I got my Defiler back to level 27 or so. This time I got equipment that gave me almost maximum Aether resist, so defeating the Warden was cake. He can be so dangerous most times as a hardcore character, but with max Aether and Lightning resists, he’s almost harmless.
I’m thinking if my Defiler can last a long time, this should be my goal, approximately:
https://www.grimtools.com/calc/q2mGq4GZ
Edit:
Updated: https://www.grimtools.com/calc/O2Gp4JnV
The theory being life steal + lots of physical damage, which is the common damage type between a Necromancer and a Demolitionist. Even at level 40, I was most of the way there. Note the damage and arcane barriers. I already have both of those in my level 27 Defiler. Very useful, you guys. The arcane barrier from the devotion tree activates all the time, and the Turtle shell activates when health drops below 40%, I think. Both of those combined gets to be a really nice defensive barrier at all times, plus Mark of Torment really helps there too against bosses, as does life steal.
The physical damage stuff is so cool for the Demolitionist that I want to eventually try out a Commando. Amazingly, I’ve never made one of those before. I was thinking something along the route of the Defiler I made above, but with the health and physical damage bonuses from a Soldier instead of the life-stealing and debuff of the Necro.
Something like this:
https://www.grimtools.com/calc/L2Jr0k02
That character looks more vulnerable, with less health stealing. But the additional health from being a Soldier might make up for me. Unknown. I bet you he wouldn’t make it through Normal before dying.
Edit: Hmmm, I should make a Ritualist sometime. I can’t get enough of Vitality damage, and a Shaman + Necro should be a Vitality beast:
https://www.grimtools.com/calc/dVb4OaEN
Edit: Additional note to self. Don’t forget your Warlock plans every time you play. Maybe aim for something like this, especially in the devotion tree: