Melee Sorceress [1.3]

User avatar
Solfege
Harpylisk
1461 | 209
Common Posting Badge
Posted over 1.000 messages
Legendary Popularity Badge
Has a thread with over 250.000 views
Great Love Badge
Earned over 100 cookies
Common Guide Badge
Created a complete character guide
Skeptic_Zero wrote:Sorry, what is AotOR? And what build changes would you suggest if one were to go with Starhawk?

One more itemization question - how about using
The Chained Mail
paired with
Baron Sludge's Bonecrusher
to go fully into the life on attack mod? I know Chained mail isn't considered best in slot, but the slow, dex, and DR is nice and most importantly the life on attack on these two items seems to pair well with Baneblade. You could probably jack it up as high as 700 life per hit overall. Is this viable or would it reduce damage too much?


AotOR = Armor of the Old Religion. If you went Elemental, I think the only build changes you'd really need would be gear. I can do some testing after work if you're really interested in an Elemental build, but here's a pretty standard Elemental gear setup:

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:
(45.0% 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
-(25 to 35)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
10% Chance to Avoid Damage
Socketed (6)

Armor of the Old Religion
Armor of the Old Religion
Ceremonial Armor (Sacred)

Defense: (8437 - 9306) to (10452 - 11529)
(Sorceress Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 722
Item Level: 105
+(4 to 5) to Sorceress Skill Levels
+200 Spell Focus
50% Hit Recovery
+(35 to 50)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(35 to 50)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(35 to 50)% to Cold Spell Damage
+(9 to 12) to Sacrifices
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
Elemental Resists +25%
10% Chance to Avoid Damage
+(101 to 150) Life after each Kill
Socketed (6)

Stormflyer
Stormflyer
Kite Shield (Sacred)

Defense: (4190 - 4737) to (4889 - 5527)
Chance to Block: 1% + Class%
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Required Dexterity: 559
Item Level: 120
25% Chance to cast level 60 Forked Lightning on Melee Attack
1% Base Block Chance
+(30 to 40)% to Lightning Spell Damage
-(15 to 20)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(130 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
(11 to 15)% to Dexterity
(31 to 40)% to Energy
Lightning Absorb 5%
25% Weapon Damage Taken Restores Mana
Socketed (4)

Metalhead
Metalhead
Great Helm (Sacred)

Defense: 2420 to 3551
Required Level: 100
Required Strength:
1250
Item Level: 105
3% Chance to cast level 10 Stormblast on Melee Attack
3% Chance to cast level 10 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
+(1000 to 2000) Defense
+2 Life on Striking
25% Bonus to Defense
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
-5 to Light Radius
Requirements +100%
Socketed (4)

Nero

Blind Anger
Blind Anger
Light Gauntlets (Sacred)

Defense: (1179 - 1447) to (1342 - 1647)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 105
8% Chance to cast level 13 Crucify on Melee Attack
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
(1 to 5)% Chance of Crushing Blow
Blinds Attacker +3
+(120 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
(11 to 15)% to All Attributes
Socketed (4)

Epicenter (Xis)

Beads of the Snake Queen
Beads of the Snake Queen
Amulet

Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
4% Chance to cast level 33 Scorpion Blade on Kill
Adds 5-10 Damage
Stun Attack
+(200 to 500) Defense
(20 to 25)% to Strength
(20 to 25)% to Dexterity
+100 Life after each Kill

Empyrean Band
Empyrean Band
Ring

Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
1% Chance to cast level 18 Singularity on Kill
(3 to 5)% to All Attributes
Maximum Life +3%
Maximum Mana +10%
(5 to 15)% Gold Find


Chained Mail+Baron Sluge is geared more toward survivability than killspeed, but it does work (I used those gloves quite a bit in the past). If you go with that combo, it'll be important for you to hit the 5 fpa IAS Breakpoint, and at least the 5 fpa FHR BP. Since you'll be using LoA as a defensive mod, you'll want to make sure you can keep attacking.

Also, not sure why your post was downvoted. Gave you a cookie to balance it out.
User avatar
Skeptic_Zero
Abomination
147 | 2
Great Popularity Badge
Has a thread with over 50.000 views
Legendary Supporter Badge
Donated 25 times
Common Guide Badge
Created a complete character guide
Solfege wrote:
AotOR = Armor of the Old Religion. If you went Elemental, I think the only build changes you'd really need would be gear. I can do some testing after work if you're really interested in an Elemental build, but here's a pretty standard Elemental gear setup:

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:
(45.0% 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
-(25 to 35)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
10% Chance to Avoid Damage
Socketed (6)

Armor of the Old Religion
Armor of the Old Religion
Ceremonial Armor (Sacred)

Defense: (8437 - 9306) to (10452 - 11529)
(Sorceress Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 722
Item Level: 105
+(4 to 5) to Sorceress Skill Levels
+200 Spell Focus
50% Hit Recovery
+(35 to 50)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(35 to 50)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(35 to 50)% to Cold Spell Damage
+(9 to 12) to Sacrifices
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
Elemental Resists +25%
10% Chance to Avoid Damage
+(101 to 150) Life after each Kill
Socketed (6)

