Since ssg has started to take the initiative of improving and creating low level heroic gear, we are currently in an era of opulent named items to build around.
With all of the new packs having heroic gear and some of the older packs getting revamped has made it so that gearing is a lot more fun than it was even 1 or 2 years ago.
I compiled a list of most of all the heroic gear items I would use for melees.
How did old packs fare compared to the new shiny items released since? Pretty well surprisingly. not many items managed to retain their usefulness into 2018, but those that did are still some of the classics.
Gianthold manages to stay afloat as the only place you can wear melee alacrity 12% and improved deception in heroics until level 17+.
The Quiver from Abbot remains one of the best items ever. And probably is one of the greatest gifts any developer has given to their players in any game. Even more so in a game based on reincarnation. There is also the still timeless Litany.
HoX is the only place to land crippling for all your heroic weapons.
Some item slots are under developed compared to others. Necklaces for melees are kind of meh and the collar is still probably bis. Melee boots are also poor in selection compared to some of the other slots. Trinkets remain monopolized by less than a handful or are crafted. The eye slot is disproportionately weak and only the new goggles are worth the slot.
Heroic Melee Gear Pillars
Items to build around sorted by slot and ML.
Quote:
Head :
Quote:Memories of the Mighty Helm Slot
Minimum Level: 6
Strength +4
Immunity to Fear
Tendon Slice 3
Stunning +5
Blue Augment Slot
Memories of the Unseen Helm Slot
Minimum Level: 6
Dexterity +4
Hide +8
Move Silently +8
Noxious Venom Spike On Damage: Do an additional 1-6 Poison Damage
Blue Augment Slot
Memories of Kindness Helm Slot
Minimum Level: 6
Wisdom +4
Insightful Sheltering +5
Quality Sheltering +3
True Seeing
Blue Augment Slot
Executioner's Helm
ML: 8
Insightful Deception +1
Relentless Fury
Seeker 5
Quality Combat Mastery +1
Green Augment Slot
Mask of the Vulkoorim
ML: 14
Dexterity +7
Dodge +7%
Armor-Piercing - 11%
Reflex Save +6
Trace of Madness
Blue Augment Slot
Mighty Stormreach Guardian's Helm
ML: 14
Strength +7
Deadly +6
Stunning +8
Seeker 7
Trace of Madness
Blue Augment Slot
Neck :
Quote:Grim's Bracelet Neck Slot
Minimum Level: 4
Strength +3
Natural Armor Bonus +3
Doublestrike +4%
Platinum Prayer Beads Neck Slot
Minimum Level: 6
Devotion +63
Healing Lore +9%
Healing Amplification +16
Dodge +4%
Yellow Augment Slot
Dawn's Herald-Charm
ML: 10
Wisdom +6
Insightful Faith
Sacred
Hallowed +2
Yellow Augment Slot
Adherent of the Mists Set (Heroic)
Ward-Inscribed Pendant
ML: 10
Quality Curse Resistance +1
Deadly +5
Constitution +6
Natural Armor +6
Yellow Augment Slot
Crypt Raider Set (Heroic)
Jorgundal's Collar
(Level 12/13/14)
Melee Alacrity 10/11/12%
Striding +25/25/30%
Colorless Augment Slot
Pendant of the Warrior's Focus
ML: 15
Insightful Combat Mastery +3
Insightful Doublestrike 3%
Armor-Piercing - 12%
Insightful Fortitude Save +2
Blue Augment Slot
Trinket :
Quote:Greater Bold Trinket
ML: 4
Upgradeable - Tier 3
Damage Bonus +1
Exceptional Seeker 2
Shocking Blow
Greater Nimble Trinket
Upgradeable - Tier 3
Attack Bonus +1
Dodge +2%
Blurry
Greater Stalwart Trinket
ML: 4
Upgradeable - Tier 3
Pirate Vitality
Exceptional Fortification (+10%)
Earthen Guard
Symbol of the Slave Lords
ML: 8
True Seeing
Insightful Constitution +2
Dusk
Green Augment Slot
Blue Augment Slot
Litany of the Dead
ML: 13
Turn the Page — 3 Charges (Recharged/Day:3)
Litany of the Dead - Ability Bonus
