Alright, here's he deal... I could use some advice

[HalcyonLister]

Alright... here's what's up. I have a level 39, soon to be 40 Druid on the B.net realms. Not the 'other multiplayer/single player' game, the actual B.net servers. The problem I'm having is I didn't read up on any PvM strategies before I got to level 34, and was doing my own thing, thinking that higher skills = better chance in Nightmare/Hell difficulties.

My skill tree is looking pretty abyssmal. I can hang in the first part of nightmare, but that's about it. Normal Diablo is beaten with some difficulty (solo) and I can't get passed Lister the Tormentor in Normal difficulty at all (solo)

I'm going to be level 40, and I'm thinking I messed up BIG time. I have some decent equipment, nothing spectacular, and I'm too afraid to trade with people on the realm for fear of hacks and item images (I used to play a while back on the single player realms and my computer contracted a virus from all the f'ing hacks out there) so I'm left to fend for myself on finding items.

I've recently been running the normal version of Mephisto for money/items but so far haven't come across anything spectacular (nor should I).

One of the problems I had with my last druid is that when I would shapeshift to Wolf, it would freeze my computer (probably from the virus(es)), and so it made the char worthless. I've shied away from shapeshifting with this guy and decided to go elemental/grizzly

Right now, I'm at 5 grizzly/armageddon/hurricane, I have a 3-4 in Dire Wolf (for Grizzly synergy) and most of my other skills are 1's. I even had one in wolf/rabies (I don't know what I was thinking)

With all that long winded-ness done.... question is, should I start over and try a build or will I eventually be decent if I continue on my path? I can't exp very well unless I'm in Nightmare, but the mobs in Nightmare kick my butt really bad.

I have very little damage and AR (because I don't have stuff to trade and I'm scared to death that if I trade with someone with a fake item, I'll lose it when I quit the game) and I only find the basic charms/items with very little resistances, so my resistances are a complete SHAMBLES.

Please, any advice would help. Right now my play style consists of one Act3 Merc, a HoW spirit (for AR and damage), a Grizzly, and either a solar or the life creeper for +mana or +life respectively. I follow them up with Armageddon, Hurricane, Cyclone Armour, and another fire spell if necessary.

[safetypro]

Sorry to say but you need to start over. It's important to research perspective builds and maximize/synergize certain skill sets to get their full potential. An elemental summoner is quite viable as I built one myself but you need to synergize either the fire or wind skills together. For instance a fire druid summoner/hunter using volcano and fissure. Those skills help each other become stronger. Don't waste points in unnecessary skills as that weakens your build. Trust me, in Hell you will need all the damage you can muster through properly synergized skills. In the top section of the forum page, there are "Stickies" or permanent posts where they post druid builds and such. Try reading them to find a build that appeals to you. Look for " Sticky: PLEASE READ FIRST: Druid PvM and PvP Guides -- Updated 14 Mar 04
VictusMetuo ".
As far as trading goes. I agree, trading on the realms is scarey to say the least. Try the trade boards at this site. I myself frequent the USEast trade board and have done hundreds of successful trades without one bad trade. The traders here have a rating system which allows feedback after trading so a good reputation is important in order to be a trusted traded.
I hope this helps and good luck with your build:)

[inanefedaykin]

With the currenct version of diablo 2 (which you must be using to play on battle.net) the item image hack is gone. What you see in the trade window is what you get. Note that pretty well any trading you do on this forum could be considered safe, we (meaning the dii.net community) have a reputation for fair trading. Also, if you're on the USeast ladder I'll see what I've got that I can give away. That being said, read the sticky in the newcomer forum about scams because there are people out there that lurk these forums looking for rubes.

As for your druid, it seems that you've spent 40 levels going pretty much everywhere and thereby getting nowhere. I'd suggest restarting the charecter but if you'd really rather not I'd suggest trying to make the charecter into a wind druid, you've got most of the tree anyway and with some half decent equipment you can finish the game.

[HalcyonLister]

Thanks you guys. You guys gave me some real good information. I appreciate you taking the time.

It sounds like I just messed up and need to start this character over... which means I'll need to switch all my eq over to a new char and try again.

I play on the USWest server unfortunately. Am I able to switch to the East server? It sounds like most people play on that one anyway. Of course, it could be that I play from like 10pm - 2am Pacific time so maybe people just aren't on at that time.

