1.09/1.10 differences? and Hi

[Daver]

1.09/1.10 differences? and Hi

Hi. I'm daver and I'm a diabloholic.

I played this game from Diablo II Beta until just before 1.10 came out I believe. I probably logged more hours than any living thing in that time period and probably had the embarassing title of highest post count in this Hardcore forum. However, that was several years ago and I'm sure not one of you remember me lol.

Anywho, I was wondering what the major differences are in 1.10 from 1.09. I read the patch notes but I'm looking for the stuff not in the notes. In particular, are there any standard char builds that don't work anymore? I assume all the old cookie cutters are still valid?

I also noticed that my son, who I'm teamed up with, got ahead of me in Act 2. When he tried to just give me the Canyon wp tp, I couldn't take it. I couldn't take the Arcane tp either. I assume this is a change to cut down on powering a char through w/o playing? Any other nerfs like this?

Anything else different that really stands out?

 

[PhatTrumpet]

Everyone's 1.09 Tweaker Barbs sucked as soon as 1.10 came. Bowazons also got a bit of the shaft, although they are still viable with decent enough gear (Strafe is more popular now, Guided no longer pierces). Nova is no longer as viable do to lack of synergies and beefed-up monsters. Basically, the only popular cow builds that still work are Meteor+Orb and Javazon.

That waypoint restriction was indeed added to help cut down on rushing, but it didn't really accomplish much. You cannot enter the Arcane waypoint without first retrieving the amulet from the Claw Viper Temple and you cannot enter the Canyon waypoint without first killing the Summoner. You cannot enter the Durance of Hate waypoint without first killing the Council in Travincial. You cannot enter the Worldstone waypoint without first killing the Ancients. The only way to get Baal quest without first doing Ancients is to party with someone who also needs the quest and can enter the Worldstone Chamber.

Synergies and runewords are the biggest changes from 1.09 to 1.10. Go to the Arreat Summit and start to familiarize yourself with them.

Because of synergies, Blessed Hammer is completely overpowered now, Charged Strike can take down Hell Baal in a few pokes, Blizzard Sorcs can eclipse 10k+ average listed damage, Lightning Sorcs 50k+ listed max damage, etc.

Because of the runewords, any character can have Teleport without having to use charges, Smiters can go toe-to-toe with just about anyone in a duel game, pure lightning characters can solo essentially the entire game without having to worry about immunes, etc.

Nightmare and Hell Act 5 now have guest monsters from other acts. No more easy-as-pie Blood runs. Hell Cows are no longer very good for exp either. Baal runs are where it's at.

Gloams / Burning Souls / whatever do ridiculous amounts of lightning damage.

The Poison Vipers down on Nihlathak's level do bugged damage. Don't run through their poison clouds unless you're loaded up with PDR.

Fire Enchanted bosses' death explosion can easily 1-hit-KO you in Nightmare.

FE LE is the new MSLE (Multishot no longer has any effect on the number of bolts released from LE bosses).

Iron Maiden is now pretty much insta-death in Nightmare and Hell, and there are more areas in which you have to watch out for it, namely Worldstone 3 and the Throne.

"Cookie Cutters":
Lightning Javazon
Lightning Trapper
Wind Druid
Summon Necro (and hybrids thereof, usually Poison/CE/Summon or just plain CE/Summon)
Hammerdin
Lightning Sorc
Cold Sorc (Blizzard with synergies or Orb with safety skills)
Meteorb Sorc (or Blizzball, same basic idea)

Other than that I'd say just do a quick read-through of the Hardcore FAQ. It was updated recently. Oh... and I remember you. :tongue:

 

[Daver]

Wow. Thanks for the detailed response.

Another question. Is there an active community to hang out in like the old GAT days? I started out on USWest softcore this weekend to play with my kids (of course I already took the barb you described as no good now to lvl 30 already /sigh). If there is something fun on USEast, maybe I'll get my oldest kid (17) to start over there with me and work to unlock HC. If the community is kinda dead, maybe I'll just stay on USWest SC. I know that's sort of a tough question to answer. Send me a PM if you prefer.

MSLE isn't scary anymore??!!! You have got to be kidding me. It's the only thing I remember from this game and I still have nightmares about it.

 

[Masahiro]

Indeed MSLE isn't scary anymore, not at all actually, since, as said before, they won't stack.
But FE is the real horror now, stay away from them, killing them in close-combat equals a swift death, my lvl 74 pala with stacked Fres and some PDR died from FE hephasto in nightmare, bye bye the 1k hp I had left.
Also a word of advice, don't play cookie cutter, it's boring :wink3:

 

[squiggle]

There is a fair bit of a community in Hc East.

I ussually have atleast 2 freinds from hc on at one time. And there are alot of pubby games open.

Let me know if you/any of your kids start. I can help you guys out a bit.

Good luck

 

[adamgrz]

I just started on East hardcore ladder and am around level 65 now. I would be glad to help you out on quests or some lower level items I've got laying around.

 

[armyjag]

hey,

i just came back from a 2 year period on WoW. i just made a hardcore character again last night on USEast. i am also going to have to look up all the changes in the 1.10 patch.

i do remember you posting. i used to post on the forums quite a bit too back when i played all the time.

if you decide to start on USEast, go ahead and mssg me if you want someone to quest/lvl with. account name is nuttzo

 

[Barrynor]

daver, get back into the shower. YOU UNWASHED RABBLE! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING HERE?


I am seriously considering re-installing DII and trying if I can beat the speed-run record of 1:50 for DII (sorceress). Level to 16 on players 8 in act 1 within the hour, and then slash through the game at top speed. most likely a static-build with something like frost novae to kill everything I staticed, teleport and a rogue... I think I can beat the DII speedurn that way.