Organise an end-game HC expedition

[sorcererbob]

Hello team!

I have myself a nifty fire sorc in Act 5 Hell - not yet a Guardian though. I am looking for someone to play in a TCP/IP game from the rescue Anya quest through to killing Baal - and running him afterwards if you like.

She is decently equipped, dealing fireball damage of 6900-7600, and a meteor damage of 14k-15k, so its not as if you'll be doing all of the work.

Heed this warning though, you would have to join my game for me to complete these quests. I live on the East coast of Australia. For you Europeans, this means you can expect a ping of roughly 200-400 average. For Americans, quite similar although closer to the lower bound. Even these small lag amounts in this dangerous area can result in NDEs or death.

Ideally I'd like to pair up with a skelliemancer for the safety aspect. However, I'm really quite content to pair up with any other character which doesn't rely solely on fire damage.

Is anybody interested? In addition, does anyone know a group that runs in Hell HC regularly?

[Fast Eddie]

AFAIK there's only the HC group that Pjius, Dune, Eternal and myself run every Tuesday night (GMT). We started untwinked and are only in A2NM.

What's your timezone? +6? +8?

[sorcererbob]

I'm in +10. Yeah, you guys start at my 3am I think. Its a bit unfortunate.

[Charlo]

I'd be up for startin fresh

[sorcererbob]

I'm ok with it. Why not?

I've been dying to make either a rabies werebear with summons or an enchantress.

But tell me, are you local to East Aus? Perhaps even as far north as Japan should have very acceptable pings. And would it suit you to play on Sunday nights at say 7pm GMT +10 (4 hours before this post). Monday nights also suits me. Probably can't promise any other night though.

I'm off to bed. night forums!

[sike]

ela

- Starting or finishing, either way you can count on me for some assistance. I'm very, very, surprised *and happy* that HC lives again (still).

- However, i'm not sure about the pings you've mentioned; i'm in Europe and i know when i'm hosting it isn't exctly great anywhere, but that's more to my bad provider. If it's ''normal'' lag-wise situation you can count on my part definately just give the term and we can met almost anyday.. I'm often on quite long journeys by day 'n night where always with my lap so it's pretty relative (undefined) time-zone*, though if we make a deal 24 hr's before then, well than it is deal, but once again: i must know exact time 24-36 hr's before.
- 'Roughly' we can arrange the meeting anytime, and 'roughly' i'll be awailable at the same terms most of the time.

*Though it is roughly always between the Greenwitch and GW +2, but i can not tell exactly when i'll be free a few days forward.

- I've a few nice guardians available for running, MF-ing, re-questing, whatever. And also a few nice ones that i'm starting one by one, ''day after day''..
- If you two have thought about starting a new game, perhaps we could make then a ''team 2'' that is, see who wants what build to start and ofc. preferabbly organize it so that they are all coherent, greatly contributing the expedition ideally...
- I'm fine with just anything taking Amazons, Sorc's, Necro's, and Barbyes...

[sorcererbob]

Sounds good. Why don't we give starting over a go. We can find out how bad the lag is in game. At time of posting the clock reads about 1647 (4:47pm) on Saturday. How about 7pm Monday night my time? That should be in the middle of the day for you. Is that right? Does that suit you?

[sike]

ela

- Yes that it totally right but, it doesn't suit me. :badteeth:
- I'm completely out on Monday. Then whole Tuesday is mine; so if you are free, my time is from 5.00am until 17.00pm what should be your evening and night.
- Now 98%, after that i'll be up on Thursday again (~same time), and Wednesday will be ''0''

- You see then how you can, and i'll post later to confirm or correct possible slight change.
- At this moment here is 9.18am what is my timezone 90% of the time

[sorcererbob]

Alright. Your Tuesday, in the middle of the day. Lets do it! Um, I'll probably get home around 6pm my time. Will it suit you to start at about 9:30am your time? Gives me a chance to wind down a bit. So thats pretty much 48 hours from now (minus 15 minutes).

I'm keen to start an enchantress or summoning/poison werewolf. What sort of things were you thinking about? We'll sort it out so we can buff each other for sure.

