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Announcements => Titan Quest News and Info => Challenges (all versions of the game) => Topic started by: Medea Fleecestealer on 29 November 2017, 20:22:34

Title: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 29 November 2017, 20:22:34
Just what it says, complete all 3 difficulties of the game using FULL Xmax - not x2, x3 or x4 - FULL Xmax.  And if your character dies their challenge is over.  Screenshots of boss kills required and also screenshots of the second page of your character's stats to confirm no deaths or use either TQDefiler or GDDefiler for this.  No ESC-QUIT either folks!
NOTE 13.05.18 - Screenshots of boss kills required once you hit Epic difficulty.  Until then I'll accept just the stats page when you finish a play session to update your character's details.

Please see this thread on how to post screenshots on the forum.

https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=464.0

I think TheBonobo4 (who started this challenge) and defboy99 had pretty much decided the rule about a minimum number of kills for the challenge was to be scrapped since for petmancer toons it rather defeated the idea of being a petmancer in the first place as pet kills don't add to a petmancer's kill count.  But I post them here anyway to give you a target to aim for if you want to. 

For melee/ranged/casters the target was 150,000.
For petmancers it was 50,000. 

Now that may sound a lot, but with full Xmax pushing mobs up to 10 and bosses/heroes coming in 3s they're not really difficult targets to aim for.  It's only 25,000 per act for melee/ranged/casters and only 4,167 for petmancers.  Those figures will be even less if you add in the Ragnarök and Atlantis expansions as well.

Characters are untwinked unless specified on the leaderboard.

So plan your builds and start your Xmax Hardcore Challenge journey.  gasconron holds the record for the number of successful completions of this challenge btw.  And Stormyboy did it with an Haruspex without using any health or energy potions.

gasconron has started a thread giving info on how he personally does this challenge and how he sees each class overall.  You can read more here:

https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=122.msg773#msg773

Characters who make it into Epic Act 3 and above and perish there will be added to the Hall of Fallen Heroes leaderboard.
Characters who complete the challenge have well earned the title TITAN SLAYER.

NOTE: AE after a character's class denotes they're being played in the Anniversary Edition of the game, AER they're played using the Ragnarök expansion, AERA they're also playing the Atlantis expansion.
NOTE: Anniversary Edition Ragnarök expansion - Accomplished Heroes are not eligible for this challenge.  The rule is play the full Xmax mod from the start of Normal right through to the end of Legendary.
NOTE: Sometimes bosses won't spawn in this mod.  Exit back to the main menu and restart, they should then respawn.  If not, rinse and repeat until they do.
NOTE: In the IT version of this mod it's not possible to do the Sphinx quest and the Protect the Flag quest, you need to revert to the normal game to do these and then re-enter the mod to continue once you've completed them and got your reward.  The latest version of Xmax for TQAE should work properly.
NOTE: The Three Sisters side quest is bugged in the AE version of the mod, the heroes don't spawn so you'll need to go back into normal game to do this quest. 20.06.19: Steam version of Xmax mod seems to have this quest fixed.
NOTE: Since Atlantis is an optional expansion it's not required to complete for this challenge.  Neither is the Eternal Embers expansion.  If you want to do them, that's up to you, but for the challenge it's TQ/IT, TQAE and Ragnarok if you have it.  If you do want to use one or more expansions then for Ragnarok please put AER, Atlantis AEA, Ragnarok and Atlantis AERA and Embers AERAE after your character's class.
NOTE: Eternal Embers has brought in the ability to curse yourself with up to 8 different curses.  If you wish to play the game using one or more of these please add (Cursed) after the character class and which version of the game you're playing.

TITAN SLAYERS
Tauceti - Leeroy Jenkins - L79 Spellbreaker AER (TWINKED) Final kill count: 239,554
koolis - No_Death_Xmax+ - L83 Pilgrim AERAE
Stormyboy - Myxir - L80 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwinked): Final kill count 50,208 (Petmancer)

Leaderboard as at 24.12.23
Difficulty colour code:
Red: Legendary difficulty
Green: Epic difficulty
Blue: Normal difficulty

Stormyboy - Fyredel - L76 Evoker AEARE (Cursed) - City of Rhakotis
Jacko&Zuzia - Perseus - L73 Conquerer AERA (TWINKED) - Village of Helos
gasconron - Yunah - L67 Thane AER (TWINKED) - Rhodes
Ororo - Ororo - L61 Templar AER (TWINKED) - Helos
Namefunny - Valkyrie Dome - L51 Paladin (TWINKED) - Unfinished Bridge
Medea Fleecestealer - Gale Vitesse - L41 Druid AER (TWINKED) (no pets) - Medea's Grove
Jacko & Zuzia - Jacek - L39 Spellbreaker AER (TWINKED) - Rhodes
Jacko - Zuzia III - L30 Summoner AER (TWINKED) - Hatshepsut Path
corian - Badboy - L30 Shaman AER (TWINKED) - Hatshepsut Path
1cec0ld - LetsTryXmax - L30 Illusionist AER (TWINKED) - Great Pyramid
Jacko & Zuzia - Sauron - L30 Theurgist AER+A (TWINKED) - Highland Pass
1cec0ld - Twinkle - L28 Assassin AER (TWINKED) - Memphis
Medea Fleecestealer - Xmax Pets - L28 Soothsayer AERA (TWINKED) - Memphis
corian - Naiara - L24 Stonespeaker AER (TWINKED) - Rhakotis
gasconron - Natashya - L20 Battlemage AER (TWINKED) - Parnassus Hinterlands
Medea Fleecestealer - Xmax ProphetHC - L13 Prophet AERA (TWINKED) - Megara Bluff
Medea Fleecestealer - Lightning Beam - L13 Prophet AERAE (TWINKED) - Megara Bluff
sauruz - heris - L11 Haruspex AER - Spartan Woods
Fisch - Durzo - L10 Battlemage AE - Spartan Highlands
gasconron - Sivon - L9 Champion AER (TWINKED) - Sparta War Camp
botebote77 - eiko-chan - L1 Stormcaller

Hall of Fallen Heroes:
Stormyboy - Borkan - L78 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - The obsidian halls - Died to: Ancient Dragonian - Deathlance (Kill count: 272,352)
Tauceti - Saiga - L76 Diviner AER (TWINKED) - Died to the Bloodsisters Sagira & Safyia
Tauceti - Runny Smith - Lvl 75 Runesmith AER (TWINKED) - Died to the Dragon Liche (Kill count: 204,106)
Overnight - Halu - L74 Seidr Worker AER - Wusao - Died to Ormenos (Kill count: 186,453)
WNG - Exinite - L67 Bone Charmer AER (TWINKED) - Died to a Dragonian Wyrm-Mage
Tauceti - Lune de cendre - L66 Evoker AERA (TWINKED) - Gadir outskirts, died to Aegipan beastmen
Ororo - Ororo - L64 Templar AER (TWINKED) - died to Tigerman Hero with reflect damage
Medea Fleecestealer - Cormac - L61 Guardian - Died to Cerberus x3 (Kill count: 105,604)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 01 December 2017, 11:18:44
Good stuff...
I have already finished a couple of my re-runs in AE, and am in the middle of completing some other runs.
I'll participate in this thread once I clear out my actives, I want to post fresh contenders.

Will also need some recommendations for an easy to use in-game video recorder (I miss xfire so much).
Managing screenshots is such a hassle. Even worse I'm doing HC runs in Grim Dawn to so my Pictures folder is becoming a big mess.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 02 December 2017, 20:38:12
Hello  8)

Jacko - Zuzia III - L14 Pyromancer AER (TWINKED) - Village of Ambrossos

This is gonna be VO / Eruption based, reduced cooldown petless caster  8)

Now I will be rolligng golden fleece to get -8% recharge.

Got this incredible SoM (staff of magi) from satyr act 1 beginning of the game...it has -14% recharge  8)

still on the fence as to 2nd mastery...Nature and Hunting seem to be top contenders offering both res reduction and survivability...dream looks tempting but not really well suited for ranged caster i think...

what would you suggest?

cheers :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: sauruz on 02 December 2017, 21:46:17
In my opinion, nature would fit perfectly into caster type, more hp , heals debuff (plague) will be sweet.

But Hunting could be nice try as well! and be something special and fun to play.

edit : Dont forget of the pics Jacko :P
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 03 December 2017, 09:55:48
Hi guys,

I cannot take screenshots...all black  >:(

but here it goes ... a pic from my mobile


Ihad the same issues when playing tqit...but hey...most imortant there is a pic  O:-)

anyway...off we go now...back in the pm

cheers


Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: efko on 03 December 2017, 12:24:24
That thing with resistances is interesting. I thought 5+5 is maximum, but here are 8 + 8 probably. Can you give screenshot of first page? Also more details about mod, is it available only on xmax?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: sauruz on 03 December 2017, 14:13:52
That thing with resistances is interesting. I thought 5+5 is maximum, but here are 8 + 8 probably. Can you give screenshot of first page? Also more details about mod, is it available only on xmax?

Its the new Character screen from expansion, it was hidden resistance, also bleeding and vitality are same thing as primary resistance
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 03 December 2017, 14:34:17
Jacko - Zuzia III - L22 Pyromancer AER (TWINKED) - Rhakotis city

Minotaur and telkin x3 went down surprisingly easy...but its only normal... :P

I keep playing xmax as I know the game quite well and it is too easy otherwise...

xmax is x2, x3, x4 and xmax monsters...bosses x3...I only use the last monster multiplier xmax as I am used to it...the only problem being computer sometimes lags with so many ranged mobs  :'(

I highly recommend xmax as this make this game really enjoyable aand pushes you to the edge of your seat sometimes... >:D

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 03 December 2017, 15:03:01
I forgot about this one:

EDIT: btw, is there any ranking or is it just me and you in xmax hardcore now, Medea?

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: sauruz on 03 December 2017, 17:12:45
theres a ranking, jacko, i think isnt updated yet.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 03 December 2017, 17:33:59
Jacko, added to the leaderboard.  Anyone else taking part in this please provide your toon details.  Unfortunately no copy was made of the challenge before TQ.net went down and I haven't been able to find anything by googling. 

Jacko check in Documents\My Games\Titan Quest\Immortal Throne\screenshots.  You should see screenshot00, screenshot01, etc.  Those should be the screenshots you've taken.  If you don't have that folder then make one.  You can then open them in something like Paint to edit.

Yes, Staff of the Magi are great early game staves to find. 

efko, yes that's the new expansion character sheet.  The expansion has added more resistance types that were hidden before.  Also some new ones like petrify.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 03 December 2017, 18:27:24
the AE and R added a lot of new staff...

like...

COMPLETELY SPOILING ALL MY ZERO COOLDWON BUILDS !!!

I am DEVASTATED.

But life goes on...I will try my eruption anyway and see how far we can push this time...but it does change my approach and some things need to be rethinked and reworked...

made screenshots path...maybe THIS will work...or did THEY ruin it too...?  ;) ;) ;)

anyway...i guess it (cooldown rework) makes it more...balanced...
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 December 2017, 12:30:57
Darn, Loka Gale is out of the challenge.  First day back after GD playtesting and got too confident with how well she was going.  Wasn't patient enough with the Limos x3 in the ruins and they killed her.  >:( Kill count: 12,651.

(https://i.imgur.com/ALAWFNl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XBKKEXg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SBTsmlJ.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 04 December 2017, 14:12:30
 :'( :'( :'(...sorry to hear that

I had a few close calls...

which is why I stick to one game at a time and one toon...too much confusion for me...mechanical habits developed...hitting desperately a key hoping to perform a function while nothing happens...muscle memory...

I am thinking of a malee toon too...

Heard rumours casters in AER are A DEAD LOSS...

but hey...it is fun atm, and the objective is to finish normal...then epic....seldom do I go further...unless Ive fallen in love with a toon  :P

still on the fence between Hunting and Nature but need those mastery points so time to choose something is approachin....NATURE looks a little bit more tempting....I hate to chose
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 04 December 2017, 14:27:17
Well...I explained Nature and Hunting to my 6-year-old daughter and she chose NATURE

Her rationale being: she likes to have more life and ... she loves the green theme...

Well again...if it hadnt been for her I would have really difficult time now ...and now the problem is over  8)

At least I have someone to blame now  :P
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 04 December 2017, 14:48:47
Heard rumours casters in AER are A DEAD LOSS...


they just don't know how to play casters.. they are stuck to old guides spoonfed to them from TQIT and are too unimaginative to think new builds/playstyles for themselves

this version of new players (with their thinking) cannot succeed the efforts put in by the old guards

btw, did you get your TQvault to work?

Fixed bbc in quote
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 December 2017, 14:52:08
Probably should have started with my normal Conjurer, but I wasn't enjoying that much last time I played it. 

Well, I tended to be mostly TQAE and less GD, but since the expansion was released to the playtesters it's been all GD since beginning of July.  I did manage a couple of TQAE days when there was a testing bug which meant it wasn't worth trying to play, but otherwise GD full on.  I got the Ragnarok expansion a few days after was released since GOG got it later than Steam and I've managed to take my overlevelled Guardian from Act 3 Epic back into Normal to try it out and also started a Runemaster mastery toon, but haven't really been into the game proper for some weeks now.  I don't have any toons close to Act 5 at the moment so no idea how casters may fair there. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Typhon on 04 December 2017, 22:57:34
Quote from: Jacko link=topic=119.msg840#msg840 date=15123931
[b
Heard rumours casters in AER are A DEAD LOSS...


*they are stuck to old guides spoonfed to them from TQIT and are too unimaginative to think new builds/playstyles for themselves*

Sounds like most of the players in Path of Exile  O0
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Fisch on 04 December 2017, 23:57:01
I forget. What does it mean for a toon to be twinked?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 December 2017, 07:48:51
It means you're using stuff from your Vault collection - and/or if you have TQDefiler for the IT version of the game if you're using things like increased drops from chests, increased unique chance from chests, being able to socket unique items with relics/charms, etc.  In  other words, not self-found items only.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 05 December 2017, 13:39:52
Jacko - Zuzia III - L29 Summoner AER (TWINKED) - Valley of the Kings

We were watching Wrath of titans the other day and we decided to run yet another toon in the challenge, warefare - based...

Details in the evening.

cheers :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 December 2017, 14:10:23
Updated Jacko and well done.  :)  I take it this is now a co-op play toon with your daughter.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 05 December 2017, 18:24:02
Yeap...its a co-op now ... she's only six yet she got the hang of it really quickly...i wish she were so quick about picking up english and spanish...anyway...it's gonna be now the warrior since the caster is too fragile and i don't want to risk accidental death so later on i will post an update on my...well... on OUR...warrior...

and no...I cannot create another toon just for her... >:( i explained it to her already that Jacek (OUR warrior) is a contest toon so she is hellbent on playing THAT one not some other toon...

I used to run all yellow conqueror in a zero death challenge...but got him only to act 1 epic.... forgot how strong and cool typical warriors are...there were other possible combos...i liked draem and spirit best but with a little -recharge and permanant QR I belive we will go for a Conquerer...just to be on the safe side...

and yes...TQVault is u and running...on 2nd machine where TQIT is installed  8)

I couldnt get it to work with AE  :(

This warrior is real fun...cannot wait to get him to Epic...rumour has it expansion on Normal is really hard...

Now, we have maxed warfare mastery with 1 point in Onslaught tree...1 point in BS tree and 1 point in weapon training. Maybe second mastery tonight...

https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/titancalc-anniversary-edition/TitanCalc738c.html?mastery=Conquerer&master1=5&master2=3&sa=0&m1=0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0&m2=32-1-0-1-0-0-1-0-0-0-1-0-0-1-0-1-0-0-0-1-0 (https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/titancalc-anniversary-edition/TitanCalc738c.html?mastery=Conquerer&master1=5&master2=3&sa=0&m1=0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0&m2=32-1-0-1-0-0-1-0-0-0-1-0-0-1-0-1-0-0-0-1-0)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 December 2017, 21:05:35
Jacko try these:

http://titanquest.4fansites.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12241

https://github.com/NorthFury/TQVaultAE/releases

I installed the first one yesterday and it does recognise the Ragnarok items.  Don't know anything about the second except it was posted over on the GD forum Ragnarok thread.

And don't forget to provide me with Jacek's details so I can add it to the leaderboard.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Fisch on 06 December 2017, 02:54:28
It means you're using stuff from your Vault collection - and/or if you have TQDefiler for the IT version of the game if you're using things like increased drops from chests, increased unique chance from chests, being able to socket unique items with relics/charms, etc.  In  other words, not self-found items only.

Ah I just assumed that TQ Vault was not allowed for the challenge. I have tons of gear in my vault. Especially considering I just successfully transferred my TQ Vault and characters (pre steam) from my old laptop to my desktop. Really helped flush out my vault. Was nice to see all my old gear and toons again. May give this challenge a go in the near future!
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 06 December 2017, 09:11:05
You're welcome to join us any time Fisch. The more the merrier.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: sauruz on 06 December 2017, 11:53:20
I guess i will join the fun as well

Heris lv 11 (Haruspex)

AER: Spartan Woods

(https://i.imgur.com/dOPbR3X.jpg)

Nessus:
(https://i.imgur.com/naGAXdr.jpg)

So far so good, the only problem for now are the undead, because of early game lvs.

edit : how do i fix screnns sizes ? they are kinda large :S
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 06 December 2017, 13:03:46
Okay sauruz, I'll add her to the leaderboard.

How are you posting your screenshots?  If using Imgur you can choose their size before you upload them there.  Under Images where it says Auto Resize - None you can choose several different sizes.  I use the 640x480 message boards and forums one, but 800x600 might be fine too.  Choose the size and then upload the images.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: efko on 06 December 2017, 13:24:21
Code: [Select]
[img width=950] link [/img]This is if image is bigger than 950 width, so I reduced image which sauruz posted from 1366x768 to 950x??? where ??? is automatically reduced and proportional. In other case if image is vertical, another size can be used. Use Preview button to see how does it looks when you enter dimension, you can add both like width=950 and height=xxx , but in that way image may lost quality.
Play with bbc codes, experiment to understand how does codes work http://titanquestfans.net/index.php?action=help
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: sauruz on 06 December 2017, 13:38:27
Okay sauruz, I'll add her to the leaderboard.

How are you posting your screenshots?  If using Imgur you can choose their size before you upload them there.  Under Images where it says Auto Resize - None you can choose several different sizes.  I use the 640x480 message boards and forums one, but 800x600 might be fine too.  Choose the size and then upload the images.

Yep its from imgur.

Alright when i back home tonight i will try it.

Thanks!
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 06 December 2017, 14:30:40
Heard rumours casters in AER are A DEAD LOSS...

Casters really are fine in AE... People who have it bad now are those that depended mostly on 100% CDR or Ternion+Harrowing. You really just need to kick back a bit, and plan your advance. Even without the CDR nerf, the moment i heard they buffed all boss resistances prompted me to approach caster play in a less offensive, glass-cannon-y way.

As for the added damage output of general mobs, I don't even feel it. I'm so used to playing Defiler (filter white and broken) that for me enemies seem to hit for less damage than they used to.

Ragnarok is a different story though, haven't bought it yet. Want to finish all my current playthroughs before I buy it.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 06 December 2017, 15:09:26
yes.. they refuse to adapt and instead they just whine to devs

TQ:R not much different.. if anything i would say casters shine more in act 5.. because there are the annoying water spirits (weak against lightning and EBD) and fire elementals (i think weak against cold)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 06 December 2017, 15:53:06
Nice to see there will be more people in the challenge  :)

Jacko - Zuzia III - L30 Summoner AER (TWINKED) - Hatshepsut Path

Telkin went down easy...I put 1 point in each skill in Plague tree so that I can get ahold of it before I will really need it...

In xmax Plague is ok as it spreads way better due to increased number of monsters...in vanilla i didnt like it.

1 point in Briar just for a few situational uses....later when -80% recharge it will play more important role with Sanctuary maxed.

My daughter currently forgot about TQ and is back to MLP for a while  8)

So I will have some more time to see how casters handle AER  8)

It means I will have a little more time to fool around with my summoner...and proving some friends casters are playable past Act III Normal....or not... ???

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 06 December 2017, 19:50:04
does an accomplished hero and 1 already in epic ok to join this? my mage Haruspex still has no deaths.. it's good xmax or not
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 06 December 2017, 20:23:37
Accomplished hero no, sorry.  They won't have done the first acts of the game so wouldn't qualify.  Has your mage Haruspex been played entirely using Xmax?  If not, then no sorry that doesn't qualify either. Only toons played using the Xmax mod right from the start to the end of Legendary are allowed.

Better put that Accomplished Hero note in the OP.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 06 December 2017, 20:24:09
She wouldn't let go... 8)

Jacko - Jacek - L19 Warrior AER (TWINKED) - Pythian Caves

The gorgon sisters posed a little bit of a challenge...but we pulled it off and we were rewarded with...stonebinders cuffs  ;D well, +1 to all skills is not +3 but...

printscreen still doesn't work...in my prinscreen folder I do have them but they are all black  :'(

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Fisch on 06 December 2017, 22:07:05
I will be joining this challenge this evening and posting my screenshots!  ;D
I am thinkin I may go the route of a sword and board Battlemage (warfare/earth) and grab Core Dweller for some damage mitigation and a mobile tank as well as stone form for some personal survivability. I get the feeling I will be chugging health potions anyways but it is what it is. I also plan to grab a couple skills from earth for some AoE like ring of flame and eruption. This is just some early ideas but hey its a start! I look forward to posting later tonight!
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 06 December 2017, 22:21:19
Earth looks strong...there are some nice skills for a warrior there:

Brimstone 8/8 - +21physical dmg

Volativity 1/8 - 33% chance of +38% physical dmg

More and more people are hopping in...nice work Medea  :)

EDIT: our warrior is red bottle addict btw :(
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Fisch on 06 December 2017, 22:34:02
I think they will synergize nicely as I get further into the build and I almost forget about Volativity so that will be a nice little boost to look forward to. I think I've got some battlemage set gear in my vault to so that will be a nice boost once I reach the levels.

I agree Medea, nice work. Seeing new post in this thread daily is what made me decide to join.

Jacko I think it's awesome that your daughter is interested in the game and making character decisions with you! Should make it an interesting play experience for ya! Those early Stonebinder cuffs should be helpful to. I hope to get lucky and get a pair without much work  :P

edit: Just checked my vault. I was thinking of the Pyromancer and the Firewalker sets so not exactly a Battlemage set per se but the Firewalker set definitely looks like one to use once (if) I reach lv 33.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 06 December 2017, 22:34:36
Accomplished hero no, sorry.  They won't have done the first acts of the game so wouldn't qualify.  Has your mage Haruspex been played entirely using Xmax?  If not, then no sorry that doesn't qualify either. Only toons played using the Xmax mod right from the start to the end of Legendary are allowed.

Better put that Accomplished Hero note in the OP.

ah that's ok.. i mostly play for leisure nowadays anyway.. i tried xmax before ragnarok but somehow it felt my toon was a cheat because i kind of did the same accomplished hero thing with the help of defiler.. no additional skills/stats or cheat items but still i used defiler.. so when i found out ragnarok has an accomplished hero option, i started again and this time more thought out.. well at least my toon is a living proof casters are viable even with xmax :)   (that and my knifethrower)

edit: for those who like reading walls of text or anyone who doesn't have anything to do, we talked about casters here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/TitanQuestAE/comments/75rlo2/decided_to_pick_up_this_game_help/

i don't even know if it's OK to post our conversations here but eh whatever.. good thing someone was backing me up
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 07 December 2017, 00:02:19
We forgot how much of a pain 3 x Alastor can be...

Max warhorn helped a lot - now we will respec out of it  :P ... for the time being.

Anyway...3 x Alastor went down...big time  8)

Now we feel its time to pick up defence as we need some stat points from mastery wnd we want to save up stat points as we are not sure what equipment we shall use in the long run...

We will shoot for -50% recharge ... mainly for permanent Quick recovery later on, Battle Standard, War horn and shield charge...

The first skill form Defence will be most probably Shield charge for mobility
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 07 December 2017, 08:07:22
Jacko - added Jacek to the leaderboard, but I need to know if she's twinked or not.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 07 December 2017, 14:23:11
@botebote77 - I will read it, the link about magic...we are at home now, cold or flu...so plenty of free time untill Monday when back to work  :'(

@medea - yeap...we are twinking...but only a little... O:-)

hmm...I know I am asking for much  O:-) but...do you think it would be possible to put : "Jacko & Zuzia" instead of only "Jacko" on the leaderboard? She does play this toon and was a little sad when I told her it is only my nick on the leaderboard...she also saw it (the leaderboard) and she can read a little and she said "It's not fair"...  O:-)

Cheers  :D :D :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 07 December 2017, 14:28:43
Of course Jacko.  I'll change it over so both names appear.  :)  And you have my sympathies.  I've been suffering from a bad cold or flu for the last couple of weeks, hubby too. I am so sick of coughing and spluttering and sneezing.  >:(
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 07 December 2017, 14:38:10
She just saw it...and she is so happy...thank you... :) it is funny how little she needs sometimes to be happy... 8)

I do not suffer from much cough but she is another story...but doc says it is nothing serious yet...but we need to saty at home, take plenty of  pills and syrups and stuff...  ;)

Now we will play a little... :D :D :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 07 December 2017, 15:03:01
We were fooling around with dual wielding a little and...something feels different, off ...at 8/6 in all DW skills it is only 12% chance and it really goes off...seldom.

Was it nerfed?

As far as I can remember back in the day when running a harbinger the  DW skill was going off almost all of the time... ??? or is it my memory that is playing tricks on me? but something is really off now with dual wielding...
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 07 December 2017, 15:27:58
You can point out that she was already on the leaderboard anyway with your other toon's name.  So she's now there twice.  ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 07 December 2017, 17:08:02
Good point you've got there  Medea :D

Btw guys, for this xmax challenge - how would you rate S&B Conquerer vs DW Spellbreaker vs DW Harbinger for this challenge

@botebote77 - I read this, pretty thorough and informative stuff there  8)

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 07 December 2017, 17:47:32
Some other ideas regarding this challenge, basic and general toughts only - I would appreciate your feedback guys...:

1. DW Ice Shards Thane, 2 x Persephone caress; with a little CDR (50%) for Horn and Standard

2. DoT EB Prophet, Soulflay Fork

What would be survivability, gear dependency, general pros and cons... ???

I ask in context of AER.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 07 December 2017, 20:33:54
Re dual wielding both the IT and AE versions of the calculator show 22% chance at max so either it's going off more than you think or there's been some change to it lately.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 07 December 2017, 21:52:20
We've made some long term eq choices:

Odysseus Armour, Huo Qubing helm and Talisman of the Jade Emperor...ehh at clvl 55  :'(

So between clvl 44 and 55 it's gonna be only -35% recharge...but at clvl 55...whooping 60%  >:D

And it is going to be str - based toon.

But -60% recharge and str as main stat also invites inevitably Dream  ::)

Phantom Strike every 6.5 sec...good CC alternating between Petrification and 1-point-horn...Nightmare to distract 3 x Bosses to tae them 1 on 1...

So far so good...

Jacko & Zuzia - Jacek - L22 Warrior AER (TWINKED) - Minoan Labirynth
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Fisch on 08 December 2017, 00:15:41
I'm a day later than I planned but life happens! Anyways I have joined the challenge!

Fisch - Durzo - Lv10 Battlemage AE - Spartan Highlands

So far untwinked but I expect that to change down the line. I've been pretty lucky with drops so far and I have managed to get a Stone Hammer, Outriders Buckler and, Labyrinthine Bracers.

I originally planned to stick with Warrior until the class was maxed out and drop a single point into each skill I planned on using on the way up but I changed my mind and immediately grabbed Earth and dropped a point into Earth Enchantment and Ring of Flame. So far I don't regret that decision :D

Oddly enough Nessus - Centuar Chieftain didn't spawn at all upon my first arrival so I decided to reload and beeline my way back over for the fight which fixed the issue. Lured them out one at a time and had no problem at all. Just made sure to use health pots and drop Battle Standard at the beginning of the fight.

I'm not sure how to post the images exactly... so here are some imgur links...

https://imgur.com/a/zAPaY
https://imgur.com/a/uoyMh
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 December 2017, 08:16:57
Welcome to the challenge Fisch.  :) Yes, sometimes the bosses don't spawn and you have to restart.  I've had it with Nessus and also the Arachnes in the Olive Grove.  Known bug with the mod and just something we have to live with.

For imgur when you've uploaded your images (choose the size either 640x480 or 800x600 in the auto resize first before uploading) click on an image and then copy the message boards and forums link then paste it here. The image should then be visible.  Use the preview button here to check before final posting. 

And nice haul of early goodies you've got there.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 08 December 2017, 14:38:57
Nice to see more abd more people are joining in...

Btw, soon I will have to start a toon for my daughter...she got addicted ... :P

Btw2, i get this funny feeling mobs and bosses got buffed in AER...i need to get to read aer notes....finally... O:-)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 December 2017, 14:58:48
Just be careful of the cave in the Phocian Swamp.  There was a new quite difficult hyena boss in there originally.  Haven't seen him since I installed the expansion, but only run a couple of toons that far recently so may still randomly spawn.  Fire breathing p in the a he is too!
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 08 December 2017, 17:29:07
OK - thx  :D

If u happen to have any other useful / important tips like this please share...

we almost died the other day to some funny AoE spell I saw for the first time - it was like a huge red cloud of blood that would quickly collapse making us lose approx. 70% of HP  ??? it was cast by one of the harpies...a harpy boss.

Btw, I just found my old Conquerer in the all yellow challenge  :) I might be picking him up as he is Act 1 Epic, the very beginning.

So, we decided to run some DW toon instead but atm playing a single mastery as Zuzia cannot decide on the 2nd one - she likes phantom strike a lot but she also loves the spirit mastery logo a lot  ::)

Tbh, Conquerer is darn strong but also a little boring and now the big word for us is fun ...
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 08 December 2017, 18:21:55
Jacko & Zuzia - Jacek - L25 Warrior AER (TWINKED) - Village of Sais

so there we are, our first favourite levelling spot - the crocodiles quest and nearby ruins with the undead. a few quick runs netted us 3 levels  8) this run is also good for malee toons as the crocodiles drop real nice green equipment. the only thing is not to turn the quest in...so that the crocodiles do not disappear.

Now I am sure in AER the monsters stats were buffed...
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 08 December 2017, 20:01:00
Jacko yes the monsters got buffed in AER.. it's very noticeable in my previous toons.. I'm lvl 68/69 and I'm battling lvl 80/81 mobs.. it's because i didn't go through act 5 normal and epic.. my sorcerer is 71 fighting lvl 85 mobs.. they hit harder now and i think resistance reduction got more important
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 December 2017, 21:48:51
Updated Jacko & Zuzia and yes, that's a nice area to farm greens.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 09 December 2017, 10:55:07
Jacko & Zuzia - Jacek - L27 Warrior AER (TWINKED) - Village of Sais

We were farming a little for equipment, hence the two levels  O:-)

Btw, we reached a consensus - we will carry on with all yellow Conquerer in the yellow challenge as I recovered the saveame files  :D

And now we will go with a DW toon...yet to determine 2nd mastery.

I could really use some of you insigts regarding DW spellbreaker vs DW harbinger vs DW whatever...We do not want to end uptossing a coin  :'(



Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 10 December 2017, 14:59:22
Jacko & Zuzia - Jacek - L32 Warrior AER (TWINKED) - Gardens of Babilon

Still going single mastery hoarding skill points  O:-)

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 10 December 2017, 18:26:55
Jacko & Zuzia - Jacek - L33 Warrior AER (TWINKED) - Babilon Outskirts

our second favourite farming / levelling spot...already got some nice green armours for our DW warrior  8)

We will farm a little more here as there are nice drops here for other toons...nice yellows with fire bonuses too... ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 10 December 2017, 20:25:41
Updated and well done you two.  :)  You've leapfrogged your other toon Jackon.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 10 December 2017, 21:12:19
Im actually thinking of running Eruption /Orb toon in  yellows only contest  C:-)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 11 December 2017, 07:53:19
Argh!  It's that yellow again!  Sorry Jacko, gasconron used it in his thread on his Xmax toons.  While it seems nice to colour code unfortunately the yellow here on the forum just makes the text unreadable - it's just a yellow blur. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 11 December 2017, 16:29:01
EDIT - consensus not reached as to 2nd mastery  >:D

No more yellow , promise :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 12 December 2017, 20:40:18
We are going ... Spellbreaker  >:D

Given my friends all play malee...Conq and some Haru saying Spellbreakers sux we decided to prove them wrong...and we fell in love with the toon...aura and the companion  ::)

I inveted this whole back story about him...a young warrior who would not accept his destiny (imposed on him by his ancestors) and always wanted to become a mage but in the end decided to get the best of the two worlds and use swords and dark art of necromany to his advantage to rain destruction on his enemies...short story.

Now this has become an everyday bedtime story for Zuzia  :o

we will post more about our progress tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 16 December 2017, 18:54:51
Jacko & Zuzia - Jacek - L39 Spellbreaker AER (TWINKED) - City of Rhodes

1st Typhon was difficult to bring down.

2nd was quick to die.

3rd Typhon went down big time ...he died at the hand of Zuzia  :D but there was a close call when he hit thorns.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 16 December 2017, 19:12:34
Well done you two!  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 16 December 2017, 22:16:18
We've forgotten to post pics  8)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 21 December 2017, 12:47:10
Update for Gale Vitesse, she's now up to L35 and resting at the Eastern Silk Road fountain.  No real problems so far, even though I'm still getting back into the swing of the game after concentrating on GD for so long.  Barmanu was my main worry, but patience and Lightning Bolt/Chain Lightning did the trick.  Have almost got Nature mastery maxed out too now so then it will just be a case of maxing out the skils.  Squall/Obscured Visibility and Lightning Bolt/Chain Lightning are already maxed since she's relying on them for most of her damage.  Kill count: 33,998.

(https://i.imgur.com/u2UH4jC.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/N9gGgeV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bmvl00l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lKJSbMM.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 25 December 2017, 12:51:53
Will be officially rejoining the challenge as a Thane and a Battlemage.

Had a hard time running Legendary using my pre-AE setup on these classes. Unfortunately, I lost both my re-runs during the Holidays.

BM died farming Hydra and my Thane got hit by god knows what in Wusao. I think I got hit by a Smiting mod and literally got one-shotted. I really struggled with these classes.
I'll use this as an opportunity to rethink my gear setup and start them a new in this challenge.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Typhon on 25 December 2017, 15:09:11
I hate Wusao.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 25 December 2017, 17:10:01
Great news gasconron.  I'm running a Battlemage too so will be interesting to see how they both get on.  He's only up to L19 and at the Upper War Camp at present so not really that far along yet.

Update for Hyone my no potions Haruspex - she's up to L35 and has reached Zhidan. So far no problems, kited Barmanu x3 as usual and they went down more quickly than I expected.  :)  Kill count: 32,720.

(https://i.imgur.com/A7zNfJJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vjLETWT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ATnOmzU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/smnz2yq.jpg)

Had a funny glitch though.  I was running through the various vendors trying to buy the colour bottles needed for one of the side quests in the expansion and saw that the Monstrous Brigands quest giver had a yellow icon over his head.  Talked to him and got the quest - even though it was done ages ago since it's the first side quest you get at Helos.  And it wasn't in my quest log either.  Anyway ran it again and completed it so now up to date.  Can only think it's something in Xmax that isn't quite compatible with the expansion at the moment. Weird though.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 30 December 2017, 17:08:58
Not really in the mood to run my last Legendary HC this week so I decided to relax during the holidays boosting these re-do's. The new XP curve makes XP farming so fast it's amazing. hahaha. I barely felt the "1st 10-levels Hell"

Obviously, I'm twinking hard with Snowball and 2x Poisonous rings for early level farming. Might farm SBC for the +skill and some levels. Will probably resume the road trip when I hit lvl 24-26ish

Active Challenge Characters:
Cristina (Battlemage) 9 - Sparta
Yunah (Thane) 19 - Farming Gorgons and Parnasus WarCamps...
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 30 December 2017, 19:37:25
Welcome back to the challenge gasconron.  Added to the leaderboard.  Are your toons twinked or are you going self found?  I assume since you're farming it's self found, but let me know if it's not.  And also you're playing the expansion?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 30 December 2017, 20:56:24
NEVER self-found, I will always and forever be twinked.  :)) See those unusable items in my inventory and those unspent attribute points? This is my generic normal rush I'm just waiting for the right level and attribute points.

Am already farming those new Shiny Legendaries to help my item optimization. AE:R new items so OP. They are so well-rounded stat wise. I hope Devs scale existing items to compete with these things. As for farming, I just do it to get more XP early and Kill Count. I still impose the old challenge requirements on myself cuz' Im so used to it.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 31 December 2017, 07:09:38
Thane:
Finally let go of the Snowball and equipped a SotM I picked up from farming Satyr Camps. Hit my breakpoint and threw away my self found starting gear for Epics to boost my Squall damage. After hitting Level 24 at Gorgons, steam roll mode to Egypt and will probably continue to do so until I need to farm for levels before proceeding to Act 3.

Gonna break for a bit and play League of something. Powerlevelling new toons hurts my eyes.

Active Challenge Characters:
Natashya (Battlemage) 9 - Normal Sparta
Yunah (Thane) 29 - Normal Memphis

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 December 2017, 09:53:21
Updated and good work.  :)

I think reaching the old target isn't really a problem with a straight playthrough.  I always find myself well ahead when I play - and with the expansion now as well it should be pretty easy.  Of course everyone plays the game differently and if you like levelling up early and then blasting along who cares?  That's what you do and you've proven it's extremely effective in this challenge.  ;D

Maybe I should declare new optional targets of 200,000 and 55,000-60,000 for petmancers if people are playing the expansion - what do you all think?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 31 December 2017, 10:53:35
Updated and good work.  :)

I think reaching the old target isn't really a problem with a straight playthrough.  I always find myself well ahead when I play - and with the expansion now as well it should be pretty easy.  Of course everyone plays the game differently and if you like levelling up early and then blasting along who cares?  That's what you do and you've proven it's extremely effective in this challenge.  ;D

Maybe I should declare new optional targets of 200,000 and 55,000-60,000 for petmancers if people are playing the expansion - what do you all think?

Yah, its a cheap but effective way of doing HC runs. Because playing the same start multiple times, you just know/learn where the difficulty spike comes in. You just need to level up to the point that you won't feel the spike as much. You could do this over and over and remain untouched until you start Legendary when the resist penalties kick in and minimums for OA/DA are much higher. Well, this is my first time doing Ragnarok from a new toon, so I'll see how it turns out.

RE: new kill count reqs. I don't really mind, I do petmancers at 50-75k since I spec into pets early Epic anyway and 200k isn't really that bad, but that's just me. A lot of people made a fuss over this kill count req. in the OG thread by "Eric the Red" (bless his soul for getting me into this awesome game).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 December 2017, 20:19:35
Well, they're just optional targets now if people want to aim for them.  defboy99 and Bonobo4 had pretty much decided that for petmancers at least it was rather silly since it defeated the point of them being petmancers in the first place.  So I just posted them if people want to keep track and see how they compare.  I quite like them just to see how I'm doing in comparison.  Gives me something to aim for besides just staying alive!  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 01 January 2018, 06:28:02
Progress:

Thane
Still ripping through. Gotta slow down and farm a bit. Need to be at least 38-40 before I hit Typhon. And my kill count is a bit low.

Active Challenge Characters:
Cristina (Battlemage) 9 - Normal Sparta
Yunah (Thane) 36 - Normal Chang An
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 01 January 2018, 10:40:35
Updated gasconron.  Nearly at the top of the leaderboard at this pace.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 02 January 2018, 16:56:40
Progress:

Thane
Here's my last bit from the weekend. Will take it a bit slower now, and I probably have my next burst of progress next weekend. Nearly at the mid-game with this toon.

As expected from a Storm Character, shutting down Typhon wasn't too hard with continuous Squalls, Spellbreakers and occasional Lightning Strike. Starting to develop my Warfare skills on the side and switch over to dual-wield, once I reach my level requirements for my gear.

Active Challenge Characters:
Cristina (Battlemage) 9 - Normal Sparta
Yunah (Thane) 41 - Styx
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 02 January 2018, 17:02:23
Well done gasconron and to the top of the leaderboard you go.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 13 January 2018, 15:43:26
I had an untwinked ranger months ago in this challenge. If I ever partake in the challenge again I'll continue with said character. I think it was in epic act 1 around level 55. And had pretty sweet items. :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 January 2018, 16:10:10
Yes, give me the details when you start again so I can add it to the leaderboard TheBonobo4.  The more the merrier as they say.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: 1cec0ld on 13 January 2018, 19:50:48
I'll throw my weight in, Sign up Twinkle, my newest Assassin, who will use Poison to get as far as Alastor, then switch to Traps+Standard for the remainder, throwing out Doom Horns and Flash Powder in the tough scrapes.
Side note, I miss my Throwing Knife penetration chance  :'(

Other side note, @MedeaFleecestealer the link to gasconron's tactics on the OP is pointing to byehost's dead site.

Killed Nessus, and currently have 8-3 in the Envenom Weapon tree, 6 in Weapon Training, two Tainted Rings, a Fibula of Guile, a Tainted Bow with Artemis Relic, and 2 ____ of Recovery armors. Everything else is trash I picked up.
Waiting for level 10 so I can use a nice Skeletal Dart item for super fast ranged poison application. Then I might just spec into Int for more energy, cooldown items, and cast time on my traps and such.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 January 2018, 20:36:19
Thanks for the reminder 1cec0ld, I've replaced the link with the proper one.  Forgotten I'd put it in the OP and that it would change once we moved.  :o

Added to the leaderboard, but where are you exactly, twinked or not and playing the expansion?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 13 January 2018, 21:31:25

Side note, I miss my Throwing Knife penetration chance  :'(


but the rebalance is needed.. throwing knife has been buffed enough.. we don't need another buff or we'll get those broken OP toons again
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 13 January 2018, 23:24:37
Yes, give me the details when you start again so I can add it to the leaderboard TheBonobo4.  The more the merrier as they say.
If I do start again. It might be awhile. But I'm pretty sure I had sweet items like teucers bow. :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 14 January 2018, 09:34:06
Yes, that is a nice one to get your hands on.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: 1cec0ld on 14 January 2018, 20:29:30

Side note, I miss my Throwing Knife penetration chance  :'(


but the rebalance is needed.. throwing knife has been buffed enough.. we don't need another buff or we'll get those broken OP toons again

Honestly, I just want some form of wave-like AoE. Gas Bomb is all that's left, and the projectile can pass clear over the heads of incoming hordes.



Twinkle is level 24, halfway through the Minoan Labyrinth, very twinked (I think only 2 of her items are self-found so far) and playing AE:R
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 14 January 2018, 21:22:45
Okay, updated 1cec0ld and well done.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: 1cec0ld on 15 January 2018, 11:47:59
Swapped all points into Traps, leaving 1 in Envenom, 1 in Nightshade for the fun of it. Traps are maxed, working on Warfare, War Horn, and Battle Standard now at level 31, Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Fun fact, using the version of the mod found on Steam Workshop, I was in fact able to finish the Sphinx quest with all multiplied statues and shrines.

Whoops, forgot to screenshot Aktaios :|
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 15 January 2018, 12:13:59
I think it's in the AE version of the mod period no matter which one you use.  Iirc there was a discussion about this on TQ.net pointing that out, but defboy99 also pointed out that although they'd sort of fixed the "Protect the Flag" side quest in Act 4 as well (which you had to switch back to normal game to complete), some foes could still spawn in unreachable areas unless you're a ranged/caster toon. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 15 January 2018, 18:59:02
I think it's in the AE version of the mod period no matter which one you use.  Iirc there was a discussion about this on TQ.net pointing that out, but defboy99 also pointed out that although they'd sort of fixed the "Protect the Flag" side quest in Act 4 as well (which you had to switch back to normal game to complete), some foes could still spawn in unreachable areas unless you're a ranged/caster toon.
Even my ranger had to complete that quest on normal I believe. That and the honour guards I believe.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: 1cec0ld on 17 January 2018, 07:24:16
So I took a break from the other one, and started ThirdDegree, who was initially meant to be just an attempt at finishing Normal with the Freddy Krueger build, but started Xmax and will officially put her ticket in for this challenge, since she just got past Triton's Ridge, and is moving onto the Minos Labyrinth, without any deaths!
Have to say, the real difference this time trying it, is a single point in Distortion Field, it gives me 8 seconds of basically immortality since the trash hordes cant really get past the flat absorption protection. 8 seconds is long enough to have maxed ToW sprint in and level the field, and using 1-0-12 Distortion Wave clears the stronger heroes in 1-2 hits. (Shadowmaw was 4 or 5, i dont remember)
Level 24 and ready to push onward!
https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/titancalc-anniversary-edition/TitanCalc41c841c841c8.html?mastery=Dreamkiller&master1=6&master2=9&sa=1&m1=3-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0&m2=32-0-0-1-0-8-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-12-12-0-0-0

Oh and very twinked, but only the Skyfire Pendant is really abnormal. The rest were just Tainted/Poisonous rings that made early levels faster, and self-found ____ of Recovery items.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 January 2018, 08:28:00
She's added to the leaderboard and well done 1cec0ld.  :)  Good luck with her.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 18 January 2018, 17:22:33
Haven't posted in a while cuz I thought the forums was taken down didn't know the URL changed. Stopped playing TQ for a bit but I guess now Im back in on the action.

Progress:
Yunah (Thane) 47 - Scironean Rocks
Natashya (B. Mage) 20 - Parnasus Hinterlands
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 18 January 2018, 17:34:35
an int build thane and battlemage.. i like it 8)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Pazuzu on 18 January 2018, 17:42:56
Hello guys, i wanted to ask if i can add my runesmith into this challenge, i've played through x max until now, but i wasnt aware of this topic so the only bosses i have recorded are the mage in act 1, the huge yeti and the peng boss in the wall. Also wanted to ask what is an accomplished hero?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 18 January 2018, 17:48:56
what? you made a thread of this already

https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=218.0

that's it the accomplished hero is the lvl40 starting char  :))
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 18 January 2018, 18:06:46
an int build thane and battlemage.. i like it 8)

did it pre-AE, re-ran it but failed horribly on AE. Going to run them and park them at Legendary, while I farm out Ragnarok Uniques. Spotted out interesting gear options that addresses certain weaknesses of my previous gear setup.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 January 2018, 18:08:53
We had problems exceeding our limits on the free hosting so we've switched to a paid one.  That was why it was down for a few days.

Updated and well done as usual gasconron.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Pazuzu on 18 January 2018, 18:53:03
what? you made a thread of this already

https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=218.0

that's it the accomplished hero is the lvl40 starting char  :))

buhah i see! i didnt know it had a name :P
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: 1cec0ld on 21 January 2018, 00:42:22
Close call, but ThirdDegree made it past the Chimeras. I was playing without sound and didn't have the gong to warn me when her health got down to 50. Happened to glance up and mash that R button like a madman.

https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/titancalc-anniversary-edition/TitanCalc41c841c841c8.html?mastery=Dreamkiller&master1=6&master2=9&sa=1&m1=32-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0&m2=32-0-0-1-0-8-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-12-12-0-0-0
Level 33 at the Babylon Outskirts, respecced everything to max the Mastery trees so I would know how many attribute points to spend in each thing to wear my future gear. Also picked up a lot of Dream-specific gear from my vault now that shes over 30. 85% twinked now, just waiting til 47 for that Eye of Reveries, and for a good amulet.

