Ancient Druid returning to game

Z

Zyzzx

New member
Ancient Druid returning to game

Hail fellow furries.

I am an old timer D2 vet who quit the game some five years back. I was one of the first druids on USwest to hit level 99, and I had a slew of characters, most notable probably being "Bjornthebeast" (defense PvP bear back when nobody thought it would work).

I have been getting the itch to return for quite some time and finally just said to heck with it and gave in to temptation. I hope you don't mind, but I have a few questions to ask while I try and get my bearings (oh yeah, I still got it).

1. I doubt the majority of these guys still play, and I'm probably butchering their aliases in hysterically amnesiac ways, but if any of these "persons of interest" are still around it'd be cool to have a geriatrics convention.

- victusmetuo (I think that's his name)
- Ash Housewares (old forum whore)
- Acheron (french guy, used to play a Paladin as well)
- hysterically creepy Danish guy who kept links to softcore *** porn (stig something? another forum whore)
- err... some hardcore ele druid... Thorim, maybe?
- basically the entire population of the old druid grove and d2 forum
​

2. Is Gharbadtheweak or 76legit still around?

3. Was there ever any solution to all those hacked items? (those damn small charms for one thing, and "X-factor" equipment I think it was called)

4. How about dupes? I am going to go out on a limb and guess "no" as the item selling business seems comically out of control...

5. How has magic finding changed? I hear pindleskin and meph runs are no longer good spots?

6. (random question) How do Sorceresses handle immunities now that synergies have all but necessitated they specialize in one branch?


I have a zillion other questions, but I shan't bore you all with the trivialities. I'm off to read my umpteenth "FAQ read here first" thread.


- Z




P.S.- Holy crap, our OT thread has reached over 600 pages? Epic!
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Glad to have you back... shapeshifters are running thin. Always nice to have someone reinforce us..
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

1. I recognize the victus moniker, but haven't seen him in a while. Ash is still spamming it up as far as I know. Most of the old PvP legends (Mr. Blonde and mastavic) have also went missing.

2. Gharbad plays WoW these days I believe. 76legit is no more.

3-4. As far as hacking goes, there's no longer the "Ith" bow, occy ring nonsense. As far as duping goes, it's still pretty prevelant. Duped HR's are all the rage and are required for the best end game runewords.

5. Pindle and Meph are still good spots for most things. I think Pindle can drop every item save Tyreal's Might, Arachnid Mesh, and Azurewrath. People also run areas like the Pits, the Ancient Tunnels, and the Worldstone Keep. Then there's Baal, etc. (Something probably pretty new to you is key/organ farming to get torches)

6. They can multitask. Meteor + Orb and Blizzard + Fireball are both very common builds that handle immunities farely well. Another option is "Infinity" runeword which grants conviction to help break immunities (most notably lightning). Some sorcs are built specifically to run certain areas where immunities are not present (pure blizz vs pindle).

...Welcome back.
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

another bear lover ?!?!

1) i was mostly a lurker back in those days, but i know the first 2 are on your list have been around here and there

2) dont think so

3)the old bugged items are gone

4) dupes have been worse than ever. when you played currency was all soj's probably. Now its hr (high runes), except people dont refer to items as dupes anymore, they call it permed, which is an unlegit way of saying an item is legit. i could go on for hours about how crappy the d2 economy is.

5) its still basically the same as it was when you played, we just run different bosses now, except now you got uber bosses.

6) i dont play sorc's, but they're still one of the stronger classes.

Zyzzx said:
I'm off to read my umpteenth "FAQ read here first" thread.
Click to expand...

i like you

ps welcome back !



 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Ah yes, I remember Mastavic.


Thank you both for the 411, I expected as much (5, almost 6 years is a long time).

So the Diablo economy is screwed up... the more things change, eh? :coffee:

Given the status quo of the market, how is someone like myself to navigate through the morays and crevasses of trading to obtain better (and legit) gear/items? I just have to resign myself to the fact that I will be trading and dealing with duped items? How do I know if an item is "permed" or not?

