Diablo 3 Discussion Thread

[hfk]

I would say hearing ominous sounds and stumbling across a room full of butchered and partially eaten people is a little different atmospherically and thematically than a purple disney witch surrounded by butterflies introducing the Butcher like he was Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania 14.

Agreed. Also the story is fine, the execution is horrid.

Spoiler: Act bosses

Belial, Lord of Lies, isn't a very good liar. You were the kid the whole time? Oh my! This changes everything.
Azmodan, Lord of Sin, master of strategy, tells you his plans all the way through the Act. Reminds me of Dr. Evil from Austin Powers.
Diablo: "You may have closed my hell gate, but I still have one more!"

Exactly how I feel. LOL and the way captain rumford in the beginning of act1 speaks.. "I haven't seen anyone fight like that before, ooepen the gates!" like a character from south park would speak. Derrp? I mean diablo 2 had Alkor the alchemist.. but he was at least believably crazy and somehow fit the theme. On the other hand dialogue in D3 is all out retarded. Some other guy called D3 an arcade-rpg. That's spot on. The game feels like a light hearted arcade game that's taking the piss on it's own missing RPGness. The problem is this game treats the player as if he's mentally retarded. "Hey.. see that big dps number on the weapon? That must be as high as possible.... Now click on the monsters."

 

[Plague_Injected]

I had that issue. Before you log in, after launching the game, try to change your region to your home country (or home client version). It worked for me; it was on EU, changed to US, and was able to log in.

Apparently the game thought there was a patch available before the patch was actually available. Eventually it downloaded the patch and started working again. Thanks.

 

[LeninGHOLA]

I think you're nitpicking stuff. Ya some parts are especially cheesy, but no more than many of the parts D2 had compared to D1. D2 had midgets riding around on the back of other midgets. D3 has ominous sounds and rooms full of butchers or partially eaten people as well, I just think the blinders are seriously on in regards to the D2 nostalgia.

No. I'm not even talking about D2, though I've played it recently. D1 was the game that had the Butcher. I'm not nitpicking, these cheesey things affect my enjoyment and make me question why "the best dev" is not really close to the best.

 

[Yoshiyuki Blade]

Just found the legendary String of Ears with 100 dex, 107 vit. It seems like this is an uncommon roll as I don't see any others with stats that high in the AH. Do Monks/DHs look for Dex/Vit or some other combinations in the end game?

 

[quadnad]

Just found the legendary String of Ears with 100 dex, 107 vit. It seems like this is an uncommon roll as I don't see any others with stats that high in the AH. Do Monks/DHs look for Dex/Vit or some other combinations in the end game?

I certainly am looking for dex + vit, as I imagine other DHs and Monks are.

A good way to check it out is to set the stats you have in the AH and look at prices.

EDIT: IAS is massively valuable, if that's also part of the item.

 

[Parja]

Just found the legendary String of Ears with 100 dex, 107 vit. It seems like this is an uncommon roll as I don't see any others with stats that high in the AH. Do Monks/DHs look for Dex/Vit or some other combinations in the end game?

What are the rest of the stats? Dex and Vit are definitely stats Monks and DHs look for, but to be REALLY valuable, it's going to have to have more than just those.

Namely, if Resistance to All Elements and Reduces Damage from Melee Attacks are both anywhere near 20, you've definitely got a many many million gold item on your hands.

 

[Yoshiyuki Blade]

What are the rest of the stats? Dex and Vit are definitely stats Monks and DHs look for, but to be REALLY valuable, it's going to have to have more than just those.

Namely, if Resistance to All Elements and Reduces Damage from Melee Attacks are both anywhere near 20, you've definitely got a many many million gold item on your hands.

Resistance to all elements is 20, but the melee damage reduction is 13%. Man it sure takes quite a bit of research to gauge the value of these items.

 

[Parja]

Resistance to all elements is 20, but the melee damage reduction is 13%. Man it sure takes quite a bit of research to gauge the value of these items.

