I didn't find level to be a big factor in Normal mode. I usually end up finishing it in the low 30's.
In NM, I usually level myself to 39 in Crypt of the Ancients (mobs in Act 1, NM go up to L35) - not specially because it's needed but because it's an easy power leveling spot (another good spot is Leoric's Manor). In Act 3, I bring myself up to about 48 on the first 2 quests (Signal Fires and Catapults) and end up completing NM at 51.
In Hell mode, I try to finish Act 1 at 58 and get to 60 before fighting Kulle and Belial.
Buy a socketed Helm at L15 (with minimum 20 Vit) and use a Flawless Square Ruby in it for 19% exp gain
In NM, I repeatedly clear Crypt of the Ancients until I'm level 39 (just don't take the quest item and you'll restart at the entrance after remaking the game).
Repeat NM Act 2, Quest 2, Part 2 (The Road to Alcarnus - Lieutenant Vachem) until around 44, if I'm not already at that point.
Repeat NM Lighting the Signal Fires and Raising the Catapults until around 49.
Weapons that have "Reduced Level Requirement" can make leveling a lot faster and safer.
Start looking out for it at around level 45 (while L60 items with -15 are expensive, getting a level 50-something item with -7 or so can be very helpful as well and cost considerably less). Check again when you're in the early 50's for a L60 weapon with around -10.
At that pace, I complete NM at L51.
Repeat Hell "Rumford at the Gate" (killing the wretched mothers) until L54.
I don't have a set routine after this yet (I just have 1 L60 char and an bringing up a WD that is at L54 currently).
An area I've heard some people use (but haven't tested yet) is Leoric's Manor (can skip fighting the elite if one spawns)
I leveled my barb to 60 in Kulle's Archives - the Shadow Realm (I found the numerous squishy shadow creatures were great for racking up exp), but this might not be feasible for other classes, as it can be risky reaching this point. Staying in Act 1 until 60 is safest, but I got bored. The snake ambush at "Royal Audience" (where you rescue Leah after killing Maghda) can be deadly for ranged classes if unprepared, not to mention fast moving and annoying elite packs throughout the act.
I usually went with red gems in weapons, but I did switch to LoH weapons + purple gem for some bosses (Belial and Ghom).
Shot in the dark, but I had to change some settings for my shortcut for it to run properly:
After right-clicking your shortcut and going to properties, on the Compatibility tab, run it in XP SP3 compatibility mode.
Also checked "Disable desktop composition"
Another thing you can look into is installing a glide wrapper, though I don't remember if I did that on this install.
1
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AghlyWOq6kI0dDRYY0dpNUkzY0VDWWsteEE0Qm5LR3c#gid=0
I didn't find level to be a big factor in Normal mode. I usually end up finishing it in the low 30's.
In NM, I usually level myself to 39 in Crypt of the Ancients (mobs in Act 1, NM go up to L35) - not specially because it's needed but because it's an easy power leveling spot (another good spot is Leoric's Manor). In Act 3, I bring myself up to about 48 on the first 2 quests (Signal Fires and Catapults) and end up completing NM at 51.
In Hell mode, I try to finish Act 1 at 58 and get to 60 before fighting Kulle and Belial.
0
Buy a socketed Helm at L15 (with minimum 20 Vit) and use a Flawless Square Ruby in it for 19% exp gain
In NM, I repeatedly clear Crypt of the Ancients until I'm level 39 (just don't take the quest item and you'll restart at the entrance after remaking the game).
Repeat NM Act 2, Quest 2, Part 2 (The Road to Alcarnus - Lieutenant Vachem) until around 44, if I'm not already at that point.
Repeat NM Lighting the Signal Fires and Raising the Catapults until around 49.
Weapons that have "Reduced Level Requirement" can make leveling a lot faster and safer.
Start looking out for it at around level 45 (while L60 items with -15 are expensive, getting a level 50-something item with -7 or so can be very helpful as well and cost considerably less). Check again when you're in the early 50's for a L60 weapon with around -10.
At that pace, I complete NM at L51.
Repeat Hell "Rumford at the Gate" (killing the wretched mothers) until L54.
I don't have a set routine after this yet (I just have 1 L60 char and an bringing up a WD that is at L54 currently).
An area I've heard some people use (but haven't tested yet) is Leoric's Manor (can skip fighting the elite if one spawns)
I leveled my barb to 60 in Kulle's Archives - the Shadow Realm (I found the numerous squishy shadow creatures were great for racking up exp), but this might not be feasible for other classes, as it can be risky reaching this point. Staying in Act 1 until 60 is safest, but I got bored. The snake ambush at "Royal Audience" (where you rescue Leah after killing Maghda) can be deadly for ranged classes if unprepared, not to mention fast moving and annoying elite packs throughout the act.
I usually went with red gems in weapons, but I did switch to LoH weapons + purple gem for some bosses (Belial and Ghom).
0
Shot in the dark, but I had to change some settings for my shortcut for it to run properly:
After right-clicking your shortcut and going to properties, on the Compatibility tab, run it in XP SP3 compatibility mode.
Also checked "Disable desktop composition"
Another thing you can look into is installing a glide wrapper, though I don't remember if I did that on this install.
0