Single Pass Untwinked P8 Fury Druid - Fenrir

[duck]

Hi all. Having completed my Frenzy Barb, I'm looking to start a new journey. This time it will be a SC Fury Druid for couple of reasons:

1. Melee character that is dependent heavily on weapons. This enhances the single pass experience
2. I will be able to use any weapon type. If Barb, I am limited to whichever mastery I chose. If Paladin, I can only use 1H weapons. This gives me more options should cool uniques drop.

In this thread, I am looking for overall tips on how I should proceed. I will also be documenting my very slow and steady progress. But before that, here are some of my general rules.

1. Single pass, full clear, always P8, SC, no respec, almost untwinked
2. Given that my Frenzy Barb found some cool runes (Jah/Mal/Um) that were unused, I will not make this Fury Druid fully untwinked. My rule is that I can only use those runes after Hell A4 Forge, and provided that I have found all the other runes required. For example, if I found Shael Pul Lum but am missing a Mal, I will allow myself to build Oath. An exception is if I found a high rune at any point. I will reward myself by building whatever I can immediately.

So before I commence, here are some questions I have for now

1. I reckon I need to max Fury, HoW, Lycan and Werewolf? HoW is because I think AR is very important for single pass, plus I'm SC anyway. What are your opinions on the summons? Do they tank well or are they necessary?
2. I will generally follow the untwinked guides (jiansonz and hc gunther) for gear. I will craft some blood gloves/helm if necessary. First Lem goes into Lawbringer to deal with PI, second Lem goes into Treachery. Target end game weapon is Insight/Obedience. Sounds right?
3. How should my weapon progression be like? What kind of base weapons should I look out for? Should I gamble or consider some runewords?

Thanks!

 

[maxicek]

Is this D2R? I was just looking at the wereform calculator and they really screwed around with Fury. Looks like you could go with just about anything now and hit 4FPA fury with werewolf.

I would be looking out for the old school favourites - Bonesnap, Steeldriver. Twice upped Steeldriver would see you through the game. Savage Polearms as soon as yu get the cube. Insight and Obedience also good picks.

Diablo2 Resurrected 2.4 PTR2 Wereform IAS Calculator

 

[Arparrabiosa]

Melee character that is dependent heavily on weapons. This enhances the single pass experience

I will not make this Fury Druid fully untwinked

 

[duck]

Well the only twinked part is late in the game if I'm missing a key rune XD otherwise if I don't meet my requirements, it's basically untwinked all the way

Would be a pity if I lucked a high rune but can't build anything as it happened for my frenzy barb (jah). So say if an ohm drops now, then I'll allow myself to build a Faith.

 

[little birdy]

This sounds like a fun project! I look forward to reading your status updates on this character. I will admit, I'm not a huge Druid fan and haven't spent much time playing shapeshifters, but I will contribute my two cents re: your first question...

I reckon I need to max Fury, HoW, Lycan and Werewolf? HoW is because I think AR is very important for single pass, plus I'm SC anyway. What are your opinions on the summons? Do they tank well or are they necessary?

Another approach could be to max Fury, Feral Rage, Lycanthropy, and Werewolf. HoW (or Oak Sage) are a bit of a nuisance since they die so easily, though it easy to re-cast them. But you also get a bigger AR bonus from maxed Feral Rage than you do from HoW if AR is a major concern of yours.

As for summons, a 1 pt Grizzly can be pretty tanky, so that could be worthwhile... but maybe those points are better spent in the shapeshifting skill tree.

 

[duck]

This sounds like a fun project! I look forward to reading your status updates on this character. I will admit, I'm not a huge Druid fan and haven't spent much time playing shapeshifters, but I will contribute my two cents re: your first question...


Another approach could be to max Fury, Feral Rage, Lycanthropy, and Werewolf. HoW (or Oak Sage) are a bit of a nuisance since they die so easily, though it easy to re-cast them. But you also get a bigger AR bonus from maxed Feral Rage than you do from HoW if AR is a major concern of yours.

