite easily reach 105FCR if they use casting switch dual wielding Wizzeh/HotO/Suicide Branch. Missing FCR can be easily gained from Amulet, Rings, Belt and Gloves without sacrificing too much. Arreat's, Guillaume's and Shako are better for most builds out there. Some variant of Singer might use it though, but it's hard to beat Shako. At that point you're probably looking for something with more MF, mana, maybe two sockets etc.

Anyway, the reason I'm saying this: 15IAS/15@ jools are seriously rare. The SPTF Price Check Guide prices it at Ber/Jah, and even though it's outdated, I wouldn't necessarily disagree. If I were you, I'd save that jewel (or jewels? seriously, gg if you have more than one. I've never seen one) for something a bit more special.

Also, *sigh*, congrats for the second DW. Maybe I need to start untwinked 99er to finally get one?

darkstarhub said:
You guys and your GG drops!!! I've been in a major drought, but at least I get some things here and there to mark of the grail list since I started it over. White, Blue, and Yellow Shakos all over the place and I can't get a gold one to drop to save my life. I got excited over a damn Lem last night!!!

I am just about ready to ding 93 so maybe things will change after that.

darkstarhub said:

Dinged 93 a few days ago, and was hoping for a nice drop to add a picture to the post, but nada. I did find an Ohm on the way to AT, but nothing special otherwise. Just gotta keep chugging on.

Table update:

Code:

Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.03          Yes        5269        456            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.9           Yes           -        445            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      96             Yes           -        375           17           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           ?          -      Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      89             Yes           ?        321         too many     lots
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      89             Yes         268        156            9           -
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      88             Yes         335        190            8          82
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      88             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     86             No            -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

Neksja said:

Great progress everyone! Sorry for not updating in a while, but RFL got my mouth shut with rune drops and I was not running for XP that much, only a little.

Anyhow, let's update the table!

Code:

Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.15          Yes        6104        461            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       97.9           Yes           -        445            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      96             Yes           -        375           17           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           ?          -      Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      89             Yes           ?        321         too many     lots
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      89             Yes         268        156            9           -
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      88             Yes         335        190            8          82
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      88             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     86             No            -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

So, a decent 10% up from last update, not too bad! I am hoping to do another update before Round 2 in RFL, if I have time to do some XP running. I also kinda want to play other characters as well, so we'll see.

Finds? Umm, can't really remember too much to be honest. Looks like I've found 5 more grailers, I know that includes at least Death's Web, IK Armor and Steel Pillar, so that's 3 TC87s knocked out of the list

I think The Redeemer was one as well and maybe Horizon's Tornado? Anyhow, slowly crawling towards 470 that @NanoMist got

Runes! Loads of runes! I'll just summarise by posting the haul pic from RFL (mostly because I'm surprisingly proud of my 4th spot):

Aura ran River of Flame, Chaos Sanctuary and Nihlathak in RFL. Nihlathak only gave 1 Pul rune in 500 runs, so that didn't help out much, but that's where most of my XP came from since last update. Aura is surprisingly good at Nihlathak running, not the fastest (around 35 sec per run), but I am not really in much of a danger when running there. But, it's annoying as hell if Nihlathak starts teleporting! I think I mention this every time I do Nihlathak runs

But it's annoying, just a friendly reminder if you are going in there with a character who needs to aim with their killing skill (mainly Hammerdin, also to some extent, Blizzsorc). I think I'll still do some Nihlathak runs down the stretch, to break the habit of Diablo runs.

Happy running everyone, hope your finds are going to be amazing and keep the rest of us updated!

PhineasB said:

Matriarch Mercy and Pratham the Might Desert Merc, Lvl 98 (pic)
Part way through her 57th Baal run of the week, she pinged 98. To commemorate the occasion, how about a short retrospective on level 97? Sure!

Mercy hit 97 on 12/17/2016. With an assist from @NanoMist, she improved her Baal times due to better technique. She mixed in Pits a bit, but mostly ran Baal through 1/14/2017, when she found a BWKB. This was her first +skill ring and a major upgrade that allowed some gear shuffling. It also led to a new goal.

