Operation Ground and Pound (EarthQuake/SoR)

breathingbomb wrote:I mean, it's just WPD. it confused me as that section was inside the earthquake. it is more likely read as earthquake skill damage gets boosted by unarmed strength bonus.
what you said sounds unarmed weapon damage is calculated just like any other WPD skills. while earthshaker is nice for unarmed bunch it's just how WPD works.

I might be confused here but I wrote it as earthquakes skill damage gets boosted, because it does get boosted. Aside from it being 50% of your strength, it is calculated the same as other sources of WPD, and stacks with them. Its just not shown on the second character page. Similar to how Whirlwinds WPD bonus from the skill isn't shown there either.

I added to the description to try to clarify what it meant under EQ Mechanics.

Jackel6672 wrote:You go gladiators bane, spec 1p fortress + max citadel. Need around 1k dex total, you will be at 50% block with fortress up. Which is pretty much always up if you hotkey it.

Is gladiator uberskill reasonable for labs/scos, though? +2% max ele res from runemaster are hard to compensate without discarding some BiS items (namely, runewords). Otherwise you just don't have enough free sockets for perfect gems.

Here's an example. With max res charms (Azmodan, Kabraxis, Riftwalker, Witch - all but Laz trophy) you have 83% max res, plus 1% to all in

Witchhunter's Hood

Witchhunter's Hood
Cap (Sacred)
Defense: (2136 - 2611) to (2161 - 2642)
Required Level: 90
Required Strength: 250
Item Level: 1
+(80 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
10% to Strength
10% to Dexterity
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Elemental Resists +(31 to 40)%
Physical Resist 5%
(16 to 20)% Bonus to Defense
Requirements -50%
Socketed (4)

Witchhunter's Attire
(Assassin Claw Set)

, plus 1 to single element on Toraja charm and on

Savage

Savage
Gloves
'YstFelKa'
Runeword Level: 110
+1% Weapon Physical Damage per 50 Strength or Dexterity
(Whichever is Higher)
75% Attack Speed
+10 Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+(10 to 40) to all Attributes
10% to Strength
10% to Dexterity
Maximum Cold Resist +1%
Cold Resist +25%
10% Magic Find

. Therefore it's 86/84/84/84 or 85/85/84/84 res. 22 more needed for all 90 (actually 24 because Phoboss on 10th lab). With our gloves being a runeword, we only have up to 16 sockets in armor pieces, and even if we swap

Savage

Savage
Gloves
'YstFelKa'
Runeword Level: 110
+1% Weapon Physical Damage per 50 Strength or Dexterity
(Whichever is Higher)
75% Attack Speed
+10 Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+(10 to 40) to all Attributes
10% to Strength
10% to Dexterity
Maximum Cold Resist +1%
Cold Resist +25%
10% Magic Find

for some socketable gloves, we'll only get 20. Not good.

Seikun wrote:
Jackel6672 wrote:You go gladiators bane, spec 1p fortress + max citadel. Need around 1k dex total, you will be at 50% block with fortress up. Which is pretty much always up if you hotkey it.

Is gladiator uberskill reasonable for labs/scos, though? +2% max ele res from runemaster are hard to compensate without discarding some BiS items (namely, runewords). Otherwise you just don't have enough free sockets for perfect gems.

Here's an example. With max res charms (Azmodan, Kabraxis, Riftwalker, Witch - all but Laz trophy) you have 83% max res, plus 1% to all in
Witchhunter's Hood
Witchhunter's Hood
Cap (Sacred)
Defense: (2136 - 2611) to (2161 - 2642)
Required Level: 90
Required Strength: 250
Item Level: 1
+(80 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
10% to Strength
10% to Dexterity
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Elemental Resists +(31 to 40)%
Physical Resist 5%
(16 to 20)% Bonus to Defense
Requirements -50%
Socketed (4)

Witchhunter's Attire
(Assassin Claw Set)
, plus 1 to single element on Toraja charm and on
Savage

