Pure Bowazon viable?
- Thread starter Nukeman8
- Start date
Nukeman8 said:
I would say no, points in the passive tree is absolutely necessary for any bowazon. Also, guided arrow does not pierce and come back as before, so it is not the killer it used to be (not in PvM anyway).
A "pure" PvM bowazon nowadays usually has at least one point in freezing arrow (more if you want to kill with it, in which case you also may want to synergize it), Max either strafe or multi (depending on bow), Max Pierce (less if you use equip with pierce), Max Penetrate, D/A/E at ~50%, Valkyrie at >lvl17, Max Critical strike (less if you use ezquip with deadly strike).
First of all i think with pure bowazon he meant bow + passive skills, can't imagine anyone ignoring the nice passive bonuses (even with only 1 skill point each in them).
I'm wondering about making one too for the new ladder, but after reading some guides and quite a bit of forums posts here decided to go with a hybrid since lightning javelin skills seem rather nice and useful even in hell. Just not sure about skill point distribution...
max Lightning Fury (for general use), Charged Strike (for bosses), and Strafe (for Lightning Immunes), with the rest in Valk?
Or less in strafe and more in passives?
Just never played Amazon before and looking for something that won't need to cry for help even in 4+ player Hell games.
I'm wondering about making one too for the new ladder, but after reading some guides and quite a bit of forums posts here decided to go with a hybrid since lightning javelin skills seem rather nice and useful even in hell. Just not sure about skill point distribution...
max Lightning Fury (for general use), Charged Strike (for bosses), and Strafe (for Lightning Immunes), with the rest in Valk?
Or less in strafe and more in passives?
Just never played Amazon before and looking for something that won't need to cry for help even in 4+ player Hell games.
Hector
Diabloii.Net Member
Bowazons are certainly Hell viable, no doubt about it if you are a skilled player. Javazons are easier and require less gear, but a real expert player can control any battlefield as a good Bowazon. Don't expect to kill as fast as the cheesy Hammerdin ou there, but you will still kill fast enough.
If you want a Freezing Arrow Bowazon, she can get away with inferior equipment provided you max the Cold Arrow synergy and add a few +skillers. Cold Immunities will pose a problem but you still can take them out with your physical attacks.
The Physical damage Bowazon, though, can be more powerful if you manage to get her the 'top gear'. Windforce, Atma's Amulet (for Amplify Damage), A Might mercenary with Pride Weapon (Concentration Aura) will ensure you do more than enough damage.
Bowazon equipment mods checklist:
- Increased Attack Speed is absolutely mandatory; Shael your bow, add IAS jewels to armor and helm, use 20 IAS gloves too, make sure you shoot very fast;
- 90-100% Pierce;
- Strong Valkyrie;
- High DEX, Critical Strike, Attack Rating;
- Cannot Be Frozen and added Cold damage to arrows to slow enemies down (Raven Frost can take care of both AND add DEX/AR);
- A source of Poison damage and/or Prevent Monster Heal to stop monster regen;
- Mana and Life steal.
You don't really need to care about high defense armor or a lot of +skills. Speed and technique can take you anywhere in the game.
Stats: enough STR for bow, as much DEX as possible, a bit of VIT if you feel the need, and NO Energy of course.
Skills:
For a physical build, I would recommend:
Max Strafe, 1 point into all pre-requisites and Freeezing Arrow (good crowd control skill);
Max Penetrate, you need all AR you can get;
Max Critical Strike;
Pierce depends on your gear; if you use a Razortail, add less;
1 D/A/E and let +skills raise them. You don't really need these;
Max Valk or enough so that she's Level 17;
1 into pre-reqs.
Skill points should not be a problem, you can use the leftovers to customize your Amazon and add them to defensive passives or increase your offense, it is up to you. Multiple Shot can get a few points too for situational use, but Guided Arrow is really not that useful anymore and should stay Lv.1 unless you plan to duel. GA can be used on bosses for the Autohit property, but if you're not having problems to hit, Strafe is just MUCH faster to dealing damage to a single target.
If you want a Freezing Arrow Bowazon, she can get away with inferior equipment provided you max the Cold Arrow synergy and add a few +skillers. Cold Immunities will pose a problem but you still can take them out with your physical attacks.
The Physical damage Bowazon, though, can be more powerful if you manage to get her the 'top gear'. Windforce, Atma's Amulet (for Amplify Damage), A Might mercenary with Pride Weapon (Concentration Aura) will ensure you do more than enough damage.
Bowazon equipment mods checklist:
- Increased Attack Speed is absolutely mandatory; Shael your bow, add IAS jewels to armor and helm, use 20 IAS gloves too, make sure you shoot very fast;
- 90-100% Pierce;
- Strong Valkyrie;
- High DEX, Critical Strike, Attack Rating;
- Cannot Be Frozen and added Cold damage to arrows to slow enemies down (Raven Frost can take care of both AND add DEX/AR);
- A source of Poison damage and/or Prevent Monster Heal to stop monster regen;
- Mana and Life steal.
You don't really need to care about high defense armor or a lot of +skills. Speed and technique can take you anywhere in the game.
Stats: enough STR for bow, as much DEX as possible, a bit of VIT if you feel the need, and NO Energy of course.
Skills:
For a physical build, I would recommend:
Max Strafe, 1 point into all pre-requisites and Freeezing Arrow (good crowd control skill);
Max Penetrate, you need all AR you can get;
Max Critical Strike;
Pierce depends on your gear; if you use a Razortail, add less;
1 D/A/E and let +skills raise them. You don't really need these;
Max Valk or enough so that she's Level 17;
1 into pre-reqs.
Skill points should not be a problem, you can use the leftovers to customize your Amazon and add them to defensive passives or increase your offense, it is up to you. Multiple Shot can get a few points too for situational use, but Guided Arrow is really not that useful anymore and should stay Lv.1 unless you plan to duel. GA can be used on bosses for the Autohit property, but if you're not having problems to hit, Strafe is just MUCH faster to dealing damage to a single target.
Thanks for the replys and yes i didnt mean just solely bows i would be using the passive tree aswell, i use to like having both mutlishot and strafe due to them both being good in certain situations, i take it thats no longer so?
and guided arrow is a no go aswell? for pvm
and guided arrow is a no go aswell? for pvm
Hector
Diabloii.Net Member
Yes using both Strafe and MS is a good idea. However you don't need to max Multiple Shot to make it useful. I'd say Lv.10 at most, it will give enough spread of arrows for you to play with. It's good to hit HUGE mobs (better than Strafe does) and to kill enemies offscreen (like Summoner).Nukeman8 said:
Guided's damage only increases a bit and it is not really worth to add more than 1 point into it. Use it on bosses, only if you are having trouble to hit them; otherwise Strafe will kill faster.
only going with 1 point in most of the passive side of things, looks like i dump the 20 points in guided and use them to power up freezing arrow,Lensor said:Sorry, I misunderstood. I was thinking that because max fa + max multi + max guided + max strafe = 80+ skillponts, you did not plan to put too many points in the passive tree, atleast not until higher levels. My bad
thanks for all the replys