Killing em with toothpicks

The abm gift-and challenge taken up by emaq123

http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04082201.jpg

That's it. That is my endgame weapon. Now how do I build a hell capable build that can solo without elemental arrows? (Thanks Ace) <_<

Turns out, it looks to be not only doable, it may not even be that hard. I started by taking my level 91 WWS/knockback/speedazon Flit, swapped her upgraded WWS for a short bow and went to hell. It wasn't pretty, but she killed things. Thing is, Flit is not geared for off-weapon damage, so I decided see how I can optimize for the awesome weapon I have been given.

Thanks to Nobbie's wonderful cube mode I now know that it is doable and that +30 max damage jewels are about impossible to find. :P In several hours of rerolling jewels I was able to create one +23 max damage jewel. That along with a set of war travs, some dual leech jewelry and a knockback gloves I was able to create a zon who can play in hell. Since I'm short on +max dmg jewels I think I will try some +min gear also. Stat points are pure dex, and skill points are max strafe, penetrate and 1 plus adders in the normal spots.

So this will be the trials of GotDex, the pure dex bowazon with the bow from hell... :lol:

Part 1

Woo Hoo!!! Yes I'm still around.

I'm not really playing during the week but I'm still at it.

Now, for the GotDex weekly update.

GotDex went notwink through act 1, solo most of the way, no real problems.

Act 2... Whoops. You mean 2-7 damage isn't enough anymore? She really couldn't kill in act 2. She grabbed a prayer merc and got back to work. The merc did an excellent job leveling her... :notme:

Several friends came to help and donated some gear, a few damage charms, jewels, rings and such. Plus a few poison items and GotDex was back on track. The Big Bug wasn't a problem, the merc went splat, but with a few stamina pots, she ran around with a green bug chasing her. :D

Entering Act 3, she has around LCS 60-120 damage with a 1-3 damage bow B) and is level 21.

General Notes:

I try to play at range and not get hit with bowazons, so this works well for her, as things like life and resists are optional. I dropped the act2 merc at act3 because he didn't keep up. So now I have an act 3 cold merc who is doing well at crowd control. 3 more levels till strafe!! This will start to help as I only have 1 point into prereqs so far.

Speed 5 bows are slow!!! Strafe will help here... I'd like to get to 9/2 with it, but we will see. I'm not sure what I'll do with Meph, I think I'm underpowered for him, but you never know...

Armor is a 2 socket studded leather with a +4 min and a +12 max jewel. Big help there! also got the duskdeep helm with +8 max on it. I've decided and have dropped 50 points on str so I can go dmg charms. Target dex will be ~500, a bit low, but should work well with all the dmg stuff.

Now to go get those 3 levels for strafe!!!

Rck

Part II

What do you get after a day of playing D2?

About 20 levels.... :P

GotDex decided to go hang out with some folks yesterday and made a good day of it. Meph and Diablo and Baal went down, my teammate being Cads sniper. GotDex made some solo runs also, here is a shot of her soloing the minions...

http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04083001.jpg

While she was playing with other people you could see that she was underpowered... Well, I wonder what a socket quest would do to a cracked short bow? Hmmm, three sockets!! The D2 gods are smiling on GotDex. Now I'm not sure if socketing the bow is cheating or not. The opinion from those I asked was it was fair game. I admit to being a bit tired of low damage and having leeching problems. So for the first load in the new sockets I went for power!!

http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04083002.jpg

It is amazing what 3 low runes will do for you. Strafe now leeches fine. Thanks to GrimeReaper for the nice manald. With the sockets, I now have options. I'm at 14/4 strafe now, but 3 shaels should go a long way to 9/2. 3 eths would give me close to ITD with my high dex. I need a new armor, my current one has 4-12 damage on it. I'm looking for a 4 socket armor and jewels to fill it. Got a +15 max damage jewel last night... Not sure if I want max damage or min damage. Probably try both to see what happens.

Last thing for this post, a pic of GotDex's stats. She has 1 50/6 poison charm and a little bit of fire and cold, the rest is physical damage.

http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04083003.jpg

Not bad for starting with a 1-3 bow.

