Guide [Advanced] Item Hunting

-=This will be a guide explaining how the drop system for Diablo 2 works, and how you can use that knowledge to effectively go after specific items=-
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Disclaimer: Remember, that item quality has been modified on this server, as well as the overall drop odds of things like runes and items in general. However, the core treasure class system outlined in this guide is unaltered and accurate for your uses. The below information will hold accurate for the item types that can drop, not their quality or probability.

These values were taken directly from the original unmodified TreasureClassEx and MonStats Tables for Diablo 2 v1.13c therefore they may not all apply for this server but it's enough to give you an idea about how they work. If you would like to verify the source for all this information you can check the source files or use a 3rd-party site such as diablowiki.

Much time went into compiling all the numbers and formatting it all, so it could be more easily digestable for use in this guide. Do not expect to find a webpage on google with all the same info broken down as such.

The Basics:
Normal monsters can drop 1 of 4 Chests, depending on the type of monster
Champion or Unique Monsters all share the same respective Chests
There are 3 Classes of Chests: A, B or C (A being lowest value, C being highest value)
Act 5 (H) Equip B/C are the only 2 chests that can drop TC87 Equipment. They will be referred to as Equip B or C for this guide.
All probabilities listed are assuming a 1-player game, they are all higher in this server though
We will be assuming an item hunting goal of TC87 Weapons and Armor only for this guide
Edits will be made frequently to consolidate/improve guide.

I will be referencing this legend for much of the guide to help rank the importance of certain chests, monsters, areas, etc
Legend: Undesirable Outcome, Maybe desirable Outcome, Frequently desirable Outcome, Important desirable Outcome

Let's get started by explaining what a Chest is: A chest is a list of possible drop results from a given mob.
A monster being TC87 determines what items are allowed to drop, the Chest determines the specific items that will drop.

Base Chest Types:
These are the chest names decided by the game, not myself.
Junk Chest - Contains Scrolls, Pots, Keys, Etc
Ammo Chest - Contains Arrows and Bolts Only
Magic Chest - Contains Pots and Scrolls Only
Cpot or Upot Chest - Contains Pots only
Bow Chest - Contains Only Bows
Jewelry Chest - Contains Jewels, Charms, Rings and Amulets
Good Chest - Contains Jewelry Chest, Gems and Runes
Equip Chest - Contains Armor and Weapons
Citem or Uitem Chest - Contains Equip and Good Chests

Equip Chest is the most important chest for this guide! It is the base chest that most other chests filter down to. This is the chest that determines what weapons or armor we will actually receive; Also of importance is our Good Chest; which contains all of our charms, jewels, runes, etc.

Here are the results broken down for the 3 chests we care about in this guide:
For Good Chest: 6 Total Outcomes
Jewelry C Chest - 46.2% <----- Ring, Amulet, Jewel, Charms
Chipped Gem - 3.1%
Flawed Gem - 7.7%
Normal Gem - 10.8%
Flawless Gem - 21.5%
Runes 17 Chest - 10.8% <---- 0.019% Chance of Zod Rune

For Equip B Chest: 9 Total Outcomes
Weapon and Armor 78 - 0.12% and 0.06%
Weapon and Armor 81 - 0.38% and 0.19%
Weapon and Armor 84 - 0.89% and 0.45%
Weapon and Armor 87 - 0.12% and 0.06%
Equip A Chest - 97.8% <---Equip A chest contains no Weapon/Armor 87 items; Contains 75-84

For Equip C Chest: 7 Total Outcomes
Weapon and Armor 81 - 0.12% and 0.06%
Weapon and Armor 84 - 0.38% and 0.19%
Weapon and Armor 87 - 0.96% and 0.51%
Equip B Chest - 97.8%

So now we've learned:
Weapons are always twice as likely to drop as Armors.
C Class Equip Chests are roughly 8x more likely to drop TC87 Weapon or Armors than B Class.
A Class Equip Chests are unable to drop TC87 Armor or Weapons at all.
You have an extremely large chance (97.8%) to have your C Class Chest downgraded to a B Class Chest; This process is infinitely repeatable, and is how things like Studded Leathers are dropped from Baal.


