This is the build I had when I beat Merveil: Skill Tree
I let the Merveil fight get out of hand by letting too many minions spawn. That meant my Arc totems weren't necessarily hitting Merveil herself, which let her energy shield recharge, which just made the fight take a lot longer than it should have. In hindsight, a little less trying to shock her down quickly and a little more keeping the adds in check would have made things a lot easier. At one point I thought I was going to have to face the embarassment of going back to town to refill my potions, but I killed her first form right before I made the decision to get to my portal.
Fairly early on in the level, I was able to equip quite a bit of gear I had in my stash and max out my resistances. I was even able to add life and ES in the process, so it made progression through the zone pretty easy. There isn't anything special in the gear I was able to use, it's just solid leveling gear. I'm a bit overleveled, but I want to see how this character fares in maps. I'm not in a race, so I'm fine not pushing the limits of the character. I just want to level safely. Cruel Dominus is looming, and that's enough of a test.
I also went dual totem early on in the level, and that's working really well. I'm kind of curious to know how the first Dominus fight would have gone as dual totem, but I'll have to keep that in mind if I were leveling this or a similar build again. I had a Spell Totem gem in my stash, but it would be worth buying one if necessary so that you can start using totems right at level 31.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
A change in plans for this blog.
So, I've stopped cataloguing my map runs. It got to be too much work to count the currency and then report on the run.
However, I will post about a new build I'm working on. I got the idea for a "Lady Frankenstein" dual totem reanimator (summoner). My goals were as follows.
Use totems to cast a lightning spell, eventually going dual totem. The main spell I had in mind was Arc, but I think Ball Lightning fits the theme as well. Lightning Tendrils looks pretty cool being cast by a totem, but doesn't seem all that effective without really boosting its area of effect.
Reanimate your fallen foes. The build hardly fits the theme if you don't reanimate the dead.
Level with the final spec as much as possible. For some reason, I don't find: play some other spec entirely until you're level 50 or 60, then switching the character around entirely. Now, for example, I understand that if you're going Righteous Fire, the way you're playing changes drastically once you are able to equip Rise of the Phoenix. But that strikes me as the build evolving as you're likely focusing on life and burning damage on the way up. I originally started thinking about the build as a hybrid life and ES, but I think that it's going to work better as a CI build.
In terms of low level play, I had intended to level with Lightning Tendrils until I could put Arc into a Spell Totem, but I found a shield with +1 to the level of Cold Gems. Therefore I leveled to 32 with a combination of Freezing Pulse and Lightning Trap. I like lightning trap for this build because it fits my idea of a mad scientist's laboratory with giant blasts and bolts of lightning flying everywhere. Once I hit 32 I put Arc into the totem as planned and rarely used Freezing Pulse even though it was still in my active skill slots.
What didn't work as well as planned was picking up dual spectres at low level. Event the big statues in the Imperial Garden are too fragile. I entered the Sceptre of God with two of them, but they were both destroyed long before I reached the roof of the tower. In hindsight, I would have skipped the 4 points which went into the spectre wheel and put those points into Ancestral Bond for dual totems.
Skill Tree at Level 37 for Dominus Fight
Still, the build is tanky enough with the life and ES nodes taken that I didn't have any problems with Gravicious, Kole or Piety. The Dominus fight was much tougher than I expected, although I didn't have any close calls. It just took much longer than expected. I did have to portal back to towm to refill potions more than I have in quite a while also for normal Dominus.
However, I will post about a new build I'm working on. I got the idea for a "Lady Frankenstein" dual totem reanimator (summoner). My goals were as follows.
Use totems to cast a lightning spell, eventually going dual totem. The main spell I had in mind was Arc, but I think Ball Lightning fits the theme as well. Lightning Tendrils looks pretty cool being cast by a totem, but doesn't seem all that effective without really boosting its area of effect.
Reanimate your fallen foes. The build hardly fits the theme if you don't reanimate the dead.
Level with the final spec as much as possible. For some reason, I don't find: play some other spec entirely until you're level 50 or 60, then switching the character around entirely. Now, for example, I understand that if you're going Righteous Fire, the way you're playing changes drastically once you are able to equip Rise of the Phoenix. But that strikes me as the build evolving as you're likely focusing on life and burning damage on the way up. I originally started thinking about the build as a hybrid life and ES, but I think that it's going to work better as a CI build.
