theOG22093
04-16-2008, 02:57 AM
theOG22093's PvM BowaZon
Introduction
The BowaZon has long been feared in the PvP scene, but this guide will show you how she can also come as a force to be reckoned with in the world of PvM. A BowaZon is an Amazon that specializes in the Bow and Crossbow skill tree, with a mix of Passive and Magic skills. There are many different ways to make a BowaZon, and I feel this is the most sufficient way for what it needs to do. This is not a Glass Cannon build, so please don't post that you recommend it, thanks.
Table of Contents
Section I- Gear Selection
Section II- Stat Distribution
Section III- Skill Allocation
Section IV- IAS Breakpoints
Section V- Leveling
Section I- Gear Selection
As with all builds, the items you use are the key to how successful you are in the game. This is a very gear dependable build, and the items aren't cheap, so know what you're getting your self into.
Helmet-
Their are a few choices here, but the best in my opinion is a three socketed 40 Enchanced Damage/ 15 Increased Attack Speed Jewel Diadem. This will total up to a 120 ED and 40 IAS Helmet, which will greatly boost your damage and how fast you attack.
120 ED/45 IAS Diadem
Couldn't find a link for this, sorry.
Armor-
Many people like a 160/60 4socketed armor here, but I prefer a Fortitude Runeword made in an Archon Plate or Dusk Shroud. This armor is perfect for this build with its enchanced damage, and it even offers some resistances.
Dusk Shroud Fortitude
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/ladder-only/items/1-10-runewords/fortitude-runeword.html
Weapon-
Ahh here's the fun part. There is a good amount of dispute on what you should use here, but I have always prefered Faith in a Grand Matron Bow over all others. This is a perfect weapon for this build with its gorgeous Fanactictism Aura, which greatly improves your IAS and Damage. Also the extra skills can't hurt.
Grand Matron Bow Faith
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/ladder-only/items/1-10-runewords/faith-runeword.html
Gloves-
The best gloves for this build, again in my opinion, are a solid pair of crafted gloves with Increased Attack Speed and Knockback. They can be tricky to find, but try to get some with some extra useful mods, like Mana Leech.
Crafted 20 IAS/Knockback/ 3 Mana Leech Gloves
Couldn't find a link for this, sorry.
Boots-
There's also a good bit of argument on what you should go with here, but i always used Waterwalks. It's great for this build with it's Dexterity/Life Bonus.
Waterwalks
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/exceptional/boots/armor/waterwalk.html
Belt-
The belt of choice for this build is Nosferatu's. It gives a good boost to your strength, and some IAS. Even a little bit of life leech.
Nosferatu's Vampirefang Belt
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/elite/belts/armor/nosferatu-s-coil.html
Jewelry-
A. Amulet-
Cats eye amulet works really good here, considering the IAS is needed, and the dexterity can't hurt.
Cat's Eye Amultet
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/amulets/the-cat-s-eye.html
B.Rings-
ONe 20 to Dexterity Ravenfrost, and a Ml/LL/Other mods ring. The dexterity is greatly needed, and the CBF(Can't Be Frozen) Mod helps. The ML from the ring is GREATLY needed, for multi arrow
20 Dexterity Ravenfrost
6 Mana Leech/6 Life Leech/Dexterity/Life Ring
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/rings/items/raven-frost.html
Inventory-
In your inventory you should have the standard Hellfire Torch Large Charm/Annilus Small Charm combo, and a few resist small charms to help out with that. Many people use Poisin Damage Small Charms, but they are definetly not a necessity.
Hellfire Torch Large Charm
Annilus Small Charm
? Resistance Small Charms
On Switch-
The standard CTA and any Spirit Monarch should work here. The Plus Life and Mana that the Battle orders gives and the defense from the other War Cry really helps.
Call to Arms Flail/Crystal Sword
Spirit Monarch
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/items/1-10-runewords/1-10-runewords/call-to-arms-runeword.html
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/ladder-only/items/1-10-runewords/spirit-runeword.html
Section II- Stat Distribution
Strength-
Here you will only need enough to equip all of your items, taking into mind how much strength each item will give you after equipping it.
