Wanted to make this, to see for myself what advances I made during the season.
Hope you like/comment it, will try to update this first post with new "advances" as time goes by.
First of all, I usually catch up to play 3-4 hours a day (father of 2, full time job bla bla bla), so I probably won't be first at a lot of things, but at the end of the season let's hope for some good results (S1 I ended top 70 with my Crusader, without ancient weapon).
Here my monk as reference (it doesn't show him as seasonal, nor his paragons are correct, obviously):
I'm online at S2 start, immediately jump in and create my S2 monk. Have a female monk in non-season, so run a male one this time! I always like to give some "decent" names to my toons. I'm croatian, so he got a "funny" name, that usually tends to go with what build I would like to play in the end. He is called Zvonko (translated that would be like "Bellman", or the one that hits the Bell).
OK, check my friendslist, 2 friends are up with their S2 toons as well, so we start together a game on Master level. We level together in bounties mainly. Share loot as good as we can (WD+DH+Monk, BTW). The DH even got a low level Cindercoat.
At around lvl 40 I have to put kids in bed, do dishes (always keep your wife happy ).
Came back to my friends game, they pulled ahead of me some 10 levels, I die a lot, but keep shortening the lvl gap. Still, they hit 70 while I was 67. They stayed in the game till I hit 70, and then they went to bed.
I just crafted some yellow Daibo with socket and spirit regen to be able to play master later on. A little testing, hit Paragon 5 and went to bed (it was 3 AM).
Day 2 (Saturday 14.2.2015.):
I woke up relatively early (around 7:30), gave kids breakfast, let my wife sleep.
Managed to play with friends and in public games at Master difficulty. A Paddle Daibo dropped with spirit regen. Other gear mainly yellow (still a vigilante belt with 61 lvl, but the CDR seem to help). As items drop I change spirit generator, but use bells.
Also got a Gungdo gear, with mediocre stats, however not enough Forgotten souls to roll CC on it, so I don't use it.
Joined T1 public games, first 2 rifts I got Key of Trials. Had enough Diamonds to get my gear up to par to survive T2. So, I went solo and created a T2 game.
Started with a lvl 1 GR, and working my way slowly up to increase lvl's one by one to collect all legendary gems. In the waiting period to reach 4:30 to not advance to far in GR levels I do A1 and A3 bounties (for RORG and Avarice band).
Kinda lucky, at GR4 I got my Torch. Mediocre stats, but it's a Torch. Rerolled VIT to socket (had like 7 Forgotten souls at that time). While grinding to GR18 I finished A1 bounties 2 times and A3 bounty one time.
Always invited friends to get the bounty bags with me. Lucked out and in 2nd A1 T2 bag I got RORG, with 5,5% CC!
Kadala didn't like me at all, got Inna helm from her and chest dropped, so can run 3 set bonus at least. Though that Dashing strike set parts are dropping, might consider doing something with that in the meantime.
End of day, around P40 (not really a lot, but it was a busy day, going out with kids and shopping took their toll), just for the sake of it I check leaderboards, a guy with almost perfect ancient torch and mediocre Sunwuko set cleared a GR37, wow! His P168 is easily explained as he could faceroll T6 with that gear.
Day 3 (Sunday 15.2.2015):
Playing T1/T2, some friends already geared up (2 WD's in my friends list have Starmetal Kukri already ).
Trying to get as many shards as possible, but no Sunwuko parts in sight... Dragging along. Got ancient Thundergods Vigor, so it seems I need to go lightning, a decent Ouroboros dropped too. Getting up to 10 Forgotten souls here and there, trying to roll better things on stuff.
Crimson set plans dropped, rolled pants and boots, ended up semi-decent for first tries. Anyway, use it for CDR mainly.
Kadala gave me yet another Dashing strike set piece. Let's see it's 500 DEX at 2 pieces, 15% lightning damage at 4 pieces. And the gloves came out very decent. Let's give it a try with Thundergods Vigor, also, managed to get 6% CC on Gungdo in the meantime.
Can run T4 now, but it's kinda slow, especially on the RG. Still prefer T2 public games, getting a trial keystone relatively often. Worked my way up to P80.
Almost thinking about going to bed, but friend invites me to a T6 game (one of the WD's with Kukri). Trash I actually kill very fine with Exploding Palm, it's nice to see packs go BOOM!
We run a few T6 games and I got my first Ramaladni (was thinking to save it, but, decided to roll Spirit Regen and add socket on Torch - have almost perma bells now. Still will roll that into 10% damage when I get Sunwuko/Inna combo - or maybe a better torch will drop).
We then ran GR's from lvl 1 up to around lvl 29, and I actually got a decent Sunwuko amulet (DEX/VIT/90+CHD/socket), managed to roll 8%CC so far, out of Forgotten souls... Went to bed with around P115. Kadala is still a bitch. Checked leaderboards, people are already doing GR38... Kadala, plsssssssssssssssssss
Day 4 (Monday 16.2.2015.):
After finishing work and doing stuff with my kids, I managed to get to my PC.
Basic idea was that I will try to upgrade at least one gem to lvl 25, and I was thinking going with the poison gem first. Had some trial keys lying around (but really short on those, makes me chuckle when I know how many of those I have on non-season now).
While doing solo runs from GR1 to GR low 20's a friend of mine asks to join. Since so low on trial keys we decide to go few T4 rifts. Few more friends of his join us, so we do rifts and lower GR's together. We get a very decent DH with full Mara set joining us, so even low GR30's are not a problem.