[sike]

- Deal! I'm here in the thread at 9.30

- Enchantress sounds cool... So for an fragile Sorc, BO boost could be right what she needs? And an Berserk Barba companion like crowd-control support...
- I'm an Berserker then


eh, btw. i'm RRM/RWM just not to cause any mess...

[sorcererbob]

So am I.

I'm available to host, and I'm happy to. If you'd like to, then thats cool too.

Incidentally, I'd welcome anyone else who wants to join us. We'll probably update this thread with our progress.

[Fast Eddie]

I've been following this thread but unfortunately won't be able to participate.

IMO you guys should post in the main MP thread for your version (as long as you specify HC of course!), as it's perhaps more well-read than the non-stickies - you may get a third player.

Good luck in your endeavours.

[sorcererbob]

less than 90 minutes until go time. Wanna twink the characters early or not? I imagine you have the gear for it, just because you have a handful of guardians. I'd prefer it to make act 1 go faster

[sorcererbob]

With the game scheduled to start soon I'm putting up a server.

-- address removed -- HC level 1, full twink, players 8

I'll stay in town until someone joins. If I'm out of contact msn me

[sorcererbob]

Summary:
Sike is a cool dude.
We were born ready, and we rocked hard.
Finished level 17, killed andy.
Problems with lag, need a man in the middle to host

Boring version:

So Sike and I rocked out with our ... socks... out. It was good fun. We were both full twink, and he had some sort of super unstoppable flail thing going on early on which my 6x20 poison damage jewel crystal sword struggled to keep up with. Although I think I looked a bit sexier in my full sigon set.

JudgeDread (I think it was him...) joined us very briefly when we were level 16 in Catacombs level 2. We finished as level 17 at the start of Act 2. This means I'm 1 level off teleport, and 1 level off enchant. Woo.

We have a problem. Lag. There is lots of it. Sike reckons he was pinging 500-1500 normally. The problem really is distance - we are essentially on opposite sides of the world - and I think we need a man in the middle to host. I can't see any other way around it. Unless we get a big drill and... no... no, that wouldn't work.

[sike]

Well, Bob has summed it all nice and steady, so i don't have much to add on that.

- Bad ping# is well known annoyance not else, though it would become a real problem in Hell.
- The game was going smoothly, and without any problematic situation whatsoever, thanks to the 6 soc gemmed sword in major part.
- It really would be groovy if we could finde ~ideal hoster, as I *like great enchantress fun* would be enchanted to escort it's progress.

Thank you for hosting Bob! :thumbup:

[sorcererbob]

No problemo. For next time... I'd like to keep the play time down to once per week if possible. I've got a bunch of uni work to keep up with, and between that and my social engagements I can't really commit to more.

I can't do the same time next week, but my monday night, wednesday night and thursday night next week should be fine (your mon/wed/thurs days). Whatever one suits you best (if any)

[sorcererbob]

Hey Sike, wanna play again on Wednesday at the same time? (9:30am for you, 6:30pm for me)?

When suits you?

Edit: So looks like I've committed to a bunch of things. Every week I'm now busy every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night, and I'll be unreliable on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (weekends do that to me). This leaves Monday for me.

If you can do it, super. If not, then I think we'll have to give up :(

[sike]

- Sure of course. :) First *bipp* me now fast for this part, as i don't have excuse...

- Now, now is yet Monday but I'm unfortunately off within a few hours, and so until Thuesday morning from about 5.00am to 17.00pm GMT +1. Then again i'll probably have Thursday free at the same term.
- I'll drop here tomorrow in the morning just to see what's new, though if you can't neverminde it, my Barb haven't made a step and will wait there ofc.

- In the meantime i'll visit this thread regularly so we can be in contact. But it is your fault now, you should send me a PM :D
- It would be a shame just to give it up all completely but also we don't have to rush anywhere either...

[sorcererbob]

Unfortunately, Thursday night is my allocated study night. I feel weird saying that, but I have to allocate a night to it or it gets procrastinated away... playing diablo...

Hows next Monday looking? :P

[sike]

50-50, i'll know it before the weekend, and be sure somewhere in the weekend.
Anyway i'll let you know within the next couple of days, when i'll be sure.

