From: Devin
Subject: Where did they go?

Hey Gheed!

Your a smart dude. I have a few questions concerning the death of a few characters and where they went.

1. When you destroy Diablo's and Mephisto's soulstones, where did they go? Your'e already in hell so whats the point. Or were they just absolutley destroyed and will never return again?
2. Where did the fallen angel [Izual] go to when you killed him? Heaven, Hell, or Oblivion?
3. Do you think Wirt went to heaven or to hell. I didn't see him there in hell.
4. Are you related to Wirt. You both have the same business sense.
These are some tough questions (besides for number four) but I know that you can handle them.

Your Loyal Fan,
Devin

Devin, Why, it's nice to start off the column with someone complimenting me! Of course, everyone know's I'm a smart and wise businessman, but extra recognition is welcomed. Onto answering your questions. What happened to Diablo and Mephisto after their soulstones were destroyed is not a complete mystery, but it is sketchy. The best way I can describe what probably happened is that their spirits were sent back to the black abyss where they were spawned from. Izual's death is even more tricky. We can guess that he is now in "Oblivion," but we cannot be completely sure.

I never really got a chance to know that annoying peddler Wirt, and I don't really care if he went to heaven or hell. Really, does anyone? From what I hear, he had a reputation of practically stealing the gold of Warriors, Sorcerers, and Rogues back when Tristram was originally infested with Diablo and his minions. And for the very last time, I have NO relation whatsoever to Wirt! Why do people think this? Just because I'm good at swindling people... err.. I mean, trading with adventurers, doesn't mean anything. Heck, you could say that I was related to Griswold because of my general appearance. "Hah" to that, I say!

From: Devin
Subject: I know your secret.

While talking to my friend about where Wirt's soul went after he died we came to a starteling conclusion. We realised that you!!! YES YOU!!! are WIRT!!!!!! When tristram was overrun you faked your death to collect insurance. Then with the money you joined a caravan an traveled across the country, where you found a prosthetic leg. That is why you never walk more than five feet at a time. So Wirt, what are you going to do now. We know who you are. Dont try and squirm your way out of it. You both sell things at high prices. You both have the same attitude. You are the child who stood on the other side of the river and sold stuff to stangers (what would your mother think). Well WIRT, lets see if you can wiesel your way out of this one.

Devin

You again? Do I really need to come over there and get my point across? I am NOT Wirt, and I'm greatly insulted that you would think I have any relation to him at all. I'm a wealthy and respected tradesman (well, I have my share of enemies after their feeble attempts at gambling), completely unlike Wirt, who was just a peg-leg peasant. I offer much better goods, and a larger selection, besides the feature of gambling (Try it! And again!), and my general self is much more superior. If you're so obsessed with Wirt, go find his soul yourself. And STOP looking in my direction! :-)

From: Valois
Subject: [none]

Hi Gheed,

With all your experiences on magic and rare items, i thought perhaps you can enlighten me on the following issue. Is it possible to get 2 prefix of the same effect at the same time, e.g. "King's" and "Merciless", or even better, 2 same prefix/suffix at the same time, e.g. 2 "King's" prefix on the same item? If this is possible, this will mean that one can get a +6 to all skill on an item, right? Cheers!

Valois.

Valois,

For magical items, this is definitely not possible: they can only have one prefix and/or one suffix (maximum being one prefix and one suffix). However, Rare items can have effects similar to several prefixes and suffixes at once. However, you won't see the similar magical prefixes/suffixes on the rare items, since they aren't magical. The only part you'll see is the effect increased by a certain amount. It is currently not possible to get +6 to all skills on one item. Good question, though!

From: Vazquez
Subject: Is that Necromancer a barbarian?

I have this question tha no one seems to know the answer to. Does a necromancer say with a 100 attack rating have exactly the same chance as a barbarian with 100 attack rating to hit a monster ? Same question for amazon, sorceress and paladin.

