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#1
Jun 21 2024 03:46am


Ferdia's D2R MLD Energy Shield Fireballer


Table of Contents


1. Introduction to MLD

2. Introduction to ESFB's

3. Breakpoints

4. Items

5. Charms

6. Stash Items

7. Stats

8. Skills

9. GM Rules and Limitations

10. 1v1 PvP Strategy & Videos

11. Team Duels PvP Strategy & Videos




This post was edited by ferdia on Jun 21 2024 05:55am
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#2
Jun 21 2024 04:13am


1. Introduction to MLD

Mid-Level Dueling (MLD) is the level 49 dueling bracket, with Wind Druids allowed to level up to 65 to use Enigma. This bracket emphasizes Faster Run Walk (FRW) with only Windy and Sorc's teleporting. The ruleset is designed to ensure that every class has at least one competitive build capable of winning a 1v1 tournament. Tournaments and duels typically take place on the Europe Realm.

2. Introduction to the Sorceress Class

There are several Classes at MLD that are naturally stronger then others. The Sorceress Class has multiple Builds, i.e. (a) ESFB (b) VitaFB (c) ESBlizz (d) VitaLight, (e) EsLight (f) Nova (g) BowSorc (h) Orber. The List can go on. An ESFB is one of the Top Builds in 1v1 and with BO can be regarded as the #1 best build in Team Duels. All builds have their strengths and weaknesses, but apart from a Trapper, and maybe a Bowa, ESFB is pretty amazing.

3. Breakpoints

FCR: 105% FCR
There is really only one FCR Breakpoint to aim for on a ESFB and thats 105% FCR.

FHR: 42 or 60 FHR
While you can play with less FHR, from experience the best breakpoints are 42-60FHR.
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#3
Jun 21 2024 04:49am


4. Items


Spirit or Orb?

This is more of a costing / pricing question. If you can afford a GG orb, go for it, but Spirit is cheap and inexpensive and is great bang for your buck.

ES or Vita?

When it comes to choosing between ES and Vita, I find that the more GG gear you have, the more you gravitate towards ES. That is the simplest way of explaining it.

Helmet

1. Magic 3Fire 20FCR 2soc
This is the starter Circlet and is brilliant bang for your buck. x2 5/5 Fire Die facets work pretty well here.
2. (rare) 2Fire 30FRW 20FCR 80-90mana
The standard ESFB Circlet. Thankfully not so uncommon anymore. If you can find one of these with Resistances, stats or the dream, 2soc, great.

Armor

1. Vipermagi
You will use this virtually always, a 5/5 Fire Die or a gg Stat jewel works well here.
2. Hustle
You can experiment using this vs a Druid but if played well, Vipermagi will do just fine.

Weapon

1. Spirit Crystal/Broad or Longsword.
35FCR 112mana 8abs, great
2. 3fire/20fcr/3firemastery (Magic) or 2Sorc/20fcr 2-3mastery/3fireball
This can be regarded as the minimum to use when replacing Spirit. If you go Orb Route, I recommend Lidless "ELD" for maxblock (solves the FCR issue of losing Spirits 35% FCR)
3. A perfected 3Fire/20fcr/3Fire Mastery/3Fireball/1-3 Thunderstorm/60mana/2soc
Dare to dream ok !

Shield

1. Whitstans
The standard shield, you can use either a 5/5 Fire Die Facet or a stat jewel here.
2. Lidless
This can be used for Caster Specific duels or as main shield (maxblock) in combination with an Eld Rune when using an Orb.

Swap

1. Memory +CA +3ES, bonus is to have +Enchant as well

Amulet

1. 3fire/10fcr
Starter Amulet. not too shabby.
2. 2fire 10fcr 40-60life, 70-90mana. Long term you are looking for Rep Life / Stats and Resistances on top.

