in this WT we will be following along with Scooter3. Why scooter3? Because the first two Scooters didn't go as planned (https://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=84654997&f=161).

My very short background is this: I haven't played d2 in 10 or 15 years and I have only ever beaten it on Hell once and never on HC. My first three HC chars died without getting through NM but I feel good about Scooter3's chances of going all the way.

Rules:

PlugY
P8 on Normal
P3 on NM
P1 on Hell
HC
I can respec whenever the hell I want. This game is hard.


I didn't want to bore you or cut the WT short again so I have already played Scooter3 up through Countess NM. Progress so far...


This is a useless amulet for any character. Even a level one char in the blood moore.




I had this ready and waiting for my rogue merc as soon as BloodRaven died.




Time to get the old man so I don't have to keep buying identify scrolls.

Cain's TP as a pinpoint of light.




Ral's are good. But I only go one of them in about 10 runs. Ohh well.

I picked these up in the catacombs. You can't ask for better gloves for Andy runs.

Nothing useful but I'm not dead and neither is my Merc. Win.




I did a few more runs and came across another couple of uniques. They weren't useful but I still like finding them. I don't think I've seen this before.




All of my previous HC characters died while doing runs so I'm scared of tempting fate. Onto act two...

I've never crafted anything before but everyone seems to recommend the savage polearm recipe so I gave it a try and this is what I got. Wow. A savage bill in the middle of act two? Yes please. My character and merc are a few levels and lots of strength away from being able to use it but still.




A lot of people complain about the maggot lair but as a barb it is easy-peazy.




I found this entering the Lost City. I used it until act 5...

That's a lot of those guys but I'm getting better at crowd control and not getting surrounded.







Finally my merc is level 25 and can he can use the bill! I had to give him 10 extra strength with some Amethysts in an armor but he does quite a bit of damage now.

The summoner was east but why is it ALWAYS the fourth way? Is there some kind of game mechanic at work here because this cannot be natural. Math forbids it.




Is this going to be the 'easy-but-time-consuming' Duriel fight or the deadly one where you are scrambling around and constantly resurrecting your merc and running back to town for potions?




It was the easy but slow fight.

New helm. I'm all in on resistances with Scooter3. Safety first.






Not a great reward but then again my other rings are crap. I'll use it.



This post was edited by GelatinousCube on Feb 23 2021 09:49pm

Finally. Get me out of this freaking forest. I hate the beginning of act 3.



Just got the Heart. Scooter3 has much worse gear than his father.

I really could use some new stuff guys...



I really want to see this animation on D2 remastered.




It takes a few minutes and some potions but my merc and I both make it through Mephisto unscathed. The same cannot be said for my weapons. I'm constantly running back to town to get them repaired.