I have felt so far that Neutraldin is strangely very fun to play - it's kind of absurd how easy it is to steamroll through normal and about half of nightmare without needing to min/max gear, especially because stacking buffs such as Vindicate, Sacred Armor, and Demiurge renders You practically invincible until you mess up and don't recast them. (The amount of buffs available is kind of unhealthy lol.)
On the other hand, it's weird not having any active offensive skill; and Euphoria pretty much stays there uselessly accumulating dust.
Scourges and Hoplites were a very nice addition on Normal, made for a big dps boost when using Vindicate on them. However on Nightmare they became way too squishy to be reliable.
I found that Revive isn't really that useful for a Neutraldin unless you have specialized gear with %Summoned minion Damage, HP and resistances; and is absolutely useless in one-on-one fights.
Anyway, I didn't have any difficulty in facing any enemies until Nightmare Baal - I couldn't really get close to him and died many times trying to survive; the mana burn is atrocious since it prevents from casting Demiurge and Sacred Armor. Managed much better once I had
Crusade
for Eagle Stance, but it was still too difficult due to having low range, even with maxed elem resists.
I had these items before starting Hell Act I:
► Show Spoiler
For Weapon,
Herr Donner
Herr Donner
Long Sword (4)
One-Hand Damage: 8 to 9
Required Level: 8
Required Strength: 58 to 72
Item Level: 19
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
+1 to All Skills
+(6 to 10)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 20) to Energy
Physical Resist 1%
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
(1 to 5)% Magic Find
Requirements -(1 to 20)%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 17 to 19
Required Level: 26
Required Strength: 77 to 97
Item Level: 36
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
+(16 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(21 to 30) to Energy
Physical Resist 2%
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
(6 to 10)% Magic Find
Requirements -(11 to 30)%
Socketed (4)
One-Hand Damage: 28 to 33
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 140 to 181
Item Level: 59
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
+2 to All Skills
+(21 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(31 to 40) to Energy
Physical Resist 3%
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
(11 to 15)% Magic Find
Requirements -(16 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
One-Hand Damage: 33 to 39
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 256 to 337
Item Level: 85
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
+3 to All Skills
+(31 to 35)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(41 to 50) to Energy
Physical Resist 4%
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
(16 to 20)% Magic Find
Requirements -(21 to 40)%
Socketed (6)
For Helmet,
Crusade
/
The Allseeing Eye
The Allseeing Eye
Coronet (4)
Defense: 58 to 106
Required Level: 6
Required Dexterity: 17
Item Level: 1
+1 to All Skills
+10% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(31 to 50) Defense
(4 to 5)% to Strength
+3 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (1)
Defense: 144 to 225
Required Level: 23
Required Dexterity: 36
Item Level: 31
+1 to All Skills
+15% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(71 to 90) Defense
(8 to 9)% to Strength
+5 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (2)
Defense: 262 to 399
Required Level: 41
Required Dexterity: 85
Item Level: 51
+2 to All Skills
+20% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(111 to 130) Defense
(12 to 13)% to Strength
+8 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (3)
Defense: 337 to 514
Required Level: 49
Required Dexterity: 183
Item Level: 77
+2 to All Skills
+25% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(131 to 150) Defense
(14 to 15)% to Strength
+10 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (4)
For Armor, Griswold's Heart/
Shroud Royal
Shroud Royal
Full Plate Mail (4)
Defense: (336 - 390) to (676 - 786)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 35
Item Level: 29
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.01171875%
+(1 to 2) to Vanquish
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
(3 to 5)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (7 to 10)
