Beginners Tutorial Sorc Kill Baal

I put together this beginners tutorial guide for speedrunning as the sorceress. Combines a bunch of the resources that I found useful into one place for a surface level tutorial. Assumes some basic knowledge of the game, but I tried to put in information and tips for even brand new players.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4ThP-aRVNA

Did a general speedrunning video

Here's the link: https://youtu.be/M0KmbfElX_Q

Get Ancients stuck using town portals

Making a portal while Korlic is in the air from Leap Attack creates an invisible wall. It's possible to get all of the Ancients stuck using this method as discovered by Bender:

https://www.twitch.tv/bender_meats_fry/clip/SneakyStrongButterCorgiDerp-0ksdD85a4NBbE7Zg

NG+ Category guide

As I just acheived my goal of a sub 30 minute Normal Baal kill it is about time I provide a guide for how we run NG+, I would like to see more competition in this category and it is a really fun category.

NG+ or twinked is a really cool category that Ryuquezacotl came up with back in LoD. Our NG+ runs look a little different to how they were when Ryu was running them.

You can create your own gear at https://tools.harrogath.com/affixcalc.html#
After creating the item you wish to use click "Save D2I" in the bottom left corner then use hero editor to put it onto a LoD character then copy the character into D2R save directory to put the item into the shared stash from in-game.
Another hero editor you could use is: https://d2s.dschu012.dev/
I recommend using https://d2.maxroll.gg/d2planner/ to help plan your gear.

You can download the characters that I have run so far from https://github.com/SliveniusD2/NG-Files

If you are running this category, please check back regularly as these stashes are being maintained and updated relatively frequently.

We have access to the 3 shared stash tabs and can put any item into them that could legitimately occur in the game.  This means that we can wear BIS gear on just about every slot at any stage during a run. This is however not always the best play.

For Normal runs we can rock BIS gear the entire run, when we do Hell runs stash space becomes limited. Careful consideration needs to be given to what gear you will use, is +1 skills worth 6 slots in the stash?

From level 24 we have access to a teleport staff, this signals that we will not walk another step this game. As such on all of my hell runs I have about 1 stash tab entirely filled with Ort runes and chipped gems to recharge the teleport staff without having to return to town. Since we are teleporting the entire game the best way to be fast is to stack FCR up to the highest breakpoint it is reasonable to hit. This means Caster belts, 20% FCR amulets and Circlets are almost mandatory to hit the fastest breakpoints.

We have to get to level 24 first however and there are some cool things to consider for getting there and a lot of your gear should be dedicated to getting you to 24 as fast as possible (most of the run is slowed down getting to 24, everything second not teleporting is wasted time). Things to consider: automods on items like paladin shields, Sorceress Orbs have no level requirements on normal and socketed items - meaning you can use an orb with +60 mana from level 1, or a targe with 65% ED and 121 AR from level 3. When these items are magical or rare they get item level requirements so you need to keep an eye on that and weigh up the value of the automod vs magical or rare mods.

Rare & magic jewels can be amazing and if you limit their level can give insane damage from level 3/6/9. Mechanics is a mod that should be on most of your gear - 2 slots for rare jewels is an extra 8 mods for the price of one mod. Sometimes on magic gear you should instead use "Larzuk socketed" gear for 2 sockets and 2 good mods (like +3 to a skill tree).

Notable mods required Character level:

Of the Magus (20FCR) - 21

Of the Apprentice (10FCR) - 3

Of Speed (30 FRW) - 29

Mechanics (2 sockets) - 7

+1 to a skill tree - 15

+1 to class skill levels - 22

+2 to a skill tree - 30

+3 to a skill tree (Magical items only) - 45

+2 to class skill levels - 67 (unlikely you will hit this, but paladin and zon might like this)

Please feel free to get in touch with me on discord or on my stream to bounce ideas around.

Nihlathak map variations

There are only 3 map variations in Halls of Pain. Based on the waypoint position you can tell which way to go.