There seems to be some disagreement about the "sweet spots" to go item farming. Can either of you elaborate? I have been reading about "The Pit," and some other new places to hunt for items, but the guides seem to be talking about Hell difficulty exclusively.

I resolved to try new character and skill combinations this time round, and I started off by making a throwbarb. He's currently level 44, and I've just killed Andariel in nightmare. I've been playing mostly solo, and the monsters seem to be getting tougher much quicker than my items are improving (I'm currently using a blue Hurlbat of Gore and a rare Balanced Axe-- some of my better gear!). I'm not looking for uber-l33t handouts, but any sort of community would be nice. Most of the old haunts are completely barren.

If anyone is on USwest and wants to hit me up, my handle is *jcliveson.


Thanks again guys.
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Nice to see old druid (esp bear) vets back again. I myself just started up a week or so ago after a year+ hiatus, but things haven't changed much so I'm still mostly "in the know" about the economy, etc.

1-4: looks like superjayson and liquid evil have answered all your questions here.

5. Magic finding hasn't changed too much, though there are some things you should know that will be helpful.
Bosses & Superuniques:
Pindle is not a "hot" place to mf anymore, due to his low (lowered) drop rates and other areas that produce more. Meph is still good - they tried to make the Durance 3 in hell and nm modes larger and more confusing to navigate, but he's still worth the trip. Andariel is a somewhat popular now because she has a "first drop" bug which lets you get her first drop bonus (as if you killed her for the first time) each time you kill her as long as you activate the bug. You activate the bug by simply speaking to Warriv and using him to travel to act 2 after you FIRST kill Andariel. Simple, right? The only way you'd not activate the bug is if you exited the game right after you killed Andy and before you went to act 2.

What is really hot nowadays isn't MFing persay, but item finding nonetheless. It is key hunting, and if you don't know about keys, or Uber Tristram, or Torches yet, I suggest you do a quick forum search and read up on them (in fact there is a nice sticky about it on one of the forums IIRC, just don't know where...). I'd be happy to answer any specific q's you have about keys but I dont' want to delve into the whole thing in this one post - it'd take me forever.

6. Sorcs are still probably the best (certainly the fastest) mfing a.k.a. wealthbuilding class when you're just starting out. There are multiple builds that use two elements to combat Hell monster immunities (CL/FO, FO/FB, etc) but IMO the easiest, most effective sorc to start out with is the Meteorb sorc. Now the Meteorb, though 'meteor' is in the name, really uses Frozen Orb and Fireball as her two primary skills. Meteor is there as a timered backup to Fireball when you're fighting against cold immunes. there's a great guide by Sasja in the sorc forums on building a budget MFing meteorb sorc - I suggest you check it out!

A couple other things you should know: The monsters are harder, but the runewords are ridiculously overpowered as well so it balances out. Pretty much everyone uses duped high runes (hrs) to create elite runewords, so you can try to go completely "legit" but will be quite limited with the number of strong character types you can play. Since the more elite sets have been "upgraded" to provide better bonuses, to stay away from hrs you could still build a pvm char around these sets and be very successful even in hell mode: IK, Tal's, or Trang. PvP pretty much requires runewords with hrs.

I'm not able to play too often because I work full time and go to night school, but when I'm on feel free to hit me up to ask any questions or to play. *Fattis2 on USWest (ladder, softcore).


-f
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Awesome, thanks a bunch FattyMcGee. Your name sounds familiar actually, and with that post count, if you were around back in ye olden days I'm sure we bumped into each other.

Anyways, I went ahead and added you to my friends list. You can usually find me bumming around in the Druid Grove (old habits die hard). I will look into this "key," "torch," etc., thing. It's a bummer to hear about HRs, but c'est la vie.

On the subject of runewords, I've been looking at the list of 1.10 additions, and aside from the obvious "holy jesus on steroids" reaction, I find myself wondering if the non-specified weapon runewords will work for throwing weapons.

