Three Warlocks walk into a bar...

...well, not yet My sons and I are still in Act 1 at the beginning of our journey (at least good old Deckard Cain is now with us) but of course we will have a drink with Atma (non-alcoholic, goes without saying ) when we are done with Radament. We are on SC NL and will post some updates if something interesting happens or we completed major quests or difficulties. Best find so far is a Dagger with +2 to Ring of Fire.

I have stored some leveling gear to help but we will take it slowly - not the least because I have very limited time in general and the kids especially concerning the screen time (so do not expect regular updates). My youngest son has decided to make a fire build (he is already in love with "fire Nova" ), my oldest will start with fire and then transition into Echoing Strike (for him it always has to be the strongest or fastest build possible) which leaves me to start with magic. I am still not sure what I will choose in the end but I think either Abyss or Echoing Strike as well. Above all, I want a build where I do not have to rely on potions. Therefore, maybe some experienced players can give me an advice what suits my needs best

As "starter endgame" gear we have planned to use the following items (we have selected only items we have immediately available or are able to make). Any other suggestions are always welcome. Besides that, we have some questions (I am sure more will follow ):

Is it worth making a Pride for the Mercs or what do you use?
Is it crucial to reach the 125 FCR and which items do you use in your builds to achieve this?
Is it necessary to have a source of mana leech when using Insight withan Echoing Strike build?

Pferdinant the Younger (Fire)

• 1x Coven in Diadem (with Flickering Flame I think the 125 FCR breakpoint is hard to achieve)
• 1x Mang Song's Lesson
• 1x Enigma
• 2x 30-35 FCR Spirit
• 1x Call To Arms (4/4/x) in Crystal Sword
• 1x Arachnid Mesh
• 1x Magefist
• 1x Mara's Kaleidoscope with 30 AR
• 2x The Stone of Jordan
• 1x War Traveler or Aldur's Advance with 49-50 FR
• 1x Flame Rift -70FR
• 1x Annihilus with 20 AR and 15+ AT

Merc:

• Andariel's Visage with Ral
• 1x Fortitude or Chains of Honor (undecided)
• 1x Insight in ethereal Colossus Voulge or Great Poleaxe

Azrael the Elder ( Echoing Strike)

• 1x Coven in Diadem
• 1x Insight in ethereal Colossus Voulge or Breath of the Dying in an ethereal Glorious Axe or Death in an ethereal Decapitator (undecided)
• 1x Enigma
• 2x 30-35 FCR Spirit
• 1x Call To Arms (4/4/x) in Crystal Sword
• 1x Arachnid Mesh
• 1x Trang-Oul's Claws or Magefist
• 1x Highlord's Wrath
• 1x The Stone of Jordan
• 1x Rare ML Ring or a second The Stone of Jordan
• 1x Gore Rider
• 1x Bone Break +11 PDRI
• 1x Annihilus with 20 AR and 15+ AT

Merc

• Andariel's Visage with Ral
• Fortitude or Chains of Honor (undecided)
• Pride in an ethereal Mancatcher or ethereal Stygian Pike (undecided)

Maelis the Methuselah ( Abyss or Echoing Strike)

• Gets what is left...

If I go for Abyss I could use a 40AR Heart of the Oak until we find a War Staff or an Archon Staff to make an Obsession. Or do you have any other suggestions?

For the inventory we have some SC/LC/GC with RES and ARES, Mana, Life etc.

When we reach lvl 75, part two of the fun can begin: hunting for torches