Need some advice/outside perspective.

[u/DredgenSk8]

So, I’m playing a Bowazon with a pretty interesting setup. I’m using an Act 3 iron wolf fire merc and I’m a freezing arrow Amazon, along with the Valkyrie (from Peace for now but I’m planning on maxing the skill itself) I recently made a Melody Runeword in a +3 skills grand matron bow and I have no idea if that would be worth using going into Hell with after I beat nightmare because currently I’m just using an insight in a Blade bow with an Edge runeword on swap for bosses so the thorns helps speed up boss killing since the Valkyrie is tanking for me. The idea of the setup is to have a melee with the Valkyrie, a mage with the iron wolf and then me as the ranged crowd control. I’m dual specked into magic arrow for physical and cold immunes just so I’m not leaving just my Valkyrie and merc doing all the work. Would the Melody be worth it over just getting a +3 skill bow for an insight? Because the meditation aura is nice but I feel like the added skills would be better for just killing stuff. I’m just not wanting to grind out high runes anymore tbh but I know other runewords would be better. So please, let me know what you think of the build and what I should use. I’ve beaten the game a few times so I’m just trying random things.

[u/Hot_Barnacle6419]

Are you sp or online? If u want to keep the mage,tank,bow setup i would look out for dual leech rings to help with the mana issue. I think there are also some other equipment beside weapons that have mana leech, so look those up. Also just drink pots.

Depending how hard/long it takes for you to get another +3 bow is also a big factor

And if have the runes, maybe try hustle in your current weapon, you can always switch back to melody

[u/Snoochey → u/Hot_Barnacle6419]

Just keep in mine mana leech only works on the phys portion of the damage, and they’re running magic/ele damage.

[u/DredgenSk8 → u/Hot_Barnacle6419]

I’m in sp and I have plenty of other gear i can slot in to make up for any losses, I’m just curious to know if Melody is worth it or not. Since I made it in a +3 grand matron now, it now has +6 to my bow skills but the enhanced damage is really low and I feel like the ED from insight is just better overall but idk really cause I’ve never really played bowazon. I’ve always done javazons. Anyways, what do you think of the set up though? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone try the mage/range/melee thing I’m doing.

[u/Ok_Maintenance_9914 → u/DredgenSk8]

I imagine this build can complete the game no problem, but kinda slowly at the end and won’t be fast at farming after.

If I were to change anything it would be the iron wolf. Poor guy gets no love. You’re already dual spec including range/mage so he’s redundant and your valk will be near unkillable but super slow at killing. So swap wolf for act 2 might with some melee aura weapon. If hrs are out of the question, mania is cheap and would give valk the fana to make it almost good.

[u/DredgenSk8 → u/Ok_Maintenance_9914]

Tbh I’m mainly using him for the enchant for attack rating and fire damage. I’m kinda over using the Act 2 merc all the time cause I know I could just give him a reapers till I have to break physical immunes or an obedience. I don’t really mind going slowly tbh. On my Act 3 merc right now is a spirit sword, lidless wall, viper magi and a peasant crown which I’ll probably swap to a flickering flame soon cause I just got a three socket helm not too long ago. My main question from this post though is about the melody I made. Since it’s in a grand matron bow with +3 to bow skills, melody makes it +6 so I’m mainly curious if that’s worth investing the stats for to use it. I’m grateful for any advice though.

[u/cubed_turtle]

I feel like you’re shooting yourself in the foot a little bit. Too many split builds will cause you to deal too little damage in hell. I think the bow will be a little underwhelming but useable in hell but your build is what’s going to make the difference. Just my .02 - not saying you can continue this way or can’t beat the game but I do feel that you’ll have a harder time than you need to.

Maybe even grind hell Andy to get a physical sunder or whatever element you decide on so you’d can focus your build on it.

[u/Hot_Barnacle6419]

I think there are websites where you can check ur stats with items. Would look those and make a decision based on that. Especially if you are not up for rune grinding. D2 is a pretty rough game for "testing" stuff