January 31, 2022
-Build created

1. Strength - All you want, in terms of Strength, is enough of it to equip everything you will want to use on your character. 
2. Dexterity - Same as Strength - you only need enough Dexterity to meet gear requirements. 
3. Vitality - You should put all your remaining points here - main stat.   
4. Energy - Adding points to Energy is an extreme waste - don't do it. 

BOW AND CROSSBOW SKILLS

This skill tree is the main source of this build's damage. You will mostly use Freezing Arrow but Immolation Arrow will definitely come in handy when facing Cold-Immunes. 

Skills:

1. Magic Arrow [1/20] - Prerequisite. Creates a magical arrow or bolt that converts 50% of Physical Damage to Magic Damage. 
2. Fire Arrow [1/20] - Prerequisite. Sets your Projectals ablaze, enabling them to deal extra Fire Damage. 
3. Cold Arrow [20/20] - Magically enhances your arrows or bolts by adding cold damage and a slowing effect, but at the cost of lowering their overall damage by 50%. You should max this one out as it synergizes with Freezing Arrow. 
4. Exploding Arrow [1/20] - Prerequisite. Enchants a bolt or an arrow, making it explode on impact. The explosion deals fire damage to all nearby enemies. 
5. Ice Arrow [20/20] - Enhances a bolt or an arrow with cold magic, making it freeze hit enemies in place. You should use this Skill as your main single-target damage source - It will enable you to deal with Bosses and Uniques extremely easily. Also, this is a Freezing Arrow's Synergy Skill. Max it out. 
6. Immolation Arrow [20/20] - Enhances arrows or bolts to cause severe fire damage and create a pyre upon impact. This is a powerful AoE Skill and your main weapon against Cold-Immune enemies. 
7. Freezing Arrow [20/20] - Magically enhances your arrows or bolts with cold magic to freeze entire groups of monsters. This amazing Skill not only deals massive AoE Cold Damage but also CCs any monster it hits, making it easier to finish it off. Use this as your main AoE Clearing/Mapping Skill. 

PASSIVE AND MAGIC SKILLS

This skill tree provides us with some much-needed utility and solid defenses. Skills from the Passive and Magic tree were chosen in a way that supports our damage-dealing abilities; either by simply buffing them or by enabling us to use them more easily (by providing dodge, evasion, and distractions). 

Skills:

1. Inner Sight [1/20] - Illuminates nearby enemies making them easier to hit for you and your party. 
2. Critical Strike [1/20] - This simply gives your attacks a chance to deal 50% more physical damage, which would be very nice if Freezing Arrow dealt Physical Damage. 1 point here is definitely enough as it's a prerequisite. 
3. Evade [X/20] - Increases your movement speed and gives you a chance to dodge missiles and melee attacks when running or walking. This is extremely useful to have. SPend all your remaining points on it. 
4. Slow Movement [1/20] - Illuminates nearby enemies and slows their ranged attacks and movement. 
5. Pierce [X/20] - Your missiles have a chance to pass through enemies that they hit. Getting some Pierce for just 1 point is always worth it, but you should really try to get 100% Pierce if possible (this is achievable quite easily by simply getting a Quiver with high Pierce on it). 
6. Decoy [1/20] - Nice to have in some situations as it allows you to distract weaker monsters for long enough to take out primary targets. 
7. Dodge [1/20] - A very strong passive skill that greatly increases your survivability by allowing you to dodge melee and ranged attacks when standing still or attacking. We recommend you only spend 1 point here.  
8. Penetrate [1/20] - Increases your attack rating and lowers target defense. You should spend the rest of your points here. Invest 1 point here to ensure that your Arrows hit their targets more often. 
9. Valkyrie [1/20] - This might as well be called "summon a meat shield". Valkyrie is very useful when you need some more breathing space as it's very good at distracting monsters. 

This build focuses on Bows and Crossbows, so we skip this entire skill tree. 

Skills:

1. none 

You want to get as much Extra Cold Damage/-Enemy Cold Resistance and as many Skill levels (Amazon/Bow and Crossbow Skills in this case) as possible to increase the build's overall power level. Resistances are also important, but they should never come before the offensive power. Increased Attack Speed is also extremely important as it will allow you to... well, attack faster (just remember to check your breakpoints or you might over/underinvest in it). Defensive stats, like faster hit recovery and life leech/life on each kill, are a nice addition but they should come naturally - don't choose gear because it has these on it. 