The group was out of keys so we decided to do trials, I wanted to see proof of concept, so I went with Fist of Azturaq and Rimeheart (both unsocketed, nor rerolled), while using Cyclone Strike: Wall of Wind (it freezes mobs on pull in for 1,5 seconds) and Exploding Palm: Impending Doom. I managed to keep mobs away from the group, the set-up actually worked nicely. With better rolls and some more Spirit Regen this might work nicely in GR30+ group games. Will try to not forget about it.
The game was working nice, on low 30 GR's I was still dying a lot (and most of the group members), but we all managed to level up our gems. All shards in the meantime were spent on shoulders. Just about the time when I was close to get my first gem to lvl 25 (after around 8000 shards spent) Kadala finally gave me Sunwuko shoulders!!! I was so happy. It was a decent roll (DEX/VIT/AR), got 8%CDR in few tries. So, next we needed gloves! Of course, the next GR run I got Ancient Sunwuko shoulders dropping (again DEX/VIT/AR, rolled 7% CDR, out of forgotten souls, but oh my). Few runs and bloodshards after I got my first Sunwuko gloves!!! Ancient ones, with quite defensive stats, DEX/VIT/9,5%CC, few tries got 38%CHD! Will get ones with CDR later, but man, was I happy, smiling from ear to ear.
Sadly, the group fell apart and went to bed (1 AM, it's a working day...).
I also exited the game and wanted to go to bed, but looking at Battle.Net screen I had to go back into game and try some T6 runs solo. Oh man, it feels good to be powerful
I was so happy that I didn't care about leaderboards at all, went to bed knowing it just can get better now!
Day 5 (Tuesday 17.2.2015.):
Some bad headache all day, a lot of family stuff to do, but did find some time to play.
Entered game, checked my Paragons. At 166. Not so bad (in my opinion for the playtime I have).
Main goal of the day is to get survivability and damage up. So I decided to do some rifts (found out that low GR30's I'm just dying to much) from lvl 1 and up to get my Bane of the Trapped and the Life regen gem up. Will roll for boots at Kadala, hoping for Crudest boots. Sunwuko shoulders now dropped few times already...
Got my Bane of the Trapped up to 25, and a friend joins my party so we do some T6 rifts together (was short on trial keys anyway). Kadala was good and I got Crudest boots. So, switched to Unity passive (from Exalted soul) for a nice damage boost. Trying to get Inna belt now. Those dashing strike set parts drop like candy. To bad the set is not really viable.
My party falls apart and I got invited to friends party for some T6 runs (he is already over 300 paragons). After 2 runs "better" players a.k.a full Marauder's want to join him and I get booted out of the party. Leaves a bad aftertaste... I see them doing 30+ GR's already (no wonder he got his Paragons up).
Joined some T6 public game, and they cry if I'm at Kadala's... Reached P186 and had enough for the day.
Leaderboards show people doing GR45 already, they covered in ancient weapons and gear already. I'm still waiting for the first Unity to drop, also got only Scoundrel can't die token.
I will keep my pace, it seems. All in all not a bad day, but kinda bad aftertaste.
Day 6 (Wednesday, 18.2.2015.):
Decided not going play to much, since I'm catholic, and that's one of those days we should lower down our fun.
Started with paragon 186, T6 capable now. Looking at my gems, decided I will level up My Molten Wildebeest's Gizzard (who came up with that name???) to get my survivability up (still no Unity ring in sight). In the process I cleared a GR34 with much time left, however a try at 35 I just die to much, seems double Unity is a must for higher GR tiers.
Leveled up the gem to 25, and a friend who has a "starter monk" joins me, so I can give him excess parts, especially set ones to get him up to par.
But, it didn't last long a DH friend of his (P459 at that time) joins, and soon after a P350+ monk. The DH was complaining we are to slow, he just vaults and multishots half the screen away... My paragons just go up, but honestly it is not really enjoyable for me, but I need the shards/trial keys anyway, switch a passive to Momentum just to keep up with him.
I got a semi-decent Paddle, Sunwuko amulet and ancient Inna belt that I give away to the friend. I roll myself a Inna belt, and mediocre Cindercoat, so I switch to fire.
I desperately need more VIT and/or a better Inna helm. Rolling helms at Kadala's from now on. Just before I decided to leave the DH drops a Unity ring, so one more to go. Ended up at P218 and with one Unity, decent conclusion of the day.
Since I went with Cindercoat, I was able to reroll spirit regen from my Torch to + damage. Got 9% DMG, rolls are now over 3M already. I'm out of gold now, and mats I started keeping up with the needs for rerolls. Also short on rift keys. Will try tomorrow to get an Avarice Band for the gold pick-up range and level up my Boon of the Hoarder to lvl 25 at least for the speed bonus.
Day 7 (Thursday 19.2.2015.):
As said at end of Wednesday, I'm short on gold now mainly (also low on some of the gems). Started game and decided to try my luck with A3 bounties to get that Avarice band. Asked in Bounty community (thousands of players online) for a splitfarm A3 group at T6. Nobody responds.
So I do it alone, but since I can define my own pace, I do also A4 and A1 bounties, and as well all keywardens (need to farm up those keys for a decent HF ring to boost my XP, and if very lucky a decently rolled HF amulet.
RNG on my side, I got an Avarice Band with 5%CC right away, however no socket. With the little gold I have I try to roll a socket in, spent all little gold I had left for gem upgrades, but no socket in sight. Now, I'm short on gold and gems for rerolls.
Anyway, I decided I will try to level up my Boon of the Hoarder gem to 25, so I take 9 trial keys, enter trials/exit trials and do the lvl-ing up process in GR's from lvl 1. Got all GR keys to 29+. Spent shards on the way on helms and got a semidecent Leoric, an ancient Broken Crown and an upgrade for my Inna Spirit Stone (DEX/VIT, spent a lot to roll at least 5%CC).
