Diablo: Which bows are most effective?
Michael J. Solomon
I am finding bows that push monsters back are very effective. Should I
use these bows at the exclusion of any bow that does not have this
feature? I had a bow that would increase by HP by 25 points. But after
using it for awhile I decided that my Bow of the Bear or whatever it
is called was a better bow simply because it pushed monsters back.
People seem to prefer Windforce. When I find this bow should I use it
instead? I don't like the idea of losing the ability to push monsters
back so I am unsure if I would want to use Windforce.
Mark Asher
Windforce also has the knockback effect.
Jag
On Wed, 15 Oct 1997 20:52:54 GMT, Mike...@worldnet.att.net (Michael
J. Solomon) wrote:
Rogues are the hardest thing to play in Diablo imho. Windforce has
knock-back and some other perks. Here is a very sloppy (on my part)
copy and paste showing the unique bow stats. I copied this from the
best Diablo page around at:
Jag
Name
Damage
Special
Abilities
Required
Durability
The
Blackoak
Bow
1-6
Dexterity:
+10
Vitality: -10
Damage:
+50%
Decrease
Light Radius
10%
25 dex
25 str
20
Bow of the
Dead
3-6
Chance to
Hit: +10%
+4 to
Dexterity
-3 to Vitality
-20% to
Light Radius
Altered
Durability
25 str
40 dex
30
The
Celestial
Bow
1-6
No Strength
requirements
+2 to
Damage
Armor Class:
+5
30 dex
35
Eaglehorn
1-10
+20 to
Dexterity
Chance to
Hit: +50%
+100%
Damage
60 dex
30 str
Indestructible
Fleshstinger
1-6
+15 to
Dexterity
+25% to Hit
+80% to
Damage
Enhanced
Durability
30 dex
25 str
X
Flamedart
2-5
Fire Arrows
Damage: 1-6
Fire Hit
Damage: 1-6
Chance To
Hit: +20%
Resist Fire:
+40%
35 dex
20 str
40
The
Needler
1-3
Chance To
Hit: +50%
Unusual Item
Damage
Fast Attack
X
30
The Rift
Bow
1-4
Fires
Random
Speed
Arrows
-3 to
Dexterity
1-4 Damage
each hit
20 str
20 dex
30
Windforce
1-14
+5 to
Strength
+200% to
Damage
Knocks
Target Back
45 str
80 dex
50
D.D. Johnston
On 16 Oct 1997 06:42:27 GMT, "Satchel Charge" <charge!@kaboom.woo.we>
wrote:
>> >People seem to prefer Windforce. When I find this bow should I use it
>> >instead? I don't like the idea of losing the ability to push monsters
>> >back so I am unsure if I would want to use Windforce.
>
>The tradeoff to "push back" is a meteoric bow, or Eaglehorn, something with
>massive bonuses to hit the target. If you can hit targets with rapid,
>accurate bowfire you can pin them down at a distance because they can't
>move or shoot (spells or missiles) for a brief instant after they are hit.
Another advantage to Eaglehorn is that it is indestructible. If your
rogue uses Windforce, it would be advisable to gather all the gold you
can find in the dungeons because your repair bill for that bow is
plenty high. On the other hand, there is no repair at all for
Eaglehorn.
It's a matter of preference of course, but I don't particularly like
Windforce because sometimes it pushes the monsters back and totally
off the screen. I do keep it as a backup though.
Regards,
ddj
Jag
On 16 Oct 1997 06:42:27 GMT, "Satchel Charge" <charge!@kaboom.woo.we>
wrote:
>The great thing about Diablo is that the easiest way to defeat the Dark
>Lord on Nightmare and Hell difficulties is to have a balance of all classes
>present and cooperating.
Well I have found a level 30+ sorcerer can pretty much solo all levels
of hell on all settings of difficulty. Only real threat are the acid
spitting demon dogs that can pin you and keep you paralyzed by
repeated attacks close to the entry stairs and if you die, you pretty
much lose it all (on the hardest difficulty). Yes the other creatures
are on steroids but can be dealt with. You should have 75% resist on
all by then anyways so the spell casters aren't as much of a problem.
