[mockery]

In a recent post found in our blue tracker, Bashiok responded to a user's questions regarding the rune system. Here's what he had to say:

Quote

The intent isn't for runes to be hot-swappable or interchangeable at any time. The ability to change the rune is the point of any comments made about switching them around, not that we want to allow easy and free interchangeable runes. What we do intend is for people to be able to try different runes without fear of losing the rune, or permanently changing the way a skill works.

Early design thoughts on rune swapping are that there would be some sort of cost to remove them so a new one could be put in its place. Early in the character's life it would be inexpensive enough so it isn't prohibitive, as we want to encourage experimentation, but later on the cost would become more substantial.

In addition, the high end runes are intended to be very rare. So while you're looking for them we want you to be able to use the runes you have without fear of losing them or using them incorrectly. Being able to experiment with different runes along the way to creating your perfect character is more fun, and potentially enlightening to the different ways your character can be used.

He also went on to say that it hasn't yet been decided on if the "some sort of cost to remove them" will be entirely currency based or something else. I definitely like that they have it set up so you'll be able to experiment with the runes without worrying about using them improperly. What do you guys think?

[Pryda]

Excellent. This is perfect. Makes me want D3 so bad!

Anyway, I think that this system is potentially a good gold sink. Also I hope that some of the very rare high level runes will offer unique effects (not available from lower level runes).

[bes]

I like the 'testing'-ability as well, otherwise it would be like in D2 with the gems, where you (or at least I) would keep them in your stash, constantly thinking there would be a better opportunity to use that perfect emerald. And as such waiting for that socketed kick-ass sword that, when it appears, just might not be the best out there. Finally resulting in you (or again, me) not using the precious perfect gem at all :D

otherwise, like Bashiock mentioned, it wouldn't be too good either when it was 'hot-swappable' :p

[naksucow]

I like the idea so far. I think if they make you pay gold to change the runes, that they should relate it to the world some how. I guess they would probably just make you pay a blacksmith to do it.

[Kovault]

I know this is a stupid question, but will there be rune words again?

[dunhac82]

This is a great idea and I'm glad they are at least making it so it is not free for all. Maybe it will be like removing socketed items was in D2. Either way I think it's a solid idea and I'm curious to see what thing (or things) will allow you to change runes when you level higher. I also like the idea of super rare runes, though I think they were mentioned before. And to answer you Kovault I think they said there will not be rune words.

[Pryda]

Kovault said:

I know this is a stupid question, but will there be rune words again?

NO.

There will however be new (probably more than one) systems for item customization.

[carnage665]

Good thing they give you a chance to experiment with runes without the fear off losing them forever. Guess it's only normal that it should come at a price (gold lose for example or something else).

Although.... I'M STILL GONNA MISS THAT GOOD OLD RUNEWORD-SYSTEM!!! (it was my favorite part in D2) :(

[Trouble]

I like what I'm hearing, and especially this part. It makes the game a whole lot more interesting wouldn't you agree? ^_^ If it works out well so to say...

Quote

the game is designed and maintained as to not allow creation of illegitimate items.

[Berten]

Would be cool if in stead of a gold-cost, the swapping of runes would come with a power cost, so that newly inserted runes or gems would take some time to operate at full power. Low level runes and gems would have relatively short times in which they become fully active; high level ones would take some more time. Could also be tied to a set number of hits. No idea on how to connect this with lore though.

[Arioch]

Berten said:

Would be cool if in stead of a gold-cost, the swapping of runes would come with a power cost, so that newly inserted runes or gems would take some time to operate at full power. Low level runes and gems would have relatively short times in which they become fully active; high level ones would take some more time. Could also be tied to a set number of hits. No idea on how to connect this with lore though.

That had been suggested on the other forum, I like the idea as well.

I also think that perhaps having a small mini screen that shows how the rune would effect the skill would be nice.

[Asynchronic]

This is good news. Easy skill customization will be a welcomed improvement and will prevent people (at least me) from using cookie-cutter builds all the time. The build options will be limitless.

I hope this doesn't mean that the old runes will be destroyed. I couldn't tell from the post if this was the case.

[dallabeneta]

mockery said:

He also went on to say that it hasn't yet been decided on if the "some sort of cost to remove them" will be entirely currency based or something else.

I've liked the idea, but...


What about only premium users could remove then freely and free users only a couple of times? I've read about that they are not discarding the premium account thing.


I would not be surprised if they do this.

[milanv]

dallabeneta said:

I've liked the idea, but...


What about only premium users could remove then freely and free users only a couple of times? I've read about that they are not discarding the premium account thing.


I would not be surprised if they do this.

I think they said that those premium users will only have advantages not directly connected to the game. something like in WoW, where you can pay to change your name. what a rip off but whatever.

[biff exploder]

good riddance to runewords and duping.

without those D2 would be an even better game.

[jonny_cool]

Regarding the runes, I think that it would be a good thing to make some system of runewords or some rune sets that if you combine some particular runes you get a cool spell or abitily. Just a thought. And btw runewords were a good thing in d2 because you had a lot of possibilities for experimenting.

[Jinky Williams]

I am all in favor of the exchange system. I think a gold-based cost would work out in-world, as the blacksmiths/runesmiths/whomever could conceivably be the ones who would be doing the actual operation.

I like the scaling of the cost, too. One thing that really attracted me to PlugY was the fact that you could try out different things and not get pigeonholed, but even that didn't have the ability to remove runes (though that may well have been a game engine limitation).

I'm so jazzed for this game. I am taking a three-day vacation from life to play this when it hits.

[Mackan]

Pjanoo said:

Excellent. This is perfect. Makes me want D3 so bad!

Anyway, I think that this system is potentially a good gold sink. Also I hope that some of the very rare high level runes will offer unique effects (not available from lower level runes).

Yep, like the rarest "x"-rune will cause, for example, the Wizard's electrocute to go around corners, hehe. The potential is huge here. Will be interesting to see what they come up with.

[tkrow21]

Reminds me of the time I made a Jah-Eth-Ber Enigma. How I wish I had these features back then!

[bes]

Mackan said:

the Wizard's electrocute to go around corners, hehe.

that would indeed be very cool :D