View Full Version : Suggestions for a mid-level Druid Dueler please!
I'm making a mid-level dueler, basically to cope with the idiots who lose to my L34, then bring back a high level PvM character.
I was thinking L50-60... but beyond there I really am swamped... too many ideas.
He will be WW/fury...
But should I go high on Deadly Strike & Crushing Blow?
What for gear?
Definitely will use Shaft & SoE, and have something with nice res in stash for sorcs.
Guilliaume's Face for helm?
Boots? Goblin Toe? Or something faster?
Gloves - I do have a pair of crafted ones with 10%ias/7%CB/+a lil' life... or IK?
Shield - think we're good there: Whirstan's
The big question: what weapon? Lightsabre? (kinda high on dex)... Honor? (kinda low on damage)??... I could make a cresent moon runeword, but is that my best bet?
Any suggestions welcome!
Mcsaladshaker
01-02-2004, 05:16
Hmmm a suggestion on boots. Gore riders would be pretty good, better than goblin toe probably. Does IAS affect the weredruids attack speed now? If not then lightsabre wouldnt be bad because of its attack speed. Or maybe 6x shael something?
PhatTrumpet
01-02-2004, 06:49
I would just make a Zerker, but if you insist on making a Druid:
Lvl 66 WW/Fury Druid:
Guillame's Face
Highlord's Wrath
Coldsteel Ataghan (I really think this is the only way to make the build work... this is why you have to hit 66 though)
Shaft
Whitstan's
IK (or Bloodfists)
dual Ravens or Raven/Dwarf
String
Goreriders
Going for more DS than CB here. I would throw max dmg jewels in everything to capitalize on the high DS.
EDIT: I just remembered that the unique Tomahawk has a bunch of DS on it too... that might be another possibility.
Perhaps a little higher than I want to go... but within realms of possibility. Coldsteel Ataghan works out slightly better than Razor's Edge, largely due to speed. But... if I were to go as high as 66, 70 isn't as far away and then Death Cleaver (a whopping 66%DS & very nasty damage!) becomes available. Expensive - but maybe an option. But a L70 druid looks scary... pehaps too scary for a lotta people. I guess that's the point, huh?
PhatTrumpet
01-02-2004, 07:13
I agree, 66 is about the max lvl you want to go... that Coldsteel + Highlord's combo should be pretty rippin'.
Yes. Forgot about Highlords... if I were to go that high, then definitely: highlords.
We're on a different wave-length tho' Phat ;) - by scary, I meant that isn't that a good thing? Primarily used as 'fear-bait'...
If I were going to 66, I'd go the extra distance and probably make a 70... as the difference between the coldsteel Ataghan and the Death Cleaver is vast.
How do you think this Druid would go against other duelers of higher levels tho' (on the off chance someone has one?)... by my count he'd have 122% DS & 50% CB... and quite nice damage...
To tell the truth, I would prefer to go lower - as I originally stated, 50-60. If I were chasing DS, then Honor runeword has 25%...
Tho' the L70 is... appealing. If he'd do ok against others of his ilk (HLD).
hmm I think you should go lower level because once you start going to the 60's alot of the elite uniques can start being used which could complicate alot of things. I would suggest going lvl 49 (i think) and using etheral upgraded ribcracker ( is this lvl 49). Massive 2h dmg and great speed. You dont really need a shield if you can 1 hit kill and that weapon is a 1 hit kill.
That was my initial thought... sooner or later, my L70 (nasty as he would be) would die... and be quite an expensive loss. I think I'll aim for L50ish... having said that, I might just put a upgraded Ribbie on switch, BUT... I DO need a shield on this build, 9 times out of 10 he will NOT get the first blow, I have to be able to withstand a charge... whirstans is great for that (any other suggestions?). So... primary weapon I'm looking at either
* Honor something
* Crescent Moon Runeword Cryptic Sword/Naga... depending on what I can find.
* Lightsabre...
Ideas?
SonOfRah
01-02-2004, 15:18
Firstly if you need a gore riders send a pm and I'll lend you my pair (login/pass) until you get hold of another.
If you can deck yourself out with ias jewels and good max dmg charms, a bear druid is rather nasty with maul/bear/lync (that order). Ignore the spirits.
mmm, i'm a bit rusty on pvp considering I haven't played in a while now.
Thanks Rah...
Should be able to lay my hands on some Gores... thanks anyway.
Already started making my wolf (name's EIvis)... perhaps NEXT a bear...