Diablo (the boss) is a pushover, his minions are much harder to deal
with but of course nothing a couple of staves of apocolypse won't
handle. If I didn't just get Uprising and AoE I would probably go back
and play Diablo again. But probably better waiting for the add on. I
really wish they would make it multiplay. Single player settings
aren't a challenge. Monsters have double hp among other things on easy
multiplayer and on multiplayer you have the option of skill level so
you can play the harder levels something single player doesn't offer.
Tis a shame that add on is single player only.
Jag
Jim Wesolowski
NOSPAM...@swbell.net (Jag) wrote:
>I carry Dreamflange and if I am lucky a modified Thinking Cap. Also
>those creatures are "resistant" to spells not immune. Either chain
>lightning or fireball will do them all in. It may take forever to kill
>Soulburners but you can do it.
>Jag
I am a level 47 mage.... Advocates, Soul Burners and Obsidian Lords are immune
to fire, lightning, AND magic in Hell mode.
Stone Curse and Apocalypse are the only spells that work on them, so its stone
curse, drop a golem, and play whack-a-monster with my King's Sword of
Vampires(broad version).
Time consuming... I usually play hell mode levels 13, 14, 15 if I see no soul
burners, then start over, becuase it can take more than an hour to clear level
16.
Jim Wesolowski vap...@prism.gatech.edu
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
Satchel Charge
Jag <NOSPAM...@swbell.net> wrote in article
<34459780...@news.swbell.net>...
> On Wed, 15 Oct 1997 20:52:54 GMT, Mike...@worldnet.att.net (Michael
> J. Solomon) wrote:
>
> >I am finding bows that push monsters back are very effective. Should I
> >use these bows at the exclusion of any bow that does not have this
> >feature? I had a bow that would increase by HP by 25 points. But after
> >using it for awhile I decided that my Bow of the Bear or whatever it
> >is called was a better bow simply because it pushed monsters back.
> >People seem to prefer Windforce. When I find this bow should I use it
> >instead? I don't like the idea of losing the ability to push monsters
> >back so I am unsure if I would want to use Windforce.
The tradeoff to "push back" is a meteoric bow, or Eaglehorn, something with
massive bonuses to hit the target. If you can hit targets with rapid,
accurate bowfire you can pin them down at a distance because they can't
move or shoot (spells or missiles) for a brief instant after they are hit.
By firing in a small arc, sweeping back and forth like a modern machine gun
might do, with a very accurate bow a rogue can pin down a whole group of
advancing enemies such that given a moderate distance they will all be dead
before reaching her. For this reason it is vastly preferable for the rogue
to stick close to a wall or obstacle on one side that forces her enemies to
approach along a confined corridor. Quite often the firewall spell 2 or 3
layers deep on the other side means enemies can only reach her single file,
which is suicidal, and those who try the flank will perish in the flames.
>
> Rogues are the hardest thing to play in Diablo imho. Windforce has
> knock-back and some other perks. Here is a very sloppy (on my part)
> copy and paste showing the unique bow stats. I copied this from the
> best Diablo page around at:
Ultimately the Rogue is more powerful than the warrior given the right
tactics and balance of spellcasting, particularly on the lower levels
against the swift, winged shooters and spellcasting wizards, but has a
tougher time against the, death knights, scorpion creatures, storm lizards
and daemons that circle around and try to close to melee with their deadly
claws.
Against the storm lizards the best tactic is to retreat, sending a hail of
fireballs back at them, while daemons are best attacked with chain
lightning. For this reason, with the Rogue I focus always on Magic and
Dexterity, particulary using items to maximize my magic skill and having
just enough strength to carry the weapons I need. Vitality is the least
important attribute until later when other skills are sufficiently along.
Of course, except against the rare death knights on hell difficulty --
which are pretty much immune to every sort of magic -- the wizards make us
all look like weaklings by the time we are strong enough to face even
Lazarus.
