11-04-2003, 05:41 PM
I'll write a little from a hardcore Hell perspective, some of these points don't matter so much in softcore
Firstly melee is a much tougher proposition. This is not necessarily a bad thing but it does need to be understood and accepted. Some people will relish the challenge
Next you find tons of good items. Sackloads. No twink is really only a big issue for your first character since if you make it to Hell you'll find a ton of stuff for your other characters to use and the sort of weapons that make you think about starting a new character to try them
Next summoners are now a major force. Not only are summons considerably better in offence now, but there is a much greater need for expendable tanks. Most notably the skeletons but also Valkyries and druid pets. I was amused to see a game titled AncientsNeedNec - definitely the shape of things to come
Next the Gap. This has increased in two ways. First a character with godly items has much better gear than his 1.09 predecessor. Secondly a power build (cookie cutter) is much stronger than a variant
Significantly, you can now play wherever you want without being less efficient in terms of exp and items. I got a great item off Mephisto then shortly after an equally awesome one in the City of the Damned. A friend is systematically magic finding Hell Blood Moor. Exp as you play through the game is fine and you certainly dont need to stay in Normal till level 40 for the sake of efficiency - you'll probably level faster in Act 1 Nightmare. Obscure places like the Swampy Pit and The Hole have been tweaked sp that chests there drop better. People who just wander around the map with no particular plan will reap rewards very close to those garnered by people who figure out an optimal area and farm it over and over. There really is no need to do 20 Bloody or Cows runs in a row unless that's how you enjoy playing
Is Hell too hard? No, look at the ladder, there are swarms of level 80+ characters inside the first week, all classes are represented.
Do we have to party now? I don't think so. I solo quite a lot. Amp and Lower Resist can be found on weapons and wands and generally pierce immunities. Some builds wont be able to do some quests but this was true in 1.09 - I recall giving up on a Fire Immune Geleb with my Firewall/Thunderstorm sorc. Just follow the basic notion that if you're getting into trouble you need to go back to an easier area and you should be fine :)
PKing is less of a threat, there's a delay now. Staying on your toes when playing with strangers is still required as there are plenty of other ways hostile people can mess you up
One significant danger in Hardcore Hell is the Diablo Clone. From time to time you will see messages about Stones of Jordan being sold to merchants. This doesn't matter. Eventually you will get the message Diablo Walks the Earth. When you see this you need to decide whether you want to fight the Diablo Clone, the toughest monster in the game. Because the next superunique you come across will be the clone. Now that may be the opportunity for an exhilerating fight plus a crack at getting an Annihilus. What you musn't do is just ignore it and play on. Imagine a Ruined Temple stairs trap with that thing waiting for you instead of Sarina :lol:
Overall I think it's a great patch but players do need to adapt and those that can't won't have a great time
Firstly melee is a much tougher proposition. This is not necessarily a bad thing but it does need to be understood and accepted. Some people will relish the challenge
Next you find tons of good items. Sackloads. No twink is really only a big issue for your first character since if you make it to Hell you'll find a ton of stuff for your other characters to use and the sort of weapons that make you think about starting a new character to try them
Next summoners are now a major force. Not only are summons considerably better in offence now, but there is a much greater need for expendable tanks. Most notably the skeletons but also Valkyries and druid pets. I was amused to see a game titled AncientsNeedNec - definitely the shape of things to come
Next the Gap. This has increased in two ways. First a character with godly items has much better gear than his 1.09 predecessor. Secondly a power build (cookie cutter) is much stronger than a variant
Significantly, you can now play wherever you want without being less efficient in terms of exp and items. I got a great item off Mephisto then shortly after an equally awesome one in the City of the Damned. A friend is systematically magic finding Hell Blood Moor. Exp as you play through the game is fine and you certainly dont need to stay in Normal till level 40 for the sake of efficiency - you'll probably level faster in Act 1 Nightmare. Obscure places like the Swampy Pit and The Hole have been tweaked sp that chests there drop better. People who just wander around the map with no particular plan will reap rewards very close to those garnered by people who figure out an optimal area and farm it over and over. There really is no need to do 20 Bloody or Cows runs in a row unless that's how you enjoy playing
Is Hell too hard? No, look at the ladder, there are swarms of level 80+ characters inside the first week, all classes are represented.
Do we have to party now? I don't think so. I solo quite a lot. Amp and Lower Resist can be found on weapons and wands and generally pierce immunities. Some builds wont be able to do some quests but this was true in 1.09 - I recall giving up on a Fire Immune Geleb with my Firewall/Thunderstorm sorc. Just follow the basic notion that if you're getting into trouble you need to go back to an easier area and you should be fine :)
PKing is less of a threat, there's a delay now. Staying on your toes when playing with strangers is still required as there are plenty of other ways hostile people can mess you up
One significant danger in Hardcore Hell is the Diablo Clone. From time to time you will see messages about Stones of Jordan being sold to merchants. This doesn't matter. Eventually you will get the message Diablo Walks the Earth. When you see this you need to decide whether you want to fight the Diablo Clone, the toughest monster in the game. Because the next superunique you come across will be the clone. Now that may be the opportunity for an exhilerating fight plus a crack at getting an Annihilus. What you musn't do is just ignore it and play on. Imagine a Ruined Temple stairs trap with that thing waiting for you instead of Sarina :lol:
Overall I think it's a great patch but players do need to adapt and those that can't won't have a great time