DiabloFans

Yeah I don't care. Just as many whorish revealing costumes as possible.

Wow, that's art!

No, no, that's just a gimmicky way of doing things. Your words alone are far preferable.

And in all seriousness to my response, I do favor claw class weapons. I just don't like in D3 how they call them fist weapons.

I'm all for fisting my enemies.

Apparently the WoW panels are worse. I'm sure some of you have read this article.

It's relevant to talk about Fallout 3 here anyway since many features of F3 will be implemented in Skyrim

Quote from Deckardm

With real world pvp comes uncertainty, and by and large, today’s masses are just too sensitive for this kind of gameplay. America has become a bunch of pansies, and Blizzard is unprepared to handle the volume of trouble tickets associated with it. E.g. “Devilspawn killed me twice… HE’S GRIEFING ME! Please help me! Make it stop. Please! He’s ruining my life… I’m going to go kill myself…”

This is really why you think they are focusing less on PVP?

Quote from Deckardm

And finally, to those concerned about balance, this post isn’t about balance but about retaining the best parts (IMO) of Diablo at its core, and staying true to the spirit of the original instead of selling out.

If by original you mean Diablo 1, that game wasn't that focused on pvp either. People played more online to fight side by side. At least this was my experience. But since in your opinion the best part of Diablo at its core is pvp, I wouldn't know how to persuade you really on what I think are the best parts of Diablo now would I try. I respect your opinions though I disagree on some of your basis of those opinions, but the best part of Diablo for me was ultimately its setting and story. I would not have played the game so many hours on end if I wasn't captivated and hooked by the story first. I think it's the story that really carries you through your first play through. I know for most other people the appeal of this game is all about the loot and making your character as strong as possible. That part is fun for me after I've already played through the game thousands of times, and it's why I'm replaying Diablo 1 and 2 still to this day, but it's not what I'll ultimately want to remember the games for when it's all over.

Quote from Deckardm

Besides, Blizzard’s RPGs are purposely imbalanced… for reasons which should be obvious.

Which obvious reason is that? Sorry, I really don't know the reason. I can say though that I don't think perfect balance will ever be achieved in a game like this nor would the developers really acknowledge that being possible. But I also never found Diablo to really be an RPG. I think in an RPG your character has to be able to affect the story in SOME way other than moving it forward in a straight line by killing all the monsters you're supposed to. But I guess that's a different discussion on what is and isn't an RPG. I do think D3 will try to add more RPG elements which I am pleased with.

Quote from Deckardm

They’ll never be balanced so fughetaboutit.

We know...we know.

Quote from Deckardm

Don’t know why? Follow the money. Always follow the money.

Seriously! When is Blizzard gonna make a custom game based on my personal preferences? Thiz bulllllshit!

Quote from Deckardm

R.I.P. Diablo. You were the best game ever, hands down, and will be missed.

LOL Don't be so dramatic. I bet you still buy the game anyway.

See, we've just been waiting this whole time for you to say something about it. Now that you have, Blizzard will change the art direction of D3.

While some of these observations of LoD on Battle.net are nothing new, a few I've begun to notice now more than ever. Granted, LoD is a relatively old game now and it's hard enough as it is to get any enjoyment out of it anymore especially with none of my old friend playing anymore. But some things despite all that remain just as annoying forever and I have a hard time chalking it up to the game merely being old. Here are a few.

Bots
Fuuuuuuck me, are the bots sure out of control this season. I especially realize that bots are nothing new to games, but man are they more intrusive than ever. Before some of you start telling me I can just create private games, don't. I know that stuff. But obviously at times you're gonna be in open games for one reason or another. They enter a game and it seems like they have more to say now than they used to. Their whole advertisement takes up the entire screen's worth of text that you can't even see the game. And fairly often actually do multiple bots come into the game at a given time all with their lengthy advertisements and you almost just have to sit there patiently and wait for the walls of text to disappear. Guess it's not that big of a deal in a Baal run where you're just standing around anyway. Which reminds me...

Baal Runs
A necessary part of the grind, I understand. Especially when you are in Hell and you want to level up as you're reaching the 90s. But I have a few particular problems with Baal runs that I haven't noticed as much before as I do now.

