- Mar 14, 2020
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Matriarch Redux, Blizz -> Lightning Sorc, and Emilio the A2 HF Merc, Lvl 99
As I neared completion of my Untwinked 99er Sept in Kitteh’s relaunch of the untwinked 99er challenge in late 2021, I started another untwinked 99er because I enjoy the early-game gearing to get ready for the XP grind (and I needed a break from the Druid). I didn't want to have to do LK for Enigma, so we went with a Sorc, named Redux, with the idea to apply the lessons learned from the Sept. She just hit 99 yesterday, so it's time for her 99er write up!
Here’s a vid with the final few Nihl runs and gear showcase, followed by a quick rundown of progress, finds, and random thoughts, before closing out with thanks and plans for what’s next.
Progress
As noted in her opening post, she pushed to lvl 93 in November 2021 as a pure Blizz Sorc, getting very lucky with Shako dropping while questing through A2 Hell, and SoVM and Tal's amulet from some NM Meph runs, allowing smooth transition to Hell at level 73. As I said at the time:
Over the next two months, she progressed to lvl 95.5 on CS runs (94, 95, 95.5), using the stashed Lo to build Fortitude for the merc and finally picking up an eth 4os Thresher after lvl 95 to allow an Insight upgrade for him also. I then focused on my twinked playthroughs, so switched to a MF set up for 10-15 minute chunks on her great Meph map, which paid off with an Arachnid's drop in October to round out her gear.
I then entered her in the Finding the Balance Tournament in late 2022, placing third, with a notable drop of a Ber to allow her to build Infinity in an eth Giant Thresher that she'd picked up, and hitting lvl 97 at the turn of the year. I had commented at how poor her rune luck bad been in CS, "with only Ist, Vex, Ber and Ohm as Mal+ runes since lvl 93 to lvl 97," and things were about to change! Redux was my entrant for RFL Round 1 in 2023 (after getting a significant upgrade with Nightwing's), picking up the win with some very lucky drops, before hitting 97.5, and then sitting until October with a two-week push to 97.75 and finishing up the level in mid-December, and continued solid rune drops.
We then respec'ed to Lightning and visited our pasty friend 10,000+ times to finish the journey, with 40M XP available from Ancients quest reward when she hit 2.48B. I posted at 98.05 after she had settled on her map (which was a really nice one, with limited spawns around Nihl's platform) and gotten the feel for the runs. She was comfortably getting 3M/hr at the start, which increased a bit when she got a spectacular drop of Griffon's from Nihl around 98.4 that was promptly socketed with a facet, as summarized in her half-way update (there was also a Zod mixed in!). Actually, her rune luck from Nihl was tremendous, surpassing any of my prior 99ers in terms of high end, as shown in the runehaul pic below. We then had another update at 98.66 before getting a little over 8 hours in RFL Round 1, which included a squeaker of a NDE and really the only time she really came close to dying. And then we focused on finishing her up over the last two weeks to get to 99.
Her picking approach was Pul+, GCs, interesting uniques, and rare circlets/barb helms/pelts and claws, and I ultimately dropped GCs around the 98.75 mark to speed things up even more. She also picked up a Death Cleaver, Templar's Might, Executioner's Justice, and Grandfather, in addition to the Griffon's as TC87s for the final level. Stats and gear at the finish are below.
Finds
Redux didn't get too many high-level Unique drops, with as many TC87s from Nihl as she had gotten through the journey before that. She did, however, tick off a few more Exceptional items from my eth grail. But her rune luck was out of this world, with runewords made of HotO, CtA x2, Fortitude, Crescent Moon, Infinity, and CoH, and the following Vex+ runes remaining in the stash: Vex x4, Ohm x5, Lo x2, Sur x3, Ber x3, Jah x4, Cham x5, and Zod. So she really replinished my rune stock! She also picked up quite a few skillers with useful secondary mods, which I look forward to sorting through later.
