Fendazon Build

November 23, 2018

This build is made for kiting big mobs of monsters together and getting surrounded. What now?
Mix Fend, Amazon, and Diablo 2 to get this classic build. Where Javazon meets Spearazon, using the signature D2 skill ‘Fend’. The surrounded the Amazon will drop large groups quick successive explosions outwards. The build has its drawbacks revolving animations, damage, and the Valkyrie.

Meet the Fendazon, definitely not for the lighthearted.

Fendazon Gameplay

“To Javelin or to Spear? That is the question…”

Firstly, Spear toting Fendazons will maximize their damage. Two-handed weapons always do more damage, and truthfully a Fendazon is a DPS build.

Secondly, Javelin and shield Fendazons sacrifice the damage for survivability. Tanky and versatile, this version of a Fendazon has extra survivability and has extra stats from the shield.

As a Bowazon will invest most of her points in Bows, a Fendazon invests her points in the “Javelin and Spear” skill tree. Her passive effect skills like Crit and Penetrate will help erase the mobs she’s kited. Since Fend will only target adjacent enemies, maxing Decoy is a must. The survival of your Fendazon depends on her finishing her attack animations, so she’ll need all the help she can get.

What about Valkyrie? Won’t that help? Welcome to the Valkyrie/Fendazon Conundrum.

While it does help tank, investing points in the skills above Valkyrie, only works against a Fendazon. The animation for Fend is long. If it’s interrupted all subsequent attacks miss automatically. This makes Fendazons sad.

How does that affect the build?

Let’s say a Fendazon aggros a large mob of monsters, and is quickly surrounded. Once she starts the animation for Fend, because she’s surrounded and stopped moving, the monsters all attack her at once.

Oh no! She has points in Evade, Dodge, and Avoid because she wanted Valkyrie to tank for her.

Oh no! She didn’t max Valkyrie!

She dodges one of monster’s attacks. Oops, all her attacks miss, no damage, and no life stealing effects. While trying to start another animation for Fend, she dodges again, freezing her animation, no damage again, she explodes as the monsters tear her limb from limb.

The lesson: If your build is going to rely on Valkyrie, max her out. Remember to avoid the animation glitch by being decisive and tactical when entering combat.

A maxed out Valkyrie can pretty much be ignored to their own devices, doling out tons of damage while being beefy enough to not need healing or supervision. This commitment to the Valkyrie’s tankiness shouldn’t take more than one point in the passives Avoid, Dodge, and Evade.

If you decide Valkyrie isn’t for you, a healthy investment in Inner Sight and some elemental damage won’t hurt. Armed with a Valkyrie companion or not, remember, Decoy and Fend are still maxed.

Passive skills to focus on should be ones that don’t interfere with Fend: Skills like Critical Strike and Penetrate.

Tactically, a Fendazon stays back, behind her line (Decoy, Mercenary, and if you choose, Valkyrie), waiting for the right time. She’ll lure, kite, and manuvuer her prey into a tightly gathered spot and begin her attack. She’ll use her front line to screen her as she times her Fend to prevent animation glitches. She’ll down them all in a few attacks, rinse, repeat it again in the next room.

Fendazon Attribute Priorities

Like a Bowazon, put points in Strength until you can equip your desired gear and weapons.

Dexterity requirements for gear need to be met as well. Unlike the Bowazon, this isn’t where the rest of your points will be dumped.

Energy again is kept at base, as your attacks should kill the mobs before it’s an issue.

Vitality is where all the rest of your points will go. This tankiness will keep your Fendazon alive until the moment is right to strike!

Mercenary

The class favorite, an Act 2 “Holy Freeze” aura mercenary is arguably the best companion to the Fendazon. Some melee enthusiasts revere the Might aura mercenary for the extra damage.

Fendazon Build Equipment

A Fendazon is a melee oriented build on a DPS class; this means maximizing damage is key to the build. Some players might choose a spear instead of a javelin, taking a Valkyrie to help with aggro. Others might find the extra tankiness from the shield and Valkyrie essential to a Fendazon’s gameplay. In the end it all depends on customizing and tweaking a build to your comfort and specifications.

