Quested the Amazon through normal and got her to NM yesterday.
Dead Baal (at lvl 46):
Normal was done on P8. One very, very avoidable death vs Andy when poisoned down to 1 HP and refusing to pot.
As far as twinking goes, she started out with Envy jewelled Long Bow and Breast Plate. That carried her to around level 18 quickly. At some point she switched to Raven Claw which held up a little longer. Toughest stretch was early 20s until lvl 25 when she was able to equip Edge, followed by Skystrike at lvl 28. From then on things became easier by the minute, with an already partially synergized FA coming into play from lvl 30 onwards and Razor shortly thereafter, as well as Insight on Merc.
After entering A5 she made a few extra stops at Eldritch and then Pindle, getting to lvl 45 in order to wear what will be her gear for a while now. Namely Harmony, Raven, Valk Wing, 3/10 gloves. With FA being OP for now, A5 was a breeze and I expect NM to be no different.
At some point when monsters get tougher she might use Wizendraw on main switch until she can equip Ice and WF. Also I'll need to decide the armor question once in Hell..
Normal and NM were played on P8 all the way, the first tough stretch was ~18-25 where the available weapons weren't that great. From then on it was a walk in the park through Normal and NM. Hell was hard. Everything died instantly to FA... except of course CIs, and because of that she had to go down to P5 and then P3 from A3 onwards. Ancients to Baal was done on P1.
Final gear:
Code:
- 15% CSD Nightwing's Veil, socketed with a +3 MPK/7% FHR/42 AR/2 Str jewel
- Ice (+29% CSD, 161 ED) in superior Matriarchal Bow (8% ED)
- Windforce, socketed with 40% ED/6 Max damage jewel
- Skin of the Vipermagi ([email protected]), socketed with +4/-3 cold facet
- HLW
- Laying of Hands
- Razortail
- Ravenfrost
- Rare ring: ** AR/4 ML/7 LL/[email protected]
- Silkweave
Inventory:
- 3x Bow/Crossbow skillers
- life resist charms, one fine/FHR SC
Merc:
Infinity CV
eth Vampire Gaze
Lionheart Dusk Shroud
Core stats:
Max FA damage (Ice switch): 3036
Max Strafe damage (WF switch): 1900
Life: 880
Mana: 197
Resists: +67/-35/+55/-35
60% IAS (9 fpa Freezing Arrow, 5/3/3/3/8 Strafe on WF switch)
GoMule dump:
Code:
Name: TBU_Ice
Class: Amazon
Experience: 990792177
Level: 84
Naked/Gear
Strength: 129/134
Dexterity: 152/197
Vitality: 199/199
Energy: 15/15
HP: 813/880
Mana: 139/179
Stamina: 346/355
Defense: 38/972
AR: 730/1325
Fire: 167/127/67
Cold: 65/25/-35
Lightning: 155/115/55
Poison: 65/25/-35
MF: 0 Block: 27
GF: 280
FR/W: 30
FHR: 12
IAS: 60
FCR: 30
Magic Arrow: 1/11
Fire Arrow: 0/0
Cold Arrow: 20/30
Multiple Shot: 1/11
Exploding Arrow: 0/0
Ice Arrow: 1/11
Guided Arrow: 1/11
Strafe: 20/30
Immolation Arrow: 0/0
Freezing Arrow: 20/30
Inner Sight: 1/5
Critical Strike: 3/7
Dodge: 1/5
Slow Missiles: 1/5
Avoid: 1/5
Penetrate: 12/16
Decoy: 1/5
Evade: 1/5
Valkyrie: 4/8
Pierce: 4/8
Jab: 0/0
Power Strike: 0/0
Poison Javelin: 0/0
Impale: 0/0
Lightning Bolt: 0/0
Charged Strike: 0/0
Plague Javelin: 0/0
Fend: 0/0
Lightning Strike: 0/0
Lightning Fury: 0/0
Amber Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x360b2fa5
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Strength
Lightning Resist +11%
Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0xd2855aa6
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
31% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0xfd0e2ace
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+229 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen
Eagle Finger
Ring
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0x24bdd0e2
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+** to Attack Rating
4% Mana stolen per hit
7% Life stolen per hit
+9 Maximum Stamina
All Resistances +3
Damage Reduced by 2
Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 104
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Level: 32
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x5bc15920
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Piercing Attack
+10 to Maximum Damage
+141% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+15 to Dexterity
Attacker Takes Damage of (Based on Character Level) 84
Silkweave
Mesh Boots
Defense: 120
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 36
Required Strength: 65
Fingerprint: 0x2af69d5f
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
+168% Enhanced Defense
+200 Defense vs. Missile
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
+5 to Mana after each Kill
Coral Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xbe52c598
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
Lightning Resist +9%
Ruby Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 37
Fingerprint: 0x5812cc84
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30 to Life
Fire Resist +30%
Fletcher's Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xe2058af7
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
Ocher Small Charm of Strength
Small Charm
Required Level: 10
Fingerprint: 0x2d97a5ad
Item Level: 21
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Strength
Lightning Resist +7%
Ruby Small Charm of Greed
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x2917f8a2
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +11%
9% Extra Gold from Monsters
Laying of Hands
Bramble Mitts
Defense: 86
Durability: 12 of 12
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x3b166d85
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%
Fine Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0xcacea325
Item Level: 69
