View Full Version : So... why Single Player?
I'm starting my first foray into single-player Diablo 2 games and playing online with friends through direct connection...
What's the advantages of this approach to play as opposed to being on the realms? What's preferable about each?
Oh, and I know I haven't introduced myself yet. I'll do so in a bit, I registered to mostly get opinions on this.
factotum
30-09-2004, 20:16
No people trying to rush you to the next boss for XP.
No 1337 speak.
ATMA (no need for muling).
Play as many characters as you like without having to "refresh" them every 3 months to avoid deletion.
Set any difficulty level you like (/players X command).
No lag, drop hacks, or dupes.
I think that about covers the list, but I'm sure others will think of more!
Boddah_khan
30-09-2004, 20:17
/playersX command makes levelling so easy
ATMA
No spammers/hackers/idiots
ATMA
Ability to go at your own pace
Save maps between games
ATMA
And this fine community. Cheers!
ricrestoni
30-09-2004, 20:35
...having access to ladder-only stuff...
Howitzer Al
30-09-2004, 20:36
Let's just put it this way:
Advantages of Bnet:
Annihilus charm
FE bug fix
a couple of new runewords that aren't that great
Advantages of SP:
Everything else!
ricrestoni
30-09-2004, 20:58
Nah, B,net has the elusive advantage of a mass trading pool and a 24/7 huge number of players willing to join MP games. All you have to do is finding a great group of players that is polite towards newcomers and play legitimately.
Of course, you have a better chance of getting filthy rich, buying Blizzard and having all the B.net for your - and your friends' - exclusive enjoyment.
What is sad: maybe it is true.
If it happens, remember of us fondly!
Well, I don't have any friends, so... :(
Gabriel74
30-09-2004, 21:33
I never felt comfortable just joining someone's game on bnet, and no one ever joined one of mine. Of course, that is probably for the best as with a young child I have to pause and do other things all the time.
I also have to say, politeness. Here at the SPF everyone kind of has the same outlook (more or less). You aren't looked down on for asking questions or not understanding something. It's not about being better than everyone else, in fact it seems that the players here that are the most experienced take pride in being able to help others.
The last thing. I never understood the talk on the bnet, here the trading, and almost everything else is fairly straightforward. (except when Mil and Sam start going of with all the numbers and symbols, I still haven't completely caught on to that.) :scratch:
I never felt comfortable just joining someone's game on bnet, and no one ever joined one of mine. Of course, that is probably for the best as with a young child I have to pause and do other things all the time.
That's another good thing...you can pause your game.
Nightfish
30-09-2004, 22:01
In single player, the only hacks and dupes you'll encounter are those that you enter yourself. In addition to the absence of the annyoing majority of battle.net's inhabitants that's quite a plus. You also get to keep your map and can use atma to store your loot. Much more convenient than to have a legion of mules. Finally, you'll never die of lag, which is a plus for the HC players.
PyroStock
30-09-2004, 22:15
Besides all the things listed above there's also...
No unwanted PKers, especially those who use cheap tactics.
No cheating trigger PKers or other PKers who use cheap 3rd party programs to unfairly kill you.
Anyone who plays HC can appreciate that.
I've also read various posts in the other forums about people losing legit characters/items from hackers breaking into their account.
I play SP and LAN games with friends/family. No one wants to play on BNet that I know.
------
"You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy."
- Obi Won Kenobi talking about BNet.
WhiskeyJack
30-09-2004, 22:28
Well, I don't have any friends, so... :(
I'll be your friend toppo :thumbsup:
anyway, why sp? for me it was a slow dialup which precluded b.net, and then followed by reading accounts here and other places of b.net, and knowing that I don't have the 'rude gamer mentality' (TM) that is necessary to have a good time there, I realized it was likely not the place for me...that, and I still have a slow butt connection. I digress...i think it would be interesting to MP, and b.net would be an option if i knew people that could help set up a private game (if you can do that), but I would imagine you have much more control of the game through and IP game with your friend, and you don't have to worry about many of the issues people have brought up about b.net here.
If you have the connection speed, may as well try both with your friend though, see which you like better (i know, i'm going to get flogged for this...). There are a few memebers here who play b.net on occasion, particularly on the ladder, so you might try that
cheers,
WJ.
WhiskeyJack
30-09-2004, 22:36
Well, I don't have any friends, so... :(
I'll be your friend toppo :thumbsup:
anyway, why sp? for me it was a slow dialup which precluded b.net, and then followed by reading accounts here and other places of b.net, and knowing that I don't have the 'rude gamer mentality' (TM) that is necessary to have a good time there, I realized it was likely not the place for me...that, and I still have a slow butt connection. I digress...i think it would be interesting to MP, and b.net would be an option if i knew people that could help set up a private game (if you can do that), but I would imagine you have much more control of the game through and IP game with your friend, and you don't have to worry about many of the issues people have brought up about b.net here.