Thoughts and Reflections
- The main lesson from my prior 99ers was not to worry too much about optimal gear and start doing the XP runs once the core items have been found (basically CtA, and keeping resists up if in CS). That sped up her progress (although I did spend more time in LK than I'd anticipated, largely due to needing CtA to transition to CS and those runes taking a while to drop). The side trip to Meph was lucrative with Arachnid's, but otherwise the direct approach worked quite well for me.
- Although her journey stretched from late 2021 to now, I think she was my fastest 99er in terms of playing time. I don't keep track closely, so it's mostly just by feel, but my streamlined approach to leveling and XP grind, coupled with limited time at LK and powerful build and great for leveling, felt quite quick.
Thank You-s and What’s Next-es
- Because it's tradition, I have to say it: Big thanks thanks to the SPF for being the SPF. Without the SPF, I can't imagine that I'd still be playing D2, with the good feedback and encouragement across the many threads and projects that people take on.
- As for what’s next, I need to finish my second 7x7+2 (three characters left in last Sept, plus another to get 51). I also have a Sorc at lvl 92 in D2R, so may try to push her toward 99 on the new XP approach with TZs, which definitely speeds the XP progress from the limited experience I've had at these early levels. I'm still musing about focusing on my HC Sorc (level 95.5) and Trapper (level 90), the survivors from the Three Way Dance tournament, and maybe trying to give them a run to 99. I will also definitely enter my Pit Barb in MFO in hopes of Tyrael's. Oh, and I forgot to mention, Redux got another 6 Reaper's, none of them eth, so I'm officially past 100 found without an eth one
Thanks for reading. Cheers!
As I neared completion of my Untwinked 99er Sept in Kitteh’s relaunch of the untwinked 99er challenge in late 2021, I started another untwinked 99er because I enjoy the early-game gearing to get ready for the XP grind (and I needed a break from the Druid). I didn't want to have to do LK for Enigma, so we went with a Sorc, named Redux, with the idea to apply the lessons learned from the Sept. She just hit 99 yesterday, so it's time for her 99er write up!
Here’s a vid with the final few Nihl runs and gear showcase, followed by a quick rundown of progress, finds, and random thoughts, before closing out with thanks and plans for what’s next.
Progress
As noted in her opening post, she pushed to lvl 93 in November 2021 as a pure Blizz Sorc, getting very lucky with Shako dropping while questing through A2 Hell, and SoVM and Tal's amulet from some NM Meph runs, allowing smooth transition to Hell at level 73. As I said at the time:
With some LK, Pindle, and Hell Meph runs, she was solidly equipped with HotO and CoH, and a CtA, with a stashed Lo and building up a decent charm collection from the LK runs. She was then parked until Septimus finished his journey to 99 in March 2022. Along with twinked playthroughs (completing two Septs plus some other characters), Redux has been a focus of my gaming time since then.
Over the next two months, she progressed to lvl 95.5 on CS runs (94, 95, 95.5), using the stashed Lo to build Fortitude for the merc and finally picking up an eth 4os Thresher after lvl 95 to allow an Insight upgrade for him also. I then focused on my twinked playthroughs, so switched to a MF set up for 10-15 minute chunks on her great Meph map, which paid off with an Arachnid's drop in October to round out her gear.
I then entered her in the Finding the Balance Tournament in late 2022, placing third, with a notable drop of a Ber to allow her to build Infinity in an eth Giant Thresher that she'd picked up, and hitting lvl 97 at the turn of the year. I had commented at how poor her rune luck bad been in CS, "with only Ist, Vex, Ber and Ohm as Mal+ runes since lvl 93 to lvl 97," and things were about to change! Redux was my entrant for RFL Round 1 in 2023 (after getting a significant upgrade with Nightwing's), picking up the win with some very lucky drops, before hitting 97.5, and then sitting until October with a two-week push to 97.75 and finishing up the level in mid-December, and continued solid rune drops.
