Spear Maidens in 1.10
Orchid
sealed the deal on creating a spear maiden.
I'm wondering if anyone has tried a spear maiden yet and what sort of
builds people think might work. Also, what sort of gear would be
considered adequate for having her survive in Hell?
I played 2 spear maidens in 1.09 and found that Fend worked best among
spear skills but I have my doubts about it in 1.10 both with the added
monster hitopoints and the added damage in crowds that will be inflicted
using Fend.
ATM, I'm considering high passives (5 in each and 9 in CS), max fend, a
holy freeze merc and a Valk around level 12. I have enough gear to add 6
to passive skills so I think that'll put the Valk in the heavy survival
range.
While I'm pretty sure I can cobble the gear for max resists (the mat.
spear has +40 to all resists on it and will be in use by hell), I can't
count on damage reduction gear as I haven't seen any of it in 1.10. I
think I can use divide and conquer for routine playing but I'm seriously
concerned about her ability to handle bosses in Hell. I have the feeling
she'll be getting hammered without a shield.
Thoughs, suggestions and ideas from everyone would be appreciated.
Shari (Orchid)
p.s. I already checked the amazon basin and found the information there
rather outdated and I'd rather get the perspective of the group so
please don't advise me to just go there.
David Besack
> holy freeze merc and a Valk around level 12. I have enough gear to add 6
> to passive skills so I think that'll put the Valk in the heavy survival
> range.
I think a level 18 valk would do a fair job of tanking.
If you don't put 5 in the ones on the left (belkow valk), that means
you'll use 71 points. You can afford a few points in another skill - I
suggest fury for the crowd control.
Simon Righarts
"Orchid" <orc...@nospamcsonline.net> wrote in message
news:1g5paiu.csc04rhtb934N%orc...@nospamcsonline.net...
> Last night, a unique matriarchal spear fell in one of my games and that
> sealed the deal on creating a spear maiden.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone has tried a spear maiden yet and what sort of
> builds people think might work. Also, what sort of gear would be
> considered adequate for having her survive in Hell?
>
> I played 2 spear maidens in 1.09 and found that Fend worked best among
> spear skills but I have my doubts about it in 1.10 both with the added
> monster hitopoints and the added damage in crowds that will be inflicted
> using Fend.
>
> ATM, I'm considering high passives (5 in each and 9 in CS), max fend, a
> holy freeze merc and a Valk around level 12. I have enough gear to add 6
> to passive skills so I think that'll put the Valk in the heavy survival
> range.
>
> While I'm pretty sure I can cobble the gear for max resists (the mat.
> spear has +40 to all resists on it and will be in use by hell), I can't
> count on damage reduction gear as I haven't seen any of it in 1.10. I
> think I can use divide and conquer for routine playing but I'm seriously
> concerned about her ability to handle bosses in Hell. I have the feeling
> she'll be getting hammered without a shield.
>
> Thoughs, suggestions and ideas from everyone would be appreciated.
Being that I've never played a fenderbender, I could be talking out my
posterior here, but you did ask for opinion, so here goes:
- high passives is a good thing, IMO - however, evade-lock could be a
problem if you pump it too high.
- fend is uninterruptable .... so just keep attacking, you won't get hit ;-)
- if you can, get a decent level of defence and a defiance merc ... should
reduce your damage taken a bit.
LineNoise
alt.games.diablo.
>Being that I've never played a fenderbender, I could be talking out my
>posterior here, but you did ask for opinion, so here goes:
>
>- high passives is a good thing, IMO - however, evade-lock could be a
>problem if you pump it too high.
They seem to have mostly fixed the problems with Evade lock. This is from
experience with 5-7 points in Evade and Hell Diablo runs. In D2C, I would
get fatally stun-locked anytime that big D threw a firestorm. In 1.10, I
can run right through the firestorm with nary a pause, although I do take
damage. So go ahead and pump those passives through the roof, if you've
got the points. Makes the Valk hardier, too.
LineNoise
--
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Matriarch Allysyn, level 85 Amazon, USWest Ladder
Champion Denise_LN, level 76 Sorceress, USWest Ladder
.
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short
"Orchid" <orc...@nospamcsonline.net> wrote in message
news:1g5paiu.csc04rhtb934N%orc...@nospamcsonline.net...