Savage
Gloves
'YstFelKa'
Runeword Level: 110
+1% Weapon Physical Damage per 50 Strength or Dexterity
(Whichever is Higher)
75% Attack Speed
+10 Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+(10 to 40) to all Attributes
10% to Strength
10% to Dexterity
Maximum Cold Resist +1%
Cold Resist +25%
10% Magic Find
. Therefore it's 86/84/84/84 or 85/85/84/84 res. 22 more needed for all 90 (actually 24 because Phoboss on 10th lab). With our gloves being a runeword, we only have up to 16 sockets in armor pieces, and even if we swap
Savage

Savage
Gloves
'YstFelKa'
Runeword Level: 110
+1% Weapon Physical Damage per 50 Strength or Dexterity
(Whichever is Higher)
75% Attack Speed
+10 Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+(10 to 40) to all Attributes
10% to Strength
10% to Dexterity
Maximum Cold Resist +1%
Cold Resist +25%
10% Magic Find
for some socketable gloves, we'll only get 20. Not good.

For high labs you're going to have to gem swap. You also would need to make UMO honorific boots and gloves or Angelic UMO projects with a good base (+2-3 Max Res on 2 or more options, good corruption etc). I've seen people have good luck with Hammerfist corrupts among other options. Its partly why I never bother going to high labs (8+). A block setup can do up to 7 without to much issue if you go slowly and so can the regular Runemaster setup.

For places like scos though, you kill so fast it doesn't matter. With my current setup (theres a link in an earlier message) I can face tank eleventh eye including his bonespear attack without the +4 max res charm. In previous seasons I normally run scos with 85 Max all res. Physical spells can be blocked, so you really don't take a ton of damage from it. It also helps I run over 100% leech (50%+ Crit with Gladiators)

Forgot to mention, while Giants and Ripstar are great damage rings, you can swap those out for Adrenaline Rush or any other ring that has + max resists or corrupted to having. Earth rousers are common enough that they are my go to corrupt option.

I think these items are worth adding to gear suggestions:
-

Carsomyr

Carsomyr
Flamberge (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (244 - 263) to (330 - 350)
Two-Hand Damage: (320 - 350) to (400 - 431)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 120
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
5% Chance to cast level 13 Shower of Rocks on Kill
50% Attack Speed
Adds 125-200 Damage
100% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(160 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
+(40 to 50) to Strength
+(40 to 50) to Vitality
Physical Resist 10%
+250 Life after each Kill
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (6)

- if you have 200+ power already. SoR on-kill proc, 250 laek, 10% phys res, and damage isn't bad at all
-

Golden Fleece

Golden Fleece
Bull Shield (4)
Defense: (54 - 62) to (105 - 120)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 23
Item Level: 1
+1 to Barbarian Skill Levels
Weapon Physical Damage +(19 to 30)%
+(41 to 60)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 30) to Strength
Maximum Life +(1 to 2)%
Elemental Resists +(11 to 15)%
(5 to 10)% Magic Find
Socketed (1)
Defense: (217 - 241) to (343 - 381)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 21
Required Strength: 50
Required Dexterity: 34
Item Level: 31
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
Weapon Physical Damage +(43 to 54)%
+(71 to 90)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 40) to Strength
Maximum Life +(2 to 3)%
Elemental Resists +(21 to 25)%
(11 to 20)% Magic Find
Socketed (3)
Defense: (554 - 607) to (838 - 917)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 175
Required Dexterity: 71
Item Level: 51
+3 to Barbarian Skill Levels
Weapon Physical Damage +(67 to 78)%
+(101 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(41 to 50) to Strength
Maximum Life +(4 to 5)%
Elemental Resists +(31 to 35)%
(21 to 30)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)
Defense: (880 - 952) to (1319 - 1427)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 350
Required Dexterity: 149
Item Level: 77
+4 to Barbarian Skill Levels
Weapon Physical Damage +(79 to 90)%
+(131 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 60) to Strength
Maximum Life +(6 to 7)%
Elemental Resists +(36 to 40)%
(31 to 40)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)