Took a break after that. After tending to the family and putting kids to bed, I come back and see that g0c is online, and I ask him if he wants to come with me so I can try to help him get a RORG as he doesn't have one yet. We did A1 and A4 bounty and the keywardens, he got a RORG very fast. Then one of my real life friends comes online, he is at lvl 40ish and I ask him if he wants to get boosted and I invite him too. We started doing T6 rifts, and soon after one of his friends at around lvl 60 joins too.
I was a male monk tending to 3 female monks, my own personal harem. I actually don't blow everything away, but it worked decently and we got all of them to lvl 70. Shards I turn in to Kadala's hoping for better Gungdo bracers but no luck. All gear that dropped that was not an upgrade for me (or total crap) I give to them. Sadly no Sunwuko parts or anything to really get them rolling.
At this level I hope for a new Unity and/or SoJ to drop, a better Torch, or ancient Fist of Azturas'q (got 3 normal ones so far) to create a XP build. We even had a goblin pack, sadly some of them managed to escape, I just couldn't be on all of them. I got only a recipe (I thought I got them all before) and a lot of mats. Near the end of the journey I got my first Templar "Can not die relic", good! And the last shards I gamble into gloves, and got a relatively decent trifecta.
The 2 "new lvl" 70 monks ended up at P50+, hope they got Crimson/Born recipe and some decent starter gear.
I finished the day at P248, not a lot, but still, slowly getting up, however glad I could help out those female monks.
Nice dude. More details would be awesome :-) I am playing my first real Monk in S2 since S1 was to short for me LOL ... hope to meet in Sanctuary somewhere, maybe grab a Brew in Tristram ?
PS: Oh yea, translate your Female DH name plx :-)
"Brza" = "The quick One"
My first idea of her was using "teleport" skills and punch "the Environment" quickly in the face.
Sadly, since focus has changed on many skills/items/sets, some of the names became out of context (like my female WD called Shishimishka - kinda like Batgirly - in the meantime the "bat skills" are practically forgotten, but they helped me to get 2 toons up to P100 back in pre-RoS times).
Tristram is a big place, but we might cross paths!
Nice to read this stuff, i was thinking about doing something like this but i get busy playing the game xD super lucky drops for me so far, i'm rank 5 on monks, can't complain n.n
Sapfo is correct. I didn't start using my BotT till it was 25, still if you get early on a Thunderfury and can not die relic for your templar/Enchantress, the Thunderfury effect proc's Bane of the Trapped.
@g0c, you really should try to get RORG, so if any 2nd set piece (Sunwuko/Inna) drops you can at least get the 3 set bonus. If we will be online at the same time, we can run bounties together.
Since I'm short on gold I decided to lvl up my Boon of the Hoarder to lvl 25. Still had 29-33GR keys in my stash.
Worked my way through those GR's, in some of them cursing I don't have 2nd Unity yet, for the GR35 achievement I run a trial, and without problems got a 35 key, still, dying to much, seems my GR34 clear will stay for now (I might do the Esoteric Alteration gem upgrade those days and try out if it will work without 2xUnity on GR35).
I even tested the 29-30 with Lashing tail kick and an ancient (4,3K Blackguard). It worked nicely, but for higher I still prefer my torch (that Daibo's also not dropping, getting one-two Daibo a day, mostly Paddle or Balance, none of them ancient though for now).
Spend shards into belts (should have rerolled life regen to 15% life on mine and not squeezing out 50 more DEX...) and a bit on bracers (still have my one and only starter Gungdo gear).
Ran few T6 with a friend (in a public game), then took a break.
After I came back to the game I did A1, A3, A4 bounties and checking out all keywardens, with my Boon of the Hoarder, gold is slowly piling up.
No real upgrade in sight for now, and over the weekend I actually will not have much time to play, sadly.
Went to bed with P279.
Day 9+10 (Saturday-Sunday 21-22.2.2015.)
As said at end of Day 8, I was traveling with family this weekend, squeezed out one T6 rift and one bounty. So not a lot to report here.
Day 11 (Monday 23.2.2015.)
I decided for myself I have to try to beat a GR35 at least.
Aware that it will be hard without double Unity I decided to lvl up my Esoteric alteration gem. So I did a bunch of GR22-33 to get that task done. All the bloodshards spend didn't yield any upgrade (still on my one and only Gungdo...).
In the process of leveling the gem, a friend asked me to boost him to lvl 70 (he was lvl 40 at that time). 3 T6 rifts have been enough to do that task.
I leveled up the gem afterwards, run trials, got GR36 key easily. And I managed to finish the rift on time (still dying to much, though). Seems Esoteric Alteration would work very well with razor strop, or having Physical resistance as secondary on all viable equipment. But for that you really need to grind/craft a lot. Actually not sure if it is really needed in the build.
After re-watching it I found out that I did a lot of mistakes, but it's a good starting point for further play ons.
I'm aware it would be much easier with double Unity, even with a decent Wyrdward ring (but strangely none of that dropped whole season, on my other toons it's one of the most dropping rings) so it could help a bit with crowd control due to the potential stun effect.
After I finished the rift I played A1 bounties, since I'm short on rift keys as well.
Ended the day as P301.
Day 12 & 13 (Tuesday & Wednesday 24-25.2.2015.):
Tuesday: Didn't have a chance to play Diablo, so not much to report here
Wednesday: Headache all day, just collapsed into bed after coming home from work.
Day 14 (Thursday 26.2.2015.):
Played just a tiny bit, joined friends game and grifted from GR41 to GR45. I still die to much, really need to up my leg gems (all are sub 30, still).
