05-29-2012, 09:28 AM
I checked around and didn't find any recent threads specifically regarding the game, its mechanics, and such.
Boyfriend foisted a copy of the game on me recently and I decided to explore it between projects, job-hunting, community service, and the like. I only played the original Diablo game extensively in the past (only dabbled with Diablo II), so a lot of changes implemented in the second game that people take for granted are still mostly new to me!
I haven't played much of the game -- at least, if you agree with everyone else who claims that the game starts at Inferno. Prior to getting my own account of the game, I managed to clear the entirety of the original game with a frost-centric wizard. I had started Hell when I swapped over.
The wizard was fun. I've read quite a bit of feedback regarding the class and I've seen quite a few people write that the class initially starts slow. I didn't have that issue; I jumped out of the gate killing things with no problems. As noted, I was running with a Frost build that favors rooting the mobs and then blowing them up. I believe that I was using this build. It worked well for me and allowed me to easily destroy small packs quickly while acquiring that lovely massacre bonus. I hadn't had much opportunity to play with others using that character, but it would have been interesting to see how her abilities meshed with others'.
When I got my own account and started playing, boyfriend decided to do a co-op game with me. He rolled a demon hunter and I've been on a witch doctor. The toons are intended only to be played together, so there's no need for soloing and kiting builds currently. That said, I found witch doctor to be slow, tedious, and initially ineffective. You get all of these really fun, really class definitive abilities early on in the game (the ability to summon demon dogs, fiery bats, throwing spiders and toads at people), but they were all crap compared to my demon hunter companion. In fact, I was so ineffective for a while that the demon hunter managed to level prior to me due to repeated massacre bonuses.
Fortunately, this is a Blizzard game and a lot of people within the community love theorycrafting (myself included). I went to the forums and examined their efforts. Using their results, I swapped around my build and changed my stat priority. I do damage now and more utility, which is awesome. I especially like my gargantuan, who has affectionately acquired the name Chunk. However, I feel like the class has suddenly become more boring. I don't use spiders, demon puppies, bats or anything that would seem like an iconic symbol of the class. I shoot darts, whee!
Last night I rolled a warrior barbarian, which I've found is the antithesis of the witch doctor class. The barbarian starts out swinging and has yet to have a lull. The class is incredibly self-sustaining, which is good since it's often in the midst of the melee. I haven't gotten far on that character (1-3, perhaps?) but I think that it'll be a good release when I want to feel like I'm doing more than shooting darts.
I've yet to explore the demon hunter or monk, but I'll probably get around to that at some point. Also, I'm planning on attempting a hardcore character (probably a warrior due to the ease of play) at some point.
Anyone else playing and have thoughts on the gameplay? I know that there has been some recent outpouring regarding other aspects of the game, but I'd like to read more about how the community plays and what it thinks. I would also be interested in potentially playing with others; most of my cooperative games to date have been with the significant other.
Boyfriend foisted a copy of the game on me recently and I decided to explore it between projects, job-hunting, community service, and the like. I only played the original Diablo game extensively in the past (only dabbled with Diablo II), so a lot of changes implemented in the second game that people take for granted are still mostly new to me!
I haven't played much of the game -- at least, if you agree with everyone else who claims that the game starts at Inferno. Prior to getting my own account of the game, I managed to clear the entirety of the original game with a frost-centric wizard. I had started Hell when I swapped over.
The wizard was fun. I've read quite a bit of feedback regarding the class and I've seen quite a few people write that the class initially starts slow. I didn't have that issue; I jumped out of the gate killing things with no problems. As noted, I was running with a Frost build that favors rooting the mobs and then blowing them up. I believe that I was using this build. It worked well for me and allowed me to easily destroy small packs quickly while acquiring that lovely massacre bonus. I hadn't had much opportunity to play with others using that character, but it would have been interesting to see how her abilities meshed with others'.
When I got my own account and started playing, boyfriend decided to do a co-op game with me. He rolled a demon hunter and I've been on a witch doctor. The toons are intended only to be played together, so there's no need for soloing and kiting builds currently. That said, I found witch doctor to be slow, tedious, and initially ineffective. You get all of these really fun, really class definitive abilities early on in the game (the ability to summon demon dogs, fiery bats, throwing spiders and toads at people), but they were all crap compared to my demon hunter companion. In fact, I was so ineffective for a while that the demon hunter managed to level prior to me due to repeated massacre bonuses.
Fortunately, this is a Blizzard game and a lot of people within the community love theorycrafting (myself included). I went to the forums and examined their efforts. Using their results, I swapped around my build and changed my stat priority. I do damage now and more utility, which is awesome. I especially like my gargantuan, who has affectionately acquired the name Chunk. However, I feel like the class has suddenly become more boring. I don't use spiders, demon puppies, bats or anything that would seem like an iconic symbol of the class. I shoot darts, whee!
Last night I rolled a warrior barbarian, which I've found is the antithesis of the witch doctor class. The barbarian starts out swinging and has yet to have a lull. The class is incredibly self-sustaining, which is good since it's often in the midst of the melee. I haven't gotten far on that character (1-3, perhaps?) but I think that it'll be a good release when I want to feel like I'm doing more than shooting darts.
I've yet to explore the demon hunter or monk, but I'll probably get around to that at some point. Also, I'm planning on attempting a hardcore character (probably a warrior due to the ease of play) at some point.
Anyone else playing and have thoughts on the gameplay? I know that there has been some recent outpouring regarding other aspects of the game, but I'd like to read more about how the community plays and what it thinks. I would also be interested in potentially playing with others; most of my cooperative games to date have been with the significant other.