Taint of Evil
Litany of the Dead - Combat Bonus
Planar Compass
ML: 15
Insightful Physical Sheltering +9
Quality Magical Sheltering +4
Ghostly
Insightful Fortitude Save +2
Green Augment Slot
Back :
Quote:Mysterious Cloak
(Level 7/14)
Exceptional Healing Amplification +15/+30
Magical Resistance: +11 Insight/+18 Insight
Green Augment Slot
Colorless Augment Slot
Cowl of the Giant Warriors
ML: 10
Insightful Combat Mastery +3
Speed +15
Physical Sheltering +14
Insightful Deadly +2
Green Augment Slot
Mantle of Fury
ML: 10
Constitution +6
Raging Resilience
Doublestrike 6%
Dodge +6%
Green Augment Slot
Adherent of the Mists Set (Heroic)
Shadowhail Cloak
Hide +12
Move Silently +12
Deception +4
Ghostly
Green Augment Slot
Silent Avenger Set (Heroic)
Hide of the Fallen
(level 13)
Druidic Survival Mastery
Shield +2
Armor-Piercing - 10%
Strength +6
Blue Augment Slot
Slate-Scale Capelet
ML: 15
Strength +8
Quality Strength +1
Vitality +25
Quality Fortification +23%
Blue Augment Slot
Waist :
Quote:Spare Hand
(Level 3/7/11/15)
Riposte +1
Insightful Combat Mastery +2
Disable Device +6
Open Lock +6
Sapphire Studded Buckles Waist Slot
Minimum Level: 6
Shield Clicky 5 minute duration. 1 Charges
Deception +3
Deadly +3
Insightful Physical Sheltering+4
Yellow Augment Slot
Indomitable Wrappings
(level 8/12/16)
False Life +18
Insightful False Life +8
Quality False Life +4
Competence Healing Amplification +19
Yellow Augment Slot
Braided Cutcord
ML: 10
Quality Dodge +1%
Blurry
Dexterity +6
Quality Dexterity +1
Green Augment Slot
Silent Avenger Set (Heroic)
Plateshard Belt
Fortitude Save +5
Incite +19
Constitution +6
Insightful Incite +7
Yellow Augment Slot
Knight of the Shadows Set (Heroic)
Vistani Fighter's Sash
ML: 10
Stunning +6
Vertigo +6
Vitality +19
Deadly +5
Yellow Augment Slot
Adherent of the Mists Set (Heroic)
Shadow Embrace
ML: 15
Diversion +12
Quality Doublestrike 1%
Quality Diversion +2
Deadly +6
Yellow Augment Slot
Animated Rope
ML: 17
Diversion 14%
Deception +7
Dodge +9%
Combat Mastery +7
Green Augment Slot
Finger :
Quote:Ring of Power
ML: 8
Quality Strength +1
Command
Melee Alacrity 10%
Insightful Armor-Piercing - 3%
Green Augment Slot
Band of Insightful Commands
ML: 10
Profane Well Rounded +1
Insightful Accuracy 4
Quality Deadly +2
Intimidate +12
Yellow Augment Slot
Perfect Pinnacle
ML: 10
Reinforced Fists
Deadly +5
Stunning +6
Soul of the Elements
Beyond the Soul of Storm
Beyond the Soul of Stone
Beyond the Soul of Flame
Beyond the Soul of Tide
Yellow Augment Slot
Ring of the Stalker
ML: 11
Manslayer
Insightful Sneak Attack Bonus +1
Seeker +3
Ring of Lies
ML: 13
Charisma +6
Diplomacy +10
Bluff +10
Haggle +10
Perform +10
Deception
Consuming Darkness
(Level 17)
Seeker 6
Insightful Combat Mastery +4
Yellow Augment Slot
Ring of Prowess
ML: 17
Deadly +7
Accuracy 14
Melee Power +2
Ranged Power +2
Green Augment Slot
Hands :
Quote:Charged Gauntlets
ML: 5
Shocking Blow
Strength +2
Lightning Resistance
Might of the Abishai
Raven's Talons
ML: 7
Raven's Eye
Dexterity +5
Bluff +10
Lizardfolk Gloves of Accuracy
ML: 10
Distant Diversion +9
Insightful Deadly +2
Deception +4
Insightful Diplomacy +6
Yellow Augment Slot
Crumbling Gloves
ML: 10
Insightful Dexterity +2
Quality Intelligence +1
Shatter +6
Insightful Physical Sheltering +6
Blue Augment Slot
Adherent of the Mists Set (Heroic)
Backstabber's Gloves (Level 12/13/14)
Bluff +10/+11/+13
Sneak Attack Bonus +3/+4
Deception
Yellow Augment Slot ( Level 14 )
Feet :
Quote:Steelweave Shinguards Feet Slot
Minimum Level: 6
Striding 25%
Dodge +4%
Electricity Absorption +17
Electric Resistance +15
Green Augment Slot
Flightfoot Greaves
