Sage 150 quest guide

[Nandytos]

Here is how i did:

Quests: More than 470 ish. (U can do with less but rng is bigger. U need at least 450)

Optional: If u have ability and chest drop chance blessings that further increase the 50% xp from scrolls and chest. U can do those quests before this quest. I had ability drop chance.

Map: Ember ground. (More base exp, than Haunted Caverns.)

Artifacts: Hastening Sands, Archeologist's Thread, Restless Wheel, Curse of Commitment, Scales of Pain, Golden Scarab, Idol of Hunger.

Optional: Primordial Edict. I don't know how this affect the Fragile Chance from transfixion wich is huge debuff/ dmg boost to the other abilities.

Mark: Sage
Head: Figther's headband any green. Regen better, but i didn't have.
Neck: Warrior's fervor (Lingering)
Ring: Holy Relic both green
Armor: Blood-soaked shirt (Undying). Rage can be good, but in late game Undying healing better and u kill so fast that u will see like 30 - 80 heals.
Boots: Runnig shoes (Boost) any can work since u will be speedy gonzales in late game, with bunch of buffs. This helps at the start to move faster.

Abilities: Ur main has to be Transfixion. Dmg and debuff is so good.
Other 3 u can choose any 2 - 3. i went all.
Lightning Strikes, Ring Blades, Arcane Splinters. Optional: Phantom Needles. It is good, but others have more time/kill.

Any ability trait: Crit damage>attack speed>Multistrike. (Ircc blades doesn't have crit dmg traits, so go for the highest dmg, that offer.)

Any ability 3,6,10 Go for base dmg, Blades: Range only.

Upgrades: Transfixion: Amputation - Cripling cuts. Blades: Cyclone, Piercing Blades. Lightning Strike: Explosive Strikes, Concentrated Strikes. Arcane Splinters: Arcane Unrest. (this is enough), if u can spare one more ability then Arcane Shivers.

My start: Transfixion, Lightning Strike. Ring blades good when u have something to lvl up, so not for early game.

3x double on Sage dedication exp, any 3 good. I skipped the first one. to get in the late game 10% more xp from the last one.

Ban: Hp, def, block, regen, parry, bulwark, Proficient Stance elements. If u have any post left, than fire and ligthning affinity. Other than that, any ability tratis that u don't need. Like: Transfixion effect chance.

Memory pots:
Weapon Proficiency 1 - 4 both. This will boost ur transfixion dmg in the early game.
Dedication: 1 - 4 both. Double exp. 1 - 3. Or 2 - 4. The other trait boost ur transfixion dmg in the early game.

Sage 5: Proficient Stance any good. I usually picked Damage.

Strategy: Stand still for more kill more xp, asap. After u defeated the lord: First pick up the Blue thing, that colect all the exp, then the rest of the scroll and chest and get the 50% xp.

If u done everything correctly: U should be 136, 137 when the Lord spawns and u have enough scrolls and chest to lvl till 150.

[L5RDM]

Thanks for the guide, I am going to give it a shot once I unlock a few more quests.

For anyone wondering:
"Chest Drop Chance" is the reward for "Ivory Find" and is locked behind the 2 monolith quests.
"Ability Drop Chance" is the reward for "Obsidian Skill", and is locked behind the no abilities damage and deal 500M damage quests.

[HeraldOfOpera]

Originally posted by L5RDM:

Thanks for the guide, I am going to give it a shot once I unlock a few more quests.

For anyone wondering:
"Chest Drop Chance" is the reward for "Ivory Find" and is locked behind the 2 monolith quests.
"Ability Drop Chance" is the reward for "Obsidian Skill", and is locked behind the no abilities damage and deal 500M damage quests.

Note that you don't actually have to "unlock" the quests before completing them, only the page they're on. Pick up a bunch of things affected by the respective "dice" artifact in a single run to do this.

[Hazard Pay]

I completed Sage 150 almost like this, but I just used Saw Blade and Needles in Ember Grounds. I had a total of 5 Artifacts for the xp bonus. This was my last Achievement. I'm all done til the next DLC.

