Hello guys, not so long time I go I was talking about the guide for new players and most importantly for Hardcore players. I am well aware that there is already probably a lot of guides on the internet but I wanted to create something myself, mostly to keep myself busy by doing something while I cant play but cant do other stuff because of damn Covid.
It is possible that we will have many new hardcore players in Diablo 2 ressurected as some who played Diablo 3 Hardcore never played Diablo 2. Also I guess we will have new players on consoles. So why not try to help to these players little bit and share some of my knowledge about the game 
I believe Diablo 2 on Hardcore is considerably more challenging than Diablo 3 Hardcore and many players can be suprised by it. People die a lot just by playing on normal Everything in Diablo 2 is there to kill you, including even other players. And daying suck so I would like to help a little bit with informations how to avoid dying.
So far I created only walkthrough for ACT I and I would like to hear your opinions what you think of it and if my guide can be helpfull. For now its only ACT I, but whole guide will consist of all acts and some addidtional information about Nightmare and Hell and what is different vs normal in certain locations. I would also include some kind of introduction explaining basic stuff, then guide how to play all classes to get to hell and where to farm items. And proably some kind of MF guide on top of it.
I am aware that a lot of content is usualy skipped on battle net and players kind of rush the game, but I wanted to implement all locations for players who like to take their time or who play on single player and want to enjoy the game without rushing.
But for now I would like to hear what you think of this for new hardcore players:
ACT I - Blood Moor + Den of Evil
Blood Moor + Den of Evil
There is nothing to be afraid of here, this is the first basic location where the chances of failing are absolutely minimal. The enemies do not crowd here much and move slowly. Blood Moor contains the first dungeon in the game called Dan of Evil, which is part of the task given to you by Akara. Your quest is elimination of all monsters in Den of Evil. It’s easy and at the end you will find a super unikátní monstrum Corpsefire(Zombie). Destroying his group of zombies one by one is very easy. Don’t forget to collect the reward for completing the quest from Akara after clearing the dungeon. Reward is +1 skill point and a very important reward “stat and skill reset”. Do not use this reward for now, it will come in handy in the later stages of the game. This reward is also usefull for rebuilding your character, statistics and skills, more about when it is appropriate to use this reward can be found in the character section.
ACT I - Cold Plains + Cave 1,2
Cold Plains + Cave 1,2
The first place where you can meet champions in addition to unique monsters with minions. These are strong versions of classic monsters, usually in a group of 2-4 and have several versions, by default they have a higher level, more HP and damage than classic versions of monsters. In addition to the normal champions, there are also Berserker, Fanatic and Posessed versions, which have other special bonuses and are more dangerous or resistant. In Cold Plains you can come across a super unique shaman Bishibosh who can revive other Fallen Shamans, so kill him first, then the other shamans and finally the rest of the camp in which he is located.
There is also the entrance to the dungeon The Cave 1 and 2. On the first floor you can come across a super uniqueColdcrow (Dark Archer), in front of which you should be careful, especially characters fighting at close range because she and her group is Cold enchanted. This ability causes cold attacks that slow down your movement and speed of attack and in the event of inattention it can mean quick death. I recommend getting some range weapon, like throwing javelins that you can buy from Charsi. Also, be careful not to be near Cold enchanted monsters when they die, because their death will release Frost nova. It is best to visit this underground dungeon after completing the task to kill the Blood Raven, because you will get Rogue Mercenary for completing the quest.
ACT I - Burial Ground + Mausoleum + Crypt
Burial Ground + Mausoleum + Crypt
In this location are 2 tombs: Crypt and Mausoleum which I recommend to visit before you start the fight with Blood Raven, who is located in the central area. The entrances to the crypts are on the sides. In tombs you can get some gear and in both there is a special sparkly chest, which usually contains a lot of things if you are a little lucky. Especially potions of better quality that you won’t buy in the town yet. In Crypt is a super unique Bonebreaker (Skeleton). Don’t expect strong resistance, but it’s good to know a little about its Fire enchanted ability. In addition to higher resistance to the fire element, it also do bonus fire damage to all attacks. If you kill monster with this ability, explosion follows which is causing Fire and Physical damage to anyone in close distance. At this stage of the game it’s a pretty harmless effect, but on higher difficulties, it’s sometimes quite deadly in combination with other abilities like Cursed, Cold Enchanted, or Conviction aura.