Should still be worth a good chunk. Search for other ones with similar resist and melee reduction on the auction house to get a gauge for the value. With the Dex and Vit as high as they are, you can probably go a good bit higher than the average.

 

[Yoshiyuki Blade]

Should still be worth a good chunk. Search for other ones with similar resist and melee reduction on the auction house to get a gauge for the value. With the Dex and Vit as high as they are, you can probably go a good bit higher than the average.

Thanks for the tips. Melee reduction isn't in the drop-down box so it'll be tough to sort that out. I guess I'll give it some time.

 

[Xilikon]

As a DH, I always look for Dex+Vit items with AS% and a few other stats when shopping the AH. When you look, it's not hard to stack Dex+Vit as high but good ones are worth a pretty penny.

 

[Rdzona]

Just found the legendary String of Ears with 100 dex, 107 vit. It seems like this is an uncommon roll as I don't see any others with stats that high in the AH. Do Monks/DHs look for Dex/Vit or some other combinations in the end game?

Don't get me wrong those are good stats, but they're not like unbelievable good. I'm playing monk right now and I have +192 dex and like +100 vit on my 1 hander rare, don't remeber what the other fluff is. Maybe the level will explain it, so what level is it?

 

[Intel_Hydralisk]

Thanks for the tips. Melee reduction isn't in the drop-down box so it'll be tough to sort that out. I guess I'll give it some time.

I wouldn't search for rares or blues since melee reduction does not exist normally on that slot AFAIK and is unique to string of ears (yes, a legendary can have a unique modifier for the slot despite what everyone says). I would just search for string of ears in the legendary search box and compare against those. Unfortunately you can't filter further using the other search criteria (something they really need to change) once you use the legendary search box and will have to sift through them manually. Unfortunately, 13% is a little low for string of ears, but the dex and vit should boost it up a little.

Don't get me wrong those are good stats, but they're not like unbelievable good. I'm playing monk right now and I have +192 dex and like +100 vit on my 1 hander rare, don't remeber what the other fluff is. Maybe the level will explain it, so what level is it?

String of ears is a belt and is de facto the best belt for monk and very good for barbs too. The melee damage reduction stat is the reason why. It's disproportionally good for how much resists/armor you would need to get the same reduction amount.

 

[MorgothPl]

Seems there is another bug behind the corner.... I'm stuck at "retrieving hero list". And, judging from the number of posts/threads in D3 forums it's quite common bug after latest patch.

Fun I guess I'm now perfectly protected form pirates by the Blizz scheme of always online single player

 

[Retsam]

As a DH, I always look for Dex+Vit items with AS% and a few other stats when shopping the AH. When you look, it's not hard to stack Dex+Vit as high but good ones are worth a pretty penny.

Do you have a good DH? What weps should I go for? Crossbows, bows, 2h or 1h? I am starting my first DH.

Also, what skills do good DH's use in, lets say, inferno?

 

[chockomonkey]

Lol what? It was the most simplistic and easiest story to figure out. If you didnt know who the Dark Wanderer I really dont know what to say.

you misunderstood. Of course you knew who the dark wanderer was if you played D1, but you don't know for awhile what he's up to.

 

[WarriorX]

Found my first set item yesterday. Its a lvl 60 ring with 125 str, 45 resist all, and some other stats. Works great for my barb. Found it in Act 1 Inferno. Two people in game, with 2-3 stacks of the MF buff, and no native MF. Dropped from some random yellow pack. Not too bad as it was an upgrade in DPS and res.

 

[chockomonkey]

Agreed. Also the story is fine, the execution is horrid.

Spoiler: Act bosses

Belial, Lord of Lies, isn't a very good liar. You were the kid the whole time? Oh my! This changes everything.
Azmodan, Lord of Sin, master of strategy, tells you his plans all the way through the Act. Reminds me of Dr. Evil from Austin Powers.
Diablo: "You may have closed my hell gate, but I still have one more!"

Lol yea the bosses taunting you basically make them sound like angry 5-year-olds. I really expected much out of the greatest evil forces of all...

