[BLOG] #BlizzCon2016: Diablo 20th Anniversary Celebration

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Lonesamurai
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[BLOG] #BlizzCon2016: Diablo 20th Anniversary Celebration

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Diablo is celebrating its 20th Anniversary and Blizzard is sharing more details on the festivities.



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Darkening of Tristram Event

Originally was just going to be original music tracks added; but now Blizzard is adding all 16 dungeons, all 4 bosses.
The audio is tinny, the movement is jerky so we're trying to get back to 1997 with the style of this event.
Recreated old monsters, but new AI.
Retro UI will be there, and D3 combat but D1 looks.
Event will be triggered by a pentagram by the Old Ruins.
Lots of easter eggs.
Rewards and Loot: Portraits based on original health and mana, Butcher Pet, Transmog is a Soulstone in your Skull! Also gives you an legendary gem for your helm.
Butcher's Cleaver and Wirt's Leg for your transmog as well. You can finally dual wield Wirt's Legs
Bosses: Fighting D1-style Butcher
Patch 2.4.3 will have the anniversary event but also new Items.
Every January the Darkening of Tristram will be back.



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Diablo Armory

You'll be able to save "Loadouts" - 2017 future patch. 5 loadouts per character - passives, gear, Cube powers, talents, gems.
Instant equip loadout with 1 button.
Gem unsocketing cost will be gone, including legendary gems.
This is for PC and console.



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Necromancer



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Reimagining the Necromancer from D2.
Went through brainstorming phase with an art team - started with ideas like "the King of the Dead," then the fearsome hunter who wears the trophies of the dead.
Also thought of the Cryptkeeper
This lead to the Commander of the Dead - somewhat like a Rockstar with Legions of (dead) fans.
They thought this was a good way to update the Necromancer for Diablo 3.
Also got to introduce a female necromancer for the first time.
Themes of Classic, Aristocratic, Reanimation or "Bone Saint", Blood, Bone - the production process included ideas about armor with all of these.
Classic armor set matches the D2 Necromancer, they wanted to get that right.
Necromancer gameplay basics: Pet and Ranged Magic class, darkly themed, "darkest class ever" - they are commanders of the dead!
Includes army of skeletons, dead things, mostly dead things, magic.
Magic includes blood, bone, reanimation and curses - a personal wish you case on your enemies.
Difference from the Witch Doctor: themes are different - WD is more light hearted, more about creepy crawlies, etc. Think of the exploding chicken!
Compared to the necromancer - much darker themes, more blood and bone than disease. They are deadly series, not light hearted.
Big difference in pets - pets in WD are passive, Necromancer are more Active Passive (i.e. like monk mantras.) Short term active benefit even though your pets also exist passively.
Activating the Seal commands pets to attack targets and you have a damage buff. Much easier to lead them around as well.
Resource differences - WD has mana, Necromancer has essence. Essence doesn't regen over time, it requires action.
Necromancer has two resources! The other is corpses. Corpses power some of your skills.
Corpse explosion will be back. Up to 10 at a time per click

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Bone Spear is back.
Decrepify is a way to keep monsters grouped together. This is a curse.
Pychic Blood is a life/essence steal.

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Blood Rush is a teleport type skill
Blood Golem - a very gross pet. Also with an active passive type function.
Army of the Dead - 100+ skeletons RUSH onto an enemy.

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"Rise of the Necromancer Pack" is 2 character slots, 2 stash tabs, cosmetics, pets, and the Necromancer!

This is coming in 2017!

The Darkening of Tristram will be in January with the Rise of the Necromancer Pack to follow.
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