Traits
Traits are a separate set of skills, all of which are passive, that provide strong bonuses towards active skills and stats that define one's playstyle.
See the specific character traits pages for full lists.
Overview
Traits were revealed during the Diablo 3 Gameplay Panel in Blizzcon 2010 by Jay Wilson. They provide strong bonuses to all active skills and stats, essentially allowing a player to upgrade a specific skill or playstyle which defines them and their build. Mechanically, they are suppose to replace Diablo 2's stats.
Jay explained the basic logic behind moving passive skills out of the skill trees and into a traits tree in an interview in the Blizzcon 2010 show program:
- Jay Wilson: The skill system has been totally revamped, and we’ve added an all-new traits system. The skill system we showed last year was fairly Diablo II-like. We knew at the time that the basic mechanics were sound, but we felt it was intimidating, and that it overly encouraged spreading your points around into as many different skills as possible instead of focusing on the skills that fit your play style. If you’ve spread your points into 30 different skills, then you’ve broken your character. The system wasn’t facilitating playing the game well.
- We also moved passive skills into their own UI, and renamed then traits—because no matter how good a passive skill is, it’s hard to pass up picking an active skill instead. The traits tree allows us to expand the number of passives and focus on core character customization ideas like, “I want more health,” or “I want more damage.” It replaces attribute-point spending, which we didn’t consider to be a very good customization system because there was always a *correct* way to spend points. With traits, players will find there are a lot more choices to make that will be better balanced against one another, and will include flavorful or role-playing choices to cater to a broader group of players.
As of October 2010, trait points are awarded every other level (1, 3, 5, etc). There are about 30 traits per character, though this number may be reduced/condensed in further development. Traits can have 1, 3, or 5 points placed in them, with the number varying between traits.
Traits are not all unique to each character. About half of the traits are found on two or more classes, with a fair number spread across all five classes, though their Clvl requirement may vary between classes. Many traits are unique to individual classes, and have special bonuses that are only of use to that class.
List of Known Traits
It should be noted that only 1 rank of these traits was seen, therefore the effects at lower/higher levels will be different.
Not many Traits were shown during the Panel, here is a list of Traits seen so far:
- Ball of Lightning
- Class - Wizard
- Description - A Shocking defense will make enemies ponder the wisdom of their assault.
- Effects - Periodically shocks a nearby enemy for 1-120 Lightning Damage.
- Levels - 1
- Prismatic Cloak
- Class - Wizard
- Description - An icy mist that freezes to the bone, the low hum and spark of electricity in the air... even touching a wizard can have dire consequences.
- Effects - Increases the effects of Ice Armor and Storm Armor by 100%
- Levels - 3
- Inner Rage
- Legendary Might
- Class - Barbarian
- Description - N/A
- Effects - Increases Strength.
- Levels - N/A
- Iron Skin
- Class - Barbarian
- Description - N/A
- Effects - Increases Armor.
- Levels - N/A
- Spirit Vessel
- Class - Witch Doctor
- Description - "The Spirits take their toll. Best be ready to pay" - Shadewalker Zunimassa
- Effects - Gain 35 Mana whenever you pick up a Health Globe.
- Levels - 5
- Mana Regeneration
- Class - Witch Doctor
- Description - Breathe In. Breathe Out. Be Restored.
- Effects - Regenerate 4% of maximum Mana per second.
- Levels - 3
- Mind and Body
- Class - Witch Doctor
- Description - "My blood knows where it must be. I tell it, it goes." - Zuwadza of the Tribe of Five Hills.
- Effects - Regenerate 1% of maximum health per second.
- Levels - 3
- Lucky
- Class - All
- Description - Some people survive on intelligence, others on power, and some are just plain lucky.
- Effects - Monsters drop more gold
- Levels - 3
- Death Pact
- Class - All
- Description - A soul anchored in this world will not easily drift to the next.
- Effects - Reduce damage by 10% whenever you are below 50% of your maximum health.
- Levels - 3
- Ritual of Blood
- Class - Witch Doctor
- Description - "To give of one's self. Is there any greater gift? - Final word spoken at the Ritual of Blood.
- Effects - 50% of Mana costs are paid with health.
- Levels - 1
- Leader of the Pack
- Class - Witch Doctor
- Description - Establish dominance. They will obey.
- Effects - Increase spell damage by 5% for every Zombie Dog under your control.
- Levels - 1
- Meditation
- Class - Witch Doctor
- Description - The cycle of life returns all things to their origins.
- Effects - Spirit spells return 30% of their Mana cost over 10 seconds.
- Levels - 3
- Rituals
- Class - Witch Doctor
- Description - Circle of salt. Withermoth's wing. The spirits hear my call.
- Effects - Increases your spell power by 10% of your Vitality.
- Levels - 5
- Blood Rites
- Class - Witch Doctor
- Description - The blood of our foes nurtures and sustains us. It is an essential element of the most powerful voodoo.
- Effects - Health Globes grant 5% spell damage over 10 seconds.
- Levels - 5
- Unbreakable Will
- Class - N/A
- Description - N/A
- Effects - N/A
- Levels - N/A
- Toughness
- Class - N/A
- Description - N/A
- Effects - N/A
- Levels - N/A
References
- ↑ Jay Wilson Interview @ Blizzcon 2010 Program - IncGamers October 25, 2010
