FC Bear

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theShockeR

Diabloii.Net Member
FC Bear

So, I just started to play D2 again. I used to play D2 a lot, but then stopped for other games. But now i'm back because this game has always been my favorite. Annnnnnyyyy who. I picked a Bear FC druid to be my first character. I'm playing on the, US E HC L. I have always loved hardcore mode rather then normal mode. Now, coming back to this game, I have nothing at all. How hard is it going to be to build and gear up a decent FC druid? Is my druid going to be really really gimped until I start to collect some decent gear from MFing.

If anyone has some good tips on the fastest way to level / aquire gear, I woudl love to get that information. I have read the FC druid guides and searched the forums and read a few threads semi regarding this. But my situation is a little different. That and I just wanted to say Hi to the community :p

p.s. if anyone plays WoW on the Smolderthorn servier (horde), I could trade you help in WoW for some help in D2, as well as gold and items ^^
 
Verashiden

Verashiden

Diabloii.Net Member
FC bear Untwinked is insanely safe to play. Just invest into Shockwave.

As for getting gear. It'd probably be better for your first char to be a Magic Finder of some sort. That is, unless you wanna try the FC Druid untwinked.
 
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theShockeR

Diabloii.Net Member
Yeah I want a FC druid. I really don't care if it's twinked or not. That's half the fun of playing the game. And at least right now, I have really no intentions on PvPing any time soon 1) because I have no gear and 2) it's HC so I want to be able to enjoy my character as best I can before it dies :p

So i'm guessing my fight squence should be shockwave a few times, then claw until stun is done and then sw some more? I'm sure i'll have no problem figuring it out. Also i'm sure you have some experience with this character from what i've read in other threads, so i'll ask you :p How should I max my skills, in what order? FC > Lycanthropy > Fissure > Molton Boulder > Valcano? I've been having a few problems figuring that out. Also how does leaching work using FC? My phys damage is going to be low, so is LL and ML going to be really moot? Or does that somewhat scale with my fire damage. I'm guessing it's going to be low. Also, in Hell mode. I know there are a lot of fire immune mobs, how would I handle those? Especially if i'm untwinked and don't really have any -enemy fire res gear. Do I just run away from those mobs? Or let my merc try and kill them?

Another question, which probably should go in the HC forum but anybody on here with a level 16ish character on the US E HCL that wants a hunting partner?
 
Verashiden

Verashiden

Diabloii.Net Member
Yeah, SW, whack whack, SW, win.

With my FC, I spent my first points getting prerequisites out of the way and saving the remaining points. When Fissure became availible I religiously began pouring points into it. When FC became availible, I used the extra pool of points I had to evenly distribute between Fissure and FC. When those points ran out I went and maxed FC. You have to understand that you'll be playing as a Fire Druid until you hit like 29, the Shael usage lvl. Rest is just preference.

Yes, you can leech with FC. But, as you said, it won't be noticeable since your damage phys damage is going to be so low.

For FI mobs, it really depends. You can SW the mob and switch to Maul to help your Merc, you can SW the mob then run, or you can hold on to a high damage/ elemental damage weap and use it on them.
 
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theShockeR

Diabloii.Net Member
Awesome thank you for all the input. It really helps out :p

Merc wise. What do you think is the best merc for a FC druid. I was thinking a NM A2 holy freeze merc with that weapon that has an aura that reduces my enemys resistances. But then again...getting that weapon is going to take me probably a long time. Best option?

So FC > Fissure > Lycanthrope > Molton Boulder is what I am thinking. Do you think I am better off maxing my damage increasing skills or would putting 10+ points in to oak sage be a good idea?
 
Verashiden

Verashiden

Diabloii.Net Member
Infinity, the Lower res weap, is crap. The only FIs it'll break are fallens. I went Act 2 HF Merc with Obedience for mine. The CB helped rip through FI squads before the first SW even wore off. Not to mention bosses dropped like flies.

And Oak is pretty much a one point wonder. It seeks the strongest enemy and suicides, something absolutely detrimental in HC. I'd rather just max Lycan and call it a day.
 