In terms of low level play, I had intended to level with Lightning Tendrils until I could put Arc into a Spell Totem, but I found a shield with +1 to the level of Cold Gems. Therefore I leveled to 32 with a combination of Freezing Pulse and Lightning Trap. I like lightning trap for this build because it fits my idea of a mad scientist's laboratory with giant blasts and bolts of lightning flying everywhere. Once I hit 32 I put Arc into the totem as planned and rarely used Freezing Pulse even though it was still in my active skill slots.
What didn't work as well as planned was picking up dual spectres at low level. Event the big statues in the Imperial Garden are too fragile. I entered the Sceptre of God with two of them, but they were both destroyed long before I reached the roof of the tower. In hindsight, I would have skipped the 4 points which went into the spectre wheel and put those points into Ancestral Bond for dual totems.
Skill Tree at Level 37 for Dominus Fight
Still, the build is tanky enough with the life and ES nodes taken that I didn't have any problems with Gravicious, Kole or Piety. The Dominus fight was much tougher than I expected, although I didn't have any close calls. It just took much longer than expected. I did have to portal back to towm to refill potions more than I have in quite a while also for normal Dominus.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
2015.03.20 Multiple Maps
Grotto Map
Servant of a Falling Sky - Torment
Mods - None
Quantity: +0%
Currency Expended:
None (mirrored map, so no currency can be used on this)
Currency Gained:
-1 Transmutation
2 Alteration
7 Jewlers
1 Fusing
2 Chromatic
3 Scrap
1 Whetstone
1 Chisel
Maps Gained:
None
This was another easy run. It pretty much went like the last one, but I didn't get any maps from this run. I did get an Enduring Cry gem, so I took a break from mapping to do the library quest to get a Cast When Damage Taken gem. I did get the Limbsplitter unique axe on this run, so that looked like a nice item for levelling early in the game.
Note that I did use a Transmutation Orb on a Strongbox on this map, so my currency was negative on this run for that specific orb.
Crypt Map
Servant of a Falling Sky - Torment
Mods - None
Quantity: +0%
Currency Expended:
None (mirrored map, so no currency can be used on this)
Currency Gained:
1 Transmutation
4 Alteration
1 Augmentation
1 Fusing
2 Scrap
1 Whetstone
Maps Gained:
None
The Crypt is another pretty easy map, although usually a bit harder than Grotto. However, no trouble with this one either. I probably have more to report from The Docks where I've picked up an Exalted Orb and The Coward's Trial unique Crypt Map. I also, even though I suffered quite a few deaths in the process, cleared a few Vaal zones while questing and ended up completing a Vaal Fragment set. I'll need to see if I can round up a few friends to level characters in Standard once Torment league ends to try out the high end content.
Servant of a Falling Sky - Torment
Mods - None
Quantity: +0%
Currency Expended:
None (mirrored map, so no currency can be used on this)
Currency Gained:
-1 Transmutation
2 Alteration
7 Jewlers
1 Fusing
2 Chromatic
3 Scrap
1 Whetstone
1 Chisel
Maps Gained:
None
This was another easy run. It pretty much went like the last one, but I didn't get any maps from this run. I did get an Enduring Cry gem, so I took a break from mapping to do the library quest to get a Cast When Damage Taken gem. I did get the Limbsplitter unique axe on this run, so that looked like a nice item for levelling early in the game.
Note that I did use a Transmutation Orb on a Strongbox on this map, so my currency was negative on this run for that specific orb.
Crypt Map
Servant of a Falling Sky - Torment
Mods - None
Quantity: +0%
Currency Expended:
None (mirrored map, so no currency can be used on this)
Currency Gained:
1 Transmutation
4 Alteration
1 Augmentation
1 Fusing
2 Scrap
1 Whetstone
Maps Gained:
None
The Crypt is another pretty easy map, although usually a bit harder than Grotto. However, no trouble with this one either. I probably have more to report from The Docks where I've picked up an Exalted Orb and The Coward's Trial unique Crypt Map. I also, even though I suffered quite a few deaths in the process, cleared a few Vaal zones while questing and ended up completing a Vaal Fragment set. I'll need to see if I can round up a few friends to level characters in Standard once Torment league ends to try out the high end content.
