Faith or Wait?

[IfGodWasAcokeIdDrinkHim]

I love playing a strafer. Always had a good time running around all fast and sniping everything that moves at breakneck speeds. My rune stash currently includes a Jah and I can cube the Ohm. My main concern is at the moment I lack a bow to slap it all into. I am not entierly sure what bow I should even use, so some recommendations on that would be lovely.

Also, would I be better off waiting to find a WF or just use an uped WWS? I am debating keeping the Jah for an Enigma or something else but honestly don't know how long that will be and like I said, I do enjoy the build.

What do you guys think I should do here? People who have made the bow, was it worth it? What base did you use, and with it were you able to run say, the pits or baal more efficiently than before with other weapons? Just looking for some advice, mostly I am apprehensive to drop these HR's if I wont be getting the most out of them. Thanks in advance.

 

[Darkthrone]

Faith is probably my most desired runeword at this point (I have an Enigma). I'm in a similar situation in that I have a Jah and can cube on Ohm, but not sure about the base. Either a matriarchal bow with +3 skills, or a hydra bow. I remember when talking about this before, someone said for max damage (if that's a goal of yours) you should equip your mercenary with Faith and use a Windforce yourself.

I can only speak for my experiences, but keep in mind that a runeword like Enigma is far more versatile than a Faith, so if you're short on runes or wondering when the next Jah might drop, you might consider making an Enigma. On the other hand, if you don't play those kinds of characters than maybe a Faith is the way to go.

 

[IfGodWasAcokeIdDrinkHim]

I figure ill get more use out of the Faith then a Enigma. Also, if I get a Ber ill be saving it for infinity because I had one years ago and loved it. I just looked through my socket stash and saw I have a 4 socketed Shadow Bow. With 0 WSM and one of the lowest strength requirements, I really think I might use this for my Faith so anyone can use it without to much hassle. The dex. is a little high but if I were to use this on any character I am sure I would find 180 attainable.

Would it be a mistake to make Faith in a Shadow Bow? I can still hit all the breakpoints and everything with that base, right?

 

[Grape]

I've myself a Faith in Shadow Bow. It was used by an Act 1 merc though

so there's also that aspect if you don't make it in Amazon only base, opens up more possibilities. If I had to do it again, Diamon Bow would be an another Bow I'd take into consideration. Same speed, a bit easier requirements, almost identical avg damage (higher min, lower max). You will hit good break points quite easily with 0 wsm points iirc. You can also google weapon speed calculator if you want to check it out yourself.

As for the Enigma vs Faith. It's 100% up to you. I valued Enigma more, I could have done Faith before but I didn't.

 

[Syxalis]

I figure ill get more use out of the Faith then a Enigma. Also, if I get a Ber ill be saving it for infinity because I had one years ago and loved it. I just looked through my socket stash and saw I have a 4 socketed Shadow Bow. With 0 WSM and one of the lowest strength requirements, I really think I might use this for my Faith so anyone can use it without to much hassle. The dex. is a little high but if I were to use this on any character I am sure I would find 180 attainable.

Would it be a mistake to make Faith in a Shadow Bow? I can still hit all the breakpoints and everything with that base, right?

I would give this thread a read: http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?744099-Base-Type-for-Faith/page2

 

[Dodgydave]

Which would you use more?

Will it give you more enjoyment out of making a Faith now or the potential for a theoretical Enigma in the future?

Depending on how you answer those questions would determine what I would do with the Jah.

 

[IfGodWasAcokeIdDrinkHim]

Thank's for the quick input gents.. When I hit level 65 I shall go ahead and make the runes and set them in. Not going for every single damage poinr I can get, nor the BEST possible item. I just want it because I've dreamed about it for ages Pindle and cows and all sorts of areas will now be a breeze to run through. I decided to pck a normal diamond bow. I shall post the readout when it's competed.

 

[IfGodWasAcokeIdDrinkHim]

I went ahead and did it. Oh snap, look at them rolls!!! So happy I did this!


Faith
Shadow Bow
'OhmJahLemEld'
Two-Hand Damage: 64 to 253
Required Dexterity: 188
Required Strength: 52
Required Level: 65
Bow Class - Normal Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x166337d5
+330% Enhanced Damage
All Resistances +15
+120 fire damage
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Ignore Target Defense
300% Bonus to Attack Rating
75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
+2 to All Skill Levels
Level 15 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
10% Reanimate As: Returned
Socketed (4: 4 used)

 

[pharphis]

very nice!