 

[Retsam]

Lol yea the bosses taunting you basically make them sound like angry 5-year-olds. I really expected much out of the greatest evil forces of all...

What? Them calling you a poopy head doesnt do it for you?

 

[Xilikon]

Do you have a good DH? What weps should I go for? Crossbows, bows, 2h or 1h? I am starting my first DH.

Also, what skills do good DH's use in, lets say, inferno?

I'm not much farther, currently level 31 with about 580 dps in A4 normal (I like to take my time exploring everything and listen to dialogs for the first run). I did buy weapons from the AH to boost the DPS. As I said, Dex + Vit items is very important.

 

[Drawmonster]

I'm not much farther, currently level 31 with about 580 dps in A4 normal (I like to take my time exploring everything and listen to dialogs for the first run). I did buy weapons from the AH to boost the DPS. As I said, Dex + Vit items is very important.

I'm like you. I explore every dungeon 100% and listen to all dialogues on first play through. I've got a Lvl 29 Monk on Act 3 Normal.

 

[nakedhand]

EU servers are down again. This is day three with prolonged outages. Exactly how you want to not be able to use the product you paid for.

All while the US servers are up and running. Well Blizzard, how about valuing ALL your customers and not just the "home crowd"?! (I know they don't read this thread).

I'm livid. And so are many other Europeans being "#& over by Blizzard these days. It's not exactly day one or two any longer. Bunch of freaking amateurs!

http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/4064636470?page=1459

 

[Drawmonster]

EU servers are down again. This is day three with prolonged outages. Exactly how you want to not be able to use the product you paid for.

All while the US servers are up and running. Well Blizzard, how about valuing ALL your customers and not just the "home crowd"?! (I know they don't read this thread).

I'm livid. And so are many other Europeans being "#& over by Blizzard these days. It's not exactly day one or two any longer. Bunch of freaking amateurs!

http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/4064636470?page=1459

Move to the U.S.A.

 

[Retsam]

EU servers are down again. This is day three with prolonged outages. Exactly how you want to not be able to use the product you paid for.

All while the US servers are up and running. Well Blizzard, how about valuing ALL your customers and not just the "home crowd"?! (I know they don't read this thread).

I'm livid. And so are many other Europeans being "#& over by Blizzard these days. It's not exactly day one or two any longer. Bunch of freaking amateurs!

http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/4064636470?page=1459

Kind of the nature of online gaming and real life though. Not everything goes as planned. Some people take this shit way too seriously.

People are going to complain either way so who cares. If the servers were up but having problems, people would be complaining the servers have issues and want them fixed. When the servers go down to be worked on, people complain the servers are down. Its an endless cycle, you have to learn to roll with it.

 

[chockomonkey]

Kind of the nature of online gaming and real life though. Not everything goes as planned. Some people take this shit way too seriously.

People are going to complain either way so who cares. If the servers were up but having problems, people would be complaining the servers have issues and want them fixed. When the servers go down to be worked on, people complain the servers are down. Its an endless cycle, you have to learn to roll with it.

Still though. It's as if blizzard has never heard of backup servers

 

[MavericK]

Its an endless cycle, you have to learn to roll with it.

Or just don't buy the game / get a refund and buy a game that doesn't require those shenanigans.

 

[Retsam]

Or just don't buy the game / get a refund and buy a game that doesn't require those shenanigans.

Well ok... Any game that sells what this game sold in a week is going to have server issues. Just saying. If thats the mentality, might as well stay offline.

 

[WarriorX]

Still though. It's as if blizzard has never heard of backup servers

I haven't heard of any game company that keeps backup servers. When EVE online servers are in maintenance, they are down. When WoW servers are down...offline.

 

[MavericK]

Well ok... Any game that sells what this game sold in a week is going to have server issues. Just saying. If thats the mentality, might as well stay offline.

Or Blizzard could have made offline SP. "Just saying".

This argument can go around and around, lol.

 

[LeninGHOLA]

It's not Blizzard's fault you brats bought so many copies. If you want a game to work the way you want, make your own. Such entitlement.

