The Ultimate Amazon Build Guide for Diablo 2

Amazon Class Guide: Builds, Skill Trees, and Equipment

The Amazon is a master of ranged and elemental combat, primarily divided into two core archetypes: the Bow-wielding Amazon and the Javelin-throwing Amazon.

Core Concepts (Applicable to All Builds)

• Attribute Points:

  • Strength: Enough to wear your desired gear.

  • Dexterity: This is your core attribute! For Bowazons, it provides massive Attack Rating and damage. For Javazons using a shield, it provides Block Chance. Invest heavily here.

  • Vitality: All remaining points go here.

  • Energy: Do not add any points!

• Mercenary: The standard choice is the Offensive Desert Guard from Act 2 Nightmare difficulty. His Might Aura significantly boosts your physical (or the physical portion of your elemental) damage.

1. Physical Bowazon (The “Bowazon”)

The classic ranged physical damage dealer. This build uses a variety of bow skills for both area clearing and single-target damage. It is one of the most enjoyable builds to play once fully geared.

1.1. Playstyle Core

Use Strafe for stationary multi-target attacks, Multiple Shot for wide-screen clearing, and Guided Arrow to hit enemies behind obstacles or for single-target focus.

1.2. Detailed Skill Breakdown

• Bow and Crossbow Skills:

  • Strafe: Max out (20 points). Core single-target/small area skill.

  • Multiple Shot: Max out (20 points). Core screen-clearing skill. Aim for around 20 arrows with gear bonuses for optimal coverage.

  • Guided Arrow: Max out (20 points). 100% chance to hit, essential for Physical Immune monsters and specific situations.

  • Magic Arrow: 1 point (or more). A prerequisite; can be maxed to convert most of your damage to Magic for dealing with Physical Immunes.

• Passive and Magic Skills:

  • Critical Strike: Max out (20 points). Provides a chance for Deadly Strike (double damage), offering massive returns.

  • Penetrate: Max out (20 points). Provides a huge boost to Attack Rating, which is essential for hitting enemies.

  • Pierce: 1 point (or more). Allows your arrows to pass through enemies. 1 point is often enough with gear bonuses.

  • Valkyrie: Max out (20 points). A powerful tank that draws enemy aggro. A must-have.

• Javelin and Spear Skills: Not used.

Skill Order Priority: Unlock Strafe and Multiple Shot early -> Max Strafe -> Max Multiple Shot -> Max Critical Strike and Penetrate -> Max Valkyrie -> Finally, max Guided Arrow.

1.3. Pros and Cons

• Pros: Safe ranged combat, high screen-clearing efficiency, very fun to play.

• Cons: Extremely gear-dependent; feels weak without top-tier equipment. Struggles against Physical Immune monsters.

1.4. Gear Orientation

• Core Goal: High-damage bows, Increased Attack Speed, and Deadly Strike.

• Weapon: Windforce Hydra Bow -> Faith Runeword (in a Grand Matron Bow or Matriarchal Bow).

2. Lightning Javazon (The “Javazon”)

One of the most efficient area-clearing builds in the game, famously known as the “Queen of the Cow Level.” Possesses top-tier Area of Effect (AoE) damage.

2.1. Playstyle Core

Use Lightning Fury to throw a javelin that releases powerful lightning bolts on impact, damaging the primary target and splintering into many bolts that shred groups of enemies. Use Charged Strike for single targets and bosses.

2.2. Detailed Skill Breakdown

• Javelin and Spear Skills:

  • Lightning Fury: Max out (20 points). Core screen-clearing skill.

  • Charged Strike: Max out (20 points). Core single-target/Boss-killing skill.

  • Lightning Strike: Max out (20 points). Synergy for Lightning Fury, increases its damage.

  • Power Strike: Max out (20 points). Synergy for both Lightning Fury and Charged Strike.

  • Lightning Bolt: Max out (20 points). Synergy for Lightning Fury.

• Passive and Magic Skills:

  • Pierce: 1 point. Crucial for allowing Lightning Fury bolts to pierce through multiple enemies.

  • Penetrate: 1 point. Provides necessary Attack Rating.

