Phoebe, the Hammerzon

[Crash]

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pretend there is a picture here and one will appear in the future

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Phoebe, the Hammerzon

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Introduction
There's always been a lot of meme'ing and jokes about the Hammer of Zerae skill in Median XL. Yes, the skill is kind of clunky for the way that MXL speeds and mechanics work, but with some adjustment and learning how to position, it's a really viable build. For those of you miss your old hammerdins in D2, I give you a character who laughed at a paladin's spinning magic hammer and buried it in the past. Lightning hammers are the new cool thing.

*** Disclaimer ***
This guide in its current state will be acting as a miniguide so that players can have something to reference and guide them through gearing and building a character. It will become a full guide in the future with shiny pictures, videos, and uber mechanics explained as needed. ***

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Pros
-Mega tank from leech, block, defense, and physical resist.
-Massive physical damage potential in the Hammer of Zerae skill.
-TUs to clear most content? Yes.
-Ability to switch between melee, ranged, and kiting playstyle.
-"You liked hammerdin in vanilla D2? We made it cooler." -Marco

Cons
-Hammerdin playstyle from vanilla D2? Clunky in the nature of MXL's speed and mechanics (but it still works, so this can be ignored).
-Early game may take a lot of Arcane Crystal farming (but this gear is enough for most early, mid, and some endgame charms, so it's fine)

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Utilized Skills and Descriptions

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Storm

Thundercrack
110% WDM, 30% Phys --> Lightning Conversion (30% of your physical damage becomes lightning damage)
Melee attack that shoots lightning bolts at nearby enemies. Also acts as a synergy for defense to Asterism.

Stormcall
Physical/Lightning Spell
We don't focus on spell damage, so this skill is just a pre-requisite.

Hammer of Zerae
150% WDM
Main skill! Launches a spiraling lightning hammer that also multi-hits as it passes through the enemies.

Asterism
Passive - Storm Devotion
Locks you into the storm class - gives % defense, max damage, and lightning pierce.

Magnetic Field
60% WDM, 100% Phys --> Lightning Conversion (All of your physical damage becomes lightning damage)
Smalll AoE square of lightning bolts that massively multihits.

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Neutral Tree

Wild and Free
Passive
Gives you faster move speed and hit recovery.

Fire Elementals
Summon
Fire elementals that carry your Defensive Harmony passive, so anything that hits them will also get slowed.

Balance
Passive
Gives your character a ton of flat defense, which scales really high with the defense from Asterism.

Ecstatic Frenzy
Active Damage Buff
Sets your defense to zero, makes you fast, gives you magic damage. We like to be tanky. Just a pre-requisite.

Defensive Harmony
Passive
Slows melee and ranged attackers

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Reward Tree

Paragon
Passive
Gives you a ton of vitality per perfect gem socketed in your gear.

Spellbind
Debuff
Cast a curse on targets in front of you: Reduces enemy damage, physical resist, defense, and move speed.

War Spirit
Active Buff and Damage
Gives a large amount of crushing blow and automatically shoots spike novas when near enemies every couple seconds.

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► List of Breakpoints thanks to Kendiggity

CAST RATE
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9 FCR = 10 frames
22 FCR = 9 frames
42 FCR = 8 frames
80 FCR = 7 frames
163 FCR = 6 frames (This will come later game when you have more gear and charms)

BLOCK RATE
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6 FBR = 14 frames
9 = 13 frames
15 = 12 frames
20 = 11 frames
29 = 10 frames
42 = 9 frames
60 = 8 frames
86 = 7 frames
142 = 6 frames (This is the breakpoint you should aim for)
280 = 5 frames (Doable but very high)

HIT RECOVERY
-----------------
6 = 11 frames
13 = 10 frames
20 = 9 frames
32 = 8 frames
52 = 7 frames
86 = 6 frames
174 = 5 frames

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Early Game

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Gear
Weapon:

