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DIABLO II: LORD OF DESTRUCTION
"SHIVA SORCERESS" GUIDE
Author: Lcyrille
Mail me at: lcyrille21@yahoo.com
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DISCLAIMER
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No part of this guide must be copied or produced without my
permission. You should not make any money off to this guide. You
shouldn't post this guide in your site without my permission. You can
mail me at the said address above for the permit. You automatically
have my permission if you will use this guide unedited and no money is
neither gained nor loss. In short, DO NOT DO ANYTHING INVOLVING THIS
GUIDE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. Lastly, DON'T FORGET TO ACCREDIT ME.
That's all and feel free to e-mail me in case of errors.
-Cyrille
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GUIDE WHEN E-MAILING ME
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DO's
1.    Mail me questions wherein answers are not in this guide.
2.    Mail me about errors found in this guide.
3.    Mail me for my permit.
4.    Mail me about additional information and contributions.
5.    Lastly, one word, RESPECT.
DONT'S
1.    No death threats.
2.    No insensible mails.
3.    No mails containing questions wherein the answer can be found in
this guide.
4.    Being rude in asking something.
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VERSION CHANGES
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Version 1.03 - April 19, 2002
I've finished the Disclaimer, Guide when E-mailing, Table of Contents,
Introduction, Why the Sorceress, Proper Stat Distribution, Distribution
Basics, Suggested Equipments, Equality Chart, Skill Point Chart, Hints
and Tips and lastly the Credits section. My the first version of my
first FAQ to be posted. The making of it was really exciting. I'll
update it frequently.
Version 1.04 - April 21, 2002
I removed the Tab spaces and replaced it into spaces. Finished the
Summary and Conclusion and added a FAQ. I'm gonna update it as soon as
possible.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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I.    Disclaimer
II.    Guide When E-mailing
III.    Version Changes
IV.    Table of Contents
V.    Introduction
VI.    Why the Sorceress?
VII.    Proper Stat Distribution
VIII.    Distribution Basics
IX.    Suggested Equipments
X.    Equality Chart
XI.    Skill Point Chart
XII.    Hints and Tips
XIII.    Summary and Conclusion
XIV.    Walkthrough
XV.    FAQ
XVI.    Credits
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INTRODUCTION
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Well, Cyrille here, this is my first time in writing a FAQ. I
couldn't believe that my first FAQ would be a CHARACTER GUIDE. I played
the original game of this sequel, which is Diablo. I chose the Sorcerer
that time, because I am a magic lover. But honestly, I found it a
little difficult to finish it. When I saw the first release of its
sequel, Diablo II and its expansion, I bought it and started playing as
a Sorceress. As I have said I am a magic lover and I am finding it too
hard to use them. But the Sorceress is an exception to those magic
users like the Necromancer. I also tried the Necromancer before I made
some conclusions. The Necromancer has useless curses (well, not all of
them). He also has some useless Bone Spells like the Bone Prison and
the Bone Wall. He is also a weak melee attacker compared to Amazons and
Paladins (When you train him like a Barbarian or a Meleemancer). I just
found something cool on him the summoning material! But in the
expansion it is nothing new because a Druid can also do it and with
strong elemental magics but the downside in Druid is that he is not
really an oriented elementalist, he is not for that. I mean, he should
concentrate with one of the two, whether the shape shifting and
summoning or the elemental thingy? If he will be a generalist he will
be weak with low skill points on all of his skills. Besides, all of
Druid's level one skills are weak. Meanwhile, the Sorceress is in focus
of one thing and that is MAGIC. So all of her skill points goes to her
magic. Well, I have many ideas why the Sorceress is the BIG DEAL! See
it on the WHY THE SORCERESS SECTION.
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WHY THE SORCERESS?
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Well, As I have said above the Sorceress is the best among the
rest because her skills focus on one thing. The Necromancer and Druid
classes focus on two things the Summoning and the Elemental/Curses. The
Assassin, somehow, is a good character class, but she lacks of
challenge. She can finish the game without looking in the screen (as a
martial artist). The Barbarian, Paladin and Amazon classes is somehow
common on all the users and I found it too boring using those melee
fighters. I want something new. I saw somebody playing the Barbarian
and the Paladin, I saw them fighting with enemies around them and was
confused what enemy shall he kill first. Eventually, they both died.
