Diablo II Patch V1.10

[Goldenblue]

On the Arreat Summit website is the new patch for Diablo II. As it is one of my favourite games, I downloaded the patch and it makes a difference to the game.

Barbarians with certain armour can transform in wearwolves.
You now can buy mana.
I think (?) Necromancers can turn into vampires.
The monsters are harder to kill, plus there is an addition of new monsters too.

The patch is only a beta test, but it has not done any damage to the game so far. I did back up my characters just in case.

The patch also only works with the LOD version.

 

[Mr Eagle]

Hmm, maybe it's time to pull D2 out again...

 

[grimlock]

sounds great, time to do one of those 'finish diablo 2 in one session' sessions.

 

[Goldenblue]

I played it for a few hours last night and it is definately harder. I had to go back a few levels as my characters were not strong enough and were being slaughtered.

The experience levels have changed, most of the monsters are stronger and harder to kill and some of them also work in pairs especially in Act V.

New items and equipment are for sale or to be found.

All in all, I think the patch makes for a better game as it was becoming too easy for me to play, but now it's a challenge again.

 

[Thrawn]

Won't last too long I assure you.

I used to have a lvl 89 Barb and a lvl 92 Amazon... yep, I used to be addicted to that game. Just like when I played Diablo I. Then I got sick of it, as you do when you play games for a very long time. I might re-install D2 to try out this new patch, but don't hold your breath.

 

[Goldenblue]

Another good thing about the patch is the new items that can be used with the cube to make magical swords as well as other runes that could not be made before.

The Arreat Summit website has a list of new uses for the cube as well as the runs and gems on the website. You can also unsocket items as well as well as make up extra sockets using rare items.

I enjoy the new patch as it is a new challenge.

 

[Mr Eagle]

The pirating community has thoroughly failed me...where's a no-CD patch for this update when I need it???

 

[Goldenblue]

I think I have a copy.

I'll get back to you on that.

 

[kaysee]

Yep I have been hanging out for this for a long time.

Way overdue by Blizzard and finally they have fixed up some serious character balancing skills to my 2 favourite characters... Necromancer and Assassin.

They have fixed many poison based skills and the Necro can now actually kill things in HELL mode... especially since they have removed the Physical Immunity mod on all creatures in HELL.

Also they have fixed up the Assassins Blade skills so now you can throw ninja stars that actually do damage.

Those who said they completed the game in 1 sitting ... was that all difficulties? Sure completing the game in NORMAL difficulty is pretty simple but is only 1/2 the experience. Going on into NIGHTMARE and HELL modes is when things get interesting as your skills reach their true power and rewards and item hunting is better.

HELL mode is now noticeably harder:
- More randomised monsters in each area.
- Monsters now take longer to kill.
- Monster numbers are greater and random Super Unique monsters generate more.
- Some areas have increased in size to stop Boss runs to find items.

Also many more cool items to find and Runewords to make.

I am still experimenting with the patch now and I am in the process of find some runes to create my WHIRLWINDING VENOM ASSASSIN.

SKC

 

[Mr Eagle]

Found a 1.10 crack. And boy did they turn up the challenge factor...

 

[grimlock]

Originally posted by kaysee

Those who said they completed the game in 1 sitting ... was that all difficulties?

Yes, get a few friends together, network the machines and off you go!

 

[KingyOrTheKing]

I started from scratch as a pali. You level up extremely quickly to level 12. I got to 12 just after completing the deckard quest. Its quite slow after that. One thing I notice about the enemies is that super uniques are weaker in terms of HP, but have extremely strong attacks. the SU's are also crowded with many more monsters. So it really is a slaughterfest.
There are also alot more SU's...

 

[Goldenblue]

Originally posted by Mr Eagle
Found a 1.10 crack. And boy did they turn up the challenge factor...

Ok, I found one too, but I will hang on to it in case anyone else wants a copy.

 

[Thrawn]

A lvl 92 Amazon with Pierce, and a really good bow with cold damage. In the cow level on Hell...

Makes the Whirl-winding Barb weaker in comparision.

 

[Mr Eagle]

My lvl 22 barb had just started Act III when I upgraded the game. He promptly got ripped a new hole by a pack of walking trees that were no longer impressed by his l33tness. Suffice it to say I've spent the last few game hours cleaning out parts of Act II with a bit of difficulty in a vain attempt to get back on track...

 

[Goldenblue]

I have found the same thing myself. My higher characters needed to go back and gain more experience as they were being belted badly.

Thats what I like about the patch, it's a new challenge.

 

[kaysee]

Most of my higher characters (lvl 60 - 80) from v1.09 get smashed in Hell when I take them into v1.10, except for my tri-elemental cookie cutter sorc.

I mostly play as an Assassin because I love the abilltiy to cast for elemental spells like a sorc, but can also hold my own in melee combat.

For v1.10 I have just started a new Assassin (currently clvl 26) and will be a Whirlwinding Poison Assassin... using the following skills and items>>>

skills
-------
Lightning Sentry - MAX
Venom - MAX
Shadow Master 10-15
Pre-reqs - 1 point
Tiger Strike, Cobra Stike and Blade Skills - 1 point each.

uses about 60-70 points all up... leaving plenty to spare later on.

Items
-------
Armor: BRAMBLE (runeword) - mainly for the 100% poison skill bonus.
Weapon 1: CHAOS (runeword) - for the +1 Whirlwind skill (gives the assassin the same whirlwind skill as the Barb).
Weapon 2: VENOM (runeword) - for Prevent Monster Heal and poison bonuses.

Strategy
-----------
Use Venom skill with Bramble bonus to add Poison damage of ~1000 dmg per second ontop of my weapon damage. Then use Whirlwind to whirl through packs to deliver poison. Lightning Sentry is used to support and soften up monsters.

Leaves room for other items, but negative is that by using the 2 runewords on my weapons I can't have + skills in those slots (unless I have some items on a weapon switch), so I will have to make up for it on other items.

I play solo so I am hoping this build has enough diversity and can deal enough damage to make it in HELL.

Cheers
SKC

 

[KingyOrTheKing]

My pali that I started is now level 61. I took him to the ancients, nightmare, which I have only just completed (am playing single). Interesting to say the least. Spent approx. 2 hrs killing them. The only way was to charge them, and because I used up all my po's( had filled up my entire char) I had to wait for my mana and life to regen to charge them again. A very exhausting exercise. Was regretting not putting points in prayer or medit (decided to be something a little bit different)

 

[kaysee]

Originally posted by KingyOrTheKing
My pali that I started is now level 61. I took him to the ancients, nightmare, which I have only just completed (am playing single). Interesting to say the least. Spent approx. 2 hrs killing them. The only way was to charge them, and because I used up all my po's( had filled up my entire char) I had to wait for my mana and life to regen to charge them again. A very exhausting exercise. Was regretting not putting points in prayer or medit (decided to be something a little bit different)

Yes they certainly are tougher now... and also the max EXP bonus you can get from them now is 1 Level. Which sucks... especially considering how hard they are to beat... 1 of the hardest fights in the game.

SKC