Kadala didn't give anything nice. Let's hope friday will be a better day.
Day 15-16 (Friday-Saturday 27-28.2.2015.):
Upgraded my Taeguk to lvl 25.
Ran Act 1 bounties. Got one more 5,5%CC RORG out of it and one with 5% CDR, might come useful in later builds.
Managed to roll 8% CDR on shoulders, 6%CC on helm, 6%CC on new Gungdo gear (Holy... can't get a Lightning one).
Also I got my first ever Flying Dragon (and one shortly after that). Both rolled badly.
Strangely, after so many A1 bounties I don't have an A1 keywarden key yet, lol. Will have to farm wardens and try to do a Hellfire ring for the bonus XP.
Day 17 (Sunday 1.3.2015.):
I saw friends doing GR's when I came online, they invited me, so we ran GR's from 36 to 45. Did a bunch of those, and Kadala was good, I got 3 Gungdo gear yesterday - so I have a Fire, Holy, Cold and Lightning one (the last one is even Ancient).
Leveled up my leg gems a bit, still below 30 with most of them.
When the guys left I crafted a bit (I had 2 Ramaladnis, so I was able to socket the Fist of Aztura'q I had in stash) and tried to complete my support/damage build. To fully utilize it, I will need even a little bit more CDR, and "work" on my passives a bit.
All in all, it is becoming routine now.
At one of the last GR's we did I got my 2nd Unity ring from one of the party members - I might try to do GR40+ solo now, yeah! A better Torch would come handy now, started rolling for 2H weapons at Kadala's.
Day 18 (Monday 2.3.2015.):
As I have 2 Unity rings now, I decided to try my luck with GR's. Cleared a GR41, GR43 was not doable as of yet (BTW place 1000 on S2 EU monk leaderboards is GR43 already).
Wanted to try a 42, but friends came online, so we played a bunch of GR40+.
Nothing good dropped, nor Kadala was good either.
However, managed to roll 10% CC on my amulet finally! Ended the day at P362.
Day 19 (Tuesday 3.3.2015.):
Just few rifts with friends. Nothing "great" dropped or happened.
Slowly started stacking up on crafting mats, might try something with items I have got so far.
Day 20 (Wednesday 4.3.2015.):
Started with some solo GR's, working my way up to 42's (so far my highest finish is GR41, but I know I can go higher)
Then friends came over, and we started running GR46 and up. I knew I was to squishy, so I have changed my build to a semi-support (with Cyclone Strike to keep the DH out of harms way) and Inner Sanctuary for damage boost and mitigation.
We managed to clear a GR48 (my first in season), on GR49 we then got such a bad combo of map/mobs that we had no chance whatsoever...
Still, the GR49 RG dropped a Cold Soj (ancient on top of that), my first in season, will see what I can build around that!
I just started a monk like three days ago so this is cool to actually read the progress and hopefully I can get some luck with the gearing because my crusader has been a real big bust! This thread made me have the urge to get a forum account and actually post, so thanks and keep it up!
Since you don't go with a 2 Hander, but 2 1 handers consider a build similar to my current one (and my build is still work in progress - it should be Exalted Soul instead of Unity Passive in my case anyway):
- Crimson belt and pants (so you keep The Crudest boots) - lol, now I see I didn't roll MS on boots to VIT as I wanted...
- Born chest and weapon (if you have Fist of Azturaq that's the best to combine it with)
Those 2 will give you 20% more CDR - so you get much closer to perma Epiphany (for T6 you don't need Serenity so much). Still if you will be short on Spirit you can use a generator anyway.
So, let's see:
- left click (generator, maybe Way of the Hundred fists - any you like will be the best)
- right click Cyclone strike (either freeze rune or the range rune)
- 1. dashing strike - Cold rune (dodge, to give you survivability)
- 2. Blinding Flash - replenishing light (for more spirit)
- 3. Epiphany - Desert Shroud for 50% damage reduction or Insight for even more spirit (since I recommend generator before you have enough CDR, go with Desert Shroud)
- 4. Exploding Palm - Strong spirit for even more spirit, Impending doom for biggest hit (but wouldn't force it for T6 - usually great if you have Fist of Aztura'q), Shocking Grasp to affect as many mobs as possible with one Exploding palm
Passives in the above case:
- Exalted soul/Unity
- Sixth sense
- Beacon of Ytar
- Harmony/Unity
Sweeping wind is not a great damage dealer, it is usually used for the 8 spirit regen (you might put that instead of Dashing strike), for even more spirit.
Leg gems recommendations:
1. Bane of the Trapped (even if not lvl 25 the exploding clones proc it - you see Taunted over enemies when the Sunwuko clones explode)
2. Molten Wildebeest Gizzard - gives the much needed survivability
3. Actually free to choose here, but I recommend Poison gem (lvl 25 at least for 10% damage boost), Bane of the Powerful, lvl 25 Gogok of swiftness for even more CDR
Taeguk is to "clumsy" if you don't have a well done rhythm with your spenders, and/or Inna for practically free Sweeping Wind.
Wanted to make this, to see for myself what advances I made during the season.
Hope you like/comment it, will try to update this first post with new "advances" as time goes by.
First of all, I usually catch up to play 3-4 hours a day (father of 2, full time job bla bla bla), so I probably won't be first at a lot of things, but at the end of the season let's hope for some good results (S1 I ended top 70 with my Crusader, without ancient weapon).
Here my monk as reference (it doesn't show him as seasonal, nor his paragons are correct, obviously):
MadTom's seasonal monk
Day 1 (Friday 13.2.2015.):
I'm online at S2 start, immediately jump in and create my S2 monk. Have a female monk in non-season, so run a male one this time! I always like to give some "decent" names to my toons. I'm croatian, so he got a "funny" name, that usually tends to go with what build I would like to play in the end. He is called Zvonko (translated that would be like "Bellman", or the one that hits the Bell).
