Solfege wrote:...
Regarding the mid game, an Honorific Warp Blade blessed with Intimidation seems a better option than
Shaula
Shaula
Sorceress Crystal Swords
'BerMalLum'
Runeword Level: 78
+(1 to 2) to Sorceress Skill Levels
40% Attack Speed
Adds (30 to 40)-(60 to 70) Damage
+(141 to 171)% Enhanced Damage
Slow Target (5 to 10)%
3% to All Attributes
+(3 to 5)% to Experience Gained
. You have to use Perfect Skulls for the sockets but you get more deadly strike and everything else you would want on a weapon. And you don't have to worry about finding the stupid runes.
As far as items to go with the full set, the 2 piece
Water
Water
Leather Gloves (Sacred)
Defense: (940 - 1175) to (954 - 1192)
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 335
Item Level: 1
+(100 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
(11 to 15)% to Strength
(11 to 15)% to Dexterity
Fire Resist +(31 to 50)%
(13 to 19)% Gold Find
Requirements -33%
Socketed (4)
Pantheon
(Amazon Bow Set)
and
Frost
Frost
Boots (Sacred)
Defense: (1302 - 1627) to (1342 - 1677)
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 335
Item Level: 1
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
30% Hit Recovery
+(100 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
(11 to 15)% to Strength
(11 to 15)% to Dexterity
Cold Resist +(31 to 50)%
(11 to 13)% Magic Find
Requirements -33%
Socketed (4)
Pantheon
(Amazon Bow Set)
combo is a very good option since it fills the holes left in resistance and combat speed by the set.
Serpent's Coil
Serpent's Coil
Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (2374 - 2967) to (2520 - 3150)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 345
Item Level: 1
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
15% Attack Speed
30% Hit Recovery
+(100 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
(11 to 15)% to Dexterity
Requirements -40%
Socketed (2)
The Snake Pit
(Assassin Naginata Set)
is another good option.
End game physical is slow and I've been meaning to do a write up on that for some time as well.
The build just lacks a clear identity. It's good at surviving, but there is a limited amount of things you can do in return. Right now it feels like an amalgamation of various knock offs of other characters.
If you want the build to be the Swiss army knife of melee characters then the player needs to be given the reins to do so. However, all skills of this build take control away from the player:
Bladestorm is unreliable at best as a crowd clearing attack. It takes its sweet time selecting its targets and by the time it locks on to something any other decent skill would have taken out the pack already.
Fusillade is still massively susceptible to being body blocked by secondary targets.
Still don't know why Fatal Focus is there since you will be doing yourself a disservice outside of a handful of fights.
Not to mention we are still locked into using Crystal Swords / Warp Blades. The new changes to staff will be addressed later.
On top of that the itemization is lacking. The set is decent, though it should still be updated with the new skills.
Steel Punisher
Steel Punisher
Warp Blade (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (172 - 187) to (332 - 358)
(Sorceress Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 400
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Area Effect Attack
Spiral Dance: +300% Bonus Magic Damage
15% Chance to cast level 25 ATMG Sentry on Melee Attack
+(1 to 2) to Sorceress Skill Levels
Adds 40-100 Damage
(15 to 20)% Life stolen per Hit
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
10% Deadly Strike
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (6)
doesn't have the damage for a supposed bossing weapon and a 120 unique. Compared to other class specific uniques, most of them give more than 200 max damage.
Mirage
Mirage
Sorceress Crystal Swords
'ElqOhnVezLozGurXod'
Runeword Level: 120
+95 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%
is massively expensive for basically a well rolled crafted sword. It frees up some space with the combat speeds it provides. Yet there is no good place to use the extra budget. I guess you can use more UMO, but that is once again expensive. The added magic damage is fancy I guess.
Fatal Focus I still don't understand why it's there. It takes block chance away from a Dexterity character with the expectation that this drawback be neutralized with the constant deployment of Fusillade or a speicla weapon. All of that in exchange for extra damage. With all that hassle you are better off playing an assassin. I guess the new changes to staves and
Ribcracker
Ribcracker
Battle Staff (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (314 - 333) to (478 - 498)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 1404
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
Mega Impact
50% Attack Speed
50% Hit Recovery
Adds 150-300 Damage
+50% Damage to Undead
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
50% Chance of Crushing Blow
Physical Resist (8 to 15)%
100% Bonus to Defense
Requirements +500%
Socketed (4)
is supposed to help with that? However the base damage of staves are simply way too low.
For context, a two handed War Staff does 63-69 damage, compared to 79-81 damage of Great Sword and 83-101 damage of Giant Axe. Not to mention our own Warp Blade already does 49-86 damage, attacks 1 frame faster, and can roll up to +250 max damage when crafting. The dexterity bonus of staves is moot since that part of the damage equation is taken care of by Mooncall and Baneblade already.
My proposed changes, assuming skills don't get reworked, would be
Massively increase the projectile speed of Bladestorm. That way even if it takes some time to acquire a target, it will still land quickly.
Knives from Fusillade pierces enemies. So stray enemies can no longer body block damage that was meant for the boss after its 10th teleport when struck.