Dreamswayer

Dreamswayer
War Scepter (4)
One-Hand Damage: (9 - 11) to (17 - 22)
Required Level: 7
Required Dexterity: 64
Item Level: 12
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+1 to Amazon Skill Levels
15% Attack Speed
Adds (2 to 3)-(4 to 8) Damage
+50% Damage to Undead
14% Life stolen per Hit
-(4 to 8)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(31 to 40)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +10%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (31 - 36) to (45 - 55)
Required Level: 26
Required Dexterity: 98
Item Level: 29
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+(1 to 2) to Amazon Skill Levels
25% Attack Speed
Adds (7 to 9)-(13 to 19) Damage
+50% Damage to Undead
16% Life stolen per Hit
-(8 to 12)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(61 to 80)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +25%
Socketed (4)
One-Hand Damage: (62 - 69) to (97 - 110)
Required Level: 44
Required Dexterity: 195
Item Level: 49
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
35% Attack Speed
Adds (14 to 17)-(27 to 33) Damage
+50% Damage to Undead
18% Life stolen per Hit
-(12 to 18)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(101 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +50%
Socketed (5)
One-Hand Damage: (88 - 96) to (131 - 145)
Required Level: 54
Required Dexterity: 387
Item Level: 85
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+(2 to 3) to Amazon Skill Levels
40% Attack Speed
Adds (18 to 20)-(34 to 40) Damage
+50% Damage to Undead
20% Life stolen per Hit
-(18 to 25)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(121 to 140)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +80%
Socketed (6)

: Every stat is good here for early game.
Shield:

Chargebreaker

Chargebreaker
Setzschild (4)
Defense: (492 - 573) to (969 - 1127)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 12
Required Strength: 39
Item Level: 17
1% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
(10 to 15)% Block Speed
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
(8 to 10)% to Strength
(8 to 10)% to Dexterity
Physical Resist 5%
Physical Damage Reduced by (3 to 5)
(8 to 10)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (1)
Defense: (1695 - 1902) to (3048 - 3418)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 77
Item Level: 32
2% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
(20 to 25)% Block Speed
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(14 to 16)% to Strength
(14 to 16)% to Dexterity
Physical Resist 7%
Physical Damage Reduced by (9 to 11)
(14 to 16)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (3)
Defense: (4287 - 4723) to (7550 - 8319)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 270
Item Level: 53
3% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
(30 to 40)% Block Speed
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Defense
(20 to 22)% to Strength
(20 to 22)% to Dexterity
Physical Resist 9%
Physical Damage Reduced by (15 to 17)
(20 to 22)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (5)
Defense: (6416 - 6983) to (11272 - 12268)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 56
Required Strength: 539
Item Level: 90
4% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
(40 to 50)% Block Speed
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(23 to 25)% to Strength
(23 to 25)% to Dexterity
Physical Resist 10%
Physical Damage Reduced by (18 to 20)
(23 to 25)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (6)

: tl;dr this is op.
Armor:

Rebel

Rebel
Body Armors
'ZolSilSilLo'
Runeword Level: 100
15% Combat Speeds
Adds 6-10 Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(80 to 100)%
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+(151 to 200) to Strength
+(151 to 200) to Dexterity
-75 to Vitality
-75 to Energy
+60 to Mana
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Elemental Resists +(40 to 50)%

-->

Werecat

Werecat
Breast Plate (4)
Defense: (203 - 224) to (379 - 422)
Required Level: 5
Required Strength: 30
Item Level: 8
5% Chance to cast level 1 Claw Tornado on Melee Attack
15% Attack Speed
4% Life stolen per Hit
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(41 to 50) Defense
+(11 to 20) to all Attributes
Physical Resist 3%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (622 - 681) to (1100 - 1207)
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 60
Item Level: 27
6% Chance to cast level 7 Claw Tornado on Melee Attack
30% Attack Speed
6% Life stolen per Hit
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(81 to 100) Defense
+(21 to 30) to all Attributes
Physical Resist 4%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1471 - 1589) to (2563 - 2777)
Required Level: 40
Required Strength: 210
Item Level: 47
7% Chance to cast level 13 Claw Tornado on Melee Attack
45% Attack Speed
8% Life stolen per Hit
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(131 to 150) Defense
+(31 to 40) to all Attributes
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (5)
Defense: (2168 - 2330) to (3757 - 4046)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 420
Item Level: 83
8% Chance to cast level 16 Claw Tornado on Melee Attack
60% Attack Speed
10% Life stolen per Hit
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(181 to 200) Defense
+(41 to 50) to all Attributes
Physical Resist 6%
Socketed (6)