Rck

Part III

Just a quick note on GotDex's progress...

She is now in act 5 nm and is level 51.

The +min gear is working nicely. I still need to make a new armor, I have 2 jewels which give a total of +19 min already. With the +27 min on the bow and the +max on other items, she is getting a strafe of 203-204 now.

I have strafe maxed, this is more for the min arrow count than anything else. More arrows mean more hits = more leech. I have spare skill points and I have been increasing penetrate each level. I plan to max penetrate but I don't see a need to dump points into it early. Valk and decoy are still at 1 point each. Based on my work with FlitRck, I don't think that a knockback strafer needs much in Valk or decoy as everything will be hit and knocked back often enough that it shouldn't matter. The question is can GotDex get enough IAS to make this work for her. Next question is if it does, where should the extra points go?

I'm still looking to the future, 100% pierce and 20% IAS knockback gloves seem a given. If I am willing to play at max range with strafe, life and resists are optional, which gives a lot of room for +min dmg gear. 9/2 strafe would be great, but I think I can live with 10/3 or so... Oh yea, I grabbed a might merc in act2 to buff the damage up. Properly equipped, he can provide the limited tank duties I might need. PIs will be a problem soon... Atma's ammy seems to be a given, so I will have to start looking to trade for one. I see some NM Meph runs in my future.

More to come soon,

HeadlineRck

Part IV

Ok, a little D2 burnout and WoW lust have slowed down GotDex in her quest to kill Hell Baal with a cracked short bow, but she is still at it. Yesterday at level 52 she soloed the bloody foothills and took down Shenk and Eldritch. It was her standard battle tactics, advance slow, lead with strafe, place decoy to take heat off. Burning dead archers really don't work well against a long range strafe with knockback. She saw arrows from a MS boss but never saw him. Valk and Merc got Amp'ed by a boss, but not her. Shenk and crew didn't stand much of a chance and went down easy. Eld and crew were a bit meaner. Dropped the merc and a level 1 valk and decoy doesn't give a lot of tank time. So a retreating battle spread them out, and then they were done for. She does need some better gloves, IAS and knockback would be nice.

Photo of the day http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04092701.jpg Smile Shenk!

Rck

Part V

The warmups are nearing completion... The main event will commence soon.

GotDex spent some time in act 5 this weekend and has killed Baal in NM. wOOt!! She is currently leveling up in prep to start Hell. Up to starting hell, she has teamed with others from time to time. The adventures through hell will be solo. All the way, by herself.

She is now level 63 and won't enter hell until level 70 at the soonest. Once she starts in hell, I will post updates on the adventure as it goes. Hopefully she will get a new armor before hell. The studded leather she is wearing looks a little be faded these days.

Rck

Part VI

[quote=emaq123,Aug 22, 2004 - 4:59 PM][img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04082201.jpg[/img]

That's it. That is my endgame weapon. Now how do I build a hell capable build that can solo without elemental arrows? (Thanks Ace) <_< [/quote] Very quick recap from the first post. I can't change bows, and no elemental arrows. Now, do we consider magic arrow to be an 'elemental' arrow? I would think not. So two challenges for the build are:

1. Develop enough damage to kill things.

2. Survive Physical Immunes without elemental arrows.

So while it is easy to gear up and crush anything in the game with the right gear, it is a bit harder when a cracked short bow is the endgame weapon.

Thanks for the info on PIs in hell, it looks like I will need that PI solution sooner than I thought. :unsure:

Rck

Part VII

The Way of GotDex...

The power of the cracked short bow is very great. Many have asked GotDex how she is able to handle such a mighty bow. She reminds those that ask that the bow is a range weapon...

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110101.jpg[/img] GotDex vs. Shenk

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110102.jpg[/img] vs. Eldritch

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110103.jpg[/img] Minion Fighting - Pack 1

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110104.jpg[/img] Minion Fighting - Pack 2

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110105.jpg[/img] Minion Fighting - Pack 3

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110106.jpg[/img] Minion Fighting - Pack 4

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110107.jpg[/img] Minion Fighting - Pack 5

So that is the way of GotDex. Remember, if you can see the monster, you are too close.

