Curse

random.name · Feb 14, 2009, 11:58 AM // 11:58

Focus on one attribute line, and use others to fill out/compliment your bar. Curses is a solid choice, as it can be used to do damage, apply conditions or hex. I rarely find the need to use skills from a second profession, with the exception of a MM.

Voodoo Rage · Feb 14, 2009, 05:01 PM // 17:01

[Rigor Mortis] is a good skill to fire off in EOTN since many of the foes carry stances and blocking skills.

Moloch Vein · Feb 15, 2009, 01:15 PM // 13:15

Ok...
You really need to think about outfitting your heroes proper. You also really, really need to get Livia since you can let her bring the MM build.

I very much recommend going through EotN to get Air of Superiority. It's an good non-elite alternative to Assassin's Promise.

AtomicMew · Feb 15, 2009, 08:52 PM // 20:52

Air of Superiority is good. Another good choice is Battle Standard of Wisdom, which also helps out your heroes, depending on their builds can be very useful.

Voodoo Rage · Feb 15, 2009, 09:48 PM // 21:48

So many PvE spells to choose from and only 3 spots...

Personally for me, [Ebon Vanguard Assassin Support] and [Technobabble] automatically make the cut. Sick those two on an Avalanche and watch how many spells get interrupted.

VishnuOdin · Feb 17, 2009, 03:32 PM // 15:32

From my calculations I will end up with 590h, so long as you can attach a Focus Core (+30h) to the Deldrimor Curses Focus that I'm going to get once I complete the game for the first time. I plan on using that and a spear with a +30h Spear Grip for weapons.

I'm trying to lean more towards stacking Curses gear vs. Death Magic in case I ever want to drop it, so far I'm having a really fun time running with both though. I've never done anything in Hard Mode yet so I guess that will be the real test

Found another place to get infused, while exploring Mineral Springs there's a seeker in the far right cave that will infuse you once you kill a nearby boss.

I made a list of the PvE skills you each recommended, and later this week I'm going to find out where the quest chains start and get as many of them as I can. I think I'm getting pretty close to my final skill bar (pre-hard mode that is), thanks again for everything!

Voodoo Rage · Feb 17, 2009, 03:59 PM // 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by VishnuOdin

I think I'm getting pretty close to my final skill bar (pre-hard mode that is), thanks again for everything!

Try to avoid that mindset. The beauty of the curses line and PvE skills is that you can try out all sorts of different things. There is never a "final skill bar". Heck, I'll even bust out Ursan Blessing sometime if I'm in the mood.

wilebill · Feb 19, 2009, 10:19 PM // 22:19

Vishnu, keep in mind that a "final skillbar" fails to take into account the varied challenges of the maps in the game. You got a lot of fleshy melee on one map, on another a lot of casting elementals, takes different stuff. Dungeons when you get to them more so varied in what they hit you with. Hard Mode amplifies requiring cut and try.

VishnuOdin · Feb 24, 2009, 06:01 PM // 18:01

I've started creating skill / attribute sets based of the type of zone I'm in. I still run my fire build in all the winter zones, but outside of that I'm using a slightly modified version of the last curse / MM build I posted. I know a lot of people won't agree with the change, but I swapped DS for Snow Storm. I only use it when a mob is < 35% health, at which point I switch my hero's target and nuke them. Even if they scatter the AoE still kills them 95% of the time. So far it's working quite well and speeds up my attack chains. I may switch back once I get to HM and see how different it is, if the scatter becomes a problem.

Dungeon's I still need to work on. Enhancement removal seems to play a much stronger role in a few of them I've run. Still trying to get a feel for what works the best in which situation. For this I'm probably going to drop my MM skills and go for solid curses / enhancement removal using a second set of modded gear.

Last question, is this a good setup for weapons or is there something better I could go for?

Barbed Undead Spear of Fortitude (+30h)
"I Have the Power" Inscription (+5 energy)

Deldrimor Curses Focus (+30h, +12 energy, 20% chance to 1/2 curse recharge)
Focus Core of Fortitude (+30h)

That would add 90h and 17e, I don't actually have the Focus Item yet since I haven't beat the game (just got to the Ember Light Camp last night), but I want to make sure I pick the right item since I guess you only ever get one Deldrimor Talisman.

