How about this?

[Wolfedude]

I was recently making a few mf runs and came across a Woestave Halbard. Was getting ready to sell it and then read the mods; got me to thinking. Those mods are:
Fast attck
Open wounds 50%
Prevent Monster Heal
Hit Blinds Target
Freezes Target
Slows Target by 50%
-50 to Monster Defense per hit

Has anyone ever upped a Woestave? The damage isn't terrible on the item; the mods are great; and if the item were upped the damage would increase & carry all of those great mods along with it. As is it is level 28 reqd. Does anyone know what the damage would be from an upped Woestave? Which runes & receipe would be reqd to up the item?

Am I crazy? Would this even be worth it to try?

[AgentMarth]

It could make a decent polearm, tbh though I have never up'd one so I don't know the damage on it. Insight or Reapers tends to beat it in the end.

I personally like to make a rust bucket outta them.

[MYK]

Woestave will always do poor damage, even if made into an elite weapon. It's a good boss killing merc weapon. Diablo/Mephisto/Baal don't do much after being slowed 50%.

It's also a nifty weapon for a Blade Fury Assassin if you can get another source of crushing blow...

[Master Zap]

It's a popular classic wep and it would be viable here on lod, but there is better options.

To answer your 1st question
here's the fishing pole:
http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/cube.shtml
and here's the Fish:

1 Ral Rune + 1 Sol Rune + 1 Perfect Emerald + Normal Unique Weapon = Exceptional Version of Weapon
This formula changes the base item type from the normal to exceptional version.

you can even up it to elite status if you desired. (not reccomended)

It adds 20-40% damage on the base

Bec-De-Corbin 13 to 85 (49 Avg) up'd once
Great Poleaxe 46 to 127 (86.5 Avg) up'd twice.

Assumed avg added damage of 30% , you'd have something like 115 avg on wep damage twice up'd


It's not worth the runes to double up it, and you'll always be hurting for damage.
what about the mods?

Open wounds 50%

Easy to get this mod on other item slots. Ie Duress and Dracs = all the ow you'd desire

Prevent Monster Heal

A common mod and not that important as long as you have some poison source on your items or via charms.

Hit Blinds Target
useful, no doubt. Ask yourself this question. You walk up wack the monster and are now within melee range. Sorta useless unless your going blade fury.

Freezes Target
A solid mod for sure! , this is much harder to get from other items, but it is really worth handicapping yourself for it?

Slows Target by 50%
very handy! , basicaly obselete if you use a holyfreeze merc or have Reapers toll or lawbringer.

-50 to Monster Defense per hit
Your Ar should be good enough that you do not need this mod.

So that's what I think. I wouldnt use this beyond normal/nm tops
Best use is a blade fury sin imo

[come back zinc]

Assumed avg added damage of 30% , you'd have something like 115 avg damage twice up'd

Yuck. GG Kelpie!

[Wolfedude]

Many thanks for your replies.

[STINGER]

Nice mods, no ED, but in an untwinked setup I would use it in a heart beat!

[Wolfedude]

Arereading this post I think I was slightly misunderstood. I was thinking of the weapon for a merc.

[prion]

honor or insight would be better.

[dokuro]

it's cheap, and the mods are fun. found it on my solo zealot, stuck it on his mercenary and it certainly simplifies boss battles.

[STINGER]

I think everyone understood it for a Merc, but its only 50% ED....no speed, no leech and no damage. Now the mods are excellent but you can do better IMO with others!