You are correct! Although I just found one I hate more. I was in about the same position as you: 3rd expedition, clearing from 178-181, and I got shield boi, Justicar of the Republic. Didn't think much of it, just started my skill routine. Then I noticed that his health is going down very, and I mean fucking VERY slowly. So I mouse over shield boi, and see what's up.

https://ibb.co/Qksf0MR

Some random modifiers, but mainly, Material shield and Tough. Okay, he's taking less damage from my Havoc Orb, but how much?

https://ibb.co/TbxQqg7

Now to add detail, my Havoc Orb crits around 100-150K, and when the skill is behaving(so like 20% of the time) all three projectiles hit, yay good damage. The HIGHEST crit I got on this guy was 50K. So I'm hitting at about 30% of my actual damage, just chipping away at this guy who has, if you looked at the first photo, 82 million health. The solution?

https://ibb.co/F35qhH8

I stuck myself in a corner so I wouldn't continue to get shield bashed around the whole damn arena, and starting watching YouTube. Looking at the data in the screenshots, the first was taken at 9:44, and the last was taken at 9:52. Those screenshots weren't at the end and beginning, so lets just tack a minute on to the beginning and end of the fight, which brings the total to 10 minutes.

I'm going back to farming 145, I see no incentive to push higher when it takes so much more time.

Photoboomer Original Comment

while i get your frustration... with all my builds and i tried many(mage, gunner, melee BE/BS, ranger, kinda ninja) i never encountered such situation.

If you cant out dmg Boss healing you better just work on your Build and ítems.

Devenhawk Original Comment

(Edited 4 years ago)

To clarify, the guy above me was talking about the bosses healing. I was referring to the bosses damage mitigation and my lack of luck when it comes to boss modifier rolls.

But you know what? I realized that my character is still my responsibility, so i went back to the drawing board, played with my build, and now I'm just plowing through 160 easy, and steadily pushing up to 187!

It was a fix I never really expected actually. I had been playing with projectile and increasing damage over distance, but there were still a few passives I hadn't really tested myself. So, I put the time in, tried several kinds builds, and I'm happy to say that I came to this revolutionary set that haha just kidding I went BE. I picked a cookie cutter bleeding edge build, and now I roll my face across the keyboard and crush every expedition. Yay. I'm having so much fun now.

Edit: So that's actually not entirely true, because I play a 1hand/catalyst BE build, so I suppose it's not completely cut and paste. I did have to play with it a bit, pick the right skills and roll the right +attack and +spell affixes so I can have 30 stacks of stasis and curse up at all times. But, even with that bit of engagement, my routine is still: AnomolyX2, Bulwark, Tears, Grasp, BE til rage is fully dumped. Rinse and repeat.

Photoboomer Original Comment

(Edited 4 years ago)

Be is the easiest Way atm still, so no wonder you could get success. But if you wanna shake up the meta stuff Mage, Gunner, ShieldBomber and some exotic ones like tripple Phantomblades can also clear 187(and i prolly dont have some on my radar) so who ever struggle with some things its more often a problem with gear or Build than mobs being "unkillable".

happy hunting

Oh also try to aim to clear 163 as relaxed as possible since there drops the highest possible stat-Tier on Gear, from there just matter of time and some brain to beat 187 too.

Devenhawk Original Comment

I do agree with you, the right build and affixes on gear makes all the difference. I cleared up to 187, and I'm running 160 untainteds easy now, just because of the build switch. I guess my frustration mainly comes from my expectation that there would be more viable builds. I understand that there will always be meta builds, I use whatever would be considered a meta build in every other game I play, so I can admit that the annoyance I encounter is my own fault.

Luckily I've found success with a mage gunner build. And I appreciate the tip, I'll start running 163 until I get geared a bit more.

Photoboomer Original Comment

1. Fuck you Wolcen, Because I tried in several different ways to just reply to a comment, but you've now prevented that, I suppose I have to mention that shortcoming along with my acutal post.

We're not talking about being isolated to one section now are we? The whole point is to find a build that works in all situations.

You actually said it yourself, and thank you for this. "as for meta builds most stuff can at least beat 160+, even something crazy as Slayers Furry Rouge[sic] Build, just not always the way you want."

You mention Agi and full defense after, which anyone who has tried working that into a build knows it aint gonna work.

You also mentioned that apparently my build can't work for end game. "Good luck with your gun mage, have 1 to[sic] and having a blast speeding 163-170."

Why just those levels? Why not keep the build? Is it because you know that it can't do well at end game right now?

Photoboomer Original Comment

eh no. There was zero sarcasm, i just wished you luck and fun. :)

i run 163-170 mainly because i can do constant 2-4 min runs, which is whole point of speeding :P i can do 187 too but depending on what endboss i have it just takes unreasonable time(7-12 min whole run). So since itemlevel 163 or 187 dont make a diffrence i dont see point killing my Speed feeling and fun just for E-Penis sizes sake. thats all gun-mage is totally solid build idea.

Peace and Health Buddy

Devenhawk Original Comment

(Edited 4 years ago)