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+2 to Maximum Damage
+11 to Attack Rating
Key
Fingerprint: 0xbcac86a0
Item Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Amber Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0x3042e6fd
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24 to Life
Lightning Resist +28%
Fletcher's Grand Charm of Pestilence
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x5e68ad91
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
Adds 25 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
Fletcher's Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x9715226
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
Nightwing's Veil
Spired Helm
Defense: 334
Durability: 40 of 40
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 96
Fingerprint: 0x8bd71eee
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+7% Faster Hit Recovery
+42 to Attack Rating
+15% to Cold Skill Damage
+109% Enhanced Defense
+2 to Strength
+10 to Dexterity
+9 Cold Absorb
Half Freeze Duration
+3 to Mana after each Kill
Requirements -50%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Doom Whorl
Doom Whorl
Jewel
Required Level: 36
Fingerprint: 0x2ff290ea
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+7% Faster Hit Recovery
+42 to Attack Rating
+2 to Strength
+3 to Mana after each Kill
Ruby Small Charm of Greed
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x611829f0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Fire Resist +11%
9% Extra Gold from Monsters
Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 24 of 24
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x837ed801
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 37 Blizzard when you Die
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 24 - 38 Cold Damage Over 0 Secs (3 Frames)
-3% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+4% to Cold Skill Damage
+120% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +32
Magic Damage Reduced by 11
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet
Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xca8209e5
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 37 Blizzard when you Die
Adds 24 - 38 Cold Damage Over 0 Secs (3 Frames)
-3% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+4% to Cold Skill Damage
Windforce
Hydra Bow
Two Hand Damage: 39 - 533
Durability: 47 of 55
Required Level: 73
Required Strength: 134
Required Dexterity: 167
Fingerprint: 0x1ab70699
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20% Increased Attack Speed
290% Enhanced Damage
+6 to Maximum Damage
+262 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
7% Mana stolen per hit
Knockback
+10 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
Heal Stamina Plus 30%
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ruby Jewel of Wrath
Ruby Jewel of Wrath
Jewel
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xa11075b4
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
40% Enhanced Damage
+6 to Maximum Damage
Ice
Superior Matriarchal Bow
AmnShaelJahLo
Two Hand Damage: 52 - 122
Durability: 31 of 48
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 87
Required Dexterity: 187
Fingerprint: 0x7b5e45e9
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 40 Blizzard when you Level-Up
25% Chance to cast level 22 Frost Nova on striking
Level 18 Holy Freeze Aura When Equipped
+3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+20% Increased Attack Speed
161% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
-20% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+29% to Cold Skill Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
20% Deadly Strike
262% Extra Gold from Monsters (Based on Character Level)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Amn Rune
Required Level: 25
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 7% Life stolen per hit
Armor: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shields: Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed
Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery
Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
Jah Rune
Required Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Ignore Target's Defense
Armor: Increase Maximum Life 5%
Shields: +50 to Life
Lo Rune
Required Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Deadly Strike
Armor: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Shields: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Mercenary:
Name: Emilio
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Off-Nightmare
Experience: 71992318
Level: 84
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 184/209
Dexterity: 148/163
HP: 1727/1777
Defense: 1274/2091
AR: 1898/1898
Fire: 178/138/78
Cold: 178/138/78
Lightning: 178/138/78
Poison: 178/138/78
Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 378
Durability: 21 of 21
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 48
Fingerprint: 0x34216c19
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
6% Mana stolen per hit
8% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
Damage Reduced by 20%
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
Ethereal
Lionheart
Dusk Shroud
HelLumFal
Defense: 439
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 66
Fingerprint: 0xe5e53160
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Enhanced Damage
All Stats +10
+15 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
+10 to Vitality
+50 to Life
All Resistances +30
Requirements -15%
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Hel Rune
