So I'd saved a thread over 10 years ago, and as I've gotten back into D2R, I wonder if the following would keep with the spirit of the build without taking anything off either side (zeal or hammers).

https://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=51933449&f=87

Gear for player is all that changes:

2/20 Circlet with 2x15 all res/15ias jewels. The more mods they have, the better, but 2/20 and two sockets is vital.
Enigma of course.
Arach belt.
Gore boots (Master_Zappy eloquently put why those are the best choice 95% of the time, in particular for bosses other than the ubers where that OW will help).
Trang gloves.
2/20/15 res all amulet - this one obviously won't be as easy, given it's a crafted caster amulet, but we're going all out here.
Ravenfrost ring - can't be frozen as a melee.
10fcr/15res all ring - needed for breakpoints.
Astreon's scepter - keeping the classic and classy beatstick, still with Ber rune for more CB.
Spirit - Elite lightweight (read: Sacred Targe), preferably 45res all base, has to be 35% FCR.

Inventory: Torch, Anni, Gheed's, 1 Keys slot, TP tome (I hate trying to hit those on the belt - personal preference), Cube, 7xP Comb (life and FHR to hit 86% - should be 3 of them after the initial 55%FHR from Spirit), 8xRes all SCs (life to tank, if comfy at your current total, res all/mf).

Assuming perfect gear, you have max and stacked res (especially if stacking off your merc's Treachery when needed for ubers), -should- be the same zeal and smite BPs with that stick and fanatacism active, comparable damage all around on the LCS, and 125% FCR this time (and also on switch if your CTA spirit is also a 35% FCR). Slightly better hammer damage due to faster spam, better mobility, no loss of ability other than 50% MF from Shako, really.

So what do you think? Other than being pretty expensive, should this be as viable or moreso in D2R?

Thanks in advance for the feedback, guys and gals!

a 1pt smite hammerdin but worse

The original wasn't meant to be a 1pt smite hammerdin - it was an actual Zeal/Hammer Pally with a strong attack for each. Gear makes all the difference...I'm fully aware a full hammerdin will utterly eclipse this for hammer damage. With all the CB and Zeal capability though, it can shred bosses notably faster, similar to a smiter (and hell, CAN smite if it wants to...maxed Fanat + ST shield still works just fine with 58% CB).

Just my take on a classic and ingenious build.

it's neither classic, ingenious or a boss shredder. it's a bad version of a 1pt smite hammerdin

It works very well but it needs some tweaks.

This post was edited by Tarisus on Aug 5 2024 07:48am

Hammerdin:
CTA with 3 Hammer/3 Conc
Spirit
2/20 circlet
2/20 amulet
Enigma
Trangs
Gore riders
Arach
FCR ring
Soj
35+20*4+10=125

This way you maintain Hammerdin damage.


With Sara’s setup, she uses Pride for merc weapon, its base damage is too low. I believe 20 Conc gives 345 ed and some points into Sacrifice is 240 ed. If you were to equip Reapers and provide Decrep, you’ll do more damage when curse is up.

Using Reapers merc, so he actually deals damage. Then you max out:
20 hammer
20 conc
20 blessed aim
20 vigor
20 fanaticism

With D2r, you can use Phoenix on Zeal side. Here’s the flexible part. You can use Astrons or Grief. Grief is very good against wave 2 Baal but Astrons is better vs against Bosses. Sara’s setup uses 75 FCR means she has more room for ias. In D2r, with 125 FCR means you need 2x15 ias jewels along with 15 ias jewel in weapon to hit fastest attack speed with level 33 Fanaticism.

PS. You can go a step farther by using ias jewels in 4 socket shield instead of Phoenix if you want more Crushing Blow and Deadly Strike with Death BA. Gaining 50 DS is totally worth 240 ED.

This post was edited by Tarisus on Aug 5 2024 10:02am