Switching bows from GS to WWS

[Shekky]

Hi everyone, long time lurker here but I've registered to ask a question. I'm back in D2 after a hiatus of two years so I may ask questions that appear simple. Please bear with me.

I'm using a glass cannon build at the moment which calls for elite, inaccessible items. I didn't even recognise some and it took me forever to realise a faith GMB was not an unique bow but a runeword.

I have followed the build's stats/skills points list exactly, and am slowly collecting the equipment. Right now, I'm lvl 83 and using a goldstrike but have two spare witchwild strings. I am wondering whether upgrading and using one WWS would work well with this build. At first glance, the D2goons build looks identical to Chipmc's WWS strafeazon guide (http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240912) so it would suggest no problems. Just wanted the forum's thoughts.

Also, if I were to socket the WWS (using this guide, natch (http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=673417)), would I still keep the stats after the upgrade?

[NASE]

Let me point out that linking to competing forums isn't allowed unless you have gotten explicit agreement of a mod/admin - and I really don't think you have gotten one.
Now, one these forums, the mods and admins are quite strict on the rules. So if you see the chance, remove that link before a mod has to do it for you.
Never the less, I welcome your to the forums - and I'm quite sure the mods will too.

Lets get to your questions. Yes, a upgrade wws will be good enough for /player 1 hell. And all the jewels/gems/runes you will put in the wws will stay once upgrade. Note that all the other mods such as ed/ar/leech - not all on wws for the sake - will stay at the same value. Upgrading a perfect wws will stay perfect.

About bowazon builds, we can be short. Almost all builds will be the same. The only difference is that some bows offers mods that can be gotten through skill allocation aswell. It's logic that one won't take on those skills - think about ignore target defence and penetrate for faith or deadly strike and critical strike for wws. However, seen the fact that you don't know what equipment you will get in the future, going for the general builds is a good idea.

P.S. Chipmc's guide is a representation of what the forums thinks, and on those points where we disagree, often you'll find it in the discussion that follows the guide. So I'm not totally sure what you expect from us.
P.P.S. read up on some of our guides. That guide is so 1995.

[Shekky]

Ah thank you for alerting me. It did not link to a forum - merely a guide - but I have edited out the link anyway.

Thank you for the help - I think I'll continue reading up before I make a commitment.

[PeaceHammer]

Just so you know, I just upp'd my WWS today to try it out. Don't know if it was worth the Pul to do so, but I think it is viable so far for the first 3 acts of hell at least. At 91% deadly strike, and good chance to cast Amp damage, you have a potential to do decent damage, IMHO much better than Goldstrike.

I'm using Windforce with an Atma's scarab normally, with a Hel'd Hellrack on switch for immunes (Hellrack seems to trigger the Atma's Amp Damage faster, plus dealing good elemental damage while in the process). However, I put a +11 min damage jewel in one of the WWS sockets, and the damage range is very tight now. Something like within 75 pts on my merc. One good use for it is to give it to a rogue fire merc and let her help you take down Phys immunes.

I'm thinking of putting a perfect skull in the other socket in the event I decide to trade my Windforce away to further my quest for a Lo rune. The mana/life leech will help keep my bulbs full.