- Oct 18, 2004
- 4,342
- 254
- 83
I'd skip Ice Bolt with this build. The synergy bonus isn't that high and Meteorbs need a decent amount of points invested in the Fire tree. So, I'd work on Fire Mastery next.
Invest in fire tree, I think firebolt give more %ed to fireball than mastery (except first point in mastery).So right now I have 5 extra skill points. I'm torn between putting them into ice bolt for frozen orb damage or fire bolt for meteor and fire ball damage, or what about fire mastery? I already have frozen mastery at 17 -100%. Which one should I prioritize next?
Did you chug thawing potions before going in? Multiples? Did you have your merc chug multiple thawing potions? Those will help, it gives cold res and the duration from each of the potions you drink will stack duration.Now I am stuck at Duriel
Thanks, I'll try that when I get back to him. I didn't know you could use potions to avoid him freezing you.Did you chug thawing potions before going in? Multiples? Did you have your merc chug multiple thawing potions? Those will help, it gives cold res and the duration from each of the potions you drink will stack duration.
Do that, static, and blast him! You should be able to teleport around him casting occasionally and get him down on a sorc no matter what gear you're wearing.
There are any number of reasons people you've seen have gotten more good items than you, they're doing more runs than you, they're trading with others, they're running and leveling with others, they're playing with static maps offline, they have deeper game knowledge than you, and/or they are more skilled than you.Thanks, I'll try that when I get back to him. I didn't know you could use potions to avoid him freezing you.
As far as farming, it is really wearing on me mentally doing the same thing over and over without getting any good results. I've currently done well over 200 nm meph runs, well over 100 Andy runs, and many times in the pit and AT. As seen in my gear, I've only gotten a few good sorc drops like the Oculus and Skin of Vipermagi. It seems like a good shield is impossible, SOJs and a Shako, also impossible. Better boots impossible. I'm really depressed doing the same thing because I can't find any gear to get me strong enough to eventually do meph in hell. I KNOW the undead stygian dolls will own me until I get better FCR and defense. How in the world do these you tube people get such good drops? What am I doing wrong?
For me, I need to enjoy what I'm doing moment to moment to say that I enjoy the game. Don't tunnel vision on the destination, you have to enjoy the journey or else you really don't enjoy the game because the destination is just whatever you arbitrarily make it.
Then you do the same with untwinked 99ers and get the same rewarding experience again.Once I've found every item I want, played every build I wanted to, and made every runeword I want, then I'm probably going to have a hard time having as much fun.
100-200 runs is very little, I'd say you got a very good yield from such little amount of running. Even those 3 items you mentioned (Oculus, Tal amulet, Viper) are good enough to run Hell Meph, I've run him with worse gear before like just stealth + spirit + rhyme. Some ~1000 Hell Meph runs are normally enough to get things like Shako and Arach which will make you more powerful, as well as some other staple S&Us. And even 1000 runs isn't that much really.As far as farming, it is really wearing on me mentally doing the same thing over and over without getting any good results. I've currently done well over 200 nm meph runs, well over 100 Andy runs, and many times in the pit and AT. As seen in my gear, I've only gotten a few good sorc drops like the Oculus, Tal amulet, and Skin of Vipermagi. It seems like a good shield is impossible, SOJs and a Shako, also impossible. Better boots impossible. I'm really depressed doing the same thing because I can't find any gear to get me strong enough to eventually do meph in hell. I KNOW the undead stygian dolls will own me until I get better FCR and defense. How in the world do these you tube people get such good drops? What am I doing wrong
I think you've said it really well here. Part of the satisfaction is the feeling of accomplishment after a long difficult grind. It wouldn't be as rewarding if it wasn't difficult.So in this regard I don't fully agree with the "everything must be fun" sentiment... if you have a goal that WILL increase your fun (things like Enigma/Infinity being the prime examples), it's definitely worth enduring some "pain" for.
I think both perspectives are valid/good, but I think that @ffs is taking the long view and you're taking the shorter view.I think you've said it really well here. Part of the satisfaction is the feeling of accomplishment after a long difficult grind. It wouldn't be as rewarding if it wasn't difficult.
We're really digging into it here aren't we I think we should all talk about our feelings and then have a pillow fight.
Yes, I have played Diablo 3 a ton and like to play when they have new seasons. The drops are definitely more generous. I also used to play D2 like 20 or so years ago, but maybe D3 changed my expectations. It was so long ago when I used to play the original D2 that I probably forgot how long it takes. <snip>. However, when I do find items I need it is definitely rewarding.I think both perspectives are valid/good, but I think that @ffs is taking the long view and you're taking the shorter view.