Does anyone know if/how Throwing Knives work with Psionic Touch? Can I throw a flurry of knives and spread EBD that way? Do I have to wait for my 3rd basic attack to prepare the burn, and then throw? Is it possible at all?



RIP.
Got trapped by a Neanderthal in the Bactrian Woods. Then trapped by another one. Then another one. Then dead. Level 34
I think I'm going to try a different route, a Ritualist or Haruspex for this, since I hardly used Rogue for anything except the early levels.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 21 January 2018, 11:26:04
Bad luck 1cec0ld.  Better luck with the next one.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: corian on 14 February 2018, 16:23:16
Hi!
I'd like to participate in the challenge
Badboy will be a shaman. I' ll try to play like a spellbreaker but the rune way (new mastery? have to try it!)
Lvl 8 halfway to sparta, i'll post the first picture when the centaurs fall  8)

I have troubles with screenshots (all in black)....i can make them by movil, but is there any way to solve it?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 14 February 2018, 22:37:13
Corian, welcome to the challenge.  Yes, hopefully there is.  I assume you're just pasting the screenshot in.  Instead there should be a folder in My Documents\My Games\Titan Quest Immortal Throne\Screenshots.  If there isn't such a folder, make one.  If there is a folder there you should see a list of screenshots labelled - screenshot 00, screenshot 01, screenshot 02, etc.  Open these in whichever programme you use.  The game should automatically put any screenshots taken by hitting the Print Screen button into that folder.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: corian on 15 February 2018, 17:20:43
thanks Medea! screenshots were there

Badboy is doing well, lvl 10 and just killed the centaurs. I forgot to say that this toon is twinked (just see the images >:D)

these two images are photos from phone, next will be screenshots

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 16 February 2018, 08:05:56
Glad it's sorted out corian.  Badboy is added to the leaderboard and good luck with him.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: corian on 17 February 2018, 21:09:08
hello again!
just killed Polyphemus, much easier than I expected
a couple of seals of destiny, some snowball and dead  8)
Tomorrow more...or so I hope
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Typhon on 18 February 2018, 02:15:58
hello again!
just killed Polyphemus, much easier than I expected
a couple of seals of destiny, some snowball and dead  8)
Tomorrow more...or so I hope
lol, Maybe Odysseus should've brought snowballs with him on his journey to deal with Polyphemus  :o
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 February 2018, 09:09:28
Sort of updated corian, but I need his location when you stop a session. I'm assuming you stopped at the Boetia rebirth fountain, but let me know if it's different.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 18 February 2018, 11:30:19
Hi,

Rejoining the challenge with a Seidr worker, twinked (AER).
The build idea is to make a dual-wielding thrower based on Psionic touch, thunderstrike and runeword explode. Fast weapons should trigger these AOE effects frequently i hope.

Gustav is currently lvl 21 resting just after the gorgons. I've used a batrachos armor well loaded in Pierce resistances and % to avoid projectiles, %DA, that make the gorgons easier.
I thought at the beginning that 1 skill point in menhir wall was 1 pt wasted but necessary for guardian stones later. Guess I am wrong: a menhir wall draws attention from archers and may be useful in act 3,4.

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: corian on 18 February 2018, 18:41:25
Sorry medea! :-\
Just killed sisters, lvl 19, fountain just after them
A well placed guardian stones and two seals of fate were all I needed
I take your advice Tauceti, I think that menhir wall point was wasted but i will test it later in acts 3 and 4, thanks


Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 February 2018, 19:24:48
Welcome to the forum and to the challenge Tauceti.  You're on the leaderboard and good work.

Updated corian.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 18 February 2018, 23:05:24
I made some tests in the warcamps near Athens:
- Psionic Burn definitively works with throwing weapons but it isn't impressive  :( . The tooltip says 3.5m radius but the burn effect is not applied to all monsters within this radius...(even with the maximum points in Psionic burn). It seems that the real radius  is around 1-2m.
- Seal of fate is impressive and fun. In warcamps i tested this trick: rush the middle of a pack, apply seal of fate on you, then thunderstrike: the 1st pack is dead and a 2nd wave rushes to you. When the 2nd wave is on you, the seal explodes and splasssssh (pict 1) the 2nd pack is dead too. As you know, Boarmen tend to be overweight and 1pt is not good enough, but with 7 pts in seal of fate, they can fly (pic2)  ;D. My 1st opinion was to put 1 pt in seal of fate and max aftershock: a must have skill for boss. Now I changed my mind and will max the 2 skills.
- Menhir wall should be useful when maxed and with CDR: 1pt is not enough, the wall is rapidly destroyed under a pack. 10pts in the skill add more stones in the wall (1Pt = 3 stones, 10pts = 7 stones). Therefore, an upgraded wall should block a full pack (like in Wusao), and if you put a seal of fate on the wall... splasssh

@Corian: for the gorgons, you are right: guardian stones was the best way. But i still lack of points, with too much points in dream mastery.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 19 February 2018, 02:09:47
- Menhir wall should be useful when maxed and with CDR: 1pt is not enough, the wall is rapidly destroyed under a pack. 10pts in the skill add more stones in the wall (1Pt = 3 stones, 10pts = 7 stones). Therefore, an upgraded wall should block a full pack (like in Wusao), and if you put a seal of fate on the wall... splasssh
woot i didn't know this.. higher skill levels mean more menhirs? i gotta test this when i can.. are they close enough to block gates and entrances? i mean you think they can block the gate of toxeus? also the narrow pathway to dactyl? this can open up new tricks.. good observation there
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 February 2018, 07:34:03
Should be botebote77.  I didn't play with them much, but they certainly looked like they'd be useful for blocking entrances, etc.  Not sure how long they'd hold up against Toxeus, but certainly worth a try.  And useful with other skills in a similar fashion to the one Tauceti posted.  Cast Menhirs to block entrance, then throw Squall, Lightning Bolt, Volcanic Orb, Eruption or Plague at foes on the other side.  :)  Should work a treat.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 19 February 2018, 11:08:41
well the idea has been opened.. if they're not tanky enough that means we should make it tankier, cast multiple stones, or at the very least make them as bait.. if we clash ideas together there's always a chance we come up with something new.. that's one advantage of having a forum.. I'm still a few days from reaching act 4 epic with my skinchanger but I'm not leaving this possible trick
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 20 February 2018, 01:10:48
Gustav is now resting in Rhakotis (lvl 25). He had to redo minotaurs because the telkines were not in place. Not too much a problem in normal mode but in epic/legendary, sure,  it 's a nasty bug.
About the class Sedr worker, i struggled with dex requirements for regular green weapons because there is no dex from dream mastery and some dex from rune. But at lvl 21, things were better with a special green dropped from maenads: the jaguar claws (the legendary upgraded version is only lvl 21 and F55, Dex55 required !).

@botebote77: I didn't think about dactyles or toxeus but yes in that case, a wall would block the way. As Medea said, casters would take the best of it. In the last pic, i took a ternion shaman lvl 40, and even in plain field, monsters attack the wall so you are safe with your staff. Well only for a short moment... Because the tooltip says that the wall stands for 10s. It's not true: 7s at lvl max. Since the delay between casting walls is 22s, 70% CDR on items and some casting speed should make the trick. Another curious thing: if a monster breaks a stone eg in the middle, he rushes towards you across the broken wall but other monsters of the pack don't cross the wall and continue fighting the wall. One last thing, in some way you can control the direction of the wall, it depends where you click: ahead of you, the wall is like on the pic, but if you click on your left or right, the direction is perpendicular. With some pratice, it opens some strategies i guess. (btw sorry for my bad english).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 21 February 2018, 07:42:11
Updated Tauceti and well done.  Nice work, especially having to do the Minotaurs twice.  :)

Yes, that's another problem with the walls.  Sometimes they're the way you want them to be, but other times they end up at the wrong angle to do much good.  Probably needs practice on positioning as you said.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: corian on 25 February 2018, 00:01:12
Badboy had a nice day today! With a little big problem... He had to repeat entire knossos becasuse the screenshots where totally in black :-\
Second time with minotaurs almost dead  >:(
Anyway... he is lvl 27 and resting in menphis
I post the arachnae screenshot from coz I realize I hadn´t do it before, sorry
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 25 February 2018, 10:11:23
Well done corian, that's moves you nicely up the leaderboard.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 25 February 2018, 22:19:15
Progress from Gustav:
At mid-Act2, i maxxed ToW and lucid dream so that i could wear, with use,  some gear with %Electric burn damage. Hence, i made some easy XP farming through egyptian fields (with good shoes). I never made before an auramancer and although it isn't the aim of this build, it is worth a try especially with Xmax. I will keep it a while, that's some fun ;)

I got a bug with the sphynx in Xmax and had to do it in normal without the mod to achieve the fight, so no pic there.

Gustav is currently lvl 37 and resting near babylon.

@corian: Guardian stones are our best friend with boss, sure, but take care of Chimera. For some reason, the stones (lvl 16) were destroyed instantly at the beginning of the fight, maybe by aoe effects, not sure.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: corian on 25 February 2018, 23:13:52
Thanks Tauceti!! I´ll take your advice
My guardian stones are only at lvl 1, I´m planing to play in other way with them coz my build is around enemy´s health reduction, and each stone does 33% reduction at lvl 1 and it doesn´t increase with more levels....and the less life they have the sooner they explode  ;D

Badboy is now at the fountain on the desert, lvl 30
He had to do the scorpions twice (why always have to do something twice?).... don´t know if it´s a bug, but the eye of chaos didn´t where after killing them

 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 26 February 2018, 07:59:15
Well done you two, up the leaderboard you go.  :)

Tauceti, see this note from the first page:

NOTE: In the IT version of this mod it's not possible to do the Sphinx quest and the Protect the Flag quest, you need to revert to the normal game to do these and then re-enter the mod to continue once you've completed them and got your reward.  Whether the AE/R version is the same I don't know. 

corian, not heard that the Eye doesn't drop, but it may be a bug.  It should be on the altar and drop when you click on it.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: corian on 26 February 2018, 14:43:19
Sorry for asking this here, but i realize that tauceti is wearing two throwing axes (or so it seems to me)
Have you buy them or are they drops?
I haven't seen any throwing weapon apart of those merchant sell....is it a bug? And if it's a bug, is there any patch for download? I've been searching and haven't seen any for TQAE Ragnarok ???
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 26 February 2018, 15:21:51
They do drop, I've had several blue knives and an axe drop so it's not a bug.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 27 February 2018, 00:22:57
The throwing weapons here come from a vendor shop in Act 5 (bought by a legendary toon). I suppose you can also find throwing axes as dropped items (eg by trolls) in act 5. The same is true for example for chakrams you can find in act 3, knives mainly in act 1 & 2, they are related to the storyline.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: corian on 27 February 2018, 09:52:34
Thanks you two!
It was strange that there were no drops of yellow throwing weapons
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 February 2018, 10:00:30
My knives and axe were in Acts 1 and 2 iirc.  Certainly the knives were, think the axe was an Act 2 item. 

It could be a balancing issue they haven't gotten around to fixing yet, but I haven't had much time to play lately so can't say for sure. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 01 March 2018, 01:03:57
Progress from Gustav:

The Barmanu pull was a disaster. I wanted to pull carefully with the help of the nightmare. I ordered the pet in defensive stance, to go farther and farther, so that he body pulls one Barmanu. As a result,  I saw 3 Barmanu rushing at me. Oups ! I only had time to release the guardian stones. The next seconds, clearly i was in panic mode, running between multiple ice showers like a chicken with its head cut off. Actually the stones and the pet were the targets, not Gustav. Finally, the knightmare survived the time needed for Gustav to take off one Barmanu, the stones 2 Barmanu. It was a close call  :o Too bad that i did'nt printscreen.

At lvl 39, my old gear was replaced by the set of the dreamweaver and the rest of the act was less difficult, even Typhon. Gustav is now lvl 42 at Rhodes.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 01 March 2018, 07:33:11
Well done Tauceti.  That moves you almost to the top of the leaderboard.  :)  Yeah, Barmanu's always difficult to deal with, he's at the wrong angle to see him for a start plus he can drop those snow meteors on you without him being in view.  Best thing to do is run back to the cave entrance and wait there for everything to stop since his leash is quite short, he doesn't come after you and most meteors won't bounce that far.  Still worth watching them though just in case, I have been hit by one when standing in that area in the past and died from it. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 March 2018, 11:03:11
And blew it with Valdis.  Tried going after the healing Gorgon Sisters first to get them out of the way and I assume got stunned (or stuck not sure) and then just watched the health bar expire without being able to do anything about it.  So he's out of the challenge at L19.  Should have stuck with patience and a bow.  Final kill count: 11,529.

(https://i.imgur.com/cKdXV3W.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 04 March 2018, 15:14:36
petrify.. gorgon stun is petrify now.. since AE
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 March 2018, 18:42:16
Um, and I'm not that good at kiting such things.  Certainly with 9 of them to deal with rushing in wasn't a good idea.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 March 2018, 12:03:46
Better progress with Hyone, my Haruspex.  She's been to Chang'an, up to the Jade Palace and back to Chang'an again.  Some Djinn heroes got close to killing her, her health bar was shrinking and I was trying to hit the health potion button, wondering why nothing was happening (duh! no potions toon remember!), then switched the hotkey bar over and managed to switch off Herbal Remedy and Trance of Convalescence as well.  :o  Had to retreat to gain some health again before bringing the last Djinn down.  Realised my idiotic mistake, fired everything back up again and carried on.

Never realised what a dearth of heroes there are that you can take screenshots of in that area.  Bandari (no), Bull heroes (no) so I've just done a couple showing that the main quest has updated.  Kill count: 37,728.

(https://i.imgur.com/Fl6WIkF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mjdSOZ6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gZNZ36d.jpg)

Also, anyone managed to do the Three Sisters side quest with this version of Xmax?  Iirc over on TQ.net there was mention that the heroes for that don't spawn so not worth picking the quest up.  I tried it a couple of times, but they didn't spawn for me so I moved on.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 05 March 2018, 23:45:41
It seems Medea that you, Gascorun and I, have differences in Xmax version. The 3 sisters spawn x3 in my Xmax version but only one eye is  left contrary to the the pic of Gascorun where 3 eyes are left. Therefore i took a pic at the beginning of the fight and at the end. Actually this is not the good way because i wanted to do the same for 3x Cerberus since there is no remnants. But the time needed to pull and printscreen (i m not quick  ;D) and my life was already near mid-level.

Gustav is now 48 resting at Elyseum
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 06 March 2018, 07:48:39
Well done Tauceti.  Updated.  :)

No, it's not the Grey Sisters quest I'm talking about, but the Three Sisters one you pick up on mountain heading for the Jade Palace.  To rescue the third sister you have to defeat the big panther bosses and they don't seem to spawn in this version of Xmax.  Did you manage to do this quest?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 06 March 2018, 15:16:42
Ah this quest ! No,  like the sphynx quest, i had to achieve the quest without Xmax.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 06 March 2018, 15:58:39
Yeah, I think I'm going to have to add it to the others where you need to do it in normal.  :(
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 08 March 2018, 01:00:00
All was going well, towards the last corridor leading finally to Hades. I was already thinking about how Gustav would handle with Hades.
But.. in the last bunch of gigantes, was hiding a Dactyl. Two shots at once, no more, and Gustav was dead without any chance to retreat to the stairs.
Too bad, i came back, took my time and got him down.

But that's the golden rule for hardcore: no room for error !
Final kill count: 63730 - lvl 50.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 March 2018, 06:51:17
Darn, bad luck Tauceti.  :( Them guys are nasty to deal with.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: corian on 11 March 2018, 18:18:41
Hello again

Badboy is still alive, but I've started another hero because i love earth and now i believe i control rune mastery better, so....

Naiara is a stonespeaker! I want to play her melee, and I'll try to make RoF works for this build (if not, maybe I'll change to throwing weapons)
She is rhakotis now, easy act1, excepting the minotaurs
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 11 March 2018, 18:31:10
Naiara added to the leaderboard corian and good luck with her.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 17 March 2018, 08:26:16
Will try to play this in the next couple of games. Haven't played TQ for challenges lately.
Mostly on, just 2-3 hours daily of repetitive farming for AE:R Legendaries.

Damn on the Legendary Cerberus death @MedeaFleecestealer that's a pretty bad spot to die. Did you kite at gate or did you go in balls-deep in the arena?

@Tauceti that quest is just like other droppable quest items. Sometimes you get 3 sometimes you get 1.

Burnt out on Tekken 7 and LoL and can't rank up anymore, so will be playing more of TQ.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 March 2018, 14:37:42
gasconron, it was my own fault, I was a bit impatient.  The 3 of them wiped out my pets a few times so I was trying to deal with them by standing just inside the door and potshoting them with a bow, but made the mistake of going too far inside and the door closed behind me.  I got penned aginst the door by all 3 and died.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 17 March 2018, 16:04:36
@MedeaFleecestealer
uggghhh... i lost 3 toons that way... "press+shift" was slow and stepped inside and got penned in.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 March 2018, 16:16:23
May try and have another go with the same build idea.  It was working well up to that point, though I wasn't really meleeing much - using the bow mostly along with the pets.  But with the expansion as well that would allow me to max some skills that weren't before or maybe add one or two more.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 18 March 2018, 06:13:59
Progress:
Yunah (Thane) 51 - Southern Gate
Natashya (B. Mage) 20 - Parnasus Hinterlands


Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 March 2018, 08:57:40
Updated gasconron and well done.  :)

Is Nastahya a new toon?  Because I already have Cristina L20 Battlemage at Parnassus Hinterlands on the list for you.  Did you retire her and start again with Natashya or are you running two different Battlemages in the challenge?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 18 March 2018, 10:39:27
I am searching some information about boss damage types in act 5. To your mind Gasconrun,  is Goldtooth physical, pierce and stun ? what about the golden boar, is it like Yaoguai, mainly fire and bleeding ?

@MedeaFleecestealer; I began a new toon: a diviner, i will post Act 1 pics soon. Actually since i have heard of Xmax here, i became addicted to it  ;) , and my only toon that finished Ragnarok in legendary mode is a ritualist. I have tried the ritualist with Xmax but the pets have hard time and cannot stand. The diviner may die sooner or later but i ll keep it as a toon farmer with Xmax.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 18 March 2018, 17:18:02
@MedeaFleecestealer sorry pls revise name to Natashya. Cristina is my Avenger, done with the challenge but I misreported at Reply#77, but fixed it on Reply#99. Will find old post and edit.

@Tauceti looks mostly Physical + Stun, but they d have the Poly wave attack, and iirc that has some vit-damage component in it, not sure about Goldtooth's one. Doesn't seem to be bleeding because damage taken are sudden dips (spike damage), and not heavy degen (DoT), but I don't really mod, nor use the toolbox much so I'm not exactly sure properties.

Progress:
Yunah (Thane) 53 - Walls of Utgard
Natashya (B. Mage) 20 - Parnasus Hinterlands

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 19 March 2018, 00:56:30
Thanks Gasconrun, I remembered that my ritualist had problems with  Goldtooth in legendary.

Here is the beginning of Saiga, she's a new diviner, now in Rhakhotis lvl 25. This is a Ternion build and the idea is to make use of Praxidikae, as soon as possible (lvl 52 req). This vitality staff has received a good boost since Ragnarok, with his base damage X1.5 or X2.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 March 2018, 07:15:10
Added to the leaderboard Tauceti and good luck with her.  :)  Is she twinked or are you going self found?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 19 March 2018, 07:36:48
I would also like to note that, AE:R xmax must be hell for any untwinked toon.
I didn't quite feel the difficulty playing AE:R since I simply transitioned Legendary toons that completed the game in to the new content.
However, now that I'm playing the new expansion from Level 1, even with twinked gear I'm feeling the difficulty spikes across the new content.
- Sciron Bandits were terrible
- Troll camps were annoying
- Gladsheim was pure hell
- Valholl was evil
- and without a doubt in my mind Land's End will be the embodiment of Satan...

This is me complaining with a hybrid (storm class with access to Squall)

How have you guys been faring in this challenge in AE:R (low/mid level toon)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 19 March 2018, 12:09:23
it might still be possible but you have to do your own farming.. which would be very very very long because you have to farm in normal and epic also.. and then early legendary.. the naked hardcore i think is near impossible (if not impossible) in AE:R

edit: the difficulty spike, i remember posting something like this i think at reddit

farming i have simple answer: i don't :P
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 19 March 2018, 20:37:14
Saiga is twinked (AER). I wouldn't make a try untwinked because imo it would take too much time, and a pain all along the way.

Concerning difficulty spike, i really felt the difference with my ritualist between acts 4 and 5 in legendary mode. The main problem was that last act is far from being optimized. In heavily populated areas, my toon was evolving image by image (with xmax) and this is lethal when you receive tons of projectiles without the possibility to retreat properly.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 March 2018, 20:46:49
Thanks botebote77, just started a new toon in the Naked HC. Very encouraging advice!  :o
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 19 March 2018, 21:32:13
you're welcome  ;D

@gasconron i want to see some hybrids and how people go about gear optimization.. can i ask 10 mins or so of your time and post a pic on my The Theory of Hybrid  (https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=355.0) thread? most items i can identify by appearance but i would appreciate it if you include highlights of the item.. check my spoiler pics in one of my comments in my thread for reference.. you have more experience than me when it comes to hybrids ^-^
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 20 March 2018, 08:59:26
@botebote77 what pic exactly? like how i set up characters so that they can wear high INT/DEX/STR items?
Let me know, I'll try to provide pic when I get home from work.

@ALL: i need some inspiration on build themes for certain classes for this challenge, too lazy to theorycraft

In Progress:
Thane - INT dual wielder (cold/lightning); re-run
Battlemage INT dual wielder (fire); re-run

Planned:
Ranger - Archer + Summon Support; re-run
Warlock - DoT Melee (bleed); re-run
Ritualist - Petmancer (physical); re-run
Templar - Retaliation/Reflect Tank; re-run
Assassin - CD BS Trapper + Summon; re-run
Brigand - DoT Ranged (poison & bleed); re-run; new build
Druid - ?

Harbinger - High DPS Phy dual wield
Spellbinder - ?
Slayer - High DPS pierce melee
Summoner - ?
Prophet - CD Caster Mage
Bone Charmer - INT Archer (vita)
Spellbreaker - INT dual wielder (vita)
Champion - High HP dual wielder + Summon Support
Warden - Shield Charge + Takedown (Rush)
Oracle - High INT Ternion Mage
Magician - Elemental Conversion CD Knifer (fire)
Sorcerer - Elemental Conversion CD Knifer (lightning)
Illusionist - CD Knifer w/ Trap & Summon Support
Corsair - ?
Guardian - ?

AER: (low priority; haven't touched this class at all save for achievement hunting)
Shaman -
Skinchanger -
Trickster -
Dragon Hunter -
Thunderer - INT dual throw (lightning)
Stonespeaker - INT dual throw (fire)
Runesmith -
Berserker -
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 20 March 2018, 11:09:16
yep.. here are my sample pics i was referring to:

(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdHtFLwf.jpg&hash=1889c38385477ba27b0909a7aabf62bf63287d53)

(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6jUWbRV.jpg&hash=ee6e850742ce1067fed697377ea5e042b7447d0f)

for build themes i have some suggestions:

druid - this really screams caster to me.. you hide in briar ward all day casting ice shards and/or lightning bolt.. briar ward sanctuary would solve your mana problems.. you have plague and squall too which stacks.. this really is beautiful to watch

summoner - i have a theorycraft but i haven't tried it yet.. a hybrid.. str to wear shields and also to boost the physical damage in eruption and VO.. SotP also boosts the physical in them.. if you have gungnir you are damn lucky.. or if you want you can make it an offshoot of the above druid.. fire attacks instead of ice shard/lightning bolt

skinchanger - I'm playing a skinchanger but i still don't know what the best playstyle would be.. but while playing it i discovered some tricks i detailed here:

https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=182.msg1376#msg1376

you might find tricks you like
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 20 March 2018, 19:20:01
Progress:
Yunah (Thane) 53 - Helos
Natashya (B. Mage) 20 - Parnasus Hinterlands

Finally, Thane at Epic. Time to switch to Battlemage.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 20 March 2018, 19:26:30
Well done gasconron.  ;D  And very appropriate that on the day TQAE is released on console platforms we get our first epic toon in the challenge here on the new forum.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 21 March 2018, 12:49:46
Nice entrance into Epic Gasconrun  ;)

In legendary the first form of Loki is hitting very hard, and therefore Loki, imo, is a threat more than Surtr. I didn't try Loki with Xmax yet. Somehow Loki should be manageable in normal and epic but in legendary Loki may be devastating.  How did you manage 3x Loki in normal ?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 21 March 2018, 15:56:14
@Tauceti im twinked to the teeth for my Thane, so he went down fast. I'm technically on end-game gear so it's nothing surprising.

Regarding Loki, i've dealt with him with a squishy toon like Diviner, Avenger and Elementalist on Legendary xMax Hardcore. In my experience, 1st form was way more dangerous than the 2nd form due to the stun lock potential.

His 2nd form's AoE red mist spells are easy to avoid, only thing you have to watch out is his multi shot attack, shit hurts and it seems to have DoT on it as well. For Storm toon's Spellbreaker will render him harmless, as long as you keep his mana drained. The arena is pretty big so lot's of kiting potential, use it to your advantage to deal with 1-2 at a time instead of 3.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 21 March 2018, 19:43:23
i play primarily xmax x3 so it's just the same with bosses

might i also add.. it's easier if you get each loki to his 2nd form.. instead of killing each one quickly.. i treat Hades the same
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 21 March 2018, 20:07:04
Loki, I don't see why not... but Hades, I wouldn't even dare.
3 3rd form Hades is frustrating as f#$%. Even with capped stun resist, the chain stun is real. Lost 2 toons in Legendaries and more in Normal when doing it without twinked gear that way.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 21 March 2018, 21:05:05
I will keep in mind to handle the 3 1st form of Loki at once. It's true that the 2nd form isn't dangerous provided that you have the good resistances. But I imagine that you can't pull the 1st form of Loki from afar since he spawns when you approach the chest. Surtr in comparison should be easier since it is possible to pull his 1st form outside the gate. Concerning Hades, funny you said that Gasconron, my sedr worker experienced exactly the same: He died a 2nd time because stun locked by the 3 Hades (whereas the 3 1st form of Hades were downed quickly)

Progress from Saiga: she took the same auramancer route like Gustav, so that Act 2 was a breeze. Only a few ternion shots for heroes and boss monsters. She is now lvl 36 in Babylon gardens.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 21 March 2018, 22:13:58
really? i always fight Hades that way.. i guess it depends on the playstyle.. I'm used to kiting

loki though i still have troubles with him.. or her.. he's like orochimaru
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 22 March 2018, 06:49:59
@MedeaFleecestealer  Will you allow Blacksmith Exploit Twinking in this challenge?
https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=175.0

If so, you can set the limitations for it as you wish. Better than nothing.
 >:D >:D >:D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 March 2018, 07:42:19
Well done Tauceti. That sends you nicely up the leaderboard.  :)

gasconron, good question.  I've not accessed this since I've no toon in Legendary in the game at present.  Looking at your link and given the fact it is a late game thing I'm inclined to say yes.  Of course people who play a lot may build up some overpowered items in their collection, but as you said it doesn't always provide a useful bonus.  Still, as per the old thread on TQ.net, looking for concensus from those participating in the challenge - what do you folks think?  Allowed or not?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 22 March 2018, 08:04:20
I have a lot of toons, especially the OP ones that haven't used their Quest rewards simply because they don't need the powerspike.
But if I'm going to build something retarded like a Shield Charge, Takedown Spammer Warden, I'm guessing it needs all the help it can get.
Or maybe when using lower tiered classes like: Illusionist, Magician or Sorcerer.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 22 March 2018, 10:07:53
may i share my opinion on this even though i have no toon entered in the challenge?

this actually is one of my worries that the game is starting to resemble what happened to diablo 2.. but i also understand people who want to cheat will cheat anyway.. it's one of the reasons why i don't play multiplayer anymore.. now I'm not saying abusing the legendary craftsmanship is cheating.. here are my thoughts:

the legendary craftsmanship, i can see 2 ways of abusing it:

1) backing up your saved files just before you  complete the legendary craftsmanship quest.. if you don't like the reward, just do it over and over again until you get what you want.. this one is outright cheating for me because if you start messing with your character through manipulating game files that is cheating for me.. that is not something that is allowed through regular gaming and I'm sure the devs don't like that

2) making several accomplished hero characters doing speed runs until the legendary craftsmanship quest (you can do it in normal).. then giving it to your HC character.. that way you can twink your character making all his/her items upgraded.. now i can't say this one is cheating because this is something allowed through regular gaming.. but this one i call cheesing.. for those who don't know, cheesing in gaming, in its simplest form means making your character overpowered so you won't have much difficulty.. ok so it's not really overpowered because it's xmax.. well, that what challenges are for.. you do what is difficult that it's not easily done by other players.. that's what makes it satisfying and what puts your character above the rest.. but if you do it not within the regular context of the game, what sets your character apart from the rest?
this for me is getting the quest reward before you even complete the quest.

ok what does this have to do with diablo 2? ahh this is just me telling my story.. how i loved the game at first and how it got ruined in my opinion.. it was really a fun game for us.. we always played multiplayer me and my friends.. soon we found other gamers and it wasn't long before we would fill a party with 8 players, playing both PvMs and PvPs.. but it also wasn't long before we started exploiting every possible way just to make our characters stronger.. all our characters were abusing the imbue item reward from charsi.. it wasn't meant to be that way because it was supposed to be one imbue item per character only .. but whatever we still did it.. but one thing led to another and we also abused that socket reward from act 5.. so end-all, all our items were socketed through that act 5 reward.. again it wasn't supposed to be like that because it was meant to be one quest reward per character only.. and then all hell broke loose.. our other friends started creating their own items.. yeah just crafting their own items giving whatever attribute they want.. literally making their characters immortals.. well, after that, what else is there to play?

now I'm not saying you'll do this cheating also.. but I'm worried that if you start this cheesing thing, other people will follow and one thing will lead to another.. and yes people who want to cheat will cheat.. but i say leave it to casual gamers who can't do it the normal way.. you guys are better than that :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 22 March 2018, 15:31:16
@botebote77 I'll respect your perspective, since people view things differently, but it's a very purist view. Some players, like the D2 players you mentioned, prioritize optimization (I'd probably fall under this). This Unique Craft system, is basically an optimization tool; a flawed one, but is nonetheless. And min-max players like these will abuse/cheese everything to their advantage to be able to do things you can't usually do under normal conditions.

Taking D2 as an example, this was exactly why build guides could micro their attributes to the exact number, because they already have the gear in place to make their advancement possible, which they couldn't have gotten on their own and their concept would have failed entirely without it. It's not really something that should be looked down on.

As to the actual Unique Crafting System:
backing up your saved files just before you  complete the legendary craftsmanship quest.. if you don't like the reward, just do it over and over again until you get what you want.. this one is outright cheating for me because if you start messing with your character through manipulating game files that is cheating for me.. that is not something that is allowed through regular gaming and I'm sure the devs don't like that


I'll give you this one. It's inherently not an in-game feature therefore it is cheating.

However, given the history of this challenge and its past iterations, moderators of the challenge, have given leniencies to participants in order to make this challenge accessible to the majority:
- Twinking was allowed
- Specific mods (freeze time, stacking pots, tweaked drop rates) were allowed to make it more convenient
- TQVault use is allowed; it came with it's ability to change the bonuses on Relics and Artifacts to cut down the meaningless farm time needed to get the specific one you needed was allowed

These things were not part of regular gameplay but was allowed, because ultimately the challenge was all about clearing xMax with no deaths.
Now, purists will say: "then you could just install Itemus and MI Shop, and you could have achieved the same result". While that's true, that is why it was up to the moderator to define exactly what the limitations were; in other words, how far min-max players like me, can push these boundaries. Like I said in my rant in the thread I posted, this feature is essentially a "gamble system" like D2's Horadric Cube. Gamble systems are usually repeatable because it gives the player a chance to get something good at a cost. In TQ, however, they didn't have a stand alone system to do this and probably had no choice but to tie it in as a quest reward making it a one-time only thing. This is why I say the whole system is flawed... at the very least that's my argument for it  >:D

In Pre-AE, there were already players in multiplayer that were able to hack uniques with editors to give it Affixes. It would have been easier to do that, but that would be real cheating. While #1 isn't exactly a clean method it still uses the system that is within the game to provide result; just that you are optimizing the result.

making several accomplished hero characters doing speed runs until the legendary craftsmanship quest (you can do it in normal).. then giving it to your HC character.. that way you can twink your character making all his/her items upgraded.. now i can't say this one is cheating because this is something allowed through regular gaming.. but this one i call cheesing.. for those who don't know, cheesing in gaming, in its simplest form means making your character overpowered so you won't have much difficulty.. ok so it's not really overpowered because it's xmax.. well, that what challenges are for.. you do what is difficult that it's not easily done by other players.. that's what makes it satisfying and what puts your character above the rest.. but if you do it not within the regular context of the game, what sets your character apart from the rest?


This is once again up to the moderator. I am also not in favor on an challenge entry with a 7-legendary quest crafted items equipped, but it is up to the moderator to define the limitations and restrictions of this system. Equipping 3 items with "vet of the glade" and 2 items with "Hale of the Mammoth" would guarantee any class with even the most retarded build a challenge completion.

Hand-me downs, however in my opinion, should be allowed (it is a form of twinking, which is already allowed).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 March 2018, 16:27:18
botebote77, I see your point.  But the challenge does, and always has, allowed for twinking - which many people will label as cheating or cheesing.  The question is where do you draw the line?  Is it okay to use stuff from your Vault collection?  If yes, and you've put a modded item in it, is it then okay to use that item or not?  Do you restrict it to self-found toons only - which may well put the more casual players off trying the challenge and more experienced as well because of all the possible farming needed to get their "ideal" build gear? 

For me, while I like the leaderboard and seeing people progress up it, the main challenge is me against the Xmax mod - not against other players.  People who do complete this challenge untwinked have my admiration because I know I couldn't do what they did.  I'm not that good a player and couldn't stand to do the necessary farming for gear to try.  Stormyboy completed the challenge with an untwinked Haruspex and using no potions whatsoever.  gasconron has completed it so many times with so many different builds, but they are twinked.  I admire both of them for their achievements.  Heck, I admire anyone who manages to do this challenge because they deserve it.  They set their personal limits on how they play within the challenge's rules. 

Finally, people who want to cheat/cheese will do so.  We can't affect what they do in their normal game and frankly it's not up to us to judge them anyway.  It's a single player game and what they do doesn't affect anyone else.  The challenge rules are clearly laid out, if they want to take part and will abide by those rules, fine.  If not, then this challenge isn't for them.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 22 March 2018, 19:29:50
Well, while waiting for a consensus, will be entering two more entries:

Sivon (Champion) 9 - Sparta
Inspired by this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5JzDPPTEdg.
I will be trying out my 7-Nation Army Build; a low cooldown dual-wield Key of Elysium build, using Tracker's Hood and Talisman of the Jade Emperor in tandem with Refresh. My test runs produced results that exceeded my expectation, wiping the floor with xMax: Typhon, Hades, Fafnir, Sutyr & Hydra w/o breaking a sweat.  I haven't tested area clear potential, but the boss killing capacity was so good it got me excited to run this petmancer hybrid.

Co'Vang (Warden) 10 - Sparta;
This is my 3rd try in following this concept (Shield Charge, Take Down Spam) in AE/AE:R. Hopefully this time, I actually make it far in building the toon to be able to actually execute the concept properly. It actually works on a test toon in Legendary, my problem is getting it to that actual state.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 22 March 2018, 20:03:20
lolz i have been doing the same but i took it one step further.. i use throwing knife from rogue.. summon ancestral warriors also proc with knives and i also spread CC.. then of course traps with battle standard.. but i think i made a mistake with stat distribution
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 March 2018, 20:45:04
Added to the leaderboard gasconron and good luck with them.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 22 March 2018, 21:38:04
Regarding the "Blacksmith Exploit Twinking", i am not sure to understand what you say Gasconron.
- if you mean that a tier program or a mod exists that can reset the blacksmith quest at will, in order to get the good stats, it would be a red line for me that i don't want to cross. Sure my pleasure would be cut down if there was this possibilty.
- if you mean that an experienced player with many toons in legendary, could load many crafted items with the blacksmith quest on a single toon for a particular build, why not ? as far as i am concerned i don't mind. I understand that a player that has finished multiple times the Xmax challenge like you, wants to test new and unexpected  builds with this possibilty.

About the blacksmith quest itself, well.. to my mind it's badly designed...and i hope TQ developers will change it. I have crafted the archmage's mantle that way in epic. And the core stat 33% physical resistance went down to 24% ! Gniii, this is a core stat that renders the item valuable. Sure new added stats are nice but they remain secondary. I wanted to keep the quest in legendary for the Archmage's clasp but i am not sure now.. i wouldn't like that the core stat -42% recharge breaks down too. Therefore this quest is interesting only for items that are under their true potential because they drop initially with a bad random stat.

And for the Xmax challenge, i've nothing to add to these words:  ;)
Quote
the main challenge is me against the Xmax mod - not against other players.  People who do complete this challenge untwinked have my admiration because I know I couldn't do what they did.  I'm not that good a player and couldn't stand to do the necessary farming for gear to try

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 23 March 2018, 03:41:31
@Tauceti:
sky is the limit... we have talked about how the system itself can be abused. I am putting it on the table for us to discuss if:
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 23 March 2018, 05:43:17
message hidden in clouds
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 23 March 2018, 08:23:17
@botebote77 No need to be salty that was obviously directed at me, lol. You have said your piece and we have acknowledged your point. I have said my piece, and explained that not everyone has the same universal standard in defining cheating. You're a purist gamer and I'm a min-max'er. These two types will never see eye to eye when it comes to opinion.

That's why in cases like this a consensus must be established to draw the middle ground. This is obviously a new mechanic in the game that has not been accounted for in this challenge, and it is being brought up to reach a decision. I'm in favor of abusing it and you are not. Leave it at that.

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 23 March 2018, 10:29:06
oh hey cool it :) that wasn't anything.. I'm not part of this anyway.. and uhmm I'm not really good at this sooo.... sorry? :)

i was just having a little fun
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 23 March 2018, 10:45:06
gotcha' all's cool  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 24 March 2018, 09:32:53
Rushed Co'Vang (Warden) yesterday and today for what was supposed to be a BIG update, but died at Barmanu.

I cast Study Prey on the pack of 3 and Shield Charged my way in, only to get clipped by a Shout leaving me open to a sync'd Meteor Shower.
These types of deaths are so salty they leave a bad taste in my mouth. I should have just played another game.
Won't bother posting the screenshots of the cleared bosses. This entry is out anyways.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: efko on 24 March 2018, 12:40:07
That feeling with Barmanu. How many times I came with 0 deaths to him and he killed me in less than second. The same thing happens sometimes with Hades and big blue guards just before Hades.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 24 March 2018, 13:01:18
Bad luck gasconron.  He/they are always a pain to deal with.  I usually stick with ranged attacks from bow or spells and make sure to run for the cave should there be any possibility of those darn meteors falling.  Really annoying that they can be cast when he/they are offscreen as well.  Better luck with Sivon we hope.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 24 March 2018, 21:31:10
Barmanu is a real threat in Act 3. What about monster lure, does it work against boss, if so, it may draw the attention a few seconds (?)

Progress from Saiga:
EBD is still functional so that Act 3 was rather quick. Regarding Barmanu, compared to my 1st try with Gustav, the pull was better. As usual i put the nightmare on defensive mode, sent him for a body pull while the Liche king remained on my side, on agressive mode. Only one Barmanu came so it was Ok. But the 2nd time, the other 2 came at once. Thanksfully, the Liche King took the aggro and the sync showers on his head !.  At lvl 39, i was able to wear the Dreamweaver set and then the 3XTyphon encounter was much more doable. Saiga is now lvl 42 resting in Rhodes.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 24 March 2018, 22:12:23
Well done Tauceti.  Looks like, all being well, you'll soon be joining gasconron in Epic.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 March 2018, 11:45:17
Update for Gale Vitesse.  She's reached the Jade Palace, having dealt with everything thrown at her so far.  She's up to L38 and has a kill count of 39,030.  :)

Giant Peng
(https://i.imgur.com/5NyKyDk.jpg)
Stalker in the Woods
(https://i.imgur.com/BVfdKcs.jpg)
Bandari
(https://i.imgur.com/JC8iDcO.jpg)
Bulls
(https://i.imgur.com/GZanrGr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kfU2Qt3.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 27 March 2018, 21:16:20
I didn't notice before, how do you manage to have such a high regeneration health ? Is your build based on this feature ?
I wonder what would be the maximum h.o.t. rate a toon could have, so that he could outweight the mean incoming damage from regular mobs.

Some news too from Saiga: At mid act 4, EBD was no more the main source of damage but still a useful support. No real threat until Hades, and this time NO DACTYL in the place  :) Regarding Hades encounter, the combo Circle of power+Dark covenant + ternion with the vitality staff was really efficient. Saiga is now in Corinthe (lvl 50).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 March 2018, 22:03:21
No big secret and not that high really, though I do like to have good HR.  :)  She has an "... of the Glade" vestment which gives HR, a Hallowed Circlet of Regeneration, Demon's Blood with Energy Leech and Stun resist plus more HR on one of the rings and an Anhk of Isis on the necklace for a bit more.  On the old forum I did run 3 toons using nothing but items giving HR as an experiment.  A Diviner using mostly only green/yellow regen items with feasting/devouring/harrowing staves, an Haruspex with a mix of green and uniques and a Harbinger using uniques only.  The Diviner and Haruspex have about 700+ HR, but the winner is the Harbinger - his unique items bring him 900+ HR.  Looking at them in game just now though and it looks like things have changed a lot.  The Diviner has over 1,180, the Haruspex just over 1,000 (bow) or 1,200 (spear) while the Harbinger trails badly at ony 500+HR.  Bear in mind that these figures are with auras (ToC, Herbal Remedy) and also the uniques are socketed.  And no, none of them are deathless.

Well done.  Enjoy Act 5 and tell us what it feels like with Xmax.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Eph on 28 March 2018, 16:33:14
Hello, I'm thinking of starting this challenge, in non-AE IT. What defiler settings, especially loot multiplier settings are acceptable?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 28 March 2018, 19:44:02
No, no loot multiplers since there'll be plenty of that dropping with max mobs and 3x bosses/heroes.  Only things like freeze time of day, infinite potion stacking, open all inventory bags, etc.  Should make a note in the OP for this I guess.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 28 March 2018, 20:18:38
No, no loot multiplers since there'll be plenty of that dropping with max mobs and 3x bosses/heroes.  Only things like freeze time of day, infinite potion stacking, open all inventory bags, etc.  Should make a note in the OP for this I guess.
When I played I used all those except open all inventory bags. Would have made farming easier.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 28 March 2018, 21:59:54
Does it really though?  Guess it depends on how you play early game.  Since I need cash to open up storage I usually pick up everything until I hit the Spartan War Camp or maybe even as far as Tegea.  Having just the one bag drives me crazy, back and forth, back and forth to sell stuff.  With maxed mobs and extra heroes/bosses it's even worse if you don't open all the bags right from the start. Also slows early game down a lot with all the toing and froing.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 29 March 2018, 20:36:19
No, no loot multiplers since there'll be plenty of that dropping with max mobs and 3x bosses/heroes.  Only things like freeze time of day, infinite potion stacking, open all inventory bags, etc.  Should make a note in the OP for this I guess.
no!!! :'(
hahaha, them loot multipliers is what makes this challenge fun... :D
gives meaning to your senseless boss farming :D

i really miss this mod for AE:R. Im just about burnt out farming Sutyr and Valholl vanilla way, and I have yet to complete Freyja's Panapoly.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 31 March 2018, 12:53:44
Quote
The Diviner and Haruspex have about 700+ HR, but the winner is the Harbinger - his unique items bring him 900+ HR.  Looking at them in game just now though and it looks like things have changed a lot.  The Diviner has over 1,180, the Haruspex just over 1,000 (bow) or 1,200 (spear) while the Harbinger trails badly at ony 500+HR.  Bear in mind that these figures are with auras (ToC, Herbal Remedy) and also the uniques are socketed.  And no, none of them are deathless.
I wasn't aware that such high HR was possible. Hmm... this gives new ideas. I have some "defiled" green armor pieces which give a nice %poison damage but with a -15 HR each one. I shall give it a try for a poison build one day.

Progress from Saiga:
My feeling about Act 5 is that it is tedious with Xmax because of densely populated areas. And got some performance issues in badly optimized zones (troll camps, war camps).
I got a bug with the seasnake, so that i had to do it without Xmax. As expected, the most difficult bosses were (imo) Goldtooth and Loki, because as a caster, these ones hit very hard especially when they came by 3. Goldtooth can be pulled one by one so it was ok, but Loki needs some kitting and dps to get them down quickly. Anyway, the way to Epic is now open  :)

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 March 2018, 14:49:59
Well done Tauceti.  :)

Yes, it's possible.  Of course the downside is their resistances suck bigtime.  The Harbinger has a bit because some of his unique gear has resistances, but the Diviner using only yellow/green "of Regen, of Renewal, etc" really suffers.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 02 April 2018, 20:52:12
Compared to Act5-normal, Act 1 in epic is like a breath, a summer hope  ;) Talos is the main boss but he is so slow. Minolords on the other hand are lethal if they all come at once. Therefore i sent the nightmare for a body pull, one by one, while i stayed on the gate in case of urgency... Saiga is now lvl 62 in Rhakotis.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 02 April 2018, 21:12:10
Well done Tauceti.  Way out in the lead now.  Good luck with Act 2 Epic.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 04 April 2018, 21:07:41
Update for Saiga:
Act 2 was pleasant to play and less difficult than previous Act5: because of the experience gained with Xmax, the toon often outlevels mobs. Regarding the Manticore, a 1st one came alone and the 2 others came together but it was ok. Next Act 3 sure will a be a harder step.

Legendary items drops:
Act 1: Ladon's maw
Act 2: Bloodthirst the glutton, Neith's will

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 04 April 2018, 21:10:43
i forgot the pics  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 April 2018, 22:04:15
Well done Tauceti, updated.  A nice couple of new finds there too.  Bloodthirst the Glutton is an original, but I think the other two are new AE items.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 06 April 2018, 18:39:22
Progress from Saiga:
My feeling about Act 5 is that it is tedious with Xmax because of densely populated areas. And got some performance issues in badly optimized zones (troll camps, war camps).

I really do wish there was a fix for this, Act 5 xmax became unplayable for mage hardcore on my old i3 rig, unless you pulled and cleared at snail pace. There wasn't even a chance of running past the horde. Even with me upgrading to a new rig (i7 7700, 16 gb RAM, GTX 1080) im still getting stutters and half a second freezes/lags during gameplay.

