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Personally I don't understand why they changed the MP format. I though it was just right to this 5 difficulty think seems to be a step down.

The adventure mode sounds interesting probably the most interesting thing about the expansion so far yet I still think the expansion on the whole is underwhelming.

Quote from Wildthood

The ring that boost poision damage says it double only damage of poision damage so I don't know what's poision effect.

Aside from the obvious DOTs Not sure.
chill would obviously slow

This is getting annoying. I was at character creation and then timed out now I can't get past the 37 error code. If I had known from and earlier post not to go back I could be playing.

Just looked at the Armor tier vid and they look awwsome but there is something about the female Barb that's not enticing. I know If I plan on making 2 barbs it wouldn't be 1 of each. That's my say in the matter.

Any way enjoyed the barb in the beta but wont play him before WD and Monk. Still a fun class. less than 27 hours here in the states. In the mean time playing TL 2 beta.

Hmm. Anyone not care for the male model. The female model really stand out and If I'm planning on making 2 of each class, (yes 2 becuase I really want a different play experience for each class In example (Petless/summoning WD etc) the female models are much more appealing to the eyes.

That said DH does look good but doesn't take the #1 slots that belongs to the WD.

Interesting. Although I would forgo dogs completely. Give and open skills slot for another damage spell or defensive ability. Even though Mass confusion has a longer cool down, 50% is still a pretty high percent that zombies can ressurect. A single Sacrificed zombie Does 275% which i pretty decent.

Maybe using the next of kin rune would help as it adds 35% chance to re-resurrect a dog/l?

http://us.battle.net...ZijV!feT!caZcZZ Is something I had in mind but not necessarily the build I was looking for in the first place. I might consider it. As pet's IMO look very lackluster. Nothing compared to what the Necro was in D2. I know this is a new game but I would have love a true summoning class.

Wizard will be the last class I play. Something didn't allire me this class in beta. Seeing some of the later skills in action (Even though they may not be accurate to what's in the final version with it's rune variants) make this class seem interesting but not as interesting as the other 4 I will play before the wizard.

My first class. Would love a summoning build but I was dissapointed with Zombie dogs in beta. That might change later in the game.

Interesting rune for Mass confusion - Enemies killed while Confused have a 50% chance of spawning a Zombie Dog. That's and interesting rune coupled with your Zombie dogs or Sacrife. Is the amount of maxed dogs 4 or can there be more? Any way. 50% chance to summon ZD in combination of sacrifice Next of Kin -each Zombie Dog you sacrifice has a 35% chance to resurrect as a new Zombie Dog. could be quite interesting.

Love the effects of cyclone strike. Just to note....... the skills vid needs an update as the runed fist of thunder gives a sort of teleport on it's ifrst hit. Looked like an older build before the change.

I'm very much looking forward to the Monk to see what kinds of skills he/she has after level 13 in action. Way of the hundered fists looks like an interesting skill for a genereator. As it is the Witch doctor will be first class played followed by the monk.

Less than 34 hours away to play! Can't wait.......wait I guess I have to wait.

Well I think you pretty much summed up your uncertainty. I would be concerned with lack of Crowd control even though Jay mentioned that CC effects are reduced slightly in Inferno difficulty. He also mentioned that you would want in your build to have a decent defensive/CC ability.

Personally I wasn't impressed with ZD in the beta. They die too easily and do patheric damage. That could change in the later part of the game. As it is you're missing a decent CC like Grasp of the dead or others like Horrify. Pets wont be enough.to distract most of the mobs.

All in all I think that's the beauty of this skill system. you never know.......... it may be a pretty good build.

I'm not reall good with math but there is a point in the witch doctor vid (1:37) where it displays the damage from the items he just put on.
(2526.75)


Looking at one of is Looking at this build (Example somethin I threw togther)


One of his pet's Gargantuan which deals 25% damage which is around 632 and the runed Big stinker does 379 per second to enemies around him/it.

