Bows, Bows, and more Bows. This D2 Bowazon guide is here to help you navigate the “Bow and Crossbow” skill tree and beyond.
Use this guide as base and custom fit it to your play style, since there are numerous iterations of the Bowazon build and each is finished with different skills and equipment.
Below is a skill overview that goes over each skill tree. The suggested skills to max aren’t set in stone, but are arguably the most effective.
The overall gameplay strategies, and items to finish this Amazon build, just like your skills, are all up to you!
Bowazon Gameplay Strategy
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First Opinion: Remember a Bowazon standing still is pumping out DPS. There is no mob nor PK that will allow you to stand there happily dishing out arrows. This makes for what many believe to be the Bowazon golden rule: a Valkyrie is a Bowazon’s best friend. Your Valkyrie and Mercenary will make quick friends, as they tank, acting as your front line. Survivability first, with extra wiggle room to position herself, this Bowazon is comfortable in the pocket. The Decoy and Penetrate skills buff your Valkyrie, and she benefits from most other passive skills as well. A few Valkyrie builds like to max out Crit, Avoid, and Evade to beef out their Valkyrie while using Strafe to harass from the backline. This will leave few points behind hereby forcing investments in Dexterity and Strength only.
Second Opinion: Since the Bowazon is always running around anyways, the points used to max Valkyrie out can be used to further invest in your Bowazon’s DPS. Her physical skills like Multiple Shot, Strafe, and Guided Arrow don’t require other skills since they lack the synergy. As a result, this makes for even more points left over to invest in skills that will customize the Bowazon further. Spending points in Elemental or passive skills like Critical Strike, Penetrate, and Pierce will turn your Bowazon’s damage to 11. This Bowazon might not have a beefy front line, but she’ll drop you in half the time!
Bow and Crossbow Skills
Magic Arrow: Never needs more than one point because of its low 1.5 Mana cost. It won’t spend arrows or bolts, meaning you can shoot even if you’re out of ammunition!
Multiple Shot: A PvP staple used for its AOE denial. Unfortunately only one arrow can damage an opponent per cast instance, so keep clicking! Elemental damage is only applied in the middle of the volley so don’t let up!
Guided Arrow: The PvP morale crusher because the arrows cannot miss. Kiting has never been easier.
Strafe: Farming made easy because it auto-aims at enemies within an AOE. The Bowazon will be vulnerable until the animation is over as she’ll be rooted in place. This skill is maximized by fighting mobs because of the mobility drawbacks in a 1v1 or PvP fight. Use a tanky friend like Valkyrie or Decoy to assist you while using this to decimate grouped bad guys. Max this out!
Freezing Arrow: From Drow Ranger to Ashe to Bowazons, no archer’s kit is complete without a slowing arrow. This enchanted arrow is normally spammed against single targets and enemies with physical immunity (PI).
Magic and Passive Skills
Inner Sight: A debuff, that once activated, highlights enemies in the area but also lowers their defense rating. Like faerie fire in Dungeons and Dragons, this ability silhouettes the bad guys on screen making them easier to see and easier to click on. A first in most ability rotations to maximize DPS as Inner Sight, with 10 levels, will lower nearby enemies defense rating by 315.
Critical Strike: Big crits will cut down opposition quickly, effectively doubling the successful attack’s damage. The caveat to maxing this skill is the diminishing returns of damage per point spent. 8 points recommended max (51% chance), as each point after will only give an extra 1-3%. This makes maxing the skill feel like a waste to some theory crafters and a must have for others.
Dodge: Unless you’re “Strafing” your enemy mobs to death, this isn’t worth more than the one point that’s required for the subsequent skills.
Slow Missiles: Though it sounds like a lame skill, a single point in this will mean the difference between life and death for a Bowazon. Any incoming missile, from arrow to magical attacks like Fireball, has their animations slowed thus making it easier to dodge. The survivability is a must for higher levels of difficulty.
Avoid: A fixed percentage of missiles attacks against a Bowazon are negated by this ability. This skill is the keystone passive to most tanky builds but largely ignored by others. This definitely deserves the one point needed to unlock the skills underneath, but any more points are dependent on the player’s style.
