Blaze/Hydra - yes or no?

[Epsilon Eyez]

One day, I got really bored, so I started to hypothesize Sorceress builds. I realize that so far, I haven't made many sorcs (Meteor, CL/FO, Meteorb). I also realized that they weren't really original.

I got to thinking - why not use Hydra? I've always wanted to use Hydra. But another thought came a-knocking, and he said "that's not too original, its just underused."

Once again, I fell to disdain. Summer's end encroached upon me, and seemed to loom closer and closer. I need to do something, I thought to myself. I looked over the Fire skills tree and saw another skill I've always been dying to use - BLAZE.

Then, I thought about combining them. Hydra, Blaze, together? It could work! Theoretically. It could also come crashing down. But I decided I could strike two birds with one stone, and I'd always take that opportunity. If I can't extend that philosophy into gaming, how can I even think about making it in real life?

So I need your thoughts. Can Hydra and Blaze work together? I've been theorizing, and it should work. First, I cast a few Hydras. Then, I run inbetween them while Blazing the enemies to death. I'll be happy if this works in Act 1 Hell.

Skill plan:
20 Hydra
20 Blaze
20 Fire Ball
20 Fire Mastery
5 Skills (1 Warmth, 1 Static Field, 1 Teleport, 1 Frozen Armor, 1 Frost Nova)
5 Prerequisites (Fire Bolt, Inferno, Fire Wall, Enchant, Telekinesis)
---------------------------
Total: 90 skill points (Level 72)

Her name is Rathka, level 8. I plan on going through the game myself, save for the short stint of pub Baal runs to make things a little faster. Rest assured, I will go through the entire game (I'm just hoping I have the time).

[FrostBurn]

It will work, but don't expect too much. Each Hydra firebolt will do over 1000 damage, and those things spit out a lot of bolts before going back underground.

Blaze is a great spell as well, and it stacks. If you run across the same path over and again, the damage of several Blazes stack up, which can easily surpass Firewall's damage.

As I'm sure you know, the biggest problem will be in Hell with FIs, but that's the deal with non-conventional builds.

[melianor]

As with every single tree build you will have immunes you can't kill and that's when your merc is doing the job. Just have Static Field with you and the other 1pt wonders and i am sure this can be okay to play.

Back before the days of the Expansion pack i had a Inferno/Blaze Sorceresses for pure fun, though i have never tried it with Hydra in combination. Blaze stacks nicely and with some negative fire resistance gear this can be pure fun. I guess the tactical approach is the real challenge in this build. Placing Hydras so they will always as your targets are moving along the fireline.

I think this could even be fun with some good twinking gear.

[MuhammadJihad]

Forget this idea

[lagalot]

Sounds like a fun build whether it works or not.Cant see why it wouldnt work.
The main problem I can see is as melianor pointed out fire immunes.
A good merc you should be set.
I played a blaze sorc way back in classic.Blaze combined with fo.My strategy was to run away from everything,cast blaze,let them follow.Then turn around orb everything behind me and watch them slowly burn frozen in the blaze trail:evil: Cold +fire immunes were scary though...Run away and keep running:laugh:
Those were the days:rolleyes:

[MuhammadJihad]

This will not work for PVP

I dont need sorb and hydras do no damage

hotspur ruins your purpose of being in the game

[lagalot]

This will not work for PVP

I dont need sorb and hydras do no damage

hotspur ruins your purpose of being in the game

:listen:I dont think Epsilon Eyez ever mentioned that it was a pvp build.:rolleyes:

[melianor]

Important with Blaze: Faster Run Walk gear ;)

[Epsilon Eyez]

This is purely PvM, and I'd be happy if it works up until Act 5 NM. I'm having a lot of fun running in wierd shapes and spirals around enemies and watching them burn :). And I can even launch some Fire Balls to catch those escapees.

