April 23, 2021
-Build created

January 04, 2022
-Build updated for Season 4

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 - There are two ways of doing Dexterity in this build. One is to add just enough for gear and the other one is to stack it at the expense of Vitality. The latter option is only recommended if you have extremely strong gear and a lot of survivability from it.  
3. Vitality - You should put all your remaining points here - main stat. Alternatively, you can split these points with Dexterity, just like we've said above.  
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 Multi-Shot but Magic Arrow will find their use as well - The latter Skill was chosen mainly for dealing with physical resistances. Magic Arrow can crack enemies the Multi-Shot has problems with. 

Skills:

1. Magic Arrow [20/20] - Surprisingly strong for a simple prerequisite; It comes in handy against enemies with high physical resistance - you might want to spend your remaining points here (doing so will add Magic Damage to your Guided Arrow which will be extremely helpful). This is worth investing points in in season 4 as it now gains 1 additional arrow every 5 base points instead of every 10 soft points (so, 5 Arrows at level 20). 
2. Multiple Shot [20/20] - The main offensive ability of this build. It fires multiple arrows in a cone in front of you, and the number of arrows scales with the Skill Level (up to 24 Arrows at Level 22). Multi-Shot is great for clearing waves of enemies and can deal surprisingly high amounts of damage to single monsters. As of season 4, Multiple Shot deals less damage each time it pierces (50% reduced damage after each pierce). 
3. Guided Arrow [1/20] - An enchanted arrow that will track your target or seek one of its own. We unlock this ability mainly to gain its synergies. 

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 meat shields). 

Skills:

1. Inner Sight [1/20] - Prerequisite. 
2. Critical Strike [X/20] - This simply gives our attacks a chance to deal 50% more damage, which is nice... Level 20 gives a 63% Crit chance, but level 30 gives only 68% (you can clearly see diminishing returns, but spending ~10 points here is still worth it). This was nerfed in season 4, but it's still worth maxing out. 
3. Evade [1/20] - 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 and you should definitely max it out. 
4. Slow Movement [1/20] - Prerequisite. 
5. Pierce [X/20] - Your missiles have a chance to pass through enemies that they hit. Getting 100% Pierce from this is unfeasible (and a waste of points), but you can easily get 75-85. 
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 [X/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. You could put enough points here to get to your desired Faster Hit Recovery breakpoint or simply spend 1 point on it and invest the rest elsewhere. 
8. Penetrate [20/20] - Increases your attack rating and lowers target defense. You should spend the rest of your points here. You need this to ensure that your Arrows actually hit their targets. 
9. Valkyrie [20/20] - 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 Enhanced Damage 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

Valkyrie Wing (Winged Helm) - A very solid offensive choice that not only buffs Amazon Skills but also provides up to 40% Enhanced Damage. Moreover, it allows us to move much faster and recover from hits quicker. 

• Defense:  247 - 297
• Required Level: 44
• Required Strength: 115
• Durability: 40
  • +150-200% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +1-2 to Amazon Skill Levels (varies) 
  • 30% Faster Run/Walk 
  • 20% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • +2-6 Mana after each kill (varies) 
  • 20-40% Enhanced Damage (varies) 

Andariel's Visage (Demonhead) - A great helmet that offers a very high Attack Speed bonus and +2 Skills increase. If Also gives quite a high Life Leech which can be extremely helpful. 

• Defense: 310-387
• Required Level: 83
• Required Strength: 102
• Durability: 20  
  • +100-150% Enhanced Defense 
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • 20% Increased Attack Speed 
  • 8-10% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • +25-30 To Strength 
  • +10% To Maximum Poison Resist 
  • Fire Resist -30% 
  • Poison Resist +70% 
  • 15% Chance To Cast Level 15 Poison Nova When Struck 
  • Level 3 Venom (20 charges) 

Overlord's Helm (Giant Conch) - This is a  very interesting choice for the build as it provides up to -25% to enemy Physical Resistance which can boost your damage very significantly, especially against tougher enemies. Also, it has a very high Life Leech effect and a lot of attributes. 