[Coolle]

Sweet hardcore... Lemme know if you play early game sometime or want a level 42 Blade assassin. I haven't leveled or stacked her very much though. You play vanilla, right?

[sorcererbob]

eh, btw. i'm RRM/RWM just not to cause any mess...

That quote is from page 1 of this thread, from Sike. I'm RRM/RWM too. As you're probably aware we're only level 17 at the moment, but we'll be keeping this thread posted with our progress. If you'd like to join us that'd be fine, it shouldn't take you long to get to where we are. I see you're in Sweeden... this would mean either you or Sike would host (I vote you, because I hear Sweeds have awesome internet connections :P)

[Coolle]

yeah, my internet is indeed awesome. I guess I'll install another copy together with RRM/RWM and pull one of my hardcore level 16:s there so I can join you guys.

[sorcererbob]

Awesome :D we were going to have a game in about 11 hours but I'm still waiting to hear back from Sike :/

[sike]

ela

- Deal!

[Thyiad]

Sike will not be joining you.

[sorcererbob]

Thanks for the update, Thyiad.

[Coolle]

oh :x
I fixed the mods and stuffs now anyway. Do you use skype or ventrilo?

[sorcererbob]

Neither actually, but I'm ok to install either one. Looks like Sike won't be joining us anymore. Thats cool. As I think I said earlier, the only day I'm free is Monday afternoons, and usually I get home around 6:30pm local time. If I recall, that should be around about your 10:30am on the same day.

Are you free at that time? :D me thinks chances are "no" but it doens't hurt to ask

If you want to contact me, msn me: sorcererbob _at_ gmail.com (email to the same)

[Coolle]

that time probably works for me :] We can book it, but, as a warning, I can be a bit moody so the sessions might not always be full time :P

the good thing about skype is P2P voice chat working well even if you have firewalls and stuff. I think typing is enjoyable in its own way, but still not quite on the same level as speech :P

[sorcererbob]

Roger that, Admiral Fluffy Duck. We'll move on position Skype ASAP. Eta 5 minutes. Over and out.

[sorcererbob]

I wrote the following yesterday and forgot to hit the "post reply" button. Good work, me.

The game has progressed. Imaji_Fireblade, the level 17 Enchantress joined Coolle's game, hosted by his 21 Frost Sorc. He was a bit ahead, so we set players 5 and charged into the fray starting at the Halls of the Dead Level 2. We got me a cube, and then established that Coolle had the whole staff. So we ran into the Palace and through to the Arcane Sanctuary with some ping issues on my side (although nothing life threatening in Act 2 normal).

We faced off against the summoner. Firewalls and blasts of cold came flying at us. Coolle charged in first, and got caught in a group of goat men with the cold blasts wailing on him. 2 blasts and stunlock later, and he saw deeds. We lolled, then we lolled some more when we realised he hadn't enabled corpse looting.

I assassinated the summoner with my poison crystal sword, and got the Canyon of the Magi WP. I'm now level 20. My full sigon set is getting old for me, and my weapon becoming lacklustre too. I've decided to make my chick's secondary skill frozen orb (was considering full energy shield/telekinesis). I was also considering Fireball, but I'm a little over having characters which are unbelievable killing machines through Nightmare, to face horde after horde of <element> immunity in Hell and be pretty much useless against some boss packs.

And now I'll finish what I started yesterday:

I've got some of the equipment planned out for her late game. I'm struggling a bit choosing some items. I've been looking at some (http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312309) guides (http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129944) for (http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=277313) answers, but all in all they've been a bit vague and to some degree counter intuitive. So anyway, I'm looking at the following at the moment as the most probably solution (from the items actually available to me):

Helm: Andy's Visage (although huge level requirement, so probably Guillaume's Face before that - I'll just fill up my inventory with strength charms to make up the difference in the meantime. I'm thinking I'll probably just stick a Ral in Andy's. Is there a much better option?