Let's look at how we will be receiving some of these chests
Possible Chests from Normal Monsters:
Wraith or Quill Chest
72.1% - Nothing
3.8% - Good Chest
24.0% - Magic Chest

Missiles Chest
62.5% - Nothing
11.3% - Gold
8.1% - Equip Chest
11.3% - Junk Chest
1.3% - Good Chest
3.8% - Bow Chest
1.9% - Ammo Chest

Cast Chest
62.5% - Nothing
11.3% - Gold
9.4% - Equip Chest
11.3% - Junk Chest
1.3% - Good Chest
4.4% - Magic Chest

H2H Chest
62.5% - Nothing
13.1% - Gold
10.0% - Equip Chest
13.1% - Junk Chest
1.3% - Good Chest

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Champion, Unique, and Super Unique Monsters:
These monsters have extremely simplified droptables, and are easily bunched into similar chests.
These monsters will always drop something; and it will always be an Equip, Good or Pot Chest. They cannot drop junk like scrolls, keys, etc.

The drop rates are as follows:
Champion = Drops 2 Items / 25% Citem Chest / 75% Pots Chest
Unique = Drops 3 Items / 33.3% Uitem Chest / 66.7% Pots Chest x2
Super Unique = Drops 4 Items / 50% Uitem Chest x2 / 50% Pots Chest x2

Citem Chests have the following outcomes:
60% - Gold
37% - Equip Chest
3% - Good Chest

Uitem Chests have the following outcomes:
93.5% - Equip Chest
6.5% - Good Chest


Here are some quick Monster Examples:
Succubus(Blood Witch) - Drops from Cast C, Champ C, Unique C <---Both B and C Class Chests can drop TC87 Items, C Class offering the highest probability
Succubus(Vile Witch) - Drops from Cast A, Champ A, Unique A <----Contains A Class Chests which cannot drop TC87 items
Overseer(Hell Whip) - Drops from H2H C, Champ C, Unique C
Overseer(Lasher) - Drops from H2H A, Champ A, Unique A
You get the idea hopefully; Even monsters of the same type can have varying chest rewards due to the specific variant of that monster.

-=To explain everything that has been shown until now, please read the following=-
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Normal Monsters:
With the 4 Chests possible from Normal Monsters we can safely assume now that if you're hunting for TC87 items, the H2H Chest has the highest overall odds of dropping the Equip Chest we are looking for. Conversely, we would be foolish to fight Wraith or Quill type monsters as they cant drop Equip Chests at all. They're almost 3x as likely to generate a Good Chest than a normal monster however.

Unique Monsters:
Without the ability to drop gold, and with over a 90% probability of dropping equipment; it's easy to see why if you only care about TC87 items, killing Unique+ Monsters can be an amazing target source, especially C Class Monsters. Also note that Champ+ Wraith Monsters now drop from the same Champ+ Chest as any other monster, so they are able to drop equipment unlike their normal counterparts.

-=A quick comparison between some common bosses using this info=-​

Here are his compiled drop chances for a 1 player game:
Keep in mind that most areas are set to have higher drop chances like the ones you would get in a 8 players game in this server so all probabilities are higher!
Baal: Equip B Chest, 7 Item Rolls
18.5% - Nothing
6.1% - Gold
64.1% - Equip B Chest
6.1% - Junk Chest
3.7% - Good Chest
1.2% - Essence

Using another Boss for Comparison......
Nihlathak: Equip B Chest, 5 Item Rolls
31.1% - Nothing
22.9% - Gold
31.1% - Equip B Chest
8.1% - Junk Chest
4.9% - Good Chest
1.6% - Key

Onto another popular boss....
Diablo: Equip A chest , 7 Item Rolls
Although all the randomly generated Champion+ monsters are in the TC87 class; Diablo and the 3 Seal Protectors are not. This may factor in to your MF choices later.


