I always thought the Bard was a combination of the Warrior and the Rogue (the reasoning is probably self explanatory, so I wont go into it).
I don't see how the Wizard is a combination of the Sorcerer and Amazon, though. Taking a note from your Barbarian logic, I'd say it's more "Sorcerer + Sorceress." I also think the Witch Doctor/Druid is a bit of a stretch.
Taking the list of characters and identifying which ones are left, is a bit easier, however and that would prove useful, since It has already been said that the final class is one that has been used in the past (don't remember the source to cite it).
That means (in order of introduction):
1. Warrior: Barbarian
2. Sorcerer: Wizard
3. Rogue: ?
Actually, that leaves you with Bard, Monk, Rogue, and Sorceress. Technically you used Sorcerer, which is essentially synonomous with sorceress, so we could eliminate that one (which, I'm guessing, is why you didn't list it).
We could also eliminate Monk and Bard, since Blizzard already stated they don't consider Hellfire to be a part of the diablo universe. The only one left is the Rogue, but if you disregard the nomenclature difference, it's basically the same concept as as an Amazon, so we could remove that too, just like the Sorceress.
Edit: Added another similarity between the Assassin and Monk here.
Quote from "Master_Pox" »
I'm really liking 100 Fists --> 100 Fists --> Crippling wave, and then putting exploding palm 3x on something and blowing everything up. Crippling wave would keep everything slowed and together, and then in range of the corpse explosion from exploding palm.
You wouldn't be doing anything with Crippling wave in that progression because you'd be utilizing stage 3 of Crippling Wave, which refreshes the debuffs applied from stage 1 and 2 of Crippling Wave, which you didn't use.
Personally, I think the best combo thus far is Crippling Wave (1) -> Crippling Wave (2) -> Exploding Palm (3) -> ? (1) -> 100 Fists (2) -> Crippling Wave (3) [if the debuffs last this long and/or if the mob is still up].
This way you add debuffs, and set them to explode when you finish them off, which 100 fists should hopefully do.
I can't decide on the ? because the first iteration of 100 fists has such little damage, there's no need for another iteration of "Crippling Wave level 1," and (if I remember correctly) Exploding Palm level 1 does weak damage as well.
If normal attacks count as a stage, maybe I would just toss one in for 100% damage, but I doubt they do. So if they don't, I'll go with the most powerfull stage 1 attack that does count to get me to the 100 fists stage 2.
I'm personally against it, Diablo is a 'hack and slash' game, so anything to slow it down seems counter intuitive.
I was thinking, however, that you may like the idea of an exhaust system. The more powerful a spell is, quick succession of spell casting, how much damage your character takes, etc., could determine a characters "recuperation level" (an algorithm reflecting your mana/health regeneration).
Things like:
Reduced running speed accompanied by an animated limp
Character holds their damaged arm [slight attack/cast speed reduction] (barbarian drags axe on floor creating sparks/glowing mana emanats from wizards wounds).
Blurred/dimmed vision
Accuracy reduction forcing character to compensate in aiming (this would only affect ranged attacks, would need to create a similar concept for melee)
Semi-responsive controls could ensue after battles take tolls on your character (i.e. changes in direction are slower).
This way you can have fast paced battles and the physical repercussions to the character you're seeking without hindering the battle system.
This would certainly add to the "+hp/mana over time" usefulness found in items. It could also help teammates know when a good time to grab a health globe would be.
Nice find! I would have dismissed it as something from WoW; Mainly because the modeling seems reminiscent of Mini Diablo, I suppose. Also, his back isn't really hunched.
Double edit: Actually, aside from the upright position, I think it looks pretty good:
Will we be seeing a return of elixirs from Diablo I or anything similar to oils (which added temporary buffs to items) from Hellfire (even though it was a Sierra product)? How about antidote, thawing and/or stamina potions returning from Diablo II? Basically, what types of potions should we expect, aside from the usual health and mana ones?
A link for those of you whom may not remember some of the aforementioned items.
I see how it wouldn't necessarily require harder leveling but my final point is still valid. If you have the ability to respec, any one person could just save up on whatever is required for respeccing, get themselves two sets of gear for two different builds and be able to turn themselves into something else if the situation called for it. I'll use a diablo 2 example.. Say you have a hammerdin full geared and you decide to respec. Then you make yourself into a smiter because of all of the gear you have sitting in your stash for a smiter build. You go in and do your business and then change back into a hammerdin. That ability allows people too much power. The thing I like about Diablo builds is you have to plan for the futures. Save up your points and create your build and if you mess up tough titty.
If they add the ability to redo your skills they would have to make it harder to level. There would be no rushing or anything like there is in D2. I get the feeling things like rushes and runs will still exist in Diablo 3 which will conflict with the respeccing ability as you can get to higher level.. get tons of gear for each build and turn yourself into a one man army.
They wouldn't necessarily have to make it harder to level. In fact, if it was equally as easy, the respeccing wouldn't be that big of a deal, it'd probably be a welcomed change. That way if you do mess up one skill point, you just respec. That's not taking away from replayability, that's more like taking away a gamers frustration.
