Jab-Jab!!...Jab-Jab!!

[Denzik]

Well I don't like to post threads until i've searched for information in other previous threads and I've stumbled upon a topic that isn't highly discussed.

I'm in the process of building my new Lightning Javazon on ladder, and i've come to a point where i'm not sure what i should do. I need a way to deal with lightning immunes that doesn't involve me leaving the Javelin and Spear skills tree. I've built a Javazon before but attempted to go with a poison skill as a back up plan. This has proven to work but i'm tired of the 3 second delay with plague javelin. It also is quite the slow killer when not synergized correctly.

Jab has been recommended as a 1 point wonder by some and i'm interested in finding more about how well it works. An important thing to keep in mind is that my javazon is being built for Magic Finding. I've fallen in love with cowing, pindle, eldritch and shenk runs, and now i seek to expand my horizons a bit and head to the Pit and Masoleum/Crypt. I've since left these areas go because of the Lightning Immune Skeletons and Archers inside.

Now for dealing with these LI's is it practical to go melee with the archers and skeletons with Jab? I'm planning on using a titans. Would that be strong enough to deal enough physical dmg? Other things i might use on weapon switch to Jab with would be:

Javelins
Demon's Arch - Fire Dmg and Life leech
Wraith Flights - High physical Dmg and Life leech

Spears
Stoneraven
Lyscander's Flank
Arioc's Needle
Viperfork
(I really am only considering these spears because i'm playing PvM and because most of them have +to skills with High Dmg and some excelent mods.)

Would any of these weapons be viable options? I really would test them all out of i had the resources but since my character is being made to hopefully Find me these items i'm asking for advice on their use. I am going for speed here because when magic finding killing speed is essential. Since i'm wearing mostly magic find gear I'm hoping to kill them before they can kill me.

So for those with any experience using Jab at the later stages of the game what would you recommend?

[ShoeLace]

I have a javazon. Currently lvl 90 with a lvl 90 might merc.

Other than 1 point in all the passives, all my skills are based on lightning (excluding 1 point in jab and 1 point in fend).

Might merc + Reapers Toll = Dead LIs.

Glimmershend + Tiamats on switch = Dead PI+Stone Skin+LIs.

That'll let you deal with anything without needing to spend 20 or even 40 points in the poison skills. The merc (reapers toll is key here) really helps the most though. More often than not, he'll kill a LI before I even get a chance to jab it.

[Denzik]

I have a javazon. Currently lvl 90 with a lvl 90 might merc.

Other than 1 point in all the passives, all my skills are based on lightning (excluding 1 point in jab and 1 point in fend).

Might merc + Reapers Toll = Dead LIs.

Glimmershend + Tiamats on switch = Dead PI+Stone Skin+LIs.

That'll let you deal with anything without needing to spend 20 or even 40 points in the poison skills. The merc (reapers toll is key here) really helps the most though. More often than not, he'll kill a LI before I even get a chance to jab it.

I Will plan on using a Holy freeze merc but he'll definitly be using a Reapers toll. Your glimmershend +tiamat's idea is an idea though. It does deal a whole lot of dmg that's elemental. However i can't jab with it. How about your experience with the Fend attack? I've never seen it or heard anyone using it.

Anyone thing Fend would work as a 1 point attack like Jab?

[ShoeLace]

Yeah, you can't jab with it. Just toss them or stab monsters in the face.

I don't plan on putting more than 1 point in fend. I'm happy with its performance (even at a measily lvl 5). In case you don't know, fend allows you to attack multiple targets that are close to each other in 1 attack. It's un-interruptible as well. It's not a replacement for jab. Jab is still better vs 1 target.

I use it when the maulers or tree things spawn by shenk. Without fend, it would just take longer. I also use it in the maggot's lair, ancient tunnels, and the pit. If I ran the ancient's way I would use it there too, or maybe heph's area. Pretty much where ever there's multiple LIs.

As for holy freeze. Currently I have 10% mana leech and I have a serious problem with leeching (without might). When might is off, I need mana pots.

End game items, I'm aiming for 4-7% mana leech so it'll be even worse. At the moment I only have normal titans (169ed), so upgrading to ethereal titans will probably help, but I don't think it'll be enough without might -- especially if I end up with closer to 4-5% mana leech.

With decrep going off almost constantly, that slows monsters down enough. I never fought anything where I said to myself "wow I wish I had holy freeze rather than might" (not even gloams -- because I just use slow missles on them).

Mercs aren't too bad to level though (once you have enough skill points to instant kill anything in NM). Maybe try both out and pick the one you prefer.

[SlainByPain]

Well, if you want to use jab, dont max it, its fine with 1 point. But you should pur some points in dodge since you cant leech off the skeleton archers.
As for which wep to use, an eth demonarch with ss is great, probably the best melee jav out there.

[Denzik]

I didn't plan on maxing Jab - I guess with +skills i'll be fine with it. I'm finding that at lvl 75 with +4 javy skills from Titans my Merc and Valk (lvl 8) can take on small packs of lightning immunes in act 1 just fine. Both my merc and I don't have ideal gear on yet though so things are looking pretty good.

[JustGotOwned]

I have a javazon. Currently lvl 90 with a lvl 90 might merc.

Other than 1 point in all the passives, all my skills are based on lightning (excluding 1 point in jab and 1 point in fend).

Might merc + Reapers Toll = Dead LIs.

Glimmershend + Tiamats on switch = Dead PI+Stone Skin+LIs.

That'll let you deal with anything without needing to spend 20 or even 40 points in the poison skills. The merc (reapers toll is key here) really helps the most though. More often than not, he'll kill a LI before I even get a chance to jab it.

Go go tiamas, one of the most underrated shields in the game by far, but pretty damn good if you ask me. Loads of elemental dmg and 30res all.

[The_Worst]

I have a lighting amazon in nonladder as well..

To deal with lightning immunes, and when you're cursed with Iron Maiden, I use a passion Matriarch Pike and either jab with it or use berserk! Those LI/PI guys are gone in 2 secs. The hardest p[art is finding a +3 to javelin, 4 socket Matriarchal Pike

[Denzik]

That really is an interesting option. I don't believe it will be too difficult to get the runes for it on ladder either. I will surely consider that. As soon as i find my Tiamat's Rebuke shield i'll probably wear that one as well.

[Xiamet]

Um...I'm a little confusticated here....Iron Maiden + Jabbing would equal deadsville, no?

The Tiamat's looks like a good option..

-X

[sir goatscelot]

Um...I'm a little confusticated here....Iron Maiden + Jabbing would equal deadsville, no?

The Tiamat's looks like a good option..

-X

Passion has +1 to Berserk which deals no phys dmg ;).. so it's not jab, jab, but norm att, norm att lol.