About SoJ farming.

**Xiertic** · 06-04-2012, 22:46

I've been lurking on these forums, mainly the necromancer forum, for about a week now. Finally decided to register so that I could pester you folks with a somewhat noobish question.

Got back into Diablo II again this month (it's keeping me from being quite so antsy while I wait for Diablo 3) and am leveling/gearing up a fishymancer. Just out of curiosity, is farming NM Andy (LoD 1.13) still the best way to go about getting my hands on one or two of them? I know that used to be the best way, but I haven't played this game in years and things have very obviously changed. >.>

...And hey, while I'm here asking noob questions.. 4 socketed pieces of chest/body armour do drop, right? Or am I gonna have to add a socket via the ActIV quest to something in order to get one? I can't remember from when I used to play, and so far I've not seen one. Trying to get Insight runeword into one until I can get higher and use Enigma.

**KiraZ** · 07-04-2012, 00:17

Originally Posted by Xiertic

I've been lurking on these forums, mainly the necromancer forum, for about a week now. Finally decided to register so that I could pester you folks with a somewhat noobish question.

Welcome!! Glad you join in

Originally Posted by Xiertic

Got back into Diablo II again this month (it's keeping me from being quite so antsy while I wait for Diablo 3) and am leveling/gearing up a fishymancer. Just out of curiosity, is farming NM Andy (LoD 1.13) still the best way to go about getting my hands on one or two of them? I know that used to be the best way, but I haven't played this game in years and things have very obviously changed. >.>

Yes, but IMHO it's not worth it if that's the only thing you want from her. IIRC, even with 300% MF and bugged NM Andariel, you are looking upwards of 1.5K run. It's okayish if you want sth else from her while you're at it, but looking specifically for 2 SoJ is going to be painfully boring. If you want to get some basic gears going (Exceptional and lower Elite unique and sets), Hell Anda is better. The chance is abt 1 in 2.3K-3K I think? But you'll get some nice jewels etc from her which makes it all the more worthwhile.

Originally Posted by Xiertic

...And hey, while I'm here asking noob questions.. 4 socketed pieces of chest/body armour do drop, right? Or am I gonna have to add a socket via the ActIV quest to something in order to get one? I can't remember from when I used to play, and so far I've not seen one. Trying to get Insight runeword into one until I can get higher and use Enigma.

Firstly, IMO there's no noob questions, only noob players refusing to ask. What act and difficulty are you in? Only 3 late exceptional armors are able to obtain 4 sockets, and all of elite armors. The str req for exceptionals starts at 125 too which may be too high for a fishy. I think you can find them starting A4 NM (somebody needs to confirm this). Your best bet is Dusk Shroud at 77 str (light and def is inconsequential for a fishy). Whenever you can find it, look for stable racks that drop ONLY those armor type. You need a veteran to fill you in tho. The racks are time and action stamped, and I'm pretty clueless about this, sorry.

**pharphis** · 07-04-2012, 20:36

Do you mean armor or polearms? Insight can be in polearms or staves, and enigma in armour.

**Pythy** · 01-05-2012, 04:28

I was farming NM Andy for SoJ as well with my Sorc. It only took me around 50 runs or so with 300% MF and I've finally got one...... in a barrel just outside her front door........

**Maxpovver** · 10-05-2012, 13:59

Originally Posted by Pythy

I was farming NM Andy for SoJ as well with my Sorc. It only took me around 50 runs or so with 300% MF and I've finally got one...... in a barrel just outside her front door........

You are very lucky. SOJs drop once in 3282 runs in NM with 300MF and once in 5389 runs in hell in one player games.

**jiansonz** · 25-05-2012, 11:25

Originally Posted by KiraZ

Only 3 late exceptional armors are able to obtain 4 sockets, and all of elite armors. The str req for exceptionals starts at 125 too which may be too high for a fishy. I think you can find them starting A4 NM (somebody needs to confirm this).

Gothic Plate can also get 4 sockets. They can start dropping at around Outer Cloister (in Act I) in Nightmare difficulty. STR 70 required.

**angiras** · 10-07-2012, 10:33

I once got an SoJ from gambling!! This was after 5 years of never finding one from a drop or chest. Go figure.

**Twibz** · 10-07-2012, 13:07

Originally Posted by jiansonz

Gothic Plate can also get 4 sockets. They can start dropping at around Outer Cloister (in Act I) in Nightmare difficulty. STR 70 required.

I actually found a superior 4os gothic plate in the black marsh in a fallen camp next to the black tower, i was surprised because I have read your guide and i couldnt wait to get to the outer cloister to get a 4os and then that dropped out

**helvete** · 15-07-2012, 10:07

Chance for SoJ from NM Andariel with 300MF and /players3 command: 1:1104, according to ATMA drop calc. I usually run her a lot when restarting, since she can drop all of the normal uniques, and some of the really useful exceptionals like peasant crown, vipermagi, string of ears, kelpie snare, etc. She's quite good for +2 skilltab rare amulets as well, and as long as one has at least a decent map, the run is fast and safe.

However, I'd move on when my gear was decent, even with no SoJ found. High MF Nagelrings would be my next best choice, since I'd likely have +8ish to summoning skills already.