I need advice, remaking my Bowazon

[TheOutlawTorn]

Level 72 Bowazon
Bow: Buriza
Helm: Gaze
Boots: IK boots
Armor: Shaft
Gloves: M'avina's
Belt: String
Finger: +2 to str, 11% MF
Finger: 6% LL, Damage reduced by 2
Amulet: Cat's Eye

Skills:
Guided: Max
Strafe:7
Multi:5
Critical Strike:16
Dodge:10
Avoid:7
Evade:8

Stats: (BASE)
Str:115
Dex:145
Vit:115
Energy:60

Stats: (With Gear)
Str:127
Dex:220
Vit:115
Energy:60

No charms or anything...I can't even do Mephisto Nightmare solo...so I'm just looking for advice on a new Bowazon so she can do better. If you need more information, just say so and I'll edit and post it. Thanks.

[kid lance]

Hi!

Just to clarify - do you intend get advice on how to CREATE a new Bowazon from scratch? [OR] do you want advice on how to IMPROVE your character's current setup?

If you intend to create a new one from scratch, there are guides here for several types of Bowazons. Read one or two (or all!) of them and try a suggested build that is to your liking.

For improvements on your current setup, what skills/attack pattern do you use to kill monsters? My attack pattern is to fire 2 Freezing Arrows and then switch to Strafe. This way, monsters are easier to hit because they are not moving.

You might try putting some points into Pierce as (I am just assuming here) you are using Guided Arrow as your main attack skill. Once your Guided Arrow hits a monster and the arrow pierces, it will have a 2nd or 3rd chance of striking the same monster again.

That's all I could muster for now. Hope this helps.

[MN12Thunder]

I thought Guided Arrow didn't pierce at all in 1.10.

Armor: Shaftstop is useless for a Bowazon. You're not supposed to get hit. The "zon armor" thread started by IplayGamez has some good suggestions.

Belt: See armor.

Ring: One of them should be a Raven Frost, especially if you suffer from low attack rating.

Amulet: I don't like the Cat's Eye, but I don't believe that it's a liability in your build.

Gloves: If you're not going to use any other piece of M'avina's set, then the gloves aren't worth using. Laying of Hands is more useful.

The helm is fine, the boots are okay, and you can make a decent character built around the Buriza.

For suggestions on a new build, don't put so many points into Critical Strike. Put the points you put into energy into dexterity. Invest in Pierce and place points into Penetrate as necessary. I would also suggest getting more mana leech than just what Vampire Gaze offers.

[vinsensual]

that bug ended with 1.9 im afraid. its what made bowazons so massively unfair/powerful, esp. when paired with the bdk(which already comes with piercing). if you plan on staying with that xbow, you have a few options.
*upgrading, then socketing with a hel. you dont have to socket it with a hel, but youre gonna have to reach a 161 str req. using hel lowers that to 130ish. youll get huge damage on each GA
*switching out your cats eye for atmas scarab. i just picked this one up for my wws bowazon, and it does wonders for your killing times. another plus is the ability to tackle PI's once it triggers.
*some people, xiamat for example, suggest strafing against bosses instead of GA and pumping FA instead, which also works very well.

lvl16 critical strike is a lot to invest into 1 skill that has diminishing returns. once youre past slvl13 i think, you only reap a 1% increase. the increase drops from 3% to 2% at slvl9. are you getting hit alot? 115 vit is more than double what i invested into my zon, but it depends entirely on your gameplay. lastly, theres a very easy way to kill mephisto. you lead him into the entrances of either the left or right atrium and cast a decoy and run quick to the red portal and stand a lil past where the bridge comes out. that way you can see him in the bottom corner of your screen but youre out of his vision.

[bast0s]

@TheOutlawTorn
I had the same bad experience you have : I could hardly kill a fly in Hell. I was so disappointed (it was my first char) and nearly stopped playing D2...
I made another bowazon, and she is doing much better. When I see your current bowazon, it reminds me a few mistakes I made...

Here are a few hints that were useful to me (I guess you play PvM softcore) :
- don't waste skill points in GA anymore, but max strafe instead
- find a good bow (Windforce, WWS or even Eaglehorn). I tried the Buriza, but I found it too slow, and used it only when I needed an elemental attack
- I feel your dex is too low : bowazons dmg rely on it. Most stat points should go to dexterity, and low vita can be increased by charms or gear
- care about IAS, you will feel the difference
- give LoH a try : it is of great help against demons
- use tanks : melee means quick death ! Valk and merc will keep monsters away and get rid of PIs

Read Shanksie's Guide (http://www.rpgforums.net/showthread.php?t=175957). You will learn a lot about bowazons.
Another great thing about strafers : you will have lots of spare skill points. There are many possible "subclasses", and you will surely find one that suits you.

Have fun...and welcome btw !

bast0s

[Omikron8]

Good lord almighty, why would you invest base points in energy for a physical damage bowazon.

[Xiamet]

You've pretty much got the advice you need...I'll add my 2c and hopefully you'll have more success with your next bowazon.

GA's a waste, IMO...'less you're going the PvP route. Max Strafe/FA (or a combo of FA and CA ) and get Valk to slvl 17, Pierce/CS to at least 50% and some points in D/A/E (40% was enough for all my zons). I'm vague about specific point allocation in Passives because you may choose to pump your +skills with gear/charms.

Speaking of which...Buriza's a fine bow...shael it, get LoH and pop an ias jewel in your armor somewhere and it'll perform just fine. If it's not to your liking, Eaglehorn's a good choice for a Strafer and WWS is an excellent bow as well. Probably should have one anyways on the switch.

Armor's up in the air for a Bowazon, as you really shouldn't be getting hit much in the first place. I'd reccomend Lionheart, but I've done as well with a Gris armor with 3 ias jewels, and a Mav help wih 1 ias jewel.

Highlord's is a good ammy, though Atma's is pretty standard equipment for a Bowazon who doesn't sport a WWS on the switch. Ravenfrost is a must and probably Manald's for ML.

Goreriders or Trav's and you're pretty much set.

No points in ene, enough Str for end game gear and Pump Dex. I add to Vit for my zons, because I like a zon who can take a hit, which will happen no matter how careful you are.

Hope this helps,

-X