The great thing about Diablo is that the easiest way to defeat the Dark
Lord on Nightmare and Hell difficulties is to have a balance of all classes
present and cooperating. The Warrior to stand up front and melee death
knights, storm lizards, daemons and scorpions, the Rogue to stand back and
deal with the swift moving shooters, and the Wizard to either vaporise
large groups en mass or else provide artillery support and stone curse to
stop powerful individual monsters.
Jim Wesolowski
"Satchel Charge" <charge!@kaboom.woo.we> wrote:
>Of course, except against the rare death knights on hell difficulty --
>which are pretty much immune to every sort of magic -- the wizards make us
>all look like weaklings by the time we are strong enough to face even
>Lazarus.
Only Advocates (the fireball tossing wizards on level 16), Soul Burners (witches
that shoot yellow) and Obsidian Lords (annoying charging demons) are immune to
spells in Hell mode.
Even then, they're not immune to Stone Curse. Thats why your high level mages
carry a decent sword around.
Blood Knights still go poof with 2 fireballs.
Jag
>Only Advocates (the fireball tossing wizards on level 16), Soul Burners (witches
>that shoot yellow) and Obsidian Lords (annoying charging demons) are immune to
>spells in Hell mode.
>
>Even then, they're not immune to Stone Curse. Thats why your high level mages
>carry a decent sword around.
>
>Blood Knights still go poof with 2 fireballs.
>
>Jim Wesolowski vap...@prism.gatech.edu
>
>"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
>
I carry Dreamflange and if I am lucky a modified Thinking Cap. Also
Gary Johnston
NOSPAM...@swbell.net (Jag) wrote:
> I must be remembering the next difficulty lower. I quit playing 6+
>months ago after I hit the 40's and realized I had been doing the same
>thing since hitting the 30's and that is killing, selling, finding
>little to spend it on and little challenge. I had 3-4 mages, 2
>fighters and a rogue all in the 30-40 range and after you get that
>high the game loses the magic of finding new items to equip.
Then why not dump all of your equipment and start over?
I ended up losing all of my gear when a group of Storm Lords
surrounded me at the entrance of level 14 on Hell mode. I was pretty
pissed, but then I decided to start off on the 1st level without any
gear and see what happens. I actually had a lot of fun doing it. It
looks like you have a lot of characters...give it a try.
Gary Powell
I haven't had the chance to "find" windforce and ended up keeping "The bow
of the bear" . I finished off the big guy with it too. I kept buying what
were supposedly better bows only to toss them. That knockback keeps those
guys in either a "flinch" or "walk" animation which gives you time to to
either run for it or shoot again.
Also you can shoot off screen. The monsters don't seem to move out of the
way. I just use the old "Duke" from Doonesbury method and soften up the
room before I walk in. Just listen for the screams and keep shooting until
you hear the "thud." Really dumb monsters will move into the newly opened
spot and you can hit them too.
-Gary-
Michael J. Solomon
>I haven't had the chance to "find" windforce and ended up keeping "The bow
>of the bear" . I finished off the big guy with it too. I kept buying what
>were supposedly better bows only to toss them. That knockback keeps those
>guys in either a "flinch" or "walk" animation which gives you time to to
>either run for it or shoot again.
I liked Bow of the Bear to. Does anyone know where windforce is
located? I found EagleHorn, but I can't seem to find windforce.
D.D. Johnston
>
>I liked Bow of the Bear to. Does anyone know where windforce is
>located? I found EagleHorn, but I can't seem to find windforce.
You just have to keep looking. None of the items are located in any
particular place. They are scattered randomly throughout the dungeons
and at random times.
You should have no trouble finding Windforce. It is a rather common
bow and not that difficult to find. I have found about 4 of them but
only one Eaglehorn.
Regards,
ddj
Heim...@gmx.net
>>I haven't had the chance to "find" windforce and ended up keeping "The bow
>>of the bear" . I finished off the big guy with it too. I kept buying what
>>were supposedly better bows only to toss them. That knockback keeps those
>>guys in either a "flinch" or "walk" animation which gives you time to to
>>either run for it or shoot again.
>
>I liked Bow of the Bear to. Does anyone know where windforce is
>located? I found EagleHorn, but I can't seem to find windforce.