[Nandytos]

Originally posted by Hazard Pay:

I completed Sage 150 almost like this, but I just used Saw Blade and Needles in Ember Grounds. I had a total of 5 Artifacts for the xp bonus. This was my last Achievement. I'm all done til the next DLC.

Yeah i did many times cause i farming other quests with sage till i got this. I saw blades insane dmg, but sage is so weak, so the other just there to kill sneak mobs through balades and u can go easy 4 abilites full, but end of the day blades is the king of dmg. Only backwards u need to lvl up at least 3 to work and 6 to get 2 more baldes to work perfectly and that is pain in the ass alone.

[nhlkoho]

Completed on first try with this. Thanks!

[🖤 færvelin]

Thank you so much! Did it on the first try

[Nuusku]

Worked like charm, thank you!
I used Running Shoes (Growth) and Hunting gloves (Growth). For abilities I used Transfixion, Lightning Strikes and Blades.

[Nefai]

My method was completely different, lol... Equipment, Abilities, Progression... the only thing we have in common is Boots and Chest :)

---GENERAL INFO---
Completed Quests: 446 (+133.8% EXP)
132 Torment Shards, all in +Damage
Completed Chapter 5 Quest "Ivory Find" to unlock the Blessing for 100% more Chests.
Completed Chapter 5 Quest "Obsidian Skill" to unlock the Blessing for 100% more Ability Scrolls.

These quests are crucial. Each Chest and Ability Scroll you collect at the end of the run gives you half a level. And these Quests are very easy to complete. Do 1 run with the Artifact "Obsidian Dice" which automatically chooses what Ability you get when grab a Scroll, and do 1 run with the Artifact "Ivory Dice" which automatically chooses what you get when you open a Chest.

Map: Haunted Caverns - Easiest map and has plenty of EXP still
Only 5 Artifacts: Hastening Sands, Archaeologist's Thread, Restless Wheel, Malignant Mirror, Curse of Commitment

Total Kills in the run: 76,655
Total Damage in the run: 878,653,567

---EQUIPMENT---
MARK - Mark of the Arrow - 10% Base Crit chance and Archer Traits
HEAD - Vision Crown (Fixed) - +50% Range and +30% Area
RING 1 - Iron Ring (Boost) - +30 Base Damage
RING 2 - Iron Ring (Growth) - +15 Base Damage and +0.15 Base Damage per level
AMULET - Blood Catcher (Enhancement) - Heal every 5s and +Damage buff
BOOTS - Running Shoes (Boost) - 40% Movement Speed
CHEST - Blood-Soaked Shirt (Undying) - Chance to Heal 1% Total Damage stat and +Damage buff
HANDS - Quickhand Gloves (Boost) - +60% Attack Speed

---ABILITIES---
First Ability - Ring Blades, so it gets all the “Main Weapon” bonuses
(717,221,308 Damage Dealt at end of run)
Second Ability - Phantom Needles
(161,431,969 Damage Dealt at the end of run)

That's it, just two Abilities, saving all the other Scrolls for collecting at the end. The absolutely insane Range on Ring Blades, and the Size of the Projectiles, makes sure you are killing everything right as it spawns, allowing more to spawn. Once in a while I see a boss come onto the screen, but mostly it's empty, with everything dying way off-screen.

-RING BLADES-
All Memory Potions were used to get as many upgrades as possible for Ring Blades. And I used as many rerolls as I needed at Level 24 to get Ring Blades Level 3 and Upgraded to Cyclone ASAP. Ring Blades is pretty pathetic before Cyclone and pretty amazing after.
Level 1: Strong
Level 2: Big
Level 3: Big, Cruel, Reaching - Upgrade Cyclone
Level 4: Fast
Level 5: Big, Strong
Level 6: Cruel, Reaching - Upgrade Crippling Blades
Level 7: Strong
Level 8: Big
Level 9: Big, Strong
Level 10: Ripping, Fast, Cruel, Reaching

-PHANTOM NEEDLES-
Level 1: Spin
Level 2: Puncture
Level 3: Pinpoint - Upgrade Phantom Split
Level 4: Puncture
Level 5: Spin
Level 6: Pinpoint - Upgrade Phantom Fetters
Level 7: Spin
Level 8: Puncture
Level 9: Spin
Level 10: Puncture

Between Crippling Blades and Phantom Fetters, everything is so slow, nothing will ever get to you, and almost nothing will even make it onto the screen.

