Checking Something People Said

[Laharl]

For fun I'm going to hold a lot of different people to their word! That's right - I'm going to see if it's possible to make a build of any sort on Diablo II without any runewords, new or old. This char will be a parody of the hammerdin, except using Holy Bolt instead of Blessed Hammer. It's EQ so far:

Azurewrath (+1 all skills, level 12 sanctuary when equipped)
HoZ (+2 all paladin, +2 combat. Adds +4 to holy bolt)
Nature's Peace (Keeps the damned things that like to revive on their own dead)
Shako (+2 all skills, + life / mana per level, mf and damage reduction)
War Travs (mf)
Chances, goldwrap, gheeds (More mf)

Secondary weapon/shield:
gull (adds 100% mf, better than a ali baba without two ists, and without dexterity requirements)

But I'm not sure what shield. I would use a splendor, but alas. It's a runeword. Any suggestions for a unique shield that gives mf? I also need to know what second ring (I'm currently using nagel) and amulet (I have none set up). Perhaps Mara's? And yes this build will be a mfer ( Pindle runner) and doesn't need an enigma anyways.

Onwards to skills.
maxed:
holy bolt,
blessed hammer,
fist of the heavens,
concentration.

I found out in single player that holy bolt gets added to from concentration - just like blessed hammer does. When leveling I'll naturally advance holy bolt to roughly lvl 10, max synargies and concentration before finishing it. (The synargies add more + damage than actual levels past that point [+50% per level])

Thoughts?

 

[FaLLeN_ShadoW]

that's great.. but what are you going to mf with this.. there aren't many undead bosses..

 

[Laharl]

Pindleskin. Everything near him, himself included are undead.

I woke up one morning decided I hated that little prick. Now he dies.

 

[Johnny]

if its going to be a pindleskin runner, then that'll work

write a guide once its done. you pretty much wrote one here.

edit: you might want a brest plate enigma, so you don't need to use any str. then you can go all vitality.

also, enigma adds +1mf per level so that will help. go with hoz, you don't need mass mf, hoz will help with blocking and +skills w/ mad life bonuses.

or you can go with a spirit gilded sheild or w/e, adds mad life, resists (pally sheild gets amazing bonuses), HUGE fhr [lots of guys, you will have shitty block unless you get 200+ dex, you can use that huge 55fhr bonus].


edit again: after checking everything on d2skills, I must say that this build could work. After doing the skills listed, with +9 skills +2 combat, its pumping 8.5k each, with +480% from concentration, bringing it to 49k???? wtf. thats INSANE. Even if concentration didnt help it, 8.5k is nothing to laugh at.

I'd say **** azurewrath and get a hoto, even more damage +2 skills is huge, and 40%fcr, which I would want mad fcr for this build. Your sanctuary is only doing 850 average... I'd prefer mass fcr so you can shoot them like crazy...

 

[Laharl]

I need a back up shield to switch to (with my gull) that gives mf. No, I cannot use enigma, spirit (I have one, though), etc. This was meant to prove that it's almost impossible to build a viable build without using runewords.

Note: If I DO use a runeword it'll be the new pally armour. Can you say +2 pally skills, with almost double damage from the 100% holy bolt on striking? I sure can

 

[Johnny]

then your best bet would be vipermagi...

with +11 skills thats:
2 enigma
3 hoto
2/2 hoz
2 maras
2 shako

you could get +1 more if you used arach, along with +bc/bo

You are pumping out 58k damage... you will have mad fcr too...


runewords ftw

 

[Laharl]

Hoto is a waste of a weapon slot. If I use hoto I would be down the ability to equip concentration (My right mouse click would now be sanctuary not concentration).

Also; I'm trying to build this without runewords. At all. So that also kills hoto and enigma.

Sadly I cannot afford the arach, maras, atm. Almost completely broke from getting the rest. Also a anni and hellfire torch (paladin) would help.

The new paladin unique armour completely blows enigma out of the water. The fact it gives me two bolts for the price of one (with synargy bonuses for damage) and the same + skills that enigma would just makes it a far better option.