Socketed: Lum Rune
Socketed: Fal Rune
Hel Rune
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Requirements -20%
Armor: Requirements -15%
Shields: Requirements -15%
Lum Rune
Required Level: 37
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +10 to Energy
Armor: +10 to Energy
Shields: +10 to Energy
Fal Rune
Required Level: 41
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +10 to Strength
Armor: +10 to Strength
Shields: +10 to Strength
Infinity
Colossus Voulge
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 89 - 886
Durability: 26 of 26
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 200
Required Dexterity: 45
Fingerprint: 0xe32c84d8
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
50% Chance to cast level 20 Chain Lightning when you Kill an Enemy
Level 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Run/Walk
259% Enhanced Damage
-47% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
+42 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30/30 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Ber Rune
Required Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Chance of Crushing Blow
Armor: Damage Reduced by 8%
Shields: Damage Reduced by 8%
Mal Rune
Required Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Prevent Monster Heal
Armor: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Shields: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Ber Rune
Required Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Chance of Crushing Blow
Armor: Damage Reduced by 8%
Shields: Damage Reduced by 8%
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
I gotta say she was fun and essentially worked out as planned. But Bowazons in general are just so underpowered made me remember why I haven't played one in a long time. FA did massive damage in Hell also, everything not CI died immediately, but against those she was slow, and that resulted in tough situations. The Windforce on Strafe switch did a great job and added some mana leech and crowd control with Knockback as intended. It's just that Bowies are so fragile and their damage is rather low even with good items. She died several times also, once in Normal and three times in Hell. All deaths were avoidable and a consequence of sloppiness, but it kind of shows what I mean.
Action vid of her A4 finish in Hell on P3, which wasn't quite smooth either.
Her setup was improved later on to the list above. In Hell A4 I was trying out Peace as can be seen in the vid, which I found interesting with the level 15 Valk (as I didn't have too many spare skill points I didn't push Valk a lot). Wasn't really worth it though, still remains a crap armor. Faceted Viper worked much better, I then respec'ed once to get lvl 8 Valk at least. I used 3/10 gloves for most of the playthrough, but switched to LoH for some most welcome FR and the huge boost to damage vs demons, as FA was really powerful anyway and I found the physical damage boost to be more helpful.
One thing I underestimated during planning was low AR for Strafe, since I didn't (want to) stat high Dex, and Penetrate could only be pushed more towards the end and not maxed either. Because of this I ended up using an Infinity Merc over Insight, which solved that and moreover increased FA damage of course. Also Insight wasn't quite as useful as I had hoped. Eventually I relied on a combination of mana per kill (8 in total) and leech (4% on Ice switch, 11% on WF switch). Using WF switch to fire a volley of strafe that filled up mana immediately so that worked just fine.
HF was Nef/Pul/Lem. She ran 0 MF and didn't get any good drops, only these are worth mentioning at all:
Next up is most likely the Paladin as I want to run a more powerful build now, otherwise I'll get frustrated.
I think that the Zon actually isn't that underpowered ... you are just too spoiled with the top end builds . As a reference: in my sept there were (almost) no builds that I could do on /p8 in Hell. Often not even /p5 but /p3 instead at the later stages iirc.
This makes me want to play a Bowazon. Freezing arrow, but using a different backup than strafe. I'm still trying to work out the skill tree. BTW, you should take this amazon and do some cows runs.
I guess she could do Cows indeed, but nowhere near as fast as other builds. About Strafe as backup skill: I was mostly happy with having taken that route to be honest. Sometimes I used MS and thought I could have spent a couple more points there, but there were rarely masses of CIs. Mostly it was a handful of mobs at a time so Strafe worked well, and it adds a little bit of damage per skill point also which is most welcome, given physical damage is not increased much from the rest of the setup. So as far as physical damage goes, I think it makes the most sense.
Another option I briefly thought about before making her was to use Exploding Arrow, i.e. go full Magezon. But in the end I wanted to use Ice and make the most of it.
IIRC a FA/MS Zon I built in the past was actually quite good at clearing the Baal waves. That was with a Burriza, not Ice. Not sure about player settings though.
Probably will start the Zealot after RFL round 3 ends.
After what must have been some 15-20 tries with eth bugging decent eth Pally shields with exceptionally bad luck, this is the first one that rolled 4os. I am considering rolling Exile in this one. A good resists roll would have been preferrable of course, but Exile would be a really really good shield for what I have in mind, considering the Reaper-less setup I'm probably going with...