---PROGRESSION---

Beeline to the closest Spell Scroll and stand still there. That is the most important tip I can give. Always be standing still whenever you can, so as many enemies as possible are spawning around the edges of the map and none of them are despawning as you move away from them.

Most of the EXP will fall out of range, just run around in a little circle once in a while to get some of the collected EXP. Don’t sleep on Pickup Range; grab a level in that every once in a while so you collect more EXP while standing still, and collect more EXP with each little circle you do.

I focus on Defense first, since we are so squishy in the beginning, and aren’t wearing any defensive equipment (Base Defense->Base Block Strength->Movement Speed) I find I play more cautiously when I am damaged, which means collecting less EXP, and dying loses Agony Levels. After a bit of focus on defense, I don’t really worry about taking hits anymore.

Once survivability is assured, I focus the usual: Damage, Crit Chance, Crit Bonus, Range, Area, Multistrike, etc, whatever pops up and I have the lowest level in.

Never pick up any extra Scrolls or Chests. In fact, move away from them when they drop, so you don't grab them accidentally. And don't let a boss die right on top of you, or you will automatically grab the Scroll or Chest. You need to collect them all at the very end, when you are as high level as possible, to get the most EXP out of them. Each one will give you 50% of a level up. After you kill the Lords, get the Magnet to make sure you collected all EXP on the level before you start collecting Scrolls and Chests.

-PROFICIENCIES-

I used all my Oblivion Potions to remove unwanted Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiency 1 - Strengthen (Sage) - +0.25 Base Crit on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 2 - Strengthen (Sage) - +10 Base Damage on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 3 - Strengthen (Sage) - +0.25 Base Crit on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 4 - Strengthen (Sage) - +10 Base Damage on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 5 - nothing

Proficient Stance 1 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon (Ring Blades)
Proficient Stance 2 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 3 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 4 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 5 - Damage (Sage) - +60 Damage, -30% Crit Bonus

I used my Reverberating Potions on Dedication 2,3,4, for the increase to EXP. This is also required, IMHO. You need to maximize EXP.

(Numbers shown on Dedication 2,3,4 below are doubled to show the effect of Reverberating Potions)

Dedication 1 - Open Mind (Sage) - 1m base Pickup Range and 3% Experience Gain
Dedication 2 - Open Mind (Sage) - 1m base Pickup Range and 10% Experience Gain
Dedication 3 - Open Mind (Sage) - 14% Experience Gain
Dedication 4 - Open Mind (Sage) - 20% Experience Gain
Dedication 5 - Archer - +1m/s Base Movement Speed and +20% Movement Speed

I was level 137 when the Lords were dead and I had grabbed the Magnet, and I had 28 Scrolls and Chests (14 levels worth of Experience)

[Scintilus]

Thanks for this guide, I finally got the level 150 sage achie.

[rikupajari]

Originally posted by Nefai:

My method was completely different, lol... Equipment, Abilities, Progression... the only thing we have in common is Boots and Chest :)

---GENERAL INFO---
Completed Quests: 446 (+133.8% EXP)
132 Torment Shards, all in +Damage
Completed Chapter 5 Quest "Ivory Find" to unlock the Blessing for 100% more Chests.
Completed Chapter 5 Quest "Obsidian Skill" to unlock the Blessing for 100% more Ability Scrolls.