We then respec'ed to Lightning and visited our pasty friend 10,000+ times to finish the journey, with 40M XP available from Ancients quest reward when she hit 2.48B. I posted at 98.05 after she had settled on her map (which was a really nice one, with limited spawns around Nihl's platform) and gotten the feel for the runs. She was comfortably getting 3M/hr at the start, which increased a bit when she got a spectacular drop of Griffon's from Nihl around 98.4 that was promptly socketed with a facet, as summarized in her half-way update (there was also a Zod mixed in!). Actually, her rune luck from Nihl was tremendous, surpassing any of my prior 99ers in terms of high end, as shown in the runehaul pic below. We then had another update at 98.66 before getting a little over 8 hours in RFL Round 1, which included a squeaker of a NDE and really the only time she really came close to dying. And then we focused on finishing her up over the last two weeks to get to 99.
Her picking approach was Pul+, GCs, interesting uniques, and rare circlets/barb helms/pelts and claws, and I ultimately dropped GCs around the 98.75 mark to speed things up even more. She also picked up a Death Cleaver, Templar's Might, Executioner's Justice, and Grandfather, in addition to the Griffon's as TC87s for the final level. Stats and gear at the finish are below.
Code:
Name: Redux
Class: Sorceress
Experience: 3520485254
Level: 99
Naked/Gear
Strength: 154/159
Dexterity: 25/35
Vitality: 371/398
Energy: 35/40
HP: 920/1376
Mana: 231/390
Stamina: 533/713
Defense: 6/912
AR: 75/155
Fire: 184/144/84
Cold: 155/115/55
Lightning: 139/99/39
Poison: 158/118/58
MF: 38 Block: 4
GF: 139
FR/W: 40
FHR: 90
IAS: 30
FCR: 120
Fire Bolt: 0/0
Warmth: 6/13
Inferno: 0/0
Blaze: 0/0
Fire Ball: 0/0
Fire Wall: 0/0
Enchant: 0/0
Meteor: 0/0
Fire Mastery: 0/0
Hydra: 0/0
Charged Bolt: 20/30
Static Field: 1/11
Telekinesis: 1/11
Nova: 20/30
Lightning: 20/30
Chain Lightning: 20/30
Teleport: 2/12
Thunder Storm: 0/0
Energy Shield: 0/0
Lightning Mastery: 20/30
Ice Bolt: 0/0
Frozen Armor: 0/0
Frost Nova: 0/0
Ice Blast: 0/0
Shiver Armor: 0/0
Glacial Spike: 0/0
Blizzard: 0/0
Chilling Armor: 0/0
Frozen Orb: 0/0
Cold Mastery: 0/0
Code:
Redux's Griffon's Eye
Diadem
Defense: 154
Durability: 17 of 20
Required Level: 76
Fingerprint: 0xcfc9c97b
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 47 Chain Lightning when you Die
+1 to All Skills
+25% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-22% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+19% to Lightning Skill Damage
+100 Defense
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet
Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x8e3031d9
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 47 Chain Lightning when you Die
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-3% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+5% to Lightning Skill Damage
Arachnid Mesh
Spiderweb Sash
Defense: 133
Durability: 11 of 12
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x600a14f9
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Slows Target by 10%
+112% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (11/11 Charges)
Aldur's Advance
Battle Boots
Defense: 44
Durability: 15 of 18
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x79305957
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Indestructible
+40% Faster Run/Walk
+50 to Life
+180 Maximum Stamina
Heal Stamina Plus 32%
Fire Resist +47%
10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Set (2 items): +15 to Dexterity
Set (3 items): +15 to Dexterity
Set (4 items): +15 to Dexterity
Nature's Peace
Ring
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x8857810e
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Prevent Monster Heal
Slain Monsters Rest in Peace
Poison Resist +30%
Damage Reduced by 10
Level 5 Oak Sage (27/27 Charges)
Redux's Skin of the Vipermagi
Serpentskin Armor
Defense: 279
Durability: 23 of 24
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x8a9da2a9
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
100% Chance to cast level 47 Chain Lightning when you Die
+1 to All Skills
+30% Faster Cast Rate
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-5% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+3% to Lightning Skill Damage
+120% Enhanced Defense
All Resistances +29
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Rainbow Facet
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x1dffb07e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0xf5400b41
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +5
All Resistances +20
Bloodfist
Heavy Gloves
Defense: 17
Durability: 13 of 14
Required Level: 9
Fingerprint: 0x78e10f47
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Increased Attack Speed
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+5 to Minimum Damage
+10% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense
+40 to Life
Skull Eye
Ring
Required Level: 41
Fingerprint: 0xf4531523
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+15 to Attack Rating
Replenish Life +6
Cold Resist +27%
Fire Resist +24%
Damage Reduced by 2
Call to Arms
