Archived from groups: alt.games.diablo (More info?)
We seem to have corrupted a few players to the darkside of the force, that
is, Diablo LOD hardcore play on US-West. The following is some information
that I'd like to share, for whatever its worth. Hey, remember, it costs
nothing, so .........
=====================
Suggestions for Diablo LOD Hardcore play:
1.. Mule early and often. Never carry a really good item that you'll "grow
into" in a couple of levels. If the character dies, you'll lose it. If
playing with a trusted non-playing character in the game (chanter or game
filler, for instance), have them hold the item(s) until you are actually
ready to equip them.
2.. Play with a trusted party, when possible. Turn on the "loot" button
for trusted characters. If your character should die, do NOTHING for a
moment. Wait for your companions to clear the area and loot your equipped
items. When they assure that they have everything, leave and return with
another character to reclaim you items. DON'T play the character holding
those items until they can be safely muled away.
3.. When playing in private games, with trusted friends, carry as much of
your gold on your character as you can. Yes, I know this is the direct
opposite of softcore procedure, but if your character should die, you'll
WANT as much of your gold to drop as possible. This helps get the next
character up to speed quicker, and can be used for gambling, if nothing
else.
4.. Slow down and live! Rushing headlong into every group of monsters can
be fun, but it's dangerous for your character, and possibly the whole group.
When playing solo, be especially cautious. If the group is tightly
organized, and somewhat powerful, they can charge through almost anything,
but even then a bit of caution is advisable.
5.. Use attribute points as soon as they are available. Most characters
will require a few points in strength , dexterity, or energy, but ALL
characters need vitality. Often MUCH more than is common in softcore play.
Save some, or all, of your skill points if you prefer, but get enough points
into vitality to live, and enough in strength to wear some protective gear.
6.. Get those resists up! Defensive builds are much more important in
hardcore than in softcore. Damage is important, but only if you can survive
long enough to inflict it!
7.. Rejuvenation potions are very important. Follow Bongo's example, and
don't leave any unsecured. As soon as you get your cube, use a few of those
chipped gems that you picked up along the way to cube up some more, until
you get at least one row of full rejuv potions. By the time I get to the
normal ancients, I prefer to have my whole belt filled with full purple
pots, and a few spares in my stash.
8.. Avoid public games, as much as possible. Sooner or later, you'll run
into a griefer that will try to ruin your fun.
9.. When your character dies, and they all do sooner or later, try to
learn from it. Could different tactics have helped? Could you improve the
build somehow? How you take the first few character deaths will tell you
whether or not hardcore play is for you. It's NOT for everyone. It's neither
better or worse, but it IS different. Far more so than you can imagine until
you've tried it for awhile. If you don't enjoy it, or your connection sux so
much that your characters get lag killed before you reach the cold plains,
perhaps it's time to consider plan B 🙂
10.. When you grow out of your starter gear, mule it away for later use.
Starter equipment never goes out of style in hardcore. Work on building a
series of starter equipment that will make starting over much easier. After
you've done the den of evil a few dozen times in normal, it gets pretty
boring if you can't zap right through it to get to a more interesting part
of the game.
11.. Take care of your merc! Keep him near your level, and equipped with
the best gear that your able to find or buy.
12.. Avoid playing while cursed, if at all possible. With Oki Knights
around that's impossible, but when you can, TP to town and get the curse
removed. A hit that might only hurt can be deadly if you are cursed with amp
damage.
I probably missed a lot of important points, and may even be wrong about
some that I did include, but the corrections and additions from fellow
posters will fix that 🙂
What'cha think?
Ruben
We seem to have corrupted a few players to the darkside of the force, that
is, Diablo LOD hardcore play on US-West. The following is some information
that I'd like to share, for whatever its worth. Hey, remember, it costs
nothing, so .........
=====================
Suggestions for Diablo LOD Hardcore play:
1.. Mule early and often. Never carry a really good item that you'll "grow
into" in a couple of levels. If the character dies, you'll lose it. If
playing with a trusted non-playing character in the game (chanter or game
filler, for instance), have them hold the item(s) until you are actually
ready to equip them.
2.. Play with a trusted party, when possible. Turn on the "loot" button
for trusted characters. If your character should die, do NOTHING for a
moment. Wait for your companions to clear the area and loot your equipped
items. When they assure that they have everything, leave and return with
another character to reclaim you items. DON'T play the character holding
those items until they can be safely muled away.
3.. When playing in private games, with trusted friends, carry as much of
your gold on your character as you can. Yes, I know this is the direct
opposite of softcore procedure, but if your character should die, you'll
WANT as much of your gold to drop as possible. This helps get the next
character up to speed quicker, and can be used for gambling, if nothing
else.
4.. Slow down and live! Rushing headlong into every group of monsters can
be fun, but it's dangerous for your character, and possibly the whole group.
When playing solo, be especially cautious. If the group is tightly
organized, and somewhat powerful, they can charge through almost anything,
but even then a bit of caution is advisable.
5.. Use attribute points as soon as they are available. Most characters
will require a few points in strength , dexterity, or energy, but ALL
characters need vitality. Often MUCH more than is common in softcore play.
Save some, or all, of your skill points if you prefer, but get enough points
into vitality to live, and enough in strength to wear some protective gear.
6.. Get those resists up! Defensive builds are much more important in
hardcore than in softcore. Damage is important, but only if you can survive
long enough to inflict it!
7.. Rejuvenation potions are very important. Follow Bongo's example, and
don't leave any unsecured. As soon as you get your cube, use a few of those
chipped gems that you picked up along the way to cube up some more, until
you get at least one row of full rejuv potions. By the time I get to the
normal ancients, I prefer to have my whole belt filled with full purple
pots, and a few spares in my stash.
8.. Avoid public games, as much as possible. Sooner or later, you'll run
into a griefer that will try to ruin your fun.
9.. When your character dies, and they all do sooner or later, try to
learn from it. Could different tactics have helped? Could you improve the
build somehow? How you take the first few character deaths will tell you
whether or not hardcore play is for you. It's NOT for everyone. It's neither
better or worse, but it IS different. Far more so than you can imagine until
you've tried it for awhile. If you don't enjoy it, or your connection sux so
much that your characters get lag killed before you reach the cold plains,
perhaps it's time to consider plan B 🙂
10.. When you grow out of your starter gear, mule it away for later use.
Starter equipment never goes out of style in hardcore. Work on building a
series of starter equipment that will make starting over much easier. After
you've done the den of evil a few dozen times in normal, it gets pretty
boring if you can't zap right through it to get to a more interesting part
of the game.
11.. Take care of your merc! Keep him near your level, and equipped with
the best gear that your able to find or buy.
12.. Avoid playing while cursed, if at all possible. With Oki Knights
around that's impossible, but when you can, TP to town and get the curse
removed. A hit that might only hurt can be deadly if you are cursed with amp
damage.
I probably missed a lot of important points, and may even be wrong about
some that I did include, but the corrections and additions from fellow
posters will fix that 🙂
What'cha think?
Ruben
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