I've played D2 since launch in 2000 (I was pretty sure I got it in 1998, but maybe that's just when the hype train started....), and I still am very much enjoying my untwinked restart in D2R.
I think that @Goomba should consider @ffs' perspective because it can bring his (I assume) goals into focus. Having fun with builds now is great, but so is having long-term goals. I think your advice that expecting "MegaMillions" returns in a couple of months is unrealistic was spot on. I thought about posting that I had to wonder if @Goomba had played D3 much since that game showers you with all the best loot immediately.
@Goomba If you've played D3 more than D2, then maybe your expectations were set too high to begin with. I didn't post that a few days ago b/c I thought it would be presumptuous.
Yeah, it just takes a while, but things come together eventually. I've logged a lot of hours since D2R dropped and have 2 mats and 1 pat offline, with many Pindleskin and Ancient Tunnels runs, etc. Still no Harlequin's or Mara's, but I know they'll come eventually. When they do it'll feel great, and I'll eventually start another build I've been saving items for in my stash.Thanks for the advice and encouragement everyone, I appreciate it. I think I need to find a good balance of grinding and also playing the game/quests. I beat Duriel yesterday and am currently collecting Kalims relics in Act 3. The undead stygian doll like enemies in the sewers are giving me a hell of a time though. I might MF some more at times when I feel my patience is good. After reading everyone's experiences with MF runs, I'll try to be more patient. Maybe my luck hasn't been that awful all things considered.
Wow that's really impressive, nice work! Is AT one of the top three places to farm because it is friendly for the ice element? What are the other top places to MF? I currently do Andy, the pit, and AT. Am I missing anything? I have not made it to meph on hell yet.One last post, because I think everything is covered, but to demonstrate the "grind" aspect of D2...
I posted this on the old message board back in February 2020: https://www.diabloii.net/forums/thr...thread-april-2019.966393/page-70#post-8879577
Ancient Tunnels is one of the top three spots for obtaining end game gear. Forgot my MF amount, but sorc was fully optimized. Guessing 550-650.
Here is the post if you do not want to click the link:
I have been spending quite a bit of time in AT with a Lvl96 Bliz. When I got to about 75% experience, I did the math and realized I still had 2,542 runs to go. Add in 166 more due to an errant teleport/might pack, and I give you my drop results from 2,708 runs:
Stash has 2,475 items.
19 days to complete (143 runs per day)
473 runes (36 Rals; 63 Tals)
10 Pul+: 1 Pul; 1Gul; 2Vex; 3Ohm; 1Lo; 2Sur
281 perfect gems (42 amethysts)
114 chipped gems
201 small charms
182 grand charms (3 Gheeds; 8 skillers--1 with life)
171 jewels: 4 unique; 5 rare
124 magic circlets/coronets/tiaras/diadems
25 rare circlets/coronets/tiaras/diadems
47 amulets: 1 unique (?); 12 set (1Tals); 34 rare
64 rings: 13 unique; 51 rare (1 ho hum dual leech)
38 rare druid pelts
46 barb helms
99 rare gloves (3 are 2/20)
73 rare belts
94 rare boots (1 tri-res but no other mods)
52 necro heads
27 magic monarchs
74 rare claws
51 rare orbs
33 rare wands"
Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xc2c25b1e
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
100% Chance to cast level 41 Nova when you Level-Up
Adds 1 - 74 Lightning Damage
-4% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+5% to Lightning Skill Damage
Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x2369616
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
100% Chance to cast level 51 Poison Nova when you Die
Adds 37 Poison Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
-5% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+3% to Poison Skill Damage
Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xb69ca6c6
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
100% Chance to cast level 23 Venom when you Level-Up
Adds 37 Poison Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
-5% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+3% to Poison Skill Damage
Rainbow Facet
Jewel
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x72e91b0b
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
100% Chance to cast level 51 Poison Nova when you Die
Adds 37 Poison Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
-4% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+5% to Poison Skill Damage
Doom Veil
Circlet
Defense: 23
Durability: 26 of 35
Required Level: 30
Fingerprint: 0x9c74805e
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+2 to Shape-Shifting Skills (Druid Only)
24% Enhanced Damage
5% Bonus to Attack Rating
+15 to Life
All Resistances +15
Attacker Takes Damage of 1
+5 to Light Radius
Blood Crest
Circlet
Defense: 23
Durability: 19 of 35
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x9bf949ee
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+49% Damage to Demons
+55 to Attack Rating against Demons
Adds 1 - 94 Lightning Damage
+5 to Energy
Damage Reduced by 3