Superior War Scepter
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 37 - 64
Durability: 70 of 70
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 55
Fingerprint: 0x3700577f
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
279% Enhanced Damage
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+1 to Conviction (Paladin Only)
+1 to Zeal (Paladin Only)
+6 to Battle Command
+6 to Battle Orders
+2 to Battle Cry
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ohm Rune
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 133
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 86 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x315843eb
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+34% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+102 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+8 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Crescent Moon
Crystal Sword
ShaelUmTir
One Hand Damage: 14 - 44
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0xd35a64ad
Item Level: 1
Version: Expansion 1.10+
10% Chance to cast level 17 Chain Lightning on striking
7% Chance to cast level 13 Static Field on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
198% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
-35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+10 Magic Absorb
+2 to Mana after each Kill
Level 18 Summon Spirit Wolf (30/30 Charges)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Spirit
Monarch
TalThulOrtAmn
Defense: 144
Chance to Block: 0
Durability: 84 of 86
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 156
Fingerprint: 0x314efb8
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+22 to Vitality
+94 to Mana
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+7 Magic Absorb
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Ort Rune
Socketed: Amn Rune
Code:
Lizard's Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x1cbbbb8f
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Life
+6 to Mana
Snake's Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 24
Fingerprint: 0xfad81def
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Life
+11 to Mana
Sapphire Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x383dc538
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life
Cold Resist +10%
Serpent's Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0x9495dd3a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Life
+16 to Mana
Serpent's Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0xb80a1001
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Life
+16 to Mana
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xcf7fdd05
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Snake's Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x7316d497
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Life
+11 to Mana
Amber Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xcc0df2b7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Lightning Resist +10%
Iron Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x10b415c9
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15 to Attack Rating
+20 to Life
Sparking Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x1fd762ce
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
Sparking Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x2bbfe48d
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
Sparking Grand Charm
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x1c4614b7
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Lightning Skills (Sorceress Only)
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x4aa68431
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Ruby Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xec1fd365
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +11%
Shimmering Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 29
Fingerprint: 0xbba872e
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
All Resistances +4
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x4df18eb0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Amber Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x1b83cb9
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Dexterity
Lightning Resist +11%
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x9cb4104b
Item Level: 84
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Lizard's Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x648a8340
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
+5 to Mana
Garnet Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 20
Fingerprint: 0xffe72140
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+13 to Life
Fire Resist +8%
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x99126064
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Toxic Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0x705b7139
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 100 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
+20 to Life
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0xcdddbb04
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Life
Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x252c321e