Kind of like you were saying rushing would conflict with respeccing, which seems like a good thing.
My concern is that respeccing means leveling will take longer and/or be harder to achieve (hence the ability to respec). What if I want a fire sorc and a cold sorc (speculating that's an option)? Right now, one could get to level 90 rather quickly. In WoW, a character is pretty useless until it's max level. In Diablo II, from level 90 on, you're fairly comparable to a level 99 character, so maxing your character level isn't that big of a deal.
In short, I hope this doesn't mean a character isn't viable and/or fun in PvP unless it's max level is reached. They'd be sacrificing fast leveling and the ability to create multiple types of characters in lieu of creating one powerful character with well placed skills (which one could do anyway without respecing, and it's not that difficult).
Life is working as intended.
I don't see how the Wizard is a combination of the Sorcerer and Amazon, though. Taking a note from your Barbarian logic, I'd say it's more "Sorcerer + Sorceress." I also think the Witch Doctor/Druid is a bit of a stretch.
Taking the list of characters and identifying which ones are left, is a bit easier, however and that would prove useful, since It has already been said that the final class is one that has been used in the past (don't remember the source to cite it).
That means (in order of introduction):
1. Warrior: Barbarian
2. Sorcerer: Wizard
3. Rogue: ?
4. Amazon: ?
5. Assassin: Monk
6. Necromancer: Witch Doctor
7. Barbarian: Barbarian
8. Paladin: Monk
9. Sorceress: Wizard
10. Druid: ?
So, realistically, it's either the Rogue/Amazon or Druid; if they decide to keep the 'returning' character theme.
We have two potential concept arts indicative of both classes too (way to be tricky Blizzard).
Actually, that leaves you with Bard, Monk, Rogue, and Sorceress. Technically you used Sorcerer, which is essentially synonomous with sorceress, so we could eliminate that one (which, I'm guessing, is why you didn't list it).
We could also eliminate Monk and Bard, since Blizzard already stated they don't consider Hellfire to be a part of the diablo universe. The only one left is the Rogue, but if you disregard the nomenclature difference, it's basically the same concept as as an Amazon, so we could remove that too, just like the Sorceress.
You wouldn't be doing anything with Crippling wave in that progression because you'd be utilizing stage 3 of Crippling Wave, which refreshes the debuffs applied from stage 1 and 2 of Crippling Wave, which you didn't use.
Personally, I think the best combo thus far is Crippling Wave (1) -> Crippling Wave (2) -> Exploding Palm (3) -> ? (1) -> 100 Fists (2) -> Crippling Wave (3) [if the debuffs last this long and/or if the mob is still up].
This way you add debuffs, and set them to explode when you finish them off, which 100 fists should hopefully do.
I can't decide on the ? because the first iteration of 100 fists has such little damage, there's no need for another iteration of "Crippling Wave level 1," and (if I remember correctly) Exploding Palm level 1 does weak damage as well.
If normal attacks count as a stage, maybe I would just toss one in for 100% damage, but I doubt they do. So if they don't, I'll go with the most powerfull stage 1 attack that does count to get me to the 100 fists stage 2.
Paladin:
- Charge (Dash).
- Zeal (Multiple hits in quick succession).
- Battling in the name of a higher authority.
Monk [Paladin Similarities]:- Way of 100 Fists Attack 1 (Dash).
- Way of 100 Fists Attack 2 (Multiple hits in quick succession).
- Battling in the name of a higher authority.
Assassin:- Fist Weapons
- Martial Artistry
- Death Sentry (Corpse Explosion)
- Charges used to release major attacks (Phoenix Strike; 3 charges)
Monk [Assassin Similarities]:I was thinking, however, that you may like the idea of an exhaust system. The more powerful a spell is, quick succession of spell casting, how much damage your character takes, etc., could determine a characters "recuperation level" (an algorithm reflecting your mana/health regeneration).
Things like:
- Reduced running speed accompanied by an animated limp
- Character holds their damaged arm [slight attack/cast speed reduction] (barbarian drags axe on floor creating sparks/glowing mana emanats from wizards wounds).
- Blurred/dimmed vision
- Accuracy reduction forcing character to compensate in aiming (this would only affect ranged attacks, would need to create a similar concept for melee)
- Semi-responsive controls could ensue after battles take tolls on your character (i.e. changes in direction are slower).
This way you can have fast paced battles and the physical repercussions to the character you're seeking without hindering the battle system.This would certainly add to the "+hp/mana over time" usefulness found in items. It could also help teammates know when a good time to grab a health globe would be.
Who's a pretty kitty? Get the yarn pretty kitty!
Edit: I'm sooo just kidding. I just didn't want to pass it up.
Double edit:I fell for it.
Double edit: Actually, aside from the upright position, I think it looks pretty good:
A link for those of you whom may not remember some of the aforementioned items.
Kind of like you were saying rushing would conflict with respeccing, which seems like a good thing.
In short, I hope this doesn't mean a character isn't viable and/or fun in PvP unless it's max level is reached. They'd be sacrificing fast leveling and the ability to create multiple types of characters in lieu of creating one powerful character with well placed skills (which one could do anyway without respecing, and it's not that difficult).