Penetrate: Worth the 5-10 points range normally assigned to it for most Bowazon builds. Penetrate increases not only your Attack Rating but also that of your Valkyrie. So if your build isn’t one dependent on Valkyrie, definitely invest in items that boost it instead.
Decoy: The other passive that affects your Valkyrie’s stats. The clone will keep you, your Valkyrie, and Mercenary alive by tanking hits meant for your squad. Brokenly strong at lower difficulties, Decoy is woefully underpowered once your Bowazon reaches Hell.
Evade: Mechanically this skill doesn’t work as well as it’s advertised. Unless your Bowazon needs extra tankiness, this skill is only worth the point to unlock the skill beneath it.
Pierce: Who doesn’t like 2 for 1 deals? Your enemies might not because this skill gives your arrows a chance to pierce the first target and hit another one. Most builds don’t require more than a couple points because of diminishing returns. Anything beyond 7-8 points is likely wasted.
Valkyrie: Best is left for last, the Bowazon’s BFF, the Valkyrie. A tanky summoned minion that gives your Bowazon her much needed breathing space.
Bowazon Attribute Priorities
Strength should receive points until your Bowazon can wear all of her desired gear.
This is your first stat priority for all Bowazons, since damage comes from our gear not skill synergies.
Dexterity is a Bowazon’s focused attribute after her Strength requirements are met. Most players don’t bother with Vitality or Energy. Some iterations of tanky Bowazons might have 100 Vitality, but Energy is always untouched.
Equipment can always be used for finishing touches or boosts to other attributes.
Mercenary
While most other sections have multiple options, no self-respecting Bowazon leaves Act 2 without a Holy Freeze Aura mercenary watching her back.
Bowazon Build Equipment
Weapon Options
Buriza-Do Kyanon “Upgradable PvP Ladder Standard”
DPS: 115.5 – 124.9
Damage: (96-103) – (114-124)
Attack Speed: 1.1
Req. Level: 29
Sockets: 0 – 1
• +(32 – 39) – (39 – 49) Cold Damage
• +128 – 163 Dexterity
• 7.5 – 10.0% Chance to Freeze on Hit
• Your projectiles pierce 1 – 2 additional times.
• +2 Random Magic Properties
Goldstrike Arch: “Cubed to perfection”
2H Damage: (30-35) to (150-175)
Attack Speed: [10]
Minimum Strength: 95
Minimum Dexterity: 118
Level Requirement: 46
+200-250% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+100-200% Damage to Demons (varies)
+100-200% Damage to Undead (varies)
50% Increased Attack Speed
5% Chance to Cast Level 7 Fist of the Heavens on Striking
Replenish Life +12
100-150% Bonus to Attack Rating (varies)
Windforce: “Wind Advisory in Effect”
2H Damage: 35 to (241-547)
Attack Speed: [10]
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
Lycander’s Aim: “+2 Everything”
2H Damage: (72-82) to (152-173)
Attack Speed: [10]
Minimum Strength: 73
Minimum Dexterity: 110
Level Requirement: 42
+150-200% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 25-50 Damage
20% Increased Attack Speed
+2 to Amazon Skill Levels
5-8% Mana Stolen per Hit (varies)
+20 to Energy
+20 to Dexterity
+20% Enhanced Defense
+2 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
Harmony Rune Word
4 Socket Missile Weapons
Tir + Ith + Sol + Ko
Level Requirement: 39
Level 10 Vigor Aura When Equipped
+200-275% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+9 To Minimum Damage
+9 To Maximum Damage
Adds 55-160 Lightning Damage
Adds 55-160 Fire Damage
Adds 55-160 Cold Damage
+2-6 To Valkyrie (varies)
+10 To Dexterity
Regenerate Mana 20%
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+2 To Light Radius
Level 20 Revive (25 Charges)
Faith: “The Grand Matron Bow Special”
4 Socket Missile Weapons
Ohm + Jah + Lem + Eld
Level Requirement: 65
Level 12-15 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped (varies)
+1-2 To All Skills (varies)
+330% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target’s Defense
300% Bonus To Attack Rating
+75% Damage To Undead
+50 To Attack Rating Against Undead
+120 Fire Damage
All Resistances +15
10% Reanimate As: Returned
75% Extra Gold From Monsters
Passion: “Wolverines!!!!”