@Tauceti gj on progress man... hope you clear the challenge, might boost my motivation to grind again. :D Having too much fun with Darkest Dungeon at the moment...
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 07 April 2018, 03:56:47
mine is weird.. sometimes it lags, most of the time it doesn't.. but when I'm recording, it usually lags.. oddly enough, when i first installed AE (or was it ragnarok?), force single processor was set to true

the snowy areas in act 5, i sometimes get stutters there.. i won't even try recording in that area
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 07 April 2018, 12:27:46
Progress from Saiga:
My feeling about Act 5 is that it is tedious with Xmax because of densely populated areas. And got some performance issues in badly optimized zones (troll camps, war camps).

I really do wish there was a fix for this, Act 5 xmax became unplayable for mage hardcore on my old i3 rig, unless you pulled and cleared at snail pace. There wasn't even a chance of running past the horde. Even with me upgrading to a new rig (i7 7700, 16 gb RAM, GTX 1080) im still getting stutters and half a second freezes/lags during gameplay.

@Tauceti gj on progress man... hope you clear the challenge, might boost my motivation to grind again. :D Having too much fun with Darkest Dungeon at the moment...

Um, interesting gasconron.  I haven't noticed any lag with my old PC, but have only run through the expansion once so far in normal play.  I have an LoC Wanderer in there at the moment and some quests seem to be bugged as BG hasn't updated his mod for Ragnarok yet, but so far it's been smooth.  I just got a new rig too, quite close to yours I think, so will be interesting to see if I do have problems when I get an Xmax toon that far.  Won't be for a couple of weeks though since I'm off on holiday tomorrow so no machine to play on. Everyone keep posting their progress though and I'll update when I get back.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 07 April 2018, 22:47:14
@MedeaFleecestealer Yes the 2 other items come from Ragnarok. It seems they are common since with another toon they dropped 2 or 3 times already.
Btw have a good trip  ;)

@gasconron Thanks, we 'll see. I guess Epic is the best moment for a Xmax toon, due to Xp gained its skills are maxed or so,  the same for gear, and bosses are still fairly doable. About act 5, as you say, i don't think it's possible (or safe)  to bypass warcamps. I forgot water spirits, very annoying, in that particular case i took a summon scroll or other to speed up things.

Update for Saiga:
This time the pull of Barmanu was clean. During act 3 i made some respec in order to make a larger use of dark covenant (because of ternion spamming). In late act 3 i also nearly maxed Spirit ward and bane. There's nothing more thrilling than rushing a whole pack of gilded deads in wusao, and inded 3xDragon Liche  ;D Typhon on the other hand was more difficult.

Legendary items drops:
Griefmaker
Rod of the Ancients
Hector's spear
Silence
Battlemage greaves
Bone bracers

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 07 April 2018, 22:50:08
and last pics:
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 08 April 2018, 20:48:23
Progress:
Yunah (Thane) 59, Epic Rhakotis

I used to blaze through Epic before, but with the new XP scaling it seems there's a lot more incentive to take your time in Epic and farm up XP-wise.
It's been 10+ years and I still don't know the Telkines names by heart and still refer to them as Telk 1, 2 & 3... :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 12 April 2018, 20:49:48
Update for Saiga: lvl 70 in Corinth
Funny enough that 4 eyes dropped from gree sisters in epic whereas 3 should be the max a priori...
Act 4 was going well (still no dactyl, waooooh  ;D), taking care of not getting stuck by Hades.

Legendary items drops:
Chromatic staff
Eidolon shield
Jade shuriken *
Spinebreaker
Visor of the shadowlord
Reach of helios
Crystalline bracers
Crystalline greaves

All these items are lvl 40-44 required, that is what we can expect in late epic, except Jade shuriken which is a Ragnarok item lvl 58 required !
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 16 April 2018, 20:29:12
Progress for Saiga  lvl 73 Diviner (Helios)
Act 5 was really long since it took time to clean the way especially in late act. Leveling was going well, but got a close call with Loki though.
I take a break with the toon, the gate to legendary is now open wooooh  ;D

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 16 April 2018, 21:23:10
wow how did you beat loki? haven't played in a few days and won't be able to for at least a few more days but i remember i had trouble separating even one of them.. does petrify work on either the 2 forms?

good luck
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 16 April 2018, 23:38:01
Actually, this kind of fight is a threat for me because i can't decide before how to deal with it: there is a random side about how the 3xLoki spawn at once.

In this fight, the pets drawed the attention of one Loki no more. Therefore, the 2 others were on me and there is so little room to kit. Anyway when i saw Saiga's life was falling to 1/3, i decided to stop kitting and begin to melee fight. Hopefully ternion + attack conversion to health worked well and life was replenished. That was the way to go.

After the fight was finished, i realised that i didn't use distort reality (so i can't answer your question but it's very unlikely that petrify would work on Loki), nor Dark covenant or circle of power: i badly played this fight under pressure, but ... well it worked so thanks to the class  diviner
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 21 April 2018, 13:31:41
Well done you two.  :)  Progress updated and good luck.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 06 May 2018, 09:19:38
Progress:
Yunah (Thane) 63, Epic Gardens of Babylon ~ farming xp

@MedeaFleecestealer my Warden entry (Co'Vang) died awhile back. you can take him off the list now.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 06 May 2018, 09:27:50
Well done gasconron.  Moving along nicely.  :)

Hopefully will be getting back into the game soon.  Testing is nearly done on the latest GD patch so all being well that should be out next week Zantai said.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 06 May 2018, 09:47:29
I kinda miss GD too but never really got motivated enough to play it again after finishing my Ultimate Hardcore run on Warder and Battlemage.
Still have a line of entries there, but I really doubt they'll get far in Ultimate due to the way they were set up.
That game isn't as forgiving as TQ when it comes to build experimentation vs. HC clear capability.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 06 May 2018, 10:09:01
Well, I've only got the one toon to L100 and still haven't quite finished the game yet.  But then I've only ever gotten 8 toons to the end of TQIT in 10 years of playing that.  Too many build ideas.  I don't think I'd risk GD hardcore with my builds anyway.  I sometimes play Veteran, but that's as "risky" as I get.  ;D  Looking forward to the 2nd expansion of course and this new game mode Zantai's been talking about.  Hopefully we'll hear something more about that later this month or in June.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 08 May 2018, 10:16:18
Going back to Saiga, lvl 74 diviner in Rhakotis (legendary)
As noticed before, act1 is simpler to deal with than act 5 on the previous difficulty mode.
It remains that Act 1 is an exciting act, full of boss and fun to play.

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 08 May 2018, 10:18:38
and the last pic:
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 May 2018, 10:32:17
Nice work Tauceti.  Updated.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jerome26 on 11 May 2018, 08:30:06
Progress:
Yunah (Thane) 59, Epic Rhakotis

I used to blaze through Epic before, but with the new XP scaling it seems there's a lot more incentive to take your time in Epic and farm up XP-wise.
It's been 10+ years and I still don't know the Telkines names by heart and still refer to them as Telk 1, 2 & 3... :D

How different is the scaling compared to vanilla TQ
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 11 May 2018, 16:03:29
Jerome26 welcome to the forum.  :)

Full Xmax (it also comes with x2, x3 and x4 increases for mobs versions) increases mob size x10 and all heroes/bosses come in 3s for most of the mod.  There are a couple of places in the game where you need to drop back into normal game to complete a quest (see the first post) and also not sure how well it works with the new Ragnarok expansion.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 12 May 2018, 13:52:26
Update for Saiga  lvl 75 Diviner (Gardens of Babylon)
Progress is going well, having the chance of finding Winds of Asphodele, a throwing weapon with 50 Reduced resistances. Should be handy for a DW thrower !

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 12 May 2018, 14:24:57
Sounds nice indeed.  Updated and cross fingers you become our first successful challenger in the new competition.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 12 May 2018, 23:47:13
@Tauceti gratz on finding your copy of Winds... it's a very strong weapon, that's borderline broken IMHO. I have used my copy to carry under-performing builds and make them viable through the annoying buffs AE gave the existing monster roster.

I wouldn't classify it as a DW-only build tool. The utility it gives to poison/bleed/hybrid-elemental builds is golden. With the fact the its a safe ranged weapon with a Sapros-level debuff is insane. It's a cheese tool than can be abused in so many levels, tbh. Might need a nerf in future updates.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 13 May 2018, 11:40:06
Progress:
Yunah (Thane) 67, Epic Rhodes

Lot's of level grinding on this one while the lvl curve still allows it at decent speeds.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 May 2018, 13:52:40
Well done gasconron.  Hopefully you'll soon be joining Tauceti in Legendary.  :)  Should be getting stuck in myself soon now GD's latest patch testing is done.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 13 May 2018, 19:15:02
@MedeaFleecestealer i might just enter in entries when they hit Epic like in the past, if you'll allow that. It's really annoying managing these screenshots. Also kills your momentum when you just want to just marathon.

Sivon (Champion) is also out of the challenge for now; Dead at Typhon - Normal.
Waste of screenshots and time investment.
I've already forgotten how tilting it is to do Typhon Normal on a melee with barely any early-game caster damage.
Will definitely re-do it in the future. Dual-Wield Key of Elysium Champion has a pretty strong end-game.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 May 2018, 19:31:05
Do you mean screenshots gasconron or details of your character? 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 13 May 2018, 19:53:39
Whichever you will allow.
I have been quite impatient these days and rushing too much in normal and lost a couple of entries already in a marathon with a bulk of screens that just ended up getting binned   ::)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 May 2018, 20:16:56
Well, I think I remember the rules said screenshots were only required once a toon reached Epic, but by the time I started the challenge everyone was posting them in Normal as well.  How about just a screenshot of your no deaths page at the end of every play session when in Normal?  I think that would work as proof people aren't cheating and also allow me to update progress on the leaderboard.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 13 May 2018, 20:38:37
Sounds cool to me. Good luck i GD play testing.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 May 2018, 21:04:32
Thanks gasconron.  It's good fun.  Doing AoM was a big eye opener as I'd only tested a few patches before that.  Next up will be Forgotten Gods, but no idea when we'll get it for testing yet.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 13 May 2018, 23:30:23
I wouldn't classify it as a DW-only build tool. The utility it gives to poison/bleed/hybrid-elemental builds is golden. With the fact the its a safe ranged weapon with a Sapros-level debuff is insane. It's a cheese tool than can be abused in so many levels, tbh. Might need a nerf in future updates.

I agree, there is no real reason why a -25% life debuff exists on Sapros and not on Winds. It seems that new Ragnarok weapons are somewhat promoted compared to more classic ones (for the same level requirement).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 16 May 2018, 00:32:39
Nooooooo ! Saiga finally died to the bloodsisters Sagira & Safyia in a cave near the waypoint Jade Palace.

Too bad since Barmanu pull was clean this time. I really took care of Draconian packs too, micro managing the pets and all was ok. But for trash mobs not dangerous I didn't pay attention and rushed fronthead. I forgotten that sometimes in these packs were hidden some heroes. Usually the blood sisters are not that dangerous, they have good dps but low life. I cannot explain what really happened it was as if Saiga was terribly slowed and if she can't spam ternion she can't replenished her life...well i should have taken my time, it is mandatory in legendary  ::)

Here are the pics, the last boss killed by Saiga lvl 76 was the Liche Dragon and the final kill count is 193.650, woot  ;)

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 16 May 2018, 04:53:51
Well even in vanilla Sapros was the go to for melee sustain weapons, that's not designed to one-shot.
Admittedly, it was pretty strong: decent base-damage, flat ~50 RR and a ~15-20 ADCtH%.
It was just too perfect for anything that wanted to clear this and not die via tank and spank method --- but you're right @Tauceti -25% might be too steep.

While most generic/mainstream users of Sapros, have a huge HP pool that renders the nerf insignicant.
Sapros is no longer a viable option for frail Hybrid builds that used to abuse it as a debuff weapon before applying their main damage.

As for the bias on Ragnarok items, look no further:
https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/golden-agris-helmet (https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/golden-agris-helmet) - +skills, -% CDR, +% Ele resists and damage
https://www.tq-db.net/set/freyjas-panoply (https://www.tq-db.net/set/freyjas-panoply) --- hunting for this set to give to my Elementalist, it's OP asf
https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/hervors-fine-steel (https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/hervors-fine-steel) --- 200 DA, 20% damage reduction to undead? 70% Vita Res, 15% Phys Res, +1 War Skills? So much defensive stas for an item meant for a class already with Triumph and Ignore Pain... lol
https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/trollwrestler-greaves (https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/trollwrestler-greaves) --- laugh @ Bleed and Pierce damage, -% beastman damage which is the vast majority of the game, health and +20% STR
https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/plate-of-toutatis (https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/plate-of-toutatis) --- Ferrus Gnosi ver. 2.0: very high armor rating +25% shield block chance, +25% DA, +25% Armor Protection, High Source of Bleeding and Pierce resist, +1 Defense skill, seriously wtf... balance much???

I am aware that they needed increase player options to deal with the new scaling of the already buffed AE monsters into Ragnarok that now reached absurd levels @ Legendary, but they could have at least reworked existing Legendaries to scale just as much as Ragnarok items would to make them just as competitive rather than allowing the vast majority to just be relegated as levelling items. IMO, every Legendary should have the potential right to become a decent end-game option. Having so many toons and experimental builds I hate having to fall back on the same item every goddamn testing phase just to balance the character enough to be Legendary viable, then waste even more time trying think of alternative gears that would make the current build more unique than the last one.

***END OF RANT: sorry, love AE:R but this thoughtlessness of devs at times really does trigger me.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 16 May 2018, 05:18:42
Nooooooo ! Saiga finally died to the bloodsisters Sagira & Safyia in a cave near the waypoint Jade Palace.

Noooo!!!  :( :( :( Were you caught unaware or was it a high damage spike? Were you map clearing on Legendary on a caster? Don't do that dude...
A lot more things aside from bosses can kill you in Legendary, leave the map clears after the challenge. It's those retarded champion spawns that usually catches you by surprise that ends the challenge.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 16 May 2018, 08:32:07
Darn..  :( Bad luck Tauceti.  Saiga will still be remembered in the Fallen Heroes Graveyard though.

Small update for Gale Vitesse.  She's run up to the Jade Palace and back to Chang'an then on to Wusao Mountain where she's taking a rest before continuing.  Up to L 39 now.

(https://i.imgur.com/Do95q2J.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 17 May 2018, 00:03:24
Noooo!!!  :( :( :( Were you caught unaware or was it a high damage spike? Were you map clearing on Legendary on a caster? Don't do that dude...
A lot more things aside from bosses can kill you in Legendary, leave the map clears after the challenge. It's those retarded champion spawns that usually catches you by surprise that ends the challenge.

Well i was rushing into the cave and my pets decided to play with fire spirits whereas a djin and the 2 bloodsisters came whising to greet me. It hurts.
And yes i was used to map clearing in all difficulty modes. Hmm maybe this is not appropriate to this challenge... Guess i will follow your advice now  ;D

On the other hand, this toon is dedicated to farming sessions and clearing the maps prevents some boring boss runs. Got a bunch of purples like this, thanks to Xmax.
Especially Persephone's Caress a few moments before falling to the ground. And since i never tried an icesharder before, the @botebote77 's idea of an hybrid toon appeals to me.
Maybe the next toon, just have to check the vault.

Quote
I am aware that they needed increase player options to deal with the new scaling of the already buffed AE monsters into Ragnarok that now reached absurd levels @ Legendary, but they could have at least reworked existing Legendaries to scale just as much as Ragnarok items would to make them just as competitive rather than allowing the vast majority to just be relegated as levelling items. IMO, every Legendary should have the potential right to become a decent end-game option

Actually, They have reworked some existing Legendaries. The Praxidikae staff Saiga was wearing most of the time, has been greatly buffed with Ragnarok, and so the level requirement. I've seen other items reworked too, but only a small portion apparently.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 20 May 2018, 11:48:09
Hyone is out of the challenge.  Nearly died to the 3 Typhons and didn't wait for her health to recover fully before going back into the fight.  :(  Should know better by now with this challenge, especially trying it no potions. Final death count: 39,601.

(https://i.imgur.com/sEbeYCY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/jYQA8fa.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Deepblue on 20 May 2018, 13:28:15
It's those retarded champion spawns that usually catches you by surprise that ends the challenge.

It doesn't help that Djiin champions spawn in pairs either.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 09 July 2018, 12:50:07
Gale Vitesse has made it to Act 4 Normal.  Found the melee Draconians a pain to deal with, but managed it.   Telkines and Typhons weren't too bad, just slow work.  She's L41 and in Medea's Grove.  Kill count: 43,180.

(https://i.imgur.com/eIUkWC3.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GqeIR0R.jpg)
And the Anatok boss does spawn in this mod now - but only the one, not 3.
(https://i.imgur.com/PDetL9a.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/f9GoUfH.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: nargil66 on 19 July 2018, 13:12:04
Hey, I'm joining the challenge. Is there any problem if i use CaravanXL Xmax? No mercenary and no codes ofcourse.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: sauruz on 19 July 2018, 13:15:08
the bigger the bags the better it would be :D

i guess its fine, since it adds only more space
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 July 2018, 13:30:37
Shouldn't be a problem.  Enjoy.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: nargil66 on 19 July 2018, 13:55:48
Ok, here is the char - Adonis, lvl 10 Ritualist (Untwinked), Spartan camp (just owned the 3 Nessuses)

(https://i.imgur.com/fIpDyjg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UuFJaFg.jpg)

One of the satyrs killed by old Hippias had dropped a Hood of the magi on the ground. Cool find for start  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 July 2018, 14:06:02
Added to the leaderboard and good luck with him.  Are you playing with Ragnarok too?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: nargil66 on 19 July 2018, 21:32:39
Well... I died  :-[. 5 levels later, from the 3 Princes of the s Sword in Old Eleusis. Got too cocky at first, trying to hit all with Phantom Strike... then got stunned, panicked, ran for a corner... one more hero in the graveyard  :(
I guess I've lost shape after months of too little gaming... or LoC's strong pets have spoiled me, idk.
Medea, prease erase the char from leaderboards. Lvl 15 death is not something to be proud of  :-\
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 July 2018, 22:02:09
Well, they are the nastiest of the lot to tackle I think.  Archer and mage are pretty easy to deal with, but them guys in melee - ouch. Sorry your challenge ended so soon though.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 04 October 2018, 09:26:47
just spur of the moment.. i think I'll join :)

don't know how often i can play this though but some info i can list now:

name: eiko-chan (female)
class: i don't know yet but you can list it as stormcaller for now
build: no theorycrafting done

have yet to make the character I'm on mobile right now
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 October 2018, 09:42:53
Good to have you aboard botebote77.  I'll add to the leaderboard and let me know when you have more details for her.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 06 October 2018, 07:50:22
finally was able to start.. if you don't mind, the 1st screenshot is 3 cyclops

(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Ft8ipYnk.jpg&hash=24962c05053359197dbcf86157ab71bea248d4be) (https://imgur.com/t8ipYnk)

(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FaaVGl6o.jpg&hash=61541e69608186bd1f2a12330cbb84b73ece4283) (https://imgur.com/aaVGl6o)

i have no idea why greatest monster killed says isthmus harpy

details: just lvl 15 currently in megara, stormcaller, squall build eventually will respec to ice shards
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 06 October 2018, 14:37:21
Added to the leaderboard botebote77, but I need your character's name and whether they are twinked or not.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 06 October 2018, 21:27:31
the name is eiko-chan  .. exactly like that with the -

it is twinked.. mostly twinked but you can list it as twinked.. I'm using the snowball weapon

and i know now why greatest monster killed is isthmus harpy.. isthmus harpies are act 5 mobs.. somewhere on the way to megara you can see part of act 5 with isthmus harpies.. i remember killing them with squall
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 09 October 2018, 23:23:09
some update:

3 spiders sacred branch (forgot name)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F2Zk3Ptb.jpg&hash=0e21eb2cc597b3ffecf4c59442bf090e87102fdd) (https://imgur.com/2Zk3Ptb)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FPYVvKgx.jpg&hash=b82a2b3a1a649fc7662b62edd6fb4476a89ea0f1) (https://imgur.com/PYVvKgx)

3 shadowmaws (it spawned)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FhHSgJsZ.jpg&hash=be0c17af2961c128e882c70355125298f2623034) (https://imgur.com/hHSgJsZ)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FPY0MMsJ.jpg&hash=1bf6a29ecf19202715bba82ecff4318aceb45b61) (https://imgur.com/PY0MMsJ)
and yes it felt good :)

9 gorgon queens
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fs37lTz8.jpg&hash=82dfc59d13e602ca8eb767558a66bad5710f95f2) (https://imgur.com/s37lTz8)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Faw2TCk8.jpg&hash=3fd79ffdc61172f782170c7ff4253981fca0888f) (https://imgur.com/aw2TCk8)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FgBXxTXS.jpg&hash=e29c991c1920b30d3d8bbb1487c2b75475bfef11) (https://imgur.com/gBXxTXS)

details:
eiko-chan is now lvl 21
still stormcaller
last rebirth fountain is the first one outside the gorgon cave
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 10 October 2018, 09:04:54
Well, done botebote77, especially dealing with Shadowmaw x3.  Updated.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: andyblast on 11 October 2018, 00:14:00
Ive been away from TQ IT for a while, how does xmax3 fare against massbosses (clean or reg, either). Also my play style is zero potions, & i buy vendor gear using high lvl alts but no shop-MI gear or custom snowballs.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 11 October 2018, 07:33:21
M4ssboss3 is very unbalanced compared to Xmax. It also has a lot more heroes/champions in groups of 3 to deal with as well as mob size increases.  When I tried it as a new toon right from the start I ran into three groups just over the bridge in Helos which killed me a couple of times before I lured them to the guards to help deal with them.  Bosses also spawn in groups of 24.  Yeah, that figure's right - 24 of each including the Gorgon Sisters which means you fight 72 of them!

M4ssboss3 is more for farming only, rather than playing from the beginning to end.  It's a little better in Act 4 when they're reduced to 12 of each.

Quique wrote a guide a while back which gives a bit more info.

https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=704.msg7233#new

I did have a journal for the Diviner I tried this mod out with back on the old forum.  Don't have all of it, but this is the beginning of it which hopefully will give you some indication. 

"Let me start by saying this is a big leap in playing the game for me.  I've only recently started playing the full version of Xmax and this is way more difficult so be warned if you want to try it. 

As the title says I'm playing a Diviner (Spirit/Dream) and using much of the advice and gear recommendations in Poinas' excellent Pwning with Spirit guide although I won't be taking the strength route except to get enough to be able to equip Stonebinder's Cuffs.  I'm also a) using items from my Vault collection and b) playing with the "Relics/Charms in Uniques" mod which is available in the Defiler program.  This is how I usually play TQIT anyway and for this mod I think I'll really need all the help I can get!

Let's get started.  Having made my character I first exited the game then used the mods in Defiler to a) make all the inventory bags available and b) expand the personal storage area of the caravan.  Once those were done I gave her a set of white and yellow items from the Vault plus most importantly LOTS of health potions and got started. 

First big surprise - like the Achilles mod this one also has heroes spawning all over the place.  I ran into Caldor Darkbow, Marnos Rockbiter and Algos Frostwind in multiple forms just past the bridge and died twice trying to deal with them all because I wasn't expecting them.

What eventually worked for me at L2/3 seeing that she only had Deathchill Aura with a point in was to lure the heroes to the guards at the bridge. The heroes focussed on them and of course the guards can't be killed because it's not written in the game that they can be. So they won't die no matter how long it takes for your toon to bring them down. I was able to pick off Caldor Darkbow x2 from the bridge with ranged staff attacks and got the third when I levelled up to L4 and got a point into Ternion.

The 3 Marnos Rockbiters were the worst because even trying to fight them using Ternion close in they just kept reducing my health and I had to run around a lot while I downed potions and waited for the health bar to recover. Eventually I headed back to the village entrance and the guards there distracted them so I was able to use the same ranged attack idea as I had on Caldor. This tactic should work for any ranged/caster toon.

Algos Frostwind was easy to deal with as he can be picked off from a distance. 

By this point she'd levelled up to L4/5 so I had some points in Spirit plus a point in Deathchill Aura and also Ternion Attack.  She was also able to equip the yellow items which also helped.  She worked her way through the various mobs and eventually cleared nearly all the ones hanging around the Satyr Shaman area as well.  Then she was ready to go after them.  They turned out to be quite easy as she was able to take them on one by one so wasn't in any danger of dying.

That was where I had to leave the session, but she was up to L7 and had the following gear:

Hood of the Magi of Stability socketed with Boar Hide (+DA bonus)
Hardened Padded Silk Mantle of Recovery socketed with Essence of the Golden Fleece (elemental resistance bonus)
Hardened Bronze Bracelet of Recovery socketed with Pristine Plumage (+DA bonus)
Hardened Embroidered Linen Wraps of Rejuvenation socketed with Essence of Hermes' Sandals (+DA bonus)
Storm Eye socketed with Essence of Hecate's Crescent (elemental resistance bonus)
Protective Gold Loop of Energy Cold resistance socketed with Demon's Blood (vitality damage resistance bonus)
Protective Bronze Beads of Energy Lightning Resistance
Tainted Staff of the Magi in first weapon slot, Sanguine Staff of the Magi second slot - both socketed with Essence of Prometheus' Flame (fire damage bonus)

Next up it was time to head down the road for Sparta.  Once again Caldow Darkbow, Marnos Rockbiter and Algos Frostwind all made an appearance around the satyr camps, as did Fernos Charskin but attacking and kiting and downing health potions kept her alive. 

No real problems in the Shepherd's Cave, but in the next section ran into Aello, the Talon of the Storm.  By this point she was up to L8 and I had added Dream into the mix to give me Psionic Touch as a boost to normal staff fire and Distortion Wave as a slowing agent.

The run up to the Missing Necklace side quest was just mobs and mobs of foes, no heroes to deal with, but in the cave I ran into Black Bite and Goat Sucker but they didn't present any problems.

Getting to the fountain before Sparta was the end of another session.

Working through the Sparta camp areas was again not too difficult.  Heroes met along the way were Panos, Lord of the Briarwood, Sildor Barb Net, Skiron Emberwood and Sergos Longstride.  Unfortunately when I got to Nessus they weren't there.  This does happen with mods like Xmax so I exited the game and re-ran the area and they were there this time.  Firing off Ternion and then retreating allowed me to bring them down bit by bit until all 24 were dead.

Continued on through the Spartan Woods and down to the Mycenean Ruins where I met up with Rot Bone, Cinder Bone and Graklos the Graveless.  Ternion is really proving to be a great skill for this mod both in tackling the mobs long distance and for downing heroes close in.  Time to end the session with Averil up to L15.  She has a Brimstone ring equipped now and also a Therguist's necklace.  Plus she's now wearing the Oracle set except for the bracelets which I've swapped out for some Ceremonial Bracers of Recovery.  I'll push her strength up a little more so as to equip some Stonebinder's over the next few levels.  I'm also working on maxing out Deathchill Aura and climbing up Dream to get to Trance of Convalescence."

Can't remember what level she got up to now, but she had reached Act 4 Normal - and she yes died a fair few times along the way.  That doesn't worry me, I'm not a hardcore player and all my toons suffer death sooner or later.  I still have her backed up and might get around to continuing with her if the mod gets updated for AER.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: andyblast on 11 October 2018, 09:54:16
massbosses is working in ragna, at least till act 4 where ive tried it, still getting the feel of new zones/mobs/mechanics
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 11 October 2018, 10:22:12
Is that the original IT version andyblast or updated to AE?  Haven't looked to see what mods have been updated for the AE version much since I only really play Legion of Champions and kirmiziperfect isn't that great these days for checking on things.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: andyblast on 11 October 2018, 10:47:15
My old TQ IT version of massbosses is working with AE-Ragnarok  (only tried till act 4).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 15 October 2018, 13:15:48
Khyno - Lvl 51 Templar (Untwinked) Normal Throne Room

Hey guys, an old TQ veteran here - I remember when bonobo started the original thread on the old site, and a couple of weeks ago I decided to reinstall TQ for nostalgia reasons.
Last time I did this challenge, I had died in Hades's palace (that time I was playing as a Templar as well), but this time I am happy to report that I have successfully finished the Normal difficulty.
I have no idea how it will go further - I have never finished XMAX on Epic or Legendary difficulty before so my expectation is that I will just die to a RNG Toxeus spawning  ;D

Toughest opponents/closest calls so far:

Gorgon Sisters - nearly died here, but once I killed a couple of them, the fight got considerably easier
Normal Typhon - very tough and slow fight, I played safe, but an untwinked Templar is just so ill-suited to fight this dude
Kalygoths - running around the Tower of Judgment with 20% Poison resistance is a huge mistake. Next time I am doing this challenge, I will prioritize maxing Poison resistance for Act IV.
Machae - very annoying how they are kiting this class

My gear is kind of crap, but I expect to farm a lot of good stuff in Act I Epic.
My strategy has been to max out Trance of Wrath and Distort Reality (very effective thru Act III) and start relying more extensively on Defense Mastery procs (such as Pulverize) by focusing on Attack speed items (that's why I am still using Shadow Veil and Sabertooth - although to be fair, I was only able to find one weapon with a slightly higher DPS than that rare Sabertooth). I wonder how viable these methods will be on Epic difficulty.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 16 October 2018, 07:37:22
Welcome to the forum and to the challenge Ororo and well done!  :)  Added to the leaderboard as being in Epic Helos since you've completed Normal.  Good luck for tackling Epic!
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: icefreeze on 16 October 2018, 08:32:05
Can i use items transfer from other characters for this challenge, or what are the rules ( more infomations) i need to know?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 16 October 2018, 08:41:43
Yes, you can use items in the transfer stash.  If you have TQVault and want to use items from that as well then just let me know so I can mark your character as being twinked.

The rules for the challenge are in the first post on the first page.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: icefreeze on 16 October 2018, 12:29:17
Yes, you can use items in the transfer stash.  If you have TQVault and want to use items from that as well then just let me know so I can mark your character as being twinked.

The rules for the challenge are in the first post on the first page.
I don't see rule about using items from other characters or not so i confuse :D
Thank you to let me know  C:-)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: 1cec0ld on 16 October 2018, 19:30:32
Yes, you can use items in the transfer stash.  If you have TQVault and want to use items from that as well then just let me know so I can mark your character as being twinked.

The rules for the challenge are in the first post on the first page.
I don't see rule about using items from other characters or not so i confuse :D
Thank you to let me know  C:-)

Quote
Toons are untwinked unless specified on the leaderboard.

"Twinked" meaning that you use items from other characters. So it is allowed, but please let them know so the ranking can show the twinked status
Might be helpful to reword that rule, I'm not sure how many people know TQ slang anymore  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: icefreeze on 16 October 2018, 20:55:58
Hero name: _Draguna_
Level: 17.
She still only Rune( i intend build her to Dragon Hunter Elemental Dualwield) and fresh( don't use anything from other characters, i will use TQVault to stack potion to 1 slots and storage items).
Clear all the map.
Greatest monster kill: Shadowmaw.
Now she just come to Rebirth Fountain near the cave which Shadowmaw appear.
(https://scontent.fsgn2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44174380_2304191349867755_8645789722561478656_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&oh=9cfe9d2eb3ea84ad93725858d9d4f4aa&oe=5C5D59D1)

(https://scontent.fhan2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44126885_2190107181234137_3989488971137679360_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&oh=3958d3724c6afeab1bc188c3ca82df59&oe=5C47F4B9)

(https://scontent.fsgn2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44334735_1958984137516527_345956411647197184_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&oh=4bd04ab7071e4eb567f105aaccde243b&oe=5C469DF6)

(https://scontent.fhan2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44130515_1135428043282796_6134515807650054144_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&oh=29228468c649e002ce18bd831355f2d6&oe=5C44944B)

(https://scontent.fhan2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44104214_703529783344008_3526528072570372096_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&oh=6297b54c5e197297b778809b2a16fef4&oe=5C59E6E0)

(https://scontent.fhan2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44281366_492946331206651_3222838408313307136_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&oh=7e0afd0b73ed5d146438667edf8d625b&oe=5C8A0222)

(https://scontent.fhan2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44180440_441744636350188_4722570786836054016_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&oh=fa2225b7180ee40c6b958d0b35a46555&oe=5C5A730F)

(https://scontent.fsgn2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44315190_346666742571017_1842365052418523136_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&oh=85cb2f71c4be415930d034cf3efc5a12&oe=5C4E91C0)

(https://scontent.fsgn2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44284057_335050663725987_2345741262528708608_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&oh=289827eb604766004c3da7cc96c01270&oe=5C61FBB5)

(https://scontent.fhan2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44255872_278578476113321_1137843691201757184_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&oh=55da99219e61d7c20196908aeba8ea61&oe=5C451107)

(https://scontent.fhan2-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44151699_278126182811222_3270821787239186432_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&oh=2cd1ddde3e517e755ae200cce4118ce7&oe=5C58A585)

(https://scontent.fhan2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44110190_750283978643116_1080936705969618944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&oh=a28402b8f0eda3e956b12cbf07d84ccb&oe=5C509681)

(https://scontent.fhan2-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/44109285_2286199098113590_9157153901827325952_n.png?_nc_cat=108&oh=5a065f9fe6cb499b89ff82f9b929ec0a&oe=5C418FCA)( i stream gameplay to youtube, so i capture this screenshot from youtube after playing).

Link video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVVTO6GAMr7nvhMSmA5wWlXguqh2826x




Quote
Toons are untwinked unless specified on the leaderboard.

"Twinked" meaning that you use items from other characters. So it is allowed, but please let them know so the ranking can show the twinked status
Might be helpful to reword that rule, I'm not sure how many people know TQ slang anymore  ;D

Uh, i'm not good at English, so may be that why i don't understand meaning of that word :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 16 October 2018, 21:27:26
_Draguna_'s added to the leaderboard icefreeze and good luck with her.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 16 October 2018, 22:04:25
Khyno - Lvl 55 Templar (Untwinked) Epic Delphi

Made some progress with Khyno - although I am kinda disappointed about the Legendary items drop rate - after 30+ Nessus/Boar Snatcher runs and 10+ Polyphemus runs I haven't gotten any so far!  >:(
Once again, Poison Resistance seems to be the most vital piece of the puzzle - especially against the Boar Snatcher.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: icefreeze on 17 October 2018, 12:52:57
My hero - _Draguna_, lv21 has die in Mission when facing 3 Ancient Limos - Life Eater( Boss Quest " Trapped in the Ruins), my mistake when control character.
Holy crap, its my sin  ???
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 October 2018, 15:55:22
They can be difficult to deal with.  Better luck next time.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: 1cec0ld on 22 October 2018, 19:47:39
I wanted to actually use all the green and better items I keep picking up during Yellow and Naked challenges, so I started my new Illusionist, LetsTryXmax.

(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/496441871443427329/503977484132548608/20181016104822_1.jpg)(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/496441871443427329/503977487693512704/20181016122703_1.jpg)(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/496441871443427329/503977448745074690/20181016145148_1.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/496441871443427329/503977453908262942/20181016161114_1.jpg)(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/496441871443427329/503977457980801026/20181017092938_1.jpg)(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/496441871443427329/503977462250602498/20181017111103_1.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/496441871443427329/503977465476153354/20181017130751_1.jpg)(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/496441871443427329/503977469435445270/20181017132528_1.jpg)(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/496441871443427329/503977473663303687/20181017144301_1.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/496441871443427329/503977478281363466/20181017170344_1.jpg)


Important: I had success killing the 3 (9) Gorgon sisters, but the game crashed when I tried to use my screenshot button. I started the game back up, expecting to deal with that annoying process again, only to find that they weren't there. I just had to speak to Feiyan to unlock the exit, and I could leave. I really didn't want to deal with them if I didn't have to, so I left without that picture, sorry.
Also, surviving hasn't been terrible. Wolves are good distractions, and traps are good to fall back on when they get overwhelmed. Only one hero, The All Devourer has managed to kill all 3 wolves, and then brought me to a panicked 20 health before I got away.
About to face the Statues in the Sphinx in Regular Mode, level 30.

Oh, and about the petmancer kill count requirement? I'm on the "don't require it" side, because 9/10 of the kills I try to get are stolen by wolves or traps. I have an effective 6 pets during most fights, and they all out-damage my Runed Staff I bought at level 10.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 October 2018, 20:06:39
Added to the leaderboard 1cec0ld and good luck. 

Yeah, it was a bit unfair for petmancers even in the old game since pet kills don't get added to your kill total.  It tended to mean you had to do without them somewhere along the way just to make the kill count requirement which was crazy.  And now with traps actually counting as pets in AE it would be even worse.

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 23 October 2018, 23:51:24
Khyno died to Epic Manticore unfortunately :/
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 24 October 2018, 07:44:36
Bad luck Ororo.  :(
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 25 October 2018, 15:50:08
What do you guys think would be the best classes to use for this Challenge while staying untwinked? Haruspex? Conqueror?

Also, does Ragnarok make this challenge harder or easier? I am considering buying the expansion...
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: sauruz on 25 October 2018, 16:37:42
What do you guys think would be the best classes to use for this Challenge while staying untwinked? Haruspex? Conqueror?

Also, does Ragnarok make this challenge harder or easier? I am considering buying the expansion...

the expac area will make the challange way more harder, with some amounts of bleeding/vitality/reflect dmg.

But it will bring some powerfull itens that can boost your dmg and survivability.

As for class, i would say mages and archers ,will have easy time than melles atlast on 1st run
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 01 November 2018, 18:03:16
Hey Medea, here is a new entry: Runny Smith  ;) currently lvl 15 in Halcyon coast.

Although Runny is twinked, he got hard time with the 3 cyclops, running around waiting Thunder Strike be recharged. He almost got crushed.
(https://i.imgur.com/cba78gU.jpg)

This class Runesmith puzzles me. I wonder what's the best way, str or int ?
The two paths are appealing. Although a STR based char is more logical, because of colossus and defensive reaction, an INT based runesmith should become an interesting hybrid melee char.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 01 November 2018, 18:38:02
Added to the leaderboard Tauceti and good luck with him.  Not really sure what to make of the Rune mastery myself.  At first I thought it looked good, but can't say I like many of the skills except for Rune Weapon and Explode/Burn.  Admittedly I've only tried the others with just a few points in them, but not keen on them really. 

I think they were trying to do a Dream with Rune mastery, but iirc Dream's skills don't rely on int to get good damage from them while Rune's seem to need some int at least.  :-\
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 02 November 2018, 18:23:53
Siegfried - Lvl 43 Haruspex (Untwinked) - Normal Chang'an Farmlands

So I am back with a new character, hopefully this time I will progress further. I have actually bought the Ragnarok expansion and I am really enjoying the new Thrown weapons!

I have cleared much of Act I, Act II and a part of Act III using Skeletal Darts which I had gotten somewhere before the Gorgons. That item is absolutely broken and I believe it should be nerfed :D On top of that I got it with some really good prefix (+% Physical dmg, + Pierce dmg).
https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/skeletal-darts-normal

Right before Barmanu, some Neanderthal dropped this beauty, which I immediately put to use.
https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/blue-dragons-scales

Much like my Templar playthrough, I am relying far more on Trance of Wrath and Distort Reality EBD than the actual auto attacks.

Wish me luck for Typhon (which I believe to be the greatest obstacle from Act III/Act IV due to his combination of really annoying skills) and Act V (which I will be doing absolutely blind... :o).

Currently I am porting between Chang'an and Great Wall, trying to get my my Hallowed helm and Hale rings.

(https://i.imgur.com/WUNWoUa.png)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 03 November 2018, 00:49:24
Runny Smith - Lvl25 (twinked) - Normal Rhakhotis

I've seen your update Medea of your rules about posting images of boss killed only for epic & legendary difficulties, it'll save me from uploading images to imgur.

The reason why i took a runesmith is the hope to finally deal with deadly melee bosses like Minolord, Barmanu and Typhon, and check if the toon can sustain an ice or meteor shower on his head  ;D
The 1st milestone is then 3xMinolords in normal and i was happy with the result: a good shield(+skills) with 80% block chances+ a recovery time -57%: the toon life was slowly going down but not that much. I wonder if all the damage input from the minos is still sustainable in epic though.

(https://i.imgur.com/HTgtJQU.jpg)(https://imgur.com/RBCoeYW.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 03 November 2018, 02:03:19
Aaaaand the big boy is down.

I must have shuffled at least 100 times between Great Wall and Chang'an and still no Hallowed Helm. So I decided to risk it without it. And I could really feel the difference compared to my Templar character. I never really felt safe despite not dropping below 40/50% HP at any given moment. In the end EBD did the job, but I had to restock my potions after killing the first Typhon which resulted in the other regening to full health....

Typhon:
(https://i.imgur.com/Rg6z3EY.png)

0 deaths:
(https://i.imgur.com/gAMLJDd.png?1)

Siegried - Lvl 44 Haruspex (Untwinked) - Normal City of Rhodes
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 03 November 2018, 09:30:29
Congrats Ororo. Beating 3xTyphon untwinked is really a performance in normal 8)

Regarding the expansion, the 2nd half imho tends to be hard in epic difficulty and destructive in legendary.
A few trash monsters have new deadly abilities. And if you find items with %chances to avoid projectiles, don't throw it by the window, keep it !
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 03 November 2018, 13:20:05
Ororo, added to the leaderboard and well done.  Same to you Tauceti.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 03 November 2018, 21:34:24
Guys... nevermind my complaints about the Hallowed Helm (although I still haven't gotten one #thanksrngjesus).

I have to be the luckiest bastard, who has ever committed a systematic genocide of the frog dudes in Soronis:

(https://i.imgur.com/eoqbaof.png)

That item still has a lower overall DPS than the Blue Dragon Scales  ;D ;D Something tells me the Thrown weapons are kind of broken nowadays :D But in any case, it's going to be an invaluable asset against all Act IV bosses. But wait, it gets better. I wouldn't be writing this post just to brag about a nice prefix on a Bramblewood bow, which basically drops from every 250th frog:

(https://i.imgur.com/OA0XHNm.png)

I am speechless. Although I would prefer if this beauty dropped on Legendary hahaha. I nearly sold it too! Kind of didn't expect the prefix/suffix to be anything decent. Basically, everything about this breastplate is amazing and it nearly caps my Pierce Resistance...

Siegried - Lvl 48 Haruspex (Untwinked) - Normal Soronis
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 03 November 2018, 21:43:34
What nice MIs, get the same in legendary and these items will deserve a special slot in your vault  ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 03 November 2018, 21:47:54
Legendary is still aeons away ;D I feel pretty confident about Act IV now, but I have no idea about Act V... I will try to push my Bleeding and Vitality resistances as high as possible.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 03 November 2018, 21:52:52
Very nice.  But just wait until you're like me - 10 years of playing and still no Batrachos Greaves
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 03 November 2018, 21:56:15
Well Medea, that was actually the real reason why I was farming Soronis! I am still running around with this:

https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/ardent-greaves

Which is kinda meh. I can do better than than with Batrachos greaves and Hermes's Sandal with some resistance completion bonus.

Although it's definitely an item that I will keep for the future. I believe I have 2 items "-of Glade" stored in the Caravan, so that should give me a comfortable immunity vs Cerberus's damage :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 03 November 2018, 23:43:40
is it still worth it though? the DA is now flat instead of %

i mean it's a very rare item and even if it does drop, chances are the affixes are not worth it

it was coveted long ago because the DA was +120% (legendary)
now it's just flat 120
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 November 2018, 09:12:30
Good question botebote77.  Guess it depends on how valuable flat DA is in the game now.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 04 November 2018, 09:28:48
well.. just look at it this way:

the legendary version used to have +120% DA.. if for example your DA from dex and other items totals to 500 (i think that's a fair value), with +120% that goes up to 1100 DA

but now it's only flat 120, so it's just 500 + 120 = 620 DA

that's a difference of 480 DA, that's huge

that MI took a big big nerf

edit: and if you add DA from skills, the difference will be even bigger
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 04 November 2018, 11:42:22
I wasn't aware of that change oups.

Anyhow, these perks are useful for leveling until having access to purple items.
(I am not sure of this, but the drop rate of these perks seems better in act 5, i got some of these with master forge or black steel MIs iirc)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 04 November 2018, 12:11:20
don't know about the drop chance of batrachos greaves.. I've spent 3 separate days about 2hrs each before dedicated only for farming batrachos greaves.. I've also played act 4 many times already because i have many characters.. i never found any.. i got multiple batrachos breastplate and bramblewood but not one greaves

until i saw in tq-db the nerf.. i checked the changelog and it also says it's changed to flat

edit: so according to my tqcollector:

normal: 1 bramblewood bow, 1 batrachos breastplate
epic: 3 bramblewood,  3 mbuti's advocate
legendary: 4 bramblewood, 2 breastplate, 6 mbuti's

batrachos greaves is zero, zero, zero
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 November 2018, 12:17:51
Yeah, I get the bows and the Mbuti spears dropping like rain, the rest of the stuff not so much. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 04 November 2018, 13:55:27
Go this from my first Charon run... how Ironic  ;D ;D

(https://i.imgur.com/assfkam.png)

The game reaaaaaaly doesn't want me to use bows. I have 809 DPS with this equipped. That's pretty close to what I had with Khyno on Epic difficulty. Also I finally managed to get my Hallowed Helm! Hoorah!

(https://i.imgur.com/csguklU.png)

I think I will have to re-socket some of my gear for more Poison resistance. The Kalygoth poison attacks are brutal.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 04 November 2018, 22:19:21
Runny Smith - Lvl 38 - Twinked - Babylon outskirts

I took time to get some levels with a ceremonial head armor before engaging the 2nd crash-test: Barmanu in the next act.
Act II was quiet, except the quest in the pyramids in which a huge pack of gilded mages pops at once and makes a synchronized fire.

(https://i.imgur.com/x38tUSD.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 04 November 2018, 23:36:07
Hades down. It was a very rapid run after Soronis - I merely focused on doing all the quests and killing the bosses.
I found this: https://www.tq-db.net/equipment/jarnvidja-nails Which I currently use as my primary item.

I have a very decent gear for Act V and I even have some questions for you guys with regards to itemization, as I have managed to find Mountaineer's Homados. However, the massive Pierce Resistance from Batrachos Breastplate seems way too good to give up... So I really don't know.

(https://i.imgur.com/iNrOYSI.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/arj7jxz.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/7pzzYpr.png)

I'll do a quick recap of the gear tomorrow.

Siegfried - Lvl 53 - Normal City of Corinth (Untwinked)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 November 2018, 07:32:52
Well done you two.  Moving along nicely.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 05 November 2018, 14:49:29
So here is the gear recap, which I have promised. Yes, I am really doing this challenge Untwinked :D

(https://i.imgur.com/NBd1CVg.png)

Current State:

As you can see, Pierce, Vitality and Poison resistances are maxed out, with the Elemental resistances sitting comfortably around 50%. I have some bonus Physical Resistance left over from the Veteran's Breastplate. The weak point is obviously Bleeding Resistance, which is sitting at 30% and I don't think I can boost it any further.
Thanks to Hunting, I have maxed out Entrapment resistance and Slow resistance at comfortable 40%. By investing into Demon's blood and Monkey King's Trickery charms, I also have some low Stun/Skill Disruption resistances.
Both OA/DA are at extremely high values thanks to my class choice (I believe no other class combination can match Haruspex in this regard) with 600 and 1074 respectively.
I have an amazing 72% (29% from Find Cover, 23% from Temporal Flux and 20% from Veteran's Breastplate) Chance to Avoid Projectiles and a small 14% Chance to Dodge Attacks.
DPS is sitting at a very respectable value of 960 and I am converting 19% of inflicted damage into Health.
Unfortunately, both Health and Energy are a bit on the low side, sitting at 3974 and 556 (421 post Energy reserved) respectively.