Why does any of this matter?
Nihla's Equip B Chest drop rate is roughly 1/2 that of Baal's Equip B drop rate
Nihla's Clear Speed is roughly 1/10 that of Baal's Clear Speed
No Boss can drop a C Class Chest
Therefore we can surmise that you will receive roughly 5x more Equip B Chests from Nihla than Baal in the same given time period.

However, since we know the following chest ratios:
Any "A Class" Chest: CANNOT drop TC87 items, ever.
Any "B Class" Chest: Can drop TC87 items at a 0.19% ratio
Any "C Class" Chest: Can drop TC87 items at a 1.47% ratio

Dependent on your MF%; it might be best to fight Normal/Unique monsters for your farming instead. You can target C Class Chests for the greater TC87 ratio, as well as benefit from the additional Good Chests from the many Normal Monsters.

With low or no MF, bosses are the best option for TC87 items
Due to the edited item quality ratio on this custom server - Yes, your chances at a TC87 item(0.19%) are much lower than from some mobs(1.47%), but the item quality is almost guaranteed to be unique from a boss. Also, if you're doing just boss runs, than Nihla is more profitable than Baal.

With moderate to high MF, Normal/Unique mobs are the best option for TC87 items
Due to the availability of the C Class Chests which have a much higher probability of generating a TC87 item. However, since normal mobs item quality ratio has not been heavily edited like the bosses has; more MF is needed to assist the chance of that TC87 item being unique.



If you're choosing to farm an area for TC87 items; it might be wise to choose areas that also spawn the monsters as C Class, to greatly improve your odds (Roughly 8x)
Remember, just because a monster isn't C Class, doesn't mean it can't drop a TC87 item; only that it's more likely than with B Class Monsters.
Let's take a look at where these C Class monsters can be found....

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FINAL NOTE: Remember that overall drop odds are increased here and these are all probabilities and also subject to change with admin discretion.
Just because statistically you should have received that Griffon's Eye by now, doesn't mean it will happen. You could get it your 1st or your 5000th run.

-=This Guide Has Ended - Cheat Sheet on Next Post=-​

More Edits will come as my time allows.​

 

-=I Strongly Recommend Reading The Guide Above First=-
-=Cheat Sheet=-
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Legend: Monster Type (Specific Name) - Chest Reward - Monster Locations

C Class Monsters (Alphabetical):​

Baal's Minions (Greater Hellspawn, Ice Spawn, Slayer) - H2H C - Abaddon, Frozen Tundra, Halls of Vaught, Worldstone Keep L2
Blood Lord (Hell, Death, Moon) - H2H C - Ancients Way, Drifter Cavern, Glacial Trail, Icy Cellar, Throne, Worldstone Keep L1-L3
Catapult (Any) - H2H C - Arreat Plateau, Bloody Foothills, Frigid Highlands, Frozen Tundra
Claw Viper (Serpent Magus) - H2H C - Disused Fane, Forgotten Temple, Ruined Fane, Throne, Worldstone Keep L2
Death Mauler (Death Brigadier) - H2H C - Halls of Anguish, Icy Cellar
Demon Imp (Demon Imp, Demon Sprite, Demon Trickster) - Cast C - Abaddon, Infernal Pit, Pit of Acheron, Worldstone Keep L3
Fallen or Fallen Shaman (Warped) - H2H or Cast C - Throne
Goatman (Death Clan) - H2H C - Frozen Tundra
Overseer (Hell Whip) - H2H C - Arreat Plateau, Furnace of Pain
Pit Lord (Venom Lord) - H2H C - Chaos Sanctuary, River of Flame, Throne
Reanimated Dead (Unholy Corpse) - H2H C - Infernal Pit, Worldstone Keep L1
Sand Raider (Assailant) - H2H C - Throne
Siege Beast (Blood Bringer) - H2H C - Arreat Plateau
Skeleton Archer (Horror Archer) - H2H C - Abaddon
Skeleton Mage (Horror Mage) - Cast C - Halls of Anguish, Worldstone Keep L2-L3
Succubus (Blood Temptress, Hell Temptress) - H2H C - Abaddon, Frozen Tundra, Icy Cellar, Pit of Acheron