There are requirements that list:
x Socket Melee Weapons
x Socket Missile Weapons
x Socket Weapons​

What I'm wondering is if the third option will work in missile weapons. On that note, where the heck can I find missile weapons with sockets!? (pre-hell)
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Throwing weapons aren't going to be getting sockets, therefore no runewords. You can find missile weapons all over the place. Just run areas with less MF so you'll get more gray drops and something will turn up.

Some other tips. Start collecting pgems now. They are easy to get and can net you some decent items early on. You can MF NM Meph if you're poor, but all the best stuff drops in Hell. Hammerdins, Sorc variants, and Necro Skellimancers can all be pretty effective with bare bones gear. If you're still partial to druids, then Windies can be used to some good effect. I'd wait for the weapon-dependent Wereform chars until you've established some wealth though.
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

However.. IMO.. if you put 2 skilled fury druids against eachother.. using 08 styled weapons like the magical cruel of quickness type.. and jewelers and stuff...
and the other using current overpowred rw's like ebotdz or grief..and forti and stuff..
U'd still be able to win..

Might be a bit offtopic.. since ur bear and all, but what I am trying to say is that the new overpowered rw's are not the be all end all..
Not that the now super rare cruel of quickness weapons aren't as expensive too.. but they are usually not duped or whatever.. nobody hardly uses em.. so the people who put the effort in using them make sure they are either permed.. or not dupes..

I think for an oldie like you.. with help of possible old druid friend you might have..
You'd be better off going for old style weapons than new overpowered rw's
Makes the game just as fun.. makes you equally competitive.. However you'll be away from the dupeness and still pwn ***..

There are some chars.. like shapers.. that don't really need change..nor do most older druid players want to change...

Anyway for starting, like suggest.. make mf sorc/hdin build up some small wealth..
Get lots of friends.. preferably old ones who are already ur friends..
Get a JSP account, JSP is a screwed up place.. however.. it will help you establish wealth a bit easier than only on realms.. so I suggest going there anyway..
Try to earn fg.. save up all rares u find..(circlets/boots/amu's/gloves/belts/rings)
Mf items.. save pgems.. save midrunes..
If you were once able to be godly.. you will have no trouble being it now.. just takes some time and effort.. but it should be possible..
Too bad you're not on my realm.. else I would be able to help you out with a nice bear..
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Zyzzx said:
Ah yes, I remember Mastavic.


Thank you both for the 411, I expected as much (5, almost 6 years is a long time).

So the Diablo economy is screwed up... the more things change, eh? :coffee:

Given the status quo of the market, how is someone like myself to navigate through the morays and crevasses of trading to obtain better (and legit) gear/items? I just have to resign myself to the fact that I will be trading and dealing with duped items? How do I know if an item is "permed" or not?

There seems to be some disagreement about the "sweet spots" to go item farming. Can either of you elaborate? I have been reading about "The Pit," and some other new places to hunt for items, but the guides seem to be talking about Hell difficulty exclusively.

I resolved to try new character and skill combinations this time round, and I started off by making a throwbarb. He's currently level 44, and I've just killed Andariel in nightmare. I've been playing mostly solo, and the monsters seem to be getting tougher much quicker than my items are improving (I'm currently using a blue Hurlbat of Gore and a rare Balanced Axe-- some of my better gear!). I'm not looking for uber-l33t handouts, but any sort of community would be nice. Most of the old haunts are completely barren.

If anyone is on USwest and wants to hit me up, my handle is *jcliveson.


Thanks again guys.
Click to expand...

id recommend doing any trading via this forum only. The more you trade randomly on b.net the more you're going to set yourself up to get scammed. Unless you can see your way around that ;)

95% of all high runes are duped/permed. Majority of end game gear are made from runewords (enigma,fortitude,greif,botd).