: Phys res, attributes, weapon damage proc
Helm:

Titan's Burden

Titan's Burden
Spangenhelm (4)
Defense: (113 - 131) to (170 - 197)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 34
Item Level: 18
3% Chance to cast level 3 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
(7 to 10)% to Strength
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (401 - 450) to (562 - 631)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 68
Item Level: 33
5% Chance to cast level 9 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 18)% to Strength
Physical Resist 7%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1028 - 1132) to (1419 - 1563)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 237
Item Level: 54
7% Chance to cast level 15 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Defense
(23 to 26)% to Strength
Physical Resist 9%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1548 - 1685) to (2118 - 2306)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 473
Item Level: 90
9% Chance to cast level 18 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (4)

: Phys resist, crushing blow, weapon damage proc
Gloves:

Featherclaw

: comfy attack rating, some dex, and attack speed
Belt:

Deadfall

Deadfall
Heavy Belt (4)
Defense: (135 - 159) to (178 - 210)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 11
1% Chance to cast level 2 Shower of Rocks on Kill
1% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(16 to 25) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (485 - 551) to (616 - 700)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 28
1% Chance to cast level 4 Shower of Rocks on Kill
2% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 45) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1270 - 1400) to (1595 - 1758)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 48
1% Chance to cast level 8 Shower of Rocks on Kill
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 65) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1918 - 2095) to (2403 - 2626)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 84
1% Chance to cast level 12 Shower of Rocks on Kill
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(66 to 75) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)

: Crushing blow, strength, weapon damage proc
Boots:

Death Spur

Death Spur
Heavy Boots (4)
Defense: 27 to 39
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 27
Item Level: 5
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: 24
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: 44
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)

: Strength and Dex, weapon damage proc, style points
Rings: Anything
Amulet: Anything

On Switch:
Weapons:

Koth's Lesson

Koth's Lesson
Mace (4)
One-Hand Damage: (5 - 6) to (7 - 9)
Required Level: 5
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 8
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
15% Chance to cast level 4 Bloodlust on Kill
+1 to All Skills
+(6 to 9)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
+(87 to 122)% Damage to Undead
+(31 to 50)% Enhanced Damage
+(51 to 100) Defense
+(11 to 15) to Strength
Maximum Life +(2 to 3)%
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: (17 - 19) to (23 - 26)
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 26
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
21% Chance to cast level 12 Bloodlust on Kill
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
+(12 to 18)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
+(159 to 194)% Damage to Undead
+(71 to 90)% Enhanced Damage
+(151 to 200) Defense
+(21 to 25) to Strength
Maximum Life +(3 to 4)%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (40 - 44) to (60 - 66)
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 130
Item Level: 46
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
27% Chance to cast level 20 Bloodlust on Kill
+2 to All Skills
+(21 to 27)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
+(231 to 266)% Damage to Undead
+(101 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
+(251 to 300) Defense
+(31 to 35) to Strength
Maximum Life +(4 to 5)%
Socketed (3)
One-Hand Damage: (55 - 60) to (80 - 87)
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 261
Item Level: 81
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
30% Chance to cast level 24 Bloodlust on Kill
+(2 to 3) to All Skills
+(30 to 36)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
+(267 to 302)% Damage to Undead
+(131 to 150)% Enhanced Damage
+(301 to 350) Defense
+(36 to 40) to Strength
Maximum Life +(5 to 6)%
Socketed (3)

: Bloodlust damage buff

► Notes, Sockets, and MOs

Be sure to use Oil of Luck to try for:
Amulet: +1 Skills
Rings: 5% Spell Damage
Armor/Helm/Gloves/Belt/Boots/Shield: 20%ED and/or 1% Phys Res
Weapon: 20%ED and/or 100%AR

