DiabloFans

via the artisan called the jeweler that you get access after completing a quest, he also desockets gems from items for you (without destroying the gem), but for a fee.

the economy of d2 was the biggest issue for me, because you'd play through the game at what really mattered at the end was your gear and the chances of find all the gear you needed was astronomically low. So to get the stuff you needed you'd have to trade, but d2 was was basically a bartering system. Which was extremely difficult as SOJs and runes make a bad currency, for me it bad for bad game play as the alternative was to spam trading chatrooms of stuff you were interested in.

I completely disagree with that being a vital socially aspect of Diablo and that being "fun", as i wanting to be actually playing Diablo with my friends and killing stuff in dungeons and treasure hunting; not spending time in chat rooms trying to find someone to haggle.

More importantly a barter system focuses on expensive items like an IK armor or something, so when you really needed something small like a chipped ruby it would feel awful as you would have to wait until you found it randomly as trading for it was impractical. Which gave me a sense of being isolated because there were hundred of thousands of other players, but there wasn't some kind of universal currency/trading system so I couldn't engage with them. Also it encouraged hoarding and muling of trivial items as maybe you'd need it later in the game or maybe i could be useful in a future trade.

So i believe an AH would allow for trading of the smaller items and would divert the players time more towards playing the game and having fun. Furthermore, having some type of AH does not eliminate the possibility of haggling with people if you want to, if you want to do that it would still be very possible; however, not having it does make trading for smaller/lesser items extremely difficult. So i believe an AH like sytem woudl not only make life easier of being able to get the smaller stuff you need, but just don't happen to have, it will no doubt make trading easier, less inclined to hoard/mule junk, and above all you'll be spending more time playing the game

Quote from oneoftheorder

For videos generated by those other than beta testers, I'm not sure how to tell which, if any, rune is being used. I have no idea where to find cast times in the skill calculator.

That's easy enough. Runes are not in the beta, so everything you are seeing is unruned. Cast times are not indicated anywhere offline, but most weapon skills are based on weapon speed.

Youtube of wave of light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tph4IORjyh8

Youtube of Seven Sided Strike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x_YN5d6FH8

Unfortunately, we're not able to answer your questions since neither of those skills is currently available in beta.

I like. big. numbers and I cannot lie.
You dual-wielders can't deny
That when a barb stomps in with very little grace
And a claymore in your face you get
CRIT
For like a lot of points
And you notice those points got print
On the screen, real-time
Unless you happen to find
It distracting, then just turn that feature off in the options, shouldn't be an issue.

Quote from Deckardm

With real world pvp comes uncertainty, and by and large, today’s masses are just too sensitive for this kind of gameplay. America has become a bunch of pansies, and Blizzard is unprepared to handle the volume of trouble tickets associated with it. E.g. “Devilspawn killed me twice… HE’S GRIEFING ME! Please help me! Make it stop. Please! He’s ruining my life… I’m going to go kill myself…”

This is really why you think they are focusing less on PVP?

Quote from Deckardm

And finally, to those concerned about balance, this post isn’t about balance but about retaining the best parts (IMO) of Diablo at its core, and staying true to the spirit of the original instead of selling out.

If by original you mean Diablo 1, that game wasn't that focused on pvp either. People played more online to fight side by side. At least this was my experience. But since in your opinion the best part of Diablo at its core is pvp, I wouldn't know how to persuade you really on what I think are the best parts of Diablo now would I try. I respect your opinions though I disagree on some of your basis of those opinions, but the best part of Diablo for me was ultimately its setting and story. I would not have played the game so many hours on end if I wasn't captivated and hooked by the story first. I think it's the story that really carries you through your first play through. I know for most other people the appeal of this game is all about the loot and making your character as strong as possible. That part is fun for me after I've already played through the game thousands of times, and it's why I'm replaying Diablo 1 and 2 still to this day, but it's not what I'll ultimately want to remember the games for when it's all over.

Quote from Deckardm

Besides, Blizzard’s RPGs are purposely imbalanced… for reasons which should be obvious.

Which obvious reason is that? Sorry, I really don't know the reason. I can say though that I don't think perfect balance will ever be achieved in a game like this nor would the developers really acknowledge that being possible. But I also never found Diablo to really be an RPG. I think in an RPG your character has to be able to affect the story in SOME way other than moving it forward in a straight line by killing all the monsters you're supposed to. But I guess that's a different discussion on what is and isn't an RPG. I do think D3 will try to add more RPG elements which I am pleased with.

Quote from Deckardm

They’ll never be balanced so fughetaboutit.

We know...we know.

Quote from Deckardm

Don’t know why? Follow the money. Always follow the money.

Seriously! When is Blizzard gonna make a custom game based on my personal preferences? Thiz bulllllshit!

Quote from Deckardm

R.I.P. Diablo. You were the best game ever, hands down, and will be missed.

LOL Don't be so dramatic. I bet you still buy the game anyway.