2015.03.18 Grotto Map
Servant of a Falling Sky - Torment
Mods - None
Quantity: +0%
Currency Expended:
None (mirrored map, so no currency can be used on this)
Currency Gained:
1 Transmutation
2 Alteration
2 Augmentation
7 Jewlers
2 Chromatic
1 Alchemy
1 Scrap
3 Whetstone
1 Chisel
1 Vaal
Maps Gained:
Sewer L67
This was a pretty easy run. Even with map mods, I consider Grotto to be an easy map. Without mods it is even easier. I am pretty happy with how self cast Firestorm is working. I had two maps in my Torment stash, and I was going to try to run them before the end of the league. While levelling I found a Cartographer's Strongbox in the Docks. I got additional items and mirrored when I used an Alchemy orb on it. That was currency well spent as I ended up with 18 maps from that strongbox. I'm going to try to use up the nine mirrored maps and see what I get from them. This was a good start gaining a level 67 Sewer map on the run.
Mods - None
Quantity: +0%
Currency Expended:
None (mirrored map, so no currency can be used on this)
Currency Gained:
1 Transmutation
2 Alteration
2 Augmentation
7 Jewlers
2 Chromatic
1 Alchemy
1 Scrap
3 Whetstone
1 Chisel
1 Vaal
Maps Gained:
Sewer L67
This was a pretty easy run. Even with map mods, I consider Grotto to be an easy map. Without mods it is even easier. I am pretty happy with how self cast Firestorm is working. I had two maps in my Torment stash, and I was going to try to run them before the end of the league. While levelling I found a Cartographer's Strongbox in the Docks. I got additional items and mirrored when I used an Alchemy orb on it. That was currency well spent as I ended up with 18 maps from that strongbox. I'm going to try to use up the nine mirrored maps and see what I get from them. This was a good start gaining a level 67 Sewer map on the run.
2015.03.07 Fecund Wharf Map of Exposure
Lady Bla Bla - Standard
Mods - Monsters have extra health, player's maximum resistances reduced
Quantity: +42%
Zana's Mission: Pier (L66)
2 Rogue Exiles, monsters deal extra damage, monsters have extra armor, monsters cannot be stunned
Quantity: +53%
Currency Expended:
Unknown
Currency Gained:
7 Transmutation
9 Alteration
4 Augmentation
1 Jewlers
2 Fusing
6 Chromatic
11 Scrap
3 Whetstone
1 Baubble
1 Regret
Maps Gained:
Dried Lakebed L66
Orchard L66
This was an interesting run. I finally met Zana and got a quest I could complete. The only other time I met her, there was a five minute timer on killing the map boss. I wasn't anywhere close to having that kind of clear speed. I'm a little disappointed in only getting 1 level 66 map from the Wharf with IIQ of +42%. I'm even more disappointed in getting a single level 66 map from Zana's mission with even higher IIQ. However, the currency from running two maps was fantastic.
However, the loot could have been worse. The map gained from the Zana mission came from opening a chest after the map had been cleared. I did die once to one of the Rogue Exiles, but I waited to long to blog about this and I forgot which one killed me. The other odd thing about the Zana mission is that it seems to be 4 prefix mods. Maybe that's normal, maybe not. I'll have to pay attention if I do other missions of hers. The large amount of item quality items came from an Artisan's Strongbox that I didn't notice on my first run. I went back in to pick up a few blue items to get enough Transmutation shards to form one more orb. The other thing I noticed is that in my failed Zana mission, the second map was a level higher than the one I started in. This time, the mission was a level lower. Something else to watch for.
However, all things considered, the plus of having Zana available as a hideout master more than makes up for a slight downgrade in my map pool trading one 67 for two 66's.
Mods - Monsters have extra health, player's maximum resistances reduced
Quantity: +42%
Zana's Mission: Pier (L66)
2 Rogue Exiles, monsters deal extra damage, monsters have extra armor, monsters cannot be stunned
Quantity: +53%
Currency Expended:
Unknown
Currency Gained:
7 Transmutation
9 Alteration
4 Augmentation
1 Jewlers
2 Fusing
6 Chromatic
11 Scrap
3 Whetstone
1 Baubble
1 Regret
Maps Gained:
Dried Lakebed L66
Orchard L66
This was an interesting run. I finally met Zana and got a quest I could complete. The only other time I met her, there was a five minute timer on killing the map boss. I wasn't anywhere close to having that kind of clear speed. I'm a little disappointed in only getting 1 level 66 map from the Wharf with IIQ of +42%. I'm even more disappointed in getting a single level 66 map from Zana's mission with even higher IIQ. However, the currency from running two maps was fantastic.
