Delurking: MF and Gamble questions

[Kasreyn]

I guess my optimism in gambling was due to the fact that within 30 minutes of first playing 1.10, I gambled a unique (Steelgoad for my new polearm barb), so I guess I was laboring under the assumption that the odds were livable.

Here's a question... if (as I'm given to understand) the game generates all the items on a gambling screen when you click gamble - and NOT when you buy them, but before - then does this mean it's wise, if you're gambling for a set or unique, to make sure you don't miss a single one of its base item? It can often take me 10 to 12 reloads to get Gheed to offer a chain gloves, and I get into this glazed-eyes routine of clicking and cancelling, sometimes I cancel a screen that had a chain gloves hiding on it. I wish gambling items were displayed on a "mannequin", with one weapon, one shield, one armor, one hat, one glove, one boot, and jewels in the appropriate spots. Then you'd know where to look. :P */gripe*

But speaking of this, does anyone know why Jamella's gamble screen takes longer to load than Gheed's? The items appear to be the same. In my game (LoD 1.10 Open with a nocd loader), Gheed's screen opens nearly instantly; Jamella's has about a quarter second lag. Could this be due to the rendering of Jamella's graphical little "air-signature" move, or is it just my comp? Can anyone else test their D2's to see if they get "Jamella Lag" also? I haven't noticed it with any other gambling merchant.

At least I have gotten loads of good rares. Yesterday I burned through something like 500,000 gold on gambles (I'm a gambling addict!!), and got some nice things, mostly rare chain gloves (hmm, wonder why ^_^). But since I have a gold max and nothing else worth spending it on (repairs and merc revives are cheap for now), I guess I'll keep gambling and hoping. :)

Btw, found a 2-socket plate mail and am planning to make Stealth for my MF Sorcie (since I'm a couple runes shy of Wealth), but I was wondering if it was worth waiting to try to find a Light Plate since it's a lighter armor type and won't drain stamina so bad? But of course, Stealth adds 25% run/walk anyway... will that stack with Treads of Chthon or War Traveller (which is my next target item after chancies)?

Whew... fulla questions, ain't I? ^_^

Finally, as to MF, last night I ditched my Chilling Staff of the Magus (with a fond farewell) and switched to Gull + Whitstan's, and also moved into A4. However, monsters here seem to be dropping really poor stuff. Are late A3 monsters actually higher mlvl than early A4?! Because I was getting much better drops from Blood Lords and Heirophants *without* Gull, than I am from Venom Lords and Stranglers *with* Gull. o.O

Reached L32, working on FO and CM. Equip question: Smoke or Stealth? I can make either. Shield question: 3 diamond tower or Ancient's Pledge? I'm a Shael shy of Rhyme.

Off to do a few Meph runs!

-Kasreyn