Hi, since I'm not so jet lagged today-my body still partially thinks its in Copenhagen-I thought I would add on to my earlier post.
Spearazons, and all zons really, love ias. Here are some fend tables from the amazon basin for various spears.
http://www.theamazonbasin.com/d2/forums/in...=ST&f=39&t=5981
Life leech is very important for spearies-both of mine have 25 to 30%. You will find your life ball bouncing around a lot, which is normal.
Of the passive skills, critical strike is key-for spearies I try to have a minimum of 51% before skill adders. Crushing blow is also a quality to look for in equipment. Valkerie is much improved in the patch-at level 8 she gets a lance, at level 17 a war pike in 1.10. Here's a thread breaking down per level what she gets.
http://www.lurkerlounge.com/forums/index.p...t=ST&f=8&t=1391. I like having at least 12 points in valkerie, and now that she can actually kill things, I will probably invest more. Decoy is a wonderful skill-some spearazons max it. I haven't put more than a few points into it yet. I cast it in front of stygian dolls, behind frenzytaurs, in the middle of leapers, depending on the situation. It also can help a comrade in need by casting it near them to draw monsters attention away.
For stat points, strength and vitality are key, and enough dex to maintain good ar-85 to 95% chance to hit is a good goal. If this is hardcore, then there would be a greather emphasis on vitality.
As others have mentioned, fend will be your primary attack, and jab your one on one skill. Jab has been fixed in 1.10-it now does 3 attacks, rather than the 2 it currently does. Here's a thread on that if you are interested.
http://www.theamazonbasin.com/d2/forums/in...ST&f=39&t=29746
It is a good time to start a new spearazon with the patch on it's way. Of my 6 zons, I enjoy playing spearies the most. I am looking forward to the ladder and starting a another one. Have fun playing your new character!