I'm afraid I don't have a lot to trade, my best item is a Culwen's Point I found not too long ago... and I'm starting a level 1 pally .... but I love the druid character. I will look into the builds stickied here, it seems there are really only TWO viable options for PvM:

1) Windy Druid
2) Werebear Druid

I could use a Fire Druid but with most hell mobs and nightmare mobs using Fire Immunity or Lightning Immunity as the biggest trip, Fire seems to be the worst option for Hell difficulty. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, thanks for explaining about the item image hack... it was really freaking me out to trade with people online because of THIS particular hack.
I'm not stupid enough to play the "let's drop items and switch" game and such, and I try to put things in a trade window at wierd intervals to keep from people getting my rhythm down to close it when I'm about to drop something into the window, etc.
But that item image hack would have been undetectable, and therefore very scary for me.

I'm not looking for handouts, if you have extra stuff just lining your stash box or cube that you would like to get rid of, I'll take it, but I'm not on here to look for handouts. That being said, thanks for the offer. If I can play on USEast with my current chars I will check it out.

[inanefedaykin]

You can't take charecters over the realms but you can simply start over on east. Most of the people that post in the druid forum play on west so you should be able to get a spare spirit sword or ribcracker from someone.

[HalcyonLister]

You can't take charecters over the realms but you can simply start over on east. Most of the people that post in the druid forum play on west so you should be able to get a spare spirit sword or ribcracker from someone.


Well, THAT sucks! :( I've noticed in the age of gaming with MMORPG's such as Star Wars Galaxies, Dark Ages of Camelot, WoW, and the like, D2 really never had any 'robust'ness to it. It's certainly not user friendly. You can't switch eq between chars without parking/perming, you can't switch servers even on B.net realms, if you beat normal difficulty, you can no longer see normal game versions (which sucks if you have someone rush you through, as in the case with my druid), so I have to create my own normal games rather than join one in progress.

I have another question. Regarding the Open forums (single player/other multiplayer).... Is the Item Image Hack gone from there too? I guess it doesn't matter considering I could back up a character on my HD for that... but do people still use keystroke loggers and such? I'm wondering if it would just be more lucrative to do a single player game that I can dupe items with or if I should man-up and continue to play on B.net forums.

[inanefedaykin]

Well, the single player community here doesn't take kindly to duping (or outsiders). Most hack fixes are done server side to help keep the way blizzard fixed it a secret so I'm assuming they wouldn't apply to the open realms or single player.

[HalcyonLister]

Well, the single player community here doesn't take kindly to duping (or outsiders). Most hack fixes are done server side to help keep the way blizzard fixed it a secret so I'm assuming they wouldn't apply to the open realms or single player.

I'd like to formally apologize for even bringing up the 'dupe' items thing. I re-read the rules in regards to spamming/bumping and bringing up the idea of 'duping' items in these forums and didn't realize I was breaking the rules until now. I guess this forum is a lot more strict than other bulletin boards I visit, and I apologize for bringing up this idea and for possibly 'spamming' the board. Thanks for your candid response inanefedaykin and I appreciate all your help. If you ever see me online, feel free to hit me up. Account name=Halcyon-Lister on USWest.

[safetypro]

If you ever decide to play on USEast, feel free to contact myself or inanefedaykin. My account is *safetypro

[HalcyonLister]

If you ever decide to play on USEast, feel free to contact myself or inanefedaykin. My account is *safetypro

Thanks, but I think USWest will always be my home.... Unfortunately, unless I meet some people on here from the west server, I'm going to be alone.

That being said, everyone seems to know the 'winddruid' build, but I do not. Could someone point me to where I might find a good comprehensive wind druid outline.

And, it seems the wind druid or the fire/werebear druid seem to be the most popular (read: VIABLE) solutions for the poor druid but I'm not convinced.

I'm hoping someone can give me an idea of what is a good build to use.
Here's something to note about my playing style:

A) I prefer longer but more efficient play styles meaning I'd rather take 5 months to level a druid properly, than rush his skills and difficulty levels and then go on exp runs all the time. I like the accomplishment of doing it on my own. (Don't get me wrong, a few super fast tristram/tomb/mephisto/river/baal runs can do wonders for leveling and I'm not opposed, but I don't want this to be the basis of my build)

B) I have the patience to spend extra time gambling for items I will need to use for the end-game product as well as patience to spend the time building the skills/stats out just right, if I knew what a safe 'formula' for this would be.

C) In the end, for every character I develop, I want enough well-rounded (Hmm, maybe thats the wrong word) at least the skills to be able to run through Uber Tristram...