• Defense: 570-834
• Required Level: 85
• Required Strength: 142
• Durability: 30  
  • -[20-25]% to Enemy Physical Resistance (varies) 
  • [5-10]% Life Stolen per Hit (varies) 
  • +[460-680] Defense (varies) 
  • +20 to Strength 
  • +15 to Dexterity 
  • +15 to Vitality 
  • -30 to Energy 

WEAPONS

Buriza-Do Kyanon (Ballista) - This incredibly powerful Crossbow offers an extremely high Damage increase, great attack speed, a 100% chance to pierce, and 35 Dexterity, but it does not increase our skills. Still, this is the best offensive weapon choice and you simply can't go wrong with it. 

• Two-Hand Damage: 179-299.5 
• Required Level: 41 
• Required Strength: 110 
• Required Dexterity: 80 
• Base Weapon Speed: [10] 
  • +200-300% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • +[1-123] to Maximum Damage (+1.25 per Character Level)
  • Adds 32-196 Cold Damage - 8 Second Duration 
  • 100% Piercing Attack 
  • Freezes Target +3 
  • +75-150 Defense (varies)  
  • +35 to Dexterity 
  • 80% Increased Attack Speed 
  • -10% to Enemy Physical Resistance 

Widowmaker (Ward Bow) - A very interesting choice that provides high Skill bonuses (up to +5 to Guided Arrow and +5 to Multishot). It also allows you to ignore the target's defense which will increase your damage passively. 

• Two-Hand Damage:  50 - 239 
• Required Level: 65
• Required Dexterity: 146 
• Required Strength: 72   
  • +150-350% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • Ignore Target's Defense 
  • 33% Deadly Strike 
  • +3-5 To Guided Arrow (varies) 
  • Fires Magic Arrows [Level 11] 
  • +100-150% Bonus To Attack Rating (varies) 
  • +3-5 to Multishot (varies) 

Windforce (Hydra Bow) - Another solid weapon choice. This one offers very high base damage for its attack speed. Moreover, it gives you knockback that helps with crowd control and a nice mana steal that ensures you never run out of mana. 

• Two-Hand Damage:  150.5-262 
• Required Level: 73
• Required Dexterity: 167 
• Required Strength: 134   
  • +20% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +[250-325]% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • +[1-160] to Maximum Damage (+1.625 per Character Level) 
  • [6-8]% Mana Stolen per Hit (varies) 
  • Knockback 
  • +10 to Strength 
  • +5 to Dexterity 
  • 10% Chance to Cast Level 25 Twister on Striking 

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

Atma's Scarab - A definite top choice for this Build. Atma's Scarab has a chance to cast level 18 Amplify Damage on Striking (and you will deal a lot of hits with Multi-Shot...) which is simply amazing for damage output. 

• Required Level: 60
  • 10% Chance to Cast Level 18 Amplify Damage on Striking 
  • 40-60% Bonus to Attack Rating (varies) 
  • 400 Poison Damage over 4 Seconds 
  • Poison Resist +30-60% (varies) 
  • Attacker Takes Damage of 400-600 (varies) 
  • +3 to Light Radius 

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

Fortitude (Rune Word) - This Rune Word seems to be tailored for this build specifically; it provides A LOT of enhanced damage, high resistance bonuses, and great overall defenses. You can't go wrong with this one. 

• 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 alternative option. 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 - Another 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 us "Cannot be frozen" which is enough to not consider anything else. Moreover, they add quite a lot of cold damage. 

• 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 

[Alternative] Magic Gloves With +3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills and +20% to Attack Speed. These can be farmed by resetting Anya's inventory in Act 5 which means that they are extremely cheap, but also tedious to farm (and extremely strong, actually). 

• Defense: Varies. 
• Required Level: Varies. 
• Required Strength: - Varies. 
• Durability: Varies. 
  • +3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills 
  • +20% Increased Attack Speed 

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 stamina. 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 without having to find additional small charms for it. 

• 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

Nosferatu's Coil (Vampirefang Belt) - A definite top choice for this build. It gives some nice offensive 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 

String of Ears (Demonhide Sash) - A top-level defensive option that provides up to a 15% damage reduction bonus which is just amazing for this Item slot. 

• Defense: 102-113
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 29
• Required Strength: 20
• Durability: 22
  • +150-180% Enhanced Defense 
  • +15 Defense 
  • 6-8% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • Damage Reduced By 10-15% 
  • Magic Damage Reduced 10-15 

Goldwrap (Heavy Belt) - This MF-focused belt works extremely 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  

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.