A lurking old friend

[Wolfedude]

Well folks, I have spent the last 6 months away from DII and tried out the new hot games. I first went with Guildwars. I have to admit the graphics were great and once I found the character type I enjoyed playing it was a lot of fun. The game was much more challenging than DII but once through I found it not to have the re-playability. The available henchmen, dual professions and multiple quests made it a game that you could spend a lot of time playing. That said, after completing the game, I found myself not wanting to try it again with a different character. I did try it but it wasn't near as much fun. After game completion the emphasis is on PvP & GvG. I wasn't too interested in that although some may like it. I do know if you are gonna play against some of the Korean guilds you better practice a lot.
Next I gave WoW a whirl. Played a Warlock, Mage and a Shaman. The slow leveling combined with long travel times kept me from ever advancing past level 20. Perhaps the entertainment value increased after that but I just never got "hooked". When most the the posts in their forums was on what the best grinding build is you know you are gonna spend some time trying to level.
So I checked in with the old DII.net and lo & behold a ladder reset. Maybe it is time for me to get out the old disc and see how the game plays now. I last played on Europe but spent a couple of years on East. Just was hoping a few of the old timers might still be around and might hook me up with a good wand for a skellymancer or titans for a zon. Ahh well, leave me a message telling me where the oldsters are hanging out now so i can at least pick out a realm.
I am waiting for Oblivian IV to come out and maybe that new game about London from the old programmers that made Diablo; but won't see them until Christmas or so. Anyway all advice and suggestions about the new patch changes is appreciated.

Signed: The Ol' Wolfedude

[Valar-Wrath]

Firstly, you chose probably the worst characters to start off with if you had a hard time getting past 20. ALL casters are going to be more boring during the early stages. Cast a fireball, drink, cast a lightning, drink, cast a shadowbolt, drink. Maybe you should have tried a melee class? I would have recommended a rogue.

Secondly, WoW does really pick up after 20, 40, and 60. Those are the three humps for most people. I say this all the time but if you havn't played the game through, you havn't experienced it's full entertainment.

Thirdly, of course it is going to take a while to level, it's a MMORPG. Ever played EQ? ;) You can reach level 60 in WoW WAYYY faster than 99 in D, but the entertainment is so much higher post 60 than it is post 99.

Not exactly sure why I find it necessary to tell you all of this as you probably won't be going back to it based on what I say, but it really is a great game.

And lastly, welcome back. If you plan on playing East, check out the channel op xbananax. It's where most of us hang around nowadays. :thumbsup:

[Wolfedude]

Never played EQ. As for the game picking up after those levels my problem was not wanting to do what it took to get to those levels. As for those characters I played what I enjoyed playing. I don't even like to play barbarians in DII. I have always been a caster player. I started a Rogue first and played him for 6 levels. I really disliked playing for position to attack. Guess the game just wasn't for me.

Thanks for the other tip.

[PhatTrumpet]

Welcome back, Wolfie.

I would have to say east has the most people. Just stop by op xbananax once and you'll probably see. But it seems most of the "oldies" still left on the realms are playing Europe.

As for the Titans, I can't even manage to trade for a pair with my pile of pgems, so good luck getting them for free. :p

[Wolfedude]

Ahh well, guess I forgot about the economy when there is a realm change. Guess I will make a trapper and start farming & see if I can get a few items to equip other characters. Maybe a skellymancer too; just to get to the Pit in hell and own the monsters there. That is an easy farming area for that character.

Thanks Phat, guess I will give east a try, my connection is better there than Europe.

[Wolfedude]

Man, am I out of practice. I actually lost the first 2 trappers I started today. Got to start really paying attention again I guess.

[Haplon]

Man, am I out of practice. I actually lost the first 2 trappers I started today. Got to start really paying attention again I guess.

Better to lose them early than in nm like I did. I came back from GW's as well. Diff is I did complete the game with 4 different characters. I think the replayability of d2 is amazing and will always draw us back until a true successor is created.

[Wolfedude]

Got my new trapper to level 21. Still trying to decide how I am gonna get past Duriel. Have dropped by the op xbananax channel about 20 times. Always a few folks there, only once saw a conversation and have never had a reply to any of my hailings. Guess I will keep trying.

[Wolfedude]

Dropped by after my last post and Shift [Hc] helped me past Dury. Thanks shift.

[Chiller_babe]

Welcome back Steve - even if I not be seeing you now you are playing on East (and diddn't answer my mail as to what happened to you!)

Hope you be enjoying the patch :p

Chill

[Aerath]

Hey there again...

Most of them old fogeys left for either WoW or GW. Know a bunch of gatters went to either.

We took KTA to parade through the world of Warcraft and doing fine so far.