Meanwhile, the Sorceress can use her area-based magics to kill all
surrounding enemies all at once. I have been experimenting about what
type of Sorceress shall I be doing. I tried to use a Fiery Sorceress
but unfortunately, she has all offense and has no defense. Besides,
some of the Fire Spells of the Sorceress is not a direct hit, like the
Blaze Spell, she has to run to inflict damage to the enemy following
her. There is a nifty fifty percent that your target won't be following
you. The Fire Wall Spell looks strong but have you tried targeting an
enemy using a wall? Isn't that hard? So I tried to follow the Lighting
Path. I found it weak and useless except for Nova, Chain Lighting,
Thunderstorm and Shock Web. Imagine, 4 out of 9 spells are useful while
the others not and you are nothing to a Lighting Enchanted Creature. I
tried to use the Generalist. I found all the spells weak because I was
concentrating at all of them at the same time. So I was going to try
the Cold Path but I have heard that Cold Spells were very weak so I
didn't tried the Cold Path. One day, I played and tried the Cold Path
and I was really amazed. I agree that Cold Spells are weak, but with
proper usage you can make those monsters a trash. With its stunning
ability you can kill them at once. Right now I am on Act II (Nightmare)
of the game and I still found it too easy like using a Barbarian. I
thought that I should share my discovery, so I tried to submit a FAQ
and here it is ready to serve you.
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PROPER STAT POINTS DISTRIBUTION
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STRENGTH
About this statistic, you need to give some of your starting points to
it about (30 points) to obtain a total strength of 40. Then start the
distribution basics.
DEXTERITY
You actually don't need to add points to this statistic. In case you
are not interested in using an orb and form a meleeceress then it is up
to you. I suggest you should use a melee-fighter instead of a
meleeceress.
VITALITY
After having 40 strength, Just follow the distribution basic involving
the vitality.
ENERGY
Same as Vitality.
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DISTRIBUTION BASICS
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After leveling up and increasing you strength to 40. You must follow
the distribution basics below.
First level up        Next level        Next level
Str.         +2                   +2                +1
Vit.         +1                   +1                +3
Ene.         +2                   +2                +1
For example, you are at Level 6.
Level 7              Level 8           Level 9
Str.         +2                   +2                +1
Vit.         +1                   +1                +3
Ene.         +2                   +2                +1
For example your statistics by level 6 were:
Strength   40
Dexterity  25
Vitality   15
Energy     35
Then most probably, your statistics in level 9 will be:
Strength   45
Dexterity  25
Vitality   20
Energy     40
In level 15:
Strength   55
Dexterity  25
Vitality   30
Energy     50
By level 19, the distribution must be different.
First level up        Next level        Next level
Str.         +1                   +2                +1
Vit.         +1                   +1                +1
Ene.         +3                   +1                +3
Dex.         +0                   +1                +0
By level 30, the distribution must be, again different.
First level up        Next level         Next level
Str.          +1                   +1                 +1
Vit.          +1                   +0                 +0
Ene.          +3                   +4                 +3
Dex.          +0                   +0                 +1
By level 42, the distribution must be different. But at last, this is
the last.
First level up        Next level         Next level
Str.          +2                   +0                 +0
Vit.          +1                   +1                 +0
Ene.          +2                   +3                 +5
Dex.          +0                   +1                 +0
Get it? By level 42 you should have the statistics.
Strength   83
Dexterity  33
Vitality   46
Energy     108
So this Distribution thingy is done right onto the equipments.
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SUGGESTED EQUIPMENTS
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HEAD GEAR
Not necessarily the highest armor but remember to have the leech suffix
or something like plus to mana, plus to mana every kill or x% stolen
per hit or maybe x% regenerate mana faster.
ARMOR
You need like the characteristics of a HEAD GEAR but this time the
health.
