The Amazing Full Gris Foher! - Topic

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Sep 28 2008 07:53pm

Quote (Ironmaiden99 @ Sat, Sep 20 2008, 01:53am)

<CENTER>I have made a full gris foher at least once for each ladder season in the past 3 or 4 years. Not too many people know how good they are and really underestimate their power. This build is extremely well balanced with adequate damage. You're basically looking at resists that are stacked +40 over max in hell, 15-20k defense with Holy Shield and over 3400 life with no lifer gcs or 20life scs. With my gear posted, you will be doing about 8500 foh damage. It is lower than a Griffon's/20-20 Paladin Shield build, but much better balanced. Also, Griswold's is so easy to strength bug and it looks totally awesome.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa229/ironmaiden1776/foher.jpg
The Basics...
Stats:
Strength: Enough to get 148 strength to use Griswold's Honor (It's the highest str item you will use)
Dexterity: This one is your call. Without any hard points in dex, your block rate will be about 50% at level 80. So if you do decide to go max block, it won't take too many hard points to get it. I do recommend going max block beacuse I find that bowzons are your hardest duel and being able to block their arrows is a plus.
Vitality: All spare points get dumped here
Energy: NONE. If you do a single point here, remake your character.
Skill Distribution:
Fist of the Heavens: 20
Holy Shock: 20
Conviction: 15+ (This one is up to you. Conviction maxes out at level 25 where the -res is -150. More points than 25 in here will not lower any lower than -150 but I suggest maxing it as well beacuse in foh vs foh duels the foher with the highest level conviction cancels out the lower one)
Holy Shield: 20 (You have lots of skills left over on a foh build so maxing Holy Shield gives you more % block and a higher defense rate)
Fanaticism: 1 (This gives your charge and smite damage a boost when you're dueling bowzons)
All other points are your call. I usually end up dumping them in Charge or Defiance
Gear:
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Griswold's Heart - Ornate Plate
Defense: 917-950 (varies) (Base Defense 417-450)
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 102
Durability: 60
+500 Defense
Requirements -40%
+20 To Strength
+2 To Defensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
Socketed (3)
~
Griswold's Valor - Corona
Defense: 249-290 (varies) (Base Defense: 111-165)
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: 105
Durability: 50
+50-75% Enhanced Defense (varies)
All Resistances +5
20-30% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items (varies)
Requirements -40%
+ (0.25 Per Character Level) 0-24 Absorbs Cold Damage (Based On Character Level)
Socketed (2)
+2 To Offensive Auras (Paladin Only) (2 Items)
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Griswold's Redemption - Caduceus
Damage: (111-125) To (129-146) (120-135.5 Avg)
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 78
Required Dexterity: 56
Durability: 70
Base Weapon Speed: [-10]
+200-240% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+250% Damage To Undead
Requirements -20%
40% Increased Attack Speed
Socketed (3-4) (varies)
+2 To Combat Skills (Paladin Only) (2 Items)
Adds 10-20 Damage (3 Items)
Adds 10-20 Damage (Complete Set)
IMPORTANT - MAKE SURE YOUR CADUCEUS IS 4SOCKETS NOT 3 OR ELSE YOU WILL LOSE DAMAGE
~
Griswold's Honor - Vortex Shield
Defense: 290-333 (varies)(Base Defense: 182-225)
Required Level: 68
Required Strength: 148
Durability: 90
Chance to Block: 69%
Paladin Smite Damage: 5 To 87
(Paladin Only)
65% Faster Block Rate
20% Increased Chance of Blocking
+108 Defense
All Resistances +45
Socketed (3)
~
Complete Set Bonus:
+3 To Paladin Skill Levels
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+200 To Attack Rating
+20 To Strength
+30 To Dexterity
+150 To Life
All Resistances +50
Display Aura

You will need 12x 5/-5 Lightning Facets for this build. All facets just get inserted into the sockets in the Griswold set (This is the part that may get pricy)
Note: Die facets do not stack in items. The level of chain lightning casts stays the same, only the %chance to cast stacks. Example: a 20/20 Griswold's Redemption with all die facets will all cast level 47 Chain Lightning, but it will just be a 400% chance to cast. I suggest putting ONE die facet in each piece, then the rest levels. (Die facets are usually more expensive than levels) But if you are one of those OCD people with perfect gear, then go ahead and waste your hrs/fg on die facets.

Belt:
There are only two choices here, and it's good to have both.
1: Arachnid Mesh - Spiderweb Sash: +1 skills is a great boost to your damage, and the extra mana it gives it great. FCR DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR FOH CASTING SPEED
2: Verdungo's Hearty Cord - Mithril Coil: This is good to use against wind Druids, Barbarians, Smiters, Bowzons etc etc. Get a 40/15 for maximum life and damage reduction. The FHR is also a good bonus.
Boots:
1: Sandstorm Trek - Scarabshell Boots: Str, Vita, FHR, FRW what's not to like?
2: Waterwalk - Sharkskin Boots: These are great boots. Get +65 life ones for mass life and the +15 dex is great if you decide to go max block.
Amulet:
1: Mara's Kaleidoscope - Amulet: +2 skills, resistances and +5 to all stats is an obvious choice.
2: 3pcomb/100life Amulet: This is what you'd want if you want mass amounts of life. Using this may make up for the vitality lost dumping points into dex for max block.
Rings:
1: Stone of Jordan x2 - Ring: +1 skill and a mana bonus? Great! (You will do a lot of charging around so having mana is important)
2: Bul-Katho's Wedding Band - Ring: +1 skill and life based on character level. If you enjoy using mana pots and figure 400-500 mana is enough to be charging 90% of the time use these for the life bonus
Gloves:
1: Frostburn - Gauntlets: I only use these because of the mass mana they give you. I charge around a lot and I hate running out of mana
2: Bloodfist - Heavy Gloves: Life, Fhr, Ias is great. Definately a solid choice
NOTE: DO NOT USE MAGE FIST BECAUSE FCR DOES NOT AFFECT FOH CASTING SPEED. FOH CASTING SPEED IS TIMED
Inventory:
Paladin Torch: A high stat one would be better for obvious reasons.
Annihilus: Read above
9x Paladin Combat Grand Charms: If you can afford it, get lifers.

10x 20life Small Charms: +life is essential
~
What's in your stash is up to you. If you're bm, put Tgods, Treachery, Wisps, Dwarfs, Ravens etc etc in stash.
<CENTER>http://www.cdaccess.com/gifs/screen/d2paladin.jpg

imo, ive been playing a FoH for a while... it was the very first char i made =o
i like using a +2 pally skills ammy, with str/dex/life/teleport charges =o

sometimes having tele there.. helps out a bit

but i do have a pmara's as a switch