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
Doom Cowl
Tiara
Defense: 41
Durability: 20 of 25
Required Level: 67
Fingerprint: 0x406812ba
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+2 to Paladin Skill Levels
+30% Faster Run/Walk
8% Life stolen per hit
All Resistances +11
Damage Reduced by 2
Bitter Knuckle
Heavy Bracers
Defense: 38
Durability: 14 of 16
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 58
Fingerprint: 0x9f1277d4
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+19 to Attack Rating
Poison Resist +7%
Half Freeze Duration
Level 3 Power Strike (25/27 Charges)
Dread Hand
Demonhide Gloves
Defense: 53
Durability: 7 of 12
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x9c646e7d
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
14% Chance to cast level 5 Nova when struck
+2 to Martial Art Skills (Assassin Only)
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+49% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +6%
Carrion Knuckle
Chain Gloves
Defense: 15
Durability: 13 of 16
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0xdc55ec5f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+2 to Martial Art Skills (Assassin Only)
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 4 Fire Damage
3% Mana stolen per hit
+54% Enhanced Defense
Amber Small Charm of Sustenance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xd5cbb224
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+13 to Life
Lightning Resist +11%
Ruby Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0xdb4d5bdd
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+3% Faster Run/Walk
Fire Resist +10%
Ruby Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 32
Fingerprint: 0x87c4e871
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
Fire Resist +11%
Steel Small Charm of Balance
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x80b75910
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+5% Faster Hit Recovery
+29 to Attack Rating
Jade Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x5a4f865f
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
Poison Resist +9%
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Lion Branded Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xa1e58c22
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+1 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
+27 to Life
33 sacred armors in total: 1 gold; 2 set; 6 rare; 12 magic; 12 white/gray (13 were Ilvl 85, including gold + 1 set)
Qualifiers with highest point totals (+ green sacred armors):
Shadow Dancer
Myrmidon Greaves
Defense: 133
Durability: 23 of 24
Required Level: 71
Required Strength: 167
Fingerprint: 0x49105fdd
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+1 to Shadow Discipline Skills (Assassin Only)
+30% Faster Run/Walk
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+85% Enhanced Defense
+19 to Dexterity
Requirements -20%
Ravenlore
Sky Spirit
Defense: 358
Durability: 17 of 20
Required Level: 74
Required Strength: 113
Fingerprint: 0x89bfc14f
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+3 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only)
-17% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+7 to Raven (Druid Only)
+130% Enhanced Defense
+29 to Energy
All Resistances +17
Spirit Keeper
Earth Spirit
Defense: 440
Durability: 15 of 20
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 104
Fingerprint: 0x8330d105
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+1 to Druid Skill Levels
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+188% Enhanced Defense
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Fire Resist +38%
+10 Lightning Absorb
Cold Absorb 15%
Griswold's Redemption
Caduceus
One Hand Damage: 122 - 142
Durability: 55 of 70
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 78
Required Dexterity: 56
Fingerprint: 0x5756f167
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+40% Increased Attack Speed
232% Enhanced Damage
+350% Damage to Undead
Requirements -20%
Set (2 items): +2 to Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
Set (3 items): Adds 10 - 20 Damage
Set (4 items): Adds 10 - 20 Damage
3 Sockets (0 used)
Ghostflame
Legend Spike
One Hand Damage: 140 - 214
Durability: 38 of 47
Required Level: 62
Required Strength: 55
Required Dexterity: 57
Fingerprint: 0xe0da9daa
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
Indestructible
206% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 108 - 108 Magic Damage
14% Mana stolen per hit
+2 to Light Radius
Ethereal
Executioner's Justice
Glorious Axe
Two Hand Damage: 230 - 476
Durability: 40 of 50
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 164
Required Dexterity: 55
Fingerprint: 0xb82d8fed
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
50% Chance to cast level 6 Decrepify when you Kill an Enemy
+30% Increased Attack Speed
284% Enhanced Damage
-33% Target Defense
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
Death's Fathom
Dimensional Shard
One Hand Damage: 30 - 53
Durability: 36 of 50
Required Level: 73
Fingerprint: 0xb74e9230
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+3 to Sorceress Skill Levels
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+28% to Cold Skill Damage