Best thing about the permed era is everyone freely admits items are permed, even on this forum so its easy to spot the dupes. If you want to be 100% legit just dont trade for any pre-existing runeword or items listed as perm.

Act bosses are still the best for item drops, obviously some more so than others. The "sweet spot" like the pits is simply a place whos monsters have the highest treasure class, meaning in a game of 8 people (more people the better the chance of a better drop) you have a chance for any item in the game to drop, its just not as likely to happen than running meph who may not drop every item, but will drop quality items more frequently.

i use to play on east, otherwise id help you out !



 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Kersplat.

That's how I'm feeling right now after my first foray into hell. I hate begging, but I am pressed to see any alternatives. My main character (at this time a throwbarb, but I have a Wind Druid in the works) just ventured into hell, and my two trusty steeds that have served me well up to and through NM Worldstone Keep (a cruel balanced axe and a vicious hurlbat) are simply not cutting it in hell... no pun intended.

It takes me a year and a day to kill zombies. Zombies! And we're talking solely about the starting area... I had to brute force my way through the Den of Evil, which took an absolutely atrocious amount of time, and involved me spending a fair chunk on my repair bill every (what seemed to be) 30 seconds...

Argh! If anyone has any ideas as to how to breach this impasse, I am open to suggestions. I realize now that picking a character so completely dependent on the quality of his weapons was probably not the best choice to start with, but damn it-- I'm having fun!
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

CB, makes the world go round.
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Assuming CB = Crushing Blow (you hurt my brain while I tried to figure that out)


I can see how that could be the case. Unfortunately I have approximately 0% CB at the moment. My "end-game" objective is to have a decent amount of piercing attack (ok, so 33) coupled with a smattering of Deadly Strike (DS? eh? Am I getting the hang of this now!?) and CB.

In looking to raise my CB... it seems that blood crafted gloves and Gore Riders* would be most easily obtained (on that note: ISO Gore Riders) and assuming I could get lucky with the roll generator it is conceivable I could hit 25% CB.

I am loathe to drop my recently obtained Arreat's Face for a Guillame's Face**, but damn that 35% CB is sexy. Alternatively I could look into getting a Duress runeword, but I am not really keen on this option either.

Am I being thick-headed here and should I bite the bullet and start stacking CB as much as possible? Thanks for the quip.



*Holy balls Gore Riders are expensive and not easily obtained
**Guillame's Face is cheaper for sure, and has 15% DS as well, but damn losing out on +2 all skills, +2 combat, life leech, IAS, stats...
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Crafted gloves + Gores should speed up your kill speed significantly. If you can't get Gores you'll have to bite the bullet and wear the ugly ugly Guil helm >.>.
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Zyzzx said:
Kersplat.

That's how I'm feeling right now after my first foray into hell. I hate begging, but I am pressed to see any alternatives. My main character (at this time a throwbarb, but I have a Wind Druid in the works) just ventured into hell, and my two trusty steeds that have served me well up to and through NM Worldstone Keep (a cruel balanced axe and a vicious hurlbat) are simply not cutting it in hell... no pun intended.

It takes me a year and a day to kill zombies. Zombies! And we're talking solely about the starting area... I had to brute force my way through the Den of Evil, which took an absolutely atrocious amount of time, and involved me spending a fair chunk on my repair bill every (what seemed to be) 30 seconds...

Argh! If anyone has any ideas as to how to breach this impasse, I am open to suggestions. I realize now that picking a character so completely dependent on the quality of his weapons was probably not the best choice to start with, but damn it-- I'm having fun!
Click to expand...

Keep the Arreat's face! CB is nice don't get me wrong but you don't need to spend extra $ on getting another helm when your first helm is top notch. Your main problem right now is definitely your weapons.

Get a couple good throwing weapons... there are new elite uniques that are very nice (lacerator, warshrike, etc) and they'll only cost a few perfect gems - less than a Guillame's face even. I haven't been online in a while but I'll try to log on tonight and see if I have any. I'd also suggest checking out the US West Trade Forum on these forums, as there is usually a few people clearing out their mules for pgems and hopefully one will be selling some decent throwing weapons.

