First Realm HC Character - Strafe

[jesterlolz]

First Realm HC Character - Strafe

Hello hardcore forums. This is my first realm hardcore character, and my first post on the hardcore section.

I've made 2 single player guardians so far, and I've finally decided to expand my hc horizons.

Now, I want a challenge. I will be fine if my character dies, as there will most likely not be anything of much worth on her. I was wondering what the stat/skills for strafe would be.

I was thinking:

Max Critical Strike
Max Penetration
1 pt Valk and prereqs
Max Strafe
Max Magical Arrow (for those pesky PIs)
Rest into Pierce

Enough vita for about 750 life
Enough strength for equipment
Rest dexterity for damage

Is the high dex too risky for hardcore? Is there enough physical immunes for magical arrow, or should I put it into valk so I have something of a buffer?


Edit: Also, I plan to mf with her in pits and stuff, if I can get her good enough 4 it.

 

[PhatTrumpet]

Untwinked or single player with muling?

If untwinked, you will probably need to max Magic Arrow.

If you've got some gear for her, a Witchwild String already shoots slvl 20 Magic Arrow, so no need to max it.

You'll need at least an slvl 17 Valk, maxed would be better.

Maxing Critical Strike is overkill. Get it up around 50-60%.

Also, 750 life is not likely going to cut it unless you play extremely slow and cautiously. I'd shoot for closer to 1000 before pumping dex.

 

[AgentMarth]

While PhatTrumpet pretty much said everything I was gonna say, One thing I feel I should mention is make sure to get your D/A/E up to decent levels. Seeing as how you will be going untwinked most likely, you may have to put a few more hard points into them than normal.

My HC strafer went with 150 in vita and I believe after her gear she has ~750 life or so, but I also have a maxed Valk and decent Merc to help tank along with decent gear for her. If anything, just make sure your LR is high, and learn to use decoy, alot.
As for physical immunes, I would rather max Lighting Fury, basically making a hybrid, or get a WW.

Just keep in mind its always best to play a character that you are very familiar with when starting out HC. To be honest, I wouldn't make a strafer for my first character in HC, its a bit to risky, and you have a hard time getting high resistances and life untwinked.

 

[jesterlolz]

I have a strafer on softcore, and I've done a few hardcore things before. I just like strafe because its a fun skill and a fun character.

I was actually thinking of witchwild as a bow also. I think that I may max light fury also.

Thanks for the input guys :grin: .

 

[Kretschmer]

Crit strike has large diminishing returns. Don't max it. Ditto for pierce.

Put points in penetration if you need them (90+% chance to hit).

Max magic arrow might not be necessary; there are bows that fire magic arrows, exploding arrows, etc.

Max valkyrie and decoy are a huge boost in hardcore, with extra tanking and damage.

Dodge/Avoid/Evade aren't bad options, either.

So maybe (assuming a few plus skills):
20 Strafe
20 Valk
20 Decoy
5/4/5 D/A/E
4 Critical Strike
5 Pierce
Penetrate as needed

Strafe could be difficult for a first character, as strafeazons have low survivability and are completely dependent on the quality of the bow they find. But I've done several, and they can be great fun.

 

[Quentin]

Is Witchwild String a good bow for the first strafer? Is it expensive to trade for one?

 

[AgentMarth]

Witchwild String is one of the best strafer bows IMO. The 40 Res, DS base on level, level 20 Magic arrows by default, 2 Sockets and CtC Amp are excellent.

It shouldn't be more than a few pgems, you would just need to find someone who has one to trade for, that will be the hardest part.

Oh and sorry to hear about your Strafer, I read her Deeds in the RIP thread. TPPK sucks.

 

[jesterlolz]

It does indeed. I was having so much fun with her, however, that I've decided to try again. She's already level 5 :laugh: .

 

[squiggle]

Good luck with it.

I *sort of* started HC with a strafe zon, After my summoners kept dieing when i got to hell =]


I've tried wws once and didnt like it, I guess my expectations may have been to high. My zon used Goldstrike Arch up until about lvl 84. Running pits easily with it, Until i could get fort+faith.



I have Max valk, Max Penetrate, 5/5/5 in d/a/e, Max strafe, One in ice arrow. 10 or so in crit after + skills. Rest to peirce.

Goodluck and have fun

 

[MrKaxe]

...My zon used Goldstrike Arch up until about lvl 84...Until i could get fort+faith.

It's a great lvl ing tool that bow...i used it as soon as i could equip it and up until i could equip my Faith...coupled that with Howltusk, Razortail, Duri Shell, Sanders boots n gloves, Ravenfrost and a rare amulet n ring will see you (OP) through the mid-levels all for the price of pgems...

 

[Quentin]

Witchwild String is one of the best strafer bows IMO. The 40 Res, DS base on level, level 20 Magic arrows by default, 2 Sockets and CtC Amp are excellent.

It shouldn't be more than a few pgems, you would just need to find someone who has one to trade for, that will be the hardest part.

Oh and sorry to hear about your Strafer, I read her Deeds in the RIP thread. TPPK sucks.

sadly the damage of WWS is too low... updating is a must for soloing hell...