Lightning Resist +33%
Fire Resist +40%
Shadow Dancer
Myrmidon Greaves
Defense: 139
Durability: 17 of 24
Required Level: 71
Required Strength: 167
Fingerprint: 0x86319a37
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+2 to Shadow Discipline Skills (Assassin Only)
+30% Faster Run/Walk
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
+94% Enhanced Defense
+22 to Dexterity
Requirements -20%
Metalgrid
Amulet
Required Level: 81
Fingerprint: 0x5e6849ec
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+402 to Attack Rating
+332 Defense
All Resistances +27
Level 22 Iron Golem (8/11 Charges)
Level 12 Iron Maiden (4/20 Charges)
Halaberd's Reign
Conqueror Crown
Defense: 419
Durability: 42 of 50
Required Level: 77
Required Strength: 174
Fingerprint: 0x369d9a
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+1 to Masteries Skills (Barbarian Only)
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+2 to Battle Command (Barbarian Only)
+1 to Battle Orders (Barbarian Only)
+162% Enhanced Defense
Replenish Life +18
Death's Fathom
Dimensional Shard
One Hand Damage: 30 - 53
Durability: 46 of 50
Required Level: 73
Fingerprint: 0xbc6d445
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+3 to Sorceress Skill Levels
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+20% to Cold Skill Damage
Lightning Resist +27%
Fire Resist +29%
Immortal King's Soul Cage
Sacred Armor
Defense: 1001
Durability: 52 of 60
Required Level: 76
Required Strength: 232
Fingerprint: 0x7591a274
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
5% Chance to cast level 5 Enchant when struck
+2 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
+400 Defense
Poison Resist +50%
Set (2 items): +25% Faster Hit Recovery
Set (3 items): Cold Resist +40%
Set (4 items): Fire Resist +40%
Set (5 items): Lightning Resist +40%
Set (6 items): +50% Enhanced Defense
Biggin's Bonnet
Cap
Defense: 17
Durability: 6 of 12
Required Level: 3
Fingerprint: 0xac46da74
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
30% Enhanced Damage
+30 to Attack Rating
+14 Defense
+15 to Life
+15 to Mana
Greyform
Quilted Armor
Defense: 28
Durability: 15 of 20
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 12
Fingerprint: 0x6318d4a1
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
5% Life stolen per hit
+20 Defense
+10 to Dexterity
Cold Resist +20%
Fire Resist +20%
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
Templar's Might
Sacred Armor
Defense: 1664
Durability: 33 of 60
Required Level: 74
Required Strength: 232
Fingerprint: 0xb8faed2b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+1 to Offensive Aura Skills (Paladin Only)
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+177% Enhanced Defense
+271 Defense vs. Missile
+10 to Strength
+14 to Vitality
+48 Maximum Stamina
Stormspire
Giant Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 119 - 339
Durability: 51 of 55
Required Level: 70
Required Strength: 188
Required Dexterity: 140
Fingerprint: 0x5202d81d
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
5% Chance to cast level 5 Chain Lightning when struck
2% Chance to cast level 20 Charged Bolt when struck
Indestructible
+30% Increased Attack Speed
198% Enhanced Damage
Adds 1 - 237 Lightning Damage
+10 to Strength
Lightning Resist +50%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 27
Immortal King's Soul Cage
Sacred Armor
Defense: 1001
Durability: 55 of 60
Required Level: 76
Required Strength: 232
Fingerprint: 0xba51c915
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
5% Chance to cast level 5 Enchant when struck
+2 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
+400 Defense
Poison Resist +50%
Set (2 items): +25% Faster Hit Recovery
Set (3 items): Cold Resist +40%
Set (4 items): Fire Resist +40%
Set (5 items): Lightning Resist +40%
Set (6 items): +50% Enhanced Defense
Windforce
Hydra Bow
Two Hand Damage: 35 - 472
Durability: 38 of 55
Required Level: 73
Required Strength: 134
Required Dexterity: 167
Fingerprint: 0xa283280e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+20% Increased Attack Speed
250% Enhanced Damage
+234 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
8% Mana stolen per hit
Knockback
+10 to Strength
+5 to Dexterity
Heal Stamina Plus 30%
Griffon's Eye
Diadem
Defense: 168
Durability: 17 of 20
Required Level: 76
Fingerprint: 0x35f157d7
Item Level: **
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Unidentified
+1 to All Skills
+25% Faster Cast Rate
-19% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+10% to Lightning Skill Damage
+116 Defense
As an aside, I just hit Lvl 90. I the last three levels doing AT/Pindle I have found four or five TC87 items, including Shadow Dancers, Executioner's Justice, and 2 IK armors.
Travincal is good for runes, rings, amulets, facets, and gold.Wow that's really impressive, nice work! Is AT one of the top three places to farm because it is friendly for the ice element? What are the other top places to MF? I currently do Andy, the pit, and AT. Am I missing anything? I have not made it to meph on hell yet.
Also, hopefully this isn't a dumb question, but is it worth my time to break the pots and urns when farming? Do they ever yield anything good?