I admit it. Buying Diablo 3 for my PS4 has been the best and worst idea ever. I'm enjoying this game version like hell, thanks to all the commodities the console offers (joypad, sofa), but this is draining me away from many other activities. I'm neglecting reading and other games a bit too much: for example, I buyed Destiny's collector's edition, but I still have to put the disc into my PS4, as Diablo 3 is always running on it!
My main is the Wizard, even if he is not among the the actual best classes, measured in "farm speed". I'm slowly levelling up all the six classes, both to equip them and for the Dream Team trophy, as I'll platinate this game for sure!
A game with 2 Witch Doctors and 2 Demon Hunters,
all pets based! (Part 1)
I play alot both in solo and multiplayer, even if the latter game mode is a bit ruined by a clunky matchmaking system and the great amount of modded (cheated) items you can find at higher difficulties.
I really appreciate the easiness the PS4 offers in recording videos and screenshots, as I can quickly do some of them about my gaming experence: this is something always intrigued me.
The three attached screenshots are just some among the ones I take while adventuring on Sanctuary. The first is about a 412 kills chain, the best I ever did. That was a 4x Witch Doctor game, full of nasty dps, and in a particularly dense Rift. The other two are taken in a 4 player multiplayer match where the team was composed by 2 Demon Hunters and 2 Witch Doctors, all using a pet-based build: the screenshots don't give the right idea about how messy that game was, even more because of the amount of enemy mobs!
(Part 2)
As always, if you want to reach me there, add my PSN ID to your friendlist: LoneTear77. At least we will take advantage of the gift and nemesis system of this version!
I've recorded a quick tutorial for fast exp farming while soloing in Diablo 3 Ultimate Evil Edition. The video is in Italian language, as I'm too slacky to speak my ugly english for such a long time. Because of this, I've created the present post as a translation and english guide to the video.
To gain a nice amount of experience while playing alone, one of the best way is to do bounties. There are 2 specific bounties that are particularly rewarding and fast to complete.
This is how this method works, step by step:
1) Change settings to ACT III, difficulty to T6*.
2) Join a private game.
3) Press "down" on the pad (bring up the map), hit R1 once, move the cursor to The Battlefields with the analogic joystick. Check if one of Clear Cryder's Outpost or Clear The Forward Barracks (avoid the ones about clearing 2nd levels) is available at the location. If yes, go to 4), if not, go to 5) .
4) Teleport to The Battlefields and complete the quest. Cryder's Outpost is always in the middle of the map, while The Forward Barracks can be to the east or to the west side of the map. Both bounties are about clearing a 1st-level-only dungeons, so they're pretty quick.
5) Leave game and repeat by going back to 2) .
*: you can do the "run" at the difficulty you prefer; T6 just gives you the best exp and cash reward you can hope for.
Each of the two bounties, if done at T6, award around 42 millions exp (52 millions if you have a Pool of Reflection active) . You can even do the bounty at T5, so you can kill the mobs faster, and raise the difficulty to T6 just before killing the last mob, in order to get the better exp reward. Each of the two mini-dungeons home an elite/unique group of mobs, anc you can often find a Treasure Goblin, too (which you must kill or let escape, to complete the bounty).
A T6 run with an end level equipment take around 4 minutes, so this is quite a good way to level up.
Both the bounties where part of the original Alkayzer Run 2.0, but I find somehow quicker (and perhaps boring) to farm just these two bounties. On the PC version, the exp amount has been fixed and reduced accordly to the time needed to clear the quests, so probably it will be changed on the PS4, too, but at present patch (which should be 2.0.6), you can still abuse it.
Because of the way PS3 and PS4 make savegames, the Diablo 3 console version can easily be exploited.
To some degree, all the stuff described here can be considered cheating.
Personally I consider true cheating when you employ external programs (like "trainers") to easy your game (invincibility mode, infinite gold, one-shot-kill mode etc. etc), or when you (or someone other) modify game data to gain advantage (like changing a savegame by altering it's code).