WEAPON
Be sure that it has a +x-x cold damage to attack. Why? To retain
yourself being a Shiva of course. Preferably an orb with lots of
plusses to skills and attack rating.
BELT
Be sure to equip a belt with a plus in your health and mana. Also, be
sure that it is the best belt on the act/smith.
GLOVES
You should buy a strong-armored gloves that adds statistic points.
BOOTS
Equip a boots with Fastest Run/Walk and adds statistic points.
Sorceress needs to run like crazy.
SHIELD
A strong shield with Fast Block Rate and has +x Damage to Attacker.
Must have some resistance to all.
RING
One must have plusses to skills and resistance. The other one must have
plusses in the statistic points.
AMULET
Resistance and additional skills. That's all.
As a Sorceress, You don't need the best armor class or mostly called
defense to match enemies because you are in long range. Don't forget to
equip those good equipment with plusses instead of those armors with
higher armor class (swap then if it states greater inequality). Look at
the EQUALITY chart below.
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EQUALITY CHART
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3 points = 1 point of additional statistic
12 points = 1 point to all statistics
1 point = +1 to Life, Mana or Stamina
1 points = 1% of resistance to an element
4 points = 1% of resistance to all
4 points = Fast Run/Walk
6 points = Fastest Run/Walk
5 points = 1% Stolen (Health or Mana)
2 points = +1 maximum elemental damage except poison and cold
3 points = +1 maximum elemental damage of poison and cold
4 points = +1 minimum elemental damage except poison and cold
5 points = +1 minimum damage elemental damage of poison and cold
8 points = +1 Mana or Health per kill
1 point = Slowest/Slow Attack Speed
2 points = Normal Attack Speed
4 points = Fast/Fastest Attack Speed
2 points = 1 Minimum Damage
1 point = Maximum Damage
1 point = 1 Defense
x point/s = 10% chance of casting a spell
x point/s = Charged staves
10 points = +x to Favorite Spells (spells that you are always using)
(x is equal to the level of the spell charged or has chance in casting)
For skill points the formula is as follows.
Required Level To use + x*2 (+x to Ice Bolt)/2 = point/s equal to
For example:
Cyrille's Deadly Smoked Sphere of Spikes
One-Hand Damage = 6-18
Durability 26 of 26
Staff Class - Fastest Attack Speed
Enhanced Damage
+9 to Frost Nova (level 6)
compared to
Cyrille's Angelic Killer Sphere of Spikes
One Hand Damage = 9-18
Durability 26 of 26
Staff Class - Normal Attack Speed
Enhanced Damage
+3 to Glacial Spike
First look at the damage dealt.
Smoked Sphere = 6-18
Minimum Damage * 2 = 12 points
Maximum Damage * 1 = 18 points
Fastest Attack Speed = 4 points
+9 to Frost Nova = 6+(9*2)/2 = 12 points
12+18+4+12 = 46 points
Killer Sphere = 9-18
Minimum Damage * 2 = 18 points
Maximum Damage * 1 = 18 points
Normal Attack Speed = 2 points
+3 Glacial Spike = 18+(3*2)/2 = 12 points
18+18+2+12 = 50 points
Then Cyrille's Angelic Killer Sphere of Spikes is better then the other
one. That is how you can see what is better between the two items. See
the Skill Point Chart below for more information in making your Shiva
Sorceress.
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SKILL POINT CHART
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You should know where skill points shall be placed. Without the
knowledge of doing so, your Sorceress won't stand the terror and
destruction of the three prime evils namely Mephisto, Baal and Diablo.
I'll give you the chart wherein you can distribute all skill points
evenly and effectively.