After clearing both tombs, you can start a fight with Blood Raven which you will be surely chasing around. She usualy have special ability like elemental arrow or knockback effect and also can summon zombies so try destroy hoard of zombies that roam around before fighting her. After the death of Blood Raven are all zombies are automatically killed. As a reward, Kashya will give you Rogue mercenary (I recommend buying here with ice arrows. You can buy new Mercenary any time you like and they do keep their level close to yours when you wnat to hire them. They also level up just like you. Faster if they kill the monsters instead of you. Don’t forget to equip your Rogue with bow. You can buy Long bow at Gheed or Charsi, try to pick one with sockets so you can place gems there. If they don’t have it, just visit any other map and go back to the town and the merchants’ offer will be renewed.
ACT I - Stony Field + The Underground Passage 1, 2
Stony Field + The Underground Passage 1, 2
In this location is the entrance to the Underground Passage, which connects Stony Field with next map Dark Wood. The dungeon also has a second floor, which you should not forget to visit. In the Stony field itself, don’t forget to activate Waypoint because you will be returning. In Stony Field you will come across new types of monsters and also an object made of stone blocks(Cairn Stones) between which is a super unique monster Rakanishu (Carver). Definitely don’t underestimate him as I’ve seen a lot of players die here mostly those with low HP who died because of others hiting the Rakanishu without thinking. His group is not only extra fast, but in addition he himself is Lightining enchanted which means that any hit to him will release several charged bolts to the area. I recommend killing his group one by one and Rakanishu as last.
ACT I - Dark Wood + Tristram
Dark Wood + Tristram
Your main Quest in Dark Wood is to find special scroll to activate Cairn Stones in Stony field. You can find the scroll from the big tree, which is guarded by the super unique monster Treehead Woodfist (Brute) and his two minions. It’s not that hard to kill him, but be carefull to not fight 3 of them at the same time, hit and run tactic do wonders. Try to find a waypoint in this location again because you will need to go here again later. Akara will translate a scroll in the town for you and then you can use it on Cairn Stones at Stony Field. This will open the portal to Tristram, where you must save Deckard Cain.
There is usually several champions or special monsters in Tristram. You will also come across here a super unique monster Griswold (Unique monster type just like Blood Raven). He’s very slow, so I strongly recommend maneuvering and eliminating all the other monsters before you go to kill him. He himself has a special Cursed ability that causes a curse that doubles any damage to your character, even elemental attacks so dont be confused that curse looks exactly like Amplify Damage from necromancer skill tree which does work only for physical damage. Be very careful around cursed monsters because if you face more enemies at once, it can quickly mean your death. The healer in the city can remove the curse, otherwise it will disappear after some time.
ACT I - Black Marsh
Black Marsh + The Forgotten Tower + The Hole
Black marsh is not a dangerous place and monsters are not hard to kill here. The location includes one underground dungeon The Hole and The Forgotten Tower, where at the end you can find The Countess. The tower itself consists of 5 floors and you will encounter new quite unpleasant enemies. You can find there Goatman, Corrupt Archers who can deal great amount of damage at range and Ghosts who steal mana and are resistant to physical damage. As you fight your way to the fifth floor, The Countess and her minions will be in the final room with chest in the middle. Countess is Fire enchanted but she is not a strong opponent, she also rarely leaves her room, so her minions can be killed without her interruption. It is quite likely that you will encounter runes here for the first time as Countess has special rune drop. Runes stones work similarly to gems, but they can also be combined into rune words. You can find more about rune words and combinations here: ht tp://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/runewords.shtml
ACT I - Tamoe Highland
Tamoe Highland + Outer Cloister + The Pit
I honestly don’t have much to tell about Tamoe Highland. Monsters there aren’t that dangerous really. This map has underground dungeon like other maps and it is called The Pit. The map continues through Monastery Gate to Outer Cloister. I recommend going here first to get a waypoint before going to The Pit, it will save you time and some jogging.
