I have been inspired to play hardcore !

[altima]

Since the d2 days I never liked HC, just the thought of loosing all my hard earned items and runes was revolting. But some weeks ago, I read a light novel where players are trapped in a virtual reality mmorpg and if they die in the game - they die in the real world. The only way to save yourself (and every other players) is to beat the final boss. So I wondered " Am I able to beat a game without ever dying if my life depended on it ?". And here I am playing d3 hc. Firstly I tried up a little bit, just to see how it is and lost 2 characters. And now I am playing "for real" death in the game would mean that I died too. Here are my rules for clearing the game:
- character - Barbarian cause its the only char that can actually fight with swords.
- sword type weapons only ! (because I love swords)
- no mp ! Solo clearings only ! The hero of the books plays solo, teaming with others only to kill bosses (which seem way harder than the ones in d2), besides my style is kinda similar. So I will be clearing the game alone.
- no AH till act4 hell.

The thing Im not sure about is whether or not to use the Gold AH from hell act 4 onwards. From one side, playing without the AH would be much more challenging and rewarding, but on the other side, if my life depended on clearing the game, I would always strive to have the very best gear I can afford - same as the characters in the books. What would you do ?

[Tryzx]

Was the light novel you read "Sword Art Online"?

[altima]

Yup, thats the one.

[entranced]

- no mp ! Solo clearings only ! The hero of the books plays solo, teaming with others only to kill bosses (which seem way harder than the ones in d2), besides my style is kinda similar. So I will be clearing the game alone.
- no AH till act4 hell.

I don't know anything about the book and what constitutes a boss there, but why not team with others to kill the act bosses then?

The thing Im not sure about is whether or not to use the Gold AH from hell act 4 onwards. From one side, playing without the AH would be much more challenging and rewarding, but on the other side, if my life depended on clearing the game, I would always strive to have the very best gear I can afford - same as the characters in the books. What would you do ?

Well since you're following the idea in the books, i would do as they do and use every resource. Which i imagine also means using the AH before hell Act 4. The real challenge will be inferno anyway, using the AH before there doesn't change that much WRT your final goal. Just makes the easy content easier.