ML: 10
Freedom of Movement
Speed +15
Natural Armor +6
Reflex Save +5
Yellow Augment Slot
Adherent of the Mists Set (Heroic)
Severlin's Leaden Boots
(level 10/15)
Stunning +6
Intimidate +12
Whirlwind Ward
Insightful Strength +2
Green Augment Slot
Shadow's Footsteps
ML: 10
Dexterity +6
Insightful Dodge +2%
Doubleshot 4%
Distant Diversion +9
Yellow Augment Slot
Adherent of the Mists Set (Heroic)
Knife Toed Boots
ML: 13
Thorn Guard +4
Armor-Piercing - 12%
Quality Seeker 1
Quality Strength +1
Green Augment Slot
Treads of Falling Shadow
(Level 16)
Striding +25%
Ghostly
Dexterity +6
Exceptional Dexterity +1
Wrists:
Quote:Bracers of the Wind
Level 3
Magnetism +54
Lightning Lore +8
Blurry
Jidz-Tet'ka
ML: 5
Armor Bonus +5
Will Save +2
Tet-zik, The Enlightened Change
Bracers of the Claw
ML: 7
Vulkoor's Might
Constitution +5
Fortification +70%
Mysterious Bracers
(Level 7)
Exceptional Healing Amplification +15
Magical Resistance: +11 Insight
Green Augment Slot
Colorless Augment Slot
Black Opal Bracers
ML: 9
Heroism
Magical Sheltering +13
Will Save +4
Ethereal
Yellow Augment Slot
Bracers of the Fallen Hero
ML: 10
Strength +6
Insightful Constitution +2
Stunning +6
Quality Physical Sheltering +3
Green Augment Slot
Adherent of the Mists Set (Heroic)
Bracers of the Hidden Blade
ML: 10
Dexterity +6
Assassination +3
Quality Deception +1
Insightful Bluff +6
Blue Augment Slot
Lore-Fueled Packbanner
ML: 10
Insightful Constitution +2
Physical Sheltering +14
Insightful Doublestrike 2%
Druidic Stoneshape
Green Augment Slot
Adherent of the Mists Set (Heroic)
Armbands of the Silenced Ones
(level 13)
Dexterity +6
Dodge +5%
Seeker 4
Reflex Save +8
Blue Augment Slot
Construct Champion's Bands
ML: 14
Rune Arm Focus +3
Reconstruction +90
Deadly +6
Repair Amplification +29
Green Augment Slot
Renegade Champion
Eyes:
Quote:Precision Lenses
ML: 6
Manslayer
Insightful Strength +2
Melee Alacrity 6%
Minor Action Boost Enhancement
Blue Augment Slot
Armors:
lengthy category and for brevity :
Preface; ToEE armors are the best in each of their respective category in regard to MDB for all of heroics. Yes, ML 7 armors are the highest dodge armors in heroics.
Scales of Avarice and Malice. Some of the best armors made in the game. They each posses a MDB bonus that is one category higher than its armor type class. Not only are they highly statted armors with slots, but the one category higher armor mdb bonus means they are unrivaled for MDB bonuses aside from ToEE armors ( and still only barely does ToEE edge out MDB )
Black Dragon Armor
Ravenloft Armors -All have higher than expected MDB and are highly statted + set bonus pieces
Dragontouched Armors
Executioner's Plate
Chainshirt of Crippling ( The only melee source of crippling in the game )
Drow Outrunner Armor -Extremely high MDB
Duelist's Leathers -High MDB not too shabby of an armor
Full Plate of the Defender -Heavy Armor stats for ac and mdb in the medium armor category
No Worries The highest AC bonus of all armors and a good mdb of 9 for the ml 15 version.
Weapons:
Way too long, fam.
Ravenloft weapons
Rage pack weapons
White Plume Mountain pack weapons DC of 35 for these things. At ML 6 and 9. That is enough dc to be no fail until most level 14-16 quests.
ToEE weapons Have some unique effects and expanded critical profiles
SoS
Banhammer -Improved everything ever on a roll of a twenty
Carnifex -Still OG OP 1d12 17-20 x3 gg no re
WPM weapons are probably going to get nerfed eventually once ssg manages to make the proc actually proc. The dc of 35 at level 6 and 9 is tremendous. Good enough for high skulls through most of heroics.