HELMETS

M'avina's True Sight (Diadem) - By itself, this Helmet will only provide you with a solid Attack Speed boost and some defense. However, if you combine it with the rest of the set, it will turn into one of the best Helmets in the game, giving you + Skills, All Resistances, a high Attack Rating boost, and extra Fire Skill Damage (which is actually welcome in the build). 

Note: Using a full M'avina's Set is a viable option for the build. If you go for it, use the whole set. 

• Defense:  200-210 
• Required Level: 64
• Required Strength: - 
• Durability: 20 
  • +30% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +150 Defense 
  • Replenish Life +[5-15] (varies) 
  • +[25-45] to Mana (varies) 
  • +1 to All Skills (2 Items) 
  • 50% Bonus to Attack Rating (3 Items) 
  • All Resistances +25 (4 Items) 
  • +15% to Fire Skill Damage (Complete Set) 

Nightwing's Veil (Spired Helm) - This powerful Unique helmet offers a solid combination of +Skills, + Cold Damage, and - Enemy Cold Resistance, which makes it a definitive top offensive choice for the build (if you don't want to use the M'avina's Set). 

• Defense:303 to 352
• Required Strength: 96
• Durability: 40
• Required Level: 67
  • +2 to All Skills
  • +5-15% Cold Skill Damage (varies)
  • +10-20 to Dexterity (varies)
  • +5-9 Cold Absorb (varies)
  • Half Freeze Duration
  • Requirements -50%
  • -(5-10)% to Enemy Cold Resistance (varies)

WEAPONS

M'avina's Caster (Grand Matron Bow) - This Bow may not be worth using by itself, but it gets much better when you combine it with the rest of the set. In such a case, its amazing 40% Increased Attack Speed complements the build extremely well. 

• Two-Hand Damage: 154.5-182 
• Required Level: 70 
• Required Strength: 108 
• Required Dexterity: 152 
• Amazon Only  
  • +40% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +[230-288]% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • +[50-150] to Attack Rating (varies) 
  • Adds 228-754 Magic Damage (2 Items) 
  • 10% Chance to Cast Level 25 Nova on Striking (3 Items) 
  • +2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only) (4 Items)

Ice (Runeword) - This amazing Runeword is perfect for the build as it greatly increases your Cold Damage and lowers enemies' cold resistance. Also, it increases your Attack Speed and provides you with an additional source of Crowd Control in the form of a Frost Nova proc. You can't really expect more from a weapon, can you? 

• Two-Hand Damage:  Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 65
• Required Dexterity: Depends on base Weapon
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Amn + Shael + Jah + Lo 
• • 20% Chance to Cast Level 32 Frost Nova on Striking 
  • 100% Chance to Cast Level 40 Blizzard when you Level-Up 
  • Level 18 Holy Freeze Aura when Equipped 
  • +20% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +[140-210]% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • Ignore Target's Defense 
  • 7% Life Stolen per Hit 
  • +[25-30]% to Cold Skill Damage (varies) 
  • -20% to Enemy Cold Resistance 
  • 20% Deadly Strike 
  • [3-309]% Extra Gold from Monsters (3.125 per Character Level) 

Voice of Reason (Runeword) - This flashy mid-level Runeword is a solid budget alternative to the two above-mentioned weapons (yes, you can use this in Bows and Crossbows in PD2). It provides a solid Cold Resistance Pierce and two powerful on-Striking effects but lacks a bit in the overall damage department (unless you're fighting Demons or the Undead). 

• Two-Hand Damage:  Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 43
• Required Dexterity: Depends on base Weapon
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Lem + Ko + El + Eld  
  • 15% Chance to Cast Level 16 Frozen Orb on Striking 
  • 18% Chance to Cast Level 20 Ice Blast on Striking 
  • +50 to Attack Rating 
  • +[170-300]% Damage to Demons (varies) 
  • +[205-325]% Damage to Undead (varies) 
  • +50 to Attack Rating against Undead 
  • Adds 200-320 Cold Damage 
  • -24% to Enemy Cold Resistance 
  • +10 to Dexterity 
  • Cannot Be Frozen 
  • 75% Extra Gold from Monsters 
  • +1 to Light Radius 

Lidless Wall (Grim Shield) - A very powerful Shield that grants up to +2 Skills and high FCR. Good to have on swap for that additional Skill Levels. 