> sealed the deal on creating a spear maiden.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone has tried a spear maiden yet and what sort of
> builds people think might work. Also, what sort of gear would be
> considered adequate for having her survive in Hell?
>
> I played 2 spear maidens in 1.09 and found that Fend worked best among
> spear skills but I have my doubts about it in 1.10 both with the added
> monster hitopoints and the added damage in crowds that will be inflicted
> using Fend.
>
can do both well though, because IIRC both of those come on a hat.
> ATM, I'm considering high passives (5 in each and 9 in CS), max fend, a
> holy freeze merc and a Valk around level 12. I have enough gear to add 6
> to passive skills so I think that'll put the Valk in the heavy survival
> range.
>
> While I'm pretty sure I can cobble the gear for max resists (the mat.
> spear has +40 to all resists on it and will be in use by hell), I can't
> count on damage reduction gear as I haven't seen any of it in 1.10. I
> think I can use divide and conquer for routine playing but I'm seriously
> concerned about her ability to handle bosses in Hell. I have the feeling
> she'll be getting hammered without a shield.
>
> Thoughs, suggestions and ideas from everyone would be appreciated.
>
> Shari (Orchid)
>
> p.s. I already checked the amazon basin and found the information there
> rather outdated and I'd rather get the perspective of the group so
> please don't advise me to just go there.
The one thing that my Fendazon did (after getting ahold of some cruel
javelins) is to use those and a shield when getting hammered. You lose the
mods of your unique weapon, but a lot of times the blocking makes up for it.
short - that's about all the advice I have, since I only played one Javazon
in the near-past :o)
Orchid
I'll take any opinions, even those coming out of your posterior...
although no need to be graphic about your brain's location. ;-)
> - high passives is a good thing, IMO - however, evade-lock could be a
> problem if you pump it too high.
Yeah, I was thinking about this but I figure that it's better to be safe
than sorry.
> - fend is uninterruptable .... so just keep attacking, you won't get hit ;-)
I just don't believe the "uninterruptable" part on attacks that claim
such as I'm sure my uninterruptable concentrate barb gets smacked up. I
think all the uninterruptable part means is the creature you're
currently smacking can't smack back but anything that you aren't
immediately applying a pike to can poke you in the ribs. I could be
wrong.
> - if you can, get a decent level of defence and a defiance merc ... should
> reduce your damage taken a bit.
I think the slowing creatures down part of holy freeze will be better
than high defense. With low strength, she won't be able to wear some
massively high def. plate and I think there just won't be enough to
multiply with defiance. In most cases, I would consider a defiance merc
but I think slow down is going to mean more than a reduced shot at
getting hit in this case (again, I could be wrong).
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate all ideas.
Shari (Orchid)
A Mackenzie
"Orchid" <orc...@nospamcsonline.net> wrote in message
news:1g5paiu.csc04rhtb934N%orc...@nospamcsonline.net...
lvl72 in nm a5 hill's she uses a honor ghost spear, mite merc, the life flux
had my finger over pot's all the time .jav & shield switch. It was fun and
lvled well just doing the hill and passage,river
Orchid
> "Orchid" <orc...@nospamcsonline.net> wrote in message
> news:1g5paiu.csc04rhtb934N%orc...@nospamcsonline.net...
> > Last night, a unique matriarchal spear fell in one of my games and that
> > sealed the deal on creating a spear maiden.
> >
> > I'm wondering if anyone has tried a spear maiden yet and what sort of
> > builds people think might work. Also, what sort of gear would be
> > considered adequate for having her survive in Hell?
> >
> > I played 2 spear maidens in 1.09 and found that Fend worked best among
> > spear skills but I have my doubts about it in 1.10 both with the added
> > monster hitopoints and the added damage in crowds that will be inflicted
> > using Fend.
> >
> Gotta find some CB gear then, and maybe blinds target. Don't know if you
> can do both well though, because IIRC both of those come on a hat.
The problem is that needing to prioritize both CB and hit blinds target
starts to bind her in knots gear-wise. There's only so much flexibility
she can have and still get max resists. I'm really not worried about her
average questing capability as I think I can divide and conquer and the
CB and HBT won't apply to the bosses I'm concerned about, will they?
