First HC Character

[Fistsofmight]

First HC Character

Hi, i'm new to diabloii in the sense I just created an account. However i've followed these forums quite a majority of my diablo career, and i've been playing since 08.

Well, i've thought about playing HC many a time and never built up the courage to risk it. Finally out of sheer boredom of SC I created a barb. Not just any type of barb, but a conc barb. He's currently level 9, and will hopefully be on nm by the end of the night. I think a conc barb with swordguard/ss as his hardest to get gear will be relatively easy to do. Won't need dex for max block as the swordguard will push it up enough for me to keep dex low. Tons of life, tons of defense...any opinions?

 

[5zigen]

Tough thing about barbs is the CS and WSK in nm / hell, in addition to dolls in a3.

I would suggest a non melee character to start hc with. I know barbs are high hp things, but I Would really suggest something like a javazon as a first character as they arent very gear reliant, they can kill most things quickly, and they are very safe with dual tanks and a decoy.

Plus I think conc barbs are so insanely slow I dont understand how people can play them T_T.

 

[SirDooFuss]

Tough thing about barbs is the CS and WSK in nm / hell, in addition to dolls in a3.

The CS and WSK are tough for melee builds because of the Iron Maiden casting Oblivion Knights. Usually hit them 1-2 times and you're dead, same for an Act 2 merc.

The exploding dollies in the underground sections of Act 3 can can kill you in one or 2 shots. The funny thing is their explosions don't effect mercs.

Depending on your resists Cold Enchanted bosses can kill you and/or your merc when they die/explode.

Fire enchanted bosses can do the same even with high resists and life.

For my melee builds I usually let my merc (or minions if I have any) do most of the work around such baddies. Yeah, it's slow but that's hardcore.


Something else the melee build has to deal with eventually is Physical Immunes. You have to have a strategy for taking them out. Items with Chance to Cast Decrepify or Amp Damage (either on yourself or your merc) can be very helpful in nerfing PI's. Barbs can use Berserk. Paly's can use Vengance. Either can use high elemental damage weapons. Just keep it in mind as you're planning things out.

The hardest Guardian I've made this season was a Zealadin on USWEST. Died twice in the process. :sad2:

 

[Fistsofmight]

I don't want to play a cookie-cutter thats the thing. Otherwise I would have made a summon necro, a javazon, a hammerdin or a trapsin. These guys can walk hc with their eyes closed, whats the fun in that?

If you guys know any non cookie-cutter builds that are still very hell viable, and could be good to start with, lemme know.

 

[LordPaul]

I don't know if you like Palys, but rangers are viable, relatively safe and a lot of fun. Your dmg is based on skills so you dont need high gear to make them work and there are many variants. You even get enough skill points to make dual element rangers (like holy freeze/ holy shock) or (Holy fire / fanaticism); so you don't need to worry about immunes in hell.

There are however, two things to bear in mind when choosing a ranger:

1 Merc surviveability. You get quite "tank-dependant" as danger increases and aparently, there is no easy way to keep the damn merc alive in hell aside from leveling him and geting him decent gear. Specially when most auras you'll be chosing are personal and won't help him in any direct way.

2 Attack Rating. Your left action icon will be a normal attack, since you'll be using a bow and unless you go for fanaticism with a high phisical dmg bow, your attack rating will suck big time. Unfortunately, that one thing will need some item-based support. (Charms, rings, etc)

and of course.. if you ever get the high-end gear (like ice bow, or dream helm) you can make them a lot more powerful.

 

[SirDooFuss]

If you guys know any non cookie-cutter builds that are still very hell viable, and could be good to start with, lemme know.

With enough imagination and foresight, ANY build can be hell viable. SuperDave proved that with this (Stickied!!!) thread in the Amazon forum:

http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=480035

 

[WrongdayJ]

I don't know if you like Palys, but rangers are viable, relatively safe and a lot of fun. Your dmg is based on skills so you dont need high gear to make them work and there are many variants. You even get enough skill points to make dual element rangers (like holy freeze/ holy shock) or (Holy fire / fanaticism); so you don't need to worry about immunes in hell. . .

I second this recommendation. Rangers are a blast to play. I gave mine the Demon Machine and a Razortail Belt and he does VERY well indeed. Might switch to a Buriza with String of Ears, but who knows. . .one thing is certain. . .The build is viable and quite effective, and best of all- you can do very well even with moderately lame gear.