Vazquez,

This is an interesting concept. However, it would be somewhat difficult to get two different characters (even of the same class) to have the exact same chance to hit a monster, since there are so many possibilities for the items you can equip, which will provide extra bonuses to your character statistics. Any character class with the exact same attack rating as another character's, with items of exactly the same attack speed, and the same distribution of character points, has the same chance to hit a monster. A Barbarian with a normal Short Sword and an Attack Rating of 200 has the same chance to hit a monster as a Sorceress with the exact same Dexterity and an attack rating of 200, equipped with a Short Sword. This is the same for other character classes.

From: The Rookie
Subject: Necro -getting-wooped

Yes, I followed the a guide from D2 nation and I'm getting my assed kicked by Andriel, all the time.... I have about 3pts in CE.
1 claygolem
3 Ironmaiden
1 bone armor
1 skeletal raise
1 skeletal mastery
2 skeletal mage
1 golem mastery
Man, i just can't beat her. She does the poison trick and destoys my golem in one full sweep. I'm level 14, but still getting wooped. Please help out a fellow comrade.......

The rookie....

Rookie,

Your name really doesn't help you along your way to being feared by others. Oh, well, to the point. Andariel, as well as other unique and super-unique monsters, has a tendency to take out Golems in one or two blows, which can get quite annoying for Necromancers. The best thing you can do is to keep raising as many minions as possible, but keeping Andariel cursed with Iron Maiden all the time. This way, she will damage herself by attacking, and you can always raise more skeletons (provided that there are corpses). Keep raising Golems as well, though this will require you to take many town runs. Another trick you could try is to buy many poisonous potions, which will slowly take down her health. Just keep pounding Andariel with the potions while keeping your stock of minions up, and Iron Maiden active. Good luck!

From: Craig
Subject: question

I skimmed your previous columns and didn't see this question, and since www.blizzard.com isn't responding today, I thought I'd throw this at you.

When I find an item that "reduces magic damage by 1", "reduces damage by 2", "attacker takes damage 1", etc. what exactly does that mean? Does that mean if I'm wearing an armor "of thorns" (attacker takes 1-5 damage), that the guy who hits me take 1-5 damage exactly, or is that a factor for a formula. Taking 1-5 damage seems pretty useless when they're smacking you around for 50+ damage per hit.

Craig,

An effect on items reading "Reduces Magic Damage by 1" would reduce the amount of elemental damage dealt by monsters (towards you) by one hit point. "Attacker takes damage of 1" is a Thorns-like effect, which will deal damage of 1 hit point to any monster who attacks you. It does seem like a miniscule amount, since monsters (and you) deal so much more damage, but it is just a game-balance issue. For instance, having an item that reduces damage by or causes the attacker to take damage of 50 would be quite a nice effect, but would end up with the game being unbalanced.

From: HellsAngelica
Subject: testing Gheed

Well, you seem to know all. so here's a question for the man with 27 BMW's. what in the world of Diablo do i use the HORADRIC SCROLL for?

can you answer this mystery?

HellsAngelica (Sorceress)

P.S hope to soon go on battle.net so i can gamble for one of those exquisite +1 light radius amulets.

Angelica,

I get quite excited after hearing an enthusiastic comment like that, from players such as you! These are the people we need more of- the gullible types who like the simple items, but for an extremely high.. I mean low... price. :-) To answer your question: The Horadric Scroll should be taken to Deckard Cain, who travels to Act II with you. Just go back to Lut Gholein (the town of Act II), and find Cain in the central area. Just click on him and it will help you along the Horadric Staff quest.

From: Malkrones
Subject: Ask Gheed

It seems that the prime evils needed host human bodies to become physical on the mortal realm. Inside the soulstones, they could only be released by going into a human's body, such as Leoric, Prince Albrecht, or the Wanderer/Hero. Why, then, did Andariel and Duriel not need soulstones, and not need human bodies to inhabit? And how did they get there if the portal to hell was closed?

Malkrones

Malkrones,

You are mistaken on certain facts about the soulstones. The mystical objects known as the soulstones were created to act as a prison for the three Prime Evils who had been banished to the mortal realm by the four Lesser Evils. You are correct in that the Prime Evils need a host body to take physical form, however. It says nowhere that Andariel and Duriel did not invade the bodies of humans to take their physical forms, though we did not see that happen. But, this doesn't mean it didn't. Otherwise, while the Prime Evils are originally just spirits, the Lesser Evils may not have been.