Sockets:
Weapon: 6x Perfect Rainbow Stones
Shield: Perfect Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Emerald, 2x Turquoise
Armor: 2x Perfect Amber, 2x Onyx, 1x Bloodstone, 1x Turquoise
Helm: 4x Io Runes (or Perfect Amethyst)
Gloves/Boots: Perfect Amber/Onyx/Bloodstone/Turquoise
Belt: Perfect Bloodstone/Turquoise

Mystic Orbs:
MO these in the order they appear, 5 of each (yes, that's a lot of MOs listed, but its just to give you a goal as you're leveling up)

All armors: Hit Recovery or Block Speed (whichever you need more of based on speedcalc for breakpoints), Magic Find, Flat Damage
Weapon: Cast Rate, Life Leech, Enhanced Damage, Magic Find
Rings/Amulet: Physical Resist, Defense

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Stats
Strength: Enough for armors
Dexterity: Everything else
Vitality: None
Energy: None

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Skillplan
Max: Thundercrack, Asterism, Balance
15-Point: Wild and Free, Defensive Harmony
1-Point: Magnetic Field, Hammer of Zerae

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Gameplay
Really simple playstyle, but you have some options depending on how you want to play. Hammer of Zerae is by far your strongest skill and gives you good aoe coverage with instant leech to full when you hit mobs, but the damage spreads out a little slow because of the way it spirals around. Thundercrack is a good early leveling skill because of how far the lightning bolts seek out and pierce enemies to spread damage through entire mobs. Magnetic Field is more of a kiting playstyle and good for stacking a lot of hits quickly on monsters/bosses (disclaimer: for bosses that teleport when damaged, mag field will not be very effective because the boss will just instantly teleport away).

Pick and choose your style or combination of styles. I used all three depending on the situation I was coming up on. Use your Koth's Mace on switch to cast bloodlust to gain the extra physical damage buff, then go crazy and do Thor things.

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Mid-Game

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By this point, you should be well into the character's development, getting your lvl 90 Ultimate skill, Ennead skill, and Black Road skill as you progress through the Hell ubers and challenges.

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Gear
Weapon:

Dreamswayer

Dreamswayer
War Scepter (4)
One-Hand Damage: (9 - 11) to (17 - 22)
Required Level: 7
Required Dexterity: 64
Item Level: 12
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+1 to Amazon Skill Levels
15% Attack Speed
Adds (2 to 3)-(4 to 8) Damage
+50% Damage to Undead
14% Life stolen per Hit
-(4 to 8)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(31 to 40)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +10%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (31 - 36) to (45 - 55)
Required Level: 26
Required Dexterity: 98
Item Level: 29
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+(1 to 2) to Amazon Skill Levels
25% Attack Speed
Adds (7 to 9)-(13 to 19) Damage
+50% Damage to Undead
16% Life stolen per Hit
-(8 to 12)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(61 to 80)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +25%
Socketed (4)
One-Hand Damage: (62 - 69) to (97 - 110)
Required Level: 44
Required Dexterity: 195
Item Level: 49
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
35% Attack Speed
Adds (14 to 17)-(27 to 33) Damage
+50% Damage to Undead
18% Life stolen per Hit
-(12 to 18)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(101 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +50%
Socketed (5)
One-Hand Damage: (88 - 96) to (131 - 145)
Required Level: 54
Required Dexterity: 387
Item Level: 85
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
+(2 to 3) to Amazon Skill Levels
40% Attack Speed
Adds (18 to 20)-(34 to 40) Damage
+50% Damage to Undead
20% Life stolen per Hit
-(18 to 25)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(121 to 140)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +80%
Socketed (6)

or

Bane

: this choice is up to you. I kept the TU because it held more gems for Paragon
Shield:

