@Diablo and Bashiok broke a period of silence to give us some useful and interesting information today.
In regards to skills, @Diablo had this to say in response to a question about the available number of active skills per character.
Official Blizzard Quote:
Diablo: @crafty_deluxe Wizard has the most with 25, the rest have either 21 or 22. Currently. Abilities will likely change before release.
Whether or not this will mean different skills, a different number of skills, or only different rune effects is unknown. Chances are that no skills will be removed, and seeing as this comment is in response to a question about the number of active skills, chances are that not all skills have been revealed or there are skills still in development. As soon as there is any elaboration on the subject we'll be sure to let you know.
Yesterday, when the class pages went up on the Diablo III official site, some people noticed that the Demon Hunter's page seemed to suggest that they were able to use guns. Although skills such as Evasive Fire's crimson rune effect mention the use of bullets, Bashiok cleared up the issue completely and let us know that guns will not appear in Diablo III.
Official Blizzard Quote:
Demon hunters are able to pepper the battlefield with scores of arrows and projectiles, or snipe distant enemies with a precision undreamt of by other heroes. Their arsenal includes longbows, guns, grenades, hand-thrown weapons, and even dual-wielded crossbows.
Today, Bashiok cleared up the confusion that resulted, breaking a stretch of silence from the blues other than replies to technical issues.
Official Blizzard Quote:
There are no guns in Diablo. Shame on anyone who wants otherwise! SHAME.
It's an error in the text, and will be corrected.
So fortunately for some (hopefully most) and unfortunately for others, the Diablo III team has reaffirmed its view that guns don't fit in Diablo. Are you disappointed or happy that whole scare is over? Let us know in the thread below.
IMO pistol xbows are guns. Just skinned and made to fit in the lore of D3. Not that I have a problem with that.
Pretty much my thoughts.
I don't quite understand the attitude of no-guns anyway. Quite hypocritical to say that guns will ruin or negatively affect the diablo universe when you are getting an item that functions exactly the same as one.
Bleh. Some people are happier calling a fork a spoon. So be it.
This can also be said about the crossbow's in D2. A stripped down rifle? Did it negatively effect the diablo universe of D2? I don't think so.
Uh...you are agreeing with me? Because I did quote Scyber and said it reflected my opinion as well, meaning i don't have a problem with xbows though I still think they are guns in disguise.
I guess in a sense, I am agreeing with you. But I also look at it historically, they did have crossbows during mid-evil times. Not so much pistol ones, but you get the idea.
Ya, xbows are pretty much the same thing as guns, but I still like weapons in this universe to use potential and/or magical energy, not chemical energy (i.e. gun powder).
I don't really see the problem for having guns since there will still be a need for ammunition like bows. Also, the Demon Hunter cinematic had guns in it. If Blizzard is to remove guns, they better fix the cinematic too.
Ehh I feel that guns don't fit the tone they're trying to convey for the game. But it wouldn't hurt/help the game by adding them. They would function the same way that any projectile in the game would. But I agree that it doesn't fit the aesthetic of the universe. So idc that they're not in... also because imo if you're not smashing things... you're doing it wrong! Now if you gave me a gun or crossbow that shot either hammers or fists NOW we're talking!
You guys do realize that if Blizzard were going for historical accuracy, they would have INCLUDED guns right? Guns were around for most of the middle-ages, it's just they were so inaccurate, hard to reload, and weren't strong enough to pierce plate armor that they were just plain impractical.
I don't really see the problem for having guns since there will still be a need for ammunition like bows. Also, the Demon Hunter cinematic had guns in it. If Blizzard is to remove guns, they better fix the cinematic too.
Uh, no there weren't any guns in the demon hunter trailer. What you probably saw were the pistol xbows. But no guns.
I don't really see the problem for having guns since there will still be a need for ammunition like bows. Also, the Demon Hunter cinematic had guns in it. If Blizzard is to remove guns, they better fix the cinematic too.
Where does it show her firing a gun? She fires a repeating crossbow, but I have never seen her fire a gun.
I lawl at people trying to state history of earth as an argument why diablo should / shouldn't have guns. Sanctuary peeps, not this god forsaken dump.
