The Differences Between Console Loot and Loot 2.0, New Details on the Mystic, RoS Content Clarifications, Console Pre-Order Dyes

The Differences Between Console Loot and Loot 2.0
Around the release of D3's console version, the PC fans became anxious and feeling a little betrayed, which led to a lot of confusion and misread statements. Today Lylirra described some of the main differences between the loot system in the console version and the legendary Loot 2.0 for PC.

Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

I see everyone on streams and elsewhere saying the console has loot 2.0
I don't recall blizzard ever saying this is the loot system we on PC will be getting. Can i get a link if a blizzard employee or rep ever said that? Or can i have confirmation that the console loot system is completely different from the upcoming patch's system?
Nah, it's not exactly the same nor is it completely different. Let me explain that further, though, since that's kind of a vague statement.

So, in the console version, items will drop less frequently, but will typically be of higher quality. There's a chance that when a white or gray item drops, that it will be automatically converted to gold too. These changes were made to help manage the flow of gameplay and keep players in the midst of combat (and out of their inventory screens) as much possible. Inventory management is a little more difficult on the console version than it is on the PC, where you have a mouse to quickly navigate through menus, so this was a pretty key tweak for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Crafting materials and costs were adjusted, as well, to accommodate for the fact that trading components isn't as easy on console as it is PC. Similarly, stats on crafted items were boosted to help smooth the leveling curve and ensure that players could reliably find upgrades.

Some of these adjustments are changes we'd like to make to PC, but many of them were inspired by plans we already had for improving itemization as a part of Loot 2.0 (for example, smart drops, Legendary items that can drop at all levels, and the whole "less, but better" strategy). The console team literally took elements of Loot 2.0 and added them to the PS3 and Xbox 360 experience, and then made some additional changes they felt best suited the console environment and playstyle.

Someone already asked in a different thread why we couldn't just get the changes that were added to console implemented for PC on their own right now, rather than waiting for Loot 2.0. That's a fair question and does relate to your original concern, so I've quoted it below (because, hey, why not make a long post longer):

Something to keep in mind is that, not only does Loot 2.0 encompass a larger number of changes than those made for the console version, but it's also intended to complement other system updates that will likely have an affect on the item game, things like skill re-balancing, Paragon 2.0, and the addition of features like Loot Runs and Nephalem Trials (which are still in development, too). While we could implement some things here and there in a very piecemeal fashion, in the end it makes more sense--to us, at least (we understand if you might disagree)--that all the components of Loot 2.0 ship together, since they're so closely connected and are ultimately intended to support and build off one another. This does mean more of a wait, which we know isn't the perfect scenario for a lot of players, but it also means that, when Loot 2.0 does ship, it should be a much more fleshed out and complete experience than if various features were implemented on their own.

Also, since we use staggered development (meaning, the PC and console games more or less have separate teams and development cycles), though, it's possible that one game will receive changes before another. Over time, which game that is may switch back and forth depending on where each is in its development cycle. Even so, PC is the lead platform.

So, again: not completely the same, not completely different. The changes made to console contain elements of Loot 2.0, but the experience isn't identical nor is it as comprehensive (also keep in mind that some tweaks were specific to console and are not currently planned for PC).

Hope that helps!

Wow, that took a lot of words to say "Console is basically LOOT 2.0 only NOW". Minor changes for PC will take another SIX MONTHS!!!
Except that's not really what I said. >.>

P.S. - I keep reading your name as "nektar," which makes me want a juice box. Damnit.

Thank god someone else said it. Staggered dev.. How long did you claim there were entirely separate dev teams? The lies, and misleading information is endless with you community managers.
They are separate teams, which is why we're able to do staggered development (i.e. PC development cycles and console development cycles are also separate, and PC development is not dependent on console development [console development is dependent on PC development to a degree, however, since PC is the lead platform]).




New Details on the Mystic
One of the most exciting additions coming with the first D3 expansion is the Mystic. As her title suggests though, there are a lot of mysteries around her yet to be clarified by Blizzard, but the community managers already are trying their best to give us more info on her skills and purpose.

Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

The way enchanting works right now (which, bear in mind, may change as we continue internal testing and receive feedback) is that you'd get to choose which affix you re-roll. So the process would be something like: visit Mystic --> select affix to re-roll --> get randomly-generated list of new affixes --> chose single affix from list --> pay material cost --> old affix replaced with new affix --> profit. The plan, at the moment at least, is to make an item account-bound if it's enchanted.

