State of the Forums

Moderator: Stomper

While here in the States and other interested areas we are recovering from Super Bowl parties, most of the world is prepping for the upcoming Winter Olympics. (By the way, congratulations to the New England Patriots for a fantastic win!)

We here in PlanetDiablo are prepping for the Character Journals to be posted to the website this week. It has been long in coming but hopefully not fruitless. Please stay tuned and check out the homepage for continued updates. I will also post updates, occasionally, in the forums themselves (see the above link). We are continuing to accept applicants; please see the above link for information on how you, too, can become involved!

Now I'd like to take a moment to revisit the Druid which was showcased last week in the SOTF #15 by Madanark. Specifically, I'll discuss the hardcore variation.

Hardcore Druidship: the Shiftiest player of them all:

First and foremost: Life is essential. So how do we make sure that we stay alive? By paying attention to hit points and skills that increase it!

Werewolf form seems to be the standard for the hardcore shifting druids. The use of Fury really makes it essential and the benefits far outweigh the options supported by the Werebear.

So, what are the skills we should concentrate on?

Elemental skills: Spend nothing here! Any points spent here are wasted.

Shape Shifting skills:

• Lycanthropy - You should eventually maximize this. Get to about skill level 7 before starting on Fury.
• Werewolf - You should eventually maximize this. Get to about skill level 7 before starting on Fury.
• Feral Rage - Three to five points will be good for this skill, which helps in the intermediate stages and can act as a boost later on if you do not have life stealing equipment or need a higher Attack Rating or damage range.
• Rabies - Only one point should be placed here, as it is a prerequisite to Fury.
• Fury - Maximize this skill as soon as you can.

Summoning Skills:

• Oak Sage: Maximize this skill eventually.
• Option: You can put one point in Raven, Spirit Wolf, Dire Wolf, or Grizzly.

Personally, I use the Grizzly bear as a distracter (or meat shield). Oak Sage gives it a lot of Life and allows one to work one's damage on the monsters using Fury while they surround it.

This combination of skills has worked pretty effectively for me so far. I am currently character level 72 and working on maxing Lycanthropy and Werewolf now (both at slvl 14 presently). I have maximized Oak Sage and Fury, and put two points in Dire Wolf and Grizzly.

As for items, I am interested in trying out the Druid set, Aldur's Watchtower, but have yet to find anything other than the helm (Aldur's Stony Guise) and mace (Aldur's Rhythm). So, currently I am using the following.

• Cathan's Visage (Helm)
• Balrog Armor - Defense 984; 2 sockets, 30%/30% Fire/Lighting Resist
• Sigon's Wrap (Belt)
• Sigon's Gage (Gloves)
• Cathan's Seal (Two)
• Hsarus' Iron Heels (Boots)
• Cruel Colossus 293% with three Sockets (nothing in the sockets yet).

On my off weapon slot I am using Aldur's Rhythm and Sigon's Guard (shield) socketed with a Perfect Diamond.

An interesting Note on Cathan's: Since I have Cathan's Visage (defense based on level set bonus) and two Cathan's Seals, I benefit from double the set bonus on the rings, for +20 Strength (+10 per ring) and +30-40 fire damage (+15-20 per ring). You do not however get the bonus of 25% lightning resistance for three set items; apparently that bonus is for three different set items. Double strength and double fire damage is nice, though.

I plan on experimenting later, to see if you can double the entire set bonus if wearing all the items. (not on this character - but on a Fire Sorceress later on) If anyone knows the answer to this (I believe the set bonuses will double)-PM me. I'd like to know.

Putting Perfect Diamonds into armor will not increase resistances to all. There has been a rash of itchy fingers lately that have attempted this to their own chagrin. (Hehe.)

See you next week!

Moderator: Madanark

See Druid Hardcore by Stomper (above).

I have Aldur's Advance (boots) in addition to Rhythm (mace) and Stony Gaze (helm) so I can "loan" it to a friend. My additional notes on the "softie" Druid I discussed last week are thus:

1. I have favored Oak Sage over Heart of Wolverine. In general, I would always prefer Life benefits over the Attack Rating increases, even though my Druid's level 17 Fury and level 11 Wolverine have him at an Attack Rating over 5,000, with the likelihood to hit a Hell Bovine being over 80%. The main reason for favoring Life is that there are some strong cows that can dish out over 900 damage in eight-player games. I have seen myself drop to a level that is barely perceptible in the Life Orb from a decent 1850 level in two whacks from these guys.

2. I also have nearly maxed Lycanthropy and Werewolf. As I mentioned, the pure elementalist in Hell is not likely to survive if anyone gets to him. I have seen the cows bathing in Armageddon from a level 86 Druid and mooing their tunes like they are in the shower. Despite the fact that the Grizzly goes toe to toe with them for quite a while (I stood and watched), the elementalist brings little to bear upon them without going into Werewolf form. In summary, the elemental things just do not kill well in hell.

3. I strongly favor Fury over Feral Rage. While I like the Life steal aspect of Feral Rage, I would much rather kill the bad guy earlier; there is also a significant difference in damage with Fury. It seems that the rapid burst attack (5 strikes) of Fury is especially good in close quarters.

4. As I mentioned in a post this week about Duriel's Shell, I recommend placing enhanced damage jewels (or, if you are rich and famous, Ohm runes) into several items for you and your hireling including armor, helmet, shield, and weapons. This, potentially, can triple your base damage. This is especially satisfying with the Druid and probably Barbarian, also. Switching these items amongst characters allows the enhanced damage to be used by whomever you wish. If you did not read the post, do so for a good laugh (at me).

Hot Topics this Week

Killing Barbs - While this thread started last month, there has been a flurry of activity recently. The author must enjoy killing barbarians or hates them enough to think he would kill all of them. I wonder whether the author has the xx factor. Most people chime in appropriately with strategic additions. Some are a little harsh.

Worth it - It is hard to fathom this query, but some people want more proof than the fact that there are always upwards of 100,000 people playing the game at any point in time. The replies clearly answer the question. So take two acts of Lord of Destruction and call me in the morning if you dare. The toll free Lord of Destruction hot line is "1-LOD-ADD-ICTS".

That's freaky weird - Indeed it is. Caution to minors reading this. Do not talk to strangers. Corollary: Do not go to strangers' websites.

Valentine's Day advice - So what can you give her (or him) to guarantee that you will get the appropriate attention that you desire? Here, the term oxymoron gets redefined, inaccurately by Beavis. Never underestimate the straightforward approach by directly asking " What could I do for Valentine's Day so this is the most romantic and unforgettable one ever?"

Robo gets philosophical - This begins, I presume, as an introspective debate by Robo. I feel he may be giving suggestions as to what classes may pair as mercenaries in one sense, but includes the summoners, which to date cannot be hired. There is never any discussion about how opposites attract, but that is yet another point to favor in teaming up these characters. I would love to know how well two 'zons would play at high levels, each with Buriza. By the way, a 165% and 200% Buriza only differs by 12 damage points. I found the 200% yesterday and was disappointed at the minor gain. A fine point is made, again, by the Savior. All in all, this thread has lead to some decent discussion.

Hirelings - Despite starting in November, most of the activity here is recent. I picked this because I may research hireling posts for next week to try and summarize the concepts of selection for all classes. Please read here, and if you reply with stupendous accuracy and information, I will acknowledge you next week if I indeed select this as a topic. I have been stuck on barbarians for my Amazon, Sorceress, and barbarians, and Thorny mercs for my Druid and Necromancer. Hey, I'll need to check to see what my Paladin has.

See you next week.