PhineasB said:
My goal is to average a minimum 8 Baal runs per weekday and 40 over the weekend, which will net a little more than 20M XP per week. That would see Mercy to 98 in early March.

Mercy was at 3.035B XP at this point, and she exceeded the goal by a good bit all but one of the weeks since (with a big assist from RFL the last two weeks). Summary of progress (there were some Pits runs mixed in here and there):

Code:

Week 1: 120 runs (30.44M)
Week 2: 140 runs (35.66M)
Week 3: 81 runs (20.56M)
Week 4: 180 runs (~47.80M)
Week 5: 180 runs (~46.50M)
Week 6: 57 (hitting 98)

A quick overview of finds for this level, beginning with runes:

Code:

Jah x2
Sur
Lo x2
Ist
Mal
Um

Notable items, in addition to the BKWB mentioned above, were an awesome +45 life skiller reroll from Baal GC

, upgrading her HoTo (31@ to 36@), finally a Vamp Gaze (which of course meant that 4 more fell in short order), and Andy’s. There were plenty of others, and she is now 446/504 items found compared to 408/504 at start of 97. Still not Arachnid's though

The highlights were two additional skillers that made a big difference, a Mara’s, a 2-off-perfect -EPR DWeb, and Stormlash. As noted after finding the Stormlash, she is going to try out Nihlathak as trapper and respec to kicker to compare the two before settling into the push for 99.

Table update:

Code:

Name         (C)            SC/HC    Class  Level/exp   Extended Stash  #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths  # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.15          Yes        6104        461            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       98             Yes           -        446            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      96             Yes           -        375           17           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -          -            -           -
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           ?          -      Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      89             Yes           ?        321         too many     lots
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      89             Yes         268        156            9           -
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      88             Yes         335        190            8          82
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      88             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     86             No            -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

T72on1 said:
Congrats !!! Very well done.

Now we need someone new at lvl 97 to fill the gap.

PhineasB said:
@hasuprotoss was about half way to 97 last update, I think. And Hiatus has a few pixels on her XP bar . . .

Neksja said:
Very nice @PhineasB! Very nice! So it seems we have a 3-runner race going on here! I really need to get my Diablo/Nihlathak runs going once the RFL is done, I'll probably be stuck at that 98.15 for the next 6 weeks.

Luckily for me, you are running 3 characters, I'd imagine if you'd only run 1, you'd have a 99er by now...

PhineasB said:
It's an interesting question @Neksja. I think you are correct that, mathematically (adding up hours), Mercy would be very close to 99 or already have passed it if the time on other two 99ers had focused on her journey. But I'm doubtful that actually would have happened (or that Mercy would be even as far along as she is) without the changes of pace from the different characters.

We'll see what the next stage brings. But I am glad to have three very different run options to mix up as Mercy plugs away at +11,000 Nihl runs. Hiatus has CS XP runs to 97 and Phaedrus has RoF super chests or LK to focus on for building Enigma. I can also go back to two tourney characters and finish up last character in 7x7+2 project. And progressing toward 99 with you and @T72on1 for added motivation!

After playing around with comparison between trapper and kicker, I'll probably set a similar weekly goal as with Baal runs (__ runs per week day + __ runs on weekends). But focus on other characters as soon as meeting the goal if I still have time for playing.

Edit: Nihl already delivered. First one of these I've ever found, so overall now grail -7.

hasuprotoss said:
PhineasB said:

@hasuprotoss was about half way to 97 last update, I think. And Hiatus has a few pixels on her XP bar . . .

Click to expand...

We're now a little under 30 million XP away! It's been pretty smooth sailing. The "body retrieval kit" idea that I've (finally) stolen from others has saved a lot of time. Much easier to lose only a few minutes of XP grinding versus a few hours.

Of course, a lot of decent finds were obtained, including an Arachnid's (finally!!)

Lo #1!

Ended up being +16% Lightning/+17% Fire, so a little mediocre but if I do think of swapping to lightning and find resistances elsewhere, it is an option!

