Gotta add my piece as well
First off, I believe Batstrike should be properly mentionned. I understand that some don't like it, but it's a very, very strong thing to use. (and to me all the fun of the build, I never liked claw before 2.1 and batstrike rework) The nova help clear better, the summons give more suvivability, as they will survive very well up to 125 ubers without any investement (and for 125 they just need some minion res and life), while doing decent damage. And of course, Vamp strike will clear boss way, way faster than just using Noctule. Dare I say about 2-3 times faster.
I also did a baal kill but with less gear so you can compare. (though I have very good charms)
The nova actually is very easy to use, as it's a 1 second cd skill, the char stop attacking for a bit after using it, so the idea is to use the nova before moving if possible. My prefered way to use it is by dropping a few noctules to start leeching, and when I'm about to move to the next target, drop a batstrike. It can be pretty smooth.
But anyway, using batstrike, 2 of your clawsin "cons", Teleporting bosses and lack of aoe, are corrected. With the summons, it's very easy to stay safe from attacks as well, so the lifepool problem is about covered. They don't get to show off much againt baal because they are feared but the idea is there.
Astrogha is way better done with vamp strike than charged stikes as well. The nova is good and will do well, though it'll lag a bit from fauzt onward.
Secondly, playing with a physical claw works perfectly fine. For leveling, both
Arihan's End

Arihan's End
Blade Talons (4)
One-Hand Damage: (11 - 12) to (28 - 34)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 11
Required Dexterity: 84
Item Level: 19
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
5% Chance to cast level 4 Crucify on Melee Attack
5% Attack Speed
+(16 to 20) to Maximum Damage
+(61 to 90)% Damage to Demons
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Damage
+(71 to 100) to Life
Fire Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: (26 - 29) to (57 - 70)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 29
Required Dexterity: 120
Item Level: 36
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
10% Chance to cast level 14 Crucify on Melee Attack
15% Attack Speed
+(26 to 35) to Maximum Damage
+(121 to 150)% Damage to Demons
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Damage
+(121 to 150) to Life
Fire Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (55 - 60) to (108 - 123)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 49
Required Dexterity: 232
Item Level: 59
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
15% Chance to cast level 24 Crucify on Melee Attack
25% Attack Speed
+(41 to 50) to Maximum Damage
+(181 to 210)% Damage to Demons
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Damage
+(181 to 225) to Life
Fire Resist +(41 to 45)%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (71 - 76) to (136 - 152)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 57
Required Dexterity: 456
Item Level: 85
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
20% Chance to cast level 29 Crucify on Melee Attack
30% Attack Speed
+(51 to 60) to Maximum Damage
+(211 to 240)% Damage to Demons
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Damage
+(251 to 300) to Life
Fire Resist +(46 to 50)%
Socketed (3)
and
Spellgrip

Spellgrip
Wrist Blade (4)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 2
Required Dexterity: 20
Item Level: 1
Innate Lightning Damage: (10.0% of Dexterity)
5% Chance to cast level 10 Hunting Banshee on Melee Attack
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
5% Attack Speed
5% Cast Speed
Adds 5-6 Lightning Damage
-2% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-2% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-2% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+(11 to 15) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(3 to 5)%
Socketed (1)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 20
Required Dexterity: 39
Item Level: 31
Innate Lightning Damage: (15.0% of Dexterity)
10% Chance to cast level 18 Hunting Banshee on Melee Attack
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
15% Attack Speed
15% Cast Speed
Adds 14-20 Lightning Damage
-4% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-4% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-4% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+(21 to 25) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(9 to 11)%
Socketed (2)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 39
Required Dexterity: 83
Item Level: 51
Innate Lightning Damage: (20.0% of Dexterity)
15% Chance to cast level 26 Hunting Banshee on Melee Attack
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
25% Attack Speed
25% Cast Speed
Adds 40-60 Lightning Damage
-8% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-8% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-8% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+(31 to 35) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(15 to 17)%
Socketed (2)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 48
Required Dexterity: 169
Item Level: 77
Innate Lightning Damage: (25.0% of Dexterity)
20% Chance to cast level 38 Hunting Banshee on Melee Attack
+4 to Assassin Skill Levels
30% Attack Speed
30% Cast Speed
Adds 120-160 Lightning Damage
-12% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-12% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-12% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+(36 to 40) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(18 to 20)%
Socketed (3)
are about as good, but I tend to prefer Arihan for some more leech. If anyone's wondering a good TU start up, my favorite is
Arihan's End

