Draft Guide - Mld Light Trapper - Topic

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Jun 27 2024 10:03am

1. Introduction to MLD

Mid-Level Dueling (MLD) is the level 49 dueling bracket in the game Diablo II: Resurrected (D2R). The bracket features Time, Faster Run Walk (FRW), and Skill / Item limitations, ensuring that each class can compete and succeed in 1v1 and Team Duels. Sorceresses and Druids may teleport while Paladins charge around the map and everything else runs. This format is similar to Euro PvP (Early 2000's) and DCL (Polish HLD League in D2R).

The release of D2R presented an opportunity to address several issues that had existed in Diablo II: Lord of Destruction (D2LOD), including:

FRW limit adjustments due to the removal of desync.
Strengthened rules for Druids, who were the weakest MLD class in D2LOD - Windies may now level to 65.
Weakened Amazons, who were the strongest MLD class in D2LOD - Banned Decoy & Valk, Reduced Max Allowed Skill Points in Guided Arrow from 20 to 15.
Redesigned flawed builds, such as ESBlizz, which were too brittle in D2LOD - Reduced global Cold Resistance limits while re-orientated Cold Sorc skill distribution to Warmth.

D2R Patch 2.4 and 2.6 New Additions

The D2R patches also introduced significant changes:

(a) Necromancers and Assassins: Received a massive damage boost.
(b) Assassins: Recast delay on Dragon Flight and Shadow Master removed.
(c) Optimal FHR Breakpoint Limits reduced across across the board.
(d) Armor Runeword "Hustle" Revolutionized the bracket by granting 65% FRW, 40% IAS, and +6 Evade in a single item.

Time Limits

The Damage to Life ratio at MLD is such that it takes less hits to kill an opponent. i.e. 400% enhanced damage weapons and enough skill points to do serious damage, while only two classes have BO ( Druids and Barbarians ). This is optimal especially when noting the FHR changes. We have also adopted fixed time limits for duels and defined "Attackers" and "Defenders" which, in tandem with a fixed time limit of 3 minutes per round in 1v1 and 5 minutes per round in team duels, results in faster matches without protracted duels as seen in other brackets.

Current State of MLD

More than 30 MLD tournaments have been hosted in D2R, including a combination of 1v1 and team tournaments, with every class winning a tournament. We continue to make minor amendments to the rules, strengthening the weaker classes while weakening the stronger classes, addressing past imbalances, and incorporating new elements to maintain a competitive and enjoyable dueling environment.

2. Introduction to Light Trapper's
There are several builds at 49 that are naturally stronger then most other builds. Light Trapper is one of these stronger builds. All builds have their strengths and weaknesses, except for a Light Trapper. In D2LOD the delay of recast of Shadow Master and Dragon Flight meant that both skills could not be freely and repeatedly used. This meant that a Bowa was a natural counter to a Trapper. No More. With the changes to D2r - Larger screen size, no delay, increased trap damage, a MLD Light Trapper is pretty much awesome now with no anti-chars.

ferdia

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#12

Jun 28 2024 02:30am

10. 1v1 PvP Strategy & Videos

Assa vs Druid

At MLD you are either chasing or are being chased. Vs Druid, the Druid hunts YOU. In this matchup, the Assassin is basically running around in her traps and trying not to die. Use Mind-Blast to momentarily freeze the druid in place and hope he eats some Trap Damage. Don't bother trying to Dragon Flight your opponent, unless your feeling very very brave.

ferdia

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#13

Jun 28 2024 02:33am

10. 1v1 PvP Strategy & Videos

Assa vs Barb

At MLD you are either chasing or are being chased. Vs Barb, much like vs Druids, you are running for your life. In this match-up, the Assassin is basically running around in her traps and trying not to die. Use Mind-Blast to momentarily freeze the Barb in place and hope he eats some Trap Damage. Don't try tanking even if he is 1 Life and you are full as all that will happen is tears.

ferdia

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#14

Jun 29 2024 04:52pm

10. 1v1 PvP Strategy & Videos

Assa vs Nec

At MLD you are either chasing or are being chased. Vs Nec, you are the Hunter. In this match-up, you have to chase the Necro all across the Bloodmoor.

(a) Use C/T Traps to keep the Necro moving
(b) If you can drop 2-3 Traps at the Necro's feet feel free to Dragon-flight (ensure your Shadow is up)
(c) Try to keep the Necro on your mini-map, or screen, at all times.

You want the Necro on your mini-map at all times as otherwise his Bone Spirits will turn invisible (and they hurt a lot). Just be methodical here and keep up with the Necro and you should have a good chance.

ferdia

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#15

Jun 30 2024 01:02am

ferdia

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#16

Jun 30 2024 01:10am

ferdia

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#17

Jun 30 2024 03:01am

ferdia

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#18

Jul 7 2024 12:56pm

ferdia

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#19

Jul 11 2024 04:26am

4. Items

What Claw to use?

