So here’s some thoughts while trying to be as kind as possible.
I am fully aware from your post, that you aren’t good at D2 and you’re most likely under the age of 30.
Both of those are fine, but you’re approaching this game like WoW when you should be approaching it like Lineage 2.
Here’s some constructive feedback for you. There is absolutely no rush to do any part of the content before you’re ready. You will never compete with bots in ladder, and in non ladder time is the luxury, not the enemy.
Read that last sentence again please.
Let’s say you’re 83 and you keep dying on baal runs. There’s either something wrong with your build, or you haven’t farmed good enough loot to wear yet.
In both cases, it’s not a huge deal. However, if you’ve bricked your build and ran out of free respecs, you’ll have to wait to respec until you farm or trade for essences to make a token.
There is never any rush in Diablo 2. You will always level faster if you’re taking your time. ALWAYS.
Read that last paragraph again please.
No need to ever hurry in this game, my diablo friend. No need at all.
Rethink how you’re approaching this game. Hitting 99, even on a single character, is a huge time investment unless you have a dedicated crew that is leveling together.
It hasn’t been easy to level past 85 since 1.10 hit in 2003. Please, stop rushing things.
If you can only farm Andy without dying, it is 100 percent ok to just farm Andy and catacombs until you grind some gear.
You might also consider farming nightmare meph, diablo, and baal. Don’t get it in your head that they only drop crap, because they can drop game changing pieces of gear.
The xp penalty is extremely harsh and I don’t like it, but without it, there would be far less sense of risk vs reward, which is a key component to the game.
Consider the long play, and what gear and stats you want to have in a few months, not tomorrow.
I mean this as respectfully as possible. Brevik purposely killed leveling in 1.10 so people would be forced to long play the game. Enjoy it for what it is, and stop grouping with people that aren’t helping you.
Find some cool people to hang out with and chill in-game, it’s a much better time. I’ll post my battle tag later if you’re interested in grouping, but I’m on vacation and not playing a lot right now.
Take care and good luck,
Cym