Lo #2!

The Arachnid's I've been looking for. Currently dumped Magefists for Chance Guards, but I think if a SOJ or BKWB drops I'll move my rare 10% FCR 20% MF ring to a stash and use one of those and still have the 105 FCR breakpoint.

An Ohm rune. Hopefully I'll find an Ist so that I may re-roll my CTA soon!

Anyways, I captured a ~13 minute session of my playing here:

The first few runs I forgot to bring up my inventory screen while teleporting, but I eventually remembered (one of those tricks that I've only recently begun to utilize...). Other than that, you can see sort've how my runs typically look! Listened to Diablo 2 music while doing so as I figured it was the most appropriate music .

I'll aim to hit 97 by the end of this week so our open level isn't vacant for too long!

T72on1 said:
@hasuprotoss Very cool. Congrats on the progress.

@Neksja @PhineasB Like I said before, I won't be starting my leveling journey to 99 before the end of the RFL. So no worries about me getting ahead anytime soon. As a matter of fact, I'll really have to take the road to 99 at my own pace, and not focus on others too much. Right now I'm actually looking forward to doing Nihl runs. But when I finally end up doing so, I might as well get bored of them fast, and alternate those runs with other characters. I've also paid the inscription fee of my next 60K run, at the end of May, so it's not like I'll be able to spend tons and tons of time on D2.

Whatever my journey will look like, I wish you both (and all the others of course) all the best. The sheer amount of runs needed for 99 really seems daunting, but let's take those who did it before us as an example and motivation to keep the runs up. Needless to say that some HRs and other cool drops along the way will also help to keep it bearable, of course .

Neksja said:
@T72on1 I think you hit the nail with your post. Eventhough it is a "race" to 99, I think it's mostly going to be race within people and beating the grind themself, not actually trying to be faster than other people. For example, I played several hours with Aura this weekend and I barely made a pixel or two of XP during that time. And I wasn't just fiddling around, I ran Nihlathak and Diablo, so I was gaining a decent XP. Good for you to admitting taking your time, I'm still in kind of denial and "afraid" of you or @PhineasB getting ahead of me and me needing to convert full-time Diablo runner for couple of weeks to get lead back

@PhineasB I like your approach, daily goals for runs! It certainly seems like Mercy is gaining some momentum and if you can keep up with your daily run goals, I wouldn't be surprised if you are the first to hit 99 of us. My 15% of the level lead might not hold for long, now that I checked it's surprisingly low amount of XP... I think I need to come up with a daily plan myself! Especially since Nihlathak running seems a lot more XP efficient than Diablo running. Maybe if I go back to my goal of 7%/week, with addition of the Ancients quest, I should be done in roughly 10 weeks. Anyhow, very very nice progress and I am excited and scared of the last "race".

@hasuprotoss great progress too! And some lovely drops!

Mini-update on Aura. Those who missed it from the IFT, Aura found a Cham today in CS, followed by an Ohm (got a screenshot of it, too lazy to upload now) as well as few millions of XP. So, now Aura has caught @NanoMist's Izuna in rune drop grail, everything except Zod. There is a small part of me that wants to find that Zod and 10 grailers to beat Izuna, but I'm not holding my breath for it. 10 grailers might be possible, but Zod? Yeah right. Although after my latest calculations, I need somewhere around 5.5k Diablo runs (not including XP Shrines) to get to 99 so I guess anything can happen? RFL won't bring that anymore, since Travincal can't drop Zod and Aura is not running Cows, at least not at the moment and I've spent 2x Ber, Lo, Mal and Ist of Aura's runes for my Javazon to be geared for Cow round.

Happy running everyone and hopefully you get loads of XP next week (except you @PhineasB )

NanoMist said:
Zod will just be straight up luck, but anything can happen, as you witnessed in RFL round 1. My grail count at level 98 was worse off than our current three 98's, so I'm fairly certain it will be surpassed.

Happy running everyone!

Chaostar said:

Hi !

Glad to see your progress everyone !

Far from there, Prairie makes slowly (at /p1 speed..) her way to the top.