Rathka is now level 16 and doing very well solo, though I twinked her up with a Darkglow, Bloodfists, Pelta Lunata, and Crushflange :)

[lagalot]

This is purely PvM, and I'd be happy if it works up until Act 5 NM. I'm having a lot of fun running in wierd shapes and spirals around enemies and watching them burn :). And I can even launch some Fire Balls to catch those escapees.

Rathka is now level 16 and doing very well solo, though I twinked her up with a Darkglow, Bloodfists, Pelta Lunata, and Crushflange :)

Good to hear your enjoying your sorc.It sounded like a fun build and fun is what its about.:smiley:

[Epsilon Eyez]

Thanks, lagalot :) this build is really fun because Blaze is such a unique spell - it is tactical and a sort of Fire Wall that you can set to your liking.

Now I'm very close to level 18 (Enchant + Fire Wall + Teleport, yay), but I have to go somewhere :(

On a happier note, I just found a 28% Nagelring on this sorc while roasting random baddies in Halls of the Dead. I take it as a sign to continue this character, and I also equipped the 35% Chances I saved in my stash.

[Mew]

Okay heres the thing, if you focus mainly on hydra you can actually rape in pvp, cast a few hyrdas around, and it can do more damage than a sin's traps, seriously, as for the blaze, I have to say I don't think it's a good idea, go for fire wall or somthing, blaze will make it so that you have to run around monsters, IE: you'll be near monsters where you can get baddely damaged,so it's sort of a now-in situation, if you want to be fire ball hydra, fire wall hydra etc, thats actually a good build, but I have never seen anyone find much use for blaze, so I'd suggest you just trash it.

[Epsilon Eyez]

I should have stated in the first post, this is going to be twinked, solo PvM build. Not PvP.

I'm not trashing Blaze, I've already made the build. I've had a lot of thoughts about running around melee monsters, and I think high vitality will solve the problem, not to mention the use of Frozen Armor.

I am considering max block. However, I haven't come to a decision on a shield. I am currently deciding which shield to use:
Note: all shields are calculated with max block at level 90, and the first dex requirement is plain, second dex requirement includes a 7% boost from Eld rune
- Stormshield (156 Str, 217/198 Dex)
- Whitstan's Guard (53 Str, 171/159 Dex)
- Viscerataunt (38 Str, 240/217 Dex)
- Moser's Blessed Circle (53 Str, 252/226/206 Dex)
- Gerke's Sanctuary (133 Str, 198/182 Dex)

Now, for the long, boring part where I consider each shield's unique, good points:

Stormshield - The highest strength requirement, a stat allotment of 373/354 between str and dex is needed. However, it may pay off very well - high damage reduction, high defense, a good 35% faster block rate, and good cold and lightning resistances. Truly the king of shields.

Whitstan's Guard - 224/212 stat allotment, no doubt the lowest. This shield is best for blocking with very low stat investment for high return. Or so it seems. This shield is bland otherwise - half freeze duration is nigh useless. 40% faster block rate is very nice, however. The highly consulted shield for those only thinking of blocking.

Viscerataunt - 278/255 stat allotment, bring us a fairly low investment. In return for the effort, we get a very valuable +1 skill point, and a nice 30% faster block rate. Attacker takes lightning damage of 10 is merely a visual bonus, as relying on that for kills will merely get you killed.

Moser's Blessed Circle - 305/279/259 is middle ground to fairly low. This shield is good because there are two free sockets, with many options to choose from. Tagging along is a nice +25 all resistances and the 30% faster block rate, who will be making his last appearance.

Gerke's Sanctuary - 331/315 stats brings us the second highest for needed stat points. Is it worth it? This is the only shield that breaks the 200 defense barrier and even presents any challenge to Stormshield's defense. It also has all resistances ranging 20-30, not bad. The other stats, however, seem to lack. If anything, this is for a combination of resistances, defense, 40 stat points saved from Stormshield. The strength requirement makes this a mere step away from Stormshield, so its questionable as to why this shield is included. One answer - for completion's sake.

[Delreich]

Consider Whatever Jewel of Freedom instead of Eld for Stormshield, unless you need the strength for something else. (Spirit?)
Also, Viscera and Moser both benefit a lot from being upped.

