User blog:Brainwasher5/Creating the perfect D2 team?

Writing down thoughts for a team I'm putting together.

Classes:


 * Amazon: Amazons are one of the classes who don't really offer much to directly benefit other party members. They have inner sight and slow missile, both of which aren't really relevant for most situations. Their Valkyrie is not valuable in large team-based games. That being said, javazons are probably some of the most powerful builds in the game, so having at least one is a good idea.


 * Assassin: None of her skills benefit the team as a whole directly. One of the more involved classes to play, though.


 * Barbarian: Battle Orders and Battle Command are tremendously powerful. Shout's good too. The Barb's high damage as well as his item find are great for teamplay. Having at least 1 will be important.


 * Druid: Druids bring Heart of the Oak and Wolverine to the table. Both are solid options.


 * Necro: Curses such as Amp damage, Decrepify, and Lower Resist are superb teamplay options. Poisonmancers can use lower resist and poison nova and their lower resist will also benefit other players.


 * Paladin: Quintessential teamplay class. Depending on what rune words we're using, Auras including Fanaticism, Concentration, Salvation, Vigor, Conviction, and Meditation are all useful. They are formidable tanks as Zealers and superb AoE damage as Hammerdins.


 * Sorc: Massive AoE cold is the Sorc's main contribution to the table, as well as (if she's an Enchantress) a high level enchant for the physical fighters of the team.

Armors that give auras:


 * Bramble Rune Word (Thorns)
 * Dragon Rune Word (Holy Fire)

Helms that give auras:


 * Dream Rune Word (Holy Shock]]

Shields that give auras:


 * Dragon
 * Dream
 * Exile Rune Word (Defiance)
 * Phoenix Rune Word (Redemption)

Weapons that give auras:


 * Beast (Axe/Hammer/Scepter) (Fanaticism)
 * Doom Rune Word (Axe/Hammer/Polearm) (Holy Freeze)
 * Edge Rune Word (Bow) (Thorns)
 * Faith Rune Word (Bow) {Fanaticism)
 * Hand of Justice Rune Word (Holy Freeze)
 * Harmony Rune Word (Bow) (Vigor)
 * Ice Rune Word (Bow) (Holy Freeze)
 * Infinity (Polearm) (Conviction)
 * Insight (Polearm) (Meditation)
 * Last Wish (Axe/Hammer/Sword) (Might)
 * Lawbringer Rune Word (Hammer/Scepter/Sword) (Sanctuary)
 * Pheonix
 * Pride Rune Word (Polearm) (Concentration)

Best merc setups
Act II merc gets priority, with the Might and Holy Freeze auras standing out. Blessed Aim would probably be the best third choice. These three mercs will get Infinity, Insight, and Pride for their weapons. Standard merc equipment for their helms and armors, since Thorns and Holy Fire are more or less useless.

Past that, 2 Act 1 mercs for Faith and Harmony would be nice. Neither will deal much damage but their auras are helpful.

Final Lineup

 * Tesladin: Very strong build by itself, able to solo Hell comfortably. What it brings to the table here mainly is the level 25 Conviction Aura for the casters. Merc will be a Faith Rogue.
 * Hammerdin: Another absurdly strong build, the maxed Concentration aura is what is wanted here. Merc will be a Defensive Act II merc and Reaper's Toll.
 * Javazon: Can solo P8 Act V, but now will also have insane auras behind her. Merc will be an Offensive Act II merc with Insight.
 * Blizzard Sorceress: Easily the best dealer of cold damage in the game. Merc will have a Defensive Act II merc with ???
 * Summonmancer: A strong build by himself, now with minions that are being buffed by every good aura.