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Other classes

2009-10-12T16:07:33Z

Shangallar: /* Known Class Information */

It is currently unkown what the last class in [[Diablo III]] will be. The following classes has been confirmed.
The [[Barbarian]], the [[Witch Doctor]], the [[Wizard]] and the [[Monk]].
* The [[Monk]] was revealed to be the fourth class, at Blizzcon, in August, 2009.

==Unannounced Class Progress==
Jay Wilson gave a report on the progress of the 4th and 5th characters in a December 2008 [http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?pager.offset=3&cId=3172030&p=1 interview with 1up.com].

::'''1UP: Can you talk about the state of the classes? For example, is every class -- even the two that you have yet to reveal -- playable in the game right now?'''

::'''Jay Wilson:''' No. The fourth class is playable in game but is using a placeholder model -- one of an NPC, actually. And all of the skills are what we call "programmer art" because we haven't implemented actual skill effects. So that one is just in gameplay testing for us while we determine signature skills. The fifth class, we're just about finished concepting it and are about to start building it. We can't use placeholder art, so we're now just going to build a model and start working on the first series of skills for that one. We're actually spending more time on the Witch Doctor, Wizard, and Barbarian because of a big change we made to the skill system that we wanted to [integrate them] with -- so it's mostly just artwork that's going on for the other two classes.

It's not clear why they couldn't use placeholder art for the 5th character, but that's something [http://forums.diii.net/showthread.php?p=6942354 fans are enjoying speculating about].

==Known Class Information==
The D3 Team has confirmed that the [[Barbarian]] will be the only recurring character [[class]] from [[Diablo II]],of the original 5 Diablo III characters. More characters will be added in expansion(s) and some may be revisions of earlier character types. We also know that the Diablo III dev team at once thought about making a [[Dervish]] class, but no information if that idea is completely shelved. It seems highly unlikely that the Dervish would appear though, as [[Blizzard]] have avoided talking about upcoming classes, and they would be unlikely to mention the class in passing if that is one class that will make the game.
* The [[Barbarian]] is the only Diablo II character to make it into Diablo III release. He's quite updated in style and use.
* The [[Witch Doctor]] is a new character, similar in use to the [[Necromancer]].
* The [[Wizard]] is the third announced class, filling the archetypal magic user role previously occupied by the [[Sorceress]].
* The [[Monk]] is the foruth class, and is comparable to the monk from the [[Hellfire]] expansion.
* The following characters have been confirmed to NOT appear:
** The [[Amazon]] will not appear in Diablo III.
** The [[Assassin]] will not appear in Diablo III.
** The [[Druid]] will not appear in Diablo III.
** The [[Necromancer]] will not appear in Diablo III.
** The [[Paladin]] will not appear in Diablo III.
** The [[Sorceress]] will not appear in Diablo III.
** Some of these seem likely to join in on an upcoming [[expansion]], that has been hinted about [http://www.incgamers.com/Games/1935/features/90/Diablo-III-Inforview].
* The conceptualised [[Dervish]] class will likely not appear in Diablo III.

===Classes NOT Reappearing===
[[Jay Wilson]] said the following in an interview: [http://www.ausgamers.com/features/read/2662371]
----
::''The [[Barbarian]] is the '''only''' returning class. Originally we actually planned to have no returning classes, but as we developed the barbarian, it essentially ended up turning into a barbarian. We sort of got to the point where we went – because we actually had a different name for him originally - I think were going to call it this other name and everyone else is just going to call it the barbarian, so maybe we should just call it the barbarian.''

::''One of the things we really did not want to do – it's why we set that initial goal to not repeat classes – was, we didn't just want a rehash; we wanted to make the sequel and the sequel has new gameplay and new experiences. I know a lot of people really love the {{iw|Category:Diablo_II_classes classes in Diablo 2}} and it's not my desire to intentionally arc those people – I like those classes to; I love the [[Necromancer]], he's my favorite class from [[Diablo 2]] – but as our goal we really wanted to provide new experiences; that was our focus.''