Another option perhaps: Rhyme tower shield or heater. No possibilities for sticking an Eld in it, but still -- resists, good fast blocking, cbf...

[lagalot]

Rhyme in a troll nest or high defense grim shield may be the way to go.Looks like you are already going for some mf with the 28% nagel and chance guards so add 25% with rhyme plus cbf and 25 resist all and 40% fast block.

[WrathTalon]

I should have stated in the first post, this is going to be twinked, solo PvM build. Not PvP.

I'm not trashing Blaze, I've already made the build. I've had a lot of thoughts about running around melee monsters, and I think high vitality will solve the problem, not to mention the use of Frozen Armor.

I am considering max block. However, I haven't come to a decision on a shield. I am currently deciding which shield to use:
Note: all shields are calculated with max block at level 90, and the first dex requirement is plain, second dex requirement includes a 7% boost from Eld rune
- Stormshield (156 Str, 217/198 Dex)
- Whitstan's Guard (53 Str, 171/159 Dex)
- Viscerataunt (38 Str, 240/217 Dex)
- Moser's Blessed Circle (53 Str, 252/226/206 Dex)
- Gerke's Sanctuary (133 Str, 198/182 Dex)

Now, for the long, boring part where I consider each shield's unique, good points:

Stormshield - The highest strength requirement, a stat allotment of 373/354 between str and dex is needed. However, it may pay off very well - high damage reduction, high defense, a good 35% faster block rate, and good cold and lightning resistances. Truly the king of shields.

Whitstan's Guard - 224/212 stat allotment, no doubt the lowest. This shield is best for blocking with very low stat investment for high return. Or so it seems. This shield is bland otherwise - half freeze duration is nigh useless. 40% faster block rate is very nice, however. The highly consulted shield for those only thinking of blocking.

Viscerataunt - 278/255 stat allotment, bring us a fairly low investment. In return for the effort, we get a very valuable +1 skill point, and a nice 30% faster block rate. Attacker takes lightning damage of 10 is merely a visual bonus, as relying on that for kills will merely get you killed.

Moser's Blessed Circle - 305/279/259 is middle ground to fairly low. This shield is good because there are two free sockets, with many options to choose from. Tagging along is a nice +25 all resistances and the 30% faster block rate, who will be making his last appearance.

Gerke's Sanctuary - 331/315 stats brings us the second highest for needed stat points. Is it worth it? This is the only shield that breaks the 200 defense barrier and even presents any challenge to Stormshield's defense. It also has all resistances ranging 20-30, not bad. The other stats, however, seem to lack. If anything, this is for a combination of resistances, defense, 40 stat points saved from Stormshield. The strength requirement makes this a mere step away from Stormshield, so its questionable as to why this shield is included. One answer - for completion's sake.

Hm, Epsilon Eyez, I'm with you. I'm an extremist, and so would go either Stormshield, or Whitstan's. Either take that Stormshield, pour in the Str. and Dex. required points, and love it love it love. That PDR% is sweet, so is the faster block and resists. Or else, take the lovely little Whitstan's, with its absolutely minimal demands on your Dex. to still maintain max block, and use those saved stat points to pump up Vitality for life life life. But for me, there is little to recommend the middle-ground shields (Moser's, Visc., etc.).

Rhyme frustrates me for much the same reason: it's got groovy mods, but I don't think it's ideal for a max block build: it just takes too much investment in dexterity to maintain max block.

I'd probably go with Stormshield personally. Since we only get a lousy two points of Life for every point in Vitality, I don't mind pumping those points into Str. instead; I think the 35% PDR from Stormshield makes the high Str. requirement more than worth it. And the resists are juicy too...

[Epsilon Eyez]

I decided that I am going with Stormshield - main reason being that I'd be in melee situations. Another reason is to use Spirit on switch for Energy Shield and Frozen Armor (though I put a point in it, I don't care).

Plus, all that strength makes it easier to use heavier armors.