OK, check my friendslist, 2 friends are up with their S2 toons as well, so we start together a game on Master level. We level together in bounties mainly. Share loot as good as we can (WD+DH+Monk, BTW). The DH even got a low level Cindercoat.
At around lvl 40 I have to put kids in bed, do dishes (always keep your wife happy ).
Came back to my friends game, they pulled ahead of me some 10 levels, I die a lot, but keep shortening the lvl gap. Still, they hit 70 while I was 67. They stayed in the game till I hit 70, and then they went to bed.
I just crafted some yellow Daibo with socket and spirit regen to be able to play master later on. A little testing, hit Paragon 5 and went to bed (it was 3 AM).
Day 2 (Saturday 14.2.2015.):
I woke up relatively early (around 7:30), gave kids breakfast, let my wife sleep.
Managed to play with friends and in public games at Master difficulty. A Paddle Daibo dropped with spirit regen. Other gear mainly yellow (still a vigilante belt with 61 lvl, but the CDR seem to help). As items drop I change spirit generator, but use bells.
Also got a Gungdo gear, with mediocre stats, however not enough Forgotten souls to roll CC on it, so I don't use it.
Joined T1 public games, first 2 rifts I got Key of Trials. Had enough Diamonds to get my gear up to par to survive T2. So, I went solo and created a T2 game.
Started with a lvl 1 GR, and working my way slowly up to increase lvl's one by one to collect all legendary gems. In the waiting period to reach 4:30 to not advance to far in GR levels I do A1 and A3 bounties (for RORG and Avarice band).
Kinda lucky, at GR4 I got my Torch. Mediocre stats, but it's a Torch. Rerolled VIT to socket (had like 7 Forgotten souls at that time). While grinding to GR18 I finished A1 bounties 2 times and A3 bounty one time.
Always invited friends to get the bounty bags with me. Lucked out and in 2nd A1 T2 bag I got RORG, with 5,5% CC!
Kadala didn't like me at all, got Inna helm from her and chest dropped, so can run 3 set bonus at least. Though that Dashing strike set parts are dropping, might consider doing something with that in the meantime.
End of day, around P40 (not really a lot, but it was a busy day, going out with kids and shopping took their toll), just for the sake of it I check leaderboards, a guy with almost perfect ancient torch and mediocre Sunwuko set cleared a GR37, wow! His P168 is easily explained as he could faceroll T6 with that gear.
Day 3 (Sunday 15.2.2015):
Playing T1/T2, some friends already geared up (2 WD's in my friends list have Starmetal Kukri already ).
Trying to get as many shards as possible, but no Sunwuko parts in sight... Dragging along. Got ancient Thundergods Vigor, so it seems I need to go lightning, a decent Ouroboros dropped too. Getting up to 10 Forgotten souls here and there, trying to roll better things on stuff.
Crimson set plans dropped, rolled pants and boots, ended up semi-decent for first tries. Anyway, use it for CDR mainly.
Kadala gave me yet another Dashing strike set piece. Let's see it's 500 DEX at 2 pieces, 15% lightning damage at 4 pieces. And the gloves came out very decent. Let's give it a try with Thundergods Vigor, also, managed to get 6% CC on Gungdo in the meantime.
Can run T4 now, but it's kinda slow, especially on the RG. Still prefer T2 public games, getting a trial keystone relatively often. Worked my way up to P80.
Almost thinking about going to bed, but friend invites me to a T6 game (one of the WD's with Kukri). Trash I actually kill very fine with Exploding Palm, it's nice to see packs go BOOM!
We run a few T6 games and I got my first Ramaladni (was thinking to save it, but, decided to roll Spirit Regen and add socket on Torch - have almost perma bells now. Still will roll that into 10% damage when I get Sunwuko/Inna combo - or maybe a better torch will drop).
We then ran GR's from lvl 1 up to around lvl 29, and I actually got a decent Sunwuko amulet (DEX/VIT/90+CHD/socket), managed to roll 8%CC so far, out of Forgotten souls... Went to bed with around P115. Kadala is still a bitch. Checked leaderboards, people are already doing GR38... Kadala, plsssssssssssssssssss
Day 4 (Monday 16.2.2015.):
After finishing work and doing stuff with my kids, I managed to get to my PC.
Basic idea was that I will try to upgrade at least one gem to lvl 25, and I was thinking going with the poison gem first. Had some trial keys lying around (but really short on those, makes me chuckle when I know how many of those I have on non-season now).
While doing solo runs from GR1 to GR low 20's a friend of mine asks to join. Since so low on trial keys we decide to go few T4 rifts. Few more friends of his join us, so we do rifts and lower GR's together. We get a very decent DH with full Mara set joining us, so even low GR30's are not a problem.
The group was out of keys so we decided to do trials, I wanted to see proof of concept, so I went with Fist of Azturaq and Rimeheart (both unsocketed, nor rerolled), while using Cyclone Strike: Wall of Wind (it freezes mobs on pull in for 1,5 seconds) and Exploding Palm: Impending Doom. I managed to keep mobs away from the group, the set-up actually worked nicely. With better rolls and some more Spirit Regen this might work nicely in GR30+ group games. Will try to not forget about it.
