zons can hit way more then 180k, mines at 330k over 8.7s but im not sure what u mean by endgame zon. but ya griffs temps w facets will help alot dmg wise

just run a venom gear setup in your stash. it lasts like 10 minutes, swapping on gear takes you 30 seconds. You don't even have to make a 'venom' barb, just make a normal barb

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yeah that's what i've been doing so far, but i switch over to + poison skill dmg and - pois res gear. I think the venom really wouldn't amount to much even at lvl 65 if i didn't have the - enemy poison res. Btw the reason i call it a ''venom barb'''.. is because it's 95% poison dmg 5% physical. A normal barb with venom buff (which is useless in hell imo unless maybe you're a multi-shot zon) is 99% physical 1% poison dmg and can not kill/damage any bosses..

Borgias (my venom barb) is up to 95 now. The dmg is great so far and he stays alive pretty well.

the duration is now over 20 minutes too so not much of a hassle yep.

Also yeah a fully faceted/sharded/charmed poison zon can get up to 300k+ but i prefer to have rubies in my armor for a stronger decoy and more complete character. I brought up a poison zon just to compare the dmg at a longer duration. And infact i do believe a venom barb can reach apx. the same dot.

great posts Frank, I am very interested to continue to hear details of this character.

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People who live in cinder block houses can throw whatever they want.

so what attack skill do you use? and gear at 95 etc? my decoy pretty much lasts vs any boss and all trash except samy and los anti heroes.

and by lasts i mean lasts long enough so that i can re cast it without problems and im never with out a decoy at a boss fight

Try putting in 4 rubies and using self oak on you zon. See how much easier it is.. It is honestly apples and oranges. I've solo'd sam nicely and still quickly. Without much fear of being 1 shotted. Also on diablo runs or nihl's it's so much easier and still fast.

I've been using a mix of zeal (since it's up to around 6.2 attacks a second, whirlwind for the more congested areas, and frenzy (which is maxed) for the 20 dr% and increased attack speed etc. Ar's been a bit of an issue on bosses but can be fixed with diamond craft gloves and ar charms i think. Trash is currently np because my weaps have ignore targets defense.

The gear i'm using currently:

Flesh render - w/ emerald: -32 enemy poison res, ignores target defense 80% ias
griswald caddy - w/ 5x Tals off hand: 40% increased poison skill dmg.

(combo works well with frenzy buff then zeal untill i can sort out my ar and equip two gris caddy's)

tyreals - w/ 4x wirts (wirts since i don't need alot of strength otherwise, more base vit)
griff - w/ 3x poison facets
topaz craft belt - +20/-20 29 str, 20 fhr
2x carrion wind rings - -20 res (carrion worm and beafy poison creeper)
soul drainers, eventually a diamond craft probably
amethyst craft boots - 13 str
zak ammy - w/ 10% pois

I'd really like to equip the following way, but i don't think the defense/dmg/ar will allow for the big lvl prayer.

Heaven's will - Prayer ftw
Heaven's will - Prayer ftw
Griffs - 3x poison facets
Templars - 4x poison facets
Imm Flesh belt - Prayer ftw
Diamond craft gloves or Soul drainers (if ar allows) - Ar or more prayer
Amethyst craft boots - hopefully high defense, maybe str
zak ammy 10% poison

So i will probably gear more this way:

Gris caddy - 3x tal, 2x uber emeralds +24% -24%
Gris caddy - 3x tal, 2x uber emeralds +24% -24%
(10 perfect poison facets for +30% -30% would be ideal but... ouch , also maybe 5x Emeralds for bosses)
Perfect poison griffs - 3x perfect poison facets (ouch again) +36%/-18%
Tyreals - 4x wirts 20% dr, high defense, cbf etc..
Topaz craft belt - +20/-20
2x carrion rings - -20 res
Zak ammy - +10%
Amethyst craft boots

Venom buff gear is obviously just highest all skill gear/venom 0 skill gear. Max lvl is 65.

With maxed frenzy this gives:
40% dr
W/ maxed iron skin and high lvl shout - lots of defense
Pre-buff - 65 venom
Maxed bo, increased stamina, and low base str (96) - lots of hp's
-82% enemy poison resistance (-88% w/ faceted gris)
+114% poison skill damage (+126% w/ faceted gris)
Sadly there's no room for absorbs but i'll tinker around maybe i can get a little on there. If i can get enough ar for zeal i can use a element specific shield perhaps just for bosses.. we'll see.