All NewsDiablo II
Powered By

Amazon Leveling Guide

Last Updated: March 6th 2024

Share on Social

The Amazon Leveling Guide provides you with all the necessary information to get your favorite Character started!
Not every Skill is suitable to be used during early leveling for three reasons:

  • Only a number of Skills work well without any previously farmed gear.
  • A lot of builds lack damage during the leveling phase. It can become a big struggle or even straight up impossible to progress starting with an end game build.
  • Some builds have a hard time transitioning into hell due to Immunities.

We provide you with step by step Skill trees and easily accessible items that help you in your play through. Additionally, you get tips and insights on how to deal with Immunities and the more difficult fights.

Gear used in this guide
Gear used in this guide

Poison Javelin

Exploding Arrow

Lightning Fury

Charged Strike

At the end of this guide you'll have a Level 75 Amazon that used 1 out of the 3 respecs the game provides. You can use these to transition into your build of choice. If you like the final Skill build, check out the Lightning Fury Amazon Guide, which seamlessly transitions from this guide.

Progression

The Amazon Leveling Guide utilizes Poison Javelin and Exploding Arrow from Normal to Nightmare Act 3 and transitions into Lightning Fury and Charged Strike for the remainder of the leveling process.

Act 1 N
(Up to Level 13)
Act 2 - Act 5 N
(Up to Level 26)
Act 1 - 3 NM
(Up to Level 38)
Act 4 NM - Act 5 H
(Respec + Level 75)
Use the Slider for visual Skill Progression
Use the Slider for visual Skill Progression

Skill Point Allocation

Level 2-5: Fire Arrow
Den of Evil: Magic Arrow
Level 6-10: Poison Javelin
Level 11: Multiple Shot
Level 12-13: Exploding Arrow

Attribute Allocation

Level 2-11: All into Vitality
Level 12: 3 into Dexterity, 2 into Strength
Level 13: All into Strength

Playstyle & Progression

  • Clear out the Den of Evil and pick up items to sell, like Rings, Amulets, Charms, etc. Keep using Throw with your javelin to kill your enemies until you hit Level 6. Yes... This is painful...
  • Important: Pick up and keep any type of Ruby for later use! When you come across Gem Shrines, drop every Gem apart from your highest Ruby to upgrade them as high as possible.
  • Pick up a couple of Chipped Gems and put them into your Stash. You can use them to repair the expensive Lower Resist and Teleport Charges by putting 1 Chipped Gem + 1 Ort Rune and the Charges-item into the Horadric Cube and hit Transmute.
  • Return to town, sell the items to Charsi and purchase a bunch of Javelin stacks. Buy some Life and Stamina Potions from Akara as well. Add both the Tome of Town Portal, and the Tome of Identify if possible.
  • From this point onwards, Elite Groups are your primary focus when it comes to killing monsters. Don't waste your time with individual monsters. They grant far less Experience!
  • Start using Poison Javelin as soon as you hit Level 6. This attack creates a straight line of clouds, dealing Poison Damage to targets moving through it. There are different situations that require a different use:
    • Against fast moving melee targets: Throw the Poison Javelin in front of you and run through the cloud to lure in the enemies.
    • Against ranged monsters: Throw the Poison Javelin next to them and move to the opposite side of the line. Move out of range of the monsters. This forces them to move into the cloud. While ranged monsters are in range of you, they usually don't move a lot.
  • Fight your way to the Black Marsh. Find the Waypoint and start farming The Countess inside the Forgotten Tower for the below listed Runes. Put the Runes into your Stash for storage.
    Check Charsi for the 2 Socketed Studded Leather, and 2x 2 Socketed Helmet at the start of each run. Also check for a 2-3 Socketed Hunter's Bow.
  • Equip your Gemmed Hunter's Bow, ideally filled with 2x Chipped Ruby. Wait with the final Socket until you killed Andariel - She might drop a big Ruby. They increase the explosion damage of your main damage dealing ability; Exploding Arrow. Be aware of the massive amount of Mana this skill goes through! Prepare your inventory with Potions accordingly and equip your Gemmed Cap if you have farmed Tir Runes. Continue to use Poison Javelin from your secondary Weapon Swap until the end of Act 1.
  • After acquiring all Runes, make your way to the Catacombs Level 4, where you face the first Act boss, Andariel - Maiden of Anguish.

