VII] Solutions
Warning: the following is the way I chose to develop my Avenger. This is not a perfect set up (actually it’s far from it). But it worked for me and I could finish Legendary with it. You’ll notice the consequences of such choices. That’s what Hybrids are all about.
# Energy Regen
– On Normal I put 8 attribute points into Energy. Those 200 energy points go a long way. But we’re not out of the wood yet,
Edit 2016 A big change with The Anniversary Edition: “Attribute points now yield 40 Health or Energy per invested point” (instead of the original 25!). This new quirk is quite a blessing for a Hybrid Avenger and, as a matter of fact, for anyone else. \o/
– On Normal an Avenger can afford to wear some caster gear (thanks to Earth which boost INT). Use some,
– On Act III Normal I regularly paid a visit to the guy selling caster gear in Chang Han. I was lucky to buy a Puppetmaster Talisman (+ 6 Energy Regen / sec). Problem Solved! That amulet served me throughout all my game, even on Legendary. Even when I found a good Purple I still kept that beauty in my inventory and switched when needed. I mostly drank potions in tough battles. But we need more,
# Stat Distribution & Special Gear
This my friend will be your main headache. You need:
– DEX: for Bows (& Spears marginally),
– INT: to boost your Eruption,
– STR: to wear some high end gear (trust me on this one)
So what to do? My salvation came from green rings. I shopped for them. And as the game went on I switched to stronger versions of both. In each ring slot I had:
– Plato’s Ring of intellect > Socrates Ring of Erudition
– Hale Ring of Finesse > Hale Ring of Might!!!
Note: I might add that Avengers are overall bad looters. It can’t be a coincidence because it was like that throughout all levels of difficulty. But Avengers have a strange quirk: they drop an incredible amount of good rings & amulets (Green, Blue, Purple). At least it was the case for me (more of “loot things” in a minute). Just look at the Hale Ring of Might, I’d never seen one before my Avenger. (I’ll learn how to make screenshots, right now every shot is black, I don’t get it. EDIT: for the screenshots look here)
Consequence: when you wear items such as Plato & Hale rings, it means no Apollo’s Will, no Adroit Loop, etc. You see the choices we have to make? Again that’s what Hybrids are all about: tough choices!
– On Normal I didn’t put a single point into INT. I waited for Epic and started pumping a bit (first from 140 to 200 without gear to benefit from the percentage bonus from Plato’s rings & such)
# Now let’s talk about Armor
What beauty are you going to wear? This is where the “Hybrid Blessing” comes into play. As an Avenger thanks to the above rings & a handful of INT points you’ll be able to wear incredible things that mere Conquerors & Slayers alike can’t afford. But this my friend shines from Epic (my character is 99% untwinked). Thus let’s see:
Act II / III Normal: Just wear whatever STR based green suits falls into your hand (Veteran / Juggernaut / Mountaineer Suit, preferably socketed with a completed Viny Growth charm),
Act IV Normal: Now this act is special. Here you have a chance to drop one of the best armor you can get. Sadly it didn’t drop for my Avenger:
Templar’s Zeal: a disgusting piece armor. Just look at the bonuses of that thing and you’ll agree. Heck! It’s so good that once I used it all through Epic Act I & II [no joke]. Many Resists in the 40s and the “Bleeding Resist” is super handy (it’s hard to come by, unless you have a nice artifact). The +2 to Trance of Convalescence and Armor Handling are just the icing on the cake if you’re a Templar.
Note: the first time it dropped from a Formicid in a cave near Rhodes, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. That thing kills even if you’re no Templar,
Epic & Legendary: I grouped them because I used the same armor from late Epic to Legendary! Yeah I can be crazy sometimes. But what is it? The suspense is killing you, right? Here it is:
Tunic of the Magi: For my part this is an underrated piece of armor perfectly suited for Hybrids. Look at the Resists & the Stats! The only thing this gem lacks are Vitality Resist / Stun Resist / – Recharge. Well simply get them from elsewhere. Just pump your INT (with rings,…) till you can wear it. Note the huge bonus to Defensive Ability (200 +). With Wood Lore & some other gear you won’t be critted very often. Actually my defensive ability on late Legendary was around 1200 / 1300 whereas Poinas recommends around 900 / 1000 DA in his Attribute Point Guide. Lovely!
