xbowsin?

[BildBenny]

I've been trying to find a guide to Assassins using crossbows here, but there doesn't seem to be one? Or?

Anyway I was planning on using Demon Machine and Razortail for a total of 99% Pierce. I don't see any other reasons to use bows/xbows other than piercing hits, since the Assassin already has a projectile attack (Blade Fury).

Maxed Venom, I guess? I suppose Venom damage doesn't get applied to the explosions from Demon Machine's "Fires Explosive Arrows or Bolts"?

Any tips would be much appreciated. Or if there already is a thread on this matter, anyone who could provide a URL will get 5 stars in my book. Right off the Bat. ;)

Thanks in advance.

[digdig]

I have no experience with an xbowsin, but the idea sounds interesting.

You are asking about PVM right ?
The PvP Ama-Sin (Bow Assassin) Author: BigChief
http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=584

Venom should be your main skill. I don’t think the explosions from Demon Machine will carry poison or anything else. The exception might be Fire Damage. Poison would carry to the next monster on any attack that pierces.

Do you plan to focus on Shadow Disciples or Traps or both?

Below are some equipment suggestions (should work through NM), that are not too expensive. I am not going to recommend any Godly equipment, but this build might take Godly equipment to be effective in Hell.

Buriza vs Demon Machine
Buriza has 100% (95%) pierce. This would free up your belt. You would lose Lvl 6 Explosive Bolts. AR could be issue. Demon Machine has +632 To Attack Rating vs Buriza +35 Dexterity. Buriza would freeze targets, which would give traps more time to work. The downside would be the loss of Corpse Explosion from Death Senty when a monster shatters and leaves no corpse.

You could use claws on switch for Venom, Shadow, Traps etc.
If leeching mana is a problem, your switch weapon could be a Magewrath Rune Bow – 15% mana leech.

Trang's Gloves 25% poison damage.

Depending on your play style, I think you should look for items that add effects.
You could experiment with items that add Knockback, Slow, Flee, and Open Wounds.
Nef Rune, Dol Rune, Cleglaw’s Gloves, Howltusk, Face Mask of Horror, Boneflesh, Rattlecage, Crow Caw, Toothrow. Try to get a ring or amy that has CTC Chain Lightning on attack. This isn’t for the damage, but for the brief Stun Chain Lightning produces.

As with any build, you need to balance Mana/Life sources, Damage Reduction, AR and Resists. An Act 2 NM Holy Freeze Merc is good at crowd control ( see Death Sentry above). Between your Merc and Shadow, you can stay out of danger at least part of the time. Maxing Fade might be necessary to help with ranged attacks.

If you make one of these, please share your results.

Dig

[Omikron8]

doesn't this fall under the category of venom sniper?

[BIGeyedBUG]

The explosions won't carry any damage or effects beyond fire damage. Consequently, the only thing the Demon Machine offers over Buriza is the +AR, which is pretty huge. But there are other ways around the CtH problem, and the Buriza has everything else over the Demon.

The exception would be if you had access to some really powerful Enchant cheese. In that case, the Explosive Arrow mod would start looking a lot better. Even then, the Buriza would be a far more versatile bow.

OTOH, if you don't actually have a Buriza...

edit: Oh, and the traditional skill setup for a Bowassin (or Crossbowassin)...

20 Venom, Death Sentry, Shadow Warrior
10-20 CoS
1 in all prereqs, as well as Mind Blast. Additional points might go to MB or Fade depending on build.

CoS can reduce target defence down to almost nothing at high levels. Shadow Warrior gives you a tank, and a way to get around that long CoS timer. Death Sentry does a lot of the actual killing.

Specialized poison gear would make things a lot easier, as high level Venom on its own ain't that hot PvM. In any case, it's a build for patient players. If you want quick and easy, build a trapper.

A lot of Bowassins use Widowmaker these days for it's Guided Arrow. But it has the disadvantage of not being a crossbow. :p

[BildBenny]

Wow, thanks for all the right to the point replies! :)

Yes, it would be for PvM.

Just checked the Weapon Speed Calculator at:
http://diablo2.ingame.de/tips/calcs/weaponspeed.php?lang=english
and according to it, with a slvl 30 BoS you only need 40% additional IAS to hit the 11fpa breakpoint with a Colossus Crossbow. And 19% additional IAS to hit at 9fpa with a Hydra Bow.

The BuriSin seems more appealing at this time. I had totally forgot about BoS for higher rate of firing arrows. :rolleyes:

I've never really got the point of using CoS. It has a hidden timer... well, not entirely, maybe, but IMO, if a spell should have higher intervalls between casting, they should do as with all other casting delays - make it turn red.
Might be a wise decision do let your Shadow Warrior cast it though.

Venom would be ideal. Maybe high amount of points spent in Mind Blast too. That way you could take your time when choosing from which angle you want to fire away at the monsters, and really make use of your piercing.

Death Sentry would maybe also be somewhat necessary... although I really like the thought of dealing Fire Damage better. Not that it is better, but just the thought of it is cooler. For some reason, it seems Blizzard made most of the Fire Skills in the game almost useless. In some cases in damage, and... well, Immolation Arrow is just soo cool, but it has a casting delay, for some unapparent reason...
Anyway, some other trap dealing elemental damage would probably be good too.

I'll do some testing, and see what I can come up with! :)

Please do keep posting other ideas!

/Benny

Edit: Oh, btw, digdig, you've got your 5 stars! ;)

[netmc]

I cover some of the stuff you ask about in my cheap bow assassin guide, but your post has 76 views, and mine (right below you) only has 7. lol..

There might be some info in it that might help you..

http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=406491

[BildBenny]

Yeah, I noticed it earler, but I didn't read it until now. Great Stuff! :thumbsup:
I guss this thread has more views since it's been up for a few more days.
I do agree with you on the Visionary Circlet, a greatly underestimated attribute! :)

I'll post some comments on it as soon as I finish this one.

I was just thinking - I'm pretty certain I'll be using a Buriza. I just can't stand projectiles without a piercing ability - what would be the best to socket it with? Eth or Jah? Mal? Or maybe a Nef if I can't get Knockback from somewhere else?
Note: Buriza has a built in Freeze-mod, and AFAIC when monsters totally freeze to a standstill, the Knockback mod is useless (since they freeze they won't budge). So Knockback maybe won't be that important?
Maybe even a Perfect Amethyst would be good (150 AR in weapons)?

/Benny

[Omikron8]

eth or nef or amn