What do you play ? Single / Multiplayer, what愀 your character level ?
All items are found randomally besides some quest - rewards in
single - player mode.
You might want to check alt.games.diablo for more people, who know the
game better than me.
Please also reply by email as my newsfeed is incomplete sometimes.
Greetings
Heimdall
--
Varnir_the_grey (W30)
Heimdall (S12)
愒il we meet again
Meanwhile.back@theranch
NOSPAM...@swbell.net (Jag) wrote:
>On Wed, 15 Oct 1997 20:52:54 GMT, Mike...@worldnet.att.net (Michael
>J. Solomon) wrote:
>
>>I am finding bows that push monsters back are very effective. Should I
>>use these bows at the exclusion of any bow that does not have this
>>feature? I had a bow that would increase by HP by 25 points. But after
>>using it for awhile I decided that my Bow of the Bear or whatever it
>>is called was a better bow simply because it pushed monsters back.
>>People seem to prefer Windforce. When I find this bow should I use it
>>instead? I don't like the idea of losing the ability to push monsters
>>back so I am unsure if I would want to use Windforce.
NO FEAR!
Windforce does knock monsters back as well. Personally, I don't dig
that feature as much, because I'd rather not have to keep re-aiming at
a monter as he's pushed back. It's not a big deal, but I use a
"Merciless Bow of Thunder" which does a hefty bit of damage, and it's
my favorite. Of course, in certain area, like the caves, where
baddies tend to surround you quickly, the knockback is a good feature.
If you aren't anti-cheating, there are plenty of people around willing
to dupe you a windforce.
Good luck!
Stephe =|
Marc
Meanwhile.back@theranch wrote:
>
> >On Wed, 15 Oct 1997 20:52:54 GMT, Mike...@worldnet.att.net (Michael
> >J. Solomon) wrote:
> >
> >>I am finding bows that push monsters back are very effective. Should I
> >>use these bows at the exclusion of any bow that does not have this
> >>feature? I had a bow that would increase by HP by 25 points. But after
> >>using it for awhile I decided that my Bow of the Bear or whatever it
> >>is called was a better bow simply because it pushed monsters back.
> >>People seem to prefer Windforce. When I find this bow should I use it
> >>instead? I don't like the idea of losing the ability to push monsters
> >>back so I am unsure if I would want to use Windforce.
>
>
> Windforce does knock monsters back as well. Personally, I don't dig
> that feature as much, because I'd rather not have to keep re-aiming at
> a monter as he's pushed back. It's not a big deal, but I use a
> "Merciless Bow of Thunder" which does a hefty bit of damage, and it's
> my favorite. Of course, in certain area, like the caves, where
> baddies tend to surround you quickly, the knockback is a good feature.
> If you aren't anti-cheating, there are plenty of people around willing
> to dupe you a windforce.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Stephe =|
>
> sound...@usa.net
I played a rogue in Diablo most of the time, and from my experience (lvl 43)
I can tell you that the "push back"-effect is more worse than useful.
As Stephe already said, retargeting is a pain, since hitting monsters at a
diagonal angle is already difficult enough when the monsters moves. Add now
the an additional movement and you can only wait until you get a straight
line of fire. So the Windforce is useless as well.
I use a savage bow of the heavens (rare), and also have a merciless bow of
burning (both long war bows of course - dmg 1-14). Reason: Dmg is the very
important for a bow. The less arrows you need, the less monsters reach you.
The suffix of your bow should either be a damage-incraesing feature
(thunder or burning) or an all-stat-increasing feature (stars / heavens).
A rogue needs life as well as mana, so you need vit and magic. Increasing
strength and dexterity is necessary for damage, and maybe getting the
necessary strength wearing for armor, depending on your other items.
Btw, if you don't have a high level, this is not that important, as monsters
in normal/nightmare are whimps, especially as their resistances/immunities
are less, so you can fireball/chain lightning them most of the time, too.
Marc, a.k.a. Feylana (Diablo, channel: legit)
PS: Cheaters are whimps, and duping is cheating.