Arihan's End
Blade Talons (4)
One-Hand Damage: (11 - 12) to (28 - 34)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 11
Required Dexterity: 84
Item Level: 19
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
5% Chance to cast level 4 Crucify on Melee Attack
5% Attack Speed
+(16 to 20) to Maximum Damage
+(61 to 90)% Damage to Demons
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Damage
+(71 to 100) to Life
Fire Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: (26 - 29) to (57 - 70)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 29
Required Dexterity: 120
Item Level: 36
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
10% Chance to cast level 14 Crucify on Melee Attack
15% Attack Speed
+(26 to 35) to Maximum Damage
+(121 to 150)% Damage to Demons
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Damage
+(121 to 150) to Life
Fire Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (55 - 60) to (108 - 123)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 49
Required Dexterity: 232
Item Level: 59
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
15% Chance to cast level 24 Crucify on Melee Attack
25% Attack Speed
+(41 to 50) to Maximum Damage
+(181 to 210)% Damage to Demons
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Damage
+(181 to 225) to Life
Fire Resist +(41 to 45)%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (71 - 76) to (136 - 152)
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 57
Required Dexterity: 456
Item Level: 85
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
20% Chance to cast level 29 Crucify on Melee Attack
30% Attack Speed
+(51 to 60) to Maximum Damage
+(211 to 240)% Damage to Demons
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Damage
+(251 to 300) to Life
Fire Resist +(46 to 50)%
Socketed (3)
+
Astrogha's Eye

Astrogha's Eye
Parma (4)
Defense: (78 - 90) to (151 - 174)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 5
Required Strength: 27
Required Dexterity: 45
Item Level: 10
Adds 5-10 Damage
+(61 to 90)% Damage to Demons
+(61 to 90)% Damage to Undead
+(31 to 50)% Enhanced Defense
+(3 to 5) Life on Melee Attack
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (1)
Defense: (294 - 344) to (495 - 580)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 53
Required Dexterity: 67
Item Level: 31
Adds 10-15 Damage
+(91 to 120)% Damage to Demons
+(91 to 120)% Damage to Undead
+(71 to 100)% Enhanced Defense
+(9 to 11) Life on Melee Attack
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (3)
Defense: (795 - 864) to (1297 - 1408)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 40
Required Strength: 184
Required Dexterity: 139
Item Level: 51
Adds 15-20 Damage
+(121 to 150)% Damage to Demons
+(121 to 150)% Damage to Undead
+(121 to 140)% Enhanced Defense
+(15 to 17) Life on Melee Attack
6% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1281 - 1473) to (2090 - 2403)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 368
Required Dexterity: 288
Item Level: 77
Adds 20-25 Damage
+(151 to 180)% Damage to Demons
+(151 to 180)% Damage to Undead
+(161 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+(18 to 20) Life on Melee Attack
8% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)
(
Black Sheep Wall

Black Sheep Wall
Totem Shield (4)
Defense: (47 - 51) to (91 - 100)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 6
Required Dexterity: 44
Item Level: 10
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
+(4 to 5) to Maximum Damage
Adds 6-8 Magic Damage
2% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(12 to 23)% Enhanced Defense
4% to Dexterity
+2 to Light Radius
Socketed (1)
Defense: (175 - 189) to (290 - 313)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 24
Required Dexterity: 65
Item Level: 31
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+(7 to 9) to Maximum Damage
Adds 18-23 Magic Damage
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(35 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
8% to Dexterity
+4 to Light Radius
Socketed (4)
Defense: (442 - 473) to (701 - 750)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 41
Required Dexterity: 137
Item Level: 51
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
+(15 to 18) to Maximum Damage
Adds 61-68 Magic Damage
6% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(58 to 69)% Enhanced Defense
12% to Dexterity
+7 to Light Radius
Socketed (5)
Defense: (650 - 693) to (1025 - 1092)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 50
Required Dexterity: 282
Item Level: 77
+4 to Assassin Skill Levels
+(31 to 36) to Maximum Damage
Adds 150-200 Magic Damage
7% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(69 to 80)% Enhanced Defense
16% to Dexterity
+10 to Light Radius
Socketed (6)
works as well if you don't wanna bother getting str) +
Haareis