I am wand shopping and found one with level 6 terror. I'm guessing I can
use that to scatter things if it gets too intense (if I'm not too
hit-locked to cast it). I'm also going to look for one with Dim Vision
charges to help with ranged attackers.
> The one thing that my Fendazon did (after getting ahold of some cruel
> javelins) is to use those and a shield when getting hammered. You lose the
> mods of your unique weapon, but a lot of times the blocking makes up for it.
The thing is that I have my doubts that javelins, even cruel ones, are
going to accomplish much in Hell with monster regeneration but I am
considering this as well. It doesn't cost anything to give this a try so
I will give it a go.
> short - that's about all the advice I have, since I only played one Javazon
> in the near-past :o)
Heh, and spear maidens are rather different from javazons. ;-)
Thanks for the input.
Shari (Orchid)
David Besack
> starts to bind her in knots gear-wise. There's only so much flexibility
> she can have and still get max resists. I'm really not worried about her
> average questing capability as I think I can divide and conquer and the
> CB and HBT won't apply to the bosses I'm concerned about, will they?
CB works on everything, blind does not. Blind is not that important
because they still see melee-distance, and will still attack you.
> I am wand shopping and found one with level 6 terror. I'm guessing I can
> use that to scatter things if it gets too intense (if I'm not too
> hit-locked to cast it). I'm also going to look for one with Dim Vision
> charges to help with ranged attackers.
You can also choose items with chance of monster flee. My druid has
something with 50% chance, and it keeps him from getting swarmed. It
makes killing take longer, but it's a trade-off for the safety.
> The thing is that I have my doubts that javelins, even cruel ones, are
> going to accomplish much in Hell with monster regeneration but I am
> considering this as well. It doesn't cost anything to give this a try so
> I will give it a go.
IMO if you have a jav on switch, you should be using fury.
Desktop
> Last night, a unique matriarchal spear fell in one of my games and
> that sealed the deal on creating a spear maiden.
And the mules were all full I take it? ;-)
> I'm wondering if anyone has tried a spear maiden yet and what sort of
> builds people think might work. Also, what sort of gear would be
> considered adequate for having her survive in Hell?
No.
> I played 2 spear maidens in 1.09 and found that Fend worked best among
> spear skills but I have my doubts about it in 1.10 both with the added
> monster hitopoints and the added damage in crowds that will be
> inflicted using Fend.
A spear maiden, or Spearazon if you will, was on my to do list when Blizzard
decided it was time to patch the game. My Javazon is poking around with a
level 17 or so Fend and finds the one-handed damage way too low. Go
two-hander!
> ATM, I'm considering high passives (5 in each and 9 in CS), max fend,
> a holy freeze merc and a Valk around level 12. I have enough gear to
> add 6 to passive skills so I think that'll put the Valk in the heavy
> survival range.
I agree with your passive plan. Perhaps that will deter you from going ahead
with this build.
> While I'm pretty sure I can cobble the gear for max resists (the mat.
> spear has +40 to all resists on it and will be in use by hell), I
> can't count on damage reduction gear as I haven't seen any of it in
> 1.10. I think I can use divide and conquer for routine playing but
> I'm seriously concerned about her ability to handle bosses in Hell. I
> have the feeling she'll be getting hammered without a shield.
Perhaps you should focus around massive damage and plenty of life leech? May
I suggest a Lionheart armor to get you started?
> Thoughs, suggestions and ideas from everyone would be appreciated.
>
> Shari (Orchid)
>
> p.s. I already checked the amazon basin and found the information
> there rather outdated and I'd rather get the perspective of the group
> so please don't advise me to just go there.
Yes.
desktop at home dot se
Desktop
If I know Shari, and I don't, she would prefer to make this a pure Spearazon
build. That would exclude all javelin skills. :-)
Desktop
How much defense does it take in 1.10 to make it worth your while? If you
have to rely on your mercenary to keep the defense up you better have good
gear for him.
romendacil
I have always thought that uninteruptable means that you will finish your
swing no matter what happens. And that it has nothing to do with the
critters chance of hitting you. As in, you can get hit while swinging, it
just doesnt stop your swing.
Not that I have any kind of evidence to prove it, it is just the way I
always thougth it was...
