In this new leader session, which class and build will you be playing?

A sorceress, but maybe a fire one this time (I'm used to start with a blizz). I tried starting with a javazon two ladders ago, it was interesting to start with another class, but I like "MFing" so I return to a sorceress.
But maybe my second character will be a bowzone ( Strafe). I have one in NL and it's super fun to play, even if it's expensive haha.

Nyffs wrote: 6 months ago

A sorceress, but maybe a fire one this time (I'm used to start with a blizz). I tried starting with a javazon two ladders ago, it was interesting to start with another class, but I like "MFing" so I return to a sorceress.
But maybe my second character will be a bowzone ( Strafe). I have one in NL and it's super fun to play, even if it's expensive haha.

I have similar tastes in characters. I always start with a Zon( Strafe. This one finds all my bases). Then the Barb( Frenzy/Horker, of course... This Dude finds everything else). Third is a Paladin( Zeal/ Smite. Sometimes, FoH. Gotta have this Dude). And last but not least, cuz I love them a lot, a sorceress(Lightning. Tho, sometimes Blizzard/Orb).

However, this time I will be attempting a summoner Druid, first. Should be a great support class for the group.

I would play a KickSin. However, these characters are toooo good. They are like methamphetamine... (Oops, did I say that?) After this season, I need to go to rehab and stay clean for awhile.

QuadraHedron wrote: 6 months ago

Nyffs wrote: 6 months ago

A sorceress, but maybe a fire one this time (I'm used to start with a blizz). I tried starting with a javazon two ladders ago, it was interesting to start with another class, but I like "MFing" so I return to a sorceress.
But maybe my second character will be a bowzone ( Strafe). I have one in NL and it's super fun to play, even if it's expensive haha.

I have similar tastes in characters. I always start with a Zon( Strafe. This one finds all my bases). Then the Barb( Frenzy/Horker, of course... This Dude finds everything else). Third is a Paladin( Zeal/ Smite. Sometimes, FoH. Gotta have this Dude). And last but not least, cuz I love them a lot, a sorceress(Lightning. Tho, sometimes Blizzard/Orb).

However, this time I will be attempting a summoner Druid, first. Should be a great support class for the group.

I would play a KickSin. However, these characters are toooo good. They are like methamphetamine... (Oops, did I say that?) After this season, I need to go to rehab and stay clean for awhile.

I still didn't try a barb build for now. I struggle a bit with this kind of character (same for a hammerdin or paladin in general). I'm planning to start ones offline and follow guides, mostly to play all the game can offer, but with my own things and not rely on trades. It will forces me to really get into the builds to learn the mechanics and the more "advanced" gameplay ^^ So I play classes I'm used to in ladder.

Summon druid is one of my favorite build I put on an Enigma on mine lately and it's so smooth and relaxing (and the dogs !). Very easy to do but it's slow.

Nyffs wrote: 6 months ago

I still didn't try a barb build for now. I struggle a bit with this kind of character (same for a hammerdin or paladin in general). I'm planning to start ones offline and follow guides, mostly to play all the game can offer, but with my own things and not rely on trades. It will forces me to really get into the builds to learn the mechanics and the more "advanced" gameplay ^^ So I play classes I'm used to in ladder.

Summon druid is one of my favorite build I put on an Enigma on mine lately and it's so smooth and relaxing (and the dogs !). Very easy to do but it's slow.

If you like Zons... You may like a Fist of the Heavens Paladin. I'm not saying try this as your first into the new ladder. However, I can see how a Frenzy Barb or Paladin could frustrate...? A Fist of the Heavens Paladin may be right up your alley. Look it up and give it a try sometime.

Right on. It's cool that The Summoner Druid is your favorite. I've read about The Summoner Druids being strong. I'm usually a Shape Shifter when it comes to Druids... I'm pretty excited to do The Summoner Druid. I think it will turn out well.

QuadraHedron wrote: 6 months ago

Nyffs wrote: 6 months ago

I still didn't try a barb build for now. I struggle a bit with this kind of character (same for a hammerdin or paladin in general). I'm planning to start ones offline and follow guides, mostly to play all the game can offer, but with my own things and not rely on trades. It will forces me to really get into the builds to learn the mechanics and the more "advanced" gameplay ^^ So I play classes I'm used to in ladder.

Summon druid is one of my favorite build I put on an Enigma on mine lately and it's so smooth and relaxing (and the dogs !). Very easy to do but it's slow.

If you like Zons... You may like a Fist of the Heavens Paladin. I'm not saying try this as your first into the new ladder. However, I can see how a Frenzy Barb or Paladin could frustrate...? A Fist of the Heavens Paladin may be right up your alley. Look it up and give it a try sometime.

Right on. It's cool that The Summoner Druid is your favorite. I've read about The Summoner Druids being strong. I'm usually a Shape Shifter when it comes to Druids... I'm pretty excited to do The Summoner Druid. I think it will turn out well.