One is the bots. No, not the ones who host the Baal runs, but just the other players who run in them. You're kind of a sucker as it is if you're willing to torture yourself over the grind of leveling up into the 90s. But you're especially a sucker if you're willing to run the Baal runs manually without a bot. Which these days are very few including me. I swear I'm not just jealous that I don't know how to create a bot. I'm not sure if I'd really want to. The game these days feels as aimless and shiftless as it is even without playing with a bot. But most Baal runs are full of other players who are nowhere near their computer while their bot just grinds all day automatically. I could argue this is unfair to people who actually sit at their computer to do the Baal runs, but it's not so much the issue as just knowing there aren't in humans in the game with me. Which reminds me....

No one ever chats anymore in Baal runs. I understand we're all strangers to each other and we're not there to make friends. But man, online gaming sure has come a ways from bringing people together to merely alienating them again. I'm not trying to get personal with anyone during Baal runs. But for others who aren't running bots like me and are paying attention to what's happening on the screen, it might be nice to discuss things about the game such as builds, gear, how much damage your character does, etc. But those seldom humans that appear in the game with me are in no mood to talk even a little and I better damn well not try talking to them. It's come to the point almost where when someone tries talking to me now I just reply with, "No talking."

No talking! I said no talking!
Another thing about Baal runs and Hell difficulty in general is that this really is when the game becomes most non-fun for me. This is probably where some of you respond how the fun for you is reaching a godly level 99 character and finding the perfect gear. I guess I shouldn't criticize what others find about the game so much cause we all gotta get what we can out of a ten year old game. My problem is that in Hell the only games available are typically Baal runs and trade games. And that's about it. That's all anyone cares about in Hell. I complained to Jittabug about this once and he replied, "So make your own game and have people join it." I've tried this several times before and after he said this and I've found that unless the game is a Baal run or trade game, seriously no one's joining in. Ever.

Another example of this is when you first reach Hell. It's kind of hard to do things on your own not just because you may not be strong enough, but it could be boring walking through the entire acts without anyone joining you. So I would try to start, say, an Act 1 Walk game and just have other people around level 70 or so join me in Hell as we plow our way through the act. Sometimes it would start off well and if you showed the initiative of willingness to quest and go the long way, other players would do it to. But it was never long before some obnoxious Sorc or Nigma character would enter the game and tele to level 4 of the Catacombs and raise their TP. Once that TP is up, the temptation for everyone to just go in it and get the first act over with is too great. Even as my party abandons me somewhere else and all go through the portal, I figure I better just go too or I'll miss standing around when Andariel dies her quick death. And most games where I try to walk through the acts almost always end up like this. It's almost like it offends more powerful players that you're trying to do things the old fashioned way and it makes them feel impatient that other players aren't actually getting rushed in Hell.

But what is the obsession with getting rushed? I hate asking this cause I always risk you hardcore players coming and telling me how you're just in it for the gear and the leveling. But has it occurred to you that for some players, once we beat Hell the game won't be much fun for us anymore? I think it's futile to ask these questions cause again, it IS a very old game and I know many are constantly playing it for other reasons. It's just sad that I can't revisit the game maybe once every one or two years and get groups of like minded players who just want to play through the game and enjoy things like being in a diverse party where we manage to survive not because we have the best gear but because we're working together with all of our different skills combined. The longer I complain about it though I just feel embarrassed cause I know how idealistic I'm beginning to sound about this game. It's just that I didn't think I'd play LoD again but I thought I'd give the new ladder season a try and it's been sorely disappointing so far cause of some of these things.

A Game That's Lost Its Soul
It's really not D2's fault. But after so many years, there simply are no more players like me who want to just go questing sometimes and not necessarily be rushed. There aren't players anymore who dread the grind and want to enjoy other aspects of the game and hope for a more social experience to come out of all of it. It's mostly just players who create their bots for finding loot and doing Baal runs and the whole thing has become a sterile and mechanical experience with little human element left to it. And the few humans that are seemingly left on Battle.net apparently are just as grumpy to be there as I'm becoming.

