11 Sep 2006 at 12:11 - 12
As mentioned earlier, the basic idea is to tank by putting up the armor enchantments and then adding a permanent Magnetic Aura (achieved via Glyph of Renewal), which helps with Sever Artery/Gash/Savage Slash and so on. I would guess that Oni Reiko is dealing with the Dying Nightmares the same way I do, which is killing them with staff attacks, although she might be using Teinai's Crystals for that purpose also. Also, using the Grasping Darknesses to power the Sliver Armor for use against the Aatxes is a nice idea.
As an E/Me, I run Spirit of Failure instead of Bonetti's (the build is at the link in Xaero Gouki Kriegor's post above). It just seems you get more energy back and that at a more even rate. Unfortunately, it's useless against the Smite Crawlers, because of their Smite Hex. You can usually get through a Smite Crawler battle by relying on your base energy regeneration, although it's probably nice to get the mid-battle refill of energy that Bonetti's would provide. You just have to watch the Shield of Judgments (8 strikes of adrenaline at 50 damage a piece adds up quickly).
Also, I use Empathy instead of Teinai's Crystals (Stone Daggers has also been suggested). If you do the math, then you find that the Aatxes will heal up all the damage that Teinai's Crystals does by the time it recharges, but it can be nice for the final spike. Also, if you catch a Reversal of Fortune on a Smite Crawler, Teinai's Crystals will actually heal it for about 60 points of health. It should perform well against the Grasping Darknesses and Coldfire Nights, however.
Incidentally, I would recommend against the sword for a build like this (at least against the Aatxes), the main problem being the Ripostes will burn you. Since you have to attack to get the adrenaline to power Bonetti's Defense, I feel a staff or wand is better. Against the Smite Crawlers, it's a different scenario, since you really want the -2 damage modifier(s) from a shield. It's mostly a matter of personal preference, but I use a Totem Axe to get the extra energy and especially the enchantment duration boost. I figure that at 200 AL, I can splurge on some other boons.
As far as the speed goes, a run takes somewhat more than an hour. Unfortunately, when you get away from duoing and 55'ing in the Underworld, you have to use up about 6 skill slots (including an elite) just to stay alive, which means your damage options become limited and you wind up with a slow run. It's pretty much unavoidable (so far).