Firebomb does 85% (2147.75) + the pyrogeist rune 1179.15 each second for 3 seconds (3537.45 total 140%)
Acid cloud does 2526.75 around the area of effect + acid rain rune 632 for each second for 3 seconds (1895 total 75%)

Locust swarm with searing locusts 480% (12128.4) over 8 seconds (1516.05 each second) As I understand this certain skill are only effected by it's rune not both skill and rune.

Haunt does 575% (14528) damage over 12 seconds (1211 per second for 12 seconds)
Zombie dogs does (pitifull) 9% (227) each followed by an addtional 9% (227) over 3 seconds. (75)

Assuming that this is for 1 mob that's 39,590 not including the pierce the Veil passive which does 20% more damage which brings it to around 47,508 damage. + I'm sure you would cast more firebombs and additional skills over say a 8 12 second fight

That's still prett good damage for the beggining of inferno.....Maybe as I think the vids were recorded in hell but who knows.

Anyway after all this end game will be surely be dependant on gear + gems and enhants to really survive inferno. I love the challenge I'm getting pretty antsy to finally see what we will be up against in NM, Hell and inferno.

Quote from Semizzle

these numbers look insane, inferno difficulty is looking good

Or bad depending on how we look at it. Looks challenging as heck and we'll be shaking in our leahter boots when we hit NM, Hell, Inferno. I'm already intimidated by the sheer increase in Damage and health by the monsters.

You have been warned. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA5_z_7fFQ4




Let's hope they don't change things because players will say it's too hard. I like a good challenge.

Quote from vexxan

I hated this movie because now I don't know if I should roll WD instead of baba

I don't understand the problem Play/Roll both noone says you can't. Maybe in tandem together? I'm going to play all the classes starting with the WD obviously but the Monk and Barb are right there.

I guess I'm one that like different cereals for breakfast rather than the same thing every day.

It depends on what class I'm really hooked with past level 13. So Far I'm a big fan of the WD but the monk is a close second with it's supportive role and quick attacks. All the classes look so much fun and I will most likely play different characters/classes at different times. So not sure how long it will take me to beat inferno.

It might be near impossible for an average player According to Jay's tweet. 'has any internal testers beaten inferno?' 'No' he replied.

Still will be a great challenge and I hope they don't change it.

Ne to the forums!

My impressions from weekend

Gameplay

My first impressions were the same as any other ARPG that I've played. I've played just about every one from D2 to Torchlight and everything in between. The genre isn't as flooded as MMOs or FPS based games which is great in my book. D3 felt pretty smooth even though there was some server lag but that was a given since probably thousands played the open beta. Even though I felt pretty powerful early on, it didn't take away from the fun and simplistic gameplay.

Graphics

Huge debate on this. I think it's personal preference. Some say it's not dark/Gothic enough. Some say it's too cartoon like. Personally I think the graphics are great. The different effects of skills may be a little to colorful for my liking but it really doesn't take away from the fun I am having massacring the mobs in D3

Classes

Each class has it's own identity that might cater to most individuals playstyle.

Barbarian - Probably the most balanced in how this class progresses. The diversity is staggering already even at level 13. It's a melee class so you want to be in the midst of things and he has to the tools to do it. I am one that doesn't play melee classes in RPGs but the Barb is tons of fun. Leap, cleave, rend, rinse and repeat. SO much fun. And that is just 1 build.

Demon Hunter - The Demon Hunter was one of the class that didn't impress me from what I've seen. After playing them in D3, they are pretty fun though i think they have to many defensive skills in the first 13 levels. Caltrops is very useful but you also get vault, Smoke screen and preparation. These skills can be effective I guess but that remains to be seen since the mob levels are pretty low when you are at level 13. All in all aside from too many defensive/Dodge skills this class looks interesting now. Wish there were more offensive skills to work with.

