Brand runeword

[jebachina]

I've read some topics about it and I see that most ppl are not satisfied with this runeword. I never used it but am I missing something here? That runeword has everything on it one bow ama could wish for...35% chance for amp, slow, deadly strike, decent %ed dmg, knockback, PMH. Faith really looks nice and it has 330% ed(+fana) comparing to brand which can have 340% at max.

I would like people who used brand to post here why they don't like it and why they do. You can also say why you prefered other bow over Brand. I'm thinking of making one this ladder season (if I get the runes) and I don't wanna waste runes.

[Veilside]

i' not sure about it but faith gets more ed than 330 because the fanat aura gives ed as well so on that it seems to do more damage and is much quicker. i think brand would be a good weapon for an act1 merc or a pala ranger but not really sure about it.

[Evrae Altana]

I prefer Faith because Faith is much faster, stronger, has resistances, and gives you pretty decent skeleton tanks. Brand looks a lot cooler though, but the fixing of the Marrowwalk bug has rendered the chance to cast Bone Spear on Brand pretty weak now.

[Leohappy]

I've read some topics about it and I see that most ppl are not satisfied with this runeword. I never used it but am I missing something here? That runeword has everything on it one bow ama could wish for...35% chance for amp, slow, deadly strike, decent %ed dmg, knockback, PMH. Faith really looks nice and it has 330% ed(+fana) comparing to brand which can have 340% at max.I had some leftover hrs on ladder 2 and created Brand MB MF'er with Faith merc and pretty much the best possible gear, and with Marrow bug still in effect (it's fixed now).

First of all, Brand doesn't slow monsters, and Faith has better ed bonus than Brand. Chance to cast amplify is when struck so you need to get hit in order to activate. Damage isn't that great, and I was just barely able to handle phys immunes with this bow even with bugged spears (talkin 8pl game here).

Last but not least, I didn't like the noise of bonespear spamming. It's like WOOOOSH WOOOOSH 10 times per second (with strafe). Ear-pain.

I've made many replies regarding this RW bow in this forum section, so you can use search ("brand bow" phrase) for a lot more info. Some other players have tried it as well.

[Omikron8]

With the disabling of the marrowwalk synergy bug brand is now officially useless. Before 1.11 you could at least put on marrowalks to have the 100% cast bone spears do SOME decent damage in hell. Now without that bug the bone spears will barely scratch anything above one player hell enemies. So besides that all you get is some ED, NO IAS, and a measly 20% DS for an equivalent of 3 high runes? Way to release another worthless runeword blizzard

[Wmeredith]

Whatever ya' snobs. Brand is a fantastic bow. It may not be as good as Faith, but what is?

I loved my Brand. It has what's probably the coolest CTC effect in the game. It would also be wicked on an enchantress (exploding arrows). This thing would own a Demon Machine or Kuko. The fact that you can't use the Marrows bug cheese does suck, but it's not worthless. PMH, ITD, 20% AR, Big Damage, KB, plus the huge dmg boost to dmeons (Brand+Laying of Hands=chaos runner), and super cool CTC is nice. Yeah it's expensive, so what? Sometimes having the best fireworks is expensive. The bonespears don't so massive damage, but they stun well, pierce everything every single shot, and it's a damage that's almost unresistable. I like Brand. Faith might be better, so I would make it first (I did last ladder), but Brand/Ice are cooler(heh) in my eyes.

Ok, here's the deal, I love all the bow runeword's 'cept wrath. Wrath, wtf?


EDIT: There's a great thread about the BONING STRAFER HERE. (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=357475&page=1&pp=10&highlight=boning)

[Omikron8]

With the crap state of brand now i would take wrath over it. At least it is a great PI disabler on switch. Also i doubt moon lords with 50k+ HP will care about your 150 dmg bone spears.

[misterlinno]

Ok, here's the deal, I love all the bow runeword's 'cept wrath. Wrath, wtf?


cuz zephyr is SOOO sweet ;)

[Veilside]

cuz zephyr is SOOO sweet ;)

zephyr is AWESOME at level 21. can't expect it to be godly for level 80+ zons considering what runes you use to make it.

[JanusJones]

EDIT: There's a great thread about the BONING STRAFER HERE. (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=357475&page=1&pp=10&highlight=boning)

Aw, you mentioned my thread! Thanks! :thumbsup:

But, 'tis true - sadly, Brand has now been consigned to the junk bin with the "fixing" of the charges synergy "bug." Personally, I don't see how the charges bug was all that "buggy" - it allowed for a lot of build creativity, which I like, gosh darn it!

But, if you wanted to go for style, slap Treachery on a Strafer for the Venom and go with a Brand bow - a poison and bone strafer! Funny, if not entirely viable. :lol: