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ZiggyD · Tue, 8th-May-2012, 7:36 PM

Only a week to go until the release of Diablo 3 and I am getting more and more excited!

I know that I will definitely be playing Hardcore as my primary game mode on D3, I just love the way it slows down the game and makes every action extremely important.

I loved playing Diablo 2 on HC and to prepare for D3's HC mode I have decided to go back to D2 for a bit of practice:

Preparing for Diablo 3 Hardcore Mode.

I'm pretty new to making videos so don't be too harsh! (although criticism is very welcome) Ep. 2 is on the way too, I plan on doing one a day until release.

Episode 2: An Intense Firefight with Blood Raven

I am very curious to see how the auction houses are going to play out on HC mode, I know they are going to be separate from standard mode. I wonder if the increased risk will increase or decrease the price of gear? I am thinking it will increase the value of high-end HC gear as it is going to take a lot of work to get to that point. What are your thoughts on this? I am looking forward to playing around with it.

Will you guys be playing Hardcore mode, risking your hard-built characters for fame, glory and the thrill of the challenge?

ZiggyD

Quick Comments

	nirvAnA:
	Frogmite:
	TCPYoonA:

Azure · Tue, 8th-May-2012, 9:32 PM

I was recently playing d2 HC as well got a sin to lvl 80 before quitting its fun still just a shame the only baal runs you can get are from a bot now days

ZiggyD · Tue, 8th-May-2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

I was recently playing d2 HC as well got a sin to lvl 80 before quitting its fun still just a shame the only baal runs you can get are from a bot now days

Based on my play so far, which has been pretty awful, I doubt I will be getting that far over the next 7 days, haha.

syfCabracan · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 7:13 AM

I was quite young when I played d2 so only ever played softcore. I am very tempted to main a HC character this time though.

ZiggyD · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 9:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabracan

I was quite young when I played d2 so only ever played softcore. I am very tempted to main a HC character this time though.

You should! It's a very different experience.

Highlander · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 7:59 AM

Hi ZiggyD,

Checked out your videos, interesting that you plan to choose a Demon Hunter for Diablo III.

One thing that sprung to mind was how slow you were going (not trying to give you grief) at those early stages. I'm sure if you had a Barbarian with you, you'd be whizzing through.

I think that serves as a good example of why I really do think party play is the key to effective Hardcore play. Sure, it can all be done solo, but if you want to go the path of least resistance, a well designed party will outperform every time.

Hopefully I'll get some time to play with you in-game on HC, although Softcore will be my main game mode as that's where all my other friends will be.

As for the auction house, I know Blizzard said they were reconsidering it, but at last official word I didn't think there was going to be a RMAH for Hardcore, just the gold auction house.

Naturally, through sheer availability, items will be less affordable in Hardcore. Less gold will be available, so prices may not be literally higher, so it's important to draw that distinction. Since gold can be found anywhere with sufficient time as opposed to max gear which can best be found in highly dangerous areas (eg: Anywhere in Inferno), I think those items will still be worth more (in relative terms at least).

Pushing this up even further still, is the ease at which I expect you will be able to farm gold as opposed to items, since gold drops pretty much everywhere and you can control the environment with much more ease.

Interesting food for thought all round.

ZiggyD · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 9:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highlander

Hi ZiggyD,

Checked out your videos, interesting that you plan to choose a Demon Hunter for Diablo III.

One thing that sprung to mind was how slow you were going (not trying to give you grief) at those early stages. I'm sure if you had a Barbarian with you, you'd be whizzing through.

I think that serves as a good example of why I really do think party play is the key to effective Hardcore play. Sure, it can all be done solo, but if you want to go the path of least resistance, a well designed party will outperform every time.

Hopefully I'll get some time to play with you in-game on HC, although Softcore will be my main game mode as that's where all my other friends will be.

As for the auction house, I know Blizzard said they were reconsidering it, but at last official word I didn't think there was going to be a RMAH for Hardcore, just the gold auction house.

Naturally, through sheer availability, items will be less affordable in Hardcore. Less gold will be available, so prices may not be literally higher, so it's important to draw that distinction. Since gold can be found anywhere with sufficient time as opposed to max gear which can best be found in highly dangerous areas (eg: Anywhere in Inferno), I think those items will still be worth more (in relative terms at least).

Pushing this up even further still, is the ease at which I expect you will be able to farm gold as opposed to items, since gold drops pretty much everywhere and you can control the environment with much more ease.