AND it would be cool to run with an eth shield along with the eth Death Cleaver.
Crafted this interesting ammy as well (though the Paladin will use the 2/20 of course as that's basically the main idea ).
#2 is done, this time in her own thread explaining everything. The Sorc ended up switching to Hand of Justice and Beast and was very fun in the end there. For the sake of good order, Mat Pic in here as well:
Next up I'd like to go for the Paladin with the eth Death Cleaver, but still hoping to find a better Exile base by regular running. I might have to resort to racking at some point though...
Next up I'd like to go for the Paladin with the eth Death Cleaver, but still hoping to find a better Exile base by regular running. I might have to resort to racking at some point though...
I ended up going for that. Took me about an hour to find a rack that drops STs and ran that here and there over the last couple of days. Good eth ones are really rare it seems, though I just might have been unlucky. However, yesterday I found this beauty:
Given the [email protected] roll, I'm actually considering taking it to Larzuk as opposed to eth bugging it.
Anyone have experience with Exile, and how much of a difference the eth bugging bonus would make? In terms of actual gameplay benefit.
Seeing one socket in there would be quite painful but there's no rush, since I'm actually missing an Ohm for Exile on my untwinked characters. And if my Necro finds one this will probably go to another CtA roll, I'd like to to improve over his +3 BO one. So I'll run the rack some more from time to time until I get a second eth/40+, to have a fallback option. Then I'll roll the dice once I'm ready to go for the Paladin here... depending on my luck with bases I might just try once though and go to Larzuk if it fails. I've ruined too many good Pally shields in my time.
Exile is all about the defence. It would be a shame if it rolled less than 4 sockets, but I'll flip the coin any day of the week rather than taking it to Larzuk. Exile is sort of pointless if not eBugged, at least in my eyes that is. And Sacred Targe is probably the worst base for one anyway, it has the least Base Defence of all Elite Pally Shields.
ST has the highest block rate and I consider it the best base (for any Pally shield really) because of that. I'm looking to use it not because I will need super high defence but mostly for the Life Tap. And because of the style points for using an eth shield with the eth Death Cleaver. Don't think the extra defence from ebugging results in a meaningful gameplay improvement. That being said, style dictates at least trying.
I will likely park the Paladin for now and continue to hit the ST rack. Ran it a little more but no second candidate yet. Also no sockets in the above one yet.
In the meantime, Nihl dropped this yesterday on my 99er Necro, which fits well for his brother in this sept:
The - fire res roll in particular was worse (-8) on the Mang Song's that my Sorc found, so the Necro will switch to this one. Current gearing and gameplay plan is this:
Melee switch (max block): TO Shield + Blackbog's Sharp, socketed with poison facet. Will likely use PN as well for AoE on top of Poison Dagger.
Casting switch (Fire Ball and Corpse Explosion): Mang Song's Lesson, socketed with fire facet
TO Gloves
TO Belt (CNBF and completing the 3-piece TO combo on dagger switch)
Crown of Ages, not sure yet what to socket
2x FCR/Resist/useful adds rings
Resist/FRW/FHR boots
Necro/FCR amulet
Aim is to hit 75% FCR on Mang Song switch for FB and CE use and 86% FHR on melee switch, with some damage reduction and good resists.
Not entirely sure about the armor yet, mostly since I'm really short on runes in the Gul-Ohm range on my untwinked characters currently. (I think Bramble would be very interesting, but Exile is more important for this project, and my Necro would like to roll another CtA as well. ) I'm leaning towards Arkaine's Valor for its +2 skills, life and 30% FHR on Dagger switch for melee. Viper/CoH come to mind as well. Probably going to be running without Enigma but with Infinity Merc.
Updated the first post as well to reflect current status.
Now that my 99er Necro is done, I'm ready to Zod the eth Death Cleaver and make an Exile. Well, I cubed the above posted ST... regrettably.
I'm going to run the ST rack a little more and see if I find something. Otherwise, and since the runes aren't too hard to stock up on, I might settle for Larzuk with this one to make the Paladin:
Well, I'm gone in a couple of days with little time left, so I just went for the sup ST base for now. Here's the Pat write-up. Been a while since I last played a Zealot, I forgot I really liked them.
The FoH element didn't work out though... really. Just too weak, except maybe on P1. But as a PI solution for a build that can take on higher player settings it wasn't really appropriate in the end. At one point in Hell I respec'ed to 100% Zealot and never looked back.
I might at one point make a pure FoHer and see how it performs when fully focusing on it.