If you have the connection speed, may as well try both with your friend though, see which you like better (i know, i'm going to get flogged for this...). There are a few memebers here who play b.net on occasion, particularly on the ladder, so you might try that
cheers,
WJ.
lol whiskey jack must think his ideas are doubly important. pompous so and so
kidding whiskey :flip:
i think most of it has been covered already but there is a good article here (http://diabloii.net/columnists/a-joys-sp.shtml) andhere (http://diabloii.net/columnists/a-never-online.shtml)
enjoy :surprise:
Thanks for all the thoughtful responses. I had always exclusively played on the Realms as a sort of cheap MMORPG experience. It always struck me as kinda neat that on Battlenet, I could have a clan channel and have clan VS clan games where I could build a makeshift guild hall out of the first level of the Forgotten Tower or something and meet with people there and have another clan come into the game and attack... Or something awesome like that.
Of course, as you all know, the cons of this outweigh the pros. People on Realms aren't exactly the nicest folk usually, and finding an intelligent Diablo 2 clan is like trying to find the Holy Grail. Let alone find two like that. And on reflection, Two intelligent clans could still have a similar arrangement on Open Battlenet (if done carefully, it isn't like Phantasy Star Online where the games displayed are exclusive to the channel).
ATMA has partially caught me in the single player (direct connect) experience as well, since it can in fact determine hacked items. Though incidentally, from what I can see, ATMA also aids in duping... though that's less of an issue with me, duping isn't the worst thing you could ever do (I just don't engage in it). Thanks to this program, no one in their right mind could contest your Grandfather found in Single Player... (I suppose it's still possible to hack items into your singleplayer game, and easily, it's more than a little bit of a hassle to hack them in a way that makes them appear as normal drops). As ATMA advances in versions and in ability, Realm play seems less and less of an option for reasonable people.
yes, atma can be used for duping although if you try to trade duped items in the SPF(not making accusations) you will most likely find yourself on the end of a flaming halberd from one of the fanatics.
but ultimately what you do on your computer is your own choice as long as nothing illegitimate is brought into the trade pool or MP games nobody will really care.
sorry if that sounded harsh but thats the way it goes :surprise:
whats your fav char?
whats your fav char?
Definitely the Necromancer or Druid (though mostly Nec). Not only are they underestimated by the greater gaming populace, but they actually have some really interesting skills that aren't directly about slaughter. With some of the other classes (Amazon comes to mind) most skill choices seem to be variants on the same thing. Whereas as a Necro, I'm working towards reviving dead monsters and turning swords on the ground into metal monstrosities. Fun fun fun.
Boddah_khan
01-10-2004, 00:31
I've already posted in this thread, but thinking it over, and after reading Akemi's last comments, I've come up with a couple more reasons SP is great. One is the ability to switch versions. This is great, you can load up 1.09 to mass slaughter bovine with ease, or run some racks in 1.07. It improves the playing experience, keeping things fresh and new. Along the same lines, there's the ability to play mods. While some people frown on their use, they can be a fun alternative to the regular game. Finally, with TCP/IP games, you can specify how you want to play, rushing or no, clear areas or not, who gets items that drop, etc. This is a much nicer, and less fast paced way to MP then B.net's grab and go approach. Anyways, thats it for now. Cheers!
Milamber
01-10-2004, 01:00
Well, I don't have any friends, so... :(
So it's just you and Sam sitting in the no friends corner? :P
another good reason is so you can join in on the milamber pwnage (http://img78.exs.cx/img78/2038/pal.gif)
Milamber
01-10-2004, 01:26
another good reason is so you can join in on the milamber pwnage (http://img78.exs.cx/img78/2038/pal.gif)
You know I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing....so, are you being a smart arse?
In case you are, for the record, I am smart to Sam and Toppo because I know them and am friends with them.
Biggest Pro for battle.net/multiplay is the fun of teaming up for cooperative play.
Biggest Pro of single player is no lag, no jerks, no hacks (unless you want em), etc
Once upon a time, the single player "realm" was considered full of hacks and cheaters, since it's easy to cheat in Open mode (all the files are on your computer, easy to alter).
But then the cheats and hacks gradually broke into the Closed realms. Dups and bugs and exploits etc flooded the formerly "clean" trading community.
Now, oddly enough, single player mode can be more legit than closed realms play. It just requires players to hold themselves to higher standards.
Anyways, I got tired of loosing my characters and all my gear, when I would take a break from the game and Battle.net would purge my account. So I started playing single player. Got some good advice here and learned a lot, made the game more fun to keep playing
ricrestoni
01-10-2004, 02:28
You know I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing....so, are you being a smart arse?
In case you are, for the record, I am smart to Sam and Toppo because I know them and am friends with them.
Now now, don't change the off topic subject: Paladins are weaklings! Discuss...
necrolemming
01-10-2004, 02:31
Now now, don't change the off topic subject: Paladins are weaklings! Discuss...
Paladins are teh pwn
ricrestoni
01-10-2004, 04:01
Just a wrap up to our case on topic:
http://www.rpgforums.net//showthread.php?t=255815
Pay special atention on when it was posted.
