Alongside the update that added a skill calculator to the official Diablo III site, Blizzard also added in depth character pages to give you a better idea of how each class works. Although they obviously share some features with the class pages on the old site, there are some nice new features that show off the main differences between each class. Be sure to check out each page through the links below.
The first noticeable difference between these new pages and the ones on the old site has to be the Key Features bar on the side of each class page. It essentially compresses the reasons to play each class into a few short paragraphs, which also gives a very good idea of the playstyle of each class. For example, the Barbarian's page brings attention to the shouts that they can utilize to buff themselves and their allies, while the Witch Doctor page gives a short description of how pets add to the flavor of the class. Right beneath the Key Features is an in depth look at the resource used by each character, which brings attention to both the lore and functions of Fury, Hatred/Discipline, Spirit, Mana, and Arcane Power.
Each class page also provides the character's background. In a brief overview of the lore behind the classes, a short paragraph tells the motivations and objectives of each class to explain why they risk their lives fighting the Burning Hells, from the Wizard's quest for fame to the Monk's desire to embody the will of their one thousand and one gods. For anyone who read the old character pages, there might not be anything new, but the background section could provide a welcome refresher nonetheless.
Shortly after the backgrounds, there are two extremely interesting sections. The first is the Unique Equipment section, which goes over the items that can be used by that class and no other. The Monk has the ability to use not only fist weapons, but also daibos that can be used to attack and deflect incoming projectiles. The Demon Hunter page describes the ability to use and dual wield small, fast firing pistol crossbows. The Barbarians are able to use their immense strength to wield massive weapons, enormously big two handed weapons that can be used to pulverize enemies. Barbarians also are able to use nearly every weapon available in the game. The Wizard uses orbs to augment their powers and wands to project their abilities through enchanted lengths of wood. Finally, the Witch Doctor can use ceremonial daggers that are normally used in human sacrifices and mojos, which are off-hand items that seem functionally similar to the Wizard's orbs.
After going over the weapons each class can use, the character pages also give us a glimpse at what armor progression will look like through 3D models at the bottom of each page. While we have seen progression concept art before, seeing the armor sets in 3D more accurately depicts how the look of your character will change as you progress from act to act and difficulty to difficulty.
Each character page also has a link directly to their skill calculator located at the top, sitting right next to tabs for active and passive skills. While the skill calculator might be all you need for exploring the skills for each class, these tabs do provide an excellent side by side look at each skill and rune effect without limiting you to looking at six active and three passive skills at a time. In these tabs, you are also allowed to search for a skill by name, and can click on filters to only view one type of skill at a time, such as discipline skills for the Demon Hunter or signature skills for the Wizard.
Although I'm sure reading that description was enjoyable, I can assure you that these new character pages are an extremely fun read for any Diablo fan. So as I said before, be sure to check out each page in its full glory through the links at the top of this article.
So with every class having a unique set of weapons that only they can use, does anyone think that those weapons will always be best for that particular class? Will they be better (for your particular class) than normal weapons that all characters can use?
I wonder if in the end game, all characters will be using class unique weapons. Hopefully not.
So with every class having a unique set of weapons that only they can use, does anyone think that those weapons will always be best for that particular class? Will they be better (for your particular class) than normal weapons that all characters can use?
I wonder if in the end game, all characters will be using class unique weapons. Hopefully not.
I doubt it. I think it is just some weapons don't fit with all the classes, like the axe and mace which only the barb can use this seems like the way it should be. The other classes unique weapons seem to have the same idea. I would guess other weapon choices would be viable in the end game.
EDIT: actually there are two classes I could see mostly sticking to their class unique weapons only. The witch doctor and a Wizard(assuming the wizard is not attempting to do much meleeing) due to their offhand items and the class specific bonus effects offered by their class specific weapons. Of course it is possible there are other weapons outside of class unique ones that could do that too, but that is just my estimation.
Yea, I don't think people will only use their class specific weapon unless your a WD or Wiz. For example, not all Barbs are going to want a 2-hander, and not all DHs are going to want fast firing pistol xbows. Even with the WD and Wiz, I'm sure anyone would switch out their class specific off hand for a shield if it had stats they wanted. It really just allows players to have more possibilities, but I don't think they're going to be the absolute best for the class, although they certainly have the potential to be excellent for certain builds.
Ranged Weapons
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.
Well there are a few skills for the DH that say 'fire bullets' and the like (ie Evasive Fire). The datamined items also make no mention of guns, so I think/hope its only referring to certain skills.