Gear Checklist

ItemWhereNote
1-2 2 Socketed HelmetsShop at Charsi
or drop from monsters
The first Helmet is used to put Ral Runes or Tir Runes into. The second one is used for the Runeword Lore later on.
Make sure that one of them is NOT a Magic Item for the latter.
2 Socketed Studded LeatherShop at Charsi
or drop from monsters
This Body Armor is used for the Runeword Stealth later on.
Make sure that it is NOT a Magic Item.
Chipped RubyDrop from monstersPlaced into a Bow for increased damage on Exploding Arrow.
Upgrade them with Gem Shrines if you come across them!
Hunter's BowShop at Charsi
or drop from monsters
This Bow is filled with the highest Ruby quality you have at Level 12.
Make sure that it is a HUNTER'S BOW because of the Attack Speed!
Mandatory:
1 Tal Rune
1 Eth Rune
Farm at The CountessThese Runes are used later for:
- Stealth
Optional:
1-2 Ral Runes
1-2 Tir Runes
Farm at The CountessIf acquired, these Runes are used for:
- Gemmed Cap
and/or
- Gemmed Cap
Optional:
Hunter's Bow
Spear
Shop at Charsi
or drop from monsters
These bases can be used for Zephyr Hunter's Bow and Strength Spear. These are optional Runewords.
Use the Slider for visual Skill Progression
Use the Slider for visual Skill Progression

Skill Point Allocation

Level 14: Exploding Arrow
Radament: Fire Arrow
Level 15-20: Exploding Arrow
Izual: Fire Arrow
Level 21-26: Exploding Arrow

Attribute Allocation

Level 14-16: All into Energy
Level 17-26: All into Vitality

Playstyle & Progression

  • Enter Lut Gholein and pick up a Belt from Farah. Check Drognan for a 2 Socketed Bone Shield. The Shield can be shopped a lot later, but why would you go back for it? Put it into your Stash for now.
  • Kill Radament first and then continue making progress through Act 2. Only use Exploding Arrow as the Poison Javelin is no longer useful.
  • Create and equip your Stealth Studded Leather at Level 17.
  • Make your way through Act 3. At Level 19 you can put on a Gemmed Cap if you want to feel safer against Fire Damage. This comes at the cost of Quality of Life if you had a Gemmed Cap before.
  • Your target for the end of Act 3 is at least Level 19.8.
  • Hire an Act 2 Mercenary after you enter Act 4 and equip him with a Pike from Halbu. You'll need him to kill Grandvizier of Chaos in the Chaos Sanctuary and Colenzo the Annihilator on the first Wave in the Throne of Destruction.
  • When you reach Level 20, go to Act 3 and shop for a Battle Staff of Teleportation at Ormus. Use a Waypoint you pick up along the way and re-enter Kurast Docks through a Town Portal to reset his inventory. You only need to check Staves with a red background because the Level required for it is 24, meaning you can't equip it right now.
  • Continue your progress all the way to Baal. Kill Izual along the way for the extra Skill Points and finish.
  • Open up The Secret Cow Level and pick up items to sell for Gold while Leveling up to 25. Equip the Battle Staff of Teleportation in your secondary Weapon Swap when you hit Level 24. Kill Eldritch the Rectifier once you reach Level 25. Reach Level 26 here so you can buy the big Potions in Nightmare.

