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Moderator: Stomper
Latest News:
According to the Battle.Net web site, Blizzard has begun deleting corrupted items from Diablo II characters on the Realms. Personally, I am very glad in reaction to this move and encourage them to continue this action. For the actual statement, find it at The Arreat Summit - News. This, of course, has prompted a discussion on our own boards. Our discussion thread can be found here: Good News From Blizzard. As anticipated, this has brought about a favorable response and enthusiastic support from the community.
I shall now digress a little. I was extremely excited to see the new trailer for Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Of course, this set off a thread regarding this same trailer. You can contribute to it: Star Wars II Trailer. Personally, I loved the trailer. It rejuvenated my excitement for the upcoming film. The previous trailers had left me wanting and a little skeptical on the direction the film was taking. This latest trailer however, was down right fantastic because, after all, Star Wars is about war. This trailer brought that aspect back into focus.
Also off topic, you can find our discussion thread on the latest round of anti-drug commercials. I have yet to contribute, but I am in favor of the message it brings about. If for nothing else - it gives you one more reason to stop and think before crossing the line. Check it out: Drugs and Terrorists.
Speaking of addictions, let's talk about mine: Hardcore Diablo II! It seems that this forum lacks hardcore players from the USWest Realm. I find that I am all alone out there, with the exception of a newcomer by the name of Cereal*Killer. I would like to invite all of the rest of you USWest players to jump on over and try my addiction. It may not be for everyone, but at least it's not illegal! And, if you just can't seem to make it over to the USWest Realm, try out one of the other realms and chime in on the Hardcore Forum. If you need a reason - try looking at this Top 10 thread: Reasons To Play Hardcore.
Moderator: Madanark
Power Leveling
I have not become addicted to it, yet I'm sure I could. I use the terminology "power leveling" as it describes the process of generally taking a new character and rapidly advancing it to moderately high levels. I feel it is easy to develop characters to level seventy (70) fairly easily. As an example, I have created both a new Assassin and an Amazon that I have taken to levels 48 and 35 respectively, so far, with a time investment of about ten total hours or less for both.
Requirements:
- A high level, ninety (90) or more -- a fast killer who can tolerate Hell difficulty easily, including all superunique boss monsters. This may be your own character if you have access for two computers to be on Battle.net simultaneously, or it may be a friend's character.
- A new character.
The Process
I start the game with the new character. My Amazon (level 91) joins and opens a portal to the Catacombs, after joining the level one character in a party. My level one character stands at the waypoint to the Catacombs and reaps the experience of the Amazon, as she searches for level three of the Catacombs. A new portal is thrown up after the new character goes to town, and they reenter at level three to get more experience as Andariel's lair is searched for. I have found that many times, just being in the party without getting in a hit gets the quest, and you are off to Act Two.
Act Two is the pain of the power leveler, as the cube should be picked up in the Halls of the Dead, the amulet for the Horadric Staff acquired in the snake-infested Claw Viper Temple in the Valley of Snakes beyond the Lost City, and the shaft attained from the Maggot Lair in the Far Oasis. Once the staff is made, The Summoner needs to be killed, but I find that it always requires a hit by the new guy, which can be difficult. Onward, then, one goes to Duriel. All the time that the high level character is killing, the low level adventurer needs to be standing at the respective waypoint, getting experience.
Acts Three to Five are much easier and I want to point out, now, that I do not assign any skill points yet for the new character. I do increase character attribute levels to accommodate better weapons and armor.
Repeat the above for the Nightmare and Hell difficulty levels. The leveling begins as the Secret Cow Level is opened for Hell difficulty. I average four to five levels-up for the first several cow runs. You must be careful to hide the low level character in the Moo Moo Farm and cannot just run in and not expect to die from cow breath.
I am sure you all know about quest five in Act Five, involving the Ancients. These kills will not always require a hit by the low level; they usually do not, but they do require that the new character be level 20, 40, and 60 respectively for Normal, Nightmare, and Hell difficulty levels. These are good between them for 15 to 18 levels in under five minutes total, but you should be done at the earliest time (20 or 40 or 60) for best results.
I soon have a level 35 character who can begin distributing skill points -- without cheating -- achieved in under four hours. I clear the Den of Evil, Radament, Izual, and Lam Esen's tomb. If I have decided I want a Barbarian mercenary, I do quest two of Act Five in Nightmare or Hell difficulty, depending on when I plan to hire my Barbarian. I grab the "+20 to Life" reward for Act Three, quest one. If I want to get to level 40 quickly for the Nightmare difficulty Ancients run, a single Hell difficulty cow run usually works. Voilà: I am level 46. Beyond this point, I can join eight-player games in Nightmare difficulty to see what skills I need to build up. I can even join Hell difficulty cow runs since I have "killed" Baal there. I always solo the superunique boss monsters to make sure I that I can and will adjust my skill points and add them where they seem to be needed.
Now, I realize this will be considered cheating by some. It is not, however, through convential cheating methods -- it is purely through the way Diablo II is designed. I do enjoy creating and experimenting with new characters.
Here are some related threads on where to rapidly level if the above is not an option for you.
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