I finished the game in a little over 10 hours on the easy setting at first.And if u want Loads of money then go to the Bloodmire Manor attic and behind some boxes should be between 2500-3000 gold.U can also get a key from Dwarven in the Purple Wyrmm Inn.Use that (I forget where) and u can get loads of money.Do all the side quests also.I can easily make 40k-50k gold in about 30 min without the cloning trick.

My best weapon so far,

6 rune stones
4 Jade
6 Jet

Im not sure of the name at the moment ill have to check.Ill post it when i find it.

I Have finnished the game many times.
I have all chars on level 40 (used lvl up trick)
My favorite is the Barbarian i use 2 flawless Grear swords
One tenplar (for killing the undeads)
16 runes
16 corals
16 diamonds

the second sword ( forgot the name)
16 runes
16 amysts (for getting better criticals)
16 Moonstones (for hitting at a higer speed)

Armors
I almost use the best armors

Flawless full plate helmet of rage (this is the best)
Flawless halvf plate mail of rage (armors are hard to find)
Flawless full plate gloves ( 16 runes 16 jets 16 for clave)(15+)Flawless full plate boots ( for 15+ stenght 15+ for hp

rings are the same as the boots

I think i have the best items just flawless full plate mail that i don*t got [/color]

My friend and I have played through the game on extreme mode and we discovered that certain armor, rings, and amulets can be made to hold up to 176 rune stones and whatever else you'd want to become +15 items. I made a 2 rings and a necklace that all increase my health and wisdom. My health rose to 2000 points and my wisdom rose to +100%. It's extremely useful but unfortunately they cost $800,000-1,200,000. Hope this helps!

quote

"Hmmmmmm.....Increase my killing power, eh?"- Simpson, Homer J.

My best was Shock Bastard Sword +1. Does 98-115 damage and
it electrocutes them.
Used to build.
16 Jet Stones
4 Rune Stones

+15 items

Got to extreme mode to unlock +15 gear.
I chose dext and str for boots, amulet, and rings. (+45AC +45 dext +45 str total)
Topaz gives dext and jach(the fire one spelled wrong) gives strength.

Flawless chain boots for characters restricted to level 2 armor class, like Drazz. All other characters have flawless full plate boots.

+5 armors

For helm, armor, and shield is use 15% physical damage reduction and 15% all element damage reduction.
When using a shield I will have 45% all damage reduction.
When not using the shield I will have 30% damage reduction.
Keep in mind that some character classes have additional damage reduction as part of their feats.
Amenist is the physical DR and Diamond is the elemental DR.

There are three other jewels to note for these types of gear. Topaz gives % better item drops. Ruby gives % melee damage reflected. Pearl gives up to 100% stun and slow length reduction, making you immune to those ailments with a single item.

For gloves I use moonstone to get 5 ranks of increased combat speed and I use jet to get +3 AC per piece of armor. Most 'damages' for gloves only apply to unarmed combat and I don't like to take up a spot on my weapon for either AC or speed. There are other jewels that give skills that can also be used. I just prefer these with my dark elf monk.

+5 weapons

Here is where Drazz sucks big time. His weapons start out fairly strong, but you can't change or equip different ones.

Range = power
Flawless shortbow is by far my favorite weapon. The only character I use the flawless crossbow with is the dwarf. Adding large amounts of elemental damage to a fast ranged weapon can make it a crow clearer very quickly and with little risk of physical harm. Now add in the constant attack a ranged weapon has. Further add in the ability to dash away at 3X speed and then reacquire targets from a different angle. Nothing is superior to a ranged weapon in an open area. Door ways also help funnel enemies into your sights. Holding the R1 button to aim is helpful so you don't end up trace firing after someone else.

Elemental matters
There are two aspects of this, damage and effect.
Cold slows down a monster. Fire and acid allow you to kill some monsters, like trolls. Thunder must stun, but far too many monsters in the game are immune to this effect, like the undead.
Coldfire or sorrow(cold&acid) are the best two elemental choices, based on effect.

Damage is most consistent with two elements, but a burst effect can be added to give increased elemental damage on critical. The fire dragon is weak against ice and so a burst ice weapon is the best choice and doubly so when it is a fast shooting flawless shortbow and you just aim in her general direction. When you know what element to equip, you can use burst weapons most effectively. Aminest gives added damage upon critical and, when combined with an element, that added damage becomes elemental.

Physical damage types

Morning stars are by far my favorite one handed weapon. The undead and other enemies get full damage from these, just like their two handed blunt counterparts. If I am not using my bow, this is what I normally have in both hands or with a shield. I always have double elements in the off hand weapon slot when duel wielding.

Most RPGs that use damage types list bows/swords/daggers as piercing (though two handed swords may be slashing), axes as slashing, and staves/pole arms/maces as blunt. I just got in the habit of not using one handed swords and axes, so I don't know if there is a difference. However, the loading screen tells you that the undead are resistant to all but blunt damage.