Need for updated guides and FAQ

[gohanthemystic]

As i'm sure many of you have noticed... our guides, are in a varying state of up to dateness... I think it would be good for us to list down guides for conventional builds (AKA actually based around skills instead of an item)

Also, Heav, i really think we should change the formating of the guide thread so as to make it slightly more astetically (I think that is spelt right) pleasing. I'm going to be on the forums alot for the next couple of days so i'll try to make a template perhaps... I'll explain the reason why i will be on here alot to you in a pm later.

As for the FAQ: If any of you number crunchers care to possibly help compile all the formulas that are paladin relevant, perhaps we can update that as well. I'm not honestly up to the task at the moment... numbers scare me... lol

-Gohan

[HeavAngel]

Hi Gohan,
I agree, the formatting of the Guides needs to be done the right way.
When a member posts their Guide and are told that they don't have good format the members reply isn't so kosher to other members.

I don't have the time to correct all the Guides unfortunately.

If members want their Guides on the Diabloii web site they have to have the correct format and spelling.

I will be answering your p.m. later sorry been a bit busy with the forums and home life.

I'm glad you've taken this on. You're always helping out! I appreciate all your help! :thumbsup:


I'm glad you're back in one piece btw :)

[gohanthemystic]

Alright below I’ve included a list of all the guides. I have put an asterisk ( * ) next to the ones that I feel will need updating. Please express any differences on opinion please. Also, i think this would be a good way to organize the Guides Thread so as to make it more pleasing to look at, and alot easier to find what you are looking for. ((Btw Heav, i'm sorry for the "Spamming" I'm probally going to be doing in this thread for the next hour or two, i'm just trying to get organized.))


PvM


Hammerdin by Ragnarod *
Tesladin by Wurmer *
Avenger by Cyrus *
Zealot by Cyrus *
Cleric by TheMadOnion *
Frost Zealot by Kitriara *
Storm Ranger by Msa
Mage by Lord Drift *
Fallen Paladin by Gohanthemystic
Ranger by Rane- *
Dragoon by Tastychiken_europe
Smealot (Dclone Killer) by Pougee_au

PvP:

Zealot by stoutwood *
V/T by Pravda *
Vindicator by TheKing
Templar by WvX_Leader
Liberator by LovelyGods
Smiter by Imperor_III

Item Based Builds:

Palabear/Were Templar by ZeroUnit
Fireball Templar by archon_aus
Torch-a-din by Sir SDG
Dreamer by Pougee_au
Dreamadin by Doll Call
Disciple of Doom by JanusJones
Zerk-a-din AKA Relinquisher by jordy666
Fireball Paladin by Shr00mtrip & archon
Day Dreamer by IMCanadian
Auradin by raffster


Optimizations

Max Damage Hammerdin by captain_bogus
V/T Optimization by Strength_Honor



Also, i want to get a group together to update the FAQ, anyone interested in helping please pm me. Template for submitted guides might be a good idea as well. Get more of our guides in the strat comp! ^_^


-Gohan

[gohanthemystic]

Alright, as I’m sure a couple of you know, although not very active (I haven’t really known much about the game until recently) I’ve been here for quite some time, going on 2 years this month. Unlike many of the vets, I’ve tried to stay out of getting banned even once, so, I figure I would like to try to bring this forum back to its former glory. To try to help insure this, I have a template for guides put together from what I’ve observed from the guides approved for the strategy compendium. First though let me go over the basics on submission.

Basics:





All guides ready for submission to strategy forum should be free from spelling and grammatical errors. If you don’t have a word processing program to spell check yours then you can do so online here (http://www.spellcheck.net/).
All guides should have some form of formatting. It makes them both easier to read and more pleasing to the eye.
The person that submits guides for the strategy compendium is our wonderful mod, so we want to put up work that she finds worthy. (Hint Hint give us some input on what you’d like to see Heav ))
Each guide should undergo atleast one revision before you ask for it to be submitted to the strategy forum. This will allow you to add in things found thru input by other players
All guides in this forum can essentially be divided into four types:
PvM- Builds meant for actually playing thru the game

PvP- Builds meant for dueling other players

Item Based- Builds centered around a certain item, usually a runeword



Optimizations- Guides showing how to get the most damage with the builds described above.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Now it is time for the actual template itself. Each guide in the strategy forum has these in common. Any input however would be appreciated.




Template for submitted guides

Introduction

This section of the guide, should let people know allittle about you, your experience with the game, and perhaps a brief overview of your build


Why use this build? (Optional)

This section, while optional, is a good one to have. Why should people play your build as opposed to the many others out there? Making this section might help you attract the audience that you made the guide for.


