0 Shadow players in top 60 on Hardcore Ladder

at the moment I find shadows one of the strongest and most fun melee builds to play at late game.

the only difficulty is the starting period, but then again I thought that was a necessary trade off.

I feel that shadow is by nature a very difficult class to play, and requires alot of experience, skill and a different playstyle.

having played only shadows in HC so far, I can safely say I have absolutely no trouble at all in the earlier levels. I find it pretty easy actually in fact, but that's because I've had lots of practice with shadows.

I wouldn't mind if GGG were to buff shadows more. But if they said that they would buff shadows at the early-game aspect at the risk of nerfing the crits and late-game aspect, I would much rather have this class remain the way it is.

It's fun this way because of the end-game strength and because of the challenge and difficulty of it. It's pretty much the only class I enjoy playing at the moment

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Invalesco wrote:

at the moment I find shadows one of the strongest and most fun melee builds to play at late game.

the only difficulty is the starting period, but then again I thought that was a necessary trade off.

I feel that shadow is by nature a very difficult class to play, and requires alot of experience, skill and a different playstyle.

having played only shadows in HC so far, I can safely say I have absolutely no trouble at all in the earlier levels. I find it pretty easy actually in fact, but that's because I've had lots of practice with shadows.

I wouldn't mind if GGG were to buff shadows more. But if they said that they would buff shadows at the early-game aspect at the risk of nerfing the crits and late-game aspect, I would much rather have this class remain the way it is.

It's fun this way because of the end-game strength and because of the challenge and difficulty of it. It's pretty much the only class I enjoy playing at the moment

Exactly this, I like being one of the few shadow players =P. I tried playing a mara but just wasn't enjoying it. Shadow way too fun.

I've not been around PoE very long but I really like the Shadow and have been almost exclusively trying to find a Spell Casting build that I like and works for my play-style. I'm still learning and I've got alot more to try and experiment with this class.

In the last two races, I've lost a lvl 49 in Weaver's chamber and lvl 51 in Vaal Ruins (being impatient and taking risks instead of playing more slow and steady).

Edit: And a lvl 21 in last weekends 3 hr race that survived.

From my play experience I would say getting enough defense either through gear or passives is at the forefront of playing the Shadow this way. Usually by lvl 40-42 as a ES, Spell Casting Shadow gear starts to catch up and I can start heading out to other passives that supplement damage or grabbing additional (for lack of the proper term) "Unique" passives such as Ghost Reaver or Unwavering Stance.

No matter how I change the build order, I still struggle to get enough Defense for those risky dungeons; particularly Weaver's Chamber and Ship Graveyard.

I lost another HC shadow last night at lvl 39 for messing with that Spider boss in Chamber of Sins with only 700 ish ES and 240 ish health. Sadly before making it over to the ES/EV passive nodes to see how well they work for me.

I just don't see the benefit of rushing over to Nullification with the rather weak EV/ES stats on the low to mid level hybrid armor... without getting some health to back it up. For a CI/ES/GR build its points I would just have to untrain once I finally get over there. If the primary stat were ES rather than EV it would be more beneficial in my opinion OR give the EV/ES stats a boost on the low-mid level gear.

I too agree that skill gem rewards could use another look. As a spell casting shadow - at a minimum I have to roll a witch to grab Fireball and Firestorm early on (a 3 to 4 min run at the start of a new race) and since I like Ice Nova, I go ahead and take a hit on time to make a Templar and down Hillock (1 1/2 min run).

Maybe there's a good way to build your shadow for a race.. perhaps a elemental bow build but as a Spell Caster without skellies or zombies I don't see a way to build a fast leveling Spell Casting shadow. I pretty much always have to over-level for Weaver's Chamber or literally take 30 mins to clear it one spider at a time.

Okay so right now my Hardcore Bow Shadow is around level 48.

This is my first Shadow I have played so I am still learning alot. It has been quite troublesome getting the right combination of gear and passives, the early game route is an issue if gear drops are bad, which mine have been. I have been struggling with gear the entire way.

I did cruel difficulty with 800 hp and 100 es which isn't that high at all. I am in Ruthless atm with only 950 hp and 200 es in act 2, so in all fairness 99% of shadows with my gear would of died already. A real issue comes with getting enough hp/es/resistances. My item rarity has never been above 12% which has been a huge problem for me, the only good thing I have had alot of the time is a decent bow, otherwise my damage would just been a joke.

I am enjoying the shadow class, people mention playing melee is hard, well at least most people are using a shield, so I actually believe your defense is better than mine, being a elemental bow shadow.

I will keep updating my progress, but obviously the way things are looking I will be surprised to get into merci unless I decide to farm for a very long time to make up for the gear deficiency.

Ripd last night at 64 on account of me being a dumbass. gonna suck it up and start over when I get home from work.

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Ryyyder wrote:

Ripd last night at 64 on account of me being a dumbass. gonna suck it up and start over when I get home from work.

happens to the best of us ryyyd :) no worries, ur wiser now!

So frustrating but hopefully ill stock up on orbs on the new grind
. I usually use fire traps to progress an
y other suggestions inva ?

Sorry to here Ryyyder.

I'm finally creating a Shadow. This will be my first Shadow, archer, hardcore character and es defense. Default has become a bore with the mindless grinding and mf'ing with no other excitement. Hardcore will be a nice change in pace.

I'm currently in Act 2 Normal right now (I know, I know still in the beginning stages). I'm currently working on some more mana regen and prepping for the Weaver's Chambers (flicker mobs, yuck). Life is only 221 and ES is at 107. I'll be attempting the chambers later on tonight. So far, the Shadow has been a blast and I'm looking forward to building it into end-game.

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Foot_Soldier wrote:

Sorry to here Ryyyder.

I'm finally creating a Shadow. This will be my first Shadow, archer, hardcore character and es defense. Default has become a bore with the mindless grinding and mf'ing with no other excitement. Hardcore will be a nice change in pace.

I'm currently in Act 2 Normal right now (I know, I know still in the beginning stages). I'm currently working on some more mana regen and prepping for the Weaver's Chambers (flicker mobs, yuck). Life is only 221 and ES is at 107. I'll be attempting the chambers later on tonight. So far, the Shadow has been a blast and I'm looking forward to building it into end-game.

when your split life es run 2 1 2 life granite mana. you'll need the granite for flickers vaal rocks. beginning of bandit fights etc

Thanks for the words of advice, but unfortunately Oak got me. Dominated all up to him, then got handed.