A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

[jermsdawg]

A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

So I barely got through the long threads in the Witch Doctor and Wizard forums and seen several people who don't like these characters. I think I may have an idea why this is. I think part of the reason some do not like the new characters is because we don't know these questions: Why would a Witch Doctor/Wizard/etc want to kill the forces of Diablo? What is this character's motivation to fight?

I know in my mind, the Witch Doctor doesn't seem to fit into the Diablo schema that I have in my mind. Then again, the witch doctors could possibly be a major part of the lore/content/quests that Blizzard is adding that we do not yet know about. It could be a situation where one town you visit in Diablo is filled with voodoo/etc, similar to the Barbarians home of Mount Arreat.

Also, character motivation, I believe, is a major part of whether we accept a character or not. For example, Paladins are driven by the desire to conquer evil and do good. Well, when you think of the Witch Doctor, there's not really a reason you would think off the top of your head as to why he would join to fight against Diablo. In fact, the archetype of Witch Doctor in my mind is slightly evil himself. Anyways, I think it would be cool to know that the Witch Doctors were driven by revenge, anger, lust for power, etc... somewhat of a dark motivation to fit their character type.

To wrap this up, we don't know what all will be included in the lore/content/etc in Diablo 3. As far as Blizzard is concerned, the Witch Doctor may fit perfect into what they have planned as far as these elements are concerned. I love all the Blizzard games I've played so far and I trust that they are making decisions based on more factors than we know.

 

[Smash]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

Answer for wizards is easy as they always seek power.

As for Witch Doctor dunno but hate thing is not because of lore but because of in my case, look, skills even name as WD is tribal thing and in tribal rank Shamans are much higher than Witch Doctors.

Witch Doctor is not evil stereotype as in real life is just uneducated doctor and can be found in every country imo.

Well at least one thing is know that Blizzard will not change this class or scrap.

 

[stillman]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

I can think of a few good reasons for the WD's presence:

1- The old 'defending his homeland' notion. Everyone knows Diablo is going to wreck the whole world, and this includes the WD's village.

2- WD's, being driven to intoxication and dream-like states, are far more aware of the spiritual wheelings and dealings of the world. The WD's know far more about Diablo's secret motives from their access to the spirit/dream world. Thus, they feel compelled to bring their unique insight to the battlefront. All others are blind fools swimming into a suicide mission according to the WD's beliefs. Someone's got to inform the barbs and even the wizards about what's really going on with the demons. Only by WD's teaming up and earning the trust of their companions overseas can these blind fools be taught the realizations needed to survive demonic corruption.

3- Strange rite of passage. It's a culture thing. To seek and attain elderhood or some rank, a WD must proove himself worthy by killing a big demon, and Diablo himself happens to be in town. Too bad, normally it's some minor demon, but this time it's Diablo that the spirits demand as a sacrifice.

4- You can get really high off of Diablo's dermal secretions; the problem is getting close enough to lick him. Better kill him to be safe. Just kidding, don't count this one.

These are just my own silly ideas, but I'm sure Blizzard can come up with something that should work.

For me, the WD fits in just fine. The problem is the fact that he looks less human (more insect like), the mask is akward and too big, he is neon green and purple, and his armor so far appears to be leaves and beads. He is also too contorted with his head bent down to cover his chest, too exagerated with the poor posture. Most of what you see is a big mask. He just doesn't look good, in my eyes anyway. But overall the concept of a jungle man WD in Diablo is not a problem for me at all.

 

[Schrambo]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

Most of the people are just not used to changes.
Just let it come and be happy blizzard is putting so much effort into the game.

 

[Qwink]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

The reason that people dont like the witchdoctor is because it doesnt have really epic skills. Well maybe it does but Blizz hasnt showed it yet. The wizard has time stop and disintegrate, both really cool imho. The barb has seismic slam, charge and of course whirlwind. If they would show some really cool skills for the WD im sure more people will like him.

 

[Starving_Poet]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

The reasons are simple.

Everyone has a favorite and they hate when it's changed. I for one an a huge necro fan, I almost play the class exclusively, but I'm not afraid of change. Necro was great, but it's time for something new.

 

[Risingred]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

At first, I was actually a big fan of the witch doctor. I think his thematic look is very nice, the sounds he makes are great. Then they showed off the wizard. I wondered why I would want to play a witch doctor after watching that.

The only thing I don't really like about him is what skills they've shown us. I was almost exclusively a necromancer in D2 but the WD does seem a little...lackluster, I suppose. I am curious to see what his higher-level skills look like. He just seems way too passive for me, even though (at this stage) he seems to play like a necro. I can't quite pin down just what I don't like about him, I guess.

I have no interest whatsoever in the barb. Didn't in Diablo 2 either. Just not my thing. I normally don't play casters but the wizard just looks plain old fun and there's nothing wrong with that.

Diablo3.com:

Alongside the primacy of the belief in the life force and the Unformed Land, the second most sacred belief of the tribes is their philosophy of self-sacrifice and non-individuality, of suppressing one's self-interest for the good of the tribe. This idea, so foreign to our culture, struck me as something I wished to delve into much more deeply.

Unfortunately, there was intense social upheaval among the tribes due to an incident involving their most current war (inasmuch as I could discern in the ensuing bedlam), and the charged atmosphere warranted my quick departure before I could ask anything further of my hosts


That makes it sound like more of the lore will be explored within the game...maybe even to go so far as to visit the witch doctor's homeland and see what this war precisely is. That would certainly show a motivation for the WD (and his people).

 

[Telzen]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

The reason that people dont like the witchdoctor is because it doesnt have really epic skills. Well maybe it does but Blizz hasnt showed it yet. The wizard has time stop and disintegrate, both really cool imho. The barb has seismic slam, charge and of course whirlwind. If they would show some really cool skills for the WD im sure more people will like him.

WD has some pretty cool skills. Firebats has the best effect of all the skills I've seen so far imo.

And yeah whatever happened in the WD's home before that guy left must be what started the WD fighting against demons.

 

[mywrisoicy]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

YUP, that's what they all say... his skills... Umm disintegrate and time stop are cool, chain lightning and magic missile are ok. But camon! you cant beat the theme in the witch doctors skills for one. Also some his skills are even more crazy than the wizards in graphics and in strength. Horrify is sooo sick (and well themed and strategic)... that huge mask and the scream and all that... its nice! Firebomb looks really impressive, the flames explode in the shape of the WD for petes sake! Also his brand new. Plus those skills are just the tip of the iceberg and you are all sinking like the titanic not seeing the bigger picture. And finally wall of corpses! Just imagine some of his passives ... this little freaks got potential and you are all too narrow minded to see. For example what if wall of corpses had a passive that could hold onto creatures for a bit? Point you can bash him but not now.

 

[Bad Ash]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

People wont be complaining about any thing in the game if its fun to play with that char. If a char is not fun to play, then you will see real complaining. People whining right now is fine cause its something to talk about (even though ive contradicted this in other threads), but no one will remember the bashing if it is fun to play.

I would say majority of people dont care one wink about the lore and motivation as long as they are having fun playing the char

 

[mince pies]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

I would've thought that your entire world being destroyed would be motivation enough to fight against Diablo?

 

[Risingred]

Re: A thought if you hate the Witch Doctor...

I would've thought that your entire world being destroyed would be motivation enough to fight against Diablo?

Most people in sanctuary don't even know about the sin war, though.