1 step forward, two steps back. Game can’t decide whether it wants to be closer to a D3 blaster, or some sort of tactical action rpg. They can’t seem to blend D2 and D3 together in a meaningful way that actually takes and improves on the best aspects of both.
The good: I like the Health Potion change, Tempering and Masterworking is fine, though I’d personally just remove Tempering charges and make masterworking a non-resetable bonus. Season theme actually looking more like it’s D3 inspired, which was the original proposition when they announced how seasons would work, new monster affixes help add variety to mobs.
The bad: Renown, ugh. I don’t mind removing the Lilith stat bonuses, but forcing a grindy checklist system for skillpoints and paragon points each season…just no. New greater rift system for Leaderboards (at least is how I read it) is unnecessary. NMDs were better when they scaled. Original NMD system was just unrewarding for loot hunts - instead of the boss ladder for target farming uniques, should have been monster families like how the families were hyped near launch, and sigils should have been region tied instead of individual dungeon tied to reduce inventory clutter, and give more choice (click a Scosglen NMD, choose a dungeon from that region), maybe with added guest monster family affixes. Pit should have just been the leaderboards and alternative glyph leveling.
Pretty much, think I’m done worrying about this game and stick to D2 and D3. Didn’t even bother with season 10.