Mooncall just make it 25 / 30 seconds base line. You will want to max it anyway. Having its duration be tied to base level while having to cast it is just annoying
If skill reworks are on the table, then replace Fusillade with an improved version of Jab / Zeal from clod. If you want a character that relies on specific damage windows there is assassin. A jab type attack emphasizes the build's maneuverability and rewards player's ability to position correctly on the battlefield. Each hit grants Premonition for up to y seconds. You can also say it ties to sorceress' focus on using simple tools masterfully rather cumbersome weapons.
The set should get looked at as well
Cauldron
Cauldron
Large Shield (Sacred)
Defense: (3474 - 4342) to (3904 - 4880)
Chance to Block: 1% + Class%
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 420
Required Dexterity: 423
Item Level: 1
+150% Bonus to Miasma Haunt Duration
10% Chance to cast level 25 Spike Nova when Attacked
+1 to Sorceress Skill Levels
1% Base Block Chance
35% Block Speed
+(100 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
Requirements -20%
Socketed (4)
The Mysteries
(Sorceress Melee Set)
► Show Spoiler
+ Mooncall duration or Premonition lasts x seconds more after Fusillade runs out(if possible)
No longer gives Miasma bonus since you can't use Miasma with Melee Devotion
The Mysteries
The Mysteries
(Sorceress Melee Set)
Cauldron
Pentacle
Sacred Circle
Witchblade
Set Bonus with 2 or more set items:
+2 to Sorceress Skill Levels
+50 to Dexterity
Set Bonus with 3 or more set items:
+21 to Spiral Dance
Physical Resist 10%
Set Bonus with complete set:
+100 Damage
+4 to Ward of Fate
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
Enhanced Weapon Damage +100%
+4000 Defense
5% Chance to Avoid Damage
► Show Spoiler
Full set gives 10% Deadly Strike instead of Crushing Blow. A holdover from when Crushing Blow worked on all monsters. Since it doesn't work on bosses anymore, Deadly Strike is more appropriate.
Full set also gives +2 Max resist since we would have swapped out
Topspin

Topspin
Skull Cap (4)
Defense: (76 - 83) to (115 - 125)
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 28
Item Level: 4
5% Attack Speed
+(31 to 50)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 50) Defense
(3 to 5)% to Dexterity
(3 to 5)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
10% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (1)
Defense: (277 - 301) to (365 - 397)
Required Level: 20
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 23
15% Attack Speed
+(61 to 80)% Enhanced Defense
+(71 to 100) Defense
(6 to 8)% to Dexterity
(6 to 8)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
20% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (3)
Defense: (704 - 760) to (876 - 943)
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 192
Item Level: 43
25% Attack Speed
+(91 to 110)% Enhanced Defense
+(151 to 200) Defense
(9 to 11)% to Dexterity
(9 to 11)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
30% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1182 - 1258) to (1471 - 1564)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 384
Item Level: 78
30% Attack Speed
+(121 to 140)% Enhanced Defense
+(301 to 400) Defense
(12 to 14)% to Dexterity
(12 to 14)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
40% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)
for the Coronet.
As for SUs
Starhawk
Starhawk
Warp Blade (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: 49 to 86
(Sorceress Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 400
Item Level: 105
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Innate Tri-Elemental Damage: (40.0% of Dexterity)
Area Effect Attack
25% Chance to cast level 50 Magic Missiles on Melee Attack
+(3 to 5) to Sorceress Skill Levels
50% Attack Speed
Adds 400-500 Magic Damage
Adds 400-500 Fire Damage
Adds 400-500 Lightning Damage
Adds 400-500 Cold Damage
-(25 to 35)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
10% Chance to Avoid Damage
Socketed (6)
is now a Crystal Sword, inherits all properties including AoE.
New 120 Warp Blade that focuses on flat physical damage, similar to a
Frysturgard
Frysturgard
Naginata (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (374 - 403) to (526 - 560)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 558
Item Level: 105
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
Area Effect Attack
15% Chance to cast level 12 Fortress on Melee Attack
5% Chance to cast level 18 Glacial Nova on Kill
+(5 to 7) to Assassin Skill Levels
Adds 100-200 Damage
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
Enhanced Weapon Damage +90%
(21 to 25)% to Strength
(21 to 25)% to Dexterity
Socketed (6)
or
Reaper's Hand
Reaper's Hand
Bonesplitter (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (238 - 336) to (373 - 502)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 512
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
Mega Impact
15% Chance to cast level 1 Raid on Melee Attack
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.0390625%
Adds (50 to 90)-(180 to 250) Damage
(50 to 150)% Bonus to Attack Rating
(5 to 10)% Life stolen per Hit
+(130 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
Freezes Target +1
Socketed (6)
Steel Punisher
Steel Punisher
Warp Blade (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (172 - 187) to (332 - 358)
(Sorceress Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 400
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Area Effect Attack
Spiral Dance: +300% Bonus Magic Damage
15% Chance to cast level 25 ATMG Sentry on Melee Attack
+(1 to 2) to Sorceress Skill Levels
Adds 40-100 Damage
(15 to 20)% Life stolen per Hit
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
10% Deadly Strike
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (6)
is now 105