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Now that you've got the gear figured out, you've probably come to the conclusion that this is quite an expensive build [Can't say I didn't warn you]. And, therefore, you're going to want to do more with it than just kill monsters, which you could do with gear worth half as much. For this reason, a Player versus Player, or PvP, section has been added to the guide. This section is in no way 'complete', or everything you'll ever need to know, but it should help beginners a little, anyway. So, to get started, we'll split this up into 2 main categories: Those fighting with Passion/Teleport, or the Werebear variety.  The Passion-wielding Damage Sorceress has 1 very distinct advantage over her Werebear counterpart: She can Teleport around, before moving in for the kill with her speedy Zeal attack. The first tactic that you need to realize is that you have a huge Holy Shock. The radius is enormous [23 yards], which is actually larger than a single screen [which is 16.7 yards horizontal, 23 yards vertical, when playing on 800x600]. You can use this to your advantage, and should! If your foe is hurting, or near dead, and getting close to them could get you killed, then just stay near enough to shock them, without actually jumping in to attack. Likewise, if your foe is capable of slaughtering you in a somewhat cheesy, no-aim manner [Bone Spirits, Guided Arrow, Traps, etc.] but happen to suffer from a lack of Resistances, like many Public duellers do, make use of this, but not getting too close to be hit, but close enough to shock them to death. People will, of course, complain that this is cheesy, but they're left in a bit of a predicament, themselves. If they allow you to move in closer to attack them, you're going to slay them in a single stroke of your blade. If they try to keep you at a distance, they die from the aura. See the problem they face? They can't really win, so of course you're "cheesy." Tell them to get some resistances, suck it up a little, and head back out to slay them some more. Now, for those duellers that can't simply be taken out with your aura, due to having 75% Lightning Resistance [or due to potions], you're going to have to make a move to kill them. Which means using your patented Teleport-in, smack them, and get out. This is somewhat easier said than done, as duellers tend to be categorized into three main types: Runners (Ex. Sorceresses, ClericDins, Rabies Druids], Close Ups (Ex. Barbarians, Paladins, Javazons, Wind Druids), and Waiters (Ex. Trapasns, Bowazons, Bonemancers). Runners are the hardest to catch, and perhaps the hardest to beat [unless your Aura kills them], since they run away, casting/shooting as they go, and try to avoid being hit. Unless you're packing some serious Teleport speed, it's going to take a little strategy to catch them. First off, there is a nifty technique that many hackers use, that is [well, can be, if you don't use the autoaim] completely legit for everyone to use. The basic idea is this: If a person is trying to run/Teleport away, you can mouse over them, get a name lock with a skill [like Teleport or Zeal], keep holding that button while you switch the hotkey to Teleport, using it immediately to Teleport on them[providing they're close enough to show on your Minimap], and then switching the hotkey, again, to Zeal them. If a Sorceress is starting to Teleport, and you do this, you will end up wherever she Teleported to, confusing her, and often allowing you to make that 4 frame Zeal, killing her in a blow. However, this strategy isn't without it's flaws, as it could put you beside a Runner who's going on the offensive. A few arrows in the face, or a Fireball or two, and you're toast. You may have huge damage, but, unlike the Werebear form Sorceress, your Life isn't all that great. Against Close-Ups, you're going to have to work a little more, since these character usually aren't afraid of you, and are often more capable in basic Melee Combat than you. Not to mention that they often have Minions stacking defense, or huge Defense and Attack Rating, making it all the harder for you. As of now, however, I can't say I know how to beat them with this build, as your Hit Recovery isn't great, and even with high Blocking, a Wind Druid or a Smiter would get by it. Maybe hope that your foe lags? Lastly, the Waiters. Usually comprised of characters with autoaim attacks, they wait for you to come to them, and then strike with a heavy offense, trying to kill you before you get anywhere near to them. This can work really well versus many builds, but can have a few problems with this one. First off, Trappers can be absorbed/resisted easily enough. Bonemancers can rely on Bone Armor, Prison, and Walls to keep you away, as well as their homing Spirits, while Bowazons need their Dodge to keep them alive. Any of these are likely to die in a single hit, or even to your aura, so don't be afraid to move in for the kill, if you can do it quickly, or surprisingly (like from behind them).  Certainly a sexy beast, you'd better expect a bunch of people to ask to duel you, "Druid," or ask how a Druid got Energy Shield, and such. It's certainly cute, especially when you run out, smack something once [killing it, of course], and they freak out. Most of the general rules, as stated above, apply directly to this build, as well, save that you're going to have to run more than Teleport. A key point to remember is that you don't need to stay a bear! If you keep Beast on switch, as opposed to Call To Arms, you can de-transform, Teleport around, and re-transform as you need. Your attack speed with your high IAS weapon won't be quite that of Zeal, but it'll be good, nonetheless. The biggest advantage that the Werebear Damage Sorceress has over the Passion varience is the Life/Defense boost. A good Damage Sorceress should be peaking at more than 4,000 Life in Bear form. Not to mention the Hit Recovery rates being much better than in Sorceress form. The downsides, however, are the loss of Teleport, the horrible Block Rates, and the need to use Battle Orders, then switch to Beast. So, taking this into account, you'll have to understand some things when duelling in Bear form. First of all, is that you are very silly-looking, with your Energy Shield bouncing over your head like a circus balloon. However, once you've killed that stupid Sorceress or Necromancer a few times, they'll learn to keep their distance, as you become quite the object of fear. This works against you, when you can't Teleport after them. Second of all, is that you don't want to Block. Ever. If you're fighting in Melee, and Block a hit, you're going to give your foe about a half dozen more attacks on you. You may be a great tank, as Sorceresses go, but you can't stand up to that. Only use as much Dex as it takes to use a Phase Blade, nothing more. Lastly, is that you may need to sacrifice some stats/resistances to get higher Faster Run/Walk gear. This isn't necessary, but it would help a bunch. Duelling in this form, other than that, is just like duelling as any Shapeshift Druid, or as a Zealot, save that you lack Defense, an Oak Sage, while having a nifty aura, and far more Damage. You need to run up to your foe, and attack them. Just watch the angles, and try to approach from the bottom, whenever possible, as Diablo II doesn't seem to appreciate the laws of basic physics and relativity all that much. I think I'm going to end the discussion here, for now, and post more when I get some more feedback. I will leave off with an important note, however... Ensure you have high Attack Rating!! |