Everything else I have, got the spear from the Bonus Mission Pack and figured a Barbed spear head would make an excellent pun

Thanks again!

Shadowmere · Feb 24, 2009, 07:16 PM // 19:16

While I understand your wish to keep some direct damage options on your bar I really think you should go with necrosis over snow storm, it's not AoE but it simply has amazing stopping power. But to each his own, however you really really really should drop snow storm in hard mode, if you must have AoE [desecrate enchantments] is likely to outperform snow storm in HM. Enemy armor really does gimp elemental damage horribly at higher levels.

As for your weapons it looks good, I personally prefer enchanting over fortitude on my caster spear, but again to each his own, it dosen't make a huge difference either way.

With the offhand however, I presume you're going to be getting the green curses offhand? In which case you won't be able to upgrade it at; all green items are "static" they cannot have mods added or salvaed from them. If however you are going to craft a gold one at the end you would essentially be making the equivalent of the green item. the +30 health and 1/2 recharge essentially take the place of the focus core and inscription in a standard focus. Meaning you wouldn't gain 90 health but 60 instead.

Xenomortis · Feb 24, 2009, 08:19 PM // 20:19

As far as I know he doesn't have Nightfall or Factions, therefore he can't take Necrosis.
You'll still probably be better off replacing Snowstorm with another curses skill, but each to their own.

VishnuOdin · Feb 24, 2009, 10:33 PM // 22:33

You can't mod the Deldrimor collector items? I figured an inscription was out from past collector items but that puts a bit of a damper on my health calculations. If that's the case I might as well mod another focus item now so I can start using my spear.

Not sure if I have Desecrate Enhancements, I'm about to log in so I'll check and if not I'll buy it from a skills trainer. Then it's off to CoF to try to farm some Golden Rin Relics and see how replacing Snow Storm with it goes.

I purchased the Trilogy online a few days ago, so in a week or two I'll have all three campaigns. Then I'll finally be able to check out some of the Nightfall skills you've been recommending

Thanks again!

Calista Blackblood · Feb 24, 2009, 10:56 PM // 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by VishnuOdin

You can't mod the Deldrimor collector items? I figured an inscription was out from past collector items but that puts a bit of a damper on my health calculations. If that's the case I might as well mod another focus item now so I can start using my spear.

Not sure if I have Desecrate Enhancements, I'm about to log in so I'll check and if not I'll buy it from a skills trainer. Then it's off to CoF to try to farm some Golden Rin Relics and see how replacing Snow Storm with it goes.

I purchased the Trilogy online a few days ago, so in a week or two I'll have all three campaigns. Then I'll finally be able to check out some of the Nightfall skills you've been recommending

Thanks again!

Yes you can Click me As long as you craft a gold version and not the Deldrimor Focus acquired with a Deldrimor Talisman

_Nihilist_ · Feb 24, 2009, 11:04 PM // 23:04

[Hexer's [email protected]][Spiteful [email protected]][[email protected]][Mark of [email protected]][Ebon Vanguard Assassin Support][Ebon Battle Standard of Wisdom][empty][empty]

Tossed Hexer's Vigor in there since you've stated numerous times that you are worried about health. As long as you don't cast a non-hex spell while it's up, it will give you a bit of HP regen. The Empty slots are for additional utility... a Resurrect if you feel you need it, or, for some seriously cheap damage for blocking foes, use [Defile [email protected]], it's a wicked payback for them blocking, and it's spammable @ 5e with a 5sec recharge. Other than that, what others have said about [Enfeebling [email protected]] is true. Weakness is a condition that you shouldn't be running without as a Curses Necro. It reduces attack dmg from the Weakened enemy to 33% and reduces all of their attributes by 1.

Don't bother crafting an offhand, that's what the BMP is for. Just finish one of the Bonus Missions and choose a Curses offhand as your reward for the completed mish. In your case, I'd say go with an Undead Spear/Focus combo. Looks nice!

Mod the Spear with +5e, any Physical damage type Spearhead (Heavy for increased Weakness, Vampiric for additional armor-ignoring dmg would be my recommendations), and +30hp. Mod the Focus with a Focus Core of Aptitude (HCT attribute 20%) and any Focus inscription that you want. Carry a Shield (doesn't matter what attribute, just make sure it has base 16al, you'll only get 8al since you don't meet the attribute requirement, but it's better than nothing) with a +30hp Handle of Fortitude and any Inscription (the +10al vs. x dmg type is best) as your Defensive set (the z0mg I'm under ATTAAAAAACK!!!! set to swap to when enemies aggro on you, extra defense and extra health ftw).