Obviously it's all personal opinion. Myself, naw don't like the thought of guns in games like this. I mean I might as well take it up a notch if I can smelt titanium pistols and create FMJ .50 cal bullets; I'll stuff a briefcase nuke up diablos ass.
You guys do realize that if Blizzard were going for historical accuracy, they would have INCLUDED guns right? Guns were around for most of the middle-ages, it's just they were so inaccurate, hard to reload, and weren't strong enough to pierce plate armor that they were just plain impractical.
Uhh, you mean cannons? Rifles that could be carried by one person and fired by one person weren't created until the early 16th century. Hand held guns are what signal the end of the Medieval Ages and the beginning of the science and technology age, AKA the Modern Age.
I'm truly happy that there aren't guns in DIII. I mean what good is armor if you're going against something that punctures right through it? I come at you with an axe, and you shoot a pistol at 15ft. At least a crossbow can't get through a shield...well...unless it is imbued with magic.
Its funny how everyone saying that they're okay with guns in DIII are the newer members. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Guns would tarnish the basic setting of the Diablo universe, in my opinion.
For one, it just feels wrong chronologically. Guns are from the modern age, and Diablo feels much older.
Specifically, Diablo's playable and NPC characters seem out of an era too primitive for guns. Witch Doctors, Amazons, Barbarians, Monks, and Sorcerer/Wizards/etc were at their real (or mythical) power in worlds where guns didn't exist. Guns historically overpowered any cool native martial arts and technologies after the 1600's.
So for Diablo to be a world where steel, wood, and magic are credible fighting tools...guns should not be present.
Note - I'm not thrilled with the term "grenades" in Diablo. I can believe that primitive explosives could be concocted (or conjured) but I'd call them something less modern, like a "flask".
I'm confused how it was cleared up that there were no guns. Bash's comment:
"Demon hunters are able to pepper the battlefield with scores of arrows and projectiles, or snipe distant enemies with a precision undreamt of by other heroes. Their arsenal includes longbows, guns, grenades, hand-thrown weapons, and even dual-wielded crossbows."
IMO pistol xbows are guns. Just skinned and made to fit in the lore of D3. Not that I have a problem with that.
I'd agree with this. I think the evidence points to them originally making the Demon Hunter a gun class, then with the uproar of the Diablo community in general, they reskinned the guns and made them crossbows.
I wouldn't care if they were guns or 1h crossbows personally.
I'm confused how it was cleared up that there were no guns. Bash's comment:
"Demon hunters are able to pepper the battlefield with scores of arrows and projectiles, or snipe distant enemies with a precision undreamt of by other heroes. Their arsenal includes longbows, guns, grenades, hand-thrown weapons, and even dual-wielded crossbows."
That wasn't bashiok's comment. That was the post on the Diablo 3 character page. Bashiok's post was the one saying that guns are not in D3.
They don't have any reason not to dick around with the idea.
IMO, the way the Qual khek says it, it is a joke. Basically, during the early stages of Diablo 2, people were having the same discussion over guns as we are now. That whole speech is just a form of easter egg for those people. And at the same time, declares guns as a strange and implausible idea. It is just an in-game way of saying that games won't be in the Diablo series.
IMO pistol xbows are guns. Just skinned and made to fit in the lore of D3. Not that I have a problem with that.
I'd agree with this. I think the evidence points to them originally making the Demon Hunter a gun class, then with the uproar of the Diablo community in general, they reskinned the guns and made them crossbows.
I wouldn't care if they were guns or 1h crossbows personally.
I have to disagree with this notion. With skills like Impale, Entangling Shot, Bola Shot, Rain of Vengeance, I'd say that the weapons started out as bow weapons. Besides, I dont' think guns would hurt demons much if at all. We need magic to slay the Evils. Isn't that the whole concept behind Diablo. Humans have this innate magical power that is ultimately more powerful than Angels or Demons.
The Sin Wars spoiler
The Angiris Council made everyone on Sanctuary forget their powers, so that humans didn't stop both the Angels and Demons. Plus, mankind wasn't quite ready for the powers yet.