Possible Improvements:

a) I still only have Robust rings, which is pretty bad for this stage of the game. I really need to find some Hale rings relatively soon. Hale rings with some Health bonus would be ideal.
b) The enchantment on my Stonebinder's Cuffs is really not good - I can just max out Herbal remedy and max my Poison resistance that way. The question is, where will I get my Bleeding resistance? I'm thinking Boar Hide (as ridiculous as that sounds) with Bleeding Resistance Completion Bonus as that would buff up my total Bleeding resistance to 40%.
c) Shield could really use Essence of Shade of Hector with Pierce Resistance completion bonus (only 2% lower in total but some additional DA and 6% chance to avoid projectiles).
d) I don't like these boots at all. I would be good to get some Blue/Green item with Fire Resistance/Bleeding Resistance or high DA/Health.
e) Could I squeeze in Mountaineer's Homados somehow? That would significantly boost my DPS and max my Cold Resistance but I would have to find a different source of Pierce Resistance. Furthermore, a lot of other defensive stats would go down. As this is my first playthrough of Act V, I am leaning towards a more defensive option.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 07 November 2018, 17:22:18
Runny Smith - Lvl 40 Twinked - Village of Zhidan

@Ororo You won't have any problems with such high resistances in Act 5, enjoy and explore  ;)

So here is the Barmanu crash-test.

I got many toons crushed by Barmanu, even in normal. The smart way is to pull 1 by 1 and run around while avoiding the incoming ice shower. But shit happens in Xmax. In this test i tried to find a good setup so that my toon could stand ahead of 3x Barmanu. I first begin with one Barmanu to check numbers. In the steam forum, i found a tip that allows floating damage numbers (this implies a change in the game.dll) since i don't use TQdefiler.

setup I: 80% stun res, 80% cold res, 18% physical res, 80% block and -90% recovery time, 30% less from beastmen (ardent greaves), 48% CtAP, and 30% chances of 100% dmg reflected.
The dmg number is around 100. A rough estimation of the max damage per projectile, corrected from (1-0.8)x(1-0.3) is then around 700. Since there is 15 projectiles iirc, the full damage of an ice shower is then over 10000. Correct me if i am wrong in the numbers.
(https://i.imgur.com/QgdBxwu.jpg)

setup II: the same as I, but with 55% cold res.
The damage input is around 250. And the toon went down to half-life. Oups !. This time, correction with 55% res implies 800 dmg per projectile which is ok with the 1st estimate.
(https://i.imgur.com/9c9hNQt.jpg)

setup III: the same as I, but without the 30% less from beastmen
The damage input is around 300. And the toon life went down to 3/4. This time, the correction comes from (1-0.8 ) and then gives 1500 dmg per projectile which is far from the 1st estimate. i don't understand why.
(https://i.imgur.com/aDjRgIO.jpg)

Anyway it appears that 80% cold res, high CtAP and good res against beastmen are necessary to survive one ice shower. In the lastetup i tested the damage reflection. As expected Barmanu killed himself.
setup IV: the same as I, but with 55% CtAP, 30% chances of 200- 350% dmg reflected (from 2 pieces of icescale armor)
(https://i.imgur.com/nlltFNX.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/F46UDvd.jpg)

Finally, i went with Xmax and took setup IV to see if it was really Ok. As a last but not least protection, i put the toon in colossus form for the good perk in % damage absorption.
(https://i.imgur.com/1I577df.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/FZ4LZMC.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/yZIDYkA.jpg)

Yes  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 07 November 2018, 18:19:31
Great work Tauceti.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 07 November 2018, 21:01:16
i know an easy way to kill 3 barmanu... trap cheesing :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 09 November 2018, 21:52:28
Runny Sith - Lvl 43 Twinked - Rhodes

@botebote77  That's why i put a trapper in the yellow challenge  ;D

Here is the 3rd and last crash-test: Typhon.
As for Barmanu, I tested one Typhon with setup IV, and then went with Xmax and put the toon in colossus form:
(https://i.imgur.com/zbPz7cf.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/a2IBHEs.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/5GVcZev.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Zsgohte.jpg)


This time, although in colossus form, I had to pick a red pot at half-life. I feel the global warming in my skin !
Therefore i won't make this stupid test in epic  ::)

Anyhow, Runny is resting now in Rhodes.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 09 November 2018, 23:05:53
you sure are crazy doing these tests on a hardcore character

one more thing about 3 Barmanus, experienced xmax players probably know this:

80% stun res will give you just enough time to run away before his ice meteors hit you.. but with 3 Barmanus, it's possible to get stunned again just as you are ready to run away.. boom death
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 12 November 2018, 20:45:04
Runny Smith - L51 Twinked - Corinth

The artefact Silver Heart made Act 4 much more easier. I wished i knew that before ! I only kept Tyran's fist for bosses.

In Hades palace, i took time to check each pack of gigantes. Two dactyles were there in normal difficulty  :o . The first one guarding a crystal Erebus and the second one blocking the way to Hades. While i was wondering how to deal with, the 1st one with its erractic move finally rushed to me and started firing his lethal wave. I retreated to the door in urgency and respecced skill points maxing the shield charge tree, hoping that charge impact and skill disruption would give me enough time. I came back, playing with the camera so that i could charge the dactyl behind the door. And the dactyl exploded at the impact  ;) The 2nd dactyl was less difficult since he was well in the line of sight.

(https://i.imgur.com/FA5v8l6.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/KME4gXp.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/CMdEXfm.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 12 November 2018, 21:00:16
Well done Tauceti.  Will be interesting to see how Xmax plays on Ragnarok.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 16 November 2018, 21:44:43
Runny Smith - Lvl 61 Twinked - Helos

An update for Runny now in Epic. Although act V fluidity has been improved since the beginning of the year, the whole act is too much overcrowded. Sure, Xmax mod is a pleasure for acts I to IV, but not for act V imho. In particular, I didn't expect that Jotunheim was so difficult for a melee char in normal mode.

Btw I used Athlon head armor which is handy in Xmax since it gives a free level each 4 levels.
(https://i.imgur.com/7AFGtFm.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 November 2018, 14:13:15
Well done getting into Epic Tauceti.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 17 November 2018, 14:24:01
Well done Tauceti!

I cannot say the same for myself - Siegfried unfortunately died in Land's End, right before the final boss.

I aggro'ed a room full of Lava dudes and Dark Elves, the game started chopping a bit and as a result my ADCtH wasn't triggering. I agree that Act V isn't really suited towards xmax - troll areas are way too choppy and Jotunheim & Land's End are a bit challenging even with a pretty broken class.

Nevertheless, this didn't discourage me from playing on - I'll be using Siegfried to farm some nice Legendary and MI gear and my future attempts will be Twinked as well :)

(https://i.imgur.com/zeyINdX.png)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 November 2018, 15:08:19
Bad luck Ororo.  Still well done for getting that far.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 17 November 2018, 22:48:34
Too bad Ororo, yep black elves are dangerous with their ability of reducing resistances, as well as spirits in mid-act or troll mages that can disrupt your buffs.
Anyway bravo for your long run untwinked  ;)

And yes come back twinked, it's really needed in later difficulties. Legendary Xmax is .. ::).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 20 November 2018, 00:11:17
Runny Smith - L63 Twinked - Rhakotis

Update for Runny:
(https://i.imgur.com/MUSHAlq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2sJCDXY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kRWIBuK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gAzs5oH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rbi5p2M.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KBouwDz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0F9cz4m.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wnZQOtq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sH3BdDW.jpg)

Counters:
(https://i.imgur.com/AAvXuSI.jpg)

Regarding the minolords, i continue a serie of crash-tests. I wasn't heading blindly indeed towards the minotaurs but made some tests before and adapted accordingly my gear. I hope Runny will still be there in legendary so that i could check if it's doable. Shield recovery from rune, shield block from defense, and %less damage from beastmen, worked well together for this encounter.
(https://i.imgur.com/RpdiT2K.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/FPMUkJy.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 20 November 2018, 07:43:25
Nicely done Tauceti.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 22 November 2018, 18:41:14
...Stormyboy did it with an Haruspex without using any health or energy potions.... [/color]

And untwinked :D. Hello guys! I am back and planing to get back into my challenge pants. With AER fixing a lot of the issues IT had with balancing I kinda like the diversity i now have on hand (Tho i think i will be going safe and play nature+defense or hunt). Glad to be back, glad to have found the forum and glad that i see a lot of the old names doing well.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 22 November 2018, 21:38:05
Hello! So, I will be starting the challenge by posting a random 3x boss like mob just to join up the dance. I will be posting updates at the end of every act or if the character dies (hope it won't)
I will be going for the hardcore route (again), meaning no potions allowed. I started with a hunter and still thinking on a second mastery. What i care mostly is survivability as hunt has enough damage to shatter stuff on it's own.

stormyboy - Borkan - L8 AER (no potions) - natural cave

https://imgur.com/EhBF22C

https://imgur.com/mFmQF3J

https://imgur.com/BWELkWg
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 22 November 2018, 23:43:50
Welcome Stormyboy to the challenge  ;) Untwinked and no potions ? Ouch, Good luck !

Runny Smith - L66 Twinked - Babylon outskirts

Act II
(https://i.imgur.com/hfcQ8u5.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/zhdmq5y.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/8II3d5j.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/J9qySlW.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/tQG5mA5.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/YB9GQtz.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/NMXSnoh.jpg)
Counters
(https://i.imgur.com/QafuHbN.jpg)

I finally chose the strength route for the runesmith. While playing with Mjolnir in whole act II, i got the feeling that i could find a wall later on with elemental damges if not supported either by a wide intelligence pool, either by storm/earth mastery. Next stop: Barmanu  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 November 2018, 07:28:10
Welcome home stormyboy.  Good to see you again.  ;D  Good luck with Borkan.

Tauceti, well done, almost to the top of the leaderboard.  :)

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: WNG on 24 November 2018, 01:45:26
After this bitter defeat in the Yellow Challenge, I'll try out this one. Hopefully I want get stuck in the scenery this time ^.^

Exinite Lv. 1 (AER, TWINKED) - Helos
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 24 November 2018, 08:36:52
Added to the leaderbaord WNG and good luck.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: WNG on 25 November 2018, 21:52:06
Update for Exinite. I don't want to pronounce myself to hastily, but I have a good feeling this challenge is easier than Yellow Only.

(https://i.imgur.com/lz5IanU.jpg)

Exinite Lv. 20 (AER, TWINKED) - Upper War-Camp
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 26 November 2018, 22:08:41
Hey WNG, welcome in the TQ-marathon  ;)

Runny Smith - L68 Twinked - Rhodes


My serie of crash-tests ends with Epic-Barmanu. A 1st attempt against one Barmanu showed me that his ice shower really hurts in epic even when well protected. Therefore i came back in Xmax and was running around to desynchronize them with hits and run. Regarding Typhon, the fight was not easy,  trying to land a seal of fate on them. But the radius of the seal is really short and Typhon didn't want to sit on it. When the debuff finally applied on them, the fight was much simpler.
(https://i.imgur.com/10jDESe.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Wg6DkMI.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/OtuN7Bb.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/jQUxav8.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/RzjbM35.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/3H0cNoj.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/6RKdNDV.jpg)
 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 November 2018, 07:11:42
Good going WNG and you too Tauceti. That takes you to the top of the leaderboard.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 27 November 2018, 12:09:38
Damn. You guys are doing great! I am still farming my Legendary gear, but I can't wait to join you.

And good luck to you, stormyboy - going untwinked was exciting, but I cannot imagine doing this challenge with no potions  :))
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 27 November 2018, 16:44:38
stormyboy - Borkan - L15 Hunter AER (no potions) - Kerata forest

https://imgur.com/sUcCNCa
https://imgur.com/kzZz3iW
https://imgur.com/S5vonzX

I will be posting a bit more often than i initially said. Just because i don't have that much time to play so the progress is slow. I don't want you guys to think i ran away from the challenge :)).

Do you guys have any suggestion about the second mastery(i am now a hunter)? Any powerful combo that comes to your mind? I would go dream just because i did the challenge once with hunter+ dream. On the other hand, defense seems interesting with the addition of throw weapons that work with shield. Tho i wouldn't risk the character with getting that close to the monsters.

Damn. You guys are doing great! I am still farming my Legendary gear, but I can't wait to join you.

And good luck to you, stormyboy - going untwinked was exciting, but I cannot imagine doing this challenge with no potions  :))

Thank you. I have done it before and it can be done. Tho TQIT was a lot easier than AER. The difference can be felt from the first levels. Hope i can do it.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 November 2018, 17:00:10
Updated and well done stormyboy.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 27 November 2018, 17:31:42
Do you guys have any suggestion about the second mastery(i am now a hunter)? Any powerful combo that comes to your mind? I would go dream just because i did the challenge once with hunter+ dream. On the other hand, defense seems interesting with the addition of throw weapons that work with shield. Tho i wouldn't risk the character with getting that close to the monsters.

Thank you. I have done it before and it can be done. Tho TQIT was a lot easier than AER. The difference can be felt from the first levels. Hope i can do it.

Others can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the thrown weapons DON'T work with a shield. You can wear a shield and enjoy it's inherent bonuses such Resists and Chance to Avoid Projectiles (which is very nice in the early stages), but it will not proc, if you are using a thrown weapons. Likewise, you will not be able to use skills like Batter or Shield Charge.

Just out of curiosity, what did you use in TQ IT to achieve a sufficiently high regen rate? Did you boost your flat Health/Mana regen rate or did you ensure your gear has a lot of ADCtH and Energy Leech?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 27 November 2018, 17:46:59
you can still block.. just not the shield attacks batter, shield charge, and the passives
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 27 November 2018, 22:37:15
stormyboy - Borkan - L20 Hunter AER (no potions) - Pythian caves


https://imgur.com/9rtbLu7
https://imgur.com/U0PK3hX
https://imgur.com/nKFj8bf

The bosses are all spread around. But they are all there. Easy fight.


[/quote]
...thrown weapons DON'T work with a shield.

Just out of curiosity, what did you use in TQ IT to achieve a sufficiently high regen rate? Did you boost your flat Health/Mana regen rate or did you ensure your gear has a lot of ADCtH and Energy Leech?
[/quote]

I was thinking about shields just for the block chance and resistances. + the other resist skills that you get from defense. But, after the gorgon fight i deff know that i need a mastery with pet. It was not easy pulling them out one by one by myself.

As for the previous challenge, i have used viny growth + herbal remedy + the trance from dream that gives adcth. It will be more than enough to keep you alive. But only if you pull packs one by one knowing that if a yellow monster or above is equiped with a high quality item you are dead. For energy i had a low damage bow with energy leech that i used whenever i went out. But the key in all this is to have a set of rings and amulet with + damage to undead. Those are rly tricky for a bow user.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 28 November 2018, 13:42:04
Quote
Do you guys have any suggestion about the second mastery(i am now a hunter)? Any powerful combo that comes to your mind?

Since you play with no potions: Defense, Spirit, Nature. You can resplenish your life with these masteries, and the 3 synergize rather well with hunting through physical damage enhancement and a way to protect yourself. I couldn't say which one is the better though, more of a gameplay style i guess. Spirit may be the hardest mastery to play with hunting (with the no potion requirment).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 29 November 2018, 22:17:35
stormyboy - Borkan - L23 Hunter AER (no potions) - Athenas Catacombs - level V

https://imgur.com/JqVf3As
https://imgur.com/snd4ekP
https://imgur.com/x6TXhrg

This place is just horrible for ranged characters. There is a bug that limits the range of the projectile to half of a thrown weapon range. Also, the boss rarely attacks you because of the same bug. So now imagine me missing 9 out of 10 shots and a boss with hp regen items. It took a loooot to kill.


Thanks for your thoughts Taiceti. I was thinking defense as well but i need a pet and defense will not offer me that. As for spirit i do not like it because in order to make full use of the aura you need to be in melee range. So right now i am between nature, earth and dream (the elemental it is said to be a good tank tho i dont think it can take more tha 2 hits from 3x bosses. And considering that i don't want a tank, but just a dummy to take the boss out of the room...meh). Soooo...it remains dream vs nature.

Nature: hp+attack speed+elemental resist aura, plague debuff, wolf on the first row, refresh, heal, brair ward
Dream: adcth aura, passive shield, damage+deff/offensive+projectile avoid, pet (a bit high on the row)

Quote

Since you play with no potions: Defense, Spirit, Nature. You can resplenish your life with these masteries, and the 3 synergize rather well with hunting through physical damage enhancement and a way to protect yourself. I couldn't say which one is the better though, more of a gameplay style i guess. Spirit may be the hardest mastery to play with hunting (with the no potion requirment).



Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 29 November 2018, 23:57:41
I didn't mention Dream because i thought you wanted to play another mastery.  CTAP from both hunting and Dream will avoid you some headache in act 5.

Runny Smith - L70 Twinked - Corinth

No trouble so far, except Cerberus with its huge poison breath, and a lovely dactyl one step before Hades  ;D

(https://i.imgur.com/2uB6BLL.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/L8kSdKc.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/egFKlNa.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/dzfDYIQ.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/eShAA24.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/EyM5cp4.jpg)

Counters:
(https://i.imgur.com/UG7klDg.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 30 November 2018, 07:04:23
Well done both.  :)

stormyboy have you considered Storm as a second?  I know the pet's not that great, but Squall and Lightning are nice to have in tombs and the like since you can strike while in another area with those.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 30 November 2018, 12:23:47
stormyboy - Borkan - L25 Hunter AER (no potions) - Room of the conduit


https://imgur.com/KMU6SdQ
https://imgur.com/8Q7ENjv
https://imgur.com/CF4mpy2
https://imgur.com/BCEUI8F

And i found a helmet with 14% experience. I hope it will make a difference in leveling speed.


stormyboy have you considered Storm as a second?  I know the pet's not that great, but Squall and Lightning are nice to have in tombs and the like since you can strike while in another area with those.

I have thought about storm but i am trying to avoid too many on use abilities as i play without energy potions. And if we cross squal out of the build i am left only with the shield and storm nimbus. I am trying to go for as many passives as possible.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 01 December 2018, 21:24:17
And this would be the end of act 2. I went for dream as a second mastery to see i can do it again with the changes in skills. And i like the projectile avoidance :)).

https://imgur.com/qHnzwho
https://imgur.com/GVR4qfb
https://imgur.com/5tknpqd

stormyboy - Borkan - L34 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Tomb of ramses
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 02 December 2018, 09:12:25
Updated and well done stormyboy.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 02 December 2018, 21:22:43
Aaaaand one more. Is it just me or the titan has the health reduced? It died very very fast. Also, i got a nostalgic flashback with me killing the statues before killing the titan in order to strip him off his abilities. Was it in TQ base game?

https://imgur.com/x8rAxO1
https://imgur.com/JNDavei
https://imgur.com/H3rGPUp
https://imgur.com/KcKTeuR

stormyboy - Borkan - L43 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Olympus summit
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 02 December 2018, 23:53:08
Runny Smith - L73 Twinked - Helos

Act 5 is full of bosses, here are  the pics of the main ones:
(https://i.imgur.com/AyLdaoZ.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/5Fr1SHf.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/nBND3No.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/rJg9nHg.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/MFqYazY.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/2CvUUfG.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/4yMm8np.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/getZH5b.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/v3Owoad.jpg)

Regarding Surtr, he came with some bugs in my session play. In particular, only 2 orbs appeared and the stats panel still refered to the dragon liche as the main boss killed. Therefore I tried a 2nd time but only the 1st form of Surtr appeared... In my 3rd and last try, i took pics of the 3 Surtr, and still 2 orbs have been released. Much ado about nothing since the 2nd orb was not reachable.
(https://i.imgur.com/56USSjo.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/PHoRQ8W.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/o4l1fsX.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/G8N6l4A.jpg)
Anyway, the legendary gate is now opened  ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 03 December 2018, 06:41:00
Updated and nice work you two.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 05 December 2018, 02:13:00
decided to play some
warning: lots of pics.. so i put em in spoilers

(https://i.imgur.com/To3zdl7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bgfrmzK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Vo8XTat.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Ee0ostp.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/aEuqMY1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FbJAvPd.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LI0YeRx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yjbTYDp.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0tm33fZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/joq7P0A.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0tm33fZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vmgzAQD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bxfosvd.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sH2wjOI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pJm1Lc1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Lhaeu75.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/p3yn9sM.jpg)

all this time i was thinking what my 2nd mastery will be.. i was leaning towards hunting but i also remembered my how do you build an elementalist (https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=786.0) thread.. and that i have no idea how to build a good elementalist

at lvl 30 i decided to finally get a 2nd mastery.. i was still thinking hunting but i kinda have an idea on how my character would look like if i choose hunting, but not earth.. so before i could choose hunting i decided to click on earth and put 3 pts on earth mastery so there's no going back.. LOLZ  ^-^

(https://i.imgur.com/TJW0iCq.jpg)

so eiko-chan is now lvl 30 elementalist.. last rebirth fountain is fayum oasis

edit: off-topic: i just realized my character name sounds like efko-chan.. but it doesn't have anything to do with efko.. lolz.. eiko is a character in a manga i read - "slow start". slice of life
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 December 2018, 06:49:01
Updated and nice work botebote77.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 06 December 2018, 01:04:49
@botebote77 : Have you found a protective build for your elementalist, will it be more storm or earth friendly  ?

Update for the runesmith, i finally could handle with these minolords without using the gate :)

Runny Smith - L74 Twinked - Rhakotis

(https://i.imgur.com/xBPW70x.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/OaoIveS.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/U4UNmrF.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/lQzk6Co.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/C4JYMLx.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/nCPT0Ue.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/eYiq15y.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/4gS98e0.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/u7Xlw5k.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/jclpzBU.jpg)

Due to negative resistances, i had to change a lot in my gear setup and skills in act 1. In particular, I tried the batter skill, it's not worth it imo natively because of its cooldown but appears as a good skill with high CDR. However having good CDR and positive resistances is hard to make. It implies too many sacrifices. The best setup appears to be with thrown weapons... and i don't want to use these weapons with this build because it means that the toon won't use the main defender skills. Thrown weapons are way more powerfull than single melee blades.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 06 December 2018, 01:32:46
@botebote77 : Have you found a protective build for your elementalist, will it be more storm or earth friendly  ?
no idea.. what i do know is i will equip a shield.. what concerns me is my stats.. so for now i will be aiming for rings of the rhine + thoths glory for reduced requirements.. but long term plans, no idea
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 06 December 2018, 02:18:17
hmm.. i could just load up on DA and hope squall + core dweller takes care of the archers, right? that might be my first priority
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 06 December 2018, 06:42:23
Updated and well done Tauceti.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 09 December 2018, 13:33:33
Runny Smith - L75 Twinked - Babylon outskirts

The manticore was the real threat in act 2. No question to tank 3 of those here, the poison spike is lethal. Therefore i used the wisp summoned by Megingjord chest armor, to pull manticores one by one.

(https://i.imgur.com/cn7rpk7.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/70XV9sN.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/o9U8FI8.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/z3KWHgZ.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/l4ZjKG0.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/mcYEbA6.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Ht8Sz0K.jpg)

Counters:
(https://i.imgur.com/HG9ceN4.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 10 December 2018, 05:43:40
update for eiko-chan:
last big boss killed was barmanu

(https://i.imgur.com/a9kiXoM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ewfDi16.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BfjjtD1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gygMygq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CVvVrEv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MUhRGOo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2kdGJrJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KDOh7F4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HV85zyU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LF0U2Qg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JsZDVGa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lAhqP0l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/z8jPufS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Bu7kb49.jpg)

hey thanks @Tauceti for your tests and your recent posts.. used nubian deflector, adepts mantle, and 2 cernunnos majesty.. managed to get 80% stun res, 80% cold res, 33% physical res, and 43% less damage from beastmen.. i did get hit by one fragment but it did very little damage.. i may have also discovered this mage weapon that's anti-barmanu,minolord, and goldtooth: obsidian crescent.. low str requirement with 50% damage to beastmen.. i say mage weapon because the base damage is low but it does not matter to mages.. used it against barmanu and gargantuan yeti

edit: lolz just found out that the gargantuan yeti is a beast.. not beastman so obsidian crescent was useless in that fight.. lolz
in act 3, since i don't have entrapment resistance, my spell breaker was in full use.. i use it on myself so i don't get mobbed when enemies cast ensnare
dem full xmax is really laggy.. my 4gb ram doesn't help much either

good luck on your xmax HC toon

(https://i.imgur.com/3YFGiI0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NberHOZ.jpg)

eiko-chan is now lvl 37.. last rebirth fountain: outer mongolia
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 10 December 2018, 07:07:22
Nice work you two.  Well done.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 10 December 2018, 22:47:36
@MedeaFleecestealer i have a question.. i used to do this trick years ago in TQIT.. it makes things easier but can be considered cheating depending on the person.. am i allowed to use epic and legendary scrolls on normal? imagine summoning behemoth or legendary storm witches on normal to battle act 3 Dragonians.. or using divine scroll of arrow dancer against normal machae archers

allowed or not.. it's fine with me.. what's not fine with me is using defiler to get lots of money to buy lots of scrolls.. or to buy uber items

edit: for additional info: legendary storm witches and behemoth last for 3mins and scroll cooldown is 3min 33secs iirc.. so if you load up on scrolls, there is only 33secs where you don't have uber pet.. and nature can heal them
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 11 December 2018, 07:24:28
That question's not come up botebote77.  Personally I limit myself to only using those relics/charms/scrolls that can be found on a particular difficulty, but what do the rest of you think?  How do you play the challenge with these?  Should it be allowed or not?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 11 December 2018, 11:31:32
i did a quick test with divine scroll of behemoth on normal.. you might want to disallow it after these findings medea.. it's fine for me if you do

1) for some reason, behemoth lasts until the cooldown of the scroll expires.. so if you have lots of behemoth scrolls, you can have an OP pet up at all times

2) it can clear the way to Typhon all on its own including cyclops mobs.. and this was full xmax.. by the time it gets to 3 Typhon it will die because it's health is too diminished already.. but it still did a lot of damage to 3 Typhon

but

3) I tried summoning behemoth right before Typhon battle so it has full health.. i removed any pet jewelry, i wasn't wearing any pet items.. i did not summon any pets and did not cast anything.. did not help at all except for the HoO aura which i forgot to dispel.. and 1 behemoth took down all 3 Typhon all by itself.. and it still had a bit of life left so HoO might not have been needed

regarding relics/charms, I'm open to using epic/legendary charms on normal.. i have lots of items socketed already from previous characters.. if i give that to my character, I'm not willing to remove an epic/legendary charm just to replace it with a normal version.. and then when i get to epic i remove the normal charm and replace it again with epic version.. it's a waste of time and money
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 11 December 2018, 21:11:32
ARgl, Noooooooo ! Runny fell on the ground.
The 3 Dragon liche now satiated have returned to their grave.

Runny Smith - Lvl 76 Twinked - Died to the Dragon Liche - Final killcount: 204106

Silly I was to have engaged the 3 at once. I should have played better and pulled them one by one, like the 3 Manticore.
No error is allowed in legendary  ::)

So here are the last pics:
(https://i.imgur.com/GCXddnn.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/roj5MsD.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/8mGpkLE.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/QSlh2PN.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/joGPhSd.jpg)

Anyway, I will keep good souvenirs of this toon  ;). Defense, contrary to my first impression, is nice to play with.
He was very tanky. It was its first and last close call.

Regarding to your question Medea, i am using all what is allowed by the game itself, and nothing by a tiers application. That is: relics/gear/scroll of any difficulty that the vault allow to transfer to a new toon. For example for a new toon , i am used to play at lvl 25 with weigthless veteran gear coming from legendary toons. It speeds up things greatly. The same thing for relics/charms.

About scrolls, i don't like using them whatever the difficulty because it tends to hide the strength or weakness of a build. That said, from time to time i have to use some of them in rare situations like the staff pyramid quest in act 2. A scroll of elemental shielding is necessary in legendary when you click on the sarcophage because a synchronized fire from a huge pack of gilded mages due to Xmax... The same when engaging 3 typhons. But i wouldn't like kill a boss thanks to a scroll. This is a personal convenience though. I don't mind if other players use a lot of scrolls as far as i am concerned.

Quote
it can clear the way to Typhon all on its own including cyclops mobs.. and this was full xmax.. by the time it gets to 3 Typhon it will die because it's health is too diminished already.. but it still did a lot of damage to 3 Typhon
Wahouuuh, i wasn't aware of such possibility. Any way, i don't mind if it speeds things in normal (like my weigthless trick about gear) because the real challenge begins in late epic and in legendary, and hence scrolls would not impact things anymore.

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 11 December 2018, 21:40:46
Tauceti you darned s**t careless again.. auughh.. and after killing hydra and manticore.. awwwhhh well

late edit: i meant no bad thing with my comment dude  O:-)

there is also the instance that when you get scrolls as quest rewards, me I'd rather use it than just sell it

i actually find epic easier than normal for twinked characters.. using divine scrolls on normal makes things ridiculously easy on normal.. i feel it defeats the purpose of challenge.. and this is supposed to be a challenge.. but as i said, allowed or not it's fine with me

i might not play my toon until after xmas or near xmas.. if there is no decision by then i won't use epic or legendary scrolls on normal.. but even if it's decided it's allowed, i still might not use em.. elementalist is supposed to be a glassy character and i plan to find out just how far i can get it to.. using OP scrolls also defeats that purpose
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 11 December 2018, 21:51:01
Aw, Tauceti.  :( Patience, patience is always the way to go.  Runny will live on in the Fallen Heroes Graveyard so will not be forgotten, even though lost in the service of the gods.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 12 December 2018, 01:57:14
Hi, I am new here and would like to join you in the challenge :D I have played TQ for many years but never tried any challenges but if I choose xmax that is supposed to be x10 it looks at best as about x5, is it ok or my steam is broken? :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: efko on 12 December 2018, 05:36:39
Hello and welcome to the forum :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 12 December 2018, 06:47:06
Hi, I am new here and would like to join you in the challenge :D I have played TQ for many years but never tried any challenges but if I choose xmax that is supposed to be x10 it looks at best as about x5, is it ok or my steam is broken? :D

Welcome to the forum Overnight.  :) You need to install full Xmax; there are variations of it: x2, x3, x4 and full.  Full is the one we're playing for this challenge.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 12 December 2018, 16:34:37
Ok, I have got this. My character 's name will be Halu, game: AER (if it means Anniversary Edition: Ragnarok :D), class: probably seidr worker (even though my experience with runes is very small :D) and untwinked cause always liked playing with self-found items :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 13 December 2018, 22:19:29
@MedeaFleecestealer  my relic/charm completion bonus trick is allowed right? it's in here:
https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=335.0

don't know if changing completion bonus through TQVault is allowed but i don't do that.. i also don't duplicate items through TQVault.. that's not something you can do in-game.. i have my own rules :)

@Tauceti  apologies for calling you darned s**t.. i was rooting for you and you died.. you were so close..  C:-) i meant no bad thing

still unlikely to continue my toon at least until near xmas
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 13 December 2018, 23:25:00
Hey no problem brother in arm. Actually i laughed at your comment  ;D
I don't think i was so close. I mean: Act 3 is a training ground compared to legendary act 5.

Now i am thinking of building a DW spellbreaker. Sure he will be less tanky but i expect fun and i have much to learn from warfare.
You didn't have chosen an easy path with your elementalist. I am intringued of what can be done with it in Xmax.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 14 December 2018, 07:03:22
botebote77, seems to be no real feeling one way or the other so yes, go ahead and use them.

Overnight, have a read of the rules in the opening post and let me know your character's details once you're underway.  And good luck with the challenge.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 15 December 2018, 01:49:16
Here comes my hero :D
Name: Halu
Class: Seidr Worker
Game: AER
Untwinked
Current city: Rhakotis
Current level: 25

The biggest challenge have been the Cyclops so far :D The Gorgons' healing was veeery annoying so needed to use harpies to take the aggro so I could deal more damage than they could heal :D Also found tons of epic/mi thrown weapons but the amount of duplicates was incredible and they don't work with the phantom strike so they are useless, unless I change my strategy :D

https://imgur.com/ThUGojM
https://imgur.com/8WNK1fO
https://imgur.com/4Tz0fGq
https://imgur.com/NYtRnb7
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 15 December 2018, 18:31:10
Added to the leaderboard Overnight and good luck.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 16 December 2018, 23:32:05
Here is a new entry, Medea, to the challenge: Leeroy a DW spellbreaker and it will be my last attempt for a while.
The build idea is the combo melee skills + deathchill aura, and hence testing the efficiency of vitality and bleeding damage with necrosis.

Leeroy Jenkins - L35 Twinked - Babylon outskirts

(https://i.imgur.com/UYllC35.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 December 2018, 06:55:00
Added to the leaderboard and good luck with him Tauceti.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: WNG on 18 December 2018, 01:23:08
Exinite has made some progress. She's able to wear beautiful gear with minimal strength thanks to a lot of bonus attributes and requirement reductions.

Exinite - L36 Twinked - Natu La Pass

(https://i.imgur.com/OiutUSW.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 18 December 2018, 14:52:56
I have done quite a marathon with Titan Quest recently :D At the max speed so it wasn't that time consuming as it could. I am not that happy with my equipment and I think it will be totally useless junk against the early 4th act enemies. Capped vitality resistance made me almost invincible against the only skill I was afraid of - Typhon's life leech. 3 of them at the same moment would be lethal if not that :D Could have a bit better weapon but Yang looked fancier :D Also got two +50% damage against demons bonuses and a pendant lessening damage from them so if I survive to the end of the 4th act it should be very easy.

Halu - L42 Seidr Worker AER - Rhodes

https://imgur.com/yc1jCGX
https://imgur.com/ezPlD5t
https://imgur.com/RwOUSVj
https://imgur.com/qdroKha
https://imgur.com/SNkfy8n
https://imgur.com/NPvfLNg
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 19 December 2018, 07:10:08
dem.. you guys are fast.. wasn't able to play for a few days.. i'll try to catch up

peng problems:
(https://i.imgur.com/zfneaWu.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4cv2cxk.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/M0lbdHJ.jpg)
stalker in the woods:
(https://i.imgur.com/8gHRvNH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/k0Dhzaw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zA6WKva.jpg)
bandari:
(https://i.imgur.com/wJdOKJ2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/H1uw0Gg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gyO73Nj.jpg)
demon bull
(https://i.imgur.com/FrCeDfP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3CRJ4SE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/thzNufj.jpg)
telkine
(https://i.imgur.com/ynv8T9j.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/V31CLBc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7oK0Ghr.jpg)
typhon:
(https://i.imgur.com/FxV9r0K.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MTY2XKW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/R2XrcHN.jpg)
giant crabs
(https://i.imgur.com/m3PXNDZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8Th0Wju.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sQus0fM.jpg)
secret passage:
(https://i.imgur.com/IL4OVAm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/S2luDaq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vqHvAeU.jpg)

Dragonian mobs was the first time i got a smile on my face while playing this character. i should've gotten a pic too cos that's more difficult than other bosses.  :D

eiko-chan is now lvl 41 just outside rhodes

may i ask participants of HC challenges to also include first page stats? i'd like to see how you build your toons (stats) and how you manage your resists.. maybe other people do too.. 1 additional pic per update will do.. thnx
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 December 2018, 07:22:59
Nice work you two.  Leaderboard updated.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 19 December 2018, 15:44:42
Is doing secret locations required? I haven't seen many screenshots of them. Does xmax work on them anyway? I think it didn't some time ago but may be mistaken.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 19 December 2018, 19:20:54
Overnight, it's not required as far as i know.. i just did it because i wanted to.. toxeus and others don't get multiplied.. before i even played i had to convince myself that i will not re-run Typhon.. this is a bad habit of mine that when i get to something fun i wanted to do it again and again, even if i have zero deaths yet.. someday this might be my undoing :)

hey next update of your char can you include 1 additional pic (first page) of your char that i requested?       you too tawseti
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 December 2018, 19:43:10
No, Secret Passage isn't required though you can do it if you want.  Not everyone may have the Overlord to open the gate to get there.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 19 December 2018, 22:23:14
I always give screen of the first page :D If i get the turtle I may try it, may find better eq :D of course if I am still alive :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 20 December 2018, 08:35:13
not much boss pics

50 shades of gray sisters
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6c42Gyl.jpg&hash=2fa446094e9b1dd5a30f19aecdf4db688773bd85) (https://imgur.com/6c42Gyl)

(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FkFgFsmB.jpg&hash=3a1e5e009983f1566ffd6ce3a90ae89d1c122a75) (https://imgur.com/kFgFsmB)

(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fq0xUPov.jpg&hash=00d371d7b163ce9ced1f05a7500cc0c7ebad4ea6) (https://imgur.com/q0xUPov)

i mean those among the ruins, admetus elixir quest isn't worth the pics right? gameplay today was actually boring.. not that it was easy, it was just too much of a grind because of too many mobs

eiko-chan is now lvl 44.. last rebirth fountain: the river styx

(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FGcqp1yp.jpg&hash=d011114eed9294e7496d8c89a0318ccaed05b577) (https://imgur.com/Gcqp1yp)

(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FktJ5511.jpg&hash=46aedb1a7de981a720bc32654734237bfb0b447e) (https://imgur.com/ktJ5511)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 20 December 2018, 09:18:15
Well done botebote77.  Takes you up to second place on the leaderboard.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 21 December 2018, 22:00:16
Leeroy Jenkins - L52 Twinked - Corinth

Leveling with %Xp boosters the most i can, except for boss.
(https://i.imgur.com/kGmXkNT.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/JRyZs0Z.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/CJDtxam.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 December 2018, 14:41:07
Nice work Tauceti, that sent you up the leaderboard as well.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 23 December 2018, 07:23:15
decided to twink more bluntly so as to quicken the pace.. i really don't want to spend too much time in one area killing the same mob again and again.. x3 is really my default but oh well :D

Charon
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FLw2MUNk.jpg&hash=921e0a825e0d89715357c260ea85255d099e6c5a) (https://imgur.com/Lw2MUNk)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F3edmWhZ.jpg&hash=31869b6d9780ad967e4f51e554d68ad44c199708) (https://imgur.com/3edmWhZ)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FBE6Abxr.jpg&hash=a0b1d82144bbc87166f605199d350dba59bdec00) (https://imgur.com/BE6Abxr)

Psyche's mirror
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FPw7AVTL.jpg&hash=852ea60bb5ef4fce3458e8a1af1a2aa65ff2e13e) (https://imgur.com/Pw7AVTL)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FzuDMi0J.jpg&hash=e7c9ca4a9f8419ee09690848bac9998821309e22) (https://imgur.com/zuDMi0J)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FL7NcXTe.jpg&hash=74a8ad630a257e85b4712b7ccc62019e9ec94ea7) (https://imgur.com/L7NcXTe)

Cerberus
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FgKcFoMA.jpg&hash=b821993fd16a3b40014d02b68ef390bfe1d9f17e) (https://imgur.com/gKcFoMA)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fjo95c0q.jpg&hash=0f176f5c868cf419d4a08c7d8551aa49527e54b4) (https://imgur.com/jo95c0q)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FBGYgNhi.jpg&hash=7c0c7609ca4f5635e7f308cddddcaf2047877650) (https://imgur.com/BGYgNhi)

i was trying different skill and gear combos.. ice shard is a little too mana costly now because of gear changes.. i was trying lightning + fire build and it was really pretty to watch but lightning seemed unnecessary at least for now.. went with just fire build.. the constant is i either max lightning bolt or eruption so i have a cheese skill

had to quit because of some things.. last rebirth fountain is delian meadows.. the achaean pass quest.. the bugged quest.. i post it here so i can remember the next time i start game is just vanilla

(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fjz7KrK3.jpg&hash=60f5ef1fd6c0e3dfda7804d193d50053f78d85e3) (https://imgur.com/jz7KrK3)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FwKoCNbX.jpg&hash=c34646e6dfa2912fcfd705854ea4d18e3b158817) (https://imgur.com/wKoCNbX)

edit: lvl 49
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 December 2018, 09:38:23
Updated botebote77 and well done.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: WNG on 23 December 2018, 15:00:56
Exinite - L49 Twinked - Tower of Judgement

(https://i.imgur.com/QLrXMAW.jpg)

Just for you, botebote
(https://i.imgur.com/KZkTp3h.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 December 2018, 19:52:18
Well done WNG. That's sent you nicely up the leaderboard.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 24 December 2018, 00:16:05
Just for you, botebote
(https://i.imgur.com/KZkTp3h.jpg)
i would be happier if you take the bonecharmer CDR route, then complete the challenge  8)

that's fine and all but where's the boss pics? i thought that was what's required

update for eiko-chan

a noisy diversion
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FI7hTBz2.jpg&hash=5eec1ac88b394ee70a373777b863b0f0290dae8c) (https://imgur.com/I7hTBz2)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FCKaiwmi.jpg&hash=b057361f16cb22481394fbf917799624d28188d8) (https://imgur.com/CKaiwmi)

undead typhon
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXSMHj7W.jpg&hash=1205796421369e686be6e1ccfef704c194c8fb1f) (https://imgur.com/XSMHj7W)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FFmc0rNg.jpg&hash=2e66dba86162feb3d5fc5eee1478b596453d6ed1) (https://imgur.com/Fmc0rNg)

my wish was granted, dactyl spawned.. but died too quickly from eruption.. i think it's this one where the core dweller is standing on
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F2Q4G10G.jpg&hash=682ebb8d37ea69aa8d29615904066a8b2fcc2f97) (https://imgur.com/2Q4G10G)

hades generals
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FwchRank.jpg&hash=29c974a301bce231b39474c7490b211b0ea1757f) (https://imgur.com/wchRank)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F5IVmwM7.jpg&hash=7cd948e1b0313611c619dd7985caccdb252fa4f2) (https://imgur.com/5IVmwM7)

the one that drops the soul stone
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fy3vk5I8.jpg&hash=80cf5d5630158840948606c66686a85c12f77ab6) (https://imgur.com/y3vk5I8)

Hades
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FPAl8z56.jpg&hash=63ddcdf2eae0e188e8cfed9e941ce6ef0e5f6945) (https://imgur.com/PAl8z56)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FfFdE7OB.jpg&hash=10b6feb277e7c7d2b8aff8943b1d9281414c058b) (https://imgur.com/fFdE7OB)

Porcus?
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fzwrfimy.jpg&hash=e0d65c4fa6311f24e46d1f539841c229d7c9fbf0) (https://imgur.com/zwrfimy)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FffJpIqH.jpg&hash=fbe6865fd95da44427e3a6ae3b0bd3270f022f11) (https://imgur.com/ffJpIqH)

Sciron
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FRd4zR5t.jpg&hash=68ddd0c2c77bd8b9471b00adf1f25a4477eb939a) (https://imgur.com/Rd4zR5t)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FNqnI8qY.jpg&hash=d512f810ad7c6bbcdbd1620334c747dce6dd79e1) (https://imgur.com/NqnI8qY)

it gets laggy now in act 5.. have to be more careful.. and have lots of patience
eiko-chan is now lvl 51.. last rebirth fountain is Heuneburg?
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FiLXblwE.jpg&hash=2999a6692b8009cd25fcca149b3d9d0776585984) (https://imgur.com/iLXblwE)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FPUzGWUe.jpg&hash=807d76f23a1b3aa795cf7638da3c12392cdb1a2f) (https://imgur.com/PUzGWUe)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 24 December 2018, 04:47:17
So now my turn :D I don't like the early 4th act stages so it took me a bit.

Just found out that if you kill 1 of Charons the walls disappear and you can lure them out of the bridge :D Didn't do it of course :D
https://imgur.com/2JZZGys
https://imgur.com/vw0kjUr
https://imgur.com/sw10GZ3

I skipped screens of the grey sisters and the cerberus because you actually can't even tell if they were multiplied or not and nothing is left so what's the point :D
https://imgur.com/vSTEZrb
https://imgur.com/tC5KuTD
https://imgur.com/sISjDyX

The final fight, it wasn't demanding but it was the first time the Sacred Rage has been activated (it activates when below 40% hp) and it was scary :D Capped vitality resistance but only 25% stun resistance what is really too few for the hades castle. I also spotted a Dactyl on the way to one of the crystals but it wasn't a big deal. Don't look at the amount of potions, I sell them from time to time if there are too many :D
https://imgur.com/1olibzN
https://imgur.com/HYHmlev
https://imgur.com/LC0GLs6

Here my equipment after opening the orbs :D Changed my armor and got an Embodiment of Dionysus' Wineskin :D These 3 items are so similar that they should be a set :D
https://imgur.com/eJ3KOFn
https://imgur.com/UscEB0K

And as I have got the Overlord at the first try (wasn't going to farm it) I visited the secret passage but got only junk
https://imgur.com/kTHbNbE
https://imgur.com/dKcVeFx
https://imgur.com/fSxK4pM

Halu - L51 - Corinth
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: WNG on 24 December 2018, 05:25:37
i would be happier if you take the bonecharmer CDR route, then complete the challenge  8)

that's fine and all but where's the boss pics? i thought that was what's required

On the first post it mentions it only is required when we hit Epic.

Also, I don't know what the CDR Bonecharmer is but eh whatever works is good ^^
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 24 December 2018, 05:37:48
WNG, bonecharmer CDR build is what i proposed for bonecharmers.. at 65% you can have permanent CotH and unearthly power

https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=770.0
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 24 December 2018, 08:14:05
Updated and well done.  :)

botebote77, it was changed partly to help save on bandwidth/disk space which screenshots can use up quickly and also because originally the challenge only required boss screenshots once you reached Epic and higher.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 24 December 2018, 11:37:11
Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L63 spellbreaker - Helos

Got my first close call in the swamps after Jotunheim. All was going well until an encounter with a plant hero. I didn't have time to take a pic, it was a sudden damage. Not sure what it was, my res were high enough. Apart from that, Land's end is a juicy zone for Xp.

