Some questions on my build

[Nimbostratus]

Okay, so I'm in the process of making a Talon/Fury assassin in SP (currently level 26). The final build will look something like this:

Skills:
18 Dragon Talon
1 Blade Fury
20 Fade
20 Venom
20 Shadow Master
1 Death Sentry
1 Mind Blast
Points left over at lvl 99: 17

Equipment:
Helm: Guillaume (can be socketed with 15% IAS jewel if needed)
Armor: "Duress" (unsure of exact type of armor, but it can be fairly heavy thanks to my large +str)
Weapon: "Lawbringer" cryptic sword (I hate the look of phase blades)
Shield: Tiamat's (socketed with a p-diamond. and no, I'm not blocking with it =P )
Gloves: IK
Belt: IK
Boots: Goblin Toe (upgraded. Will switch with Gore Riders if I find them)
Amulet: ?
Ring 1: Ravenfrost
Ring 2: ?

So all together, that stuff gives me: 15% DS, 75% CB, 33% OW, 70 FHR, +60 str, +45-50 dex, a whole crapload of elemental damage, 20% cold absorb, -50% target defense, RIP, and 20% ctc lvl 15 decrepify


My questions now are:
-What mercenary should I use?
-What should I do with leftover skill points?
-What to use for the amulet/ring? I'm thinking of just getting rares with life/mana leech
-Should anything be changed?
-Does the hidden DR on Fade benefit from +skills?
-Will there be any problems in Hell with this build?
-What is the sound of one hand clapping?

[stephan]

1. With Lawbringer you can't use Death Sentry at all. Slain monsters rest in piece prevents the use of corpses for CE. I don't think it's a particular good fury/kick combo weapon. It has no crushing blow, it has no ED% (for your fury), it has no extra speed (for your kicks), it only has some measly elemental damage (there are better weapons for that) and your best killing spell (Death Sentry) is neutralised. I don't think the other mods make up for that. There aren't any real good and cheap kick/fury combo weapons, since they do not have completely the same goals, but I think Cresent Moon in a (eth) Beserker Axe comes closest. The damage of your fury would be reasonable, it has some speed and the CtC static is just awesome to soften up groups for your Death Sentry. It solves the AR problem of Fury with ITD as well. Wouldn't help you with bosses though, but theres always the angelic combo.

2. Use two +3 shadow claws for prebuff. Your shadow doesn't need to be over lvl 17 (which saves you some skill points) and the extra skills will help your venom and fade, this includes the DR% bonus.

3. IMO Goblin toes (even when double upped) are not so good kicking boots. They only have 25% CB and that's it. You will be slow because using Fade, and using rare elites (boneweaves/mirrored) with 20-30FRW, some res and/or FHR might prove to be just more useful until you can get Gore Riders. When not double upped, any elite boot would beat it for kicking.

Make Duress in an Archon plate.

[Silent Shaddow]

the above about law bringer isnt entirely accurate, when fighting undead monsters the lawbringer kills so fast that it isnt really nessecary to use dsentry. my advice to you is to get one anyway, and hang on to it. its really great as Physical Immune solution and also really help facing any undead

goblin toe boots are a strog choice at low levels at you could probably solo hell with them if you wanted (especially if double upped) however i would say to you keep an eye out for some nice rares

i would go for an act2 holy freeze merc, load him up on cb as well.

[stephan]

I don't think Blade Fury will work with the sanctuary aura (it's only for melee attacks IIRC) so the time you'll need it the most (Chaos Sanctuary) it doesn't do anything and cripples your killing ability.

[Nimbostratus]

Ah, good point about the RIP vs Death Sentry thing. Never even thought about that :shocked: Looks like I'll be using Crescent Moon, I guess. The Decrep still seems really tempting, though.