Key/Uber Trist Questions

[Aldeth the Foppish Idiot]

I've never done uber-trist before, and I'm going to give it a try. We only have two people doing this. It will be me, with my IK barb, and my brother with a LF javazon, with a pretty standard cow-running setup. (And yes, I am already acknowledging that neither character is "ideal" for uber-Trist.)

I got some questions though, regarding getting the keys, to order, etc.

First, if we're both doing this, does that mean we actually need to get 6 of each type of key instead of 3? In other words, does being in a party "count" as one group or does each individual member need their own keys?

Is there a limit on the number of keys you can hold at once? (Reason for asking below with next question.)

Is it generally advisable to get the keys as you go? Do people just repeatedly run the Countess, and get 3/6 keys, then move on to the Summoner, then to Nihlathak? Or is it advisable to mix it up to break up the monotony? (Countess doesn't seem too bad - at least you get a payoff of a decent rune at the end, but the Summoner doesn't drop particularly great, while Nihlathak can potentially drop anything.

Are there any tricks to finding the location of stairs for the Countess/Summoner/Nihlathak? (Like how when you're doing a Mephisto run it's almost always better to go clockwise around Durance level 2.)

People have mentioned that you're better going Conc over WW with the ubers, and so I'm tailoring this IK barb to put remaining points in Concentrate instead of Iron Skin. My defense is pretty good anyway with maxed shout, so the one point I already have in Iron Skin will do.

Finally, what do you think our odds are here?

[JME]

First, if we're both doing this, does that mean we actually need to get 6 of each type of key instead of 3? In other words, does being in a party "count" as one group or does each individual member need their own keys?
You only need 3 of each. Anyone in the game can go in the red portal after it's open.

Is there a limit on the number of keys you can hold at once? (Reason for asking below with next question.)
You're only limited by your inventory.

Is it generally advisable to get the keys as you go? Do people just repeatedly run the Countess, and get 3/6 keys, then move on to the Summoner, then to Nihlathak? Or is it advisable to mix it up to break up the monotony?
Well, it doesn't really matter but I find running the same thing repeatedly to get very old. I like to run all 3, or mix in 1 or two of them into my mf runs.

Are there any tricks to finding the location of stairs for the Countess/Summoner/Nihlathak? (Like how when you're doing a Mephisto run it's almost always better to go clockwise around Durance level 2.)
Nihlathak is incredibly easy, as there are only 2 map variations (maybe 3, it's been a while). I'm not even going to explain this one because after about 5 runs you'll probably have figured it out.

Countess also has a pattern. It's a little hard to explain but basically look at the direction that the "mouth" opens up to when you come enter a certain level. Again, it's been a while, but iirc if it opens up down and to the right then you try to go up and to the left as much as possible (you usually have to go down a bit before you can go up and to the left). That could be wrong, but just keep in mind that there is a relationship and you will figure it out. I haven't done key runes in a while, sorry. I know when I used to do a lot my light sorc could get from level 1 to level 5 in about 30 seconds.

For the summoner, read this (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=575212) thread.


People have mentioned that you're better going Conc over WW with the ubers, and so I'm tailoring this IK barb to put remaining points in Concentrate instead of Iron Skin. My defense is pretty good anyway with maxed shout, so the one point I already have in Iron Skin will do.
Finally, what do you think our odds are here?

You can definitely do it. Make smart use of your crowd control warcries and get a lifetap wand on switch. Slow missles may also help on the archers. Good luck.