WONAFYT

[Darvin]

[q 3]

A Berserker with maxed magic resist and enough attack power to two-shot the guards should be able to get through without needing much more than natural regeneration and one poison cure (or immunity). Not quite as clean as the Assassin, but a lot easier than anyone else has it (except maybe a Rogue with enough attack to one-shot them, but that's a rather tall order).

[Darvin]

Two of the guards deal physical damage. They really put the hurt on the berserker.

[q 3]

They do? I... I didn't even notice.

Just tried it with a CYDSTEPP Rogue and succeeded, although I wasn't quite able to get my attack high enough to one shot them (probably need to have both the Trisword and the Berserker sword from the very start, with either a Human or Orc to pull it off). IMO Glowing Guardian is the best deity for this level, at least up until the boss fight. Absolution + Enlightenment gave my Rogue enough defense to kill all the guards without CYDSTEPP, and his (initially) cheap Cleansing boon makes their poison/manaburn less painful. Plus you'll easily have enough exp after killing them all to get to level 10(11) with Humility. Also keep in mind that once you've cleared the surface, Mystera's Magic boon has no penalty...

[spoomak]

I beat the Matron two times in a row with a Trisword-preparing dwarf berserker worshipping Taurog and with all of Taurog's boons. On the first run I switched to Dracul at the end but on the second run Dracul wasn't available. This strategy is really simple. Although, maybe I got lucky underground when I leveled up at just the right moments. I converted all glyphs and mana potions.

[gjaustin]

[Darvin]

I've yet to find Taurog on any of my berserker runs on that level (I prepare poison sword as the berserker, but maybe I'll try Trisword next time)

[DalaranJ]

Although I've only played the level once, I assume that the two magic attack guards at the entrance to the cave that you don't have to fight right away would be convenient for a berserker to roll his levels over exactly when he wants to.

[Darvin]

That's if you can get your hands on ENDISWAL. Being able to skip those 2 (and return for a levelup later...) is a huge advantage. Technically I guess a LEMMISI/WEYTWUT combo could get you past all of them, but if you need to use boons or you're counting on gaining a level that will hurt more than it helps.

[DalaranJ]

I totally didn't notice that they were guarding a "gate". I guess that's what Iget for giving advice after only playing the level once.