Quote from Scottehs
Quote from Magistrate
Quote from Dauroth
Gamescom is in two weeks, I really hope they'll announce the Beta start date there!
I'm not going to say it's impossible, but I doubt it. They usually save major announcements for their own event (Blizzcon), for major interviews, or for their own news feed on their site/through Twitter/forums, which instantly is picked up by hundreds of fansites across the web.
It would certainly fit the time bill, though, I'll give you that.
The beta isn't a major thing.
Quite the opposite, it is a major thing. It's their chance to test out their hardware and software infrastructure to make sure when the game goes live that millions of players aren't going to be without a game. As for it being announced at Gamescom, it's certainly possible and fits into the Q3 time frame they established for the beta. For a major announcement like the release date I'd expect that to be at Blizzcon.
0
Ladders coming doesn't mean that everyone's characters are going to be ported to ladder. I'd prefer having a user choice of being able to have your character be either ladder or non.
0
If they don't introduce a new tier of crafting materials I'm ahead by having a bunch to craft with, if they do add a way to convert up considering they have for all current tiers of materials (10:1 ratio) then I have a hoard of old materials I can make useful. Since they're also reducing the amount of loot that drops I think having some on had to possibly use isn't a bad way to prepare.
Gems I'm iffy on because I'm banking on a higher drop rate / higher quality gem dropping. These will further dilute your crafting materials. On that note what are gems / tomes considered as item-wise? Magical or Rare?
We already know they're going to have one new crafting material from white items and one new type of gem (Diamond). Blizzard also has a history of adding a new tier of materials in expansions.
0
Gems I'm a little iffy on, like others I expect there will be a higher tier dropped @70.
0
I dislike ladder for the same reason I don't play hardcore characters; I hate seeing all of my hard work disappear in the blink of an eye. Some people like the thrill of racing to the top or the thought that if I die, that's the end. There will be quite a few people playing non-ladder, so I think you're a bit heavy handed with the whole "ladder is master race".
0
0
0
Currently there are only four listed gem types, those being Emerald, Topaz, Amethyst, and Ruby.
0
0
0
0
Willpower
0
0
To answer your first question, it looks like it was removed. Here's a link to the current Active Skills List.
My guess is that it's been replaced with Elemental Arrow.
For your second question, Impale.
Enjoy!
0
Damn Nelwins. On topic, the Hot Pursuit passive is very weak and downright crappy. Why do I want to be full Hatred to get 10% movement speed increase? Now if they made it to be a speed increase when facing an enemy (you know, pursuing) then it wouldn't be so lackluster.
0
Marked for Death
Golden Runestone - Mortal Enemy
Attacks by the Demon Hunter against the Marked target have a 40% chance to generate 35 Hatred. This effect cannot occur more than once every 1 second.
Smoke Screen
Obsidian Runestone - Breathe Deep
While invisible you also gain 45 Hatred per second.
Companion
Golden Runestone - Bat Companion
Summons a bat instead of a raven. The bat grants you 4.0 Hatred per second.
Shadow Power
Crimson Runestone - Night Bane
While active, gain 7 Hatred per second.
Preparation
Crimson Runestone - Punishment
Removes cooldown. Skill now costs 19 Discipline to cast but restores all Hatred instead of all Discipline.
Vengeance
Gain 10 Hatred and 1 Discipline whenever you are healed by a health globe.
Fundamentals
Increases the damage of your basic attacks by 100%. Your basic attacks restore 15 Hatred.