Oh, thanks for the advice, didn't thought about that build, it could be cool to do.
Have fun with your druid then ^^

Nyffs wrote: 6 months ago

Oh, thanks for the advice, didn't thought about that build, it could be cool to do.
Have fun with your druid then ^^

You're quite welcome for the advice. Good luck with the FoH Paladin. Have fun out there in the game.

QuadraHedron wrote: 6 months ago

Right on. It's cool that The Summoner Druid is your favorite. I've read about The Summoner Druids being strong. I'm usually a Shape Shifter when it comes to Druids... I'm pretty excited to do The Summoner Druid. I think it will turn out well.

The Summoner Druid is not strong, compared to A- or S-Tier builds he is rather weak.

But... it's hellova fun to play solo. My favorite build for chilled and laid back late night gaming. He excels in clearing Terror Zones and is able to clear most zones without an issue.

Try the following build: Max all summons, Ravens included, and Heart of the Wolverine. Put one point into: Werewolf, Lycanthropy, Werebear, Maul: Skill, Shock Wave and Carrion Vine.

Get a Beast Berserker Axe, Spirit, Enigma, Jalal's Mane, Arachnid Mesh, 20 IAS gloves of your choice (preferably some additional crushing blow), Boots of your choice (War Traveller for MF, Gore Rider for damage), some jewelry and a bunch of summon skillers. You should aim for the 63 FCR breakpoint because you are a caster class. You need cast speed for recasting Summons, Shock Wave and Teleport.

Get an Act 1 Cold Arrow Rogue and give her a Mist Grand Matron Bow, Delirium and Hustle/Treachery armor.

Now you have 3 damage auras, faster attack speed, Inner Sight, Confuse, Stun, Blind. The Rogue will do serious AoE damage (you can max her out at 2.5k average damage plus 1k cold splash at 8 frames per attack) and since she is ranged, she will always attack something, ignoring all your wolves blocking the way.

Gameplay: Tele near the crowd, shapeshift to Werebear, Stun the mob and start slapping. Inner Sight will reduce most enemies' defense to zero, so your AR doesn't matter. You will do around 4K max damage per hit, that's nothing to write home about, but the Crushing Blow and Stun effect of Maul: Skill will help a lot fighting Super Uniques and cold immunes like Vampires or Oblivion Knights.

Or just lean back and enjoy the show. In Singleplayer, there's absolutely nothing that can withstand the combined crowd control and power of your pack. This is one of the safest builds I ever played, and it is able to play up to /P3. You will easily get around 200+ magic find as well to find good stuff. As Werebear, you have around 3.5k life (before BO!) and 5k defense.

Some say you should go for an Act 2 Merc with Reaper's Toll. I have tested ANY merc build possible (Barb with dual LW, LW+Plague, LW+Lawbringer, Ironwolf with Enchant, Lightning Wolf with high IAS, Act 2 Pride, Reapers etc.), but the Mist wielding Rogue has the highest average kill speed in Singleplayer. Period. She is slow in fighting Baal, but that's the only drawback. Killing Diablo takes 5 seconds. She wrecks physical immunes like Succubi or Wraths in a dozen and one-hits smaller enemies like Flayers. The Desert Merc is faster at sniping Super Uniques, but he clearly falls back when fighting huge crowds, and this is what I do most of the time.

Two advices: Don't go higher than /P5. And don't go into The Secret Cow Level. Whatever merc you are using, you won't have fun there.

@DasNarf : druid fcr BPs are 68, 99, 163, not 63.

vued wrote: 6 months ago

@DasNarf : druid fcr BPs are 68, 99, 163, not 63.

Werebear breakpoints are more important, because the shapeshifted cast rates are much higher, and here we are at 63 sweet spot for 11 frames, the third highest cast rate possible. With Arach, one FCR ring and a 33+ Spirit you are set. You can up this to 68 if you want faster Teleport, but this is a nice to have, not mandatory. Most of the time you will be in Bear form.

Btw, I am not using CtA but a Hoto on swap, so my Teleport and recasting speed (as Bear) is at 99 breakpoint.

DasNarf wrote: 6 months ago

vued wrote: 6 months ago

@DasNarf : druid fcr BPs are 68, 99, 163, not 63.

Werebear breakpoints are more important, because the shapeshifted cast rates are much higher, and here we are at 63 sweet spot for 11 frames, the third highest cast rate possible. With Arach, one FCR ring and a 33+ Spirit you are set. You can up this to 68 if you want faster Teleport, but this is a nice to have, not mandatory. Most of the time you will be in Bear form.

Btw, I am not using CtA but a Hoto on swap, so my Teleport and recasting speed (as Bear) is at 99 breakpoint.

Wolf and bear are faster casting than the human form. Again what learned! XD

vued wrote: 6 months ago

Again what learned! XD

I play this game for 25 years now, and I find something new every few weeks. Maybe I just have a bad memory... haha.