So, I know things have changed a bit with D2r, so I am looking for some insight (no, not the runeword...)

The main thing I need to decide is between running with Windforce or Faith GmB
In the past, faith GmB was the go-to, however, it seems with the additional of runewords like Hustle and other things, Windforce is a worthy competitor.


I am mainly playing PVM - Looking for thoughts on which to go with

They’re both fun, I enjoy the higher end dmg from WF for PVM + the mana leech. Overall GMB is boring unless your pvping, WF allows for a nice change like how you mentioned the hustle RW.

A lot of what I read indicated the same, that it really comes down to preference.
I'm just looking for thoughts to help me decide 🤣

For bowa pvm i like the hybrid cold/phy damage. Pure phy sucks because there are a lot of phy inmunes. Cold is very strong but you need some phy damage to leech mana (she needs a LOT of man) and to deal with cold inmunes. I tried a lot of different bows but the best is faith gmb with infy merc.

You can take a look at my build in old d2, i show items/skills at the end.

Faith was higher damage before they added hustle armor so, I have no goddamned clue now, the nerds at the amazon basin are no longer around to test.

This post was edited by Viperswhip on Sep 19 2024 12:14am

go with botd hydra bow:D


but faith best i think

As i've written about countless times. Strafe + ignore target's defense + atma's scarab + 100% pierce = The win. Use kiting tactics, try to stay semi- close to the packs if possible. When nearly every arrow pierce, the 5% ctc amplify damage happens quite often, doubling and quadrupling (critical strike) physical damage, and removes physical immunes, also making your merc deal damage effectively. Bosses start taking ridiculous damage too. I remember using windforce (not ideal i know but was experimenting), and even if i used guided arrow, a huge portion of hell diablo's life was removed, i must have gotten a lucky roll. Must have been around 30% of his hp.

Amplify damage is underrated.

I accept that merc using reaper's toll = decrepify = 50% physical damage is a good point, but you lose out on pride = concentration, and i don't know if 50% removes all physical immunes. 100% physical damage increase is a big bonus.

You still play with cham’d eaglehorn and kiras ?

I still love playing an Amazon with Windforce. The manaleech gives me a bit more flexibility when it comes to the rest of my equipment.
The Merc uses Pride and in the second slot I have a bow with Runeword Harmony.
Immunes are sometimes a bit annoying, but Harmony in combination with Magic Arrow works reasonably well.
I don't think Faith is that much stronger than Windforce. But I'll test it out soon. I actually prefer playing with Strafe to multi now.

imo pvm chars have to has a reasonable amount of magic find...

in that case i like:
self wield mist
forti
stealskull with ias jewel
hilords
nos
wt
20 ias knockback gloves
ar dual leech rings

faith on merc
giant skull with 2x ias jewels
coh / skin of the flayed one with Um/all res jewel

max valk for block (one point to dodge, avoid, evade -> if u like put more points here)
max magic arrow for immunes
main dmg with multi shot (max guided as synergie, lvl 23 multi shot - i would max it out after penetrade)
some points in crit strike
max penetrate at last

harmony on swap, if u like