Stat point allocation (or Stats)
This is usually pretty much a given on what people will tell you to do. Enough Strength for equipment, Dexterity for 75% to block, Rest in vitality, none in energy. While that works, good guides will give you numbers to shoot for based on the equipment they will suggest later.

Skill point allocation (or Skills)
This section, makes your build a build. Without any skills, your build is just a very weak beat stick. It might would be useful to go over any variations you can come up with, to your build. What separates a good guide from a great one, is right here. Explain why you use the skills you do. If you would like to separate the skills into their tabs while explaining them, it does look slightly more pleasing to the eye, and well organized.

Equipment
Here is where you discuss the weapons, armors, helms, shields, gloves, boots, belts, rings, amulets, and charms used with your build. The separator between a good guide and a bad one is how specific they are. In a PvP guide, no one really expects a cheap option, so it isn’t really need. It’s nice if you can come up with a cheap way to do your build, but most people understand that PvP is a rich man’s game (for the most part). For PvM however, don’t assume that everyone has tons of high runes worth of gear. Try to include cheap/untwinked options, for those poor people like me ^_^. Of course if you have an item-based build, tell us what the item does!!!

Mercenary
This is a section that can really make or break a build. Some builds are so powerful that they can kill without one. Other builds however, would do well to remember that a good mercenary can save you a lot of hassle. Equip him as you would yourself, sometimes even better. Reflect this in your guide. Show items that you should equip if you choose a certain mercenary over another. If you happen to recommend one mercenary over all the others, try to tell people why you think that is the only real good option.


Playing Strategies ( aka Hints or Dueling Strategies)
Here depends on what kind of guide you are making

PvP: Include strategies against any other PvP builds that you can think of that you’ve fought.

PvM: Include strategies on how to level up early on, what skills you should use prior to getting your main attack skill, how to get around areas that commonly cause problems for your build. Give suggestions on when would be safe to progress to the next difficulty level. Also, include something about how to deal with immunes

Item-based / Optimizations: Use the rules for the main category it falls under aka PvM or PvP

Some damage numbers (Optional)
While optional, this section will show people the raw power of your build. Don’t just include damage numbers tho, also include defense and stats.

Final notes
This is where you should give credit to anyone who helped you, anyone whose guide you used as a stepping stone, and also where to possibly leave a little humor for them to enjoy.


----------------------------------------------------------------------

That about concludes that little morsel of my Obsessive compulsiveness. I hope this will help our guides both look better and be better than any other forums guide on the site.

-Gohan

[RTB]

The FAQ isn't outdated, it's only missing the new runewords and has a couple of errors left:
The PvP penalty is now 1/6
17%.

Cleansing receives bonuses from:
Prayer: +1 life healed every 2 seconds

Meditation receives bonuses from:
Prayer: +1 life healed every 2 seconds
Including +skills is missing.

The +damage modifier is specially useful in PvP, since it adds the straight amount of damage indicated (it won't be displayed in the character screen) to your attack, without being affected by the PvP penalty, Damage Reduction...
It adds directly to shield dmg and is affected by DR%.

Fist of the Heavens <snip>same as Blessed Hammer, FoH ignores resistances of demons and undeads
Only the Holy Bolts released, the first hit doesn't,

Sanctuary deals magical damage and knocks back Undead monsters, and also adds damage to your attack when fighting Undeads. A very useful feature is that it’ll let you leech from physical immune undead monsters (such as the ghosts in act 2) when it’s active. Unfortunately, it won’t work against Super Unique monsters (such as Pindleskin) and bosses, and it won’t add damage to ranged attacks, just melee ones
When Sanctuary is active the physical resistance of undead is ignored (only for the character/merc with Sanctuary active), even if it's negative. It doesn't add any additional dmg to undead, and has a tiny mana cost, just like Prayer.

Zeal notation isn't quite right anymore, but accurate enough. It's more like 6/4/4/4/6, but the actual values may differ a bit.

[gohanthemystic]

Yeah, the FAQ part was mainly adding things about the runeword "a la" Grief DOESN'T work with Vengence!!! Thanx for posting in the thread tho RTB, you're definately someone in the know on these kinda things! :thumbsup:

-Gohan

[Cooked]

Someone make a guide for various Tristum builds?
I wonder if I am up to it, never made a guide before and I am really just a 'newby' to the paladin but, work on a fast learning curve.

[HeavAngel]

Someone make a guide for various Tristum builds?
I wonder if I am up to it, never made a guide before and I am really just a 'newby' to the paladin but, work on a fast learning curve.
Give it a shot :)

[[exile]]

Generally Tristram builds are just standard other builds with beefed up Resists, Life Tap, Crushing Blow, simple gear switching like that. I'm not sure a complete Tristram guide would be necessary.

