Diablo 2 Resurrected 2.4 update early patch notes: Ladder, balance changes, new Runewords

Table of Contents

Diablo 2 Resurrected’s 2.4 update is set to add the Ladder, new Runewords, and make changes to Mercenaries and classes. Here’s a rundown of everything that’s included. 

Diablo fans have called and Blizzard have answered with Diablo 2 Resurrected’s 2.4 update. Players will finally be able to participate in the highly anticipated Ladder season, as well as test out some new Runewords to make their weapons even more deadly.

In addition to that, there’s a whole load of new balancing changes coming to both the game’s seven signature classes, and the hired Mercenaries who have left fans wanting more.

Looking forward to the update already? Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about Diablo 2 Resurrected’s 2.4 changes.

Contents

The heroes of Sanctuary are back, and they’re better than ever.

When does Diablo 2 Resurrected 2.4 release?

Diablo 2 Resurrected’s 2.4 update is currently set to release on April 14, with the Ladder following two weeks later on April 28.

“We purposely want to have a gap between the 2.4 launch and the Ladder launch in order to give the team time to react to any further unforeseen issues that may arise on PC and consoles from deploying the 2.4 patch itself and ensure the smoothest possible Ladder Season 1 start,” the devs write in a March 24 blog post.

Diablo 2 Resurrected finally gets a Ladder in 2.4

As all OG Diablo fans know, the ranked Ladder season is an integral part of Diablo 2’s gameplay. Initially missing upon release, fans have been pleading with Blizzard ever since to add the highly anticipated feature. It seems like they’ve finally heard us.

Beginning next year, players will be able to partake in the new and improved Ladder, where a set of never-seen-before Runewords will be up for grabs.

For a full breakdown of Diablo 2 Resurrected’s Ladder, check out our dedicated guide, be rest assured it’s finally going to be in-game as of next year.

Diablo 2’s Ladder is officially back, but it’ll probably look a little more snazzy than the original!

Diablo 2 Resurrected 2.4: Class balancing & Mercenary changes

Accompanying this exciting new addition to the game is a slew of class balance changes and updates to the game’s Mercenaries.

With classes remaining the same since “Patch 1.13c, which was released back on March 23, 2010,” each character’s kit has received a fresh lick of paint. While the Amazon and Necromancer are largely remaining the same, the Assassin, Paladin, and Barbarian are seeing some adjustments to their combat skills.

Additionally, the Druid and Sorceress‘ weaker elemental skills will be getting a much-needed boost of mana, and the former’s Summons are being made more deadly than ever before.

In terms of Mercenaries, the Desert polearm Mercenary of Act 2 has largely dominated as a follower, but Blizzard are looking to spread the load a little by giving their kits a bit of much needed TLC.

Diablo 2 Resurrected 2.4 early patch notes

Below are the current adjustments courtesy of Activision Blizzard:

CLASS CHANGES

Javelin And Spear Skills

Impale

  • This skill is now an uninterruptible attack
  • Attack Rating modification has been removed. Now this skill will always hit the target
  • This skill now slows the target by a percentage for a duration

Fend

  • Attack Speed increased by 100% (Reduced the rollback frames value between each attack)

Power Strike

  • Removed synergy from Lightning Fury skill
  • Lightning Bolt synergy increased from +10% to +14%
  • Charged Strike synergy increased from +10% to +14%
  • Lightning Strike synergy increased from +10% to +14%

Charged Strike

  • Removed synergy from Lightning Fury skill
  • Power Strike synergy increased from +10% to +14%
  • Lightning Bolt synergy increased from +10% to +14%
  • Lightning Strike synergy increased from +10% to +14%

Lightning Strike

  • Removed synergy from Lightning Fury
  • Power Strike synergy increased from +8% to +11%
  • Lightning Bolt synergy increased from +8% to +11%
  • Charged Strike synergy increased from +8% to +11%

Poison Javelin

  • This skill’s damage scaling at high levels has been slightly adjusted
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Plague Javelin

  • Poison duration is now fixed at 3 seconds
  • Poison Javelin synergy increased from +10% to +14%
  • Casting Delay reduced from 4 seconds to 1 second
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Passive And Magic Skills

