Does any have realistic builds for the common man

[mdstermite]

I am becoming frustrated with looking for builds online. It seems that every build I see suggests using items that are nearly impossible to find. But perhaps I should explain my meaning of impossible.

I am only interested in PvM. I do not want to play online at all. Therefore any build I am looking for must allow for the possibility of actually finding the items in this manner.

Furthermore, all of the builds seem to suggest that you have these items from the beginning of the game. No one ever discusses what items they use or what items to look for in the process of building the character. What characteristics should I be looking for in an item?

To me, the things that are out there are not builds. They are builts.

Are such builds out there? Or am I on my own in feeling this way?

[Grumpy Old Wizard]

Take a look at this thread in the single player forum.

http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=712964

You can make most anything work if you are patient enough.

What kind of characters do you like to play. Mele, ranged, spell caster...

[NASE]

What you are looking for are probably guide written by single player people rather then those written by bnet people.
I know of two amazon guides that are written by single player people. Give them a go, perhaps this can help you get a few first builds - and don't forget to use atma so you can mule items. That will make it easier to find build that suit you as you will have more items to use.

http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601100 - this guides links to some other that might be worth checking out. I know the LF/PJ is good, can't really tell much about the other guides, though generally Ugla seems trustworthy.

P.S. And this is just for amazons, there are other builds for other classes.
P.P.S. And welcome to the forum, hope you find what you are looking for.

[Aien]

Hello, and welcome. That's a good question you raise, but respectfully, I think you're getting the wrong idea from the guides you're reading.

Some builds like auradins and others are indeed completely gear-dependent, that is, they need that exact gear to be viable. The majority of cookie-cutter type builds you read about, though, don't really need that suggested "best" gear to get through the game. Sure, you may not speed through it as fast, but you can certainly get by with many/most generic builds just using gear you find by taking your time and being careful.

I could be wrong, but it sounds like you are just picking up the game. Let us know, like Grumpy Old Wizard said, what type of character you like to play, and I'm sure we can help point you in the right direction.

I'll try to give you a few generic ideas without that information. A couple viable melee characters are your average fanatic zealot or frenzy barb. For spellcaster-types, a dual-tree sorc such as a meteorb can get through fine with self-found gear. A fishymancer or skelliemancer is a minion-type character that does fine without top end gear. All of those guides are searchable on this site.

You may also give Mursilis's Beginner's Guide to Build Selection a read if you haven't already. It's a great reference and stickied at the top of this subforum.

[Gorny]

Hello,

this is Gorny speaking on behalf of Gorny.

Gorny would like to inform you that there are helpful stickied threads above. Gorny also wants top point out that one of them was posted by Mursilis and is titled "beginners guide to build selection"

Gorny suggests taking a read of it. Gorny thinks it might help you.

Gorny wishes you luck.

Gorny will now slip away unnoticed.

[Thyiad]

Pop over to the SPF and have a look through the SPF FAQ (Link in the sig). While the thread Grumpy linked to is pretty good, there is a LOT more info in the SPF. We actually have one post of the FAQ dedicated to Build Guides.

Say hello while you're at it and feel free to ask any questions, you'll get a much more reasonable response regarding gear suggestions. :)

Enjoy.

EDIT:
Don't mind Gorny he's missing his P-90's.

[Gorny]

Pop over to the SPF and have a look through the SPF FAQ (Link in the sig). While the thread Grumpy linked to is pretty good, there is a LOT more info in the SPF. We actually have one post of the FAQ dedicated to Build Guides.

Say hello while you're at it and feel free to ask any questions, you'll get a much more reasonable response regarding gear suggestions. :)

Enjoy.

EDIT:
Don't mind Gorny he's missing his P-90's.

Gorny would like to inform Thyiad that he has a fully loaded P-90 Submachine gun. Gorny wishes to inform Thyiad that that is all that he needs to start shooting pecan pies.

Do not test Gorny because Gorny will destroy Pecan Pies.

[DoomBoy]

try playing a naked necromancer or naked sorc: they're fun!

[mdstermite]

First, thank you all for your suggestions. I'll certainly take a gander at the boards and links you suggested.

After rereading my post, I realized that it certainly could be assumed that I was new to the game, in general. I have actually been playing off and on for many years. My best build has been a lvl 50+ assassin that got stuck at the Ancients in Nightmare.

This post is the result of multiple years of compounded frustration. Before I start a new character I like to look at what others have done to get a feel for what seems to work, what is challenging, etc. But so many of these builds are meant for PvP or taking the time to "buy" items and such. In other words, I don't want to get too far into the game and realize that I've completely screwed my character.

All that said, I believe I probably posted in the wrong spot. My apologies if so...and thanks again.

[Noodle]

Noodle recomends building a Blizzard sorceress, and getting her to Nightmare Mephisto. One of the reasons why Noodle enjoys Single Player so much is that it allows him to reroll or keep his maps (reroll by changing difficulties or making a TCP/IP game, keep by not changing difficulties or making / joining a TCP/IP game). If you follow Noodle's advice, you should be able to farm enough items to push on the Hell Mephisto. Noodle has found a plethora of end-game worthy items from dear, generous Mephisto. Noodle is particularly amused by how the Lord of Hatred is fooled by a simple moat. (Noodle is not very impressed by Hell's interviewing and screening routines.)