Haareis
Diadem (4)
Defense: 36 to 80
Required Level: 10
Required Dexterity: 28
Item Level: 1
1% Chance to cast level 1 Shackles of Ice on Melee Attack
Adds 5-7 Cold Damage
(2 to 4)% Life stolen per Hit
(4 to 6)% to Strength
(4 to 6)% to Dexterity
(4 to 6)% to Vitality
Cold Resist +(16 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: 103 to 194
Required Level: 28
Required Dexterity: 57
Item Level: 31
2% Chance to cast level 5 Shackles of Ice on Melee Attack
Adds 18-20 Cold Damage
(8 to 10)% Life stolen per Hit
(7 to 9)% to Strength
(7 to 9)% to Dexterity
(7 to 9)% to Vitality
Cold Resist +(36 to 45)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: 215 to 386
Required Level: 46
Required Dexterity: 137
Item Level: 51
3% Chance to cast level 9 Shackles of Ice on Melee Attack
Adds 55-65 Cold Damage
(14 to 16)% Life stolen per Hit
(10 to 12)% to Strength
(10 to 12)% to Dexterity
(10 to 12)% to Vitality
Cold Resist +(56 to 65)%
Socketed (3)
Defense: 296 to 523
Required Level: 54
Required Dexterity: 294
Item Level: 77
4% Chance to cast level 11 Shackles of Ice on Melee Attack
Adds 175-190 Cold Damage
(17 to 19)% Life stolen per Hit
(13 to 15)% to Strength
(13 to 15)% to Dexterity
(13 to 15)% to Vitality
Cold Resist +(66 to 75)%
Socketed (4)
+ Akara's Robe/
Victory
Victory
(Median XL - 6 years)
Body Armors
'SolAmn'
Runeword Level: 33
4% Chance to cast level 11 Fortress on Melee Attack
50% Bonus to Attack Rating
Weapon Physical Damage +(10 to 15)%
+(15 to 25) to all Attributes
+(50 to 100) to Mana
Poison Resist +25%
(16 to 25)% Magic Find
+2 to Light Radius
->
Dragonheart
Dragonheart
Body Armors
'OhmThulFal'
Runeword Level: 70
+2 to All Skills
30% Attack Speed
30% Cast Speed
30% Block Speed
45% Hit Recovery
+1.625% Enhanced Defense (Based on Character Level)
5% to Dexterity
+(550 to 650) to Life
Cold Resist +25%
/
Queen of Glass

Queen of Glass
Ancient Armor (4)
Defense: (315 - 344) to (630 - 688)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 33 to 34
Item Level: 29
15% Cast Speed
-(6 to 8)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
+(76 to 125) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
Requirements -(11 to 15)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (899 - 969) to (1718 - 1852)
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 57 to 60
Item Level: 40
25% Cast Speed
-(11 to 13)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
+(176 to 225) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
Requirements -(21 to 25)%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2084 - 2224) to (3911 - 4173)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 175 to 186
Item Level: 67
35% Cast Speed
-(16 to 18)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(276 to 325) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(41 to 45)%
Cold Resist +(41 to 45)%
Requirements -(31 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
Defense: (3013 - 3202) to (5650 - 6005)
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 323 to 344
Item Level: 85
40% Cast Speed
-(18 to 20)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
+(326 to 375) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(46 to 50)%
Cold Resist +(46 to 50)%
Requirements -(36 to 40)%
Socketed (6)
+ Honorific gloves + hono belt +
Death Spur