Rck

Part VIII

GotDex

Enters

Hell

Yes folks, it is the main event. GotDex entered Hell tonight at level 72. Screenshots have been taken, but the battle was long and hard so the report will come tomorrow. Quests have been completed and waypoints reached.

Details to follow... Time for bed.

Rck

Part IX

[quote=FrigidWoman,Nov 3, 2004 - 2:08 PM]Just a few thoughts.....

If I were designing a Bowazon to fight in hell with a bow that did essentially no physical damage, I'd go the other way from much of this thread. [/quote] I agree 100%. However, a little more backstory on this project.

When I was invited to be an ABM, I was presented a personalized cracked short bow as a present. I thought it was a wonderful gift and wondered what I could do with it. In the discussion that followed, DCIAce said he wanted to see me solo the bow through hell without elemental arrows.

Hence the character GotDex was born.

With no elemental arrows available, I decided on what I knew best, the knockback strafer. The challenge would be to get enough damage to kill with. So far, so good. I believe that most builds are a balancing act. In this one, I want speed, damage, and enough leech to survive. I will give up other things to get them, so my playstyle will be measured by my lack of life, resists, etc...

The first thing that I've learned is how much heat you can pull off yourself with decoy, I'm starting to get good using that skill.

So now GotDex is in hell, is her driver good enough to get her through? Stay tuned.

Rck

Part X

Who is GotDex?

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110302.jpg[/img]

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110303.jpg[/img]

This is GotDex as she entered hell. Many thanks to Cads and Heather for helping dress her. :D

Rck

The Story of GotDex

Chapter One

It was a dark cold wet night when GotDex wandered into the rogue's camp. The mood was dark like the night in the camp. The rogue's had been forced from their monastery by demons. GotDex was grim but happy, this is where she wanted to be after all. One of the guards asked her name and gave her a look when she said 'GotDex' but didn't press the issue. Strange people from strange lands had been showing up here with strange names, what was one more.

Diane came by her nickname 'GotDex' during her years of training with the amazons. The skill masters kept trying to get her to build up her strength to use the bigger weapons. She always had problems trying to throw the javelin, and she could only hold the smallest shields. Her work with the spear was terrible due to her lack of strength. When these things were pointed out to her, she would smile and say that while strength was nice, it took dexterity to aim a bow, and one arrow in the right place would do all that she needed. The hard thing was, she could back it up. She was more accurate with a bow then any of the trainees. She would always hit her mark. Her focus on dexterity and agility was fanatical but it got results. One day, one of the students who excelled with the spear, got tired of hearing her answer the master with "I've got dex, and it will serve me well..." and decided to show her what strength really meant. She took her spear and with a mighty yell, charged Diane. Maybe it was the yell, or maybe just that alertness and agility she always spoke of, but Diane just turned and looked at the charging girl. She calmly waited for the girl to arrive and then deftly dropped and rolled to the right as the charging girl rush through where Diane had just been. Enraged, the girl pulled herself to a stop and turned around, determined to get this weak little girl this time. As she brought the heavy spear around to start another attack she came up short as she found herself staring at an arrow leveled at her head. Diane smiled and said, "GotDex?".

The rogues in camp looked at the scruffy stranger and scoffed at her bow. It was just a short bow, nothing fancy, at all and it seemed to them that there was a dark line across the top of the bow like a crack. No one would carry a cracked bow, would they?

After speaking with the elder in charge of the camp, GotDex learned of the problems of the rogues, she told the elder that she would seek out the this Den of Evil she spoke of and take care of the demon that dwelled there. The elder looked at her and said, 'We are grateful for the help, but you do not seem to be well equipped for battle.' GotDex smiled, and said that she was more than able to handle a few demons.