Jay elaborated on the issue of returning characters in [http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?pager.offset=1&cId=3172030&p=1 an interview with 1up.com] in December 2008.

::'''Jay:''' I don't want to close the door on bringing back classes from Diablo or Diablo 2; I just don't want to do so with the initial release of Diablo 3. In Diablo 3, all of the classes should do something completely new. Then I'd like us to look back and figure out what gameplay gaps [exist].... Then we'd go back and satisfy our and the fans' nostalgia by pulling back some classes that we think really stood out.

==Speculation==
Blizzard replied to questions as to why the [[Necromancer]] was not included in the line-up, saying it's so similar to the [[Witch Doctor]]. [[Jay Wilson]] responded that the Witch Doctor shall be made enough different from the Necro that if they decide to bring the Necro in later, their roles will not overlap. Here is a quote on class design choices by [[Jay Wilson]]: [http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200809/N08.0903.1800.35279.htm?Page=3]
::''We have other goals, where we want each class to be distinctive from one another, we want archetypes to be very strong—I should be able to tell you the name of a class, and you should know what it is, right away. You should have an idea of the kinds of things that that class can do.''

It is likely that the fifth and last class will be a '''[[ranged]]''' class, in terms of what roles are needed.

===Fan-Made Classes===
Fans have not just been waiting around for the next class, they have been busy making suggestions for Blizzard to consider. These [[fan class]]es include everything from a [[Fan class:Flagellant|Flagellant]] to an [[Fan class:Arcane Warrior|Arcane Warrior]].

==Wizard Hints==
The third class to be revealed was the [[Wizard]], who debuted at Blizzcon, October 13, 2008. Jay Wilson hinted at the Wizard in advance, in an interview with Videogamer.com: [http://www.videogamer.com/pc/diablo_3/preview-1253-2.html]

::''All the [[barbarian]] players are delighted and all the [[necromancer]]s hate us. I understand, I don't begrudge them that. I would hate me too! But what I would say is that when we announce the next class, which is quite similar to a previous class, then all those players will hate us too. You can't make everybody happy, but I think when the game finally comes out players will find there's a good class for them, one they will love as much as the ones that came before. And if they don't, I absolutely promise that in the expansions we'll consider bringing back old classes. We just don't want to do it with the first release. We want to establish our identity.''

==Next Revealed Class?==
Blizzard has not yet given any hints about the fifth and final character, which we'll see in the initial release of Diablo III. Fan consensus was that there would surely be a mage-type character, with various sorts of magic for offense. The Wizard filled that pedigree nicely, but also removed the only widely-agreed upon character type. It seems certain that Blizzard will include an archer type character, one who specializes in the bow and perhaps other ranged weapons, but what fiction or other sort of skills this character would have to compliment his/her bow is open to wild speculation.

See the [http://forums.diii.net/forumdisplay.php?f=134 Other Characters and Skills forum] for discussion of/educated guesses about this topic.

==Additional Information==
* The [[Diablo 3 Basics]] article lists all known features and changes in [[Diablo III]] compared to [[Diablo II]]
* The [[Media Coverage]] has all the various interview, previews and articles about Diablo III from around the web.

{{Class navbox floor}}

[[Category:Classes]]
[[Category:Other classes]]
[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Speculation]]

Skill Runes

2009-10-12T14:13:59Z

Shangallar: /* Trivia (Rune History) */

'''Runes''' in [[Diablo 3]] are small items that are socketed into [[skill]]s, not [[item]]s. The runes grant special bonuses to the skill. There are many types of runes, all found in various quality levels, and they work across skills; each rune will (in theory) work in every skill, adding something similar to the skills.