Chargebreaker

Chargebreaker
Setzschild (4)
Defense: (492 - 573) to (969 - 1127)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 12
Required Strength: 39
Item Level: 17
1% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
(10 to 15)% Block Speed
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
(8 to 10)% to Strength
(8 to 10)% to Dexterity
Physical Resist 5%
Physical Damage Reduced by (3 to 5)
(8 to 10)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (1)
Defense: (1695 - 1902) to (3048 - 3418)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 77
Item Level: 32
2% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
(20 to 25)% Block Speed
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(14 to 16)% to Strength
(14 to 16)% to Dexterity
Physical Resist 7%
Physical Damage Reduced by (9 to 11)
(14 to 16)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (3)
Defense: (4287 - 4723) to (7550 - 8319)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 270
Item Level: 53
3% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
(30 to 40)% Block Speed
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Defense
(20 to 22)% to Strength
(20 to 22)% to Dexterity
Physical Resist 9%
Physical Damage Reduced by (15 to 17)
(20 to 22)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (5)
Defense: (6416 - 6983) to (11272 - 12268)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 56
Required Strength: 539
Item Level: 90
4% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
(40 to 50)% Block Speed
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(23 to 25)% to Strength
(23 to 25)% to Dexterity
Physical Resist 10%
Physical Damage Reduced by (18 to 20)
(23 to 25)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (6)

: its still op
Armor:

Werecat

Werecat
Breast Plate (4)
Defense: (203 - 224) to (379 - 422)
Required Level: 5
Required Strength: 30
Item Level: 8
5% Chance to cast level 1 Claw Tornado on Melee Attack
15% Attack Speed
4% Life stolen per Hit
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(41 to 50) Defense
+(11 to 20) to all Attributes
Physical Resist 3%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (622 - 681) to (1100 - 1207)
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 60
Item Level: 27
6% Chance to cast level 7 Claw Tornado on Melee Attack
30% Attack Speed
6% Life stolen per Hit
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(81 to 100) Defense
+(21 to 30) to all Attributes
Physical Resist 4%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1471 - 1589) to (2563 - 2777)
Required Level: 40
Required Strength: 210
Item Level: 47
7% Chance to cast level 13 Claw Tornado on Melee Attack
45% Attack Speed
8% Life stolen per Hit
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(131 to 150) Defense
+(31 to 40) to all Attributes
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (5)
Defense: (2168 - 2330) to (3757 - 4046)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 420
Item Level: 83
8% Chance to cast level 16 Claw Tornado on Melee Attack
60% Attack Speed
10% Life stolen per Hit
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(181 to 200) Defense
+(41 to 50) to all Attributes
Physical Resist 6%
Socketed (6)

: still best possible option
Helm:

Titan's Burden

Titan's Burden
Spangenhelm (4)
Defense: (113 - 131) to (170 - 197)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 34
Item Level: 18
3% Chance to cast level 3 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
(7 to 10)% to Strength
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (401 - 450) to (562 - 631)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 68
Item Level: 33
5% Chance to cast level 9 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 18)% to Strength
Physical Resist 7%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1028 - 1132) to (1419 - 1563)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 237
Item Level: 54
7% Chance to cast level 15 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Defense
(23 to 26)% to Strength
Physical Resist 9%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1548 - 1685) to (2118 - 2306)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 473
Item Level: 90
9% Chance to cast level 18 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (4)

: still best possible option
Gloves:

Featherclaw

--> Abandoned Craft or

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)

Belt: Honorific Greaves (Sacred): see MO's
Boots:

Death Spur

Death Spur
Heavy Boots (4)
Defense: 27 to 39
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 27
Item Level: 5
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: 24
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: 44
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)

: Strength and Dex, weapon damage proc
Rings: 2x

Ring of Truth

Ring of Truth
Ring
Required Level: 20
Item Level: 20
25% Block Speed
15% Hit Recovery
(31 to 50)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Slows Attacker by (3 to 5)%
(11 to 15)% Bonus to Defense
+2 to Light Radius

or

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

Amulet: Rare with +skills, life, flat physical resist

On Switch:
Weapon:

