Diablo II Strategy Guide Info:
- Patch: v1.10
- Gametype: PvE/PvM and PvP
- Class: Amazon
- Specialisation: Poison Javelin Amazon
- Author: Hunt3r Kill4
About Poison Amazons
This build is meant for PvP (Player vs. Player), and would not do nearly as well as many other builds in PvM (Player vs. Monster). Although this build is quite powerful, it is not at all expensive, and in my opinion affordable to most players. This build depends on the strategic throwing of javelins so other players will run into your trail of poison. After that, start spamming Guided Arrows and finish off the remaining 1 life the opponent is left with from the poison.
Is this build any good for PvP?
Of course it is! Would I take my precious time to create a guide on this build if it were not powerful? Kidding aside, this build can lower the average opponent’s life to 1 in a few seconds and then they are at the mercy of 20 Guided Arrows bombarding them. Also, the best part is, there is no poison absorb, it goes through Bone Armor and Energy Shield, and most people don’t bother having PLR (poison length reduction). Even if they do use PLR, they would have to sacrifice quite a bit of their gear to have a decent amount.
Don't you need all kinds of great equipment?
Nope, you can be dueling/player killing with a cracked javelin and you would still be able to finish off most duelers. As long as you know where to throw the javelins, you should have no trouble picking off multiple opponents at once, even without decent gear.
How do I build one of my very own?
That is what the guide will be discussing below, keep in mind that all gear/skill selections are my own opinion, and is not necessarily the “best” for this build.
The Main Offensive Skills
Poison Javelin: This is the most important skill in this build, the main damage dealer. This skill basically streaks a line of poison across the field, poisoning anyone running through. This skill is quite like the Necromancer skill Poison Nova damage-wise, and they both need a finishing skill, something to chip off the last 1 remaining health because poison cannot kill completely unless the damage is very, very high.
Plague Javelin: This skill causes your javelin to explode into a big field of poison, causing whoever the javelin hit to be poisoned for sure. Some people might argue that this skill would be better for PvP, seeing as how the poison radius is larger. After testing both, I realized it is very, very hard to use Plague Javelin in PvP, because everyone is constantly moving around, and landing a Plague javelin on a player is just too difficult. Also, Poison Javelin’s damage is much higher, which matters quite a bit when dueling high life opponents.
Guided Arrow: This skill transforms your arrow into a homing missile that tracks down targets in the general direction the arrow is heading. This is where you have a choice, whether to invest into guided arrow and use a slightly more powerful/faster bow, or just use Widowmaker. For less wealthy players, putting at least one point into this skill is recommended, and equipping a fast bow. Even for players that can afford Widowmaker, this skill is suggested, seeing as to Multi-arrow is useful as well.
Multiple Shot: This skill splits your arrow into multiple ones, depending on the level of this skill. This is also very useful as an alternate to Guided Arrows. Spamming arrows with this skill is also good to knock down that last hit point from your opponent. The only drawback of this skill is that it requires some attack rating in order to be useful. If you lack enough attack rating, the arrows will never hit your opponent.
Strafe: This skill is like a machine gun, shooting up to 10 consecutive arrows at once. This is also an alternative to guided arrow/multiple shot. This is highly recommended against for a number of reasons: 1. Like multiple shot, quite a bit of attack rating is required to be able to score a successful hit on the opponent. 2. Large amounts of skill points are required to get up to this skill (this is a level 30 skill), and therefore a waste. 3. When you are strafing, you cannot move, making yourself a vulnerable target to enemies.
Support Skills
D/E/A: These are the main survival skills, dodge, evade, and avoid. They are skills that allow you to avoid incoming attacks while running, attacking, or just standing still. Very useful in some instances, a killer in others. What I mean by a killer is that quite often, your Amazon will get trapped in an “avoid lock”, which means you keep dodging incoming attacks, and not being able to attack or move. This also means you are very vulnerable and can be killed easily. At least 1 point is recommended in each and with enough + skills, 1 point is all you would need.
Slow Missiles: This is a one point wonder skill. This skill slows all incoming missiles, which is VERY useful against Sorceress’s, other Amazons, etc. This skill allows you to dodge all missiles with ease, buying much time vs. opponents.
