Anti-Swarming Kung Fu

[Nicodemus Phaulkon]

Therefore, I ended up going with a life leech weapon and resists on body... I don't mind if he gets frozen, his aura and curses still fire while frozen... I do however mind if I get frozen  Life leech on a 1.10 merc is not nearly as important as it was in 1.09, although it is still a nice to have.

I've been swapping equipment around on the merc as fate allows, leaving off various "must have" affixes in favor for others. As it turns out, "Cannot be frozen" on the merc turned out to be the LEAST required; quite the paradigm shift.

Life Steal was still necessary (though not to the same degree as 109) in order for my Griezman to tank effectively. Having the Static Field and other benefits on a Crescent Moon polearm are simply too far up the "Way Fun" scale to opt away from. Thus, it fell to the Armor bearing the burden of Life Steal in order to construct what I felt was the best balance. At the moment, he has a Boneflesh on, and seems to be tanking quite nicely. When I'm rich enough, a Chains of Honor would be most likely "the answer".

Gloams are still deadly, Frenzytaurs still inspire fear (and in fact a bossgroup critical hit can still put my face to the floor in a split second), Swarming still requires tactical analysis and swift boot-leather... but it's WORKABLE now. After all, I wasn't asking to be ub3R1337, I just wanted a fair friggin' chance at living past the 5 minute mark of the game. ;)

Excellent discussion, gentlemen! I knew we could come up with something. :D