Quote (Selet @ Apr 14 2026 09:00pm)

Threw together an Insight build with the only inventory being LoD Sunder, Torch, Anni and some resistance charms. basic merc with prayer/cure/insight/treachery just to tell without aura buffs. very low AR, since testing on cheap budget gear. Will obviously be better with expensive gear.

Cleans PvM pretty easily. Even on Tz96 on p1. P8 is quite slow, but it can still clear. Not a big deal IMO though.

Archer Heralds are a menace though, mainly because of the swarm of minions and no reliable meat shield.

Gonna look into an Azurewrath/Kingslayer a5 merc later on. Will probably help with most of that.

Ubers: Cleans Izzy/Duriel/Lilith pretty reliably. It's a little slow, but gets em down without issue.
Can barely do damage to Uber Meph, Baal and Diablo though. maybe the a5 merc will help with all the crushing blow it has.
Haven't tried Uber Ancients, mainly cause i hate that fight lol.


My Thoughts: it's still really good on a budget gear setup. But you're not going to be clearing Ubers effortlessly like it can currently. overall i like the changes to it. takes a bit of playing around with it because you're not unkillable anymore, and can't wipe out the screen in half a second. but it's still a really good build for solo farming. Can build up a decent Smiter for practically nothing though for torch farming if you really want to.



Pretty sure he's complaining about 2h weapons needing the books to be used.

Quote (chickypoo @ Apr 14 2026 07:46pm)

With 3/20/20 and full inventory of gc… for pvm..

The damage can be up there, I hit 7k with death, and basic gear. I was testing demon so didn’t have time to push ES before work, but if can hit 7k with no inventory, no chant etc and same set, something has to be wrong with your build.

Seen a few way up there though. I just haven’t had time.

Quote (arislanpug @ Apr 14 2026 09:08pm)

Using horazons set is a bit of a hack with the 350 ed. Try the build without and see how s tier it is.

Quote (Bradymuck @ Apr 14 2026 09:11pm)

I think you'd be better off with an actual melee weapon rather than obsession. The base es damage isn't nearly as high that you can just ignore weapon damage anymore.

Quote (TheEmotionalSupport @ Apr 15 2026 12:45pm)

I got full horazons on my single player character on day 3. I don't really consider it a "hack" considering that and that the whole set gives EDIT: ZERO fcr (total, yes you read that right- no fcr but it takes up helm, chest, gloves, and shield. Can't get fcr on boots anyway) and you give up Teleport.

.

Quote (arislanpug @ Apr 14 2026 11:27pm)

That's my point - I consider it a hack because _if_ without it you're not viable - unless you get into BIS gear territory, then its a poorly designed class/build. Its not about easy to get or not - you're tied to the set.

I don't yet have time to play PTR, hence why I'm asking - can you be effective without the very specific and restrictive set and without end game BIS tier gear (phoenix with its 300ed, enigma, etc.)?

I do agree ES is too OP, and don't mind a nerf, but the question is, is it going too far?

Quote (arislanpug @ 14 Apr 2026 23:27)

That's my point - I consider it a hack because _if_ without it you're not viable - unless you get into BIS gear territory, then its a poorly designed class/build. Its not about easy to get or not - you're tied to the set.

I don't yet have time to play PTR, hence why I'm asking - can you be effective without the very specific and restrictive set and without end game BIS tier gear (phoenix with its 300ed, enigma, etc.)?

I do agree ES is too OP, and don't mind a nerf, but the question is, is it going too far?

Quote (TheEmotionalSupport @ Apr 14 2026 10:34pm)

https://i.imgur.com/vXbJQSl.jpeg

With this build, players 8 is still not an issue but it is isn't nearly as fast as it once was.

Full Horazon's Set - eld in shield, phys jewel in helm, 9str/9dex/30ed/3maek in chest
Obsession Staff
2/20 warlock amulet - no other affixes added to caster amulet
2x opalvein for the fcr, res, and ed% (set to 20% min roll on each)
Arach
Eldritch/45 lifers
cta/spirit swap
small charms are 3/20/20s but the AR was already so high with 30 Enchant that you hit 95% without them

125 fcr breakpoint (obsession is the only way to hit this with full horazon's)
Max Block - higher dex = higher AR, so might as well do this anyway.

This is without consuming a goat, btw.

Merc - Might
Insight
Fort
Andys (socketed with phys jewel - fade gets you to 75fr if necessary)

Demon hasn't rolled Holy Freeze yet.

1 to LM
maxxed ES and synergies
1 to Purge (will probably swap back to Bane)
4 to Sigil: Death for explosions and 85% purge chance
20 to Bind Demon
9 flex skill points (more if switch from purge and sigil:death)

I think the changes are a bit much overall, but things are certainly doable with the right build.
From testing various other builds, Hammerdin holds the top spot again.