These quests are crucial. Each Chest and Ability Scroll you collect at the end of the run gives you half a level. And these Quests are very easy to complete. Do 1 run with the Artifact "Obsidian Dice" which automatically chooses what Ability you get when grab a Scroll, and do 1 run with the Artifact "Ivory Dice" which automatically chooses what you get when you open a Chest.

Map: Haunted Caverns - Easiest map and has plenty of EXP still
Only 5 Artifacts: Hastening Sands, Archaeologist's Thread, Restless Wheel, Malignant Mirror, Curse of Commitment

Total Kills in the run: 76,655
Total Damage in the run: 878,653,567

---EQUIPMENT---
MARK - Mark of the Arrow - 10% Base Crit chance and Archer Traits
HEAD - Vision Crown (Fixed) - +50% Range and +30% Area
RING 1 - Iron Ring (Boost) - +30 Base Damage
RING 2 - Iron Ring (Growth) - +15 Base Damage and +0.15 Base Damage per level
AMULET - Blood Catcher (Enhancement) - Heal every 5s and +Damage buff
BOOTS - Running Shoes (Boost) - 40% Movement Speed
CHEST - Blood-Soaked Shirt (Undying) - Chance to Heal 1% Total Damage stat and +Damage buff
HANDS - Quickhand Gloves (Boost) - +60% Attack Speed

---ABILITIES---
First Ability - Ring Blades, so it gets all the “Main Weapon” bonuses
(717,221,308 Damage Dealt at end of run)
Second Ability - Phantom Needles
(161,431,969 Damage Dealt at the end of run)

That's it, just two Abilities, saving all the other Scrolls for collecting at the end. The absolutely insane Range on Ring Blades, and the Size of the Projectiles, makes sure you are killing everything right as it spawns, allowing more to spawn. Once in a while I see a boss come onto the screen, but mostly it's empty, with everything dying way off-screen.

-RING BLADES-
All Memory Potions were used to get as many upgrades as possible for Ring Blades. And I used as many rerolls as I needed at Level 24 to get Ring Blades Level 3 and Upgraded to Cyclone ASAP. Ring Blades is pretty pathetic before Cyclone and pretty amazing after.
Level 1: Strong
Level 2: Big
Level 3: Big, Cruel, Reaching - Upgrade Cyclone
Level 4: Fast
Level 5: Big, Strong
Level 6: Cruel, Reaching - Upgrade Crippling Blades
Level 7: Strong
Level 8: Big
Level 9: Big, Strong
Level 10: Ripping, Fast, Cruel, Reaching

-PHANTOM NEEDLES-
Level 1: Spin
Level 2: Puncture
Level 3: Pinpoint - Upgrade Phantom Split
Level 4: Puncture
Level 5: Spin
Level 6: Pinpoint - Upgrade Phantom Fetters
Level 7: Spin
Level 8: Puncture
Level 9: Spin
Level 10: Puncture

Between Crippling Blades and Phantom Fetters, everything is so slow, nothing will ever get to you, and almost nothing will even make it onto the screen.

---PROGRESSION---

Beeline to the closest Spell Scroll and stand still there. That is the most important tip I can give. Always be standing still whenever you can, so as many enemies as possible are spawning around the edges of the map and none of them are despawning as you move away from them.

Most of the EXP will fall out of range, just run around in a little circle once in a while to get some of the collected EXP. Don’t sleep on Pickup Range; grab a level in that every once in a while so you collect more EXP while standing still, and collect more EXP with each little circle you do.

I focus on Defense first, since we are so squishy in the beginning, and aren’t wearing any defensive equipment (Base Defense->Base Block Strength->Movement Speed) I find I play more cautiously when I am damaged, which means collecting less EXP, and dying loses Agony Levels. After a bit of focus on defense, I don’t really worry about taking hits anymore.

Once survivability is assured, I focus the usual: Damage, Crit Chance, Crit Bonus, Range, Area, Multistrike, etc, whatever pops up and I have the lowest level in.

