Was grinding Pit runs yesterday when this stupid gray Bardiche dropped. Ugly stick looking thing, but I’m a hoarder so threw it in the stash anyway. Later, checking Charsi’s junk for socket quests – bam! Remembered I had it. Figured, eh, why not try rolling something.
Took it to Larzuk first. Clicked that crazy bastard. POW! Six freaking sockets. My jaw kinda dropped. Way more than I expected for a Bardiche base. Almost vendor-trash material now, honestly. Felt like wasted time.
Dumped it back into the stash, kinda grumpy. Kept farming Mephisto like usual. Another Bardiche dropped – not gray though, some magic crap with useless affixes. Fed it to Charsi for her gold. Still annoyed about that first one.
Logging off later, staring at my messy stash tabs. That six-socket monster stared back. What the hell, right? Might as well check what it could be if it rolled unique. Popped open the guidebook files on my other monitor.
The “Unique Bardiche” is actually called “Obedience”. Didn’t even remember that name! Started scanning the guide stats:
- 30% Chance to Cast Level 21 Enchant: Huge damage buff? On a merc? Sold.
- -25% Target Defense: Means merc hits way more often.
- 40% Crushing Blow: Melts Boss HP bars? Yes please.
- Up to 370% Enhanced Damage: This roll matters BIG time.
- -20 To 25% Enemy Fire Res: Great for breaking immunes.
- 40% Faster Hit Recovery: Keep that merc standing.
My eyes bugged out. This runeword packed a SERIOUS punch. Way better than my merc’s current Insight stick. The gears started turning. Needed those perfect runes: Hel + Ko + Thul + Eth + Fal.
Scoured my rune mules. Had duplicates of everything except that pesky Fal rune. Typical. Spent the next hour speed-running Countess in Hell. Dropped an Io. Dropped a Lum. Dropped everything BUT Fal. Almost chucked the keyboard.
Switched to Lower Kurast superchests on Players 7. Pop, pop, pop… finally! A glorious Fal rune blinked in my inventory. Screamed a little. Okay, maybe a lot. Neighbors probably heard me.
Ran back to the Horadric Cube faster than a Baal rush. Slapped in the runes: Hel, Ko, Thul, Eth, Fal. Inserted that ugly six-socket Bardiche base. Held my breath and clicked Transmute.
Poof! OBEIDENCE! Checked the ED roll… 369%. Almost perfect! Only one point shy! Couldn’t believe my luck after that Fal hunt. Equipped it on my Act 2 Might merc immediately.
Tested it right in the Throne of Destruction. Forget Insight mana regen – watching my merc suddenly melt Hell Lords and Oblivion Knights was insane. That Crushing Blow sound effect popping constantly? Music to my ears. He survived way better too.
Stunned for five solid seconds looking at his damage output. That ugly polearm transformed into absolute murder metal. Best gamble on a “wasted” socket quest ever. Lesson learned: never doubt the ugly Bardiche.