OT: Is there a backstory to your name? It made me laugh

 

[IfGodWasAcokeIdDrinkHim]

Thanks!

As for a back story- I was drinking a cola when it asked me for a user name, and I tend to think rather oddly. Not much of a story but thee ya have it. Glad you enjoyed it

 

[Grape]

Nice roll, graz!

You have exactly the same story as I have... but you came up with something a bit more original. I was drinking a long drink made of grapefruit juice and gin. For a moment I thought that grape equals grapefruit. I blame gin.

 

[Darkthrone]

Damn now I want to make mine, but don't have the base for it yet (not that I've looked really hard).

 

[Crazy Runner Guy]

As my Faith'd Shadow Bow is a +1/slvl 12, I hate you. You made the best decision. There are really only two (three) bows worth making Faith in and they're all dependent on how much IAS you want to pack to make it hit 7 FPA (b/c WF Strafter > Faith Strafer due to bug).

The first (and the plus two) is a Shadow/Ward/Diamond bow. You hit the last BP /w 65 or 70 IAS, depending on Fanat slvl (50/50 chance), can use it on a merc, and the base damage is great. With a 07 Valk /w IAS jewel and LoH, you've got 65 IAS and can hit the BP /w only two pieces for IAS (sadly, my roll needs three pieces to get to 70...)

The second is a Mat bow. You hit the last BP's /w 45 or 50 IAS (50/50 chance), can't use it on a merc, has the lowest base damage, lower strength requirement, but because of the lower IAS requirement you can hit your needed IAS breakpoint very easily. You could also use a Great Bow here to keep the same WSM (-10) but allow your merc to use it (if that is important to you).

Other bows really aren't worth it - Hydra/Crusader/GMB's require too many pieces dedicated to IAS to really do anything with (and if you're making a Faith, you really need to have an Enigma or Fort to partner with it). And if you roll terribly (sllv 12), you need to use Sigon/IK gloves and the accompanying boots to hit the 95% IAS BP and still have an IAS-free armor. Their damage is nice, but you lose too much.

 

[IfGodWasAcokeIdDrinkHim]

When I made it I was watching those levels and praying. For a second I didn't realize I capped out the fant. until I looked it up. I was more excited I hit +2 skills at first hahah.

Thanks for the confirmation CRG. I feel a lot better having made it, and I know I will get some good use out of it. Since I lack the WF that I shall be looking for in the pits with this character in the future, would it be a good idea to use the faith on the merc and hold an upped WWS? That's my next best option I think. Of course ill be holding it for awhile because it's so freaking cool!! With an act 2 might... ahhh, painful shots!

Sidenote- do you mean I need to have an Enigma or Fort to make the most out of my bow or did you mean if you rolled lower on the aura range?

 

[Crazy Runner Guy]

When I made it I was watching those levels and praying. For a second I didn't realize I capped out the fant. until I looked it up. I was more excited I hit +2 skills at first hahah.

Thanks for the confirmation CRG. I feel a lot better having made it, and I know I will get some good use out of it. Since I lack the WF that I shall be looking for in the pits with this character in the future, would it be a good idea to use the faith on the merc and hold an upped WWS? That's my next best option I think. Of course ill be holding it for awhile because it's so freaking cool!! With an act 2 might... ahhh, painful shots!

Sidenote- do you mean I need to have an Enigma or Fort to make the most out of my bow or did you mean if you rolled lower on the aura range?

I made a Pride for an Act 2 Might merc to use whilst I wielded Faith and wore Enigma or Fort. It's a great combo and really eviscerates more or less everything that isn't an Act boss. Expensive, yes, but a great merc weapon if you either play in an area without PI's or have a way to deal with them (Atma's, e.g.). Your other option is to use Reapers to get the decripify rolling to increase your damage.

I meant for Enigma/Fort as they are great armors for Zon's. Both give you added damage from the %ED or the strength boost, and if you don't need teleport or the added fr/w, Fort can't be beat. I am currently right now trying to figure out a way to get a pure Bowazon to clvl 99 (and I really don't want to have to go cold arrows route).

If you want to really dig into this, check out: In-Depth Bow Comparison - by the numbers.

Also, my analysis is somewhat skewed b/c I have a v1.07 Valk Wing (30% each IAS/FCR/FRW/FHR).