Ruby in helm for more XP?

**shijan** · 28-05-2012, 01:01

Hey D3 community,

I've been lurking for a while, decided to finally join...

When socketing a ruby on a helm, you get bonus XP on all kills. I've got perfect rubies socketed in the helms of both my softcore Nightmare characters (DH and Wiz). I haven't however seen any mention of anyone using rubies to gain bonus XP in this way. Am I alone here or is this a useful strategy for leveling faster to Lvl 60? I play single player and am doing full clears of the maps.

Other option I suppose is pop in an emerald (gold find for the AH) or topaz (magic find...necessary given AH and given it's just Nightmare?). My HP are enough.

Thanks

**KTang** · 28-05-2012, 06:14

I utilised the Ruby as well, it is by far the best low-level Gem of all. You won't need MF/GF yet, you want to get to 60 ASAP and then you can think about either of those. Not many things worth finding in Nightmare as you have already correctly guessed.

Welcome to the forum

KT

**snowieken** · 28-05-2012, 07:44

Only putting amethysts in helms, but that's mainly because I play HC and the percentage of life is a godsend. There really is no better choice then. I guess when playing SC and you want to level quickly, go for rubies all you want.

**shijan** · 28-05-2012, 16:04

Thanks both.

**krischan** · 29-05-2012, 10:42

I'm going for constitution all the way when possible (i.e. regarding sockets and when deciding on gear which boosts stats), at least that's what I did with my barb who is suffering lots of damage, naturally. Accordingly, I'm constantly low on amethysts.

**Bowzer** · 29-05-2012, 10:55

If you are under level 60 i always recommend an xp gem.

After level 60, inferno requires you to have a life% gem.

**Felix** · 01-06-2012, 19:38

Originally Posted by snowieken

Only putting amethysts in helms, but that's mainly because I play HC and the percentage of life is a godsend. There really is no better choice then. I guess when playing SC and you want to level quickly, go for rubies all you want.

I play hardcore too, and when we have our stash of radiant amethysts and square rubies. And we die, I think the ruby in the helmet will be the preferred choice of rerunning our twinked out characters. At least through normal and nightmare.

We might need abit better twink gear still, but I don't think we are too far away from the point where stacking more life is just slowing our progression, as we rerun that is.

**The Rockman** · 04-06-2012, 13:00

Well Ruby best when leveling as long as you can stay alive (more XP = faster levels ups = more base stats sooner) <- If you can't amethyst is better.

**snowieken** · 04-06-2012, 13:16

The thing is, in HC you never know what is going to hit you. I've lost a few characters already, and if it wasn't lag, it was overconfidence because I didn't lose any HP before and all of a sudden there was this red flashing screen for the first time in my character's life. Extra experience is in a lot of cases an extra stat on the rares you have, and then I really can't bring myself to give up the extra life.

But that's just my point of view, of course. Rubies are certainly the second best choice for me, and are definitely the way to go if you really feel you have enough life (and in SC).