The game was working nice, on low 30 GR's I was still dying a lot (and most of the group members), but we all managed to level up our gems. All shards in the meantime were spent on shoulders. Just about the time when I was close to get my first gem to lvl 25 (after around 8000 shards spent) Kadala finally gave me Sunwuko shoulders!!! I was so happy. It was a decent roll (DEX/VIT/AR), got 8%CDR in few tries. So, next we needed gloves! Of course, the next GR run I got Ancient Sunwuko shoulders dropping (again DEX/VIT/AR, rolled 7% CDR, out of forgotten souls, but oh my). Few runs and bloodshards after I got my first Sunwuko gloves!!! Ancient ones, with quite defensive stats, DEX/VIT/9,5%CC, few tries got 38%CHD! Will get ones with CDR later, but man, was I happy, smiling from ear to ear.
Sadly, the group fell apart and went to bed (1 AM, it's a working day...).
I also exited the game and wanted to go to bed, but looking at Battle.Net screen I had to go back into game and try some T6 runs solo. Oh man, it feels good to be powerful
I was so happy that I didn't care about leaderboards at all, went to bed knowing it just can get better now!
Day 5 (Tuesday 17.2.2015.):
Some bad headache all day, a lot of family stuff to do, but did find some time to play.
Entered game, checked my Paragons. At 166. Not so bad (in my opinion for the playtime I have).
Main goal of the day is to get survivability and damage up. So I decided to do some rifts (found out that low GR30's I'm just dying to much) from lvl 1 and up to get my Bane of the Trapped and the Life regen gem up. Will roll for boots at Kadala, hoping for Crudest boots. Sunwuko shoulders now dropped few times already...
Got my Bane of the Trapped up to 25, and a friend joins my party so we do some T6 rifts together (was short on trial keys anyway). Kadala was good and I got Crudest boots. So, switched to Unity passive (from Exalted soul) for a nice damage boost. Trying to get Inna belt now. Those dashing strike set parts drop like candy. To bad the set is not really viable.
My party falls apart and I got invited to friends party for some T6 runs (he is already over 300 paragons). After 2 runs "better" players a.k.a full Marauder's want to join him and I get booted out of the party. Leaves a bad aftertaste... I see them doing 30+ GR's already (no wonder he got his Paragons up).
Joined some T6 public game, and they cry if I'm at Kadala's... Reached P186 and had enough for the day.
Leaderboards show people doing GR45 already, they covered in ancient weapons and gear already. I'm still waiting for the first Unity to drop, also got only Scoundrel can't die token.
I will keep my pace, it seems. All in all not a bad day, but kinda bad aftertaste.
Day 6 (Wednesday, 18.2.2015.):
Decided not going play to much, since I'm catholic, and that's one of those days we should lower down our fun.
Started with paragon 186, T6 capable now. Looking at my gems, decided I will level up My Molten Wildebeest's Gizzard (who came up with that name???) to get my survivability up (still no Unity ring in sight). In the process I cleared a GR34 with much time left, however a try at 35 I just die to much, seems double Unity is a must for higher GR tiers.
Leveled up the gem to 25, and a friend who has a "starter monk" joins me, so I can give him excess parts, especially set ones to get him up to par.
But, it didn't last long a DH friend of his (P459 at that time) joins, and soon after a P350+ monk. The DH was complaining we are to slow, he just vaults and multishots half the screen away... My paragons just go up, but honestly it is not really enjoyable for me, but I need the shards/trial keys anyway, switch a passive to Momentum just to keep up with him.
I got a semi-decent Paddle, Sunwuko amulet and ancient Inna belt that I give away to the friend. I roll myself a Inna belt, and mediocre Cindercoat, so I switch to fire.
I desperately need more VIT and/or a better Inna helm. Rolling helms at Kadala's from now on. Just before I decided to leave the DH drops a Unity ring, so one more to go. Ended up at P218 and with one Unity, decent conclusion of the day.
Since I went with Cindercoat, I was able to reroll spirit regen from my Torch to + damage. Got 9% DMG, rolls are now over 3M already. I'm out of gold now, and mats I started keeping up with the needs for rerolls. Also short on rift keys. Will try tomorrow to get an Avarice Band for the gold pick-up range and level up my Boon of the Hoarder to lvl 25 at least for the speed bonus.
Day 7 (Thursday 19.2.2015.):
As said at end of Wednesday, I'm short on gold now mainly (also low on some of the gems). Started game and decided to try my luck with A3 bounties to get that Avarice band. Asked in Bounty community (thousands of players online) for a splitfarm A3 group at T6. Nobody responds.
So I do it alone, but since I can define my own pace, I do also A4 and A1 bounties, and as well all keywardens (need to farm up those keys for a decent HF ring to boost my XP, and if very lucky a decently rolled HF amulet.
RNG on my side, I got an Avarice Band with 5%CC right away, however no socket. With the little gold I have I try to roll a socket in, spent all little gold I had left for gem upgrades, but no socket in sight. Now, I'm short on gold and gems for rerolls.
Anyway, I decided I will try to level up my Boon of the Hoarder gem to 25, so I take 9 trial keys, enter trials/exit trials and do the lvl-ing up process in GR's from lvl 1. Got all GR keys to 29+. Spent shards on the way on helms and got a semidecent Leoric, an ancient Broken Crown and an upgrade for my Inna Spirit Stone (DEX/VIT, spent a lot to roll at least 5%CC).
Took a break after that. After tending to the family and putting kids to bed, I come back and see that g0c is online, and I ask him if he wants to come with me so I can try to help him get a RORG as he doesn't have one yet. We did A1 and A4 bounty and the keywardens, he got a RORG very fast. Then one of my real life friends comes online, he is at lvl 40ish and I ask him if he wants to get boosted and I invite him too. We started doing T6 rifts, and soon after one of his friends at around lvl 60 joins too.
