10-06-2003, 11:01 AM
I've started and stopped playing 4 times now, since patch 1.03. While searching for information about the game, I came across the Lurkers just after daShiv had departed. I read his reports carefully and have always kept an eye on the Lounge since. Each time I've started, I've been richer than all previous times combined in less time. Note that I said 'worth', which is different from finding sojs (I found one and gambled 3). You don't mention if you play the Realms, I've never really played in Single Player outside of briefing testing builds.
As I recall, the last time I hitchhiked to Hell Cows as a sorc over a few days. Hell Cows is my item starting place, I have enough gray hair now and don't need more waiting for the game to drop something (especially since I know enough PRNG theory to be totally disgusted with Blizz). Always open every chest in Cows if there are more than 3 players present. I found two 40% ED jewels in two days and I was off to wealth once again. I traded both jewels far too cheaply compared to what I would get nowdays, but it provided some good items to start a real cold sorc. I constantly rebuild characters to take advantage of newly obtained items and channel stat and skill points more effectively. I don't consider the game interesting until Hell difficulty and see no reason (other than practice) to play thru the others. The new sorc wearing topaz armor killed Pindleskin for over 2 weeks until just before I left for a holiday, a Windforce dropped. I sold it too cheaply too, but it supplied enough sojs to build a good MF sorc and start characters I was interested in trying. I'd been playing for 3-4 months by then, all of LOD was new. I learned to craft and where crafting supplies can be simply picked up for zero risk. Then I got more efficient at the whole process, by analyzing my mistakes and being willing to toss a character away and start again. I read a lot and test everything, occaisonally the information is both correct and useful. The noise level at LL is the lowest, and I started here, so I tend to stay. I came back this time because of the beta.
The short answer to your question is: for pocket change, learn the magic find runs with custom characters. Normal Meph offers over 200% of MF items in his drops, use that to bootstrap. For real value, learn to craft and practice trading (never accept the first 3 offers, never believe anyone trying to rush you, never deal with only one person, always answer publically for any PMs -- keeps other bidders informed, it's only worth what someone else will pay so find all those someone elses and make them compete). Pocket change adds up and crafting makes good MF drops seem like rain. Routes I did not take were chipped cubing of swords and one other method I've forgotten. Every once in awhile, when you have encountered a true beginner, give stuff away. The wealth you get from that is not measured in SOJs.
As I recall, the last time I hitchhiked to Hell Cows as a sorc over a few days. Hell Cows is my item starting place, I have enough gray hair now and don't need more waiting for the game to drop something (especially since I know enough PRNG theory to be totally disgusted with Blizz). Always open every chest in Cows if there are more than 3 players present. I found two 40% ED jewels in two days and I was off to wealth once again. I traded both jewels far too cheaply compared to what I would get nowdays, but it provided some good items to start a real cold sorc. I constantly rebuild characters to take advantage of newly obtained items and channel stat and skill points more effectively. I don't consider the game interesting until Hell difficulty and see no reason (other than practice) to play thru the others. The new sorc wearing topaz armor killed Pindleskin for over 2 weeks until just before I left for a holiday, a Windforce dropped. I sold it too cheaply too, but it supplied enough sojs to build a good MF sorc and start characters I was interested in trying. I'd been playing for 3-4 months by then, all of LOD was new. I learned to craft and where crafting supplies can be simply picked up for zero risk. Then I got more efficient at the whole process, by analyzing my mistakes and being willing to toss a character away and start again. I read a lot and test everything, occaisonally the information is both correct and useful. The noise level at LL is the lowest, and I started here, so I tend to stay. I came back this time because of the beta.
The short answer to your question is: for pocket change, learn the magic find runs with custom characters. Normal Meph offers over 200% of MF items in his drops, use that to bootstrap. For real value, learn to craft and practice trading (never accept the first 3 offers, never believe anyone trying to rush you, never deal with only one person, always answer publically for any PMs -- keeps other bidders informed, it's only worth what someone else will pay so find all those someone elses and make them compete). Pocket change adds up and crafting makes good MF drops seem like rain. Routes I did not take were chipped cubing of swords and one other method I've forgotten. Every once in awhile, when you have encountered a true beginner, give stuff away. The wealth you get from that is not measured in SOJs.