Diablo 2: The Brother (And Sister)hood of EoFF

[LunarWeaver]

DO NOT WANT MOAR SORC.


Chimney, do you remember Mystic_Power? He was in the game where we were killing Mephisto and everybody started dying. The one where they all freaked out and were like, "Ur all noobs omg omg omg omg." Then you came in 3/4 of the way through, long after the troubles started, and they all said it was your fault :laugh:

[Tavrobel]

My Paladin only needs a few more levels until he can start using Conviction. AID ME!

[Nominus Experse]

Hellgate:London uses guns and .
Diablo is rife with swords, axes and sweat.

Although Hellgate looks interesting, and I will likely purchase and play it, it won't have the same effect on me as Diablo did/does. I want swords and ancient, troubled times - not pseudo-Fallout... things.

But I would love to be proven wrong.

[LunarWeaver]

They probably only went the gun route to try something new and distance the comparisons to Diablo as much as possible (though they're still similar in terms of dark-fantasy atmosphere anyway). Bows, guns, it's all the same *waves hand*

I don't think many games will match the impact of Diablo or what the sequel became. They refined the hack-n'-slash genre to a new level, and it's one the most heavily copied games ever. It's pretty amazing how they made a game composed almost entirely of clicking one button over and over so fun and addictive.

I actually feel bad for them >_> The pressure to spit out something crazy-omg-new is really on, and the same still holds true for Blizzard's other franchises still going. It's like the Final Fantasy of PCs.

[Nominus Experse]

Blizzard does receive a lot of hate/love.

Sometimes I begin feeling bad for them, and then I think of Iron Maiden...

[Tavrobel]

Blizzard does receive a lot of hate/love.

Sometimes I begin feeling bad for them, and then I think of Iron Maiden... remember the crap they pulled on SC and the fact that they have neglected their loyal DII and SC fans for such a long while. Then I remember that it would be better for my blood pressure to blow up their headquarters.

Fixed.

[Markus. D]

My only problem with the upcoming London thingy.

is that Guns are probably going to be a massive imbalance... unless they are like... really weak or something.

[LunarWeaver]

Why is the Clay Golem the only one that gets more life per point? The others only get it from a synergy with Blood Golem or Golem Mastery.

In fact, I tested it using that thingie I always use to test skills, and Clay Golem actually gets more life per point in it than it does leveling Golem Mastery. My Poisonmancer used Clay Golem and put points in the actual skill, defying Chimney's advice to do Golem Mastery instead because I just thought he was retarded. But it seems to be special, so normally he is right.

If Fire Golem is going to cost all my mana, I demand it get billions of life *throws a dinner plate*

Well, the whole natural HP boost per difficulty level is nice, I'll at least give it that *glues dinner plate together again*.

[Tavrobel]

Why is the Clay Golem the only one that gets more life per point? The others only get it from a synergy with Blood Golem or Golem Mastery.

Because according to Blizzard, it doesn't have any special properties. It's not spectacular or special. Fire Golem has Holy Fire, Fire Absorb, and a Fire attack. Blood Golem shares, steals, and distributes HP. Metal Golem has Thorns and properites of a metal item, of many are extremely good. All of the following can potentially be abused in incredible ways, except Clay Golem; of which has a something close to 90% Slow and massive HP, even if it does take damage from everything, makes it the far more valuable of ALL of the golems.

[LunarWeaver]

That's why?! xD

Slows Enemy > 1-3 damage Holy Fire aura.

Okay, I took a gander here. This is with Golem Master at level 20, and then Clay and Fire each at level 20.

Clay Golem
creates a golem from the earth
to fight by your side

Attack: 940
Defense: 135

Current Skill Level: 20
Life: 3863
Life: 6760 (N)
Life: 10623 (H)
Damage: 17-44
Damage: 17-53 (N)
Damage: 26-61 (H)
Attack Bonus: +400
Slows Enemies: 63 percent
Mana Cost: 72

Fire Golem
creates a golem that converts the damage
it receives from fire into life

Life: 1580
Life: 3095 (N)
Life: 5115 (H)
Attack: 1020
Defense: 235

Current Skill Level: 20
Absorbs 88 percent fire damage
Damage: 10-27
Damage: 15-39 (N)
Damage: 18-47 (H)
Fire Damage: 401-449
Holy Fire 34-36
Mana Cost: 240

Here's a helpful Key:
Blue= Yes, please.
Red= Lol, nothx.