I was a male monk tending to 3 female monks, my own personal harem. I actually don't blow everything away, but it worked decently and we got all of them to lvl 70. Shards I turn in to Kadala's hoping for better Gungdo bracers but no luck. All gear that dropped that was not an upgrade for me (or total crap) I give to them. Sadly no Sunwuko parts or anything to really get them rolling.
At this level I hope for a new Unity and/or SoJ to drop, a better Torch, or ancient Fist of Azturas'q (got 3 normal ones so far) to create a XP build. We even had a goblin pack, sadly some of them managed to escape, I just couldn't be on all of them. I got only a recipe (I thought I got them all before) and a lot of mats. Near the end of the journey I got my first Templar "Can not die relic", good! And the last shards I gamble into gloves, and got a relatively decent trifecta.
The 2 "new lvl" 70 monks ended up at P50+, hope they got Crimson/Born recipe and some decent starter gear.
I finished the day at P248, not a lot, but still, slowly getting up, however glad I could help out those female monks.
Day 8 is up, for a little bit better overview next week will be in the linked post.
Day 22 continues from here.
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"Brza" = "The quick One"
My first idea of her was using "teleport" skills and punch "the Environment" quickly in the face.
Sadly, since focus has changed on many skills/items/sets, some of the names became out of context (like my female WD called Shishimishka - kinda like Batgirly - in the meantime the "bat skills" are practically forgotten, but they helped me to get 2 toons up to P100 back in pre-RoS times).
Tristram is a big place, but we might cross paths!
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Ups, it was DH, isn't it, I was more into the Monk(ey) side of things...
Well, she was my first char in the game, and that name can not be translated, as it is a creation of my mind only.
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Nice to read this stuff, i was thinking about doing something like this but i get busy playing the game xD super lucky drops for me so far, i'm rank 5 on monks, can't complain n.n
-Clicks on link to read Monk S2 journey blog, first line reads "assmaster babe". Enjoys already lol
Monday updated!
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Tuesday updated!
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Sucks about your "friend" booting you, hope he doesn't need anything from you in the near future, lol.
Sapfo is correct. I didn't start using my BotT till it was 25, still if you get early on a Thunderfury and can not die relic for your templar/Enchantress, the Thunderfury effect proc's Bane of the Trapped.
Wednesday up!
Here my current state for comparison: http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/profile/MadTom-2218/hero/54571334
Remind me to put Fleet Footed back to Harmony...
@g0c, you really should try to get RORG, so if any 2nd set piece (Sunwuko/Inna) drops you can at least get the 3 set bonus. If we will be online at the same time, we can run bounties together.
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Thursday up!
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Day 8 (Friday 20.2.2015.):
Since I'm short on gold I decided to lvl up my Boon of the Hoarder to lvl 25. Still had 29-33GR keys in my stash.
Worked my way through those GR's, in some of them cursing I don't have 2nd Unity yet, for the GR35 achievement I run a trial, and without problems got a 35 key, still, dying to much, seems my GR34 clear will stay for now (I might do the Esoteric Alteration gem upgrade those days and try out if it will work without 2xUnity on GR35).
I even tested the 29-30 with Lashing tail kick and an ancient (4,3K Blackguard). It worked nicely, but for higher I still prefer my torch (that Daibo's also not dropping, getting one-two Daibo a day, mostly Paddle or Balance, none of them ancient though for now).
Spend shards into belts (should have rerolled life regen to 15% life on mine and not squeezing out 50 more DEX...) and a bit on bracers (still have my one and only starter Gungdo gear).
Ran few T6 with a friend (in a public game), then took a break.
After I came back to the game I did A1, A3, A4 bounties and checking out all keywardens, with my Boon of the Hoarder, gold is slowly piling up.
No real upgrade in sight for now, and over the weekend I actually will not have much time to play, sadly.
Went to bed with P279.
Day 9+10 (Saturday-Sunday 21-22.2.2015.)
As said at end of Day 8, I was traveling with family this weekend, squeezed out one T6 rift and one bounty. So not a lot to report here.
Day 11 (Monday 23.2.2015.)
I decided for myself I have to try to beat a GR35 at least.
Aware that it will be hard without double Unity I decided to lvl up my Esoteric alteration gem. So I did a bunch of GR22-33 to get that task done. All the bloodshards spend didn't yield any upgrade (still on my one and only Gungdo...).
In the process of leveling the gem, a friend asked me to boost him to lvl 70 (he was lvl 40 at that time). 3 T6 rifts have been enough to do that task.
I leveled up the gem afterwards, run trials, got GR36 key easily. And I managed to finish the rift on time (still dying to much, though). Seems Esoteric Alteration would work very well with razor strop, or having Physical resistance as secondary on all viable equipment. But for that you really need to grind/craft a lot. Actually not sure if it is really needed in the build.
Here the video of the clear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pngw1OIqSfQ
After re-watching it I found out that I did a lot of mistakes, but it's a good starting point for further play ons.
I'm aware it would be much easier with double Unity, even with a decent Wyrdward ring (but strangely none of that dropped whole season, on my other toons it's one of the most dropping rings) so it could help a bit with crowd control due to the potential stun effect.
After I finished the rift I played A1 bounties, since I'm short on rift keys as well.
Ended the day as P301.
Day 12 & 13 (Tuesday & Wednesday 24-25.2.2015.):
Tuesday: Didn't have a chance to play Diablo, so not much to report here
Wednesday: Headache all day, just collapsed into bed after coming home from work.
Day 14 (Thursday 26.2.2015.):
Played just a tiny bit, joined friends game and grifted from GR41 to GR45. I still die to much, really need to up my leg gems (all are sub 30, still).
Kadala didn't give anything nice. Let's hope friday will be a better day.
