~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

[Dizzymjewu]

~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

Good day!

As introduced in title, i'm having some questions about my hybrid LF/Multizon. I went for a combo between Kyija's build and Euro-Crash's build. My intentions were using it primarily in the CS and Furnace of Pain, but it would be great if it can do other area's too.

So far so good, i'm now at level 84 and in the Black Marsh everything falls with a one hit kill to my bow or javelin. But when i'm in the CS, things go... slow.

Therefore i thought to ask for some considerations regarding gear selection, merc and so. I went with A2 offensive because i can't afford myself a Faithmerc just yet.

About my stats (after torch/anni)
str. 135
dex. 444
vita. 66
energy. 46
remaining: 43 (all attributes quests to do)

Skills:
all passives 1 skill
Magic Arrow: maxed
Multishot: maxed
Jab: 1 skill
LF: maxed

I have 12 points remaining at this moment but lots of skillquests to do (3x Izual 3x Radament).

My gear:

Rare circlet with 2 ama skills, 30frw, 6-27 colddmg added, 23 life, dr 4
Cat's Eye
Windforce // Titan's 194/5 + Dream trollnest ([email protected])
Forti [email protected], 1,375life in Wirefleece
Nosferatu's Coil
Raven 20/220, Rare 35ar, 4ml, 8ll, mdr2
Gloves: 2J&S 20ias 15ar 8str coldres 27 fireres 20 // 2B%C 20ias 17ar 3ml 8str
Waterwalks 199ed, 62 life

Now for my own considerations: i very much doubt between Nosferatu's and Razortail. Razortail because of the piercing attack and dexterity, Nosferatu for the Slow Target, LL and str on it. If i ditch Nosferatu, i won't be able to wear my Windforce anymore so would have to put points in strength. It would be truer to the build though if going real glassy.

Earlier for the weapon i doubted between Thunderstrokes and Titan's. I happen to have a perfect pair of strokes, but i really dislike the ever-returning repairs. So i don't really see that as an option tbh.

As for the helmet: the frw and skills are really nice, as is the lifebonus, but the big absents are resist, strength/dex or some leech there.

Gloves: undecided too, now most of the time switch if i have a clue beforehand what i'm going to use more, otherwise i go for LoH.

Shield: Dream would have been nice, but the roll is... well, terrible. Would a Stormshield be better here?

Amulet: Currently using Cat's Eye, as recommended by Euro-Crash. However, i think Highlord may be a better choice for the +1 Skill, resist and a nice part of deadly strike. Also i have considered Atma's but i feel i don't hit often enough to make the amp cast on regular basis, so it would be pretty much the inferior choice.

A miscellaneous question i have is regarding Pierce in combination with Knockback: does this work or not? I have a feeling it doesn't, at least i never see it happen simultaneously. And if this is the case, i'm very much tempted not to go for max pierce and also not use Razortail, the Slow Target ranks higher then imo. But i'm open to suggestions.

To shorten up an already too long story: what do you think of it?

 

[Ed from Russia]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

I can understand you are experiencing problems, especially with the Lightning skills.

Not sure if I like your skill setup. Your Lightning skills don't do much damage because you don't have points in synergies. I would max at least one synergy - Charged Strike so you would also have a close-range attack.

I also don't understand why you have Magic Arrow maxed; are you using that as well? The boost in damage and AR per level is negligable, and you really don't need magic damage (you already have 2 sources). Also, I probably wouldn't have maxed Multi because I think 15 arrows should be enough, but others might have different opinions.

Instead, you should have invested in Pierce (vital for BOTH attacks you use), a bit in Critical Strike (doubles your bow dmg) and Lightning synergies. So your setup would be somethign like:
- 10 Multi
- 5 Critical
- 10-20 Pierce
- 20 L Fury
- 20 C Strike
- rest in Lightning synergies

Your equipment: some nice rares and the rest is decent. But I might lose the Dream for Stormshield.

Pierce and Knockback don't make you hit a target twice, but both effects will work on a monster.

 

[crawlingdeadman]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

dream is a terrible shield option. stormshield isnt needed for pvm unless you're more of a build that'll be up in monster's faces. i like spirit or if you dont have the str splendor or lidless. best option imo is a deflecting tower w/ facets. i dont like fort on a hybrid. i prefer Coh since it has nearly as much ed% to demons/undead and also has massive res and 2skills. highlords helps both sides more than cat's eye. highlords lets you avoid putting some points into crit too.

nothing beats razortail for pvm.

i have a cool pair of 2jav/crushing blow gloves, but LoH are good.

your skills leave much to be desired imo. why magic arrow? you have one of the best boss killers in the game (cs). it kills non LI's faster than you can blink and for the occasional LI/PI you can get by w/ just one point. i also think that strafe is better than multi for this build as you have fury to kill groups faster than anything on the bow side. clean up with strafe or for few monsters and cs the stragglers.

