On March 25, 2014 the world of Sanctuary will be reborn.
Addressing nearly all the issues that plagued the original release, Reaper of Souls strives to avail Diablo III in much the same way that the highly acclaimed Lord of Destruction did Diablo II. And we’re excited to be a part of it.
Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect from Blizzard’s latest foray into the realms of Hell:
The Crusader
In many ways, Diablo III’s sixth class, the Crusader, resembles its predecessor’s Paladin. Stalwart, resourceful and driven by wrath, Crusaders are mid-range warriors capable of wielding swords, shields and a mighty flail. They also possess a myriad of mid-range spells, including those that weaken foes and strengthen allies.
New Content
Reaper of Souls adds an entirely new chapter to the Diablo III saga. Act V takes place primarily in two completely new locales: the havocked Kingdom of Westmarch and the Pandemonium Fortress. Malthael, the Archangel of Wisdom turned Angel of Death, serves as the expansion’s primary antagonist.
Adventure Mode
Designed for those tired of slogging through the same story content, Adventure mode not only allows players to choose their own path, but also introduces a new breed of quests: Bounties. For more on Adventure Mode and Bounties, check out our preview.
Nephalem Rifts
Short, 10 level dungeons accessed via special in-game Obelisks, Nephalem Rifts are Reaper of Souls’ answer to the noticeable lack of randomization in Diablo III. From the fully-randomized dungeon layout, to the unique enemy pairings and the final boss, no two trips through a Nephalem Rift will be the same.
Loot 2.0
Lower drop rates are offset by a much improved quality of loot. Better yet, thanks to the new “Smart Loot” system, drops are occasionally tailored towards the player’s class.
The Mystic
Scraped from the original version of the game, the Mystic makes her triumphant return in Reaper of Souls. Skilled in the arts of enchantment and transmogrification, Myriam Janzia, like other artisans, will feature an expanded story arc. Her primary usefulness to players is her ability to re-roll an existing property of a rare or Legendary item.
Higher Level Cap
The level cap has been raised from 60 to 70, and Paragon levels are now account wide and uncapped. Better yet, for each Paragon level gained, each of your characters will gain a Paragon Point. The points can then be distributed over four categories, allowing players to fully customize their character.
Given the wealth of new content and gameplay features prevalent in Reaper of Souls, counting down the days from now to release will be more agonizing than a trip through Ghom’s digestive track.
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