I need some advice... I know that I need vault, but am comfortable running the way I am set up. However, in a group, I feel slow. Ball Lighning is slow... I could get rid of the bat in a group as my hatred never budges off full when there are lots of things dieing on the screen. I very rarely use preparation, but when I do it is needed, usually to put up SP... And the sentry does help kill things. I use SP a lot, but with the leach/LOH from my bow, it is probably more habit than need, as I can spam ball lightning at reflect damage elites and my health stays full. Help please.

Didn't you answer your own question, @JJK59? "I could get rid of the bat in a group as my hatred never budges off full when there are lots of things dieing on the screen." With Vengeance, you're getting Hatred every time any player picks up a globe and you're close enough which makes Bat even more superfluous. Given the goal in Hardcore is "Do Not Die," it seems like dropping your defensive skills aren't really an option.

In general, though, DH just isn't really a multiplayer-friendly class unless you're playing support (Numbing Traps, Sentry - Guardian Turret, Marked For Death, Cold Arrow, Entangling Shot, etc). Most parties aren't that interested in carrying a low-dps support hero.

I would look at it by who/what you run with. You run with me a WD with 20 pickup to keep you in steady globes. If your not using a skill your not reaching your full potential and I know that is always my goal.

On my WD I change out one active skill and one passive a lot. Try new things slowly and one at a time. Scariest change for me was dropping a passive that reduces all damage by 15%. No one seems to run it, so. After a point I tried it. So far everything's okie dokie.

An update - I dropped the bat (thanks for pointing out my self answered question) and I ran out of hatred a few times in maybe 35-40 minutes of party play on MP1, but there were 2 WDs, so I don't know if I even helped... :) I also changed perfectionist for archery which added to my dps. I have not done well at crafting (tried 50 plus ammys and gauntlets) so far and hesitate to change my prowlers as I like the movement speed. Gear to upgrade? I have cash, but don't want to waste it. Biggest bang for buck...