When it comes to Light Trappers its pretty straightforward: You will always be using Greater Talons only. No other claw base is viable. Greater Talon is -30% WSM, i.e. the Fastest Claw

What Armor to use?

When it comes to Armors, there is only 1 armor worth mentioning: HUSTLE. It Grants: 65frw, 40ias, 10all res, 20FHR, +6 Evade, 50% slower stamina drain and 10 Dexterity. As MLD is FRW based, this is to MLD what Enigma is to HLD. The +Evade is utterly mental for most builds at MLD and its introduction in D2R has brought so much balance to MLD its crazy. There is only 1 situation where you would use a different armor (Shaftstop)

Helmet

1. Magic 3TRAP 30frw 2soc circlet. Use this if you cant find a good rare
2. Rare 2TRAP 30frw 20fcr 80-90mana circlet
You attain your 30FCR breakpoint via Circlet and Amulet, however as mentioned previously, you can live without 30FCR. You cant live without Mana though, so 2TRAP/30FRW/80-90Mana should be sought. You can socket your circlet with a 15ias/20mana Jewel (if you dont have IAS on Claw) or a Stat Jewel if you do have IAS on claw (or Light Facets 5/5 Die)

Armor

1. Hustle - This Item has changed the build from a very good build to an amazing build. FRW, IAS, Evade, it has everything you want and more. With this armor you have no Anti-Char.
I tend to always use Hustle
2. Shaftstop - This Item could be used vs Paladins in 1v1 if you are having difficulties vs them

Weapon

1. Greater Talon 2assa (or 3trap), 3Light Sentry, 1 Dragon Flight, 2 soc
This is the claw that makes your build. You socket this with x2 Um Runes. If the Claw also has 10-40IAS it means you dont need to use an IAS jewel in Circlet/Shield (and you can either Facet or Rare Stat Jewel). Long term you want two claws like this. One with x2 Um Runes and One with x2 Facets (when you you dont DF (say, vs a Barb)
2. Malice Runeword with +3LS +DF +SM
This is a poor mans weapon, good enough to get you started on playing a Light Trapper at MLD
3. 2nd Claw - 3Trap 3Light Sentry 3Weapon Block 2soc (x2 Facet 5/5 Die)
You will use this claw in the scenario's where you may dual wield

Switch Slot

1. Insight 17Medi
I tend to always use this. Having a Large Mana Pool combined with Meditation is very very useful.
2. x2 +6 Fade Claws
If you can sustain your mana then x2 +6 Fade Claws are the end goal. Bonus would be if they also had Shadow Master and Venom

Shield

1. Whitstans (x1 Facet 5/5 Die)
You will use whitstans almost always, noting you need max block in MLD duels and vs those classes that you dont need max block we have limited Assassins to Shield. (Because assassins are so strong).
2. Artisans Kite Shield of the Tiger (3soc, 30life) (x3 Facet 5/5 Die)
You will use this instead of a 2nd claw where dual claw is not permitted. This is slightly better then Lidless (x1 Facet 5/5 Die)

Amulet

1. 3Trap 10fcr
For when you want 30fcr
2. 3Trap 100Life
For when you want more life
3. 2Trap, 10fcr 50-60life, 80-90mana
For when you want better stats and all round utility (I recommend this always)
I tend to always use #3

Gloves

1. FrostBurns.
You dont need FCR, you need mana (Mana Pots Banned). This is the Only Gloves for the Build.

Ring 1

Raven 20 Dex - You almost always want max block at MLD.
I tend to always wear 1Raven + 1 SOJ for all duels.

Ring 2

Stone of Jordan - +skills, +mana, what more can we ask for
I tend to always wear 1Raven + 1 SOJ for all duels

Belt

1. String of Ears 15MDR/15%DR
2. OW Belt, when you want that extra bit of life and Open Wounds (vs Casters)

Boots

1. Waterwalks 65Life
Honestly I use these always
2. Sanders
I use these for when I want that extra bit of FRW.
3. Rare Wyrmhide Boots 30frw 9dex 40mana Dual Res
These can be used for style I guess ?
3. Aldurs. If you can get to the steep Str Requirements, then these can also be considered

Resistance Gear

We have banned Burst of Speed at MLD and therefore we use fade. Which means, as duels are in normal, we have no real resistance issues.

What an Upgraded Trapper should look like

RageAgainstTheMachine

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#20

Jul 17 2024 03:22am

So you would always recommend 2x um in claws?

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