Diablo 2: desert

I'm actually taking the time to walk around to all the NPCs and listen to their speeches. I've always enjoyed good voicework, and Blizzard's especially. It really helps bring a fictional world to life.

I'm nearing the end of the desert act, and I have the address of Tal Rasha's/Baal's tomb, but I don't want to go there just yet. I'm in the limbo of not having anything good to spend skill points on, so I'm saving up until level 24 when I can get Blizzard. It's getting to be much needed for crowd control (though Frozen Orb, at level 30, will be better), and it will probably help with Baal.

Cool - found a Manald Heal Ring. I love anything that speeds up regeneration.

Finally, I reach 24. I have to spend a point on Frost Nova to get Blizzard, but now that I have it, I'm not sure if its really going to be all that useful. And I'm not sure what speed key to put it on. Right now, from left to right (F1-F4) I have:

Shiver Armor, Town Portal, Telekinesis, Static Shield

These are my auxiliary commands, as I usually have my left hand on F5-F8:

Glacial Spike, Lightning, Chain Lightning, Teleport

I would really like to have Frozen Orb on F5 already, but I'm going to have to wait a while on that (til level 30).

I thought about switching primary commands to F1-F4, so I could more easily reach potions (keys 1-4) but going through the motions, I don't think it would make much difference. I'm still going to end up mashing every key in the area when I get into an emergency, and if I'm not in an emergency, I can take the time to hit whichever number I need (for health, rejuv, or mana).

Right now I'm still using a lot of Glacial Spike and Static Field, but in another Act or two, it will probably be too dangerous to let enemies that close, and I'll probably end up using just Orb, the two lightning spells, and Teleport. Strange that fire magic is already fairly obsolete, even this early in the game.

Time to go meet Baal... or should I say Duriel. I can get off a Blizzard and maybe a Static Field or two, then I take a one-two hit and I'm out. All this to take a hair thin slice off its health. Teleporting around its lair isn't working out either - its too small. I've got a hireling, a defensive merc from in town, and he buys me another second or two, which helps a little. Now Duriel's health bar is declining by two hair widths for every death.

So spamming Blizzard turned out to be the winning strategy here. That and dying a lot. Even though he's cold resistant, the ice magic still got through. This is going to be a real pain later on down the line in Nightmare and Hell version.

I say my goodbyes to Lut Golein, and listen to everyone's parting speech. Time to head towards Kurast.