Where to get a Tunic of the Magi?
Epic Secret Passage! I can guarantee you that if you farm Epic SP you will get it eventually (fanpatch or not). It can also drop on Legendary SP but it’s much rarer. Epic SP drops lots of Tunic of the Magi for me and even more lots of Cestus! Good armor for Hybrids also (some – Recharge and more Pierce Resist) but Tunic of the Magi is way better overall.
Note: we’re not talking about high-end gear here. The above item is very good for Hybrids and you can get it quite early (Epic Secret Passage).
Observations: If you combine the Puppetmaster amulet with the Tunic of the Magi (it also grants a good boost to Energy Regen) and you socket one of your rings with an Hecate’s Crescent Relic you have an incredible amount of Energy Regen for a Hybrid. Just so you know my Energy Regen was around 30 / sec with that setup. Amazing.
# Which Artifact ?
I used Might of Hephaestus from Epic till the end of the game. That’s the only thing I used from an older character. I needed that thing badly because my DPS & Survivability dropped considerably on Act 4 Epic. The bonuses are great and the + 1 to All Skills for Earth is just what I needed. The extra damage to Constructs & Devices is not something to sneeze at, actually it’s invaluable (it’s percentage based). Pharaoh Honor Guard & Act IV Constructs will feel your wrath. It grants a special skill called Iron Fist, and there is a quirk about it:
Even if the description says “builds up the melee power of the player to epic proportions” it can actually proc from a mere Volcanic Orb or an Eruption. It happens often. Sometimes you’ll see Monsters, even Heroic ones, fly to the moon with a single spell. It works on a regular base and saved me countless times.
Note: the granted skill “Iron Fist” works only with the fanpatch.
VIII] Secret Passage
Tips for Noobs: Secret Passage is a semi-hidden area located near the City of Rhodes (Immortal Throne only). The area is secured and the only way to open the gate is to get a little item called the Overlord. It looks like a turtle, it is purple, and only Hades can drop it. He doesn’t always drop it, but you should get it eventually. Keep looking…
The Overlord can be used an infinite number of times, on any difficulty. You can even transfer it between characters.
And please don’t farm Normal SP, it’s hard and not worth it. Here’s a map just in case: Secret Passage Location
As an Avenger you have 2 options when farming SP:
# The Legit Way
It just consists in opening the cells and fight for your skin. It’s hard for an Avenger because he’s not the most resilient toon (even with his monstrous Defensive Ability). But with repeated cast of Monster Lure and a Core Dweller as a meatshield you can do it. But you will suffer and you have a good probability to die.
# The B*****d Way
I told you how tough boss fights for other characters were so easy for Avengers? Well the same goes for SP. You have 2 masteries tailored to run SP with ease:
# Arrow Slugfest: when you have put a good number of points into the Marksmanship tree you can shoot through the cells!! Only a Hunter can pull off this one. First place yourself not far from a cell a force you character to stay on the spot with “shift” (we don’t want to open the cells). Sometimes your arrows won’t make it through the bars, just switch positions and find a good angle. Easy, you’ll get the hang of it. (Err! Don’t forget to cast Study Prey First, it goes also through the bars),
# Eruption: same thing as above through the bars. There’s nothing more funny than watching Nate running around aimlessly inside his cell in search of a target to slaughter. This is priceless.
# Monster Lure: actually it is possible to throw a Monster Lure inside the RIGHT cells from the outside: stick as near as possible to a cell (stay away from the door though), then cast a Monster Lure. It should land inside the cell. Now move back. Many monsters will cluster around it. Now cast study Prey then Eruption and then pump arrows like mad. Rinse & Repeat. Well! That’s it. It may take some time but Holy Diablo Cow!! It Works!
