DIABLO II: Lord of Destruction
Sniperzon PvM Character Build
Introduction
This document is a result of an experiment I did between my MA Bowazon and my Strafezon. In my
opinion it is the best of both worlds and has become my favorite Diablo II character to play. Here, I show
Attribute and Skill Point distribution for the patch 1.13 Sniperzon (MA Strafezon) on Closed Battle.net
Ladder. Since there are quest rewards that award Attribute or Skill Points at various stages of the game and
different players complete these quests at different character levels (clvl), I've tried to approximate at what
clvl those Points are awarded. As the character levels, the Points are distributed and checked off to help the
user keep from losing their place in the distribution process. If you finish a quest at an earlier or later clvl,
apply the current Stat. Apply any remaining Stats the next time you level up. I've only shown Attribute and
Skill Points here. Life Point and Resistance rewards are not shown.

The goal here is to give the Sniperzon enough Strength to allow her to equip her gear (87 for a Matriarchal
Bow, 77 for the Dusk Shroud). Dexterity is the Amazon archer's "bread & butter" Attribute. For every 100
Points of Dexterity, her Damage and Attack Rating increase dramatically. Vitality is also important for the
Amazon. For Soft Core her Vitality should be at least 140. For Hardcore it should be a minimum of 150.
You do not want to put any points in Energy. With this in mind, for us, her final Stats at clvl 99 (not
including equipment bonuses) will be:

Attributes
Strength = 90 (starts with 20)
Dexterity = 300 (starts with 25)
Vitality = 180 (starts with 20)
Energy
= 15 (starts with 15)

Bow and Crossbow Skills
Magic Arrow
20 (lvl 1; Main Attack)
Multiple Shot
1 (lvl 6; Prerequisite)
Cold Arrow
1 (lvl 6; Prerequisite)
Guided Arrow
1 (lvl 18; Prerequisite)
Strafe
7 (lvl 24; Secondary Attack; crowd control and duel leeching)

Passive and Magic Skills
Inner Sight
1 (lvl 1; Prerequisite)
Critical Strike
15 (lvl 1; 63% chance of double damage; Valkyrie synergy)
Dodge
1 (lvl 6; Defensive Support; Valkyrie synergy)
Slow Missiles
1 (lvl 12; Prerequisite)
Avoid
1 (lvl 12; Defensive Support; Valkyrie synergy)
Penetrate
10 (lvl 18; 125% Attack Rating bonus for ranged attacks; Valkyrie synergy)
Decoy
20 (lvl 24; Defensive Support; Valkyrie synergy)
Evade
1 (lvl 24; Defensive Support; Valkyrie synergy)
Valkyrie
20 (lvl 30; Tank Support)
Pierce
10 (lvl 30; 71% chance to pierce target)

In the following list, each numbered line represents a character level. The quest rewards are marked, but
not numbered. The Attribute is listed first. Put all five Points there. The Skill is listed last. Distribute the
Points to the Stat in the order it is listed, whether you complete a quest early or later in the game. I will
discuss equipment, Hirelings and strategy at the end of this document.


Created by Justin Darkwater
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DIABLO II: Lord of Destruction
Sniperzon PvM Character Build
Point Distribution
2. Dexterity; Magic Arrow
44. Dexterity; Pierce
85. Vitality; Penetrate
3. Strength; Magic Arrow
45. Vitality; Penetrate
86. Dexterity; Critical Strike
4. Vitality; Magic Arrow
46. Strength; Pierce
Fallen Angel; Pierce
Den of Evil; Magic Arrow
Radament's Lair; Penetrate
Fallen Angel; Penetrate
5. Vitality; Magic Arrow
47. Dexterity; Pierce
87. Vitality; Critical Strike
6. Dexterity; Magic Arrow
48. Dexterity; Decoy
88. Vitality; Pierce
7. Strength; Magic Arrow
49. Dexterity; Decoy
89. Vitality; Penetrate
8. Dexterity; Magic Arrow
50. Vitality; Decoy
90. Vitality; Critical Strike
9. Strength; Magic Arrow
51. Dexterity; Decoy
91. Vitality; Pierce
10. Vitality; Magic Arrow
52. Dexterity; Decoy
92. Vitality; Penetrate
11. Dexterity; Magic Arrow
53. Dexterity; Decoy
93. Vitality; Critical Strike
12. Dexterity; Magic Arrow
54. Dexterity; Decoy
94. Vitality; Pierce
13. Dexterity; Magic Arrow
55. Vitality; Valkyrie
95. Vitality; Penetrate
14. Dexterity; Dodge
56. Dexterity; Valkyrie
96. Vitality; Critical Strike
15. Vitality; Avoid
Lam Esen's Tome;
97. Vitality; Pierce
16. Dexterity; Critical Strike
Dexterity
98. Vitality; Critical Strike
17. Dexterity; Critical Strike
57. Dexterity; Valkyrie
99. Vitality; Critical Strike
Radament's Lair; Critical
58. Dexterity; Valkyrie

