08-15-2003, 09:00 PM
As much as I like the *idea* of improved mercs, they really brutalized the game from a strategy perspective. Prior to LoD, a solo sorceress was either mobile or dead. Oh sure, there were a few exceptions -- a well built tanking sorceress, a level 95 sorc in act 3 nightmare, etc. But a single player sorc, in particular, had to maintain mobility, or she'd get swarmed and slaughtered. With a well outfited holy freeze merc, this need simply evaporated in the expansion.
I read the report of the 1.10 melee sorc with mixed feelings. It's great than what is definately NOT an *uberbuild* can solo through hell with less than perfect gear. However, that the trip requires heavy use of a mercenary and many non-sorceress skills rather kills the idea of a *melee sorc.* In truth, that "solo melee sorc" was a multi player sorceress. While I have great respect for what was accomplished, I'd like to see the report of a true solo sorceress using only sorceress skills, untwinked, full clear, through normal to hell. It should be difficult -- it should also be possible.
When certain skills and pieces of equipment become *necessary* to complete the game, something is wrong. This isn't like a melee class requiring some form of life leech -- this is a melee class character essentially requiring a necromancer curse just to complete the game!
A focus on multiplayer is one thing. Enforced multiplayer (real or simulated) is another thing entirely.
gekko
I read the report of the 1.10 melee sorc with mixed feelings. It's great than what is definately NOT an *uberbuild* can solo through hell with less than perfect gear. However, that the trip requires heavy use of a mercenary and many non-sorceress skills rather kills the idea of a *melee sorc.* In truth, that "solo melee sorc" was a multi player sorceress. While I have great respect for what was accomplished, I'd like to see the report of a true solo sorceress using only sorceress skills, untwinked, full clear, through normal to hell. It should be difficult -- it should also be possible.
When certain skills and pieces of equipment become *necessary* to complete the game, something is wrong. This isn't like a melee class requiring some form of life leech -- this is a melee class character essentially requiring a necromancer curse just to complete the game!
A focus on multiplayer is one thing. Enforced multiplayer (real or simulated) is another thing entirely.
gekko
"Life is sacred and you are not its steward. You have stewardship over it but you don't own it. You're making a choice to go through this, it's not just happening to you. You're inviting it, and in some ways delighting in it. It's not accidental or coincidental. You're choosing it. You have to realize you've made choices."
-Michael Ventura, "Letters@3AM"
-Michael Ventura, "Letters@3AM"