I have to remake my entire summoner later because I don't want Fire Golem anymore. Maybe if he absorbed Lightning... *eyes the Soul family of monsters*

[Nominus Experse]

Since the Fire Golem is completely immune to Fire attacks anyways, he won't absorb any of the Fire damage done to him.

Yay Blizzard.



Also, if you have any questions regarding a Necromancer's pets, use this calculator:
Necromancer Pet Calculator

Remember that the character and skill screen lie as they show smurfed up/incomplete data... So using calculators is best in such situations.

[SeeDRankLou]

Yeah, a Fire Golem can be quite useful in places like the Sewers in act 2.

[Nominus Experse]

I thought that a list of low-level/cheap runewords would be useful, and so here they are:


========================================================

Steel
Char. Level:13

2 Socket
Swords / Axes / Maces

Tir
El

20% Enhanced Damage
+3 To Minimum Damage
+3 To Maximum Damage
+50 To Attack Rating
50% Chance Of Open Wounds
25% Increased Attack Speed
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+1 To Light Radius

========================================================

Nadir
Char. Level:13

2 Socket
Helms

Nef
Tir

+50% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense
+30 Defense vs. Missile
Level 13 Cloak of Shadows (9 Charges)
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+5 To Strength
-33% Extra Gold From Monsters
-3 To Light Radius

========================================================

Malice
Char. Level:15

3 Socket
Melee Weapons

Ith
El
Eth

+33% Enhanced Damage
+9 To Maximum Damage
100% Chance Of Open Wounds
-25% Target Defense
-100 To Monster Defense Per Hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+50 To Attack Rating
Drain Life -5

========================================================

Stealth
Char. Level:17

2 Socket
Body Armor

Tal
Eth

Magic Damage Reduced By 3
+6 To Dexterity
+15 To Maximum Stamina
Poison Resist +30%
Regenerate Mana 15%
25% Faster Run/Walk
25% Faster Cast Rate
25% Faster Hit Recovery

========================================================

Leaf
Char. Level:19

2 Socket
Staves
NOTE: Staves does not
include Orbs

Tir
Ral

Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
+3 To Fire Skills
+3 To Fire Bolt (Sorceress Only)
+3 To Inferno (Sorceress Only)
+3 To Warmth (Sorceress Only)
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+ (2 Per Character Level) +2-198 To Defense (Based On Character Level)
Cold Resist +33%

========================================================

Strength
Char. Level:25

2 Socket
Melee Weapons

Amn
Tir

35% Enhanced Damage
25% Chance Of Crushing Blow
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+20 To Strength
+10 To Vitality

========================================================


Lore
Char. Level:27

2 Socket
Helms

Ort
Sol

+1 To All Skill Levels
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Lightning Resist +30%
Damage Reduced By 7

========================================================

Ancient's Pledge
Char. Level:21

3 Socket
Shields

Ral
Ort
Tal

+50% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +43%
Fire Resist +48%
Lightning Resist +48%
Poison Resist +48%
10% Damage Goes To Mana

========================================================

Zephyr
Char. Level:21

2 Socket
Missile Weapons

Ort
Eth

+33% Enhanced Damage
+66 To Attack Rating
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
-25% Target Defense
+25 Defense
25% Faster Run/Walk
25% Increased Attack Speed
7% Chance To Cast Level 1 Twister When Struck

========================================================

Holy Thunder
Char. Level:21

4 Socket
Scepters

Eth
Ral
Ort
Tal

+60% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
Adds 21-110 Lightning Damage
+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
+10 To Maximum Damage
Lightning Resistance +60%
+5 To Maximum Lightning Resistance
+3 To Holy Shock (Paladin Only)
Level 7 Chain Lightning (60 Charges)