Exploiting is more about abusing a game's programming and architectural "faults": you don't touch the code in any way; you don't modify anything, you don't use external aid to change the original purpose of the programmation. You just slip through the "holes" left in the system in order to obtain a little or strong advantage.
That said, I'm totally ok with exploitation ("Hey, developers, you left that available, so I'll use it until you'll fix it!"), even if I'm against cheating ("Using that SuperUltraUberUniversalModdedInvincibility Sword is just plain sh*t!").
So, it's just up to you to decide what to do with the following informations: use them, ignore them, deprecate them, I just don't bother. ;)
Anyway, what's all of this about? All the stuff relates to the fact that PS3 and PS4 don't save every thing you do inside Diablo (where PC does): the savegame is written once you create a new game, when you exit that game through the appropriate menù option, and again every few minutes or when some special events occurs (mainly checkpoints). If you close Diablo by selecting the "Close game/Close application" option available when pressing the "PS" button on the joypad, you'll exit the game without giving it the time to save (this way to exit Diablo will be grom now addressetd to as "kill/killing diablo 3"). Such a thing can be abused at our advantage in a number of different ways.
So, what can you actually do?
- Duplicate item/gold
This is also called dupe/duping and is about creating a copy of gold or any item in the game.
There are mainly two ways to do this.
The simpler is to send items or gold to a friend through the mailbox, closing Diablo 3 before it saves as explained above. This is very viable, but you must be warned that you should send only few items at once, or you'll risk that Diablo will naturally save the game when your items are sent, making the modifications permanent. You can even use this method alone, on the same console, using two different accounts and sending stuff between them, logging through them. This can be a bit slow if you don't have 2 joypads, but is still quite useful to duplicate craft materials, gems, gold, and Horadric Caches. Here are the detailed steps:
1. Go to the mailbox and click on it.
2. Select the person you're sending the duplicate stuff (items or gold).
3. Select the items and/or the gold you want to send.
4. Send it and a message will ask you if you want to do that. Click ok.
5. A message saying the item has been sent will appear.
6. Kill Diablo 3.
If you have two joypads available, you can duplicate stuff much more quickly, by following these steps:
1. Log in Account A with Joypad A and start a game.
2. Log in Account B with Joypad B, choose any character and join the game.
3. Account A drops the item you want to duplicate.
4. Account B picks it up and exit the game with the appropriate menù option, saving the game.
5. Account B enter the game again with the previously used character, which should be in possession of the item Account A dropped. Account B now drop that item, then leave the game by long-pressing the PS button and logging out from PS4. This way the original item will be on the ground and Account A can gather it. Rinse and repeat for fast dupe.
This is very simple: Just spend your Blood Shards at Kadala's "shop", but leave the game with the PS-button method if you don't get the item you're searching for. This way you'll restart with all your Blood Shards intact. You can even mix this with the dupe method, by sending to another account the interesting items you get from Kadala before killing Diablo 3 to reset everything.
In the PS3/PS4 version of the game, an Horadric Cash content is rolled upon opening it, not when it's received. The level is set when you get it from Tyrael, but the class isn't. Beacuse of this you can even farm them with, for example, a Crusader and obtain Intellicenge-based items if you open them with a Witch Doctor. Pairing this with the dupe method can allow you to easily find all the special Horadric Cashes rewards (starting with the pretty useful Ring of Royal Grandeur).
In a way much similar to the Blood Shards abuse, you simply try some crafting/enchanting and, if you're not satisfied with the results, you can just kill Diablo 3 to retain all the material used in the procedure. All the enchanting modifications will be lost, as will be any item you crafted, but you can easily try again without wasting tons of money and materials.
- Experience trick
An additional trick you can use is what I call the Difficulty Change Trick (what a mystical and evocative name eh? I know, I know, got a great inspiration here, for it!). While adventuring in Sanctuary, you can always change the game difficulty by 1 step harder or easier (even more, under some circumstances), switching, for example, from T5 to T6 in a couple of seconds. To do this, just bring up the in-game menù, select Change Difficulty and adjust it. Do this just before completing a "quest" (finishing a bounty, talking to Orek after a rift, talking to Tyrael after completing the 5 bounties of an act etc. etc.), increasing the difficulty to the higher step you can reach, to gain some additional experience. Return to previous difficulty once done, or just leave game and restart it at a different difficulty level. Simple, clean and helpful.
