I like the idea of Respecs, believe it or not. Mainly, i like to try new builds, a lot. Those who are familiar with my HC uswest clan (CgB) know we like to use creative and different builds. What i don't like is wasting time and space building a character to a certain level just to test a build. Also, the process of leveling has degenerated a lot online.
Allowing Respec would drastically reduce: muling, rushing, grushing, 'baalbots', as well as encouraging diversity and less 'wasted items'. What i mean is this; i have many mules with items like two Jade Talon (2/2/230+/45+) collecting dust because i just don't want to go through the effort of leveling an assassin to 66 to use the damn things. We know the respec won't be without a hefty penalty, but it would save me a SHITLOAD of time doing things i'd rather not.
Also, it allows me the ability to test new things, and experiment with builds legally (i don't use 3rd party programs) which is great. I don't want to risk downloading a virus, causing a computer crash, wasting time leveling, all for the effort of testing a new build. I can go "hey, i got this great idea for a build. Grab your Wizard!"
We know for a fact there will be a 'ranged' type class as evidenced by the bow being dropped in the gameplay demo (the same way short staff = wizard). Now, from interviews, we also know the remaining classes have gone through lots of debate at Blizzard. We also know the ONLY returning class is Barbarian, so you can count all the others from previous games out (Warrior, Sorcerer, Rogue, Paladin, Necromancer, Amazon, Sorceress, Druid, Assassin).
This narrows the field. Now, my money is also on a Ranger-type class, but i doubt they would call it that. They also would avoid calling it a Hunter because Blizzard is sensitive to Diablo fans' paranoia that this game would be too much like WoW. My money is on 'Scavenger'.
"Preferring to utilize ranged combat, the scavenger will deal death from a distance. Shoot first, ask questions later and take whatever's left over. That is the Scavenger's Creed. Nothing has complained so far."
My other guess is on a controversial but cool character, 'way over the top character'. Probably a fall from grace character, a holy person who has lost their faith and now uses their divine powers for revenge.
All it needs is a blatant rip-off of the Grand Exchange in Runescape. You can hate that game with the fiery passion of a thousand dieing suns, but the Grand Exchange is just...perfect.
I don't like the complaints of 'no customization' because really, there isn't any in free stat allocation. I haven't made a character in YEARS that didn't follow the same formula: base energy, 65 str, dex for max block if you're going that route, rest in vitality. Explain how that is 'customization' and not repetition. Name the last time you pumped a stat that wasn't to meet item requirements or vitality.
This new system also has the added benefit of keeping the game more balanced. A barbarian in d2 could pump str and get some dex charms, and wear full angelic and full deaths with a hotspur and could clear the game all the way to the end of Nightmare difficulty, all starting at level 12.
There will be tons of character customization with the equippable runes alone. I know it will happen to me, I will see a crazy combination and ask 'how the hell did you do that?' and then try to top it. I can just imagine competitions to come up with the most badass and flashy combination of runes to spec a skill. Plus, the way you spec your skills will determine what kind of different items you wear.
Example: a Wizard specced to use a crazy magic missile will be wearing very different gear than one specced to use teleport as an offensive spell and different again to a disintegrator.
In diablo 2, your items are more or less limited to your skills. Hammerdins wear Enigma, Shako, Hoto HoZ. These are the optimal items for the build. A swordbarb uses Botd. A javazon uses Titans. Explain how that's variety when all characters are exact clones at varying levels?
I think it's brilliant and you'd have to be some sort of idiot to not realize this. Personally, i want to see the mature rating strictly enforced (preferably by death squads) because 'kids these days don't know shit.'
I like how they worked the word 'Wizard' into the lore...being an insulting term for an impetuous young brat with no patience or skill to be truly called a 'Sorcerer'. If you look at the people complaining about the name, it's just friggin' hilarious. Gotta love irony.
Anyways, this will be the class i will play (unless something really sweet jumps out). I like being the boom stick, and i'm a DnD/Forgotten Realms fan. No power in the world can stop me from casting Magic Missile at The Darkness. Also, disintegrate is friggin sweet and panders to my inner nerd.
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No one else can even come close.
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Allowing Respec would drastically reduce: muling, rushing, grushing, 'baalbots', as well as encouraging diversity and less 'wasted items'. What i mean is this; i have many mules with items like two Jade Talon (2/2/230+/45+) collecting dust because i just don't want to go through the effort of leveling an assassin to 66 to use the damn things. We know the respec won't be without a hefty penalty, but it would save me a SHITLOAD of time doing things i'd rather not.
Also, it allows me the ability to test new things, and experiment with builds legally (i don't use 3rd party programs) which is great. I don't want to risk downloading a virus, causing a computer crash, wasting time leveling, all for the effort of testing a new build. I can go "hey, i got this great idea for a build. Grab your Wizard!"
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This narrows the field. Now, my money is also on a Ranger-type class, but i doubt they would call it that. They also would avoid calling it a Hunter because Blizzard is sensitive to Diablo fans' paranoia that this game would be too much like WoW. My money is on 'Scavenger'.
"Preferring to utilize ranged combat, the scavenger will deal death from a distance. Shoot first, ask questions later and take whatever's left over. That is the Scavenger's Creed. Nothing has complained so far."
My other guess is on a controversial but cool character, 'way over the top character'. Probably a fall from grace character, a holy person who has lost their faith and now uses their divine powers for revenge.
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This new system also has the added benefit of keeping the game more balanced. A barbarian in d2 could pump str and get some dex charms, and wear full angelic and full deaths with a hotspur and could clear the game all the way to the end of Nightmare difficulty, all starting at level 12.
There will be tons of character customization with the equippable runes alone. I know it will happen to me, I will see a crazy combination and ask 'how the hell did you do that?' and then try to top it. I can just imagine competitions to come up with the most badass and flashy combination of runes to spec a skill. Plus, the way you spec your skills will determine what kind of different items you wear.
Example: a Wizard specced to use a crazy magic missile will be wearing very different gear than one specced to use teleport as an offensive spell and different again to a disintegrator.
In diablo 2, your items are more or less limited to your skills. Hammerdins wear Enigma, Shako, Hoto HoZ. These are the optimal items for the build. A swordbarb uses Botd. A javazon uses Titans. Explain how that's variety when all characters are exact clones at varying levels?
I think it's brilliant and you'd have to be some sort of idiot to not realize this. Personally, i want to see the mature rating strictly enforced (preferably by death squads) because 'kids these days don't know shit.'
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Anyways, this will be the class i will play (unless something really sweet jumps out). I like being the boom stick, and i'm a DnD/Forgotten Realms fan. No power in the world can stop me from casting Magic Missile at The Darkness. Also, disintegrate is friggin sweet and panders to my inner nerd.