I've met a couple people this season, however, that have made the game somewhat of a more enjoyable experience. But ultimately this game for me has lost its soul and there are no more alternative reasons for playing other than people simply trying to have the most powerful characters or programming their bots to find the best loot.

I won't deny even that I've benefitted from bots. But the pressure to succumb to the benefits of the bots is so high that no one wants to do anything the old fashioned way anymore. Maybe not using bots was never old fashioned. Perhaps I'm the one that's had the problem all along. Maybe I should feel stupid that the thing I enjoy most is doing Countess, Summoner and Nihl runs manually, looking for keys while everyone else simply has their bots to do that crap.

This will definitely be my last season ever playing LoD. Once it's over, I guess D3 will be that much closer to arrival. And I do have a renewed interest in Eastern Sun again so hopefully I'll see some of you around on that. Thanks for reading!

I had lots of good memories playing this game. Before WoW even became popular, I was a pretty big fan of the Warcraft franchise. Especially from playing Warcraft 2 on dial-up and tying up the phone line for hours so I could precariously play a multiplayer game with a friend.

By the time Warcraft 3 came out, I actually had no one to play online with, but I had lots of fun taking my time with the campaign. I don't care that the mission objectives weren't as diverse as SC2's. Sometimes I liked that the sole objective of the mission was to destroy every last building of the enemy base. Having four different campaigns was awesome. And then the expansion set was really fun too. Overall I just liked the pacing of the game and how each mission wasn't totally rushing you to do a thing before it was too late.

I even really liked the lore of the game. Nowadays I don't care at all for the Warcraft universe but back then I actually kind of cared about the Orcs and whatnot.

1. What NPC in Act 3 has class specific intro for Necromancer?
Gheed
2. What is the name of the amulet you receive after completing the Halls of the Blind quest in Diablo 1?
IDK
3. What type of magic is used to create the protective ward that surrounds Harrogath?
Ancient Magic?
4. How much gold did it cost just to look at Wirt's item for sale?
200?
5. What is the clan name of Bartuc and Horazon?
IDK
6. What clan does Ormus most likely come from?
A magi clan?
7. What does the Assassin say upon first entering Blood Moor?
"They will never see me coming!"
8. Name all quest specific items in Act III (There's quite a few when you think about it).
Brain, Heart, Eye, Golden Bird, Jade Figurine, Gibin blade, Kahleem's Flail, Kahleem's Will and I dont know if Mephisto's soul stone counts.
9. What are the two possible lines Andariel says upon approaching you?
Oh shit...never paid attention...um "Evil will..." IDK
10. Name each NPC in every act that you use for gambling.
Act 1-Gheed
Act 2-Elsix
Act 3-Alkor
Act 4-um...shit...jamel?
Act 5-Nihlathak

I agree. People have said they wouldn't announce two major projects so close together, and that is true, but only if you look in a past perspective. Blizzard has stated publically that they need to step up production to continue the growth WoW brought in. As the two games are on very different markets, and each game has a mostly loyal fanbase, they would not lose many customers to either, and gain in the long run. Most fall into the category of getting both regardless eventually anyway, or those that are only interested in one franchise. If they wait much longer, the hype for D2 would dwindle more, and it would have been longer since other D2 vets quit, making it less likely they would purchase D3.

Well, wasn't there that one side quest in the first Diablo where you meet that Hell Knight who was once an angel? I think he was anyway. But anyway, you're supposed to kill someone then come back and he asks you to kill him or something and you get that cool Hell Knight helm? Someone help me fill in the gaps here.

you talking about Lachdanan. the former captain of the guard of King Leoric.

he wants you to get him an elixir from the next level and bring it back to him so it can die. then he gives you the cool helm.

Izual is an obvious example of this anyway. I'm still inconclusive toward whether Inarius is considered that. He just seems bad for both Heaven and Hell.

not really sure whats up with Inarius. his prison does show up on the map of sanctuary, but we havent been there yet. so he is still in his prison of mirrors as far as i can tell.

taken from the diablo manual

Even the Seraphim are not immune to the corruption of the Dark Lords. One such angel, Inarius, was proud of his beauty and boasted loudly of his purity and worth. His thoughts became so clouded that he believed himself to be above both Angel and Demon, and he left the High Heavens to form his own dominion. He constructed a great cathedral of mirrored glass and crystal, and followers flocked to him, drawn by his numinous charm and wealth. Once Inarius had gathered a sizable army, he decided to prove his power. Inarius first laid siege to an infernal temple devoted to the worship of Mephisto, but made the foolish mistake of overestimating his prowess. The armies of Inarius laid waste to the temple and killed the dark monks that dwelled within. The Three Evils had considered the vain warrior a mere nuisance and amusement until this time, but this was an insult that they could not bear.

