Life Without Maphack

Hey All, is there a good guide out there to get around all the 5 acts, without maphack?|||Google. Or play and note patterns. It's not as hard as you may think...there are some areas that are pretty damn random, but most are rather straightforward patterns. Write things down if need be.|||As Kramuti stated, look for patterns in the terrain on surface maps. Use these patterns to "sweep" the area, so you don't miss "containers" (corpses, chests, hidden stash, etc.) Dungeon maps are a little different, but easy because they're more contained.
Use the in-game Automap feature. If you go into Options you can configure the Automap for fullscreen or mini-map. Fullscreen is good for locating doors and bridges (in the Sewers of Kurast), but is difficult to see larger portions of the map.
I like to configure the Automap for mini-map, in the upper right corner of my monitor. You can also put it in the upper left corner, but it overlays party member icons. By default, the [V] key on your keyboard is set to toggle the mini-map from right to left and vice versa.
Good luck to you and thank you for not using third-party hacks,
jd
Edit: I just tried mini-map on the left side, tonight. It does not overlay the party icons, after all.|||

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Q u o t e:
Hey All, is there a good guide out there to get around all the 5 acts, without maphack?

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What exactly are you looking for? The general layout of all the acts overall? (http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/maps/)
Specific guides for specific areas? (Countess: just keep going left; Canyon of the Magi: http://d2game.info/files/quests_table.pdf; Mephisto: just pick a direction and stick to it; Nihlathak: http://d2game.info/files/finding_nilly.pdf; Baal: just keep going right)
I've never even seen maphack, and I've gotten around all 5 acts countless times over six ladder seasons without too much trouble. Act III just plain sucks, but you deal with it.
Gratz, too, on coming away from the dark side.
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Q u o t e:
Whenever I'm helping in act 2, there's a bunch of kids who whine about how bad it is even when they're handed the waypoints.
n00b I'm helping: "I HATE act 2!"
Me: "I dislike Act 3 more"
n00b: "act 3 is way better"
Me: "Have you ever done Khalim's Will?"
n00b: "all u have to do is trav, stupid."
Me: "I rest my case"
n00b: "n00b"

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LOL
I hadn't even considered that. I quest every player character, even the ones I bring in to tag along during another's questing, and they already have the all quests (which I do for those I want to twink). But questing is also leveling, because such a good job was done balancing the game that you actually level appropriately as you quest, gaining the maximum amount of experience for each area as you go the way you're supposed to through the acts and again through the difficulties. I think doing that gives one a better appreciation for the game itself. It always amazes me that there's just the right amount of challenge added each step of the way.