Gloves

1. Frostburns
The one and only. You will use these almost always
2. Magefist
These can be used when you are playing Vita (in Sorc v Sorc or vs Light Trapper)

Rings

x2 Stone of Jordan
+skills and a mana boost, yes please

Belt

1. Crafted 10fcr 24fhr 40-60life
Your looking for as close to 60 life as possible here, and then ideally with either 9str (max for level) or 5 repl (again, max for level)

Boots

1. Waterwalks
Gives you everything you really need
2. Crafted Mana or Repl Boots
I have not used this, and did not use these in D2LOD either

Resistance Gear

Sorc's almost always wear Vipermagi, and in conjuction with Anya thats 65 all Resistances. Duels are completed in normal so all you really need is +10 All res. This can be acquired via a jewel, a mod on amulet, or even from a couple of charms. TLDR: ESFB does not really have resistance problems.
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#4
Jun 21 2024 05:34am


5. Charms

1. x10 1Fire / 30 Life
2. x10 20life/ 17mana
Note that 1fire/29life and 19life/17mana can be used respectively if your on a budget.
if using a 3Fire circ or amulet you can consider replacing 1 (or 2) skilers with 20life/17mana charms for certain duels.

Thats basically a perfect inventory.

6. Stash Items

(a) Lidless (if using Whitstans for max-block.
(b) Thundergods.
(c) x3 - x6 1Fire 6str Grand Charms.
(d) Ring 10fcr 15Str 90Mana.
(e) Wand or Circlet with +Str.
In conjunction with Str Items this should enable you to wear Thundergods which you need vs a Light Trapper.
(f) x6 20life/17mana small charms (in case you have mana issues).
(g) Ravenfrost. This is for vs Druids, but you can play x2 SOJ always as well.

The more GG items you have, the less you will need to rely on additional Life/Mana charms to supplement your Mana Pool. You can also live without a Thundergods setup and instead rely on allies to kill the light Trapper for you in Team Duels.

7. Stats

Enough STR for Gear (Frostburns)
Enough Dex for Max Block
All the rest into Energy

8. GM Rules and Limitations

In D2LOD ESFB's at MLD were the Top 2 Build alongside Bowa's. With the FHR changes and wider screen size, ESFB's retain their position as the best Character in team duels.

9. Skills

Nothing in Cold Spells Tree
1 Point Telekinesis
1 Point Teleport
1 Point Warmth
1 Point Firebolt*
20 Points Fireball
1 Point Inferno
1 Point Blaze
1 Point Firewall
1 Point Meteor*
1-2 Points Fire Mastery**

*You will either want to max Fire Bolt or Meteor. I prefer maxing Meteor, other people prefer maxing Firebolt
**Depending on Amulet and Circlet, and whether you are using x10 skillers or not, you will want either 1 or 2 Points in Fire Mastery. You will need to Max roll this.


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#5
Jun 23 2024 01:58pm


1. Introduction to MLD

Mid-Level Dueling (MLD) is the level 49 dueling bracket, with Wind Druids allowed to level up to 65 to use Enigma. This bracket emphasizes Faster Run Walk (FRW) with only Windy and Sorc's teleporting. The ruleset is designed to ensure that every class has at least one competitive build capable of winning a 1v1 tournament. Tournaments and duels typically take place on the Europe Realm.

2. Introduction to the Sorceress Class

There are several Classes at MLD that are naturally stronger then others. The Sorceress Class has multiple Builds, i.e. (a) ESFB (b) VitaFB (c) ESBlizz (d) VitaLight, (e) EsLight (f) Nova (g) BowSorc (h) Orber. The List can go on. An ESFB is one of the Top Builds in 1v1 and with BO can be regarded as the #1 best build in Team Duels. All builds have their strengths and weaknesses, but apart from a Trapper, and maybe a Bowa, ESFB is pretty amazing.

3. Introduction to ESFB's

MLD Energy-Shield FireBaller's "ESFB's" are easy to make, easy to equip and are the greatest bang for your buck for MLD. You dont need to invest alot or have special equipment to make one and they are great in 1v1 and amazing in TvT. With investment they only get better and better. The build offers a smooth learning curve for those not familiar with name locks or smooth transition from HLD down (just understand you cant stomp and kill stuff, you need to soften them up first).

4. Breakpoints

FCR: 105% FCR
There is really only one FCR Breakpoint to aim for on a ESFB and thats 105% FCR.