ACT I - Barracks + Jail
Barracks + Jail level 1-3
There is a task in the Barracks to bring Horadric Malus to Charsi. The hammer itself is guarded by the super unique monster The Smith. His blows hurt quite a bit, so you need a little caution, it’s good to choose a ranged attack or watch your HP and use potions when your HP drops at 50%. Bring the hammer to Charsi and I would personally recommend upgrading a white scepter or other weapon suitable for your character. Upgrade will creare Rare version of white item you will place there.
The road from Barracks leads further to the underground prison, which has 3 floors. You can come across skeleton mages and skeleton archers and ghosts here, so watch out for groups of specials with some unpleasant abilities as ranged attacks hit hard.
On the second floor of the prison is a super unique monster Pitspawn Fouldog (Tainted). A lot of caution is definitely needed here, and it’s best to maneuver a little and kill his group one at a time or from range. If you get into his pack, you can die pretty quickly because Pispawn Fouldog is cold enchanted which slows you down and also cursed so get ready for 2x damage received. Hit and run tactic + help from your mercenary is the best you can do. Watch out for the cold nova blast after killing him, it can deal a great deal of damage together with Curse.
ACT I - Inner Cloister + Cathedral+ Catacombs Level 1 - 4
Inner Cloister + Cathedral+ Catacombs Level 1 - 4
Inner Cloister is a waypoint location between Prison and Catacombs. It is a small outdoor area in front of the Cathedral. Inside the cathedral you will come across a super unique Bone Ash (Skeleton Mage), which has 3 abilities, Extra strong, Cold enchanted and magic resistant, which also gives him immunity against the cold. He is not a strong opponent and does not even have a party of minions. Just watch out for cold enchanted explosion.
From the cathedral you can get to the catacombs through the side entrance and at the end is act boss Andariel. On the way to her however, you have to fight your way through 4 floors. In addition to Dark ones and Shamans, you can also encounter new enemies. Fetish (Rat man), which is a small monster with a large knife in its hand, is usually dangerous only in larger groups. You can also come across giant spiders, which are quite harmless even though they have a lot of HP, but they are slow and usually attack one by one. When they are close to death, they can start running away and a cobweb will remain on the ground behind them, reducing the speed of your movement. As the last new monster, you will encounter Vampires, which are quite tough opponents. They are fast, have a life leech from attacks and are also resistant to physical and cold damage. However, their attacks are not as strong and they attack more chaotically or one by one like spiders.
ACT I - Andariel
ANDARIEL
Andariel is the final boss of the first act and without killing her you won’t get further in the game. Prepare for several types of poison attacks and severe damage at close range. Before the main fight, try to clean the 4th floor of the catacombs where there are zombies and dark ones, so that no one disturbs you in the fight. After opening the main door to the room with Andariel, try to kill the dark one shamans so they wont be ressurecting their falled brothers. If you can’t do this without Andariel engaging, try taking Andariel to the previous room.
Try to visit town before the main fight and equip yourself with healing+mana potions and antidotes from Akara which improve your resistance to poison and remove poison if you are infected. Andariel is not such a tough opponent so dont be afraid, try to keep your HP above 50% and you should kill her without any problems. Interestingly, Andariel has increased poison resistance to 80% on Normal but her fire resistance is reduced to -50%, so fire attacks against her will do more damage. After killing her, take the drop and go to the city through the portal. If you are still inspecting loot, watch out for flames on the ground. If you are still infected with poison, the fire may kill you when your HP drops low enough. Talk to NPCs in the town and let Warriv to transport you to ACT II. This must be done directly in the game where you killed Andariel, because if you quit the game before moving to ACT II, one of the bugs will not be activated. Andariel Quest drop bug, which is causing better loot from here in the future so you definitely want that. It is not so important on Normal difficulty(unless you want to farm normal andariel before starting ACT II), but it is definitely something you want on higher difficulties.
So what do you think? Sorry for butchering english, its not my main language.
Many could not even make it past act 3 normal 