From: Goran-Kai the Raiser
Subject: How do the young ones fare?

Greetings, merchant Gheed!

You might not remember me, but I have fond memories of you and that unique heavy belt I won from you - it lasted longer then my skeletal underlings that accompanied me then... The reason I write is that I have been pondering recently, and have grown curious of this: how experienced - or, if you like, unexperienced - was the least powerful hero that ever defeated Diablo in battle? Back when I faced him first, I was only level 27 - or was it 28? Hmmm, I'm getting old, it would be time to start practicing my art on myself - and at that time I doubted anyone less formidable could survive the ordeal. Recently, I am in doubt. Were there any lower level characters who accomplished the same feet? Would you know anyone like that?

Yours truly,

Goran-Kai the Raiser

Goran-Kai,

Do I sense a Necromancer? Well, even if you are, I'll answer your question (however gruntled). All I've heard is heresay about the adventurers who have defeated the demon known as Diablo. Since I do not travel along to the last two Acts of Diablo II, I have not had a chance to view this event, but I would think that characters no less than level 24 or 25 have defeated him so far. The young warriors are so ambitious and proud, and I'm sure they have tried to complete this task-- ending up fleeing the scene. Any person less than level 24-25 is fairly insane if they try to slay this demon, but there are certain stupid ones... :-)

From: Josh
Subject: Ormus...

Hey Gheed,

While playing in the jungle, I noticed that Ormus always has a plain mask in his inventory, what's up with this? Is it something like the secret cow level? I was hoping you had an nswer to this brainteaser! Thanks man.

Josh

Josh,

Ormus is quite the character: we all know he's just a little too nutty for his own good. I've always been puzzled by his attitude and general style... it wouldn't be surprising to find out some strange secret about his past. Even so, I've never heard of him being involved with a Cow-Level like feature of Diablo II, and wouldn't expect to find one. Maybe the guy just has a certain obsession with... masks. Can't be sure!

From: XenoKano
Subject: Sword! Sword! My kingdom for a sword...

Gheed,

Although it may seem strange me asking 'The Gheed' for advice about weapons (i mean, he proberly couldn't tell a swd form an axe) but i am at loss. My main character is a barbarian whom uses swords - due the fact of his high skill level in Sword Mastery. At present i am using a rare broad sword named Raven Hew. It is an better than average rare but it causes monsters to flee (i hate that) and the damage no longer cuts it during the later parts of Act 3 and Act 4. I have set my eyes on a nice war sword, as they have a nice amount of damage, but should i:

a) Find a socketed one and wait untill i have some nice perfect gems?

b) Gamble untill i find one i like?

c) Start a new game and get to quest 4 on Act 1 and then trade a war sword to the character, get it imbued and then trade it back?

d) Try and find someone willing to part with one on-line (a last resort as no-one seems to have one for trade)

e) Just keep killing untill i find one?

f) Use a different type of sword?

- XenoKano

XenoKano,

Of course I'm an expert on the items I provide for you ungrateful adventurers! I demand that you gamble for high-quality (and high-price) armor from me at least five times today to make up for your insult. In this situation, I would recommend trying to trade for a nice War Sword, as long as you have decent items that others would be interested in, to trade for that. It may take awhile to find someone with a spare of this item, but it will be worth it. Otherwise, I also recommend the imbuing method: find a normal War Sword, transfer it to a new character, and imbue it after completing Act I's Quest 4. The easiest thing to do would be to just find one and use it, but it won't give you the best you can get. Good luck!

From: Nosaj
Subject: Help

Hey Gheed,

I've been struggling along the game as a sorceress in single player mode. And well, I've been having some trouble with my mercenaries dying really really fast. Any suggestions? Also, I would like to know any helpful hint on what spells I should upgrade, cause I kind of upgraded the fire bolt a whole lot, and now, don't even use it anymore! Another question, should I stick with the cliche staff, or should I try a bow, crossbow, or a sword and shield? Final question, I used the inferno spell to kill Andariel, it took a long long time, should I have used statis field instead? I've heard it can wear out an enemy fast. But does it take away one fourth of the maximum life, of one foruth of remaining life? I'll appreciate any advice you have for me!

