A '''followerFollower''' is [[Diablo III]]'s answer to {{iw|Mercenary Mercenaries}}. Followers can be equipped with a type small amount of [[NPCitem| gear]] often encountered in , and [[spells]] and [[skills]] can be chosen for the dungeonsfollower by the player. Followers There are generally part of quests of various complexitythree basic classes: the [[Enchantress]], a ranged [[magic]] caster, the [[Templar]], and are somewhat akin a melee [[tank]] similar to smarterthe [[Paladin]], more clingy versions of and the wandering NPC Barbarians found in Act 5 of Diablo II[[Scoundrel]], who is a ranged [[crossbow]] user.
They are not meant as replacements[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/hirelings-==Followers in-diablo-iii/] for true mercenaries; you do not equip them or gain benefits from their special skills, you can not heal them directly, and they do not accompany your character through numerous battles and travel with you between towns or Acts. Diablo III==
There may be true mercenaries in Diablo III, akin to the {{wl|[http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Mercenaries mercenaries]}} hired, equipped, and resurrested in Diablo II. The [[D3 Team]] has not yet committed to this feature, though.
As the Follower system has yet to be revealed by Blizzard in any official capacity[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/new-follower-video/], there are many unknown details.
For example, the recruitment method of the followers is largely unknown. As they are no longer called "mercenaries", it may not be good speculation to assume that they are hired. In addition, there would be little dignity or honor in hiring a Templar, and the logic of such is rather off.
However, much can be gained by viewing the tidbits that have been revealed.
==Mercenaries in Diablo III==To see more about the individual followers, visit:
Nothing * The [[Enchantress]] entry. * The [[Scoundrel]] entry. * The [[Templar]] entry. ===The Follower Interface=== [[Image:Templar_skillpane.jpg|600px|center|Click to embiggerate.]] The interface is separated into three basic sections: Gear, Skills, and [[stats]].The gear portion of the pane lets players equip their followers with [[item]]s.The skills interface allows the player to assign skills or spells to the follower for each milestone bracket of levels.The stats portion of the interface allows the player to view relevant statistics such as [[health]] and [[elemental]] resistances. ===Skill System=== One of the larger changes from mercs in Diablo II is the ability to assign abilities to the followers, instead of picking a vague type from a list. Gone are the days of useless [[Flux]] mercs from Act III! Upon reaching [[level]] five, the player can choose one of three [[spells]] or [[skills]] for the follower. Each subsequent five levels, up to level twenty-five, will award an additional choice for the player. Each different type of follower will offer a customizable skillset to either boost the player's effectiveness in a certain area, or cover a weakness in another. The interface for the Templar's skill selection can be seen below. ===Follower Inventory=== The player is able to equip the follower with two [[ring]]s, an [[amulet]], a main-hand [[weapon]], and an off-hand item when applicable, which includes [[shield]]s and possibly [[orb]]s. An unknown area of interest lies directly to the left of the follower inventory, a small icon which denotes something which is unlocked at level 25. It is yet known about true currently unknown as to whether this is another slot for an item, a small [[talisman]], or something else entirely. ===Follower Statistics=== The [[attribute]] section of the interface for mercenaries is gone with the introduction of followers. Instead, the relevant statistics displayed are the [[health]] of the follower (current health and maximum health), the range of damage they will inflict with a standard attack, and also resistances.It is currently unknown what effect, if any, equipping a follower with an amulet containing player [[attributes]] will have, or if there are restrictions on gear or modifiers that the followers will be able to equip. ==Development== It was said by the D3 development team for ages that they "weren't ready" to reveal mercenaries in Diablo III, or otherwise they "didn't know" what they would do with them. In April of 2011, the follower system was indeed revealed, but to the chargrin of Blizzard, it was leaked by the Korean Blizzard official website on accident. Diablo fans quickly picked this up[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/new-follower-video/] and accepted it as real due to the superb quality of the presentation of the video. Previous comments by the development team follow: The team has said they hope to include full mercenaries as a feature, and that if they do they'll be bigger and better than mercs were in D2. But they've given no details yet. [http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/games/156898.Diablo-III/features/133759.20090831.BlizzCon-Diablo-III-devs-discuss-design-decisions-direction-depth-drops/]
<blue><font color="#FFFFFF">Do those NPC's provide abilities to the hero, like a proper party system?</font><br>
<blue>We’re not quite ready to talk about our approach, but I will say it’s something that’s been a part of the game since before announcement. We have a very solid direction for them. </blue>
==Known NPC Followers==
Players have found various NPC followers in the playable demos at Blizzcon in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Followers are usually part of various [[scripted event]]s and [[quests]]. In the known examples players found NPC warriors who needed assistance fighting off large groups of monsters, explorers who needed help reaching a special treasure, injured humans who requested escorts, and even an NPC merchant who felt his honor had been insulted by another NPC, and offered to sell his items at a discount if his reputation was restored.
With so many NPC follower events and mini-quests in the three playable demos so far, it seems very likely we'll see quite a number of these adventures and events in the final game.
A few examples:===Christian Lichtner's Templar?===
The [[Barbarian]] finds [[Deckard Cain]] with three NPC [[archers]] in the dungeon in the WWI gameplay movie. The Barbarian orders Cain to follow him to safety, and the Archers come along to assist. They join in the battle and do their best, but are picked off one by one until only the Barbarian and Cain reach the end of the level.
The [[Escort Mission]] was a mini-quest in the Blizzcon 2008 demoImage:Templar_concept. Players found an NPC guard captain who asked jpg|left|frame|Concept art for assistance in locating the rest of his soldiers, as they'd become separated in battle. The Captain accompanied you as you explored the surrounding areas, and as each of his lost soldiers were found, they joined in as well, acting as durable, but low-damage, tanks[[Templar]] follower.]]
Other such events were part of the 2009 and 2010 demo as well.
There is one point of curiousity surrounding the followers, however. [[FileChristian Lichtner]] took over as art director for Diablo III at some point in 2009. A post on diablo.incgamers.com revealed a piece of fan art that Mr. Lichtner drew before he was hired at Blizzard[http:Follower interaction//liquidology.deviantart.com/art/Paladin-Concept-96355105].jpg|frame|center|NPCs assist The piece is not only strongly reminiscent of the Barbarian Templar, but the templar concept art also appears to rescue Cainhave been done in the same art style, indicating that Mr. Lichtner was the artist responsible for the look of the follower.So it may be speculated that Blizzard has been working on the followers since then, yet felt they weren't ready to reveal them to the fans and press.]]
[[category:mercenaries]]
[[Category:Basics]]
[[category:followers]]
