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"Radio Silence"

The lack of blue posts recently concerns players, and one of them asked on the official forums about it, and got an answer from Tyvalir. The reason for it is both that the staff is getting ready for Blizzcon and that we're in that in-between patch period where there's not a lot for the developers to talk about yet. Read below.

Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Whenever Blizcon is on the horizon, blue posts and changes become scarce because they are preparing for it. If they leaked all their plans in advance, then they will not have much to present at the convention.

The weeks leading up to BlizzCon are an exciting and busy time, and we're looking forward to sharing some new info with all of you shortly. At the same time, it's worth noting that it's quite normal for there to be periods of time in Diablo III where there's just not a lot of info to share, especially between patches. 

All the same, we really do appreciate you all sharing your feelings about the game, where you want to see improvements, and what you hope to see in the future. Above all, we hope you remember that just because we may not be as talkative as usual, it doesn't mean we aren't listening (or working on the game)!

Abachio's "Lightning Rage Nocturne" Demon Hunter

This week's Play Your Way build is an alternative to the common M6 DH builds, and uses the Natalya's Set. An interesting concept, with considerably different gameplay and a strong thematic connection to the class' lore. See a preview below or the full build by clicking on the banner.

Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

While traps and pets may be basking in the spotlight in the current high tier game, let's not forget the roots of this nephalem warrior. String up your bow and get ready to snipe from the darkness this week with Abachio#2399's "Lightning Rage Nocturne" build!

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About the Build:

If you were to distill the core of the Demon Hunter class, what truly encapsulates the essence of this fierce ranged vigilante? Projectiles, traps, and a generous dose of agile stealth maneuvers all come to mind. One also might think of an expert marksman, and that's where the Lightning Rage Nocturne build comes in. Steering away from the ever-popular M6 build, Abachio has focused his efforts on a build that's both visually and thematically appealing without sacrificing the ability to dole out substantial damage.
 
Vengeance is mine! No, seriously, it's right there on my bar. "I wanted to create a Demon Hunter build which I would enjoy both playing and looking at," Abachio writes in. "Having said that, I also wanted it to have a theme. I was aiming for a solo, lightning-based Demon Hunter." With skills that sport not only interesting visuals but effective mechanics, like Vengeance andElemental Arrow, he's definitely achieved this goal. Strong support in the form of utility skills including Smoke Screen andStrafe round things out by providing the evasive maneuvers necessary for escaping those inevitable tricky situations.

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The Items:

While the list below can be viewed as daunting, remember that not all items are necessary to make this build function. Even if you lack a Kridershot, substituting in a generator allows you to capture a similar look and feel with minimal adjustment. 
Abachio's wish list includes a new Ring of Royal Grandeur with Critical Hit Damage and a Witching Hour to complement his already impressive collection of gear. Required Items:

• Kridershot
  • Most integral item in the build
  • Turns Elemental Arrow into a Hatred generator, eliminating the need for a Primary skill
• Ring of Royal Grandeur
  • Necessary to obtain multiple set bonuses from Natalya’s Vengeance and The Shadow’s Mantle
• Natalya's Vengeance (4 piece)
  • Provides a substantial boost to burst damage with a low cooldown Rain of Vengeance
  • Set bonuses provide plenty of additional damage and survivability stats
• The Shadow's Mantle (4 piece)
  • Shadow Power using every rune provides a substantial boost to survivability and utility
  • Offers an additional second life ability
• Meticulous Bolts
  • Vastly increases damage capability of Elemental Arrow

Complementary Items:

• Aughild's Authority
  • Great for filling in the spots between other set items
  • Able to be crafted, offering an accessible source of survivability and damage
• Blackthorne's Battlegear
  • Reasonable option to fill in missing gear while working towards Natalya’s Vengeance and The Shadow’s Mantle
  • Can potentially fit 3-piece bonus into build while utilizing other sets
  • Great source of Toughness
• Thundergod's Vigor
  • Source of additional +Lightning Damage

Alkaizer Rank #1 Solo GR 44

Alkaizer broke another record with his Crusader, this time defeating a GR 44 solo. He uploaded the run to youtube recently - check it out below!