Dexterity-
This is the part that always sparks a lot of argument. This is not a glass cannon build, so you're only going to need enough here to equip all of your items.
Vitality-
This build of Bowazon does rely on a decent amount of Life, so put about 100% of your stat points(after putting enough into Dexterity/Strength to equip all of your items) into here.
Energy-
Absolutely none here, as you will have plenty after all of your items are equipped, and you don't need much anyways.
Section III- Skill Allocation
Also another very important factor of any build is the skills, because it is what makes the build. This is the Skill Allocation to use-
Bow and Crossbow
1 into Magic Arrow(Used for Physical Immunes)
1 into Ice Arrow
10 into Multiple Shot
20 into Guided Arrow( Max it last, after Passive and Magic too)
20 into Strafe
Passive and Magic
*1 into Critical Strikee:
*1 into Inner Sight
*1 into Dodge
*1 into Avoid
*1 into Slow Missles
*1 into Penetrate
*1 into Evade
*1 into Decoy
**10 into Valkyrie
*1 into Pierce
*You can achieve the above set-up at Level 72 with no skill quests. That leaves the 12 from skill quests and the 27 from 73-99 skills free. Find what fits you best for the passive and magic with *, because its mostly about preferance. I strongly suggest putting a lot into or even maxing Penetrate, and putting more into Avoid, Dodge, Evade, and Decoy.
**I put Valkyrie at 10, but anywhere from 5-15 should work fine, you decide.
Javelin and Spear
There are some hybrid builds out there, but fortunately this isn't
one of them.
Section IV- IAS Breakpoints
In order for your BowaZon to perform at its pinacle, it needs to be able to dish out arrows quickly. Attack speed is the statistic that determines how fast your arrows will be shot from your bow. Just like FHR(Faster Hit Recovery) and FCR(Faster Cast Rate), IAS has breakpoints it must reach before it will get any faster. With this build we will be hitting 7 frames, or 92 IAS. Here are those Breakpoints with a Faith GMB:
0 IAS 11Frames
6 IAS 10Frames
22IAS 09Frames
46IAS 08Frames
92IAS 07Frames
Section V- Leveling
In this section I will explain a few tactics and strategies that I've picked up over the years to help you have immediate success with your PvM BowaZon.
Classic Leveling
Normal Difficulty
1-15: Tristram Runs
15-20: Tomb Runs
20-25: Cow Runs
25-26: Ancients
26-40: Baal Runs
Nightmare Difficulty
40-41: Ancients
41-60: Baal Runs.
Hell Difficulty
60-61: Ancients
61-80: Baal Runs
80-XX: Chaos/Baal runs.( I prefer Chaos, but its really not too much of a difference.)
One of the best places to run for Exp. with your BowaZon will be the Chaos Sanctuary. It's best to try not to solo it, but have a freind with another character come run the games with you. It's great for Exp. and item drops, and not nearly as boring as Baal runs, so do all of your runs there.
Glitch Rush
Get a freind to glitch rush you to Act4 Hell.(Rush through Act1-5 Normal, and find a baal for quest game, and glitch off some one who can get the quest by being in his party when baal is killed. Repeat in Nightmare. Get rushed from Hell Act1-4.)
After you have recieved the rush to Hell Act4, begin chaos games.
1-25 is kind of slow, but after that it definetly picks up the pace.
1-60 Hell Chaos Runs.
60-61 Hell Ancients
61-80 Hell Baal Runs.
80-XX- Chaos/Baal Runs. ( I prefer Chaos, but its not really too much of a difference.)
CONCLUSION-
This is a very fun and effective build, and I recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it yet. If you follow this guide correctly, your BowaZon will be in tip-top shape, and should have no problems in PvM, and maybe if you choose so, even a little PvP.
-Josh Young
Thanks to:
Diablo2.com for the links in the Gear Selection Section.