Jab: This skill allows you to stab at your opponent with increased speed. This skill is useful against Barbarians whirlwinding you. Keep in mind to hold shift when jabbing a whirlwinding Barbarian
Optional Skills
Valkyrie: This skill allows you to summon a shining warrior with a spear and follows you around like a lost puppy. I hate hate hate this skill (did I mention how much I hated it?) because its AI (artificial intelligence) is horrible. Basically what the Valkyrie does is it wanders around and somewhat follows you around. The only usefulness a Valkyrie can come into use, in my opinion, is when it accidentally wanders into the path of an attack and takes the damage.
Critical Strike/Penetrate/Pierce: These three skills are the skills on the very right of the passive/magic tree. I find these three skills pointless to a Poison Amazon, seeing as to you would not usually hit your opponent with the actual javelin. Critical Strike gives you a chance to do double damage on hit. Penetrate gives you extra attack rating, useful only if you plan on using strafe or multiple shot. Pierce allows your arrows/javelins to pierce the target. As I stated above, useless.
Skill Placement
This is where personal preference plays a huge part. This part of the guide discusses where to invest your hard earned skill points. All information in this section is based on my preference, and what I think is better.
- Balanced route (recommended):
- 20 Poison Javelin
- 20 Plague Javelin
- 1-20 Guided arrow
- 1-20 Multiple Shot
- 1-12 D/E/A
- 0-20 Valkyrie
- 1 into all prerequisites
- Build finished at around level 80-85
This build is what I would make and is highly recommended. Max guided arrow is to take care of opponents who teleport and are harder to hit with poison. A few Guided Arrows with a high damaging bow should take care of most sorceress’s and such.
- Pure Poison route:
- 20 Poison Javelin
- 20 Plague Javelin
- 0-20 Jab
- 0-20 Valkyrie
- 1-12 D/E/A
- 1 into all prerequisites
- Build finished around level 80-85
This build requires Widowmaker for Guided Arrow. High damage javelin recommended for this build due to the use of Jab.
Both builds requires maxing out Poison/Plague Javelin. Valkyrie and the amount placed into D/E/A are all depending on personal preference.
Stats
Stat placement looks something like it would for a lightning Amazon:
Strength: enough to use your gear (~80 or so)
Dexterity: Enough to use your gear (~60-90, depending). Enough for max block with Stormshield.
Vitality: Vitality is essential to survival. Pump as much as you can into here.
Energy: Base. Poison Javelins do not require large amounts of mana, plus you wont be throwing THAT many. The only skill that would eat up mana would be Guided Arrows, but you have enough mana to shoot out ~10 Guided arrows.
Suggested Equipment
This section discusses my choice of gear to use on this build.
Javelins
Unlike lightning Amazon builds, this build does not require a high damaging bow. The javelin is purely used to create a cloud or streak of poison and nothing else (unless you are jabbing of course). Even when jabbing, average javelins would be fine, as long as you have a moderate chance of hitting. The javelins listed below are from best-worst:
Titans (do not upgrade unless jabbing often, higher requirements are not worth it) Thunderstroke (only if you do not have titans) Demon’s Arch
Bows
Bows for the Amazon build, unlike Bowazon builds, do not require a high damaging bow. All the bow needs is relatively fast attack speed, in order to be able to spam efficiently. Widowmaker is required if no points are invested into guided arrow. Bows below are listed from best-worst:
Windforce (relatively cheap, good to take down Sorceress’s with. Shael’ing it recommended) Breath of the Dying Hydra Bow (only if you are very rich, for this is not worth it for this build. The only advantage this bow has is its speed.) Widowmaker (only if you didn’t invest into Guided Arrows)
And basically any bow that has decent attack speed. Doesn’t have to be unique, could even be a 6 socket bow with 6 Shaels in it.
Armor
Armor for this build should have + stats, + skills, +% poison damage, increased attack speed, + resist, or + damage reduction. Armors below are listed from best-worst:
Chains of Honor Archon Plate: Medium defense, +2 to all skills, 65 to all resist, +20 to strength.