Strike
59. Dexterity; Valkyrie

18. Dexterity; Critical Strike
Fallen Angel; Valkyrie

19. Strength; Inner Sight
Fallen Angel; Valkyrie

20. Vitality; Cold Arrow
60. Vitality; Valkyrie

21. Strength; Multiple Shot
61. Dexterity; Valkyrie

22. Dexterity; Slow Missiles
62. Dexterity; Valkyrie

23. Dexterity; Guided Arrow
63. Dexterity; Strafe

24. Strength; Decoy
64. Dexterity; Strafe

25. Vitality; Strafe
65. Vitality; Strafe

Lam Esen's Tome; Strength
66. Dexterity; Strafe

26. Dexterity; Evade
67. Dexterity; Strafe

27. Dexterity; Critical Strike
68. Dexterity; Strafe

28. Strength; Decoy
69. Dexterity; Decoy

Fallen Angel; Critical Strike
Den of Evil; Decoy

Fallen Angel; Critical Strike
70. Vitality; Decoy

29. Dexterity; Decoy
71. Dexterity: Decoy

30. Vitality; Valkyrie
72. Dexterity; Decoy

31. Dexterity; Pierce
73. Dexterity; Decoy

32. Strength; Penetrate
74. Dexterity; Decoy

33. Dexterity; Valkyrie
75. Vitality; Decoy

34. Strength; Valkyrie
Radament's Lair; Decoy

35. Vitality; Valkyrie
76. Dexterity; Decoy

36. Strength; Valkyrie
77. Dexterity; Magic Arrow

37. Strength; Valkyrie
78. Dexterity; Magic Arrow

38. Dexterity; Valkyrie
79. Dexterity; Magic Arrow

Den of Evil; Valkyrie
80. Vitality; Magic Arrow

39. Dexterity; Valkyrie
81. Dexterity; Magic Arrow

40. Vitality; Valkyrie
82. Dexterity; Magic Arrow

41. Dexterity; Penetrate
Lam Esen's Tome; Vitality

42. Strength; Pierce
83. Dexterity; Magic Arrow

43. Dexterity; Penetrate
84. Dexterity; Critical Strike

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DIABLO II: Lord of Destruction
Sniperzon PvM Character Build
Equipment
I've read many documents on character builds published by other users and they'll all tell you what
"ultimate" equipment you should have. Good luck finding it!

On a more practical note, use the best equipment you can find during your adventures. By the time you get
to Hell Difficulty, you can begin looking for a Blade Bow (or Matriarchal in Nightmare) and Dusk Shroud.
Use two of your Socket Quests (Larzuk - Normal Difficulty and Nightmare Difficulty) to have the
maximum sockets put in them. Once you have a collection of decent Runes, you can create your Rune
Words. Finding Superior versions of these items is better. Finding Superior versions, with sockets already,
is best.

I use the Rogue Hireling with Cold Arrow from Act I, Normal Difficulty. I've tried using each of the
Desert Mercenaries from Act II in Nightmare Difficulty, but I spend more time feeding Full Regeneration
Potions to them and Gold resurrecting them that it's not worth keeping them, in my option. I have better
luck with the Rogue. With the right equipment, she can offer the same or better benefits.

Something you should keep in mind is that if you choose to run with a Desert Mercenary from Act II and
pick the one with the Blessed Aim Aura (Offense - Normal and Hell Difficulties), this Skill does not stack
with the Amazon's Penetrate Skill. In fact, it overwrites it. The positive side is, if you plan on using this
Mercenary through the entire game, on all three Difficulties, you can forget the Penetrate Skill and put
those Points elsewhere. The same holds true if you party in games with a Paladin that uses the Blessed Aim
Skill. Know that your Paladin friend, however, may not always have this Aura active, which will affect
your AR (Attack Rating).