Some forum members for the IAS breakpoints.
And all who read it :D
Introduction
The BowaZon has long been feared in the PvP scene, but this guide will show you how she can also come as a force to be reckoned with in the world of PvM. A BowaZon is an Amazon that specializes in the Bow and Crossbow skill tree, with a mix of Passive and Magic skills. There are many different ways to make a BowaZon, and I feel this is the most sufficient way for what it needs to do. This is not a Glass Cannon build, so please don't post that you recommend it, thanks.
Table of Contents
Section I- Gear Selection
Section II- Stat Distribution
Section III- Skill Allocation
Section IV- IAS Breakpoints
Section V- Leveling
Section I- Gear Selection
As with all builds, the items you use are the key to how successful you are in the game. This is a very gear dependable build, and the items aren't cheap, so know what you're getting your self into.
Helmet-
Their are a few choices here, but the best in my opinion is a three socketed 40 Enchanced Damage/ 15 Increased Attack Speed Jewel Diadem. This will total up to a 120 ED and 40 IAS Helmet, which will greatly boost your damage and how fast you attack.
120 ED/45 IAS Diadem
Couldn't find a link for this, sorry.
Armor-
Many people like a 160/60 4socketed armor here, but I prefer a Fortitude Runeword made in an Archon Plate or Dusk Shroud. This armor is perfect for this build with its enchanced damage, and it even offers some resistances.
Dusk Shroud Fortitude
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/ladder-only/items/1-10-runewords/fortitude-runeword.html
Weapon-
Ahh here's the fun part. There is a good amount of dispute on what you should use here, but I have always prefered Faith in a Grand Matron Bow over all others. This is a perfect weapon for this build with its gorgeous Fanactictism Aura, which greatly improves your IAS and Damage. Also the extra skills can't hurt.
Grand Matron Bow Faith
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/ladder-only/items/1-10-runewords/faith-runeword.html
Gloves-
The best gloves for this build, again in my opinion, are a solid pair of crafted gloves with Increased Attack Speed and Knockback. They can be tricky to find, but try to get some with some extra useful mods, like Mana Leech.
Crafted 20 IAS/Knockback/ 3 Mana Leech Gloves
Couldn't find a link for this, sorry.
Boots-
There's also a good bit of argument on what you should go with here, but i always used Waterwalks. It's great for this build with it's Dexterity/Life Bonus.
Waterwalks
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/exceptional/boots/armor/waterwalk.html
Belt-
The belt of choice for this build is Nosferatu's. It gives a good boost to your strength, and some IAS. Even a little bit of life leech.
Nosferatu's Vampirefang Belt
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/elite/belts/armor/nosferatu-s-coil.html
Jewelry-
A. Amulet-
Cats eye amulet works really good here, considering the IAS is needed, and the dexterity can't hurt.
Cat's Eye Amultet
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/amulets/the-cat-s-eye.html
B.Rings-
ONe 20 to Dexterity Ravenfrost, and a Ml/LL/Other mods ring. The dexterity is greatly needed, and the CBF(Can't Be Frozen) Mod helps. The ML from the ring is GREATLY needed, for multi arrow
20 Dexterity Ravenfrost
6 Mana Leech/6 Life Leech/Dexterity/Life Ring
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/rings/items/raven-frost.html
Inventory-
In your inventory you should have the standard Hellfire Torch Large Charm/Annilus Small Charm combo, and a few resist small charms to help out with that. Many people use Poisin Damage Small Charms, but they are definetly not a necessity.
Hellfire Torch Large Charm
Annilus Small Charm
? Resistance Small Charms
On Switch-
The standard CTA and any Spirit Monarch should work here. The Plus Life and Mana that the Battle orders gives and the defense from the other War Cry really helps.
Call to Arms Flail/Crystal Sword
Spirit Monarch
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/items/1-10-runewords/1-10-runewords/call-to-arms-runeword.html
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/ladder-only/items/1-10-runewords/spirit-runeword.html
Section II- Stat Distribution
Strength-
Here you will only need enough to equip all of your items, taking into mind how much strength each item will give you after equipping it.