(https://i.imgur.com/EX6zgto.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/GcCElay.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 24 December 2018, 13:32:55
Well done Tauceti. On to Epic.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 25 December 2018, 03:34:22
just a small update

king goldtooth
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FoHNJTpC.jpg&hash=0ca31e92252cab6f538b587b9929bfc3a3209667) (https://imgur.com/oHNJTpC)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fq9WQO4I.jpg&hash=6d529ca1a5daabf2c55c1bf2ca511adf2356c201) (https://imgur.com/q9WQO4I)

temple of the hidden sun
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FbGw9eEU.jpg&hash=375c96e239ab358505191d780824c524dcabdcd6) (https://imgur.com/bGw9eEU)

eiko chan is now lvl 54.. last rebirth fountain is Glauberg
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F5mHngaW.jpg&hash=ab44b893aef8eec8069f1e50e679ba892b7bae65) (https://imgur.com/5mHngaW)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FQbpycI3.jpg&hash=1a4239abc732cbde3cc40dd98fb3a41f8ad86ab7) (https://imgur.com/QbpycI3)

btw for those interested, just to be sure i tested if shield block procs with thrown weapons.. answer is yes
test is done using koderkrazy's show damade mod then having 1 archer satyr to hit me.. only 1 and should be archer so DA wouldnt matter..
with shield, it's easy to see some hits don't do damage.. and without shield, all attacks does damage

edit: and ensuring i don't have any CtaP
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 27 December 2018, 05:13:50
This time a small update. I have finished Ragnarok maybe 2-3 times so it is almost blind compared to the rest of the game :D Don't remember its bosses nor their skills so almost died 2 times. Once against some very strong skeletons on the snowing map at which we travel to Scandia and once against the boar boss some time later.

They almost killed me, later I saw that one of their skills is almost the same as the Yaoguai's kicking so it was enough to avoid it.
https://imgur.com/MU67wV7
https://imgur.com/5svxZhs
https://imgur.com/2uLwTFv

Here the battlefield after fighting the 3FPS Boss - took like 5 min to lure and kill everything.
https://imgur.com/Xbc8mT3
https://imgur.com/YnbXEjV
https://imgur.com/B519ZPp
https://imgur.com/fOrnFEh

Atleast got 3 new items today - a weapon, a shield and greaves. I think the thing I'm the most afraid of is losing FPS. The game have always liked losing frames no matter how strong pc but the 5th act is at another level :D I play on the minimum graphics but I think it doesn't matter if it is low or high quality, it loses frames the same so I instantly pause and run away :D

Halu - L57 Seidr Worker - Halls of the Dvergr
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 27 December 2018, 08:05:53
update for eiko-chan

i think i accidentally opened 1 orb on the ancient of the wild? quest and golden boar so they both show only 2 orbs.. but it's full xmax

ancient of the wild? (is that the correct name? the four ancients)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FWzBHonq.jpg&hash=6bea77e3011154cef892d45d7d89401032e2bced) (https://imgur.com/WzBHonq)
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golden boar
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FHk50O1U.jpg&hash=1c6c74f056d1910174e5b9d1f266e59601ddb9e0) (https://imgur.com/Hk50O1U)
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the great shroom
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mimer
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(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVPpEYmp.jpg&hash=35cba5f4781e572367b0e2cc706cb188ab382845) (https://imgur.com/VPpEYmp)

nidhoggr
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(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FEgOCQI4.jpg&hash=05bdd37c79259a972d1d8eba2c39fe90117cf405) (https://imgur.com/EgOCQI4)

loki
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FffGrUyq.jpg&hash=f35dd519dfd2949aea041493cde6c688b93e8c05) (https://imgur.com/ffGrUyq)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FrjhFrHv.jpg&hash=25af75f9f5ff6c562b57d9ccaecec02089df2a28) (https://imgur.com/rjhFrHv)

surtr
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FpSIyTRi.jpg&hash=927421b617be40cb482014ab3e743cdade208ef8) (https://imgur.com/pSIyTRi)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FIarnxND.jpg&hash=eb1f7bf90a788a17cf5eeba0238c054ff1dcd7ca) (https://imgur.com/IarnxND)

i had a lot of crashes on act 5.. just crash to desktop without any error messages.. when i put the ichthian relic on that something, then the hundred mini undeads spawned, it just froze.. i just clicked and clicked and then after a while, all mobs dead.. it's ok in normal but what about epic and legendary? tsk

onto epic
satyr shaman boss?
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdCyYOn3.jpg&hash=06112f6c4410fc01b4d0408b019b8490880dbb3e) (https://imgur.com/dCyYOn3)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FkElIs15.jpg&hash=8127b59eaccc85b9ade4e2024ab389039fff5a5e) (https://imgur.com/kElIs15)

the most unspent stat points i had was 44.. now it's just 5.. but eiko-chan looks better now :)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVQtmn0O.jpg&hash=219705178203d747e4bb3afdebac8364f759e8c5) (https://imgur.com/VQtmn0O)
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lvl 61.. helos.. epic
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 December 2018, 08:10:36
Well done you two.  :) Updated.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 27 December 2018, 11:09:22
Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L65 Spellbreaker - Rhakotis

Epic - act1 is the good time to make tests on build and gear. Therefore, i changed the setup so that i could pile up attack speed and wear the strange Nidbow. There was a thread here on the good use of this bow in a knife thrower rogue build. All was centered on the splash skill trigger of the bow by knives. With the spellbreaker i attempted to use it as a regular bow and was disappointed. Although the recharge skill is 0s, the chances to trigger the skill must be well below 1 over to 10 i guess. My attack speed was nearly 180% but my resistances were not good and monsters in xmax were rushing to me. The killing speed was correct but my DW-spellbreaker does the job better and is much more safe. Therefore i stopped the test. Hunting mastery is needed imo to make a good use of this bow.

(https://i.imgur.com/iOmKC7g.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/WCUenq4.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/V6Y9fLu.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Qv9JLol.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/bEQ1grq.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/jOHOCSJ.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/WzeRaog.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/AeLOvlL.jpg)

Counters:
(https://i.imgur.com/22iVqYu.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/pSKCBlO.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 December 2018, 11:44:56
Nice work Tauceti.  You'll be overtaking gasconron soon at this rate.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 28 December 2018, 08:22:23
update for eiko-chan

nessus
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FAnwHYk2.jpg&hash=3398231fa5d1c3fc098f2f9e07b4562d5bf2f484) (https://imgur.com/AnwHYk2)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdCGF80w.jpg&hash=f6896cfb120dc5fe3e3c081b62162bd99ff7dca1) (https://imgur.com/dCGF80w)

boar snatcher
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fd8JwmXY.jpg&hash=94fce0cf4b1183f79a60d4dc28c3b7c547ce1fd3) (https://imgur.com/d8JwmXY)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FzkAC12g.jpg&hash=4d2563e0f3b1aaad1f77e40f967f7e9dee5e1629) (https://imgur.com/zkAC12g)

cyclops
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FIAdrGPy.jpg&hash=e662a989595f23bce5cbb364b0501359d9f13de3) (https://imgur.com/IAdrGPy)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FtRoJmnX.jpg&hash=373cec16aa96e97ff1f47710d76e0db780344b5c) (https://imgur.com/tRoJmnX)

the spider in sacred brach quest
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FHPkoThB.jpg&hash=07fa73eed3f0497d682f56f6a132af5513858a45) (https://imgur.com/HPkoThB)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FX0RtSgq.jpg&hash=167d3f72342dd4af07c59bfeeb26a7d1b657c9f3) (https://imgur.com/X0RtSgq)

shadowmaw spawned again
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FG89oK7z.jpg&hash=2b80255d36ac1f549f74b20ec37d0a994c38d967) (https://imgur.com/G89oK7z)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FiL1Cwvu.jpg&hash=517d32b403c65f76fcf5672bc07129d7b7a21420) (https://imgur.com/iL1Cwvu)

gorgon sisters
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Ft5x9dvd.jpg&hash=97da50c6730b986eb155bb494897538123e35766) (https://imgur.com/t5x9dvd)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXvv85aX.jpg&hash=6d62e54f66a73c69076f8735faeb24dc2e6121d3) (https://imgur.com/Xvv85aX)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdjmmfoL.jpg&hash=e770e25576655e564ba386172b889289783a5cd6) (https://imgur.com/djmmfoL)

eiko-chan is now lvl 63.. last rebirth fountain is athenian passage
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 28 December 2018, 10:41:27
Updated botebote77.  Shadowmaw x3 - what fun you had.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 29 December 2018, 07:32:34
update for eiko-chan:

ancient limos
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FhxtWJif.jpg&hash=961d92d5a41c1ca3531e1922b1fe035ed8781f3d) (https://imgur.com/hxtWJif)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FxuTzikl.jpg&hash=bf2d4c9109798d9cff78a8a2e642dc65b805fe0a) (https://imgur.com/xuTzikl)

alastor
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fx8APAzx.jpg&hash=42d468e4ab21513bd6bb9873193a9d25ba72d5a0) (https://imgur.com/x8APAzx)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FiioEtOL.jpg&hash=5bab203285feda0dcdded0a30d0e4b08e0ad238a) (https://imgur.com/iioEtOL)

undead tyrant
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FWajhCRd.jpg&hash=1ca0aa511b868937fb2862202540f92c45e344b7) (https://imgur.com/WajhCRd)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FNWWWhlt.jpg&hash=2cdb84bb93a4ead18760ce80eee23dd52d0d0a0b) (https://imgur.com/NWWWhlt)

master automatoi
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F9ll6qdD.jpg&hash=797cef90f8b98517f9c3012611ef8f8cc617655f) (https://imgur.com/9ll6qdD)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnZDRF6O.jpg&hash=a6aed8e2e60d6854566686f471a0ea00cab2f4f5) (https://imgur.com/nZDRF6O)

minotaur lord
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FQif2YVy.jpg&hash=74c88512d112025fa58b07733d5eff7f6c3afad3) (https://imgur.com/Qif2YVy)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FN2VCxAv.jpg&hash=ab3824d2a85a36d574a86cc714ea66c802235bc7) (https://imgur.com/N2VCxAv)

telkine
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FzYi01jW.jpg&hash=93f728d6a512acd6d83df5120c797ecabe43fc40) (https://imgur.com/zYi01jW)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FuDeq9Mb.jpg&hash=b23a74139682b87ee524c17f63d987c98ce16126) (https://imgur.com/uDeq9Mb)
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FWKVPKLO.jpg&hash=b860db3318897066b2635167d49e2b21055ef27e) (https://imgur.com/WKVPKLO)

eiko-chan is now lvl 64.. last rebirth fountain is rhakotis

against minotaur lord, i changed gear setup.. sacrificing elem resist in favor of high less damage from beastmen.. this greaves alone gives 50% less damage from beastmen.. scale of the black dragon gives an additional 25%

(https://i.imgur.com/QMBduLo.png)

edit: arrggh stupid.. of the glade is just less damage from beasts.. not beastmen.. oh well  ;D

i think i'll take a short break from the challenge.. won't be too long though.. don't want to get too rusty
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 29 December 2018, 07:59:43
Well done.  :)  Take a break if needed, don't want you burnt out on the challenge.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 29 December 2018, 16:08:01
So I have finally finished normal.

Visited the Primrose Passage
https://imgur.com/oyc7AfX

Nidhogg should look way more epic not like a retarded lizard.
https://imgur.com/iabk1pP
https://imgur.com/i7CEQjC
https://imgur.com/dDU2Z2A

Had to kill Loki 2 times because TQ crashed before I took the screenshot.
https://imgur.com/vlcvfTp
https://imgur.com/ZH480eu
https://imgur.com/yFwaEqQ

https://imgur.com/BdKJXHV
https://imgur.com/pWHtyu7
https://imgur.com/oiDcheW

Halu - L61 Seidr Worker - Helos

I guess now I will go to Nessus and farm legendary items so it may take some time :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: WNG on 30 December 2018, 18:40:41
Update for my Bone Charmer.

Exinite - Twinked L60 Bone Charmer - Sparta

Dark Satyr
(https://i.imgur.com/SApIEvu.jpg)
Nessus
(https://i.imgur.com/WLq72PB.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 31 December 2018, 15:35:58
Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L67 Spellbreaker - Babylon outskirts

Manticore is still tankable in epic (with a scroll in that case).

Act 2:
(https://i.imgur.com/DIH2Au9.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/PHQrNAN.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/0EJTK3r.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/JMKN4T2.png)(https://i.imgur.com/wyDsrDu.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Ul43zyj.jpg)

Counters:
(https://i.imgur.com/Toq38O7.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/lMewGmB.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 December 2018, 16:38:00
Updated and closing in fast on the top spot.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 01 January 2019, 18:13:14
I'm very sorry for this: i am withdrawing my character from the challenge.. x3 is my preferred mode anyway.. and besides, i just want to play to enjoy.. that's without being always on my toes.. sometimes i play when very sleepy.. or tired.. maybe even drunk although i haven't in a very long time now.. i can't do that when I'm in HC challenge.. also, my 4gb ram couldn't handle act 5 full xmax.. in normal act 5, i had a lot of freezes and crashes to desktop

so.... medea, you can remove my name or whatever.. again, very sorry
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 01 January 2019, 18:37:13
Nothing to be sorry for botebote77.  It's entirely up to you whether you want to do the challenge or not.  I understand your feelings.  I sometimes play a character just because I want to enjoy the game without having to try not to die all the time.  If you're not enjoying yourself whatever you're playing there's no point in continuing.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: WNG on 02 January 2019, 00:46:16
Update for my Bone Charmer. I forgot to take a few screenshots the first time so I had to do some back-tracking to get them again.

Exinite - Twinked L63 Bone Charmer - Hathor Bassin

Polyphemus
(https://i.imgur.com/VzzlrwD.jpg)
Arachnos Queen
(https://i.imgur.com/TPkbllH.jpg)
Medusas
(https://i.imgur.com/GiHOoKm.jpg)
Alastor
(https://i.imgur.com/rsDFyol.jpg)
Talos
(https://i.imgur.com/qZgtC2s.jpg)
Minotaur Lord
(https://i.imgur.com/7kElSXN.jpg)
Megalesios
(https://i.imgur.com/qfucc8n.jpg)
Scarabeus
(https://i.imgur.com/fb50U1g.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 02 January 2019, 04:27:20
Greece update

Halu - L64 Seidr Worker - Rhakotis

Satyr
https://imgur.com/BjWXUff

Nessus
https://imgur.com/1NiLuEU

The Gorgons
https://imgur.com/4bHRZMf

Alastor
https://imgur.com/scHaCfr

Talos
https://imgur.com/QvHUl6N

The Minotaur
https://imgur.com/gT10d4V

Telkine
https://imgur.com/A6MxX4l

Despite killing Nessus many many times I have found only 1 legendary item... while farming the Minotaur. I don't remember drop rates being that low. I used to get atleast a few common legends like Doxa Kalo but nothing this time, the only 1 was a thrown weapon so it was useless. Didn't want to go that far with normal equipment but seems that I have no choice. A lot of epics at the early stages were just items from the 5th act at normal.
https://imgur.com/FpVeo53
https://imgur.com/OOUNyDy

So the next farming spot at Nehebkau :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 02 January 2019, 08:10:48
Updated and well done you two.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 02 January 2019, 15:12:30
Have you the steam version Bote ? Act 5 was unplayable in my old PC until march but the latest patch really improved fluidity. That said, you didn't choose the easiest path with an elementalist.

WNG, i see in your pics that you are currently playing with Nidbow, what's your feeling about it ?

Regarding drop rates, purples items tend to drop at higher rate from epic act 3 iirc. By the way, maybe you already know this trick Overnight: if you expect doing a long session play, it is worth to quit and relaunch the game until you have a fair legendary (or MI) drop rate.

Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L69 Spellbreaker - Rhodes


Act 3:
(https://i.imgur.com/YYIO1CO.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Ep98kgu.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/TpmXewg.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/udMgMzb.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/T04EMNP.jpg)

Counters:
(https://i.imgur.com/Q3Mngj9.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/jiTxdCX.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 02 January 2019, 16:18:32
That takes you to the top of the leaderboard Tauceti.  Well done.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 02 January 2019, 17:48:33
Have you the steam version Bote ? Act 5 was unplayable in my old PC until march but the latest patch really improved fluidity.
nope.. but mine is v 1.57 and it's the latest right?

That said, you didn't choose the easiest path with an elementalist.
true but I'm still playing a caster so it's not really the problem.. it's like a chef's pride when they have to cook something they don't know.. "it's still food and as long as it's food, i should at least do good".. I'm reading too much manga lol

my pic describes my approach to the build: gear defensively and not too much int.. as for the damage, that's something I'm willing to bet eye of the storm and EE can carry even with low int.. but i really don't think damage will be a problem.. all these years of playing casters, I've learned one thing: successive spell casts with low %damage is better than high %damage but can't do successive spell casts

the problem is: i really don't feel like playing
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: WNG on 04 January 2019, 04:57:42
Update for my Bone Charmer. I still have took some screenshots in the wrong order because I had forgot the first time. Also been very close to die when attacking a reflecting toon out of the screen.

Exinite - Twinked L67 Bone Charmer - Jade Palace

Giza Statues
(https://i.imgur.com/kjjWUHE.jpg)
Scorpos King
(https://i.imgur.com/vIwIEhu.jpg)
Aktaios
(https://i.imgur.com/IXxGYEH.jpg)
Sandwraith Lord
(https://i.imgur.com/JSerpi9.jpg)
Chimera
(https://i.imgur.com/9v2ESPd.jpg)
Barmanu
(https://i.imgur.com/zAY4VU1.jpg)
Gargantuan Yeti
(https://i.imgur.com/o99Lliy.jpg)
Xiao
(https://i.imgur.com/kGj1F98.jpg)
Dragon Liche
(https://i.imgur.com/FZsm32i.jpg)
Yagouai
(https://i.imgur.com/kQnkmlB.jpg)

WNG, i see in your pics that you are currently playing with Nidbow, what's your feeling about it ?

It's very strong, but I believe it's only good if you have both Hunting and Spirit masteries (aka if you play a Bone Charmer.)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 04 January 2019, 13:42:12
Quote
It's very strong, but I believe it's only good if you have both Hunting and Spirit masteries
Yep, i really missed Volley and Passing through ennemies from hunting mastery.

Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked Lvl 71 Spellbreaker - Corinth

Act 4:
(https://i.imgur.com/aGPQykZ.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/HHmQ9fb.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/sp3220h.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/QUJnkkt.jpg)

I tried an immune setup with Hades but the dps from the spellbreaker was so low that immunity with a scroll only stands with the 1st Hades form. The damage input from the 2nd form was sustainable though. I don't think it could work on legendary Hades.

Counters:
(https://i.imgur.com/ZyVDWqc.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/e9yFqVj.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 January 2019, 14:18:06
Wow!  Almost done Tauceti.  Way to go!  :)

And well done WNG too.  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 05 January 2019, 00:54:28
Egypt update

Halu - L66 Seidr Worker - Gardens of Babylon

Scarabaeus
https://imgur.com/Z9WsS8V

Nehebkau
https://imgur.com/JKzbv6T

Manticore - the only monster I actually respected and changed eq to max my poison resistance and it still was very dangerous when 2 of them hit me at same time :D
https://imgur.com/XtObgEI
https://imgur.com/Cmx1Oan
https://imgur.com/whfBOt7

Giza Statues - unexpectedly almost died (maybe I exaggerate cause I "almost die" when my hp goes to about 2000 :D) due to reflected damage
https://imgur.com/37l5cXN

Telkine
https://imgur.com/a2sTcBx

Sandwraith Lord
https://imgur.com/WcAHMB4
https://imgur.com/iBZGm1c
https://imgur.com/I9WXNej

My items still haven't been changed, I found only 2 legends and both useless - a weak shield and another thrown weapon. I feel like 90% of my epic+ items are thrown weapons. Since they added them they drop everywhere and I can't see anything else.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 January 2019, 09:15:58
Updated and good work Overnight.  :)

Yeah, I sometimes think Nordic have gone overboard with those.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: WNG on 05 January 2019, 15:10:46
Well, the lame-challenge-endings are on me for some reason. A Dragonian Wyrm-Mage popped its reflection shield, but unlike others, this one one-shotted me. I am so pissed -.-'

Exinite - Twinked L67 Bone Charmer - Forest of the Ancients
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 January 2019, 18:51:28
Oh no!  :(  Still, Exinite will always be remembered in the Fallen Heroes' Graveyard.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 07 January 2019, 21:34:36
Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L74 Spellbreaker - Helos

Finally done with epic mode.
So long act 5.
(https://i.imgur.com/X0E5iSG.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/ThuKqXL.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/hr4EHoP.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/pWuuQUG.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/6XajFAf.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/YHnFFn7.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/8GKF33z.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/GOK0zFp.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/KGxxm5H.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/OzORVdl.jpg)

Counters
(https://i.imgur.com/DCxPUXO.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/5x3wfhi.jpg)
The blackforge bonus quest (epic) has been used on the left ritual cleaver axe.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 January 2019, 07:53:54
Updated and congratulations.   :)  Let's hope it's third time lucky and you can get to the end of Legendary this time.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 08 January 2019, 21:05:17
Orient update
This one was painful. Entering the third act without any good items was risky but didn't have any choice. Neanderthals and their nets were a huge pain so I had to lure them and kill slowly as I didn't have enough damage nor survivability to take bigger groups on. I shamefully :D was forced to avoid fighting Barmanu and Dragon Liche untill the end of the act, even Typhon was very demanding and I had to farm the Telkins a lot. In the end the fight against 3 typhons took a lot of time, scrolls and potions and I found out that the Rune mastery is not my favourite one :D

Halu - L69 Seidr Worker - Rhodes

Chimera
https://imgur.com/n3OsDU2

Bandari
https://imgur.com/UjLFX88

Yaoguai
https://imgur.com/AtCi78o

Ormenos
https://imgur.com/3U6wwwM

Barmanu
https://imgur.com/39xFzEr
https://imgur.com/bronqRn
https://imgur.com/a3ASbQw

Dragon Liche
https://imgur.com/wp2J1TB
https://imgur.com/TarPb9H
https://imgur.com/pZKtgRU

Typhon
https://imgur.com/gb0mD81
https://imgur.com/NplOneu
https://imgur.com/5GDAV9D

My current equipment
https://imgur.com/3mz7ugv
https://imgur.com/GAguiZF

I spent most of the act using Hector's Spear (found even 2) but I have exchanged it for Enkidu's Stand before Dragon Liche. I have got Chiron's Loop from a side quest and one of the Telkins dropped me an end game item - Athena's Battle Greaves. There were more legends but sold almost all :D Also used some yellow items with relics/charms against Barmanu/Dragon Liche/Typhon to cover resistances and get more health. I would like to go and farm the Secret Passage but I am afraid it can end up pretty bad.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 09 January 2019, 07:13:09
Good work done there then Overnight.  Updated and well done.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 10 January 2019, 21:44:22
Thanks Medea. This time i hope to pass this damn act 3  ;D

Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L75 Spellbreaker - Rhakotis

Miscellaneous
(https://i.imgur.com/a4VR9Zi.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/H5zGnWS.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/PZEi7AE.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/hnjnA1b.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/ZXv42Cu.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/hPdjuew.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Z7pDoB9.jpg)

Hydra
(https://i.imgur.com/fzOEYJH.jpg)

Talos
(https://i.imgur.com/nKBVfBL.jpg)

Immunity to Minolords is still funny  ;)
(https://i.imgur.com/fVhTZYe.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/KoN6AC2.jpg)

Telkine
(https://i.imgur.com/DEdxv93.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/3aBC6EQ.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 11 January 2019, 07:17:40
Fingers crossed.  :)  But not while you're playing.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 13 January 2019, 21:16:48
Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L76 Spellbreaker - Babylon outskirts

I spent a lot, a lot ?,  a lot ! of time in act II, trying to find a good all-around setup with 80% recharge gear and without big holes in resistances. Finally i found one and it really changed the spellbreaker life  ;)

Miscellaneous
(https://i.imgur.com/QY9N8v7.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/nTbjXKG.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/nwOi3S5.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/y66lf6M.jpg)

Manticore
(https://i.imgur.com/PabqNVI.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/okFmXKg.jpg)

Atkaios
(https://i.imgur.com/OQz5Ow8.jpg)

Counters
(https://i.imgur.com/SBmuaTt.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/i9DA4nF.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 January 2019, 21:58:50
Updated Tauceti.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 13 January 2019, 22:39:48
a lot of time indeed.. and it shows on your elapsed time  ;D oh well as long as you complete it..
those are really nice items with brisingamen (i don't even have this) and gauntlets of the necrolord.. between talisman of the jade emperor, tracker's hood and tyrfing (that's tyrfing right?), is that a permanent battle standard + unearthly power build?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 13 January 2019, 23:34:37
stormyboy - Borkan - L51 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Throne room

Hey! So, i am back from a long vacation and rdy to roll. This is my update from the end of act 4

https://imgur.com/6y6lEe3
https://imgur.com/9srtzJR
https://imgur.com/BIOoKCe
https://imgur.com/CujxpTi
https://imgur.com/y6yJeYP
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 13 January 2019, 23:58:37
Actually the setup on counters pic isn't exactly the one i am using now on regular monsters. I 've used the talisman jade emperor only to fullfill the 80% elemental res for the Chimera encounter.

What i 've learned with Xmax is that it's much more easier to play with 4 artefacts rather than Talisman of the Jade Emperor (or anything else)
- Silver heart for undead/demons
- Sigil of the bast for beasts/beastmen
- Golden belt for giants
- Eye of ra for insectoids

Note that it isn't necessary to change the artefact each time !  But acts and some particular areas are mainly populated by a kind of monster, like demons in act 4.
It's just a personal preference though, i don't say it's the way to go...

Therefore building a gear setup with 80% recharge gear, +4 to all skills, and without the talisman jade emperor is like trying to square the circle  >:D But it's possible.
So yes it's a perma battle standard + dark covenant and no it's Gram rather than Tyrfing in the pic. Sure, Tyrfing is the best in slot but i don't have it.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 14 January 2019, 07:05:27
Welcome back to the challenge stormyboy.  Good luck.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 17 January 2019, 10:44:45
stormyboy - Borkan - L57 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Sithun

https://imgur.com/AQqtlfJ
https://imgur.com/8huxoeD
https://imgur.com/m5PslAw
https://imgur.com/j8p1afY
https://imgur.com/BaU4PS2
https://imgur.com/6f6kMNH
https://imgur.com/EfMUInM
https://imgur.com/d9keCFj

Can't wait to finish this expansion. I don't like it at all. It's like i play another game. The artstyle isn't in line with the rest of the game. Also, there are times when i feel that i play a beta. I hit a lot of invisible walls in the middle of the road, the caves are too tight and i can't see anything (for example, the ghost from the mine: i only noticed it was a boss when i got it killed and the orbs droped. half of the time i was aiming blindly because i couldnt see the boss because of the walls). Btw...its my first play thorugh this :D. It's....exciting. Got close to death a few times.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 January 2019, 10:53:54
Updated and nice work.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 17 January 2019, 20:00:15
Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L77 Spellbreaker - Rhodes

Miscellaneous
(https://i.imgur.com/C01al6u.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/NvX55AX.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/SBTosfr.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/x9MwKtC.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/iL89Mio.jpg)

Barmanu
(https://i.imgur.com/7mRpmfp.jpg)

Dragon Liche
(https://i.imgur.com/WGeVOFf.jpg)

Typhon
(https://i.imgur.com/4FK8Wio.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/tLAkJLG.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/9J8JV4v.jpg)

Really happy to pass this act 3, never went that far. But it was rather tricky sometimes... like in Wusao with draconian rushers.
I feel the difference with the runesmith which was more tanky. On the other hand the spellbreaker is taking hits well if he stands in the battle standard influence zone.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 January 2019, 21:15:56
Way to go Tauceti!  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 22 January 2019, 23:21:10
Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L78 Spellbreaker - Corinth

Gray sisters
(https://i.imgur.com/aBUiANA.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/6VwxctP.jpg)

Charon
(https://i.imgur.com/MMN0gWL.jpg)

Cerberus
(https://i.imgur.com/FQNiIvx.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/zuIBLGq.jpg)

Undead Typhon
(https://i.imgur.com/1RUwlfB.jpg)

Special side quests
(https://i.imgur.com/w72mK5Q.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/k5fKjia.jpg)

Hades
(https://i.imgur.com/mqbhrgR.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/IbwNjTj.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/wFoOfdk.jpg)

Act 4 was less difficult than act 3, mainly because of the ritual medallion crafted for the Manticore encounter: protection against undeads and demons is like a warm coat in winter  ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 January 2019, 07:35:12
Updated and great work Tauceti.

Yeah, I once built a character around those Radiant/Shining/Lustrous/Dazzling items which give damage to demons.  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 26 January 2019, 21:07:41
Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L78 Spellbreaker - Heuneburg

Ketos
(https://i.imgur.com/jhIofME.jpg)

Sciron
(https://i.imgur.com/rBLXWuO.jpg)

Salt mines ghost
(https://i.imgur.com/lxAhFj2.jpg)

Goldtooth
(https://i.imgur.com/NBlqsw6.jpg)

Counters
(https://i.imgur.com/ryEcNqm.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/R2UrUlN.jpg)

Going slowly now. The most difficult part was Sciron's camp. Not Sciron himself because the 3 came one by one but all the camp. I had to return to town to load CTAP up to 50% so that i could make my way through the camp. Even with that, it was dangerous to fight outside the battle standard zone. The ranged hard hitters positionned on high ground along the way are specially challenging in Xmax.

TQ designers really made a good job with this map !

Trolls camps were less difficult since it is always possible to protect against beastmen and bleeding damage.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 26 January 2019, 22:11:16
Well done Tauceti!  Cross fingers you make it to the end of Legendary.  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 27 January 2019, 21:54:47
Thanks Medea, we shall see.

More used to ranged or pet class, I am surprised by the spellbreaker. It's an unexpected fun class to play, and so nervous (like all the warfare-based classes i suppose). It's mighty tempting to cross over the red line. Therefore my concern is that kind of scenario:

Me: - Ok It's the last boss, don't mess it up Leeroy !
Leeroy: - I wanna go fight
Me: - We have time. Let's review the strategy for this one.
Leeroy: - I wanna go pull
Me: - No, no, there is plenty of mobs around, let's clean first the area. Eh what the ? STOP !
Leeroy: - LEEEEEEEEERRROOOOYYYYY
Me: - ...

Have you played on MMOs Medea, in boss-fights groups/raids ? this video is hilarious (check Leeroy who is AFK  ;D)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooKVstzbz0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooKVstzbz0)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 January 2019, 22:23:35
No Tauceti, I haven't but I can imagine some players charging in like that and screwing it all up.  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 28 January 2019, 00:46:32
@Tauceti lolz I've experienced these kinds of things before mostly in MMORPGs.. part of the fun
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 30 January 2019, 22:07:24
Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L79 Spellbreaker - Asgard

Fafnir
(https://i.imgur.com/xtrCfrf.jpg)

The 4 ancients
(https://i.imgur.com/5w6PaH1.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/TdG5umB.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/r49CXnL.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/17qaXuw.jpg)

Hildisvini
(https://i.imgur.com/CG7diDs.jpg)

The Great Shroom
(https://i.imgur.com/xagkmoW.jpg)

Agard Gods
(https://i.imgur.com/JgQORi4.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/wm9LGMT.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/qGtnVis.jpg)

The ancients were not easy because of hordes around and also water spirits. The most difficult area was Alfheim near Asgard. So crowdy. Had to hit and run a lot: these damn constructs guarding the entrance are able to take off half life in one hit with their spear. Thanksfully, they are slow.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 30 January 2019, 22:21:24
Is that it?  Are you done with Legendary Tauceti?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 30 January 2019, 22:32:51
inching closer.. inching closer.. hey just a reminder about black elves

https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=368.0

actually we have the same approach for HC.. change items as needed, equip less damage from _____ .. but i can't remember what race those black elves are

and the answer is no medea but close now.. 2 more waypoints iirc.. sorry to butt in  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 30 January 2019, 22:35:47
No it was the 2nd third part.

From Asgard, what remains are: Mimer  ::), Nidhoggr, Loki and ... Surtr.

Edited:
Quote
ctually we have the same approach for HC.. change items as needed, equip less damage from _____ .. but i can't remember what race those black elves are
Exactly  ;)
Magical iirc for black elves.

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 30 January 2019, 22:45:59
Updated and cross fingers for success soon Tauceti.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 04 February 2019, 00:48:55
Ooooooh...
(https://i.imgur.com/Dj3PVrj.gif)
Leeroy did it ! He survived Xmax ;D

Thrym
(https://i.imgur.com/YNGYOul.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/pUM2Ycr.jpg)

Mimer
(https://i.imgur.com/Uooc3AW.jpg)

Nidhoggr
(https://i.imgur.com/j8JvYOH.jpg)

Sinmara
(https://i.imgur.com/6zBO6Pm.jpg)

Loki
(https://i.imgur.com/EGmmpsn.jpg)

Surtr
(https://i.imgur.com/yKzou0r.jpg)

Counters
(https://i.imgur.com/H1YtuGg.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/AId89ug.jpg)

Leeroy Jenkins - Twinked L79 Spellbreaker - Done

The main danger in this last part was again Loki. He should be considered as the last boss, harder than Surtr.

Thanks Medea for this challenge  ;) . Hardcore gives a new dimension to the game, it's so exciting like in DII.
Thats' one way to learn a lot while playing. Experience i guess is as important as gear.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: sauruz on 04 February 2019, 00:57:45
Congrats Tauceti 8) 8) :)) :))

Well done !
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 04 February 2019, 02:49:21
nice.. congratz.. and some of my approach have been used   ;D
CDR, change gear, less damage from ____
now i don't have any reason to enter again anymore ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 February 2019, 07:02:24
CONGRATULATIONS TAUCETI! WELL DONE!  You're the first to achieve this in the new challenge.  ;D

You join letsrock who completed the Yellows Only challenge a few days ago.  Both of you are true Titan Slayers!
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 04 February 2019, 20:44:19
Thank you all, playing a spellbreaker finally has reconciled me with melee classes  ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: letsrock on 05 February 2019, 01:07:56
Congrats Tauceti! Well done!
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 05 February 2019, 23:47:39
Thanks letsrock  ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 17 February 2019, 00:55:31
Congrats Tauceti - very well done and Spellbreaker is not a class that I would expect to see to win this challenge any time soon - well you have sure as hell proven me wrong :)

I have also decided to rejoin the challenge - I am getting back to my roots with a Templar, but this time I am rolling as a twinked char (Siegfried is farming the gear on Legendary for this challenge).

Currently I am letting EBD carry me as far as it can, so my gear is fully optimized for +%EBD.

My goal is to at least reach Legendary, because I really think Epic is very much doable if one plays quite carefully and optimizes gear accordingly.

Don't have much late game gear prepared either - apart from improved Athena's Battle Greaves with +Poison Resistance.

Ororo - L55 Templar AER (TWINKED) - Glauberg

(https://i.imgur.com/wQFLOLU.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/toX8Gpm.png)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 17 February 2019, 01:23:38
Happy to see you rejoin finally the challenge. Actually last time, i hesitated between a templar and a spellbreaker.
Let us know how is your feeling about this class. Templar seems promising.
Wish you the best, man  ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 February 2019, 09:51:27
Welcome back Ororo.  Your Templar's added to the leaderboard and good luck with him.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 21 February 2019, 00:23:01
Aaaaaand, the Normal difficulty is finished.

Ororo - L61 Templar AER (TWINKED) - Helos

Templar seems like an excellent Normal difficulty class... very tanky, Trance of Wrath to dish out constant (and relatively high if you prioritize +%EBD) DPS and Armor Handling to help you equip all that shiny Legendary gear much earlier.

Let's see how he will fare on Epic.

I will put him on a hold for a while since I simply do not have the necessary gear to continue. I doubt EBD will carry me through Epic, so I need to re-spec into DPS build. I will have to go farm Act IV legendary with my Haruspex and try to find some top tier items. Aionios would be super useful and perhaps Sapros as well?

(https://i.imgur.com/5jcazLW.png)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 February 2019, 09:51:41
Updated and well done Ororo.  We now have 3 challengers into Epic.  Great!  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 18 March 2019, 09:38:23
Just FYI, no progress has been made since my last post as I have recently transferred to Belgium via my work.

I have to figure out a way how to get my gaming PC and the monitor to Antwerp  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 March 2019, 12:46:56
No problem Ororo, whenever you feel like playing it again.  People come and go on challenges and I'm going on holiday for 3 weeks on Saturday so it won't get updated until mid-April anyway.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 17 April 2019, 04:28:21
just reread the rules.. about the sphinx quest, at least the xmax version in kirmiziperfect, it's fixed.. doable in xmax.. any other versions of xmax i don't know
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 April 2019, 07:30:38
Yeah, I'd heard that some versions of Xmax have that one fixed.  The original for TQIT mucks up so you have to do that in normal game.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 17 April 2019, 07:37:19
and i die there sometimes the place where you get the scepter.. huge difference between xmax and single because the green undeads that have thorns also get multiplied

edit: hand of balance
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 25 May 2019, 11:43:38
New expansion is hyped, heard that masteries scale up to give way to the new skills. hopefully this is the boost i need to play some of my more underpowered characters under hardcore challenge conditions.

Is xmax compatible with the new expansion, Atlantis?

EDIT:
@MedeaFleecestealer you can delete my entry Yunah (Thane) from the challenge. I will withdraw her, scrap her and go back to the drawing board. Recent expansion and items seem to have completely killed the concept of INT-melees due to the fact that some items now have potent flat elemental bonuses and come with resist shred, as well as the introduction of a variety of STR armors with -% CD. There's literally no need to handicap yourself by going as a squishy melee just to do elemental dmg melee. It's possible now to do majority elemental dmg (without Rune Mastery) while going STR/DEX/HP.

This really saddens me looking at my collection of dual-affixed elemental Sabretooths... power creep at it's finest. Probably better this way, I reckon, it'll be easier to do HC challenge with a standard STR equip dual wielder, rather than a dual-wielder in mage armor.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 05 June 2019, 20:53:25
Hey Medea, here is a new entry: Lune de cendre  ;)

Lune is an evoker (earth/dream) and will try to get the best of Atlantis new skills.

In particular , psionic beam has been revamped, a skill i always disliked before.
But now, PB allows the use of good staves with some AOE effects. And since there is some excellent staves, it's the time to test this.

4 classes should take the best of this skill:
- bonecharmer (dream/hunting) + troll's branch
- dreamkiller (dream/rogue) + staff of the chosen
- evoker (dream/earth) + the prospector rod
- harbinger (dream/warfare) + staff of the covenant

I couldn't say which one is the safer in hardcore, but i finally choose evoker since i don't know much of this mastery.
The plan is to make an auramancer in normal, and to get the help of the core dweller later on while wearing the prospector rod, if indeed Lune can achieve normal mode without the pet.

(https://i.imgur.com/gmug3fc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SJ7VSRo.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 June 2019, 22:25:22
Added to the leaderboard Tauceti and good luck with her.  Is Xmax working properly with Atlantis now?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 06 June 2019, 22:55:13
It works so far.
one annoying bug though: damage output can't be displayed.

Apart from the technical part, i played the Atlantis adventure with a legendary toon without Xmax.
The new great all damage output feature on screen allowed me to check the insane bleeding damage from rangers.

Actually my toon died one time although he got 80% bleeding resistance. Therefore with Xmax mod, it may be hot  ::)
Bleeding resistance and protection against beastmen and demons seems mandatory for this act, we shall see.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 10 June 2019, 01:01:42
Tauceti - Lune de cendre - L35 Evoker AERA (TWINKED)- Gardens of Babylon

Lune has finished rising up aura skills and now proceeds with eruption.
New Atlantis skills are tempting hmm...but they are still too high in the board and more survival tools are needed in anticipation of act 3.

Act I & II
(https://i.imgur.com/SqaknDH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ScYA1oJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KbreUbp.jpg)

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 10 June 2019, 08:35:46
Nice work Tauceti.  Well done.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 13 June 2019, 20:53:38
Lune de cendre - L46 Evoker AERA (TWINKED)- Rhodes

Late act III, Lune was able to wear the dreamweaver set which helps for fulling resistances before the Typhon encounter. Auramancer skills did the job through all the act except for the main bosses. In that case, Eruption indeed is a faithfull skill when paired with stone form. Note that the 3 sisters quest is no longer bugged with Xmax !
(https://i.imgur.com/pCgdvvR.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/2tIqurT.jpg)

Atlantis was harder with Xmax. really harder. Probably because i am still learning with this act. Surely because fluidity is a main issue with Xmax and archers got high attack speed and damage. Actually Lune experienced 2 close calls with one high priest hero and rangers.  That said, i like the Atlantis adventure for its visual beauty and the storyline closer to the genuine TQ more than Ragnarok, even if i would have preferred another final boss.
(https://i.imgur.com/ScoHEdi.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/hpD5HWl.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 June 2019, 21:05:00
Nice work Tauceti and good news about the 3 Sisters quest.  Yeah I expect we're going to find Atlantis hard until we learn all it's little problems. Mind you I can say that about Ragnarok too since I've only been through it a couple of times and only on normal game.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 17 June 2019, 20:58:40
Lune de cendre - L60 Evoker AERA (TWINKED)- Helos

Lune finished happily normal mode without pets (the nightmare is only cosmetic with 1 pt but still useful for pulling bosses when needed)
At lvl 50, Lune has weared the Carnus' set which greatly improves EBD so that she could still run as an auramancer late in act V.

About Atlantis, when i compare the time needed to take down mobs with EBD+fire auras, it appears that Atlantis monsters have a HP pool as high as in act V.
Therefore, it would be smarter to make Atlantis adventure at the end of Act IV, not at the beginning of the act (well...in normal hardcore mode).
A few skill ponts and gear can make the difference.

Act IV
(https://i.imgur.com/aUnY6ut.jpg)

Act V
(https://i.imgur.com/Vo9zhp0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PKTIhtr.jpg)

About Xmax mod, the Achean pass is fixed, and i learned from @botebote77 that the Sphinx quest is also fixed with the latest version of xmax mod. Therefore i downloaded this version from steam and checked that it works. All the quests now work with Xmax  ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 June 2019, 06:54:53
Updated and nice work.

Do you know if the 3 Sisters quest is also fixed?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 19 June 2019, 23:36:11
Lune de cendre - L62 Evoker AERA (TWINKED)- Rhakotis

Quote
Do you know if the 3 Sisters quest is also fixed?
I suppose so Medea even if i can't test it back in normal since the quest is done.

There was a surprise in epic act I, i realize now that Xmax-steam (custom map = "xmax") is harder than Xmax-TQIT (custom map = "monsters-xmax"). In plain fields and boss encounters, it's still the same but in war camps, mobs are noticeably more crowdy on xmax-steam. I can't say why. That said, it's fun that way but more challenging and more complicated for the lack of  fluidity in war camps. Sometimes there is no room between groups, that's crazy. Hmm guess that Atlantis or trolls camps in the last act will be hardly doable...

Act I
(https://i.imgur.com/G5IGTGs.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/8jB0Ict.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/RqZfIlV.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/DtRuDWT.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Eqfbjko.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/GxQnvvj.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Nf6DY4J.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/r0qgLRm.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/kIrpPmY.jpg)

Special
A friend of mine has a phobia of spiders. And the boar snatcher even if we know the encounter and without phobia is still a special moment when the big spider runs out of the dark cave towards you. Devs managed a good graphical design with this fight and sure, my friend would avoid this fight  ;D
(https://i.imgur.com/bHJ6jKw.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/etJQwQn.jpg)

Stats
(https://i.imgur.com/EvBTtZZ.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/0XPm3Q0.jpg)

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 20 June 2019, 07:41:29
Well, if you did the quest then I guess it's fixed since the boss didn't spawn before so completion wasn't possible.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 23 June 2019, 00:12:29
Lune de cendre - L64 Evoker AERA (TWINKED)- Babylon's gardens

Lune still builded as an auramancer.

Act 2
(https://i.imgur.com/aES0zVS.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/KwTiDVm.jpg)[https://i.imgur.com/rMIVx2m.jpg[/img](https://i.imgur.com/dR0CihL.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/kFCb6CK.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/fAHE9AT.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/fGFWoUb.jpg)

Stats
(https://i.imgur.com/brURSXE.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/aYfyQMB.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 June 2019, 09:12:06
Nice work and updated Tauceti.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: efko on 23 June 2019, 12:01:58
Never saw such items complete before, makes you look like death bringer.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 25 June 2019, 21:17:41
Lune de cendre - L66 Evoker AERA (TWINKED)- Rhodes

@efko The Carnus set offers a big boost to Electrical burning damage and also offers diviner goodies. It's a good epic set. It is not difficult to be completed though (if you agree to some farming sessions). The set i would like to achieve the most is The panoply of Moirae for its look  ;) I am still lacking of 1 piece.

There is no screen of the Telkine III sorry, because when i checked it, Lune was already on elysean path and the telkine screen was black. That said, the telkine encounter wasn't hard: there was no match actually with eruption casted from stairs but Wusao is still dangerous for Lune to redo it.

At mid act III, the auramancer build was no more efficient and Lune hence weared freyja 'set. This set is no more OP. Sure it's a great set but now DA achieved is around 800.   

Act III
(https://i.imgur.com/unREEJc.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/EUbQEHM.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Psyz5kP.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/tnQgKZR.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/WekBbDX.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/lfJRH0y.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/zmyLMsD.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/8ecOuF3.jpg)

Stats
(https://i.imgur.com/IyzrDED.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/09CCILQ.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 27 June 2019, 22:14:54
Lune tried to offer some resistance to successive blitzkrieg from trash mobs in the Atlantis quest.
Finally she had to resign against trash monsters before the 2nd waypoint, in a slide show not playable at all.

It remains from this build , although Lune has gone away, that Psionic Beam on staves is really a new good skill  ;)

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 28 June 2019, 07:02:47
Sad news Tauceti, she was going so well. She will be forever remembered for her valiant efforts in the Fallen Heroes' Graveyard.  Please give me her final details.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 28 June 2019, 20:58:35
Last details: L66, somewhere in Gadir outskirts, died to Aegipan beastmen.
Atlantis adventure should be played as an Act VI and not as a Act III-bis.

I can't even imagine what this could be in legendary but i will take my hat off to anyone who will succeed  ;D


Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 28 June 2019, 22:33:15
i can't even play Atlantis with any mob modifier.. too laggy.. the whole Atlantis map feels like the ichthian relic quest where you put the quest item and lots of tiny undeads pop up
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 08 September 2019, 18:22:49
I wish my laptop wasn't dead, I miss this game and would like to play it again. Not sure as what class though, I've never actually beaten this challenge, usually I get bored or die. Furthest i ever got was epic Crete with a ranger, probably the most stable class I've played, enjoyable if not a bit over powered. I was playing on the disc version, i.e the original version. Maybe play a warden? Never used defence much, and warden seems great combination. Conqueror would also be fun, though melee is very tough early on from memory. My favourite mage class has to be summoned, though I tried with a summoner and died in act 3, but the class itself was fun and strong from memory. :)

Also, I'm still alive in case anyone missed me.  ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 September 2019, 18:45:41
Of course we missed you.  :)

Hopefully you'll get a new rig soon and can play it again.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 08 September 2019, 19:08:42
Yeah maybe. I'm not sure how well it would run on windows 10, and even if I got it to work, what class I would choose, or if my old saves would work.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 September 2019, 19:22:35
Should be okay if you set it to compatibility for Win 7 SP3 iirc for the disc version anyway.  And there's always the TQAE version and expansions to try out if you want.  Saves should be okay, but may depend on when you last played them.  I moved mine over to Win10 without problems, but I've never stopped playing the game so they've always been pretty much up to date version wise.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 08 September 2019, 19:34:18
I last played the game about 2 years ago, on windows 7. I'm getting by without a laptop though, and it's a big expense for just a few games.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 23 October 2019, 21:58:02
Hey guys! Sorry for my long absence and i have to say, i am so glad that you are all still here. To cut the long story short, i ragequit the game after my last update. I encountered an annoying problem around the asgard gardens(at the palace entrance). The game would just...close. No error, no lag, nothing. I was just back to desktop without any of my progress being saved (it got me back to the last fountain with no exp or loot saved). Tonight, i got homesick and i entered the game without xmax amd just speed ran to the next fountain. I then got back on xmax and killed the boss. I know that playing without xmax is a rule violation but that was the only solution i could think about. (i tried with xmax tonight and the game closed on me again). So, this is my progress update

https://imgur.com/xUpJUIq
https://imgur.com/7iPTHX0 (a shot of the 3 guys running away. You can see it if you zoom)
https://imgur.com/6F8qEVd

stormyboy - Borkan - L59 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Gladsheim
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 October 2019, 22:20:41
Welcome back stormyboy.  :) Have you updated to the latest Xmax version?  There's one for Xmax & Atlantis in the Steam workshop.

