Guardian Kodi - HC 1pt Mauler/Kodiak

[Dezrok]

It's a bear. It was going to be a Kodiak (Hunger Bear), but with Hunger bugged for bears, the Kodiak is a really gear dependent build. I didn't have a lot of the gear (I thought I would find more of it by the time it mattered), so it turned out that 1pt Maul was our main attack and Hunger used just to top up the bulbs every now and again. Actually, a lot of the time Kodi just sat back and played at being a Summoner while spamming Shockwave and letting the merc deal with everything. He would wade into the fray just to stop me from getting too bored, but really almost everything was killed by the merc, Kodi was just too slow and did too little damage.


Limited myself to being a 2-hander and investing points in a limited skill set which was randomly selected (Hunger, Shockwave, Werebear, Lycanthropy, Poison Creeper, Heart Wolverine and Dire Wolf). Also another moderately twinked effort, with gear being a very long way from godly.

Guardian screen

LCS


Stats

Name:       Kodi
Class:      Druid
Experience: 949305356
Level:      83


            Naked/Gear
Strength:   152/174
Dexterity:  119/121
Vitality:   214/214
Energy:     20/55
HP:         616/660 (Bear=2046)
Mana:       184/254
Stamina:    355/355
Defense:    29/1874
AR:         565/20622


Damage with max Maul+Enchant - Maul=1048-1987/Hunger=358-724


Fire:       172/132/72
Cold:       154/114/54
Lightning:  176/136/76
Poison:     139/99/39


MF:         87       Block:      12
GF:         133
FR/W:       45
FHR:        70
IAS:        80
FCR:        0

Skills

Raven: 1/3
Poison Creeper: 20/22
Oak Sage: 1/3
Summon Spirit Wolf: 1/3
Carrion Vine: 0/0
Heart of Wolverine: 20/22
Summon Dire Wolf: 11/13
Solar Creeper: 0/0
Spirit of Barbs: 0/0
Summon Grizzly: 0/0


Werewolf: 1/5
Lycanthropy: 20/24
Werebear: 1/5
Feral Rage: 1/5
Maul: 1/5
Rabies: 0/0
Fire Claws: 1/5
Hunger: 5/9
Shock Wave: 10/14
Fury: 0/0


Firestorm: 0/0
Molten Boulder: 0/0
Arctic Blast: 0/0
Fissure: 0/0
Cyclone Armor: 0/0
Twister: 0/0
Volcano: 0/0
Tornado: 0/0
Armageddon: 0/0
Hurricane: 0/0

Gear

Hone Sundan
Yari
Two Hand Damage: 98 - 199
Durability: 28 of 28
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 101
Fingerprint: 0xc3bbb73d
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+60% Increased Attack Speed
171% Enhanced Damage
Adds 20 - 40 Damage
45% Chance of Crushing Blow
Repairs 1 Durability in 10 Seconds
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune


Jalal's Mane
Totemic Mask
Defense: 250
Durability: 18 of 20
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x265eda25
Item Level: 68
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
+153% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
+20 to Energy
All Resistances +30
+5 to Mana after each Kill


Duress
Dusk Shroud
ShaelUmThul
Defense: 1246
Durability: 17 of 20
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 77
Fingerprint: 0x447e29fe
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Hit Recovery
14% Enhanced Damage
Adds 37 - 133 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+167% Enhanced Defense
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +15
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune


Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 87
Durability: 11 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x5d6a6909
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 3 Holy Bolt on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+350% Damage to Demons
+25 Defense
Fire Resist +50%


String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 107
Durability: 19 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x48b6e94d
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Life stolen per hit
+163% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 13%
Magic Damage Reduced by 13
+10 Maximum Durability


Natalya's Soul
Mesh Boots
Defense: 154
Durability: 66 of 116
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x2f527a77
Item Level: 69
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+40% Faster Run/Walk
+114 Defense
Heal Stamina Plus (Based on Character Level) +20%
Cold Resist +20%
Lightning Resist +25%
+50 Maximum Durability


Blood Touch
Ring
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0x58134da9
Item Level: 67
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Minimum Damage
+101 to Attack Rating
+15 to Energy
Lightning Resist +27%
Poison Resist +24%
Damage Reduced by 2