Dexterity-
This is the part that always sparks a lot of argument. This is not a glass cannon build, so you're only going to need enough here to equip all of your items.
Vitality-
This build of Bowazon does rely on a decent amount of Life, so put about 100% of your stat points(after putting enough into Dexterity/Strength to equip all of your items) into here.
Energy-
Absolutely none here, as you will have plenty after all of your items are equipped, and you don't need much anyways.
Section III- Skill Allocation
Also another very important factor of any build is the skills, because it is what makes the build. This is the Skill Allocation to use-
Bow and Crossbow
1 into Magic Arrow(Used for Physical Immunes)
1 into Ice Arrow
10 into Multiple Shot
20 into Guided Arrow( Max it last, after Passive and Magic too)
20 into Strafe
Passive and Magic
*1 into Critical Strikee:
*1 into Inner Sight
*1 into Dodge
*1 into Avoid
*1 into Slow Missles
*1 into Penetrate
*1 into Evade
*1 into Decoy
**10 into Valkyrie
*1 into Pierce
*You can achieve the above set-up at Level 72 with no skill quests. That leaves the 12 from skill quests and the 27 from 73-99 skills free. Find what fits you best for the passive and magic with *, because its mostly about preferance. I strongly suggest putting a lot into or even maxing Penetrate, and putting more into Avoid, Dodge, Evade, and Decoy.
**I put Valkyrie at 10, but anywhere from 5-15 should work fine, you decide.
Javelin and Spear
There are some hybrid builds out there, but fortunately this isn't
one of them.
Section IV- IAS Breakpoints
In order for your BowaZon to perform at its pinacle, it needs to be able to dish out arrows quickly. Attack speed is the statistic that determines how fast your arrows will be shot from your bow. Just like FHR(Faster Hit Recovery) and FCR(Faster Cast Rate), IAS has breakpoints it must reach before it will get any faster. With this build we will be hitting 7 frames, or 92 IAS. Here are those Breakpoints with a Faith GMB:
0 IAS 11Frames
6 IAS 10Frames
22IAS 09Frames
46IAS 08Frames
92IAS 07Frames
Section V- Leveling
In this section I will explain a few tactics and strategies that I've picked up over the years to help you have immediate success with your PvM BowaZon.
Classic Leveling
Normal Difficulty
1-15: Tristram Runs
15-20: Tomb Runs
20-25: Cow Runs
25-26: Ancients
26-40: Baal Runs
Nightmare Difficulty
40-41: Ancients
41-60: Baal Runs.
Hell Difficulty
60-61: Ancients
61-80: Baal Runs
80-XX: Chaos/Baal runs.( I prefer Chaos, but its really not too much of a difference.)
One of the best places to run for Exp. with your BowaZon will be the Chaos Sanctuary. It's best to try not to solo it, but have a freind with another character come run the games with you. It's great for Exp. and item drops, and not nearly as boring as Baal runs, so do all of your runs there.
Glitch Rush
Get a freind to glitch rush you to Act4 Hell.(Rush through Act1-5 Normal, and find a baal for quest game, and glitch off some one who can get the quest by being in his party when baal is killed. Repeat in Nightmare. Get rushed from Hell Act1-4.)
After you have recieved the rush to Hell Act4, begin chaos games.
1-25 is kind of slow, but after that it definetly picks up the pace.
1-60 Hell Chaos Runs.
60-61 Hell Ancients
61-80 Hell Baal Runs.
80-XX- Chaos/Baal Runs. ( I prefer Chaos, but its not really too much of a difference.)
CONCLUSION-
This is a very fun and effective build, and I recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it yet. If you follow this guide correctly, your BowaZon will be in tip-top shape, and should have no problems in PvM, and maybe if you choose so, even a little PvP.
-Josh Young
Thanks to:
Diablo2.com for the links in the Gear Selection Section.
Some forum members for the IAS breakpoints.
And all who read it :D