I have to disagree with this notion. With skills like Impale, Entangling Shot, Bola Shot, Rain of Vengeance, I'd say that the weapons started out as bow weapons. Besides, I dont' think guns would hurt demons much if at all. We need magic to slay the Evils. Isn't that the whole concept behind Diablo. Humans have this innate magical power that is ultimately more powerful than Angels or Demons.
The Sin Wars spoiler
The Angiris Council made everyone on Sanctuary forget their powers, so that humans didn't stop both the Angels and Demons. Plus, mankind wasn't quite ready for the powers yet.
Well, I see where you are coming from. However, it wouldn't be too hard to imagine using magic to cause connect two or three bullets to cause a Bola shot, or other such skills.
As for bullets not causing much damage to demons, I don't see a sword hurting Diablo either without magical enchantments on it.
Regardless, guns (Aside from pistol crossbows) are not in Diablo 3.
Uh, no there weren't any guns in the demon hunter trailer. What you probably saw were the pistol xbows. But no guns.
Where does it show her firing a gun? She fires a repeating crossbow, but I have never seen her fire a gun.
Obviously it's all personal opinion. Myself, naw don't like the thought of guns in games like this. I mean I might as well take it up a notch if I can smelt titanium pistols and create FMJ .50 cal bullets; I'll stuff a briefcase nuke up diablos ass.
I'm truly happy that there aren't guns in DIII. I mean what good is armor if you're going against something that punctures right through it? I come at you with an axe, and you shoot a pistol at 15ft. At least a crossbow can't get through a shield...well...unless it is imbued with magic.
Its funny how everyone saying that they're okay with guns in DIII are the newer members. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
They don't have any reason not to dick around with the idea.
Our secret cache of awesome images.
Those are just the hand crossbows by the way, not the actual normal crossbows, or bows.
Thats why i think the demon hunter is so much sicker with a bow (first time i saw it was that leaked skill video thingy)
For one, it just feels wrong chronologically. Guns are from the modern age, and Diablo feels much older.
Specifically, Diablo's playable and NPC characters seem out of an era too primitive for guns. Witch Doctors, Amazons, Barbarians, Monks, and Sorcerer/Wizards/etc were at their real (or mythical) power in worlds where guns didn't exist. Guns historically overpowered any cool native martial arts and technologies after the 1600's.
So for Diablo to be a world where steel, wood, and magic are credible fighting tools...guns should not be present.
Note - I'm not thrilled with the term "grenades" in Diablo. I can believe that primitive explosives could be concocted (or conjured) but I'd call them something less modern, like a "flask".
"Demon hunters are able to pepper the battlefield with scores of arrows and projectiles, or snipe distant enemies with a precision undreamt of by other heroes. Their arsenal includes longbows, guns, grenades, hand-thrown weapons, and even dual-wielded crossbows."
I'd agree with this. I think the evidence points to them originally making the Demon Hunter a gun class, then with the uproar of the Diablo community in general, they reskinned the guns and made them crossbows.
I wouldn't care if they were guns or 1h crossbows personally.
For the full battle.net forums discussion and further clarification, read this:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/3123319681
IMO, the way the Qual khek says it, it is a joke. Basically, during the early stages of Diablo 2, people were having the same discussion over guns as we are now. That whole speech is just a form of easter egg for those people. And at the same time, declares guns as a strange and implausible idea. It is just an in-game way of saying that games won't be in the Diablo series.
I have to disagree with this notion. With skills like Impale, Entangling Shot, Bola Shot, Rain of Vengeance, I'd say that the weapons started out as bow weapons. Besides, I dont' think guns would hurt demons much if at all. We need magic to slay the Evils. Isn't that the whole concept behind Diablo. Humans have this innate magical power that is ultimately more powerful than Angels or Demons.
The Sin Wars spoiler
BTW, its nice to see you again Linkx.
Well, I see where you are coming from. However, it wouldn't be too hard to imagine using magic to cause connect two or three bullets to cause a Bola shot, or other such skills.
As for bullets not causing much damage to demons, I don't see a sword hurting Diablo either without magical enchantments on it.
Regardless, guns (Aside from pistol crossbows) are not in Diablo 3.
Nice to see you again, too, Archie.