[HeavAngel]

There has been a bit of a change made.
There's one less Guide.
One less worry.
It's also been deleted. This way no search can be made for it.


I'll have to go through all the Guides before I start this big project.

I don't want any members coming back with example:
*oh this Guide reccomends this hacked, bugged item*
So, yeah it's going to take time.



Keep the FAQ Coming in. Once It's done it's done.

I like the suggestions that are being made.

[alinski]

Hello. Since some of the guides may be based on v1.11, v1.10 or v1.09 and older, can we have the game version on which the guide is based on stated at the start of the guide? Maybe even divide the guides in game versions until they are all updated.

For example: A v1.11 guide for a Ranger may take into account v1.10 ladder-only items that may now be available in non-ladder.

Just my $0.02.

alinski...

[HeavAngel]

I think the build template should look like this.

Question is who has the time to do reformat all the Guides>?

Anyone want to volunteer>?

RTB: was there anything else you saw that needed to be updated, fixed on the FAQ's>?


Introduction

This section of the guide should contain an overview of the build and some relevant history to it. Things like how the build name came about, how much testing has been done and a little personal history should go here.

Why use this build?

This section, while optional, is a good one to have. Why should people play your build as opposed to the many others out there? Making this section might help you attract the audience that you made the guide for.

Pro’s and Con’s

Optional section. Some analysis of what the build is suited for battling and what areas it will find difficult


Stats
Some details on stat placement should go here. Since not all builds will have the same goal, stat distribution will vary. Some details for each stat should be given and item requirements should go here, especially for item based builds.
Example:
Strength: None, the items x, y and z will provide the boost required for use of item a.
Dexterity: x number of points at level 85, in conjunction with Holy Shield will provide max block.
Vitality: Everything else
Energy: None

Skills
This section, makes your build a build. Without any skills, your build is just a very weak beat stick.

Detail each skill and why the build uses them. List applicable variants here as well.

What separates a good guide from a great one, is right here.

Equipment
Here is where you discuss the weapons, armors, helms, shields, gloves, boots, belts, rings, amulets, and charms used with your build. The separator between a good guide and a bad one is how specific they are. In a PvP guide, no one really expects a cheap option, so the details should be focused on the end game items the build will utilize. Some gear for low and mid levels can be helpful to those that do any solo leveling.

For PvM however, don’t assume that everyone has tons of high runes worth of gear. Inclusion of inexpensive or untwinked gear is almost a must. Of course if you have an item-based build, tell us what the item does!!!

Mercenary
This is a section that can really make or break a build. Some builds are so powerful that they can kill without one. Other builds however, would do well to remember that a good mercenary can save you a lot of hassle. Equip him as you would yourself, sometimes even better. Reflect this in your guide. Show items that you should equip if you choose a certain mercenary over another. If you happen to recommend one mercenary over all the others, try to tell people why you think that is the only real good option.


Playing Strategies ( aka Hints or Dueling Strategies)
Here depends on what kind of guide you are making

PvP: Include strategies against any other PvP builds that you can think of that you’ve fought.

PvM: Include strategies on how to level up early on, what skills you should use prior to getting your main attack skill, how to get around areas that commonly cause problems for your build. Give suggestions on when would be safe to progress to the next difficulty level. Also, include something about how to deal with immunes

Statistics
While optional, this section will show people the raw power of your build. Damage, Attack Rating, Defense and other statistics can give your build a final polish.

Final notes
This is where you should give credit to anyone who helped you, anyone whose guide you used as a stepping stone, and also where to possibly leave a little humor for them to enjoy.

[gohanthemystic]

Um, i think i'll be able to do afew reformats. Just tell me which ones you'd want me to work on (Not more than 3 right now tho i'm afraid... i'm still kinda sick...) It'll give me something to do. Just making sure i'm not going blind. But that template is similiar to the one i posted right? That way i'll know i can just plug info into it :)

~Gohan

[HeavAngel]

Um, i think i'll be able to do afew reformats. Just tell me which ones you'd want me to work on (Not more than 3 right now tho i'm afraid... i'm still kinda sick...) It'll give me something to do. Just making sure i'm not going blind. But that template is similiar to the one i posted right? That way i'll know i can just plug info into it :)

~Gohan
Yes it is. I just edited a few things and made a few minor changes for your eyes to see.

Great, glad you're up for this challege.
:scratch: How about you just start picking.
The ones on the website can't be changed.

But, if these get changed, then they will be able to also be placed on the honorable website.

