Spearazon

[bard]

I have got bored with my Bowazon(s) now, so I thought I would try and different build and didn't want the usual LF/PJ Javazon.

The choice of skills seems fairly straight forward...

JAB - 1 or MAX
FEND - 0 or MAX
CHARGE STRIKE - MAX
LIGHTNING STRIKE - MAX
VALK - 10-17 (depending on equip)
D/A/E - 2+

I like fend, but have noticed it doesn't seem that popular anymore. Wouldn't fend be useful against LI mobs? and isn't the AR/Damage boost over JAB worhwhile?

Am I right in understanding that JAB/FEND are both affected by weapon speed?

What about the big crowd killer? LS does more damage, but isn't CS better against bosses? I might just max both for the synergies and choose accordingly!

What about Power Strike is that worth using?

I know I need plenty of points in passives, plus Valk=17 to be effective and I'm happy with that.

I am concerned about the need for resistances, so where do I get these from? Would I be better off searching for good rares with resistances rather than the usual uniques?

Any advice on equipment would be welcome as I am not sure what would be best. Especially weapons as the unique spears don't seem that great.

I was thinking about a fast spear/brandistock for crowds and pike on weapon switch for bosses.

I am not going to use Jav/Shield on switch as this is not in the spirit of a spearazon.

A couple of final points.

Does pentrate work with melee attacks? and Pierce is for ranged only, but will it work with the lightning strikes?

Also, what merc would be best?
1. A1 can provide ranged support for me and valk
2. A2 choices, choices choices
Defiance - get early and add great defence boost
Holy Freeze - slows enemies and allows me to kill
Might - allows me to do more damage (hmmmm)
3. A3 can use cold to slow/freeze enemies
4. A5 - already have a great tank so dont need another

[slayer37]

JAB - 1 or MAX
FEND - 0 or MAX
CHARGE STRIKE - MAX
LIGHTNING STRIKE - MAX
VALK - 10-17 (depending on equip)
D/A/E - 2+

I like fend, but have noticed it doesn't seem that popular anymore. Wouldn't fend be useful against LI mobs? and isn't the AR/Damage boost over JAB worhwhile?


Fend is often interrupted by your D/A skill. Still, it can be used effectively if you know how to position yourself and use valk and merc to act as a shield. I'd say jab is more useful for LIs. I don't think it's worth the skill points to boost jab because it increases damage by 3% only per level. Well the AR is worth going after...


Am I right in understanding that JAB/FEND are both affected by weapon speed?


Yes.


What about the big crowd killer? LS does more damage, but isn't CS better against bosses? I might just max both for the synergies and choose accordingly!


You are correct. LS for mobs but you have to remember the nextdelay thing. I suggest you LS and wait for the chain lightning to fizzle out before LS again. While waiting for LS to finish, I usually PS/CS (depending on the monsters). My build is 20 PS/ 20 CS/ 20 LS/ 20 valk/ 1 jab.


What about Power Strike is that worth using?


Yes. Much powerful than CS if monster is small/medium. This is because the bolts from CS will not hit and this is where PS really shines.


I am concerned about the need for resistances, so where do I get these from? Would I be better off searching for good rares with resistances rather than the usual uniques?


Can you give the gear you plan to use? It will be much easier on my part.


I am not going to use Jav/Shield on switch as this is not in the spirit of a spearazon.


Darn! I use jav/shield as main and spear for switch. I guess resists are really a pain for you. I think shimmering charms will solve this problem.


Does pentrate work with melee attacks? and Pierce is for ranged only, but will it work with the lightning strikes?


Yes. Penetrate works for all weapons. Pierce is for ranged weapons only so no it will not work with lightning strikes. You don't need the lightning strikes to pierce anyway since it moves like chain lightning where the lightning bounces from one monster to another.


Also, what merc would be best?
1. A1 can provide ranged support for me and valk
2. A2 choices, choices choices
Defiance - get early and add great defence boost
Holy Freeze - slows enemies and allows me to kill
Might - allows me to do more damage (hmmmm)
3. A3 can use cold to slow/freeze enemies
4. A5 - already have a great tank so dont need another


I'd say holy freeze merc since he will slow down enemies for you even CIs. Since you won't be having a shield then I think HF merc is your best bet. They are normally the choice for melee chars anyway.

