Curse

Seef II · Feb 27, 2006, 05:52 AM // 05:52

Just wondering, how many of you have energy problems doing this run? Back when I first posted in this thread, I used the original build, which worked fine, but after extended fights I realized that my energy would slowly, well, die over the course of the fight if I hit 100 Blades every time it came up.

The solution, was, of course, not to hit 100 Blades every time it came up, or to go /Mo and use balth's spirit. To this day, I still choose a high-recharge attack skill as to passively ration my energy out (if you can't flurry, you're in trouble).

My build, still based off Racthoh's and and incidentally, my IDS build, uses
Flurry
Defy Pain*
attack skill 1
"Watch Yourself!"
attack skill 2
Dolyak Signet
Healing Signet
Sprint

attack skill 1 = Executioner's Strike or Galrath Slash
attack skill 2 = Thrill of Victory

The focus of this sort of build is survivability, and the synergy of Defy Pain (+20 armor, +health) with this run and Thrill of Victory just seems to click. Killing speed suffers compared to Racthoh's original build somewhat, but the run goes a lot smoother because the initial batch of 15 spiders is doable in one fell swoop and healing is more efficient. There's also very little "omg gonna die" with Defy Pain around, since it creates a huge buffer that the spiders don't Savage Shot through. That said, don't let it run out while you are poisoned.

Secondly are the attributes. Today I had my first complete run in a while (damn you, Europe, skales, and err=7

) and decided to try 12+1+4=16 tactics, 10+0+2=12 strength, and 8+0+1=9 weapon. This worked fine with my req 9 axe, but not with my req 11 sword, so it was obviously axe for this run. Executioner's Strike at 9 axe is +28 damage; using 16 tactics, thrill of victory gains a +8 boost. However, that +2 differential had to make up for the lessened damage from normal hits, so I am not quite sure that was wise. This was my first complete run with an axe as well, so I can't compare damage with my previous runs. Obviously, this build doesn't care if you're sword or axe due to the fact that galrath and executioners are for all intents and purposes identical until 16 weapon, which you don't run in a build like this.

See, with 16 tactics and a maximum of 405 health, healing signet heals for a whopping 159, just shy of 40% of your health. Thrill of victory does +42 damage, which may make up for the lessened damage due to not having 12 in the weapon - and that's where things get sketchy. For the min/maxers out there, the other attribute spread is 10+1+3=14 Tactics, 10+0+2=12 Strength, and 11+0+1 weapon. A 147 healing signet and +38 thrill of victory is also respectable. Then again, I just tried skull crack as a joke in a sand drake farming build, and that was hilarious - feel free to experiment around.

Not to be neglected for me was scoring the final blow with Thrill of Victory. Kill something with it, and you are healed for the extra damage the skill did. That undoes 4-5 seconds of poison.

The only trouble I seem to have with this sort of build now is the initial 3 driftwood + 1 dryder. I'm about halfway through the last driftwood when the 2 shadow warriors and monk come. Since I hide on the right side of the crevice where the path begins to narrow, which is close enough to the skale, it's really an easy matter to drag the skale into the shadow and let them fight it out. Unfortunately, doing this deprives me of drops and xp, and potentially the second pack of driftwood. The original build kills the initial bunch in enough time.

I haven't tried the physical resist build. Should be interesting and kill faster if Watch Yourself is not needed. However, I am usually too lazy to change from W/N.

Jedit · Feb 27, 2006, 10:45 AM // 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkid

Actually the difference is only 5 armor (85 + 10 vs 80 + 20).

Sorry, for some reason I thought plate was 85+10 vs elemental.

Danger Russ · Feb 27, 2006, 10:55 PM // 22:55

Thanks again guys for your input. I did try dropping watch yourself since I had dolyacts and physical resistance. It worked okay. I kept "I will Survive" since it does wonders for survivability. Slows down the poison from -4 to -1 degen for 10 seconds. I tried to use "power attack" but I was running into energy difficulties. I settled on this build and cleared the cave nicely yesterday

Sprint
Cyclone
Cleave
Penatrating Blow
I will Survive
doly
Physical Resistance
Healing Signet

It may not have the punch of an eviserate-executioner combo, but I can consistently spam them with cyclone without energy or adrenaline slow down. Cyclone is good for stopping any healing sping use. Almost every stroke is an increased damage skill. Gotta love it! I have not crunched the numbers but I think I get more damage over time with this combo since it is consistent damage and does not activate melandru resilience.

By looking at all the various builds here, I guess there is more than one way to skin this cat.