Stormflyer
Stormflyer
Kite Shield (Sacred)

Defense: (4190 - 4737) to (4889 - 5527)
Chance to Block: 1% + Class%
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Required Dexterity: 559
Item Level: 120
25% Chance to cast level 60 Forked Lightning on Melee Attack
1% Base Block Chance
+(30 to 40)% to Lightning Spell Damage
-(15 to 20)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(130 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
(11 to 15)% to Dexterity
(31 to 40)% to Energy
Lightning Absorb 5%
25% Weapon Damage Taken Restores Mana
Socketed (4)

Metalhead
Metalhead
Great Helm (Sacred)

Defense: 2420 to 3551
Required Level: 100
Required Strength:
1250
Item Level: 105
3% Chance to cast level 10 Stormblast on Melee Attack
3% Chance to cast level 10 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
+(1000 to 2000) Defense
+2 Life on Striking
25% Bonus to Defense
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
-5 to Light Radius
Requirements +100%
Socketed (4)

Nero

Blind Anger
Blind Anger
Light Gauntlets (Sacred)

Defense: (1179 - 1447) to (1342 - 1647)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 105
8% Chance to cast level 13 Crucify on Melee Attack
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
(1 to 5)% Chance of Crushing Blow
Blinds Attacker +3
+(120 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
(11 to 15)% to All Attributes
Socketed (4)

Epicenter (Xis)

Beads of the Snake Queen
Beads of the Snake Queen
Amulet

Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
4% Chance to cast level 33 Scorpion Blade on Kill
Adds 5-10 Damage
Stun Attack
+(200 to 500) Defense
(20 to 25)% to Strength
(20 to 25)% to Dexterity
+100 Life after each Kill

Empyrean Band
Empyrean Band
Ring

Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
1% Chance to cast level 18 Singularity on Kill
(3 to 5)% to All Attributes
Maximum Life +3%
Maximum Mana +10%
(5 to 15)% Gold Find


Chained Mail+Baron Sluge is geared more toward survivability than killspeed, but it does work (I used those gloves quite a bit in the past). If you go with that combo, it'll be important for you to hit the 5 fpa IAS Breakpoint, and at least the 5 fpa FHR BP. Since you'll be using LoA as a defensive mod, you'll want to make sure you can keep attacking.

Also, not sure why your post was downvoted. Gave you a cookie to balance it out.


Gracias :)

I'm curious, with stormflyer's damage redirection towards mana, is this build more survivable than a traditional setup? And is the damage comparable?
blyts
Stone Warrior
34 | 0
Are either of these craft leather gloves worth replacing my honorific?

1: lvl 78 -- 476def -- stormblast, 25%IAS, 105% AR, 6%dex, 6 dex, 143 life, 89 mana
2: lvl90 -- 1414 def -- stormblast, 24% AR, 10% spell damage, 196% ED, 6%dex, 4 dex, 35 vit


Thank-you!
User avatar
Solfege
Harpylisk
1461 | 209
Common Posting Badge
Posted over 1.000 messages
Legendary Popularity Badge
Has a thread with over 250.000 views
Great Love Badge
Earned over 100 cookies
Common Guide Badge
Created a complete character guide
Septic_Zero wrote:I'm curious, with stormflyer's damage redirection towards mana, is this build more survivable than a traditional setup? And is the damage comparable?


Damage to Mana isn't actually redirecting damage. It's just giving you Mana based on how much damage you take. For example, if a monster hits you for 100 points of damage, you'll still take the full 100 damage (i.e. you'll lose 100 Life), but you'll gain some of that back as Mana.

An Elemental build is the traditional setup. It's only recently that a Phys/Magic build was really worth using. I prefer Phys/Magic b/c monsters have lower resistances to Phys/Magic and fewer monsters are immune to those two damage types. That said, I haven't really played Elemental in a while, so I'd have to try it out again to give a better answer.

It sounds like survivability is a big concern for you right now. Have you tried going back to the older Lightning/Cold build for now? It's a little easier to handle b/c its higher Armor Class Defense and Warp Armor's Avoid let you play more slowly so you can take more time to assess situations.

blyts wrote:Are either of these craft leather gloves worth replacing my honorific?

1: lvl 78 -- 476def -- stormblast, 25%IAS, 105% AR, 6%dex, 6 dex, 143 life, 89 mana
2: lvl90 -- 1414 def -- stormblast, 24% AR, 10% spell damage, 196% ED, 6%dex, 4 dex, 35 vit

Thank-you!


#1 looks good: IAS, more AR, flat Life/Mana, and a low lvl req for more MOs. If your res is fine without your Honorific, and you have enough STR to wear Sacred gloves without having to divert too many points from DEX, I'd say go for it.
User avatar
Skeptic_Zero
Abomination
147 | 2
Great Popularity Badge
Has a thread with over 50.000 views
Legendary Supporter Badge
Donated 25 times
Common Guide Badge
Created a complete character guide
Solfege wrote:
Damage to Mana isn't actually redirecting damage. It's just giving you Mana based on how much damage you take. For example, if a monster hits you for 100 points of damage, you'll still take the full 100 damage (i.e. you'll lose 100 Life), but you'll gain some of that back as Mana.


