Curse

Tabak0 · Mar 18, 2007, 07:46 AM // 07:46

I need help with my UW SS build for duo-ing it with a 55. I havent done UW recently since the nerf where SS counted as AOE and caused spread in aggro. I used to run N/Me build with the usual echoe and SV, but this time, it wouldn't work on the smites. I got into a group anyway with a monk that helped me a lot with my build because he runs an SS too. I still can't beat the smites very easily because they keep splitting up and attacking me, and its hard to kill them (monk told me to run and degen them, but its harder than it sounds).
The build I'm running is this... (forgive me if skill pictures dont work. this is my first time using them)
[skill]Awaken The Blood[/skill][skill]Spiteful Spirit[/skill][skill]Suffering[/skill][skill]Desecrate Enchantments[/skill][skill]Life Siphon[/skill][skill]Reckless Haste[/skill][skill]Essence Bond[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]
Hopefully that^ worked. Anyway, to use the build I cast Essence Bond for energy so that I can use my att points in blood for Life Siphon and Awaken the Blood. I then use awaken the blood and SS followed by Reckless Haste, and Suffering to start the damage. I then Use Desecrate Enchantments to speed things up and use Spiteful Spirit again when available. I can tear through all the mobs up to the smites. At the smites, I use Suffering, followed by SS after they use Smite Hex, and then cover with Suffering again. After that, almost ALWAYS one or two of the smites will come at me. This is when I usually die. I cant break the aggro and my attempts to Life Siphon, and Suffering Degen them to death almost always fail. Can anyone explain a better build to use than this for duoing UW? Thank you in advance.

Coloneh · Mar 18, 2007, 02:56 PM // 14:56

yeah, use the normal SS build. a N/Me works and its fast, a n/mo dosnt work and its slow. you need arcane echo and SV/AV. the rest dosnt really matter except desecrate is nice to take out the stragglers. also kiting is very important now. know when to run.

ZenRgy · Mar 18, 2007, 04:11 PM // 16:11

Drop Essence bond for Arcane Echo.

Drop Awaken The Blood for either Blood Ritual or Defile Enchantments.

If the smites are attacking you, you need to learn how to position yourself, most monks bring their own visages now anyway.

Tabak0 · Mar 18, 2007, 05:43 PM // 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenRgy

Drop Essence bond for Arcane Echo.

Drop Awaken The Blood for either Blood Ritual or Defile Enchantments.

If the smites are attacking you, you need to learn how to position yourself, most monks bring their own visages now anyway.

that was pretty much my old build.
[skill]Arcane Echo[/skill][skill]Spiteful Spirit[/skill][skill]Defile Enchantments[/skill][skill]Desecrate Enchantments[/skill][skill]Suffering[/skill][skill]Reckless Haste[/skill][skill]Sympathetic Visage[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill] or for last slot [skill]Blood Ritual[/skill] depending on which one the monk wants me to bring. I've never used the other visage (ancestor's visage?). What continent to I buy it in and how would I use this build well on the smites?

EDIT: Looked up AV to find it was a clone of Sympathetic Visage. Would be useful to have 2 SVs and then an AV to counter Smite Hex. So should I take away suffering to make my build go like this?
[skill]Arcane Echo[/skill][skill]Spiteful Spirit[/skill][skill]Defile Enchantments[/skill][skill]Desecrate Enchantments[/skill][skill]Ancestor's Visage[/skill][skill]Reckless Haste[/skill][skill]Sympathetic Visage[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]

ss1986v2 · Mar 18, 2007, 06:43 PM // 18:43

[skill]Arcane Echo[/skill][skill]Spiteful Spirit[/skill][skill]Reckless Haste[/skill][skill]Defile Enchantments[/skill][skill]Desecrate Enchantments[/skill][skill]Sympathetic Visage[/skill][skill]Ancestor's Visage[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]
pretty standard skill bar. you really have to have both the visages or else the smites will have the energy to remove your SS. fire off visage, then SS(s), cover with RH, apply another visage when the first ends, desecrate/defile to finish off the stranglers. rinse & repeat.

Tanatie · Apr 07, 2007, 02:18 AM // 02:18

any armor/weapon recommendations?

Kali Magdalene · Apr 07, 2007, 03:14 AM // 03:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanatie

any armor/weapon recommendations?

Armor = Radiant/Scar/Cabalist's for the energy

20/20 curses wand and offhand are good. You might consider also bringing +15/-1 curse gear in addition to the above if you need the extra energy. You won't want them equipped all the time, but if you need to cast and you're low, they'll be there.

icymanipulator · Apr 09, 2007, 01:02 PM // 13:02

Guys...AV/SV and DE/DE are for UW runs...the standard SS nuke build is much more flexible in its application.

Standard SS nuker build:

Curses 12+1+3
Soul Reaping 9+1
Blood 9+1

Awaken The Blood
Arcane Echo
Spiteful Spirit {E}
Reckless Haste
Enfeebling Blood
Spinal Shivers
Blood Ritual
Resurrection Signet

You want either a Modti's Depravation (nightfall cold damage curse staff) or a Villnar's Glove/Wand.

Absinth187 · Apr 12, 2007, 04:47 PM // 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by icymanipulator

Guys...AV/SV and DE/DE are for UW runs...the standard SS nuke build is much more flexible in its application.

OP was asking specifically about the UW build.

gray_fox_9 · Apr 17, 2007, 06:22 AM // 06:22

I run something similar to your build.

Awaken the Blood
Spiteful Spirit
Reckless Haste
Suffering
Parasitic Bond
Blood Ritual
Essence bond
Rez Sig

I have no problem killing smites. ATB, SS, suffering, pb, rh. Usually they can smite hex suffering but if you cast pb right after suffering to cover they usually can't smite it. Good luck and happy ecto farming. :-)