Bramble Archon Plate: +% Poison Damage, Poison and Cold resists.
Enigma Archon Plate: ONLY if you don’t have Chains of Honor, the only good thing about Enigma is the +2 to all skills and 8% Damage Reduction.
Shaftstop: The classic Shaftstop, good looking, 30% damage reduction, 60 to life.
Lionheart: decent armor overall, cheap, adds stats.
Skin of Vipermagi: +skill, resist.
There are too many viable armors to list, as long as they have the mods listed above, the armor should be pretty decent for this build.
Gloves
There are several varieties of gloves that would be useful to this build.
Lavagout: 20% increased attack speed.
Rare/Magic +skill/increased attack speed gloves: self explanatory.
Laying of Hands: 20% increased attack speed.
Trang Oul’s gloves: 25% extra poison damage.
Belt
One choice, and one choice only, unless you cannot afford, use Verdungo’s Mithril coil for the damage reduction. Other choices are Thundergods (yuck) and Nosteratu's Coil.
Boots
Not much to say here. Goreriders, War Travelers, or Sandstorm treks would be my choice. Waterwalks or Aldur’s boots would not be bad either.
Shield
One choice, and once choice only, if you want to survive most opponents: Stormshield. Any other shield would not be good for this build.
Jewelry
For rings, wear Ravenfrosts on one hand, Manald heal, carrion wind, Bul Katho's ring, decent rares, are all good choices. As for amulet, Highlords or Maras is the top choice. Any good rares or other unique amulets are ok too.
Dueling Strategies
This build’s dueling strategy would probably be different from that of any other characters. Your strategy will vary depending on your opponent. Here’s a quick guide of how I would take care of each type of opponent. Keep in mind I’m only listing the more common builds that you would be up against, any peculiar builds, you will have to figure out for yourself.
General Strategy
Throw a poison javelin in the direction of your opponents left, them one right, then plague straight at them. This should force them to be poisoned. Finally, start spamming Guided Arrows, and voila, a smoking corpse.
Sorceresses
Fireball/Meteor
Against these type of gals, you have to constantly move around. Toss a few poison javelins in every direction and switch to your bow. If you put points into a Valkyrie, this would be a nice time to summon it. Also, if you can get close enough slow missiles will render this sorceress useless. As soon as you slow missile, you can get close enough to score a plague javelin on her, then start spamming Guided Arrows. Keep in mind slow missiles tend to piss people off, so be careful who you are using it against.
Blizzard/Glacial Spike/Ice Blast
Against these sorceresses, always keep moving in random pattern. For the smarter ones that teleport around, spam Guided Arrows and maybe toss one or two poison javelins. Otherwise, poison here is useless. For those that sit in their own blizzard, they are just a target. Hit them with plague javelin and then start spamming with Guided Arrows. You should see a message saying was slain by . Finally, slow missiles really help against those that are handy with Glacial Spikes or Ice blasts. Keep in mind although lower damage, glacial spike travels much faster than Ice Blast.
Lightning/Charged Bolt
This build is dealt the same way as the fire sorceress. Only thing to keep in mind is that when you slow missile them, be careful no to run into their stream of slowed lightning, it hurts. Also, don’t get too close for too long, thunderstorm tends to rip through anyone with low resist.
Barbarians
Whirlwind
These guys are tough, high resist, lots of life, and crazy defense/block. Then there’s the teleporting kind, the annoying freaks that just won’t stop chasing after you. For this build, do not switch to bow unless they are running away. If you are going 1v1 with a whirlwind barb, switch to walk (press R). Hold shift if they try to whirlwind you and hit them with a plague javelin. Remember, always hold shift and attack them when they are whirlwinding you. After they are poisoned, start jabbing them to death. Your block should keep you relatively safe until they are dead.
Throwing
Treat these as a high-life sorceress. Slow missile them and nail them with a plague javelin when they are throwing. When they stop to attack, they are very vulnerable for that few seconds, so take your chance to spam Guided Arrows at them.