In Halls of Vaught you can find Nihlathak by looking at the blue & red markings on the wall in specific places as shown on the images.

https://imgur.com/a/540Oxu3

Players setting guide

#**What is Players X, 1 and 8?**
You can adjust the players setting by typing **/players1-8** in game. It can be anywhere from 1 to 8. To adjust it fast it's good to have it copied so you can just paste it in game. Only works on PC.

**Players X (PX)**  
Use of the players setting is unlimited. You can set players from 1 to 8 at any time.

**Players 1 (P1)**  
Players 1 may not use the players setting and must stay at /players 1 throughout the entire run.

**Players 8 (P8)**  
Players 8 runs must keep the players setting at 8 throughout the run.

#**Target line -players**
D2R has a new **-players** setting for your target line. For example setting **-players 8** always starts games with players 8.

#**Gameplay settings**
It's also possible now to set players through gameplay settings with a slider. Useful for console players, but too deep in the settings for PC to make it better than just typing /players.

#**What does the players setting do?**
**Increases enemies health** 
Hit Points = Base life * (Players + 1) / 2
* 100% - Players 1
* 150% - Players 2
* 200% - Players 3
* 250% - Players 4
* 300% - Players 5
* 350% - Players 6
* 400% - Players 7
* 450% - Players 8

**Enemy damage and attack rating bonus**  
* Players 1 - 0%
* Players 2 - 6.25%
* Players 3 - 12.5%
* Players 4 - 18.75%
* Players 5 - 25%
* Players 6 - 31.25%
* Players 7 - 37.5%
* Players 8 - 43.75%

**Experience rates**  
Experience formula follows life math: Experience = Base * (Players + 1) / 2
* 100% - Players 1
* 150% - Players 2
* 200% - Players 3
* 250% - Players 4
* 300% - Players 5
* 350% - Players 6
* 400% - Players 7
* 450% - Players 8

**Loot**  
Higher players setting values decrease the change for "nodrop" to happen. You get a lot more quantity in players 8 compared to 1.

Countess converts "nodrop" to a rune drop which means it's better to kill her on Players 1 if you're looking for runes. It's possible to spawn her on P8 and change it to P1. This way you get P8 experience, but P1 rune chances. This trick only applies to Countess and doesn't work with other bosses.

Chests only check players count when you click on them. You can go from Players 1 to 8 right before clicking the chest and it will apply P8 drop chances on it.

Rogue Encampment, Jungle and River of Flame map reading

## Rogue Encampment

### Top right

https://i.imgur.com/eWCBFZF.jpg

Top right map can be spotted when you leave the top gate and road takes a sharp right turn. From here you want Cold Plains to Stony Field road to be on the right side as well. From there on here's what you can be certain on:

- Passage always spawns as a hole in the middle. This setup is faster compared to a wall hole spawn.
- Dark wood has a fast exit to Black Marsh.
- Black Marsh never has a bridge in the middle. Exit spawns bottom right.
- Outer Cloister waypoint is a nice short walk away from Black Marsh.
- Outer Cloister waypoint always in the same position.
- Kurast Bazaar entrance is always in the left corner. *(Spotted by BloodRaven)*
- Quick right corner Plains of Despair entrance seems very common, but just keep going straight if it didn't spawn there, because left side is impossible).
- Quick right exit to Outer Steppes in Plains of Despair always gives top right oriented Arreat Plateau
- Straight exit to Outer Steppes always gives top left oriented Arreat Plateau *(Thanks, BokserKabaty!)*

## Jungle

[Helpful image](https://i.imgur.com/ZHLrBmQ.png) by tpscrollbot to get a sense of the size of the Jungle. It's made for original D2, but D2R tiles are all the same and Jungle functions the same way.

- Each Jungle area is 2 tiles wide and 6 tiles long.
- Jungle areas can only have connections on tile 3, 5 or 6.
• If Spider Forest and Great Marsh is connected on tile 6 then Great Marsh skip is impossible.
• Each Jungle area has 3 camps.
• Camps of the same area are never connected.
• Tile 6 camps are much more likely to be connected to a new area.

## River of Flame

I learned this from [BokserKabaty](https://youtu.be/B-yJgAlL91o). This method is superior to the "H" shape method, because you can tell much earlier which way you need to go.