Inner Sight

  • This skill’s radius has increased by 35%

Slow Missiles

  • Missile slow now scales instead of staying at a flat base of 33%
  • This skill’s radius has increased by 35%
  • This skill will now reduce enemy missile damage based on skill level

Valkyrie

  • Casting Delay reduced from 6 seconds to 0.6 seconds
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Dodge

  • The animation can now be interrupted and will no longer lock out the Amazon from performing other actions

Avoid

  • The animation can now be interrupted and will no longer lock out the Amazon from performing other actions

Bow And Crossbow Skills

Freezing Arrow

  • Mana Cost per level reduced from +0.5 to +0.25

Magic Arrow

  • Increased the amount of physical damage converted to magic damage for the base level and per level

Guided Arrow

  • Damage bonus per level increased from +5% to +7%

Strafe

  • Removed the 25% weapon damage reduction from this skill
  • Now also gives increased Attack Rating with +30% baseline and +9% per level

Fire Arrow

  • Mana Cost no longer increases per level

Exploding Arrow

  • Damage scaling increased by about 50% for higher skill levels
  • Fire Arrow synergy increased from +12% to +14%
  • Mana Cost per level reduced from +0.5 to +0.25

Immolation Arrow

  • Average Fire Damage per second scaling increased by about 100%
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
  • Mana Cost per level reduced from +0.5 to +0.25

Martial Arts

Fist of Fire

  • Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level

Claws of Thunder

  • Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level

Blades of Ice

  • Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level

Tiger Strike

  • Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level

Cobra Strike

  • Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level

Phoenix Strike

  • Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level

Dragon Talon

  • Now consumes only 1 of each Martial Arts charge when cast
  • Now always hits the target only if the Assassin has any Martial Arts charges

Dragon Claw

  • Now consumes only 1 of each Martial Arts charge when cast
  • Now always hits the target only if the Assassin has any Martial Arts charges
  • Damage bonus per level increased from 5% to 15%

Dragon Tail

  • Now consumes only 1 of each Martial Arts charge when cast
  • Now always hits the target only if the Assassin has any Martial Arts charges
  • Damage bonus per level increased from 10% to 20%

Dragon Flight

  • Now consumes only 1 of each Martial Arts charge when cast
  • Now guarantee hits the target only if the Assassin has any Martial Arts charges
  • Casting Delay removed
  • Damage bonus per level increased from 25% to 35%

Shadow Disciplines

Fade

  • Tooltip updated to now show the physical damage resist reduction

Venom

  • Buff Duration scaling per level changed from 4 seconds to 12 seconds (matching Burst of Speed and Fade)

Shadow Warrior

  • Casting Delay reduced from 6 seconds to 0.6 seconds
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Shadow Master

  • Casting Delay reduced from 6 seconds to 0.6 seconds
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Traps

Shock Web

  • Removed synergy from Death Sentry skill
  • Charged Bolt Sentry synergy increased from +11% to +17%
  • Lightning Sentry synergy increased from +11% to +17%
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Charged Bolt Sentry

  • Removed synergy from Death Sentry skill
  • Fire Blast synergy increased from +6% to +9%
  • Lightning Sentry synergy increased from +6% to +9%

Lightning Sentry

  • Removed synergy from Death Sentry skill
  • Shock Web synergy increased from +12% to +18%
  • Charged Bolt Sentry synergy increased from +12% to +18%

Fire Blast

  • Removed synergy from Death Sentry skill
  • Shock Web synergy increased from +9% to +11%
  • Charged Bolt Sentry synergy increased from +9% to +11%
  • Wake of Fire synergy increased from +9% to +11%
  • Lightning Sentry synergy increased from +9% to +11%
  • Wake of Inferno Sentry synergy increased from +9% to +11%

Wake of Fire

  • Fire Blast synergy increased from +8% to +10%
  • Wake of Inferno synergy increased from +8% to +10%

Wake of Inferno

  • Removed synergy from Death Sentry
  • Fire Blast synergy increased from +10% to +18%
  • Wake of Fire synergy increased from +7% to +18%

Blade Sentinel

  • Casting Delay reduced from 2 seconds to 1 second
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
  • Missile speed increased by 20%
  • Weapon Damage increased from 37% to 75%
  • Blade Fury synergy added: +10% Damage per level
  • Blade Shield synergy added: +10% Damage per level