Interesting food for thought all round.

The Bowazon is quite slow, a hard hitting melee unit could breeze through most of the early stuff much more quickly. But in my eyes survivability is in the Bowazon's favor. From what I have seen of the D3 beta the Demon Hunter(ess) has that going for them too. I love kiting and ranged attacks and I like the DH's area of effect snares and chain shots. I think this combination is going to make for an excellent HC character for long term survival, and, for above all else, fun.

Edit: I should mention that I am also considering a Monk as I really enjoy the shockwave rapid punching style. Is almost a ranged class. Seems like a fairly survivable class too. Still not 100%

I think I will be doing a let's play HC series for YT but I haven't decided whether I should solo the entire thing, team the entire thing, or a mixture of both. There are definitely advantages to partying HC mode, both for the videos and for survivability and if I was going to do hardcore with anyone it would be you. You seem like the safest player I know when it comes to hardcore. Perhaps interested in doing a series with me?

Great thoughts on the auction house - some items are likely to be worth more than the gold cap in hardcore just because they are necessary to surviving the hardest levels. Gold only has limited usefulness when it comes to survival. It's like having $1million in cash vs a rifle and ammo in a zombie apocalypse.

Thanks Highlander

Highlander · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 11:42 AM

Yeah, it is all about how the build plays out.

One interesting thing about the Dexterity classes is, unlike the Intelligence/Strength classes whose main stat increases resistances/armour each level, the Dexterity stat increases chance to dodge.

That's all well and good on average, but it will mean there is a bit of volatility when she does take damage. My fear for solo play is that this might make her a bit of a glass cannon (even with a Templar). Getting a little stuck and copping four unlucky direct hits in a row may be leathal. Of course, only time will tell.

For when I play Hardcore, I'll be mixing up solo with group play I expect. I'll only play group when it's with people near my level who I know, trust and can count upon to not play recklessly. When I play solo it'll be more likely in areas I am very confident I can handle.

I'd love to do a series with you though, I'll have to work out if I'll be able to keep up with the time committment. If I do, it'll probably be playing as a Monk. I think you'll benefit most from a melee class and the Barbarian has it's own challenges too (the Fury resource system doesn't lend itself well to slow, careful play).

Cheers

-H

Quick Comments

ZiggyD:

I'll definitely be talking to you about doing a HC series.

mOOnGLaDe · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 11:44 AM

i remember when me and filthy played hardcore when a new ladder season started, we got really high and did private baal runs with a group, got a sorc to lvl96! and his necro was high too.. good memories

Quick Comments

ZiggyD:

Wow! Nice Effort!

**Maynarde** · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mOOnGLaDe

we got really high

I read that wrong the first time through LOL

I will most definitely be playing a HC character

I'm gonna use D3 like an abusive pimp. I'm gonna play it till my eyes bleed. So pumped for this game that I'm counting down the hours, and running D2 with my buddies to get that god like clicking endurance!

Quick Comments

cruxSpoon:

I dont think you read that wrong :D (or so i'd like to believe)

Insom · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 12:47 PM

id love too play hc, but if i died because of the 300ms ping, id probably scream...

Quick Comments

ZiggyD:

This concerns us all :///

ZiggyD · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 3:19 PM

Cool responses guys! I'm actually fairly new to Diablo 2 hardcore and have only been part way through Nightmare on it. I have always played the one life more severe options on games that allow it though so I'm really looking forward to D3.

Episode three of my practice run is up too btw

Treehead Woodfist Gives Me Some Grief on my Practice HC Run

syfCabracan · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 4:09 PM

Think I will try braving hardcore straight away, I was a kid when I was young so I stuck to softcore. Do I want to make my barb hardcore or softcore though?

Quick Comments

ZiggyD:

Good work sir! Barb will be very gear dependant (at least it was in D2) but can become very survivable.

**iM tgun** · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 4:10 PM

You mean to say there's a non-hardcore mode?

**** THAT.

Quick Comments

ZiggyD:

This is my view for most games, I hate just feeling like I am derping along without a care in the world.

Asrathiel · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 4:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZiggyD

Will you guys be playing Hardcore mode, risking your hard-built characters for fame, glory and the thrill of the challenge?

