Random's Multi/Strafe/Guided Bowazon
Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 9:32 am
Hello all, I was feeling bored and so decided to post a bowazon build. I am aware that C Elegans already has a strafezon build in the sticky, and I am making this build just to help anyone who might just be in need.
Skill Distribution
Passive and Magic:
1-10 points into Critical Strike, depending on gear. We need to get this to at LEAST 50%.
1 point into Inner Sight, Decoy, Slow Missiles, and Pierce.
1-10 points into Dodge, Avoid, and Evade, once again depending on your
gear and how many + to skills you have. We also need to get this to at LEAST 50/60/50 %.
0-17 points into Valkyrie, also depending on your gear and how many + skills you have. If you are thinking of going purely PvP, no points into this. If you're going PvM, you need to get this to at LEAST 17 (with + skills), since your Valkyrie is equipped with a War Pike at level 17, therefore improving her damage.
1-20 points into Penetrate. How many points you put into this skill depends on if you truly want to use your points for increased attack rating, or if you'd be more comfortable placing your skill points into other skills.
Bow and Crossbow:
1 point into Magic Arrow and Cold Arrow.
20 points into Guided Arrow. This will be your main attack.
20 points into Strafe. This will be one of your secondary attacks, along with Multiple Arrow.
5-10 points into Multiple Arrow. The amount of points placed into this skill will vary according to your + skills. You should not invest 20 points into Multiple Arrow since after a certain level (24 if i remember, correct me if I'm wrong), it does not add more arrows, yet still adds substantially to the mana cost.
Javelin and Spear:
Since this isn't a hybrid build, no points here.
Stat Point Distribution
Strength: This really depends on your gear. Most Bowazons only have a maximum of 100 or so, and mine has 85. DO NOT place more than this, as it will not do much good.
Dexterity: I'd say around 300+ here, you need all you can get.
Vitality: If you're going purely Glass Cannon, none here. If otherwise, put as many as possible here, without compromising your damage by not putting points into Dexterity.
Energy: As with every other guide in the Diablo 2 universe (or multiverse), absolutely NONE into Energy. You'll have enough with gear, and you don't need much anyway.
Gear
Helm
Poor/ Middle Class:
Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest Set Death Mask- a very good cheap option (I've seen people give these for free) for bowazons for its life, mana, insane dual leech, good defense, and resistances.
Sigon's Visor Set Great Helm- another insanely cheap helm which is good for its increased attack rating per character level.
Stealskull Unique Casque- cheap and extremely effective good dual leech Increased Attack Speed Helm.
Guillaume's Face Set Winged Helm- slightly more expensive helm with good life, Faster Hit Recovery, Strength and Crushing Blow.
Valkyrie Wing Unique Winged Helm- also a bit expensive, though less than the Guillaume's, with attributes such as Faster Hit Recovery, Skills, Faster Run/Walk, and good defense.
3 Socket Helm with 15% Increased Attack Speed Jewels- This helm is very good if you are in need of massive amounts of Increased Attack Speed (such as if you chose not to or could not afford a Faith Matriarchal Bow or anything with the same attack speed), though it costs a bit, too.
Crown of Thieves Unique Grand Crown- another godly affordable helm that offers wonderful attributes such as massive dexterity and up to 10% life leech.
Rich/Best:
3 Socket Helm with 40% Enhanced Damage and 15% Increased Attack Speed Jewels- This helm is very good if you are in need of massive amounts of Increased Attack Speed (such as if you chose not to or could not afford a Faith Matriarchal Bow or anything with the same attack speed). It also offers 120 % extra Enhanced Damage. Godly, and VERY Expensive.
Mavina's True Sight Set Diadem- Also a godly option if you socket it with an Increased Attack Speed Jewel, again use this if you need Increased Attack Speed.
Giant Skull Unique Bone Visage- An helm with really useful attributes, like Knockback, lots'a Strength, really high defense, and crushing blow. Not THAT expensive too.
Vampire's Gaze Unique Grim Helm- My helm of choice. It's an awesome helm with 15-20% Damage Reduction, Dual Leech, and Slower Stamina Drain. (Use this if you chose to use the Faith Matriarchal Bow, and not anything slower)
Armor
Poor/Middle Class:
Crow Caw Unique Tigulated Mail- One of your absolutely best choices in the early stages of your bowazon. 15% Increased Attack Speed, 15% Faster Hit Recovery, 35% Chance of Open Wounds, and 15 Dexterity? What other cheap armors can match this?
Duriel's Shell Unique Cuirass- Important for its Cannot Be Frozen mod, and packs good resistances, life, and strength.
Shaftstop Unique Mesh Armor- Good Defense with humongous Damage Reduction are a deadly defensive combination.
Arkaine's Valor Unique Balrog Skin- Very useful Vitality and good Faster Hit Recovery.
