Problems with WSK, Baal, and my Merc

[ChickenMcTest]

Ok I have a lvl 87 modeled after the "Orb-it-aller" I can run the pit, meph, andy all with out much trouble.

However, last night I thought it was time for me to take on Hell Baal solo. I just couldn't do it. My main problem was the second wave of Baals minions the act 2 people. They are all magic immune and it was taking me forever to kill them, all the while they just kept rezzing the stupid skele mages which are cold immune (a huge problem for me as my main attach is orb and my fire ball feels weak against large groups). Usually as the skelies advance on my I keep having to back up until I am out of the throne room and other mobs starting coming after me and it's then time to save and exit.

I am using full Tal's Sets, frost burns, 1 soj, 1 10% fcr ring, spirit monarch, and some rare magic find boots i got. I don't have anni or a Storch.

My merc is the Holy Freeze Act 2 and is lvl 84 and is using crown of thieves, Atma's Wail, and a Insight pole arm.

I was thinking I should maybe find a better weapon for my Merc so he can actually do some damage as I don't really need the insight for mana any more.

Any one have any tips for a sorc running WSK and baal?

[sirpoopsalot]

Magic Immune does not mean Cold Immune. Within D2, they're two different elements, and as a sorc, you don't do "magic" attacks.

Start by getting about ~1/2 screen away from where the waves spawn, and then spamming Static Field. Hopefully you don't get poisoned, but if you do, drink a red potion or two to counteract it (their poison can really hurt, even with nice resists). Don't worry about the skellies for a minute (you can side-step to avoid most of their attacks, but it's pretty worthless to attack them until you've killed the main pack of revivers).

Once you've removed 1/2 of the life from the main guys with Static, switch to FO and drop a couple into their midst. If you're playing solo, they should start dropping about now - if not, drink a potion or two and keep ignoring the skellies and dropping FO's right on top of the main pack. If things get too rough, drink a potion & teleport to a different position about 1/2 a screen away from the main pack and return to FO against the main guys.


For gear, it looks like you're a little bit short of the 105 FCR breakpoint. I'd drop the Frostburns for Magefists - the extra skill and the extra speed will help your fireball somewhat. If you've got 35% FCR on your Spirit monarch (something I'd recommend), you can also swap your FCR ring for another SoJ or something with resists/+mana/whatever - or you could even use a Nature's Peace ring so the skellies can't be revived (because of the Slain Monsters Rest in Peace mod) and kill the skellies first if you wanted.

For the merc, it depends on what type of pole arm you have on him. Insight's not a bad weapon for damage if you make it in the right thing, and the mana regeneration can be quite nice. If you do find you're willing to go without the extra regeneration, have a look at Reaper's Toll, Kelpie Snare, Obedience, Infinity (:rolleyes:), Tomb Reaver, etc... there are a lot of choices though Reapers, Kelpie, Insight & Infinity are among the most common choices.

Also, a cheap torch - even a low-end Druid torch - is usually still worth it. I'd trade for one ASAP.

[essojay]

What poops said.

If skellies keep following you, use that to your advantage--lure them out, then teleport close to the mummies and use FO. This way you won't be wasting any FO bolts on skellies, and thus killing the mummies faster.

[ChickenMcTest]

Thanks for the advice:thumbsup:

I was not trying to use static field on Act 2 guys last night I'll try it out tonight.
As for my Merc I found a Kelpies Snare last night I'll try him out using that tonight or maybe I'll get lucky and find a higher damage item for him.

I'll try to answer the gear setup questions ~ I just started playing last week so trading around some items shouldn't be too hard. My spirit shield is only 25% fcr (bad lucky on that) so I would have to keep the 10% fcr ring and get magefist to hit the 105% break point. I don't think i'll have a hard time trading my frosties for a mage fists

Do you think it would be a good idea to try and trade my SOJ for a low Storch? Is that possible on L uswest?

Thanks!

[jackthelad]

Put a tals mask on him for the leach, find a good dmg obedience (HelKoThulEthFal), stand behind him & spam your orb straight into the boss thingies (I forget their names). If you & your merc have full resists, ignore the skellies till the bosses go down, then switch to FB & take them down. With your set-up, you shouldnt have any problems, so I think a bit of tweaking on the merc is all thats required.

Btw, are you doing it in SP on players/8? Because in that case you will find it tough going!