Attack Rating and Last Skill to Max for PS 'sin

[FrostBurn]

Hi,

So I've been experimenting with AR using my PS 'sin, and the results are here:
http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=432587

Since maxed CM only improves Chance to Hit by 5-8%, and I already have ITD on Nat's claw, and my off-hand Bartuc has about 2/3 chance to hit anyway, is it worth it maxing CM? Admittedly, maxed CM will help against champions, uniques and bosses, but is it worth it for just a 5-8% increase?

The alternative is maxed Shadow Master. I would be very grateful if someone can tell me how the SM's skill levels increase (not items, as I know that stops at slvl 17) as I invest points into the skill.

Maxed Venom is nice, but there are a lot of poison immunes and monsters with good poison resist in Hell, which puts me off a little.

Thank you.

[Kijya]

If it's really just 5-8% then no not worth it. CoS or eth runes may be a better choise.

As for shadow skills here's a link (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=418357)

[ilkori]

I actually responded in your Phoenix thread, but it didn't show up on the forum. It really has been odd the last couple days.

http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=429498

[FrostBurn]

@Kijya: I just learnt that the character screen does not display the CtH accurately, i.e. LYING CS. The best way to figure out CtH is to count the number of misses and hits. I miss about 1/3 the time when attacking champions, bosses and uniques (my char is level 87). I suppose CM will help a bit with that, but not massively. Thanks for the link.

@Ilkori: Thank you Ilkori. My 2nd PStriker thread showed no replies, so I assumed there wasn't one, until I checked it 5 minutes ago and found your reply. I am looking forward to your SM guide, and I will hold off investing the last 20 skill points until I read your complete guide. Then I can decide whether to max CM or SM. My EIAS works out exactly at 91. Good tip on Soul Drainer, but I prefer to stay alive than to hit more often, hence Dracul's Grasp for me.

I now know of the Squid! I hope it gets caught in a fishing trawler's motor blades!

[FrostBurn]

The Squid attacks again!

[ilkori]

Everything in the post is what I have about the technicalities of the Shadows; the only thing I need to add is info on when they get equipment (I think). For the Master, it's slvl 17. Those include +skills, so with Nats + Bartucs (+7 skills) you need her at lvl 10 base. Subract even more for other items that add bonuses.

Her skill levels in spell X are based on 1/2 whatever you have invested in skill X, plus 1/3 the shadow's level (whatever you cast her at) with any random bonuses that happen to spawn on her equipment.

That chance to hit seems about right. It's very difficult to get 95 cth (the max) on champs/bosses. Just take a bit more time making sure you hit the target before switching skills and releasing charges. I always play with sound because of this effect.

A few AR charms really help, as do target defense reducers.

Another way to look at the increases is based on the miss reduction rather than the hit increase. In otherwords, if you are hitting 70% of the time, a 15% increase in chance to hit (to 85%) halves your chance of missing.

[ilkori]

Everything in the post is what I have about the technicalities of the Shadows; the only thing I need to add is info on when they get equipment (I think). For the Master, it's slvl 17. Those include +skills, so with Nats + Bartucs (+7 skills) you need her at lvl 10 base. Subract even more for other items that add bonuses.

Her skill levels in spell X are based on 1/2 whatever you have invested in skill X, plus 1/3 the shadow's level (whatever you cast her at) with any random bonuses that happen to spawn on her equipment.

That chance to hit seems about right. It's very difficult to get 95 cth (the max) on champs/bosses. Just take a bit more time making sure you hit the target before switching skills and releasing charges. I always play with sound because of this effect.

A few AR charms really help, as do target defense reducers.

Another way to look at the increases is based on the miss reduction rather than the hit increase. In otherwords, if you are hitting 70% of the time, a 15% increase in chance to hit (to 85%) halves your chance of missing.

[FrostBurn]

Sorry Ilkori, for pestering you, but this is my very last question (promise!) and I'll stop bugging you. I just need you to confirm my assumption:

Both cast their own spell levels at the level of (shadow)/3 + (yours)/2 + (shadow equipment). This also applies to synergies, which do not seem to be capped by the normal 20 available to players.

Using the following skills of my PS 'sin, including + 9 in MA and +10 in shadow disciplines from items:
With 7 hard skill points invested in SM:
Phoenix Strike slvl 29
Shadow Master slvl 17
SM's Phoenix Strike slvl = (shadow)/3 + (yours)/2 + (shadow equipment)
=17/3 + 29/2 + shadow equipment
=20.16667 + shadow equipment
=20 + shadow equipment

With 20 hard skill points invested in SM:
Phoenix Strike slvl 29
Shadow Master slvl 30
SM's Phoenix Strike slvl = (shadow)/3 + (yours)/2 + (shadow equipment)
=30/3 + 29/2 + shadow equipment
=10 + 14.5 +shadow equipment
=24.5 + shadow equipment
=24 + shadow equipment

I should use my total slvl (including + from items) and not use only the hard skill points invested i.e. use phoenix strike slvl 29 and not slvl 20.

And the SM can have bonuses to her chosen skill from synergies; meaning my CoT slvl 29 will synergise her Phoenix Strike at CoT's slvl 29, and not be capped at slvl 20.

Is this correct?

And thank you very much for all the replies to my previous posts.

[ilkori]

Looks good. The only correction is that it rounds after both divisions. So, it would be floor(17/3) + floor(29/2). That drops you down to lvl 19, but it's pretty close.

The synergies are strange. She only gets the synergies once she has used the skill. It's like she has to learn everything from scratch, which means Warriors can be controlled to do what they are supposed to, while the Masters are dependant on whatever whim suits them at the time. Also, there is no cap on their synergy levels (sfaict), and you do use the total even if it is greater than 20. The exact mechanics with weapon swapping are a bit vague, so I won't even try to go there.

It's been a pleasure helping you. You can both read, write, and do math. It's amazing.

[FrostBurn]

You can both read, write, and do math. It's amazing.

Lol! Well, that only happens when I put on my +3 to Geek Skills Spectacles. I could have done better but I lost my Brainiac Torch!

You are a star, Master Ilkori! Bless you!