========================================================

Edge
Char. Level:25

3 Socket
Missile Weapons

Tir
Tal
Amn

Level 15 Thorns Aura When Equipped
+35% Increased Attack Speed
+320-380% Damage To Demons (varies)
+280% Damage To Undead
+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+5-10 To All Attributes (varies)
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Reduces All Vendor Prices 15%

========================================================

Spirit
Char. Level:25

4 Socket
Swords / Shields

Tal
Thul
Ort
Amn

Weapons:
+2 To All Skills
+25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage 3 Second Duration (Normal)
+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
+250 Defense Vs. Missile
+22 To Vitality
+89-112 To Mana (varies)
+3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)

Shields:
+2 To All Skills
+25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense Vs. Missile
+22 To Vitality
+89-112 To Mana (varies)
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)
Attacker Takes Damage of 14

========================================================

King's Grace
Char. Level:25
3 Socket
Swords / Scepters

Amn
Ral
Thul

+100% Enhanced Damage
+100% Damage To Demons
+50% Damage To Undead
Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage - 3 Second Duration
+150 To Attack Rating
+100 To Attack Rating Against Demons
+100 To Attack Rating Against Undead
7% Life Stolen Per Hit

========================================================

Honor
Char. Level:27

5 Socket
Melee Weapons

Amn
El
Ith
Tir
Sol

+160% Enhanced Damage
+9 To Minimum Damage
+9 To Maximum Damage
25% Deadly Strike
+250 To Attack Rating
+1 to All Skills
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
Replenish Life +10
+10 To Strength
+1 To Light Radius
+2 To Mana After Each Kill

========================================================

Radiance
Char. Level:27

3 Socket
Helms

Nef
Sol
Ith

+75% Enhanced Defense
+30 Defense Vs. Missile
+10 To Energy
+10 To Vitality
15% Damage Goes To Mana
Magic Damage Reduced By 3
+33 To Mana
Damage Reduced By 7
+5 To Light Radius

========================================================

Insight
Char. Level:27

4 Socket
Polearms / Staves

Ral
Tir
Tal
Sol

Level 10-17 Meditation Aura When Equipped (varies)
+35% Faster Cast Rate
+200-260% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+9 To Minimum Damage
180-250% Bonus to Attack Rating (varies)
Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
+1-6 To Critical Strike (varies)
+5 To All Attributes
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

========================================================

Peace (Amazon)
Char. Level:29

3 Socket
Body Armor

Shael
Thul
Amn

4% Chance To Cast Level 5 Slow Missiles When Struck
2% Chance To Cast level 15 Valkyrie On Striking
+2 To Amazon Skill Levels
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+2 To Critical Strike
Cold Resist +30%
Attacker Takes Damage of 14

========================================================

Rhyme
Char. Level:29

2 Socket
Shields

Shael
Eth

20% Increased Chance of Blocking
40% Faster Block Rate
All Resistances +25
Regenerate Mana 15%
Cannot Be Frozen
50% Extra Gold From Monsters
25% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items

========================================================

White
Char. Level:35

2 Socket
Wands

Dol
Io

Hit Causes Monster To Flee 25%
+10 To Vitality
+3 To Poison And Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
+3 To Bone Armor (Necromancer Only)
+2 To Bone Spear (Necromancer Only)
+4 To Skeleton Mastery (Necromancer Only)
Magic Damage Reduced By 4
20% Faster Cast Rate
+13 To Mana

========================================================

Black
Char. Level:35

3 Socket
Clubs / Hammers / Maces

Thul
Io
Nef

+120% Enhanced Damage
40% Chance Of Crushing Blow
+200 To Attack Rating
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage - Cold Duration 3 Seconds
+10 To Vitality
15% Increased Attack Speed
Knockback
Magic Damage Reduced By 2
Level 4 Corpse Explosion (12 Charges)

========================================================

Splendor
Char. Level:37
v1.10 - 1.11Only

2 Socket
Shields

Eth
Lum

+1 To All Skills
+10% Faster Cast Rate
+20% Faster Block Rate
+60-100% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+10 To Energy
Regenerate Mana 15%
50% Extra Gold From Monsters
20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+3 To Light Radius