Must admit I haven't been doing much with the challenge either since Atlantis messed with a lot of things.  Seemed best to wait until it all settles down again.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 24 October 2019, 20:58:25
The problem i talk about was before the launch of atlantis. And i did not bought atlantis yet(i want to finish the chalange before i buy it). As for things being messed up, ragnarok is not that polished either. The items and art assets look out of place and wierd and a lot of times i hit invisible walls with my projectiles and monsters attack me from under the map or teleport next to me. I think the only reason i still buy the expansions is nostalgia. For me, the real titan quest was done at IT.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 27 October 2019, 18:56:11
stormyboy - Borkan - L62 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Eldr Fields

https://imgur.com/2UvjFkR
https://imgur.com/GSbz3f5
https://imgur.com/1MMLR5O

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 October 2019, 19:43:24
Updated stormyboy and good luck.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 27 October 2019, 21:01:14
stormyboy - Borkan - L62 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Pellana Valley

https://imgur.com/DcFkbNO
https://imgur.com/iQfYLcz
https://imgur.com/98eotQY

I know that the centaur is not rly a boss. But i want to update my color to epic :D. I am a bit too overleveled to get any challenge. At least in grece.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 October 2019, 21:49:51
Tired of blue, eh.  ;D  Well green it is then.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 02 November 2019, 20:21:35
stormyboy - Borkan - L63 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Pythian caves

https://imgur.com/lor1RnT
https://imgur.com/erupuM6
https://imgur.com/WfdJltQ

Just a small step forward. Now i am thinking if i should farm the gorgons for those sweet MI bracers. Mby i will just get to lvl 64 by killing them. Then i will be on my way.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 03 November 2019, 18:55:16
stormyboy - Borkan - L64 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Room of the conduit

https://imgur.com/RzADZuN
https://imgur.com/3zSWMsM
https://imgur.com/5UxSgce

And this will be the end of Greece. The only hard thing i encountered was not getting mad on having only throw weapons drop. It's like a shower of throw weapons.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 November 2019, 06:43:55
Congrats and well done stormyboy.   :)

Yeah, Nordic do seem to have gone overboard with thrown weapon drops.  Far too many compared to other items. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 17 November 2019, 15:36:58
stormyboy - Borkan - L66 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Sandswept cave

https://imgur.com/G9oMsSZ
https://imgur.com/laLb70p
https://imgur.com/RTF6eS0

As for the potion count, do you guys know any defiler that works for AER edition? The one i have now keeps giving me an error and i cant seem to make it work. (i still havent used any potions)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 November 2019, 21:15:17
GDDefiler should work I think.

https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/tool-gd-defiler/28264
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 17 November 2019, 22:45:52
https://imgur.com/xi6vWe7
https://imgur.com/I0IpxBx
https://imgur.com/8VXwwKP
https://imgur.com/laFd2Sf

stormyboy - Borkan - L67 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Temple of marduk - Level IV

I made a new character and used a potion. Even tho i can't use the defiler to do anything at all...and all the data it shows it's wrong....the number of potions used is correct. So here it is a screenshot.

As for the GDdefiler, it doesn't work. I get this error. Any idea on how to fix it?

https://imgur.com/DIRGS5V
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 November 2019, 06:27:42
What happens after you click ok?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: icefreeze on 18 November 2019, 07:58:28
https://imgur.com/xi6vWe7
https://imgur.com/I0IpxBx
https://imgur.com/8VXwwKP
https://imgur.com/laFd2Sf

stormyboy - Borkan - L67 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Temple of marduk - Level IV

I made a new character and used a potion. Even tho i can't use the defiler to do anything at all...and all the data it shows it's wrong....the number of potions used is correct. So here it is a screenshot.

As for the GDdefiler, it doesn't work. I get this error. Any idea on how to fix it?

https://imgur.com/DIRGS5V

TQVaultAE can show Potions used number (since several previous version).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 18 November 2019, 09:13:40

TQVaultAE can show Potions used number (since several previous version).

https://imgur.com/CO58TTE

Uuuuu, that i did not know. You made my life very very easy. I can even show death count in vault. Thank you
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 19 November 2019, 17:23:57
I have to admit. I was terrified of this guy. My mouth went dry when i got out of the cave and i felt butterflies in my stomach. Untillll....call of the hunt+study prey and a 3arrow shot. The guy was down before i even saw him.

https://imgur.com/hkWYjLN
https://imgur.com/OlJ6kXT
https://imgur.com/x8RYamF


stormyboy - Borkan - L67 Haruspex AER (no potions) - Tsongmo Peak
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 November 2019, 18:50:09
 ;D If only he was always so easy.

Well done stormyboy. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 17 December 2019, 07:44:21
Nice progress, @stormyboy.

Also saw your error on Defiler. I have also experience a similar error on some of my characters, specifically those that have stepped foot in Atlantis. I don't exactly know what triggers this error, but it seems like when it does you can no longer load the "infected" character on Defiler.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: soa on 17 December 2019, 18:09:16
The devs said that with Atlantis, the data in the character file has changed (I suppose the data is organized in a different way, and maybe the file contains some additional info).
When you take a pre-Atlantis char into the game with Atlantis enabled, the character save updates automatically. After that the save is permanently changed, and TQ Defiler is no longer able to read it.
And in general, there is no backward compatibility, once you loaded a char into Atlantis, I don't think you can load the save into a game without Atlantis.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 18 December 2019, 12:12:05
Hi guys,

Its been a while. And i can see our toons are still there on the boards  ;D

But unfortunately they have been lost  :(

A few days ago I bought Atlantis and I will have it all up and running on thursday i guess, xmax of course.

And we are thinking of going xmax  zero death challenge again as long as we can. wish more ppl participated in the challenges like it used to be back in the day.

But Im not sure if its gonna be twinked. I tried it twinked 2 years ago  a little with just rangarok but didnt make it to the expansion. not even past normal.

Twinked sucked the fun out of this game a little as it was just about grinding levels. got boring. only waiting to hit the clvl required to equip the item i already had.

No thrill waithing for the next gg drop. all there in tq vault. now i saw someplace u can buy purple orbs, and there is this loot plus mod. Im thinking - maybe i will start from scratch this time, ssf, collectig all staff anew. the thrill would be back.

cheers guys!



Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: gasconron on 19 December 2019, 04:56:55
@Jacko

I took an extended break from the challenge the Ragnarok expansion puts on the challengers. When I was running my end-game built toons through Ragnarok, I didnt feel the difficulty spike much. But when you are starting from scratch as a character even twinked Ragnarok Normal and Epic is a different matter. I am actually finding early game a lot harder than end-game now, when you are not on end-game build. You really have to farm the expansions for their new power creep items. They are so overtuned, its almost a sin not to have them for this challenge.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: botebote77 on 19 December 2019, 07:08:42
I took an extended break from the challenge the Ragnarok expansion puts on the challengers. When I was running my end-game built toons through Ragnarok, I didnt feel the difficulty spike much. But when you are starting from scratch as a character even twinked Ragnarok Normal and Epic is a different matter. I am actually finding early game a lot harder than end-game now, when you are not on end-game build. You really have to farm the expansions for their new power creep items. They are so overtuned, its almost a sin not to have them for this challenge.
one of the things that turned me off and made me have a break of my own.. they made the game harder but in turn added OP items.. game heavily relies on items now
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 22 December 2019, 11:59:23
Jacko&Zuzia - Perseus - L22 Conquerer AER+Atlantis (TWINKED) - City of Rhakotis

Hi guys,

we are back :D with a vengance  >:D

We are on the old Laptop and still probems with screenshots but as back in the day im taking pictures with my mobile and will post them later during the day - xmax shopping soon.

Atm, Zuzia is just fooling around now, mostly running around towns or back at beginning of Act I - for fear of dying.

I have a feeling Atlantis is a little more difficult then than TQIT so we started more heavily on defence mastery. this is what we look like now:

https://www.tqcalc.com/TitanCalc738c738c738c.html?mastery=Conquerer&master1=5&master2=3&sa=0&m1=32-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-4-1-0-0-0-0-4-1-0-0-0-1-4-0-0-0-0&m2=10-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 (https://www.tqcalc.com/TitanCalc738c738c738c.html?mastery=Conquerer&master1=5&master2=3&sa=0&m1=32-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-4-1-0-0-0-0-4-1-0-0-0-1-4-0-0-0-0&m2=10-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0)

We have 3 unspent points but on the fence as to where put them now. maybe climb up warfare tree and start pumping Ardor. Still using autoattack.

I believe Onslaught has been nerfed.

We are not twinking heavily  O:-) : only artefact, +1 defence amulet, mace and...tons of red pots .
We got lucky - SBC dropped without even thinkign of it  ^-^

all the bosses x3 were relatively easy...with 1 notable exeption - Alastor. He almost made me give up on the challange. it took me about 20 - 25 minutes to beat them damn it.

I used a few tricks from back in the day: just some common scrolls, weapon with lots of fire dmg and fire relic, keeping a few skellies alive etc.

we will be going as long as we can, but i think death is imminent.

Im going to use this Conquerer to farm some gear for my other toons..

Cheers!
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 December 2019, 16:37:23
Added to the leaderboard and good luck with him.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 23 December 2019, 19:48:30
https://imgur.com/a/xblvMiB

Barmanu went down surprisingly quickly...maybe because we learned the moves back in the day.

So far, the most demanding and dangerous fight was Alastor.

Jacko&Zuzia - Perseus - L33 Conquerer AER+Atlantis (TWINKED) - Khantai Mountains

We twinked big time this time and added this shield:
Sentinels's Thurneos of Trickery
49% chance to block 205 dmg
15% attack speed
9% chcance to dodge attack
+2 to Defence

I threw in a Spiny Shell. I added it mostly due to a fact my daughter wants to play a little more offensively  :P
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 December 2019, 21:00:39
She's still enjoying it then.

Now all your builds are together in the leaderboard.   ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 24 December 2019, 07:50:47
Yeap, all together now.

a friend came around the other day and did some tinkering with my laptop and now it seems screenshots work!

secondly, mid act 3 normal we noticed too big of a spike in monster dmg output...wasn't like this in tqit iirc...now we have to tread with caution.

this conq will be a gear-farmer for our dw throw toon...most probably dragonhunter...for the awesome skills: herbal remedy and rune of life - res seem to be more important now. or maybe a Thunderer depending on drops....Mjolnir  O0
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 27 December 2019, 20:17:29
Jacko&Zuzia - Perseus - L43 Conquerer AER+Atlantis (TWINKED) - City of Rhodes

We cleared xmax Atlantis.

Still wearing only green items and all charms/relics are from Normal difficulty.

https://imgur.com/DRmwP83
https://imgur.com/U3cewvt
https://imgur.com/7qx95v7

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 27 December 2019, 21:56:18
Moving up the leaderboard nicely Jacko.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Twinscrew on 30 December 2019, 22:48:25
Hi, a couple questions before trying this.

1) This would be my first time attempting a hardcore toon. Is gear that I already have saved in TQVault ok to use or are you requiring a fresh start? (I can always use a separate clean vault tab if that's the case)

2) Which version of xmax is considered acceptable for this challenge? I noticed that the Steam workshop has a mod that merges LootPlus along with Xmax, for example.

Thanks.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 December 2019, 08:00:47
Yes, it's fine to use items from your Vault, just state that you are when posting your character's details.  It's called twinking so just add it to your details like this

Medea Fleecestealer - Gale Vitesse - L41 Druid AER (TWINKED) (no pets) - Medea's Grove

Full Xmax so none of the other versions likx x2 or x4.  I guess you could add LootPlus if you want to, but full Xmax will drop a lot of loot anyway given that mobs are x10 and all heroes/bosses comes in 3s.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 31 December 2019, 08:23:53
Hi there Twinscrew! Its good to see a new (potential) contender. hope u hop in for the fun. we are doing some playing every now and then and when im back home i need to upgrade our status.

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Twinscrew on 02 January 2020, 22:02:56
Ok, thanks.

Yeah upon thinking about it some more, I won't need LootPlus if I can use what I already have stored away. That will save a lot of time. I haven't decided what class to roll yet. Going to farm some more stuff up first while I make up my mind.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 03 January 2020, 10:38:55
@Twinscrew u can start a toon in the challenge to farm staff - this is what i did - conquerer is pretty good start. so is harbinger. Im thinking again about yellows only ;)

Jacko&Zuzia - Perseus - L51 Conquerer AER+Atlantis (TWINKED) - Dverg Ruins

So far so ggod. Zuzia is farming the ruins for some pretty OP equipment - master forge staff and throwing runestones. Will make pretty strong hand-me-downs for other toons.

We pumped quick recovery.

Both masteries stuck at 32. Is there any point in raising them to 40?

we also put 10 points into energy for some quality of life. and another 10 points into health.

Happy New Year Guys!. u know, personal, professional fulfilment, familiy happiness, prosperity ...;)

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 04 January 2020, 09:45:59
https://imgur.com/6WMfted

Jacko&Zuzia - Perseus - L53 Conquerer AER+Atlantis (TWINKED) - Village of Helos

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 04 January 2020, 14:47:18
Hey guys, I am trying to get back to the challenge, as I finally got a working PC in Belgium. However, I seem to be getting the following error in my TQVault. Any idea how to fix this?

(https://i.imgur.com/JajKpox.png)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 04 January 2020, 18:43:05
I also had problems with TQ vault but somehow it just fixed itself all of a sudden... Im not very computer savvyy...

What i can offer though:

https://github.com/EtienneLamoureux/TQVaultAE

https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=246.75

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 04 January 2020, 20:10:27
Seems like I had a prehistoric version of TQVault hahaha.

I installed the latest version and it works smoothly. Time to let Ororo beat the crap out of Epic monsters :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 04 January 2020, 20:31:26
Thanks for the link, i had the same error message !

Nice to see 3 runners at the same time on this thread, wish you the best, runners ;)
@Jacko: What is your feeling about Atlantis in Normal, was it playable ?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 04 January 2020, 20:46:23
Rangarok and Atlantis - I only noticed dmg spike on part on ranged mobs :( Rangarok is ok on xmax graphics wise. but atlantis on xmax - there is a frame rate drop for me but at the end of the day i can live with it :) its not all the time but i do feel it.

Mind u I still use my old laptop MSI GT70 but this old chap is running surprisingly well...soon will be buying a new one...:D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 04 January 2020, 22:16:35
Ororo - Ororo - L62 Templar AER (TWINKED) - Rhakotis

Not much to say. Act I Epic is easy. I am still relying on EBD like a fool - I don't have much of a choice since I don't really have a suitable gear in my vault.
Sorry for not taking a screenshot of Nessus - I forgot.

(https://i.imgur.com/4IlCqPR.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/n0J94Gg.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/1YCiSxX.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/r7WcL9j.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/p49Jwxj.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/6E8SxwG.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/BgO1mse.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/LNLh904.png)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 05 January 2020, 00:42:07
Ororo - Ororo - L63 Templar AER (TWINKED) - Gardens of Babylon

Decided to blitz through Egypt as well. Manticore was a bit scary due to my measly Pierce Resistance, but it worked out well.

(https://i.imgur.com/KH3XuQP.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Qb38xQx.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/wp9TOYE.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/NGuu3X3.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/okcBdb9.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/LWZanbB.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/frrTXkJ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ytI63Er.png)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 05 January 2020, 14:24:36
Going hard and fast I see... :)

We just tidied up the vault a little ... finally... 8)

https://imgur.com/By2oKqW

If u need any particular pieces of equipment let me know and maybe we have it in the vault so i can send it to u  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 05 January 2020, 15:35:07
Maybe too fast. I stumbled upon some Tigerman Mage hero with reflect damage and landed a maxxed out Phantom Strike on him :D You can guess the result.

Ororo - Ororo - L64 Templar AER (TWINKED) - died to Tigerman Hero with reflect damage

(https://i.imgur.com/iSMir58.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/XUC1eeS.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/hk6SSgV.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/XL3ozOy.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sw5EVVC.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/tW0pSOX.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/q8bVtyi.png)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 05 January 2020, 17:42:13
Thats a pity....Im on the lookaout for reflect dmg al the time with my Conquerer...

We found some pretty good staff in our stash for other toons. I didnt know I even had them, like Sapros.

R u gonna start another toon?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Sveznalica on 05 January 2020, 19:17:51
Hey guys,
What do you think would be the best class to do soulvizier hardcore xmax when first starting out?
I've played a lot of soulvizier xmax in the old days, but I see some things have changed
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 05 January 2020, 20:32:37
Jacko&Zuzia - Perseus - L58 Conquerer AER+Atlantis (TWINKED) - Epirus Refugee Camp

https://imgur.com/XiiHEIJ

3xEpic Typhon was a pain in the ass as always. we did it the safe way - switched to a reflect build - Athena Shield + max Defiance = 25 minutes of typhons slowly killing themselves. at no point were we in any danger but the sheer amount of time it took to kill them... >:(

I dont know whats the deal with the screenshots as everyonce in a while Im geting just a black background  ???

btw, we got a small bottle which yelds 70% more exp gained! it last quite a long! what a cool addition to the game and what an aid for starting toons  O:-)

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 05 January 2020, 23:29:38
https://imgur.com/Cg3kyyS

3 x Epic hades killed by ... Phalanx slvl 6  :o

Acrually, 2 x hades killed by Phalanx and last one by phalanx +Ancestrls slvl 6   :o

Playing it safe again...the door didnt even closed behind us  O0

It was a quick fight actually. 8 or 10 phalanx. with bbattle standard of course.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 07 January 2020, 11:07:07
@ Sveznalica - i never played this mod, wanted a few times but never realy got to it

in xmax its generally good to pick up a class with good AoE for mob clears and something with good defences.I like Conquerer, Spellbreaker, Ternion Diviner and Earth toons.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Sveznalica on 07 January 2020, 23:09:15
@ Sveznalica - i never played this mod, wanted a few times but never realy got to it

in xmax its generally good to pick up a class with good AoE for mob clears and something with good defences.I like Conquerer, Spellbreaker, Ternion Diviner and Earth toons.

I've chosen templar since I don't want to play conqueror again and I've never play templar. Supposedly it's pretty bulky which is important since I don't have any items to tweak my character :D

I encourage you to try the mod, it really gives a new depth to titan quest. Hero monsters are cool and hard, souls are a nice concept, some skills are reworked a bit. All in all it's a lot of fun
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 08 January 2020, 15:49:13

3 x Epic hades killed by ... Phalanx slvl 6  :o


eh man, you found a trick !
Apart from BS, were the phalanx boosted by pet jewels ?

Let us know if that works also in legendary.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 08 January 2020, 20:46:58
No pet jewelery. 2 x hades phalanx only. 3rd hades phalanx and ancesral warriors. Although it took a fe casts plus BS. but it was so safe and easy. I should go phalanx and warriors on all 3 hades. Although phalanx can be shift casted and warriors tend to stick to me so i have to approach more the target to actually sick ancestrals on it.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 09 January 2020, 10:03:10
We did some equipment shakeup on legendary.

Got 80%CDR. with that amount of cooldown reduction this conquerer took on a whole new different dimension.

BS, Phalanx, Ancestrals and shild charge make the game so much easier. I really luv shield charge and now i can cast it every 2-3 seconds. PermaBS, perma ancestral worriors take some heat off our conq.

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 09 January 2020, 19:41:50
I did the same with my spellbreaker (warfare/spirit) and permaBS is really a gamechanging feature. Btw it's the only build i could achieve up to the end of legendary withouth dying.
So, take care of insane heroes monsters and all should be fine  ;)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 11 January 2020, 23:11:32
Here is a new entry: Dyson a young soothsayer.

Tauceti - Dyson - L42 Soothsayer AERA (TWINKED) - Rhodes

If he can go up to legendary mode, the aim is to make an exotic build: a soothsayer-no pets, relying on late skills. In the meantime Dyson is currently leveling as a classic shepherd which explains its low kill count, helping the pets with plague.

Typhon
(https://i.imgur.com/hHhcaa6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qKrAxKp.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3XXkPf4.jpg)
The quality of pictures is not good since i had to downgrade graphics and textures. I have regularly crashes that i didn't have 6 months ago.  :o
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 12 January 2020, 08:48:25
Young  :o ...clvl 42...thank u mate - Im currently 42 years old  O0

I dont like pets but one thing i have to admit - Phalanx is doing extraordinarly surprisingly well in legendary and it does kill enemies and it does make a short work of them...+ its a good distraction.

Ancestral warriors dont do a fraction of Phalanx dmg  ???

Back in the day, as far as I can remember, Legendary was not as difficult as it is in AE R+A.

Good I chose a conquerer as i starter after such a long break.

good luck with Dyson mate!

Winter break is here so we are leaving for 8 days on Tue - we will have a short break and we will plan another toon for the challenge maybe.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 12 January 2020, 09:05:11
https://imgur.com/cqxqAys
https://imgur.com/RHqUGSH
https://imgur.com/qoEocGO

We started to do some farming.

We got this really nice amulet and swap gear. Depending on rare siituations we have swap gear for either bleed or vitality.

Unlucky with weapon though  :'(

Still using the lower dmg sword as we top AS with it at 222% and with the other it is 200% and we tested it in act 1 on dummies - the dumb way - on the faster one there is more bigger numbers then on the slower one although the slower one when equipped shows higher average dmg and higher DPS  ???

Subjectively we feel the faster one is better  :o
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 12 January 2020, 10:42:37
Going well Jacko and Zuzia - nice work!

Tauceti added your new challenger to the leaderboard.

Ororo - shame, but he'll be remembered in the Heroes' Graveyard.  Is your Templar still in the challenge or has that one been retired/lost?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 12 January 2020, 12:59:33
Its been a while Medea...

Btw, whats the deal with the droprate in A+R  >:(

After 50 Legendary Boar runs and 50 Legendary Fafnir runs for a total of 250 purple orbs I got only...10 or 11 purple items, only 1 or 2 from Ragnarok  >:(

EDIT: frustration clouded my memory when writing it up...for some reason legendary xmax Fafnir ALWAYS spawns x2 so it was a total of 250 orbs.

Back in the day it was better I think...damn it...I read someplace about a mod that betters the droprate and the mod can be used with xmax and with R+A. I need to find it and implement asap  >:(

Too much stress going on generaly so I dont need it in game  >:(
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 12 January 2020, 13:38:03
Actually your drop rate seems really low. That's curious.

Here is a link of farming runs (https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=867.0) (1 run = 1 orb ) made by a diviner. Results were rather similar to other runs made by @botebote77
In particular Fafnir is worth it, the same with the giant king.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 12 January 2020, 15:09:02
Thanx for the links!

I found the mod...its loot plus.

Golden boar sems to be better for me. And it has the same lootdrop table as fafnir.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 12 January 2020, 19:33:39
We are farming boar and fafnir for swords for our conquerer and... :P :P :P

we just got this from the boar: https://tq-db.net/en/equipment/mj%C3%B6lnir

we took a look at the miserable loot we got earlier and guess what:
https://tq-db.net/en/equipment/blessing-of-the-moirae

this is a sign we will go rune next . and we were absolutely not interested in thrown weapons.

btw, still using the old epic sword... :o :o :o but it works surprisingly well.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Twinscrew on 15 January 2020, 18:32:52
Well, my first couple attempts at this were already horrible failures. I started two Wanderers (nature) and intended to level as that until I figured out what I wanted my 2nd mastery to be. First toon died almost immediately from me just being dumb. Whatever, no big loss. Second toon made it to the Gorgon sisters as a plague caster, but I didn’t take into account that there would be 3x Euryales, so they just constantly heal and I couldn’t do any damage to them. Ran out of potions, tried to portal out but died.

Oh well lesson learned. Now I decided to roll as a Skinchanger but I started as Rune instead of Nature. Much better results. The plan is to stick to a throw & shield elemental build. Might add pets later, not sure yet. I’ll report back when I’ve made some significant progress. For the leaderboard entry:

CaptainBourbon
Skinchanger (twinked)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Sveznalica on 15 January 2020, 22:37:54
You can easily kite euryales by hitting them and then running to the lower right part of the dungeon. After a few tries you can get one alone and then hit her ranged until she has no more mana to heal or just outright outdamage her. If you're interested I can maybe record a video how to do it
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 16 January 2020, 06:43:53
Well, my first couple attempts at this were already horrible failures. I started two Wanderers (nature) and intended to level as that until I figured out what I wanted my 2nd mastery to be. First toon died almost immediately from me just being dumb. Whatever, no big loss. Second toon made it to the Gorgon sisters as a plague caster, but I didn’t take into account that there would be 3x Euryales, so they just constantly heal and I couldn’t do any damage to them. Ran out of potions, tried to portal out but died.

Oh well lesson learned. Now I decided to roll as a Skinchanger but I started as Rune instead of Nature. Much better results. The plan is to stick to a throw & shield elemental build. Might add pets later, not sure yet. I’ll report back when I’ve made some significant progress. For the leaderboard entry:

CaptainBourbon
Skinchanger (twinked)

Welcome to the challenge.  What level is your character and where are the location wise in the game? Need those for the leaderboard.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 16 January 2020, 20:42:01
Tauceti - Dyson - L56 Soothsayer AERA (TWINKED) - Helos

Pets did their job until end of Act 5 where they tend to become terrible, giants are hard hitters for pets even with good pet jewels.
Therefore Dyson had to respec somewhat towards a Ternion build.

@Twinscrew : as a wanderer, you can stay at the door (so that you can escape if things go wrong), and body pull with one of your pets in defensive mode.
As a result, 3 or 4 gorgons can be easily be put off in one try. Repeat and rinse.

(https://i.imgur.com/JIt7yPS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WPtcKrg.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 January 2020, 07:15:34
Updated and well done Tauceti.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 21 January 2020, 21:19:03
I was in a hurry to cross by epic difficulty. I should have not !
The 3 Barmanus crashed my toon when i realised my beginner error: no stun resistance on Dyson. OUPS  ::)

Fortunately i didn't go that far on epic so that this one won't be on the graveyard, i have so many toons already there...
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 January 2020, 06:48:32
Aw,bad luck Tauceti.   :(
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 22 January 2020, 17:57:15
https://imgur.com/Fau7B3z
https://imgur.com/VeR5zt5

forgot the surtur.

We still go xmax zero death but we did any% legendary speedrun just to get to Golden Boar and we farm it like crazy xmax of course:

https://imgur.com/ghUxEzs

need equipment for other toons.

so i guess it stops here for Perseus:

Jacko&Zuzia - Perseus - L73 Conquerer AER+Atlantis (TWINKED) - Village of Helos

BTW, Im thinking of starting a thread on the challenge:

any% speedrun challenge

best time for completing normal, epic and legendary...subcategories zero death, tweaked etc...once it matures I will start the thread...maybe someone will join in
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 January 2020, 19:50:19
Well, up to you of course.  You'd need to lay down some rules on what counts and what doesn't.  Do you have to do quests or just run through the game as fast as you can for example? Most of the speed runs I've seen for Grim Dawn they just ignore everything they don't have to do to progress in the game.  Kinda boring to me.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 22 January 2020, 22:26:08
Jacko & Zuzia - Sauron - L5 Theurgist AER+A (TWINKED) - Laconia Woods

We decided to run another toon, vitality dmg. farming all vit staves with Perseus on xmax.

On the fence as to second mastery though.

any suggestions guys?

will have to prepare a swap staff for constructs etc.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 January 2020, 22:39:16
Added to the leaderboard and good luck you two.

Had a look at the GD speedruns and see no one's bothered to run it for a year now so no one's done FG content. 

Edit: My bad.  There have been a few.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 22 January 2020, 22:56:19
I luved d2 any% speedruns....especially with a sorc  :P

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 23 January 2020, 11:25:29
Well....

Sauron has already diagnosed two major issues:

1. energy regen - mana pot every 5 seconds

2. archers - seem to be his Nemesis atm damn it  >:(

Still on the fence as to second mastery.

Maxed Ternion, Arcane Lore, Deathchill aura.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 24 January 2020, 18:16:07
we took levelling a little overboard with +100% exp potions  >:D

https://imgur.com/LOvcjs7
https://imgur.com/3oxIYjD

So far so good.....

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Jacko on 25 January 2020, 13:44:19
Jacko & Zuzia - Sauron - L30 Theurgist AER+A (TWINKED) - Highland Pass

These +100% exp white pots are sick  >:D

Considering something unorthodox for second mastery...Defence...Warfare...Slightly inclined towards Warfare for BS, Dodge chance and Phys Dmg for constructs...will have to farm for Carnyx staff later.

Staff of the Necromancer is ok atm. on switch some elemental staf for constructs.



Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 04 February 2020, 21:22:50
I am preparing my next entry and I am wondering... Are Aionios and Sapros still "droppable"? I cannot find them anywhere in the droplist and they would fit quite well into my build.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Ororo on 08 February 2020, 22:38:15
Come oooon. One of you guys must know the answer!
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Tauceti on 09 February 2020, 13:23:33
I made a lot of farming runs some months ago and i never had the chance of dropping the best shield of the game: Aionos. It doesn't mean that the shield is no more in the drop list though, so i can't really help you. On the other hand Sapros is still there, the last one dropped in my games was last year.

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Twinscrew on 15 April 2020, 04:06:23
Well, my first couple attempts at this were already horrible failures. I started two Wanderers (nature) and intended to level as that until I figured out what I wanted my 2nd mastery to be. First toon died almost immediately from me just being dumb. Whatever, no big loss. Second toon made it to the Gorgon sisters as a plague caster, but I didn’t take into account that there would be 3x Euryales, so they just constantly heal and I couldn’t do any damage to them. Ran out of potions, tried to portal out but died.

Oh well lesson learned. Now I decided to roll as a Skinchanger but I started as Rune instead of Nature. Much better results. The plan is to stick to a throw & shield elemental build. Might add pets later, not sure yet. I’ll report back when I’ve made some significant progress. For the leaderboard entry:

CaptainBourbon
Skinchanger (twinked)

Welcome to the challenge.  What level is your character and where are the location wise in the game? Need those for the leaderboard.

I apologize that it took so long to respond to this. Unfortunately I had to abandon this challenge.

Everything was going fine with my Skinchanger until I got to act 5, where the game becomes completely unplayable in full Xmax. The frame rate drops so low that it basically freezes the game. I even tried taking the settings down to potato graphics and it still runs like garbage. So that's a wrap, sadly. It's just too much for a laptop to handle.

Anyways, good luck to those of you still going forward!

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 15 April 2020, 06:38:34
Yes, that can be a problem with these mods that add more monsters.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 04 October 2020, 19:29:17
Hey guys! I know i haven't been around since forever. I have been busy with playing wow. But from time to time titan quest comes back to me and i have to replay it. So, after logging in on steam and checking out the achievement section i saw that there is an achievement for finishing the game with less than 100 kills. So, i thought i get the achievement to the next level. I want to finish the game with 0 potions, untwinked, 0 deaths, xmax, less than 100 kills. I want to get into the challenge and fail it with the lowest number of kills possible :D.

All of the above being said, i am playing a pet character, right now focusing on nature. If you guys have any advice to make my life better shoot. Also, I am open for any suggestion regarding the second mastery.

stormyboy - Xardas - L16 Wanderer Atlantiss(no potions) - Halcyon coast - 15kills

https://imgur.com/OP6SGNS
https://imgur.com/PQWFX9h
https://imgur.com/5PuNCme
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 October 2020, 21:54:58
Welcome back and good luck with the challenge.   :)

I'd say Dream for the extra health/energy regen that Nightmare's Mastermind synergy gives for pets.  Combined with Trance of Convalescence for more health/energy regen pets should be pretty sturdy. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 08 March 2021, 13:39:37
So, it's that time of year again when i get homesick and get back to TQ. Could you pls remove my characters from the ladder? I have lost all my data from my SSD due to my laptop dying. Now i got a new PC and i think soon i will try to get back here with a new character.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 March 2021, 13:50:40
Oh stormyboy, sorry to hear that.  :(  Didn't you back them up on an external drive?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 14 March 2021, 10:47:55
Oh, i had everything backed up.......on another folder in a different partition. Because you know, devices can't break on me. It's ok tho. I like titan quest enough to replay it to the infinity and back and the other game i am committed to is world of warcraft which is online. As for my other files (photos and important work stuff, all were saved in onedrive).

Now, lets talk about serious stuff.

Stormyboy - Borkan - L35 Ranger AEA (untwinked/no potions) - Temple of Marduk - Level IV

I chose ranger because nature seems good for this challenge. It gives me a bit of intelect and energy, most of the skills it provides are useful in this combination, i get elemental resistance, aaaaand +1 to wolfs in order to pull bosses out of their room. I miss the ADCH aura from the dream mastery.

Incoming image spam
https://imgur.com/WHov1MM
https://imgur.com/dFjSBmH
https://imgur.com/ByqOSxm
https://imgur.com/Bi8kK7p
https://imgur.com/QJ0Gcu3
https://imgur.com/WXYgENU
https://imgur.com/e8yE12v  (one was inside his room)
https://imgur.com/kwM8ODD
https://imgur.com/PY1cOgL
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 14 March 2021, 11:32:54
Added to the leaderboard and welcome back to the challenge.  Good luck with your ranger.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 15 March 2021, 21:50:18
And again a bit of progress. I am around the grey sisters right now but i will post the progress at the end of the expansion.

Stormyboy - Borkan - L43 Ranger AEA (untwinked/no potions) - Olympus summit

https://imgur.com/qkVdCPk
https://imgur.com/S3EC9pu
https://imgur.com/ieGXWxd
https://imgur.com/mUpPlOt
https://imgur.com/9vXx5s9
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 02 April 2021, 19:14:05
So, i am done with immortal throne and ragnarok. Seems that i have unlocked epic difficulty but i will complete atlantiss as well before i go for it. seems like that is the right way to do it. Again, ragnarok, i just hated. The bosses are not epic at all, the terrain is all bugged (if you play ranger your arrows get stuck midair in invisible walls), the end boss feels like you are killing just a random elite etc etc. Also, there are pieces of my road i had to turn off xmax because the game would just shut off at random times. But only around the top of the pyramid before the end boss and the gardens of asgard.

Stormyboy - Borkan - L61 Ranger AEA (untwinked/no potions) - Eldr fields

https://imgur.com/Mve1XKm
https://imgur.com/gCVneIf
https://imgur.com/3P8PEUO
https://imgur.com/7tHehJ2
https://imgur.com/I0T3xEq
https://imgur.com/qrso0mQ
https://imgur.com/VPTUSXX
https://imgur.com/5LRBF5T
https://imgur.com/MgD0TOc
https://imgur.com/ucDx131
https://imgur.com/djmoMFv
https://imgur.com/THrAVwu
https://imgur.com/wnjoQZy

Last 2 screenshots are from the end of ragnarock and death/potion count.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 02 April 2021, 20:28:19
Yes, completing Ragnarok unlocks the next difficulty.  Atlantis is a purely optional expansion.

And well done as usual stormyboy.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 03 April 2021, 16:40:54
Stormyboy - Borkan - L62 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Atlantis Ascent

https://imgur.com/fQzSXGQ
https://imgur.com/LNPw3cj
https://imgur.com/DumaQMP
https://imgur.com/9vh3wjA

 And this is normal finally done. I took a few screenshots of atlantis but only to the monsters that had balls of loot to drop. Being my first run and double the level of the expansion i found no threat whatsoever in there so i couldn't identify that well bosses. Also, i wonder why did they cut it short? I mean, no main quest, fewer portals and zones, fewer unique items, 15euro on steam. The price is lower than ragnarok by 5eu but even so, the content is too scarce to worth the full price.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 03 April 2021, 22:35:53
Stormyboy - Borkan - L63 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Olive Grove

https://imgur.com/FmFWTNd
https://imgur.com/1q4wlRw
https://imgur.com/big2zDX
https://imgur.com/Wdt0QDV
https://imgur.com/WKv6hyU

This is it for tonight. Tomorrow i think i will finish grece.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 04 April 2021, 17:56:15
Stormyboy - Borkan - L65 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Room of the Conduit

https://imgur.com/MhB01Mt
https://imgur.com/VHU7ovR
https://imgur.com/BjHpK9l
https://imgur.com/0SMbUqU

Aaaaaaand this is greece. Also, i am gathering items to do the challenge again twinked and with potions. I am gathering retaliation/damage reflect items and pet damage items. I am thinking about a character that only reflects and a character that will fail the challenge by finishing the game with less than 100 kills :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 April 2021, 08:22:50
 ;D Last one.  Good luck with that.  I'm doing the I have minions for that achievement atm where you have to finish Normal with less than 100 kills.  I'm up to 40, but most of those were running around doing the first quest to reach L2 to get some wolves.  I'm just past Medea's Grove in Normal so I might just make it, but trying it in Xmax ....   :o
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 09 April 2021, 22:15:04
Stormyboy - Borkan - L68 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Tsongmo Ice Caverns

https://imgur.com/6jvTHeo
https://imgur.com/yn8cFqh
https://imgur.com/0H0e3ol
https://imgur.com/5iXt83Z
https://imgur.com/z5MsXK7
https://imgur.com/r06OV0i
https://imgur.com/7LYgbhG

Second act done with a bit of progress in act 3. Untill now nothing gives me any trouble. I have trouble with the epic items i get but it's ok. I like more the targeted benefit of green items + enchantment.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 10 April 2021, 15:50:05
Well done!  Almost to the top of the leaderboard.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 10 April 2021, 21:34:41
Thank you! This is my next upgrade. It is not the end of the act yet but i got the dragon lich down without any problems which is a big personal achievement.

Stormyboy - Borkan - L68 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Shrine of Zhong Kui

https://imgur.com/HsQrYTW
https://imgur.com/HGUjwoy
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 09 May 2021, 14:52:59
Stormyboy - Borkan - L72 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Throne Room

https://imgur.com/TSuae5w  (vault stats)
https://imgur.com/VoPDI9h
https://imgur.com/1KV3MOs
https://imgur.com/s7usfjO
https://imgur.com/xK2m0kn (titan kill)
https://imgur.com/GtTQu1n  (hades kill)

I hope it's ok that i wrote lvl 72 even tho i have 71 in the kill picture. I got the level right after i took this picture by completing the hades vault quest.
Now, one more expansion and i am off to legendary. The worst of all... I need to farm some vendor greens for this or else my journey will end here.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 09 May 2021, 20:34:10
Yeah, that's fine stormyboy.  And that takes you almost to the top of the leaderboard!   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Zardoz on 20 May 2021, 22:59:54
I apologize in advance for questioning this, but i just can't help it, i have to ask - Is this challenge based on trust? Because anyone can just cheat very easily with a save file backup before every game session, or from rebirth fountain to rebirth fountain. How does this work? Have you had doubts about someone's legitimacy in the challenge so far?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 21 May 2021, 00:08:49
Hey Zardoz! You are right. There are a lot of ways you can cheat in this challenge. A while ago, before atlantiss and ragnarok, you could even use the defiler to make yourself invulnerable, add levels, add gold etc. Because the game doesn't have a hardcore setting we must play the challenge by trusting each other we won't cheat.

I will use myself as an example for why i don't want to cheat in this challenge:
-this is only a forum of an old game with a few active users (most of them looking for guides and mods). So you don't get any fame out of completing the challenge
-fan made leader boards, nothing official
-no prize whatsoever
-waste of time. It takes a lot of time to complete 3 difficulties on xmax. Imagine saving and starting over from a checkpoint for a few times. Even if you save after every fountain, there are zones so dense that it takes 30 min just to advance one more fountain. I would understand mby doing that for the end boss. But if you need to save before you get to legendary you have a loooong way ahead of you.
-this challenge is a long-term commitment
-not that many people care about this challenge. So you are not lying to them but to yourself.

I personally trust and have trusted all participants.  A while ago when the forum was a bit more active, the challenge was more popular as well. But, even tho we had more entries, the list of characters that completed the challenge was not that big. And most of the time the challenge got completed by players that had a few characters in the bin as well.

As for myself, i only completed the challenge once with haruspex when you could become immortal with enough defensive(at least for projectiles and melee hits). Aside from that, i had a lot of failed entries that weren't even worthy to get into the hero bin. Or, because i rarely post normal progress untill the end of normal, some characters created with the challenge in mind didn't even made it on the forum.

(wall of text because i feel like i am the only one running right now :D)
Long answer short, you can lie, you can cheat. We won't know. But you will.

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Zardoz on 21 May 2021, 00:45:29
Hello there. :)

I will use myself as an example for why i don't want to cheat in this challenge:
-this is only a forum of an old game with a few active users (most of them looking for guides and mods). So you don't get any fame out of completing the challenge
-fan made leader boards, nothing official
-no prize whatsoever
-waste of time. It takes a lot of time to complete 3 difficulties on xmax. Imagine saving and starting over from a checkpoint for a few times. Even if you save after every fountain, there are zones so dense that it takes 30 min just to advance one more fountain. I would understand mby doing that for the end boss. But if you need to save before you get to legendary you have a loooong way ahead of you.
-this challenge is a long-term commitment
-not that many people care about this challenge. So you are not lying to them but to yourself.

While these are all very good and valid points, they won't stop a cheater from being a cheater. I can tell you why someone might cheat in this challenge, despite all these points you've presented - he will do it for the same reason people cheat in video games in general, with or without any price on the line, but for the mere bragging rights, no matter how insignificant they're achievement is, how time consuming it is, or how many people care about it. For the same reason there are so many people caught cheating in speedrunning obscured games, just so they're names can appear in a leaderboard that only the handful of players of that said game know about. Some gamers/cheaters are weird, they would do strange things for reason only they care about. Others cheat because they suffer from some bizarre gaming superiority complex, they think they're too good to fail, so they can't accept to lose, even in the most meaningless competition.

As for this challenge, you can only speak for yourself, you can't know for sure what the other players do... and as long as there's no way to actually prove the legitimacy of all participating walkthroughs, every single one will be (it must be) under suspicion. You can only prove a walkthrough like this, if you livestream the whole thing from start to finish.

Speaking of streaming... has anyone streamed something like this before? Is there at least a youtube walkthrough of a full xmax self-found hardcore character? I'm curious to see how they progress through the game on normal difficulty and the playstyle overall, but i don't want it explained with words, i want to see it.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 21 May 2021, 06:51:05
Yes, the challenge is based on trusting people who undertake it will do so without cheating.  The challenge has been going probably since the Xmax mod first came out; it was on the old forum before that got closed down.  I just moved the conditions and leaderboard over when we started the new forum. 

You have to remember that streaming wasn't even a thing back when the challenge first started and also many of us are not interested or capable of doing something like a live stream.  That would also limit the number of people who could take part in the challenge.  There have been a few pvp/league challenges for Grim Dawn over the last year or so and while I did sort of take part in the last league thing I knew I wouldn't get on the leaderboard precisely because boss kills needed to be live streamed/videoed and I'm too much of a computer dunce to be able to set something like that up, even if I wanted to - which I personally don't. 

So yes, trust is what we rely on.  Sure people could cheat it, but if they really want something to brag about then I'd say finishing the challenge as many times as gasconron has would really need to be their target if they're that way inclined.  The other thing I would say is while they may cheat their way through and on to the leaderboard, they're not going to be number 1 as there will be other players who complete the challenge and join them; they would all be equal as they've finished the challenge and not numbered 1, 2, 3, etc.  Whether that's incentive enough .... 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 21 May 2021, 09:53:26
You are right, a cheater will be a cheater no matter what. So, with thatin mind, even if one would record their progress and post it here, it would not exclude the possibility of cloning the save. Personal example: because my time is limited i usually play in 1h sections (from portal to portal). If i were to record, i could save my progress each time i get to a new portal and re-record my atempts every time i fail, posting just the successful atempts.

 As for live streaming, one of the reasons i love titan quest is the offline factor. If any of my gameplay would involve me going online in any way or shape i would lose interest. I already play world of warcraft which is a mmorpg and sometimes i just need a retreat in offline games. When completely offline i have the freedom to go afk whenever, pause the game, hop between portals to farm vendors as much as i like. Not to say simetimes i just pause the game, forget about it and when i come back the pc would have auto shut down. So, a stream where i go afk for 5h would be... Something. Also, making a stream with me farming vendors for 3h wouldn't be nice to watch and would stress me for being watched.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Zardoz on 21 May 2021, 15:30:14
I agree, video recordings are not a viable proof. It will be the same with the pics... i asked if such youtube series exists, because i'm curious of seeing someone playing full xmax hardcore and self-found, even if there's chance of it being non-legit. I just want to see the progression on normal difficulty. I think Mr. Fae has attempted it, but i think it was xmax-x3 and wasn't a self-found character...

Sadly only a stream can be a real proof, but i also have to agree with @MedeaFleecestealer . Streaming is not something everyone would just straight jump into, just to take a part in a challenge. And then there's someone who needs to review the streams as well, so they won't be entirely based on trust too... but then who would do that with countless streams for hundreds if hours? It will be like a job. :D
I also never thought of streaming as something i would do... first i have no i idea how it works, and can't be bothered to research it. Second, i also like that leisure factor of playing at your own pace when you're offline, playing a single player games.

Still i think many interesting challenges, farmathons, speedruns, races, you name it, could have happened and be a regular thing on twitch (i'll be there to watch them for sure), if the game wasn't so criminally underrated. Just look at something like Diablo 2 which is a 21-year-old game and is beating Titan Quest and every other ARPG, including Grim Dawn, when it comes to streaming activity... it's only third behind Path of Exile and, i think, Diablo 3. It's sad because i believe Titan Quest to be a superior and fresher experience than all of these games (including D2), it's the only ARPG that truly stands out today, with its fresh setting, art style, soul and character. Everything else copies and tries so hard to be like a more boring version of Diablo 2. <-- Sorry, i went a bit off-topic here.

I guess the biggest flaw of TQ is that it doesn't have a real hardcore mode, with either hidden save files, or something in the registry that recognizes that a HC character has died even if you copy/paste a backup of his files.


Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 21 May 2021, 15:52:04
Well, D2 is popular for streamers atm because of the D2 remake that's on the way.  It's always been a popular game, but that news has reignited players' interest in it even more.  Still, if we ever do get any news of more TQ stuff I'm sure that'll generate a lot of interest as well.  Maybe not among streamers necessarily, but the player base for sure.  Just cross fingers that will happen.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 May 2021, 17:28:49
Okay, going to get back into this I hope.  Didn't start off well as the first character I made chased after a wayward satyr in the horse field and aggro'd the ones by the guards and died so I had to remake that one. 