Just some other suggestions, take 'em or leave 'em...

VishnuOdin · Feb 25, 2009, 04:58 PM // 16:58

Good call on the shield. I've been practicing pulling with an Undead Flatbow I got from the BMP, but never thought to do that. I'll pick one up tonight and try to find the mod's in LA. For the inscription, what do you think would happen more Piercing or Slashing damage?

Wow didn't know Weakness did that to them, guess it's time to read up on what each condition does and see what I've been missing! Question about the Vampiric mod's, I thought I read it steals health from them and gives you -1 health degen, is that true or are both applied to the enemy?

For the focus item I think I'm going to go with the collector one from Goran Grimyak. I like the look of the Undead one better, but I don't think I can replicate the same stats with it (unless I use the Battle Standard which I don't have yet).

Accursed Icon
Energy +12
9 Curses
Halves casting time of Curses spells (Chance: 20%)
Halves skill recharge of Curses spells (Chance: 20%)

I can't put an inscription on it but I can add my Focus Core of Fortitude. The only benefit to going this route would be the casting time chance, which I know isn't much but I think it will help the further I go into a curses build.

I don't think I have access to the craft-able ones yet, and last night I blew 20k on Golden Rin Relics (up to 18!) so I'm pretty broke at the moment. Good to know I have the option later though that's for sure. I need to farm to buy more relics so I figure I might as well try to collect scalps in between CoF runs to change things up a little. I've only had 3 relics drop myself, all the rest I had to buy. I am becoming rather efficient at farming CoF though

Thanks for the skill recommendations, I'll be sure to try them out and let you know how it goes!

[edit] After a few more CoF runs last night I think I'll be removing Snow Storm again. If used correctly it can work wonders, forcing an enemy to flee to his death while my hero's move on to their next target, and making my healers job a little easier since one less mob is hitting them. But the better I get at cursing the less this situation arises (or its a waste of a cast since the mob or nearby mobs will kill them anyway), so while it has it's use I don't think it will remain a permanent skill on my bar. [/edit]

Voodoo Rage · Feb 25, 2009, 06:57 PM // 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by VishnuOdin

For the focus item I think I'm going to go with the collector one from Goran Grimyak. I like the look of the Undead one better, but I don't think I can replicate the same stats with it (unless I use the Battle Standard which I don't have yet).

Accursed Icon
Energy +12
9 Curses
Halves casting time of Curses spells (Chance: 20%)
Halves skill recharge of Curses spells (Chance: 20%)

I can't put an inscription on it but I can add my Focus Core of Fortitude.

No, the 20% casting time attribute represents a "Focus Core of Aptitude" so you can't add fortitude to that focus. A 20/20 focus is essentially "maxed out" on mods.

Warden Horns in Factions drop all over the Echovald Forest and can be traded for a 20/20 Curses focus if you want an alternative.

_Nihilist_ · Feb 25, 2009, 10:39 PM // 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by VishnuOdin

Question about the Vampiric mod's, I thought I read it steals health from them and gives you -1 health degen, is that true or are both applied to the enemy?

You are correct. A Vampiric weapon deals armor-ignoring, life-stealing bonus damage at the cost of -1 health degen to you. But come on, that's losing 2hp/sec; as long as you have a max Vampiric mod (3/-1 for Spear) you will lifesteal more hp than you lose to the degen. On top of that, it would take 50 seconds, almost a full minute, for you to lose 100hp from the Vamp mod; trust me when I say your Hero/Hench Monks are going to take care of the health loss - they might wait a bit to do it, but they aren't going to let you degen to death.

Vampiric mods do not change the type of damage that the spear does, so it's going to deal physical damage (Piercing, should be), which will trigger on both [[[email protected]] and [[Mark of [email protected]]. When you hit an enemy hexed with Barbs, you will see -1 (base spear dmg, since you have no points in Spear), -3 (max Vampiric lifesteal damage), and -16 (bonus dmg from Barbs). If you hit an enemy with the spear that is hexed with [[[email protected]] you will see -1 (base), -3 (max Vampiric), and adjacent enemies will display -42's (MoP is wicked sick).