Cheers
red-sauce
01-02-2004, 20:58
what ammy do you recommend for a lvl 50ish WW druid?
all the good uniques are lvl 65 and im thinking there is a better ammy than angelic. any thoughts would be apreciated.
dow-red
doubleOObubble
01-02-2004, 22:19
Saracen's chance is 48 or so. Also, alot of people in the 25-40 range are blinded by the nice bonuses from Angelics and forget about other options. The best being Mahim oak Curio + crafted/rare rings. If you get decent rings, that combo can easily beat Angelics.
Maybe use that eth upgraded Ribcracker as your "real" weapon, and throw on a whistans and honor weapon (to throw maphackers off) Use this to fend off the first hit/charge, then swap to your ribcracker and pound your opponent. If you manage to block the first hit (or even get hit and full juv ;) ) then your opponent is right on top of you, just waiting to be pummeled by your eth upped Ribcracker. As for jewelry, i would say drop the saracens, its main benifit is massive leech, not too useful in PvP IMO... I would agree with doubleOO on that, Mahim+crafted ammy/ring.
I would say this (off the top of my head)
Eth upped Ribcracker (shaeled?)
Rockstopper (less DR, better other mods than gaze for PvP, the extra dmg reduce can be compensated) (max'd)
String
Shaft (max'd)
Mahim oak
Crafted ring
Raven
Travs/Gorerider
IK gloves
Switch:
Whistans+a decoy weapon (honor or regular butchers pupil maybe?)
Charms: As many small Vitas as you can get, to be idealistic, shapeshifting w/ life, but i highly doubt those will be "gettable"
See you online Mali ;)
-Matt
SonOfRah
02-02-2004, 00:40
Personally I would go with some deadly strike. The chance for double damage is just too good to pass up - especially with such a high damage weapon such as an eth upped ribcracker.
Higher max is a better chance to deal nasty damage. Double damage means that you get those high end rolls more often.
I like Matt's idea... IF I had an eth Ribbie... =\
And I'd imagine an eth ribbie would be QUITE expensive...
I guess I should just search for a high ED regular ribcracker.
Still wondering...
tomatoman
02-02-2004, 04:30
70 is a bit high because theyd bring in a level 80 something char to fight that instead of their 60-70 something char.
NightShade
02-02-2004, 07:08
The problem is you won't get kills nearly as quick as anyone else.
I advise against a druid. Even an idiotic charger or a Zerk barb would probably get more ears (unfortunately, I do love druids)
My suggestion : Go with the cold steel eye. Blatant rip off of my 34, but hell, it's still good.^^
I'm not looking for ears... most people are using chickenhack (unfortunately!) these days any way...
What I'm looking to build is a L50ish character that will beat the crap outta most PvM higher levels that idiots tend to run and get after my L34 Druid (Thanks NS!!!) beats the hell out of their lower character... (tho' NS, I have struggled mightily against good WW/Conc barbs & good Sins...).
Now, people with suggestions/ideas - post away! Those with moronic statements to make: respectfully, stay the hell outta my thread!
(**cough cough - annr - cough cough**)
NightShade
03-02-2004, 02:50
Use a Charged striker.
Twitch + ias
Whistans (ias)
+3 java skill circ (ias jewels)
Sigons gloves/boots
String
+3 java skill ammy
Dual ravens
+2 throwing spear of 10% ias
The ias comes out to 9fps
Maxed charged strike
5 in dodge
5 in avoid
Maxed lightning bolt
The rest into lightnin syns.
On switch : Sigons + lower res wand
Comes down to it : This build will do alot of damage very quickly. Isn't exactly a druid but...gets the job done.
They run, you blast. They melee, you strike. They die.
NS, i see a few potential problems: Sorcs (all casters actually) the build lacks much IAS and light resist, i see Trappers and sorcs being nasty (maybe not sorcs, dual ravens are potent vs orbers)
Also, isint 9fps, interuptable a little slow? Also, many high level pvmers (Mali's intended fights) will have high light resist and maybe som absorb right?
Seems viable, but im not sure it be THAT effective...
That said, its more than i have come up with :) Ill try to brainstorm something... im not too great at this kind of thing :)
-Matt
I don't recall the name of the build its either templar or vindicator, darn them pally folk for non-descript names, foh and smite. Check out the guides in the pally forum.
Any gear you need that I can help with let me know, and if you need some rushing to level up faster just give me a buzz mate.
I'm not looking for ears... most people are using chickenhack (unfortunately!) these days any way...