Koth's Lesson

Koth's Lesson
Mace (4)
One-Hand Damage: (5 - 6) to (7 - 9)
Required Level: 5
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 8
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
15% Chance to cast level 4 Bloodlust on Kill
+1 to All Skills
+(6 to 9)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
+(87 to 122)% Damage to Undead
+(31 to 50)% Enhanced Damage
+(51 to 100) Defense
+(11 to 15) to Strength
Maximum Life +(2 to 3)%
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: (17 - 19) to (23 - 26)
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 26
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
21% Chance to cast level 12 Bloodlust on Kill
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
+(12 to 18)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
+(159 to 194)% Damage to Undead
+(71 to 90)% Enhanced Damage
+(151 to 200) Defense
+(21 to 25) to Strength
Maximum Life +(3 to 4)%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (40 - 44) to (60 - 66)
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 130
Item Level: 46
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
27% Chance to cast level 20 Bloodlust on Kill
+2 to All Skills
+(21 to 27)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
+(231 to 266)% Damage to Undead
+(101 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
+(251 to 300) Defense
+(31 to 35) to Strength
Maximum Life +(4 to 5)%
Socketed (3)
One-Hand Damage: (55 - 60) to (80 - 87)
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 261
Item Level: 81
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
30% Chance to cast level 24 Bloodlust on Kill
+(2 to 3) to All Skills
+(30 to 36)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
+(267 to 302)% Damage to Undead
+(131 to 150)% Enhanced Damage
+(301 to 350) Defense
+(36 to 40) to Strength
Maximum Life +(5 to 6)%
Socketed (3)

: Bloodlust damage buff
Shield:

Kodo

: Bloodlust damage buff

► Notes, Sockets, and MOs

Be sure to use Oil of Luck to try for:
Amulet: +1 Skills
Rings: 5% Spell Damage
Armor/Helm/Gloves/Belt/Boots/Shield: 20%ED and/or 1% Phys Res
Weapon: 20%ED and/or 100%AR

Sockets:
Weapon: 6x Perfect Rainbow Stones
Shield: Perfect Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Emerald, 2x Turquoise
Armor: 2x Perfect Amber, 2x Onyx, 1x Bloodstone, 1x Turquoise
Helm: 4x Io Runes (or Perfect Amethyst)
Gloves/Boots: Perfect Amber/Onyx/Bloodstone/Turquoise
Belt: Perfect Bloodstone/Turquoise

Mystic Orbs:
MO these in the order they appear, 5 of each (yes, that's a lot of MOs listed, but its just to give you a goal as you're leveling up)

All armors: Dexterity, Magic Find, Hit Recovery or Block Speed (whichever you need more of based on speedcalc for breakpoints)
Boots: (Reroll these honorifics til you get 35-40% move speed + 1% phys res from oil of luck) --> strength, dex, FHR, flat damage
Weapon: Cast Rate, Life Leech, Enhanced Damage, Magic Find
Rings/Amulet: Physical Resist, Defense

---

Stats
Strength: Enough for armors
Dexterity: Everything else
Vitality: None
Energy: None

---

Skillplan
Max: Thundercrack, Asterism, Balance, Paragon
10-Point: Wild and Free, Defensive Harmony
1-Point: Magnetic Field, Hammer of Zerae
Leftovers: Spellbind

---

Gameplay
Same as early game, except now, you have access to Spellbind. Use that for targets that move too quick for you or have high physical resistance. It helps a lot against bosses to manage the fight. You should also get Paragon by now, which explains why we socketed so many gems in our TU gear. This will give you a substantial amount of HP and you'll start to fall into the tankiness of the build.

---

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End Game

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By this point, you should have a fully developed character. This section aims at your optimized end-game hammerzon for damage, survivability, and versatility.