Then started a second one for the challenge and did almost the same thing.  Didn't aggro more packs, but did manage to die just the same to one of the last ones before the guards dealt with it, so had to remake that one as well.   :o  Doesn't bode well for my success at this. 

Anyway, here's the second character; Xmax Pets is the name and she's a Soothsayer.  Up to L13 and at Megara Bluff.
(https://i.imgur.com/ylHueWL.jpg)

Will add the second one once she's a bit further along; only got her up to the caravan driver quest yesterday.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 22 May 2021, 19:36:33
Welcome Medea! Have a swift run! Don't worry about the first fail. I usually delete 3-4 characters before the end of normal until i make one work. As veterans of the game we usually underestimate the normal monsters (the one and only reason we fail).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 May 2021, 20:17:36
Anyone know how well the 2016 Steam Xmax mod works with the expansions?  I see it hasn't been updated since then. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 22 May 2021, 20:29:33
I play on steam with their xmax. I only have a problem in ragnarok in the garden of asgard. The place of a lot of statues. The game auto shuts down around that place. But other than that place where you will probably turn off xmax to be able to advance everything is smooth.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: sauruz on 22 May 2021, 22:00:14
How is in Atlantis ? i cant even imagine the performance with 10x more mobs  :o
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 May 2021, 22:52:24
Don't know, but I have been experiencing some stuttering in Act 1, though I got a bit of that in Atlantis with normal play recently.  Not sure if it's the publicbeta or something else causing it.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 23 May 2021, 11:53:10
@MedeaFleecestealer I have noticed that as well. It's a recent problem i have been experiencing (1-2 weeks old problem).

What about a public beta? for what?

@sauruz atlantis is the same as all others expansions. You get stuck in place or your FPS drops to 1 when you engage a large pack all at once. But it is manageable
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 May 2021, 12:14:59
The publicbeta is for controller support for PC users.  It'll be v2.10 when it fully releases, but atm you can try it out by changing your Steam version to publicbeta. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 26 May 2021, 07:54:14
Here's my other challenger; a Prophet.  Again up to L13 and at Megara Bluff.

(https://i.imgur.com/L0XJxoX.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 28 May 2021, 09:18:54
Whew, I'd forgotten just how many foes appear when you play this mod.   :o  Seems to be more than I remembered. 

Anyway XmaxPets is up to L18 and has arrived in Delphi.  Did manage, amazingly, to kill Shadowmaw x3, but had a couple of near deaths before she managed to retreat and recover/resummon. 
(https://i.imgur.com/BlRWbiV.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 28 May 2021, 09:51:51
Nice progress Medea. It's always hard with pet classes on xmax boss fights. Pets are eating packs alive regardless of resistances or monster type. But bosses...when 3 of them focus one pet it will get 1shot.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 28 May 2021, 10:17:46
I'm finding the spawn for heroes a bit hit and miss now with the publicbeta version.  Sometimes I get 2 heroes, other times I get the 3.  Bosses seem to be okay still with x3 spawning.  Not sure if it's just the age of the mod itself (2016) or just because so much has changed since it was made.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 04 June 2021, 16:44:09
Because my schedule is so full that i barely play, i will post some progress just to show you guys that i am still going :)).

What i rly rly rly need to change:
-helmet - i have a random green piece that i got on gorgons (ceremonial - 8% exp + normal crystal of erebus with 8% exp bonus. The epic one gave me 1 skill point bonus but i don't care for that too much). This one i want to upgrade with a ceremonial piece as well but it's hard to find something with a lot of exp bonus.
-bracer - i have the first random stonebinder cuffs that dropped in epic(2 skill points, what more could you ask?). The problem with those is the armor and resistances they give (180 armor, only elemental resist and some intelect)
-chest - any random "juggernaut" or "of the glade" works.

Other than this, i have high hopes for this character. I had terrible luck with epic pieces but you can't have it all. I will have to search for some undead resist/bonus damage pieces. It took me 40 minutes to clear the caves before you get to scandia. Those undead dudes are a lot... Without speciffic pieces i won't be able to kill them in legendary.

Stormyboy - Borkan - L73 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Sithun

https://imgur.com/RiGM7bx
https://imgur.com/uaok0tP
https://imgur.com/kaCzULp
https://imgur.com/A2ztH14
https://imgur.com/EsvfyDL
https://imgur.com/2EQ6JeG (Last boss)
https://imgur.com/wiihCSq (death /potion count)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 June 2021, 11:08:10
Well done stormyboy and that takes you to the top of the leaderboad.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 07 June 2021, 14:01:04
Played a bit more with my Soothsayer, but had a couple of crashes just outside the Athens Battlegrounds.   :(  So that's it for today.  Up to L22.

(https://i.imgur.com/5BYwz1H.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HPPvg51.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: sauruz on 08 June 2021, 14:48:22
Theres something that causes instability around Athens Batlegrounds, i already sent a couple report via redmine months ago.

Hopefully it can be resolve..
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 13 June 2021, 19:04:22
Good job Medea! You doin some solid progress there. I consider The gorgons the first real boss of normal. As for the crashes i also experience those around the battlegrounds. And outside asgard as well. But i usually kill stuff untill it crashes and then run through everything untill the next checkpoint

Now, check this out as i have some progress as well :D. I had a few near death experiences but blood gem saved me every time. Other than that, i hope the developer that thought about the boss that teleports you back to him gets cold water in his shower.... luckily, i speared him down rly easy.

Now the real question...do i have to finish atlantiss to start legendary?

Stormyboy - Borkan - L75 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Helos woods

https://imgur.com/sj0qU0l (death/potion count)
https://imgur.com/lwlzwR5 (first "boss" from legendary. somewhere around the pile of corpses)
https://imgur.com/s4NvWZp (last boss of epic)
https://imgur.com/NDmdbMo
https://imgur.com/LfITSFX
https://imgur.com/VPJiFvn
 https://imgur.com/Bmkz4XB
https://imgur.com/izHLkd0
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 June 2021, 19:26:38
Well, Atlantis an optional expansion so you could go back and do it later if you're doing all - AERA (AE, Ragnarok, Atlantis).  If you want to drop Atlantis then you'd need to change to AER to show you're not doing that expansion. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 13 June 2021, 22:05:15
Ok then. I will go back to atlantiss after i finish legendary Greece. Here is my last upgrade for today.  I can't wait to killl the hydra. It's been years since i got to legendary.

Right now i am a bit affraid of skelletons. Without study prey they die kinda hard. If i don't farm for some anti undead stuff i won't be able to finish the secret passage.

Stormyboy - Borkan - L75 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Halcyon coast

https://imgur.com/pin5l6V  (cyclops)
https://imgur.com/x20eoIP (death/potion count)
https://imgur.com/BP59gL2
https://imgur.com/MDrvGTC
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 07 September 2021, 09:39:39
After a short break i am back again with an update. (new raid in world of warcraft, wedding etc :D)

So, i finally got to miss hydra and what i thought it would be a few days/weeks of farming transformed into 4 hours of trying to save my character from an undeserved death with alt+f4. Apparently each breath of the hydra is counted as a projectile spree (15-20/sec). What does that mean for my PC? Every time i would pull more than 1 hydra or i would touch it while it started breathing, my fps would instantly drop to 1-2 FPS/s. Sometimes i would happen while the boss was at 1% HP. other times would happen as soon as i started pulling. Good thing i always use scroll of unbroken fortitude at bosses that use breath attacks.
I saw online that others have this problem as well. But i think i could be an AMD problem only. I am playing the game on a AMD sapphire 6800 16gb, so hardware speaking i shouldn't have any problem (but i do). My old laptop had an nvidia 1050 4gb and i was farming the hydra like crazy on that. Maybe it's that, or mby i never noticed before. Who knows.

Ok, so the hydra is dead. Cool. Lets go through the most anti-stress, mass destruction, killspree zone ever: the Athena war grounds. Or not.......The game auto cancels at random moments (i had this problem happening on normal and epic as well, i just forgot how annoying it was). So, without any further chatting, this is my short update to show you i am still rolling.

 In the image below you will see only 2 bodies because after the first pull i was out of scrolls and had to teleport and buy more (it disappeared after i got back).

Stormyboy - Borkan - L76 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Athens Marsh

https://imgur.com/Ra9zj6D
https://imgur.com/rbsCNIs
https://imgur.com/pwTp8Sg

Now i am parked in Athens but i will go back to the warground and try to clear it. I can't stand having black zones left on my map.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 07 September 2021, 21:29:42
Updated and welcome back!   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 09 September 2021, 21:44:36
Stormyboy - Borkan - L76 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Room of the conduit

https://imgur.com/1bWA4xP
https://imgur.com/YHWC3eC
https://imgur.com/mEeJyo6

Boom! Greece is done.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 12 September 2021, 21:44:11
Stormyboy - Borkan - L77 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - Temple of Marduk - Level IV

https://imgur.com/98OhqN5
https://imgur.com/IXYdfND
https://imgur.com/HgwXOtD
https://imgur.com/rAVFsjr
https://imgur.com/2LkALFB

Finished Egypt as well and going strong in China. Right now i am parked at the 3rd portal. Untill now everything goes rly well. The only thing that scares me is damage reflection.

Also, i am alrdy thinking about my next character for this challenge. I am somewhere between def+spirit or a nature+earth (pets). Next time i will go for twinked + potions run because to be honest, farming vendors for rings, amulets and weapons and using the helmet from the epic gorgons because it's the only thing with bonus exp i found (i am so oldschool that i am sure my survival is guaranteed by outleveling everything) is getting be burned out.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 21 September 2021, 10:33:07
That is it boyz!!! I finally got to........nope. I am dead :)))). I pulled by mistake a group of shield charging centaur - bird dudes that were on the other side of the map. There is no tomb stone on my minimap because well....i got juuust a bit mad and hit alt+f4 untill my PC shut down :D. But it's cool. I am alrdy thinking about my next build.

Stormyboy - Borkan - L78 Ranger AEAR (untwinked/no potions) - The obsidian halls - Died to: Ancient Dragonian - Deathlance (Kill count: 272352)

https://imgur.com/Rf89hKz
https://imgur.com/SNMDN3Q
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 21 September 2021, 10:54:09
Oh no!  Damn stormyboy.  Still Borkan will always be remembered in the Hall of Fallen Heroes (changing the name because that sounds better). 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 21 September 2021, 22:39:05
So, you know when a mosquito annoys you all night and you go, take the bazooka out and hunt him down like crazy? Well, that's what i did. No more nice guy. I am pulling out all the gear i got + defense mastery to be immortal + spirit mastery to melt everyone resistances (i am not mad enough to create a conquer tho :)) )


So, this is it, Greece down:

Stormyboy - Elentya- L26 Spellbinder AEAR (TWINKED) - Hathor Basin
https://imgur.com/akUaAGN (death count)
https://imgur.com/u3TU3U1 (telkin)
https://imgur.com/1SSmYoQ
https://imgur.com/ADjkamy
https://imgur.com/q6X98s5
https://imgur.com/EKPtQcR
https://imgur.com/uBooD7f
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 September 2021, 06:39:03
Added to the leaderboard stormyboy and good luck!  Will this one also be a no potions?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 22 September 2021, 11:35:30
Stormyboy - Elentya- L34 Spellbinder AEAR (TWINKED) - Gardens of Babylon

https://imgur.com/ulLuksE
https://imgur.com/FavBYtA
https://imgur.com/evzPNDG

I will be using potions on this one.

I have planed a pet class and a caster for an untwink/no potions run. I also want to give the archer another go. Maybe not a ranger. Maybe i will remake my old Haruspex

Btw...i have in my vault an item with double "bonus to pets" affix/suffix that i bought around epic immortal throne. Is that a real thing that can be farmed? Or was just a random, one time bug?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 September 2021, 19:39:14
Updated stormyboy.

Don't know about the item - what one is it? 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 24 September 2021, 09:27:38

Don't know about the item - what one is it? 

https://imgur.com/dizDV2t  - This is the item i am wondering about. Just ignore the mess. It's just my storage place for my challenge character Borkan. I just gather everything worthy and throw in there. You dont want to see the relics page....


As for a new update, could you please delete the spellbinder from the challenge? I can't play as a normal dude. I feel like i am cheating with every potion i drink :)).

But, i have started a character worthy of my play style. My goal? Fail the challenge with 100< kills but all difficulties killed with 0 deaths. I also had an idea for a character that goes with shield and sword, pet character, rogue+earth that relies on traps. But i can't play that without potions because i would have no way to regain HP in a reliable manner.


 Stormyboy - Myxir - L23 Spellbinder AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Athens Catacombs - Level V

https://imgur.com/wIHlH6d (death/kill count)
https://imgur.com/5SdORWi (potions count)
https://imgur.com/TY8Lt2h
https://imgur.com/VSyiqex
https://imgur.com/n7V8BnA
https://imgur.com/20XzsYS

All i have to say is that bosses are something else when you try to play TQ as an RTS
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 24 September 2021, 09:47:39
Puppetmaster's of Convocation is a much sought after item for petmancers and perfectly legit.   :)

I'll add Myxir to the leaderboard and good luck with that one.

As for RTS games, did you know that Crate are working on one?  Evidently after some debate they've decided to set it on Cairn in a pre-GD era.

https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/crates-grim-dawn-related-rts-project/109927
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 25 September 2021, 22:20:09
God, killing bosses with a summoner takes ages. Especially if you are aiming for a low kill count. But it's cool. You just stay at the door, the pets chew a bit of the bosses health, they die, i resummon etc.
But, killing normal monsters and heroes is realy fun and fast. My pets melt everything.

 Stormyboy - Myxir - L38 Spellbinder AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Tsongmo Ice Caves

https://imgur.com/dKTOtKd (potions/death count)
https://imgur.com/I3v8TI9 (yetti)
https://imgur.com/xFslt5k (kill count)
https://imgur.com/8Nao6Kl
https://imgur.com/Zvxfpuw
https://imgur.com/LL7BlCT
https://imgur.com/aKgwInH
https://imgur.com/nZgaGq0
https://imgur.com/iimI0qP
https://imgur.com/jdY4Fxr



As for RTS games, did you know that Crate are working on one?  Evidently after some debate they've decided to set it on Cairn in a pre-GD era.

https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/crates-grim-dawn-related-rts-project/109927


I love RTS games. And nothing good came out since the era of warcraft 3, age of empires, warhammer etc. I think we have more than 10y without any amazing RTS game. So, fingers crossed :D.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 26 September 2021, 09:13:11
Leaderboard updated.

Well, given that Crate have been working on the town builder for 6 years now and the RTS is still in early development it wouldn't surprise me if we have a long wait ahead of us.  :o
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 27 September 2021, 14:52:56
 Stormyboy - Myxir - L47 Spellbinder AEAR (no potions/untwink) - The River Styx

https://imgur.com/hdgsCfU - potions/death/kill count
https://imgur.com/wOpqIBf - titan
https://imgur.com/YkbDlif

Boss killing becomes harder and harder. Also, people don't really like  the nimph but man, she killed 3x typhon. I guess she is more of a hero than i am. As for normal kills, my pets still melt everything. So i am good.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 02 October 2021, 20:46:24
 Stormyboy - Myxir - L53 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Scironean Rocks

https://imgur.com/2SzKX3Q
https://imgur.com/kf66gqn
https://imgur.com/ysbgruO
https://imgur.com/TuA4hlx
https://imgur.com/0JWkKqm

Know what is worst than loosing a character? Going for the achievement where you finish normal with less than 100 kills and your kills rising from 40 to 77 without even touching a monster. I mean, i don't have any retaliation gear. I don't even have an attack equiped. Cmooon. Right now i have 81 kills and i am parked at the second portal of ragnarok. I don't think i will make it
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 03 October 2021, 08:53:18
Sounds strange.  I did that achievement with a Summoner as well, though on vanilla play.  I ended with 61 kills, but most of those (some 30+) I got just getting up to L2 so I could start summoning pets.  The rest came from inadvertently hitting enemies when I didn't mean to. 

Have you got any auras on?  And bear in mind that the Nymph's Overgrowth skill has pierce retaliation on it and if it's cast on you and an enemy dies from it then the kill is yours.  Don't use that skill. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 08 October 2021, 20:56:31
Stormyboy - Myxir - L60 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Eldr Fields

https://imgur.com/FEKUNDd (the end)
https://imgur.com/dGTMwRr (death/potion/kill count)
https://imgur.com/a3pBsPV
https://imgur.com/VwtzW4V
https://imgur.com/IjD4Igr
https://imgur.com/b7NwXmr
https://imgur.com/KLSmWFk
https://imgur.com/UXC00LL
https://imgur.com/0N7qKK9
https://imgur.com/0oia1QA
https://imgur.com/jfnp0P6
https://imgur.com/XOoCuLP
https://imgur.com/Fm3ZpLQ
https://imgur.com/K9SMFOR
https://imgur.com/Vxpo7rZ

And this was normal. Excepting some bosses that were challenging (mostly bosses that were using AOE all around them because wolfs are fragile. And killing them with just nimph and rock boy it's....).

Have you got any auras on?  And bear in mind that the Nymph's Overgrowth skill has pierce retaliation on it and if it's cast on you and an enemy dies from it then the kill is yours.  Don't use that skill. 

That was it...overgrowth. But i managed to get the achievement. Now i am thinking if i want to finish the game without killing stuff and fail the challenge with style or go serious and use plague, roots, fire orbs etc.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 October 2021, 21:15:21
Decisions, decisions.   ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Bughuul on 09 October 2021, 11:13:44
Stormyboy - Myxir - L60 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Eldr Fields

https://imgur.com/FEKUNDd (the end)
https://imgur.com/dGTMwRr (death/potion/kill count)
https://imgur.com/a3pBsPV
https://imgur.com/VwtzW4V
https://imgur.com/IjD4Igr
https://imgur.com/b7NwXmr
https://imgur.com/KLSmWFk
https://imgur.com/UXC00LL
https://imgur.com/0N7qKK9
https://imgur.com/0oia1QA
https://imgur.com/jfnp0P6
https://imgur.com/XOoCuLP
https://imgur.com/Fm3ZpLQ
https://imgur.com/K9SMFOR
https://imgur.com/Vxpo7rZ

And this was normal. Excepting some bosses that were challenging (mostly bosses that were using AOE all around them because wolfs are fragile. And killing them with just nimph and rock boy it's....).

Have you got any auras on?  And bear in mind that the Nymph's Overgrowth skill has pierce retaliation on it and if it's cast on you and an enemy dies from it then the kill is yours.  Don't use that skill. 

That was it...overgrowth. But i managed to get the achievement. Now i am thinking if i want to finish the game without killing stuff and fail the challenge with style or go serious and use plague, roots, fire orbs etc.

Out of topic but, how's your summoner build? Skills, attributes, gear etc.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 09 October 2021, 16:26:22
I am not at my computer so i can't screenshot it but it's not that much to write about. Gearwise i have:
-rings, staff and ammulet with 32phys dmg and a set with 27elemental damage (i save this one for the bosses where i have to use nymph for kill)
-a pair of stonebinder cuffs i farmed in the labirinth (nothing fancy. I just wanted +1skills)
-a helmet with +1 to skills enchanted with a shard of erebus that i rolled with +1 to skills. I also have a spare one with +12%experience hoping that i will get a shard with +8exp in epic. Both items i farmed in Elisium at the vendor (about 30min).
-a standard edition green pair of boots with a line of 25%speep/freeze/stun resist
-razor claw artifact because it gives damage to pets
-random chest with elemental resist because that's what i was missing

Relics (you get a loooooot of them in xmax so you have no trouble aiming for the completion bonus you need) - i use relics to complete my missing resistances. Nothing too fancy. If i need some elemental resist i just look for a relic that has it. The only place i am picky with, rings and ammulet where o use demon blood with vitality res. If you play without xmax mod (just clasic play) you don't even need relics or resistances. The pets are just crazy strong.

Secondary weapon: staff with +1 to nature skills. Jist to get my wolfs to max lvl every time (vendor staff)

As for build, all points went into my pets and their skills. One point into heart of the oak, one in refresh, one in stoneform and a few in regrowth and the - recharge upgrade. I will get back to you with a few screenshots

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Bughuul on 14 October 2021, 15:02:16
I am not at my computer so i can't screenshot it but it's not that much to write about. Gearwise i have:
-rings, staff and ammulet with 32phys dmg and a set with 27elemental damage (i save this one for the bosses where i have to use nymph for kill)
-a pair of stonebinder cuffs i farmed in the labirinth (nothing fancy. I just wanted +1skills)
-a helmet with +1 to skills enchanted with a shard of erebus that i rolled with +1 to skills. I also have a spare one with +12%experience hoping that i will get a shard with +8exp in epic. Both items i farmed in Elisium at the vendor (about 30min).
-a standard edition green pair of boots with a line of 25%speep/freeze/stun resist
-razor claw artifact because it gives damage to pets
-random chest with elemental resist because that's what i was missing

Relics (you get a loooooot of them in xmax so you have no trouble aiming for the completion bonus you need) - i use relics to complete my missing resistances. Nothing too fancy. If i need some elemental resist i just look for a relic that has it. The only place i am picky with, rings and ammulet where o use demon blood with vitality res. If you play without xmax mod (just clasic play) you don't even need relics or resistances. The pets are just crazy strong.

Secondary weapon: staff with +1 to nature skills. Jist to get my wolfs to max lvl every time (vendor staff)

As for build, all points went into my pets and their skills. One point into heart of the oak, one in refresh, one in stoneform and a few in regrowth and the - recharge upgrade. I will get back to you with a few screenshots

Any plan to use VO and/or Eruption? If not, why did you choose Earth?

Also what about attributes? You talked about SBC so you went str/dex prolly, ya?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 14 October 2021, 15:47:14
For my stats i went with 170 str to have enough for legendary sbc and 1:1 dex:int for DA and energy regen (it's negligible on normal play bit ot matters a lot on 0 potions rins) .

As for the mastery choice, i went with nature because all pets have incredible damage potential without any special gear: wolfs destroy normal monsters and nymph kills bosses because of the safe distance.
Earth mastery: earth elemental. Without this pet xmax with 0 deaths is impossible. The dude is crazy overpowered. It can tank 3 bosses without dropping in health.
Stone form + refresh: a great life saver. When you spawn undeads or deamons that trigger on walk-by they will attack the person that spawned them (even with the taunt still of the elemental).
Earth enhancement for a bit of +% phys dmg (for the wolfs)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Zardoz on 14 October 2021, 15:49:46
I think the reason is Core Dweller. Most tankiest of tanks, and a good agrovator... Otherwise the wolves alone will be terrible for this challenge, the mobs are ignoring them 99.9% of the time and chase the player - that's some great design, right there!
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Bughuul on 14 October 2021, 16:57:54
For my stats i went with 170 str to have enough for legendary sbc and 1:1 dex:int for DA and energy regen (it's negligible on normal play bit ot matters a lot on 0 potions rins) .

As for the mastery choice, i went with nature because all pets have incredible damage potential without any special gear: wolfs destroy normal monsters and nymph kills bosses because of the safe distance.
Earth mastery: earth elemental. Without this pet xmax with 0 deaths is impossible. The dude is crazy overpowered. It can tank 3 bosses without dropping in health.
Stone form + refresh: a great life saver. When you spawn undeads or deamons that trigger on walk-by they will attack the person that spawned them (even with the taunt still of the elemental).
Earth enhancement for a bit of +% phys dmg (for the wolfs)
Ya I'm playing hardcore 0 death and untwinked but not playing xmax.

Well, wanna try pet summoner. Just cannot imagine how strong core dweller is in the mid and end game. I'll try and see then.

Str just for legendary sbc? Sounds cool, then rest int dex like traditional summoner then?

Would like to see some pics when you have a time.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 17 October 2021, 17:25:30
Here you go. As you can see i have nothing special equiped. As for farms, minotaur labyrinth for sbc and the eliseum vendor for the necklace and helmet.  (ignore my resists. I just went into epic and i will keep going untill the end of act 3 when i will farm more vendor gear.). Remember to always play around the relics and charms to fit your resistances.  +

https://imgur.com/ByAqDUS
https://imgur.com/CkhbxY0
https://imgur.com/tTfvoqD
https://imgur.com/BTdvLNk
https://imgur.com/xD4RCI6
https://imgur.com/xqsum9n
https://imgur.com/2DilkGK
https://imgur.com/uynbNzR
https://imgur.com/IjUaY7e
https://imgur.com/yjHWeYz
https://imgur.com/Bmz2WqT
https://imgur.com/3KdTMx4
https://imgur.com/OiN2moe
https://imgur.com/pSc0A1U
https://imgur.com/JacosiJ (nature)
https://imgur.com/y4Hvjmd (earth)

Core is really strong in normal and first act of epic. I will try to finish legendary as well, so keep following this topic. There will be more regular updates on my progress.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Namefunny on 19 October 2021, 12:12:29
Hi everyone, veteran TQ player here, i want to join the challenge, so far got to Charon in Hades.  ;D

Namefunny - Valkyrie Dome - L51 Paladin (TWINKED) - Unfinished Bridge


(https://i.imgur.com/wzmYrn4.jpg)

So far it's very easy, mostly due to my build, which is centered around Perfect Block skill from Defense Mastery. With +4 to all skills, -80% recharge and 393% casting speed i can use Perfect Block all the time and absorb 100% of the damage for the most time (duration is 1.1 seconds, recharge is 1.3). So yeah, this is pretty much as easy as it can get, nothing is challenging at all, I tried this before on the other character built the same way on legendary, and it almost feels like cheating. So i could make it no potions, and even untwinked (famous spear could be found in normal atlantis orbs), but this is my first time and i also wanted to easily  get some stuff on normal, because all my new characters have started as accomplished, and i'm missing a lot of normal artifacts ;D

I also have screenshots from all previous bosses if someone is interested how it looked like before. This gear was like that since LVL 41, and i started using perfect block at LVL 43-44. Nothing special here, weightless stonebinders cuffs, weightless Bai Hu Mantle, Stheno of Focus, occult rings, Polaris and purifying bandari greaves to have some good resistances. I also keep Flowing Shield of Euphrates insted of Pelaron because i don't have one with max recharge value.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Zardoz on 19 October 2021, 21:03:25
Let's say you do it untwinked... What are you going to do until you get all these items? You ain't going to get that +3 Stonebinders until Legendary (if you survive until then), and good luck farming that spear on an untwinked character - the damn thing simply doesn't drop. I've spend days farming for it, and i feel like i'll never get it. And i don't think it will be cheap to get it from gambled orbs. You have to get incredibly lucky, or go broke trying.
Playing with stashed gear is as broken as broken gets, and it's one of the biggest flaws the game has. There's no balance whatsoever and everything before legendary difficulty becomes obsolete. Might as well start posting when you get to the last difficulty, because there is no challenge until you get there. Either that, or do it the hard way... the untwinked way.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 19 October 2021, 21:28:14
Hey and welcome to this challenge! As much as i like playing the game untwinked and without potions and what @Zardoz said is in line with my playstile, i disagree with his opinion in regards to this competition. Being powerful won't take you too far and a moment of recklessness can take you out.
And even if an overpowered build will take you to the end of legendary, that is more than fine. If you are having fun when smashing skulls on steroids you play the game right.

So again, welcome, good luck, have fun and keep us updated. I'll be waiting for you in epic :))
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 20 October 2021, 08:12:39
Welcome to the forum and to the challenge Namefunny.   :)

Added your character to the leaderboard and good luck! 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 20 October 2021, 12:20:59
Anyone who's been that far along in the game know if these still hold true or not from the OP?

NOTE: In the IT version of this mod it's not possible to do the Sphinx quest and the Protect the Flag quest, you need to revert to the normal game to do these and then re-enter the mod to continue once you've completed them and got your reward.  The latest version of Xmax for TQAE should work properly.

NOTE: The Three Sisters side quest is bugged in the AE version of the mod, the heroes don't spawn so you'll need to go back into normal game to do this quest. 20.06.19: Steam version of Xmax mod seems to have this quest fixed.

Because I'm playing with this version of Xmax

x-max x10 with Atlantis support

and there's a comment in there that said all versions of Xmax still have a problem with the quest in Act 2.  Seen nothing about a problem with the 3 Sisters quest or the flag one.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 20 October 2021, 16:59:03
Got a bit further with my Soothsayer today, she's up to L28 and has reached Memphis.  Pets struggling a bit, often need to resummon a wolf.  Alastors were particularly hard; needed to retreat back through the door to resummon a few times.  They did finally manage to bring them down though. 

(https://i.imgur.com/1X0v0A8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/s9MQYFp.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8TYdFPh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mtYGhE1.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Namefunny on 21 October 2021, 12:43:23
Let's say you do it untwinked... What are you going to do until you get all these items? You ain't going to get that +3 Stonebinders until Legendary (if you survive until then), and good luck farming that spear on an untwinked character - the damn thing simply doesn't drop. I've spend days farming for it, and i feel like i'll never get it. And i don't think it will be cheap to get it from gambled orbs. You have to get incredibly lucky, or go broke trying.
You're right, it is a very rare drop and i would have to collect a ton of gold to even have a reasonable chance. There is however an easier to get alternative which is Blue Dragon Scales... But anyway, icesharder paladin would not be that difficult (difficult, but there are harder classes) to develop even without things that this build relies on.

If i try untwinked, in opposite to this run, i will do it as difficult as possible. No potion runs are very impressive to me, but without Nature/Spirit/Dream mastery, they can be absolute hell. Maybe untwinked Magician using stone form to regenerate health.

I also want to say that with Storm, Spell Breaker, not Squall, is the best tool for progress. Might be actually best of all masteries in that regard. Low recharge, high radius, easy to cast and good damage to kill lot of monsters in the beginning. You will also be able to kill monsters that are more dangerous easier because they have energy bar.


and there's a comment in there that said all versions of Xmax still have a problem with the quest in Act 2.  Seen nothing about a problem with the 3 Sisters quest or the flag one.

I didn't have any problem except that Nebekhau was missing first time. I just reloaded the game (with xmax) and then they were there.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 22 October 2021, 19:33:23
Anyone who's been that far along in the game know if these still hold true or not from the OP?

NOTE: In the IT version of this mod it's not possible to do the Sphinx quest and the Protect the Flag quest, you need to revert to the normal game to do these and then re-enter the mod to continue once you've completed them and got your reward.  The latest version of Xmax for TQAE should work properly.

NOTE: The Three Sisters side quest is bugged in the AE version of the mod, the heroes don't spawn so you'll need to go back into normal game to do this quest. 20.06.19: Steam version of Xmax mod seems to have this quest fixed.

...and there's a comment in there that said all versions of Xmax still have a problem with the quest in Act 2.  Seen nothing about a problem with the 3 Sisters quest or the flag one.

For me (AEAR version) all quests work fine with xmax. I only have to disable xmax when i get to the asgard gardens. The game just shuts down at random points and i find that place impossible to progress. It even happens without xmax. So I usually log on non-xmax and run through.

Got a bit further with my Soothsayer today, she's up to L28 and has reached Memphis.  Pets struggling a bit, often need to resummon a wolf.  Alastors were particularly hard; needed to retreat back through the door to resummon a few times.  They did finally manage to bring them down though. 


That and typhon are the hardest bosses to beat with a pet character. And all bosses that use AOE damage. But in Epic, god.... You blast everything.

Now, for my update:

Greece done. Bosses that were troublesome in normal were now peace of cake. The pets are crazy with the epic upgrade. Now, for the rest of my evening i need to farm epic sbc and search the database for a good relic to use. I like razor claw for the pet damage but i want to aim for smth better.
Stormyboy - Myxir - L63 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Room of the Conduit

https://imgur.com/Dzz7f5o
https://imgur.com/wfBduJd
https://imgur.com/iguOgcu
https://imgur.com/VW8DnOh
https://imgur.com/AM10LpF
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 October 2021, 19:54:49
Which version of the mod are you using stormyboy and Namefunny?  I recently switched to this one

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1780561671&searchtext=x-max

Seems to be more up to date than the other one on Steam that hasn't been updated since 2016.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 22 October 2021, 20:11:57
Which version of the mod are you using stormyboy and Namefunny?  I recently switched to this one

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1780561671&searchtext=x-max

Seems to be more up to date than the other one on Steam that hasn't been updated since 2016.

Thanks for the tip. I will add this one to the game and roll with it. I have played with the default one that comes with the steam game.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 23 October 2021, 15:08:11
Which version of the mod are you using stormyboy and Namefunny?  I recently switched to this one

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1780561671&searchtext=x-max

Seems to be more up to date than the other one on Steam that hasn't been updated since 2016.

So, today i have played with the version of xmax you found on steam and it seems the quests are not fixed on this one. They work on the xmax the game has installed by default -> https://imgur.com/FIT7tfB
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 October 2021, 15:30:09
Game doesn't have Xmax installed as a default, it's something you have to download like any other mod. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 28 October 2021, 21:35:55
When i installed the game fresh on a new computer it came with following mods (on steam):
https://imgur.com/So26dLe (the xmax pack, not the first 2)
https://imgur.com/eCYeDpr
That old xmax won't show damage but all quests work well with it.

As for my update, act 3 is done. The titan took a loooooong time to kill. But not as long as on normal.

Stormyboy - Myxir - L68 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Olympus summit

https://imgur.com/E9YzYpT (titan)
https://imgur.com/LtfIUum (death/potion count)
https://imgur.com/69rdifK
https://imgur.com/9wLDl1G
https://imgur.com/3XjCeHW
https://imgur.com/VcpWgyw
https://imgur.com/zaKLOJu
https://imgur.com/PI6MEqa
https://imgur.com/x28Y8wV
https://imgur.com/OmNZJSI
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 29 October 2021, 06:48:31
Huh, very strange stormyboy.  I can sort of see including the bugfix one, even though it's not official, but why include Xmax?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 02 November 2021, 12:23:20
Stormyboy - Myxir - L71 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Throne room

https://imgur.com/2i5xXeZ (hades)
https://imgur.com/X4cYAPh
https://imgur.com/rEhcgTA
https://imgur.com/8iydRkw

And, now that i got to a higher level i can answer a question that bothered me for a long time (especially when playing the xmax challenge): is the helmet with bonus to experience + crystal of erebus 8% bonus experience a good choice? You are sacrificing some stats, % damage, health, skillpoints etc. But, aren't levels powerful than stats?

Answer: No, the difference is insignificant. Here you have the photo evidence of it.
My former hunter at the end of the hades (epic). He used +12% experience since the days of sparta (level 8 or so) and added a crystal on the helmet with bonus experience at the end of hades normal.
Total experience: 108530613, Level 72 (almost 73 with a bar missing).
https://imgur.com/GtTQu1n - hades kill character screenshot - epic bonus exp 20%
https://imgur.com/TSuae5w - total experience - epic - bonus exp 20%

My current character, never used a bonus experience item. He only used +% stats helmets and hollowed helmets. By the same point, Myxir got 99382116 experience, level 71 (and a bar)
https://imgur.com/2i5xXeZ - hades kill character screenshot - no bonus exp
https://imgur.com/X4cYAPh - total experience - no bonus exp

Between the characters, the difference is of 9.000.000 experience or, at the rate i got experience on this character, about half of immortal throne act on epic. As for time played, the difference between the 2 characters is of 7.190 seconds (about 2 hours), the no bonus exp character having more time played. The time difference is irrelevant because every time i am taking dinner or go out i let my characters logged in.

Let's take a look at another point in time, a point where my character used only the 12% helmet exp

https://imgur.com/TuA4hlx - character screenshot hades kill, no bonus exp -normal
https://imgur.com/7tHehJ2 - character screenshot hades kill, bonus exp 12% - normal

At low levels, the luck our character has with hero monsters spawning weights in more than the bonus experience we use on the items. We can see that best on my 2 characters, compared side by side, where the character with bonus exp has lower level than the character with no bonus

So, for my character, 20% bonus experience accounts for about 2 - 4 hours of play

I think i will make a sepparate post somewhere around the forum. I don't think i found a comparison like this anywhere around the internet.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 03 November 2021, 08:02:13
Don't think I've seen anything either stormyboy so yes, make a separate thread about it.  Maybe some others have found out about it and just not mentioned it.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 19 November 2021, 09:55:21
And finally, i am going red. So guys, if you want to do the challenge as a pet character remember this: the only hard part you have to get through is the normal difficulty. In normal the monsters in the temple of the last ragnarok boss gave me a lot of trouble; especially the fire throwing demons. But in epic my pets were tackling packs of demons with no problems. Maybe the elemental resistance from hearth of oak helped them more than i want to admit, who knows.

As for armor, i found 2 perfect pieces of armor (chest +legs) tho i have to admit, i miss having the versatility of green gear + relics/charms.  Also, i have created the summoner totem relic which gives me a bit more in the way of character power, i still don't know if 200hp +10% total speed is better than 18 dmg+5% phys dmg. I still switch both relics around trying to figure it out.

Stormyboy - Myxir - L74 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Helos woods

https://imgur.com/Vcoi8Ui (death/potions count)
https://imgur.com/TzjyO2u (first legendary boss
https://imgur.com/OLpQYZz (last ragnarok boss)
https://imgur.com/apPgkDi
https://imgur.com/m1UIBr9
https://imgur.com/qDO2kME
https://imgur.com/74JJa0Q
https://imgur.com/CcUk6kh
https://imgur.com/Cc7Tu4k
https://imgur.com/XL81u9s
https://imgur.com/hNtvgMW
https://imgur.com/LDyUsPX
https://imgur.com/7JUW6NI
https://imgur.com/KOmRnjM
https://imgur.com/oiF49rQ
https://imgur.com/4gcdGMB
https://imgur.com/s0SkZuM
https://imgur.com/uO4rZWv

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 November 2021, 10:10:36
Well done stormyboy.  That takes you to the top of the leaderboard.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 25 November 2021, 21:48:33
For now, i got to kill the manticore. I pulled all 3 of them by mistake and i have to say, earth elemental with fire shield gets immortal.
Oh and i got a new relic, the conquerors mark. Unfortunately it rolled with 40% poison resist and that is added to my alrdy 50% (so i have 10% to spare). I would have preferred the piercing resist but well...i am out of materials to try again.

Stormyboy - Myxir - L76 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Sandswept cave

https://imgur.com/4SI1qPL (death/potions)
https://imgur.com/Pg0bqxH (manticore)
https://imgur.com/BV4WhvI
https://imgur.com/nzckrle
https://imgur.com/YpXGPXe
https://imgur.com/Kg3qQOU
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Zardoz on 26 November 2021, 12:26:56
That name, Myxir... You took it from Gothic, right?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 26 November 2021, 22:29:24
Yes i did :D. The name of a water mage. Gothic 1 and 2 are my 2 favorite games. For me, no game has a story as good as Gothic. In all games you are the big hero, the chosen, the big god of the world. But gothic, in gothic you are nobody. You don't even know about the bad things happening in the world. You just want out of the barier. And while being nobody and trying to fit in you just make things happen. Perfect story telling.

Risen 1 also captures a bit of the perfect story telling from gothic (a game created by the same dudes).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Zardoz on 27 November 2021, 17:14:42
Couldn't agree more... They are my all time favorite games too, the first two Gothic games and also Risen is up there as well, even if it's not quite as good. I also often borrow names from Gothic, i had a few Xardas and Riordian characters in TQ over the years.  :D

PS: Sorry for the slight off-topic here.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 30 November 2021, 21:16:12
It's ok :D. I will bring the topic on track right away. The 3rd act is done without any problems. Even the titan was easy this time around. My pets have became so powerful that they can take head on a full pack of skeleton mages and stay alive. Also, i have farmed the Rodos vendor for a set of allfather (rings+staff).

Oh, and i have decided to get back into the run and complete the challenge. Meaning that, after i get at the last boss of ragnarok, i will go back to normal with some -%recharge and some AOE skills to get the kills. I tried to use plague to get some kills but it's too risky. As soon as the debuff hits the monsters they all swarm towards me.

Stormyboy - Myxir - L77 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Olympus summit

https://imgur.com/sJJe33e (death/potions)
https://imgur.com/R2jCd9m (titan)
https://imgur.com/KgTm9v9
https://imgur.com/cG0HJCU
https://imgur.com/HftI9Oz
https://imgur.com/40TeGEi
https://imgur.com/qndjNUA
https://imgur.com/QBdHAyg
https://imgur.com/HidbAYE
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 03 December 2021, 22:03:38
So first of all.....duuuuuuuuuudes, a new expansion is out. I was on my way to hades when the game just crushed to update itself. Then, when i went on steam to see what the update was about, there was it, a new expansion. I will finish the game with this character first tho. I don't rly want to extend my play with one more expansion. But the next one will be created on eternal embers for sure. I have in mind a pet build with fire and rogue focused on traps.

Stormyboy - Myxir - L79 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Royal Chambers

https://imgur.com/HfvoPwo (death/potions)
https://imgur.com/Sd9WwHo (hades)
https://imgur.com/6SgSjzk
https://imgur.com/M46TEk0
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 03 December 2021, 22:09:50
Well, the new expansion is Legendary difficulty only though the new mastery is available from the start of Normal of course.  But you can make a Legendary Hero and jump right into the expansion too, same as the Accomplished Hero for Ragnarok.  No good for this challenge of course.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 17 December 2021, 18:29:08
This is not the upgrade i have used you all with but, i had to do it. Right now i have my character at the last portal of ragnarok (~2h away from completing the game). But, before i do that, i want 2 things: my kill count and to actually complete the game. So, i am doing back to do the stuff i missed (meaning the passage and atlantis).

And, just for the sake of it i will say, no, the atlantis item drop is not fixed. All the blue items i got were from immortal throne.

Stormyboy - Myxir - L80 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Secret Passage

https://imgur.com/qIGEZlr (potions)
https://imgur.com/d8PC5pK (death)
https://imgur.com/mHU1aeb (atlantis)
https://imgur.com/T4Y4kj4 (secret passage)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 17 December 2021, 21:47:04
Did you play on the publicbeta branch stormy?  That's in testing atm before it goes to full release? 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 18 December 2021, 09:42:16
Did you play on the publicbeta branch stormy?  That's in testing atm before it goes to full release?

No i didn't. I didn't know that was a thing. The fact that titan quest is still being worked on still amazes me.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 18 December 2021, 12:36:30
So, i couldn't wait to kill the boss after Atlantis so i just went in and boom. I will still complete Atlantis but at least now i won't be stressed out because of dying (tho i would prefer to complete that deathless as well).

Next, i am planning to buy eternal embers and finish the game on xmax eternal embers deathless. Maybe i will play with potions to try out the new mastery.

Oh and i have a minor problem. I got the steam achievement for finishing hardcore legendary but i didn't got the one for finishing with an earth character/nature character. Is that achievement only if you finish as a one mastery class?

Stormyboy - Myxir - L80 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Eldr fields

https://imgur.com/0G2noGc (potions count)
https://imgur.com/lLcaxKN (character screen)
https://imgur.com/OUZb0C1 (the end)
https://imgur.com/oI5TqhR (secret passage leg)
https://imgur.com/Psg1Ium (secret passage epic
https://imgur.com/AXtbjry
https://imgur.com/zEmIagW
https://imgur.com/7Fb8viL
https://imgur.com/ovcEnbs
https://imgur.com/YtHEt3c
https://imgur.com/wODdS0M
https://imgur.com/gVCTD2Y
https://imgur.com/Zz1Y3xa
https://imgur.com/LGrZzAW
https://imgur.com/2S0yimA
https://imgur.com/3un63PL
https://imgur.com/TXnidxl
https://imgur.com/wk75pXY
https://imgur.com/EL0pkg7
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 December 2021, 12:43:47
Devs are working their way through the various bug reports now that Eternal Embers is out.  Publicbeta has the fixes for Atlantis/Eternal Embers drop rate in it.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/475150/discussions/0/3195864877892776241/
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 18 December 2021, 12:48:01
So, i couldn't wait to kill the boss after Atlantis so i just went in and boom. I will still complete Atlantis but at least now i won't be stressed out because of dying (tho i would prefer to complete that deathless as well).

Next, i am planning to buy eternal embers and finish the game on xmax eternal embers deathless. Maybe i will play with potions to try out the new mastery.

Oh and i have a minor problem. I got the steam achievement for finishing hardcore legendary but i didn't got the one for finishing with an earth character/nature character. Is that achievement only if you finish as a one mastery class?


Stormyboy - Myxir - L80 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink) - Eldr fields

https://imgur.com/0G2noGc (potions count)
https://imgur.com/lLcaxKN (character screen)
https://imgur.com/OUZb0C1 (the end)
https://imgur.com/oI5TqhR (secret passage leg)
https://imgur.com/Psg1Ium (secret passage epic
https://imgur.com/AXtbjry
https://imgur.com/zEmIagW
https://imgur.com/7Fb8viL
https://imgur.com/ovcEnbs
https://imgur.com/YtHEt3c
https://imgur.com/wODdS0M
https://imgur.com/gVCTD2Y
https://imgur.com/Zz1Y3xa
https://imgur.com/LGrZzAW
https://imgur.com/2S0yimA
https://imgur.com/3un63PL
https://imgur.com/TXnidxl
https://imgur.com/wk75pXY
https://imgur.com/EL0pkg7

Edit: I got the achievements. Just had to hit the boss once because, tehnically , i didn't beat the last boss. My pets did. So, if you ever play a pet character and don't get a boss kill achievement, go back and hit it once.

https://imgur.com/vzPHot9
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 19 December 2021, 14:13:28
Btw...i think i have updated the entry for Myxir wrong. I think it should look like this now:

Stormyboy - Myxir - L80 Summoner AEAR (no potions/untwink): Final kill count 50.208 (Petmancer)

Now, my next one iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis:

Stormyboy - Myxir - L5 Seer AEAR (untwink) - Helos woods

https://imgur.com/aOisx7m
https://imgur.com/JIUhcNU

I have never played casters in xmax hardcore so i am a bit affraid. That is why i will be using potions. My goal with this character is to play with psionic beam staff. Also, i want to finish normal as dream to get the achievement. And i need to think hard about my second mastery. at a first glance storm would be perfect for squall, energy shield, the wisp buff etc. Bottom line, it can't be nature/earth because i also want achievements for finishing legendary with every mastery out there
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 December 2021, 19:40:23
Same name for the character? 

And is the Summoner finished completely?  If so I'll move him to the TitanSlayers.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 19 December 2021, 20:34:56
Same name for the character? 

And is the Summoner finished completely?  If so I'll move him to the TitanSlayers.

The name of the character is NoX. I forgot to change :D.

As for the summoner, i haven't completed Atlantis on legendary. But to be honest, i don't feel like it if the challenge can be ended like this. But, if i do need to finish Atlantis, i will hop back on.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 December 2021, 20:50:07
Difficult to say really since it's an optional expansion as is the new Eternal Embers.  I think for the moment I'd say they're not required to be done for this challenge.  If people want to fine.  Ragnarok is different since if you have it installed you've got to do it before you can change difficulty, but that's not the case with Atlantis. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 10 May 2022, 08:58:07
Hello! After a bit of elden ring and a bit of elex, let's go back to the basics (especially now that a new patch is out). This time i will do a hunter only in normal (mostly to get the achievement) and then i will go with a mastery that will make me overpowered. Why? Because i want, at all times, to have at least one of the cursed shrines active. At the moment of posting i have played with 2 curses on since level 1.