- very strong TU, comparable to

Invictus

Invictus
Gilded Shield (4)
Defense: (293 - 346) to (598 - 705)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 14
Required Strength: 35
Item Level: 10
1% Chance to cast level 3 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(15 to 30)%
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+15 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 2%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (1029 - 1169) to (1897 - 2156)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 70
Item Level: 31
2% Chance to cast level 7 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(60 to 80)%
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+20 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 3%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (2644 - 2915) to (4760 - 5247)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 245
Item Level: 51
2% Chance to cast level 11 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(90 to 110)%
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+25 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 4%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (3984 - 4352) to (7140 - 7800)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 490
Item Level: 77
3% Chance to cast level 15 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(120 to 140)%
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+30 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (4)

. Every stat on it is viable, and there's a lot of MO space. BiS for farming
-

Pawnstorm

Pawnstorm
Bull Shield (Sacred)
Defense: 7708 to 7993
Chance to Block: 3%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 500
Required Dexterity: 374
Item Level: 120
2% Base Block Chance
25% Block Speed
25% Hit Recovery
10% Deadly Strike
+200% Enhanced Defense
+4000 Defense
(10 to 25)% to Strength
(10 to 25)% to Dexterity
Socketed (4)

- 10% DS, up to 25% Str, can be an alternative to

Titan's Blockade

Titan's Blockade
Barbarian Shields
'UmZolLew'
Runeword Level: 110
At least 1 Base Level in Runemaster: Maximum Poison Resist +4%
With 15 Base Levels in Runemaster: 10% Deadly Strike
40% Hit Recovery
Adds 15-25 Damage
Slows Attacker by 10%
+(130 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+(1000 to 2000) Defense
(20 to 30)% to Strength
20% to Vitality
Maximum Mana +5%
Elemental Resists +35%

if you chose Gladiator mastery
-

Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune
Large Shield (4)
Defense: 85 to 162
Chance to Block: Class%
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 27
Required Dexterity: 45
Item Level: 10
+(21 to 30) to Vitality
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Elemental Resists +(6 to 10)%
Fire Absorb 1%
Lightning Absorb 1%
Cold Absorb 1%
(4 to 7)% Gold Find
(5 to 10)% Magic Find
Socketed (1)
Defense: 240 to 405
Chance to Block: Class%
Required Level: 21
Required Strength: 53
Required Dexterity: 67
Item Level: 31
+(31 to 40) to Vitality
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Elemental Resists +(11 to 20)%
Fire Absorb 2%
Lightning Absorb 2%
Cold Absorb 2%
(9 to 12)% Gold Find
(11 to 20)% Magic Find
Socketed (3)
Defense: 501 to 817
Chance to Block: Class%
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 184
Required Dexterity: 139
Item Level: 51
+(41 to 50) to Vitality
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Elemental Resists +(21 to 30)%
Fire Absorb 2%
Lightning Absorb 2%
Cold Absorb 2%
(14 to 17)% Gold Find
(21 to 30)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)
Defense: 684 to 1113
Chance to Block: Class%
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 368
Required Dexterity: 288
Item Level: 77
+(51 to 60) to Vitality
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Elemental Resists +(31 to 40)%
Fire Absorb 3%
Lightning Absorb 3%
Cold Absorb 3%
(17 to 19)% Gold Find
(31 to 40)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)

- trivializes Quov Tsin and Teganze. Can be combined with

Topspin

Topspin
Skull Cap (4)
Defense: (76 - 83) to (115 - 125)
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 28
Item Level: 1
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: 31
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: 51
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: 77
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 extra safety. MO both with %MF, as Teganze is lvl 120 area and you don't wanna miss out any potential SSU
-

