Cheap Zealazon Concept - Will it work?

[Pukankite]

Well , as it is time I built my final char [running out of concepts for weird builds, done the hydradin and zealer sorc ,as well as the wolfbarb and bowassin]
The point of this character is to make a fun build that doesn't cost a fortune to make.
The general idea is - She uses the entire Disciple set for the +3 skills, ias , life and resists [so she has level 4 zeal from Passion] , and she has maxed passive skills , such as critical strike ,while ignoring the other trees alltogether:

Skills:
5 Avoid
15 Dodge
15 Evade
20 Penetrate
20 Critical Strike
5 Valkyrie

Stats:
Strength - about 90
Dex - about 120
Vitality - everything goes here
Energy - none

Items:
Sword : "Passion" Phase blade or Scourge - this is essential.Perhaps the only costy item for the build.It gives zeal and berserk.
Armor: Dark Adherent with a io or anything that gives hp/def/res - set piece
Helm: Probably Guillame's or Giant Skull with Res jewels or a io
Shield : Whistan's [for the set bonus with the helm] with a Pdiamond or um or a spirit/sigon's .Spirit Ward and Stormshield are great if you wanna invest in the strength.
Belt: Credendum - awesome belt , even by itself.
Gloves: Laying of Hands - same as above
Boots: Rite of Passage - set piece
Amulet: Telling of Beads - set piece
Rings: Raven and Cathan's or a Carrion Ring [it gives some nice bonuses compared to cathan's and is rather cheap too]

Weapon 2 : Since you are not using B&C skills ,I'd recommend a demon limb for prebuffing , or a kuko shakaku for ranged support.CTA works too , but this is a cheap character.
A treachery armor piece would work great for prebuffing too.A lifetap wand with any shield for block would rule.

Inventory : Go get those passive skillers! They go for 5-10 PGs , and with 3-4 , you won't need to pump Valkyrie so you can max the passive skills.

Mercenary :
Get a Might merc , give him an insight or any fighter polearm [even a cruel mancatcher with an amn will work] , a duriel's and a thiefcrown and you're good to go.
An Act 3 merc with the Lawbringer runeword , a Viper , a Whistan's or spirit and any FCR circlet will work too.


Advantages :
1.Cheap - it costs 20 PG to get everything you need , except the Passion and perhaps Stormshield
2.Unique
3.Fun to play
4.Good against bosses[not ubers] - high physical dmg , average CB , some lifeleech , laying of hands's bonus
5.Very self-sufficient at PvM
Disadvantages:
1.Sucks at PvP - you'll probably need to get a widowmaker to match the other amazons at their own game - you have higher passive skills , they have better damage.Another strategy would be to use a harmony bow as a speedjet , rush in , switch to melee , and rip them apart.
2.Sucks at being the best-char-there-is
3.Gets worse as better gear shows up at the final levels , so I'd recommend staying at 65 for mid level duels
4.Low elemental damage

I hope I didn't miss something.I will provide additional feedback to how this build works out.

*Pukankite@Europe

[sirmessbu]

Seems like a fun build.

I would personally invert the points from critical strike to valkyrie because of diminishing return, but I understand the need for critical to trigger as often as can be.

[Pukankite]

I just noticed the Rhyme runeword existed.
It is THE runeword for this build , because it gives CBF , resistances and block rate.
And it is cheap too.
So get a 2 socket pavise or dragon shield, socket it shael + eth and you're good to go.
No need for a Raven anymore , so it's either a Nature's Peace or another Cathan's/Carrion.
Concerning the Valkyrie and Critical Strike - You can use a Harmony bow [I guess you'll need it anyways] to get an additional +3 valkyrie for summoning.Critical strike is just too essential for this build to not max,even with the diminishing returns.

[prion]

be sure to look up the block tables. zon is blocking really slow with a swinging weapon

[Pukankite]

So far , the build isn't going anywhere.She's level 40 at diablo runs , has the boots equipped , has a "rhyme" shield and a cathan's seal equipped , and has a "Passion" Knout in her stash.A few dozens more levels are required.
Concerning the block rate , I hope the 40% faster block rate from "rhyme" is the key to solving this problem.

[Pukankite]

The build is very effective at tanking (I stood in front of the hell Minions of Destruction without hitting and dieing for about 10 seconds) , though without Guill's face it's REAL slow.
Credendum requires 106 strength ,and you need some more dex for max block.
Passive skillers help too.
Well , this was it.My char got completed , if anyone else tries this build , he can post feedback here.

[prion]

40 gets you ten frames, table can b found here.
http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=551

[Pukankite]

Thanks.I found 10 frames to be enough ,if anyone wants adjustments ,I guess another shield would be needed.
Anyways ,the guide is complete.The only changes I'd add are:
1.Get a low amazon torch.It costs less than a pul and gives you more passive skills , as well as some much needed dexterity.
2.Raise the strength to about 100-105 ,due to Credendum's requirements.
3.Get an act 3 freeze or act 2 holy freeze merc for some more survivability , or act 2 might / blessed aim for more damage points (without CB , you have 4k AR and 600 damage with 80% critical rate.This is a bit low , so the might aura WILL help).
4.Use berserk as your right mouse button.It's a great finishing move,and you won't suffer any damage due to your insane blockrate & dodge ratios.
5.Defense doesn't matter.You hardly get hit anyways.

[Eilo Rytyj]

I say a big no to Io runes in the helm/armour. 10 Vit adds 30 life, which is not boosted by BO/Oak if playing in parties (or is using a CTA). A PRuby adds 38 life, which is boosted by +life% mods. And they're a 100 times cheaper/easier to find.

Don't max Critical Strike, but put a few points in it. Max out Valkyrie instead, and get 50% in Dodge and Avoid. Evade can stay at 1 point, because you'll be standing still while you're attacking and being attacked, when you're moving you generally don't want to be Evade-locked.

Leave the Passion Phase Blades for the Zeal-Sorceresses, make your Passion in a Cryptic Sword, Scourge, Berserker Axe, Caduceus, or even a Legendary Mallet (only if you've got a Faith merc for the needed IAS, mind you). You're gonna want your weapon to deal at least some damage.

This build is a variation of the commonly-known Tankazon build, for which there's a guide in the 'zon forums already, here called the Palazon (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?p=4361093#post4361093) after the Paladin skills she uses.