4 Socket Weapons
Dol + Ort + Eld + Lem
Level Requirement: 43
+25% Increased Attack Speed
+160-210% Enhanced Damage (varies)
50-80% Bonus To Attack Rating (varies)
+75% Damage To Undead
+50 To Attack Rating Against Undead
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
+1 To Berserk
+1 To Zeal
Hit Blinds Target +10
Hit Causes Monster To Flee 25%
75% Extra Gold From Monsters
Level 3 Heart of Wolverine (12 Charges)
Helmet
Dream: “Bowazon’s Favorite”
3 Socket Helms
Io + Jah + Pul
Level Requirement: 65
10% Chance To Cast Level 15 Confuse When Struck
Level 15 Holy Shock Aura When Equipped
+20-30% Faster Hit Recovery (varies)
+30% Enhanced Defense
+150-220 Defense (varies)
+10 To Vitality
Increase Maximum Life 5% (Helms Only)
+50 To Life (Shields Only)
+0.625-61.875 To Mana (+0.625 Per Character Level)
All Resistances +5-20 (varies)
12-25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)
Guillaume’s Face: “Not in the Face”
Defense: 217
Minimum Strength: 115
Durability: 40
Level Requirement: 34
+120% Enhanced Defense
30% Faster Hit Recovery
15% Deadly Strike
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
+15 to Strength
Tal Rasha’s Horadric Crest: “Tal Reeshy’s Spooky Kabuki Mask”
Defense: 99 – 131
Minimum Strength: 55
Durability: 20
Level Requirement: 66
10% Life Stolen per Hit
10% Mana Stolen per Hit
All Resistances +15
+45 Defense
+30 to Mana
+60 to Life
Vampire Gaze “It’s Grim”
Defense: 252
Minimum Strength: 58
Durability: 40
Level Requirement: 41
+100% Enhanced Defense
Adds 6-22 Cold Damage – 4 Second Duration
15% Slower Stamina Drain
6-8% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
6-8% Mana Stolen per Hit (varies)
Damage Reduced by 15-20% (varies)
Magic Damage Reduced by 10-15 (varies)
Crown of Thieves:
Defense: 296 – 342
Minimum Strength: 103
Durability: 50
Level Requirement: 49
+160-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
9-12% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
Fire Resist +33%
+35 To Mana
+50 To Life
+25 To Dexterity
80-100% Extra Gold From Monsters (varies)
Stealskull:
Defense: 219 – 248
Minimum Strength: 59
Durability: 24
Level Requirement: 35
+200-400% Enhanced Defense (varies)
10% Increased Attack Speed
10% Faster Hit Recovery
5% Life Stolen per Hit
5% Mana Stolen per Hit
30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)
Giant Skull:
Defense: 350 – 477
Minimum Strength: 106
Durability: 40
Level Requirement: 65
+250-320 Defense (varies)
10% Chance Of Crushing Blow
Knockback
+25-35 to Strength (varies)
Socketed (1-2) (varies)
Armor
Twitchthroe: “Need for Attack Speed”
Defense: 57 – 60
Armor Type: Light
Minimum Strength: 27
Durability: 32
Level Requirement: 16
+25 Defense
25% Increased Chance of Blocking
20% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Increased Attack Speed
+10 to Dexterity
+10 to Strength
Crow Caw: “Watch your DPS soar high like the Crow!”