Shield of Hakan II

Shield of Hakan II
Gothic Shield (Sacred)
Defense: (6995 - 7994) to (9190 - 10428)
Chance to Block: 1% + Class%
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Required Dexterity: 619
Item Level: 105
1% Base Block Chance
-25% Cast Speed
-50% to Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by 25%
+(150 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+(2000 to 3000) Defense
Maximum Life +(3 to 5)%
Maximum Elemental Resists +(0 to 2)%
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (4)

- an option for labs
-

Wolverine Skin

Wolverine Skin
Plate Mail (Sacred)
Defense: (6374 - 7171) to (7485 - 8421)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 312
Item Level: 120
15% Chance to cast level 20 Crucify on Melee Attack
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
50% Hit Recovery
+40 to Maximum Damage
(10 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
+(50 to 100) to Strength
+(50 to 100) to Dexterity
+50 Life Regenerated per Second
50% Magic Find
Requirements -50%
Socketed (6)

- max damage, LL, up to 100 flat Str, and MF
-

Lilith's Legion

Lilith's Legion
Avenger Guard (Sacred)
Defense: (3691 - 4041) to (4067 - 4455)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 120
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
150% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+300 Defense
20% to Strength
10% to Vitality
Physical Resist 10%
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
(30 to 60)% Gold Find
50% Magic Find
Socketed (4)

- 10% phys res, 20% Str, %attack rating and MF
-

Veil of Steel

Veil of Steel
Great Helm (Sacred)
Defense: 9260 to 9653
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 120
Weapon Physical Damage +200%
Hit Causes Monster to Flee +15%
+200% Enhanced Defense
+5000 Defense
Maximum Mana -50%
Socketed (4)

- 200% WPD, other stats are not nearly as important, but still worth mentioning
-

Lilith's Temptation

Lilith's Temptation
Plated Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3680 - 4089) to (4031 - 4479)
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 105
3% Chance to cast level 2 Time Strike on Striking
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
-100 to Life
(60 to 100)% Magic Find
Requirements -100%
Socketed (2)

- for farming
-

Champion of the Triune

Champion of the Triune
Plated Belt (Sacred)
Defense: 5209 to 6598
Required Level: 115
Required Strength: 665
Item Level: 120
Ethereal
6% Chance to cast level 1 Force Blast on Melee Attack
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
5% Deadly Strike
+200% Enhanced Defense
+(100 to 1000) Defense
Elemental Resists -15%
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (2)

- Force Blast on-attack proc (debuff that works in labs!), phys res and DS
-

Cinadide's Anvil

Cinadide's Anvil
Plated Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3271 - 3680) to (3583 - 4031)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 337
Item Level: 1
+1 to Paladin Skill Levels
Adds 13-25 Damage
Adds 50-100 Fire Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
(21 to 25)% to Strength
Requirements -50%
Socketed (2)

Cinadide's Craft
(Paladin Honor Set)

- flat damage, Str bonus, and gives cannot be frozen when worn with

Cinadide's Bender

Cinadide's Bender
Gauntlets (Sacred)
Defense: (1339 - 1506) to (1567 - 1763)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 1
20% Attack Speed
40% Hit Recovery
Adds 35-70 Magic Damage
Adds 50-100 Fire Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 50) to Strength
(16 to 25)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)

Cinadide's Craft
(Paladin Honor Set)

Also, there's easily obtainable swap combo for prebuff (before you find Qarak/Berserrker/Shamanka).

Craft Hammerhead axe with any shrine. The only relevant affixes on this are +4 barbarian skills and +24 to Mark of the Wild.
TU