Never pick up any extra Scrolls or Chests. In fact, move away from them when they drop, so you don't grab them accidentally. And don't let a boss die right on top of you, or you will automatically grab the Scroll or Chest. You need to collect them all at the very end, when you are as high level as possible, to get the most EXP out of them. Each one will give you 50% of a level up. After you kill the Lords, get the Magnet to make sure you collected all EXP on the level before you start collecting Scrolls and Chests.

-PROFICIENCIES-

I used all my Oblivion Potions to remove unwanted Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiency 1 - Strengthen (Sage) - +0.25 Base Crit on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 2 - Strengthen (Sage) - +10 Base Damage on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 3 - Strengthen (Sage) - +0.25 Base Crit on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 4 - Strengthen (Sage) - +10 Base Damage on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 5 - nothing

Proficient Stance 1 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon (Ring Blades)
Proficient Stance 2 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 3 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 4 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 5 - Damage (Sage) - +60 Damage, -30% Crit Bonus

I used my Reverberating Potions on Dedication 2,3,4, for the increase to EXP. This is also required, IMHO. You need to maximize EXP.

(Numbers shown on Dedication 2,3,4 below are doubled to show the effect of Reverberating Potions)

Dedication 1 - Open Mind (Sage) - 1m base Pickup Range and 3% Experience Gain
Dedication 2 - Open Mind (Sage) - 1m base Pickup Range and 10% Experience Gain
Dedication 3 - Open Mind (Sage) - 14% Experience Gain
Dedication 4 - Open Mind (Sage) - 20% Experience Gain
Dedication 5 - Archer - +1m/s Base Movement Speed and +20% Movement Speed

I was level 137 when the Lords were dead and I had grabbed the Magnet, and I had 28 Scrolls and Chests (14 levels worth of Experience)

I used this strategy with about ~50 torment shards, got the achievement on my first try. Thank you!

[ral0s]

Originally posted by Nefai:

My method was completely different, lol... Equipment, Abilities, Progression... the only thing we have in common is Boots and Chest :)

---GENERAL INFO---
Completed Quests: 446 (+133.8% EXP)
132 Torment Shards, all in +Damage
Completed Chapter 5 Quest "Ivory Find" to unlock the Blessing for 100% more Chests.
Completed Chapter 5 Quest "Obsidian Skill" to unlock the Blessing for 100% more Ability Scrolls.

These quests are crucial. Each Chest and Ability Scroll you collect at the end of the run gives you half a level. And these Quests are very easy to complete. Do 1 run with the Artifact "Obsidian Dice" which automatically chooses what Ability you get when grab a Scroll, and do 1 run with the Artifact "Ivory Dice" which automatically chooses what you get when you open a Chest.

Map: Haunted Caverns - Easiest map and has plenty of EXP still
Only 5 Artifacts: Hastening Sands, Archaeologist's Thread, Restless Wheel, Malignant Mirror, Curse of Commitment

Total Kills in the run: 76,655
Total Damage in the run: 878,653,567

---EQUIPMENT---
MARK - Mark of the Arrow - 10% Base Crit chance and Archer Traits
HEAD - Vision Crown (Fixed) - +50% Range and +30% Area
RING 1 - Iron Ring (Boost) - +30 Base Damage
RING 2 - Iron Ring (Growth) - +15 Base Damage and +0.15 Base Damage per level
AMULET - Blood Catcher (Enhancement) - Heal every 5s and +Damage buff
BOOTS - Running Shoes (Boost) - 40% Movement Speed
CHEST - Blood-Soaked Shirt (Undying) - Chance to Heal 1% Total Damage stat and +Damage buff
HANDS - Quickhand Gloves (Boost) - +60% Attack Speed

---ABILITIES---
First Ability - Ring Blades, so it gets all the “Main Weapon” bonuses
(717,221,308 Damage Dealt at end of run)
Second Ability - Phantom Needles
(161,431,969 Damage Dealt at the end of run)

That's it, just two Abilities, saving all the other Scrolls for collecting at the end. The absolutely insane Range on Ring Blades, and the Size of the Projectiles, makes sure you are killing everything right as it spawns, allowing more to spawn. Once in a while I see a boss come onto the screen, but mostly it's empty, with everything dying way off-screen.