Note1: I just recommend to wear some”– recharge” and “INT enhancing” gear to speed up the process.
Note 2: “Dave” the Turtle (your first “real” enemy) packs a mean punch. Even with good resists. So cast a Monster Lure, move back to the Steps. Wait for the Monster Lure to take the aggro, then beat him to a pulp. Don’t forget to cast Call of the Hunt first, that one demands it. He should go down easily.
Note 3: I’m quite reckless sometimes and I noticed something about Morgan (the Mini Hydra): as long as Morgan is inside its cell, breath attacks can’t affect you if you are outside. Even if you see some trails coming out of the cell don’t sweat it. They won’t hit you.
IX] Questions for Veterans
Q1: Does Call of the Hunt have any boosting effect on Eruption when facing Beastmen? I’m asking because when I farm Legendary Secret Passage the Huge Anteok (Ben) goes down faster when I cast Call of the Hunt + Study Prey + Eruption.
A1: Yes! The +33% extra damage is for everybody, at the price of 1 point. That is one of the “hidden” mage synergies. (thanks to Violos)
Q2: What’s the difference between some Vitality Damage Types some bosses use? I’m talking about the Red Wave of the Grey Sisters vs The Blue Wave of Hades. I’m asking because my Core Dweller is quite impervious to Blue Wave attacks whereas the Greys with their Red Waves can kill my Dweller if I don’t dance him around. Aren’t they all Vitality Damage?
A2: The Greys mainly do lightning damage. (Violos)
Q3: Does Herbal Remedy have any boosting effect on the Core Dweller? I always cast it on him anyway. Is it a shameless behaviour?
A3: Your CD is already poison immune, but the regeneration works. (Violos)
Q4: In Poinas Guide for all Skill “Heat Shield” is said to give 245 Fire Damage absorption at level 12. I seem to have much more damage absorption than that and I haven’t maxed the skill at all. How so?
A4: You’re right! It actually absorbs 650 at 12, and 850 at 16.
Still, you usually want to keep it at 1 point for the 15% physical reduction and keep it away from fire. 🙂 (Violos)
Q5: Legendary Stonebinder’s Cuffs vs Archmages’ Clasp? What would you wear? I’m asking because the Clasp didn’t drop for me.
A5: Both are great. I’d prefer clasps for mages that need their Eruptions, and SBC fow bowies.
If you still want to do a “true” hybrid and spread your points over the phys, pierce and fire themed skills, you will need the +3 to all. (Violos)
X] Avenger vs Sage (Hunting + Storm)
Big match here. Because if you want to do Elemental Damage with a Bow you’ll have to consider either Earth or Storm. But to cut it short (I need some sleep) Storm wins easily:
– Storm slows down monsters naturally with the skill “Heart of Frost”. This is invaluable. On the other hand my Avenger can thank his Might of Hephaestus Artifact which granted him a 50% Slow as a completion bonus. This was invaluable!!
– You should also factor in Spellbreaker / Spell Shock which stripes monsters from their auras. What is a Melinoes Blade Dancer or a Phalanx Formicid Captain without onslaught? A pussy!!
– a Sage gets 2 debuffs instead of one! And what debuffs!! Squall & Study Prey will multiply your damage by a phenomenal margin! An Avenger can’t possibly compete in this regard. The only thing that might turn you off is this: casting Squall & Study Prey constantly might cause your fingers to explode !! You’ve been warned! 🙂
– With Eye of the Storm (synergy of the Wisp): a Sage can benefit from a + 100 % Elemental Damage! That’s crazy!
