I was sitting around, having fun and actually getting something useful done for once, and then I thought "Hey, I should be on the internet debating raging nerds over a hundred-odd pages over which helm is better on my build in an eight-year-old game!" Well, needess to say, I was right. So posthaste, I got online and reformatted my guide and fixed it up as nicely as possible so I can have a storming rampage of people in hurry to hurl juvenile insults at my guide because they can't take 5 minutes out of their busy days of atrophying their muscles to read any of my explantions and think critically about them. However, since thus far I've yet to see any reasonable criticisms of my build since version 1.5, I'm making an offer to all the useless spammers. If you can find any flaws with this build (the build, not the guide...so spelling/grammar errors don't count, although please point them out anyway), and provide an argument that actually shows your position to be correct, I'll donate you the rest of my fg. I'm putting my money where my mouth is. But, believe me, I've debated and refined the living shit out of this build, so don't expect it'll be easy fg. So, without further ado, here's version 1 3/4 of the (in)famous "spider" assassin guide. It includes everything except strategies.
And yeah, i'm going to keep calling it spider as long as people post entertaining shit about it. Or maybe I'll change it to the super death laser spider from HELL.
<IMG src="http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/8114/spiderhx4.jpg">
<B>
TABLE OF CONTENTS</B>
It's clickable! http://forums.d2jsp.org/html/emoticons/smile.gif
<B><SPAN style="font-size:11pt;line-height:100%">[URL=http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=20465096&view=findpost&p=117048211]Section 1: Introduction to the spider and version 1 3/4[/URL]
[URL=http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=20465096&view=findpost&p=117048328]Section 2: Making a Spider[/URL]</SPAN></B>
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Part 1: abridged version</B>
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Gear------------------
Stats------------------
Skills---------<B>
Part 2: full version</B>
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Gear------------------
Stats------------------
Skills<B><SPAN style="font-size:11pt;line-height:100%">[URL=http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=20465096&view=findpost&p=117048812]Section 3: Playing a Spider[/URL]</SPAN></B>
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Part 1: general strategy and tricks</B>
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Part 2: Counter-class strategies</B>
<B><SPAN style="font-size:11pt;line-height:100%">[URL=http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=20465096&view=findpost&p=117048961]Section 4: FAQs[/URL]
[URL=http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=20465096&view=findpost&p=117049078]Section 5: My spider[/URL]
[URL=http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=20465096&view=findpost&p=117049301]Section 6: notes[/URL]</SPAN></B>
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Part 1: notes on skills</B>
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Part 2: notes on equipment choices</B>
<B><SPAN style="font-size:11pt;line-height:100%">[URL=http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=20465096&view=findpost&p=117049495]Section 7: credits[/URL]</SPAN></B>
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Section 1: Introduction to the spider and version 1 3/4</B>
Well, I think at this point most everyone has seen this guide in one of its forms owing to the terrific amount of spam I manage to get, but for those who aren't aware, the "spider" is my 102 fcr c/c (although now it sports a w/s mb and tvt switch) trapper with whirlwind build. And, yes, it uses griffons. And yes, i know, i know, i know it doesn't boost traps (and for all the retards out there....no it doesn't boost traps IN ANY WAY and yes I have tested this myself).
At any rate, for the less jaded public, I can honestly say this is the most fun build I've played. It's very effective, it's very fast-paced, it's very competitive. You need good reflexes and a good amount of practice, but I've found it well worth the time I've put into it. I think it contains the best of the trapper and the best of the hybrid, without sacrificing too much of either. If you're invested in the idea of a "pure" trapper or hybrid, this build isn't either of those things. But I'd like to think it's a little more unique than those builds, and equally effective, to say the least (and before someone quotes me out of context, i said MORE unique not totally unique, I'm sure plenty people have made this build before I have, but a lot MORE people have made trappers and hybrids). Here's sort of a brief overview of what the build is, and isn't.
it is:
-fun (imnsho)
-fast
-competitive in any gm setting with decent absorption rules
it isn't:
-cheap
-easy (it's fairly easy to be mediocre, but hard to be good)
-capable of bm dueling whatsoever
as far as what's new to this version compared to version 1 1/2, well mostly the notes section, updated FAQs, screenshots of my new assassin, a few minor revisions, and, of course, the credits section because everyone loves to read the credits.
as far as what's new to this version compared to version 1, it's got more gear switches, better skill setup, new screenshots, and lots of other revisions, although sadly no strategies yet because i've been taking a break and playing morrowind for the past few weeks instead of playing diablo (and if you think i'm a know-it-all in diablo, you oughta see me in morrowind). DO NOT use the stickied guide (version 1) because, frankly, it sucks balls compared to this one http://forums.d2jsp.org/html/emoticons/smile.gif lack of a strategy section notwithstanding.
Finally, I’d point out that this guide assumes you have SOME knowledge of assassins and Diablo 2…I assume you already know (or can find) the fcr and fhr breakpoints, etc, and know basic abbreviations. I know some guides post that stuff, but this one’s already awfully long and I’d rather discuss more important things.