d2jsp
Log InRegister
d2jsp Forums > Diablo II > Diablo 2: Resurrected > D2:R Discussion > Breaking The 200 Fcr Nova Glass Ceiling
Prev16789Next
Add Reply New Topic New Poll
Member
Posts: 3,001
Joined: Sep 22 2021
Gold: 1,012.00
Apr 26 2026 08:28pm
You reckon Eschuta better than obsession for 200fcr nova?
Member
Posts: 13,178
Joined: Oct 14 2021
Gold: 86,215.90
Apr 26 2026 08:38pm
So I have to bring up the point again of, what does a nova sorc do when you're facing P8 tz96 immune heralds with a gorillion HP and damage who will clobber you whether you're ES or vita or whatever, where your merc will die instantly and you'll die in a few seconds if they catch up to you
Especially if they can be ranged or extra fast.

Lightning has a pretty hard time with its slow animation but it can at least kite by teleporting to opposite sides and spamming back and forth like FB can, but a FB sorc has hydras and meteors which are easy enough, and lightning/fb both trivialize it if you can trap monsters on moats
I captured some footage on my first attempt to show how even a much higher DPS higher utility fire sorc has serious problems with heralds, something that the better builds like warlock don't. Granted the 2x phoenix build loses +50/-2 fire but its nearly max dps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4JGr8cLvMk

When we're talking about needing to land ~200 nova casts to kill heralds, more than a full minute of casting, it seems prohibitive to the point of being unplayable.


stat into thunderstorm and tele around for 30 min
Member
Posts: 15,732
Joined: Oct 12 2021
Gold: 650.00
Apr 26 2026 08:38pm
You reckon Eschuta better than obsession for 200fcr nova?


'Mattera fact I do declare so. I dun reckon 'chuta beats 'session more'n you can count the feathers on a lemongrass chicken.
Member
Posts: 50,706
Joined: Jan 20 2010
Gold: 4,861.00
Apr 26 2026 08:51pm
stat into thunderstorm and tele around for 30 min


>return to town, swap on nightwings, fathom, 20/20 shield, ormus, cold skillers and token
Member
Posts: 10,533
Joined: Mar 5 2011
Gold: 52,835.57
Apr 26 2026 09:20pm
dude u playing 1 player mod

everything works
Member
Posts: 15,732
Joined: Oct 12 2021
Gold: 650.00
Apr 26 2026 09:23pm
dude u playing 1 player mod

everything works


It's players 8, check the end of the vid 🥱
Look at the sunder & spirit shield, this is offline hell p8.

This post was edited by celloboy126 on Apr 26 2026 09:23pm
Member
Posts: 15,732
Joined: Oct 12 2021
Gold: 650.00
Apr 27 2026 12:28am
>return to town, swap on nightwings, fathom, 20/20 shield, ormus, cold skillers and token


stat into thunderstorm and tele around for 30 min


200 fcr nova dropping a p8 T5 medium tanky non-immune herald in ~60 sec with slowing merc, no infinity, no pots used



If the herald were light immune and high health, it might double or triple the time to kill.

Blackhorn's face on merc has prevent monster heal. Kelpie snare can be used instead of Reaper's Toll. Infinity + cure + prayer merc can work too, but requires applying a sundered frost nova every now and then. If going self-wielding infi + insight on prayer merc, you might need to swap out cure helm for blackhorn's for extra slow and prevent monster heal, and you'll still need to drop sundered frost novas here and there.

Other ideas I toyed with:
decrepify on void rw (useful if merc is not using Reaper's Toll or Kelpie Snare)
abyss skill on void rw (useful for keeping a slow herald away if merc dies)
telekinesis to keep herald just out of reach (unreliable but can work vs slow heralds)
slow missiles on peace rw (useful if herald is a soul or something else that shoots)
doom axe (not great, got more utility out of sundered frost novas)
marrowwalk boots for bone prison & life tap for merc (keeps you + merc alive vs tough heralds)

If the herald has low regen, then 200 fcr nova can bring it down without a merc, just by dropping occasional sundered frost novas, even if the herald is light immune. Using wizzy and maxing warmth means no potting is necessary except for occasional hits to the life pool. The same cannot be said for self-wielding infi, which needs the merc alive for sustain.
Member
Posts: 13,178
Joined: Oct 14 2021
Gold: 86,215.90
Apr 27 2026 01:13am
200 fcr nova dropping a p8 T5 medium tanky non-immune herald in ~60 sec with slowing merc, no infinity, no pots used

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMels-OIk7Q

If the herald were light immune and high health, it might double or triple the time to kill.

Blackhorn's face on merc has prevent monster heal. Kelpie snare can be used instead of Reaper's Toll. Infinity + cure + prayer merc can work too, but requires applying a sundered frost nova every now and then. If going self-wielding infi + insight on prayer merc, you might need to swap out cure helm for blackhorn's for extra slow and prevent monster heal, and you'll still need to drop sundered frost novas here and there.

Other ideas I toyed with:
decrepify on void rw (useful if merc is not using Reaper's Toll or Kelpie Snare)
abyss skill on void rw (useful for keeping a slow herald away if merc dies)
telekinesis to keep herald just out of reach (unreliable but can work vs slow heralds)
slow missiles on peace rw (useful if herald is a soul or something else that shoots)
doom axe (not great, got more utility out of sundered frost novas)
marrowwalk boots for bone prison & life tap for merc (keeps you + merc alive vs tough heralds)

If the herald has low regen, then 200 fcr nova can bring it down without a merc, just by dropping occasional sundered frost novas, even if the herald is light immune. Using wizzy and maxing warmth means no potting is necessary except for occasional hits to the life pool. The same cannot be said for self-wielding infi, which needs the merc alive for sustain.


Seems like way too much work/gear swap. Can revive charges with udar works? Should be enough meat shield to keep merc alive and cb to boot
Member
Posts: 15,732
Joined: Oct 12 2021
Gold: 650.00
Apr 27 2026 01:26am
Seems like way too much work/gear swap. Can revive charges with udar works? Should be enough meat shield to keep merc alive and cb to boot


eternity in a sword will work yeah
I'm just trying to find a way to kill heralds with nova, it's an uphill battle. FB/hydra/meteor and blizz are both quicker & safer.
Member
Posts: 50,706
Joined: Jan 20 2010
Gold: 4,861.00
Apr 27 2026 02:33am
The whole point is the threat of immune heralds you cant tank
Go Back To D2:R Discussion Topic List
Prev16789Next
Add Reply New Topic New Poll