Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

[jeremyrx]

Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

Well I just got my Meterob (first character in 4 years) through hell and leveled properly and have been running the pits, mephy, and andy consistently. I decided it would be good to have a Hammerdin to run chaos and wsk plus baal. The thing is, I don't have a ton of extra gear yet, so I was hoping you guys could help me pick what you think would be best for me on a budget.

If I can't equip him well enough to consistently run chaos, then I'll just wait to do this, however after looking over a number of guides I think it would be possible. I'm looking to spend less than an um in total, and would really like to get away with less if at all possible.

Here is the gear I have right now that I'm considering using:
Weapon: wizspike
Armor: vipermagi
Helm: peasant crown OR rockstopper (for res and dam red)
Shield: pally spirit
Gloves: magefist
Ring: fcr, res, str

This is some of the stuff I'm considering buying:
Armor: Guardian Angel (no idea on cost for this one)
Belt: T-gods
Amulet: Seraphs
Ring: Ravenfrost
Boots: War Travs?? (probably cost too much)

So, looking at what I have and have planned, any input will be appreciated. Also, if you could let me know if you think that with the above equipment I will be able to survive and kill at least with acceptable speed in the areas I mentioned.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[mainaman]

Re: Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

you need an enigma to be most effective with hammerdin
or at least try and find a nice tele charges amulet

 

[ThomasJohnsen]

Re: Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

Here is the gear I have right now that I'm considering using:
Weapon: wizspike
Armor: vipermagi
Helm: peasant crown OR rockstopper (for res and dam red)
Shield: pally spirit
Gloves: magefist
Ring: fcr, res, str

This equipment will do nicely (if you don't mind walking) for CS-runs in 1 or 2 player games. I suggest using:

Weapon: Wizardspike
Armor: Vipermagi
Shield: Paladin Spirit -> Assuming 35fcr on this
Helmet: Peasant Crown (can be upgraded to Shako)
Rings: Raven/Dwarf/Rare for rings (can be upgraded to SoJ)
Gloves: MF gloves (maybe Chanceguards)
Boots: MF boots (can be upgraded to War Travelers)
Amulet: Rare with 10fcr (and possibly skills, if you can afford/gamble one)
Belt: MF belt (maybe Goldwrap)

This setup will give you 125fcr exactly, which is the highest casting breakpoint for a paladin granting 9 frames hammers. If you chance the amulet to a Mara or a Seraph's, you'll need a 10 fcr ring or some fcr gloves or belt (Magefists/Trang's gloves/Arachnid's Mesh/Crafted caster belt).
You won't need Wisp ring or T-Gods in CS, since there are no gloams. Just keep 75 lres for Diablo's Hose-lightning. Raven isn't essential either (but nice). Dwarf can be nice against Fire Enchanted monsters and Balrogs.
The nice thing about this setup is, that though it is only viable in games with few players, it is easily upgradable to yield much more damage, once you get your hands on some better equipment.

 

[jeremyrx]

Re: Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

Thanks for the advice Thomas. With the setup you describe will I have the survivability I will need? That is the main reason I decided to sacrifice skills.

Thanks

 

[BAMFSpecialOps]

Re: Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

You will have 125% fcr, nice res, nice +skills as long as you play smart you will be fine with that gear set up.

 

[ThomasJohnsen]

Re: Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

^^ what he said.

Only thing missing is a bit of DR, which isn't all that neccessary in CS.
Just use redemption (1 skill-point will suffice with +skills from gear) between encounters to regain health/mana and you'll be fine.

 

[BAMFSpecialOps]

Re: Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

I would keep 1 ring as a Raven for the cbf, since you will be walking/running most of the time. The Dex also helps on your chance to block.

 

[tetracycloide]

Re: Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

you might want to pick up a spellsteal or Naj's staff to put on switch for teleport. naj is the better option between the two, more charges, higher levle tele, more fast cast, more +mana. they're both pretty cheep and they save a lot of time.

 

[cooljmac]

Re: Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

I plan to use

Enigma
2x soj
shako
treks
aracnid 20 fcr
magefist 20 fcr
rare pally ammy 10fcr
pally spirit shield 35 fcr
hoto 40 fcr

This gives me the 125 fcr and 14 all skills

 

[jeremyrx]

Re: Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

Is 125% fcr that important? I figured I'd rather kill slowly and not die, but I could be way off as I've never played a Hammedin.

BAMFSpecialOps, thanks for the tip.

tetracycloide, how much do they cost? Also, you mean for saving time on act boss or countess runs? I like to walk chaos and wsk as I've found many good things there with fishymancers in the past. Also, how much does it cost to repair? Thanks!

cooljmac, that's great. If I could afford that stuff, I would use that too. However, I play ladder and this is my second character this season and I only want to spend an um in total for my gear.

Thanks for all the input guys, keep it coming!

 

[ThomasJohnsen]

Re: Gear Selection Help for Hammerdin

Is 125% fcr that important? I figured I'd rather kill slowly and not die, but I could be way off as I've never played a Hammedin.

75fcr is sufficient in most cases in CS. But the thing is: Even if you sacrifice a skillpoint or 2 to reach 125fcr, the extra hammers spinning may increase your damage output nonetheless. And more spinning hammers also mean monsters in hit-recovery more often, which translates to less hits taken.
But try both out and see, which you prefer. I have seen hammerdins functioning well with both 75fcr and 125fcr. Just don't settle for less than 75fcr.