Gloves: I'm thinking Laying of Hands. Although the extra damage to demons won't really affect me very much, the +50% fire resistance will offset the -30% on Andy's Visage, and 20% IAS will probably help, although I have to check the breakpoint tables... Maybe Lava Gouts for the same reasons. Perhaps blood crafted gloves.

Boots: Everyone appears to be recommending things that I don't think suit; Aldur's, Sandstorm Trek, etc. I'm thinking I'll simplify it and stick on some Goblin Toe's or Gore Riders. If I don't need them, likely War Travs or Nats.

Shield: Stormshield. Probably Moser's before that. Got to be careful I don't drop too much dex on her. Stormshield has better blocking.

Armour: This (http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=277313) guide has some good equipment suggestions, but lacks suggestions on body armour for some reason. I've seen recommendations of Gladiator's Bane and Iron Pelt. I have the latter, but it just doesn't seem like a great option without energy shield (which I don't intend to use at this point). I'm really struggling on this one, but thinking the good ol' Duriels Shell (+ str) or Vipermagi (+ skills) should be ok. Shaftstop seems a waste if I'm using Stormshield.

Belt: Credendum? 15% String of Ears? Verdungo's? I guess I'll see if I need the resists and probably choose the String of Ears if I don't. The +38 vitality doesn't translate to much life on a sorc.

Rings: 2 of: Ravenfrost, Dwarf Star, Bul-Kathos. Probably dependant on what i need at the time.

Ammy: I'm struggling. I just gave away a +20 res all, +1 sorc skills rare which would have been mildly useful. My only useful skills amulet is on my fire sorc at the moment:

Grim Emblem
Amulet
Required Level: 34
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x33114e97
+11 to Strength
+48 to Life
Fire Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +49%
Cold Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%
10% Faster Cast Rate
+2 to Fire Skills (Sorceress Only)

Maybe Mahim-Oak or Cat's Eye just to keep everyone guessing :/

Edit: < yeah I thought about it a bit more. In terms of IAS, passion 25%, Cat's Eye 20%, Gloves (laying of hands? crafted?) 20% = 65% - perfect for the last IAS breakpoint with a phase blade >

Weapon: Passion phase blade.

IAS: ok looks like 30, 54 and 65 are the numbers I'm aiming for. Passion has 25% on it. So I just need any other IAS really.

For the buff gear I'm thinking Hexfire + Spirit shield (I'll have the strength to wear a monarch after all) for a +3 to fire skills, +2 to all skills. I could do a fraction better with the elusive +3 fire mastery, +3 enchant Leaf staff... but seriously, is it worth the effort? I've got a couple of +3 fire skill circlets lying around unused. I'm unsure how many items I should sub out for the buff. I'm thinking probably whatever fits in the cube - so helm and gloves or something like that.

Sorry about the very long post, I'm just gathering thoughts.

[Coolle]

+fire skills won't really be good for her since it's only +enchant +fire mastery. If you're doing frozen orb, sure, + all skills will be nice...
I dunno about your final belt, but just keep one with good stats on hit recovery/+life/+resistance

Since you're not that high level arctic mitts+belt is pretty nice... 40 MF, 40 cold res, 20life +10% IAS. Together with sigon's boots, shield and armor. Helmet open for suggestions as well as weapon. Pretty nice to run around with that MF though to gather stuff like gull, angelics, goblin toe, bloodfist...
Since you'll be using bow for quite a while I think you should look at that first before your passion or whatnot :]

[sorcererbob]

Oh yeah for sure I'll be using something in between the sigon set I'm wearing now and Passion. But its not getting through normal/nightmare which I'm concerned with; its getting through Hell. And I'll long since have most of my end game gear when that happens. I'll be putting on an iceblink and that new Edge bow I made in a few levels time. I have some other misc gear to go with it like a 47% tarnhelm (why not?) and an iceblink (for the +3 freeze). Let me know if there is any gear you want/need and I'll see what I can do. I'll probably be bringing us a tannr gorerod each soon enough if you like (for the mercs).

[Jcakes]

@ Sorcerorbob, I would be interested in joining in some HC mp (although I am pretty much untwinked with close to zero items). When are you guys thinking of playing next? I am free Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights.