After 20hrs running through AT, CS for the Rune Find Tournament (where she found not any interesting item, beside a Ist, not even a damn spirit monarch with the good number of sockets), I went back to mephisto a little, a found some stuff to replace my spirit sword. first an eschuta :

Nice Lightning %, but only +2 skills...
Still, I equipped this, but only for 5 minutes, as I found an occulus (Mephisto missed me during these 20 hours, I guess).

I made some LK runs again, with no more luck than before.

I decided to get to lvl 90, and after that killed the ancients, and made my way to Baal.
I found there the most empty Throneroom I ever saw ! I met 3 or 4 viper after the stairs, a not any monster in Baal's room, even before the entrance.

I slayed the final enemy :

It's not Tal Rasha, but this stupid vidala's snare

My equipment for the moment, far from perfect :

I'll apreciate a CTA, I'm still a Ohm short (and a Mal), because I need to move up from /players 1.
A Shako and a 4 sockets Monarch would also be a huge improvement. I have also room for a nice second ring...
Of course I'll love to get an arachnid, but I'll live without for the moment.

Code:

Name         (C)            SC/HC    Class  Level/exp   Extended Stash  #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths  # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zticazzy     Perkele         SC      Barb      99             No            -          -            -           -
Pb_pal       Eleanor         SC      Sorc      99             No         3068        437            5           -
NanoMist     Izuna           SC      Sin       99             No         5109        470            4         360
Neksja       Aura            SC      Paladin   98.15          Yes        6104        461            -           -
T72on1       Neverland       SC      Sorc      98             Yes        2190+?      446           13         260
PhineasB     Mercy           SC      Sin       98             Yes           -        446            9           -
hasuprotoss  Reina           SC      Sorc      96             Yes        1100        339            -           -
PhineasB     Hiatus          SC      Sorc      96             Yes           -        375           17           -
Tarantella   Tarasha         HC      Sorc      95             Yes           -          -            -           -
XyleneCyanol Fishie          HC      Sorc      95             No            -          -            -           -
darkstarhub  Neptune         SC      Sorc      93             Yes           -          -            -           -
Reyz         Qty             SC      Sorc      92             No            -          -            -           -
OldSoldier   Battleforge     HC      Pala      91             Yes           -        236            -           -
tokerdin     tokeress        SC      Sorc      91             yes           -          -            -           -
Chaostar     Prairie         SC      Sorc      90             Yes         508        234           11         105
Southpaw     Njord           SC      Druid     90             Yes           -          -            -           -
Qwernt       CanbeOnlyBlizz  SC      Sorc      90             Yes           ?          -      Dont want to know
MercMan      Este            SC      Ama       90             Yes        1212        278            2      Classified
Lynchgrinch  Tattersail      SC      Sorc      89             Yes           ?        321         too many     lots
PhineasB     Phaedrus        SC      Pala      89             Yes         268        156            9           -
LiquidClear  Sally           SC      Assn      88             Yes         225          -            1           -
liquid_mage  zDadColdSorc    SC      Sorc      88             Yes           -        160            -           -
Zenigma      Ayura           SC      Barb      88             No            -          -            -           -
Neksja       Turirao         SC      Druid     87             Yes         191        124            5           -
Gladstone    Socrates        HC      Druid     86             ?             -          -            -           -
Zenigma      Gnosis          SC      Druid     86             No            -          -            -           -
Lord Molyb   Cruise_Control  SC      Necro     84             No          104         87           16          idk
Qwernt       AmaAgainstAll   SC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          -            -           -
Gambit       Mallenroh       SC      Sorc      81             Yes           0          0            0           0
Jean Avila   SpeedAdict      SC      Ama       77             No            -          -            -          50
logo         Digimon         HC      Nec       76             Yes          85         65            0           -
TwentyMule   Rayne           SC      Sorc      76             Yes         195        140            ?           ?
Darke Rahl   Bells           HC      Ama       74             No           19          -            0
Vildecor     Celia           SC      Ama       59             Yes          52         43            0           -
ioupainmax   Durnik          SC      Paladin   52             Yes          50         42            -           -
Lord Molyb   Verisimilitude  SC      Ama       50             No           12          9            0         idk
Kitteh       Darozzo         HC      Druid     45             No            -          -            -           -
TrU          Henryk          SC      Barb      41             Yes           -          -           22          12
Gambit       Colossus        SC      Pal       39             Yes           0          0            0           0
Smancer      Smancer         SC      Necro     26             Yes           1          -            -           -
Ergroilnin   Erilinda        HC      Sorc      20             No            -          -            -           -
BKC          Poison_Vic      SC      Necro     12             Yes           1          1            -          2,5

