Rare Claw

[Cloud_Walker]

Ok, after I found this (http://img22.exs.cx/img22/6765/Godly5.jpg) claw, I decided to make a MA Assassin.

When I make MA Assassins, I always use Dragon Claw. Most of the time I'll use it as a main attack, because I love the quick double-hit and the enormous AR. However, there will always be the problem of PIs.

I plan on maxing Claw Mastery, Dragon Claw, and maybe Shadow Master, while putting 1 point in Blade Fury, Fade, and BoS. I'm going to pair that claw with a Chaos Suwayyah, so I'll also have WW. Lots of gear with +skills will be used to help make those 1-pointers effective (including WW).

But back to my dilemma, I have no way of dealing with PIs. This is what I have come to this forum for, for your input. I want to max one MA skill that has elemental damage. This means Fists of Fire, Claws of Thunder, Blades of Ice, or Phoenix Strike. I'm reluctant to use PS because it seems to be more of a "rainbow" of elements, with little damage for any one particular element. Fists of Fire looks very good, with its Physical-to-Fire damage conversion, but then again, I'm sure a pumped up CoT could do a lot of damage (lightning damage always does).

Basically, I'm wondering which one of those MA skills would be most effective for taking out PIs (individuals and groups) and PI bosses. I know I will inevitably run into the unique monster that's PI and immune to whatever other element I pick, but then I just simply "RUNAWAY!!!"

Thanks.

[Naliworld]

PS may look like a "Jack of all trades, but Master of None", but looking at the numbers, a maxed CoT without a maxed PS will do just as well in Hell as a maxed PS without a maxed CoT(that is, both choices will do poorly). If you want a dependable PI solution, you need at least 40 points to max both PS, and a synergy of your choice(CoT is the most obvious).

The cheapest PI option for 20 points is Venom, but I wouldn't advise it if that's your only way to deal with PIs, because you'll have a lot of trouble with PI groups and the numerous Poison Immunes in Hell.

[BIGeyedBUG]

I pretty much agree with Nali. Neither CoT or PS are going to do much for you unsynergized. If you had to choose one, I'd go for Phoenix because of its versatility, and the relatively decent damage of its unsynergized meteors. I have muddled much of Hell with an unsynergized ~L30 meteor. It wasn't easy, but it sounds like you'll have much better eq than I did.

FoF would be an interesting choice if you're laying down decent phys damage. It'd be a bit slow since you'd have to get at least one charge going to get the conversion though. If it wasn't for the WWs, this might be the way I'd go.

Like he said, Venom is not a great solution. Highly physically resistant monsters often seem to be poison resistant as well. The nice thing about Venom though is it can be on all the time, so it helps with any non-PoI monsters and not just PIs. The best thing about Venom is that--unlike the chargeups--it will help while you WW.

The cheapest PI solution of all is a 1 pt DS, even though the splodey damage is half physical and you have to find a way to drop that first body. Of course, like Venom, DS is useful more of the time than just with PIs. You also have to find a way to drop the first body.

So, despite their problems I'd probably go Venom and DS. Even if you don't end up whirling that much, they're still the most all-around useful choices because they act in addition to your main skills. Because of their limitations I'd look for other equipment based solutions to complement them though: elemental damage, ctc Amp, and merc weapons.

Sweet claw, btw.

[theBlackKnight]

*explodes with envy at that claw*

[Bonescorpion]

Another nice thing about venom is its ability to be pre buffed with equipment in ur stash. +3 shadow helms are easily shopped, and a +3 shadow amulet is not hard to find either, mix that with 2x +3 shadow claws and it is very easy to boost a lvl 20 venom up to slvl 32 without sacraficing any equipment. If u are a bit more patient or wealthy 2 sojs, and +3 shadow claws with venom are nice as well :)

[Cloud_Walker]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I like your suggestions, BeB. That is, Venom and DS. That way I can focus more on WW and, more importantly, Dragon Claw! The poison damage plus lightning from DS should help me drop the first body. Prebuffing is a good idea too.... Time to go shopping :D

[chi987]

fists of fire is also a cheap option because you only need one point in it for conversion. blade fury with something like gimmer, tiamats, etc could work

[BIGeyedBUG]

fists of fire is also a cheap option because you only need one point in it for conversion.

It converts 3% of damage per slvl, so 1 pt ain't gonna do it.

[chi987]

you're right. thought it did 100%

[ROMVS]

I have a similar rare claw. Here's a piccie:

http://img25.exs.cx/img25/8359/dreadrazor-feralclaw.jpg

What do you guys think?

Btw, anyone know how I can just leave the name of the claw as the link without showing the full link? Thanks in advance.

[skygoneblue]

I think you have to put image tags " link here " around it.

That's how it works with quoting anyway...

[Bonescorpion]

I like that claw better, df, and mb, woohoo talk about saving a few pts :)

[gods_pawn]

Well, a quick and easy way to deal with PI's (physical immunes - right?) is to maybe locate an atma's scarab amulet? With that sweet claw you'll be attacking very quickly, so it shouldn't take long for amp damage to fire off, thus breaking the PI.

