Curse

troodon · Nov 04, 2011, 09:13 PM // 21:13

I'm using arcane echo + spiteful spirit for damage as a necro, and I'm working on an end-game hero build with Greater Conflagration and R/Me tanks. With Ranger armor, +10 armor in a stance, and elemental resistance, the ranger tanks would have 150 armor. Then if I give them Illusionary Weaponry and up to six other illusion magic skills, that brings that armor up to 185 against all damage that does not ignore armor.

I'm not looking for these IW rangers to do that much damage; they should just tank the monsters and take damage slowly enough for one monk to handle healing. Is there anything obvious I'm missing? Are there any ranger skills worth bringing (giving up +5 armor per skill) rather than 5 energy, 1 sec cast illusion skills? Does the armor bonus from Illusionary Weaponry stack with armor bonuses from skills?

Kunder · Nov 04, 2011, 10:59 PM // 22:59

What you are missing is that Prot Spirit + SoA give infinitely more protection and works against armor ignoring damage as well. Mending* can keep you alive if you have both of those up.

* DO NOT USE MENDING

That said, as far as boosting armor into the stratosphere goes, drop elemental resistance for Mantra of Frost. That gives you 50% reduction of damage (equal to +40 armor, except also working against armor ignoring damage), while also providing energy each time you are hit (actually giving you energy to use the illusion skills). Also, take I Am Unstoppable, which like IW is bugged to work past the armor stacking cap. +10 armor from a staff is an option as well.

Giro · Nov 05, 2011, 02:24 AM // 02:24

Kudner forgot to mention that you need Winter along with Greater Conflag to makie use of Mantra of Frost.

Greater Conflag: All phys dmg is fire (elemental)
Winter: All elemental dmg is cold
Mantra of Frost: reduces cold dmg by half

Premium Unleaded · Nov 05, 2011, 04:33 AM // 04:33

If you're intent on going down this path, you'd be better off using some kind of combination of AoD, because amongst other things, they're going to be absolutely RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GOed by enchant removal which tends to be present in almost all endgame pve. At least with AoD you get continuous, small heal bursts, hex removal and enchant stacking with windwalkers gets you up to 90ar base. And still leaves the option of using GC/winter.

Jeydra · Nov 06, 2011, 08:49 AM // 08:49

This strategy works, but why would you want to use it? One Monk can already handle healing, and you have to refresh your spirits after every battle (or you could micro Swap, I guess) ...