[L] Starting HC

[chaosrulz]

Hi

I am starting my first character in HC (got bored of mfing and doing stuff in SC).
I heard that untwinked HC is the best challenge the game has to offer. So I am going be doing that. I am starting a sorc first (mostly for mfing, idk if she is going to be pure blizz or FO/CL). The advice given (in the FAQ) was to use the class that I am most familiar with .. hence I picked a sorc :)

I play on USWest and she is currently lvl8. Just wanted to say hi to the forum members here. If anyone plays west and is interested in questing together then please leave your in game name and we can try to meet up.

Thanks!

[zodwizard]

Hi.

I'm on weekdays (work nights) and both day and nights on the weekend. I game HC and just lost a high level druid, so looking for companions on west to game/level with.

My account is *zod_hcl

Later, ;)

[chaosrulz]

Cool. I'll try to meet up with you this weekend.
Whisper me in game when you are on - /w *chaosrulz

[STINGER]

Both of you change to East!!!

East has more people and a good deal of the ppl there play late at night so you should see them.

[come back zinc]

And you can get plenty of hand-outs or help in times of need!

East East East East East East!!!

[AgentMarth]

Come to the east side, we gib free.

[xXxfunbobxXx]

East i have so much rando stuff i doubt ill ever trade
*funbob66 lmk

[Hp_Sauce]

I'm just confused because you say "you've heard that HC untwinked is the biggest challenge ever." and then you say that you're "starting an mf character."

you don't mf if you're going to play untwinked... I'm not trying to be rude though, honest! Welcome to HC, it's 1000 times more fun than sc.

Hope you enjoy your time here!

Oh yeah, and east is better also.

-hps

[chaosrulz]

Hey .. yeah it does sound wierd .. but my mf sorc is going to be untwinked :P
If I can make it through normal and reach lvl40+ I will be very happy :)
About the free stuff - thanks a lot guys .. but I dont take freebies :) .. I dont know why .. its just me .. I feel I have to "earn" everything I have by playing a lot and doing intelligent trading ;)

edit -
Many people told me its very difficult to finish the game with a sorc. They asked me to either make a paladin or a barb for the simple reason that they can get a lot more life retaining decent killing power .. has anyone here finished HC untwinked using a sorc? If so tips will me much appreciated.

Thanks everyone

[zodwizard]

I've done it, solo and with a group, but it takes patience if you go the solo route. Here are some things I did:

1.) Don't play above your level.. there's a table in the Strategy Compendium listing where u should be based on your character level:

http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=512

This lists the best xp per area, but its a good idea of where the monsters are closest to your level. I'd even recommend playing a little under.

2.) Do full clears.... not only will u get xp, but your find more items to toughen up your character.

3.) Your fastest killing spells are the higher end (level 18 to 24 spells: chain lightening, meteor, blizzard, glacial spike, orb, etc). Get those ASAP to increase your safety and make killing bosses easy.

4.) Rerun areas as needed. All of Kurast is good for gems and items, for example. Countess for runes, etc.

5.) Don't rush to kill bosses. When playing untwinked, solo, I'd like to be a little higher than the average levels.... Andy around 14th, Duriel around 25th, Mephy 30-35, Diablo/Baal 35 - 40+ in normal. Some would say thats noobish, but as an untwinked HC sorc, you gotta make some concessions.

6.) Don't be afraid to concentrate on Str/Vit for normal. Max block is nice, but not necessary in normal difficulty. Worry more about high strength for good armor, life, and resists from equipment. Until your killing ability improves, equipment is your best friend. Use a shield all the time and start pumping Dex/Vit when your Strength is 90 or so or you hit nightmare. Strive for max block, good resists, and faster cast


For Nightmare and Hell, pretty much the same strategy with levelling/bosses, but go MUCH SLOWER in Hell difficulty. If you're single tree, you'll have to teleport past or get help completing quests.

I guess thats it... I've only been playing HC for a year, but got 1 untwinked sorceress to Guardian (lots of rerunning/levelling), and this is what has worked for me. Just be patient, build your stats/equp and play VERY CAREFUL in later difficultie. The HC vets here will probably have more advice, but thats my 2 cents. Good luck.

By the way, the build was Frozen orb/Chain Lighting... can't remember stats, but Act 1 defensive merc had Andy's Visage, Duress, and Hone Sudan socketed with Amn and 2 shaels.

[wakiki]

An untwinked Sorcy is actually easier to pull of than an untwinked Barb or [physical] Pally, since you don't rely on your equipment so much.

Good luck! HC is way more fun than SC. Be sure to stack some magic damage reduction for the summoner! And make sure you have plenty of fire resist for Diablo. =]

[chaosrulz]

Thanks for all the great advice guys. I am planning to go CL/FO now.
My main problem is I am not investing skill points in any of the low lvl spells. Hence killing the monsters is becoming a problem. Cant wait to get to lvl30 (thats where I get FO :D)

[Hp_Sauce]

edit -
Many people told me its very difficult to finish the game with a sorc. They asked me to either make a paladin or a barb for the simple reason that they can get a lot more life retaining decent killing power .. has anyone here finished HC untwinked using a sorc? If so tips will me much appreciated.

Thanks everyone

I agree with Wakiki 100% on this. Many people have told you incorrectly.

Sure you can get a barb up to 2k life with no problem, but you have to actually run up to those really hurty monsters and fight them toe to toe. As well, it's very difficult to find a hurty weapon for yourself when playing untwinked. Sorceresses don't ever have to get close to their opponents, so they may have less life, but they shouldn't be getting hit nearly as often.

Try and set yourself up with a merc that can tank (give him a bunch if Life Leech), and then let him take all the hits for you.

As for this:
Thanks for all the great advice guys. I am planning to go CL/FO now.
My main problem is I am not investing skill points in any of the low lvl spells. Hence killing the monsters is becoming a problem. Cant wait to get to lvl30 (thats where I get FO :D)

It's going to be fairly tough to level to 30 without using an skills (possible sure, but hard). I recommend pumping up one of the synergies that you're planning on using, and then using that while you're leveling. For example if you're going to synergize CL with L or CB later, put some points into L or CB now, it will help you survive the leveling process, and then CL will be more powerful once you start using it.

enough babbling from me.

Good luck.
-hps

[Tai.]

A2 Merc/Static/Frost Nova will get you rather far, just take it slow and keep him alive.

I also think that a sorc is easier to start untwinked than a barbarian