7/4/10 - The Journey Begins!

I've decided to join the Welcome to Weekend Warrior Grinder's Association. http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=45458057&f=272

My version will strictly follow the rules of hardcore and no items traded for or bought. I've decided to play as a mage because I feel as tho its far more difficult than playing a melee. I will document the time of each level, along with gear updates. I will be fishing/cooking and glyphing to aid myself. I do plan to reroll as needed.

Level 1 - Start time 1:52am
Level 2 - 02:27 You have gained a level.
Level 3 - 02:48 You have gained a level.
Level 4 - 03:14 You have gained a level.
Level 5 - 03:48 You have gained a level.

Gear Highlights:self found of course!
Magical rusted dagger
Damage: 4 to 8

+98 Max Life

Proficiency Gained
Fire............. +706
F.Heal.......... +12
W.Heal......... +8
Heal............. +1
Dagger......... +3
Fishing......... +35
Glyphing....... +55
Transmuting. +10
Suffusencing. +3

7/4/10 - The Journey Ends!

Not kidding, I'm dead already. I died at approximately 4am. My computer decided, for the first time ever in the 8 months I've had it, that the ethernet cable I'm using went bad. After fiddling with it for a bit I gave up, waited 10 minutes, got a drink, came back and still no internet due to this cable. I restart my computer and oh look everything is working as normal. But I'm dead. I was fighting the first mob for level 5. I lagged out with about 120/292 life thinking meh, auto d/c after 5 hits or something, I'll be fine. Wrong. Stay tuned, round 2 incoming.

Round Two!

Still hardcore. Still not buying/trading for items. 1 small difference this time around - No matter what I plan to use Ice/F.Heal as my only charms, and of course no melee weapon. The only exception was mages start with fire. So I used fire for a short time until an ice dropped. I guess we'll see if I change my mind if I find something really nice outside of these 2 types. This time was much harder than the first. That +life dagger was way better than I thought. I miss it

Leveling Timestamps:
Level 1 - Start time 4:49am
Level 2 - 05:00 You have gained a level.
Level 3 - 05:09 You have gained a level.
Level 4 - 05:31 You have gained a level.
Level 5 - 06:08 You have gained a level.

Gear Highlights:
Mystical rusted dagger
Damage: 4 to 8

+2 Intelligence
+1 Mana Regen
+1% Quick Draw

Magical tattered padded robe
Physical Defense: 0 to 2
Magical Defense: 3 to 7

+69 Max Mana

Arcane ice I
Spell Damage: 7 to 9
Mana Cost: 5

+5 Dexterity
+1 Magic Luck
+1 Extra Equipment Slots
+1 to 6 Life per Kill
+1 to 6 Mana per Kill
+1 Jubilance

Proficiency Gains
Ice............ +606
Fire........... +78
F.Heal..... .. +257
Fishing....... +10
Cooking..... +0
Glyphing.... +10

Level 10!

Today I hit 10 and its one at a time full regen each enemy killed. I can guarantee a kill using just life fish for right now, but occasionally I almost run out of mana completely before the mob dies. To fix this I know I'll have to start using mana fish quite a bit.

I've also decided I will under no circumstances reroll during this climb. Fish will be all the extra boost needed to hit 71. Although its tempting to purchase a fishing rod, I will hold back. No rods will be used except for the loaner rod everyone starts with.

Gear Updates
Magical cotton robe
Physical Defense: 0 to 3
Magical Defense: 7 to 23

+25% Enhanced Effect

Magical ice II
Spell Damage: 15 to 18
Mana Cost: 13

+2% Armor Pierce

T2 Focused heal - No use whatsoever. This will most likely be the last heal charm I post for this project as fish are far superior in every way.

Proficiency Gains Levels 5-10
Ice............. +1593
F.Heal........ +54
Fishing....... +134
Cooking...... +115
Glyphing..... +5