Defense: 477 – 534
Armor Type: Medium
Minimum Strength: 86
Durability: 36
Level Requirement: 37
+150-180% Enhanced Defense (varies)
15% Increased Attack Speed
15% Faster Hit Recovery
35% Chance of Open Wounds
+15 Dexterity
Duress Rune Word:
3 Socket Body Armor
Shael + Um + Thul
Level Requirement: 47
+40% Faster Hit Recovery
+10-20% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 37-133 Cold Damage – 2 Second Duration
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+150-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
20% Slower Stamina Drain
Cold Resist +45%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%
Chains of Honor Rune Word:
4 Socket Body Armor
Dol + Um + Ber + Ist
Level Requirement: 63
+2 To All Skills
+200% Damage To Demons
+100% Damage To Undead
8% Life Stolen Per Hit
+70% Enhanced Defense
+20 To Strength
Replenish Life +7
All Resistances +65
Damage Reduced By 8%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fortitude Rune Word:
4 Socket Body Armor
El + Sol + Dol + Lo
Level Requirement: 59
20% Chance To Cast Level 15 Chilling Armor when Struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
+300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+X To Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% To Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25-30 (varies)
Damage Reduced By 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 To Light Radius
Enigma Rune Word: “Everyone’s Favorite”
3 Socket Body Armor
Jah + Ith + Ber
Level Requirement: 65
+2 To All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 To Teleport
+750-775 Defense (varies)
(+0.75 Per Character Level) +0-74 To Strength (Based On Character Level)
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Damage Reduced By 8%
+14 Life After Each Kill
15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
(+1 Per Character Level) +1-99% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level)
M’avina’s Embrace:
Defense: 771 – 1269
Armor Type: Medium
Minimum Strength: 122
Durability: 48
Level Requirement: 70
+350 Defense
+4-396 Defense (+4 per Character Level)
Requirements -30%
10% Chance to Cast Level 3 Glacial Spike When Struck
Magic Damage Reduced By 5-12
+2 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)
Boots
Goblin Toe:
Defense: 33 – 34
Kick Damage: 8 – 16
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 18
Level Requirement: 22
+50-60% Enhanced Defense (varies)
25% Chance of Crushing Blow
-1 to Light Radius
Damage Reduced by 1
Magic Damage Reduced by 1
+15 Defense
Gore Rider: “Ride or Die”
Defense: 140 – 162
Kick Damage: 39 – 80
Minimum Strength: 94
Durability: 34
Level Requirement: 47
+160-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
30% Faster Run/Walk
10% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
+20 to Maximum Stamina
Silkweave: “99 problems but Mana ain’t one”
Defense: 112 – 130
Kick Damage: 32 – 52
Minimum Strength: 65
Durability: 16
Level Requirement: 36
+150-190% Enhanced Defense (varies)
30% Faster Run/Walk
+5 Mana After Each Kill
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
+200 Defense vs. Missile
Sandstorm Trek: “They even fix themselves!”
Defense: 158 – 178
Kick Damage: 60 – 110
Minimum Strength: 91
Durability: 14
Level Requirement: 64
+140-170% Enhanced Defense (varies)
20% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Faster Run/Walk
+1-99 to Maximum Stamina (+1 per Character Level)
+10-15 To Strength (varies)
+10-15 To Vitality (varies)
50% Slower Stamina Drain
Poison Resist +40-70% (varies)
Repairs 1 Durability Every 20 Seconds
Gloves
The Hand of Broc: “Keep your hands off me Broc!!”
Defense: 14
Minimum Strength: –
Durability: 12
Level Requirement: 5
+10-20% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+10 Defense
3% Life Stolen per Hit
3% Mana Stolen per Hit
Poison Resist +10%
+20 to Mana
Magefist: “The fistiest”
Defense: 24 – 25
Minimum Strength: 45
Durability: 18
Level Requirement: 23
+20-30% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+10 Defense
+1 To Fire Skills
20% Faster Cast Rate
Regenerate Mana 25%
Adds 1-6 Fire Damage
Frostburn:
Defense: 47 – 49
Minimum Strength: 60
Durability: 24
Level Requirement: 29
+10-20% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+30 Defense
+5% Enhanced Damage
Increase Maximum Mana 40%
Adds 1-6 Cold Damage – 2 Second Duration
Soul Drainer:
Defense: 129 – 149
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 16
Level Requirement: 74
+90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
4-7% Mana Stolen Per Hit (varies)
4-7% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
-50 to Monster Defense per Hit
8% Chance to Cast Level 3 Weaken on Striking
Dracul’s Grasp: “Just Tap it in”
Defense: 125 – 145
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 14
Level Requirement: 76
+90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+10-15 To Strength (varies)
+5-10 Life After Each Kill (varies)
25% Chance of Open Wounds
7-10% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
5% Chance to Cast Level 10 Life Tap on Striking
Steelrend:
Defense: 232 – 281
Minimum Strength: 185
Durability: 24
Level Requirement: 70
+170-210 Defense (varies)
+30-60% Enhanced Damage (varies)
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+15-20 To Strength (varies)
Laying of Hands: “What’s with all the hands?”
