Various Thoughts

Found out I was wrong about the bombardment build mentioned earlier after running through the game with a newly created hardcore character to snag that version of the 50-mil gold conquest: While I had the raw equipment, the stats were notably subpar and not enough of them were ancient. After addressing those issues it was able to handle T13 easily enough… but not fast enough to clear the last two seasonal hurdles (Urzael in 20 seconds and T13 Rift in 4 minutes).

So, I made a Vyr’rasha Wizard. Though the Lightning Hydra version melted Urzeal quite effectively, the 4-minute T13 rift took much more time to clear due to the glass-cannon and luck-heavy nature of the build. Two things which make it not all that much fun to play honestly. Now that all the season rewards are won I’m going to test out the Spectral Blade build instead, as that seems less twitchy.

Something else I tested out earlier was a way to make the Corrupted Ashbringer, a 2H-sword with quite a bit of flavor, effective. The only thing that came to mind (other than a Diablo II style dual-wielding Barbarian, which apparently isn’t possible here) was to adapt a Crusader Hammerdin build. And it didn’t take much adapting. Simply replace Fervor with Heavenly Strength, J’s Argument with Ashbringer (moving the former to Kanai’s Cube), Sacred Harness with Blessed of Haull, and Falling Sword & Provoke with Justice (Crack) & Shield Glare (Divine Verdict). Bane of the Trapped can also arguably be swapped out for Zei’s Stone of Vengeance, and with a Ring of Royal Grandeur Aquila Cuirass can be rotated in for higher survivability if necessary (the bracers can stay as either Nemesis or Gabriel’s).

It’s not exactly a fast build, but it can handle T13 without issue and it’s kind of fun to have Hammers flying everywhere without having to constantly worry about finding groups of enemies to jump into or resource concerns; it’s more laid-back and measured.

After ignoring this game for many years I decided to see where it was currently at… for reasons I don’t recall. After seeing that a trial version was available in addition to new DLC having recently been released, I said to hell with it and installed it.

After nearly exhausting the trial with the Monk and playing a bit with the Demon Hunter and Wizard I’ve come to the following conclusion: If you want an immersive experience go play Titan Quest instead, if however you just want to mindlessly click on things while collecting loot then this game has you covered.

The problems here (cartoony zoomed-in visuals, limited abilities, non-existent leveling options) all seem traceable to having a ‘console-first’ strategy. There’s some severe oversimplification, to the point that I don’t see much reason to play different classes beyond experiencing the specialized voice acting and flavor text (which, admittedly, is a nice touch). Regardless of the class you pick the combat cycle is going to be the same: Use one skill a bunch to build up resources then a second to spend them, while maybe tossing off a cooldown skill from time to time.

Compounding matters is that skill damage is based on weapon damage. All skill damage. Use a skill to punch someone with a monk while wielding a club? That’s fine; the club’s damage will be used. Playing a Wizard? Go right ahead and equip a longbow or sword since your spells all use their base damage for some reason. A Demon Hunter? The arrow-based skills require wielding a bow at least… which ends up being not much of a requirement since the other skills (Throw Knife for instance) have no problem using bow damage. Moreover, what’s even the point of having all these different weapon types when you can’t make basic attacks in the first place? Cosmetic concerns I guess?

The entire experience just leaves a bad aftertaste.