Gold Ring of Fortune
Ring
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x1cdc5758
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+94 to Attack Rating
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Beast Necklace
Amulet
Required Level: 51
Fingerprint: 0x4275852e
Item Level: 78
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+8 to Minimum Damage
Cold Resist +11%
Lightning Resist +17%
Poison Resist +37%
Damage Reduced by 1
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Obedience
Thresher
HelKoThulEthFal
Two Hand Damage: 56 - 662
Durability: 63 of 65
Required Level: 53
Required Strength: 122
Required Dexterity: 95
Fingerprint: 0x26ca4006
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
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 Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
-25% to Enemy Fire Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
+232 Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Dexterity
All Resistances +29
Requirements -20%
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Hel Rune
Socketed: Ko Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Eth Rune
Socketed: Fal Rune


Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0xd9ab49e8
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
133% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 10%
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Tangerine Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0xa3d1f66
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +5%
4% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Fine Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x3837ada7
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating
4% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Steel Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0xb3055a95
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+129 to Attack Rating


Steel Large Charm of Dexterity
Large Charm
Required Level: 44
Fingerprint: 0xa430af90
Item Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+65 to Attack Rating
+2 to Dexterity


Coral Small Charm of Venom
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0x4e7844e5
Item Level: 45
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 15 Poison Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
Lightning Resist +8%


Coral Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xc7e28aaf
Item Level: 55
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Lightning Resist +9%


Shimmering Small Charm
Small Charm
Required Level: 25
Fingerprint: 0x37c5a26f
Item Level: 66
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +3


Sapphire Large Charm of Storms
Large Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x22588155
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 33 Lightning Damage
Cold Resist +15%


Ruby Large Charm of Inertia
Large Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x48e8e87a
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Run/Walk
Fire Resist +14%


Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0xaaae49a1
Item Level: 56
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 18
Fingerprint: 0x4778eba5
Item Level: 50
Version: Expansion 1.10+
4% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items


Garnet Large Charm of Sustenance
Large Charm
Required Level: 34
Fingerprint: 0x8fd95abc
Item Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24 to Life
Fire Resist +12%


Ruby Small Charm of Storms
Small Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x43dfd870
Item Level: 68
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 1 - 26 Lightning Damage
Fire Resist +10%


Garnet Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xd6a557ad
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Fire Resist +8%


Ocher Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 16
Fingerprint: 0xbe455c90
Item Level: 70
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Strength
Lightning Resist +7%

Mercenary

Name:       Durga
Race:       Desert Mercenary
Type:       Off-Nightmare
Experience: 69494056
Level:      83
Dead?:      false


            Naked/Gear
Strength:   183/183
Dexterity:  147/147
HP:         1687/1687
Defense:    1245/1961
AR:         1889/1889


Fire:       147/107/47
Cold:       177/137/77
Lightning:  162/122/62
Poison:    147/107/47


Zach's Treachery
Scarab Husk
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 450
Durability: 28 of 28
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x55625ad3
Item Level: 82
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 15 Fade when struck
25% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune


Blackhorn's Face
Death Mask
Defense: 266
Durability: 15 of 20
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x304f8e37
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Prevent Monster Heal
Slows Target by 20%
+206% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +15%
+20 Lightning Absorb
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 25


The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 42 - 494
Durability: 65 of 65
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 114
Required Dexterity: 89
Fingerprint: 0x6ee6695d
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
+15% Increased Attack Speed
251% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (37 Frames)
13% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel of Fervor


Ruby Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xefc527af
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
40% Enhanced Damage

Finds - Mausoleum: Gul; HF: Lem (pretty much nothing)


NDEs - none


So, what to say. Large life and Shockwave - does it get much safer? PIs broken by Reaper's (there was only one unbreakable PI in the whole run), unleachables were more of a problem, well I had to use potions, that's not really a problem. Hunger - does it get much slower in terms of killing speed? Hunger looks impressive but sounds horrible and is pretty ineffective. The times you want it's leach to work are usually against big hitting high phys resists or unleachables, when of course it does nothing or next to nothing.


The Future? When I finally find a Guilliame's and Gore Riders/Goblin Toes I might come back to Kodi and kit him out properly as a Kodiak, just to see if Hunger gets any better (but I have my doubts, as Maul is always going to be almost twice as fast for a bear). Ultimately though, I think he is looking to be respeced into something that is just a little more fun to play with.

 

[FredOfErik]

I tried building a hunger bear once, got all the gear, etc., but then learned about the buggy only-every-other-attack thing. Long time since we've seen a druid guardian. Druids suck.