[Epsilon Eyez]

UPDATE/Double-post: Rathka skated through Normal with a nice, swift death of the Ancients, and an very epic level 30 upon Lister's death, which I gained Fire Mastery (Blaze went from 300 to 500 damage!) and Hydra, new tools to defeat Baal.

I also had so much fun that I didn't do Baal runs for level 30-40, and now I don't feel like it. Solo the whole game!

Rathka is now level 31.

[WrathTalon]

UPDATE/Double-post: Rathka skated through Normal with a nice, swift death of the Ancients, and an very epic level 30 upon Lister's death, which I gained Fire Mastery (Blaze went from 300 to 500 damage!) and Hydra, new tools to defeat Baal.

I also had so much fun that I didn't do Baal runs for level 30-40, and now I don't feel like it. Solo the whole game!

Rathka is now level 31.

Glad she's thriving! Keep us updated on her progress, eh? :smiley:

[Epsilon Eyez]

Yes, I shall continue to update this for everyone to see :grin:

OMG I found an SOJ from Act 2 NM Duriel. This is the happiest day of my life. This is definitely a sure sign that I should go - and for good luck, I equipped it first thing, while it was still covered with Duriel's boiling blood.

PROGRESS: Smooth sailing into Act 3, level 41. I'm already halfway up to maxing Hydra, and I'm having a blast. I just brought in a Skin of the Vipermagi and Hexfire for ultimate twinking POWER. I realized that I wasted the point in Fire Wall, but I don't regret it because it is very powerful, especially considering I put one point in it (Fire Wall 1000 damage vs. Blaze 1400 damage, and Blaze is maxed out).

Lets see what Meph drops.

EDIT: I accidentally rehired a new merc and lost my old merc's stuff (namely an Insight Bill). What a downer :(

[obiwansbane]

sorry to hear bout the merc, but other than that it sounds like ure doing great! congrats on it so far... hope it isnt too much of a pain to get the insight bak

[melianor]

How was it running around crazy with Blaze on, but practically no other spell left to kill. I would imagine panic and insane laugther are due then :)

Congrats on your progress.

[Epsilon Eyez]

It was pretty crazy - I was just plain running around like crazy until I got Hydra. Now its looks 1000% more chaotic while being more in my favor. Go me.

Also, I just realized that my Blaze doesn't do 1400, but 1040, and my Fire Wall does 1000. That Fire Wall is truly a one-point wonder, and I'm wondering how long it will last.

Now I'm level 42 and my merc is proudly wearing Blackhorn's Face :)
However, the weapon is lacking (a placeholder random Halberd) and the armor is merely my old Darkglow. After my xfer, however, he'll have Gaze, Woestave, and Shaftstop.

EDIT: I just found a +1 Fire Skills grand charm in the Great Marsh. I <3 sorc.

[Epsilon Eyez]

Another UPDATE/Double-post: Rithka is now level 50 and is on halt due to school. I had trouble getting through the Chaos Sanctuary, so I had to have a rush to Act 5 :(

However, I didn't know I had to face fire immunes that early. Next time, you Oblivion Knights (or Doom Knights, I can't remember).

I went through Act 5 and into the Throne, but I got lagged out after defeating Lister :(. So I'm gonna go back and hopefully dethrone Baal, and make my way into Hell.

I'm wondering if I should max Frozen Orb or something to deal with fire immunes.

[melianor]

Good progress! Maxing Frozen Orb should definitly help you deal with FI mobs, which are plently in Hell Act1 and upwards...

[Epsilon Eyez]

Thing is, I'd be going into hell with a level 1 Frozen Orb :(. I guess five if you count plus skills. However, it seems inevitable and I HAVE to do this. This will severely weaken my Fire Ball, as after Frozen Orb, I plan to finish Fire Mastery for a stronger Blaze and Hydra. However, I find myself hardly using Fire Ball anyway.

I want to keep this thread alive but no one posts in it :tongue:

Oh, and excuse me, I lost track - my sorc is actually level 56.