========================================================

Harmony
Char. Level:39

4 Socket
Missile Weapons

Tir
Ith
Sol
Ko

Level 10 Vigor Aura When Equipped
+200-275% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+9 To Minimum Damage
+9 To Maximum Damage
Adds 55-160 Lightning Damage
Adds 55-160 Fire Damage
Adds 55-160 Cold Damage
+2-6 To Valkyrie (varies)
+10 To Dexterity
Regenerate Mana 20%
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+2 To Light Radius
Level 20 Revive (25 Charges)

========================================================

I have found making Stealth, Leaf, White, Zephyr, Lore, and most of all Insight, useful.

But there are plenty of others that I haven't once bothered using/trying.



Also, as a last note, remember that Class-specific white/superior items can spawn with up to three [four?] +3 Class Specific Skill modifiers.

i.e.:
Grim Wand
+3 Bone Spear
+3 Teeth
+3 Bone Armour / Bone Spirit
2 open Sockets

Making a White (Dol + Io) would make this a truly extraordinary wand for a Bone Necromancer.

Same thing can be done with a +Skill Staff when making Leaf, or making a Splendor out of a Voodoo head with +Skills as well, etcetera etcetera....

[Giga Guess]

Yeah, but doesn't the game cap + Skills to 3 if it's relevant to the character? Or is that only if the + Skill is unspecified, like Enigma's Teleport?

[Nominus Experse]

Hmm, I don't know exactly, but for one reason or another, such a thing works with White and Splendor on Wands and Voodoo heads, so I assume that such a thing would work on other class-specific items as well.

I also know that creating a Delirium out of a a Druid's or Barbarian's helm allows you to reach the +5 marks in _____ skill(s).


I really don't know. Let me check Arreat's.

EDIT: I can't find it anywhere on Arreat's, though I know of what you speak of Giga.

EDIT II: Hah! Found it:

Skill Points from Items
Staves, Wands, Scepters and Class-specific items give from 1 to 3 extra skill points. You will receive the skill points only when you have the item or weapon equipped. These items will allow you to use skills that you have researched or spent a skill point. These bonus skill points do not allow you to advance down the skill tree unless you already have a point in that skill. So an item that gives +1 to Teeth for the Necromancer does not enable you to place one point into Corpse Explosion at level 6 until you put at least one point into Teeth.

Some Items give +1 to +2 to all class Skills. These items will only add skill points to those skills, which you already have at least one skill point. You cannot use these items to unlock all of your skills.

Some Unique and Set Items give +1 to +2 to all skills (not class specific). These items will also only give additional skill points to those skills that you already have at least one skill point.

Some Items give +1 to +3 to all Skill Tab Skills such as +1 to all Combat Skills (Paladin), or +3 to all Curses (Necromancer Curses). These items will only give +1 to +3 skill points in skills in that specific Skill Tab. These items will also only give additional skill points to those skills which you already have at least one skill point. These items will not allow character classes use these skills if they don't normally have these skills available.

Skill Points that work for Any Class ("oskill" Skill Points)
The Trang-Oul's Avatar Set gives +18 to Fireball and +13 to Fire Wall. The boost to fireball (as well as Frostwind's arctic blast bonus and a whole lot of other items) are examples of what's internally known as an "oskill". These are skill bonuses that work for any class. If a Necromancer is wearing a Trang-Oul set, he'll get +18 fireball and any +X To All Skills equipment can further increase this. The same applies to all other non-sorceress class wearing a part of that set.

However, oskills work differently for classes that "own" that skill. In this case, it's a Sorceress getting a bonus to Fireball. In the other case, it was a Druid getting a bonus to Arctic Blast. If a character gets an oskill bonus to a skill that class "owns," the bonus is restricted to a maximum of +3. If a Barbarian is dual-wielding Call to Arms runeword weapons, the +3 cap is applied to the total from both weapons. This is all intentional, in order to balance these items.