12,486
edits
Changes
ADVERTISEMENT
From Diablo Wiki
Created Article
==Gameplay==
{{Gamebox
|portrait= MissingDiablo_I_boxart.jpg
|portrait-width= 200px
|name= Diablo I
|series= [[Diablo series]]
|genre= [[ARPG]]
|release= 1996-11-30 (NA)<br>1997-11-02 (PAL)
|platform= PC / Mac
|engine= 2D, inhouse
|score= Unknown
}}
''Diablo'' is probably the most well-known example of the [[Action Role Playing Game|action-RPG subgenre]]. It's arguably the first game that successfully combined the classic [[RPG]] genre with action gameplay and has a very short learning curve. This general "action-inspired RPG" concept has inspired a plethora of other games, sometimes derogatorily called "Diablo clones".
Players choose character classes, level up from gaining [[experience]], assign attributes, learn [[spell]]s and manage various attributes in the game just like in a classical RPG, but does so in real time, unlike older and more unknown variants of the RPG genre. all commands in the game can be used with only a mouse, but a keyboard can also be used to enhance gameplay with shortcuts, and quick changing of active spells.
Gameplay is structured around a [[Tristram Cathedral|monster-filled dungeon]] located near the [[town]] of [[Tristram]]. In town there is no risk of monsters appearing and in multiplayer, no [[PvP]] combat can occur. Players may rest, buy items, gather [[quest]] intel and repair equipment. There are sixteen levels of the dungeon, divided into four areas. Each area has a different appearance, architecture, light level, monster mix, and musical soundtrack. The first level of each of these areas has an additional exit leading back up to the town of Tristram. In single player, these entrances are blocked until the character opens them from the dungeon side, and the entrance is available for two-way travel from then on. In multiplayer, the entrances to town all start in their "open" position, but with a level requirement to access them from town.
''Diablo'' is highly re-playable due to its randomly generated level layouts, monsters, and items. In addition, in single-player mode there are only three core quests as the rest of them are drawn from several pools, making it impossible to complete every quest in one playthrough of the game. Either way, only the last two quests are compulsory. Given this arrangement, no two playthroughs of the game are ever exactly alike.
===Characters===
[[Image:Diablo I screenshot.jpg|thumb|350px|A [[Warrior]] fights a ghoul. The "Level Up" button shows attribute points are available. The red helmet icon indicates the helmet is damaged and in danger of breaking.]]
::''Read more about the '''{{iw|Diablo_Characters Diablo I Characters}}''' in the {{iw|Main_Page Diablo 2 Wiki}}.''
The three [[class|character classes]] of ''Diablo'' are the Warrior, Rogue, and Sorcerer. Each character, following typical role-playing conventions, has his or her own particular traits. The Warrior possesses physical strength, the Rogue has high dexterity, and the Sorcerer is oriented towards [[magic]].
*'''[[Warrior]]''': The Warrior is a powerful [[melee]] fighter, master of weapons of war and capable of enduring more damage than the other classes. They range from [[Barbarian]]s of the northern highlands to noble [[Paladin]]s.
*'''[[Rogue]]''': The Rogues are the best archers in the world of [[Sanctuary]]. They can have a higher level of magic than Warriors, although not nearly as high as Sorcerers. The Rogues belong to a group called the [[Sisterhood of the Sightless Eye]].
*'''[[Sorcerer]]''': A powerful master of the arcane arts, the Sorcerer is able to achieve the greatest heights of magic, so that he doesn't have need of physical weapons. Sorcerers belong to the [[Vizjerei]] [[mage clan]], and have come to [[Tristram]] seeking long-lost tomes of magic knowledge under the cathedral.
''Diablo'' differs in the use of [[spell]]s with the classes in such a way that all classes can use all spells. The requirement of spells is a uniformed statistical number in the character attributes and the same applies to both armour and weapons. However, each class has unique limitations on their maximum physical stats, and they have different animation speeds for physical melee combat, firing bows or using spells. Each class also different amounts of [[life]] and [[mana]] per [[experience]] level. Each class also has a unique skill: Warriors can repair items (although not as well as the village blacksmith, [[Griswold]]), Rogues can disarm traps, and Sorcerers can recharge magical staves that have a certain amount of spell charges on them.
The four character attributes are Strength, Magic, Dexterity and Vitality, which directly affect the characters' combat statistics and how powerful he or she is.
Every time the character levels up, the player can distribute points among the four base attributes to permanently increase them. They may also be modified by elixirs and magical shrines encountered in the game. Various magical items increase character attributes while these items are being used. No class is limited from using "metal armour" or other such specifics like in classical [[RPG]]s, but are instead dependant on "minimum requirements" for stats on the items themselves.