Not with my main character

I'd be too sad if I lost her! Will give it a go later on though, probably with a barbarian ^_^

ZiggyD · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 5:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asrathiel

Not with my main character

I'd be too sad if I lost her! Will give it a go later on though, probably with a barbarian ^_^

Hmm you gave me an idea. I might play softcore as a Monk (which I am curious to play) and then HC my Demon Hunter (more seriously). Thanks for the thought-provocation.

TABottles · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 5:24 PM

Well, i fired up Diablo II just a second ago - died to Rakinishu..

Quick Comments

ZiggyD:

Haha. Don't feel bad everyone does that on HC from time to time. That little guy is a bastard.

Azure · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 6:33 PM

lol it is common to die to rakinishu especially when you rogue NPC hits it as well and u die to his lightning

ZiggyD · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 9:37 PM

Ep.4 is uploaded!

Cutting Treehead Down to Size

I tried to give TA.Bottles a shoutout as I was fighting Rakinishu but I messed up and said Cabracan >.> That would have been funny... Oh well.

Asrathiel · Wed, 9th-May-2012, 9:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TABottles

Well, i fired up Diablo II just a second ago - died to Rakinishu..

Bwahahaha, Rakinishu. After I kill him, whenever the others shake their fists and say "Rakinishu!" at me, I'm like, "Ha! Rakinishu is dead! I killed him myself...!"

Quick Comments

ZiggyD:

Haha, they are giving their lives in revenge for their fallen leader.

Insom · Wed, 16th-May-2012, 3:21 PM

So how many of us are going to be rolling HC?

Im keen

syfCabracan · Wed, 16th-May-2012, 9:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insom

So how many of us are going to be rolling HC?

Im keen

Just got d3 working tonight. Currently just lvl 9 on my hc character.

**Dox** · Thu, 17th-May-2012, 12:15 AM

Just finished Act 1 on my HC Wizard, picked up a few VERY challenging achievements along the way:

turtles · Thu, 17th-May-2012, 5:25 AM

I remember D2 would not let you play hardcore unless you had gotten a soft core character past Diablo (or some restriction like that). So I take it D3 does not have that restriction? Awesome, I think I'm one step closer to convincing myself to get it now :P

Insom · Thu, 17th-May-2012, 7:40 AM

Yeah, pretty sure ill be rolling a monk or something.

UHF · Thu, 17th-May-2012, 7:52 AM

Rolled a Barbarian last night after seeing people were playing HC. Managed to get to lvl 12 (i think) before stopping due to lack of sleep and fear of dying. Was trying to play catch up to Dox, nearly died so many times lol.

**Dox** · Thu, 17th-May-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turtles

I remember D2 would not let you play hardcore unless you had gotten a soft core character past Diablo (or some restriction like that). So I take it D3 does not have that restriction? Awesome, I think I'm one step closer to convincing myself to get it now :P

Just need to get a character to level 10 and then Hardcore is unlocked. Takes like 1-2 hours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UHF

Rolled a Barbarian last night after seeing people were playing HC. Managed to get to lvl 12 (i think) before stopping due to lack of sleep and fear of dying. Was trying to play catch up to Dox, nearly died so many times lol.

You'll have plenty of time to overtake me - I'm at work all day and then I have a work dinner to attend tonight, so I won't be on again until Friday night.

On that note, I'm gonna create a new thread for tracking everyone's HC chars!

ZiggyD · Fri, 18th-May-2012, 1:12 PM

Looks like my Hardcore play through vods are starting to go up! (Missus is at home doing them for me while I'm away). To keep the experience as pure as possible I have avoided all spoilers for everything past the beta content, so I am seeing everything for the first time.

Here is the introduction and first episode!

Retracted for editing

I'm still pretty new to making YouTube content but I think I am quickly improving. Any criticism is helpful!

Fadey · Fri, 18th-May-2012, 1:39 PM

Lag and hard core makes me cry

a mate and I tried out HC back in d2 when we were both on dial up.. massive lag spike when we got upto rakinishu but our archer npcs kept hitting him and we died to his lightning ~.~.

Quick Comments

Dox:

ewwww dial up D:

ZiggyD · Fri, 18th-May-2012, 1:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fadey

Lag and hard core makes me cry

a mate and I tried out HC back in d2 when we were both on dial up.. massive lag spike when we got upto rakinishu but our archer npcs kept hitting him and we died to his lightning ~.~.