• Defense: 271 - 347
• Required Level: 41
• Required Strength: 58
• Durability: 70
  • +80-130% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +1-2 to All Skills (varies) 
  • Increase Maximum Mana 10% 
  • 20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +4-6 to Mana After Each Kill (varies) 
  • +10 to Energy 
  • +1 to Light Radius 

Call to Arms (Rune Word) - This powerful Runeword will allow you to pre-buff yourself up with Warcries (buffs persist through weapon swap). 

• Defense: Depends on base Weapon 
• Required Level: 57
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon ​​​​​
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Amn • Ral • Mal • Ist
  • +1 to All Skills 
  • +40% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +250-290% Enhanced Damage 
  • Adds 5-30 Fire Damage 
  • 7% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • +2-6 To Battle Command 
  • +1-6 To Battle Orders 
  • +1-4 To Battle Cry 
  • Prevent Monster Heal 
  • Replenish Life +12 
  • 30% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items 

AMULETS

Highlord's Wrath - This amazing amulet will give you +20% Increased Attack Speed which is extremely important for the build. Moreover, it will provide you with +1 to All Skills and some much-needed Lightning Resistance. 

• Required Level: 65
  • +1 to All Skills
  • 20% Increased Attack Speed 
  • + 0-24% Deadly Strike (+0.25 per Character Level) 
  • Lightning Resist +25-35% (varies) 
  • Adds 1-300 Lightning Damage 
  • Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 100-150 (varies) 

Mara's Kaleidoscope - This is one of the best Amulets in PD2 overall and it fits most of the builds, which makes it a good investment. It provides a great combination of offensive (+2 to all skills) and defensive (+20-30 to all resistances) properties. 

• Required Level: 67
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • All Resistances +20-30 (varies) 
  • +5 To All Attributes 

ARMORS

M'avina's Embrace (Kraken Shell) - This defensively-oriented Armor is actually quite nice for the build by itself, but its set bonuses are where it really starts to shine. If you use it as a part of the complete set, it will greatly boost your mobility and Hit Recovery. 

• Defense: 771-1269 
• Required Strength: 122
• Durability: 48
• Required Level: 70
  • 10% Chance to Cast Level 13 Glacial Spike when Struck 
  • +[1-2] to Amazon Skill Levels (varies) 
  • +[4-396] Defense (+4 per Character Level) 
  • +350 Defense 
  • Magic Damage Taken Reduced by [5-12] (varies) 
  • Requirements -30% 
  • +30% Faster Run/Walk (2 Items) 
  • +30% Faster Hit Recovery (3 Items) 

Enigma (Runeword) - A solid all-around choice that will greatly boost your overall mobility, defenses, and DPS.  It's not perfect, but the upside of having Blink charges at your disposal is hard to pass up. 

• Defense: Depends on base Armor 
• Required Level: 59 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
• Durability: Depends on base Armor 
• El + Sol + Dol + Lo
  • +25% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +[250-300]% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • +200% Enhanced Defense 
  • +15 Defense 
  • +X To Life (Based on Character Level) (1-1.5 Per Level) 
  • Replenish Life +10 
  • +4% To Maximum Lightning Resist 
  • All Resistances +25-30 
  • Damage Taken Reduced By 7 
  • 12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana 
  • +1 To Light Radius 

Chains of Honor (Rune Word) - A great offensive option that also provides a solid defensive boost. This powerful Runeword offers tons of damage and Resistances. It should be socketed in a chest with the highest defense rating you can afford. 

• Defense: Depends on base Armor 
• Required Level: 65 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
• Durability: Depends on base Armor 
• Dol + Um + Ber + ist 
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • +200% Damage to Demons 
  • +100% Damage to Undead 
  • 8% Life stolen per hit 
  • +70% Enhanced Defense 
  • +20 Strength 
  • Replenish Life +10 
  • All Resistances +50-60 (varies) 
  • Physical Damage reduced by 4% 
  • 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 

RINGS

Bul-Kathos Wedding Band - A great ring that adds +1 to Skills. It also increases stamina and gives some nice life steal. 

