(05-23-2012, 10:51 PM)RedRadical Wrote: THUS, YOU-ARE-FORCED-TO-USE-THE AUCTION HOUSE.
Let's assume for a moment you're correct in this statement. Has it ever occurred to you that this is what Blizzard wants? Serious question.
That said, the answer is right in front of you: if you can't cut it in Hell without buying off the AH, either you need to buy off the AH or you need to farm Nightmare. It really is that simple. The most frequent things I've bought off the AH are crossbows. Short of damage, I've made it to Act III Hell wearing gear I found in Act III Normal. I've upgraded almost every piece I own now to Hell-level gear, and it's made the going much easier, but it certainly wasn't impossible before - just more tedius.
If you don't want to buy off the AH don't. If you can't cut it in Hell, go back to Nightmare. Get yourself to level 60 and get those Nephalem stacks, then start farming. I'm working my way through Act III Hell right now, a couple bubbles away from 60, and that's what I'm going to do - keep pushing until I hit 60, then start farming a bit so I can handle the rest of Hell and enter Inferno.
It sucks getting crappy drops, but it's really no different than any previous Diablo game. The only difference is the spike in difficulty is a bit higher in D3 than D2 (and much moreso than D1). Thus, you farm the previous Act, or reroll your encounters. Change up your skills. Do something to adjust to the game because the game is not going to change for you. This is the business model Blizzard wants. End of story. Live with it or leave it. Choice is yours.
(05-23-2012, 10:51 PM)RedRadical Wrote: And as a person who purchased their product, I have every right to bitch about the content if I so desire. Dont be ridiculous. In fact, it is our DUTY as consumers, especially in this industry, to point to flaws or problems that should be addressed to make the product better. Your 'appeal to nature' argument almost made me throw up a little bit in my mouth.
You're absolutely right. You as a consumer have a right to your opinion about a product. You have a right to express that opinion to the merchant and/or manufacturer. They have no obligation to listen to you, however, and Blizzard's stance in the past has always been "We know better," at least when it comes to games. So, good luck with your complaints. You won't change a thing, though.
Roland *The Gunslinger*