Level 2 - Freezing Armor
Level 3 - Icebolt
Akara   - Warmth
Level 4 - Warmth
Level 5 - Freezing Armor
Level 6 - Frost Nova
Level 7 - Ice Blast
Level 8 - Warmth
Level 9 - Warmth
Level 10 - Freezing Armor
Level 11 - Ice Blast
Level 12 - Warmth
Level 13 up to Level 17 -
Level 18 - Glacial Spike (6)
Level 19 up to Level 23 -
Level 24 - Blizzard (6)
Level 25 up to Level 29 -
Level 30 - Frozen Orb (3) Cold Mastery (3)
The rest of the points is up to you. At this rate I have Glacial Spike
as my Favorite Spell and Blizzard, the second and Frozen Orb, the
third. I shall not post all the spells because it can be viewed in
other FAQs maybe in the next update, I will. Well, back to the FAQ.
Most Probably when you are in level 30 you must have the following
skill points in the tree.
3 to Freezing Armor
1 to Icebolt
5 to Warmth
1 to Frost Nova
2 to Ice Blast
6 to Glacial Spike
6 to Blizzard
3 to Frozen Orb
3 to Cold Mastery
Most probably you'll have the statistics below.
Strength:   77
Dexterity:  29
Vitality:   48
Energy:     86
That's all for the skills and spells. I think after level 30, I found
these spells worth investing in:
- Blizzard
- Cold Mastery
- Glacial Spike
- Frozen Orb
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HINTS AND TIPS
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If you really did what I told you, from the equipments to the
distribution basics to the Skill Points Distribution. Most probably
(again), you have a SHIVA SORCERESS right now. What do you think about
it? As far as I know, It is simply weak in the beginning because of
lack of good spells but deadly and savage in the end. For those who
tried this SHIVA SORCERESS, please feel free to give me those comments
and conclusions. Now for the hints and tips.
Hint and Tip # 1
Your belt must have the following stuff. (See illustration below)
2 leveled belts
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|HP|HP|TP|MP|
|HP|HP|HP|MP|
3 leveled belts
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|HP|HP|TP|MP|
|HP|HP|HP|MP|
|HP|HP|HP|MP|
4 leveled belts
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|HP|HP|TP|MP|
|HP|HP|TP|MP|
|HP|HP|HP|MP|
|HP|HP|HP|MP|
Got it? Well, This is the legend.
HP = Healing Potion of any kind
TP = Town Portal
MP = Mana Potion of any kind
The solution here is that when your third line of potions was consumed
then you can go to the town using the town portal. Try it.
(I'll add more next update)
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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
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Every word I told you above must be followed to get this SHIVA
SORCERESS. You can finish the Normal level easily. The Nightmare level
is average for this type of sorceress. Some of the monsters there have
immunities especially to cold. Cold Mastery is the key to these
problems. Cold Mastery pierces the monster's resistance by 23% in the
first level. You can also use your orb to attack them while switching
on you frozen armor. You can put your second weapon as a strong weapon
like an axe or a scythe. In Hell, kinda hard for a sorceress I think.
But I am not thinking on it because I am on Nightmare level. I should
think of it when I reached it. But some tips in a SHIVA SORCERESS to
withstand the Hell level.
1.    Upgrade Cold Mastery to pierce through the enemies' resistances.
2.    Add a second weapon so swap your orb and begin melee fighting when
you see a naturally immune zombie. Don't forget to use your frozen
armor. That's its purpose for melee.
I therefore conclude, that a SHIVA SORCERESS will withstand NORMAL,
NIGHTMARE and HELL through her own strength and your intelligence. Use
your brain in encountering immune monsters, either fight melee with a
frozen armor or fight with the use of your spells with cold mastery.
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WALKTHROUGH
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(Next update)
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
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1.    How can your SHIVA SORCERESS withstand the Cold Immune Monsters at
the Nightmare level?
Simple, I heard that Cold Mastery is piercing its enemies'
resistance to cold. You can also use Frozen Armor then fight melee
style!
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CREDITS
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-    I would like to thank Blizzard for making such a great game
-    I would like to thank my parents and relatives
-    My loving brother
-    Thanks to Mike Garneau for FAQ # 1
-    GameFaQs and Neoseeker for giving me a chance to share my discovery
and for posting this FAQ.
-    Thanks for all of your support
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More Hints and tips next update!
More FAQ next update!
Walkthrough still composing!
Copyright 2002 Louie Cyrille F. dela Fuente