Mark of Rodgort · Feb 27, 2006, 11:08 PM // 23:08

for energy problem use zealous..youll have more than energy you need and ofcourse glad armor..doing runs smooth and perfectly now

deluxe · Feb 27, 2006, 11:27 PM // 23:27

this is the build i use, which i've done like 20 flawless runs with:

9 str, 15 axe, 15 tac, 2 insp. (upto the cave i use my normal armor with minor str and tac runes)

Zealous Battle Axe of Shelter (Collector's Axe, 15% in Stance, 7 AL)
Crimson Carapace Shield (Collectors Stance Shield, -2 +45)

Cyclone Axe
Cleave
Penetrating Blow
Executioners Strike (i dont have a real use for this skill, altho i cant find a better adrenaline skill)
Physical Resistance
Watch Yourself
Healing Signet
Sprint

with only physical resistance up i seem to be doing just fine, i just have to be sure watch yourself is up when i cast healing sig.
also i dont wait for the spiders to spread out, instead i like to let them surround me and spam my cyclone axe to keep the interrupts up and do some good damage aswell.

Jedit · Feb 28, 2006, 01:45 PM // 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by deluxe

this is the build i use, which i've done like 20 flawless runs with:

This is exactly what I use, except I have Grog's Shield and don't use the superior runes ever. They simply aren't required, and they cut down your wiggle room. I also have a -3 hexed shield that I use on the run to the cave and when fighting Dryders as well as Spiders. Truth be told, given my current strategy of "charge in and kill the Dryder first" I'm very tempted to use it permanently and put my stance shield on weapon switch.

Query: how are people feeling about the use of a bow to lure Dryders? It's not required anywhere except at the mouth of the cave that I can see, and maybe not even there. I'd quite like the inventory slot if I can ditch it.

deluxe · Feb 28, 2006, 06:18 PM // 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedit

This is exactly what I use, except I have Grog's Shield and don't use the superior runes ever. They simply aren't required, and they cut down your wiggle room. I also have a -3 hexed shield that I use on the run to the cave and when fighting Dryders as well as Spiders. Truth be told, given my current strategy of "charge in and kill the Dryder first" I'm very tempted to use it permanently and put my stance shield on weapon switch.

Query: how are people feeling about the use of a bow to lure Dryders? It's not required anywhere except at the mouth of the cave that I can see, and maybe not even there. I'd quite like the inventory slot if I can ditch it.

I like to have a large heal with healing signet, so i use sup runes for that. i normally have 350, and when poison gets me to 200, i use healing sig. i can kill one spider, then i gotta use a sig. i hate to have a lot of health and a small heal, dont need much health vs spiders.

and, i advise u to keep the bow, its not really needed for the entrance of the cave, but i like to use bows to lure driftwoods and dryders away from skales, or lure multiple groups of driftwoods and dryders at once. (saves time with cyclone axe, cuz both dont do any damage)

Dav85 · Feb 28, 2006, 07:28 PM // 19:28

enlarged my run down in fow now. i clean beach and cave including skales -mending, 3pips- then run and clean almost the whole forest, opening the chests i find here and there.
result: average 50min full run, 5-6k from selling various drops to merchant, 5-6shards, 1-2 gold drops from foes and 2-3 gold drops from chests.

4750gold spent per run -1k + 3750 for keys-
30/35k from drops + shards
3/5 gold drops, (mainly shadow staff and bows) which i sell unid.

considering everything last week i made 550k in 10runs

Racthoh · Feb 28, 2006, 09:17 PM // 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedit

Query: how are people feeling about the use of a bow to lure Dryders? It's not required anywhere except at the mouth of the cave that I can see, and maybe not even there. I'd quite like the inventory slot if I can ditch it.

I think it ultimately depends on the build. I personally like to kill them in the event that for some reason I can't use a skill to remove the Wastrel's Worry. If you're using enchantments, odds are you're not going to want to keep them alive either since recasting them will be a problem.

If you're looking to save a spot in your inventory, odds are you will pick up a bow along the way or a wand.

SnipiousMax · Feb 28, 2006, 10:21 PM // 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danger Russ

Thanks again guys for your input. I did try dropping watch yourself since I had dolyacts and physical resistance.

The reason I bring Physical Resistance is for increase mobility, which is a big help getting away (from skales or if I need a break), so I'd drop Dolyak Sig over Watch Yourself.

Illusion · Mar 01, 2006, 12:38 AM // 00:38

i have a question on run iv got passed em once but how do YOU get past ancients drakes with massive degen ?

Racthoh · Mar 01, 2006, 12:46 AM // 00:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illusion

i have a question on run iv got passed em once but how do YOU get past ancients drakes with massive degen ?

Stop and use Healing Signet.