Legend: Not Recommended, Possibly Recommended, Recommended, Highly Recommended

C Class Areas (Alphabetical):
Abaddon - 54% of Monsters
Ancients Way - 20% of Monsters
Arreat Plateau - 15% of Monsters
Bloody Foothills - 9% of Monsters
Chaos Sanctuary - 25% of Monsters
City of the Damned - 13% of Monsters
Drifter Cavern - 10% of Monsters
Forgotten Temple - 25% of Monsters
Frigid Highlands - 9% of Monsters
Frozen Tundra - 22% of Monsters
Furnace of Pain - 60% of Monsters
Glacial Trail - 10% of Monsters
Halls of Anguish - 18% of Monsters
Halls of Vaught - 20% of Monsters
Icy Cellar - 18% of Monsters
Infernal Pit - 31% of Monsters
Pit of Acheron - 40% of Monsters
River of Flame - 10% of Monsters
Ruined Fane - 25% of Monsters
Throne of Destruction - 18% of Base Monsters / 60% of Throne Monsters
Worldstone Keep L1 - 20% of Monsters
Worldstone Keep L2- 30% of Monsters
Worldstone Keep L3- 43% of Monsters


Special Monsters Drop Breakdown (Alphabetical):
Baal(Boss): Equip B Chest, 7 Item Rolls - Best Boss for Exp or simply to finish Full Clear WSK Run
18.5% - Nothing
6.1% - Gold
64.1% - Equip B Chest
6.1% - Junk Chest
3.7% - Good Chest
1.2% - Essence

Council Members (Special): Act 4 (H) Equip A Chest, 3 Item Rolls - Best Starting Farm Area
34.5% - Nothing
16.4% - Gold
27.3% - Act 4 (H) Equip A <-------- TC69-78
9.1% - Junk Chest
5.5% - Act 4 (H) Good <-----Runes 16 Chest (Jah/Cham)
7.3% - Magic Chest

Cows (Special): Equip B Chest, 1 Item Roll - Best Monster to farm overall if not farming TC87 equipment
62.5% - Nothing
11.9% - Gold
11.9% - Equip B Chest <-----Equivalent to Equip A Chest due to Cows Mlvl
11.9% - Junk Chest
1.9% - Good Chest

Nihlathak (Boss): Equip B Chest, 5 Item Rolls - Best Pure Boss TC87 Hunt
31.1% - Nothing
22.9% - Gold
31.1% - Equip B Chest
8.1% - Junk Chest
4.9% - Good Chest
1.6% - Key

Pindleskin and Thresh Socket (Super Unique): The Only C Class SuperUniques capable of dropping TC87 Equipment
100% - Uitem C Chest x2
100% - Pot Chest x2



As you can tell - Many of the places regarded as good MF sources, such as: Pits, Ancient Tunnels, Trav, etc are not good places for C Class Chests/Monsters. Instead, they hold many B Class Chests/Monsters.
To reiterate, this does not mean they are a bad place for MF'ing, or that they can't drop TC87 Equipment. Only that it is less likely than from a C Class Monster.

More Edits will come as my time allows.​

 

Great work man, I am sure you will help a lot of people understand how the drops in this game work (also I have learned something new) and what to aim for in their mfinding, even when it's still mainly about that damned rng Keep it up!

 

Thanks for the guide, Rand! If inspiration strikes you, might I request that you create a guide on how you use the above info? I think many players will like to see an example of ~300 mf character with mid level gear suited for running pits.
I've fallen in love with CE necro, however he makes mf too easy and boring after 500 runs. Hammer pally has a long wind up, and by now everyone's had a few seasons worth of hammerdins. I am looking for a fresh take on a MF build that is suited for europebattle. Think you can help me out?

