I've been doing a few runs on 7 challenges as mage to get the 1m point badge, the last one I miss. I consistently reach the metropolis as a warlock, but then I get wiped out rather easily.
I play as a warlock with all challenges except Runes and Pharma. In the first floors of the mines or earlier I transmute Energising Upgrade with Invigorating meal which gives a good boost after each kill. I dump around 12 SoU (if I can reach DK) on the mage staff and I never imbue it as the Magic Charge buff used with some other utility wands is very nice.
As for armor I go with whatever I can find and I try to get either flow or obfuscation.
Rings and artifacts are based on the run itself, I like to use haste and evasion.
Food isnt really a problem. My biggest threat is DK, with badder bosses on I waste way to many PoH, just to be killed by succubi a few floors later.
With 6 challenges and badder bosses disabled I was able to succed with this strategy, but Im struggling with 7.
Any tips are welcome. Thanks in advance!