A similar principle to use items apply to spells for all classes. Spells are learned from tomes found in the game, where they add them to their spellbooks. Spells can later be cast repeatedly, as long as the character has enough [[mana]] to do it. Spells improve when the character learns the same tome again, increasing the spell's level in the spellbook. Each time a higher level version of the spell is learned, the minimum Magic requirement to learn the next level increase. Different spells, and different levels of the same spell, require varying amounts of mana to be cast.
===Monsters and Items===
::''Read more about '''{{iw|Diablo_Monsters Diablo I Monsters}}''' in the {{iw|Main_Page Diablo 2 Wiki}}.''
::''Read more about '''{{iw|Diablo_I Diablo I Items}}''' in the {{iw|Main_Page Diablo 2 Wiki}}.''
Monsters in the 16 levels of ''Diablo'' become progressively tougher and stronger the further down the player climbs. When the player kills a monster, it may randomly [[drop]] an [[item]] or [[gold]] and the more of the same type of monster a player kills, the more details will be displayed about the monster (such as [[health]], [[resistance]]s or [[immunity|immunities]]. Enemies are divided in three groups: [[Animals]], [[Demons]], and [[Undead]]. Group determines which weapons the enemy takes more or less damage from.
Items are sold by vendors, randomly dropped by monsters, found inside [[chest]]s or [[barrel]]s or sometimes lying on the floor. There are several types of items. Gold is the currency used to buy goods and services from the vendors and gold itself takes up space in the inventory - one slot per 5000 gold.
[[Consumable]]s are items that are destroyed when used, and include [[life]] and [[mana]] [[potion]]s, [[elixir]]s to increase base attributes, [[scroll]]s to cast [[spell]]s and {{iw|D1_Spellbooks spellbooks}} to learn spells permanently. The player has eight slots representing a belt which can contain only consumables of 1x1 slot size. These slots are numbered, and pressing the corresponding hotkey will use the associated consumable.
A special kind of items are quest items, which come in many varieties. Some of them activate a quest when picked up or found, while others must be carried along or used to interact with the environment, and yet others are given as special rewards for completing quests.
Any character can use any piece of equipment so long as they meet its statistical requirements (Strength, Dexterity, and Magic). Weapons and protective gear have durability values that decrease with use, but can be restored through several means. If durability reaches zero, the item is destroyed permanently. Staves are two-handed weapons used primarily for the spell charges they contain, which can be recharged. Each charge allows one casting of the spell contained within the staff.
====Affixes and Quality====
::''Read more about '''{{iw|D1_Modifiers Diablo I Prefixes and Suffixes}}'''.''
''Diablo'' helped popularize the "affix" system of random attributes on items. Magical items in Diablo have an idiosyncratic naming system; a particular enchantment bonus will be either a ''suffix'' or ''prefix''. For example, the "Godly" prefix, appearing only on armor, adds greatly to armor class. An item with this ability would appear as "Godly (itemname)". Magical items can have both a prefix and a suffix; however, certain systemic limitations within the game mechanism prevent some prefixes and suffixes from appearing together on the same item. Different equipment types draw from different pools of affixes; some affixes are never available on certain types of equipment.
Equippable items can have various modifiers, and break down into three major classes: normal items (items that have no special attributes and are most abundant), magic items (that can have up to one prefix and one suffix) and unique items (very rare and powerful, and may have up to six magic bonuses). Magic and unique items must be identified before their modifications become known.
===Multiplayer===
The game supports several types of multiplayer gameplay. It can be played over LAN using IPX, direct connection with the use of a modem or a serial cable and the most prominent way is to play over [[Battle.net]].
''Diablo'' was never designed to prevent hacks and cheats like later [[Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard]] games and as a result, many characters online have been altered in various ways by common third-party programs known as [[trainer]]s. It is difficult to play a fair online game of ''Diablo'' in public games, as [[hacks]] and [[duplicate]]d items are common. The use of trainers (which modify memory locations while the game is running in order to cheat) is fairly common and character editors are often used to give incredible statistics to even newly made characters. Additionally, there are a number of glitches which allow exploits such as {{iw|Diablo_I#Duping infinitely duplicating items}}.
==Synopsis==
::''Much of the Diablo I story has been [[retcon]]ned in later games and books. See the '''[[timeline]]''' and '''[[story]]''' articles for concurrent information.''
The [[story]] of ''Diablo'' is based on an eternal war between the [[High Heavens]] and the [[Burning Hells]]. The [[Prime Evil]] known as the Lord of Terror ([[Diablo]], one of three) is awakened from his [[Soulstone]] prison underneath the town of [[Tristram]], and brings terror to the populace.
As the player explores the labyrinth underneath [[Tristram Cathedral]], the character learns more about the conflict, and about the Prime Evils. The player also learns that the hero is there to avenge his family who were killed by Diablo.
