The Amazon class in Diablo II (D2) is one of the most versatile and interesting characters to play. Known for her agility, ranged attacks, and ability to utilize both physical and elemental damage, the Amazon can be a formidable force in both solo and group play. However, leveling her efficiently requires understanding her skills, equipment, and the best strategies to maximize experience gain. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various aspects of leveling your Amazon, from choosing the right skills to optimizing your gear and gameplay strategies.
Understanding the Amazon Class
The Amazon is unique due to her ability to specialize in different combat styles. Primarily, she can focus on:
- Bow and Crossbow Skills: Utilizing ranged attacks to deal damage from a distance.
- Javelin and Spear Skills: Offering both melee and ranged options with the ability to throw javelins.
- Passive and Magic Skills: Enhancing the Amazon's survivability and damage output through buffs and defensive maneuvers.
Each of these paths leads to different gameplay experiences, and your choice will greatly influence your leveling strategy.
Choosing Your Skill Path
When leveling, it’s essential to decide which skills you want to focus on. Here are some popular builds that players often choose:
1. Bowazon (Bow and Crossbow Skills)
The Bowazon is ideal for players who enjoy ranged combat. Key skills include:
- Magic Arrow: Good for early levels, as it requires no ammunition and deals decent damage.
- Strafe: A great skill for dealing damage to multiple enemies at once.
- Multi-Shot: Excellent for clearing packs of monsters quickly.
2. Javazon (Javelin Skills)
The Javazon excels in both single-target and area damage, particularly effective in Hell difficulty. Recommended skills include:
- Charged Strike: A powerful single-target skill, particularly effective against bosses.
- Lightning Fury: A great area attack that can deal massive damage when hitting multiple enemies.
- Power Strike: A strong skill that deals a good amount of physical damage.
3. Hybrid Build
For players who want to experience a mix of both worlds, a hybrid build can be effective. This build usually focuses on:
- Investing in both Bow and Javelin skills.
- Utilizing skills like Strafe and Lightning Fury for a balanced approach.
Leveling Strategies
Leveling an Amazon efficiently requires understanding the best practices for gaining experience quickly. Here are several strategies you should consider:
1. Quests and Experience Gain
Completing quests is one of the best ways to gain experience. Prioritize the following quests:
- Den of Evil (Act 1): Grants a good amount of experience and is easy to complete.
- The Search for Cain (Act 1): Complete this early for additional experience.
- The Radament Quest (Act 2): Provides substantial experience and rewards.
- The Summoner and the Seven Tombs (Act 2): A great quest for gaining experience in a challenging environment.
2. Monster Grinding
While quests provide excellent experience, grinding monsters can also be very effective. Focus on areas that yield the most experience:
- The Countess (Act 1): Good for early game farming.
- The Pit (Act 1): Offers high-level monsters and good loot.
- The Chaos Sanctuary (Act 4): Great for both experience and unique item farming.
- The Worldstone Keep (Act 5): One of the best spots for end-game grinding.
3. Party Play
Joining a party can significantly boost your experience gain. Consider these tips when playing in a group:
- Complementary Builds: Ensure that your party has a mix of character types for optimal damage and survivability.
- Share Experience: Stick close to your party members to receive shared experience from kills.
- Assign Roles: Have a strategy for dealing with different types of monsters, whether tanking or dealing damage.
Optimal Gear for Leveling
Gear plays a crucial role in leveling your Amazon quickly. Here are some recommended equipment choices:
1. Early Game Gear
Focus on finding gear that enhances your damage and survivability. Look for:
- Bows: A good early bow can significantly increase your damage. Look for bows with +Damage or +Attack Speed modifiers.
- Armor: Prioritize light armor that offers good defense and resistances.
- Jewelry: Rings and amulets with +Skills or +Experience gain.
2. Mid to Late Game Gear
As you progress, your gear needs to be upgraded to keep up with the increased difficulty. Key items include:
- High Damage Bows or Javelins: Look for rare or crafted items that offer high damage and critical hit chance.
- Unique Items: Items like "Witchwild String" (for Bowazons) or "Titan's Revenge" (for Javazons) can provide significant boosts.
- Runewords: Consider runewords like "Harmony" or "Faith" for bows, and "Infinity" for Javelins.
Skill Distribution and Stat Allocation
To maximize your Amazon’s potential, you must allocate skill points and stats wisely. Here’s how:
1. Stat Points
- Strength: Only as much as needed to wear your gear.
- Dexterity: Prioritize this for increased damage and attack rating.
- Vitality: Invest heavily in Vitality for survivability.
- Energy: Avoid investing in Energy; you’ll rely on potions for mana.
2. Skill Points
Allocate points based on your chosen build, focusing on core skills first. For example:
- Bowazon: Maximize Strafe and Multi-shot, then Magic Arrow.
- Javazon: Focus on Charged Strike and Lightning Fury.
Conclusion
Leveling an Amazon in Diablo II can be a rewarding experience if approached correctly. By choosing the right skills, optimizing your gear, and implementing effective leveling strategies, you'll progress quickly through the game. Remember, the key to success is not just in individual skill but also in understanding the game's mechanics and working with other players. Enjoy your journey through Sanctuary, and may your Amazons become legends!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best leveling build for a D2 Amazon?
The best leveling build for a D2 Amazon typically focuses on the Lightning Fury and Charged Strike skills for efficient area damage and single-target damage, respectively.
What are the key skills to prioritize when leveling an Amazon in D2?
Key skills to prioritize include Jab for early levels, Lightning Fury for crowd control, and Charged Strike for boss fights.
Which gear should I look for while leveling my Amazon?
Look for gear that enhances skills, increases attack speed, and provides bonuses to Lightning damage. Items like 'Treachery' armor and 'Rhyme' shield can be very helpful.
How important is mana management for a leveling Amazon?
Mana management is crucial, especially when using skills like Lightning Fury. Consider using items with mana regeneration or charms that add to your mana pool.
What mercenary should I choose for my Amazon while leveling?
The Act 2 Desert Mercenary with the Offensive aura is a great choice as it boosts your damage output and can help tank enemies.
How can I optimize my leveling speed in D2 as an Amazon?
To optimize leveling speed, focus on completing quests that grant experience, use experience-boosting items, and prioritize areas with high monster density.
What are some effective strategies for leveling in Hell difficulty?
In Hell difficulty, focus on party play for shared experience, prioritize monsters with high density, and utilize your defensive skills to survive challenging encounters.
Is it better to solo level or group level as an Amazon?
While both methods have their advantages, group leveling can be faster due to shared experience and safety in numbers, especially in higher difficulties.
What are the common mistakes to avoid when leveling an Amazon?
Common mistakes include neglecting defensive skills, not managing inventory for charms and potions, and not focusing on efficient leveling routes.