Rich/Best:
4 Socketed Armor with 40% Enhanced Damage and 15% Increased Attack Speed Jewels- Some people prefer to use this over a Fortitude, and I just don't see why. I'd only use this if I was in extreme need of Increased Attack Speed and did not possess any other Increased Attack Speed items such as helms, amulets and belts. Extremely expensive, too.
Fortitude Runeword Armor- Preferably made in a low strength requirement armor which is light, such as an Archon Plate or Dusk Shroud. One of the godliest items that one can get. Massive defense and massive Enhanced Damage are always good, and it gets even better with 25-30 to all resistances. My armor of choice.
Bow
Poor/Middle Class:
Cliffkiller Unique Large Siege Bow- Nice Knockback, decent damage and even some life in this bow.
Magewrath Unique Rune Bow- OK damage, good skills, nice mana steal and some Dexterity. Good bow.
Lycander's Aim Unique Ceremonial Bow- A good stepping stone bow for it's nice +'s to Energy and Vitality, decent damage, good skills, mana leech, and Increased Attack Speed.
Goldstrike Arch Unique Gothic Bow- A bow that's strangely looked over and unappreciated, its mods are godly. Very nice damage AND Enhanced Demon and Undead Damage, 50% Increased Attack Speed, and a bonus to Attack Rating, you can't go wrong with this pretty common bow.
Hellrack Unique Colossus Crossbow- A very high damaging Crossbow with sockets open to your customizability, though it is quite slow, even with 20% Increased Attack Speed.
Rich/Best:
Buriza-Do-Kyanon Unique Ballista- A godly crossbow, this thing can outdo a Windforce if used well enough. Insane damage, piercing and freezing attack, massive Dexterity, and an astronomical 80% Increased Attack Speed. Quite common, too.
Windforce Unique Hydra Bow- The good ol' disputed Windforce. Many builds focus on this high maximum damage bow, though this is not one of them. This bow is amazing for its mana steal, knockback, Dexterity and sky soaring maximum damage.
Faith Runeword Matriarchal Bow- In my opinion, the godliest bow there ever was. The aura alone gives crazy damage, along with the runeword's 330% Enhanced Damage. Ignore Target's Defense, Attack Rating bonus, resistances... how godly can anything get? Bow of choice for this build. Also, most people would rather use a Faith in a Grand Matron Bow, to get maximum damage, though doing so requires you to use different gear in order to reach the 7 Frames Per Attack breakpoint. Though lacking slightly in damage, a Matriarchal Bow gives MUCH more flexibility when choosing gear.
Skill Distribution
Passive and Magic:
1-10 points into Critical Strike, depending on gear. We need to get this to at LEAST 50%.
1 point into Inner Sight, Decoy, Slow Missiles, and Pierce.
1-10 points into Dodge, Avoid, and Evade, once again depending on your
gear and how many + to skills you have. We also need to get this to at LEAST 50/60/50 %.
0-17 points into Valkyrie, also depending on your gear and how many + skills you have. If you are thinking of going purely PvP, no points into this. If you're going PvM, you need to get this to at LEAST 17 (with + skills), since your Valkyrie is equipped with a War Pike at level 17, therefore improving her damage.
1-20 points into Penetrate. How many points you put into this skill depends on if you truly want to use your points for increased attack rating, or if you'd be more comfortable placing your skill points into other skills.
Bow and Crossbow:
1 point into Magic Arrow and Cold Arrow.
20 points into Guided Arrow. This will be your main attack.
20 points into Strafe. This will be one of your secondary attacks, along with Multiple Arrow.
5-10 points into Multiple Arrow. The amount of points placed into this skill will vary according to your + skills. You should not invest 20 points into Multiple Arrow since after a certain level (24 if i remember, correct me if I'm wrong), it does not add more arrows, yet still adds substantially to the mana cost.
Javelin and Spear:
Since this isn't a hybrid build, no points here.
Stat Point Distribution
Strength: This really depends on your gear. Most Bowazons only have a maximum of 100 or so, and mine has 85. DO NOT place more than this, as it will not do much good.
Dexterity: I'd say around 300+ here, you need all you can get.
Vitality: If you're going purely Glass Cannon, none here. If otherwise, put as many as possible here, without compromising your damage by not putting points into Dexterity.
Energy: As with every other guide in the Diablo 2 universe (or multiverse), absolutely NONE into Energy. You'll have enough with gear, and you don't need much anyway.
Gear
Helm
Poor/ Middle Class:
Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest Set Death Mask- a very good cheap option (I've seen people give these for free) for bowazons for its life, mana, insane dual leech, good defense, and resistances.
Sigon's Visor Set Great Helm- another insanely cheap helm which is good for its increased attack rating per character level.
Stealskull Unique Casque- cheap and extremely effective good dual leech Increased Attack Speed Helm.