But until then I'll just level him.

Edit: I expect each bolt to do four times what a hammer would do (I checked on a skill planner) and be easier to aim. The sanctuary I need to keep undead away (my convenience), and I'll be able to use concentration because my sword gives it. Hoto would be a terrible choice. If I didn't use this sword I'd use my redeemer scepter (+2 paladin skills, +4 [I think] holy bolt. Double the holy bolt bonus]) It would reduce my damage significantly, and defeat the purpose of the build.

 

[zackdizzle]

Every person that suggested he use a hoto, nigma, or any runeword in that case is an IDIOT and should've read the post.

 

[PsYcHoSiD77]

As far as an MF shield goes, Milabrega's Orb gives you 20% MF. Thats the only none runeword I can think off of the top of my head.

 

[Johnny]

just because you dont like runewords or beleive in them or w/e, doesn't mean you have to make a shitty ass char...

the runeword principle (the one your talking about) gives 100% chance to cast holy bolt on striking. Unless you are physically attacking (and not casting) your fine, but you won't be attacking, so its useless. Also, the damage you'll be doing with sanctuary will suck balls, and you'll lose 10k damage vs. having an aura dealing <1k damage. Not to mention the HUGE loss in resists, fcr, and more.

If you are looking for a build without the use of runewords, good luck to you, there are some but for the most part, successful builds use runewords. Enigma is mostly for the +strength so you can have more life. Hoto would be for the mad uhh EVERYTHING it gives...

I suggest using wizardspike instead of azurewrath, the life, resists, mana, and fcr will help alot more than your +<1k damage...

 

[PsYcHoSiD77]

Why do you keep on suggesting rune words? Of course anyone can make a godly build using them. His whole point is trying to make an effective build without using rune words. If you ask me that isn't too shabby of an idea, might bring some challenge back to the game. Cuz lets face it, once you load up a character with a ton of rune words, he becomes untouchable.

 

[zackdizzle]

Psychos, refer to my post 2 posts up where I just said the exact same thing. Minus the untouchable because you can dress your char up with w/e runeword u want and ill gg it.

 

[PsYcHoSiD77]

Well I was actually thinking more along the lines of PvE, which is what his pally is intended for. We all know that just godly gear alone will not win PvP for you, there is skill and strategy involved.

 

[Trojan]

Isn't foh light damage or a mix of light and holy damage?

 

[Johnny]

It's both, it shoots one Lightning bolt (holy shock=synergy) and a bunch of holy bolts (holy bolt=synergy). Holy bolt only works on undead, so no1 bothers maxing holy bolt in pvp.

 

[Laharl]

Turns out concentration doesn't add to holy bolt as one would expect. Switching it to holy freeze (To freeze the enemies that DO get near me, despite my sanctuary [which I'm not using for damage, but instead for knockback]). I don't need mana (Holy bolt is almost free). I most definitely don't need resists - my enemies I am going to fight on a regular bases don't use elemental damage.

Just a note: Foth does crap holy bolt damage. I will be maxing it only as a synargy.

 

[Carbon]

wouldn't convictiion help alot with holy bolt?

 

[Nedr(a)h]

Well im not an idiot so i wont suggest rune words like the previous morons who didnt read the thread. But i dont think besides milbregas crap shield that there is a non runeword shield. However a 4 soc monarch with 2 ists and 2 ums might hlp res and mf decent def. Or you could throw an eld as well for icb 7% not much but it will hlp espcially if your going to max block hlps alot higher up. Other than that i would suggest a lidless wall no mf but 1skill and good block rate. I do like what your trying to do so definately keep us updated on how its going.

 

[iamh4x0r]

use milabrega shield lolz, le doh.

y not maekn teh baba wiv up'ed howltusk, OMG GG NO RE UNDAED

 

[Laharl]

Sorry for the bump, but update.

I am no longer using holy bolt as my main attack, and am switching to zeal and holy freeze (Which, as I said would freeze). Shield is HoZ, and will add damage. Almost completely done, folks.