Defense: 79 – 87
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 12
Level Requirement: 63
+25 Defense
20% Increased Attack Speed
+350% Damage to Demons
Fire Resist +50%
10% Chance to Cast Level 3 Holy Bolt on Striking
Tip: Gloves with Attack speed and +2 to Bow skills identifiers work great as well. Customize this build to your play style!
Amulets
The Cat’s Eye: “Meow”
Level Requirement: 50
30% Faster Run/Walk
20% Increased Attack Speed
+100 Defense vs. Missile
+100 Defense
+25 to Dexterity
Crescent Moon:
Level Requirement: 50
10% Damage Taken Goes to Mana
+45 to Mana
3-6% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
11-15% Mana Stolen per Hit (varies)
Magic Damage Reduced by 10
-2 to Light Radius
Atma’s Scarab:
Level Requirement: 60
5% Chance to Cast Level 2 Amplify Damage on Striking
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+40 Poison Damage Over 4 Seconds
Poison Resist +75%
Attacker Takes Damage of 5
+3 to Light Radius
Highlord’s Wrath:
Level Requirement: 65
+1 to All Skills
20% Increased Attack Speed
+0-37% Deadly Strike (+0.375 per Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Adds 1-30 Lightning Damage
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
Mara’s Kaleidoscope:
Level Requirement: 67
+2 to All Skills
All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
+5 to All Attributes
Tip: You can substitute Amulets with + Passive and Magic skills if you don’t like any of the options here!
Rings
Stone of Jordan: “Worth more than gold”
Level Requirement: 29
+1 to All Skills
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
Adds 1-12 Lightning Damage
+20 to Mana
Bul-Kathos’ Wedding Band: “BK’s in a lot of trouble for losing this…”
Level Requirement: 58
+1 to All Skills
+0-49 to Life (+0.5 per Character Level)
3-5% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
+50 to Maximum Stamina
Raven Frost: “The power of a Crow and a Bodyguard”
Level Requirement: 45
+150-250 to Attack Rating (varies)
Adds 15-45 Cold Damage – 4 Second Duration
Cannot be Frozen
+15-20 to Dexterity (varies)
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cathan’s Seal:
Level Requirement: 15
4-7% Mana Stolen per Hit (varies)
Replenish Life +5-8 (varies)
Regenerate Mana 20%
+20 to Life
Belt
String of Ears: “How pleasant”
Defense: 102 – 113
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 20
Durability: 22
Level Requirement: 29
+150-180% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+15 Defense
6-8% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
Damage Reduced by 10-15% (varies)
Magic Damage Reduced by 10-15 (varies)
Razortail:
Defense: 96 – 107
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 20
Durability: 14
Level Requirement: 32
+120-150% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+15 Defense
+10 to Maximum Damage
Piercing Attack (33%)
+15 to Dexterity
Attacker Takes Damage of 1-99 (+1 Per Character Level)
Gloom’s Trap:
Defense: 90 – 102
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 58
Durability: 16
Level Requirement: 36
+120-150% Enhanced Defense (varies)
5% Mana Stolen Per Hit
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
Regenerate Mana 15%
+15 To Vitality
-3 To Light Radius
Arachnid Mesh:
Defense: 119 – 138
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 12
Level Requirement: 80
+90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Slows Target By 10%
+1 To All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Increases Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (11 Charges)
Nosferatu’s Coil:
Defense: 56 – 63
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 14
Level Requirement: 51
Slows Target By 10%
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
5-7% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
+15 To Strength
10% Increased Attack Speed
-3 To Light Radius
Verdungo’s Hearty Cord:
Defense: 125 – 158
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 106
Durability: 16
Level Requirement: 63
+90-140% Enhanced Defense (varies)
10% Faster Hit Recovery
+30-40 to Vitality (varies)
Replenish Life +10-13 (varies)
+100-120 to Maximum Stamina (varies)
Damage Reduced by 10-15% (varies)