What I'm looking to build is a L50ish character that will beat the crap outta most PvM higher levels that idiots tend to run and get after my L34 Druid (Thanks NS!!!) beats the hell out of their lower character... (tho' NS, I have struggled mightily against good WW/Conc barbs & good Sins...).
Now, people with suggestions/ideas - post away! Those with moronic statements to make: respectfully, stay the hell outta my thread!
(**cough cough - annr - cough cough**)
the hell? you talk about using some pretty nice toys and ask what else you need, why not a looter? damn, you seemed pretty nice on the gat boards but i never once expected you to be an actual jackass. my mistake!
Annr, i know Mali somewhat well (online) And i can assure you he is not a jackass. Im sure it was a misunderstanding. This is my guess (and this is purely speculation, im not sure this is right!):
Mali took "Get a looter" to mean "your character will die quickly and be weak overall, you will need a looter" when you meant "Careful not to lose all that nice gear!" he thought you were "taunting" the build, you were being nice and reminding him that a looter is a good idea when this level of quality in equipment is on the line.
Matt
Annr, i know Mali somewhat well (online) And i can assure you he is not a jackass. Im sure it was a misunderstanding. This is my guess (and this is purely speculation, im not sure this is right!):
Mali took "Get a looter" to mean "your character will die quickly and be weak overall, you will need a looter" when you meant "Careful not to lose all that nice gear!" he thought you were "taunting" the build, you were being nice and reminding him that a looter is a good idea when this level of quality in equipment is on the line.
Matt
you are probably right pretty baby, but i will just leave him on my newly found ignore list (yeah i just realized we had one) and avoid all mid level druids from now on in public games ;)
NightShade
03-02-2004, 06:00
*makes that OOoOOoo noise*
Annr, i know Mali somewhat well (online) And i can assure you he is not a jackass. Im sure it was a misunderstanding. This is my guess (and this is purely speculation, im not sure this is right!):
Mali took "Get a looter" to mean "your character will die quickly and be weak overall, you will need a looter" when you meant "Careful not to lose all that nice gear!" he thought you were "taunting" the build, you were being nice and reminding him that a looter is a good idea when this level of quality in equipment is on the line.
Matt
If you meant as Matt has suggested, and you clarified afterwards, then you have my heartfelt apology. I did think that you were laughing at the intended build... still if you wish to ignore me - that's your prerogative.
Guys, thanks for all the suggestions - but as I stated to Rah: I've started to build my Druid. Suggestions on the WEAPON would be appreciated.
**I'm leaning towards an honor something-really-fast
NightShade
03-02-2004, 19:37
Honor phaseblades don't quite pack the punch. Finding an efficient wepon may be quite the task.
At that level you almost HAVE to use a rare (Consider an upgraded striker, I don't have the Fury bp's memorized..me thinks it's a tad slow)
use buriza hahah if you don't mind no shield
NightShade
03-02-2004, 20:45
He makes a good point. It definately has it's strong suits.
How ever, it's more of a PK wepon. With the abundance of conc barbs around I know I wouldnt feel comfortable sans sheilding.
clsurfer
04-02-2004, 00:33
Headstriker can only reach 7 frame fury, quite slow. I wouldn't use it on a werewolf, same reason I'd stay away from "honor" and to some extent "crescent moon" (all fast c-moon weapons that are capable of reaching 6 frame fury have too low base damage).
Both upgraded butcher's pupil and coldsteel eye have level 52 requirement.
If you can get an ethereal coldsteel eye, I'd definitely go with that, high end damage would be:136-241 with 50% D.S. and hitting 5 frame fury with a shael socket.
Lacking access to ethereal eye, upg'd butcher's pupil is a decent choice. it will have 144-230 one hand damage if you can get a 200% ed one. it comes with 35% DS and 30% IAS which allows you to hit 6 frame fury upon shael socket. unfortunately, that baby cannot spawn ethereal.
Outside IAS doesn't do anything when you are talking about 5-6 frame fury. druids only gain 2 life per stat point spent in vitality. IK gaunts is great for a barb, only moderately good for a druid. a good pair of Nef craft might beat IK gaunts, as it may come with 10% CB, 20 life and anything else that can spawn on rare gloves (stats, resist etc.).
I am not sure about the saracen's chance statement. If you need the resists, go with it. but if you are not lacking on resist department, the "relevent" stats bonus on Saracen is 36 (72 life) while the angelic combo gives 95+20(from 10 dex) = 115 life. a good ring can negate this 43 life difference, but the 600ish base a.r. lost are hard to make up, and it(A.R.) does matter in mid to high level duels. I value the dmg to mana mod more than the chance of casting iron maiden.