---

Gear
Weapon:

Legion

-->

Battlemaiden

Battlemaiden
War Scepter (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (120 - 174) to (370 - 456)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 494
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
40% Attack Speed
40% Cast Speed
Adds (25 to 60)-(240 to 300) Damage
+50% Damage to Undead
(5 to 10)% Life stolen per Hit
(5 to 10)% Mana stolen per Hit
+(150 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +2.4375% (Based on Character Level)
Maximum Fire Resist +4%
Socketed (6)

: just wow. the damage on this scepter
Shield:

Danmaku

Danmaku
Athulua's Hand (Sacred)
Defense: (2657 - 3003) to (2861 - 3234)
Chance to Block: 5%
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 349
Item Level: 120
5% Chance to cast level 15 Javelin Nova on Kill
15% Chance to cast level 5 Javelin on Striking
1% Chance to cast level 45 Fire Bolt Nova on Striking
+(2 to 3) to Amazon Skill Levels
1% Base Block Chance
35% Attack Speed
25% Block Speed
Adds 15-25 Damage
+(21 to 25)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(115 to 143)% Enhanced Defense
Socketed (4)

: 1% block, striking and kill weapon damage procs, always best in slot.
Armor:

Skin of Kabraxis

Skin of Kabraxis
Plate Mail (Sacred)
Defense: (5412 - 8068) to (7238 - 10357)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 105
+120% Weapon Physical Damage if Wielding a Scepter
1% Chance to cast level 24 Pagan Rites on Kill
+1 to Scepter Mastery
+(100 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+(100 to 1000) Defense
(5 to 20)% to Dexterity
Physical Resist (1 to 5)%
(10 to 100)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (6)

: Massive damage boost while wearing a scepter, phys resist, defense
Helm:

Titan's Burden

Titan's Burden
Spangenhelm (4)
Defense: (113 - 131) to (170 - 197)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 34
Item Level: 18
3% Chance to cast level 3 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
(7 to 10)% to Strength
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (401 - 450) to (562 - 631)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 68
Item Level: 33
5% Chance to cast level 9 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 18)% to Strength
Physical Resist 7%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1028 - 1132) to (1419 - 1563)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 237
Item Level: 54
7% Chance to cast level 15 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Defense
(23 to 26)% to Strength
Physical Resist 9%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1548 - 1685) to (2118 - 2306)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 473
Item Level: 90
9% Chance to cast level 18 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Stun Attack
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (4)

: probably still the best option -- maybe

Helepolis

Helepolis
Spangenhelm (Sacred)
Defense: (2894 - 3192) to (3206 - 3537)
(Amazon Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 675
Item Level: 105
+38 to Maximum Damage
+(14 to 24) to Guard Tower
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
(21 to 30)% to Strength
Physical Resist 20%
(31 to 50)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)

or

Shaheeda

Gloves:

Dacana's Fist

Dacana's Fist
Chain Gloves (Sacred)
Defense: (515 - 1545) to (565 - 1695)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 575
Item Level: 105
+(0 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
(-300 to 300) to Life
Elemental Resists (-50 to 30)%
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
(-25 to 15)% to Experience Gained
(-100 to 60)% Gold Find
(0 to 60)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)

-->

Rogue Foresight

Rogue Foresight
Heavy Gloves (Sacred)
Defense: 492 to 522
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 525
Item Level: 120
+1 to All Skills
5% Deadly Strike
-10% to Strength
20% to Dexterity
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (4)

: Phys res, more dex, flat damage
Belt:

The Endless Loop

The Endless Loop
Light Belt (Sacred)
Defense: 1101 to 1143
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 105
40% Combat Speeds
+(10 to 19) to Charged Strike
Slow Target 10%
+50 to all Attributes
+50 Life Regenerated per Second
+(0 to 1) Mana on Striking
Socketed (2)

: Cheap end-game option for slow target, attributes, and a lot of all speeds
Boots:

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

: %ar, flat damage, leech, op boots, and you can roll for high move speed.
Rings: 2x

Assur's Bane

Amulet: Rare

On Switch:
Weapon:

Qarak's Will

Qarak's Will
Giant Sword (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (150 - 163) to (233 - 246)
Two-Hand Damage: (206 - 225) to (285 - 305)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 480
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
15% Chance to cast level 34 Spike Nova on Melee Attack
6% Chance to cast level 40 Pentagram on Melee Attack
10% Chance to cast level 36 Bloodlust on Kill
+(30 to 60)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
Adds 50-125 Damage
Adds 84-167 Fire Damage
+(26 to 38)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
+(100 to 250) Life after each Kill
5% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)

