I think they did a great job at making the lightning look more organic and real, I really like it. I think the lightning spell itself could be a bit larger and more imposing though (I hope it still goes through enemies). We haven’t seen the cold spells yet so it’s hard to know yet if they will be easily distinctable. I know we’re used to the white color of lightning which I definitely liked too (the way it looked brutal) but we should give a chance to the artists. Definitely on the right way.
My take on Ladder-only items: Yes they should be available in single player BUT not in Non-Ladder. We need a big distinction in between both in my opinion, it also makes for an interesting market. I think it was made that way and is a very important aspect of the game. Else, why would you go play ladder, only for the race to 99? Nah, you need something rewarding, items that are more rare to then trade on non-ladder when the “season” is done (where you might be hoarding items for later PVP). This is a core element for sure.
Ladder needs an incentive, sure. However when given no real incentives to continue my character on non ladder due to being locked out of endgame tasks (ubers and a significant amount of runewords), why even have that mode? The content difference is too significant. Sure, you can trade for the runewords, but how many people actually play non ladder to even bring them to nl trade economy. Ladder should be about the competition, fresh economy, experience of entire server reroll and some Ladder only Qol, not significant content
Ubers are available in Non-Ladder. You’d also be very surprised how many are playing Non-Ladder strictly and trading for Ladder-only items only the ramp up in PVP/Ubers. There is only cube receipts to upgrade unique items, some cube rune upgrades, uniques only in ladder and some runewords also only in ladder as differences between them both playstyles. And ofc, the ranking system: When was the last time you played D2?
Last I remember, ubers and dclone were ladder only. Unless I am misremembering. Last time I played D2 on battle net was last year during the June reset. I’ve always felt forced to play ladder, due to the amount of content behind it.
Color me surprised. Ok, that is a bit better then. Still too many runewords though locked behind it, especially if you end up the LAST rune short before reset. I don’t often play on bnet, once every couple of years for 2-3 months, but played like mad in the pre-1.10 days. 1.10 just never held my interest for more than 3 months.
Gotcha, yes I agree with you: If the Ladders are to be shortened, some adjusting definitely should be done in between drop rates or availability of most the items should be on both gameplays. I confirm though Ubers and Dclone are available on both sides too: It was commonly mistaken to be on Ladder only, you wouldn’t be the first at all to think that AND if it was the case… Meh, why even play Non-Ladder else than PvP with the accumulated items…
I think it is the originally desired effect, to have most people play the “more challenging” Ladder gameplay.
I feel like such an idiot for not knowing that now too, lol. I guess I just fell out of love with D2 after 1.10, and didn’t pay as much attention. I don’t even think my dad, who plays like everyday, knew that one. He doesn’t do the high end content though, too old and like me, never cared for Hell after 1.10.