Questions about skill system for beta testers

[Sean25]

I was wondering how it feels, kinda worried about it.

- How is it working out for you?

- Do you still feel (in comparisment with DII) that you are working for something? A sense of accomplishment when you level-up?

My fear is that every character will become kind off a "unisex" (skill wise) clean sheet. Changing to whatever you want, whenever you want.

I loved maxing out a skill and feeling very powerful, reading the stats of your ever increasing skill over and over again. Bragging about your dmg output.

But im going off topic in my own topic lol, if somebody could share their experience with me, thank you.

[Kastigar]

It's truly tough to say because of how much isn't in the beta, but I'll still share my thoughts.

My first true character in D2 (which I'm defining as doing more than just beating the game on normal) really came into his own around level 30. Up until that point he felt...weak and uninteresting. Once I hit my stride there I really felt like I was building something awesome.

Diablo 3 is panning out in a similar fashion. Yes the skills are all accessible (providing you are of appropriate level) but I've found that I haven't been switching them on the fly as much as one might think. Don't take that as a bad thing, it just means the intro skills pack some punch.

Leveling up still feels gratifying because you still get access to new abilities. At level 10 you gain 2 passive abilities, one that gives you more health from health globes (it also does one other thing, but I'd have to check) and than the other gives you 10% of your damage back as health. While similar, choosing the more offensive or defensive approach helps you feel like you are making real choices about your character.

In some ways I like the D3 system better, you when you are going to get new skills. It's exciting to level and see what new abilities you have and how they work. I also like that we get everything and then, through runes and what not, tailor those skills to personal choice.

So in a sense, builds still exist, how you power and upgrade your skills will still matter and still make you invest in your character like the old points system. It's unfortunate that this feature isn't in the beta, but with the experience already being so satisfying, I imagine it'll only get better.

I see where you are coming from with stats, but there were builds in D2 that tons of people used, and it was really the gear that set you apart. I think you'll still have bragging rights, if you invest in say...making whirlwind stronger, you'll still be able to brag about aoe dps or w/e.

I don't really find the system all that different in essence. You level up and eventually invest in specific talents to make them stronger. In D2 it was your build and your gear...the same really will be true in D3. Just how you get there is a little different.

[HardRock]

This skill system is the natural progression of Diablo. You now think about what skills you want to use, and coming up with clever combinations of skills. It's SO much better than a skill point based system, and infinitely better than D2.

It really just feels like the natural evolution of Diablo.

Actually, in many ways it's like D1 was. There, you had 4 "hotbar slots" and many spells to choose from that you could bind to them. Spells were drops, which isn't true for D3, but instead you have runes dropping and they can change your skills significantly.

[ursustas]

OP http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/3123245598

[Frantic]

Actually, in many ways it's like D1 was. There, you had 4 "hotbar slots" and many spells to choose from that you could bind to them. Spells were drops, which isn't true for D3, but instead you have runes dropping and they can change your skills significantly.

Yeah I agree. I always thought D2 took a step back in my mind. It was like Blizzard grabbed customisation by the throat and gave you small crumbs at preset intervals (when you level) and that was it. Whereas D1 was about finding random books that dropped or getting a random staff that gave you something - it was random! I liked D1 much, much better... and can't wait to play D3 as a result.

OP http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/3123245598

I wouldn't mind there being a 2 second cd or something - something just to ram home the point that they dont want it to get to a point where competitve play requires you to swap skills during, say, an arena match or something.

[Raesene]

Count me in as another who preferred the Diablo 1 method of customization over Diablo 2. Don't get me wrong, D2 brought a lot of improvements to the game, but the skill point system was a step backwards in my opinion.

[Sean25]

Thanks for sharing your opinions guys.

I must admit I never played DI, simply because when I found out about it, DII was nearly out.

Thinking about what you guys said, I think it's my lack of experience with DI that makes me feel weird about the new skill system. And the fact that my love for the Diablo franchise began with DII.

The thing what really did it for me, skill-system-wise, was trying, failing, learning and doing it better the next time. And if you failed you really felt sh*tty because you had to start all over again. Therefore making the choices you make hard (actually matter).
In DIII you can't fail, you actually can't fail. Nothing is permanent.

For example I have a lvl 60 wizard focused on Arcane Orb, for example . If tommorow I decide I want to make a Hydra wizard, I can, without any trouble.
Sell gear + runes -> buy gear + runes -> switch skills -> done.

That doesnt feel like a new epic warrior that I made, it feels like a used lab monkey with new clothes on.

I don't think the feeling will go away but I won't judge untill I play it with atleast one character.

And what you said Kastigar, that only getting there is different. Mabye your right. I loved the road getting to your high lvl char, but at the end of the day I loved trading en finding shinies more...

[HardRock]

That doesnt feel like a new epic warrior that I made, it feels like a used lab monkey with new clothes on.

You can still re-roll chars from the start, if you enjoy the journey. Although with only 10 character slots you're somewhat limited in doing that.

[fludDAstud]

I really enjoy the system, playing the witch doctor first I wanted to test a bunch of combos to see what I really enjoyed to play with. The one gripe I have with it is that it feels just a little to forgiving, I think if they added a cooldown on the skills, like if i traded "Poison Dart" for "Plague of Toads" then "Poison Dart" couldnt be brought in for say 1 minute it would help stop the people who are quick on their hands changing in the middle of a battle.