My favorite armor for my PC is the Chains of Honor Dusk Shroud and the Fortitude Diamond Mail for
my Hireling.

My favorite weapon for my PC is the Harmony Blade Bow (or Matriarchal). My favorite weapon for the
Rogue is the Edge Blade Bow.

I collect Gems for two reasons. One is for upgrading Runes. The other is to create Prismatic Amulets. The
formula for the Prismatic Amulet is:

Perfect Topaz + P. Amethyst + P. Sapphire + P. Ruby + P. Emerald + P. Diamond + Magic Amulet

Rare and Unique Amulets won't work. Prismatic Amulets will give you +16% to +20% Resist All. There
is also a chance to roll a random suffix. Obviously, if you find a better Amulet, you'll want to equip that
and abandon creating Prismatic Amulets.

Instead of listing all the equipment you should have (and probably won't find) I'll tell you about some of
the mods you should look for. First, Defense should not be a consideration. You shouldn't be hit often since
you're a ranged fighter with ranged support (Rogue Hireling) and two tanks (Valkyrie and Decoy).

Important mods you should look for are:
Resistances, Enhanced Damage, Damage Reduction (all types), Increased Attack Rating, Increased Attack
Speed, + Skills, duel leeching (Life and Mana) and Faster Run/Walk, just to name a few. In addition, any
mods that can Slow Monsters, Reduce Monster's Defense, Reduce Monster's Resistances, Increase
Damage (XX% vs. monster or Amplify Damage), Cause Open Wounds and Prevent Monster Heal are very
helpful. Also, look for Deadly Strike and Crushing Blow.
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DIABLO II: Lord of Destruction
Sniperzon PvM Character Build

I don't particularly look for Knockback or Cause Monster to Flee, because these can be frustrating,
especially when using two tanks. However, if used properly and under the right circumstances, these mods
can be very effective.

Strategy
First, three words: Blood Raven Tactics, a.k.a. guerilla warfare. Shoot, run and shoot some more. Run
around the outside of a group of monsters while you take pot shots at them. If you attract more monsters,
try to corral them into a group and stay on the outside of the circle. Cast Decoy in the center of the circle
you're creating so that any monsters that can't catch you will be drawn to the Decoy. Once you have the
monsters corralled, take out the Shamans and Greater Mummies first to keep them from resurrecting their
minions. Take out the range-attack monsters, such as the Archers and Skeleton Mages next. When you've
accomplished this you can concentrate on mopping up. MA (Magic Arrow) is our main attack. When
attacked by groups of monsters, fire a couple of volleys of Strafe to thin the crowd and then take out the
stragglers with Magic Arrow.

Until you reach clvl 24 and have Decoy, use ranged weapons and try to keep your distance. I'm usually
lucky enough to find a basic Short Bow or Hunter's Bow and some Arrows shortly after entering Blood
Moor with a new character. If not, I use my starting equipment. My left attack is set to the Normal melee
attack and I set my right attack for Throwing. You can set it for whatever is most comfortable for you.
Hint: Charsi and Gheed sometimes sell 3os Hunter's Bows. I check with them often and purchase two of
them (if I don't find them). I socket each one with a Chipped Sapphire + Chipped Ruby + Chipped
Emerald. Give one of them to your Rogue Hireling. When you get to Act II, begin looking for two 3os
Composite Bows and socket them with a Flawless Sapphire + Flawless Ruby + Flawless Emerald. These
will help greatly in your battle against Duriel.

Once you have Decoy you can use it for two things. For one, you can cast it ahead of you to pull monsters
to it and then take them out from relative safety. Decoy also acts as a shield. As long as the monsters are
targeting your Decoy, they're not attacking you. If you're using items that grant you the Thorns Aura,
Decoy does damage to anything that hits it. Some players will argue that the Thorns will not do affective
damage, especially in Hell difficulty, but to me, any damage is better than no damage at all.

When you reach level 30 and have Valkyrie, you can begin to breathe a little easier. Valkyrie has been
improved and with synergies, she will quickly become your best friend, especially after you've invested
some Skill Points in her. Continue to use your previous tactics. Cast Decoy ahead of you. Wait to see if
monsters advance on it. If they do, Valkyrie should run up to engage them. When she does, you can inch
forward to offer support in backing her up.