Nater · Mar 01, 2006, 04:16 AM // 04:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by deluxe

this is the build i use, which i've done like 20 flawless runs with:

9 str, 15 axe, 15 tac, 2 insp. (upto the cave i use my normal armor with minor str and tac runes)

Zealous Battle Axe of Shelter (Collector's Axe, 15% in Stance, 7 AL)
Crimson Carapace Shield (Collectors Stance Shield, -2 +45)

Cyclone Axe
Cleave
Penetrating Blow
Executioners Strike (i dont have a real use for this skill, altho i cant find a better adrenaline skill)
Physical Resistance
Watch Yourself
Healing Signet
Sprint

with only physical resistance up i seem to be doing just fine, i just have to be sure watch yourself is up when i cast healing sig.
also i dont wait for the spiders to spread out, instead i like to let them surround me and spam my cyclone axe to keep the interrupts up and do some good damage aswell.

I just did a run with a very similar build, I just dropped almost all of the cave spiders at the mouth of the cave almost all at the same time. I must have don the whole cave in less then 30 min like this. Tons faster then my usual Flurry/HB/Galrath/etc/Dolyak. I used 16 axe, 15 tac, 3 insp. I remember trying Phys Resis back when it was first suggested...and didn't like it. I'm loving it now..

Rhuobhe · Mar 01, 2006, 04:31 AM // 04:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nater

I just did a run with a very similar build, I just dropped almost all of the cave spiders at the mouth of the cave almost all at the same time. I must have don the whole cave in less then 30 min like this. Tons faster then my usual Flurry/HB/Galrath/etc/Dolyak. I used 16 axe, 15 tac, 3 insp. I remember trying Phys Resis back when it was first suggested...and didn't like it. I'm loving it now..

I think 100 Blades makes killing groups easier and faster, but otherwise Phys is a bit faster, IMO.

Best thing to do is let all the spiders spawn and spread out a little bit. Then charge in and you won't have many (any) overlapping.

Nater · Mar 01, 2006, 06:18 AM // 06:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhuobhe

I think 100 Blades makes killing groups easier and faster, but otherwise Phys is a bit faster, IMO.

Best thing to do is let all the spiders spawn and spread out a little bit. Then charge in and you won't have many (any) overlapping.

On the contrary. I want them all grouped as tight as possible, and Cyclone them all into submission. Cleave & Exec help speed up the process when you get less then 5 spiders. (using a zealous axe) It doesn't even matter if the spider I'm hitting with Cleave/Exec is being healed with healing spring when they're hitting for 40 - 90 dmg each.

It is at least twice as fast going with HB, at least for me anyways.

trecca · Mar 03, 2006, 01:46 PM // 13:46

first run to the spiders for me.... i'm very happy

cyclone axe is very useful against healing spring

thanks racthoh for the share

deluxe · Mar 03, 2006, 08:34 PM // 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by trecca

first run to the spiders for me.... i'm very happy

cyclone axe is very useful against healing spring

thanks racthoh for the share

hey cool, you're using exactly my build!

i swapped exe strike for "I Will Survive", cuz i never used it much, "I Will Survive" gives me +3 regen for 9 seconds so i dont need to use healing sig all the time

Kadaj · Mar 03, 2006, 10:41 PM // 22:41

Suceeded in farming the spiders for the first time tonight, was very pleased with myself, I had managed to get to them twice, but always died. It may have been a result of the fact that I took both Dolyak and Physical Resistance, that I suceeded. Great Idea for the run Racthoh, and to whoever came up with the idea of Physical Resistance.

Murder In China · Mar 04, 2006, 12:12 AM // 00:12

Melandru's Resilence boosted the spider's regeneration abilities if your condition heavy.

Nater · Mar 04, 2006, 09:19 PM // 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by deluxe

hey cool, you're using exactly my build!

i swapped exe strike for "I Will Survive", cuz i never used it much, "I Will Survive" gives me +3 regen for 9 seconds so i dont need to use healing sig all the time

Good idea...I was thinking of dumping Cleave for Defy Pain over Watch Yourself!, but then I realized that I hardly even need Watch Yourself! save for getting rid of Wastrels, especially after you clear the mouth of the cave.

I've also thought of going on a run with Echo as my elite...dual Cyclone or even Executioners sounds like fun, even for just proof of concept. Or even Echo'd Sheilds Up! since I hear it go buffed..

Anyways, Racthoh, I think Axe proved > Sword once again. Come to think of it, I don't even have a defense mod on my zealous axe.

And one more thing (ya post is gettin long), all you guys getting the great items on this run, I am getting royally shafted. So far I've gotten a 15<50 Choas Axe, FDS, and Shadow Bow. Best item so far has been a +18%(hexed) Chaos axe.