[lAmebAdger]

Some builds like auradins and others are indeed completely gear-dependent, that is, they need that exact gear to be viable.

http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=542

crushflange anyone? :badteeth:

[jimbtx]

I think I feel were the poster is coming from. It would be nice if there was a section for what I call "Desk Top" players . Folks who don't play online like myself.

Like when a friend of mine couldn't relate to a complaint about having to dump those new keys that show up. The keys prevent me from using Atma(if left in my stash). And, as a desktop player. They serve no purpose.

As for a good starter builds. The 2 that got me to Hell level best are:

Uber Summonancer. At least on point each in all Summons. (Note. All summon synths do work with Skill bonuses.)At least one point each in all curses. With extra in one curse of choice. I go for uber "Lower Resist". You can go for Ad if you prefer Physical damage.

One point in Bone Armor and 2-3 in Bonewall.

Max Skeleton Mastery,2-4 into Golem mastery, and spread the rest into Bone warrior,Bone Mage, and Summon resist.

Warning! As you work your way upto NM/Hell. Save up charms,etc for Lightning and fire resistance. There are at least 2 types of lightning attacks (Gloams for one) that summons won't be able to protect you. If your resist is to weak. The Gloams and Salamanders can kill you before you even see them!!

Gear of choice. Anything that boost Skills!!!! Note. As you rack up skill bonus gear. Experiment with your other curses. Lots of areas where you can toss something like confuse on some baddies who can't reach you and toss a fire golem with them.

And, any gear that boost mana Regeneration.

My other favourite is "Magic Arrow Bowazon" Magic Immunes are the least common. And, this build needs no real mana points or mana steal!! Also, ammo never runs out.I still put one point each into the other bow skills. A Melody on a good Ammy +3 to B&C skill bow alone will bring them upto 7 if need be.

This gives me plenty to boost the hell out of Passive skills. I only do one point each into the Insight and slowmissiles as prereqs, and only one into Evade. I spread the rest over My passives. Don't under rate the benifits of Decoy. She should be permenant on your button. Once you Valkyrie is tieing it on with baddies. Toss her just a little further out. This way you get more hits with your "Pierce" arrows!!

And, keep tossing her ahead to prevent being taken off guard by Undead stygians and such. Note. There's also an unlisted bonus of +2 resist all to your valk for each hard point into Decoy.

Ammys are naturally immune to Iron Maiden. Big plus in some areas.

Gear search. Resist charms. You won't have a shield to toss P-diamonds on. You'll have a pretty nice variety of ammy bows to choose from over time. Take advantage of Weapon switch to allways have 2 types of Damage bows available. Make sure one is for Cold damage. And, when needed,Combine it with your low level Freezing arrow to do away with undead who won't stay dead.

As a range fighter. The bonuses like Monster flee and Knockback(I hate on my pally.) are a plus for you. Other bonuses to look for are +Freeze, life steal.

Note. If you haven't got it yet. I rccomend getting the Atma program for Muling gear and such. And, then create a self titled mule for each character type. Barb for barb, ammy for ammy. As you find certain kick but items like skill charms and rare character only pieces. Set them aside on the best suited character type.

Then later on if you decide to do a totally new character. You'll allready have some nice gear waiting. Naturally. My Necro finds all the cool Ammy gear. My Pally finds all the cool Necro gear.

Each character type has select areas and monsters that they find easier to take on. Identify yours and abuse the hell out of it to rack up gear and xp to boost yourself for the others. Monsters don't fight fair. Neither should you.

[stephan]

I think I feel were the poster is coming from. It would be nice if there was a section for what I call "Desk Top" players . Folks who don't play online like myself.
It's already mentioned. It's called the Single Player forum and you can find it on the main forum page here if you scroll down.


Like when a friend of mine couldn't relate to a complaint about having to dump those new keys that show up. The keys prevent me from using Atma(if left in my stash). And, as a desktop player. They serve no purpose.
I can't recall to have problems with uberkeys in ATMA.

[lAmebAdger]

ammy is a very popular acronym for amulet while zon or ama are very popular acronyms for amazon... but, your choice, as always

[Grumpy Old Wizard]

It would be nice if there was a section for what I call "Desk Top" players . Folks who don't play online like myself.

There is. It is called the Single Player Forum. Look below all the class forums.

[lAmebAdger]

It's already mentioned. It's called the Single Player forum and you can find it on the main forum page here if you scroll down.


There is. It is called the Single Player Forum. Look below all the class forums.


Also, you will find that place in the Single Player Forum. You just need to look for it. It goes by the name "Single Player Forum".


:crazyeyes:

[Mursilis]

Like when a friend of mine couldn't relate to a complaint about having to dump those new keys that show up. The keys prevent me from using Atma(if left in my stash). And, as a desktop player. They serve no purpose.

That happened in previous versions of ATMA when the keys were first introduced. Use the most recent version of ATMA and you won't have this problem.