 

[Dizzymjewu]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

Sounds a lot like a rebuild to me :smiley:

I do indeed use Magic Arrow vs. any survivors of my Multispray / Fury.

In that case, would Windforce be the way to go on the bowside again?

And is it a good idea to make a glass cannon for the purpose i intend to use her for? I like the idea quite much she's so vulnerable yet so powerful.

 

[Ed from Russia]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

Windforce is fine, other nice options are Faith, Harmony and upped WWS.
Glass cannot would be tricky when you use the lightning skills; especially with Charged Strike you need to be able to take a hit.

 

[Dizzymjewu]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

Allright, i've deleted the char and made a new one. Let the leveling begin again

I'll go with Windforce again then, and when i can afford it, Faith on the merc. Till that time, is the mightmerc a good choice?

Thanks!

edit: For merc, i've considered A3 with Azurewrath / Lawbringer or A5 with Azurewrath / Lawbringer and Grief too.

 

[slayer37]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

A3 merc don't engage in melee enough (if ever) to consider melee swords like Azurewrath / Lawbringer. They need +skills and fcr to be more effective.

A5 ones are decent but IMO A2 mercs are still the best for their auras.

 

[Dizzymjewu]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

I name those swords mostly for the aura they bear, i think those may be a help to hold back the Knights. But indeed, A2 mightmerc seems better to me, only thing is they might suffer a death due to IM occasionally.

And my apologies to Kijya for misspelling his name earlier.

 

[crawlingdeadman]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

might with reaper's toll is the default for the bowa that isnt using faith (merc) or pride. if you get tired of him dying, get better tactics or the act 3 w/ lawbringer is a good option (though it's better on characters w/ teleport).

 

[Dizzymjewu]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

Thanks :thumbsup:

 

[crawlingdeadman]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

oh, nearly forgot the harmony merc. she's not all that useful, but she's better than a dead might merc.

 

[Dizzymjewu]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

True, but i guess the loss of damage when going with Harmony makes the slowing of Decrep and gains of damage still the better choice. The merc doesn't die that much anyway, when taking a pause if he's under IM.

Will still go with Faith when i have the currency for it anyway. I had a pause when i looked at "Wrath" btw, is that commonly used or a good choice to equip self or on merc? The ctc amp looks nice...

 

[Kijya]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

For a windforce wielder, faith merc really makes a difference, that is if you're a pure bowzon. Hybrids can also go with infinity merc, but will then lean heavily towards being more of a java in my opinion.

For faith wielders who run chaos, act 3 mercs with last wish can provide might without getting killed by IM, though immensely expensive of course.



As for the usage of charged strike on a glass cannon I have to say that it's slightly risky, without high gear you'll easily die if you take a hit at the wrong time by the wrong enemy. My solution: get maxed resists, increase your life with charms/gear.

Maxed resistance because you might want to finish of a elementally enhanced physical immune in close combat instead of throwing lots of LF:s on him ...

Atm my hybrid sports 8xx life (might be able to reach 1k in the future ... sometime) with maxed resists and base vitality, not immortality itself, but I get by fine mostly. I'd say 600 is needed to take a hit by diablo in p8, though make sure not to have amp cast on you (or IM ofc ...).

 

[Dizzymjewu]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

Kijya,

I'm planning on your build (windtitan) now, also with maxed res (through charms) and base vita. Though it will be a bit downsized in budget, due to the lack of Faith still.. it shouldn't be long however till i will be able to afford one.

Will keep you guys informed on how she works

 

[crawlingdeadman]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

here's my hybrid based largely on kija's guide. i go though some gear options in the post that is linked in that thread.

 

[Kijya]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

I've gone astray myself, quite different from my old guide at the moment. Still working on the new one, hopefully I'll find some time to complete it within this or the next month.

But of course the windforce/titans and faith merc are still there :azn:

 

[Dizzymjewu]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

Crawlingdeadman thank you for the clear post on gear selection! I probably will go with a (again bit downsized) very similar setup to the one you're using!

Kijya astray as in making a whole new setup or astray as to tweak it further? :smiley:

 

[Kijya]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

Keep an eye on the zon showoff thread, will post full gear and screenies.

I am personally quite pleased with the new setups performance so far, but since I've had less time playing around with it I have many improvements to do before I consider it finished.

 

[Dizzymjewu]

Re: ~Questions / considerations regarding my hybrid!~

Gear looks nice! I actually didn't think of Kira as an option yet, but i have a very nice one i have been using on my Assa in UT earlier, [email protected] 15ias. I'm looking forward to trying it out.