: Bloodlust damage buff

► Notes, Sockets, and MOs

Be sure to use Oil of Luck to try for:
Amulet: +1 Skills
Rings: 5% Spell Damage
Armor/Helm/Gloves/Belt/Boots/Shield: 20%ED and/or 1% Phys Res
Weapon: 20%ED and/or 100%AR

Sockets:
Weapon: 6x Perfect Rainbow Stones
Shield: Perfect Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Emerald, 2x Turquoise
Armor: 2x Perfect Amber, 2x Onyx, 1x Bloodstone, 1x Turquoise
Helm: 4x Io Runes (or Perfect Amethyst)
Gloves/Boots: Perfect Amber/Onyx/Bloodstone/Turquoise
Belt: Perfect Bloodstone/Turquoise

Mystic Orbs:
MO these in the order they appear, 5 of each (yes, that's a lot of MOs listed, but its just to give you a goal as you're leveling up)

All armors: Dexterity, Magic Find, Hit Recovery or Block Speed (whichever you need more of based on speedcalc for breakpoints)
Weapon: Cast Rate, Life Leech
Amulet: Physical Resist, Defense, Magic Find

---

Stats
Strength: Enough for armors
Dexterity: Everything else
Vitality: None
Energy: None

---

Skillplan
Max: Thundercrack, Asterism, Balance, War Spirit
10-Point: Wild and Free, Defensive Harmony
1-Point: Magnetic Field, Hammer of Zerae, Spellbind
Leftovers: Paragon

---

Gameplay
You've been playing the build for a while now. Now go... go far. Go throw your lightning hammers and be the queen of Zerae.

---

---

Credits and Closing Comments

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thanks ben, seekers, thraxis, pat, and anni for letting me discover this build and carry you all to glory in duncraig and bremm. i am glad i was able to be useful this season.

Kendiggity for providing the speedcalc breakpoints

suchbalance, please don't kill my pretty hammergirl.

---

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[Azurewraith]

As always nice guide buddy can't wait for the updates

[jasiunas]

Loved the introduction and will definately try this one out

[Losfisk]

so you max Thundercrack or Hammer of zerae?

[HechtHeftig]

so you max Thundercrack or Hammer of zerae?

Thundercrack since it adds more TCD to your passive. Maxing Hammer of Zarae would only result in the mana cost ramping up too much.

[Crash]

Loved the introduction and will definately try this one out

It should be quite a useful starter char. Can do really well with TUs once you adopt the style and targeting.

so you max Thundercrack or Hammer of zerae?

Thundercrack since it adds more TCD to your passive. Maxing Hammer of Zarae would only result in the mana cost ramping up too much.

To both of these, yes as Hecht said, Thundercrack gives 10% TCD to the Asterism passive per level. It's a huge bonus. Maxing Hammer of Zerae wouldn't be too bad on mana cost since leech anyways, but there's no reason to waste points there since the build is only concerned with the physical portion of it for the most part.

[trolley]

Looks great, thanks for the guide Crash. I'll be re-speccing if my bloodzon doesn't work out or I get bored with it

[Dreamhunter]

I've just started one today and now you wrote this miniguide (: Thanks man. Item tags are not updated but i guess you know about that (:

[Kaltherion]

How is this build at farming? Or does it mostly excel at killing ubers a slow farm

[Crash]

How is this build at farming? Or does it mostly excel at killing ubers a slow farm

At the core, its one of the best available builds for amazon farming. Pounce felt really dead to me and java is probably still good but I can't get into the playstyle and I don't like squishy chars.

I just went now and killed another Belial and Xazax. Xaz took about 45 seconds with a couple deaths cause I didn't bother prepping resist fully. Belial took a couple minutes but thats mostly because of how the fight is now and trying to find him in ratfink form to do damage.