There are no right answers, there’s a place for any theory crafter’s dream build, some just work in certain situations better than others.
Items are where most players customize their Fendazon, increasing Attack rating or reducing the chances of the Fend glitch going off (The “reduce damage” identifier).

Spears

Arioc’s Needle

2H Damage: (98-115) to (333-392)
Melee Range: 4
Attack Speed: [-10]
Minimum Strength: 155
Minimum Dexterity: 120
Durability: 30
Level Requirement: 81

+180-230% Enhanced Damage (varies)
50% Deadly Strike
+394 Poison Damage Over 10 Seconds
30% Increased Attack Speed
+2-4 to All Skills (varies)
Ignore Target’s Defense

Hone Sundan

2H Damage: (95-107) to (193-217)
Melee Range: 5
Attack Speed: [0]
Minimum Strength: 101
Minimum Dexterity: –
Durability: 28
Level Requirement: 37

+160-200% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 20-40 Damage
45% Chance of Crushing Blow
Repairs 1 Durability Every 10 Seconds
Socketed (3)

Steel Pillar

2H Damage: (102-118) to (551-640)
Melee Range: 5
Attack Speed: [20]
Minimum Strength: 165
Minimum Dexterity: 106
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 69

+210-260% Enhanced Damage (varies)
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
-20% Target Defense
25% Increased Attack Speed
+50-80% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Indestructible

Viperfork

2H Damage: (121-142) to (266-312)
Melee Range: 5
Attack Speed: [-20]
Minimum Strength: 132
Minimum Dexterity: 134
Durability: 28
Level Requirement: 71

+190-240% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+200-250 to Attack Rating (varies)
+325 Poison Damage Over 10 Seconds
50% Increased Attack Speed
Poison Resist +30-50% (varies)
15% Chance to Cast Level 9 Poison Explosion on Striking

Stoneraven

2H Damage: (214-247) to (316-361)
Melee Range: 5
Attack Speed: [0]
Minimum Strength: 114
Minimum Dexterity: 142
Durability: 28
Level Requirement: 64

+230-280% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 101-187 Magic Damage
+400-600 Defense (varies)
All Resistances +30-50 (varies)
+1-3 to Javelin and Spear Skills (varies) (Amazon Only)

Lycander’s Flank

2H Damage: (130-151) to (305-353)
Melee Range: 5
Attack Speed: [20]
Minimum Strength: 115
Minimum Dexterity: 98
Durability: 25
Level Requirement: 42

+150-200% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 25-50 Damage
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
30% Increased Attack Speed
5-9% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
+20% Enhanced Defense
+2 to Javelin and Spear Skills (Amazon Only)

Javelins

Thunderstroke

1H Damage: (75-90) to (135-162)
Melee Range: 3
Attack Speed: [-10]
Minimum Strength: 107
Minimum Dexterity: 151
Level Requirement: 69

+150-200% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 1-511 Lightning Damage
15% Increased Attack Speed
-15% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
20% Chance to Cast Level 14 Lightning on Striking
+2-4 to Javelin and Spear Skills (varies) (Amazon Only)
+3 to Lightning Bolt (Amazon Only)

Titan’s Revenge

1H Damage: (70-79) to (137-155)
Melee Range: 3
Attack Speed: [-10]
Minimum Strength: 25
Minimum Dexterity: 109
Level Requirement: 42

+150-200% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 25-50 Damage
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
30% Faster Run/Walk
5-9% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
+20 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
Replenishes 1 Quantity Every 3 Seconds
Increased Stack Size (60)
+2 to Javelin and Spear Skills (Amazon Only)

Gargoyle’s Bite

1H Damage: (75-89) to (98-1151)
Attack Speed: [-10]
Minimum Strength: 70
Minimum Dexterity: 145
Level Requirement: 70

+180-230% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+293 Poison Damage Over 10 Seconds
Level 11 Plague Javelin (60 Charges)
9-15% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
Replenishes 1 Quantity Every 3 Seconds

Demon’s Arch

1H Damage: (85-102) to (163-195)
Attack Speed: [10]
Minimum Strength: 127
Minimum Dexterity: 95
Level Requirement: 68