• Required Level: 58
  • +1 To All Skills 
  • + (0.5 Per Character Level) 0-49 To Life) 
  • 3-5% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies) 
  • +50 Maximum Stamina 

The Stone of Jordan - One of the most iconic items in Diablo 2, which increases the level of all your Skills and your max Mana. A solid offensive choice. 

• Required Level: 29
  • +1 to All Skills
  • Maximum Mana to 15-20% 
  • Adds 1-120 Lightning Damage 
  • +20-40 to Mana (varies) 

Raven Frost - This ring provides Freeze immunity which is extremely important to have. If you have freeze immunity from another item (M'avina's Icy Clutch, for example), you can choose a different ring. 

• Required Level: 76
  • +150-250 Attack Rating (varies)
  • 15-45 Cold Damage
  • +15-20 Dexterity (varies)
  • +40 Mana
  • Cold Absorb 5-10% (varies)
  • Cannot be Frozen

GLOVES

M'avina's Icy Clutch (Battle Gauntlets) - These gloves give you "Cannot be frozen" which is enough to not consider anything else. Moreover, they add quite a lot of cold damage if you combine them with the rest of the set. 

• Defense: 84-97 (varies)(Base Defense: 39-47)
• Required Level: 32
• Required Strength: - 88
• Durability: 18
  • Adds 12-36 Cold Damage 
  • +[45-50] Defense (varies) 
  • +[8-12] to Strength (varies) 
  • +[10-20] to Dexterity (varies) 
  • Cannot Be Frozen 
  • 56% Extra Gold from Monsters 
  • Adds 131-252 Cold Damage (4 Items) 
  • +15% to Cold Skill Damage (Complete Set) 

Magefist (Light Gauntlets) - Cold Magefists are a great offensive choice for the build and they will take care of your mana-related problems. Also, a pair with corrupted Magic Find shouldn't cost a fortune, so you can boost your income quite easily with them. 

• Defense: 24 - 25 
• Required Level: 23
• Required Strength: - 45
• Durability: 18
  • +1 to [Fire, Lightning, Cold, or Poison] Skills 
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • Adds 6-36 Fire Damage or Adds 1-45 Lightning Damage or Adds 10-18 Cold Damage or +60 Poison Damage over 3 Seconds
  • +[20-30]% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +10 Defense 
  • Regenerate Mana [10-25]% (varies) 

BOOTS

War Traveler's (Battle Boots) - This pair of boots is notable for providing a  high Magic Find bonus in addition to other useful bonuses. 

• Defense: 120-139
• Required Level: 42
• Required Strength: 95
• Durability: 48  
  • +150-190% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • 25% Faster Run/Walk 
  • +10 to Vitality 
  • +10 to Strength 
  • Adds 15-25 Damage 
  • +40% Slower Stamina Drain 
  • Attacker Takes Damage Of 5-10 (varies) 
  • 30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies) 

Waterwalk (Sharkskin Boots) - These boots are a top pick if you're after a faster run/walk and almost infinite running. They also provide a solid boost to Run/Walk Speed and Stamina. 

• Defense: 112-124
• Required Level: 32
• Required Strength: 47
• Kick Damage: 28-50
• Durability: 14  
  • +180-210% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • 40% Faster Run/Walk 
  • 20% Faster Block Rate 
  • +15 to Dexterity 
  • +5% to Maximum Fire Resist 
  • Heal Stamina Plus 50% 
  • +40 to Maximum Stamina 
  • +45-65 to Life (varies) 

Aldur's Advance (Battle Boots) - This pair of Boots offers a very high bonus to Movement Speed and Life. Also, they have a very high bonus to Fire Resistance, which should help you cap it @75 if you don't plan on using M'avina's set. 

• Defense: 39-47
• Required Level: 45
• Required Strength: 95
• Kick Damage: 37-64
• Durability: Indestructible  
  • Indestructible 
  • 40% Faster Run/Walk 
  • 10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana 
  • +180 Maximum Stamina 
  • Heal Stamina Plus +32% 
  • +50 To Life 
  • Set Bonuses: 
    • +15 To Dexterity (2 Item) 
    • +15 To Dexterity (3 Items) 
    • +15 To Dexterity (Completed Set) 

BELTS

M'avina's Tenet (Sharkskin Belt) - This belt will increase your mobility, boost your mana regen, and, when combined with the rest of the M'avina's set, make it much easier to cap your Resistances. 

