PvM Gunslinger - Physical Bow/Lightning Java Hybrid

[Ilumm]

Here's a post that includes some comments on playing style:
http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/s...08#post6736908

Another clear answer.Ty.

However now i am having problems choosing a merc. Is an a2 merc that hard to keep alive?(cows/sanctuary/wsk).

Are a1 mercs worth it(i can't afford faith,only harmony)?

[Kijya]

Another clear answer.Ty.

However now i am having problems choosing a merc. Is an a2 merc that hard to keep alive?(cows/sanctuary/wsk).

Are a1 mercs worth it(i can't afford faith,only harmony)?

For a primary CS runner, yes having the merc dieing to IM is annoying. However, if you're focusing on other areas to, IM deaths will become less often of an occurrence so it shouldn't be that a big problem.

You can simply try both out, after all switching merc in case you end up not liking your first choice isn't that hard.

[Ilumm]

I have some new questions:

1) After a lot of thinking i decided for an insight act2 merc. This is the only aura(except vigor and thorns) i can get and it seems to solve a problem that a lot of people complain of.

2) I was planning to use an ark+2 as an armor(+2skills which are great for p&m and javazon skills and some good life on it). Now thinking again i realise this is way to much str to spend(24points,i messed my calculus the first time) and as such i don't consider it worthy anymore. Due to my setup (shaeled weapon,20ias gloves,highlords,andy) i only need one ias jewel to reach all the bps. What would the best armor in this case be?

So far there aren't any elite unique armors worth and no runeword armors (that don't require at least 1hr) worth it also.

So my best bet here is an upped perfect vipermagi?

[Kijya]

1) Thorns gets useless quickly, I suggest going with a might merc if you're going for Act 2. As for his polearm, this build can rely on ml for mana, so you don't really need the meditation. Best cheap merc polearm would probably be reapers toll.

2) If you don't need any ias from the armor slot, then you've got pretty free hands. Duress is good for a bit bow damage and some other fun mods, viper good for res and the +1skills.

Upped viper is a good choice, will have to think it over before I can tell for sure that there aren't any better though.










Warning
The guide might mutate in the near future, keep a blunt (preferably very heavy) weapon at hand while reading.

[Ilumm]

My problem is this: A non eth non upped Titan can handle the game with only 5ml(i have a nice dual leech res ring i don't want to give up).

I do also have an non eth decent insight(around 450max dmg) laying around also so a might/meditation merc should look nice. Ty for checking the best armor btw.

Why does this guide mutate?

Edit:
You can't socket Titans right? D:
What the next Bp for WF after the 80(90) one?

[Kijya]

My problem is this: A non eth non upped Titan can handle the game with only 5ml(i have a nice dual leech res ring i don't want to give up).

I do also have an non eth decent insight(around 450max dmg) laying around also so a might/meditation merc should look nice. Ty for checking the best armor btw.

Why does this guide mutate?

Edit:
You can't socket Titans right? D:
What the next Bp for WF after the 80(90) one?

Assume yoiu mean "can't handle", true, however your bow switch may fill your bulb with a single multi/strafe, so doing a quick switch is an option.

While meditation do work, it's a bit wasteful with a build that does physical damage (so that leech could be used instead). Nevertheless, feel free to try it out, each of us will end up playing our hybrids differently, the areas/your playing style might favor using insight more then mine does.

The guide mutates since it was a draft version, haven't been able to update it to a "complete" version until now since I was to busy with my forumtrader project. Errors are easier to fix once you've posted a draft for others to look though. Perfect that the edit expiration is gone too. I'll be messing around with it now and then as I write new stuff to add to/replace into it.

Correct, titans cannot be socketed.
For more bp's please do use the amazon tables (link in sign), or the german calc (link).

[Ilumm]

Assume yoiu mean "can't handle", true, however your bow switch may fill your bulb with a single multi/strafe, so doing a quick switch is an option.

While meditation do work, it's a bit wasteful with a build that does physical damage (so that leech could be used instead). Nevertheless, feel free to try it out, each of us will end up playing our hybrids differently, the areas/your playing style might favor using insight more then mine does.

The guide mutates since it was a draft version, haven't been able to update it to a "complete" version until now since I was to busy with my forumtrader project. Errors are easier to fix once you've posted a draft for others to look though. Perfect that the edit expiration is gone too. I'll be messing around with it now and then as I write new stuff to add to/replace into it.

