Just started playing again, some Q's to ask.

[grymmace]

So it's been yrs since I last played and now I'm back again. So here are a couple of questions I have to ask.

I've found out how to upgrade and I noticed on Arreat's site there's a unique and exceptional unique way to upgrade. I have a WWS and I have the runes to upgrade w/reg unique. I would like to make exceptional but I don't have the two runes needed for it. Should I be ok with that way or wait for the exceptional upgrade?

I don't know what to expect mods,dmg, etc from it but would it matter if I made it at my zons lvl (44) or use my sorc (82)?

Also, what 4-soc polearm I should get/find for my merc (defense, lvl 81). I plan to make insight. He's using Tal's mask and hsarus (sp?) body.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[frish]

i think you got confused about the two ways to upgrade:
normal -> exceptional: weapon: ral+sol+pemerald; armor: tal+shael+pdiamond
exceptional -> elite: weapon: lum+pul+pemerald; armor: ko+lem+pdiamond

so if you have a normal item and want it to be elite you have to upgrade twice...

what is WWS?^^

afaik the clvl doesn't matter for upgrading, so use whatever char u like...

[jiansonz]

For the upgrade recipes, you have to use the recipe that is relevant for the situation. A WWS is a Short Siege Bow, an exceptional unique item. So you can only use the exceptional -> elite recipe on this bow.


What happens with the upgrade recipes is that the base item type gets changed to its exceptional/elite equivalent. An upgraded WWS would become a WWS Diamond Bow. It will keep all its listed attributes, but since the +% enhanced damage will now be calculated from a higher base damage, the damage will improve quite a bit. The requirements (STR, DEX and level) will also go up. STR and DEX requirements will become those of a Diamond Bow. Level requirement will be ((the old lvl requirement or the requirement for a basic Diamond Bow, whichever is higher) +7).



Decent 4-socket polearms start to drop in mid-nightmare. Elites are best, of course, especially if it´s ethereal but you won´t see those before very late in NM. Cryptic Axes are easiest to get 4-socketed because it has a max of 4 sockets (meaning: you get this number if you use the socketing reward on a non-magical one, and you have 1/2 chance to get it with the socketing recipe).

[frish]

not quite true.
cryptic axes can have 5 sox.
you want to use a colossus voulge which is the only elite polearm with a 4 sox max...
your merc needs 200str for this weapon... maybe put fal in tal mask...

[jiansonz]

Thanks for pointing that out. I was looking at the wrong column in my papers, the one that listed weapon ranges...



Adding a strength boost for the merc is a good idea if you want him to use a Colossus Voulge, but why use a Fal when you can get the same result with a measly perfect amethyst?

[frish]

well, you're right, i just never do it...use amethysts for crafting...

and btw: colossus voulge has normally 210str requirement, only the eth version needs 200...

[zebulin]

<edit> i should have read more carefully

[Stompwampa]

what is WWS?^^

Witchwild String
Unique Short Seige Bow
Two-Hand Damage: (32-35) To (75-81) (53.5-58 Avg)
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 65
Required Dexterity: 80
Base Weapon Speed: [0]
+150-170% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Fires Magic Arrows [Level 20]
2% Chance To Cast Level 5 Amplify Damage On Striking
+ (1 Per Character Level) 1-99 % Deadly Strike (Based On Character Level)
All Resistances +40
Sockets (2)



generally the most saught after for strafezons, and almost always upgraded to the elite version, Diamond Bow (IIRC)

[frish]

aha ok. i'm not the bow-type. prefer melee^^

let's take the diggler (normal):

type: dirk
dex req: 25
lvl req: 11

upgrade once (exceptional);

type: rondel
dex req: 58
str req: 25
lvl req: 29

upgrade once more (elite):

type: mithril point
dex req: 98
str req: 55
lvl req: 64

you can find the infos in the item database of diabloii....