Hammerdin (newbie) questions

[Antega]

Hey, I'm coming back to D2x, taking a break from WoW hehe. Playing on SP, I'm looking to make a Hammerdin but because I am sort of a newb (things weren't like they were nowadays) I got a few q's about the hammerdin.

1) They seem VERY mana intensive, yet the guide says not to put points into energy. Does Blessed Hammer work with mana/life leech?

2) Does Concentration increase its damage, but fanaticism doesn't?

3) Can they be played untwinked? I've just came back, so have no good gear. I wanted the first char I played again to hopefully get some awesome gear, which leads to the last question...

4) Can Hammerdins MF very well? I would of thought with Vigor + Hammer it would be good. I know sorc is better, but is Hammerdin 2nd for MF?

Cheers, Ant

[Evrae Altana]

1) Hammers cannot leech. As for mana problems, Insight instantly solves all of that. You can also flash Redemption and instantly regain any mana/life you may have lost.
2) Only Concentration increases hammer damage.
3) Yes, they can be played untwinked.
4) Yes, they can MF pretty well.

[Doctor Clock]

1.) Early on, they are mana intensive. The key is to use Redemption. This skill converts corpses into mana and life, usually refilling your mana orb, which lets you spam more hammers. Hang on to + to mana charms and put some saphires in your gear. Once you have Redemption, mana problems are no more. Hammers do not work with mana/life leach.

2.)Exactly. If I recall correctly, concentration does not increase hammer damage as much as the aura states it will. I am not certain on this point, though, so someone else will have to clarify. Regardless, Concentration is the only aura that will boost hammer damage.

3.)They can very easily play untwinked. Hammerdins have only one monster that is immune to them, Wailing Beasts, and those only appear in Act 3 Hell in the ruined temple areas. I played my Hammerdin untwinked until about Act 3 Hell, at which point I traded for a Skin of the Viper Magi and a Wizard Spike. Everything else was self found.

4.) Hammerdins are good at mfing. Mine kills Hell Mephisto rather quickly, along with clearing the Pits and Crypt with ease. Hammerdins can also handle Hell Baal quite well, but you will need some Crushing Blow against Baal himself. If you can find an amulet with teleport charges, they are even better. Spellsteel or Naj's Puzzler will also work.

Best of luck.

[Antega]

Interesting, thanks a lot.

Evrae Altana, what is this "Insight" thing you speak of?

[xduckster]

Interesting, thanks a lot.

What is this "Insight" thing you speak of?

Insight is a ladder only runeword:

Ral + Tir + Tal + Sol
4 Socket Polearms/Staves

Level 10-17 Meditation Aura When Equipped (varies)
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+200-260% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+9 To Minimum Damage
180-250% Bonus to Attack Rating (varies)
Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
+1-6 To Critical Strike (varies)
+5 To All Attributes
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Stick that in a polearm for an act 2 merc and wallah... no more mana problems!

[LorveN]

2.)Exactly. If I recall correctly, concentration does not increase hammer damage as much as the aura states it will. I am not certain on this point, though, so someone else will have to clarify. Regardless, Concentration is the only aura that will boost hammer damage.

I'm quite sure it works at 50% efficiency on hammers. Nevertheless, a hammer with an aura boost is better than a hammer without aura boost.

[superficial]

he's playing on single player, i believe...

i'd suggest:
-frostburns gives good mana boost
-rings & amu that gives +mana
-shako adds over 100 mana (but need to be high level to use it)
-someone mentioned redemption: it helps significantly (only put 1 point in it though, and let +skills do the rest)
-some items have the mod "+ xx to mana after each kill": that might help a bit

[Antega]

Yeah I have just got my Blessed Hammer, and got Andariel on normal

It took about 10 mana potions and many more healing potions but I did it with hammers ^_^

However, it does seem a little 'weak', does it pick up as the game progresses? Like sorcs, weak early on, strong later. I'm playing untwinked too, but gonna do MF as soon as I can.

[Doctor Clock]

Yes, the damage does increase. Level up Blessed Hammer and its synergies before Concentration. Once you have Redemptiom, killing speed increases many times over.

[gda]

I've been building up a Max Damage Hammerdin based on captain_bogus' build {check out the Pally build section}....following the skill build out.....untweaked....just using gear I've found....at level 18 I started w/ BH and added 1 point into Conc/Vigor.....then maxed out Blessed Hammer as soon as possible from level 18-38....after maxing BH I've been alternating Conc & Vigor...

You definitely need to chug a ton of POTS until you get to lvl 30 for redemption....then from that point on life is easier while playing....
1) i usually will fire off HS for increased defense
2) hotkey to redemp (assuming bodies around)
3) hotkey to conc
4) then continue laying waste
5) repeat step 1 when HS wears off

No problem while solo'ing.....currently cranking thru Nightmare

as you add any +1 skills gear Hammer damage jumps incredibly - since you already have something in Conc/Vigor/BH/BA......I'm currently at lvl 45 doing 1128-1148 hammer damage...

let me know how it goes

GL