As far as which +10ar mod is best for your shield? That depends on what kind of damage you are going to be facing in the area. PvP'ers carry shields for all 7 damage types (Blunt, Piercing, Slashing and Cold, Earth, Fire, Lightning), but if you don't have the funds to take care of that, just pick one and stick with it. Between Piercing/Slashing, I'd go with Piercing. Bows and Spears have a higher max dmg than Swords and Daggers, and even though Scythes have higher max than Bow/Spear, most Dervs use enchants that change their dmg type to elemental or holy.

Hope it helps.

[EDIT]

Aegis of Terror (Str) +30hp / +10 vs. Demons
Forgotten Shield (Str) +30hp / +10 vs. Earth
Aegis of Augh (Tac) +30hp / +10 vs. Demons
Chumab's Pride (Tac) +30hp / +10 vs. Blunt
Forgotten Shield (Tac) +30hp / +10 vs. Cold
Geoffer's Bulwark (Tac) +30hp / +10 vs. Piercing
Keht's Aegis (Tac) +30hp / +10 vs. Slashing
Arneh's fury (Com) +30hp / +10 vs. Blunt
Forgotten Shield (Com) +30hp / +10 vs. Lightning
Kunan's Bastion (Com) +30hp / +10 vs. Piercing
Stygian Defender (Com) +30hp / +10 vs. Demons
Forgotten Shield (Mot) +30hp / +10 vs. Fire
Stygian Aegis (Mot) +30hp / +10 vs. Demons

Here's a list of all Unique Shields that have both +30hp and +10al vs. [dmg type]. You should be able to pick a few of these up at a decent price. The 4 Forgotten Shields you can get by trading a Book of Secrets for beating NF (or you could by a Book of Secrets for a few plat, :P)

VishnuOdin · Feb 26, 2009, 02:53 PM // 14:53

That's odd, I was able to mod the collector Bone Staff I got from Luven Underwood. You were right, I went and got it before I checked back here and it wouldn't let me put the focus core on. Luckily I had a completed book for the Bonus Mission Pack so I picked up the Undead Focus Core and modded it. Now I just need the inscription

Thanks for the list of shields! Saved the list, do you get more chest tabs when you get more campaigns? I have 4 now, but that is probably a full tab if not more just for shields. In the meantime I think I'll make a few alt characters to use as holding space.

Thanks again!

_Nihilist_ · Feb 26, 2009, 09:39 PM // 21:39

4 General Use Tabs + 1 Crafting Material Tab is what you get for having all 3 Campaigns. You don't get additional storage for EotN. It has been said that an update in April 2009 will increase storage somehow, but exact details are unknown.

You don't have to get all of those shields, btw. The Forgotten Shields are the only ones with +10 vs. [elemental type] dmg, and you could pick up 1 shield that covered Blunt, Piercing, and Slashing as well, but hell no I wouldn't get all of them, that's too many!

Also, you can't use a Focus Core on a Staff, only on a Focus. That might have been another snag in your plan. Staffs can be upgraded with an Inscription, Staff Head, and Staff Wrapping. Just an FYI.

VishnuOdin · Feb 27, 2009, 04:25 PM // 16:25

Thats good to know

No what I meant was I was able to put a Staff Head and Staff Wrapping on a collector staff, but wasn't able to put a Focus Core on a collector Focus Item. Both the wrapping and the core are essentially the same thing (I thought anyway) that's why I was surprised when it didn't work.

I'm going to keep 4 weapon sets. Spear + Curse Focus for normal play, Flatbow for pulling, Staff for spawning pets (so I get the 20% chance for DM skills), and Spear + Shield for damage reduction.

This weekend I'm going to play around with key bind placements since I'll be switching between my normal and spawning set frequently.

I'd like to make a macro for when I use my bow, I hate headsets and I'm too lazy to type all the time so I figure a team chat spam and a map drawing will do the trick. I found a program to record and trigger keypress combinations, but I haven't set them up yet so I hope it doesn't lock my keyboard while it does it's thing.

As a side note, what's the going price for the "Forget Me Not" inscription? Someone tried to sell me a 19% one for 10k (why would anyone spend that much on something that isn't maxed?). I politely said no thanks, I'm assuming he was trying to scam me but what kind of range can I expect to pay for a perfect one?

Thanks again!