[safetypro]

HalcyonLister,
I am a builder like you it appears. I've made a Windy, a Hunger Werebear, a Hunter Firementalist and am presently leveling a Fury Werewolf. Of the builds, I honestly liked the Windy the least. The Windy is more of a PvP build and is not well suited to PvM. My favorite build, omitting the Fury Wolf 'cause I'm not finished yet, was the Hunter Firementalist with the Hunger Bear a close second. The Hunter Firementalist while being a very fun build is costly and required decent gear. That said, I would recommend the Hunger Bear. I built mine using IK Maul, gloves, boots and belt. The only runeword in my build was Chains of Honor but that could easily be substituted for other less expensive armor.
The Windy Guide is in the Stickies and is called the Fenris Guide IIRC. The Hunter Firementalist guide is in this forum, try a search on the creator (Ed from Russia). The guide for the Hunger Bear (AKA Mighty Kodiak) is not on this site but, I would be happy to provide the link. If you are interested please PM me.
Of the builds mentioned, the only one capable of uber tristing would be the Hunger Bear.

[Verashiden]

Find me online at *Verashi

I should have some starter stuff lying around that I can give you.

[HalcyonLister]

Find me online at *Verashi

I should have some starter stuff lying around that I can give you.

Are you on USWest?

Oh, I should warn you, I just deleted my clvl39 druid and started over... level 1... I'm perming him right now while I'm at work, so I really am re-starting :D

In any case, I appreciate any/all help, and thanks to all of you for being so helpful on these forums.

I honestly didn't hold out much hope being that most of the docs haven't been touched since 2004/2005/2006 so I didn't expect that there would be anyone on in these forums to discuss these things. I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised. For an old gamer like myself (I've been playing PC games since WELL before the internet) it's nice to see the internet isn't full of bitter/angry pre-pubescent teens. :thumbsup:

[HalcyonLister]

HalcyonLister,
I am a builder like you it appears. I've made a Windy, a Hunger Werebear, a Hunter Firementalist and am presently leveling a Fury Werewolf. Of the builds, I honestly liked the Windy the least. The Windy is more of a PvP build and is not well suited to PvM. My favorite build, omitting the Fury Wolf 'cause I'm not finished yet, was the Hunter Firementalist with the Hunger Bear a close second. The Hunter Firementalist while being a very fun build is costly and required decent gear. That said, I would recommend the Hunger Bear. I built mine using IK Maul, gloves, boots and belt. The only runeword in my build was Chains of Honor but that could easily be substituted for other less expensive armor.
The Windy Guide is in the Stickies and is called the Fenris Guide IIRC. The Hunter Firementalist guide is in this forum, try a search on the creator (Ed from Russia). The guide for the Hunger Bear (AKA Mighty Kodiak) is not on this site but, I would be happy to provide the link. If you are interested please PM me.
Of the builds mentioned, the only one capable of uber tristing would be the Hunger Bear.

Good call... The Hunger Bear sounds like it might be the way to go. I would be interested in reading up on that. However, I don't think I have PM capabilities..... I just tried to add a custom avatar on here of a running wolf and it told me I don't have that ability. So, uh, I may not be able to PM you. :D Thanks again for the help.

[inanefedaykin]

Yeah, moving avatars are only for accounts with a pal membership.

[safetypro]

I tried sending you a PM. If you don't receive it, just post again and I'll figure out another way to get you the URL. I can't post it here since it is for another website.

[Verashiden]

I'm on USWest Ladder

[HalcyonLister]

I'm on USWest Ladder

Cool... my account has a dash in it on the game. But diabloii.net wouldn't allow a dash when I created this account.

*Halcyon-Lister Hit me up.

[Valvolux]

Cool... my account has a dash in it on the game. But diabloii.net wouldn't allow a dash when I created this account.

*Halcyon-Lister Hit me up.

Hey, unsure if you're ladder or non, but if you're NL then I can help you with rushes, items, whatever floats ya boat.

I don't have a lot of free time atm, but you're welcome to try your luck. My account name is same as forum name (revelation!).

[HalcyonLister]

Hey, unsure if you're ladder or non, but if you're NL then I can help you with rushes, items, whatever floats ya boat.

I don't have a lot of free time atm, but you're welcome to try your luck. My account name is same as forum name (revelation!).

Mine too, except on the realms it's got a dash in between the names.

Nope, I don't play Ladder or HC chars... I'm not interested in proving I can play a char better than people half my age with 4 times the time I have online. I take my time and play when I can.

I'll keep an eye out for you... and thanks...