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+19 to Life
Emerald Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 39
Fingerprint: 0x9138a9fe
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Life
Poison Resist +10%
Ruby Small Charm of Dexterity
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xc80236ef
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Dexterity
Fire Resist +11%
Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0xb318df52
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
139% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 10%
38% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Code:
Name: Emilio
Race: Desert Mercenary
Type: Def-Nightmare
Experience: 114097526
Level: 98
Dead?: false
Naked/Gear
Strength: 209/229
Dexterity: 169/169
HP: 2287/2287
Defense: 1671/2776
AR: 2066/2066
Fire: 227/187/127
Cold: 227/187/127
Lightning: 227/187/127
Poison: 227/187/127
Chains of Honor
Wire Fleece
DolUmBerIst
Defense: 795
Durability: 32 of 32
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 111
Fingerprint: 0xde7a6272
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+200% Damage to Demons
+100% Damage to Undead
8% Life stolen per hit
+70% Enhanced Defense
+20 to Strength
Replenish Life +7
All Resistances +65
Damage Reduced by 8%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Dol Rune
Socketed: Um Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Delirium
Tiara
LemIstIo
Defense: 310
Durability: 15 of 25
Required Level: 52
Fingerprint: 0x348cc8ad
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
1% Chance to cast level 50 Delirium when struck
6% Chance to cast level 14 Mind Blast when struck
14% Chance to cast level 13 Terror when struck
11% Chance to cast level 18 Confuse on striking
+2 to All Skills
+261 Defense
+10 to Vitality
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 17 Attract (60/60 Charges)
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Lem Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Io Rune
Infinity
Giant Thresher
BerMalBerIst
Two Hand Damage: 231 - 660
Durability: 28 of 28
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 178
Required Dexterity: 130
Fingerprint: 0xe0ba65ca
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
50% Chance to cast level 20 Chain Lightning when you Kill an Enemy
Level 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Run/Walk
286% Enhanced Damage
-53% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
+49 to Vitality (Based on Character Level)
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (20/30 Charges)
Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Socketed: Ist RuneRedux didn't get too many high-level Unique drops, with as many TC87s from Nihl as she had gotten through the journey before that. She did, however, tick off a few more Exceptional items from my eth grail. But her rune luck was out of this world, with runewords made of HotO, CtA x2, Fortitude, Crescent Moon, Infinity, and CoH, and the following Vex+ runes remaining in the stash: Vex x4, Ohm x5, Lo x2, Sur x3, Ber x3, Jah x4, Cham x5, and Zod. So she really replinished my rune stock! She also picked up quite a few skillers with useful secondary mods, which I look forward to sorting through later.
Thoughts and Reflections
- The main lesson from my prior 99ers was not to worry too much about optimal gear and start doing the XP runs once the core items have been found (basically CtA, and keeping resists up if in CS). That sped up her progress (although I did spend more time in LK than I'd anticipated, largely due to needing CtA to transition to CS and those runes taking a while to drop). The side trip to Meph was lucrative with Arachnid's, but otherwise the direct approach worked quite well for me.
- Although her journey stretched from late 2021 to now, I think she was my fastest 99er in terms of playing time. I don't keep track closely, so it's mostly just by feel, but my streamlined approach to leveling and XP grind, coupled with limited time at LK and powerful build and great for leveling, felt quite quick.
Thank You-s and What’s Next-es
- Because it's tradition, I have to say it: Big thanks thanks to the SPF for being the SPF. Without the SPF, I can't imagine that I'd still be playing D2, with the good feedback and encouragement across the many threads and projects that people take on.
- As for what’s next, I need to finish my second 7x7+2 (three characters left in last Sept, plus another to get 51). I also have a Sorc at lvl 92 in D2R, so may try to push her toward 99 on the new XP approach with TZs, which definitely speeds the XP progress from the limited experience I've had at these early levels. I'm still musing about focusing on my HC Sorc (level 95.5) and Trapper (level 90), the survivors from the Three Way Dance tournament, and maybe trying to give them a run to 99. I will also definitely enter my Pit Barb in MFO in hopes of Tyrael's. Oh, and I forgot to mention, Redux got another 6 Reaper's, none of them eth, so I'm officially past 100 found without an eth one
Thanks for reading. Cheers!
Last edited:
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