This post has been updated as of 6/21/2021 with select addendums.
I quickly want to share feedback on Ethereals – it is the first impression gleaned after finding, using and planning the best builds to pursue:
Consider replacing All Damage % with % Damage to Certain Skill Groupings and crank those numbers so we can play different builds. Restrict the big bonuses, just like you did with Windforce’s 200% damage to Archery Skills.
Right now, Ethereals are best suited for upgrading our strongest builds. Those used for paragon grinding and GR pushing. Aim to improve lower-tier builds so we can pick different skills & sets to grind paragon.
100% to All Skills → 500% to Grenades
100% to All Skills → 1000% to Device Skills
100% to All Skills → 800% to Rockets
100% to All Skills → 2000% to Chakram and Elemental Arrow
This approach will completely eliminate one of the bigger complaints we’ve heard, the disparity of item power between Ethereal weapons – as each Ethereal will ultimately have its own specific use and correlating skills.
Weapons look mass produced seeing the same affixes applied to different class Ethereals takes away from the experience. Even within the DH class Ethereals the same rolls are shared, ie. (all damage %, 1 max damage per paragon up to 800) — this makes the items appear generic and less special. I recommend varying the affixes more.
Dial up the utility rolls, I noticed several items with CDR and RCR rolls. These could actually change builds if they are higher values. On DH we need 35% CDR to no longer equip Dawn. On Crusader a 30% 1hander would work quite well and eliminate Akarat’s Awakening. It keeps the game more interesting when the loot hunt changes.
The Windforce bow lacks a RCR, which causes a clunky, fragile play experience for Multishot. (thank you Ronin) Those who planned to equip Windforce on the UE set also complained about the lack of Max Discipline as well…
Crowd Control Effect affixes like Knockback, Freeze, Fear are problematic for multiplayer pushes. While they were included to honor the original D2 weapon, consider replacing them with sensible replacements ie. % to Chill, % Cold Damage.
No Dagger for DH it be nice for the Doomslinger 1hand xbow to become a melee weapon. The Shadow’s set cannot use any Ethereal item.
Maybe a revamp of Thunderstroke as an Ethereal Spear and replace Doomslinger? Give it a 30% attack speed consecutive hit stacking affix, a weapon damage roll +400-600 Lightning Damage, and stick on 1000% Damage to Devices to enable FoK. That would be pretty yummy to play.
The ethereals have a damage range that isn’t simple to understand. Basically, ethereals have a hidden physical damage modifier which isn’t visible on the list of affixes but is visible on the total damage range of the weapon (and its DPS). This hidden “black” damage affix does have some variability since two identical ethereals with same attack speed and +% damage modifier can have different DPS values. (thank you Iria)
The +1 maximum damage per paragon (max 800) is a confusing affix that seems to work like the damage range on a ring. It ignores the +90-100% damage modifier on the weapon and does not reflect on the weapon’s DPS value (but does influence the player’s DPS). After paragon 800, the affix roughly translates to three ring rolls of +89-178 damage (that is +267-534 damage is approximately equal to +800 max damage), thus it is a very powerful affix that should be present on every weapon for equality. (thank you Iria)
Some ethereals have bugs and/or are missing affixes. For example, the hand-crossbow is missing the “ignores durability loss” affix, and because of this, it can get damaged. Interestingly, it can also be repaired which is NOT how the ethereals work in Diablo II. I expect these bugs to be patched before they go live though. (thank you Iria)
Restrict the legendary effects of Ethereals on a per item basis. Windforce should have a preset list of legendary effects since it contains an affix that boosts Archery Skills. Ie. Do not allow Windforce to roll with Karlei’s Point affix, they are incompatible. See this post for more explanation.
That’s all we’ve got for now – I think this patch has potential to be great, the biggest concern for me is – I’ll probably skip this season if GoD6 Hungering Arrow and LoN Bombardment are the kings, as I’ve already geared and pushed with them for the past year. Thank you.