[VH-HC] Ironman Contest

[Anubi]

I forgot to take any screen shots last night, but I cleared the first of the 3 Portal levels and started into the second one. I only had about an hour to play. I'm getting worried again having read so many people taking about dying in the clvl 11-14 range right before they can get Frost Shield. But I'm going along pretty good so far.

I've decided I'm going to prioritize putting a point into Adventure whenever I can. More experience = higher level = better chance of living. I hope...

[Brad1007]

Brink is hard lol i died twice at him o.o

[Merk777]

Hi all! I've been reading this thread now for a few weeks and the hook is finally set. I've decided to give it a go!

What's a good frequency to post images and stuff?

[Anubi]

Damn it Three of those Ta'Taur things or what ever they are called. And I was level 13. I had just gotten some nice drops to and was up to 96% missle reflect.

It was my own fault, I guess I started getting careless. Those guys are really nasty and needed to be kited more than I was...

Back to clvl 1 dlvl 1

[Merk777]

Having stepped in through the portal a strange magic overcomes me and I swear an oath never to pass through another again.

My trusty companion Fido at my side we battle through two levels until I find Brink and tell him of my quest. He enthusiastically agrees to join we all continue down into the depths.

*Side note: I'm not really sure how Brink has survived this long. He wades into battle, hits like a girl then runs away fleeing worse than even Fido does. Come to think of it, Fido's stock has improved.

We finally encounter Master Alric but he transforms Brink into a powerful Ember Creature!! (too bad he wasn't this strong when he was on my side)





I was able to get a nice pair of gloves and shoulder armor off of his corpse and a few gems and a potion. It's a good thing too, I was down to my last one, now two.

Progression deeper into the dungeon was easier than I expected. I must give thanks to the reports of other before me in the "how to's" of fighting the large orges and trolls. A well timed Soul Rend and flee, repeated with perfection if I do say so my self.

I finally reached the level of the notorious Three Sisters, and I am embarrassed to say that I need more practice fighting the specters and wraiths, I was down to my last health potion and what do I spy? A lectern with ...well a picture is worth a thousand words (well at least 20 words)



I entered the chamber with 1 health potion and Fido and I both able to cast Heal All I. I cleared the surrounding areas, collecting more potions from the four chest before making my house call. I read the book and then ran away like a screaming step child. Entropic Aura assisting perfectly. In the end the sisters were slain and laying at my feet.




A couple questions: So I see that we aren't supposed to have Summon spells. Is this only the Charm based spells or the Summon Flaming Sword spells as well? I dont want to equip it without hearing first.
...to be continued!!

[Brad1007]

Alright i got some pictures of my progress so far

Heres my belt i found right after brink.


And heres where i am now... in a little trouble, low health no potions and just saw a Champion Troll o.o!

[Dozer]

Sounds like a blast... Going to start right now

[Nihilist]

Flaming Sword summons something to fight for you. Don't use it.

[Ariock]

Finally done. Quite a challenge.


...




...

Now I can finally stop playing this game!

Cheers to those who have accomplished this and best of luck to those still trying.

AriocK

[Omnicide]

UPDATED 11/23/09

This is an ironman challenge specifically for melee Destroyers on VH-HC. Yes, it's hard. Here are the rules:

PROHIBITED
-Traveling to town
-Using any vendors, including dungeon ones
-Fishing
-Backtracking to previous levels
-Summon spells
-Ranged weapons
-Mods which benefit your character (skins are OK, but items, maps, etc. are not)
-Heirloom items
-Exploits (trapping Brink, fighting through gaps, and so forth)

REQUIRED
-Enter every phase portal
-Fight every monster you see, including bosses: if you see it, either it dies or you do
-Hit every plunger, check every chest, etc. (excluding TNT barrels)
-When you first start in town, you have 100g, which you should use to buy 3x Health Potion

ALLOWED
-Clearing levels before proceeding (this was added to address two problems: (1) excessive reliance on luck, and (2) over time, a decreasing gap between player and monster level)

If anyone has additional suggestions, please post, and I'll edit the original posting. Please post screenshots of your attempts! Good luck, and have fun!

I need another challenge so I'm doing this.

I may post screenshots of my progress a little later...

[Acrylik]

i wonder why there isnt an ironwoman contest for melee vanqs...
i mean besides the fact that theyre garbage :p jk.

gl omnicide.

[Omnicide]

i wonder why there isnt an ironwoman contest for melee vanqs...
i mean besides the fact that theyre garbage :p jk.

gl omnicide.

Agreed; and thanks for the luck!

I died by Brink the first time through the Ironman contest, so I adjusted the skill point placement the second time and barely defeated him.

I also found two really descent weapon drops later on after defeating a unique monster; they're in the first screenshot below.

Spoiler: show

Spoiler: show

[Omnicide]

Still alive and kickin' it.

I've just collected the first glyph stone for Syl from the Etherian Runes, and I'm running dangerously low on healing pots. I was hoping to find a Heal All or Heal Self scroll by now, but no dice.
I have a little bit of life-leech on my weapons, but not enough to make a huge difference.

Here's a screenshot of Ironman's current stats & journal:

Spoiler: show

[TacoBoss]

I accepted the challenge.

On my second at Brink this morning, Boss II made it passed the Overseer.

I am currently building 60/40 Def-STR, maxing Shadow armor and Playing with Sword and Board. Kicking 22% block at level 10.
Fights are long as my dps is kind of low, but I don't die and have 23x400 + 13x800 health pots after the overseer fight. I also had to go through 2(!) phase portals on my way down there. One of which was in the jungle tileset where the pigmy's were critting me for 200.

Drops have been ok, nothing spectacular but I do happen to have some decent weapons and a polearm with lifesteal (5/hit)

Also, spell wise, still no luck with heal self/all but my pet now has frost I and fireball I. Also, I dropped 3 enchanted sword summons -_-.


Wish me luck as I'm entering the jungle tileset right now. (Oh god)