Dealing with umber hulks

[Hobgoblin]

This is not a whine fest here.

This would be more of a personal challenge to beat for me.

I have an old 18 barb 2 fighter horc.

Trying to run search and rescue on heroic elite. I actually really really like it. good atmosphere, newish mobs and fun times

I want to solo it to learn it and get loot and as a challenge.

My sticking point is the umber hulks.

I just get destroyed by them!


Within limits, i want suggestions on how to deal with them.

These limits are - no tr'ng so stuck with horc/barb/fighter.

No high level raid gear.

preferably not much leveling - maybe 1 level. i am trying to keep some of the challenge in it.

Some thoughts i have had from reading the forums - spell absorption
it sounds good, but would mantle be enough or should i put the effort into farm a pale?

more tactics - both in using trip and stunning blow and in moving the toon away.
Again, sounds good but i am not sure of a tell that they have to use the gaze attack

Stealth? not sure it would be viable to do on a barb. seems counter barb to sneak anywhere!

maybe spell resistance? not sure what i need to make it worth it

[Eth]

You could go for spell resistance. Not sure what you need for the heroic version (quest on elite is 17), but since you can use level 20 gear one spell resistance+insightful spell resistance item with best values for that level might be sufficent.

Also ear smash and arcane encumberance from OS tree might help you.

Personally I stick with spell absorption and just kill them as quickly as possible.

[cru121]

I've recently soloed the quest on a barb 6 / fighter 6 / cleric 6. IIRC there are two umber hulk fights in the quest (if you skip opts). I did manage to kill the first pack; but the second group killed me. Fortunately I had a hire packed at the entrance who came to rescue me.

At level 20, you should be probably good if you manage to plop a Consecration/Sacred Ground before engaging.

[PermaBanned]

Insta-Kill guards. Deisintigrate guard on the Chrono boots + (Heroic)GS Slay Living guard. (Prob others available, those are just what I have on hand) It's some oldy-but-goody gear for this situation: they Gaze you, they hit you, they die. Works for my melee when it's running those.

Granted its not a flawless/piker solution, but it's made a world of difference after putting those things on vs without them.

[Oliphant]

Never walk alone

[Loromir]

Again, sounds good but i am not sure of a tell that they have to use the gaze attack

They do have a tell. Their eyes start glowing white...and if I recall, they make a specific sound. I thought that you would be safe from the stun if you turned away...kinda like, don't look at a Medusa. But that didn't work.

The best success I have had was trying to pull as few as possible at one time...preferably one at a time. The problem comes when you get stunned multiple times in a row by multiple Umber Hulks. You can typically survive a single stun if you have plenty of health before you get stunned. I think each stun only lasts about 5 seconds, then you have about 20 seconds before they gaze you again.

[FuzzyDuck81]

Spell resistance can neutralise at least some of them, then add some guards & a shield & block while you're stunned. Then obviously any other layers of defense like incorporeal, concealment, dodge etc. too.

[Enoach]

With your current build and level the best options I see

• Spell Absorption - Jeweled Cloak, Pharlen's cloak, Mantel, Pale Lavendar, and/or possibly a scarab of spell absorption
• Spell Resistance - Not sure about the amount needed for Heroic but my guess is 32 or better
• Guards - Damage inflicting and defensive such as Fearsome or Healers Bounty (Armor from House Cannith Challenges) or at least a Temporary HP proc

Also use any stunning type effects and trip to disable while you work on another.

[Jeromio]

It doesn't work to blind them? Anyone tested?

[Hobgoblin]

It doesn't work to blind them? Anyone tested?

not sure - but the only we i can think to bling them is to bring scrolls of sleet storm and drop out of rage

I dont think it will work, but not entirely sure. also that toon doesn't have fom handy

[AbyssalMage]

Yet to run the new content (TR'd and I level very slowly).

Anyways,

• have you tried spawning them (possibly with invis on),
• then pulling them individually (by throwing a throwing hammer, or equivelent, on the ground next to one so it 'investigates' the sound)?

This was the strategy I was planning on using, so if it works (or doesn't), it would be good to know

[Hobgoblin]

Yet to run the new content (TR'd and I level very slowly).

Anyways,

• have you tried spawning them (possibly with invis on),
• then pulling them individually (by throwing a throwing hammer, or equivelent, on the ground next to one so it 'investigates' the sound)?

This was the strategy I was planning on using, so if it works (or doesn't), it would be good to know

will run it again tonight - still get the 2nd spawn location down

tried the ranged thing on first spawn doesnt work

[sithhound]

SR28 (lvl 18 drow) works pretty good. Nowhere near 100%, but enough to keep you from being constantly locked up.
A side note, a pure 20 barb can get sick SR, 32+ Con score. Not that I'd recommend going OS over Rav or FB.

[the_one_dwarfforged]

walk in to pack of umber hulks, use lay waste, proceed to lay waste to tehm.

[relenttless]

stun..dire charge, cleave (or dance of death)...works for me

[Hobgoblin]

walk in to pack of umber hulks, use lay waste, proceed to lay waste to tehm.

Sounds legit..... but this is a 3rd lifer that is the first time hitting epics and just barely got to ld.

[Hobgoblin]

stun..dire charge, cleave (or dance of death)...works for me

dire charge is not an option as this toon is level 20.

[Chai]

1. spell resistance

2. spell effect absorb item

3. blindness

[Jetrule]

Their will saves are bad do you have the umd to pull off a cc. scroll use? Possibly lvl 4 fear. It will slow their attack speed even if they make the save. I dont know the umd number or the dc on the scroll so on elite.. even though its aoe I doubt many will run. A on hit effect weapon might be useful Maybey swing the insanity great sword at them? Its sort of a low chance to proc. maybey there are better options. dual wield paralyzers perhaps?

[relenttless]

Having a Harper pin helps a lot