Breaking immunes w/ LF Javazon

[Aiglos]

Everyone,

I was a little disconcerted today when I dropped into hell with my LF Javazon.

She had ripped completely through both Normal and Nightmare without so much as a turn of the head. However, once she entered Hell, especially in early parts of Act1, I discovered an inordinate amount of lit immunes.

I've been doing a lot of reading on how to deal with these beasties and so I'm just wondering what you long time javazon players have had the most success with?

My current gear layout is as follows:

Level 76 (LF is synergized w/ full CS and LS, 75% chance of pierce, Lvl 8 Valk)

Weapon: Titan's Revenge (178% ED, 9% LL)

Shield: Storm Shield (socketed w/ p diamond)

Armor: Smoke runeword in D Mail (800 Def)

Belt: TGods Vigor

Boots: Sandstorm Treks (12 Str, 13 Vit, 55 Psn res)

Amulet: Rare +1 Zon skills (15 AR, 6 Dex, 14 All Res, 6 Replenis Life)

Helmet: Rare Tiara (20 FHR, 7% LL, 8%ML, CR 18, FR 18, PR 18, LR 37, 7% better chance of finding magic items)

Ring #1: Rare Ring (8% LL, 8 energy, 69 mana, FR, CR, PR - 11%, LR - 25%)

Ring #2: Raven Frost (200 AR, 20 dex)

My merc's equipment currently is: Duriel's Shell, Vamp Gaze (7LL, 7ML), and Insight Polearm (low damage here, max is around 200)

The setup, I think, is good, not optimal, but quite good. What I'm wondering is this: in a PERFECT world, what would be the optimal setup to break lit immunes with this character? I'm guessing that I would need to change out my helm for a Griffon's Eye socketed with a Lit facet, change my armor to COH, give my my merc Infinity polearm, and keep perfect TStrokes on switch for jabbing.

Would this be feasible? I really, in all honesty, like my circlet, and it's my only real source of mana leech. I would prefer not to switch it out with a Griffon's; although, I'm certain it would help immensely. Would the Conviction aura stack against the negative resistance conferred by TStrokes and Griffon's Eye?

Would this allow me to run MOST areas in the game?

I've played a lot of pallys, barbs, and bowies, but this is my first LF Java, and she was such a beast throughout all of NM that I just can't stand the thought of abandoning her in Hell.

[MinionOfBoredom]

Well...only an Infinity mercenary will actually BREAK the immunities, or a wand on switch with Lower Resist. -xx to Enemy Lightning Resist will not actually break the immunities, regardless of how much...imagine it as the sorceress' Cold Mastery.

And yes...Lightning Immunes are the most commonly broken.

[WrongdayJ]

Ahh. You have hit the Hell level Wall. Happens to all of us, man.

I choose to not break the immunities. Have a Tiamats Rebuke Shield and a Demons Arch or other weapon that has alot of varied elemental damage on it on the switch. That way nothing is immune to you. Take no prisoners in hell. Also- gather as many High Rate/High Duration poison charms as you can find. This also helps.

[Aiglos]

Wrong,

Already taking that route, my man!!!!

I thought ahead and, in fact, have a Demon's Arch and Tiamat's on switch. I've been wondering about runewords -- Passion perhaps? Could I use the Berserk to turn all of my physical damage into magic damage?

Would that be MORE viable than relying on the ~400 or so fire damage I'm getting from my current setup. I currently also have about 200 dmg worth of psn charms -- that ain't cutting it, brother.

I actually have a pretty well synergized plague javelin -- tried it out -- not so good. Poison javas must be the most patient people on earth.

Anyway, I'm a Ber away from making a new Infinity, and when I do, well, we'll see how THAT treats some lightning immunity. It's just a shame that a build could be so godly powerful in Normal and Nightmare only to hit a wall so abruptly...in the BLOOD MOOR...

To this day the only character that I have ever soloed EVERY area with successfully -- albeit slowly in some places -- is my bowazon with Pride Merc. It's slow going in places like the WSK, but she always makes it through.

Oh well, I'll hold out for Infinity, I suppose.

Thanks!

[WrongdayJ]

. . .Wrong,

Already taking that route, my man!!!!

I thought ahead and, in fact, have a Demon's Arch and Tiamat's on switch. . .

Excellent! You are on the right track then. . .now to help with the poison thing. . .

. . .I currently also have about 200 dmg worth of psn charms -- that ain't cutting it, brother. . .I actually have a pretty well synergized plague javelin -- tried it out -- not so good. Poison javas must be the most patient people on earth. . .Thanks!. . .

Hehehe. Bro- you need to pump that poison damage up to around 1000+ or so over about 5-6 seconds to see any significant damage. Just stay away from the charms/equipment that says "XXX over 3 sec." Bad news- screws up the whole deal. And yes. . .poison takes patience, but then again- Hell level takes patience. Be methodical and almost surgical with your approach. Don't just have an answer for what Hell throws at you- Have an answer and a suprise attack of your own!
A WELL synergized Poizon packing some decent +skills or Trangs gloves can dispatch things very effectively even in Hell (can you say 1800 per second for about 16 seconds with a Plague Jav.)
Patience? Wanna see something that will test your patience even more than a Poizon- try a Fanatic Zealot in Hell without Crushing Blow. Man, you will sit and WAIL on even the little Fallen guys in the Blood Moor for like 10 minutes each (I know- I did it. . .for like 10 minutes). THAT drives me nuts.

[AnimeCraze]

I never have the patience with zon's poison skills. It involves way too much running, unlike a summon/venom hybrid necro.

[WrongdayJ]

:azn:
I know not everyone has the patience to deal with poison as a killing medium. but it is my weapon (booster) of choice.

I like how I can deliver it with ANY weapon and you know what you're gonna get. I can take a set of poison charms and put 'em on a Sorc. . .and then turn around and put them on an Amazon. I can make a set amount of damage happen on an arrow, a throwing knife, or a Battle Axe (although that isn't necessarily my 1st choice for a weapon). It's sterile- I don't have to soil the hands so to speak. I can turn something green and walk (or Run) away and live to fight another day. All the while watching the health bar of the enemy dwindle (sometimes RAPIDLY).

I guess you could also do the same thing with other kinds of charms. . .but I find it easier to get 1000+ HP's of damage with poison charms than I do with say Lightning charms- which would take ALOT of inventory space.