(6 to 8)% Gold Find
(6 to 8)% Magic Find
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1082 - 1213) to (2067 - 2318)
Required Level: 28
Required Strength: 70
Item Level: 40
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.015625%
+(5 to 6) to Vanquish
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(9 to 11)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (15 to 18)
(10 to 12)% Gold Find
(10 to 12)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2707 - 2983) to (5055 - 5570)
Required Level: 46
Required Strength: 245
Item Level: 67
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.01953125%
+(9 to 10) to Vanquish
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 17)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (23 to 26)
(14 to 16)% Gold Find
(14 to 16)% Magic Find
Socketed (5)
Defense: (4043 - 4401) to (7534 - 8200)
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 490
Item Level: 85
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.0234375%
+(11 to 12) to Vanquish
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(18 to 20)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (27 to 30)
(18 to 20)% Gold Find
(18 to 20)% Magic Find
Socketed (6)
(could be arguably exchanged by
Mirage
Mirage
Sorceress Crystal Swords
'ElqOhnVezLozGurXod'
Runeword Level: 120
+80 Magic Damage per 1% Deadly Strike
10% Chance to cast level 4 Time Strike on Striking
+(2 to 3) to All Skills
50% Combat Speeds
+(220 to 250) to Maximum Damage
+(180 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
+75 to Dexterity
Maximum Block Chance +10%
or
Dragon's Blood
Dragon's Blood
Light Plate (4)
Defense: (241 - 284) to (487 - 573)
Required Level: 8
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 19
4% Chance to cast level 8 Wrath on Melee Attack
15% Cast Speed
+(19 to 30)% Damage to Demons
+(11 to 15)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 15)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Vitality
+(16 to 25) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (2)
Defense: (806 - 915) to (1526 - 1733)
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 65
Item Level: 36
6% Chance to cast level 18 Wrath on Melee Attack
25% Cast Speed
+(43 to 54)% Damage to Demons
+(16 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(16 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(41 to 45) to Vitality
+(36 to 45) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2057 - 2268) to (3809 - 4199)
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 228
Item Level: 59
8% Chance to cast level 32 Wrath on Melee Attack
35% Cast Speed
+(67 to 78)% Damage to Demons
+(21 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(21 to 25)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 55) to Vitality
+(56 to 65) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (5)
Defense: (3094 - 3380) to (5716 - 6245)
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 455
Item Level: 85
10% Chance to cast level 45 Wrath on Melee Attack
40% Cast Speed
+(79 to 90)% Damage to Demons
+(26 to 30)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(26 to 30)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 60) to Vitality
+(66 to 75) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (6)
, given there really isn't a good armor choice.)
For Gloves, I had honorific gloves mo'd with Phys/Mag dmg, Elem resists and Total Character Defense. (Plus other things such as Magic Find)
for Belt, same as gloves. Beyond
Moonwrap
Moonwrap
Sash (4)
Defense: (16 - 18) to (20 - 21)
Required Level: 1
Required Strength: 25
Item Level: 1
5% Cast Speed
+3% to Spell Damage
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Cold Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (119 - 129) to (131 - 141)
Required Level: 17
Required Strength: 50
Item Level: 31
15% Cast Speed
+9% to Spell Damage
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (331 - 353) to (370 - 395)
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 125
Item Level: 51
25% Cast Speed
+15% to Spell Damage
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (493 - 524) to (542 - 576)
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 250
Item Level: 77
30% Cast Speed
+20% to Spell Damage
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Cold Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)
I felt there wasn't a better choice, and the Total Character Def complement Sacred Armor really well.