• Defense: 81 - 86 
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 45
• Required Strength: 20 
• Durability: 14
  • +20% Faster Run/Walk 
  • [3-6]% Mana Stolen per Hit (varies) 
  • +50 Defense 
  • +5 to Light Radius 
  • All Resistances +25 (4 Items) 

Nosferatu's Coil (Vampirefang Belt) - A solid offensive choice for the build. It gives some nice DPS-oriented bonuses, including a 20% increased attack speed. 

• Defense: 56 - 63 
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 51
• Required Strength: 50 
• Durability: 14
  • Slows Target By 10% 
  • +2 To Mana After Each Kill 
  • 3-6% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies) 
  • +10-15 Strength (varies) 
  • 20% Increased Attack Speed 
  • 10% Deadly Strike 

Goldwrap (Heavy Belt) - This MF-focused belt works surprisingly well with this build. This is because it provides +20% Increased Attack Speed which will allow you to achieve IAS breakpoints easier. 

• Defense: 34-36 
• Potion Slots: 12 
• Required Level: 27
• Required Strength: 45
• Durability: 18
  • +40-60% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +25 Defense 
  • 20% Increased Attack Speed
  • [20-40]% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies) 
  • 50-80% Extra Gold From Monsters (varies) 
  • +2 To Light Radius  

Wearing a complete M'avina's Set will give you: 

• +20 to Strength (2 Items)
• +30 to Dexterity (3 Items) 
• +2 to Amazon Skill Levels (Complete Set) 
• +100 to Attack Rating (Complete Set) 
• +100 Defense (Complete Set) 
• All Resistances +50 (Complete Set) 
• 100% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Complete Set) 
• Display Aura (Complete Set) 

CHARMS

1. Annihilus - This fabled Charm boosts your Skills, Stats, and Resistances. It's the best Unique Small Charm, and it's limited to just 1 in your equipment. 
2. Gheed's Fortune - The secret to Gheed's wealth and prosperity. Pretty much a must-have if you're after the best available charms. It adds 80-160% extra gold from monsters, reduces vendor prices by up to 15%, and gives up to 40% better magic find. 
3. Hellfire Torch - The BiS Unique Large Charm that increases your Vitality, Skills, and more. You should, of course, go for one that gives +1 to Amazon Skills. 
4. Grand Charms - These should have +Bow and Crossbow Skills and +Life/+Faster Run/Walk Speed. Alternatively, you can go for Max Damage Charms. 
5. Small Charms - With these, you should get your desired Resistances, bonuses to Life, or bonuses to Magic Find - whatever suits your needs, basically. Alternatively, you can go for Max Damage Charms. 
6. Large Charms - If you find these with Max Damage, you can use them to a good effect. 

MERCENARY

We recommend picking up Act 2 Defiance Mercenary for extra damage mitigation bonuses. He should be equipped with: 

1. Infinity Rune Word in Ethereal Spear - This provides Conviction Aura, which reduces the defenses and resistances of nearby enemies and offers very high bonus damage. A top (and expensive) choice for any Act2 merc build. 
2. Fortitude Rune Word in Armor - This will ensure that your merc doesn't die (it will make him almost immortal). 
3. Steelrend Gloves - For massive damage bonus and Crushing Blow. 
4. Vampire's Gaze - For high Life Leech and damage reduction. 
5. String of Ears - Very high damage reduction and excellent survivability boost. 
6. Gore Rider Boots - For Deadly Strike and Crushing Blow greatly boosting the merc's DPS. 

END NOTE

This is our premiere Project Diablo 2 build where we tried to include all of the important information on how to set up this character while keeping the guide as compact as possible. If we've missed something of importance, please let us know! 

If you have any Build requests, please post them in the Comments section below. We will be happy to cover your most requested builds in the future! Also, we hope that you have found this guide useful and informative. Also, we will be happy to receive constructive criticism that will help us improve our future work, so don't hesitate to give us your feedback.