With that she strung her bow which made an odd creak as she did so and headed out of the camp. Now truth be told, GotDex didn't travel alone, being a trained amazon she could and did summon a spirit fighter to travel with her. Many foes spent to much time trying to defeat the spirit and not it's master. She had a companion in arms by the name of Gulzar who traveled with her and shared the spoils of their battles. Gulzar was nothing more than a mercenary but GotDex took secret glee in the fact she had a male retainer who followed her around and used a spear to fight with.

Just outside of the gates they found zombies milling around. GotDex thought about asking their names, but decided it would be easier to put an arrow in them instead.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110304.jpg[/img]

It took more arrows than expected but finally the evil things fell.

Evil animals shooting spikes and demons roamed this land with the zombies. Truly a cursed place if ever there was one.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110305.jpg[/img]

Even the remaining houses had been abandoned to the incoming hoard. GotDex was searching one and found a really fine bow. She thought about taking it, but decided to leave it in hopes that it's owner would find it.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110306.jpg[/img]

After clearing some of the countryside, GotDex found the Den. She saw many tracks leading in and out of the hole and entered into it.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110307.jpg[/img]

It was a dark place, hard to see. She could hear things moving around her. Her spirit wandered out into the tunnels and by the glow of the spirit GotDex saw the demons. She started sending a stream of arrows into the evil things.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110308.jpg[/img]

Many types of monsters inhabited this foul place. Tunnel by tunnel GotDex cleared out the den. Several of the fighters in the camp had warned her of an evil monster named Corpsefire. They said that he travels with a pack and seemed to chill your soul when he hit you. Turning a corner, GotDex saw the pack of zombies with Corpsefire in the center. The battle had started.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110310.jpg[/img]

It was a long battle with many foes to attack and hold off at the same time. GotDex was glad to have her companions to help against so many at once. Both Gulzar and the spirit were blue with cold from fighting the monster, but GotDex having stayed in the back of the battle launching arrows never felt the zombie's cold touch.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110311.jpg[/img]

Tunnel by tunnel the evil died. Soon there was a rejoicing and a light shone down from above! The Den had been cleared.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110313.jpg[/img]

Back at the camp GotDex was shocked to learn that these were not the demons that had expelled the rogues. She had not understood correctly that the rogues lived far away.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110314.jpg[/img]

One interesting thing was found in the den. When Corpsefire fell, a burnt wand fell. GotDex learned in the camp that it could cast a spell to bind enemies for a time. She packed it away thinking it might come in useful one day.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110315.jpg[/img]

She was asked to take on another quest for the rogues. This one was father away to get rid of an undead rogue. GotDex accepted the quest but thought these rogues were leading her on.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110316.jpg[/img]

At the edge of the valley where the rogues camp was, GotDex came across a sentry wielding a large heavy bow. The sentry warned GotDex about the dangers ahead.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110317.jpg[/img]

Shortly after the sentry, GotDex found the waypoint of ColdPlains. Somewhere off this valley was the burial grounds she was told off.

She cleared the land of evil as she went. As she traveled, she found another item of interest. A charm that seem to make her faster and her arrows hit harder. She placed it in her pack with the others that she kept there.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110319.jpg[/img]

There seemed to be no end of evil monsters and demons in this land. The battles were long and the ground ran red with blood from the fights.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110320.jpg[/img]

All these undead rogues, GotDex knew she must be getting close.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110322.jpg[/img]

The trio found the entrance to the burial grounds and entered. Inside they found Blood Raven. The demon never seemed to stand still! It took all the effort GotDex could muster to just to hit this demon. To make matters worse, the demon summoned the dead from the graves to fight at her side! GotDex couldn't believe what she had gotten herself into, but it was too late to worry about that now. Either she or Blood Raven would have to die here and now.

[img]http://lovemymac.net/d2pics/04110323.jpg[/img]

In the end, GotDex was able to use the battlefield to her advantage to keep the zombies off her back while she kept firing at Blood Raven. She was glad of her skill in using an arrow to stun and knockback a foe. She needed the skill to slow the attack of Blood Raven. The battle was long, but in the end, Blood Raven fell.