==Runes==
[[Image:Rune-minor-hydra1.jpg|frame]]
The most recent look at a rune came in a screenshot released on March 30, 2009. This is a minor hydra rune, with "minor" being a modification of "[[Hydra Rune]]." All that's known about this one can be seen in the caption, that it "Increases skill quantity." It was previously revealed that the hydra rune was previously known as the "multistrike" rune, and the function appears to be the same, with a bit more evocative a name. Hydras, besides being a [[Sorceress]] skill in [[Diablo II]], are the multi-headed dragons of Greek mythology, creatures capable of regrowing two heads in the place of each head that was chopped off.

Hydra runes are known to add bounces to a [[Witch Doctor]]'s thrown [[Skull of Flame]] spell and to increase the Chain of the Wizard's [[Electrocute]] spell. Since each rune is (as best we know) going to work with every active [[skill]], the hydra rune would presumably add extra hits to all sorts of other skills.

==D3 Runes vs. D2 Runes==
Runes in [[Diablo III]] are nothing like the {{iw|Runes Runes}} found in [[Diablo II]]. In D2 there were 33 kinds of Runes, which were small items that had no use on their own, but that could be placed in item sockets to add various bonuses to the item. Certain combinations of runes could also be used to create {{iw|Runeword RuneWords}}, very powerful items with pre-set stats.

In Diablo III, Runes are still small objects that must be placed in sockets to take effect, but in D3 the sockets are in [[skills]], not items. (Items may also have sockets, but runes won't be used in them if they do.) Active skills have sockets in the skill tree interface, and when a valid rune is placed into the socket, the skill gains an appropriate bonus, depending on the type and quality of rune used. Bonuses vary greatly, depending on the skill and the type of rune used, and include such things as extra hits, extra damage, increased spell duration, and many more. In addition, Diablo III will have fewer runes, with a final number somewhere around 5 different kinds.

==Rune Function==
[[Image:New_Rune_Socket.png|thumb|Rune Socket]]Skill Runes in [[Diablo III]] improve a character's active [[skill]]s in various creative ways. Runes don't just add damage; they modify the skill in some way, making it more powerful and fun to use, as well as allowing for character customization. Runes can be used very strategically; different runes in the same spell will do things. For example: the [[Wizard]] skill [[Blizzard]] would gain different benefits from different runes. A few hypothetical Blizzard bonuses: more falling projectiles, longer duration, more damage per projectile, longer chill time, better to/hit, better chance of critical hit, and so forth. Also, each of those types of bonuses would be increased in power by the quality of the rune used, allowing for a huge variety of potential bonuses and play styles.

As of the [[BlizzCon 2008]] demo:
* Active Skills had sockets for runes
* None of the Passive skills had sockets.
* No skill had more than one socket.

It is not known if any of this will remain that way in the final game.

Runes can be removed from sockets at any time and without any penalty. Theoretically, players could juggle their runes around constantly, sticking in a multi-strike rune to deal with big mobs, changing to a power rune to up the single target damage before a boss battle, and so forth. It's likely that Blizzard will take steps to limit this "rune juggling", perhaps forcing players to return to town before they can change the rune socketed in a spell, putting a cool down time on resocketing the same skill, limiting the number of times a particular rune can be socketed, or even causing runes to lose quality when unsocketed.

As of BlizzCast episode 8 (30th of March, 2009) [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcast-8-live-with-diablo-iii-goodies/] Runes and Rune Sockets have become Horizontal Rectangles, as seen in the image on top and in the image to the right.

===Function Examples===
The [[D3 Team]] gave several examples of rune functions during a panel at [[BlizzCon 2008]] when Skill Runes were first revealed as a game feature. ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouYP1zGfd0s Watch the demonstration] on YouTube.)