  • Critical Strike: 1 point. Provides some chance for double damage.

  • Valkyrie: 1 point (or more). Provides a tank.

• Bow and Crossbow Skills: Not used.

Skill Order Priority: Get Lightning Fury as soon as possible -> Max Lightning Fury -> Max its three synergies -> Max Charged Strike.

2.3. Pros and Cons

• Pros: Unmatched clearing speed against dense groups, extremely high damage, incredibly satisfying to play.

  • Cons: Completely shut down by Lightning Immune monsters. Javelins have quantity and require repairs or specific gear like Titan’s Revenge that auto-replenishes quantity.

2.4. Gear Orientation

• Core Goal: +Skills, Lightning Damage, and Faster Cast Rate (for throwing speed).

• Weapon: Titan’s Revenge (unique Ceremonial Javelin, essential).

• Mercenary Weapon: Infinity Runeword (not mandatory but a massive upgrade). Its Conviction Aura lowers enemy lightning resistance, dramatically increasing your damage.

3. Ice/Fire Bowazon (The “Elementalzon”)

A versatile bow-wielder designed to handle the many immune monsters in Hell difficulty. This is the most reliable bow build for completing the game.

3.1. Playstyle Core

Focus on Freezing Arrow for cold-based AoE damage and crowd control. Use Fire Arrow or Immolation Arrow as a secondary skill to deal with Cold Immune monsters.

3.2. Detailed Skill Breakdown (Freezing Arrow + Immolation Arrow)

• Bow and Crossbow Skills:

  • Freezing Arrow: Max out (20 points). Primary cold-based AoE skill.

  • Immolation Arrow: Max out (20 points). Primary fire-based AoE skill.

  • Cold Arrow: Max out (20 points). Synergy for Freezing Arrow.

  • Fire Arrow: Max out (20 points). Synergy for Immolation Arrow.

• Passive and Magic Skills:

  • Valkyrie: Max out (20 points).

  • Pierce: 1 point.

  • Penetrate: 1 point.

  • Critical Strike: 1 point.

Skill points are extremely tight, requiring careful allocation. Priority is usually given to maximizing Freezing Arrow and Immolation Arrow damage.

3.3. Pros and Cons

• Pros: High versatility, can handle most situations in Hell difficulty.

• Cons: Splitting points between two elements means neither reaches its maximum potential. Very skill-point hungry. Helpless against Cold & Fire Immune monsters.

4. Spearazon (The “Spearie”)

A very niche melee physical build that uses spears or javelins for close-quarters combat.

4.1. Playstyle Core

Use Fend as a primary attack, supplemented by Charged Strike for burst damage. Often utilizes auras from runewords like Infinity on the mercenary.

4.2. Detailed Skill Breakdown

• Javelin and Spear Skills:

  • Fend: Max out (20 points). Core multi-target attack skill.

  • Charged Strike: Max out (20 points). Burst damage skill.

  • Impale / Jab: 1 point or more. For single-target or alternative attacks.

• Passive and Magic Skills:

  • Dodge / Avoid / Evade: 1 point each. For survivability.

  • Valkyrie: Max out (20 points).

  • Penetrate: Max out (20 points). Essential for melee hit chance.

  • Critical Strike: Max out (20 points).

4.3. Pros and Cons

• Pros: Unique playstyle, offers a different melee experience.

• Cons: Less safe than ranged builds, complex gear requirements, generally less powerful than mainstream builds.

Summary and Starter Recommendation

Final Recommendations for Players:

1. For New Players & Farming: Start with a Lightning Javazon. With just a Titan’s Revenge, you can easily farm the Secret Cow Level and other high-level areas, making it one of the best builds for accumulating wealth.

2. For Ranged Physical Fun: Once you can afford a Faith runeword or find a Windforce, create a Physical Bowazon to experience the joy of a literal arrow hose.

3. For a Smooth Playthrough: If you prefer bows but don’t want to be walled by immune monsters, the Ice/Fire Bowazon is your most reliable path to beating Hell difficulty.

4. For a Challenge: The Spearazon is best suited for experienced players who enjoy exploring off-meta builds.