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theShockeR

Diabloii.Net Member
Ok forgive me for being noob but you just through out a lot of obreviations that I have no idea what they are lol. "act 2 HF merc" = holy freeze, i'm guessing the defensive NM merc? And what exactly is obedience and how hard is it to obtain? I probably could find that information out with a little searching, but i'm at work right now and since you're bing so helpful, I figured why not ask :)

Ok. oak = 1 pnt. Got it. Thanks for clearing that up. Ummm, what do the different summons do? And by that I mean is there any bonus that I get as a druid for having a spirt wolf summoned over the other wolf or with a bear out? Do I get increased damage or life by having a summon out (other then oak sage) I think i've read that the summoned bear has a chance on his attack to do a knockback or stun type effect. is it worth it to go down the line and put 1 point in that, or being a FC druid am I going to need all my points to max the appropriate skills?
 
Verashiden

Verashiden

Diabloii.Net Member
Okay, to clarify.

FI = fire Immune
CB = Crushing Blow
SW = Shockwave
HF Merc = NM Act 2 Defensive

Obedience. Well, just better to copy and paste it:

Obedience
5 Socket Polearms
Hel + Ko + Thul + Eth + Fal
30% Chance To Cast Level 21 Enchant When You Kill An Enemy
40% Faster Hit Recovery
+370% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage 3 Second Duration (Normal)
-25% To Enemy Fire Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
+200-300 Defense (varies)
+10 To Strength
+10 To Dexterity
All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
Requirements -20%

It's underrated because it doesn't pack an aura. However, for such an inexpensive RW (Runeword) it packs a serious punch. Do note that the -Fire Res only works with the person carrying the weapon. And it swings way too slow for you to use >.>.

Now, as for the summons. The bonusses they give only apply to the other summons. For example. Grizzly will give a passive damage bonuses to Spirit Wolves and Dire Wolves. It's just a synergy. I would suggest at least putting one point up to Grizzly and maybe one point into Carrion Vine since you don't have a reliable form of leeching anyways. It won't take too much from your damage for those points.
 
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theShockeR

Diabloii.Net Member
Anyone got some SS of a decent geared FC druid? I just want to see what gear you guys use + the damage that can be done, full summons out + in bear form. Any SS would be nice :-D

Thanks in advance.
 
TigerPrawn

TigerPrawn

Diabloii.Net Member
No SS since I'm at work, but I do remember some of my stats/gear...

lvl 85

Helm: Jalal's - Shael'd
Armor: Durress runeword - Wirefleece
Shield: Stormshield - Pdiamond
Boots: Aldur's Boots
Gloves: Magefists
Belt: Verdungoes
Jewelery: +3 Shapeshift ammy +34 life, Bul Kathos ring, Ravenfrost

I'm also using a Dtorch, Anni, and about 5 Shapeshift Charms.

My dmg thus far using FC is around 11,555 if I recall correctly.

Thing about this build is that gear is being swapped in and out for different fights/situations. Very versatile.

http://fcdruid.tripod.com/fc.html

^ Jayson's guide if you haven't seen it yet. Although it's tailored to PVP, I use it for PVE aswell... Lets just say I drop ALL hell bosses within a few seconds and can solo a 8 man Baal. Very good stuff

EDIT: almost all... I haven't tried big D yet.
 
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theShockeR

Diabloii.Net Member
Do you think using a Beast zerk axe would be better / just as good as using a 4x shael 2x ias jewel weapon? I would think beast would be a lot better for the fant aura, but then again, the price difference on the two are probably huge.
 
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theShockeR

Diabloii.Net Member
Hmm is there any reason the 6 soc weapon is better then Beast? Or "just because" if it's "just because", I guess i'll just have to accept it.
 
Verashiden

Verashiden

Diabloii.Net Member
Beast hits 9 FPA in a Zerker, 7 in a PB. For all intents and purposes it's way too slow. I can link you to the thread that Santanicus recommended it and the ensuing **** fest if you're interested in the deeper answer.
 
TigerPrawn

TigerPrawn

Diabloii.Net Member
6 socket Phase with 110% ias is beastly, no pun intended. Azurewrath is ok too, but the speed doesn't match the 4frame Phase. It rocks hitting that fast.

I love my FC druid and he's currently lvl **. My only concern is AR right now as I'm under 10K in bear form, which I would like to get higher.

I've been playing around with gear and I know some will disagree, but Dracul's rocks for PVM. You do so little physical dmg, but with lifetap and 4frame attack you leech with 20 guys on you no problem even with low physical dmg.
 
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