Cleavemaster
by Charis

Class: Warrior typically
Tag: CLV

Introduction

The Cleavemaster is a true master of the hafted weapon. His love is not for killing demons, berzerking battle, nor mindless skullbashing, as some are wont to do, but to wield a variety of axes with precision and power.

Rules

No set rules, but he's freed from the need to block, so he is not as concerned with dex as others. And the need to be able to wield heavy axes applies early.

Combat is an art that requires situational awareness. The Cleavemaster understands six distinct situations.

1) Pure melee vs Brutes
No ranged attackers
No resists needed. Hit hard, avoid and sustain blows. A large damage axe, high AC setup, gold or mana jewels with extra hp, is indicated.
See the Dreadnaught mission.

2) Melee vs Fast Attackers
Dreaded beasts who would try to stunlock the careless.
Hitting fast and high AC are needed, calling for a hasted axe and likely magic or lightning resistance.
See the Blitzreig mission.

3) Pure Magic
AC means nothing, resistances, especially magic and fire are key. Extra life if helpful. The situation calls for a lightweight resistance armor that allows him to run fast, and resistance helm or axe (if to hit can be sustained).
See the Cat and Mouse mission.

4) Mixed Attackers
Ranged attackers backing up either heavy or fast meleers.
This requires utmost skill, whether goats and goat archers, or soulies and azures... A mix of high AC body armor, resistance+hp helm, and mana+hp jewels, and careful tactics is required.
See the Demolition mission.

5) Cooperative Power Slot
The Cleavemaster teams up with a 'shield' and sticks to them like glue. Someone like an Amazon with strong blocking but slow killing rate is ideal. AC and defense are forsaken for a massive damage setup, with as much +str and +dmg as possible.
Note also that for cooperative games, the Cleavemaster prefers to let others host, as he can best assist a 'shield' with his awesome axemanship by fighting along side them.
See the Titans mission.

6) Against All Odds
The Cleavemaster is alone and over his head, he must rely on extreme caution and spells to help him out.
See the Golden mission.

Sample high end setups for these (similar ideas at lower lvls)
Situation/Axe/Armor/Helm/Jewels
1/KAOSl/AFP/Gotter/gold+hp
2/SAOH/SFPoL/RC/res+hp
3/EAOH/Obs shirt/Whale/mana+hp
4/KAOH/SFPoL/RC/ObsLion/res,gold,mana
5/BS/Obs shirt/ObsLion/gold+(str_all_hp)
6/Aguinara/AFP/RC/res,mana+(wiz_all)

Carrying a variety of axes is vital, as is a change of clothes. The typical setup would be extra armor (AC/res pair), extra hats (Gotter or RC, res, whale), and 3 spare axes, leaving room for a little gold and two spare sets of jewels.

Since others foolishly disdain the axe, often choice items are available as gifts. These may be accepted, but the right to use must be earned as follows.

- Unique Axes - Must kill three bosses capable of dropping it, solo
- Emerald Axes - Must slay Gorash in NM solo
- Masters/Champ/King Axes - 1st, 2nd, 3rd dot required
- Haste Axes - Haste is highly regarded, and is must be found by the Cleavemaster, or received in trade for an equally powerful item found by the Cleavemaster.
- Weird/Strange - must be of clvl where Wirt could offer, ie. 18 and 30.

In all cases, the highest dungeon section yet encountered must be cleared using the gift received in order to keep it.

Items

Armor and Helms
The armor should match the weapon, which in turn depends on the mission. Offense and defense go hand in hand. He's not a "one outfit fits all dungeons" character.

Shields
How're you going to use a shield with an axe? :P
Never

Uniques
Artifact axes, the finest ever crafted, are never disdained by the cleavemaster. Once one is found, at least one unique axe must always be carried. Also, when one is found or received, there is a special quest.

Aguinara
Magic of 30 required before he's competent to use.
A deepest section clear is done with a small axe, then Aguinara is wielded and magic only is used for a deep clear. It's 75% resist magic and +1 spell lvl make it a nice witch hunter The biggest bonus for the Cleavemaster is that *ANY* spell may be cast while this special hatchet is wielded.
Title received for success: of Aguinara

Bloodslayer
Triple *total* damage against demons make it the most powerful weapon in the game, and a true blessing for the Cleavemaster. The problem is to hit, and it would be an insult to wield it if the Cleavemaster has not yet found three gold jewels in his journeys. Hell must also be cleared solo before it is allowed, and the price for success, a retribution quest.
Title received: Bloodslayer

Butcher's Cleaver (single player only)
A good weapon for the Cleavemaster who has slain the Butcher by himself and wishes to clear the cats.
The Sharp Beak is another weak find (which can appear in multiplayer) which is of limited use beyond young adventurers.

Celestial Axe
A rare treasure which gives life and to hit, it may be used immediately when found, and in thanks it it used to drain the blood of 100 demons (whether goats or blood knights, as you are able). Its use allows the casting of holy bolts.
Title: Celestial

Hellslayer
A potent battle axe that gives life and strength If the finder/recipient is less than clvl 17 he must use it to head as directly as possible to hell, there to slay the first boss he finds. Flash may be cast only when wielding Hellslayer.
Title: of Heaven

Wicked Ax
A fine midlvl axe, of the hardest steel, and providing 1 to 6 reduction in dmg from enemies. It also gives a nice +30% to hit. Leo must die solo before it may be wielded, and the cats and caves must be cleared with it. Should the caster desire, Bone Spirit, Bloodstar and Golem may be cast when the Wicked Axe is wielded.
Title: Defender.

