02-23-2004, 06:00 AM
Diablo 2 is a game in the throes of a major inflation problem, and in which people are becoming more and more caught up in elite unique and less interested in many of the easier to find ones. This can really hamper many of the casual gamers and those just starting out on the realms. Not everyone has massive accounts filled with mules. And so I got to thinking about some of the cheaper items that can fulfill those needs more easily.
I'm sure that I left a lot out, but here's what came to mind:
The Gnasher Hand Axe: +50 to OW and +20 to CB
Smiter or Kicker weapons anyone?
Woestave Halberd: Slows Target, PMH, and even +1 Freeze
Everything that an Act 2 Hireling needs, upgrading is just gravy.
Spineripper Poignard: Everyone's used one.
Almost everyone's love them, even if not upgraded they're great until you enter Hell.
Black (Thul-Io-Nef) War Club: Cold, KB, 40% CB
Just plain too good not to use.
Malice (Ith-El-Eth) anything: PMH, Guaranteed OW, and decent Damage
Possibly one of the most cost effective hireling weapons in the game: you can start using them in early act 3 normal and still do decent damage until mid hell if you keep updating them.
King's Grace (Amn-Ral-Thul) Legend Sword:
LL, good damage, AR, cold
This is one of the best, cheap weapons for an Act 5 Barb, especially if it's eth (150-282 Damage is tough to beat for the price and Superior Eth is even better).
Umbral Disc Small Shield: +35 to block, +10 to dex, Hit blinds target
Way too easy to overlook, most pubbie parties won't even pick it up and they end up missing out on one of the best shields in the game. Level 9 and 22 strength requirements and everything but resists. Upgrading it gives it an additional 7% chance to block as well.
Rhyme (Shael-Eth) Heater: +42 to block, +25% res all, cannot be frozen
You can see a lot of Rhyme Monarchs on the Realm Trading Channels and I have no idea why. For half the Strength requirement you can have it on a shield with the same block rate. I'll admit that you get 40 or so less Def, but there are no additives on this shield anyway so who cares?
Biggin's Bonnet Cap: +30%ED, AR, +life and mana
Any Bowazon or Ranger could fall in love with this ugly scrap of dishtowel. As long as Def (or style) is not an issue, its love at first sight.
Tarnhelm Skull Cap: MF, GF, +1 to all
(read above)
Duskdeep Full Helm: +15% res all DR
One of the cheapest helms out there and there is almost nothing better for a young hireling. DR, Resist all, +dam and you don't even have to worry about the light radius, after all, it's on your hireling.
Stealth (Tal-Eth) Mage Plate: FRW, FCR, FHR
Not a Skin of the Vipermagi, but, what's a guy to do?
Cow King's Hooves: MF, FRW, +20 to dex
Not for a kicker, but they work for just about anything else.
Arctic Furs + Binding (body and belt)
Low lvl Def, chromatic resists and +40 MF. Nuff said.
Iratha's:
+65 Resist All and +10 to max resists, toss in a Guardian Angel and you have some great end game gear.
Well, if you can think of anything else, then please write it up.
Thanks!
I'm sure that I left a lot out, but here's what came to mind:
The Gnasher Hand Axe: +50 to OW and +20 to CB
Smiter or Kicker weapons anyone?
Woestave Halberd: Slows Target, PMH, and even +1 Freeze
Everything that an Act 2 Hireling needs, upgrading is just gravy.
Spineripper Poignard: Everyone's used one.
Almost everyone's love them, even if not upgraded they're great until you enter Hell.
Black (Thul-Io-Nef) War Club: Cold, KB, 40% CB
Just plain too good not to use.
Malice (Ith-El-Eth) anything: PMH, Guaranteed OW, and decent Damage
Possibly one of the most cost effective hireling weapons in the game: you can start using them in early act 3 normal and still do decent damage until mid hell if you keep updating them.
King's Grace (Amn-Ral-Thul) Legend Sword:
LL, good damage, AR, cold
This is one of the best, cheap weapons for an Act 5 Barb, especially if it's eth (150-282 Damage is tough to beat for the price and Superior Eth is even better).
Umbral Disc Small Shield: +35 to block, +10 to dex, Hit blinds target
Way too easy to overlook, most pubbie parties won't even pick it up and they end up missing out on one of the best shields in the game. Level 9 and 22 strength requirements and everything but resists. Upgrading it gives it an additional 7% chance to block as well.
Rhyme (Shael-Eth) Heater: +42 to block, +25% res all, cannot be frozen
You can see a lot of Rhyme Monarchs on the Realm Trading Channels and I have no idea why. For half the Strength requirement you can have it on a shield with the same block rate. I'll admit that you get 40 or so less Def, but there are no additives on this shield anyway so who cares?
Biggin's Bonnet Cap: +30%ED, AR, +life and mana
Any Bowazon or Ranger could fall in love with this ugly scrap of dishtowel. As long as Def (or style) is not an issue, its love at first sight.
Tarnhelm Skull Cap: MF, GF, +1 to all
(read above)
Duskdeep Full Helm: +15% res all DR
One of the cheapest helms out there and there is almost nothing better for a young hireling. DR, Resist all, +dam and you don't even have to worry about the light radius, after all, it's on your hireling.
Stealth (Tal-Eth) Mage Plate: FRW, FCR, FHR
Not a Skin of the Vipermagi, but, what's a guy to do?
Cow King's Hooves: MF, FRW, +20 to dex
Not for a kicker, but they work for just about anything else.
Arctic Furs + Binding (body and belt)
Low lvl Def, chromatic resists and +40 MF. Nuff said.
Iratha's:
+65 Resist All and +10 to max resists, toss in a Guardian Angel and you have some great end game gear.
Well, if you can think of anything else, then please write it up.
Thanks!
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