Mephisto himself is said to have appeared at the cathedral of Inarius. He laid waste to the church and the surrounding countryside. The Lord of Hatred took the proud archangel and His follower’s captive. He bound Inarius with tremendous chains and slowly tore the wings from the back of the angel. Great barbed hooks were then used to stretch out the once glowing skin and his features were distorted by vile powers. Many of the followers of Inarius were given as gifts to Baal and Diablo, but the rest were molded to match the bloated image of the now crippled angel. To this day, Inarius is said to be trapped in Hell within a chamber of mirrors, his eyelids torn from his face as he is forced to gaze upon his misshapen form for all eternity. His misguided followers now serve as Hell’s taskmasters, taking the anguish of their lost glory out upon the bodies of others.

These grotesque demons have considerable brawn hidden beneath their layers of greasy flab. Do not underestimate their strength or their intelligence for crossing swords with them is ill advised. You will be far better served to combat them with ranged weapons or magic.

I've considered the possibility that since Baal's Soulstone was first damaged before they originally imprisoned him in it, with Tal Rasha, that perhaps the stone was never capable of completely containing him, and thus his essence managed to escape the bounds of it anyway.

Cause the only reason they were able to use the compromised stone, was because Tal Rasha assisted in containing him. However, this is another fine point of the story that escapes me: it seems that for one Prime Evils to exist in a physical form, they need a human host, otherwise they exist merely as the stones (remember in the first Diablo how he was confined to his and that's why he lured Prince Albrecht into the labryinth), although even without a host body they can still do harm. But when joined with someone, then they can really do some damage.

i think there is a bit of that diablo 1 ignorance concerning Baal's soulstone. it was broken, so a partial vessel needed to be found to replace the missing half. Tal Rasha was chosen, as the most power mage surely he could contain the beast within. much like how the warrior thought himself strong enough to contain the essence of diablo.

So why didn't the Horadrim originally take the Soulstone and just bury it in the tomb. One might assume it was because they couldn't take the chance of who's possession it might fall into. But if that was really their reason, then why would they chance putting Baal's soulstone in the most powerful mortal mage at the time? And obviously, the story addresses the arrogance of the Horadrim at the time assuming that they could pull it off. But why didn't Tyrael foresee that risk?

yes i dont think they would want to hide the stones in obvious places. one was hidden in an ancient city, one hidden in the vast desert amoung 7 tombs, the other hidden beneath a holy church. and there locations kept by a secret order.

I think the Horadrims big mistake is underestimating the extent of the power of the three. Diablo was able to corrupt the mind of an arch bishop then later the body and mind of the young prince and the unnamed warrior, baal corrupted the body and mind of the most powerful mage in the world, and Mephisto corrupted body and mind of the head of the Order of the Zakarum. and all with being trapped inside soulstones.

not sure if Tyrael posesses far sight, if he did, i dont think he would have told marius to tkae the stone, and destroy it knowing full well that marius wouldnt do it?

I suppose it was because Tyrael was unaware of Izual's treachery and did not know then that the Soulstones were corrupted. I think it would be interesting to read some more literature about the meeting between Izual and the Prime Evils. Because I couldn't understand really Izual's motivation for defecting the way he did.

yes how did Izual become corrupt and tell the Prime Evils the secrets of the soulstones? did he trade for something. often one make a deal with the devil, and well as Diablo, Mephisto and Baal are all embodiments of Lucifer so to speak, i dont see this concept being out of the question.

but it would be nice to know the exact reasoning. does he alude to anything in his dialogues after you defeat him? i recall him saying it was he who told the prime evils of the nature of the soulstones. but i dont recall anything of his reasoning for doing so.