[sorcererbob]

Ah, another aussie! welcome to the best thread on the forums! Sunday nights might be the new go then. I'm finding myself stumbling home from soccer at about 6pm most Sunday evenings (brisbane time is +10GMT, adjust accordingly) to lounge in front of my PC. I'm unavailable on both Tuesday and Thursday nights.

I'm yet to hear back from Coolle about if he's done rebuilding his character or whats going on with him, but I'm happy to play from level 21, canyon of the magi wp with my enchantress. Shouldn't take you too long to catch up :)

We can probably find some gear for your character if we need to.

My msn address is available somewhere in this thread too.

[Jcakes]

Cool I might see you then then

[Coolle]

great, I'll be untwinked as well.
Aiming for sunday. I haven't leveled any char yet since I've been busy. Will make a whirlwind barb, but I'm getting warm feelings for a lower resist necro as well. Jcakes, got any idea what you'll be playin?

[sorcererbob]

Righto. So how are we looking for Sunday, guys?

I'm psyched up to play. Level 20 Canyon of the Magi wp at the moment. I can probably gain a few levels if you guys want, but doubt I can do Duriel by myself. Let me know if you want/need any equipment and I'll try to sort it out for Sunday.

[sorcererbob]

Letting you guys know that I expect to be playing in 3 hours. I'll be hosting a game if no one else does, and posting in both this thread and the general SC/HC games thread.

Edit 3: game down. Thanks for turning up those who did... which was no one. So... thanks for... nothing? yes nothing.

[Coolle]

haha! Tragic yet humorous

sry, sorcererbob, but my barb hasn't got up there in levels yet. I'm finding it difficult to pace up with the way of gaming here as I'm somewhat intense myself. I had a week or so with lots of Diablo and then no one was available to play with here and other times when I really want to play the time zones are messed up, so I tend to find other ways of gaming and end up elsewhere. I've currently set up another PC besides me here and have started playing Diablo LAN with a friend of mine. Real friends go further than e- ones >_<

[sorcererbob]

lol for sure they do. I'm not too stressed, I was just annoyed at the time of writing because I figured one of you two would rock up. Shall we reschedule? Or call it quits?

[Coolle]

yeah, sure. Wish for a time that's good for you and I'll see what I can do ;p I'm guessing that I'm the one with the most flexibility, after all, so that's probs the best way of doing it.

Also I was wondering what you'd think of starting a new game, maybe walking? 'cus I'm leveling the spear whirlwind d00d to team up with your enchantress, but I still want to do that poison java, like I told you during our last session :D

Third matter would be host and lag testing together with Jcakes to try to find optimized play settings, so that we know. My internet is great, but across countries there are too many junctions... I once played warcraft with a German host that had unbelievably good ping to all European connections. That was way cool! I mean, even those ****ty french conns and other lamos. One should've had such an operator...

[sorcererbob]

Yeah I'm not so concerned about the lag in Normal, but you're right - it will become a problem later on. I'll start a new game if you like - I'll build a generic lightning trapper.

Starting in about 10 hours is university break for a week. I'll be working on Tuesday and have the rest of the time off likely. (I have assignments to do, but I can do them around our schedule). So I'm pretty much going to choose an arbitrary day just to get the ball rolling: Sunday during my day (your saturday night). Hows that?

[Coolle]

oooooh... I'm a bit sick today though so I dunno if I'll have the courage, or spirit, if you prefer. We'll see how tonight goes

[sorcererbob]

heh very good. Yeah I will be playing soccer in the afternoon, so we'll see indeed! I'll check back in when i wake up (its now 0200 and I'm tired)

[Coolle]

hope your soccer was good :p hmmm... vacation, desu ka? Ii darou
maybe I'll level the barbarian 'til your monday morning/mid day

[sorcererbob]

Monday morning midday has come and gone. I have work tomorrow (tuesday) and for half of Wednesday too. :( D2 will have to wait

[Jcakes]

Sorry guys, life is throwing me some curveballs atm. I am not sure if or when I can commit to playing D2 multiplayer. Appologies again.

[sorcererbob]

No worries. I'm a bit the same to be honest. Lots of work to do, and I'm behind on my assignments.