Hey, I am working on more extensive Item finding guide where I also have character section. I was recording some stuff for sorceress and since I saw few people here on forums having issue with Duriel normal, I would like to share my strategy how safely deal with him on Hardcore and survive as he can be pretty dangerous for unprepared players.
I was playing Cold sorceress with focus on Ice Blast and cleared whole ACT I and II on /players 3 setting. It is not requirement tho, but clearing all location will help with getting more level and equip and other resources like runes or gems. It is also important to have strength 35 and 40 dexterity and save all dexterity charms, gems and runes from ACT I and ACT 2 so you have enough resources.
I will explain steps I follow in the video bellow:
- Shield is very important against Duriel and there are basicly 3 best options. You can buy 3 socket Large shield from Fara and insert 3 Eld runes in it to increase block of your shield to 53%. Another option is to buy from her Large shield of deflecting with 52% block and also increased block rate. Or you can find some shield on your way with decent block and other mods like I did find Spiked shield with 50% block and increased block rate with some minor magical properties.
- You can buy 2 socket Helm from Fara and socket it with rubies to increase health
- You can buy 3 socketed Breast plate from Fara and socket it with Emeralds to increase your block chance
- If you have some charms with dexterity you found, use them in your inventory to also increase block chance
- Gamble decent weapon for mercenary, I was able to buy Rare Poleaxe but you can just use even some Scythe if you level is not high so poleaxe will not show.
- Gamble Belt with some decent mods, preferably Belt for more belt positions.
- Gamble heavy gloves and Heavy Boots until you will get one with Magic find on it to boost your MF.
- Combine your rejuvenation potions in cube into Full rejuvenation potions
- Buy multiple Thawing potions and drink them to increase your cold resistances temporarily.
- Prebuff yourself with Skill shrine, you can find one easily usualy in ACT I zones by using Waypoints. Try to find one before drinking thawing potions so you know where it is and you can get is faster. DO NOT USE TOWN PORTAL as it should be prepared in Tal Rasha tomb next to entrance to Duriel.
- Take Horadric Staff and go back to Tal Rasha Tomb and use it to open way to Duriel.
- Use Frozen armor and prepare your main dmg skill on left and static field on right.
- Use static on Duriel until he is very low and finish him off with dmg skill.
Maybe you think it is overkill but I play for safety as there is no place for mistakes on Hardcore and you have only 1 life. If you will follow my steps, your cold resistance and high block chance is good enough to even tank Duriel with your sorceress if you stand very close to him so he will focus you while your merc will kill him. Cold resistance counter his holy freeze damage and block chance counter his deadly melee attacks.
I didnt show MF in video but when I was going to kill him, my MF was 87%.
Here is the video with my demonstration:
