Diablo II v1.05 (HC) OG Bowazon

What are the speed tables for Fend? I know there's a single formula that everything uses (other than fixed speed attacks like Jab/WW), but don't recall what values Fend uses. I also don't remember if it gains attacks per level like Zeal (in which case, maybe the 3% ED/level isn't worth it).

I've always wanted to make a Fendazon but the DAE bug is really crushing. Valkyrie is really powerful in Classic (I think HP scales linearly with players) so giving that up is a big sacrifice. The upside is that Jab is exceptional against single targets and you get to put a Lance on a non-Barbarian. If it wasn't for the Mastery and Fend bugs a spearazon would probably be the strongest physical build. Good luck finding a GIAS Lance with 300+ damage, though!
 
dariustriplet said:
What are the speed tables for Fend? I know there's a single formula that everything uses (other than fixed speed attacks like Jab/WW), but don't recall what values Fend uses. I also don't remember if it gains attacks per level like Zeal (in which case, maybe the 3% ED/level isn't worth it).

I've always wanted to make a Fendazon but the DAE bug is really crushing. Valkyrie is really powerful in Classic (I think HP scales linearly with players) so giving that up is a big sacrifice. The upside is that Jab is exceptional against single targets and you get to put a Lance on a non-Barbarian. If it wasn't for the Mastery and Fend bugs a spearazon would probably be the strongest physical build. Good luck finding a GIAS Lance with 300+ damage, though!
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I think the Bowazon(1.04-1.06) and the Barbarian would still be the strongest physical builds. Whirlwind is just so good when you get a high enough level and enough ar, even without Mastery skills. And the Bowazon can hit so many targets with Multiple Shot, it's hard to beat the total dps.

I have tried out Fend with different Pikes and can say that you definitely need a Pike with "greatly increased attack speed". Anything lower than that won't be good enough. Also Fend keeps attacking as long as there is another enemy in the vicinity that it can switch to. So you want to execute your attacks as quickly as possible.

Now, the problem with being stuck attacking and ending up vulnerable can be avoided with Iceblink + Eye of Etlich combination. This will freeze most enemies for a moment, even in Hell difficulty. It's actually amazing for Ice and Freezing Arrow as well.

The hardest part is getting the right weapon, which is a Lance with greatly increased attack speed. If you can get your life high enough, too, you could probably get the Valkyrie and the Dodge/Evade/Avoid skills, which usually should not be taken. Getting stun-locked by Diablo's Death Beam is not a good idea when playing hardcore. 🫠

Edit:
I am actually playing a character right now, just to get the imbue quests. 😂
 
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@TWolfMech Good luck getting that Pike! I would love to celebrate with you if you land one, so be sure to post it up!

May the GG rolls be with you on those imbues <3
 
Manny said:
@TWolfMech Good luck getting that Pike! I would love to celebrate with you if you land one, so be sure to post it up!

May the GG rolls be with you on those imbues <3
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Playing characters all the way to hell on hardcore act 1 is brutal. 😵‍💫
So far i can only land pikes with good ED every once in a while.
I might start playing the characters only to nightmare and farm maggots for level 27. According to Jamella Editor it's the minimum level needed for the right item affixes.

Edit: Nevermind, finding those Lances... 😭
 
TWolfMech said:
I think the Bowazon(1.04-1.06) and the Barbarian would still be the strongest physical builds. Whirlwind is just so good when you get a high enough level and enough ar, even without Mastery skills. And the Bowazon can hit so many targets with Multiple Shot, it's hard to beat the total dps.
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I double-checked the numbers and you're right. I thought that Mastery only gave +1% crits/level, so the Critical Strike skill would outstrip it, but it gives +2% for some reason. It's hard for any other character to keep up with the amount of damage packed into Masteries!

TWolfMech said:
Playing characters all the way to hell on hardcore act 1 is brutal. 😵‍💫
So far i can only land pikes with good ED every once in a while.
I might start playing the characters only to nightmare and farm maggots for level 27. According to Jamella Editor it's the minimum level needed for the right item affixes.

Edit: Nevermind, finding those Lances... 😭
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Lurker Lounge lists level 26, although you can't get King's.

I appreciate that, in 1.00-1.06, top-end items are actually hard to get. You can get good-enough gear playing normally, but the really special stuff takes extreme effort and luck. If you want a 300+ damage Lance or a prismatic dual leech ring, it'll take a _lot_ of quests (along with finding imbue bases). Even when you get something high-end, it's never quite perfect, so there's always a drive to improve. Very different than today where you cheaply get the best runewords and you're done.
 
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