Day 15-16 (Friday-Saturday 27-28.2.2015.):
Upgraded my Taeguk to lvl 25.
Ran Act 1 bounties. Got one more 5,5%CC RORG out of it and one with 5% CDR, might come useful in later builds.
Managed to roll 8% CDR on shoulders, 6%CC on helm, 6%CC on new Gungdo gear (Holy... can't get a Lightning one).
Also I got my first ever Flying Dragon (and one shortly after that). Both rolled badly.
Strangely, after so many A1 bounties I don't have an A1 keywarden key yet, lol. Will have to farm wardens and try to do a Hellfire ring for the bonus XP.
Day 17 (Sunday 1.3.2015.):
I saw friends doing GR's when I came online, they invited me, so we ran GR's from 36 to 45. Did a bunch of those, and Kadala was good, I got 3 Gungdo gear yesterday - so I have a Fire, Holy, Cold and Lightning one (the last one is even Ancient).
Leveled up my leg gems a bit, still below 30 with most of them.
When the guys left I crafted a bit (I had 2 Ramaladnis, so I was able to socket the Fist of Aztura'q I had in stash) and tried to complete my support/damage build. To fully utilize it, I will need even a little bit more CDR, and "work" on my passives a bit.
All in all, it is becoming routine now.
At one of the last GR's we did I got my 2nd Unity ring from one of the party members - I might try to do GR40+ solo now, yeah! A better Torch would come handy now, started rolling for 2H weapons at Kadala's.
Day 18 (Monday 2.3.2015.):
As I have 2 Unity rings now, I decided to try my luck with GR's. Cleared a GR41, GR43 was not doable as of yet (BTW place 1000 on S2 EU monk leaderboards is GR43 already).
Wanted to try a 42, but friends came online, so we played a bunch of GR40+.
Nothing good dropped, nor Kadala was good either.
However, managed to roll 10% CC on my amulet finally! Ended the day at P362.
Day 19 (Tuesday 3.3.2015.):
Just few rifts with friends. Nothing "great" dropped or happened.
Slowly started stacking up on crafting mats, might try something with items I have got so far.
Day 20 (Wednesday 4.3.2015.):
Started with some solo GR's, working my way up to 42's (so far my highest finish is GR41, but I know I can go higher)
Then friends came over, and we started running GR46 and up. I knew I was to squishy, so I have changed my build to a semi-support (with Cyclone Strike to keep the DH out of harms way) and Inner Sanctuary for damage boost and mitigation.
We managed to clear a GR48 (my first in season), on GR49 we then got such a bad combo of map/mobs that we had no chance whatsoever...
Still, the GR49 RG dropped a Cold Soj (ancient on top of that), my first in season, will see what I can build around that!
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Thx, didnt't manage to play yesterday though.
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I just started a monk like three days ago so this is cool to actually read the progress and hopefully I can get some luck with the gearing because my crusader has been a real big bust! This thread made me have the urge to get a forum account and actually post, so thanks and keep it up!
Had a mega headache yesterday, so I kinda fell in bed after coming from work.
PTR is also tempting, but waiting times are too long, will try to play later on today and update the diary accordingly.
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Thursday up. Sadly nothing special to report.
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Friday/Saturday up!
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I assume you have most of the recipes now.
Since you don't go with a 2 Hander, but 2 1 handers consider a build similar to my current one (and my build is still work in progress - it should be Exalted Soul instead of Unity Passive in my case anyway):
http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/profile/MadTom-2218/hero/54571334
What you can do/craft is:
- Crimson belt and pants (so you keep The Crudest boots) - lol, now I see I didn't roll MS on boots to VIT as I wanted...
- Born chest and weapon (if you have Fist of Azturaq that's the best to combine it with)
Those 2 will give you 20% more CDR - so you get much closer to perma Epiphany (for T6 you don't need Serenity so much). Still if you will be short on Spirit you can use a generator anyway.
So, let's see:
- left click (generator, maybe Way of the Hundred fists - any you like will be the best)
- right click Cyclone strike (either freeze rune or the range rune)
- 1. dashing strike - Cold rune (dodge, to give you survivability)
- 2. Blinding Flash - replenishing light (for more spirit)
- 3. Epiphany - Desert Shroud for 50% damage reduction or Insight for even more spirit (since I recommend generator before you have enough CDR, go with Desert Shroud)
- 4. Exploding Palm - Strong spirit for even more spirit, Impending doom for biggest hit (but wouldn't force it for T6 - usually great if you have Fist of Aztura'q), Shocking Grasp to affect as many mobs as possible with one Exploding palm
Passives in the above case:
- Exalted soul/Unity
- Sixth sense
- Beacon of Ytar
- Harmony/Unity
Sweeping wind is not a great damage dealer, it is usually used for the 8 spirit regen (you might put that instead of Dashing strike), for even more spirit.
Leg gems recommendations:
1. Bane of the Trapped (even if not lvl 25 the exploding clones proc it - you see Taunted over enemies when the Sunwuko clones explode)
2. Molten Wildebeest Gizzard - gives the much needed survivability
3. Actually free to choose here, but I recommend Poison gem (lvl 25 at least for 10% damage boost), Bane of the Powerful, lvl 25 Gogok of swiftness for even more CDR
Taeguk is to "clumsy" if you don't have a well done rhythm with your spenders, and/or Inna for practically free Sweeping Wind.
Anyway, good luck.
If you have got Cindercoat, you can try Lashing tail kick with any good 2H, similar to this http://www.diablofans.com/builds/30827-quin69-gr50-furnace-setup
Gonna update Diary now, too.
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Yeah, LPH into socket best choice for that RORG.
Monday Diary is up.
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