Hell Paradox

[mikehuberiscool]

k, so I just recently (like 2 months ago) started playing D2 LOD again after about a 6 year break (I don't know if that's the actual amount, it's just been a really really really long time). This is the first time I've ever got to hell and I have kind of hit a wall. From what I understand, all the good items are found in hell, but I am unable to play in hell with any of my characters because, well, because I die too easily. This would normally not be a problem because I would just go play NM, but NM has become too easy and it gets to the point where I just create a new character to have something different to do. So, how am I supposed to get better items if the majority of the good items are easiest to find in hell if I can't play in hell because my equipment isn't very good? From what I get is I need good equipment to play in hell and to find other good equipment, but I can't play in hell because my equipment isn't good! (If this sounds confusing and frustrating, well, it is). Any tips for surviving hell or making it easier to find better equipment? Oh, and yes, I do understand mf. Thanks for any and all help.

[Evrae Altana]

You can find good equipment in NM too. Run NM Meph and Baal for some pretty good gear. The drops aren't quite as good as the bosses in Hell, but it should beef up your chars a bit and get them ready for Hell.

[batuchka]

Well one sure way is to make a start up character that *can* do hell without good gear. The prime suspects would be sorcs and summoner necros. Also pick up every flawless gem in NM and cube them to perfects. 10-20 of these would get you hell viable items :laugh: Like you i returned to game in DeC 06' after a long time out and my start up character was a summoner necro. He was running hell pits, mausoleum and andy @ lvl 68+ with self found/gambled gear :tongue:

[seralph]

First of all wellcome to the forums.

Many chars are able to beat hell with gear found on normal, it only needs some base skills and a propperly built char.
The suggested starter builds are fishymancer (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=534904) and meteorb sorc (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=254070)

There are many other guides in the char subforums which give some details on how to build hell capable chars.

superdave made it trough a big part of hell with an all passive amazon (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=480035), very nice experiment. It's a clear statement against the myth of "You need the best items to.."

[Merick]

You can outfit any decent build with hell-viable equipment using pgems for trade.

[Wurmer]

Just out of curiosity, what level are the characters you are trying to get into hell difficulty ? On my part, late 60 early 70 is the level I used to get my character into hell. It's hard to get many characters into hell below level 60 as more often then not their synergies are not built up enough.

Another good character that requires no uber equipment to enter hell is an Hammerdin. A bit of reading on this character should give you the basics. There is a very nice guide in the paladin forum written by Ragnarok.

[mikehuberiscool]

The characters are...
1.Level 83 martial arts assassin with bartucs, the ward, atma's wail, chance guards, infernostride, string of ears, a +3 to martial arts skills or a 31% mf ammy, and 2 nagel rings
2. Level 74 meteorb sorc, with wizard spike, peasant crown, vsicertuant defender, gore rider boots, magefist, toothrow armor, a raven frost, and the rest is rares.

I've found all my equipment and I thought it was pretty good, but when I get to hell I just get slaughtered, so I assumed that it wasn't as good as I thought it was.

[seralph]

In hell you have a -100 resist to all penalty, what does your charscreen says regarding resists?

Do not try to make full clears. If you can't do a quest or whatever create a new game and try again or skip it if possible. Bosspacks in hell can be very nasty, so try to avoid them.

A merc is a great help, have you one?
An act 2 NM devensive one is maybe what you want. Equipe him with a high dmg insight (few nm countess runs) and look for as many life leach on helm and armor

For the sorc use a 10 fcr ring beside the raven, so you reach the next breakpoint. With 105 fcr you can teleport much safer

..just some more thoughts.

[AnimeCraze]

How can he reach the next break point? Wiz only gives 50 FCR, and magefist 20.

Anyways, your meteorb sorc looks decent, if her skills are well placed and well used. Remember, meteorb sorc does NOT use meteor most of the time. Learn to spam fire ball and tele strategically.

[seralph]

right switched res and fcr in mind.:duh:

[AnimeCraze]

If it does have 75 FCR, I would build a 200 FCR singer just for fun.

[Wurmer]

Also, if resistances is an issue, any light shield socketed with Perfect diamonds will do the job. Having bad resistances in hell is a certainly a major problem and should be dealt with accordingly.