 

the best example is to create your own character with the builds that are already available on this forum or internet or try a new build on your own and there are many mf discussion threads you can read too because there isn't only one best build in the entire game for mf, there are many alternatives and ways to gear your characters and hunt for items
summon necro i think is the best and cheapest for mf so you can try a sorc maybe for a change but doing hundreds of runs can be both fun and boring at the same time that's how diablo is and you can take a break from time to time

 

Fair enough, @Kefflar32 . I'm just bored of the sorceress/hammerdin thing. I'm fairly well geared, too - I've got Hoto, 6/6/2 CTA, Enigma and Eth Giant Thresher Infinity, to name a few. I think I will try to make an assassin of some sort which will hopefully diversify my gameplay. It's just that finding the balance of firepower, resists and 300+mf is difficult.

 

You're welcome There really isn't much for me to suggest regarding character builds - Kefflar nailed it right on the head, the best build is up to you:

The guide was laid out this way so you could apply the info given to any build/style you enjoy. If you're asking for my personal thoughts, then here is what I think:
- Any build can reach ~300 MF with the increased inventory size without too much sacrifice
- Builds like Ele-Zealer and Proc-Sin are much more viable as well, with the ease of getting items and the increased inventory size
- Builds like Javazon and FrenzyBarb are extremely fun, albeit not as efficient as sorc/necro
- There are many guides available in places like d2jsp, youtube, even here on the forums. Many of them are well-made and include alternate gear configs as well
- At the end of the day, they are all just numbers representing pixels on a screen - DO WHAT YOU ENJOY

If you feel you need a break from necro/sorc/pally...roll a javazon. Can't think of a better character to bring back some "excitement" when running around farming; LF is a pleasure to use.


EDIT: To use the guide above, you just have to work out what you are looking for, and then find it in the list more-or-less. Here is another guide detailing good MF spots and their perks/drawbacks: http://forum.europebattle.net/threads/magic-find-tips-tricks-info.542775/

Example: You like a javazon, so you want to find a place that doesn't need too much teleport. You also want to find dense packs for LF. You also are looking for areas that will drop TC87 items or runes at a higher rate. All of this while preferably doing it on non-random and easily repeatable maps, while being relatively safe.

After looking through the list, a few of the options will stand out for exactly those reasons...
Places like Cows and Chaos Sanctuary are excellent choices. Throne Room and A3 special areas are also good alternatives. Places like A1+A2, Worldstone Keep, etc are not as favored due to random/larger maps, favored light res areas, etc.

 

Thanks, Rand! I can't believe I missed that other guide you posted. It has a breakdown of what the classes are suitable for, a great place to find new ideas!

 

awesome guide m8! i learned a lot that i would have to read pages and pages to learn...
from what i read i kinda accept that pits isnt so good place, why is it so famous then? cause of monster lvl85?
and why noone speaks about abadon?

 

I wonder about a few things here...
You are right that many mobs in TC84 areas can actually drop TC87 items. This holds also true for the "real chests" (weapon stands, armor stands, tombs and so on - if they are in act5 hell). I didnt check the definition and combining of Chests for any monsters in the areas but I assume your info is right.
And still I dont see how it can be useful?
The only thing you can get of monsters in TC84 or lower areas are white/superior/cracked/socketed items at a relatively higher chance than those mobs in TC87. They are still unable to drop any of those "highclass uniques" (griffon, templar's, tyrael's, GF, etc...), since they are not matching the uniqueItemLevel (which only bosses/champs in TC87 + baal + nihl + pindleskin match - the later one with a few exceptions since he cant generate all uniques).
So you can use the information to make runs on runeword's bases as it seems to me.

Well, good work anyways...

 

Just read this guide yesterday and it’s pretty spectacular guide thumbs up for it!