 

[Intel_Hydralisk]

Do you have a good DH? What weps should I go for? Crossbows, bows, 2h or 1h? I am starting my first DH.

Also, what skills do good DH's use in, lets say, inferno?

1 handed crossbows are inferior unless it's the best weapon you can find while leveling. At the same item level, they flat out do less dps than 2 handed bows and xbows.

The 'features' of using a 1 handed xbow is the ability to wield a shield or dual wield. Dual wielding is awful because a quiver will provide a better dps boost most of the time and almost certainly will at 60 due to quivers doing 14-15% ias at that level. The only benefit of dual wielding is 15% ias and since you alternate attacks, it is unreasonable to try to find two very good 1 handed xbows to use only to be outclassed by a quiver. Bows and 2 handed xbows can also equip quivers, so a 1 handed xbow is just bad. There is also hardly any reason to use a shield which I'll touch on later.


This leaves you with 2 handed bow and 2 handed xbows.

2 handed xbows do a little bit more dps at the same level while bows are faster. I personally like bows for gameplay reasons (more granular, better stutter step kitting, smoother gameplay).

In terms of DPS difference between these two weapons, it all boils down to two skills: Archery and Sharpshooter.

Archery provides a different bonus based on weapon. It gives a 50% crit damage boost to 2h xbows and a 15% flat out dps boost to 2h bows. For the most part, the 15% dmg boost wins out. There is a cut off based on your gear where the 50% crit damage boost will start to win. This is roughly at 35% natural crit. The math is:

35% crit with 150% crit damage on a bow with 15% archery passive comes out to:
(.65 + 1.5*.35) * 1.15 = 1.35125 (or 135.125%)

35% crit with 200% crit damage on a 2h xbow (+50% from archery) comes out to:
.65 + 2.0*.35 = 1.35 (or 135%)


Now the X-factor is the Sharpshooter passive. This skill is best used for front loaded damage at 100% crit with nether tentacles. As you can imagine, the 2h xbow wins out on this one if you go that route.


For Inferno:
You will not use any DPS skills aside from hungering arrow (devouring arrow rune) and elemental arrow (nether tentacles rune). Period. Everything else is worse.

Smokescreen with lingering fog and preperation with your rune of choice are also mandatory.

Archery and Steady Aim passives are pretty standard and your third passive can either be sharpshooter for even more dps or something else that you like (I like to take tactical advantage).

You will itemize for glass cannon. DH has no passive or skill (aside from gloom which is terrible) that lets you reduce damage. It's pretty futile to try to stack enough defensive stats to last more than even 2 hits. This is why shields are awful which makes nothing about 1 handed xbows attractive at all.

 

[chockomonkey]

Wow thanks intel_hydralisk for that writeup. I got a DH to level 10 last night, and had no idea you could use a quiver with a 2h weapon (2h typically means it takes both slots--weird), nor did i know you could duel wield 1h crossbows.

Cool!

As an aside, the weapon choices for DH aren't very balanced at all.

Generally speaking, i don't like how defense is nonexsistant. Str/Dex should give you enough defense to turn any character into a tank if thats what the character wants to stack.

 

[Retsam]

...

Thanks Hydralisk, fairly thorough input. Thats what I wanted.



The route I want to ultimately do for my DH is a hard criter. I plan to stack massive crit damage and crit chance, so from what you said, it looks like I want to go xbow route for the skill with crit dmg. I dont think most are aware of how powerful this build probably is.

 

[chockomonkey]

Thanks Hydralisk, fairly thorough input. Thats what I wanted.



The route I want to ultimately do for my DH is a hard criter. I plan to stack massive crit damage and crit chance, so from what you said, it looks like I want to go xbow route for the skill with crit dmg. I dont think most are aware of how powerful this build probably is.

Just have to get into the 50's to start seeing the really epic crit% gear. My buddy identified a rare ring yesterday with dex/vit/hp after kill and 2.5% crit. Sexy!