Death Spur
Heavy Boots (4)
Defense: 27 to 39
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 27
Item Level: 1
1% Chance to cast level 6 Spike Nova on Kill
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+0.09375 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(11 to 15) to Strength
+(11 to 15) to Dexterity
Socketed (1)
Defense: 109 to 141
Required Level: 20
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 31
1% Chance to cast level 10 Spike Nova on Kill
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+0.15625 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(21 to 25) to Strength
+(21 to 25) to Dexterity
Socketed (2)
Defense: 248 to 310
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 193
Item Level: 51
1% Chance to cast level 14 Spike Nova on Kill
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+0.21875 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(31 to 35) to Strength
+(31 to 35) to Dexterity
Socketed (3)
Defense: 346 to 427
Required Level: 46
Required Strength: 386
Item Level: 77
1% Chance to cast level 16 Spike Nova on Kill
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+0.25 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(36 to 40) to Strength
+(36 to 40) to Dexterity
Socketed (4)
.
Ripstar
Ripstar
Ring
Required Level: 60
Item Level: 60
+0.5625 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+20 Life on Melee Attack
of course are amazing if found.
Honorifics are hit recovery/Block speed, resists, attritbutes, max damage, mf, minion res/life if you use bats, there's many good things to put.
Of course, while playing with a phy claw, it's still fine to invest in 1-2 ways, it's still more damage. Leveling with at least gyphon as the first thing maxed is normal.
For 110-130, the thing is, phy only need any sacred claw and
Hail
Hail
Assassin Claws
'MalBer'
Runeword Level: 78
7% Chance to cast level 29 Shower of Rocks on Kill
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
40% Attack Speed
Adds 40-80 Damage
Adds 63-188 Cold Damage
+(171 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
(8 to 10)% Chance of Crushing Blow
Slow Target 3%
3% to All Attributes
to get started. But elemental will underperform a bit at this point without lots of pierce, which you get with the gear you recommand. But talking about being ssf viable while only recommanding a full set or high runewords just doesn't feels right to me. In a ssf idea, only phy items are very easy to get, such as
Hail
Hail
Assassin Claws
'MalBer'
Runeword Level: 78
7% Chance to cast level 29 Shower of Rocks on Kill
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
40% Attack Speed
Adds 40-80 Damage
Adds 63-188 Cold Damage
+(171 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
(8 to 10)% Chance of Crushing Blow
Slow Target 3%
3% to All Attributes
,
Wind Runner
Wind Runner
Boots
'SilElqSilGul'
Runeword Level: 100
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
50% Attack Speed
10% Movement Speed
Adds 25-68 Damage
250% Bonus to Attack Rating
(12 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
+(171 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
, and the above tu/honos will still be enough to do any 130 and less ubers. Clawsin is a build that can do them all with such a cheap set up.
Marco's Poison set up help a bit in fauzt, as he said it work with both an ele or phy claw.
I tried a bit just to showcase it. It's a bit of a random set up, using only spider. One more way instead of bats would give more damage but less suvivability, as you see like this it's mediocre++/decent clear while being pretty much immortal.
Playing poison ssf is hard though, Astrogha set is too important to get enough pierce. But I guess a big ied set up with lots of pierce already would do well with all 3 ways and just adding either
Amanita
Amanita
Helms
'VenAmn'
Runeword Level: 100
3% Chance to cast level 1 Time Wave on Melee Attack
+(200 to 300) to Attack Rating
-(21 to 25)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(2 to 5) to Amatoxin
(3 to 5)% Chance of Crushing Blow
Attacker Flees after Striking 20%
+(115 to 143)% Enhanced Defense
+(30 to 50) to Vitality
Poison Resist +25%
and
Mithridatism
Mithridatism
Gloves
'VenOhm'
Runeword Level: 100
Gain 20% of your Poison Resistance as Poison Length Reduction
+1 to All Skills
25% Hit Recovery
Adds 300-400 Poison Damage over 2 seconds
-(7 to 10)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(141 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+10 to all Attributes
Poison Resist +25%
, but even there astro set is for sure better.
I'm absolutely sure that with items as big as thoses used in the main post, using poison and batstrike, it would be very easy to get a much more impressive clear. Not top tier, mind you, but perfectly enough to feel comfortable.
Last point, A1 merc is pretty much op for lvl 1-120 and for fauzt (though she need good gear for there). Just because the char is strong don't mean extra power will be useless, quite the opposite. Dark power is a nice buff as well, some cb mostly.