+160-210% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 232-323 Fire Damage
Adds 23-333 Lightning Damage
30% Increased Attack Speed
6-12% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
Replenishes 1 Quantity Every 3 Seconds

Armor

Enigma Rune Word

3 Socket Body Armor
Jah + Ith + Ber
Level Requirement: 65

+2 To All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 To Teleport
+750-775 Defense (varies)
(+0.75 Per Character Level) +0-74 To Strength (Based On Character Level)
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Damage Reduced By 8%
+14 Life After Each Kill
15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
(+1 Per Character Level) +1-99% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level)

Chains of Honor Rune Word

4 Socket Body Armor
Dol + Um + Ber + Ist
Level Requirement: 63

+2 To All Skills
+200% Damage To Demons
+100% Damage To Undead
8% Life Stolen Per Hit
+70% Enhanced Defense
+20 To Strength
Replenish Life +7
All Resistances +65
Damage Reduced By 8%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Stone

4 Socket Body Armor
Shael + Um + Pul + Lum
Level Requirement: 47

+60% Faster Hit Recovery
+250-290% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+300 Defense Vs. Missile
+16 To Strength
+16 To Vitality
+10 To Energy
All Resistances +15
Level 16 Molten Boulder (80 Charges)
Level 16 Clay Golem (16 Charges)

Duress

Shael + Um + Thul
Level Requirement: 47

+40% Faster Hit Recovery
+10-20% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 37-133 Cold Damage – 2 Second Duration
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+150-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
20% Slower Stamina Drain
Cold Resist +45%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%

Steel Carapace

Defense: 1618 – 1785
Armor Type: Heavy
Minimum Strength: 230
Durability: 70
Level Requirement: 66

+190-220% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Regenerate Mana 10-15% (varies)
20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +40-60% (varies)
Damage Reduced by 9-14 (varies)
Repairs 1 Durability Every 20 Seconds
8% Chance to Cast Level 6 Iron Maiden When Struck

Tyrael’s Might

Defense: 1322 – 1502
Armor Type: Medium
Minimum Strength: –
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 84

+120-150% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+50-100% Damage to Demons (varies)
20% Faster Run/Walk
+20-30 to Strength (varies)
All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
Cannot Be Frozen
Requirements -100%
Slain Monsters Rest in Peace
Indestructible

Helmet

Guillaume’s Face

Defense: 217
Minimum Strength: 115
Durability: 40
Level Requirement: 34

+120% Enhanced Defense
30% Faster Hit Recovery
15% Deadly Strike
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
+15 to Strength

Valkyrie Wing

Defense: 247 – 297
Minimum Strength: 115
Durability: 40
Level Requirement: 44

+150-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+1-2 to Amazon Skill Levels (varies)
20% Faster Run/Walk
20% Faster Hit Recovery
+2-4 Mana After Each Kill (varies)

Kira’s Guardian

Defense: 90 – 170
Minimum Strength: –
Durability: 25
Level Requirement: 77

+50-120 Defense (varies)
20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cannot be Frozen
All Resistances +50-70 (varies)

Veil of Steel

Defense: 396
Minimum Strength: 192
Durability: 60
Level Requirement: 73

+60% Enhanced Defense
+140 Defense
All Resistances +50
+15 to Strength
+15 to Vitality
-4 to Light Radius

Giant Skull

Defense: 350 – 477
Minimum Strength: 106
Durability: 40
Level Requirement: 65

+250-320 Defense (varies)
10% Chance Of Crushing Blow
Knockback
+25-35 to Strength (varies)
Socketed (1-2) (varies)

Boots

Gore Rider

Defense: 140 – 162
Kick Damage: 39 – 80
Minimum Strength: 94
Durability: 34
Level Requirement: 47

+160-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
30% Faster Run/Walk
10% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
+20 to Maximum Stamina

Goblin Toe

Defense: 33 – 34
Kick Damage: 8 – 16
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 18
Level Requirement: 22

+50-60% Enhanced Defense (varies)
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
-1 to Light Radius
Damage Reduced by 1
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
+15 Defense

Sandstorm Trek: “They even fix themselves!”