As for summons, a 1 pt Grizzly can be pretty tanky, so that could be worthwhile... but maybe those points are better spent in the shapeshifting skill tree.

Oh? Feral Rage adds AR? Is it when you charge it up it gives the boost?

My thinking on summons is that I survived my frenzy with just a merc and me, so I'm not sure if I need more tanks. Then again, I had howl/battle cry for CC..

 

[little birdy]

According to Arreat Summit, level 20 Feral Rage grants +145% damage and +210% AR (along with increased run/walk and life steal). It lasts 20 seconds. I think, if I understand correctly, it’s only the life steal that goes up when you attack and build up the red ball that spins around the character. Damage and AR seem to be flat bonuses that don’t work like the life steal / red ball thingy. I dunno, maybe I’m wrong about that. Hopefully somebody more knowledgeable chimes in!

 

[duck]

Bumping this thread to post an update.

It's been more than a year, but I basically had zero progress on this character. Diablo 2 is like my comfort game that I play when I'm bored of everything else. Well I got bored a couple of days ago and finally decided to play.

[Edit]
I'm currently L20, just killed Andy. I got an early Death Sash, so that's my CBF solution fixed early on. 2 rows of potions will be annoying though. I reckon I can probably use other belts first until CBF is necessary.

I also gambled a sweet 25% MF rare gloves with CR/FR. Looks like I'll be using it for a while.



Looked what dropped in Catacombs too. First unique, and suits my early game too!



Andy dropped me a Topaz. I think this run is off to a great start!

Right now the plan is to get to A2 and use a Savage Polearm. Then maybe a Steel/Strength weapon, before working towards Edge Siege Crossbow. At some point I think I would upgrade to Insight. End goal is Obedience or any other high end uniques/runewords depending on luck.

Skill wise, I think I'm maxing Fury/Lycan/HoW/Werewolf (after 9 points first)/Grizzly. I'm playing softcore, so I don't think I really need that extra life vs the AR and HoW provides. Regarding Grizzly though, I'm wondering if points in it is worth it. It increases the damage, but points in Dire Wolf should give it more HP though.

What are your thoughts on merc? I have always gone damage route via Might merc, but I'm contemplating Holy Freeze instead because unlike my previous Frenzy Barb, I don't have Howl/Battle Cry etc to control the crowd. Reckon that Hell may be difficult because of it.

[Edit2]

Lol I thought my unique was cool. Turns out Savage Polearm blows it out of the water!

 

[LouB]

l recently did three Fury wolves and used three different mercs. My choice was Act 5 Frenzy barb with a Lawbringer sword. You are going to need something for the PIs and Lawbringer is fairly easy to make,. just about any other sword works (Voice of Reason and Crescent Moon are both reasonable Runewords).

I also found that the Fury wolf lacks area effect damage and that dumping some points into Armageddon was very worthwhile

 

[duck]

l recently did three Fury wolves and used three different mercs. My choice was Act 5 Frenzy barb with a Lawbringer sword. You are going to need something for the PIs and Lawbringer is fairly easy to make,. just about any other sword works (Voice of Reason and Crescent Moon are both reasonable Runewords).

I also found that the Fury wolf lacks area effect damage and that dumping some points into Armageddon was very worthwhile

I guess I'm a purist in that I refuse to have "spell damage" in my arsenal.

Since I'm not playing D2R, A5 merc is definitely a nono. I also decided to go for Holy Freeze merc because I think I badly need some form of CC in later phases of the game. If I'm able to make Lawbringer, it will be in my switch to proc the decrep.

Anyway, quick Fenrir update. I just reached normal A5. Not much improvements on my gear overall, except for a Savage Partizan which I cubed. Pretty sure I will end the act with this weapon. Not sure when a good 3 soc Siege Crossbow will drop, in which I will make an Edge. Also waiting for 4 soc polearm for my insight.