 

[DJ Big T]

I'm going to disagree that bows are faster. I am using a 1.1 attack per second xbow that does over 900 dps at the moment. I'm saving up money for a 1000+ dps xbow and I find that bows CAN be better depending on the abilities they afford you.

Smokescreen is garbage unless its in prep for a boss or elite mobs. I prefer caltrops and vault. I tend to try to stack a lot of armor / evade / vit with dh, you're saying high hp doesn't matter with DH? Seems like it does. With anything less than 20k HP seems like the game is a joke as DH.

 

[Intel_Hydralisk]

I'm going to disagree that bows are faster. I am using a 1.1 attack per second xbow that does over 900 dps at the moment. I'm saving up money for a 1000+ dps xbow and I find that bows CAN be better depending on the abilities they afford you.

Smokescreen is garbage unless its in prep for a boss or elite mobs. I prefer caltrops and vault. I tend to try to stack a lot of armor / evade / vit with dh, you're saying high hp doesn't matter with DH? Seems like it does. With anything less than 20k HP seems like the game is a joke as DH.

I don't think you can argue that 1.4 speed isn't faster than 1.1 speed. I'm not sure why you say bows aren't faster.

When something decks you for 200k, it simply doesn't matter. Let me know how you do in Act 4 Inferno.

 

[DJ Big T]

I don't think you can argue that 1.4 speed isn't faster than 1.1 speed. I'm not sure why you say bows aren't faster.

When something decks you for 200k, it simply doesn't matter. Let me know how you do in Act 4 Inferno.

I thought it was attacks per second, isn't lower better?

Edit: Nvm, I get it now. Looks like the hand crossbows do 1.6 aps. I guess I need a bow then, but I like bows that have special attack damage - especially lightning.

 

[tuaarita]

I thought it was attacks per second, isn't lower better?

Higher is better. Under 1 attack per second is, well, under 1 attack per second.
Just think of 1 as 100% attack speed.

 

[quadnad]

Higher is better. Under 1 attack per second is, well, under 1 attack per second.

yeah, it isn't golf rules.

Anybody have an idea of ideal stats/pieces to look for in armor for a DH? I've been struggling with respect to pants and chest armor...

 

[NickJames]

I thought it was attacks per second, isn't lower better?

1 = 1 hit every second so (2 hits in 2 seconds)
1.5 = 1 and 1/2 hits every second so that would be (3 hits in 2 seconds)

If it was attack speed like most games then lower would be better.

 

[Intel_Hydralisk]

I thought it was attacks per second, isn't lower better?

More attacks per second is ... faster since you get more attacks.

This isn't WOW... I don't have a very clear memory of how the tooltip worked in WOW, but most people that confuse this number in D3 seems to have been mislead by WOW's tooltip as far as I can tell from the sample of people on my friends list who got it backwards.

If you're really skeptical, just equip a bow and find out. Some other damning evidence is the lower damage on a faster weapon of the same dps. Another example is how daggers are the fastest weapons in the game with the highest attacks per second at 1.5 ... as opposed to a low 0.90 two handed hammer....

Anybody have an idea of ideal stats/pieces to look for in armor for a DH? I've been struggling with respect to pants and chest armor...

I haven't explored pants that much since I know some of the IAS stats are broken for armor pieces that don't naturally have them (legendaries and sets). An easy pants to get is just high dex with 2 slots.

Chest is trickier since it's possible to get DH specific stats on it from the cloaks. I like to get +max discipline ones (note: a quiver with +max discipline is also very good to have). For Reference, Smokescreen costs 14 discipline and has a 2 second cooldown. You want to have 50 discipline to be able to use it 4 times in a row per pool (14*4 - 2*3 = 50). This isn't a trivial number to get since +10 is the max on quiver and chest. In practice, you can have some breathing room with slightly less (~46-49). This added discipline is of course compounded by prep.

The hard part is finding a chest with +8-10 max discipline, 3 sockets, and good dex. Those are generally fairly expensive. You'll also likely lose out on stats vs. a normal chest without the max discipline for the same price, but the extra discipline is well worth it.