Regards Romendacil
David Besack
> swing no matter what happens. And that it has nothing to do with the
> critters chance of hitting you. As in, you can get hit while swinging, it
> just doesnt stop your swing.
That's right. My concentrate barb, once he starts swinging, never stops
unless I want him to. Compare that to a warcry - if I decide to howl in the
middle of a pack, sometimes I need to hit it 2 or 3 times before it finishes
because I'm being hit.
short
evade locked.
> > - fend is uninterruptable .... so just keep attacking, you won't get hit
;-)
>
> I just don't believe the "uninterruptable" part on attacks that claim
> such as I'm sure my uninterruptable concentrate barb gets smacked up. I
> think all the uninterruptable part means is the creature you're
> currently smacking can't smack back but anything that you aren't
> immediately applying a pike to can poke you in the ribs. I could be
> wrong.
>
You're wrong. Will explain in a later post. :o) To Romendacil, I think.
short
short
"romendacil" <romen...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:br7c6q$5e6g$1...@ID-148492.news.uni-berlin.de...
just means the attack can't be interrupted by another attack/block
animation/stun, etc.
From what I remember you have to get an attack to hit its mark before the
uninterruptible part kicks in. My 2 Concentrate barbs could get interrupted
mid-swing if they hadn't connected with a hit yet, but once you start
hitting, even Lister's pack can't stop you from attacking. You can still
get hit, but you won't stop attacking to block or go into hit recovery or
anything like that.
I'm pretty sure Fend works the same way, but Fend seemed to always have that
"miss every other swing" bug or whatever it was, so it was harder to tell.
If they fixed that Fend would work twice as good as it did before.
short - or instead of a Spearazon, you could try a Concentrate barb!!
short
> short <sho...@zoominternet.net> wrote:
>
> > "Orchid" <orc...@nospamcsonline.net> wrote in message
> > news:1g5paiu.csc04rhtb934N%orc...@nospamcsonline.net...
> > > Last night, a unique matriarchal spear fell in one of my games and
that
> > > sealed the deal on creating a spear maiden.
> > >
> > > I'm wondering if anyone has tried a spear maiden yet and what sort of
> > > builds people think might work. Also, what sort of gear would be
> > > considered adequate for having her survive in Hell?
> > >
> > > I played 2 spear maidens in 1.09 and found that Fend worked best among
> > > spear skills but I have my doubts about it in 1.10 both with the added
> > > monster hitopoints and the added damage in crowds that will be
inflicted
> > > using Fend.
> > >
> > Gotta find some CB gear then, and maybe blinds target. Don't know if
you
> > can do both well though, because IIRC both of those come on a hat.
>
> The problem is that needing to prioritize both CB and hit blinds target
> starts to bind her in knots gear-wise. There's only so much flexibility
> she can have and still get max resists. I'm really not worried about her
> average questing capability as I think I can divide and conquer and the
> CB and HBT won't apply to the bosses I'm concerned about, will they?
>
but not HBT.
What bosses were you concerned about? Izzy seemed pretty easy in the AGD
game I joined the other night. Although, it was Normal :o)
> I am wand shopping and found one with level 6 terror. I'm guessing I can
> use that to scatter things if it gets too intense (if I'm not too
> hit-locked to cast it). I'm also going to look for one with Dim Vision
> charges to help with ranged attackers.
>
Ooh, that's nice! And yup, DV is a good idea too.
> > The one thing that my Fendazon did (after getting ahold of some cruel
> > javelins) is to use those and a shield when getting hammered. You lose
the
> > mods of your unique weapon, but a lot of times the blocking makes up for
it.
>
> The thing is that I have my doubts that javelins, even cruel ones, are
> going to accomplish much in Hell with monster regeneration but I am
> considering this as well. It doesn't cost anything to give this a try so
> I will give it a go.
>
It does cost something if you have to buy them!! :o)
> > short - that's about all the advice I have, since I only played one
Javazon
> > in the near-past :o)
>
> Heh, and spear maidens are rather different from javazons. ;-)
>
Well, I did have a Lycander's Flank on switch but hardly ever switched from
my Titans.
Doesn't that count for something?
> Thanks for the input.
