I freaking hate items with crossclass effects.

[Pren]

Delirium being necessary for hell, the items that give class skills to other classes (auras, spirits, summons. Call to arms is the worst offender, WTF? And of course, the above mentioned delirium making confuse necros almost useless.) All these items that give classes abilities that were intended for other classes, and items that pump the merc up.

Maybe it's just me, but I think builds should be able to succeed on THEIR OWN CLASS ABILITIES. And hiding behind the merc just pisses me off. You've got ubermercs wielding/wearing ridiculous runewords making some builds possible... it just annoys me.

I absolutely hate it in games (usually after a couple of years) when classes bleed through and begin taking over eachothers' jobs. EverQuest is currently completely screwed balance wise because of it. And here, we're literally giving some of the best abilities of classes away on absurdly overpowered runes. Who cares about all the super hard to find, will never actually drop uniques? Almost none will be used, in favor of stupid runes.

For a character like the summoner necro who's entire existance is based off having powerful minions to do his bidding, the merc is wonderful. But for other characters, it's very out of place and the merc ends up having higher offensive power than some builds.

I certainly don't think that killing everything with endless whirlwind or frozen orb made for a golden era of D2 fun or balance, but...bleh.

I suppose those items are necessary to solo in hell difficulty, which is supposed to be party oriented now. Doesn't mean I have to like it. And I'm sure I'll be completely dependant on them using Elemental Skills.

/rant off