The Fallen

Code:

Name (F)    Name (C)       SC/HC   Class   Level/exp   Extended Stash   #of S/U   Grail/504   #of deaths   # of Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
coju        NintyNine_orRiP HC      Sorc      81             Yes           -          0            0         a few
TwentyMule  Valus           HC      Barb      76             Yes           -          -            1           -
Tenecabo    OldShatterhand  HC      Druid     49             Yes           -          0            1           -
coju        fB              HC      Sorc      29             Yes           1          1            0           2
Kitteh      Verallus        HC      Druid     26             No          N/A        N/A            0          N/A
logo        Rolex           HC      Barb      21             Yes           0          0            0           1

PhineasB said:
Mercy sacrificed some XP in the name of science (or at least that’s what I’m telling myself).

I found a nice enough map (option 3) with one shrine right by the stairs and was trying out some gear combos and techniques for attacking Nihl’s platform as a trapper. But I had planned on testing out kicker/dancer with the Stormlash and realized I was getting some pixels on the XP bar, so . . .

Code:

Hypothesis: 98 levels with one style and then switching up in a very dangerous place wasn’t going to work out well. Prediction: Mercy will teleport into Nihl’s mob to DT away with poison clouds around, get amped, hit something other than Nihl (which he will corpse explode), and promptly die. Outcome: Correct.

I kind of knew, based on the testing as trapper, that it would not end well. Mercy already had one close call as trapper with Vipers and corpse explosion with might and cursed, which led to different teleport technique and location to drop traps (and more willingness to S&E if things looked nasty). And Mercy had trouble targeting Nihl in the midst of the ice boars with fire blast, so I wasn’t sure how tele-ing in with DT would work, especially if there were vipers around.

But I felt obligated to at least give it a good-faith effort based on the Stormlash drop. I compounded the error by not starting with maximum % damage reduction and integer damage reduction and then working back to balance out kill speed after demonstrating safety. And not spending enough time thinking through all gear before proceeding. And moving to p8 too fast before getting down hotkey order. And . . .

But her last death was level 93 when rolling Baal maps, so it was still a bit of a surprise to see the red letters on the screen.

Anyhow, assassins are pretty safe for corpse recovery and it’s not like she could have lost any more XP with further deaths. And thankfully she was nowhere near enough XP to suffer the full 10% penalty. So, seven minutes later, she had picked her body back up and was at 3.236B. I hadn’t actually checked XP because pixels were so low, but I think based on the XP formula that meant she had been ~3.238B.

So only a little less than an hour lost. But she immediately respeced back to trapper, and in the process added some points to BoS to max attack speed without any IAS, which allowed her to add Verdungo’s instead of Goldwrap and keeping 105 FCR (still no Arachnid’s). Extra vita and % DR seem well worth it for a slight drop in fire blast damage by dropping 2 points from WoF synergy.

In all, I still think a dancer could be powerful Nihl runner. But Mercy has been a trapper so long she was a bit slow picking up a new play style (nothing to do with her operator! ). Once she hits 99, I think I will respec again and give it some proper testing for comparison.

Nihl rewarded Mercy’s persistence, with Mal and Sur plus an Eth Lacerator. I created a new stash just for level 98 and plan to pick up every Elite Set or Unique and rune above Hel as a sort of trophy.

And she gained back the lost XP plus some extra. We will take a break for a few days before settling on a new weekly goal for the journey through the last level.