I have been really lucky so far and have only had serious lag spikes in town. Playing solo with autojoin off helps a lot. I am away for 10 days now so hopefully when I get back the servers will have settled down somewhat.

UHF · Fri, 18th-May-2012, 2:11 PM

The audio on your D3 hardcore vid cuts out around 13-14 minutes, rest of video has no audo.

ZiggyD · Fri, 18th-May-2012, 2:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UHF

The audio on your D3 hardcore vid cuts out around 13-14 minutes, rest of video has no audo.

Oh man! thanks for that must have been an uploading error.

Deleting it and re uploading it tonight. Thanks for catching that I don't usually watch them through after uploading them.

TADivinity · Fri, 18th-May-2012, 4:11 PM

Ziggy D, I'd have to say you were arguably the keenest bean on this site for this release hahah

Quick Comments

ZiggyD:

ZiggyD · Fri, 18th-May-2012, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TADivinity

Ziggy D, I'd have to say you were arguably the keenest bean on this site for this release hahah

Haha, I'd have to say Highlander wins that competition but I was perhaps a bit more vocal. Him and the other fellas on DiabloHerald podcast really got me pumped for release, I was keeping myself restrained before then. I must say my HC experience so far has justified how keen I was, it's been so awesome!

**Dox** · Fri, 18th-May-2012, 10:55 PM

Wooo! Made it to Act 3 on Hardcore today - quite a few more challenging milestones collected along the way, including an Act 1 speed run! (Completed it with 7 minutes remaining)

**Dox** · Sun, 20th-May-2012, 5:02 AM

It's been a big day for achievements! I hit level 30 HC and went back to farm up some of the earlier stuff. I tried to do the Act 2 Speed Run achievement, but unfortunately had some terrible luck after the oasis and couldn't find the bloods/body fast enough - ended up being 15 minutes behind. Keep in mind this is all on HC.

Insom · Sun, 20th-May-2012, 9:07 AM

good stuff dox. Keep it up mate

iM yang · Sun, 20th-May-2012, 5:25 PM

Just finished Normal mode on my HC Monk! whoop

**Dox** · Mon, 21st-May-2012, 12:45 AM

Ditto on my Wizard! First play through, that was freaking intense! Had no idea what the hell to expect, hahaha.

P.S. Notice the banner? I'm a dragon.

Insom · Sat, 26th-May-2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dox

Ditto on my Wizard! First play through, that was freaking intense! Had no idea what the hell to expect, hahaha.

P.S. Notice the banner? I'm a dragon.

Congrats mate!

Time too catch back up

SayfT · Sat, 26th-May-2012, 10:40 AM

I've got a 30 barb and 30 dh in hc if anyone wants some bro deals/help for bosses or just carefully going through NM (emphasis on carefully!!!!!! huehuehue) let me know, Gerlan # 1706

ZiggyD · Tue, 29th-May-2012, 7:14 PM

Finally back home and have a new router so hopefully no more sound problems. have heaps of videos to catch up on though!

Episode 1 Part 1/3

Episode 1 Part 2/3

Episode 1 Part 3/3

Having a blast on HC, it's just so damn good.

ZiggyD · Wed, 30th-May-2012, 10:59 AM

Just recorded another session on my HC DH and uploaded ep 2 as well.

Solo HC First Playthrough Episode 2

New router is kicking ass and uploaded this episode without any dramas. A big thanks to DUCKVILLE for the advice on getting a new router.

ZiggyD · Fri, 1st-Jun-2012, 12:26 PM

Starting to get down to serious business now!

Ep 3

Ep4

Also, celebrating my first month of Diablo Hardcore content and also my channel's maiden voyage I am giving away a copy of The Binding of Isaac + it's new DLC.

Celebrating an Awesome First Month!

Thanks to everyone who has watched, liked and left feedback so far! Looking to continue uploading at least one video a day from now on.

Insom · Fri, 1st-Jun-2012, 12:31 PM

You looking for a hc partner, or just going solo?? Im keen to level some (only lvl 20-21 i think) and keen too play

ZiggyD · Sat, 2nd-Jun-2012, 8:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insom

You looking for a hc partner, or just going solo?? Im keen to level some (only lvl 20-21 i think) and keen too play

Until I finish normal difficulty I will be playing solo apart from the team run I am currently doing with the boys from the Diablo Herald. After that I will be keen to start playing around with heaps more HC characters and with many more people. Just keeping it simple for now though. ^^