Monk - Probably the most underrated class in D3. The monk was the first class I tried. Even though it's a melee oriented class, I like the balance of attack and defensive survivability. Right from the start I can see the potential for the monk for soloing and group support. My favorite skill is Deadly reach. Could be a good primary attack with a mid-ranged style of play. Will be interesting to see some of the later skills. Many skills require tons of spirit to spend so the balance of spirit gathering and spending should be quite interesting.

Witch Doctor - The class I will play 1st. Though it's no necromancer, I like the style this class could bring to the Diablo universe. The only thing I dislike about the class that it doesn't seem like it will be a true pet class which I will miss from the necromancer. Zombie dogs are frail, do pathetic damage even with a decent weapon equipped. Most of the time I use Darts and Grasp of the dead along with Firebats and soul Harvest. The damage output with those skills in this beta is awesome. Leaves using Zombie dogs useless. Even so the there could be a useful pet build , that might be until the later levels of WD play however, I would like to experience that much earlier. That also brings me to another frustrating aspect of D3 skill system which I will convey later.

Wizard - I thought I would like this class better than the DH but In actuality, it's reversed. The skills that I have in the beginning doesn't seem to give me that impressive all powerful sorcerer feeling I did in D2. I can't put my finger in it. It seems I'm kiting more with the wizard than the DH. Anyway the wizard moved to the bottom of the list as far as the order I will play the classes.

1 Witch Doctor
2 Monk
3 Barb
4 Demon Hunter
5 Wizard

Class progression, diversity and potential customization

I have to say one thing the customization is remarkable. No doubt there will be many different varieties of builds out there for all the classes. I was skeptical at first but once I reached level 13 the different play-styles/builds are staggering. The rune effects for each skill is a marvelous addition when it was first announced however The fact that each rune skills are hand fed to you at certain levels is the most frustrating thing for me.

I would like to experience these builds much earlier than say level 50 or 60 when you are in nightmare or hell. It's a shame that you have to be at max level in order to experience the build you envisioned either by using the skill calculators or looking at skills in general. On the other hand most may want to experience something new at each level and experiment as they go. The ability to customize or respec is great but I'm not sure it will promote re-playability If you want to play again. I'm one that would like to be unique from the getgo rather than change on the fly to the optimal build.

The WD is one of those classes that I would like to play a caster/support or pet style class and stick to those styles of play. I'm not sure I want to experience the same hand fed progression in the early levels to experience The 'other' build. so re playability seems put on the back burner. I did try that in the beta with the WD but Zombie dogs and some of the other skills the WD has from 1-13 seems lackluster when compared to the Darts Grasp of the dead along with Firebats soul Harvest combo. 1 of the fewere classes I find that diversity isn't as apparant as the Barb or Monk. It's there but I steered clear of any type of pet build because they didn't seem to work. Doesn't change the fact that I will play the WD first the caster gameplay is so much more fun than the wizrd which to me was the most dissapointing class in beta.

But I guess that is the beauty of D3 at the moment. You can play the game however you want whose to say you can't make 2 of the same class. Some player will..... some wont. Some like the fact that skills and rune skills are hand fed to you.... some don't. Some think there is class customization....... some don't. it's all how you perceive it.

Overall

I'm surprised that I have not not pre-purchased D3 yet. I think it's more the fact that funds are tight for me right now. But I intend to. It's clear that Blizzard has taken the franchise in a new and interesting direction. The game feels great! It's fun, the Classes are unique and varied, the customization staggering.

I actually can't wait to see what they have in store for the expansion aside from 3 new classes. I know .........3? Well many want a necromancer style class and some paladin variant. Perhaps a beast-master/druid style class? Or something new altogether. Hopefully they have interesting additions to the skill/rune system. Maybe more skill runes for each class when they inevitably increase the level cap. Thanks for the opportunity Blizz. Too bad we can't play the beta till May 1st but I should be doing other things than sitting at the computer giving my impressions.