Cons: but when your Wisp dies your DPS drops heavily,
Pro Rebuttal: Yes but it just takes 20 seconds to recast a Wisp. And with some – recharge gear that problem is out of the way. On the other hand when the Avenger’s Core Dweller dies it’s a Tragedy! (90 sec to recast!). It just feels like shopping naked in the middle of a Walmart!!
Now an Avenger doesn’t need a Pet to get increased Fire Damage. With Volatility and some + Skills he can attain a + 200 % bonus to Fire Damage. Ok It’s just a 33 % chance to proc. But believe me when you have maxed Eruption and Fragmentation (synergy of Volcanic Orb) you are guaranteed to benefit from it seeing the sheer number of fragments you get with higher levels.
So between Avenger and Sage it’s a trade-off. Pick your Poison.
XI] Goodies that dropped in my game
Foreword: As said above my Avenger is an overall bad looter, but when it drops, it’s brilliant. I noticed something about drops: He seems to drop lots of high-end Rings & Amulets (chests or shops).
Fingerbone of Boreas (Aktaios Telkine, first run) / Hesperas Greaves / Phorkos Trident/ Archimede’s Cogwheel (Hydra Chest) / Vestment of the Overlord (Megalesios) / Apollo’s Bow / Ring of Gaia & Odysseus Armor (Library Scarab, first run) / Seal of Hephaestus / Adroit Loop / Bow of Herakles (from a skeleton inside Wusao Mountain) / Artemis’ Silver Bow /Athena’s Battle Greaves…
Legendary Secret Passage (4 nights of serious farming):
Cerberus Bite / Visor of the Shadowlord / Athena’s Mirror Shield / Myrmidon’s Pendant & Amulet of Morpheus, on the same run!) / Bracers of the Argonauts / Agamemnon Scepter & Appollo’s Will & Mark of Ares, same run) / Legguard of the Flameborn / Pendant of Immortal Rage / Aphrodite’s Favour / Sapros the Corrupter…
Hephaestus Molten Shield (from a simple Bone Pile near the Lurker Beast, Act IV) / Peleus Ashen Spear / Archmage’s Mantle / Pagos / Folg (with of Devouring affix, I was happy, d**n I need to make a screenshot) EDIT: for the screenshots look here) /
Note 1: things that didn’t drop: Thorny Maul / Archmage’s Clasp / Alexander’s Cuirass / Tracker Set / Aionios…
Note 2: curiously enough from the moment I got my Sapros from SP, the chest refused to grant me purples for around 10 runs. Strange.
XII] Quotes concerning the Core Dweller
– “The Core Dweller is the best tanking pet in the history of gaming. It’s by far the smartest and most effective pet I’ve ever seen.” (ruinx a fellow member of titanquest.net)
– “What’cha gonna do brother, what’cha gonna do when the Dweller runs wild on you?” (Hulk Hogan)
– “Cory is without a doubt THE most electrifying pet in entertainment today!” (The Rock)
XII] Personal Data
Name: Ion Storm.
This calls for some explanation. At first I wanted to make a Sage: I started with Hunting, was about to chose Storm at level 8 and then change my mind… I opted for Avenger. Ion Storm is the company which made Deus Ex. A favourite game of mine.
Sex: Female
Current Level: 63
Number of Deaths: Err! That’s classified…
Fun on Normal: scarce! You’ll curse the day you’ve rolled an Avenger. Constantly recasting your Core Dweller is not fun.
Fun on Epic & Legendary: a blast! Seriously an Avenger rocks late game, especially against bosses. Now I believe what Irma2 said about a certain rule in Titan Quest: If a character is weak on Normal, he can rock on Legendary! And if he rocks on Normal he may suck on Legendary.
XIV] Conclusion
Well! What can I say? I hope you enjoyed the read. It’s fun to play an Avenger and sometimes you’ll feel awesome. But that’s definitely not a class for beginners. I hope now you feel what is it to play a Hybrid. A blessing and a curse. Have a nice day!
-Guide by CrocMagnum
https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/titan-quest-avenger-a-hybrid-study/