I've slacked on my shaman epic :p
 

60 now with torpor.

I'm assuming can solo it all up to and including black dire. I can always find a random friend to duo this part with.

Then repeat faction work up to max ally until a tear is found?

Yes, easily. The boots are fantastic especially for leveling - I'm surprised you waited this long.

I recommend doing each step of the epic in sequence, then picking out your favorite bit and repeating that until you want to kill yourself or you are allied.

Think dire is soloable with torpor and a well buffed pet? He only hits for 200 but I hear he's annoying to slow - and I don't have malo yet.

You've gone this far without it, maybe do it the legit way and have some fun in hole, etc instead of doing the boring faction grind? Smell the flowers and all that.

I think his resists have been debuffed or something. Took him out a few days ago with a 54 monk tanking and my 51 shaman and a 56 druid healing. Wasn't even tough and I think every spell landed. I expected resists so I didn't even try to slow, once the druid's nukes started landing thats what we did.

i'm very impressed by this news

Have solo'd him with a 60 paladin, I'm sure you will be okay.