We're still tinkering with the actual costs and mechanics, as well as some remaining niggly details (like can you re-roll the same affix over and over? should the costs scale with each affix you re-roll? if yes, how much? etc) which is why we haven't done a grand reveal of the Mystic just yet.

Hey that's cool, instead of just a direct reroll of some crap affix then stuck with a worse item like 'why did I ever do this..' you'll be selecting your own fate? Sweet, now the devs are using their thinking caps when it comes to items!
We'll see how everything pans out, but that's just the current thinking. As with all features in game development, it's very likely enchanting will undergo some changes before it ships (for various reasons: feedback, technical issues, balance issues, etc). I just wanted to share an idea of how this particular service of the Mystic might feel and maybe even generate some discussion on the topic. :)

i'd like to learn more about the "randomly generated list of new affixes". What will they include?
No details to share right now! I'm totally going to be "that guy" and encourage you to stay tuned. (I know, I know. At least I didn't drop a "soon," right? :P) (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Does anyone know if you can upgrade your item levels with the Mystic?
Reason I ask is because I'm sure that some people (myself included) have legendaries that they are very happy with the effects on but that we don't particularly want to have to re-hunt for new versions at level 70 (specifically skill cost reduction gear, cause -19 Meteor cost is hard to get).
This is a great question, and I have an answer that might make some of you happy. Right now, we're currently looking at having it so that when you re-roll an affix through Enchanting, the new roll is based on your character level. So, you could re-roll a core stat (as an example) on a lower-level item, and make that item a lot more appealing to a higher level character. This will allow you to continue to use gear that you're otherwise outgrowing, and help extend the life on some of those awesome items.

Enchanting is still a work in progress, though, so some of these details might change.

I understand that you can re-roll an affix. But can base armour and base weapon damage be re-rolled as well?
A lot of the details regarding Enchanting are still being finalized, and we'll be sure to share more information about it as time goes on. We know there are a lot of questions (like this) to be discussed, and we look forward to talking more about it when we can. (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)




RoS Content Clarifications

Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

And now you too think it funny to reply and reply only to see how many variations of "nothing more, nothing less" you can come up with, barring having some actual info to share?
No humor intended. Just clarity. Players shouldn't read into the Games of Thrones reference; the only connection it has with Josh's response is a shared sentence structure. No need to dig any deeper (unless you just enjoy that kind of thing, in which case--hey, knock yourself out).

Beyond that, like I noted earlier, we don't have any additional details to share about Loot 2.0 right now. Many of the features Josh spoke about at gamescom (the Mystic, new Legendary items, targeted Legendaries, adjusted drop rates, etc) are still being developed or tweaked, so there's not a whole lot more we can sink our teeth into at the moment. You can fully expect some sort of write-up, though, as development moves forward, more forum posts certainly, and we're even looking into doing some Twitch streams so we can show off changes within the actual game environment. We also want to make sure that players have an opportunity to provide feedback before any of these changes go live.

Additionally, just to make sure there isn't any confusion, we're not looking at releasing our itemization update for PC (a.k.a Loot 2.0) until the pre-expansion patch at the earliest. I know we've communicated that in previous posts, but I feel like it's good to call out again. We don't have a date set for that yet, but we'll be sure to keep everyone as updated as possible in the meantime. (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

My question though is Paragon 2.0 if it is indeed in the console version then why can't we have it on the PC version as there is no difference in the Paragon System between the two versions. I understand you all want to ship it all together but I think if anything were to come earlier it should be Paragon 2.0 as how it works should be the same on both versions of the game as can't see how it can be different between the two.
If there is a big difference as to how it will work on the Console and PC version can you please share what it is? Thank you.
Looks a few information streams got crossed. :)

Paragon 2.0, Loot Runs, Nephalem Trials -- none of these features are in the console version of Diablo III which just released today. These changes are currently under development for Reaper of Souls (though many of them will likely be released for free as part of a pre-expansion patch).

Hope that helps clear things up a bit! (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)




Console Pre-Order Dyes are Reusable

Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Are the dyes from ore-order one time use?
The Account Bound "Bottled Cloud Dye" and "Bottled Smoke Dye" that you received with you pre-order are indeed reusable. :)

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