Once you get into the later areas of hell and are fighting act bosses or other superuniques with high life, CB will be your friend and you'll probably want a Guillame's face in your stash for such situations.

Duress armor is nice, but again you're spending an Um to make that armor, and for that price you could nearly outfit your whole character with enough to get through hell mode.

Lastly, you're right in that picking an item-dependent character as your first character is a tough go. You'll probably have quite a hard time getting through hell mode, to be honest. However that challenge can be really fun so more power to ya! If you ever get sick of it, or completely stuck, I'd still recommend making a meteorb sorceress (fireball + frozen orb as main attacks) as they can tear through most of hell with very little in the way of items.

best of luck!

-f



 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

Collect all the flawless gems you come across, all of the blue magical jewels, all runes, no matter how low. Cube the low runes into nef, tal, ral, and ort. Richer players need these for crafting. Then when you collect a 50 or a hundred or so of perfect gems, craft runes, and jewels, head over to the US West forum. Plenty of people such as myself would be more than happy to trade you basic utility items for such low currency that can easily be collected in nightmare.

I would make a skellimancer to start farming the pits for socketable items for trade. The few unique and set items that are really worth anything are few and far between, making old school boss magic find very painful for someone who cannot clear it very quickly due to low gear to start with. Half descent sockets are very easy to trade.

When you finally have a character that can solo baal, I suggest doing it with a champion and 'bugging' the drops every time, never becoming a patriarch/matriarch. It's a sure way to get the high end uniques and sets quickly on your own.
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

East is where druid action is now. usually can get druidpk//1 and druidpk1/1 full every day. and there's still a palapk (pn//1)

I have some west gear I can give you though if you are starting up there.
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

So yesterday Fatty and and his friend Squishy were kind enough to donate a Warshrike, Shael, Thul, and Lem to me. I... I don't want to talk about what I had to do to get them.

><



But seriously, those guys rock. On a similar note, I was perusing the USWest trade forums and found a "free helltorch thingy in this game hurr" thread. I figured it was a joke, but I joined anyway and am now the proud owner of the most ridiculously OP thingymabob I could have ever dreamed of. Sure, it's +3 to assassin skills, but it has +12 stats and +12 resists along with some other mods. Oh, and I shoot fire out of my arse like I was the unfortunate winner of a habanero burrito gulping contest (seriously, it's ridiculous how over the top the animation is).

I managed to clear the Den of Evil (/flex), but my character is comically lopsided at the moment. I throw a tiny dart that has the impact of a WMD and then I chuck a choppy twirly thing that makes this hollow "wonk" noise as it bounces off the scrotum of the nearest Fallen bearing down on me. I swear to god I am hearing "Rakanishu!" in my dreams now...


Fin.
 
Re: Ancient Druid returning to game

understand though, low torches are like the waste byproducts in D2 these days I have quite a few nobody wants.. u even bother bringing those in a trade window will have them closing your window and exiting like your some sorta nubsauce :*[

the players who've been Ubering the last few years keep the few near perfect torches, the rest get recycled into the sewage that floats down into the bog where new players can rummage through the tin cans and hellslayers, arreats, and buriza's for a nickel.. if some players could sell a 10/10 torch for 50k gold, I almost think they'd take the gold rofl @.@ jk but yea

Understand, by now most ppl have pretty much had their fill endulging in all the duped runes, runewords, etc. Once most players these days have all the items they'd ever need, there's only so much you can do?

- Keys: key hunt, go Uber to get more torches
- pgems: craft new items, roll for more GC's, etc
- get more high clvl uniques, maybe some ethereal rare ones.
- pvp and get angry ROFL

mid Runes like the one you have still hold some value. Ko's can be used to up things, but it's just the Hr's that've pretty much dwindled down to nothing.
 
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