Gear Checklist

ItemWhereNote
BeltShop at FarahMore Potion slots = more Good.
Bone ShieldShop at DrognanThis Shield is used for the Runeword Rhyme later on.
Stealth Studded LeatherStash / InventoryCreate Stealth from the previously farmed Runes.
Gemmed CapStash / InventoryAdd previously farmed Ral Runes to one of the Helmets.
Battle Staff of TeleportationShop from OrmusShop this Staff between Level 20 and 23. This reduces the amount of Staves you need to check down to those with a red background.
Optional:
Breast Plate
Shop at FarahThis base can be used for peace to increase your damage against Act bosses later.
Use the Slider for visual Skill Progression
Use the Slider for visual Skill Progression

Skill Point Allocation

Level 27: Exploding Arrow
Den of Evil: Fire Arrow
Level 28-31: Exploding Arrow
Level 32-38: Fire Arrow
Radament: Fire Arrow

Attribute Allocation

Level 27-38: All into Vitality

Playstyle & Progression

  • Start the Nightmare difficulty by shopping for Heavy Gloves of Readiness, a Coral Belt of the Mammoth and Russet Heavy Boots of Haste (or similar).
  • Complete Quest 1 for the Skill Point and continue to the Black Marsh Waypoint.
  • Start farming The Countess for the Runes mentioned from the checklist below. Create the Lore Cap as soon as you find the Runes.
  • Interrupt your Rune farming at Level 29! Go back to Act 5 in Normal and Shop for 2-3 stacks of Javelin of Swiftness. You want to have 50% Increased Attack Speed from your Gloves and Weapons. This is the highest Breakpoint for Charged Strike you can reach.
  • Continue farming The Countess until you acquired the Runes mentioned from the checklist below. Create the remaining Runewords as you find them and put them into your Stash.
  • Shop a Wand of Lower Resistance from Akara or Drognan between Level 30 and 35. You only need to check Wands with a red background again. Keep it in your inventory and use Lower Resist against all Act bosses starting at Level 36.
  • Continue through the story until you enter Act 4 Nightmare. Exploding Arrow hits a brick wall here because of Immune to Fire monsters. It is time to respec.

Gear Checklist

ItemWhereNote
Coral Belt of the MammothShop at Charsi or Gheed
in Nightmare
Shop for a Belt with Resistances.
Lightning and Fire are your priority.
Life can be a nice bonus.
Russet Heavy Boots of HasteShop at Charsi or Gheed
in Nightmare
Shop for Boots with +x% Faster Run/Walk.
Resistances are a nice bonus.
Lightning and Fire are your priority.
Heavy Gloves of ReadinessShop at Charsi or Gheed
in Nightmare
Shop for Gloves with +10% Increased Attack Speed.
Resistances are a nice bonus.
Lightning and Fire are your priority.
Lore CapStash / InventoryCreate and equip as soon as the Runes are acquired.
Wand of Lower ResistanceShop at Akara or Drognan
in Nightmare
Purchase this Wand between Level 30 and 35. You only need to check Wands with red backgrounds at this range.
Mandatory:
1x Shael Rune
1x Eth Rune
1x Ort Rune
1x Sol Rune
Farm at The Countess
in Nightmare
These Runes are used for:
- Rhyme Bone Shield
- Lore
Optional:
1+3 Ort Runes
1x Eth Rune
1x Shael Rune
1x Thul Rune
2x Amn Rune
1x Tir Rune
Farm at The Countess
in Nightmare
These Runes are used for:
- Strength Spear (Used in only 1 fight)
- Peace (Used in Boss fights)
- Zephyr Hunter's Bow (Alternative to Gemmed Hunter's Bow)

The respec assumes that you are Level 38. This is the earliest Level at which you should do it.