Just don't overwhelm yourself. Take your time. I really appreciate you and all your care for the forum and the members. :thumbsup:

[-Ferro-]

Hi,

I just wonder if anyone here remember the formula for the % chance to hit, the one sorting def, clvl, ar, etc..., there is no way to find it.

Thanks in advance

Fer

[RTB]

It's easy to find once you know where to look. Click me. (http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=551#Chance%20to%20hit)

[HeavAngel]

It's easy to find once you know where to look. Click me. (http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=551#Chance%20to%20hit)
Very true RTB. Should we add this to the Guild Thread>?

I'm asking what you the members want in the Guild Thread to lesson the 1,000 repeat questions.
Thanks.

[gohanthemystic]

Guild thread?

I really hope you mean GUIDE thread... otherwise i'm really confused.

Although.. maybe we SHOULD have a guild of paladins, I can see the 8 paladin parties already.

2 Hammerdins
1 Avenger
1 Tesladin
1 Frost Zealot
1 Fire Zealot
1 Fanatic Zealot
1 Medic

Ah the fun we could have....

-Gohan

[HeavAngel]

yes, I meant Guide.
Didn't mean to confuse anyone. Just had a very long day.

[Tastychiken_europe]

yes, I meant Guide.
Didn't mean to confuse anyone. Just had a very long day.



i can update my guide a bit if yah want?

[HeavAngel]

i can update my guide a bit if yah want?
That would be kind of you, if you would. :D

[Realm_Fury]

I've been meddling with the Storm (or Shock) Ranger that MSA wrote up. What a great character to play and a terrific guide too. I'm havng alot of fun with it.
A friend let me use the "Faith" runeworded bow. MSA recommends the Widowmaker which is a great bow and I actually like that one for pvp due to the guided arrow. The Faith bow has lvl 12 fanat when equipped and +15 to res so it's friendlier for pvm. IMO

Faith:
Level 12-15 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped (varies)
+1-2 To All Skills (varies)
+330% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
300% Bonus To Attack Rating
+75% Damage To Undead
+50 To Attack Rating Against Undead
+120 Fire Damage
All Resistances +15
10% Reanimate As: Returned
75% Extra Gold From Monsters

Since this character is all about elemental damage, a cool weapon to consider for your merc would be the "Infinity" runeworded polearm. It gives you conviction...

Infinity:
50% Chance To Cast Level 20 Chain Lightning When You Kill An Enemy
Level 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped :clap: :clap:
+35% Faster Run/Walk
+255-325% Enhanced Damage (varies)
-(45-55)% To Enemy Lightning Resistance (varies)
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
0.5-49.5 To Vitality (Based on Character Level)
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30 Charges)

SO lets see. I'm using the Holy Shock aura and Fanatacism from my bow, and the merc adds Holy Freeze (my choice) and Conviction.

Yikes. Killer combo. :thumbsup: 4 auras, no waiting.

I realize these are ladder runewords and don't exactly fall out of trees but if you can get them. WOW. (I'm still looking for an Infinity myself)

[HeavAngel]

Thanks Realm_Fury :clap:

We need more members like those who are helping out the forum. :thumbsup:

[Wurmer]

I have a more up to date version of my guide, If you're interested I could provide a copy of it. Just PM me and we can make the necessairy arrangements.

I think that having categories for builts based on skills/based on items is an excellent idea.

[HeavAngel]

The Pally Forum would be horored if you would update your Guide Wurmer.

Just post it. Then, I'll send the link to the the web site :thumbsup:

Nice to see, the Vets of this forum posting again :clap:

[gohanthemystic]

Good to see you around again Wurmer. Glad you like the idea of organization with the skills/item-based builds.

Oh and Heav, sorry it's taking me awhile but i'm trying to confirm some numbers on the guide i'm working on, and it's taking allittle while, cuz well, i am horrible at math. :lol: Oh yeah Realms_Fury think you could give me some numbers with the faith bow? Cuz, i can't really get ahold of one and MSA's guide is the one i'm trying to format/update. The other ones i wanted to update were either on the site, or well... their author's reputations intimidated me lol ((I'm nowhere near the vet some of you are!))

Yet again, good to see ya wurmer :clap:

EDIT: Heav nice avatar!

~Gohan

[Wurmer]

I have reposted my guide in the forum. Like it is said at the beggining of the guide, it is more of a tweaking exercise than a real over hauling. Some gear and strategies suggestions were added as well as typo and grammatical errors corrections. Some more errors in that departement are probably still there.

[HeavAngel]

Great points everyone.

I'm going to unsticky this for now.

Hopefully we'll have the over hauls up soon.


I sent in all those that didn't need any work.
It's now in Admins hands to when they get put on the web site. I haven't gotten a reply back as of yet.