Thanks,
Nosaj the sorceress

Nosaj,

I really hate it when players mistakenly (due to their own lack of knowledge on this subject) develop weak Sorceresses. First of all, you made a terrible mistake wasting many skill points on Fire Bolt, as it is a very weak spell and becomes useless quickly. The best way to design a powerful Sorceress is to choose two of the skill trees to use, and only filter skill points into certain skills of those available. This will make it much easier. Also, even if the Fire tree is not one of your choices, place as many points as you can spare into Warmth, which will increase your mana regeneration rate. It may already be too late for you to build up a worthy Sorceress (despite their beauty), so you might want to consider starting a new character (a new Sorceress), and carefully distributing the skill points.

For killing any monster with a large amount of hit points, it is important that you have the "Static Field" skill, which reduces their hit points by 1/3 each time you cast the spell (and it hits them). This should be used in conjunction with other skills, since it can never finish them off, as it decreases their life by a fraction. Use Static Field until Andariel has few hit points left, and then break out with Inferno.

From: Kyle-Sama the Barbarian
Subject: Ask Gheed.

Sup! Like you say, you ARE my best friend in that forsaken camp. Everyone says you rip them off, but I've gotten some good stuff for you. (Maybe that's because I've never gambled... =) Always too poor). You all have to remember, you don't HAVE to gamble with Gheed, he can sell you stuff normally like Akara and Charsie. Besides, he's not the only NPC in the whole game you can gamble with (Or so I hear, I'm still not out of act 1 ).

That out of the way... Here's my question, a little different than your normal question: When does the game get really challenging? When do you have to use your brain? When do you need to learn strategy? I don't know about the higher levels, but so far (I'm level 13), if you can't defeat a monster, you just run off, level up on weaker monsters, and beg oldbies for better equipment/buy better stuff. Then you kill whatever was maiming you in one smack. No strategy really required. What I want to know is, how difficult and challenging is the game when you are max level and have the best items you'll ever get? Don't get me wrong. I love this game, I think it's fun. But I think that there isn't much startegy or thinking involved at my current level. Say I'm max level with my best stuff, when I'm in the last area on the hardest difficulty, will the game be difficult at all? Will I have to run and use potions, constantly switch skills (With shortcuts), and perhaps switch weapons? Right now, I almost never have to run away and heal, I have a surplus of Town-Portals, My double-attack (Or whatever it's called where you attack one enemy twice or two once) is enough, I never have to switch skills, and I kill almost everything in one hit. I'm just rushing through the act 1 quests. And I also constantly hear oldbies talking about how they just totally owned [insert name of "difficult" boss here] with weak equipment. Oh, and what's the max level? 50? 80? 99? 100? I know I sound like I'm totally dissing the game, but I love it. (I spent about half-an-hour writing this that I could have used playind Diablo 2, so you'd better put it in the next issue, or I'm never gonna gamble, even when I've got enough money! NEVER! HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!)

Kyle-Sama,

I would like to say that Barbarians have it easy, but this is not always true. There are different parts of the game that are harder for one character class and easier for another; the ease of the game depends on the difficulty level, the items you posses, the skills you can use, your type of combat (melee vs. ranged attacks), and many more factors. Since you are only level 13, you haven't experienced much of the game so far, but trust me-- it will become more challenging, especially when you arrive in Act III. I would agree that Barbarians require less strategy than other character classes, since they are just so strong, but there are techniques that make you more powerful.

For weaker character classes, you experience a fun time of making "town runs"-- buying potions, going to defeat a powerful monster, running out of mana/potions, using a Town Portal to travel back, and repeating the process, and occasionally you might have to do this (even though you are a Barbarian). However, you'll have it much easier than if you were a Necromancer or a Sorceress. The important thing is that you distribute skill points and character statistic points correctly, making you as effective as possible. But trust me-- the game does get harder!