When going towards Chaos Sanctuary from River of Flame waypoint then often you have tiles where one side is a dead end. Luckily these tiles always look the same and you can memorize which way to go. On most of them you want to take the left side.

### **Turn left**

Turn left when you have a fire coming out into the side of the platform from the lava.

https://i.imgur.com/4UAs3da.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/TQWbaHd.jpg

### Turn right

Where used to be fire is just a bit of smoke. Difficult to see from the image, but the smoke is on the top left where there is fire on others. Turn right when you see the tile with just smoke.

https://i.imgur.com/n9VmEba.jpg

### Tip

Personally I just look out for the tile with smoke on it since it's the only one where you have to turn right. Other maps go left or through the middle. Maps that go through the middle are easy to spot because they don't really give you an option to go anywhere else.

Use Diablo.run to track time and show gear

https://youtu.be/XZ7tNM02E0o
Guide by [Slivenius](https://www.speedrun.com/user/Slivenius)

#**Download LiveSplit and Server Component**
* [Download LiveSplit](http://livesplit.org/) 
* [Download Server Component](https://github.com/LiveSplit/LiveSplit.Server/releases/download/1.8.19/LiveSplit.Server.zip)
* Copy LiveSplit.Server.dll and Noesis.Javascript.dll to your LiveSplit/Components folder

#**Setup LiveSplit** 
* Open LiveSplit and enter edit layout window
* Add > Control > LiveSplit Server
* Double click on LiveSplit server and make note of the IP and port
* Save layout and make sure you have a timer that tracks "game time"
* Right click LiveSplit window and click Control > Start server
* Note that you need to Start server every time you open LiveSplit

#**Download the diablo.run client**  
This tool communicates with LiveSplit server component and tracks load states.

* [Download latest release](https://github.com/DiabloRun/diablorun-d2r-client/releases)
* Run diablo.run.Setup.exe
* Diablo.run should open after installation is complete
* Check "Enable LiveSplit client"
* Paste your LiveSplit server IP and Port (For example 192.168.0.181:16834)
* Connection with LiveSplit was successful if you see "connected"
* Open D2R and test if it's working
* If everything worked correctly then you should see the Diablo.run client swap between "playing" and "loading"

#**Twitch extension to display character gear**
* [Install Diablo.run Armory for D2R](https://dashboard.twitch.tv/extensions/n1xuo058lazw6dskgsp37y6zw4xuus-0.0.7) Twitch extension
* Set the extension as an overlay
* Get your API key from [diablo.run/setup](https://diablo.run/setup)
* Add your API key to the Diablo.run client
* Browse for your saved games directory for D2R saves folder. Usually in C:\Users\Saved Games\Diablo II Resurrected
* Diablo.run client reads the save files to send character data to the extension
* Your gear will be visible to viewers through the extension, but also with the diablo.run link. For example: [diablo.run/Indrek/@](https://diablo.run/Indrek/@)

Slivenius

Jymnasium

Indrek

Halt_

Diablo II: Resurrected

Act 1

taiwan_poli

Mayroes

goatunnheim

fifus92

Amazon

Assassin

Necromancer

Barbarian

Paladin

Sorceress

Druid

Normal

Hell

8 Man

Trio

5 Man

2.4+

1.0+

Torch

Quad

Class

Core

Players

Patch

Difficulty

Party

Tool is used to track Diblo II: Resurrected loading states with LiveSplit and LiveSplit Server Component. It captures D2R client and tracks loading screens.

Diablo.run client also gives the ability to share your character data after setting up the API key. If you have [Diablo.run armory](https://

Namn	Författare
Beginners Tutorial Sorc Kill Baal	Halt_ 2 years ago
Did a general speedrunning video	Jymnasium 2 years ago
Get Ancients stuck using town portals	Indrek 1 year ago
NG+ Category guide	Slivenius 1 year ago
Nihlathak map variations	Indrek 2 years ago
Players setting guide	Indrek 2 years ago
Rogue Encampment, Jungle and River of Flame map reading	Indrek 1 year ago
Use Diablo.run to track time and show gear	Indrek 1 year ago