[3.13] [SSF] Essence Drain Beastmode || Ultimate Guide to Solo Self Found

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Frikadelic wrote:

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JayCy wrote:

Thanks for answering! I had one more question - I must be missing something because I can't figure out why we go for 1 additional curse when we only run temp chains. I know i'm overlooking something here.

Witchfire brew

Ahhh Despair, of course. I knew I overlooked something, thanks.

I'll add a list of oil combinations tommorow that look promising for the build tommorow, so stay tuned and check in every now and then! :-)

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ArtCrusade wrote:

I'll add a list of oil combinations tommorow that look promising for the build tommorow, so stay tuned and check in every now and then! :-)

Oils added!

The gearing still the same with the chaos gems going global? I feel like cane and a +1 tabula is more attractive as a budget option now.

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rapph wrote:

The gearing still the same with the chaos gems going global? I feel like cane and a +1 tabula is more attractive as a budget option now.

Well, that's something you might want to look into if you don't want to spend much on one character I guess.

With Empower 3, Cane of Unravelling and a +1 Tabula a Level 20 ED looks like

20 (ED) + 3 (Empower 3+1) + 1 (Tabula) + 2 (Cane) = Level 26 Essence Drain and Level 22 Void Manipulation (since it shares the same gem tag)

With a bow you easily get Level 26 ED and Level 23 Supports assuming all the gems are level 20 and Empower is level 3 like in the example above.

In terms of raw damage and utility, the bow remains the best option still, be it in trade or ssf.

If you cannot afford crafting the bow yet or if you are still gathering the crafts, I'd suggest sticking to the wand + shield combo since it provides more survivability and similiar damage.

The +2 to level of Chaos Gems can actually be found on any staff. The version with +1 to Chaos Gems can be found on wands as well.

I'd advice against Cane of Unravelling unless you have a very limited economy. :)

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rapph wrote:

The gearing still the same with the chaos gems going global? I feel like cane and a +1 tabula is more attractive as a budget option now.

Ya I bought a cane and six socketed it (not 6 linked), and a cheap 5L chest for the time being. Working fine for my current shit gear in lower yellow maps. Solstice vigil prices are yikes rn so that's off the table for quite a while. A +1 tabula is probably nice, but it becomes difficult to survive once you get past like T5-6 maps. At least for me anyway.

I wanted to point out that Diamond skin is nice early on as an Annointment if you're missing resistances and is pretty cheap (you should have the oils if you've been doing the Blight encounters leveling up

Hi, today I'm starting this build as league starter. Awesome guide, just one section is missing for me as beginner player - Leveling Gear, best uniquest to level with, what stats to aim for, etc. Can you please help me with this ? Thanks.

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Samuellos wrote:

Hi, today I'm starting this build as league starter. Awesome guide, just one section is missing for me as beginner player - Leveling Gear, best uniquest to level with, what stats to aim for, etc. Can you please help me with this ? Thanks.

Essence Drain / Contagion characters don't require specific uniques for leveling. In fact, you can clear the entire story on a 4-link! :-)

However, there is some stuff you want to keep an eye out for:

- rare wand with chaos damage over time multiplier, + level to chaos gems is a bonus
- Wanderlust boots make you immune to freeze and have 20% MS. Great early boot choices
- most important stats on gear should be life and resistances. Most damage from Essence Drain comes from Gem levels
- while going through the story it can be handy to run 2 Quicksilver flasks instead of just 1. If you can roll the Adrenaline mod (extra movementspeed during flask effect) they're even stronger

Hope that helps you a little. Have a great start!

What about path of the savant? Pretty decent budget annointment is it not?

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OrkaHoror wrote:

What about path of the savant? Pretty decent budget annointment is it not?

Can be picked, but has less impact than others. But sure, I can add that to the list as well!