I need something new but not too new, fantasy not sci-fi, and maybe more action and less rpg. Seems like time for Diablo.
Going through the blog, updating the big list, checking battle.net, wikis, etc.
The obvious next move is Diablo 3, but I bought and haven't yet played Diablo 2 Resurrected (i.e. Remastered).
Minor note, need to reconcile roman vs arabic numbering in the list and blog - don't want to have to search for Diablo 2 and Diablo II, etc. every time.
Rereading the lore; simple but good enough. Avoiding spoilage for D3 and on.
Where's the Diablo 1 remaster? Some rumors, nothing on horizon.
What does D2 remastered have: graphics toggle old/new, shared stash (so don't need mules?), auto gold pickup... that's it? looks like a few more small updates.
I should check it out before moving on. 30gb! While D3 is only 17gb.
While downloading can check out https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo2resurrected/
I like the advice of go in blind, play however you want, then read about builds and use a respec.
Should I play offline or online?
I don't know how much of this I'll actually play before moving on to D3.
Maybe I can try an alternate to sorcerer? Anything other than sorc feels like a waste of time.
How about trying a fire build? I always used to go cold/lightning.
I was going to just dive in and play a fire sorc but this long download has me reading while i wait...
https://maxroll.gg/d2
https://maxroll.gg/d2/guides/sorceress-leveling
yeah, definitely want to try fire based avoid cold, some lightning for alternate element.
most classes seem boring, but this might be interesting
https://diablo.fandom.com/wiki/Summonmancer
2025.05.24 i think i tried playing summonmancer once but on whatever old system it was things got laggy. should be no problem now. i have to try at least one other character to see how item sharing works.
setup. gamma, keep at middle. corners, already ok.
watch the intro. often interesting how updated graphics are need just to so it can look like how we remember it.
screenshots (print screen) go to \Documents\Diablo II\Screenshots\.
Options Video. Graphic Presets = medium. set to Very High.
NVIDIA DLSS was off by default, still off after changing Presets. leaving it and all other settings alone, for now.
So, offline or online? While looking I find something about Diablo 1, a fan made remaster called DevilutionX. It does look good, but maybe another time.
Offline is the more casual, story based game I'm looking for right now.
After I've tried D3 maybe I can come back this way, try D1 again.
Necro time! Name... got nothing, so uh... Edgar.
I love the music, I can barely hear Warriv's intro. Turn it down to 60%.
getting some quick build advice
https://diablo.fandom.com/wiki/Summonmancer
https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/summoner-necromancer-build
Raise Skeleton and Skeleton Mastery seem to be most of this build, with no more than a point in most disciplines, with many skipped. I'm playing for fun so I'll probably try more spells than i need.
Strength and Dex just enough for gear, all to Vit, non to Energy.
first impression of Necro, its a bit boring just watching my skeleton running around doing all the work. i like the little bony sounds they make just walking around.
interesting that i can bring my skeleton crew with me into town.
key commands coming back. had to think about sprint for a second (control).
ok, it took a few levels, and a few more spells, to learn that necromancer is boring. even when archers are almost killing me, i'm just trying to stay alive while minions do the work. unless i learn something new about necro i'm done with this class.
anything else before i try fire sorc, and then leave for D3?
i'm reading about fire paladin, frozen bowazon, fury druid, etc.
might as well move unused stuff to Shared in the Stash.
next up is Paladin. seems like Zealot might be best for me
https://diablo.fandom.com/wiki/Zealot_(Build)
i dub thee... Knecht
i finally got around to pressing G for legacy graphics. once again, the modern graphics is how i remember it.
Paladin is not my play style, but it's already more fun than Necromancer. I like the simplicity of just bashing things, but I"m still figuring out Pal 'spells'. It's basically just offense and defense enhancers.
I thought i could always have an aura active, and still use attack spells, but it seems like either or {note: no, i just have it set up wrong, see below}
so for now, keep the Might aura running for regular fighting, and switch to shield bashing (Smite) or increase damage for some small self damage (Sacrifice) when necessary.
I normally like to play with laptop nearby for notes, but any glare really disrupts the darkness on screen. I have to switch background to black and almost keep lid down, and shut down lamp.
entering level 2 of Cave... have to stop. reached that point where time has stopped passing.
2025.05.25 load in Pal, is Town Portal to level 2 of Cave still there? I didn't expect to find it, and it is not there. That's fine, there are waypoints. The mobs are back in previously explored areas - that was somewhat surprising. I forget how leveling and grinding works in this game. I though repeating areas was more a multiplayer thing, not a single player offline thing. This is good for grinding.
to keep aura running while using abilities: Right Mouse Button is the aura, Left Mouse Button is the special ability. but this means my LMB attack is always costing mana, vs the 'free' normal attack.
if i'm just grinding, normal attack + my aura is fine.
for challenging fights, i'll want to switch LMB to a special attack, while aura still running on the RMB.
Level 12, I have lots unspent: 50 stat points and 8 skill choices. I've just been using what i got, and waiting to hit a wall before i decide what to spend it on.
Level 13 time to try Zeal. It seems effective, even with minimal skill points. It also runs out of mana fairly quickly in a big fight. Am i just supposed to always be drinking red and blue pots all the time? At least once the mana runs out it's just a regular attack. So I never put points into energy? It should seem useful, but maybe i'm missing something that will be addressed later with equipment... it seems people rely on the natural mana increase of just leveling up, and equipment.
2025.05.26 I don't know how much further I'm going to go with Paladin, but it seems like at least to Andariel. And I'm looking forward to seeing Lut Gholein.
At least character testing is feeding the shared items in the Stash, so my other characters can get an even faster running start. Not that there's much needed in the beginning.
For now, I might as well keep pumping up Sacrifice as my better than normal but not quite needing to go all out attack.
reordering my attack quick buttons to F5 normal F6 Sacrifice F7 Zeal F8 shield bash
My first death (to a frost nova on mob death). Wow, didn't realize how much gold penalty (1900, don't know how much i was carrying). resurrect my hire, 750. find my corpse, pile of 11k gold.
CURRENT BUILD
Paladin
https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/paladin-class-and-builds
skills
Offensive Aura
Defensive Auro
Combat Skills
Zeal (combat skill: multi attack, costs mana)
build=Zealot
https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/zealot-paladin-build
stats STR and DEX for equipment, rest to VIT
early game Sacrifice -> 20 (will synergize Zeal later)
end goal LMB Zeal (combat skill: multi attack, costs mana)
RMB Fanaticism (off aura: +dam +att.speed +att.rating)
synergy: Sacrifice (boost Zeal)
REMINDER
* when switching characters remember to take equipment from hireling
QUESTIONS
Where are my save files, and can I archive and restore them so I can 'rewind' a character?, and move between installs?
MISC
Why EVERYONE Should be Playing Offline - Diablo 2 Resurrected
https://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Guide:Diablo_2_Level_Up_Guide_v1.10
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/23725427/diablo-ii-the-story-so-far
