Successfully Integrate Knockback and High Damage Output in Your Bowazon's Windforce Weapon

Before certain Runewords came into the picture, uniques like Windforce were considered the very powerful weapons due to their high damage output. Windforce is a unique Hydra Bow, and was, and is still a favorite among Amazons who used Bows as their weapons of choice (commonly referred to as Bowazons). Though the Windforce might have been eclipsed in terms of damage output by some of the current, expensive but powerful Runewords, it still remains a very powerful weapon in its own right.

The Stats:

2H Damage: 35 to (241-547)

Minimum Strength: 134

Minimum Dexterity: 167

Level Requirement: 73

+250% Enhanced Damage

+3-309 to Maximum Damage (+3.125 per Character Level)

20% Increased Attack Speed

6-8% Mana Stolen per Hit (varies)

Heal Stamina +30%

+10 to Strength

+5 to Dexterity

Knockback

Minimum Strength: 134

Minimum Dexterity: 167

Right off the bat one can see that using Windforce requires high Strength and Dexterity. So plan ahead when deciding to use Windforce, and see whether you can get enough Strength and Dexterity bonuses from items and charms to fulfill the requirements.

+250% Enhanced Damage

+3-309 to Maximum Damage (+3.125 per Character Level)

These mods show you why Windforce used to be known as one of the most powerful weapons in Diablo 2. Not only does it offer a very large boost to base weapon damage, but the Maximum Damage on Windforce is level dependent. Therefore, each time you gain a level,Windforce's damage output increases!

20% Increased Attack Speed

Windforce has one of the most important mods a weapon could have, IAS. More IAS, means that you can make attacks quicker, and with enough IAS from other items, you may be able to break the maximum IAS breakpoint.

6-8% Mana Stolen per Hit (varies)

Bowazons often use either the Strafe Skill or Multi-shot Skill, and both require large amounts of Mana to use. By stealing Mana from their targets, Bowazons can use these powerful Skills more frequently. 6-8% Mana Stolen per hit is pretty decent, even given the reduced returns in Hell Difficulty.

Heal Stamina +30%

If you are using Windforce, you must be at least Level 73 or above. By the time you are at these levels, Stamina shouldn't be a problem.

+10 to Strength

+5 to Dexterity

Using Windforce requires high Strength and Dexterity scores. These twin bonuses from Windforce can help you meet the requirements of other items, and the secondary effect would be that since you can now meet the requirements with these bonuses, you can put more points into Vitality to increase your hit points.

Knockback

Knockback is knocks your target back a few paces. It is very irritating for melee characters but can be a boon for characters who attack from long range (like Bowazons do) as they often required to keep a healthy distance between themselves and the monsters of the Diablo 2 world. While Knockback does help range attackers in this respect, it also makes aiming a little more difficult, but it is nothing a skilled player can't overcome.

Summary:

The Windforce is often compared to a Unique crossbow, the Buriza Do-Kyanon, a unique Ballista crossbow. Players are often split on the subject, but in the end, like most things, it depends on personal taste. Windforce does more damage, but the Buriza has nice utility mods like Piercing and Freezes Target +3.

Discover how to use this item and others like it to mass-kill monsters in Diablo 2 [http://www.gheedsd2guide.com] and learn more about using the right items and where in the game: http://www.gheedsd2guide.com. Dan Massicotte's Diablo 2 free newsletter offers tips, tricks and strategies for enjoying playing Diablo II. [http://www.gheedsd2guide.com]