Decisions, Decisions

[Euro-Crash]

I have been working on a hybrid build based on the WWS string guid posted in this forum. The build uses FA and Strafe. Here is a basic run-down.

Helm: Tal's Mask (15IAS/7ED)
Amulet: Cat's Eye
Armor: Fortitude Archon Plate
Ring #1: Raven Frost (20dext)
Ring #2: Raven Frost (20dext)
Belt: Razortail
Weapon #1: Up'd WWS (SHAEL+SHAEL)
Weapon #2: +2 ICE Matriarchal Bow
Gloves: Sander's (until a nice pair of crafted)
Boots: Waterwalk

My mercenary is equipped with a Guillame's Face (CHAM), Pride Collossus Voulge and Fortitude Archon Plate. He is an Act 2 Might Mercenary. I recently acquired a Faith GMB with +3 Bow and Crossbow/+2 all skills and lvl 14 Fanaticism. I have experimented with this bow and found it to be quite nice. My current skills are:

-20 Strafe
-20 Frozen Arrow
-20 Cold Arrow
-10 Penetrate
-1 D/A/E
-1 Valk
-1 Pierce
-1 Pre-req's

Essentially, my question is this. Without the WWS, I lose a ton of Deadly Strike and Resists...as well as the chance to cast Amp Damage. I typically cast Valk as a meat shield, and my plan is to get her to the breakpoint of lvl 8 (including +skills). I would like to ensure that I have enough Deadly Strike and IAS, and if possible maintain a chance to cast Amp Damage. What would you suggest?

[Euro-Crash]

I remember when the forum used to be helpful...when you could post a question and it would be answered within an hour. I believe the level of participation in this forum has decreased significantly as replies are taking longer. I believe that I have found a viable solution to my issue. I will be using:

Helm: Tal's (15ias/7ed) until Stealskull (15ias/15res)
Amulet: Cat's Eye until Atma's Scarab
Armor: Fortitude Archon Plate
Ring #1: Ravenfrost (20 dext)
Ring #2: Ravenfrost (20 dext)
Belt: Razortail
Boots: Waterwalk
Weapon #1: FAITH Grand Matron Bow
Weapon #2: ICE Matriarchal Bow
Gloves: Sander's until Crafted

Needless to say the rest of my attribute points will be going into dexterity. I will be pushing Valk to slvl 8 with +skills, Pierce to slvl 4 with +skills, and Critical Strike to slvl 8 with +skills. I believe this should be more than adequate.

For charms I will be making up lost ground from equipment by utilizing 20 to life sc's, 5% fhr sc's, 5% frw sc's, cold damage sc's and resist sc's. I will more than likely need to get a hold of an annihilus as well. However, I don't like to plan my builds around Annihilus SC's....so it is not mentioned.

[setaa]

Essentially, my question is this. Without the WWS, I lose a ton of Deadly Strike and Resists...as well as the chance to cast Amp Damage. I typically cast Valk as a meat shield, and my plan is to get her to the breakpoint of lvl 8 (including +skills). I would like to ensure that I have enough Deadly Strike and IAS, and if possible maintain a chance to cast Amp Damage. What would you suggest?
by using highlord's you would maintain good amount of deadly strike as well as ias
and how about using the wws instead of ice for the second weapon slot. shoot with wws till amp is triggered then switch back to faith, not really practical but i suppose it'll work
your plan with using 15 ias stealskull and atma's sounds ok too, though atma's doesnt really have anything else particularly useful besides the amp (75% poison res isnt bad though hehe)

[Euro-Crash]

by using highlord's you would maintain good amount of deadly strike as well as ias
and how about using the wws instead of ice for the second weapon slot. shoot with wws till amp is triggered then switch back to faith, not really practical but i suppose it'll work
your plan with using 15 ias stealskull and atma's sounds ok too, though atma's doesnt really have anything else particularly useful besides the amp (75% poison res isnt bad though hehe)

Well...the 20% bonus to AR is a good thing...and using this ammy ensures that AMP can be cast in either bow configuration. If you haven't seen what ICE does (particularly in a Matriarchal Bow w/+2 B&C Skills) you would understand why I wouldn't want to use the WWS. I am thinking of changing horses from my good old WWS, to the FAITH GMB...simply because I have found the WWS doesn't quite cut it in HELL.

BTW, you should check out ICE...its pretty cool. Considering this is a Frost/Strafe hybrid, the bonuses provided by ICE are far sexier than the WWS. Mine ended up as:

+2 Bow and Crossbow Skills
100% Chance To Cast Level 40 Blizzard When You Level-up
25% Chance To Cast Level 22 Frost Nova On Striking
Level 18 Holy Freeze Aura When Equipped
+20% Increased Attack Speed
+200% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
+26% To Cold Skill Damage
-20% To Enemy Cold Resistance
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
20% Deadly Strike
3.125-309.375 Extra Gold From Monsters (Based on Character Level)

Not only do I boost my cold damage, but my freeze duration is not as much of an issue. The secondary cold skill, FROST NOVA triggers a damn lot. The boost to cold skill damage and the reduction in enemy cold resistance is sweet too. Coupled with the Deadly Strike, I believe this is a good bow...seriously, check it out. My friend and I were on last night...he was using his FAITH GMB, and I had the ICE bow on. It was sweet!

[itsPizzarific]

faith is more of a multi bow, allowing you to much more easily reach the 7fpa multi which is more deadly than a 7/2 strafe with faith in almost any situation

however, the 7/2 strafe is obviously still deadly, and if thats what suits you, stick with it by all means .. your gear is godly enough to make it work well ;)