====Wizard's Mirror Image====
* '''[[Mirror Image]] Skill:''' This skill, from the [[Conjuring Skill Tree]], creates a duplicate of the [[wizard]], which is capable of moving around and using spells to attack monsters. (It's not just a decoy or an illusion.)
** '''Hydra/Multistrike Rune: '''Socketing this rune would increase the number of duplicates. Higher quality levels of the hydra/multi-strike rune would presumably add more duplicates.
** '''Force/Power Rune: '''Socketing this rune would increase the hit points of each duplicate, and increase the spell's duration.

====Wizard's Teleport Skill====
* '''[[Teleport]] skill:''' This skill, from the [[Arcane Skill Tree]], teleports the Wizard to the targeted location. The spell isn't quite as quick as it was in Diablo or Diablo 2, since the Wizard leaps up into the air before vanishing, and appears in the air, then falls down to earth.

* With '''Striking Rune:''' Adds damage to targets near where the Wizard appears, functioning something like the Barbarian's Leap Attack skill.

[[Image:teleport_striking.jpg|center]]

* With '''Hydra/Multistrike Rune:''' Creates a temporary duplicate of the Wizard that will attract enemy fire and will fight and deal damage as well. (This seems to be basically a free way to cast Mirror Image when you Teleport.)

[[Image:teleport_multistrike.jpg|center]]

====Witch Doctor's Skull of Flame====
* '''[[Skull of Flame]] skill:''' The Witch Doctor lobs a flaming skull, grenade style, which explodes on impact, dealing substantial fire damage to nearby targets.

* With '''Hydra/Multistrike Rune:''' Socketing this rune causes the flaming skull to skip along the ground, like a stone over water, bounding and creating multiple explosions. Higher quality runes would allow additional bounces.

[[Image:skullofflame_multistrike.jpg|center]]

* With '''Force/Power Rune:''' Socketing this rune adds a firefield property to the Skull of Flame, creating a small patch of flame on the ground that persists after the skull's explosion and damages any monsters that cross over it.

[[Image:skullofflame_power.jpg|center]]

====Wizard's Electrocute====
* '''[[Electrocute]] skill:''' This skill, from the [[Storm Skill Tree]] creates a strand of lightning that locks onto an enemy like a beam weapon, dealing steady lightning damage. It will chain to a second enemy if one is in range, dealing damage to both.

* With '''Hydra/Multistrike Rune:''' Socketing this rune allows the lightning to chain to multiple targets.

[[Image:electrocute_multistrike.jpg|center]]

* With '''Viper/Lethality Rune:''' Socketing this rune causes some of the monsters killed by Electrocute to explode in a nova, dealing damage to other nearby enemies.

[[Image:electrocute_lethality.jpg|center]]

==Rune Types==
Skill Runes will be found in a variety of types. Known runes:

* [[Energy Rune]]
* [[Viper Rune]] (named Lethality before)
* [[Hydra Rune]] (named Multistrike before)
* [[Force Rune]] (named Power before)
* [[Striking Rune]]

(Players have spent a lot of time [http://forums.diii.net/showthread.php?p=6871952 thinking up other types of runes], and discussing their potential benefits.)

More runes will almost certainly be added during development as the team thinks of useful types to include in the game. The team won't be adding a lot of odd types of runes, though; D3 Lead Designer [[Jay Wilson]] has stressed that runes must add a useful function to multiple types of skills. The [[D3 Team]] wants all the runes to be useful to all [[class]]es, so they won't add runes that just boost one type of skill, or one character's skills. They have to think up rune bonus properties that work across the board, so there are probably not going to be 50 types of runes. (Utility doesn't equal equality, since not every skill can receive exactly the same level of improvement from every rune.)

==Rune Quality Levels==
It's been stated that runes will have various levels of quality, in a fashion somewhat akin to the different quality levels of {{iw|Gem gems}} in Diablo II. At [[BlizzCon 2008]], [[Jay Wilson]] said there were 5 or 6 quality levels of runes (Minor being the lowest quality), but that the number could go up or down during development. Higher qualities of runes will (of course) be dropped by higher level monsters, and the higher qualities will be much rarer. The function of each type of rune will not change at higher quality; instead the bonuses will be increased.

