Hybrid Bow/Javalin (LF) zon do-able?

[blitzydog]

I can't seem to find a specific answer to my question anywhere, so it's going out to you guys.

My javazon is at about level 43. I have only been putting points in LF since level 30 (and one points in the pre-reqs) and have put one point in each skill in two of the three passive trees (haven't been putting into the valk tree).

My question is - should I add points to synergies of LF to get a little extra damage, or max out guided arrow and use a bow for bosses and the LF for packs? I just recently snagged a Cliffkiller and i'm dying to use it :D What dyou think?

[PhatTrumpet]

LF is really a 20-point wonder. Even if you were to invest every last skill point in LF synergies your damage would only go up by 80% compared to if you'd only maxed LF. The main reason people do this is so that their Charged Strike (and sometimes Lightning Strike) damage goes through the roof. If you're not particularly interested in insane Charged Strike damage, then 20 LF is all you need in the lightning skills.

Maxing Guided Arrow, however, is not what you want to do with your spare skills points. Guided is more of a PvP skill and one point should be fine for PvM. I'd either max Strafe and Penetrate with one point in Freezing Arrow, or max Freezing Arrow and Cold Arrow with maybe 1-10 points in Strafe. The rest can go towards passives as you see fit.

[crawlingdeadman]

dont use guided as a boss killer when you're already in the jav tree. use charged strike. here's what i did (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=490091) and here's some pictures (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?p=5304673#post5304673)of her.

on my first attempt at this kind of zon i tried to use guided as a boss killer as i thought a mostly dex zon would be unable to get up close to bosses. i was wrong, cs kills so fast even in an 8 player game that the only time i pot is to get some mana back if i need to. results may vary but i recomend focusing on the javelin portion of the skill tree with skill points then use your gear and stats to get your bow damage up. for me it was all about balance. get as many +skills as possible without compromising the necessary bow damage enhancers (ias, %ed, etc).

[DudSpud]

Yes, LF Jav/bow hybrids are doable. The real "synergy" for LF isn't in the Jav/Spear tree - it's Pierce. This gives you 100% damage boost.

I have done both LF/Strafe, LF/FA/CA, and LF/Strafe/ChStr - the latter is really versatile though more gear dependent.

You will have to do something if you want to survive in Hell with all the LI's. Either party up or invest in a secondary skill.

Good luck,
DudSpud