As you can see, some abuses are less game breaking than others. Duping stuff can easily be seen as heavy cheating, while blood shards and crafting/enchanting exploits are just ways to easy your life a bit. Still, you should use them based on your judgment and at your own risk. I just provide informations and I'm not in any way responsable on how you use them ;).
Attached picture does not mean anything for the most, but for me it's a little big satisfaction. After a lifetime as RPGs lover, a passion now standbyed because I'm unable to find a group with which I am comfortable, I was able to tie my name to a commercial work belonging to this world.
It is a small book, more an introduction to a wider world, but still I was part of his birth and growth, something that makes me proud and satisfied, although there will probably not a continuation on thise field, as it can keep you very busy: translate decently from English to a good Italian it's not easy at all!!.
The project concern the FATE role playing game, and in particular the "Accelerated" version, which allows you to quickly approach the complete game with simplicity.
FATE is more a "game creation system" than a classical RPG, as it allows the game master and the players to shape they'r own game experience by detailing both the characters and the world as they like more, and with the participation of everyone.
The standard Blessed Shieldbuild is much different from the one I use. I love both the Cooldown Reduction mechanics and the Blessed Shield skill, so I decided to make my own build, more focused on these two aspects than the classic one, which completely abuse Blessed Shield. Additionally,
What I like very much about my build is that it's heavily based on craftable stuff. You still need one or two very random item(s) (weapon and shield), but all other parts can be crafted or gained with focused farming.
The build allows for a fast farming up to T5 (full tested on rifts and the famous Alkayzer Run 2.0). I gave some tries on T6, but I actually miss survivability. It's doable, but death is pretty common. I'm sure that more paragon levels and the Unity "trick" (see "Ring 2", below) will surely fix this!.
The equip is aimed to heavily boost "classic" damage output (atkSpd, crit% and critDmg), because the build deals a mix of holy and physical damage. Additionally, this equipment setup focus on building an high amount of cooldown reduction, in order to abuse the various CD-based skill you'll emply.
General tips: Aim for a life amount over 450k+ as soon as possible, and keep all of your resistances over 850. Armor is very important too, but a high amount of this stat should came naturally to you, as a Strength based character: resist all is better than armor bonus, on items, at least until you're under 900 on resistances. Try to keep a 1:10 aspect ratio between crit% and critDmg (40% crit and 400% crit dmg, for example). AtkSpd is very useful for this build, as you're not going to depend on resources, so every point of atkSpd is just sheer dps gain. As always, in all stats, the highest the better ;) .
Weapon: Gyrfalcon's Foote: this weapon is mandatory for the build. Without it you can't abuse Blessed Shield. You should aim for Str, dmg% and socket (with Emerald). If you're able to put atkSpd into it that's good.
Off-Hand: Jekangbord: This shield is not mandatory, but it makes the build much more effective, so you should get one. Str, and crit% are mandatory. A high parry% is quite useful (and increases damage), and Vit, resAll, and 6 ricochets all helps.
Helm: Aughild's Spike; On this, you want at least Str, crit% and socket. It always come with resAll, which is good if you need survivability. If you don't need it, just throw in Blessed Shield dmg% increase!
Necklace: Any heavy dps necklace is fine. Your best choice is Str, critDmg, atkSpd and crit%. CdReduction and holyDmg are also good choices.
Gloves: Cain's Scriviner; Str, atkSpd, critDmg and crit% (in this order).
Bracers: Aughild's Search; Str, crit%, holyDmg% are mandatory. Vit or resAll based on what you need more as additional stat. You can go Str, Vit, crit% and resAll if you prefer more survivability.
Ring 1: Ring of Royal Grandeur; The best you can get here is Str, atkSpd, critDmg and crit% (in this order of importance). Take the best you can. The item usually comes with atkSpd and Str, and you need it for it's special quality.