The D3 team hasn't yet revealed much information about how item [[crafting]] will work in D3, other than to say that they won't have any {{iw|Horadric_Cube Horadric Cube-style}} converting items. We therefore know nothing about the potential for runes to be upgraded by type, though it's certainly possible that something along those lines could be implemented.

==BlizzCon 2009==
[[Image:Rune Explanation.png|thumb|250px|If any of the first six steps are changed, (and they will be) then the outcome will be fully scrapped.]]
During the BlizzCon 2009 Diablo 3 panel on August 21st, Jay Wilson "The Mad Overseer" talked about skills runes, why aren't they in the GamesCom demo or in the demo at BlizzCon?, where are they now? and the process of creating a rune.

They stated that while runes are a very important system to them and that they are a key element in their customizing goals, they have disabled them from demo builds because not all skills can be customized with skill runes, causing confusion to the players. They want players to experience the rune customizing system "in its entirety".

Then they explained the creation process of making a rune, and how making any changes at all to the first steps will scrap the end results entirely, as can be seen in the image on the right.

==Rune Storage==
At the [[BlizzCon 2008]] demo, runes were stored in an [[inventory]] grid on the skill tree menu; not in the normal inventory. There were 10 rune slots below the skill trees. It's not known if they will still be stored there in the final game, if there will be ways to increase the number of slots, or if they can be stored in the inventory instead.

==Further Reading==
You can find out more of the essential information about Diablo I and Diablo II runes in the {{iw|Main_Page Diablo 2 Wiki}}.

=== Diablo II Runes ===
* {{iw|Rune Runes}} - The main page for D2 runes.
* {{iw|Rune_FAQ Rune FAQ}} - All your questions about runes are answered here.
* {{iw|Rune_List Rune list}} - All the runes in Diablo II, and how you can create a {{iw|Zod Zod}} rune from a fourteen trillion {{iw|El Els}}.
* {{iw|Runewords Runewords}} - See how runewords work.
* {{iw|Sockets Sockets}} - Get to know more about the socket mechanic.

=== Diablo I Runes ===
[[Diablo I: Hellfire]] had runes, and you can read more about that on the {{iw|D1_Hellfire_Runes Diablo I Runes}} article.

==Trivia (Rune History)==
What do you really know about runes? The ones from our world come from the ancient Vikings, and their "futhark" (equivalence of our 'Alpha Bet(a)') (which again come from the even more ancient Tibetan Yantras). They allegedly hold magic powers, and the magicks of the 'runa' are still practised today. These practices, called "Seden", are of course done mostly as a pastime, but some forms of the old runes were used in proper form as late as early 20th century in the 'Dalarna' area of Sweden...

[[Image:Runes.jpg|center]]

In [[Sanctuary]], however, runes are magically inscribed symbols. Though their use has changed slightly in the last 20 years, they used to grant (sufficiently prepared) [[items]] magical properties. For sages of these runes, magical {{iw|Runeword RuneWords}} would be created to remake a mundane item into a Runic Item, with powers competing with magical artifacts.

Besides the fact that these supposedly ancient runes hold great and mystic powers, we know little about them. Who created them or how they are created is unknown. They seem to attract [[demon]]s of different kinds, as they are often found on their corpses. If the runes are of demonic origin is not known either. They could have been the simple writing language of the first inhabitants of Sanctuary, who themselves were more powerful than Demons or [[Angel]]s. Whatever the origin, they are of great use to heroes wishing to dethrone [[Diablo]] or [[Baal]].

==References==
* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcast-8-live-with-diablo-iii-goodies/ BlizzCast #8]
* [[BlizzCon 2008]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQBtkJ97Fbo&feature=related The Diablo 3 panel which deals with Fury issues]

[[Category:Runes]]
[[Category:Items]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:Lore]]