Hope that helped.
:uhhuh:

[bard]

Thanks Slayer37. Some great answers that have helped confirm some of the issues I was having.

As to gear, I haven't really thought about it too much. I was trying to decide whether to concentrate on IAS (for fast jabs) or Resistances. I think that initially resistances must take a priority as I will probably get slaughtered in hell if they are too low. Does IAS matter so much for a spearazon?

Armor - Duriel's Shell
Helm - Rockstopper / Crown of Thieves
Gloves - Lavagout / Frostburn / Blood Fist / Sanders
Boots - Waterwalk / Sanders
Belt - Nightsmoke(upgraded) / TGods
Amulet - ?
Ring1 - Bul-Kathos
Ring2 - ?

I am going to leave Jab at 1 and maybe add some points to it last. I will have some +skills that will increase it to a degree. I imagine I will use the lightning skills mainly though.

What order to max the lightning skills? maybe ls/cs equally and possibly ps last.

Weapon switch will be either a big pike for bosses or an alternative form of damage (poison or fire or cold).

Merc will be Defiance or holyfreeze. I may get defiance in normal, holyfreeze in nightmare and I can always go back and get a defiance again in hell. Although, doesn't the 'doom' runeword give the holyfreeze aura when equipped?

[slayer37]

As to gear, I haven't really thought about it too much. I was trying to decide whether to concentrate on IAS (for fast jabs) or Resistances. I think that initially resistances must take a priority as I will probably get slaughtered in hell if they are too low. Does IAS matter so much for a spearazon?


Since spears are heck slow compared to javs, I'd say go for IAS and just let shimmering charms take care of your resists. After all, you can't find charms that add up to your attack speed. Well, you don't have to stock up on IAS gear like most bowazons do. Just find the speed you are comfortable with and stick with that.


Armor - Duriel's Shell
Helm - Rockstopper / Crown of Thieves
Gloves - Lavagout / Frostburn / Blood Fist / Sanders
Boots - Waterwalk / Sanders
Belt - Nightsmoke(upgraded) / TGods
Amulet - ?
Ring1 - Bul-Kathos
Ring2 - ?


Since no shield, I'd recommend shaftstop for the armor. Nothing beats 30% damage reduction for melee players. In my case, Stormshield and String of Ears took care of my PDR. But then Duriel's Shell provides good resists and CBF...

For helm, rockstopper is a good choice. PDR and resists makes it a good helm. However, I'd go for helms with dual leech like vamp gaze/tal-rasha's mask/stealskull.

For gloves, lavagout is the best from the choices given. I'd go for blood crafted gloves though for +2 skills/20IAS/LL/CB.

For boots, I recommend goreriders if you can have it. Nice boots really for any melee character.

For belt, Tgods win it hands down.

For amulet, I'd say mara's. +2 skills and resists.

For rings, I'd say 2 BKs if you can. Or wear ravenfrost for the +dex, cold damage, +AR and CBF if you decided to ditch Duriel's Shell for Shaftstop. CBF is really vital for melee characters. Another option is a dual leech ring with resists if possible.


I am going to leave Jab at 1 and maybe add some points to it last. I will have some +skills that will increase it to a degree. I imagine I will use the lightning skills mainly though.


I left mine at 1 and let +skills take care of it. Though I suppose more points into it can't hurt if you have the luxury of spare points.


What order to max the lightning skills? maybe ls/cs equally and possibly ps last.


Yeah.


Merc will be Defiance or holyfreeze. I may get defiance in normal, holyfreeze in nightmare and I can always go back and get a defiance again in hell. Although, doesn't the 'doom' runeword give the holyfreeze aura when equipped?


The reason why I chose HF merc is because I don't have "Doom". If you have it then go Defiance definitely.

Have fun! :thumbsup:

[MMD]

hey, this info helped me a bit in decesions about my spearzons gear.
i recently aquired a 200%ed ethereal lycinders flank.
if i up it u think it is worth the zod to make it indestructable u think?????
214-503 dmg as cerm pike.....
probably a eth BOTD mat pike (+3 skills) or WarPike would be a better option.
but i am kinda thinking uniqueness......

for trade if offer is good