Quote (TheUndyingGod @ Sun, 5 Oct 2008, 00:48)

Undying's Torch Hunter / Diablo Clone Killer Smiter Guide


http://www.battle.net/images/battle/diablo2exp/images/classes/paladin-history.jpg
Written and tested by: TheUndyingGod


Quick introduction

The following guide is my 4th so far on D2Jsp.  After responding to an incredible amount of questions concerning PvM smiters, I have decided to take some time to share my knowledge and experience with them with you, reader.  The layout of this build is meant to be a replica of my old East Softcore Non Ladder smiter.  The character is now retired, as I decided to sell out my items on that realm and core. 


Overview of the build

The build is meant to offer a certain safety when dealing with the three uber bosses or with Diablo clone himself.  As PvM is way different than PvP, the build cannot be considered as a possibly effective dueler, it is meant to kill ubers quickly, and safely on any realm and core.  I haven't tried a similar build on Hardcore so far but I'm pretty sure that it would be just as effective as it did for me, on softcore.  The only difference would be the cost to gear it.  I will expose two possible variants of the build, the 1st being the exact copy of the one that I used in the past - the safest version - and the second being an alternative similar build that can kill ubers somewhat a bit faster.


Paladin Class Overview

http://i36.tinypic.com/102manc.jpg

Usable stats at level 90: 460
Usable skills at level 90: 101

My build used to be pretty complete at 91, however, you'll be perfectly fine in the 80's.


With this build you can achieve:

90 LR / 85 FR / 85 CR / 75 PR in hell stacked
6 fpa smite attack speed (4.1 attacks per second)
A decent amount of life (depending on your charms and battle orders level)
A certain amount of absorb against every element but poison (granted by a few items)
Benefit of the crushing blow effect on every hit (with the first build)

And you will be able to:

Torch run under a minute (hunting down the 3 bosses) -- I used to do it in ~45-50 seconds
Kill Diablo clone with even more ease

Notes:  You don't have to reach any specific FHR frame, it is unecessary for that purpose.
FCR is not needed either, as you will be walking.


Skill distribution

Note:  The build will be completely finished at level 91-92 but will be effective way before that.  Those extra levels are just meant to perfect it.


Combat Skills tree

20 Smite
20 Holy Shield
1 Holy Bolt
1 Charge
1 Blessed Hammer

Offensive Auras tree

20 Fanaticism
1 Might
1 Blessed Aim
1 Concentration

Defensive Auras tree (the ones that you should end with -- ordered)

1 Prayer
1 Cleansing
1 Defiance
1 Vigor
1 Meditation (I was using a +3 medi/+3 HS CtA to save that one, so I was totally done at 91)
10 Lightning Resistance (passive 5% maximum lightning resistance gain)
10 Fire Resistance (passive 5% maximum fire resistance gain)
10 Cold Resistance (passive 5% maximum cold resistance gain (perfecting points -- the build can survive without those)
1 Redemption (optional)
1 Salvation (optional)


Stats distribution

Strenght: Just enough to wear your shield (As my exil was a vortex shield, I had 138 total)
Dexterity: Enough to reach max blocking chances, as usual
Vitality: The rest here
Energy: I didn't have to mention it.


Item Setup #1 -- Safety, stacked resistances and 100% chances of Crushing blow

Helm: UM'd Kiras Guardian Tiara (for resistance purposes)
Amulet: Maras (2 to all skills granted, 20-30 all resists, period.)
Weapon: Last Wish Phase blade (lifetap, 60-70% chances of Crushing blow -- having 65%+ from it will give you an even 100%)
Weapon switch: Call to arms (useless)
Armor: Chains of honor (dusk, wyrm, scarab or even ap can work -- I used a wyrm one)
Shield: Exile (vortex, zakarum shield or sacred targe would be the best options -- Look for a shield that has base resistances; 40-45)
Shield switch: Paly spirit (pretty self-explanatory)
Gloves: 20 IAS, Crushing blow, mods crafted gloves (The 20 ias is a MUST, otherwise, your smite speed will be lowered to 7 fpa.  The CB will lead you around 100% -- Life, dex or resistance can be nice adds when looking for a pair)
Ring 1: Ravenfrost (20 dex, cold absorb -- nuff said)
Belt: Thundergod's Vigor (otherwise uber Mephisto can be a pain sometimes -- absorb is your friend)
Ring 2: Dwarf star (life and fire absorb are a plus)
Boots: Goblin toes (25% crushing blow -- way superior than goreriders.  Upgrade them once if you wish)


Charm setup

Annihilus
Torch (You can chose not to use one to be able to pick up the torches in uber trist if you wish)
37x 20 Life SC's (optional, but assures you a certain safety through having more hitpoints)


Item Setup #2 -- Faster killing speed, defensively weaker

Helmet: Guillaume's winged helm (35% Crushing blow, 15 strenght, bonus fhr)
Amulet: Maras (same purpose than for the first build)
Weapon: Grief phase blade (better than last wish when finishing up the ubers, as it gives a way superior damage bonus -- Any IAS will be enough)
Weapon switch: Call to arms
Armor: Still CoH
Shield: Exile
Shield switch: Paly spirit
Gloves: CB, IAS, mods crafted gloves
Ring 1: Ravenfrost
Belt: Thundergod's Vigor
Ring 2: Dwarf Star
Boots: Goblin toes

Note: The inventory should be exactly the same.

This setup can reach up to 70% Crushing blow (guillies, gloves, goblin toes), deals more damage but has less chances to cast lifetap on hit and has less stacked resistances (due to Kiras guardian on the other setup)

Ending notes:  The first setup is the one that I have officially tested.  I came up with the idea of a second setup since I am totally sure that it is faster in fact.  However, if you are playing on a hardcore realm, I highly suggest to suit your paladin as in number 1.

Quote (tarald8099 @ Thu, 23 Apr 2009, 08:45)

my uber smiter make's uber's in 1.5 minute's without bo... and anni ^^ and i use rather LW then grief.... LW got more CB wich crushe's their life

Quote (werezombie @ Sun, 24 May 2009, 10:55)

Hey man, I've been using your guide here, went the safe route, substituted a 195 hoz for exile, still killed ubers ridiculously easy, and it was my first try ever at ubers. At no point did I feel even remotely in trouble, lifetaps went off well even without exile, used dracs instead of ias/cb gloves, but my cb total was still pretty damn high from the goblin toes/last wish bonuses.

Gave all my torches away to my buddy, unidentified and he pulled a 18/20 barb outta it. Not too shabby for a mornings work, ubered 5 times between our shared keysets, 3rd time all three ubers attacked at once and I still killed em off easy

Great guide, keep em coming!

Quote (Kageyoshi @ Sun, 24 May 2009, 12:45)

nice guide man

Quote (sexy_guy @ Sun, 24 May 2009, 16:34)

imo much to expensive

cb,resi,lt>ut

Quote (Lusus @ Sun, 24 May 2009, 23:16)

Nice guide

But one thing, Baal summons physical immune ghosts and Vampire ghouls.
Most of the time he dies quick enough to avoid them, but if he does they're a pain.

Is a Merc the best thing to deal with those, or something else?

Edit: Most of the time killing everything isn't needed, but I use a weak mule to pick up the torches so it needs to be safe

Quote (Rassler_90 @ Mon, 25 May 2009, 04:07)

lol'd

i still love to read this..best ever