JK, grats on the guardian Nice use of hone sundane, and you also have a couple of charms I would love to steal!

 

[srrw]

Forget the charms, perfect RJoF in the Reaper's :crazyeyes: I wish I had one of those.

Congratz on the guardian

 

[crawlingdeadman]

Congratulations! I just went through as a bear, good build.

Forget the charms, perfect RJoF in the Reaper's :crazyeyes: I wish I had one of those.

Ouch, not even a perfect ed% one at that

 

[Dezrok]

Congratulations! I just went through as a bear, good build.

Ouch, not even a perfect ed% one at that

Having just started building a HC stash I'm using what I've got ... and I figure the RJoF would just go rusty if I left it in the stash until I found a perfect Reaper's. Might as well use it.

 

[maxicek]

Congratulations on the Guardian.

The Future? When I finally find a Guilliame's and Gore Riders/Goblin Toes I might come back to Kodi and kit him out properly as a Kodiak, just to see if Hunger gets any better

It doesn't. Maul with a bit of leech or Dracul's is >>>> Hunger. Kodiak guide is most over hyped (by the author) on the forums, even before the bug was revealed.

 

[crawlingdeadman]

Town Dump > Kodiak

 

[Dezrok]

Just thought I'd post an update. I've re-geared Kodi to get 100% CB and been taking him out for a few runs. It has actually made a much bigger difference than I expected and while certainly not overpowered he is at least effective and enjoyable to play and level to 85 using Hunger as the main attack.


New Gear:
Weapon1: Windhammer + Shael (12 fpa, 6 fpa animation)
Weapon2: Obedience Thresher
Head: Guillame's Face + Um
Body: Duress Dusk Shroud
Gloves: IK
Belt: IK
Boots: Rares (30% frw, 27% lig res, 29 pois res, 6% MF)
Amulet: Chromatic Amulet of the Colossus (30% all res, 57 life)
Ring1: Ravenfrost
Ring2: Rare (10% fcr, 103 AR, 2% ml, 1 life, 17% cold res, 23 lig res)


Note that there is no life leech on any of the gear and only 2% mana leech. This frees up gear for other things but makes Kodi very dependent on using Hunger. Obedience is used with Maul at the beginning of a session until Enchant triggers and then it is all Hunger and Windhammer. Even that (usually) short period can see the red bulb falling and some pots having to be used.


Like many builds mana burning unleachables are a big problem, otherwise Kodi can wade in and tank pretty much any normal monsters, just having to watch out for some of the big hitting boss packs.


Kodi has been running Eldritch/Shenk/Pindle with success, but it was rather boring, so I switched to AT which has a nice map and provides a bit more variety. The biggest issue is that with all the CB Kodi is best suited for taking down high life bosses. However, he needs a few monsters first to trigger Enchant, which takes places like Travincal out of the equation. Possibly Meph would be good, but Kodi's map is terrible. CS would probably be best if I found a source of teleport and WSK and Baal involves big time investment/run (once again without a source of tele).


I think further improvements could be found by swapping the boots for Gore Riders (when I find them). This would allow me to swap out Duress for another armour and still keep 100% CB. I'm thinking Treachery, which would take care of the needed 20% off-weapon IAS, a big chunk of resists (Fade) and some poison damage (not reduced by Hunger). This would then further free up other gear slots for more elemental damage, AR and MF, as well as giving more flexibility in the charms department.

 

[HC Gunther]

Congrats on the guardian and thanks for posting this. I had been wondering what to do once Lonelybear in the Exposure tourney starts encountering FI's, PI's and FI/PI's. This has given me some ideas.

 

[Dezrok]

Congrats on the guardian and thanks for posting this. I had been wondering what to do once Lonelybear in the Exposure tourney starts encountering FI's, PI's and FI/PI's. This has given me some ideas.

For FIs 1pt in Maul should be enough
For PIs your Fireclaws should rip through them
It's only the FI/PIs that could be a problem. It seems unlikely that you can expect Reapers in an untwinked single pass game. Lawbringer rw should be possible for an alternative source of Decrep with a Lem rune, either for you or an Act 5 merc. Else a wand of Lower Resist to break the FI (playing to your strengths) or an Amp Damage weapon to break the PI. Alternatively a high elemental damage weapon such as the Harmony rw (Ko rune) for you and/or an Act 1 merc, as you are using it for PIs the physical damage is irrelevant so you could make it in a Hunter's Bow to avoid high dex requirements.