Pure Valk

[Zyr]

To put it more bluntly, you're in for a world of frustration if you want to use Valk as your primary/only offense.[right][snapback]108760[/snapback][/right]

That's a matter of perspective.

In the waning days of D2LoD v. 1.09, candlelight piloted a naked, weaponless Zon to Guardianship. A new adventurer steps out of Blood Moor and The Journeys of BlindJustis recount the details. In 1.10, Ned_Devine reached Matriarchy without a death behind his Amazing Valkyrie.

I took a pure Passive and Magic Zon to level 77 before losing her to a Conviction/LE Beetle boss in the Hell Maggot Lair during 1.10 ladder 2. (Actually, it was my impatience which killed her; the level 30 Valk had the boss down to about half his life, and would have finished the job in another minute or so, had I not peeked around the corner.) Unlike candlelight's and Ned_Devine's Zons, mine was armed, with a dagger and shield for act bosses and a Harmony bow. A Rogue with an Edge rune word bow made the Decoy a killer. I liked the basic build well enough that I'm rebuilding her this ladder; she's currently level 65, and about to take on the NM Ancients. Her maxed Decoy is level 28; Valk is currently cast at 30 and will be maxed at the next ding.

Her detection range is pretty much the smallest of any minion in the game, which means she has to be almost on top of an enemy before she'll engage them.  Yeah, she's tough, and at higher levels she packs a wallop, but her primary function is to keep monsters busy while the 'zon opens up with her real attacks.[right][snapback]108760[/snapback][/right]

I've discovered a key to overcoming the Valk's Artificial Stupidity: She's strongly inclined to protect the Decoy. Religiously scouting with Decoy results in the Valk spending much less time polishing her armor and much more time fighting.

While I'm thoroughly enjoying my P&M Daggerzon/Ranger, she won't be a fast killer in Hell with Normal Attack, though she'll be quicker than BlindJustis and AmaZingValk. Also, she has far less life than these ladies, due to the Str and Dex investments required to be effective with bow and dagger.

The Mage Spearazon build with maxed Decoy and Valk goes a long way toward solving both of these problems. With just enough Str and Dex to equip a Maiden Spear or Kelpie Snare, her Life orb can be huge, and her Decoy will be even tougher as a result. With maxed Charged Strike and Lightning Strike, she's a very fast killer against any critters who are not LI. Against LIs-- well, she's no worse off than BlindJustis and AmaZingValk. I lost a low Str/Dex Mage Spearie at level 60 a few weeks ago, due to a poorly placed Decoy. But she was looted, and she was so much fun that I may yet rebuild her this ladder.

For another take on the pure P&M Zon, you might be interested in KNomad's level 40 Valkyrie. (KNomad builds Sword/Shield Tankazons.)

It can be done. It can be fun. :)