Ring 2: Any good ring will be fine. Try to use this slot to balance what you're missing most. The build gives high survivability for it's game style (ranged with very high mobility), so you should probably focus on damage. As always Str, atkSpd, critDmg, cdReduction and crit% (in this order) are among the best choices. Stone of Jordan is always a solid option, even if this build can live without an high amount oh holyDmg% (but the eliteDmg% is good). Unity is the best choice for high Torment, one for you and one for your follower equipped with the Immortality Focus/Token/Relic: this will make you almost undying.
Gems: socket everything with Rubies, unless you need more life or resistance, but put your best Diamond on Helm.
Paragon Levels
Core: Cap Movement Speed, all other in Strength.
Offense: Cap atkSpd, critDmg and cdReduction in this order. Perhaps you need crit% more than other stats, but this depends on your equip. http://www.bannedofgamers.com/index.php?cdr/ is a good tool to find out your true Cooldown Reduction and decide the way to go.
Defense: cap Resist All, then Life% and Armor, based on your needs.
Utility: Area Damage must be capped first, then Life on Hit. You can reverse this, if you see you need healing power.
Phalanx - Bowmen: I always felt my build suffered from low single-target damage. This skill completely balance the issue. Thanks to the high Cooldown Reduction, you can throw out the four archers quite often, and they kick ass hard. At my equip level, they attack very fast, with a typical critical hit around 2M damage.
Steed Charge - Endurance: Life saver and farm speeder. As for Phalanx, this ability benefits like hell from Cooldown Reduction, allowing you to summon the horse almost every time you need it. This often save you from dire situations and speed up the farming process a lot, especially while doing bounties.
A simple demonstrative video
Shield Glare - Divine Verdict: With the high cooldown reduction of this build, you can almost spam this skill whenever you want. This means great degree of crowd control (versus common thrash, you can keep them blinded almost forever, if you want!) and a good bost in damage, especially to the Phalanx's one, as you don't use Lord Commander.
Laws of Valor - Critical: Increase atkSpd is quite good for this build, and the ungly boost in critDmg given by activation can literally melt enemies. Throw out the Law, Phalanx and Champion and you'll have 5 seconds of pure power. Cooldown reduction boost the benefiets of using this skill alot.
Akarat's Champion - Prophet: Kaio-ken button. You became almost invicible for enough time to destroy everything on your path or just put yourself in a safer position. Cooldown reduction make it very viable even without the Akkhan set.
Passive Skills: Fervor and Finery are a must, as they better the overall build'd performances alot. Additionally, Towering Shield is a must as it boost both Blessed Shield and Shield Glare. Finally, Holy Cause is just the perfect completion, adding both dps and survivability to the build.
Additional Considerations
I often change things and try other stuff, out of boredom or because I'm not completely satisfied buy the build. Heaven's Fury is a skill like alot, even if it never satisfy me, as this build lacks the amount of holyDamage needed to use it with efficiency. Sometimes I switch Shield Glare - Divine Verdict with Bombardment - Annihilate or Bombardment - Targeted, a skill I really like, even if I always feel like it has a way too long cooldown for what it does, even with Lord Commander replacing Towering Shield (or Holy Cause) and high cooldown reduction.
As an additional note, as this build isn't completely focused on Holy damage (especially when you use Bombardmentover Heaven's Fury), we can assume it can benefits from the +min/max damage affix. Still, I'm not that much into maths to be able to say how much, when and if it's best than +holyDmg, but having it on necklace, and rings can give a nice overall damage boost, increasing Phalanxdamage alot, especially if your cooldown reduction is high enough to spam it often!
Anyway, as you can image, this can be considered an entry build, until you can put your hands on the stuff you miss to reach what is considered the "optimal" Blessed Shield build. Still I think the cooldown reduction focus can offer an interesting, different and fun approach, without losing much effectiveness. As always, just try to find the way to play you like must, as the most important thing is to have fun while clearing Sanctuary from the sh*i!
