Season 17 (Season of Nightmares) – Slayer

Slayer was a bit difficult for me, especially since I was playing a Hardcore Barbarian. I had to be really careful about the choices I made, or she would be dead and I’d have to level up a new character.

I had only completed two Slayer objectives by the time I started working on it. The Set Dungeon was frustratingly difficult. So, I skipped it and started working on objectives from upcoming parts of the Season Journey.

UPDATE: I was eventually, after many attempts, able to complete the Raekor’s Set Dungeon. This was the last thing I needed to do to finish the Slayer part of the Season Journey.

I completed two of the Slayer objectives already:

No, You Can’t Have It Back: Obtain a Legendary item by spending Blood Shards with Kadala.

Third Power Cubed: Equip Kanai’s Cube with armor, weapon and a ring of Legendary power.

The Realm of Regret: Slay The King of the Dead and The Merciless Witch at level 70 on Torment I difficulty or higher. The Infernal Machine for the Realm of Regret drops from Odeg the Keywarden of Regret in the Fields of Misery.

The Realm of Putridness: Slay The Vile Executioner and The Foul Desecrator at level 70 on Torment I difficulty or higher. The Internal Machine for the Realm of Putridness drops from Sokahr the Keywarden in the Dahlgur Oasis.

I had all of the pieces of the Might of the Earth Set. It was time to go find the Set Dungeon. I had heard that this one is tough to complete, and wasn’t really looking forward to it.

Season 17 had a special buff that gave players extra power for every Ancient they equipped. The result was a significant difference between what I could do with the Might of the Earth Set and what I could do with Ancients. The Ancients were way more powerful!

So, I wore all the Ancients I had obtained so far and fought my way through Leoric’s Mansion to find the clue for the Might of the Earth Set.

Tome of Set Dungeons, Page 14: … as that proved inaccessible, I was forced place it outside the court of the lying emperor. – Brother Althun.

The “lying emperor” is Belial (Lord of Lies) in disguise. This clue was pointing me towards the area just outside the room where players fight Belial.

To get there, I kept my Barbarian equipped in all the Ancient items I had, plus lesser items to fill out the rest. It wasn’t super difficult to fight my way through the “snake people” and get to the location I was aiming for.

The problem was that I was carrying the Might of the Earth Set in my bag. This was not a smart idea. If my Barbarian died on the way to the Set Dungeon, I would have lost the entire Set and all my Ancient items.

I recommend that Hardcore players fight their way to the Set Dungeon in as many Ancients as they have (during Season 17), and then portal back to town. Swap the Ancients for the Set pieces, and take the portal back.

Of course, this strategy is only viable during Season 17, because of the buff.

I tried the Might of the Earth Set Dungeon several times, but failed. This Set Dungeon is frustrating because all it takes is one mistake, seconds after the player enters it, to result in a fail.

Eventually, I gave up in the hopes that I’d find some other Set Pieces and be able to do a different Set Dungeon. It doesn’t matter which one I do – they all count the same.

After completely failing this Set Dungeon, several times, I decided to try something else. My goal was to do some Bounties in the hopes that I would get some different Set Pieces in the Bounty Cache.

If not, then the completed Bounties would at least get me some materials so I could put more Legendaries into Kanai’s Cube. My Stash was filling up quickly and I didn’t want to drag all of that out of Season and struggle to find somewhere to put it!

One of the Bounties was to kill Belial. The result was a plethora of “career” (or, non-seasonal) Achievements that I had not yet earned on hardcore.

Good Eye: Kill Belial at level 70 without dying and without getting hit by his projectile or meteor attacks on Torment II difficulty or higher.

The Snake Pit: Kill Belial at max level without crowd controlling enemies on Torment difficulty or higher in Hardcore mode.

Out of the Shadows: Complete the Belial challenge achievements listed below.

Master of Deceit: Kill the Belial at max level in under 2 minutes on Torment difficulty or higher in Hardcore mode.

Lord of Losing: Kill Belial at level 70 on Torment II difficulty or higher.

Conversion Incursion: Convert a set item with Kanai’s Cube.

I got an Ancient Hexing Pants of Mr. Yan. The flavor text on this item says: These pants were part of an elaborate outfit worn by the infamous (and surprisingly stylish) enchanter Mr. Yan while adventuring in Westmarch. Lacking patience, and impulse control, Mr. Yan was always rushing headlong into danger- not a recipe for survival for a spell caster. Being a clever man, though, Mr. Yan designed this garment to turn his weakness into a strength.