Gore rider is the best choice at boots.
String is good, have a T-gods in stash for lightning based attackers.
*** this is for nightshade's CS zon suggestion ***
For the main purpose of Mali's build: to fence off those who brought high level back to game, the main dueling stage is probably in normal or nightmare. It is not hard at all to achieve max light resist (with t-gods, 85%) there. I tested my charged striker (she is not done yet, lvl 75, and not all gears equipped, but went all offensive with 1 point at most on evasive skills, 1 on critical/penetrate/pierce for leveling purpose, no valk, decoy...), the t-gods wearing druid laughs at her, 200 or around PvP damage at that level is simply not gonna cut anything.
*** end CS zon discussion ***
Shaft is a good option at armor, get a lionheart or likes in stash for casters.
Whitstan's guard is great, effective and cheap, some people favors AToD and such, I'd brush them off. They are hard to get, and at the end, the improvement on damage are offset by loss of life due to mediocre base blocking and slower blocking.
The other ring belongs to a good raven, frozen wolves don't bite.
My choice of helm is definitely Jalal's Mane, for its all around bonuses. Aside from some CB, the most attractive mod on Guillame's face is 15% DS. But you really need to examine it a bit more carefully. Assuming Coldsteel eye and gore rider, you are at 50% DS mark already. Additional 15% DS gives you 10% more (1.65 vs. 1.50) average damage. Jalal's adds +4 to shapeshift skills: werewolf, fury, lyc. Assuming you have lvl 20 fury without Jalal's mane, and lvl 24 with it. that's 423 ED vs. 491 ED. 5.91/5.23 - 1 = 0.13, or 13% damage improvement. This has not taken into account of ED from strength bonus or outside weapon ED jewels (if any), which will make the number slightly smaller. However, if you are using HoW spirit, you gain another 2 skills which will further boost your damage. All things considered, you probably will do more damage with Jalal's Mane than with Guillame's face. And when you look into other mods: A.R., resist, better stats bonus, and increased length in wereform (lyc, werewolf), increased life (lyc), improved a.r. (werewolf, fury), I think the choice is rather obvious.
To sum it up, I'd make a level 52 fury wolf with the following gear:
Jalal's Mane
Shaftstop (with Lionheart in stash)
String of Ears (with Thundergods Vigor in stash)
Raven Frost
Angelic Wing
Angelic Halo
(Saracen's Chance + second raven or dwarf star if needed for certain duels)
10% CB, life leech, 20 life, stats and/or resist Nef Craft
Gore rider
Ethereal Coldsteel Eye Ataghan (Shael for 5 frame fury)
Whitstan's Guard (Shael if you want 5 frame block, or dmg jewel, or p. diamond)
weapon switch (Fleshrender + Sigon's shield)
Fantastic stuff CL. I will definitely go with most of your suggestions (I don't like my chances of an ethereal Coldsteel Eye!)...
Once again thanks!
cheers
I have
Jalal's Mane
Shaftstop
String of Ears
Raven Frost
Gore rider
Saracen's
Dwarfstar
A few bits n pieces left to find... And I could upgrade my string (12%DR).
Anyone got a 190%+ED Butchers?
cheers
Last night snagged a 193 Butchers and upgraded it. Also got Angelic's Ring & Amulet...
We're nearly ready...
Shadoway
06-02-2004, 02:24
Mali, I have a 200% butcher for you (too bad I did not see this thread earlier). That is, if you want to upgrade yet again.
Heh! Sure... why not?
Contact me online Shadoway... tell me what you want for it!
And just finished trading for charms. I know have about 210 in extra life (on charms) & around +40 damage (again, in charms).
Soon...
Shadoway
07-02-2004, 19:45
Heh! Sure... why not?
Contact me online Shadoway... tell me what you want for it!
Your account name is *mali, right?
It is yours for free, since you helped me beat the uberD. :p
Wooot.
Thanks man... good deeds return to haunt me!
And the account is *maliHC
Sharakorr
08-02-2004, 03:55
I was just wondering what skills you were gonna use, cuz i heard that max grizzly bear with all synergies is awesome.
Yeah, awesome for a stand in town lame druid ;) Really though, yes, the bears are strong, but they weaken the druid too much at that level. A fully synergized bear by a druid in his 50's leaves no remaining skill points to invest into any other skills, a druid with that build would end up being one of the lamers who sits in town casting the bear on people. Its just not practical at anywhere sub level 80 IMO.
-Matt
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