HC SP Javazon skill question

[DudSpud]

OK, so Sonia is Lvl 65, NM A5 using Titan's and Lidless (I know - I will likely switch to pDiamond Whistan's in Hell, and yes, I have saved the dex - it's only NM after all...). Skills are 20 LF, 20 ChSt, 1 in all passives and pre-reqs, no LS and 18 spare points. HF merc with Insight.

With Hell coming up, and this being HC, I need a viable LI and dual LI/PI solution. The question is, what are the recommendations of the Collective? My guesses...

1) Stick with a 1 pt jab and tough it out, dump the rest into LS for synegy goodness. For duals use upped WWS's lvl 20 MA and wait.

2) Since A1 Hell is crawling with LI's, dump a bunch into Jab and use an upped Titan's / Hone Sundan (damage average on each, and I can only up 1...) and the WWS for duals.

3) With all of the Dex for max block, try a hybrid and plow points into FrzA with my new-found Lycanders. Slow for me, but then, they aint movin'.

4) Something else - Plague Jav?

Thanks,
DudSpud

[nichols]

I'd definitely go teh NF way. Try looking at this build, mine just enetered Hell and is a blast. Very fast-paced but not underpowered. LF is a great crowd control as I'm sure you know. With Valk and Merc, Light immunes go down fast.

Hope you give it a try and that we soon hear about a Guardian from you! :fortuneteller:

Alex

[asdfgah]

I agree with nichols. IMO lycander's is fast enough, my zon use it with only 20 IAS and it does really well (I've switched to a +3 B&C harmony ceremonial bow now though).

#1 does work but it's slow..
#2 was in my experience annoying against amna burn enemies (higher mana cost for jab) and 1 pt is 'nuff AFAIK.
#4 I just didn't like it myself :wink3:

[DudSpud]

Thanks for the advice guys (gals?).

FA is pretty powerful, not the least when combined with Ravenfrost and the odd cold damage mod on a few of my res and life charms. Even with an HF merc, freezing enemies solid rocks, especially in HC. I also really like the idea of using the "noob" RW Melody for a potential +6 to the FA.

Most - nay all - of my hybrids are ranged strafers with LF as a backup, I hadn't thought of playing a melee javazon with ranged FA as a backup.

Intriguing...

DudSpud

PS - I shouldn't be so cocky. It is HC after all, and though I have yet to lose an HC character pre-NM Baal, there could, no, there will be a first time...

[Hrus]

After you will die in hell, you will regret that you didn't use a Valkyrie - the best tank in D2.

[DudSpud]

After you will die in hell, you will regret that you didn't use a Valkyrie - the best tank in D2.

Hah-Hah. You think your so smart...

Sonia has a lvl 10 valk with gear from stash, with another +3 from some gloves and at least +4 skill points on top of that when she gets to Hell.

Or that was the plan - I forgot to drop the /players, and there was this FE NM ancient...

At least Sonia's Deeds will be remembered. By whom, though, I know not...

Thanks again for all of the advice.

DudSpud

[Arfurala]

I can't agree that the Valk is the best tank. Although it is a good tank.
Shadowmaster is the best. Grizzy comes next. Then the valk.:smiley:

[Hrus]

I can't agree that the Valk is the best tank. Although it is a good tank.
Shadowmaster is the best. Grizzy comes next. Then the valk.:smiley:

That's not my opinion. But I guess that the discusiion would be pointless.

@DupSpud: Was it an insta-kill like in 1.10? I don't have any experience with 1.11 FE Ancients, but I think they are still lethal, I allways reroll if one of them is FE...

[aman]

I agree with Hrus though i can't remember 1.10 FE anceints as i was playing bnet at the time(iirc bnet had a fix for the FE bug) it still hits hard in 1.11 and i have died on a number of occassions to FE ancients in 1.11(not hardcore though :grin: )

[DudSpud]

@DupSpud: Was it an insta-kill like in 1.10? I don't have any experience with 1.11 FE Ancients, but I think they are still lethal, I allways reroll if one of them is FE...

If by insta-kill you mean doing 1K+ damage (1240-ish if I remember more specifically) in a single pop, then yes, it was insta-kill. Oh, and it is 1.11b.

And I have to agree with Hrus that the Valk is an amazing tank. The best? I haven't used them all, but I have had Valks save my bacon on numerous occasions, and with a might merc they can actually kill in Hell if they roll the right stick.

[Sigh...] The sting is still too raw to start from scratch again. Maybe tomorrow.

DudSpud