First assassin, Need help.

[Noumenon]

First assassin, Need help.

I've just recently got back into playing D2 and I want to make some builds that are fresh and fun (and hopefully effective, at least in PvM) I thought immediately to make an assassin, since I've never had one. I saw the 'bow assassin' thread and it made me think of something interesting...But I need to ask a few questions.

If I were to use Venom, Would it apply to my bow? And should I bother maxing it if I plan on using the new assassin runeword? Or will the small % to cast a level 15 Venom cancel out my higher level one?

I was thinking about maybe saving points by not putting them in Venom and just HOPING it will cast. And that brings me to another question.

Trang-Ouls Gloves? Would it be worth it to put it on a Venom using assassin? And would it change the damage of the Venom I get from the armor?

While thinking about the possibility of Trang-Ouls gloves, I thought about getting a belt and using it! This would give me the +18 fireball bonus AND Cannot Be Frozen (So I may not have to use a Raven Frost)

Well with that out of the way. What level should my Shadow Master be for her to spawn with all her best gear?

Now I'd be focusing the rest on my build on Traps. But which ones? Should I use Light Sentry for the higher damage (I think) or Death Sentry to 'splode those silly corpses (Possibly adding to the fun factor) Now I'll be synergizing these with Shock Web (Again, for the fun factor...and that I can blanket them for even more mass destruction)

Now for equipment.

Shako +2 skills, other good bonuses
Treachery(?) Runeword armor
Trang-Ouls Gloves
Trang-Ouls Belt
+2 All skills amulet (Maras probably)
2x Soj OR 2xBK rings..OR one of each (Depends on which is cheapest)
Boots, I'm not sure of. Suggestions would be nice.
Now for the main thing.

The bow, I've narrowed it down to two bows (Suggestions are welcome) but it brings me to another question.


Does Venom apply to the Kuko spread?

Or should I use Eaglehorn (Higher damage, ignor target defense)

Thanks everyone (For hopefully helping)

EDIT: I realize this build could be complete crap. But I think it has SOME potential, honestly. But remember I thought of it with the word 'FUN' in mind. and it DOES sound like fun.

I think it could be quite the PvM assassin. Tri-Elemental damage (Along with physical from the bow, shadow master and merc)

Ahh, Probably a holy freeze merc for crowd control (Maybe an act 3 cold merc for freeze AND the cold damage)

 

[Mahric]

Venom should transfer, but with 25% CtC on striking, the level 15 Venom from Treachery will cancel out what you cast. I don't know if Venom applies to the Kuko spread ... I would guess not.

Others may not agree, but I don't see the point of using a bow, when you could use Blade Fury :
Also a ranged attack - only requires one point to be effective, though Claw Mastery makes it better if you're using claws.
You could use Weapon/Shield or Dual Claw ... both allow you to block (which you can't do with a bow)
Never runs out of ammo
Venom transfers to BF too
Plus skills from Claws or Shield will increase trap damage and SM.

Death Sentry is incredible in PVM ... synergise with Lightning Sentry. I wouldn't bother with Shock Web unless your main trap is LS.

Shadow Master level 17 gets the last equipment upgrade (rare amulet)

MAX Death Sentry
MAX Lightning Sentry
MAX Shadow Master
1 in Blade Fury
1-20 in Claw Mastery if you use claws
0 in Venom ... if you use Treachery.

Trang's Gloves do increase Venom damage, but not by much and there are probably better options for gloves (Dracul's or even Bloodfist). If you Max Venom and use Bramble Armour instead of Treachery, then go with Trangs for increased damage.

Level 18 Fireball doesn't do much damage ... it's fun for a while, but you'd be better off casting traps and use the bow or BF to leech back mana.

The Act3 Merc doesn't do well with Death Sentry because frozen bodies shatter ... I don't think Holy Freeze will do this, so recommend the Act2 Merc. An Insight polearm would give you Meditation Aura ... or if you can afford it at later levels, Infinity polearm gives Conviction Aura.


Good luck and have fun.

 

[Noumenon]

I would consider the Bramble thing, but as I stated..I just restarted playing D2 not to long ago...And I don't have much (Trying to keep this build at least semi-low cost)

And I've always had an affinity for bows. So it just adds to the fun factor for me.

Thanks for the help.

EDIT: I just checked out the stats on Bramble and I really wish I could get one. Perhaps I'll just save up a whole lot until I'm able to..

We'll see how it goes, I guess.

Can it really get above 100% poison skill damage like this site says? I thought it had a 50 cap.

 

[Mahric]

RE: Kuko - The FAQ page says that Venom only applies to the target creature, not the damage spread.