04-17-2004, 07:00 PM
I'll give you some helpful hints about surviving HC.
(You don't have to do all of them, but some combination does help)
1) Vitality
Even when playing characters (like your normal, run of the mill, melee barb) that use strength to increase damage, pump vitality. Just get your strength up to the minimal gear requirements. If, for some strange reason, you feel you have enough life, too bad. I've never heard of someone dieing because they had too much life.* Dexterity, however, is a much more complicated stat. First, you have to decide if you want to be max block. If not, use just enough to have a good attack rating (but don't forget that you can get AR from charms and gear).
2) Ranged Attacks
If you aren't right to the monsters, you've eliminated all melee damage (except for a few lucky hits).
3) Play More Carefully
While although in SC you can get away with charging into a room in A5 hell, it's best to cast a minion inside the room if possible. If not possible, cast an area of effect spell (such as Frozen orb or Blizzard) on the door to wake up a few monsters, and take away the element of surprise. This way you can slowly move into the room (and if you're really careful, immediately back out) after dispatching your current foes.
4) Party Up
The one you've all been waiting for, play in parties.
5) Walk
Get into the habit of walking between battles and walk into unexplored areas. Running reduces block to 1/3 and elimates your defense rating (or does it give them a 95% chance to hit before block?)
6) Connection
If your ping is higher than usual or FPS too low, don't play for a little bit. Sometimes, just disconnecting from B.net and then logging back on works.
*With the exception of 1.09 Iron Golems with BO, Oak sage, and high level golem mastery dieing because their life wrapped around, but that's not a character.
So, with these tips, and common sense, this should help you stay alive. :)
/edit: There was no typo here. There was no typo within a hundred miles of here. I am not afraid, and neither should you be.
(You don't have to do all of them, but some combination does help)
1) Vitality
Even when playing characters (like your normal, run of the mill, melee barb) that use strength to increase damage, pump vitality. Just get your strength up to the minimal gear requirements. If, for some strange reason, you feel you have enough life, too bad. I've never heard of someone dieing because they had too much life.* Dexterity, however, is a much more complicated stat. First, you have to decide if you want to be max block. If not, use just enough to have a good attack rating (but don't forget that you can get AR from charms and gear).
2) Ranged Attacks
If you aren't right to the monsters, you've eliminated all melee damage (except for a few lucky hits).
3) Play More Carefully
While although in SC you can get away with charging into a room in A5 hell, it's best to cast a minion inside the room if possible. If not possible, cast an area of effect spell (such as Frozen orb or Blizzard) on the door to wake up a few monsters, and take away the element of surprise. This way you can slowly move into the room (and if you're really careful, immediately back out) after dispatching your current foes.
4) Party Up
The one you've all been waiting for, play in parties.
5) Walk
Get into the habit of walking between battles and walk into unexplored areas. Running reduces block to 1/3 and elimates your defense rating (or does it give them a 95% chance to hit before block?)
6) Connection
If your ping is higher than usual or FPS too low, don't play for a little bit. Sometimes, just disconnecting from B.net and then logging back on works.
*With the exception of 1.09 Iron Golems with BO, Oak sage, and high level golem mastery dieing because their life wrapped around, but that's not a character.
So, with these tips, and common sense, this should help you stay alive. :)
/edit: There was no typo here. There was no typo within a hundred miles of here. I am not afraid, and neither should you be.