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Hymn
25-01-2007, 16:55
Long ago, in the 1.11 patch, I never understood how the melee sorceress worked. This is because I had never actually seen a melee sorceress in action. I had always heard of their might and power, but never believed it could really possible to build one that could solo hell. Later, I went on to build one, a zeal/single dream melee sorceress, and soloed hell baal with 6 people in game. Quite an amazing feat for me, I was speechless at the raw power this monster could put out. I post this thread in attempts to discuss equipment designs and flaws of various melee sorceress builds.


First thing up to bat, Shield Discussion.

My Melee sorceress used an 'Um' Stormshield, which by all means has WAY too high of a strength requirement for a sorceress to really use effectively. I started comparing the unique to other uniques and other runewords, and I came up with a list of the most viable shield list for melee sorceresses.

Blackoak Shield (100 str): Even though it looks like a buckler, it does boast some pretty vicious mods, but nothing truly effective for a melee sorceress. The best mod on the shield is a throw up between the huge dex mod (less dex spent getting max block is more life earned) and the 50% block speed buff.

Storm Shield (156 str) Every shield using melee character has considered using this at one point or another. With its sexy damage redux, increased block rate, increased block speed, giant strength bonus, and huge defense, it is a melee dream. The problem is the strength requirement.

Moser's Blessed Circle (53 str): Great for resists or high block percentage, and very customizable. Low strength so its easy to use.

Tiamat's Rebuke (91 str): Probably the only offensive melee shield in the game, it comes with giant resists, three types of elemental damage, and 3 different CTC's when struck.

Sanctuary: I never really thought about using sanctuary, but looking at the mods, they fit the bill for a sorceress ALMOST perfectly. The only mod missing is %damage redux. It even has the much needed FHR mod that teleporting sorceresses love. Throw this in a bone shield and you have a sexy lookin melee sorc.

Dream: This shield is the most +damage a sorceress can possibly get, fully synergized it gives upwords of +13k lightning damage just on equiping. It has the FHR mod, and some minor resists.


and thats just about it for shields, post your opinions. I think Sanctuary wins out for safety, but Dream wins out for sheer power.

PhatTrumpet
25-01-2007, 19:31
Taking everything into account (stat/life bonuses), Stormshield actually requires 9 fewer stat points at level 90 to equip and achieve max block with than Blackoak, so unless you absolutely need a ton of cold absorb and an extra frame faster block, you can cross Blackoak off the list. Personally, I'd rather have the DR and resists. (Note that you'd need to go all the way to lvl 98 to compensate for the stat point difference.)

High str isn't such a bad thing either. Low str generally means low defense, which can be an issue for any melee build (some more than others).

Tiamat's pales in comparison to other options in pretty much every category.

Moser's is a nice budget option... even better if you have enough str for the upgraded version. Whitstan's also deserves a mention as a budget option simply for the incredibly high base blocking.

But ultimately I think it comes down to Stormshield, 'Sanctuary', and 'Dream', and they all have their uses. Stormshield is obviously for those who want DR, 'Sanctuary' for those who need resists, and 'Dream' for those who prefer more of the glass cannon approach as it sends your damage through the roof but has very low resists and base blocking.

bergbusen
26-01-2007, 09:01
i also had a lot of discussion about this, making a zeal/dream/es sorc. I figure out i need at least some dr % from somewhere, and if u got charms/anni/torch, 156 isnt that high, and i need the 100 str for armor, about 130 for passion phase, So think storm is the best option, i soc my with a 15 & -req(some other mods) and str is 136.

The shield has the best defence, res, dr %. But recantly i looked at phonix shield, insane ed(damage), good def, and redmeption aura and -28 fire res. Which any enchtress love.

clairetay
26-01-2007, 13:04
er 130 for passion? u do mean dex not str right?

bergbusen
27-01-2007, 09:37
ops, my mistake.

But what u think about phonix shield, I like to have both physical damage and fire/light.

Gimmershred
27-01-2007, 14:13
For a zealchantress i would go dualdream since i play mostly in 8 playergames and otherwise the % monster flee on passion would really annoy the crap out of me.

For a bearsorc best setup is imo, max block using guardian angel, dual dream and a 95%ias,75res pb to reach 90 all res. With prebuff bo and bear and some 20 life sc's i still reach 4.7k life on her.

CoyoteKid
29-01-2007, 13:05
Gimm,

A Bearsorc sounds interesting to me as well.

Could you guys discuss more of your build (equip./Skill points) strategy?

Thanks.

Gimmershred
29-01-2007, 16:49
Gimm,
A Bearsorc sounds interesting to me as well.
Could you guys discuss more of your build (equip./Skill points) strategy?
Thanks.


My bearbuild:

95%ias/75allres pb
Guardian angel -req/15res jewel
Dream tiara
Dream trollnest
Metalgrid
Raven
Raven
Verdungo's
Aldur Boots
Bloodfists

Switch: Beast/Lidless
Inventory:Torch/anni, few lightsk, lots of life sc's, sometimes cta (if no1 in the game can bo).

Holy freeze infinity merc.

If the phaseblade is too expensive, make a 5shael 1 with jah or eth in it and try to get more resists on boots/gloves/charms.

I use the guardian angel and 40 dex from ravens to reach max block.
It still takes over 200 dex to reach max block but as 1 vita gives only 2 life and you have 90 all res, block is only a good thing to have. You make up your life by using
1)items with life like aldur boots, bloodfists.
2)Exchanging some skillers for 20life sc's
3)Trying to tweak your str as good as possible.

A 95% ias pb let's you hit 5 fpa. and the jewels in the pb let you reach 90all res easily. here.

It's a full vita build, since life gets boosted by bo and bear and since you have great res. Energyshield combined with points in energy and no %mana gear wouldn't be wise on this bear.

Skills are: LM, FM, Enchant, Warmth, rest in ts/shiver armor

I get around 3.5k life if i bo first then go bear. I get 4.7k life if i prebuff bo and bear, but it's not needed in pvm.
3.5k life with 90all res and 75%block is already very strong in pvm.