"Martial Artist" Guide for Diablo II: Lord of Destruction By: Bahamutknight 08/26/01 ver 0.2 Introduction: This Character profile was written by me, myself, to help create an assassin which concentrates on martial arts, relying on some shadow disciplines and ignoring traps. Copyright and Legal Stuffs: This guide is made for private use only. Please do not intend to sell, publish or either reproduce, sice this is my first faq, it can only be seen on Gamefaqs. All references, characters and names from Diablo II:Lord of Destruction belong to Blizzard Entertainment. Updates: V 0.2 (10/04/01) : Added "My Equipment" list. Further explanation of skills. Check the spelling of mispelled words added credit to "Curry Plz Hurry" Table of Contents: 1. The pure Martial Artist 2. Character info 3. Stat points distribution 4. Skill tree and skill point usage/investment 5. Equipment 6. Tips and thoughts 7. Credits 1. -The Pure Martial Artist- Among the kinds of mage slayers, also known as assassins, the martial artist is one of the best and yet, effective. As a martial artist, one must focus on the skill trees: martial arts and shadow disciplines. Remember that the decision that you make is final, perhaps, onwards to achieving the goal... 2. -Character Info- Being a Martial artist, you must know what determines it and how does it works. Martial arts is consisted of two: charge strikes and finishing moves. Charge-up skills are used to empower finishers with their effect, while a finishing move is the one which is used to discharge all charges to a target or a group of targets. Remember that you are an assassin w/c means that you will stick with claws that are used to charge-up. Finishers, however, is mostly compromised of kicks besides Dragon Claw. 3. -Stat Point Distribution- Strength(str) - Put points here if you need a better equipment, but dont waste points here. Also adds some minimum kick damage. Dexterity(dex) - Put most points here, it increases your attack rating, block rate, defense, and especially, the kicks. Vitatlity(vit) - Putting some here wont hurt at all, but dont concentrate here. Energy(eng) - Put not a point in this because mana wont be a problem. 4. -Skill Tree- MARTIAL ARTS - This is your main weapon, the art of one-hit kills and devastating blows. Tiger Strike (charge-up) : def: increases damage per every charge req: lvl 1 pros: This is the most useful of all the charge-ups and can be maxed at early levels. cons: Does not include elemental damage, may give you problems with mosters who are immune to physical. comments: The most useful skill yet, overlooked by most players. my opinion: I recommend maxing this at early stages. Dragon Talon (finisher) : def: increases no. of hits and attack per level req: lvl 1 pros: Consecutive hits can be good against one target cons: the charges wear off after the first hit comments: since this is the first finisher, use an ordinary attack instead using this, since it only gives attack bonus and your mana is still low at this point. my opinion : put a point as prerequisite Fists of Fire (finisher) : def: explosion which has increasing fire damage and radius per charge req: lvl 6 pros: good as a crowd-control cons: Claws of thunder and Blades of Ice are better. Useless in hell diff. comments: wait for better charge-ups or use as a prerequisite my opinion: put zero points here, you dont need the elemental charge-up chain. Dragon claw (finisher) : def: attack with 2 claws simultaneously with increase damage percent per lvl. req: Dragon talon, lvl 6 pros: good against bosses in early acts cons: requires two claws to activate comments: put a point here as a prerequisite. In further levels, you will need a shield instead. my opinion: put a point here -or- max it if you want your assassin specialized in this skill Cobra strike (charge-up) : def: Increases mana and life leech per charge req: Tiger strike, lvl 12 pros: Paired with tiger strike, it can heal full mana and life cons: You wont need this much unless you are low on mana and life. Potions are better options and easier to use. comments: Dont use this in emergencies, use potions instead. my opinion: Put a point if you want to save up potions, or if you want to get Phoenix Strike Claws of thunder (charge-up) : def: the 1st chage will bring lightning damage. The second will bring a nova, while the third will bring charged bolts. req: Fists of fire, lvl 18 pros: charged bolts from the 3 charge-up can reach further targets cons: high mana cost and again, it is elemental comments: put a point here if you want phonix strike my opinion: put one here if you want to get the Phoenix strkie and Blades of ice Dragon tail (finisher) : def: a lethal kick which delivers explosions. req: Dragon talon, Dragon claw, lvl 18 pros: the best crowd-controller cons: none comments: because of its splash damage, it is rendered the most effective finisher ever. my opinion: put one point here -or- max points to this to reap its maximum efficiency Blades of Ice (charge-up) : def: a charge-up which is similar to Fist of fire's but with a freezing effect req: Claws of thunder, lvl 24 pros: can freezes enemies over a large radius cons: high mana cost, low damage comments: why try to freeze enemies? use Tiger strike instead. my opinion: put some points here if you like to build a freezing martial artist. or a point as prerequisities. Dragon Flight (finisher) : def: teleport-kicks enemies with great power req: Dragon tail pros: very powerful even at the first level, teleportaion can be an advantage to reach the nearest desirable target. cons: recoil after casting it. hits only one target. comments: max on this if you want to go PVP or easily kill bosses. my opinion: putting excess points here won't hurt Phoenix strike (charge-up) : def: discharges a meteor at first charge, chain lightning at second and chaos ice bolt at the third