-RING BLADES-
All Memory Potions were used to get as many upgrades as possible for Ring Blades. And I used as many rerolls as I needed at Level 24 to get Ring Blades Level 3 and Upgraded to Cyclone ASAP. Ring Blades is pretty pathetic before Cyclone and pretty amazing after.
Level 1: Strong
Level 2: Big
Level 3: Big, Cruel, Reaching - Upgrade Cyclone
Level 4: Fast
Level 5: Big, Strong
Level 6: Cruel, Reaching - Upgrade Crippling Blades
Level 7: Strong
Level 8: Big
Level 9: Big, Strong
Level 10: Ripping, Fast, Cruel, Reaching

-PHANTOM NEEDLES-
Level 1: Spin
Level 2: Puncture
Level 3: Pinpoint - Upgrade Phantom Split
Level 4: Puncture
Level 5: Spin
Level 6: Pinpoint - Upgrade Phantom Fetters
Level 7: Spin
Level 8: Puncture
Level 9: Spin
Level 10: Puncture

Between Crippling Blades and Phantom Fetters, everything is so slow, nothing will ever get to you, and almost nothing will even make it onto the screen.

---PROGRESSION---

Beeline to the closest Spell Scroll and stand still there. That is the most important tip I can give. Always be standing still whenever you can, so as many enemies as possible are spawning around the edges of the map and none of them are despawning as you move away from them.

Most of the EXP will fall out of range, just run around in a little circle once in a while to get some of the collected EXP. Don’t sleep on Pickup Range; grab a level in that every once in a while so you collect more EXP while standing still, and collect more EXP with each little circle you do.

I focus on Defense first, since we are so squishy in the beginning, and aren’t wearing any defensive equipment (Base Defense->Base Block Strength->Movement Speed) I find I play more cautiously when I am damaged, which means collecting less EXP, and dying loses Agony Levels. After a bit of focus on defense, I don’t really worry about taking hits anymore.

Once survivability is assured, I focus the usual: Damage, Crit Chance, Crit Bonus, Range, Area, Multistrike, etc, whatever pops up and I have the lowest level in.

Never pick up any extra Scrolls or Chests. In fact, move away from them when they drop, so you don't grab them accidentally. And don't let a boss die right on top of you, or you will automatically grab the Scroll or Chest. You need to collect them all at the very end, when you are as high level as possible, to get the most EXP out of them. Each one will give you 50% of a level up. After you kill the Lords, get the Magnet to make sure you collected all EXP on the level before you start collecting Scrolls and Chests.

-PROFICIENCIES-

I used all my Oblivion Potions to remove unwanted Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiency 1 - Strengthen (Sage) - +0.25 Base Crit on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 2 - Strengthen (Sage) - +10 Base Damage on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 3 - Strengthen (Sage) - +0.25 Base Crit on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 4 - Strengthen (Sage) - +10 Base Damage on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 5 - nothing

Proficient Stance 1 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon (Ring Blades)
Proficient Stance 2 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 3 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 4 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 5 - Damage (Sage) - +60 Damage, -30% Crit Bonus

I used my Reverberating Potions on Dedication 2,3,4, for the increase to EXP. This is also required, IMHO. You need to maximize EXP.

(Numbers shown on Dedication 2,3,4 below are doubled to show the effect of Reverberating Potions)

Dedication 1 - Open Mind (Sage) - 1m base Pickup Range and 3% Experience Gain
Dedication 2 - Open Mind (Sage) - 1m base Pickup Range and 10% Experience Gain
Dedication 3 - Open Mind (Sage) - 14% Experience Gain
Dedication 4 - Open Mind (Sage) - 20% Experience Gain
Dedication 5 - Archer - +1m/s Base Movement Speed and +20% Movement Speed

I was level 137 when the Lords were dead and I had grabbed the Magnet, and I had 28 Scrolls and Chests (14 levels worth of Experience)