Guillaume's Face Set Winged Helm- slightly more expensive helm with good life, Faster Hit Recovery, Strength and Crushing Blow.
Valkyrie Wing Unique Winged Helm- also a bit expensive, though less than the Guillaume's, with attributes such as Faster Hit Recovery, Skills, Faster Run/Walk, and good defense.
3 Socket Helm with 15% Increased Attack Speed Jewels- This helm is very good if you are in need of massive amounts of Increased Attack Speed (such as if you chose not to or could not afford a Faith Matriarchal Bow or anything with the same attack speed), though it costs a bit, too.
Crown of Thieves Unique Grand Crown- another godly affordable helm that offers wonderful attributes such as massive dexterity and up to 10% life leech.
Rich/Best:
3 Socket Helm with 40% Enhanced Damage and 15% Increased Attack Speed Jewels- This helm is very good if you are in need of massive amounts of Increased Attack Speed (such as if you chose not to or could not afford a Faith Matriarchal Bow or anything with the same attack speed). It also offers 120 % extra Enhanced Damage. Godly, and VERY Expensive.
Mavina's True Sight Set Diadem- Also a godly option if you socket it with an Increased Attack Speed Jewel, again use this if you need Increased Attack Speed.
Giant Skull Unique Bone Visage- An helm with really useful attributes, like Knockback, lots'a Strength, really high defense, and crushing blow. Not THAT expensive too.
Vampire's Gaze Unique Grim Helm- My helm of choice. It's an awesome helm with 15-20% Damage Reduction, Dual Leech, and Slower Stamina Drain. (Use this if you chose to use the Faith Matriarchal Bow, and not anything slower)
Armor
Poor/Middle Class:
Crow Caw Unique Tigulated Mail- One of your absolutely best choices in the early stages of your bowazon. 15% Increased Attack Speed, 15% Faster Hit Recovery, 35% Chance of Open Wounds, and 15 Dexterity? What other cheap armors can match this?
Duriel's Shell Unique Cuirass- Important for its Cannot Be Frozen mod, and packs good resistances, life, and strength.
Shaftstop Unique Mesh Armor- Good Defense with humongous Damage Reduction are a deadly defensive combination.
Arkaine's Valor Unique Balrog Skin- Very useful Vitality and good Faster Hit Recovery.
Rich/Best:
4 Socketed Armor with 40% Enhanced Damage and 15% Increased Attack Speed Jewels- Some people prefer to use this over a Fortitude, and I just don't see why. I'd only use this if I was in extreme need of Increased Attack Speed and did not possess any other Increased Attack Speed items such as helms, amulets and belts. Extremely expensive, too.
Fortitude Runeword Armor- Preferably made in a low strength requirement armor which is light, such as an Archon Plate or Dusk Shroud. One of the godliest items that one can get. Massive defense and massive Enhanced Damage are always good, and it gets even better with 25-30 to all resistances. My armor of choice.
Bow
Poor/Middle Class:
Cliffkiller Unique Large Siege Bow- Nice Knockback, decent damage and even some life in this bow.
Magewrath Unique Rune Bow- OK damage, good skills, nice mana steal and some Dexterity. Good bow.
Lycander's Aim Unique Ceremonial Bow- A good stepping stone bow for it's nice +'s to Energy and Vitality, decent damage, good skills, mana leech, and Increased Attack Speed.
Goldstrike Arch Unique Gothic Bow- A bow that's strangely looked over and unappreciated, its mods are godly. Very nice damage AND Enhanced Demon and Undead Damage, 50% Increased Attack Speed, and a bonus to Attack Rating, you can't go wrong with this pretty common bow.
Hellrack Unique Colossus Crossbow- A very high damaging Crossbow with sockets open to your customizability, though it is quite slow, even with 20% Increased Attack Speed.
Rich/Best:
Buriza-Do-Kyanon Unique Ballista- A godly crossbow, this thing can outdo a Windforce if used well enough. Insane damage, piercing and freezing attack, massive Dexterity, and an astronomical 80% Increased Attack Speed. Quite common, too.
Windforce Unique Hydra Bow- The good ol' disputed Windforce. Many builds focus on this high maximum damage bow, though this is not one of them. This bow is amazing for its mana steal, knockback, Dexterity and sky soaring maximum damage.
Faith Runeword Matriarchal Bow- In my opinion, the godliest bow there ever was. The aura alone gives crazy damage, along with the runeword's 330% Enhanced Damage. Ignore Target's Defense, Attack Rating bonus, resistances... how godly can anything get? Bow of choice for this build. Also, most people would rather use a Faith in a Grand Matron Bow, to get maximum damage, though doing so requires you to use different gear in order to reach the 7 Frames Per Attack breakpoint. Though lacking slightly in damage, a Matriarchal Bow gives MUCH more flexibility when choosing gear.