>
No Problemo!
short
Al Smith
I'm using Concentrate also with my barbarian. It's great. Once I
get him zeroed in on a foe, he just stands there and keeps wacking
away at a super fast rate until it dies. I've got Magnus gloves
which give him a 20% attack speed increase, and other great that
slows my opponents down 20%, so they barely have time to try to
him him in between his blows. It's just wack, wack, wack, wack,
wack, wack... :-)
Orchid
> > The problem is that needing to prioritize both CB and hit blinds target
> > starts to bind her in knots gear-wise. There's only so much flexibility
> > she can have and still get max resists. I'm really not worried about her
> > average questing capability as I think I can divide and conquer and the
> > CB and HBT won't apply to the bosses I'm concerned about, will they?
>
> CB works on everything, blind does not. Blind is not that important
> because they still see melee-distance, and will still attack you.
That's a point.
> > I am wand shopping and found one with level 6 terror. I'm guessing I can
> > use that to scatter things if it gets too intense (if I'm not too
> > hit-locked to cast it). I'm also going to look for one with Dim Vision
> > charges to help with ranged attackers.
>
> You can also choose items with chance of monster flee. My druid has
> something with 50% chance, and it keeps him from getting swarmed. It
> makes killing take longer, but it's a trade-off for the safety.
I've got a Coif of Glory on a merc right now which I can give her...or
leave on a merc and let him do the scaring. I'll have to see how I can
balance things out but it is going to be tough. I don't have much
twinkie gear for her and have been esp. unlucky with resists charms on
the ladder so she has to get those resists off of gloves, boots, belt,
and amulet.
I do have a pair of Goblin Toes but giving up resists on boots for CB is
going to be annoying.
> > The thing is that I have my doubts that javelins, even cruel ones, are
> > going to accomplish much in Hell with monster regeneration but I am
> > considering this as well. It doesn't cost anything to give this a try so
> > I will give it a go.
>
> IMO if you have a jav on switch, you should be using fury.
Yeah, that's sort of what I think as well but then she's really back to
being a javazon and I already have one of those on the ladder (level 86
at present). However, I'm not sure what she'll do about PIs if I don't
give her LF.
My concern is that once she gets LF, it'll be hard to resist using it as
it's so much more powerful and I really want a different play
experience. It's clearly the superior on the swap attack choice since it
does crowds, does elemental damage and doesn't need a synergy to work
well. However, then she seems so much less a spear maiden than I'd
prefer.
Your recommendation is a good one. I just am resisting it for the
aforementioned reasons. I wish there were a good elemental spear attack.
Shari (Orchid)
David Besack
> being a javazon and I already have one of those on the ladder (level 86
> at present). However, I'm not sure what she'll do about PIs if I don't
> give her LF.
>
> My concern is that once she gets LF, it'll be hard to resist using it as
> it's so much more powerful and I really want a different play
> experience. It's clearly the superior on the swap attack choice since it
> does crowds, does elemental damage and doesn't need a synergy to work
> well. However, then she seems so much less a spear maiden than I'd
> prefer.
>
> Your recommendation is a good one. I just am resisting it for the
> aforementioned reasons. I wish there were a good elemental spear attack.
>
> Shari (Orchid)
I understand your thinking. Just go with lightning strike and be the
only one on BNet using it :p
Stephen van Ham
(Orchid) came 'round looking for action. Check it:
>Your recommendation is a good one. I just am resisting it for the
>aforementioned reasons. I wish there were a good elemental spear attack.
Charged Strike? I hear it's been somewhat uberfied.
Orchid
You know a little more than I thought. ;-)
Shari (Orchid)
Orchid
> "Orchid" <orc...@nospamcsonline.net> wrote in message
> news:1g5r41l.hx7hj71r9ita8N%orc...@nospamcsonline.net...
> > short <sho...@zoominternet.net> wrote:
>
> > > short - that's about all the advice I have, since I only played one
> Javazon
> > > in the near-past :o)
> >
> > Heh, and spear maidens are rather different from javazons. ;-)
> >
> Well, I did have a Lycander's Flank on switch but hardly ever switched from
> my Titans.
> Doesn't that count for something?
It would but I suspect you built this babe in 1.09 where life wasn't
nearly so dangerous for shieldless characters. I'm concerned she's just
going to get relentlessly hammered by some creatures.