From: Baniel
Subject: Gambling Question

Ahhh..its good to be back to visit you in Act 1 old friend. The times we tilted back all those brews and drank til dawn. Those were the good old days. I'm still looking for the worm skull cap I'm told you may possess in your gambling inventory. Come along Old Friend. You know I have the gold. My question to you is does it look like a regular skull cap or is it distinctive enough so I can find it in you Gambling inventory? Having never seen it; I'd really like to know. everyone seems to rave about them. Gheed can you help your old necromacer friend out? I promise I won't ever raise your dead cat again. Though you have to admit the look on your face was priceless. I'm told you still have a chip on your shoulder about it. Alas help me old wise and large friend of mine. Those women of the sightless eye sure seem to take good care of you.

Baniel

Baniel,

Do you really think I would want to make it easier for you to get the item you've been really looking forward to receiving with all the hard-earned gold earned from slaying monsters? Of course not! In the gambling window, even if an item will turn out to be Unique (with its special item art), you will not see the unique art until you gamble for the item. And since when are Necromancers any kind of friends of mine? I despise them. Oh, and DON'T you remind me of the cat incident, that scared the hell out of me. You are correct, though, about the women of the Rogue Encampment: they've been pampering me since I arrived in their settlement. Plus, I've got my eyes on Charsi.

From: Lucifer
Subject: Cold Mastery

Just a quick question, can you explain how cold mastery works and does it have any effect against monsters (such as Duriel) that are immune to cold. Also does it have any effect on these ruddy Barbarians that have max cold resist who think they are funny harassing my poor Sorcy with the overpowered leap attacks.

Hope you can clear this up for me from your vast expanse of knowledge

Lucifer

Lucifer,

Because Duriel is completely immune to Cold-based attacks, even Cold Mastery does not affect this demon. For other monsters and characters, even if they have maximum cold resistance, their resistance will be reduced. However, unless you have a very high level of this skill, an enemy with maximum resistance to cold will end up still being very difficult to slay, if your attacks are cold-based. Cold Mastery reduces the resistance of monsters or enemy characters by a certain percentage, relating to their cold resistance statistic. It can make their resistance negative, if the skill has enough points and the monster has little or no resistance to cold. There you go!

From: Don
Subject: Hi gheed

No questions-just a comment about cheating in D2. I couldn't agree more with you when you said that cheaters make you sick. Thats the whole reason that we are "not allowed" to play and level up our B-Net character in single player mode. I praise Blizzard for developing battle-net (even with it's problems) to combat cheaters and keep the game as real as possible. The specific gamer who was cheating that you responded to was a sorceress and had to use a trainer to kill Diablo? Give me a break! Try developing your Stat field skill...with good lightning & fire resists you can run right up to him, stat field him down to nothing and then wipe him out with a few blasts of Glacial Spike or Orb. I've done it several time alone in nightmare level with my level 33 sorceress, and I know many others do as well. I know it's fun to tinker with the game, but geez, at least try to do it the way it was meant to be done before cheating.

Thanks for your time. Great forum, very original-the whole Gheed thing.

Don (aka spicydee)

Don,

I agree with you completely, and thanks for your comments! As long as you really work at planning out your characters (and even if you don't) you can succeed with ease, without the use of trainers/hacks. The Sorceress is probably the hardest character class to play as, since she is weak and generally doesn't have a large amount of hit points (despite the fact that I've got the hots for her!), but after a certain level, you gain access to very powerful skills that eventaully will help you rival other character classes in duels. Static Field is one of the most useful spells the Sorceress comes with, reducing the hit points of any monster hit with it by 1/3 of their total remaining hit points. Glacial Spike and Frozen Orb are great spells-- and extremely powerful-- which make the game much easier after you reach character level 30. Thanks for the correspondence!

From: Don
Subject: SKILL LIMITS

Just a quickie, Gheed. Can skills be advanced past level 20, or is that the cap.

