Hi guys, newcomer to Diablo 2 here.

[shintyguy]

Are you using gomule? if not, start. It is in the stickies. Its java based and lets you mule everything off into infinite stashes.

also to help with your pickup issue use /nopickup command and the alt key as described. you wont pick any rubbish then

[Veristek]

Thanks for the tip about the ALT key.

I'm already using GoMule, but would be nice to be able to use that in-game for infinite storage space on the fly, instead of returning to town every time to save and then use GoMule. I would love to have some sort of TARDIS to carry around in-game in Diablo 2, where I can cram it with like 1,000 x 1,000 inventory space or something so I can clean out whole dungeons in one go.

[Veristek]

Update:

I entered the Monastery and am working my way down its levels. The Barracks were tough cuz these bone archers HURT big time. Almost died several times but fortunately there's a well in there which I constantly used to heal my HP and mana. My merc almost died twice, so I had to yank her outta the rooms. Man, what an adrenaline rush and the first Act isn't even done yet.

About to enter the Jails.

[shintyguy]

Man, what an adrenaline rush and the first Act isn't even done yet.

Wait till you meet Baal's waves. They are much fun

[djmbbandie]

In the Jail level 2 Pitspawn Fouldog awaits. He spawns extra strong and cursed and shoots lightning balls. After that it's pretty much smooth sailing excluding the occasional hard Death Clan pack to the Catacombs.

[Twibz]

i sometimes find a unique pack of the dog lightning things in catacombs 4 before andariel that can be quite an annoyance if not geared up wisely, so my advice is whenever you think you may get overwhelmed: leg it! put up a tp! and then try and make an easy (if you can) way back to your corpse should you be killed off. We've all been at your stage before, I myself am only just becoming familiar with single player after many years on battle.net and i must say i find single player far more rewarding and challenging. These guys on this forum are the best of help I've hever had Diablo related so just carry on updating us and asking the questions, you'll get there

[cheerupemokid10]

Have you been using your hotkeys for potions and skill switching? The number keys 1, 2, 3, 4 pull straight from your belt so you don't have to go down and click on them. You can also hold shift and tap a number to use that potion for your merc. The function keys "F1, F2, F3, F4..." can be assigned spells for easy switching on your RMB (right mouse button). Just click your spells on the bottom right or tap the "s" key (if I remember correctly) to bring up the skills you have put points in. Then you can hover over your skills and press any of the function keys to hotkey that skill. Really useful once you start using 2+ different skills a lot like teleport, ice blast, and blizzard.

Glad to see things are going easier for you, or at least so it seems. Keep enjoying the game and GL on taking down your first act boss Andy!

[zaphodbrx]

Much better to hotkey skills to letters, easier to press and remember.
I have something like T-teleport. R-blizzard, B-ice blast. etc

[cheerupemokid10]

I've changed to doing that as well just because my function keys will still do the Windows functions while I'm in game. But I left out changing all the hotkey info for complication matters... It does make for less reaching when you reassign your skill hotkeys through the Options > Configuration menu.

[shintyguy]

Ive moved the ALT default away from there to enter on the numerical keybad a because dont like too close to windows key and b, i'm a lefty,