bowazon build questions

[D-Dave]

IAS .. I'd like some opinions on it.  To a certain extent, a speedazon sacrifices a lot in terms of equipement choice.  What cutoff would you shoot (ouch) for?  I've read all the relevent spped literature.  What is your IAS gear of choice?

Well, as I am currently doing some nostalgic characters (1.03 style) I have a few bits about fast shooting.

As you will be using strafe as your main attack, imho, speed is rather important.

personaly i would go for a nice -10 bow maybe with some ias on it or a shael socketed (currently using a rare matriarchal [shaeled], not fancy damage wise [45-108 iirc], but good enough to bring you through the game)

the breakpoints for -10 bows are rather easy to reach without uber gear needs:

• [frames per normal attack] / [frames per Strafe attack (2.-end)] - [Amount of IAS needed for this speed]
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• 12/3 - 0% IAS
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• 11/3 - 8% IAS
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• 10/3 - 22% IAS
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• 9/3 - 42% IAS
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• 9/2 - 60% IAS
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• 8/2 - 75% IAS
  I know you can get even faster then that but i just can't remember the 7/2 breakpoint<>
  [st]
  
  I currently reached the 9/2 rig with 20% IAS from the Bow, 35% from Twitchthroe (with a 15% ias jewel) and 10% IAS from rare gloves. so all I need is a bow with 20% faster attack build in and socket it with a shael or a pair of 20% ias gloves and i will be on 8/2 which almost as fast as the realm synch can handle. Not much need of sacrificing needed (actualy only the armour slot is "sacrifical" imho), just a lot of patience gambeling for nice rare gloves (mine are currently almost optimal with +2 Passive skills, lightning and fire resist (28% and 29%) 3% mana and 3% life steal and 10% ias, try to beat that with a pair of uniques :P )
  
  BTW, if you are going all out on disco effects i'd recommend Goldstrike Arch with using freeze arrow, this fist of heavens realy makes you a true Discozon ;)
  
  On enhanced Damage items, if i recall correctly, it applies to base weapon damage (just like the enhanced damage on the weapon does)
  
  One last note, stay away from knockback/fear if you are in a party with melee fighters.
  It is
  • [a.]irritating for fighters when half dead monsters run away
    [b.]frustrating for them, having to run after those monsters
    [c.]not very effective to send your "tanks" after the monsters instead of holding the front line so your bum does not get spanked<>
    [st] and they will most likely comment in a "I'm not amused" way :ph34r: .