For Boots,
Rabbit's Foot
Rabbit's Foot
Boots (4)
Defense: 8 to 14
Required Level: 1
Required Strength: 21
Item Level: 1
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+10% to Spell Damage
+5 Maximum Stamina
(1 to 5)% Gold Find
(1 to 5)% Magic Find
Requirements -15%
Socketed (1)
Defense: 75 to 88
Required Level: 17
Required Strength: 35
Item Level: 31
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+12% to Spell Damage
+10 Maximum Stamina
(5 to 10)% Gold Find
(5 to 10)% Magic Find
Requirements -30%
Socketed (2)
Defense: 184 to 215
Required Level: 34
Required Strength: 96
Item Level: 51
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+16% to Spell Damage
+15 Maximum Stamina
(15 to 20)% Gold Find
(15 to 20)% Magic Find
Requirements -45%
Socketed (3)
Defense: 258 to 296
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 140
Item Level: 77
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+20% to Spell Damage
+20 Maximum Stamina
(25 to 30)% Gold Find
(25 to 30)% Magic Find
Requirements -60%
Socketed (4)
For Off-hand,
Thunderhead
Thunderhead
Heraldic Shield (4)
Defense: (172 - 199) to (385 - 438)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 5
Required Strength: 25
Item Level: 1
(11 to 20)% Block Speed
+(21 to 30)% Damage to Vessel of Justice
+(21 to 30)% Damage to Vessel of Retribution
+(31 to 60)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 150) Defense
+(51 to 150) Defense vs. Melee
Lightning Resist +25%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (592 - 662) to (992 - 1117)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 50
Item Level: 31
(21 to 30)% Block Speed
+(31 to 40)% Damage to Vessel of Justice
+(31 to 40)% Damage to Vessel of Retribution
+(61 to 90)% Enhanced Defense
+(201 to 300) Defense
+(201 to 300) Defense vs. Melee
Lightning Resist +50%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1309 - 1455) to (2096 - 2346)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 40
Required Strength: 175
Item Level: 51
(31 to 40)% Block Speed
+(41 to 50)% Damage to Vessel of Justice
+(41 to 50)% Damage to Vessel of Retribution
+(91 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(351 to 450) Defense
+(351 to 450) Defense vs. Melee
Lightning Resist +75%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (2012 - 2211) to (3183 - 3522)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 350
Item Level: 77
(41 to 50)% Block Speed
+(51 to 60)% Damage to Vessel of Justice
+(51 to 60)% Damage to Vessel of Retribution
+(121 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+(501 to 600) Defense
+(501 to 600) Defense vs. Melee
Lightning Resist +100%
Socketed (4)
. Best option due to Vessel Damage. (Unrelated note: There are at least 10 non-runeword items that include a variation of Thunder in their name.)
Necklace:
Angel Heart
Angel Heart
Amulet
Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
(5 to 10)% to Strength
(5 to 10)% to Dexterity
(15 to 25)% Bonus to Defense
+(3 to 5) to Light Radius
for Rings: x2 Ring of Regha (Drops from a chest at the end of Maggot Cave I think, or at least both did for me. Adds 3-5 damage, 5% spell damage, seemingly adds between 5~10 Str and Dex, and 10% Elemental Resists. Has no required level. Perhaps decent with mystic orbs?). I didn't have arcane crystals to spare by then, but they could be swapped by x2 Empyrean Band or Ring of Truth.
I have some questions about the class tho:
- Would a summon focused gameplay be viable? Scourges and Hoplites seem interesting, but they don't get any %dmg/hp at all due to not having holy or unholy skills, have no poison damage from Plague, and Blessed Life appears way too late into the game; though in exchange they have a crapton of max skill level due to Life and Death/Solstice and Equinox.
- From the Sacred Uniques Weapons, would it be better to pick Bone Scalpel (4~5 all skills, 30~60% vessel damage, summon life/res, up to 1500 Dex [10 dex per level]),
Adjudicator
Adjudicator
Goedendag (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: 53 to 54
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 574
Item Level: 120
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.14 per Strength)%
Holy: Holy Fire Deals 4.5% of Strength as More Total Damage (max 250%)
Unholy: Blood Thorns: +40% Damage Multiplier
Nephalem: +25% Total Vessel Damage Bonus from Passives
+1 to Paladin Skill Levels
+50% Damage to Undead
Adds 175-325 Fire Damage
Adds 1-600 Lightning Damage
Adds 200-250 Cold Damage
+800 Poison Damage over 1 seconds
-(15 to 25)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
Socketed (3)
(Vessel Dmg Bonus from Passive is doublet), or
The Angiris Star
The Angiris Star
Angel Star (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: 55 to 58
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 602
Item Level: 120
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.14 per Strength)%
Vessel of Retribution: 0.7% Damage Leeched as Life
3% Chance to cast level 40 Death Ripple on Death Blow
+(4 to 6) to Paladin Skill Levels
20% Movement Speed
+50% Damage to Undead
+30% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
-50% to Fire Spell Damage
-50% to Lightning Spell Damage
-50% to Cold Spell Damage
-50% to Poison Spell Damage
(5 to 20)% to Vitality
(5 to 20)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Socketed (3)
?
- Would it be better to invest more Energy or on Energy Factor to Spell Damage, since Demiurge is what provides most of the paladin's stats? (Or both, if possible.)