However, I guess the only way to find out is to try. ;-)
Shari (Orchid)
Orchid
I'd settle for it being decently effective. ;-)
Does anyone have any experience with this to see if it lives up to what
Stephen has heard?
Shari (Orchid)
Orchid
I used it in 1.09 and it sucked so badly that the bad memories would
probably make me not want to use it even if it had been fixed. ;-)
Shari (Orchid)
Stephen van Ham
(Orchid) came 'round looking for action. Check it:
>> Charged Strike? I hear it's been somewhat uberfied.
>I'd settle for it being decently effective. ;-)
>Does anyone have any experience with this to see if it lives up to what
>Stephen has heard?
I'd offer to join you for an all spearazon team, but since you do most
of your gaming while I'm sleeping, that's probably out.
Desktop
It's time for another Swedish proverb:
"Alla känner apan, apan känner ingen."
Translated for your convenience:
"Everyone knows the monkey, the monkey knows no one."
short
the shield :o)
Oh, and did you see my post about the uninterruptible stuff? If
not.......then:
I don't have any evidence, except for playing experience. Uninterruptible
just means the attack can't be interrupted by another attack/block
animation/stun, etc.
From what I remember you have to get an attack to hit its mark before the
uninterruptible part kicks in. My 2 Concentrate barbs could get interrupted
mid-swing if they hadn't connected with a hit yet, but once you start
hitting, even Lister's pack can't stop you from attacking. You can still
get hit, but you won't stop attacking to block or go into hit recovery or
anything like that.
I'm pretty sure Fend works the same way, but Fend seemed to always have that
"miss every other swing" bug or whatever it was, so it was harder to tell.
If they fixed that Fend would work twice as good as it did before.
Welcome!
short
short
> Last night, a unique matriarchal spear fell in one of my games and that
> sealed the deal on creating a spear maiden.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone has tried a spear maiden yet and what sort of
> builds people think might work. Also, what sort of gear would be
> considered adequate for having her survive in Hell?
>
An AGD2'er just posted some experiences with his Charged Strike using zon.
He describes CS as a "brutally powerful skill".
However, I don't really know him, so I'm going to get some details and let
you know.
short
EvilBill
> short <sho...@zoominternet.net> wrote:
>>>
>> Well, I did have a Lycander's Flank on switch but hardly ever
>> switched from my Titans.
>> Doesn't that count for something?
>
> It would but I suspect you built this babe in 1.09 where life wasn't
> nearly so dangerous for shieldless characters. I'm concerned she's
> just going to get relentlessly hammered by some creatures.
>
> However, I guess the only way to find out is to try. ;-)
>
I'm going to attempt a spearmaiden in 1.10 myself. SweetSpearGirl was
built in 1.09 (vanilla LoD till a4 NM, then switched to Gemstone).
She's a jabazon, though - never actually built a fendazon.
--
--
* Moo.
Remove COLLECTIVERECTUM to e-mail.
Web: http://www.evilbill.co.uk
AIM: EvilBill1782
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The Jack of Hearts of the Eeeevil Trek Cabal (TINC)
Orchid
There's always coffee...lots and lots of coffee.
Shari (Orchid)
Stephen van Ham
(Orchid) came 'round looking for action. Check it:
>> I'd offer to join you for an all spearazon team, but since you do most
>> of your gaming while I'm sleeping, that's probably out.
>There's always coffee...lots and lots of coffee.
That's the attitude! You can drink lots and lots of coffee and still
be awake and wired and online and ready for when I get up in the
morning for a pre-breakfast session.
Orchid
I'll give it a read. One thing that concerns me is that people sometimes
post that skills are very powerful without having completed hell level.
I'll give it a close look though and see what he says.
Shari (Orchid)
Orchid
I bow to the master of willful misunderstanding. ;-)
Shari (Orchid)
Stephen van Ham
(Orchid) came 'round looking for action. Check it:
>> That's the attitude! You can drink lots and lots of coffee and still
>> be awake and wired and online and ready for when I get up in the
>> morning for a pre-breakfast session.
>I bow to the master of willful misunderstanding. ;-)
Woot! I'll see you at breakfast time tomorrow.