To get reputation, devotions and items of course. Normal is more of a shopping route sort of. It is not gameplay, just as sitting in grim tools is not gameplay But heck, main campaign is so easy so I could almost say that the game starts with Lokarr or something else
I do not think starting naked in ultimate will make my over all goal quicker (beat SR 20, kill Lokarr, all skeleton key dungeons, kill Korvaak and Master of Flesh). I play all my chars SSF these days, so I “can not” even start in ultimate until I have killed Log
That’s why I start in Ultimate. Because otherwise it’s too easy. Can also be a bit tedious at times though, so not saying it’s definitely better. I also use mandates, otherwise the rep doesn’t come fast enough (xp potions are usually not necessary), so if you do 100% ssf then you’re out of luck I guess
I do not mind it being too easy, I can listen to podcasts etc meanwhile. For me it is about obtaining my goals as quick as possible with the rules I have imposed. Starting in ultimate “naked” would not be fun because I think it would take longer time all in all.
I just tried an Ultimate start – an interesting experience mostly (I think) because of lack of devotions. Those really make a difference in character strength so even though the monsters are scaling a newly starting character in Ultimate is at a serious disadvantage even though said character by definition already has blueprints, mandates, XP pots, etc. The lack of devotions plus the resistance penalty make for a slow going and harrowing Act 1 experience.
I just randomly remembered about this topic and I have an answer.
Given the context of “take the lvl 100 build and just start replicating it step by step until done, without sidetracking (except passing devo points)” — this is a clear winner.
PRM is notorious for poor leveling.
This one adds aether conversion by the item locked behind the skele key in act 5.
Good luck making it happen, especially SSF.
Good idea… a Vitality PRM build could be even worse maybe. But it would need to be without Ravenous Earth (I theorycrafted a Vit PRM + RE build once but maybe someone just did Vit PRM).
Btw there’s an easy to get gun with 50% Ele → Aether in Homestead and Cronley shoulders. And PRM has some Aether damage on its nodes and has been buffed a lot? So I’m not sure if it would be that bad but maybe still the worst.
Physical FoI could be bad potentially if you’re going for Physical Devotions?
And even after you converted it would suck because of armor.
You know what. If that’s the assumption then Retal “1p into the main skill” builds are the worst…
Was about to say. PRM was absolutely horrible, but it’s a little OP now, so leveling it shouldn’t be a problem. Plus it has built-in RR, so you don’t even have trouble grabbing any of that. Only issue might be energy management, but that can’t be much worse than other chanelling skills.
Seems to me you are just making things too hard and i’ll defined.
You had ranged vitality defiler as build to level.
Now are we talking about “leveling as” or “leveling towards” (assuming finding the gear for on a SSF/starter char, or that gear can be turned on from shared stash)?
Then you decide to level with vindictive flame… seems very confusing to me what you are actually trying to demonstrate here.
Now I will add something to the list, leveling with TSS is just horrible imo.
I now have read the whole thread. So many people say the game is easy. But that is not the case for everyone. I always start on normal else i keep dying all over the place. So no hard core for me as i would not make it far.
Don´t get me wrong i respect those that can. Skills and devotions can make the change for a build for sure. Still a lot of builds feel like they are build with all the items already. There are so many people who don´t have all the items yet or just a few off them. So the build works, but not as good as with the items.
What is left is to find the items. Which can take a long time of grinding. Perhaps at times there should be taken time to explain where items can be found. As i know some items are bound to drops others can dro everywhere.
Keep in mind i have been playing this game for years and i still have not one character done with a full build yet. So i have tried but not succeeded yet. Also due to a crash i lost a lot of recipe i have to find back again. And those don´t always drop easily either.
If you go to grim tools you can see “dropped by” and then go from there. If an item does not have that sentance it is totally random drop.
What you could do is to find a nice build you think seem fun to play in 🔰 Beginner Build Compendium - 120 guides for AoM & FG expansions and follow it. Since these are beginner guides they often have detailed description where to find the core items of said build. Then when you have completed such build guide, like you can farm SR 20-21 or 25-26 with it you can later transition and improve the build, or find gear for other chars.
I see you had found an acid DW dervish - how come you did not finish it? It is a pretty easy build to make just by using “guranteed” items and it basically just boils down to making it having huge damage and be tanky enough to not die in one hit and learning when to kite and when to fight.
This is an ARPG, the A stands for action - player skill is also a factor in success.
Well i do get distracted easily so that is probably the reason i have not finished that one yet. As i have autism and add at times i just get overwhelmed and i need time to do something else. I do follow some streamers and i have respect for people who can play long time after each other. Mostly i can play 3 hours sometimes a little longer. But then i need a break.
I also have autism but that sort of which makes me super focused on one thing at the time so if I do not have stop watch or alarm I can sit and play for 5 hours straight not leaving the chair.
Try to play shorter sessions and with a goal like “gain 2 levels” “get to this riftgate” etc, and take pauces. A good strategy is also to not have other things active when you play like do not listen to music with lyrics or a podcast or streamers - this will just blaster your brain with information which is not needed for the task at hand. When resting and taking pauses, just close your eyes and try to have it silent. 5-10 min each hour is good and will make your brain get some rest with information handling. Also good idea to take pauses and do something physical like stand up and stretch etc.
You can also just take one of @RektbyProtoss SSF beginner build guides, watch it 30 min and write down some pointers, then you play your self and try to recreate and follow those steps as close as you can. Rest. And then repeat.
I don’t think TSS is bad to level. It’s actually pretty easy imo, especially lightning Druid variant. Arcanist is comfy, and with Regen support from shaman I really liked it actually. Skill does good damage at 26/16, throw in a filler skill and you’re golden.
But heck, main campaign is so easy so I could almost say that the game starts with Lokarr or something else
