So yesterday I finally cleaned out my stash in Diablo 2, man, that thing was stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey. Found three whole Tal runes hiding behind some cracked sashes. Figured, hey, perfect time to slap together some cheap starter gear for new characters. Sick of watching fresh barbarians swing rusty axes at skeletons, you know?
The Hunt Begins
First up, the wand. Every necro needs one early. Scoured Cold Plains like a madman bashing skeletons. Dropped a crude wand faster than a stone golem moves – socketed too! Slapped that Tir and Ral in faster than you can say “Stay awhile and listen.” Boom, Stealth armor done. +25% faster run/walk is cheat codes for Act 1. Who cares if it’s cloth? You’re moving!
Next headache? The shield. Damn things never drop when you need ’em. Killed Blood Raven maybe twenty times? Feels like it. Finally, a cracked bone shield pops. Two sockets. Grabbed my stash Els – Ancient’s Pledge shield was born. Resistances? Check. Life? Check. Better than crying to Akara for help.
Noob Weapons & Fails
Okay, weapons next. Needed something for the little sorceress. Dreamt of a two-socket staff. Found a dozen gnarled staves, zero sockets. Finally said screw it, grabbed a short bow for some fire arrow amazon action. Stuck a Tir and an Eth in that bad boy. Zephyr bow – 33% IAS? Yes please! Doesn’t hit hard, but damn it shoots fast. Feels good whittling down monsters from a mile away.
Then… disaster. Tried for Strength in an axe. Had my Amn rune ready. Found a hand axe, socketed it at Larzuk – one hole. ONE. What kinda trash is that? Had to farm Countess again for another Amn. Stuck it in a flail later. Works I guess. Learned: always check socket number BEFORE picking the base. Stupid mistake.
Wrapping Up the Grind
Here’s what I ended up dumping in the shared stash:
- Stealth Armor (Cloth) – Run fast, cast fast. Duh.
- Ancient’s Pledge Shield (Bone) – Doesn’t suck vs zombies.
- Zephyr Bow (Short Bow) – Pew pew for days.
- Strength Flail – Crush things. Leech life a tiny bit.
- Malice Polearm – For an act 2 merc. Open wounds is dirty cheap.
Total cost? Basically just time bashing Act 1 monsters. Runes? Tir, Ral, Eth, Ith, Tal, Amn – nothing fancy. The bases? All garbage you find walking through blood moor. Works though. Made a new sorc last night wearing this junk. Cleared Den of Evil without crying once. Good enough.
Honestly? Should’ve made Leaf for the sorc instead of messing with the bow. Next time. Always next time with this game. Now my stash is full of junk again. Go figure.