Amazon's bow?

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I just found an Amazon's "stag bow" with 3 sockets in it. What should I put in it? Is poison still crazy or has it changed? I have Cleglaw's gloves so I don't need a Nef rune. I also have a small charm that gives 1-2 cold, so I don't need any sapphires either.
Does an Eth rune stack with itself:

-25% To Target Defense.

It's name is in grey color but it also says "+2 to attack rating" in blue down the bottom. Can I put a runeword in it?

 

runewording it is possible, but depends on the base.
if it's just a normal tiered bow, the base damage is going to be low anyway and it's not going to be worth it. (a long war bow, the 'best' normal tier bow only does like 3 to 23 damage.)

if it is the exceptional or even better, elite version of a bow however, it can be worth it. (a hydra bow, the elite version of the long bow, does 10 to 68 damage.

this is because most runewords increase a weapons damageby a certain % - the higher a weapons base damage is, the higher this damage is.
you can check the different tiers of items here : http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/weaponsandarmor.shtml#elite

one option for a 3 socketed bow is :
Melody
Shael + Ko + Nef
+50% Enhanced Damage
+300% Damage To Undead
+3 To Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
+3 To Critical Strike (Amazon Only)
+3 To Dodge (Amazon Only)
+3 To Slow Missiles (Amazon Only)
20% Increased Attack Speed
+10 To Dexterity
Knockback

Depends on how easily you can find a shael/ko though.

 

It's just a regular stag bow with 3 sockets. I went with Edge because it's low enough for me to use. I should find a better bow for sure by the time I hit level 39. At least I HOPE I do. Lol. Melody does look very appealing to

 

Well, there's only 2 possible options for 3-socketed bows, melody being the better one.
ideally though you'd want at least 4 sockets - there's a ton more powerful runewords that can be made that way.
Though, most of them require some runes that are hard to find, so unless you cheat them in with an editor you might not be able to make them.

The cheapest (using lower runes) option here is :
Harmony : Tir + Ith + Sol + Ko
Level 10 Vigor Aura When Equipped
+200-275% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+9 To Minimum Damage
+9 To Maximum Damage
Adds 55-160 Lightning Damage
Adds 55-160 Fire Damage
Adds 55-160 Cold Damage
+2-6 To Valkyrie (varies)
+10 To Dexterity
Regenerate Mana 20%
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+2 To Light Radius
Level 20 Revive (25 Charges)

Gives an aura for better movement so you can kite easier, the enhanced damage % is decent (if you have a good base damage bow) and it does a lot of elemental damage too. the bonus to Valkyrie is not bad to have either.

One (expensive) example is :
Brand : Jah + Lo + Mal + Gul
35% Chance To Cast Level 14 Amplify Damage When Struck
100% Chance To Cast Level 18 Bone Spear On Striking
+260-340% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Ignore Target's Defense
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
+280-330% Damage To Demons (varies)
20% Deadly Strike
Prevent Monster Heal
Knockback
Fires Explosive Arrows or Bolts (15)

Even better enhanced damage%, ignores enemies defense, and fires explosive arrows (making your regular arrows aoe, though fir IS the most resisted element in the higher difficulties.)
the 100% chance to cast bone spear on hit is funny as well.

 

I'll definitely be on the look out for the stuff to make those bows! Very nice. Thanks!