WOW, This is the only strategy I was able to have success with after about 200 attempts at this achievement lmao

[Prozac Snack]

Thank you. I was finally able to complete the the Sage achievement and the Army of the Dead Achievement (66600 kills on stage 1) by using this guide. Thanks again. 500/500

Originally posted by Nefai:

My method was completely different, lol... Equipment, Abilities, Progression... the only thing we have in common is Boots and Chest :)

---GENERAL INFO---
Completed Quests: 446 (+133.8% EXP)
132 Torment Shards, all in +Damage
Completed Chapter 5 Quest "Ivory Find" to unlock the Blessing for 100% more Chests.
Completed Chapter 5 Quest "Obsidian Skill" to unlock the Blessing for 100% more Ability Scrolls.

These quests are crucial. Each Chest and Ability Scroll you collect at the end of the run gives you half a level. And these Quests are very easy to complete. Do 1 run with the Artifact "Obsidian Dice" which automatically chooses what Ability you get when grab a Scroll, and do 1 run with the Artifact "Ivory Dice" which automatically chooses what you..........................
/quote]

[Nandytos]

Originally posted by Nefai:

My method was completely different, lol... Equipment, Abilities, Progression... the only thing we have in common is Boots and Chest :)

---GENERAL INFO---
Completed Quests: 446 (+133.8% EXP)
132 Torment Shards, all in +Damage
Completed Chapter 5 Quest "Ivory Find" to unlock the Blessing for 100% more Chests.
Completed Chapter 5 Quest "Obsidian Skill" to unlock the Blessing for 100% more Ability Scrolls.

These quests are crucial. Each Chest and Ability Scroll you collect at the end of the run gives you half a level. And these Quests are very easy to complete. Do 1 run with the Artifact "Obsidian Dice" which automatically chooses what Ability you get when grab a Scroll, and do 1 run with the Artifact "Ivory Dice" which automatically chooses what you get when you open a Chest.

Map: Haunted Caverns - Easiest map and has plenty of EXP still
Only 5 Artifacts: Hastening Sands, Archaeologist's Thread, Restless Wheel, Malignant Mirror, Curse of Commitment

Total Kills in the run: 76,655
Total Damage in the run: 878,653,567

---EQUIPMENT---
MARK - Mark of the Arrow - 10% Base Crit chance and Archer Traits
HEAD - Vision Crown (Fixed) - +50% Range and +30% Area
RING 1 - Iron Ring (Boost) - +30 Base Damage
RING 2 - Iron Ring (Growth) - +15 Base Damage and +0.15 Base Damage per level
AMULET - Blood Catcher (Enhancement) - Heal every 5s and +Damage buff
BOOTS - Running Shoes (Boost) - 40% Movement Speed
CHEST - Blood-Soaked Shirt (Undying) - Chance to Heal 1% Total Damage stat and +Damage buff
HANDS - Quickhand Gloves (Boost) - +60% Attack Speed

---ABILITIES---
First Ability - Ring Blades, so it gets all the “Main Weapon” bonuses
(717,221,308 Damage Dealt at end of run)
Second Ability - Phantom Needles
(161,431,969 Damage Dealt at the end of run)

That's it, just two Abilities, saving all the other Scrolls for collecting at the end. The absolutely insane Range on Ring Blades, and the Size of the Projectiles, makes sure you are killing everything right as it spawns, allowing more to spawn. Once in a while I see a boss come onto the screen, but mostly it's empty, with everything dying way off-screen.