Clawscratch

Clawscratch
Blade (4)
One-Hand Damage: (8 - 10) to (25 - 36)
Required Level: 10
Required Dexterity: 61
Item Level: 19
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+1 to Druid Skill Levels
+3% Bonus Damage to Mark of the Wild
(11 to 25)% Duration Bonus to Mark of the Wild
15% Attack Speed
15% Hit Recovery
+(16 to 25) to Maximum Damage
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Damage
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: (21 - 24) to (66 - 78)
Required Level: 28
Required Dexterity: 95
Item Level: 36
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+(1 to 2) to Druid Skill Levels
+6% Bonus Damage to Mark of the Wild
(41 to 55)% Duration Bonus to Mark of the Wild
25% Attack Speed
25% Hit Recovery
+(41 to 50) to Maximum Damage
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Damage
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (40 - 45) to (106 - 119)
Required Level: 47
Required Dexterity: 188
Item Level: 51
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+(2 to 3) to Druid Skill Levels
+9% Bonus Damage to Mark of the Wild
(71 to 85)% Duration Bonus to Mark of the Wild
35% Attack Speed
35% Hit Recovery
+(61 to 70) to Maximum Damage
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Damage
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
Socketed (3)
One-Hand Damage: (52 - 57) to (132 - 147)
Required Level: 54
Required Dexterity: 373
Item Level: 85
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+(2 to 4) to Druid Skill Levels
+12% Bonus Damage to Mark of the Wild
(86 to 100)% Duration Bonus to Mark of the Wild
40% Attack Speed
40% Hit Recovery
+(71 to 80) to Maximum Damage
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Damage
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
Socketed (3)

buffs this skill's damage a bit. It can be later replaced with

Nimmenjuushin

Nimmenjuushin
War Axe (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (98 - 110) to (221 - 284)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 464
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
8% Chance to cast level 10 Claw Tornado on Striking
+(4 to 5) to Druid Skill Levels
+12% Bonus Damage to Mark of the Wild
(151 to 175)% Duration Bonus to Mark of the Wild
30% Attack Speed
50% Hit Recovery
+(101 to 150) to Maximum Damage
(8 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
+(115 to 140)% Enhanced Damage
(21 to 30)% to Strength
Requirements -20%
Socketed (6)

(only buffs the duration) or, if you're rich,

Instinct

Instinct
One-Handed Axes
'IgnGurTyrZod'
Runeword Level: 115
+6 to Druid Skill Levels
+(48 to 60)% Bonus Damage to Mark of the Wild
+(18 to 20)% Bonus Elemental Damage to Mark of the Wild
110% Attack Speed
(150 to 250)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(45 to 55)% to Fire Spell Damage
-50% to Enemy Fire Resistance
Physical Resist (10 to 15)%
+(215 to 265) Life after each Kill

.

Honestly, I don't use any swaps outside of the ones listed. WPD is the only thing we really prebuff for, and mark of the wild doesn't give a whole lot.

I might link to your post if people want other options. If I list every available option, it will get really messy, and that's against what I was going for with this guide. I might add Pawnstorm though. I forgot about that shield, since its an SSU. Its really only an option after you have a full str Wormhole.

I'll add, I've been doing T7 labs with almost no issues using Glad Bane. I got some T8 recently, so I'll run those eventually. This is with the character I linked on an earlier page. Roughly 60% crit, 120 ish leech and 200 power after buffs. 88 All res.

Why only 1 pt at EQ ? Bad scaling ? ( there are 10 pt as leftovers after must have skills).

Ruubel wrote:Why only 1 pt at EQ ? Bad scaling ? ( there are 10 pt as leftovers after must have skills).

Better to use those points in either endurance, or ancient blood. The scaling is ok, but it only effects earthquake. So it really doesn't make a huge difference. You would be looking at about 4k extra damage, when you really don't need more damage at that point if you have decent gear.

I didn't see any reason to use all of the skill points; majority of people will never get that far.

Jampula wrote:
Seikun wrote:I'm playing this build and steamrolling pretty much everything, but I got a question.
Is maxxed Immortal really important? My barb seemingly got much sturdier when I respecced points from Immortal to Runemaster. When exactly ~30% avoid while not moving is going to make a difference?

It makes a difference when playing whirlwinder or summoner, maybe thrower, not melee that moves a lot. Don't believe everything that guide says (makers are not all-knowing gods), go with your gut.

Shortly: there are much better investments for this build than Immortal.

Yea I was thinking that too. Would putting excess points into earthquake matter? Its unclear how important (if at all) the bonus physical damage is...