FHR: 42 or 60 FHR
While you can play with less FHR, from experience the best breakpoints are 42-60FHR.
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#6
Jun 26 2024 04:15am


1. Introduction to MLD

Mid-Level Dueling (MLD) is the level 49 dueling bracket, with Wind Druids allowed to level up to 65 to use Enigma. This bracket emphasizes Faster Run Walk (FRW) with only Windy and Sorc's teleporting. The ruleset is designed to ensure that every class has at least one competitive build capable of winning a 1v1 tournament. Tournaments and duels typically take place on the Europe Realm.

2. Introduction to the Sorceress Class

There are several Classes at MLD that are naturally stronger then others. The Sorceress Class has multiple Builds, i.e. (a) ESFB (b) VitaFB (c) ESBlizz (d) VitaLight, (e) EsLight (f) Nova (g) BowSorc (h) Orber. The List can go on. An ESFB is one of the Top Builds in 1v1 and with BO can be regarded as the #1 best build in Team Duels. All builds have their strengths and weaknesses, but apart from a Trapper, and maybe a Bowa, ESFB is pretty amazing.

3. Introduction to ESFB's

MLD Energy-Shield FireBaller's "ESFB's" are easy to make, easy to equip and are the greatest bang for your buck for MLD. You dont need to invest alot or have special equipment to make one and they are great in 1v1 and amazing in TvT. With investment they only get better and better. The build offers a smooth learning curve for those not familiar with name locks or smooth transition from HLD down (just understand you cant stomp and kill stuff, you need to soften them up first).



This post was edited by ferdia on Jun 26 2024 04:15am
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#7
Jun 26 2024 04:17am


5. Charms

1. x10 1Fire / 30 Life
2. x10 20life/ 17mana
Note that 1fire/29life and 19life/17mana can be used respectively if your on a budget.
if using a 3Fire circ or amulet you can consider replacing 1 (or 2) skilers with 20life/17mana charms for certain duels.

Thats basically a perfect inventory.

6. Stash Items

(a) Lidless (if using Whitstans for max-block.
(b) Thundergods.
(c) x3 - x6 1Fire 6str Grand Charms.
(d) Ring 10fcr 15Str 90Mana.
(e) Wand or Circlet with +Str.
In conjunction with Str Items this should enable you to wear Thundergods which you need vs a Light Trapper.
(f) x6 20life/17mana small charms (in case you have mana issues).
(g) Ravenfrost. This is for vs Druids, but you can play x2 SOJ always as well.

The more GG items you have, the less you will need to rely on additional Life/Mana charms to supplement your Mana Pool. You can also live without a Thundergods setup and instead rely on allies to kill the light Trapper for you in Team Duels.

7. Stats

Enough STR for Gear (Frostburns)
Enough Dex for Max Block
All the rest into Energy

8. GM Rules and Limitations

In D2LOD ESFB's at MLD were the Top 2 Build alongside Bowa's. With the FHR changes and wider screen size, ESFB's retain their position as the best Character in team duels.

9. Skills

Nothing in Cold Spells Tree
1 Point Telekinesis
1 Point Teleport
1 Point Warmth
1 Point Firebolt*
20 Points Fireball
1 Point Inferno
1 Point Blaze
1 Point Firewall
1 Point Meteor*
1-2 Points Fire Mastery**

*You will either want to max Fire Bolt or Meteor. I prefer maxing Meteor, other people prefer maxing Firebolt
**Depending on Amulet and Circlet, and whether you are using x10 skillers or not, you will want either 1 or 2 Points in Fire Mastery. You will need to Max roll this.

Upgraded ESFB



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#8
Jun 26 2024 06:29am
Great guides!
out of curiosity, if no ban on pdr/mdr, why not using a sol'ed everlasting circ or ammy?
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#9
Jun 26 2024 06:45am
Quote (oranelle @ Jun 26 2024 01:29pm)
Great guides!
out of curiosity, if no ban on pdr/mdr, why not using a sol'ed everlasting circ or ammy?


If using such items you are missing out on the FCR mod, which means you have to make serious sacrifices elsewhere, not worth making. If you can get PDR/MDR naturally, from rares or uniques, it is ofc a good mod.
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#10
Jun 26 2024 09:16am
Quote (ferdia @ Jun 26 2024 08:45am)
If using such items you are missing out on the FCR mod, which means you have to make serious sacrifices elsewhere, not worth making. If you can get PDR/MDR naturally, from rares or uniques, it is ofc a good mod.


Copy that. Thx!
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