charge. pros: Can be used to best physically immune monsters. cons: high mana cost comments: either you use this or Venom against physically immunes. my opinion: maybe put some points here if you are having trouble with P.I.'s SHADOW DISCIPLINES - These are for your survival, without this, your assassin will be nothing. Claw Mastery (passive) : def: increase attack% and damage% of claws req: lvl 1 pros: best for Dragon claw users cons: not recommended for kick-users comments: put points here if your a fan of claws and Dragon claw skill. my opinion: since I strongly reccomend Dragon tail and Tiger Srike, you can put 20 points here if you want the dragon claw assassin. Psychic Hammer (shadow) : def: knocks back target req: lvl 1 pros: good for luring, if you're a trapassin cons: very weak damage comments: this skill is junk my opinion: put a point here only as prerequisites Burst of Speed (duration) : def: incedibly speeds up all of your movements req: lvl 6 pros: a very, very good skill. speeding up running and attack speed is definitely useful for an assassin cons: Venom, Burst of speed and Fade cannot be simultaneously used. comments: you don't need plenty of points here to prove it's power my opinion: put a maximum of 5 skill points here, "+ to skill" items can help strengthen this Weapon Block (passive) : def: gives and increases chance of using two claws for blocking req: Claw matery, lvl 12 pros: useful for dual-claw users cons: as difficulty rises, you will be forced to use more likely, a shield comments: even at higher levels, it doesn't block efficiently enough. my opinion: use a shield and a claw, unless you are a dragon claw assassin, you won't regret it. put a point here as prerequisities. Cloak of Shadows (shadow) : def: blinds enemies within it's radius req: Psychic hammer, lvl 12 pros: best used against spell-casters, and missile throwers. Good if you feel you are ganged up on. cons: also darkens the areas surrounding you comments: you dont need much points to prove it's efficiency my opinion: use this against archers and missile-throwers, best used with Fade against spell-casters Fade (duration) : def: temporarily increases resistance req: Burst of Speed, lvl 18 pros: your best friend against mages. cons: cannot be used simultaneously with Burst of speed and Venom comments: do not be too cocky with this skill, higher difficulties means lower resistance for you. my opinion: throw some points until you meet the most desirable efficiency. Shadow Warrior (summon) : def: a companion which only uses your preset abilities req: Weapon block, lvl 18 pros: only uses your left-click and right-click skills, favorable for a trapassin cons: low hit points comments: a Shadow master is waiting and is more powerful. my opinion: use it as a temporary companion, and to get Shadow master Psychic Blast (shadow) : def: a blast that stun a group of enemies and converts the feeble-minded req: Cloak of Shadows, lvl 24 pros: stunning length is good, especially the conversion effect cons: weak damage comments: best used to distract enemies, a point can prove its power my opinion: use it to initiate an attack while the enemy is stunned. a point or two here wont hurt at all. Shadow Master (summon) : def: a very strong companion which has access to almost all of your skill req: Shadow warrior pros: uses any skills it wants, increasing resistance and great amount of life per level. cons: she can't cast Shadow master and Shadow warrior o_O comments: she is your tank, relying on her is one of your best option my opinion: max her to support you all the way. TRAPS - bah! you dont need these, your a pure Karateka! 5. -Equipment- *always set your eyes on mana and life leeching items *find a good claw which also adds to your skills *a shield is very critical, I prefer Sigon's Tower *Try your best to find Bartuc's Cut-Throat greater talons *you don't need to concentrate on claw damage, just put tons of points in dex to get a good kick *since your chance to block rate increases with dex, defense is not your main priority from an equipment *find charms that add to mana and especially, dexterity *Sander's Riprap make you run like hell! *do not be teased by using any other weapons other than claws -My Equipment- Dragon Claw assassin: Body - Shaftstop Waist - String of Ears Hand - Natalya's Mark Hand - Bartuc's Cutthroat w/ PSkull (1.08) Amulet - Telling of Beads (1.09) Head - Vampiregaze(1.08) -or- Tal's mask (forgot name) Feet - Gore Rider Finger - Bul-Kathos Wedding Band Finger - Snowclasp (1.09) Fists - Hellmouth (1.09) Dragon Tail assassin: Body - Arcaine's Valor (1.08) Waist - Thudergod's Vigor (1.09) Hand - Bartuc's Cutthroat w/ PSkull Hand - Moser's Shield w/ 2 Um runes Amulet - Mara's Kaleidoscope Head - Harlequin's Crest Feet - Gore Rider Finger - SOJ Finger - Bul-Kathos Wedding Band Fists - Hellmouth (1.09) 6. -Tips and Thoughts- *the act2 merc is always useful to be with, especially combat *remember to flood points in dex *dont underestimate enemies with lightning enchanted *kick Baal a lot times with charge-ups before he can dupe himself *dont put any points in energy *maxing Weapon block is simply foolish *your Shadow master gets the most attention while you hit your enemies *Shadow master cannot be compared to other summons *assassin is "god" ^_^ 7. -Credits- *thanks to Gamefaqs for posting my FAQ *thanks to myself for writing this FAQ *thanks to Blizzard for making this addicting game *thanks to my friends H@lmetz, full, CC-Ting, Chu-engLao, Bert, Bitoy Alja-ooh! and Baku-Lau. *thanks to people who read this FAQ and found it useful *thanks to people who agrees with me that DRUIDS simply suck. *thanks to my mom who discourages me to write this FAQ *thanks to moron who actually believed the underwear charm *thanks to Curry Plz Hurry for reminding me to update my faq. This work is Copyright 2001 by bahamuknight