-RING BLADES-
All Memory Potions were used to get as many upgrades as possible for Ring Blades. And I used as many rerolls as I needed at Level 24 to get Ring Blades Level 3 and Upgraded to Cyclone ASAP. Ring Blades is pretty pathetic before Cyclone and pretty amazing after.
Level 1: Strong
Level 2: Big
Level 3: Big, Cruel, Reaching - Upgrade Cyclone
Level 4: Fast
Level 5: Big, Strong
Level 6: Cruel, Reaching - Upgrade Crippling Blades
Level 7: Strong
Level 8: Big
Level 9: Big, Strong
Level 10: Ripping, Fast, Cruel, Reaching

-PHANTOM NEEDLES-
Level 1: Spin
Level 2: Puncture
Level 3: Pinpoint - Upgrade Phantom Split
Level 4: Puncture
Level 5: Spin
Level 6: Pinpoint - Upgrade Phantom Fetters
Level 7: Spin
Level 8: Puncture
Level 9: Spin
Level 10: Puncture

Between Crippling Blades and Phantom Fetters, everything is so slow, nothing will ever get to you, and almost nothing will even make it onto the screen.

---PROGRESSION---

Beeline to the closest Spell Scroll and stand still there. That is the most important tip I can give. Always be standing still whenever you can, so as many enemies as possible are spawning around the edges of the map and none of them are despawning as you move away from them.

Most of the EXP will fall out of range, just run around in a little circle once in a while to get some of the collected EXP. Don’t sleep on Pickup Range; grab a level in that every once in a while so you collect more EXP while standing still, and collect more EXP with each little circle you do.

I focus on Defense first, since we are so squishy in the beginning, and aren’t wearing any defensive equipment (Base Defense->Base Block Strength->Movement Speed) I find I play more cautiously when I am damaged, which means collecting less EXP, and dying loses Agony Levels. After a bit of focus on defense, I don’t really worry about taking hits anymore.

Once survivability is assured, I focus the usual: Damage, Crit Chance, Crit Bonus, Range, Area, Multistrike, etc, whatever pops up and I have the lowest level in.

Never pick up any extra Scrolls or Chests. In fact, move away from them when they drop, so you don't grab them accidentally. And don't let a boss die right on top of you, or you will automatically grab the Scroll or Chest. You need to collect them all at the very end, when you are as high level as possible, to get the most EXP out of them. Each one will give you 50% of a level up. After you kill the Lords, get the Magnet to make sure you collected all EXP on the level before you start collecting Scrolls and Chests.

-PROFICIENCIES-

I used all my Oblivion Potions to remove unwanted Proficiencies
Weapon Proficiency 1 - Strengthen (Sage) - +0.25 Base Crit on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 2 - Strengthen (Sage) - +10 Base Damage on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 3 - Strengthen (Sage) - +0.25 Base Crit on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 4 - Strengthen (Sage) - +10 Base Damage on All Abilities
Weapon Proficiency 5 - nothing

Proficient Stance 1 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon (Ring Blades)
Proficient Stance 2 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 3 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 4 - Barrage (Archer) - +15% Multistrike on Main Weapon
Proficient Stance 5 - Damage (Sage) - +60 Damage, -30% Crit Bonus

I used my Reverberating Potions on Dedication 2,3,4, for the increase to EXP. This is also required, IMHO. You need to maximize EXP.

(Numbers shown on Dedication 2,3,4 below are doubled to show the effect of Reverberating Potions)

Dedication 1 - Open Mind (Sage) - 1m base Pickup Range and 3% Experience Gain
Dedication 2 - Open Mind (Sage) - 1m base Pickup Range and 10% Experience Gain
Dedication 3 - Open Mind (Sage) - 14% Experience Gain
Dedication 4 - Open Mind (Sage) - 20% Experience Gain
Dedication 5 - Archer - +1m/s Base Movement Speed and +20% Movement Speed

I was level 137 when the Lords were dead and I had grabbed the Magnet, and I had 28 Scrolls and Chests (14 levels worth of Experience)

i mean if it works it works.

U need to done more farm for ur setup. U got the chest and ability drop and u got 132 shard. So u need to farm for that more.

Further u have 132 shards. When i done mine i have like 30 40 shards, iirc i don't use them or i don't bother them and i have only ability chance drop.

Don't forget artifacts are random and that can be a pain in the ass to get the 2 to do those quests. I got "Ivory Dice" in the last 3 or 4 drop, so i did with mine way earlier.