This is the D2r version of my D2 MLD Bowa Guide located here: https://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=68372221&f=143&o=0 note and credit also to elusive's guide here: https://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=15260956
This new guide is intended for the game Diablo 2 : Resurrected.====================================================================================================================================================
MLD Bowa's are one of the strongest builds that you can make at LvL 49. They compete very well vs most classes/builds and in D2 they only had 1 hard counter (High Charge Damage Paladins). Both I and others won multiple MLD tournaments on Bowa's in D2og down through the years. It can be difficult (not impossible) to build a MLD Bowa on a budget but the build really shines when you invest in it (450%ed 2 sox bows and 400-450%ed Eth Repl Javs).
Note: The Assassins class with its broken mechanic's combined with changes between D2 and D2r have resulted in assassins being (currently) a hard counter to MLD Bowa's as well.
Dex Vs Vita
For the purposes of PvP, there are two types of Bowa's - Dex Builds and Vita Builds. Dex build - More damage, Less Life ( Also described as a Glass-Cannon). Vita Build - More Life, Less Damage. I advocate both builds but recommend Dex Build to new players.
The Reason for Dex Build:
Quote
(Shadow_lad @ Feb 29 2008 5:10pm)
...the learning curve is better with a dex... or glass build. ...a glass ama will find it easy to play a vita ama while a vita ama won't even know where to start to play a glass one.
The Reason for Vita Build:
Quote
( Spartikis @ Feb 29 2008 12:28am)
By maxing Vitality you increase your life and the overall amount of damage you can (give and take over time). This can be simplified as follows: The more life you have the more hits you can take. More hits you take the longer you will stay alive in battle. The longer you are alive the more arrows you will be able to shoot. More arrows you shoot the more damage you will be able to produce.
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Break Points:
IAS: 105% IAS needed for Shadow Bow's and 145% IAS needed for Matri Bows
FRW: Aim for 120 FRW
Life: Aim for 1000 Life
Guided Arrow: Aim for 3000 Guided arrow
FHR: Currently 0, further testing required to see if, and how much, helps in D2r (the HLD Bowa is still base FHR if thats an indicator).
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Stat Placement:
Str: For Gear
Dex: Max
Energy: None
Vita: None
(switch to All Vita and Dex only for gear after maybe 500 duels vs each build)
Hell Rushed, all stat/skill quests completed.
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Gear:
When it comes to gear, typically you are using 3PSM 30FRW 2 sox Circlet (x2 15ias/30ed Jewels), 4 Sox Dusk of the Whale 100 life (or a 4 sox 100 life armor for now), A Shadow Bow with 4xx% ED or a similar Matri with +20IAS (Sox 15ias/30ed), 3psm/100 Life Amulet, 2/20/Str/dex Gloves, Raven, Rare dual stat mana ring, String and War Travs. An Artisans Kite Shield of Deflecting will be on switch (x3 30ed dual stat jewels) with Eth Titans (or a Rare 350%ed+ Eth Repl Matri's / Stygians).
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Helmet
1. Rare 2PSM 30FRW 2 Sox with Life+Mana+ Repl [ x2 15ias/30ed Jewels ]
2.3PSM 30frw 2 Sox [ x2 15ias/30ed jewels ] <<-- The Standard
Note: If your Shadow Bow has innate IAS you can use one 30ed/9str/9dex/4repl life jewel
Note: With Str Bug a thing of the past I cannot recommend non-frw circlets.
Amulet:
1. Rare 2 Passive & Magic 60 life 10 repl 90 mana
2. Crafted 1Ama 80 Life 10FRW
3. 3 Passive & Magic 100 Life Amulet <<-- The Standard
Note: with STR-BUG and Desync no longer a thing, a Crafted Amulet can now be actively considered.
Weapon(s):
1.Shadow Bow - Anything over 380% ED
The dream stats would be 450ed + Max Damage + 2 Sox and you would put x2 Jewels 30ed adds 10-18 damage in it.
1. Matri Bow - 20% IAS and anything over 380% ED
The dream stats would be 20% IAS 450ed + Max Damage + 2 Sox and you would put x1 15ias/30ed jewel and x1 30ed adds 10-18 damage in it.
Note: Its optimal (but not required) to have 1 of each bow.
Switch:
Javs:
1. Rare Eth Repl Matri Javs (or Stygian Pilums 30IAS) with 360-450%ed Eth Repl
The dream stats would be something like +2 / 20ias / 450ed 1/10 repl time (javs replenish quantity at different rates depending on the drop, i.e. 1/10 = once every 10 seconds).
The replenish quantity mod can spawn 1/10, 1/20 and 1/30 (not shown on screen, has to be tested).
2. Eth Titans
Shield:
1. Rare Eth Repl Grim or Dragon Shield with 100%enhanced Defence, FHR, 2sox and Replenish Life.
2. Artisans (or Jewelers) Kite Shield of Deflecting socketed with x3 30ed 9 str 9 dex 4 replenish life jewels
Armor:
1. Jewelers Dusk Shroud of the Whale (4sox, 100life) with x4 15ias/30ed Jewels
Note: Whatever way you look at it you need 4 Sox armor and x4 15ias Jewels. Other armor types can varying life rolls can be considered as temps.
Gloves:
1. Rare 2PSM 20ias +adds
You can either look for 2/20/9str/15dex/30single res or 2/20/15/30cold res+30Light res
Belt:
1. String of Ears
Rings:
1. 20/250 Raven
1. Stat Ring 15 str 15 dex 30 life 9repl 90 mana
Boots:
1. War Travs
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Invent:
x20 3frw/20ar/3max
x20 3max/20ar/20life
Note: you dont need all that AR to compete but long term thats what you can look for.
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Skills:
1. Max GA. 65%+ Crit, with items 5+ Dodge, 10+ Avoid, 10+ Evade
2. As above but also with 1pnt Valk
3. As above without Valk but with LvL 10~12 Multi
4. Optional Jab ~ if you are playing cross server and have lag issues you are probably better off not using jab
Note: with changes to D2r it is recommended you experiment with Strafe in certain matchups in order to determine its viability.
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Congratulations! You have made a cookie cutter MLD Bowa!
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I have purposely not added a strategy section to this guide noting its too early in the life of D2r to provide a comprehensive strategy section.
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I or someone else will/can update this accordingly in the future in the event that new gear (runeword/other) become available. Kudos to everyone that has contributed to the previous guide. If I missed anything let me know and I can add on repost.[/B]This post was edited by ferdia on Jan 19 2022 07:54am
D2:R