However, the loot could have been worse. The map gained from the Zana mission came from opening a chest after the map had been cleared. I did die once to one of the Rogue Exiles, but I waited to long to blog about this and I forgot which one killed me. The other odd thing about the Zana mission is that it seems to be 4 prefix mods. Maybe that's normal, maybe not. I'll have to pay attention if I do other missions of hers. The large amount of item quality items came from an Artisan's Strongbox that I didn't notice on my first run. I went back in to pick up a few blue items to get enough Transmutation shards to form one more orb. The other thing I noticed is that in my failed Zana mission, the second map was a level higher than the one I started in. This time, the mission was a level lower. Something else to watch for.
However, all things considered, the plus of having Zana available as a hideout master more than makes up for a slight downgrade in my map pool trading one 67 for two 66's.
Friday, March 6, 2015
2015.02.27 Punishing Mountain Ledge Map of Desecration
Lady Bla Bla - Standard
Mods - Monsters reflect physical damage, patches of desecrated ground
Quantity: +29%
Currency Expended:
1 Augmentation
Currency Gained:
4 Transmutation
4 Alteration
3 Augmentation
1 Chromatic
1 Chance
1 Scrap
1 Vaal
Maps Gained:
None
This was a pretty ordinary run, although I think I might have died once on the run. I think I spent too much time standing in a desecrated area while I was taking damage. I think that was the only real issue. Loot was OK, except for blanking on the maps.
Mods - Monsters reflect physical damage, patches of desecrated ground
Quantity: +29%
Currency Expended:
1 Augmentation
Currency Gained:
4 Transmutation
4 Alteration
3 Augmentation
1 Chromatic
1 Chance
1 Scrap
1 Vaal
Maps Gained:
None
This was a pretty ordinary run, although I think I might have died once on the run. I think I spent too much time standing in a desecrated area while I was taking damage. I think that was the only real issue. Loot was OK, except for blanking on the maps.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
2015.02.18 Overlords Wharf Map of Exposure
Lady Bla Bla - Standard
Mods - Map Boss moves and attacks faster, Player's maximum resistances are reduced
Quantity: +41%
Currency Expended:
1 Transmutation
1 Augmentation
Currency Gained:
4 Transmutation
6 Alteration
2 Augmentation
1 Chromatic
1 Chance
2 Scrap
2 Whetstone
1 Scouring
1 Regret
Maps Gained:
Wharf L67
This was the first Wharf map I've run if I can recall correctly. The mods didn't inconvenience me at all, and the Dock style layout was well suited to the Spark spell. Perhaps not as nice as Crypt and Dungeon with the well defined rooms, but definately a favorable layout for this skill. I would have liked to see more maps drop, but I did replace my Wharf map, so I broke even on that front.
The relatively high item quantity for a blue map mostly showed itself in the large number of yellow items which dropped. Most were junk; hence the high number of Alteration orbs gained. All in all, a successful run with little difficulty.
Mods - Map Boss moves and attacks faster, Player's maximum resistances are reduced
Quantity: +41%
Currency Expended:
1 Transmutation
1 Augmentation
Currency Gained:
4 Transmutation
6 Alteration
2 Augmentation
1 Chromatic
1 Chance
2 Scrap
2 Whetstone
1 Scouring
1 Regret
Maps Gained:
Wharf L67
This was the first Wharf map I've run if I can recall correctly. The mods didn't inconvenience me at all, and the Dock style layout was well suited to the Spark spell. Perhaps not as nice as Crypt and Dungeon with the well defined rooms, but definately a favorable layout for this skill. I would have liked to see more maps drop, but I did replace my Wharf map, so I broke even on that front.
The relatively high item quantity for a blue map mostly showed itself in the large number of yellow items which dropped. Most were junk; hence the high number of Alteration orbs gained. All in all, a successful run with little difficulty.
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