Defense: 158 – 178
Kick Damage: 60 – 110
Minimum Strength: 91
Durability: 14
Level Requirement: 64

+140-170% Enhanced Defense (varies)
20% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Faster Run/Walk
+1-99 to Maximum Stamina (+1 per Character Level)
+10-15 To Strength (varies)
+10-15 To Vitality (varies)
50% Slower Stamina Drain
Poison Resist +40-70% (varies)
Repairs 1 Durability Every 20 Seconds

War Traveler

Defense: 120 – 139
Kick Damage: 37 – 64
Minimum Strength: 95
Durability: 48
Level Requirement: 42

+150-190% Enhanced Defense (varies)
25% Faster Run/Walk
+10 to Vitality
+10 to Strength
Adds 15-25 Damage
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5-10 (varies)
30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)

Belt

Verdungo’s Hearty Cord

Defense: 125 – 158
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 106
Durability: 16
Level Requirement: 63

+90-140% Enhanced Defense (varies)
10% Faster Hit Recovery
+30-40 to Vitality (varies)
Replenish Life +10-13 (varies)
+100-120 to Maximum Stamina (varies)
Damage Reduced by 10-15% (varies)

Nosferatu’s Coil

Defense: 56 – 63
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 14
Level Requirement: 51

Slows Target By 10%
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
5-7% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
+15 To Strength
10% Increased Attack Speed
-3 To Light Radius

Thundergod’s Vigor

Defense: 137 – 159
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 110
Durability: 24
Level Requirement: 47

+160-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
5% Chance to Cast Level 7 Fist of the Heavens When Struck
+20 Lightning Absorb
+10% to Maximum Lightning Resist
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
+3 to Lightning Fury (Amazon Only)
+3 to Lightning Strike (Amazon Only)

Gloves

Laying of Hands

Defense: 79 – 87
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 12
Level Requirement: 63

+25 Defense
20% Increased Attack Speed
+350% Damage to Demons
Fire Resist +50%
10% Chance to Cast Level 3 Holy Bolt on Striking

Steelrend

Defense: 232 – 281
Minimum Strength: 185
Durability: 24
Level Requirement: 70

+170-210 Defense (varies)
+30-60% Enhanced Damage (varies)
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+15-20 To Strength (varies)

Soul Drainer

Defense: 129 – 149
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 16
Level Requirement: 74

+90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
4-7% Mana Stolen Per Hit (varies)
4-7% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
-50 to Monster Defense per Hit
8% Chance to Cast Level 3 Weaken on Striking

Lava Gout

Defense: 120 – 144
Minimum Strength: 88
Durability: 38
Level Requirement: 42

+150-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
2% Chance to Cast Level 10 Enchant on Striking
Half Freeze Duration
Adds 13-46 Fire Damage
20% Increased Attack Speed
Fire Resist +24%

Rings

Raven Frost

Level Requirement: 45

+150-250 to Attack Rating (varies)
Adds 15-45 Cold Damage – 4 Second Duration
Cannot be Frozen
+15-20 to Dexterity (varies)
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%

Bul-Kathos’ Wedding Band

Level Requirement: 58

+1 to All Skills
+0-49 to Life (+0.5 per Character Level)
3-5% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
+50 to Maximum Stamina

Nature’s Peace

Level Requirement: 69

Slain Monsters Rest in Peace
Prevent Monster Heal
Poison Resist +20-30% (varies)
Damage Reduced by 7-11 (varies)
Level 5 Oak Sage (27 Charges)

Carrion Wind

Level Requirement: 60

10% Chance to Cast Level 10 Poison Nova When Struck
8% Chance to Cast Level 13 Twister on Striking
6-9% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
+100-160 Defense vs. Missile (varies)
Poison Resist +55%
10% Damage Taken Goes to Mana
Level 21 Poison Creeper (15 Charges)

Amulet

The Cat’s Eye

Level Requirement: 50

30% Faster Run/Walk
20% Increased Attack Speed
+100 Defense vs. Missile
+100 Defense
+25 to Dexterity

Mara’s Kaleidoscope

Level Requirement: 67

+2 to All Skills
All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
+5 to All Attributes

Atma’s Scarab