Use the Slider for visual Skill Progression
Use the Slider for visual Skill Progression

Respec

Passive and Magic

Pierce - 5 Skill Points
Dodge - 1 Skill Point
Avoid - 1 Skill Point
Evade - 1 Skill Point

Javelin and Spear

Lightning Fury - 9 Skill Points
Charged Strike - 19 Skill Points

Max out in Order

Lightning Fury
Charged Strike
Lightning Bolt
Power Strike

Attribute Allocation

Respec: Allocate enough Strength to wear all of your gear and Dexterity to reach 50% Chance to Block. Put remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Level 39-75: Every Level up you need to allocate an amount of Dexterity to remain at 50% Chance to Block. Put remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Playstyle & Progression

  • Respec according to the plan above.
  • Equip your Javelin of Swiftness and Rhyme Bone Shield in your main Weapon Swap. Put the additional Javelin of Swiftness and the Wand of Lower Resistance into your inventory. This saves you some time as you have to repair them less often.
  • You'll frequently switch between the Wand of Lower Resistance and Battle Staff of Teleportation in your Weapon Swap:
    • Equip the Wand of Lower Resistance in open areas and for boss fights to increase damage as needed.
    • Equip the Battle Staff of Teleportation in maze-like areas.
  • Lightning Fury is one of the most powerful Area of Effect Skills. In combination with Pierce you can theoretically hit up to 200 targets. Use it to get rid of high density monster packs.
  • Charged Strike is your single target destroyer. Use it against any left-over enemies and in boss fights.
    Note: The Synergies for Charged Strike were changed slightly in Patch 2.4. This leads to lower damage early on. However, it reaches higher damage numbers when all Synergies are maxed out.
  • Curse tanky or Immune to Lightning enemies with Lower Resist to break their immunity or simply skip them by running or Teleporting past them. The latter is required in Act 2's Maggot Lair and some parts of Act 3.
  • Shop for +20% Increased Attack Speed Gloves of Alacrity at Level 41 (only check Heavy Gloves) or Level 44 (check Heavy Gloves as well) at Charsi / Gheed in Nightmare Act 1.
  • The Chaos Sanctuary can be an annoying place. While Grandvizier the Chaos is always Immune to Lightning the other 2 Seal bosses can also be Immune to Lightning which cannot be broken. Unfortunately, the only way to deal with this is to re-roll the Chaos Sanctuary.
  • The biggest challenge lies with the Ancients in Act 5. Before you start this fight, drop 1-2 inventories worth of Life and Mana Potions. Repair your Wand of Lower Resistance to ensure that you have enough Charges. Madawc is always Immune to Lightning, and even after his Immunity is broken, he still has a lot of remaining Lightning Resist. Make sure none of the Ancients have Elite modifiers that increase their Resistances (Magic Resistant, Lightning Enchanted, Spectral Hit) as this makes this fight harder than it needs to be. Using a Town Portal resets the fight. Split up the 3 Ancients and kill Talic and Korlic first. Take Talic into a corner to stop him from using Whirlwind and face tank Korlic to slap him down. If you farmed for the Strength Spear, equip it to get Madawc down to 10% remaining Life with its Crushing Blow and jab for its bonus to Attack Rating and high attack speed. Then use Lower Resist to break his immunity and finish him with charged strike.

Essentials

Hardcore

Gear Options

Farming Spots at Level 75+

Video Guide

Summary

  • Use Javelins and Poison Javelin until Level 12.
  • Use Exploding Arrow until you respec.
  • The respec into Lightning Fury and Charged Strike is recommended at Level 32+.
  • Farm The Countess in Normal and Nightmare for the key Runewords that are used.
  • Buy a Gnarled Staff of Teleportation before Level 24.
  • Buy a Wand of Lower Resistance before Level 36.
  • Be careful with the item bases you buy from the vendors. Runewords do NOT work in Magic Items!
  • Lightning Immune monsters can be a problem. Re-roll Boss Affixes, maps or simple run past them if you need to.

Good luck!

Credits

Written by Teo1904
Reviewed by MacroBioBoi

© 2024 Maxroll Media Group, All Rights Reserved