Or at least, that's what I did with my barb in Hell.

[ROMVS]

Well, a quick and easy way to deal with PI's (physical immunes - right?) is to maybe locate an atma's scarab amulet? With that sweet claw you'll be attacking very quickly, so it shouldn't take long for amp damage to fire off, thus breaking the PI.

Or at least, that's what I did with my barb in Hell.

I keep forgetting that important fact. :lol: Amp breaks PI...

p.s. that /img thing didn't work :(

[flapserdk]

Ok, after I found this (http://img22.exs.cx/img22/6765/Godly5.jpg) claw, I decided to make a MA Assassin.

When I make MA Assassins, I always use Dragon Claw. Most of the time I'll use it as a main attack, because I love the quick double-hit and the enormous AR. However, there will always be the problem of PIs.

I plan on maxing Claw Mastery, Dragon Claw, and maybe Shadow Master, while putting 1 point in Blade Fury, Fade, and BoS. I'm going to pair that claw with a Chaos Suwayyah, so I'll also have WW. Lots of gear with +skills will be used to help make those 1-pointers effective (including WW).

But back to my dilemma, I have no way of dealing with PIs. This is what I have come to this forum for, for your input. I want to max one MA skill that has elemental damage. This means Fists of Fire, Claws of Thunder, Blades of Ice, or Phoenix Strike. I'm reluctant to use PS because it seems to be more of a "rainbow" of elements, with little damage for any one particular element. Fists of Fire looks very good, with its Physical-to-Fire damage conversion, but then again, I'm sure a pumped up CoT could do a lot of damage (lightning damage always does).

Basically, I'm wondering which one of those MA skills would be most effective for taking out PIs (individuals and groups) and PI bosses. I know I will inevitably run into the unique monster that's PI and immune to whatever other element I pick, but then I just simply "RUNAWAY!!!"

Thanks.

There are several ways to deal with PI for a MA assa. Instead of ww or DC, you can switch to Dragon Talon and use a Baranar :

+200% Enhanced Damage
200% Bonus to Attack Rating
50% Increased Attack Speed
+15 to Dexterity
+15 to Strength
+100 Increased Durability
Adds 1-200 lightning damage
Adds 1-200 fire damage
Adds 1-200 cold damage

Another cheap alternative is a Witchwild String on swich :

+150-170% Enhanced Damage
+1% Chance of Deadly Strike per Clvl
Fires Magic Arrows or Bolts
All Resistances +40
2% Chance to cast level 5 Amplify Damage on striking

Even with one point in DT + Venom, you should be able to kill most PI when you play solo.

I have a slvl 88 kicker, and I can kill most PI with DT and Venom when I play solo, and when I play multi I let my party deal with PI.

If you choose to have a strong SM (at least lvl 17), she can often kill PI for you.

Dont start pumping points in PS and CoT etc, because you need alot of points to be effective.

Good luck

(I love your claw)

[gods_pawn]

I keep forgetting that important fact. :lol: Amp breaks PI...

p.s. that /img thing didn't work :(
:drool: Yeah, if you ask me this is Cloud_Walker's best option, otherwise he'll have to end up completely altering his build to deal the PI's. Is that really worth it for the *few* areas you encounter PI's in, when you can just get a measely amulet to do it for you?

Of course, WW won't trigger the AMP, but I *think* Dragon Claw will - I could be wrong, assassin's aren't my expertise, just my new found interest :uhhuh: .

[Cloud_Walker]

Well, I have yet to settle on what gear I'm going to use for this build, so I think I'll incorporate the Atma's along with the skills (for teh win +1!).

Odd how I've never really thought of using this ammy for anything but a fast multizon. Even the Poison Resist and AR bonus looks good.

Thanks guys.

[BIGeyedBUG]

:drool: Yeah, if you ask me this is Cloud_Walker's best option, otherwise he'll have to end up completely altering his build to deal the PI's. Is that really worth it for the *few* areas you encounter PI's in, when you can just get a measely amulet to do it for you?

Of course, WW won't trigger the AMP, but I *think* Dragon Claw will - I could be wrong, assassin's aren't my expertise, just my new found interest :uhhuh: .

DC does trigger CTC's on both claws. The problem with relying on Amp though, is that the chance to cast it is so low. Taloners complain about it not casting enough, and they have more attacks per second than a DCer. There's other potential problems too, with SSs, ghostlys, range, duration, and CoS override, as well as the non-activation by WW that you mentioned, although those are minor in comparison.

Not that it wouldn't be a useful part of the build. Not only can it break PIs, but it really shines with non-PIs with such a physical damage oriented build. I just think it should be bundled with other, more reliable, strategys.

So, despite their problems I'd probably go Venom and DS. Even if you don't end up whirling that much, they're still the most all-around useful choices because they act in addition to your main skills. Because of their limitations I'd look for other equipment based solutions to complement them though: elemental damage, ctc Amp, and merc weapons.