@Jackzor - Yeah, I was only so surprised because I hadn't seen or heard anything about guns at all. I didn't notice the mention of 'Fire Bullets', but that has eased my mind a bit. Honestly though, the Demon Hunter will be the last class that I try so even if she does have access to guns, I'll probably be able to just ignore it.
Still, I have a strong inclination to make a "Rocketeer" with lots of obsidian runes on my skills. 'Cause rockets are awesome. And you can double their damage with a passive!
I especially like strafing with rockets shooting out at a rate of 7/second. Totally badass.
Well there are a few skills for the DH that say 'fire bullets' and the like (ie Evasive Fire). The datamined items also make no mention of guns, so I think/hope its only referring to certain skills.
Let's hope this is true
EDIT: Monks have no cooldowns whatsoever? That's awesome
Yea I don't quite know why it says that, seeing as there are cooldowns for skills like Seven Sided Strike, but there are only a few and the cooldowns aren't long. There's a passive ability that makes it so Seven Sided Strike, Lashing Tail-Kick, and Wave of Light don't have cooldowns, but it increases Spirit costs for those abilities by 50%. So that summary is accurate in that the Monk seems to have smaller/less cooldowns, but its a bit misleading at the same time.
Ranged Weapons
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.
Ummm... WTF?!?!
Don't you remember the Demon Hunter Trailer? At the very end? She gives the other woman a revolver. I was wondering when everyone else was gonna catch on... Guns are in the game!
That was a 1 hand crossbow, not a gun (though it's called a "pistol crossbow").
Shortly after the backgrounds, there are two extremely interesting sections. The first is the Unique Equipment section, which goes over the items that can be used by that class and no other. The Monk has the ability to use not only fist weapons, but also daibos that can be used to attack and deflect incoming projectiles. The Demon Hunter page describes the ability to use and dual wield small, fast firing pistol crossbows. The Barbarians are able to use their immense strength to wield massive weapons, enormously big two handed weapons that can be used to pulverize enemies. Barbarians also are able to use nearly every weapon available in the game. The Wizard uses orbs to augment their powers and wands to project their abilities through enchanted lengths of wood. Finally, the Witch Doctor can use ceremonial daggers that are normally used in human sacrifices and mojos, which are off-hand items that seem functionally similar to the Wizard's orbs.
After going over the weapons each class can use, the character pages also give us a glimpse at what armor progression will look like through 3D models at the bottom of each page. While we have seen progression concept art before, seeing the armor sets in 3D more accurately depicts how the look of your character will change as you progress from act to act and difficulty to difficulty.
Each character page also has a link directly to their skill calculator located at the top, sitting right next to tabs for active and passive skills. While the skill calculator might be all you need for exploring the skills for each class, these tabs do provide an excellent side by side look at each skill and rune effect without limiting you to looking at six active and three passive skills at a time. In these tabs, you are also allowed to search for a skill by name, and can click on filters to only view one type of skill at a time, such as discipline skills for the Demon Hunter or signature skills for the Wizard.
Although I'm sure reading that description was enjoyable, I can assure you that these new character pages are an extremely fun read for any Diablo fan. So as I said before, be sure to check out each page in its full glory through the links at the top of this article.
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I wonder if in the end game, all characters will be using class unique weapons. Hopefully not.
I doubt it. I think it is just some weapons don't fit with all the classes, like the axe and mace which only the barb can use this seems like the way it should be. The other classes unique weapons seem to have the same idea. I would guess other weapon choices would be viable in the end game.
EDIT: actually there are two classes I could see mostly sticking to their class unique weapons only. The witch doctor and a Wizard(assuming the wizard is not attempting to do much meleeing) due to their offhand items and the class specific bonus effects offered by their class specific weapons. Of course it is possible there are other weapons outside of class unique ones that could do that too, but that is just my estimation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KDLvDVOxZs
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Ummm... WTF?!?!
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But I bet that's a mistake
Still, I have a strong inclination to make a "Rocketeer" with lots of obsidian runes on my skills. 'Cause rockets are awesome. And you can double their damage with a passive!
I especially like strafing with rockets shooting out at a rate of 7/second. Totally badass.
Let's hope this is true
EDIT: Monks have no cooldowns whatsoever? That's awesome
EDIT 2: The armors look much better.
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That was a 1 hand crossbow, not a gun (though it's called a "pistol crossbow").
You big silly.