If you're interested, you can view video captures of my MA Bowazon and my Strafezon, on my YouTube,
Perusoe's Channel. Video captures of the Sniperzon are pending, but gameplay will be similar to the
Strafezon, except the Sniperzon uses MA instead of Normal Attack.

Final thoughts: Some players prefer Guided Arrow (GA) or some other Bow Skill over Magic Arrow.
Magic Arrow is simply my preference. Magic Arrow has no prerequisites, can be invested in right out of
the gate and is maintenance free at slvl 13. If you prefer a different Bow Skill as a main attack, then by all
means, use it.




Created by Justin Darkwater
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DIABLO II: Lord of Destruction
Sniperzon PvM Character Build
NOTES:
Strength = Melee Attack Damage. Dexterity = Attack Damage, Attack Rating and Defense.
Vitality = Stamina and Life. Energy = Mana.

Maximum Normal Difficulty Act V mlvl = 42
Maximum Nightmare Difficulty Act V mlvl = 70
Maximum Hell Difficulty Act V mlvl = 99
Maximum Hell Difficulty Pandemonium Quest mlvl = 110

Mercenary: Act I Rogue: Normal with Cold Arrow

Ultimate Equipment for Sniperzon
String of Ears Demonhide Sash (clvl 29)
War Traveler Battle Boots (clvl 42)
Harmony Blade Bow = Tir + Ith + Sol + Ko (clvl 45)
Raven Frost Ring (clvl 45)
Carrion Wind Ring (clvl 60)
Laying of Hands Bramble Mitts (clvl 63)
Chains of Honor Dusk Shroud = Dol + Um + Ber + Ist (clvl 63)
M'avina's True Sight Diadem (clvl 64)
Annihilus Small Charm (clvl 70, Diablo Clone)
Hellfire Torch Large Charm (clvl 75, Pandemonium Quest)
Metalgrid Amulet (clvl 81)

Ultimate Equipment for the Rogue
Vampire Gaze Grim Helm (clvl 41)
Edge Blade Bow = Tir + Tal + Amn (clvl 54)
Fortitude Diamond Mail = El + Sol + Dol + Lo (clvl 59)







Use the best equipment you can find, buy or create until you and your Hireling meet the requirements and
can obtain the equipment listed. (The "Ultimate Equipment" is subject to your own preferences).

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DIABLO II: Lord of Destruction
Sniperzon PvM Character Build
NOTES:
Fastest Bows:
Hunter's, Razor, Blade
Composite, Double, Great
Matriarchal
Chu-Ko-Nu, Demon Crossbow

Miscellaneous Equipment
Stealth Body Armor = Tal + Eth (clvl 17)
Zephyr Bow = Ort + Eth (clvl 21)
Smoke Body Armor = Nef + Lum (clvl 37)
Treachery Body Armor = Shael + Thul + Lem (clvl 43)
Gloom Body Armor = Fal + Um + Pul (clvl 47)
Duress Body Armor = Shael + Um + Thul (clvl 47)
Stone Body Armor = Shael + Um + Pul + Thul (clvl 47)
Prudence Body Armor = Mal + Tir (clvl 49)
Call To Arms Bow = Amn + Ral + Mal + Ist + Ohm (clvl 57)
Dragon Body Armor = Sur + Lo + Sol (clvl 61)
Wrath Bow = Pul + Lum + Ber + Mal (clvl 63)
Enigma Body Armor = Jah + Ith + Ber (clvl 65)
Ice Bow = Amn + Shael + Jah + Lo (clvl 65)
Hand of Justice Bow = Sur + Cham + Amn + Lo = (clvl 67)
Breath of the Dying Bow = Vex + Hel + El + Eld + Zod + Eth (clvl 69)















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DIABLO II: Lord of Destruction
Sniperzon PvM Character Build
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DIABLO II: Lord of Destruction
Sniperzon PvM Character Build
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Document Outline

• Introduction
  • Attributes
  • Bow and Crossbow Skills
  • Passive and Magic Skills
• Point Distribution
• Equipment
• Important mods you should look for are:
• Strategy
• NOTES:
• NOTES:
• NOTES:
• NOTES:

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