PoE Sanity

Project Diablo 2 New Season HC Sorc

By ds lilyWatch videoDuration: PT28M10S

Summary

  • Comparison of ARPG aesthetics, noting Diablo 2 Resurrected (D2R) as a masterpiece in style compared to competitors like Last Epoch and Path of Exile.
  • Strategic decisions regarding Project Diablo 2 (PD2) gameplay, including farming locations and mercenary gear choices.
  • Critique of Diablo 4’s seasonal launch timing and its consistent overlap with Path of Exile schedules.
  • Observations on the state of the FPS genre, specifically the perceived negative impact of Overwatch.
  • Community engagement regarding Discord habits, Five-stacking in Counter-Strike, and the MOBA Deadlock.

Early Session Goals and Scheduling Frustrations

The session begins with a focus on either Baal runs or Cow runs for charm farming. There is immediate frustration regarding the Diablo 4 (D4) seasonal schedule. This is the first season in nearly two years that does not directly overlap with a Path of Exile (POE) launch. The timing of D4 launches is often perceived as inconvenient, potentially to maximize server margin by limiting concurrent player peaks.

Build Optimization and Itemization

Current gameplay involves testing a Sorceress build in Hardcore mode. Key item and mercenary considerations include:

  • Ethereal War Spear: Identified as a potential find.
  • Puss Spitter: Currently utilized on the mercenary.
  • Mercenary Insight: Considered as an alternative to help with tanking capabilities.
  • Spirit Runeword: Noted as being significantly less powerful (“sucks”) in the PD2 mod compared to the base game.
  • Splendor Runeword: Confirmed as requiring the runes: 
    Eth + Lum
  • Loot Filters: Utilization of the “K filter” for item management.

FPS and MOBA Commentary

Discussion shifts toward Counter-Strike (CS) and the requirements for Ranked play, specifically the necessity of having more than ten hours of playtime to join a five-stack.

Broader opinions on the FPS scene highlight a distaste for Overwatch, suggesting it caused “irreparable damage” to the genre. In contrast, Deadlock is described as the “POE of MOBAs,” appealing specifically to those who already enjoy the MOBA genre but want deeper complexity.

ARPG Visual Standards

When comparing modern ARPGs, D2R’s art direction is categorized as a masterpiece that surpasses Last Epoch and the original Path of Exile. While POE 2 is expected to challenge this, D2R’s style is currently viewed as unmatched.

Regarding Torchlight, the graphics are improving with the new updates, though the current transition phase creates a “wonky” look where old and new assets are mixed. Once the conversion is complete, the visual fidelity is expected to be high.

Stream Meta and Miscellaneous

  • Dota 2: The “Dota window” was missed this year due to the absence of a traditional Christmas event, which usually serves as the primary incentive to log in.
  • Professional Ethics: A brief inquiry into whether freelance video editors typically report their income for taxes.
  • Media: Ongoing interest in the One Piece series.

Key References