Got me a cube!

[Condor]

Ok, so now I have the cube; but am not sure what I should do next. I took all of my chipped gems and converted to flawed, then to standard. Don't have 3 standards of any one yet. I think I have read that I still need to take 3 standards to make a perfect; do I have this right?

When a recipe calls for a chipped gem, can I use a 'better' quality gem in it's place? As a follow up if yes, will the output be better than if a chipped gem was used? IE: Would hate to use a perfect diamond with no added benefit if a chipped diamond would have been sufficient.

I have a decent sword but is ethereal, can it be transmuted to not be ethereal?

I have a sword, this one;
Soul Razor
Crystal Sword
One-Hand Damage: 6 to 25
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Strength: 43
Required Level: 8
Sword Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10 Expansion
Item Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xec8b902b
+37% Enhanced Damage
+5 to Maximum Damage
Knockback
10% Increased Attack Speed

that I use as my primary weapon. I am character level 20 right now. I tried to put this sword and something else from the recipes, but it would not transmute. I am building a Concentrate Barb, can someone suggest a recipe to make this sword better and to get rid of the knockback?

[kryo]

Sorry, but the cube is nowhere near as amazing as Bliz at first made it out to be (or as great as you seem to believe)...

1) You need 9 normal gems to make a perfect, as there is an intermediary "flawless" quality.

2) When a recipe calls for a gem, you must use that quality.

3) You cannot use the cube to alter the stats of a weapon such as you are hoping to do. I suggest trading for a low level unique or set weapon with decent damage--I generally use "Civerb's Cudgel" while leveling. If you're on the realms, you should be able to get one for cheap or free (if you're on USWest Ladder I might even be able to hook you up). If you're on single player, there are other ways of getting items from others (check the single player forum for more info on that).

[distancepieman]

Forgive this if I'm misinformed, but if I'm correct the items "fingerprint" is found by using the atma program, unless it's some sort of maphack feature or something. Assuming it's atma, it's in single player, yes? If so, I'd go with the above suggestion and check out the single player trade forums. But in all honesty, I've never had a problem playing thru normal with a totally untwinked character (using only items that I've found with the character him/herself). I'd say that you should be alright progressing with the items you find/are available to buy in shops.

If you want to know the full range of things you can do with the cube, try clicking Here (http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/cube.shtml)
Just make sure to check if it's ladder only, etc.

Hope I've helped some.

~Bails

[Dodgydave]

Yep, it certainly looks like an ATMA print out. Head on over to the SP forum Condor and have a look at the stickied giveaway thread. You should be able to find a lot of low level gear being given away that will help you get through normal.

[Condor]

I posted in the Barbarian forum, and ended up getting rid of the Imbued Knockback sword and just purchased another sword to continue my quests. Yes, I am playing Single Player, and yes that was an ATMA stat post.

I will check the giveaway forum tonight to see what it is.