Question time. What do you guys do with all your gems? I have spent every single diamond trying to get a better Savage Polearm, but I probably will stop now though.

 

[LouB]

The Act 5 Merc with Lawbringer is still a good choice in 1.14. I finished Hell with my wolfbarb in 1.14 and used an Act 5 Barb wielding Lawbringer. I think they actually made the normal Act 5 Merc worse in D2R since his casting of battle cry overwrites the decrepify.

You probably won't find the runes, but if you do Delirium is a good choice for crowd control.

 

[duck]

Update time! Currently in NM Outer Cloister.

So far drops have been average. Notable useful ones for the future are Angelic Ammy + Ring which I forsee I will need in Hell. I'm still going to run MF items until better drops come. I found a +3 HoW and +2 Feral Rage Pelt, lucky cube to 3 soc and threw 3 PTopaz. Working towards 4 PTopaz Armour next.



Next, a white Partizan dropped. Pretty sure max socket was 4, so I had a good chance for cubing it. Lucked out again and I've made my first Insight. Low roll, but I'd make do. Will be my main weapon till a good Edge base or a better Insight base drop.



Resist is a big problem though, but hopefully I can survive as much NM ignoring my lack of it. Really wanna maximise MF chances. Most of my stat points are goign into Vita for now. I don't think I'd be using Elite bases anytime soon, so I need to get a bit higher HP pool before putting into Str/Dex to prepare for Thresher/CA. Obedience has -20% requirements though, but there's no guarantee that I get a Fal/Ko. We'll see how.



[Edit]

The insight is actually so bad roll. I'm so tempted to Hel and redo it haha

 

[duck]

Update time! At A2 Far Oasis at the moment. Main thing to share are major upgrades to my equipment.

First, I rerolled my Insight. Wished the Critical Strike was higher as it means ~50% chance, but at least it's an improved ED over my previous one.



Merc is the one enjoying it because soon after, a 3s Siege Crossbow dropped! As planned, I made Edge with it an it's fairly good. I reckon I may prefer Insight, but I'm not fussy at the moment.



Lastly, this unique Casque dropped! Perfect helm for my merc right now imo. LL + MF + Def. A good source of LL to make him an awesome tank.



I don't foresee any other major improvements soon except for 4PTopaz armour next. Hope I get blessed with good drops!

 

[duck]

Update time! I have finished A2 NM.

For most of A2, I was using the Edge Siege Crossbow. But I felt like the killing speed was inferior to an Insight Partizan. Quick math and I was right. It was cool to have both Thorns + Holy Freeze + Meditation Auras, but in reality Thorns didn't seem to provide much. A 4 soc Partizan dropped, so I decided to just make a 2nd Insight for my own use. Sadly the roll was nothing fantastic, but I will not reroll it.



I also found a Humongous Giant Axe, which gives 33% CB. Sounds like a useful option for later bosses, though I couldn't hit Duriel much with it compared to Insight. Might upgrade it in the future if I have no CB alternatives.



Duriel by the way was irritating as usual. Merc/Grizzly kept dying, while my CtH was only about 73%. Of course nothing great dropped. Just a unique Flanged Mace which isn't useful for my build.

I'm still patiently for a 4 soc armour to drop. I have my PTopaz ready....

 

[duck]

Act 3 has been a breeze mostly. Just lots of Flayers to kill. My damage is fairly decent with Insight Partizan, which means it's just more tedious than difficult to kill due to the quantity of enemies. With Merc and Grizzly tanking in front, I just need to make sure I don't get focused much.

My low resist is still a problem though, especially when LE bosses or Souls appear. Swampy Pit was scary AF.



Generally I'm surviving because of my high LL with Feral Rage. Almost like constant rejuvs as long as I can hit.

Later on in the act, my PI problem is almost solved. Look what dropped!



Just need a Ko though. That or either 4 more Hels or 1 Lum. Fingers crossed.