Amazons
Lightning Fury/Charged Strike
A couple tips necessary to stay alive, always keep moving, throw a poison javelin over your back and keep running if they are chasing you, and let them get close enough to hit you with charged strike. Charged strike hurts A LOT, and you don’t want to be nailed by one of those without absorb and full resist. Lightning Fury does not hurt as much so you don’t really have to worry. I woulhttp://www.diabloii.net/wiki/skins/common/images/button_italic.png Italic textd suggest slapping on absorb, but I think absorbing ruins the whole point of dueling so it’s up to you.
Bow
Unless you have the perfect opportunity when they are not firing, do not switch to bow. Keep your shield on and start tossing poison javelin’s like mad in their direction. Good amazons keep moving, so foreshadow their next move and toss a poison javelin ahead of them. Then shoot a couple Guided Arrows if they run away.
Poison
For these builds, this is all about a battle of speed and strategy. Be sure to keep moving and dodge the incoming Guided Arrows/javelins. The right placement of javelins should nab this victory for you. Throw ahead of where they are running, and spamming Guided Arrows when they are not close is suggested.
Druids
Wind
Same goes for this build as for blizzard sorceresses, keep moving, always. Teleporting druids are deadly, as you go into lock of they manage to hit you with one tornado. Don’t bother using Guided Arrows in the beginning, their bear eats it. Try to kill his oak, but don’t go out of your way to do it. Hitting these guys with poison javelins should be pretty hard, but throw a couple on a chance they might teleport into it. As soon as they are hit, shoot Guided Arrows after them.
Fury/Rabies
These builds match you on the poison damage. What they lack is range, so keep it that way. Keep running, and throw a poison javelin if you have the chance. Good rabies druids have much much faster run/walk, so if you cannot outrun them, kill their oak sage, poison them, and then start jabbing.
Necromancer
Bone
Keep moving, out run their bone spirits, and do not stand still at risk of being hit by clay golem or bone spear. Throw random poison javelins, and then start spamming Guided Arrows. Your only chance of winning is to either poison them, or hit them continuously with consecutive Guided Arrows before they have a chance to recast their bone armor.
Hybrid Bone/Summon
Same goes for these guys, but your only chance is to poison all his minions. Then you have a free shot at the necromancer himself. That is the part where he dies. Keep in mind, this is probably the hardest build you can encounter, it requires much skill to be able to hit a teleporting one.
Summon
Plague javelin his skeletons, they will die shortly. Then target the necromancer himself and kill him.
Assassin
Trap
Keep out of range of their traps, do not ever get close, for you will be mind blasted, and cannot move. Keep out of their trap range and shoot Guided Arrows after you throw a couple poison javelins.
Whirlwind
Keep your shield on, they will obliterate you. Treat them the same as whirlwind barbs, try not to move so much. If they have traps, move out of their range, because you might go into avoid lock.
Martial Arts
Piece of cake, nail them with plague javelin, then start jabbing.
Paladins
Hammer
Do not let them get close. Throw a plague javelin when they are casting hammers (they cannot move), then starting shooting Guided Arrows. Keep in mind they will probably block most of the arrows, but when they start walking, they will bound to be hit by at least one.
Zealot
When they get close, plague javelin then, and start jabbing, keep your shield on.
Charger
Throw a poison javelin in their direction, and hope they run into it. Same strategy as vs. zealot after that.
Smiter
Do not let them get close, unless they are at low life, even then be careful. Once the Smiter gets you once, you are pretty much doomed. So keep running and shoot occasional Guided Arrows.
Fist of Heavens
For these builds, kill them as fast as you can. Another way to obliterate them is to keep your distance and shoot Guided Arrows in their direction. This may take a while, but nevertheless, it works.
Mercenary Choices
Highly recommended against for several reasons:
1) It’s bad mannered to have a mercenary when dueling 2) Mercenaries get expensive because they die fast in duels 3) They die fast (as stated above)
However, some good choices would be a rogue mercenary, to finish off opponents for you, or an act 2 nightmare defensive mercenary, for the holy freeze. Same reason as rogue.
Credits
- Thanks goes to Luucifer, he is the one that inspired this build
- Thanks goes to Diabloii.net, great forums, great community
- Thanks goes to Blizzard, great game