Look for an interesting PvM build...

[maxwolfie]

Well, I'm back from a 3-4 year break from D2. I've made a Hammerdin and Zealot previously whilst playing as a Paladin but I'm looking for something else. I'm playing SP with my gf over LAN (who will be a CL/FO sorc). I was contemplating the idea of a Cleric for the party bonus' but I did want to remain viable as a solo character, so I sort of ditched that idea... I'm currently Level 9 and have put a few pts here and there but I really need work out what I'm going to build before I go any further.

I'm quite happy to go with a FoH/Zeal build as long as there's another secondary attack as well (i.e. smite, charge etc.) I'd really like to check out some of the other bosses (uber tristram, diablo clone etc.) as I've never encountered them, so some sort of build viable to fight these would be good.

Any ideas? Are there any new viable builds since 1.09? Was considering a charge based build.. But I don't know how effective they are.

* MP friendly - Party buffs etc (for sorc if it's viable?)
* Uber tristram/diablo clone viable (and whatever else)
* Not solely Hammerdin or Zealot (but can be combination of Zealot OR Hammerdin AND charge, smite or another skill)

[hubb]

The best complement to the sorc is a pali with conviction. With level 25 conviction your gf will only need 2 points in cold mastery to bring any non-immune monsters to -100 cold res. Even with only 20 conviction and 1 cold mastery most monsters will have -100 res. This will allow her to spend more points in lightning and ofc it will greatly boost her damage.

Vengeance will give you the highest damage but zeal is safer as you'll do more physical damage and therefore leech more life. If you're only going to play at /players 2 in hell and I'd recommend going with maxed zeal/sacrifice/holy shield.

Good builds to level up with are zeal/holy fire and fire ball. Once you're both 30 you can respec. You'll absolutely destroy nightmare with FO/conviction :>

*FoH is an option but neither of you will be able to tank much. FoH is very slow and not really a viablo build when you want to play solo.

*Uber-trist and dclone only works online, although I think there's a mod that enables uber-trist in single player. 1-point smite and maxed holy shield should get you through ubers but you're going to need some good equipment. Check the uber/smiter guides in the palidin section if you want more info.

[TheGoD]

http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=762040
here. Very funny build =)

[TempestTenor]

Have you seen this Charge Paladin thread on the front page...?

http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=511532

[hubb]

I don't think he asked for novelty builds that are hard to play solo/untwinked and need specific equipment to be err... effective. The charge build is cool but not exactly what I'd recommend for untwinked/fun play.

[TempestTenor]

Well he specifically said "Was considering a charge based build.. But I don't know how effective they are."

The guide makes the build sound fun and viable. But you're right: it may not be cheap and it seems that a Charger is at his best when he alone can manipulate the monsters' AI.

[maxwolfie]

Once you're both 30 you can respec.

Hold the phone! What's this about respecing?

Is there a viable max Conv (Zeal or Veng), AND 1 pt smite/20 pt Hold Shield build? . I.e.
1. So I can solo if needed
2. So she gets a lvl 20+ Conv bonus, and
3. at the end of the game/whatever, I am still left with a viable solo build for uber tristram?

[Doctor Clock]

Blizzard enabled characters to respec in 1.13 after completing the Den of Evil quest. If you made your character before the 1.13 patch, though, you can only respec in Hell after completing the Den of Evil quest.

Yes, there is a Conviction + Zeal build: http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=625840. Basically, max Conviction, a few points in Zeal, and a weapon with a lot of elemental damage will kill just about everything in the game. Check the stickies.

[maxwolfie]

Cheers mate

I assume you can only respec once per difficulty?

EDIT: I've given up on the uber tristram idea. I'd like to keep my characters "clean" in case I want to start trading on the SP forums.

I'll probably go with an Avenger build, either:

20 Conviction (Right Click skill, main aura)
20 Vengeance (Left Click skill, main attack)
10 Resist Fire (synergy for Vengeance and gives passive bonus to max Fire resist)
10 Resist Cold (synergy for Vengeance and gives passive bonus to max Cold resist)
10 Resist Lightning (synergy for Vengeance and gives passive bonus to max Lightning resist)
20 Holy Shield

OR

1 point in Vengeance
20 Conviction
20 Resist Fire
20 Resist Cold
20 Resist Lightning
10 Holy Shield

Not sure which.. the second one is more party friendly and uses less mana but the first one will inevitably do more dmg and give better protection (more pts. in HS). I reckon the first one (max veng) is the way to go, just in case my gf ends up getting over D2 and I'm sort of left with a party-friendly character with no party!

[Doctor Clock]

Maxed Conviction and one point in Salvation will make you very party friendly. After that, whatever gives you more damage.

[maxwolfie]

Yeah, I noticed Salvation wasn't mentioned on any of the guides I've read though. There must be a reason.

[Bladewind]

Salvation is just a 1 pt wonder.
You can live without it if you have crazy resistances.

[wisedoor]

I am a strong advocate of the Avenger build (Vengeance + Conviction).

If you can get your hands in just ONE Soj + One manald's, you can max Vengeance (for the AR and multipliers that are higher than sinergies) without fear.

Vengeance is the melee skill that has basically the highest %ed multiplier on Diablo 2, that is still doubled by conviction. With a good weapon, a decent avenger WILL one-hit KO everything in an 8 player game but champions / uniques.

[maxwolfie]

Cheers wisedoor - at level 23, I'm having a few mana issues but I have crap gear so hopefully that will change soon ;)

[wisedoor]

Oh yeah, if you don't want to CHAM something, you'd have to use a Ravenfrost of course...
Go for a MAX DPS weapon if you don't worry about blue-potting or don't have mana problems, else, go for a MAX Damage weapon.
Back in 1.09, I used a zoded eth Cruel Cryptic of Quickness, and enough IAS outside to get to 8 FPA, and could do 8k max damage before conviction.
Weapons with huge elemental bonus are not good for this build; the most important is the damage number.