Milamber
01-10-2004, 04:44
Now now, don't change the off topic subject: Paladins are weaklings! Discuss...
Pffft, like a nub like you is qualified to make that statement :P
Pffft, like a nub like you is qualified to make that statement :P
what we need is a nub like me. hey im a nub like me
Milamber
01-10-2004, 05:01
what we need is a nub like me. hey im a nub like me
Okay this is really beginning to bug me, and we all know how I am when I get irritated.
Every comment I make you seem to be there, so tell me Corax...FFS what is your problem?
*shrug* i just see chances to have jokes. fair enough most of them are bad. you could always have just asked me to stop no?
Milamber
01-10-2004, 05:07
*shrug* i just see chances to have jokes. fair enough most of them are bad. you could always have just asked me to stop no?
:lol: no I am happy now, cos' now I know you're joking! :lol:
I couldn't tell, which caused my irritation. It's all good now nub breath! :P
sam_manzanza
01-10-2004, 05:21
Okay this is really beginning to bug me, and we all know how I am when I get irritated.
Every comment I make you seem to be there, so tell me Corax...FFS what is your problem?Mil, really, stop over-reacting about everything or Imma pwn you so hard ^.^
Oh come on, people... Be nice or I sic my skellies on you. And they're all virgins, so the experience will be less than professional.
(I'm kidding)
Milamber
01-10-2004, 05:27
Mil, really, stop over-reacting about everything or Imma pwn you so hard ^.^
I'd like to see that try hard.
sam_manzanza
01-10-2004, 05:34
I'd like to see that^^ Masochist.
Milamber
01-10-2004, 05:38
^^ Masochist.
^^ Sheepist.
Gabriel74
01-10-2004, 05:43
Who let the sheepist's and masochist's in. Security. Security.
Since I don't play D2 anymore, I'll just write what attracted me to SP. The thought that no one is a newb. The ability to move at your own pacing. No lag. No PK. ATMA. :thumbsup:
lone_wolf
01-10-2004, 06:56
:lol: whats good with sp? well they got you covered i say
one thing i like to add is that everything you find is yours in sp there is no freak grabbing your stuff after you killed something.
nor do you have to run like if it was a marathon to keep out
in sp you can clear the pit in 10 min or stay there for hours your choice really.
what more :scratch:
ohh cow mules in 1.09
infinite amout of chars
For those of you talking about lack of team play. Look at the multiplay thread. There is no shortage of teams to join. With very nice people too. :)
*loves the SPF*
sam_manzanza
01-10-2004, 07:43
The thought that no one is a newb. Ever met Bolinbrooke?
Milamber
01-10-2004, 07:49
Ever met Bolinbrooke?
I think that's the problem :bonk:
ArkAngel
01-10-2004, 07:51
Who is Bolinbrooke? :scratch:
sam_manzanza
01-10-2004, 08:23
I think that's the problem :bonk:Ok, I don't understand that one. You gotta realise Mil, I'm a REALLY low-brow, tits and asses type of guy, those sophisticated jokes just go over my head (even saying the word "head" in that context I think of dirty stuff).
@ArkAngel: Boli's a friend of mine and Mil's that we're taking the piss out of.
Who is Bolinbrooke? :scratch:
Just a n00b :lol:
...
So, I do have friends? Yay! I can put the gun down now.
sam_manzanza
01-10-2004, 09:15
...
So, I do have friends? Yay! I can put the gun down now.Wait a sec, that guy in my 'tar.... THATS YOU!!! I knew it!
Quicksilver
01-10-2004, 16:49
Lets get this thread back on track, shall we? ;)
Other reasons to play SP instead of BNet...
You can make really crazy characters and you won't be called a n00b for not going with that cookie-cutter Hammerdin or whatever :lol:
No PKers...
You can choose ANY name you want and you won't get "Name taken" messages! (unless of course you try making a character with the same name twice - but who would be stupid enough to try that? :p)
No 1337 speak.
Says you. :teeth:
Confession to make: I'm actually playing a bit of battle.net these days. I treat it as like another version of the game (like 1.09 or 1.10) with its own rules and idiosyncracies.
Levelling is much more pleasant in SP due to the playersX command. However you do have to work your way through all the acts yourself. No "rush-and-level, rush-and-level" bandwagon like on battle.net.
The fact that you can keep the same map from game to game makes magic finding much more pleasant. You can save hours in the Durance 2 alone. Plus ATMA makes it much easier to be a packrat, becuase you don't have to bug a friend or tediously burn in a muling game everyone time your inventory fills up.
TCP/IP games can be just as fun as battle.net MP games, but it can longer to track down a group to play with. On battle.net theres always a game to join.
Trading is more straightforward in SP I find. You can usually swap items directly for items without having to turn them into runes first.
Chris
ricrestoni
01-10-2004, 19:44
Hijack alert:
Hey icebird, how is going the 7 99 project?
Ricrestoni: 4 characters completed. The barbarian hit 97 last weekend - I'm going to aim for 98 this weekend. The necromancer is 89 and druid is 88.
Chris
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