Thanks, Don (spicydee)

Hello again! During the Diablo II Closed Beta test, Blizzard North decided to cap the maximum amount of skill points you can place in any skill to 20, to balance the game a bit more. It just made characters way too powerful when they could place over that amount in a certain skill or skills, resulting in effects that are incredibly powerful. So yes, 20 skill points is the limit of the amount you can place in any skill of any character. However: items with bonuses to your skills can raise them past level 21!

From: Oshun Anat
Subject: What the heck?!?!

Hey Gheed!

What the heck is going on? I was playing the game, went back to town and visited Elzix. I had to go get my laundry, so I just left her in town. I come back fifteen minutes later, to a message that says "You have died. You have lost 85,000+ gold and experience (I'm in Act II hell)" Few problems: 1) like I said in before, I left the game when I was in *town*. 2) I have no idea where the heck I ended up. (I get the feeling that I wasn't in the Canyon of the Magi) 3) I had at least 130,000 gold on me before I left the room. My roommate is gone, and I was playing single player...so what the heck happened?!?!

Help!

Oshun Anat

Oshun,

There are several possibilities for what caused the death of your character. First of all, I wouldn't be surprised if your secretly evil roommate was hiding under or behind something in your apartment, waiting for you to leave so he could run your character back into the Canyon of the Magi and get it surrounded by a group of monsters, leaving him to be slain! There is always the possibility that he could have been killed due to lag, but it sounds a bit too strange to actually be affected by lag. It could have been your not-so-innocent cute kitten that wandered onto your keyboard and mouse, but that doesn't sound too likely either. Your roommate could have came home and started playing, and ran out after realizing that he stupidly got your character killed, but we may never know.

From: Gimmelotz
Subject: inner cloister foobar

sir gheed, I must visit your establishment someday. Seems like I was slaughtering my way thru the Inner Cloister (Act I - Nightmare) portal and came upon a beast I could not vanquish... perhaps you supply the finishing touch I need to send it the the netherworld.

Being a 28th Barbarian, I fancy myself a decent killing machine. I have a polearm I can Bash 160 with, with a decent Frenzy skill with two weps. But I must have spent 45 minutes battling a beast that just would not die. It was a spider with Strong Skin and Teleportation. Problem was, when he would port he would get about 1/6th of his health back. Not everytime he would port though. As I'm hacking at him and he's about to spew his final web, he would port away... just a few yards away... and then port and port again. By this time his health was up just under a1/4th. I tried dual weps with Frenzy, as well as constant Bash with my two-handed pole arm.

I would town portal back and load up with 24 greater heals and come back down. Bringing a mercenary with fire or cold arrow didn't help. Oh yes, one of my swords would apply cold damage which would send some serious chill through his carcass... enough to make him appear quite cold & blue for a few seconds. Even with this, I just couldn't deal the damage to kill it for some reason.

This goes beyond me "just missing" because I'm opening up a can on him... it must have involved some other demonic programmer trick which just made him invunerable.

Any ideas,

Gimmelotz

Gimmelotz,

Monsters who have the Teleportation effect, along with other effects like Stone Skin are quite a bother. It usually isn't worth trying to slay them, since it takes so long and may require many town runs (to buy more potions). Even if you have built up your character quite nicely, they will just keep teleporting and regenerating life when you get them down to less than 30% total life. The best choice is just to ignore them and move on, rather than being so stubborn to stay and kill monsters with these effects for the low amount of experience points and rewards you will receive.

From: Jake
Subject: angelic wings

i am looking for the angelic wings because i am trying to complete the full set and was wondering if there was a certain place i should look for it or whether i just have to hope i find it sometime?

Jake,

I love it when people ask these questions, because I can direct them, right away, to the correct decision-- gamble! Your best chances for getting a unique or set item is to go to an NPC with the gambling option, and to gamble for the appopriate item. For angelic wings, you should gamble for amulets. More information on gambling can be found here. Another option is to just trade with other players. Good luck on gambling for (don't forget to visit me!) or trading for this item!

That's a wrap Ladies and Gents! Feel free to write me any time about what you want to know at gheed at planet diablo dot gamespy dot com. Maybe you'll get your name on the famed PlanetDiablo site!

"Ask Gheed" is a weekly column, updated Fridays.
Write Gheed here about anything you have on your mind.