[ZiggyD]

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.

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

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]

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]

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]

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.

[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.

[ZiggyD]

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.

[ZiggyD]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

Treehead Woodfist Gives Me Some Grief on my Practice HC Run

[syfCabracan]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[ZiggyD]

Ep.4 is uploaded!

Cutting Treehead Down to Size

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]

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.