Correct, titans cannot be socketed.
For more bp's please do use the amazon tables (link in sign), or the german calc (link).

First of all damn. the next bp is 150ias which is quite unreachable...unless i use treachery....

As for meditation it isn't that it's a good aura,it's just that i don't see any item that would do better on an a2 merc...Reapers Toll seems to have the same stats and i don't value crowd control so much... I just say that if you give me a better alternative for an aura i will take it,but seeing that i don't want to spend more that an ist(tops) to dress my merc nothing beats medi+might.

As for items,please bear with me and tell me what you think about them:

Andy(26str/8ll/jewel 15ias/25def)
Titan(low.I plan to buy an eth in the future)
Wf(shael,i bought it like this).
Spirit(fcr doesn't matter unless you have enigma).
Highlords
Raven
Ring 5ml/4ll/res/ar
Gloves 2java/20ias/19fire/EDef(I do also have LOH and Lava,but these seem the best).
Wts
Razor(maybe thundergood i will try it on)
torch/ani.

Because i can't socket Tit i need 14 more ias so i need to either socket my armor with ias or make an Ias armor....Treachery for example:
This will bring me to 160ias with WF(8sec bp/max strafe) and to 120ias with Titans which should lead me to...I really but at least a nice Speed.

[MagpieLee]

Are you more lightning or bow orientated? If you are missing the 14%IAS the the answer is as simple as socketing your chest armour with one. I've not bothered to check in on BPs yet.

Regarding A2 vs A1 Mercs, its entirely upto you. When I started my own Amazon, she had crappy AR, so then I used Blessed Aim. I later upgraded my weapon and got some nice dex charms and changed my Blessed Aim into Defiance Merc. Lvled up a bit and started getting better gear. My Valk was getting better and my merc died less so I switched to Might. ALL of which used a random stick but Reapers works better here then Insight because it boosts your bow damage a lot with the Decrep proc (as well as boosting your valk damage and slows down mobs).
Mana isn't an issue imo, one or two flicks of strafe and its back up again.

Heres my list for comparison:

Andy + Ral
Upgd Titans 188ed/8ll
T-Gods 188ed
Gores 188ed
Spirit Monarch
Atmas Scarab (Previously tried Cats Eye)
+2 Java, 20IAS, +10str gloves
Ravenfrost
5%ML, +10 str, +res ring
Gladiators Bane +IAS'ed

Weapon Switch:
Buriza 194ed + Shaeled

Merc:
Harmony Bow made in 15ed Ward Bow
My Valk Helm + IAS'ed
Gladiators Bane

Inventory:
T-Strokes (currently buying a 188ed one)
Lotsa dex charms...

Stash:
Demon Limb - for that ultra rare phys immune, lightning immune, stone skin unique.

Thoughts:
Amulet - I'm currenly experimenting here. Tried a Cats Eye and was pleased with the FRW more then anything. Currently using Atmas for the 20%AR Bonus and Amplify Damage. Will try HLs next.
Body armour - only using this until I think of something better...like Forti >< I have used Trechery before and I might use it again but that depends on finding one and fixing my res.

Bow: I know Buriza is meh, but I haven't gotten around to WF yet.

Belt: I tried Razorswitch, Nos coil which were great. But I saw myself as a more Java-oriented build so I am using T-gods.

[NASE]

I just say that if you give me a better alternative for an aura i will take it,but seeing that i don't want to spend more that an ist(tops) to dress my merc nothing beats medi+might.

If you don't have mana problems, meditation is useless. Why not use eth Arioc's Needle - it's cheap as hell. It gives +4 to all skills making his might aurea 4 levels higher - this means 40 % extra off weapon ed.

P.S. Reapers toll isn't about crowd control, it's about lowering physical resistance with 50 % - making damage and thus leech higher.

[edit]
Other ideas are Kelpie Snare for huge slow or Hone Sundan for huge crushing blow.

P.P.S. Why is everyone obsessed with Thundergods.

[Ilumm]

Ty Very much.

As this guide is,i am more javazon oriented.
MY question about bp was regarding the actual bps. With 160ias on bow i should be able to reach 8frames(MS) and 4+2 with strafe.

What i can't understand is what bp i can reach with titan.

As for Harmony it seems a nice choice,but loosing might(and maybe even meditation) just for vigor .....

Btw have you ever tried Highlords. +1 skills for javazon,lr and Deadly strike for Bow.