Stonecleaver
An outstanding as well as beautiful specimen, with +20% to hit, +50% dmg, +40% resist lightning and +30hp. It's true value is that it was forged with the intention of hewing rock, and may be used FREELY vs stone cursed opponents, overruling the stone curse limitations above. Also, When AND ONLY when wielding this or other lightning based axes may chain lightning and lightning be cast. This gem is often a keeper for medium to high level characters.
Title: of Earth

Messerschmidt's Reaver
Dubbed 'Messy' - that's what the floor looks like when wielded by a Cleavemaster. Its damage is impressive, and its sharp edge brings fear to all enemies. It may not be accepted as a gift before a solo hell clear. If found or received, it must be used to slay Diablo, solo or coop, on the highest difficulty possible. Fine gold jewels are essential to effective use, and its -50 hp will also require compensation. But 400 pts dmg on a critical hit from a mere 30th or so level warrior is not to be sneezed at. When AND ONLY when this fire based axe is used may the Cleavemaster cast potent fire spells (Fireball, Elemental, and Guardian). It's +5 all will help spells as well.
Title: Sir

The master adventurer who completes all these would be known as Sir [PlayerName], Celestial Bloodslayer of Aguinara, Defender of Heaven and Earth.

Spells

The axe is the mode of death, but there spells which help this goal.

All utility spells, heal, town portal, etc., are allowed.
Teleport is important for the telecleave.
Stone curse is allowed against multiple opponents who can stunlock him, not one on one.
Firewall, to punish those weak fools who attack from a distance, or to hasten the death of those next to the Cleavemaster, is often used.
Other offensive spells are allowed only on special missions.

Missions

These are taken on to learn the wide range of skills required to handle any situation with the mighty axe...

Tryout Mission
Clear lvl 1 and 2 (except Butcher), and obtain an axe by finding or buying one. If this cannot be completed, the failed Cleavemaster must face the Butcher with his fists. Not all can make the cut (ooh, bad pun)

Strength Training
The Cleavemaster in training (CIT) must build up his strength and stamina until he feels ready to face the Butcher solo. He chooses when, but there is but ONE attempt. There is extra pride in doing this while young, but often pride goes before a fall. Many are called by few are chosen.

CIT Exam
The final key test for the Cleavemaster is to slay Leo with his axe solo. If he fails to do what Amazons must do, but on his first and only try, he is not worthy; either mind or body is incompetent. Also, there is no running away if Leo sees him. The safe route is to level up to about eight lvl before taking on the Butcher, then moving on to the early cats until about 11th lvl before returning to the church and lvl 3. Note that a vicious duel class challenge is the Holy Avenger - Cleavemaster, who never backs down. He would feel compelled to go in order, axe, Butcher, Leo right away in his first (and likely last) game. No unique axes may be used (unless also a SNOB) before the CIT exam is passed.

Demolition Mission
Facing ranged attackers and meleers at the same time, this mission is started when the Cleavemaster finds a suit of mail and such a combo is faced in the cats, whether fire clan melee+archer, or a spitter+overlord combo or similar. Two cat bosses must be slain on the SAME level, one ranged (Bloodskin-5, Deathspit-6, Blightfire or Gorestone-7, Chaoshowler-8), one melee (four on lvl 5, three on 6, two on 7, two on 8). The trick is go pick your battle site, luring meleers to a choke point and killing, before hunting down (and dodging) the ranged attackers. This mission must be completed before resistance axes may be used.

Cooperative Power Mission
As described above this involves cooping and sticking close to a 'shield' meleer. It may be undertaken at any time once some +str items is found. A whole section must be cleared.

Dreadnaught Mission
When the Cleavemaster finds his first gold jewel, he undertakes this mission to go toe to toe with brutes. The gold must be worn, along with a +dmg or +str axe, and some item or items that give at least +45 hp. Mail or plate should be worn, as the Cleavemaster prepares to one day face hordes of BKs. No haste or swiftness weapon may be wielded until complete.

Cat and Mouse Mission
When an all ranged attacker lvl is encountered, the test begins. To be successful, the level must be cleared with no trips to town or deaths. There can be no attempt for a dot until the CLV has mastered the art of defense. Resistance armor must be worn, as well as some extra hp.

Blitzreig Mission
This challenge begins with a level containing two fast attackers. This might happen in the caves, or with Maelstorms and lava maws in hell. To wear plate larger than field, this mission must be completed.

Golden Mission
The goal of the Cleavemaster is to show mastery of the weapon of champions and vanquish Diablo on Hell difficulty. It may be attempted when the MIN damage is 63, sufficient to stun all monsters. Since a King's weapon is not yet allowed, a Champion's Axe is traditional, or a Unique axe. At least two, preferably three axes are used however, in a non-trivial way, on the way to Diablo. Ideally this is done at thirtieth lvl, but not all are skillful enough (or well enough equipped) for this highly difficult assignment at such a young age. A Stonecleaver would be a good friend for this mission.

Notes

No reason why an enlightened Viking or executioner couldn't dual class, but keep in mind the Cleavemaster has more of an elitist attitude than a macho tough guy, and disdains the attitude of axewielder as a barbarian.

Other warriors would work well dual class as well, particularly the Goth. If it's challenge you want, try a dual class BNW-CLV. SNOBs and Demoniacs would also fit the role well.

Rumors exist of Amazon tribes whose love for the axe far outlasts Leoric, and who have become Cleavemistresses. What they lack in power they make up for in to hit, making Messy and Bloodslayer extremely viable options.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to KingOfPain, whose brief comment in channel about having quests for axes and more use of the unique axes led to the Cleavemaster... :)