Before the events of the game, [[Azmodan]] and [[Belial]] with many other [[Lesser Evils]] takes control of the Burning Hells and banishes the Prime Evils into the world in an event known as the [[Dark Exile]]. The [[archangel]] [[Tyrael]] gathers together mortal heroes to create the [[Horadrim]] to fight and imprison the Prime Evils in Soulstones. Mephisto is captured in [[Kehjistan]] and imprisoned under a [[Zakarum]] temple in what will eventually become [[Kurast]], [[Baal]] captured in the [[Anaroch]] desert, near [[Lut Gholein]]. [[Tal Rasha]], the leader of the Horadrim, sacrifices himself to capture Baal in a damaged Soulstone. Diablo is captured by a group of Horadrim monks led by [[Jered Cain]] in [[Khanduras]] and his Soulstone is buried in a cave near the river [[Talsande]] and a Horadric monastery with a network of catacombs is built over the burial spot.
The prison of the Soulstone weakened over the centuries and when the northern lord Leoric ([[retcon]]ned to eastern lord) comes to Tristram and calls himself king, Diablo tries to possess him. King Leroic withstands the attempt, but is driven mad in the process, starting war with the neighbouring kingdom of [[Westmarch]] and kills anyone who opposes him. When his trusted advisor Archbishop [[Lazarus]] kidnaps Leoric's son to be possessed by Diablo instead, Leoric loses his last vestments of sanity.
[[Lachdanan]], captain of King Leoric's army, returns from the disastrous war and is forced to kill Leoric. Leoric curses Lachdanan and his followers with his dying breath. Not long afterward, Lachdanan and the king's guards are attacked by Leoric, resurrected as the [[Skeleton King]], as they attempt to bury him.
Under the premise of finding the missing prince, Lazarus led Tristram townsfolk into the labyrinth, to be slain by a [[demon]] called the {{iw|Butcher Butcher}}.
The game begins shortly after. The player descends through the levels into [[Hell]]. On the way the player kills Archbishop Lazarus, the Skeleton King and eventually defeating Diablo's mortal form, leaving him trapped in a soulstone. The hero's character pierces his/her own head with the soulstone, attempting to contain the demon and bring him to the sages of the East.
In [[Diablo II]] it's ironically revealed that this is what Diablo had planned, as the hero would be a better host than the prince. Diablo II continues the story, with Diablo having possessed the hero who killed him. [[Canon]]ically, the character class that defeated Diablo was the Warrior.
==Versions and expansion pack==
Several versions of Diablo I have been released.
===Spawn===
''Diablo'' normally requires the original CD to play, however also included on the disk is a shareware version of the software that can be played without the CD called "''Diablo'' Spawn". This version of the game can be used to join multiplayer games hosted by someone with the "Full" install, but is not playable in single-player mode.
===PlayStation===
In 1998, a PlayStation version of Diablo was published by Electronic Arts. The game lacked online play, but featured a two-player cooperative mode. It also featured an option to learn the story through a narrator without having to find the books in the game. This version was infamous because of its need for 10 blocks free on a PlayStation memory card; the standard size of memory cards for the platform was 15 blocks.
===Expansion===
The only official expansion pack made for ''Diablo'' was ''[[Diablo: Hellfire]]'' in 1997. The expansion was produced by [[Sierra Entertainment]] rather than an in-house [[Blizzard North]] development team. The multiplayer feature of the expansion pack was disabled with version 1.01. The added content included two additional dungeon segments located within a new side storyline, several new unique items and magical item properties, new spells, and a fourth class, the {{iw|Monk Monk}}. There were also two possibly unfinished "test" classes (the {{iw|Bard Bard}} and {{iw|Barbarian Barbarian}}) and two quests which could be accessed only through a configuration file modification.[http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Hellfire]
All of the lore provided in the [[Diablo: Hellfire Manual|manual]] and within the game is [[retcon|ned]] and not considered [[canon]]ical.
===Re-releases===
The original game was later re-released alongside ''Hellfire'' in a 1998 bundle, called ''Diablo + Hellfire''. 1998's ''Blizzard's Game of the Year Collection'' contained copies of ''Diablo'', ''StarCraft'' and ''WarCraft II''. The ''Blizzard Anthology'' (2000) contained ''Diablo'', ''StarCraft'', ''StarCraft: Brood War'' and ''WarCraft II: Battle.net Edition''. The ''Diablo Gift Pack'' (2000) contained ''Diablo'' and ''Diablo II'', but no expansions. The ''Diablo: Battle Chest'' (2001) contained ''Diablo'', ''Diablo II'' and ''Diablo II'''s expansion, ''Diablo II: Lord of Destruction''.
==Resources==
* '''{{iw|Diablo_I Diablo I on Diablo 2 Wiki}}'''
* [[Diablo I Manual]]
* [http://www.diablo-evolution.com/ Diablo Evolution]
* [http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Hellfire Hellfire hidden features]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Diablo I]]