@MedeaFleecestealer , i think with this update, we should add something to show that the character is going cursed. Like "Stormyboy - Spasm - L19 Hunter AEEE (untwink,cursed) - City of Delphi". Also, i wrote AEARE because i am playing with all expansions active.

Stormyboy - Spasm - L19 Hunter AEARE (untwink) - City of Delphi
https://imgur.com/VuE00Gw
https://imgur.com/nlNztUk
https://imgur.com/dymRD2r
https://imgur.com/Qyl0Q2I
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 10 May 2022, 09:08:29
Yes, that's a good idea stormyboy.  :) Those players who want to make it even harder by getting curses should show that they've done so, so that we know. Gawd, yes, I need to add Embers to the list as well. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 12 May 2022, 10:13:35
Stormyboy - Spasm - L26 Hunter AEARE (untwink,cursed) - City of Rhakotis

https://imgur.com/undefined
https://imgur.com/aB3PHcH
https://imgur.com/jejZbyx
https://imgur.com/hLH5lsD
https://imgur.com/kVtwFir

Here we go. Act one finished.

As for numbers (because i like doing this in games), with 2 curses active i got around 47000 electrum (Act1 normal). So, 23500 electrum with one curse active. This translates to (with minimum effort-1 curse) ~2 normal item orbs. 
IF we go for maximum effort and risk (8 curses), we get in act 1 normal 94000=~8 normal item orbs.
(all done with 0 farming)
I will do this kinda of summary at the end of every act just to have all the numbers  written down for a forum post at the end of my run. Maybe someone will find it useful, who knows.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 21 May 2022, 14:55:39
Which Xmax mod should we use or include as extra for this challenge?  The Xmax base on Steam workshop hasn't been updated since 2016 while there are a couple of newer ones, but they include things like the bugfix mod and Loot Plus.  They also increase bosses to x5 rather than x3. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 22 May 2022, 08:56:52
For me, the 2016 one is still the best. It's the only one where all quests work fine.  On my summoner i have finished all 3 acts (Atlantis and Eternal Embers included) and everything was fine. The character i am currently playing is on xmax 2016 + public beta and everything seems to be ok.
There is a bug that i have experienced even since Anniversary edition with this xmax: when items drop they get stuck mid air and you can't pick them up. This still happens but, in public beta, when the game registers an item dropping, it will play the "special item drop sound" even tho is not on the ground yet. That way you know that something is there and stick around.

The only version i have tried besides the 2016 is the one from 2019 with title "x-max x10 with Atlantis support". And even tho i have noticed there an increase in hero monsters spawn and damage numbers that show, the Giza and banner quests still don't work on this version.

If anyone wants more difficulty with this particular challenge this would be the only mod i have in mind: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1740901463  . 10x monsters, 5x bosses, -40% exp. Buuuut, i wouldn't go there. I consider that adding curses to the classic xmax play is enough to make stuff unforgiving
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 May 2022, 09:05:11
So you got the extra spawns with the expansions okay then?  If that's the case then no need to use the other ones.  I just wasn't sure it would work properly with the expansions since it hadn't been updated since the AE release.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 22 May 2022, 11:16:26
Yes, the old xmax works ok with all the new updates. I have to admit i haven't been aware of the details going on around me but, i had my bosses, had my packs of monsters and didn't have any game braking bugs. I know for sure that the end game boss of eternal embers is not 3x but i understand why. That thing is a summon from an existing object. I think it would be kinda tricky to make the pedestal summon 3 bosses.


Stormyboy - Spasm - L36 Hunter AEARE (untwink,cursed) - Gardens of Babylon
https://imgur.com/undefined
https://imgur.com/vdVuc2v
https://imgur.com/XvYa0NX
https://imgur.com/IJmU9wJ

As for the electrum count: with 2 curses on i got 29.472 electrum with no farming which makes for 14.736 electrum/curse. Meaning 117.888 with 8 curses on (the maximum numbers). With the normal orb price being set at 12.000, you can buy a maximum of ~10 orbs.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 22 May 2022, 18:17:08
Doing good so far stormyboy.   :)

I decided to try a Ranger in the challenge.  Meet Rangering Xmax who's L13 and at the Megara Bluff so far.  Started with Nature and got the wolves out asap then moved to add Hunting at L8. 

(https://i.imgur.com/G54D3X2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uaqNAGj.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 18 July 2022, 00:44:50
Hi! After over 3 years I am back to continue the challenge :D No idea for how long tho xd I didn't expect to survive after such a break but somehow managed to finish Hades.

Charon:
https://imgur.com/ErtChnR
https://imgur.com/sDzGp9k
https://imgur.com/TRI4T64
Typhon:
https://imgur.com/WI43pnF
https://imgur.com/0p2zRJX
Hades:
https://imgur.com/zZ14wtw
https://imgur.com/BbCoIvd

I started before Atlantis existed so will continue without doing Atlantis. Found some better weapon and helmet but my armor needs to be upgraded immediately. I have got it from a normal Hades fight xD I still don't know Ragnarok anywhere near as well as the rest of the game so there is a risk of dying to some random enemy.

Halu - L71 Seidr Worker AER - Corinth
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 July 2022, 06:36:02
Welcome back Overnight.   :)  Halu updated and good luck.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 18 July 2022, 07:13:40
Good luck and have fun with it Overnight. May we meet in the leader board one day. Same for you Medea :D.

 I also plan on coming back....soon. Right now I am in my Grim dawn phase :)). It's funny how i jump between gd and tq just because i need to change the colour pallet, not the game.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 July 2022, 07:53:46
Yeah, I tend to jump between the 2 depending on what I feel like playing on the day.  Need to get back into the challenge as well, been a while since I did any of my characters for it.  But been playtesting Crate's new town builder so most of my gaming time is going into that atm.  ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 24 July 2022, 00:44:32
Hi! I rushed through Ragnarok, literally just ignored most of enemies on the way. Getting maybe 1 level while spending many hours luring everything to kill and not even getting any useful items was not worth my time. I will have to farm a lot in legendary anyway, still stuck with epic armor from normal. It was also almost unplaybale with xmax, especially with human enemies or trolls that caused massive fps drops, every other enemy was much better. I was forced to change graphics to low in the end anyway. Still there were random crashes and many times I quit game it crashed what did not happen in previous acts but I expected it to be like that.

Golden Boar:
https://imgur.com/kY4p1cc
https://imgur.com/0LO353Q

Mimir:
https://imgur.com/pNKZQnv
https://imgur.com/rCoUsRC

Nidhoggr:
https://imgur.com/lCr357e
https://imgur.com/dJbYg7Y

Sinmara:
https://imgur.com/VA1uZO1
https://imgur.com/PfnIJ4q

Loki:
https://imgur.com/W5aNXK3
https://imgur.com/IFeI88x

Surtr:
https://imgur.com/Uq7hQO4
https://imgur.com/Rv9v7d8

The bosses were not really difficult but it was just hit and run using 2 skills so took some time. Only for Surtr I prepared other equipment, thrown weapon cause I would probably die when hit by all of them at once in the second phase and got as much hp as I could on items that did not give me any good stats for this fight.

Overnight - Halu - L72 Seidr Worker AER - Helos
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 24 July 2022, 08:07:02
Well done and good luck in Legendary.  :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 01 August 2022, 01:51:08
Hi! I have just finished Greece. Spent some time farming bosses and finally got rid of my old armor, found a new shield and Stonebinder's Cuffs. Actually didn't take screenshots of Satyr mage and Nessus, I don't know if it is even possible to die to them at this point anyway, but can go back and get them if needed. Also hope Hydra isn't required to do this challenge, I can't fight it on xmax, I can lure and kill one but everytime when I approach the rest they instantly cast spells and game goes into 1 fps mode permanently. For some reason Hydra isn't able to kill lvl 1 Nightmare no matter what so it isn't hard to fight them anyway.

Gorgon:
https://imgur.com/WCZ9qPw
https://imgur.com/zaZ5FKC

Alastor:
https://imgur.com/GJDlaSJ
https://imgur.com/A7LMaad

Talos:
https://imgur.com/lLpWWey
https://imgur.com/yhUatUl

Minotaur Lord:
https://imgur.com/yGKqcMC
https://imgur.com/UxqjFot

Megalesios:
https://imgur.com/HdgBqb9
https://imgur.com/p0xgLrr

I have reached the kill minimum so I don't bother killing anything too much, I have got all skills I need and few points into str or dex won't change anything. I could boost my health a bit but I can't force myself to waste points like that. I just keep changing my eq for every boss to max out resistances and hope it will be enough.

Overnight - Halu - L73 Seidr Worker AER - Rhakotis
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 01 August 2022, 08:12:09
No, not needed to go back and do the satyr and Nessus again.

Well done and that takes you to the top of the leaderboard.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 01 August 2022, 11:50:51
Good job! Don't forget to check the vendors from time to time. They often hold treasures.

As for the hydra, i also had a lot of problems with it on my previous hunter. My summoner only killed it because of pets. I tried to fight it outside of my range of view. So, if you ask me, it's cool if you skip it. It's not your fault, it's a technical limitation of the game
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 01 August 2022, 20:49:35
I spent a lot on eq from vendors already, need to farm some gold actually. I bought a helmet for 15kk to use it once vs Minotaur Lord just because it had way more armor than my helmet that wasn't useful in that fight. Yesterday I fought Scarabeus and remembering that their posion deals really huge damage I bought an amulet with high poison resistance because I had only about 17%. Went to fight them and almost died to one, if two hit me at once it would probably be instadeath, turned out I forgot to change amulet and did it in the middle of the fight and then it went without problems :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 04 August 2022, 11:37:54
Hi! Egypt oficially finished. Spent few days just farming Aktaios. Got a lot of legendary items, the best ones being Myrmidon's Pendant, Apollo's Will and Conqueror's Braces. Also got few Pendants of Immortal Rage but won't use them here.

Nehebkau:
https://imgur.com/SxX2E0V
https://imgur.com/5Ba9wpO

Pharaoh's Honor Guard:
https://imgur.com/FGTVrpC
https://imgur.com/TyXBYzS

Aktaios:
https://imgur.com/JZq9ZAy
https://imgur.com/7coyqII

Manticore:
https://imgur.com/Uh0beqZ
https://imgur.com/CKlweXZ

I am thinking of creating Marduk's Tablet of Destiny, actually by the fact I already have almost all components ready I can tell I was thinking about it few years ago :D It isnt' particularly strong, it is just safe passive but it is all I need for this run. I lack only Symbol of the Polymath and it starts dropping in Orient so I hope to get it soon.

Overnight - Halu - L74 Seidr Worker AER - Hanging Gardens
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 August 2022, 09:05:50
Updated and here's hoping it keeps going well for you Overnight.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 29 August 2022, 19:06:36
Stormyboy - Spasm - L36 Hunter AEARE (untwink,cursed) - Gardens of Babylon DEAD

I was tired and i said...hmmmm i know a great way to chill. I will play my challenge character in titan quest. So, yeah, dead. It wasn't even a noticeable monster. Just a group of random tigers around the great wall (the camp where you get the quest with the lost daughter). Please remove all my characters from the challenge. I am not giving up, i am just switching again :D.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 29 August 2022, 21:19:26
Aw, that's a shame Stormyboy.  Maybe normal game it would be "cool", but Xmax HC ... and cursed too.  Doubly painful.  Better luck next time! 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 30 August 2022, 20:49:46
Hey! I am back with something a bit...more. I will add no potions as well into the mix. My class of choice for normal will be seer (dream) and i will try to play with the psionic tree. The psionic beam talent seems rly strong. Untill i get that i will just use distortion wave. That combined with the trance of convalescence should be enough to keep me alive.

Stormyboy - Spasm - L5 Seer AEARE (no potions/untwink/cursed) - Vilage of Helos

https://imgur.com/7GvBomM
https://imgur.com/yqClWRh
https://imgur.com/SkqeNaz
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 August 2022, 06:48:54
Is this going to be a cursed or uncursed attempt stormyboy?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 31 August 2022, 07:07:45
Cursed. Even tho i will be using only one curse (the bleeding one) , i want to interact with the system and add a bit more difficulty.

In my character list i have one more seer that is around the Athens warcamp, played on xmax, 0 potions,but i have decided not to use it. I kinda want to use the curse from the begining
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 August 2022, 07:53:31
Okay, added to the leaderboard and good luck!   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 11 September 2022, 19:21:12
Stormyboy - Fyredel - L28 Seer AEARE (no potions/untwink/cursed) - Hathor Basin

https://imgur.com/2XgNejG
https://imgur.com/R5sGHPF
https://imgur.com/RxvJr5Z
https://imgur.com/MU1EV97
https://imgur.com/XgvSWLF
https://imgur.com/2ha44l0
https://imgur.com/AXh6KGN (telkine)
https://imgur.com/Lfg6ETo (death/potion count)
https://imgur.com/VcdJwyg (character screen)

So, for my update, i have completed normal. After farming 3h for a pair of stonebinder cuffs (while farming i got some green bracers with 20% elemental damage, +3 elemental damage) i realized that, at the moment, a pair of cuffs that can be very well bought from a vendor are a milion times better than +1stats.

Oh, and you will notice that i updated my character with another name. This is the correct name. "Spasm" is a character that i removed from the challenge. I just forgot to edit the name last time when i copy-pasted the template.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 01 October 2022, 22:29:01
Stormyboy - Fyredel - L45 Seer AEARE (no potions/untwink/cursed) - Gadir

https://imgur.com/undefined
https://imgur.com/vUAcei4
https://imgur.com/eQuxnWW (Egypt telkine)
https://imgur.com/P1x8Pdh
https://imgur.com/sgL2kl9
https://imgur.com/sutCeZR
https://imgur.com/GjAsCbq (Orient telkine)
https://imgur.com/GI2G8kH (Typhon)
https://imgur.com/Nn2JVHX (character screenshot)
https://imgur.com/m2axqmc (potions/death count)

Hey! I am back with an update. Psionic beam is crazy strong. With this skill i am melting bosses and big groups with ease. I only had 2 moments when i almost lost the caracter, both of them at the new random spots that spawn heroes and monsters. To be more exact, an agglutination of spiders/tigers almost got me because of their web/lightning stun. With this being said, i really wonder how could a melee character survive those random spots. Maybe by skipping...?

As for the path i chose, i will first do Atlantis and then get back to IT. There is a relic that i rly rly want from Atlantis: Star of the evening. That on a 20% inteligence ring would be amazing.
 

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 02 October 2022, 09:19:46
Well done stormyboy.  That's sent you a long way up the leaderboard. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 03 October 2022, 09:09:52
Oh boy, just started another Prophet and in the Laconia Woods what do I see?  4 heroes waiting for me - and I'm L6.   :o

(https://i.imgur.com/05eiZvL.jpg)

Edit: Whew managed it. Did get up to L7 just before tackling them which helped a little.  Had to entice them away one by one.  Thought the new challenge would end there when I saw them waiting for me.   :P
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 03 October 2022, 19:24:14
Okay, here's my new Prophet - Lightning Beam currently L13 and resting at Megara Bluff.

(https://i.imgur.com/O0t2nys.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 03 October 2022, 20:46:10
Thaaaat is what i was talking about. And wait for the act 3 spawns. And now, imagine being a melee. I will call it challenge impossible even for a conqueror.

Spoiler: Atlantis doesn't have the new random hero spawns.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 03 October 2022, 20:54:14
Well, I'm using the old Xmax (2016 version) so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 03 October 2022, 21:48:12
You mean, if xmax has something to do with spawning such crowds? If you mean that, such crowds spawn because of the last update. From what i have observed, following the update you can find: crowds of monsters with one or more heroes(without xmax, the groups are made of a hero, a few yellow monsters and some white) , traders spawned random around the world (found one in the Athens battleground and one in the fayum desert), people in distress that just sit around crying, groups of soldiers fighting, treasures (spots with 3-5 chests)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 October 2022, 06:44:13
I see.  I haven't played TQ for a while, tested Embers then Farthest Frontier went into alpha testing so been playing that since early December.  So not familiar with all the other stuff that got added with the latest TQ patches.  I've read/seen some of the new random encounters in this playthrough and the monster group obviously.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 04 October 2022, 14:39:07
Rangering is out, died to a bunch of centaurs outside of Ambrossos.  Didn't run when I should have.   :(

(https://i.imgur.com/mhHktlX.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 09 October 2022, 14:57:21
Sorry to hear that Medea :(. Multiple times i have lost characters because i thought "Hm, this is easy. I will not run!"

Now, here comes a bitter/sweet update. I have finished Atlantis BUT, i have to remove the no potions tag. At one point during this run i have accidentally hit a potion... I have no idea when and i swear what i have not used it to save me. Anyway, i will try to finish the game without using potions even without the tag present. 

Stormyboy - Fyredel - L50 Seer AEARE (untwink/cursed) - Atlantis Lower district

https://imgur.com/8su8qzz
https://imgur.com/k2R25Rd
https://imgur.com/y74y1l5
https://imgur.com/D6376WO
https://imgur.com/8F7KJUI
https://imgur.com/ikivw3K
https://imgur.com/jXz2A3H (end of Atlantis)
https://imgur.com/FucRZnB (Character link)
https://imgur.com/PbjiSYL (potion count)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 09 October 2022, 15:29:16
Well, that's a nuisance!   ;)

Yeah was totally my fault.  Got a bit surrounded by the centaurs and then noticed the one with the battle standard and couldn't get out or down a health potion fast enough to save him.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: kalimon on 24 October 2022, 09:03:40
Unlucky Medea  :'(

Y’all are all super hardcore, I remember playing Xmax on my PC when I still had one, wish I could join you but sadly I think if they released it for mobile it would disintegrate my phone lol.

Will hop on board once I sort a new PC. But enjoying watching all of your progress  ^-^
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 09 November 2022, 10:20:48
Stormyboy - Fyredel - L56 Seer AEARE (untwink/cursed) - Prison of souls

https://imgur.com/cpUxvjO
https://imgur.com/DoCNmWY
https://imgur.com/RmlOh0r
https://imgur.com/flq1Fqf (Hades)
https://imgur.com/PYVfzSR (death count)
Hey! Here i come with another update. Hades down with one more expansion to go. I cannot wait to enter epic and be able to select my second mastery. For now, i am shooting for the achievement (finish the game with a 1matery character)

And, honorable mentions, i am still not using potions. My potion count is the same as it was when i started hades (1 health/0 energy)

@kalimon thanks for your support. I cannot wait to share the leader-board with some fresh blood :D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 31 December 2022, 11:34:56
I'm not necessarily entering the challenge, but I started playing TQAE on Steam today. After 2 hours, my character is a Level 6 Warrior (I'm going to go for Mace wielding Conqueror), at the first fountain after Helos. I've rescued the Shepherd and killed the 3 Satyr Shamans. Also used quite a few potions. I'm also aware that Conqueror Hardcore is pretty difficult, compared to a ranged class like Ranger etc, and I've also never actually beaten Hardcore Xmax, ever.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 December 2022, 11:42:05
I'm not necessarily entering the challenge, but I started playing TQAE on Steam today. After 2 hours, my character is a Level 6 Warrior (I'm going to go for Mace wielding Conqueror), at the first fountain after Helos. I've rescued the Shepherd and killed the 3 Satyr Shamans. Also used quite a few potions. I'm also aware that Conqueror Hardcore is pretty difficult, compared to a ranged class like Ranger etc, and I've also never actually beaten Hardcore Xmax, ever.

Good luck TheBonobo4.  Also make sure to turn off cloud saving with this game.  TQ doesn't like it at all.  Use local saves instead.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 31 December 2022, 12:27:42
I'm not necessarily entering the challenge, but I started playing TQAE on Steam today. After 2 hours, my character is a Level 6 Warrior (I'm going to go for Mace wielding Conqueror), at the first fountain after Helos. I've rescued the Shepherd and killed the 3 Satyr Shamans. Also used quite a few potions. I'm also aware that Conqueror Hardcore is pretty difficult, compared to a ranged class like Ranger etc, and I've also never actually beaten Hardcore Xmax, ever.

Good luck TheBonobo4.  Also make sure to turn off cloud saving with this game.  TQ doesn't like it at all.  Use local saves instead.
Thank you. :)

I'm not sure exactly how to turn off Cloud Saves in Steam, nor do I know how to use Local Saves, but in any case I used the Save Game button in the menu whilst playing. Though, in original TQIT, that button did nothing from memory. But my game should be saved in any case.

EDIT: I've turned this off. I'm guessing this is what you mean?
(https://i.imgur.com/YEWrnjV.png)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 December 2022, 12:52:30
Yes and also I think there's a cloud saving box in the game's Options menu you need to untick as well. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 31 December 2022, 17:14:44
Yes and also I think there's a cloud saving box in the game's Options menu you need to untick as well.
I can't find anything about that, unless I'm looking in the wrong place.

On the subject of Options though, when pressing Z, X, or Alt to view dropped items, is there a way to make that only apply whilst the Key itself is pressed? right now I'm pressing a key, and items stay visible until I press the key again. I'd rather hold down the key and release to stop viewing item names.

Also, when switching weapons, the character seems to temporarily stop attacking, and does this whether I use Attack or Shift+Attack? Maybe that's normal, but it feels kinda clunky to me?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 December 2022, 17:34:58
Maybe it switches off/disappears when you turn cloud saving off.  Idk, I haven't used cloud saving for years.

It should only work when the keys are pressed, though I think I've seen reports of it doing the same for other players.  Also you now have a loot filter in the Options menu if you want to use that so you don't have to press any of those keys all the time.

I haven't used weapon swap for a long time so whether that got changed in the later expansions/updates I don't know.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 01 January 2023, 21:19:26
The other way to turn cloud saving off if you just want it off for TQ and not any other games is to right click on the game's icon in your Steam library, go down to Properties, over to General and untick the keep saves on Steam Cloud box you'll find there.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 12 January 2023, 14:06:52
Achilles (unoriginal name, I know) the Conqueror is currently Level 15 and sitting in Megara. I have around 100k Gold or so, I spent quite a bit buying some slightly better rings and Amulets from the Megara Merchants. I feel I've been pretty lucky with drops, I've got an Epic Club and Epic Shield, and an Outrider's Cuirass with a full enchantment, Atlas' Bracers, and then Yellow Legs, Head, and Jewellery. But I've also got a few extra Epics and Greens in storage.

Speaking of storage, does TQCaravan work? My inventory and the in-game Caravan are okay *for now*, but I might struggle for storage space very soon.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 12 January 2023, 14:23:03
Yes, TQVault still works and does so well.  It's been kept up to date and you can even do some editing on items and have it open while playing the game iirc.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 13 January 2023, 04:00:01
I'm now up to Level 18, at the first fountain after Polyphemus, next region is Boetia, I've just passed the Halcyon Coast and completed all Side Quests up to this point. Except a few very things happened, unless this is normal for Anniversary Edition?

Firstly, I cleared out the Kerata Forest (I'd already done Old Eleusis earlier today, but then quit out the game and cleared the Forest again later), and then teleported to Megara, sold my loot, teleported back to my portal near the bridge out of the Forest, and noticed on my map a Trader? He was literally called "Trader", no actual name? In any case, he sold both Weapons and Magical equipment, nothing brilliant although I got an Amulet giving an extra point of Strength than my previous one. Definitely worth the investment!

The second weird thing, although probably not actually considered "weird", was that in the Megara Outskirts, instead of getting Maenads like I did first time round, I got Dark Satyrs. Except, I got loads of them. I must have gotten around 6 Heroes in just the fields in the Outskirts, Boar Rider Heroes, Brute Heroes, Shaman Heroes, etc. A few scary moments were had there! Also, teleporting to Megara, then walk (not teleport) back again, only to find more monsters in areas I'd already cleared, though I know this is a feature of Xmax and not a bug as such.

The final thing, and weirdest of all. Did Polyphemus the Cyclops get moved to Epic and/or Legendary only? I was getting prepared to kill him (and I was very scared, he's a tough boss), and... he wasn't there? I could open the Majestic Chest near his cave (there was only one, not 3, is that normal?) and it wasn't boss locked? Also, the Spartan Soldiers that spawn near him were all alive, although there was a dead guy on the ground, but I think he is supposed to be there, even before the soldiers charge in and ultimately get killed. I even checked the cave called "Cyclops Lair", and it was full of demons, but no Cyclops. So yeah, I'm just arriving at Boetia, but haven't killed Polyphemus?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 January 2023, 11:32:33
Trader would be one of the random encounters added to the game with one of the later patches.  Devs made a whole bunch of different things so could be traders, just a group of soldiers/people, I had a couple of sheep all alone then a dog and later a horse the other day.  Can also be things that can attack you so don't be too complacent. 

Yes, satyrs do spawn in that area outside Megara, I tend to get them more than the maenads.

That's a bug.  Cyclops hasn't been moved far as I know though I guess it may depend on which version of Xmax you're using. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 13 January 2023, 15:03:59
In that case, I'll see if going to Megara and then to Polyphemus' spawn will make him appear next time. This is the version of Xmax that I'm using, it seems to be the proper version so I'm confused as to why I encountered this bug?

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=755731339&searchtext=xmax

And yeah, I've had random horses and sheep in the wilderness, or random chests with a broken cart, or people crying, NPC soldiers standing around etc. Pretty cool new feature.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 13 January 2023, 19:40:23
So an update. I'm currently Level 18, nearly Level 19, sitting in Ambrossos Village. Polyphemus did spawn in this time, and I went from the fountain near Boetia, passed the Halcyon Coast, and back towards Megara to defeat him. All 3 of them were killed. It was a tough battle, I had to kite each one individually, and their stuns and roar attacks meant I could only fight each in melee, not ranged with Thrown Weapons. However, kiting each one individually, and in melee, his attacks weren't too strong, and thus the fights not too difficult. He doesn't seem to use special abilities as much in melee (like roar or stuns). So yeah, that's the good news.

The bad news is that I died. I was stupid, and ran headfirst in to a group of Centaurs, got Ensnared, Study Prey, and possibly Doom Horn or Battle Standard. I was dead before I even really realised my own stupidity.

I'm frustrated, but I guess it is better to die here, rather than at, (for example), Legendary Hades. Still, I'd clocked almost 17 hours in to this save at the time. I didn't expect to beat Xmax Hardcore. I never have, and melee would always be harder than ranged or mage builds, and I have also zero experience with Atlantis, Ragnarok, or Eternal Embers. Any way, RIP Achilles. :(

I'll still keep playing with him, in Xmax of course, just not Hardcore.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 13 January 2023, 20:32:15
Bad luck, but yeah probably got hit with everything the centaurs could throw at you.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 13 January 2023, 20:35:01
It was entirely avoidable. I could have just gone to Ambrossos, got to the fountain, and quit out the game. I didn't have to kill those centaurs other than for the gold, items, and XP.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 14 January 2023, 23:15:12
Another update. I know I'm not in the challenge (and never was technically), but I'm now Level 20 in Delphi, and.... I now have 2 deaths. The 2nd wasn't my fault, unlike the 1st, I encountered a group of Satyrs, Boarmen, Mages, etc. A few Hero Monsters as well. I have no idea what happened, but my health went from full (around 1500 or 1600) to empty in seconds. Possibly a combination of some Life Leech or Elemental damage? I don't think there were any Centaurs, and there were no Green or Blue items when I eventually looted their corpses.

I also nearly had a death before the 2nd, when again, a group of Centaur stunned me with Doom Horn, and Ensnared me, plus they used Battle Standard and probably Study Prey mixed with Call of the Hunt (or whatever it is called). Fortunately, I quickly paused, gathered my thoughts, and used Stone Form (from the Bracers of Atlas that I found a while ago), then a potion, and ran.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 15 January 2023, 09:06:13
Fortunately, I quickly paused, gathered my thoughts, and used Stone Form (from the Bracers of Atlas that I found a while ago), then a potion, and ran.

Sounds like a plan!   ;D
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 16 January 2023, 04:46:22
There seems to be an exploit that was added in with AE. Pressing K on the keyboard resets the player, teleporting you back to the last fountain that you activated. In other words, when close to death, just press K and you'll be fine? Doesn't this make no deaths very easy?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 16 January 2023, 06:49:30
I suppose it could if players used it like that.  The K key is meant to help get you unstuck if you get stuck in scenery, etc.  I can't recall where it used to move you to before, but it was changed in the last or next to last patch so you went back to the last fountain you activated. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: TheBonobo4 on 16 January 2023, 15:53:50
So I reached the Gorgons just now, I'm level 22. But I encountered a rather serious problem. I can't kill them fast enough, they heal each other too quickly! :(

I suppose I'm going to have to kite off the ones that neither heal nor petrifying first, but after that I'm not sure. My DPS is around 105 without any temporary buffs, and being a Conqueror I don't have pets or AOE spells, besides War Horn at level 1 for brief stun, and War wind also at level 1.

Update: Never mind. I killed them all, without dying (still 2 deaths). I'm now Level 23, at the Fountain just after Pythian Caves. Although my game kept CTD before I could get to the fountain after Gorgons, whilst I was looting and selling the loot to traders, so I've actually ended up killing the Gorgons THREE times.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 22 January 2023, 20:30:42
Hey! I am still here guys! First of all, welcome to this page @TheBonobo4 ! I love seing people as they push the limits of TQ classes.
After a bit of an absence, i am back with a rather spicy update :D. World of warcraft burned me out a bit so i have decided to get some progress on my seer. Here you go:

Stormyboy - Fyredel - L63 Seer AEARE (Cursed) - Helos Woods
https://imgur.com/xMGBDUr
https://imgur.com/NTg8nIU
https://imgur.com/undefined
https://imgur.com/Y0gjf7B
https://imgur.com/skNO42g
https://imgur.com/0thuV4e
https://imgur.com/LSh2SjQ
https://imgur.com/1GhJTyk
https://imgur.com/undefined
https://imgur.com/C7pTQSR
https://imgur.com/6s0sruJ
https://imgur.com/sw4eDwp
https://imgur.com/y9AiO3D
https://imgur.com/RJcTa0H
https://imgur.com/uRhuOki (End of normal)
https://imgur.com/undefined (Beginning of epic - Shaman)
https://imgur.com/1mJXtCl (Death count)
https://imgur.com/zaSOzy4 (just an honorable mention: the potion count is still at 1. The only one used by accident somewhere in Atlantis. If there would be a mod to remove potions i would be all up for it)

Now, after i got the achievement for completing normal with a single mastery character, i am facing the most challenging boss of the game. Choosing the second mastery. I was thinking about Earth because of the elemental . That dude took me all the way to the end. He is crazy durable. I will not be going storm for sure because it lacks defensive stuff.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 January 2023, 06:44:48
Nice work stormyboy and well done.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 27 January 2023, 21:36:29
Sooo....yeah. I have been farming for SBC at the last fountain in the labyrinth. From my previous experiences, it takes about 30-60 minutes for a pair to drop. This time tho, the RNG gods forsake me. I have farmed for 6h only to get one garbage pair that only has some elemental resistance and some dexterity extra. My only good drop was a pair of normal green gorgon cuffs of the gryphon... Aside from that, i got one purple throw weapon (which makes a total of 2 purple items this act - both throw weapons) and 1243802483280 blue spears.

Aside from that, something updated inside my PC or the game. I get a lot of crushes and between Megara and the Cyclops my screen froze. The only way i was able to come back from the freeze was a forced shut down.
Moving on...

Stormyboy - Fyredel - L66 Evoker AEARE (Cursed) - City of Rhakotis
https://imgur.com/ZET1TJn
https://imgur.com/TPLvfsI
https://imgur.com/CRO2IA8
https://imgur.com/m8mYTc8
https://imgur.com/GGCNNHa
https://imgur.com/H39P6Qi
https://imgur.com/NvDZ8PG
https://imgur.com/MXOYeyR (telkin)
https://imgur.com/vm6eLLB (death count)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 05 March 2023, 05:20:59
Hello to the forum from Greece!
After finishing hardcore vanilla game with several builds i decided that i wanted some more challenge...
So i downloaded the latest Xmax+(5 bosses) and started a run.
I have all DLC.
Is a completely solo self found Hermit,no curses,now L25 just finished act1 normal.

(https://i.imgur.com/dmu0e6M.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/vE8FUBx.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 05 March 2023, 09:27:59
Welcome to the forum koolis and to the challenge.

I'll add your character to the leaderboard like this:

koolis - DeathLessXmax+ - L25 Hermit - Rhatokis

Make sure to give me the updates in this format for easy updating please. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 05 March 2023, 12:00:01
Hey and welcome to this challenge. I love when new people are going all out to best the game. And i also love to have a bit of competition. The more the better :D.

I will also be back with some upgrades soon but, hogwarts legacy. Have you seen that game? Just amazing :)).
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 07 March 2023, 05:38:13
A small update:
I made it to act3 normal,currently L34 babylon outskirts.
I think i will go slowly from here as its getting harder,need to farm a good exotic carapace of trickery.
I believe the greatest danger is the random spawns that can surprise you,
as you can encounter 30 tigermen with heroes among them anywhere in the map...
Just one question,
do i have to upload more screenshots on normal or when (and if) i ll make it to epic?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 07 March 2023, 07:17:44
NOTE 13.05.18 - Screenshots of boss kills required once you hit Epic difficulty.  Until then I'll accept just the stats page when you finish a play session to update your character's details.

Please give me your character's details to update the leaderboard with.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 07 March 2023, 13:22:48
Still farming for shield....

(https://i.imgur.com/i03V2Zi.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/7rLYD9K.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 08 March 2023, 06:35:26
Again koolis, please update your character details so I can update the leaderboard.

koolis - DeathLessXmax+ - L25 Hermit - Rhatokis
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 08 March 2023, 18:45:43
koolis - DeathLessXmax+ - L47 Hermit AERAE (NO CURSES-UNTWINKED) - City of Rhodes

(https://i.imgur.com/ABw1Ilm.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 09 March 2023, 15:21:58
Rip DeathLessXmax+ L49,died in Atlantis (Dragon Ladon x5)

I ll give it another try with other class
and i will go more carefully and slowly this time

koolis - UndyingXmax+ - L20 Ranger AERAE (NO CURSES-UNTWINKED) - Pythian caves

(https://i.imgur.com/1OjliDs.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/uinUdLD.jpg)


Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 11 March 2023, 11:03:41
Darn koolis.  Better luck with the next character. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 18 March 2023, 22:45:32
Seems my Ranger can do better,just finished normal Xmax+ (AE-RAGNAROK-ATLANTIS) 0 deaths.

koolis - UndyingXmax+ - L63 Ranger AERAE (NO CURSES-UNTWINKED)

(https://i.imgur.com/Svjvf4D.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0c3u8JN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5jVYdwK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gYH6GKj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Rg3bM4a.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UCkgISW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wzJZh9b.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NRo0dbW.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 19 March 2023, 09:15:23
Well done, koolis.  Added to the leaderboard and good luck going forward.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 20 March 2023, 11:01:11
ACT1 EPIC

(https://i.imgur.com/AnNSUv5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/fZ7Ljha.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LHPkTZ8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/d7L0oNW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/j152vQm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wdYfu3O.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/k0laO6A.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/20jlL2I.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 20 March 2023, 11:25:56
ACT2 EPIC

(https://i.imgur.com/HDEPycN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/h1pTQC5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/akmV5aR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/elMlUOi.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Jr286Yp.jpg)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 17 April 2023, 21:35:58
hey! I am still here. My time is so limited that titan quest went to the bottom of my priority list, but i still want to finish the game with this character.

And now, lets start:

Stormyboy - Fyredel - L67 Evoker AEARE (Cursed) - Gardens of Babylon

https://imgur.com/fO7kEko
https://imgur.com/Zdjxr9Y
https://imgur.com/sUsesGv (Telkine)
https://imgur.com/GlEWk8h (death count)
https://imgur.com/TOqvJii (honorable mention: 2 hp potions/0 energy) - even tho this doesn't matter anymore, i still want to update my potion count. I am doing the run without using potions. First potion was used somewhere in atlantis, normal difficulty (i have no idea when). The second one was used when moving my relics from inventory tab to the caravan tab.
If there would be a way to delete the potions from the game i would do it in a heartbeat.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 18 April 2023, 11:03:39
Well done!   :)  Leaderboard updated.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 08 June 2023, 13:05:57
Here I am after a long time.
Unfortunately my Ranger died to Epic Undead Titans after an unforgivable mistake (equipped gear with less damage from titans and not for undead,and since my pierce res was low they ripped me....)

So for my 3d attempt i focused on survivability,made a Pilgrim (Hunting-Neidan) from scratch and finally did it.Completed all 3 difficulties until Ragnarok on Xmax+(5 bosses) no stash,self found gear,no deaths!
Currently i am playing Eternal Embers to completely fulfill the challenge.

This is the character

koolis - No_Death_Xmax+ - L82 Pilgrim AERAE (NO CURSES-UNTWINKED)

I made screenshots until end of act1 legendary when i encountered Toxeus at labyrinth so kept going recording on video.
Here is the whole progress from normal to legendary act1:

https://imgur.com/a/IT9teXS

And here are videos from legendary act2 until Ragnarok

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FClZUu9mITQ

https://youtu.be/Oq7u30CccS0

https://youtu.be/TgIJpjOd9u8

https://youtu.be/5pSo-itdD1s

https://youtu.be/cQDRwBK_pLI

https://youtu.be/Acb18VPrz5E

https://youtu.be/8Y5OyoDGJQ0

Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 09 June 2023, 17:52:18
Stormyboy - Fyredel - L67 Evoker AEARE (Cursed) - Gardens of Babylon

https://imgur.com/voKzFjN
https://imgur.com/E2lMrMh
https://imgur.com/boRewUl
https://imgur.com/1aYna86
https://imgur.com/0wZz0x2 (Telkin)
https://imgur.com/jiJ7nha (went back for manticore because i forgot about it)
https://imgur.com/TXJZ8D2 (titan)
https://imgur.com/GXsUG2j (potions count - this will always be a honorable mention. And no, i have no idea how an energy potion got used.... I need a guide on how to delete the potions from the game file for my next run)
https://imgur.com/MM2zG3H (character sheet)

As for my gear, it's getting frustrating because late ragnarok (normal) items are as good as act 4 epic items. It's been ages since i got an upgrade. I barely managed to get an upgrade for my weapon after farming the atlantis vendor for some thinkerer gear.

That being said, i am well and alive. Now it's time to join the Diablo 4 hype train as well :D. 
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 10 June 2023, 12:41:20
Already have Fyredel as L67 and in the Gardens stormyboy.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 10 June 2023, 13:20:09
Oooh. I forgot to edit the level and location when I copy pasted. I will do that as soon as i get home
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Overnight on 10 June 2023, 18:32:26
Hello,

I am back after another break, this game is waaay too long for me at this state :D It was almost too long with Immortal Throne alone aready. No good news this time tho :(
I will skip screenshots for the Orient bosses, since it doesn't matter anymore and I don't even know where I have them, it has been some time since it happened.
So, everything was going ok, killed Ormenos and then planned to farm him for maybe some better items and mostly for one missing component for the Marduk artifact that I wanted to be more safe. Running to his chamber every 2 minutes was boring and took too much time so thought of using a mod so every enemy in the 3rd act becomes Ormenos after death. Never had any problem with that, even tho the Telkines have their "room skills". I was farming him in the Hanging Gardens and after some time, still not getting the needed component, I got suddenly killed by something, I didn't even see anything on the screen so couldn't avoid it. And if you want to know, yes, I got the item I wanted from the next Ormenos I killed after my death. Guess shouldn't have farmed with that mod :D So here ends my journey that started on 12 December 2018, wish I finished it a bit faster :D

https://imgur.com/a/vKyUIlI

I think I was really lucky for an untwinked character, very early Athena's Battle Greaves (Epic if I remember correctly), Myrmidon's Pendant, Conqueror's Bracers, Apollo's Will, great items with not that much farming at all. Resistances were really ok, damage could be better but it was not the priority. I have thrown weapon on the screen but only to farm Ormenos since it was safer, normally it was spear, so it was just Phantom Strike spam :D I chose Dream, since it is strong and reliable, but I also chose Runes which I had no idea how to play and still don't have. Maybe if I chose a mastery I was familiar with it could have been better.

It was really fun to take part in the challenge, watch your progress and share mine. I do not see myself doing that challenge again tho, atleast not with DLCs, the game is insanely long and would take me few years again to find motivation to finish. If I decide to try again, what may happen sooner or later, it will be only AE.
I told myself not to play Eternal Embers until I am done with the challenge, so it was waiting for many months and I can finally play it and maybe complete some new achievements :D

Overnight - Halu - L74 Seidr Worker AER - Wusao - Died to Ormenos (Kill count: 186453)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 10 June 2023, 18:46:18
Bad luck Overnight.  Still Halu will always be remembered in the Hall of Fallen Heroes.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 11 June 2023, 08:28:16
https://youtu.be/L_Bl9ysFEms

The challenge is fully completed with this last act.

koolis - No_Death_Xmax+ - L83 Pilgrim AERAE (NO CURSES-UNTWINKED)

Some notes:
Hardest part was Greece act1 Normal as it was self found run without using the stash.I had to use anything i could find at the place i was every time.
Especially gorgon sisters x15 and Alastor on normal gave me a lot of trouble.As the game was progressing,leveling up and finding gear made it easier.
Greatest threats to die apart from act1 normal,was the random encounters,typhoon and toxeus on legendary labyrinth.
I believe a new run with a different character but this time using stash and prefarmed gear,will be a lot easier and less time consuming.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 11 June 2023, 09:23:02
I am back with the correct character details.

Stormyboy - Fyredel - L70 Evoker AEARE (Cursed) - City of Rhodes
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 12 June 2023, 08:08:35
Well done koolis!  Congratulations.

And stormyboy, updated your details.  Good luck.
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 19 August 2023, 22:36:51
Stormyboy - Fyredel - L72 Evoker AEARE (Cursed) - New Road

Well, i am back after playing a bit of diablo. It seems that unlike titan quest, the main goal of that game is the grind for a build. If you don't get specific items, you have no build. And that is why titan quest is superior. You have a build, play an long story and strive to power up. That being said, I am done with atlantis and half of hades.

https://imgur.com/w6ZVdlM
https://imgur.com/mSxgnIc
https://imgur.com/DlCCfjz
https://imgur.com/u5FtGxh (i have killed this one a few times but never managed to get all 3 bosses at the same place for a screenshot)
https://imgur.com/RdlV1Fr
https://imgur.com/Pgqm0U6
https://imgur.com/oKGWlPH (death count)
https://imgur.com/2nYpFyY (honorable mention: 2HP potions, 1 mana potion used. All by mistake)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 20 August 2023, 07:49:24
Welcome back stormyboy.  Yeah, a lot of people seem to be disappointed with D4 and are coming back to TQ and GD.

Did you see the news?  We're getting Titan Quest II!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY6yb8OoFvw&t=3s
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 23 October 2023, 22:23:06
Hello!

@MedeaFleecestealer I saw the TQ2 trailer and i want to finish my character before it drops and why not, maybe one more ( i rly want to play a rogue focused on traps)

After playing my GD shaman for a bit i got back to TQ to finish the job. Things went very smooth in immortal throne but Ragnarok is wrecking me. Not difficulty wise tho. Ragnarok doesn't seem to agree with xmax that much. My game is crushing every few minutes. Sometimes it will crush when it loads a high amount of monsters, sometimes it will crush when i kill a big pack, when i enter a room/cave, when i walk around. Sometimes will not crush until i use my portal to teleport back to town. The worst i got so far was in the cave before scandia (the one with 4 bosses that drop orbs). I will be honest and admit i had to finish that zone in normal, 1x mode. That place was so bad i couldn't even advance through the cave. Right now i am just pushing my character forward without killing stuff, fountain to fountain. I then go back and just explore as much as i can before my game dies.

Stormyboy - Fyredel - L74 Evoker AEARE (Cursed) - Frozen River

Here are my updates:
https://imgur.com/59Z8K0b
https://imgur.com/onR7YBC
https://imgur.com/AFCYAl0
https://imgur.com/zI6Czfb
https://imgur.com/ZioZ3cL
https://imgur.com/TifiaSO
https://imgur.com/EgKPI2b (death count)
https://imgur.com/viOD7Hy (honorable mention: 2HP potions, 1 mana potion used. All by mistake)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 23 October 2023, 22:38:04
That puts you top of the leaderboard.  Congrats!  :)

Strange that Ragnarok is giving you so much trouble.  Which version of Xmax are you using?
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 24 October 2023, 08:32:24
This is the one i am using. Is there any better version out there?
https://imgur.com/a/cU1AMNn

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=755731339
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: koolis on 24 October 2023, 08:49:15
For supporting Atlantis and Ragnarok and fixed bugs this is the best:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1780561671&searchtext=
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 23 December 2023, 21:39:56
Hello! I have just realized that it's been a long time since my last update. I am alternating grim dawn/world of warcraft and the occasional Gothic 1, 2, 3 replay. But, i am still here, still progressing and the character still alive.

@koolis i got that version of xmax and it made my life better. The game still dies from time to time but on this version i can see the DMG i deal and the monster density better. You get less monsters on shrines and they are better spread.

Right now i am done with act one legendary. I have been farming the gorgons a lot and i got my pair of bracers of the gryphon. All i need right now is one more level so i can switch the random dexterity relic i use on them to get 425. One place i spent a lot of time as well was hydra but i got nothing from it. Only strength gear. All that being said, this is the upgrade.

Stormyboy - Fyredel - L76 Evoker AEARE (Cursed) - City of Rhakotis

https://imgur.com/Dw3FPvA
https://imgur.com/hPm3diW
https://imgur.com/7VHg1ki
https://imgur.com/TBJ2Sq7
https://imgur.com/saaRG5v
https://imgur.com/CK9nwx7
https://imgur.com/Ivfig2c (end of Epic)
https://imgur.com/qrnLIRw
https://imgur.com/HMkrexq
https://imgur.com/pH4Yc0H
https://imgur.com/kMKPMXa
https://imgur.com/pig8eJd
https://imgur.com/tBmrRju
https://imgur.com/kH7B7tH
https://imgur.com/vzNDqqm
https://imgur.com/kayfCpa
https://imgur.com/GOPI4fW
https://imgur.com/3nvvYHE (End of act 1)
https://imgur.com/BKpPCff (Character print screen)
https://imgur.com/y3lCUT6 (honorable mention: 3HP potions, 1 mana potion used. All by mistake)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 24 December 2023, 08:50:15
Updated stormyboy and good luck with the rest of Legendary.   :)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: stormyboy on 24 December 2023, 11:56:56
Oh, also, could you guys help me with a question? I am getting a lot of shields and would love to try a sword and board character for this challenge. Any suggestion on a good pick? Was thinking about spirit + def but outside of the aura and lifesteal i can't find more to it. (looking for something more than the classic conquer)
Title: Re: The Xmax Hardcore Challenge
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 24 December 2023, 12:02:38
Templar maybe?  Or the newer masteries - Runemaster and Neidan combined with Defense. 
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