Gotcha. Never used that shield before so that's helpful, thanks.

An Elemental build is the traditional setup. It's only recently that a Phys/Magic build was really worth using. I prefer Phys/Magic b/c monsters have lower resistances to Phys/Magic and fewer monsters are immune to those two damage types. That said, I haven't really played Elemental in a while, so I'd have to try it out again to give a better answer.


I've played a few other melees that were physical dmg dealers so I think I'd probably use the phys/magic build, I was just curious because Starhawk seems like a cool weapon.

It sounds like survivability is a big concern for you right now. Have you tried going back to the older Lightning/Cold build for now? It's a little easier to handle b/c its higher Armor Class Defense and Warp Armor's Avoid let you play more slowly so you can take more time to assess situations.


I'm mainly concerned about it because I played melee necro last season and - maybe I played it wrong, so who knows - but I remember getting gibbed far too often, especially when I reached some of the more difficult uberlevels and uber bosses. I'll try your fire/poison build (especially since vengeful power seems like a really efficient 5 pt investment) but I might try lightning/cold later if I'm having problems.
blyts
Stone Warrior
34 | 0
solfege wrote:
blyts wrote:Are either of these craft leather gloves worth replacing my honorific?

1: lvl 78 -- 476def -- stormblast, 25%IAS, 105% AR, 6%dex, 6 dex, 143 life, 89 mana
2: lvl90 -- 1414 def -- stormblast, 24% AR, 10% spell damage, 196% ED, 6%dex, 4 dex, 35 vit

Thank-you!


#1 looks good: IAS, more AR, flat Life/Mana, and a low lvl req for more MOs. If your res is fine without your Honorific, and you have enough STR to wear Sacred gloves without having to divert too many points from DEX, I'd say go for it.


Word. Thank-you!
Gfresh
Jungle Hunter
26 | 2
How do you feel about Grizzly vs Starhawk? it seems like the old grizzly had added dmg up to 1000, whereas the new one only adds around 250. I don't know how to post links to the item types. Sorry.
User avatar
Solfege
Harpylisk
1461 | 209
Common Posting Badge
Posted over 1.000 messages
Legendary Popularity Badge
Has a thread with over 250.000 views
Great Love Badge
Earned over 100 cookies
Common Guide Badge
Created a complete character guide
Gfresh wrote:How do you feel about Grizzly vs Starhawk? it seems like the old grizzly had added dmg up to 1000, whereas the new one only adds around 250. I don't know how to post links to the item types. Sorry.


I've never found Grizzly and I've only seen a pic of it once a long time ago, so I can't really say anything concrete about how it performs. But don't worry about old Grizzly damage vs. new Grizzly damage. That's just a result of the across-the-board reduction in damage numbers. You shouldn't notice a difference in how the weapon feels when actually using it.

If you wanna post a pic of it, just take a screenshot and click the "Upload an Image" icon in the Quick Reply box.
User avatar
robinro
Azure Drake
162 | 4
Common Supporter Badge
Donated 1 time
Gfresh wrote: I don't know how to post links to the item types. Sorry.


if you mean like this
The Grizzly

just click the little sword icon (next to the box that says "normal") and type in the itemname
Gfresh
Jungle Hunter
26 | 2
robinro wrote:
Gfresh wrote: I don't know how to post links to the item types. Sorry.


if you mean like this
The Grizzly

just click the little sword icon (next to the box that says "normal") and type in the itemname


This is the weapon! I was able to socket it with 6 jewels. ( I wasn't sure if the cube recipie would work with a unique, as there isn't any documentation for it)

THE GRIZZLY IS INCREDIBLY EASY TO ATTAIN NOW!!!
Try to keep this quiet as long as possible, as its going to make the prices go up, but all you need to do is cube maltheals set together, and out pops
The Grizzly
! I'm still messing about with it, but it *seems* that it clears mobs faster than starhawk, but starhawk *may* be faster at dropping down boss hp.

Also, instead of
Empyrean Band
Empyrean Band
Ring

Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
1% Chance to cast level 18 Singularity on Kill
(3 to 5)% to All Attributes
Maximum Life +3%
Maximum Mana +10%
(5 to 15)% Gold Find
, a good upgrade is
Empyrean Glory
Empyrean Glory
Ring

Required Level: 50
Item Level: 120
1% Chance to cast level 40 Singularity on Kill
(6 to 10)% to All Attributes
Maximum Life +5%
Maximum Mana +15%
15% Gold Find
. thoughts?

*edit* the stats of secret items is blocked... thats stupid. Here is grizz http://median-xl.wikia.com/wiki/The_Grizzly

Here is Empyrean Glory http://median-xl.wikia.com/wiki/Empyrean_Glory - basically double the stats of a normal exp ring.

Thoughts? Thanks!