Lastly, this weapon dropped.



Looks like an upgrade to my weapon, but the low attack speed makes it unattractive. What about this over Insight for merc? Any thoughts?

 

[duck]

Update time! Going to be a "time skip" because nothing eventful really happened.

First and foremost. Meph was slain. He dropped random low stuff and a cool but useless GC.

Act 4 was really smooth. No Souls. Every monster was manageable. Izual dropped a Waterwalks which I don't think will be useful more my Fury Druid.

I suppose the best part was a Bonesnap dropping from a random chest. I upgraded it to a War Club immediately. I think it will be my main weapon until a better Insight base drop or if I can make Obedience. I doubt I will upgrade it to Ogre Maul even I can though due to the 225 Str requirement.

I reached Level 66 midway in the act. Still no 4 socket armours, so I can finally shop for Jeweller's Gothic Plate. It took me 20 minutes to finally be able to buy from Halbu. I wanted another for my Merc, but unfortunately after trying for 1.5 (!?!?!??!) hours, it never appeared again. I gave up...

Forge was just terrible luck. I'll let the picture speak for itself. Annoying.....

Diablo wasn't much of a trouble. Just tedious, especially when my resistances are shit. Lots of running, resummoning, rehiring etc. Slowly buy surely, he was slain. The drops though...I gues Tal's Belt is usable for the MF, but I really need CBF for A5.

I am currently in A5 Crystalline Passage. Slingers are a big pain because their javs deal elemental damage. I also read that apparently there's a bug with them in LoD, in which they ignore Merc or summons. I suppose that's why I get constantly hit by them. I have died like 5-6 times from them already sadly. It was a hit to my exp, and I hope it won't affect much later on. At some point, I just decided to play chicken and let the Merc handle them on his own.

I have decided to drop my MF Rings/Ammy for more resistance. I think I really need them. I also have my Angelic's Ring/Ammy on standby because my CtH with Bonesnap is about 80%. I think it's still ok for NM A5 though.

This wraps up today's update!

 

[duck]

Quick update. Anya has been saved. I have also avenged her by killing Nith. Heading towards Ancients next.

A Lum rune dropped along the way. This means that I definitely can make a Lawbringer, as I can cube into a Ko. However, I very much prefer not to, so I'll hold for as long as I can.

3 cool items dropped, but all not useful for me.

Firstly, why is this not a Jalal's???

Secondly, why is this not a LoH???

Lastly, an IK Boots.

I also registered an additional 2 deaths. Both due to Claw Vipers in the Halls. TIL that their Poison Cloud hits so many times, and it's apparentely a bug....

 

[drmalawi]

Both due to Claw Vipers in the Halls. TIL that their Poison Cloud hits so many times, and it's apparentely a bug....

It is not that it hits so many times that is the bug, it is because it is not poison damage but physical damage. In D2R this has been fixed.

Is "power shopping" considered "single pass"?

 

[duck]

It is not that it hits so many times that is the bug, it is because it is not poison damage but physical damage. In D2R this has been fixed.

Is "power shopping" considered "single pass"?

I don't know other people's definition. All I'm concerned is to not repeat any areas. So for my run, I'm fine with it. But I won't go too overboard. Anyway, I doubt I'd power shop for any other items anymore.

 

[duck]

Ok. Nightmare is done. Ancients and Baal were relatively easy. Cows was tricky, but I just needed to herd them. Sadly, absolutely nothing useful dropped along the way. I did randomly pop by Larzuk and he had a Jeweller's for sale though, so at least my Merc's MF armour is upgraded.

Here are my stats at the moment.

Resistance are really really low. I can make a Smoke armour any time, but I think Act 1 should be doable without it. Also waiting for Legend Sword to drop for my Lawbringer.

I was looking through my old Frenzy Barb WT. Seems like Hell was where all the key stuff dropped for me. So again praying for good drops because Nightmare was really shitty.