[yiuman]

Thing is, I'd be going into hell with a level 1 Frozen Orb :(. I guess five if you count plus skills. However, it seems inevitable and I HAVE to do this. This will severely weaken my Fire Ball, as after Frozen Orb, I plan to finish Fire Mastery for a stronger Blaze and Hydra. However, I find myself hardly using Fire Ball anyway.

I want to keep this thread alive but no one posts in it :tongue:

Oh, and excuse me, I lost track - my sorc is actually level 56.

Good going. Frozen Orb seems like a good choice to me as you can also use it to slow monsters and keep them in your blaze longer!

About firewall - with +11 skills a lvl 1 firewall outdamges a maxed blaze, but whereas firewall has a duration of about 3s, blaze lasts for 30+ so you can run forwards and backwards over the same area for some primo stacking action.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out

[Epsilon Eyez]

Progress is halting because of school. I will make sure to play every weekend, though.

Rathka is in Hell, the Orb is weak right now. It takes about 5 Orbs for a Fallen to die, and 7 for the Shamans. I know Orb gets strong, so I'm not worried about it, I just wish I'd started Orb before.

[Murderya]

EDIT: I made a few adjustments to my equip that lowered my damage but gave me 45 res all. I ran meph once and it was really simple.

Stats:
80 Strength
100 Dexterity
220 Vitality
Base Energy

In the screenies my mana is higher than it should be, it was a mistake.

Equipment:
Inventory Screenie (http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=inventorypn7.jpg)

Helm: Shako
Armor: +3 Fire Mastery, P Ormus Robes
Weapon: P Eschuta's Temper Eldritch Orb
Shield: Lidless Wall
Gloves: Magefists
Belt: Arach's
Rings: 2x SoJ
Boots: Silkweaves

Inventory:
6 +45 life Fire GC's
Gheed's
P Sorc Torch
P Anni
8 7mf, +5 res all sc's
1 Horadic Cube
Tome of TP
Tome of ID

Skills:
All prerequisites
20 Blaze
20 Fire Ball
20 Hydra
20 Fire Mastery
20 Frozen Orb
1 Cold Mastery
1 Static Field
1 Teleport
1 Chilling Armor
1 Energy Shield

Any suggestions for better equip?


Screenies With my Damage:
Blaze Damage (http://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=blazedmgdd8.jpg)
Firewall Damage (http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=firewalldamageoo6.jpg)
Hydra Damage (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hydradamagevi5.jpg)
Meteor Damage (http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=meteordamageux5.jpg)


As for the Merc:
Act 2 Defensive

I didn't really know what to put on my merc...
Weapon: Eth Infinity
Armor: Eth Fortitude
Helm: Eth Kira's

[Epsilon Eyez]

Wow, nice. My equip setup was gonna end up almost the same, except I went max block (just to experiment), and I don't have an Arachs, Eschutas, a GOOD Ormus Robes, or all those fire charms.

Is your build successful? I'd assume such, but I can't see the Blaze screenshot :(

[Murderya]

Wow, nice. My equip setup was gonna end up almost the same, except I went max block (just to experiment), and I don't have an Arachs, Eschutas, a GOOD Ormus Robes, or all those fire charms.

Is your build successful? I'd assume such, but I can't see the Blaze screenshot :(

It's 5055-5143 damage and the duration is 45.6 seconds. It's lvl 42 and costs 31 mana.

Yeah it's actually really good. It's great for meph runs, but for that I just tele across the river and Fire Ball/Meteor him to death. Hydra is good for killing the council. I just stand far away and cast them and wait a few seconds to go in and clean up. I'll try a few pit runs and tell you how it goes.

[Epsilon Eyez]

Wow, when did you build this? This is pretty exciting. And awesome.

I'm surprised that Meteor does a ton of damage - 11K is about as much as my Meteorb sorc does! Maybe its the Ormus and Eschuta's +fire damage in tandem with +22 skills :)

I think I'm gonna hit 14-15 skills, so I'm gonna get my Puls and begin trading for fire skill gcs.