07-13-2006, 04:58 PM
I've never tried using an edge bow, but I believe it was Librarians suggestion and it sounds brilliant. Is it worth carrying it? I'd say as long as it helps kill the monsters more than you whacking stuff yourself, then definitely.
If you do go the route of non-combat (which I think is the best option), an ideal weapon would be the unique cudgel the Dark Clan Crusher. Since cudgels are pretty popular drops, you have a decent shot at finding one with at least one of your characters as they move through normal and nightmare. I think that is a good item to put on your wish list, since it is attainable for the SP char. Even fleshrender could be good if you go with werebear form for more life.
As far as saving strength for a good armor goes, it's not that bad of an idea. But I'd mull over armor types and str requirements, or more ideally wait to find an armor before you put too much in STR. A lot of STR is nice for its versitility in being able to wear just about anything, but I tend to pump the extra points in Vit (with higher level oak sage, each +5 Vit ~ 20 health, so just an extra 25 STR could translate to over an extra 100 life). The decision is definitely up to you, and worth thinking it over.
On my SP hardcore elemental druid I went with a minimum amount of STR and slowly put together a 4 socket perf ruby armor. The reason why? I wasn't very lucky finding something better. Plus the extra health was ridiculous when coupled with Oak sage. I picked up my resists by slowly building a 4 socket perf diamond shield, and raising as much money as possible. Then I gambled the money on boots and gloves (low leathers stay very cheap ~10k-15k up to level 40 ish). After a lot of gambling I was able to get some very nice double resist boots (+25%), and some resist gloves + some life. By level 45 ish I had almost 2k health and 55-75 resists in Nightmare.
It's worth looking at higher def vs. more life. It may work better to go with a higher def plate and invest the str, than it does for the health. But the uber health + good resists + smart playing makes you damn near invicible (I was tanking for my merc in act 5 normal with players 8 on).
The point about summons being able to hit monsters is an important one. I don't have experience here, so I won't pretend to know about it.
If you do like playing druids, later on you should consider playing a caster druid. They play a bit more like a summons Nec or summons Dru than the typical caster. Plus they aren't too item dependent to be strong all the way through nightmare mode.
Cheers,
Munk
If you do go the route of non-combat (which I think is the best option), an ideal weapon would be the unique cudgel the Dark Clan Crusher. Since cudgels are pretty popular drops, you have a decent shot at finding one with at least one of your characters as they move through normal and nightmare. I think that is a good item to put on your wish list, since it is attainable for the SP char. Even fleshrender could be good if you go with werebear form for more life.
As far as saving strength for a good armor goes, it's not that bad of an idea. But I'd mull over armor types and str requirements, or more ideally wait to find an armor before you put too much in STR. A lot of STR is nice for its versitility in being able to wear just about anything, but I tend to pump the extra points in Vit (with higher level oak sage, each +5 Vit ~ 20 health, so just an extra 25 STR could translate to over an extra 100 life). The decision is definitely up to you, and worth thinking it over.
On my SP hardcore elemental druid I went with a minimum amount of STR and slowly put together a 4 socket perf ruby armor. The reason why? I wasn't very lucky finding something better. Plus the extra health was ridiculous when coupled with Oak sage. I picked up my resists by slowly building a 4 socket perf diamond shield, and raising as much money as possible. Then I gambled the money on boots and gloves (low leathers stay very cheap ~10k-15k up to level 40 ish). After a lot of gambling I was able to get some very nice double resist boots (+25%), and some resist gloves + some life. By level 45 ish I had almost 2k health and 55-75 resists in Nightmare.
It's worth looking at higher def vs. more life. It may work better to go with a higher def plate and invest the str, than it does for the health. But the uber health + good resists + smart playing makes you damn near invicible (I was tanking for my merc in act 5 normal with players 8 on).
The point about summons being able to hit monsters is an important one. I don't have experience here, so I won't pretend to know about it.
If you do like playing druids, later on you should consider playing a caster druid. They play a bit more like a summons Nec or summons Dru than the typical caster. Plus they aren't too item dependent to be strong all the way through nightmare mode.
Cheers,
Munk