D2R Patch 2.4 - Big Changes

[KingOfPain]

D2R Patch 2.5 is now live on the ptr

I am liking it, first, because it didn't introduce any (major) changes to the core game play. Looks like I don't need to create new ladder toons, and concentrate on building the Variants.



I guess you guys would know I am not for patches for the most part. There are no (significant) skill changes, nor more overpowered runewords that the game balance on. The game as is, is already "ruined" by favouring the Ladder Chasers, those who thinks a character should be able to solo 8 any challenges in the game, and do it safe and fast.



The 1 big changes of this patch is the introduction of the Terror Zone. I am glad this is an Opt-In.

Terror Zones
The journey to level 99 is a celebrated experience for players and quite the milestone if achieved—a rite of passage, even. We want to offer an alternative to repeatedly farming Baal, Diablo, or Nihlathak. We also want the journey to level 99 to be accessible to a larger population of players, full of variety, and most importantly, challenging—this is where Terror Zones come in. As we get into details, please note that players can choose to opt-out of Terror Zones if desired.

When playing a Terror Zone-enabled game, every hour, the armies of the Burning Hells will focus their demonic might on specific zones, terrorizing them. The monsters in these zones will be at least two levels higher than your current level or their original level, up to a maximum per difficulty. The experience received and the loot dropped by killing a terrorized monster will be based on this new level. In addition, terrorized monsters will also grant additional experience points.

Here are the level details for each monster type per difficulty:

Normal

Base: +2 levels up to level 45
Champion: +4 levels up to level 47
Unique: +5 levels up to level 48
Nightmare

Nightmare

Base: +2 levels up to level 71
Champion: +4 levels up to level 73
Unique: +5 levels up to level 74
Hell

Base: +2 levels up to level 96
Champion: +4 levels up to level 98
Unique: +5 levels up to level 99
The base player level used for the above calculations are taken from the creator of the game. If the host leaves the game, a new player will be selected for the base.

Upon entering a Terror Zone-enabled game, you'll be informed of the current terrorized areas through a message sent to you via the Chat Box. When the time for new terrorized zones draws near, you will be informed of the impending changes via the Chat Box.

In addition, you will be informed that you’re entering a terrorized area by several indicators:

Unique iconography next to a terrorized monster's name
On-screen text and messaging
Special audio cue
In-game text on the auto-map

Now, I bet those Casual-Pair-Of-Grief players is going to whine they would need new skill buffs, and more powerful runewords.



The other significant patch, more of a little bunch of fixes



-Fixed an issue where Iron Golems summoned through a charge of the skill (Ex: granted by Metalgrid) would disappear when performing an inventory update.

-Fixed an issue where Iron Golems created by a charged skill would not save between games.

-Fixed an issue where pets summoned by "chance to cast" skills on items would disappear after performing an inventory update.

-Fixed an issue where Ravens summoned by charged skills would disappear after a few seconds.



There will be Iron Golem galore. Guess what's going to happen to Metalgrid's trading value.

[T-hawk]

The level numbers only really matter for gaining experience, so that you can do a variety of stuff to 99 instead of just Baal kills. It makes very little difference to loot - TC87 is still the highest treasure class and just as rare for those base items and runes. There will be a few more +2 skill amulets and circlets (affix level 90) and 41-45 life suffix grand charms.

[KingOfPain]

... yes, and now there is a whole lot more monsters "everywhere" that can drop TC87. How's that not affect loot?

[T-hawk]

It'll have a little effect, sure, but who hangs out in areas that weren't TC87 in the first place?

Actually now I see where it matters - the cow level and Travincal, those were the two big places to run that weren't TC87.

[KingOfPain]

Yep, I think I will make a couple of One Trick Pony just to farm Terror Ccws. The range of drops are not too bad in the Cow level; unlike some of the over-hyped areas.

So far, in my reality (aka YMMV), the Stony Tomb is the best where many items turn yellow, green and gold. And there is a rather large variety of items, and more rune drops I have seen anywhere. Among others, 3 high runes from there so far.

[Charr Babies]

You see us bitch and complain about it. We do that because we don't have to be fanboys to enjoy a game. We are playing D2R, a 20+ years classic, and not DIII, that says a lot. D2R offers many levels of play styles so fun is where you find it.

At the very least, you get upgraded graphics, and permanent characters that don't get expired.

Bliz runs a discount on D2R like every other month, for as low as ~$20. Well worth the price

[Charr Babies]

It is 50% off now.

[Boro]

Now, I bet those Casual-Pair-Of-Grief players is going to whine they would need new skill buffs, and more powerful runewords.

The more powerful runewords are coming as expected:

https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo2/...s-now-live

[KingOfPain]

That's the comment I left at DBrunski's Video a few days ago.

11 CHANGES That Would DRASTICALLY IMPROVE Melee in Patch 2.6 - Diablo 2 Resurrected - DBrunski

Changes that might improve melee, sure, but this is an endless task as long as the caster classes are broken. Everything is relative. Melee is just "fine" if caster skills are not so obscenely broken - overpowered.  Remember they had to nerf Whirlwind because it was "OP"? And now you have builds that can melt player 8 Baal waves in a split second.

The whole concept of D2 endgame play is just wrong. Instead of making the game more challenging and fun, now we have more items to make it easier. More power to take down mobs in a split of a split second; more safety to so you don't die. So we can do endless mind numbing Baal or whatever runs - to make the game even more mindless.

.

[Boro]

Didnt even show up in the comment section for me. Thats the pain with this way of communication - you either have a mess so crowded that no conversation can take place, or its just the playground of clout kings, or whoever is VIP.