I started working on Greater Rifts in the hopes that I would be able to level up some Legendary gems.

Alone Tonight: Reach Greater Rift level 15 Solo without any Set items equipped.

20/20 Vision: Reach Greater Rift Level 20 Solo without any Set items equipped.

This Ancient Scourge was better than the Ancient weapon that I was currently using. The flavor text on this item says: A weapon of such evil visage is rarely seen outside the confines of the Burning Hells.

Athena the Barbarian is wearing several Ancient items in this screenshot.

The Optimist: Kill Rakanoth at max level in under 30 seconds on Torment difficulty or higher in Hardcore mode.

This Ancient Bul-Kathos’s Wedding Band was better than one of the Set rings Athena was wearing. The flavor text on this item says: Forged in the city of Harrogath to commemorate a day sacred the barbarians.

This Band of Might is the other Ancient ring that Athena was using. It is good for Barbarians because “after casting Furious Charge, Ground Stomo, or Leap take 65% reduced damage for 8 seconds.”

The flavor text on this item says: “Seems designed to reduce damage, but I’m not sure how it works. Obviously, it failed its previous owner. Hopefully it will work better for you.” – Haedrig

Feeling So Low: Reach Greater Rift Level 25 Solo.

Quarter Rift Crisis: Reach Greater Rift Level 25 Solo without any Set items equipped.

I completed Greater Rift 25 at 5:53.700.

Gems In, Gems Out: Level on Legendary Gem to level 25.

I completed Greater Rift 26 at 5.24.716 and hit Paragon 100.

Burninating: Kill Urzael at max level in under 90 seconds on Torment difficulty or higher in Hardcore mode.

Andariel’s Visage was the first Ancient Helm I’ve found in Season 17. The flavor text on this item says: Some long-forgotten artisan crafted this helmet in the hideous likeness of the Maiden of Anguish. For what purpose, none can say.

The King and I: Kill the Skeleton King at max level in under 1 minute on Torment difficulty or higher in Hardcore mode.

The first Ancient Shoulders I got in Season 17 were Pauldrons of the Skeleton King. The flavor text on this item says: “No matter its value, it would be wise to let the raiment of the Black King remain buried with its fallen owner. No good can come of disturbing Leoric’s rest.” – Deckard Cain

The Sum Of All Hells: Kill Azmodan at max level in under 1 minute on Torment difficulty or higher in Hardcore mode.

Sin-Cerely Sorry: Kill Azmodon at level 70 on Torment III difficulty or higher.

Be Cool: Kill Azmodon at level 70 without getting hit by a fireball or walking over the bloody demonic ground on Torment III difficulty or higher.

Sinfest: Kill Azmodan at max level without crowd controlling enemies on Torment difficulty or higher in Hardcore mode.

Azmodone: Complete the Azmodon challenge achievements listed below.

I completed Greater Rift Level 27 at 6.48.600. It is the highest Greater Rift that I have done in Season 17 (so far).

Then, I took a little break from Diablo III for a while, mostly because I had a sinus infection. Playing while really sick is never a good idea, especially if you have a Hardcore character.

When I returned, I started working on the rest of Slayer.

Rifticulous: Finish a level 70 Nephalem Rift on Torment V difficulty or higher.

Under My Skin: Reach Greater Rift Level 30 Solo without any Set items equipped.

Solipsist: Reach Greater Rift Level 30 Solo.

I completed Greater Rift Level 30 at 7.23.766.

Adventure Club: Kill Rakanoth at level 70 on Torment VII difficulty or higher.

What the Hex?: Kill Adria at max level in under 1 minute on Torment difficulty or higher in Hardcore mode.

Witch, Please!: Complete the Adria challenge achievements listed below.

Players who complete this group of achievements get a Banner Pattern.

Whatever: Kill Adria at level 70 on Torment VII difficulty or higher.

I am struggling with the Might of the Earth Set Dungeon. While I understand what I need to do in order to finish it, I cannot seem to do it properly.

Eventually, I gave up and tried to get around having to do this particular Set Dungeon. The result is that I have not yet completed Slayer. I will update this blog post after I manage to complete a Set Dungeon – any Set Dungeon.

UPDATE: After many attempts, I was able to successfully complete the Raekeor’s Set Dungeon.

Set Me Free: Complete any Set Dungeon. While wearing the 6-piece bonus of a Class Set, visit the Tome of Set Dungeons in Leoric’s Manor for a clue that will lead you to the entrance to your Class Set’s Dungeon.