Blade Fury

  • Blade Sentinel synergy added: +10% Damage per level
  • Blade Shield synergy added: +10% Damage per level

Blade Shield

  • Duration baseline value increased from 20 seconds to 120 seconds (matching Burst of Speed and Fade)
  • Duration scaling per level increased from 5 seconds to 12 seconds (matching Burst of Speed and Fade)
  • Weapon Damage increased from 25% to 75%
  • Blade Sentinel synergy added: +10% Damage per level
  • Blade Fury synergy added: +10% Damage per level
  • Tooltip updated to now display Radius

Warcries

Howl

  • Tooltip updated to now display Radius

Battle Cry

  • Tooltip updated to now display Radius

War Cry

  • Damage increased by about 30%
  • Tooltip updated to now display Radius
  • War Cry’s mana cost now increases by only 0.75 per level instead of 1

Shout

  • Duration baseline increased from 20 seconds to 30 seconds (matching Battle Orders)
  • Tooltip updated to now display Radius

Battle Orders

  • Tooltip updated to now display Radius

Battle Command

  • Duration baseline increased from 5 seconds to 30 seconds (matching Battle Orders)
  • Tooltip updated to now display Radius

Grim Ward

  • Radius baseline value increased
  • Now also Slows and increases Damage Taken for nearby enemies.
  • Find Potion synergy added: +5% Damage Taken per level

Combat Masteries

Throwing Mastery

  • Added chance to pierce

Combat Skills

Leap

  • Baseline minimum distance increased
  • Speed of the leap motion increased by 75%
  • Tooltip updated to now display Knockback Radius

Leap Attack

  • Speed of the leap motion increased by 75%
  • Damage baseline increased from 100% to 200%
  • Attack Rating baseline increased from 50% to 100%
  • Attack Rating per level increased from 15% to 20%
  • Leap synergy increased from +10% to +15% Damage per level

Berserk

  • Shout synergy replaced with Battle Orders

Double Throw

  • Added damage bonus with 16% baseline and 8% damage increase per level

Frenzy

  • Increased Stamina synergy added: +0.4 Seconds per Level

Elemental Skills

Firestorm

  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Molten Boulder

  • Missile speed increased by 100%. Missile range decreased by 50% (The overall travel length remains the same)
  • Casting Delay reduced from 2 seconds to 1 second
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
  • Volcano synergy increased from 10% to 12%

Fissure

  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Volcano

  • Molten Boulder synergy increased from 12% to 16%
  • Tooltip updated to now show Volcano duration
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Armageddon

  • Casting Delay has been removed for this skill
  • Physical Damage significantly increased
  • Tooltip updated to now display Physical Damage
  • Volcano synergy changed to increase Physical Damage instead of Fire Damage, and increased from 14% to 18%

Arctic Blast

  • Removed synergy from Hurricane
  • Base damage and level scaling increased by ~100% (also to compensate for the incorrect damage calculation in the past)
  • Controls are updated so that the skill now casts in free form and no longer locks onto one target at a time

Cyclone Armor

  • Can now be cast while in Werewolf or Werebear form

Twister

  • Damage scaling increased by 50%
  • Arctic Blast synergy added: +20% Stun Duration per level

Hurricane

  • Casting Delay removed
  • Can now be cast while in Werewolf or Werebear form

Shape Shifting Skills

  • The previous logic for shapeshifting attack speed has been restored. The new logic remains in place, and whichever resulting calculation is faster is the one that will be used in an attack.

Werewolf

  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
  • Changed how attack speed is determined while transformed as a Werewolf. Attack speeds while transformed should match attack speeds while untransformed (enhanced by the Werewolf’s increased attack speed).

Rabies

  • Attack Rating bonus increased from +7% to +10% per level
  • Poison Creeper synergy increased from 18% to 20%

Fury

  • Attack Rating bonus increased from +7% to +10% per level

Werebear

  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
  • Changed how attack speed is determined while transformed as a Werebear. Attack speeds while transformed should match attack speeds while untransformed.

Maul

  • Damage bonus per level increased from 20% to 30%
  • Attack Rating bonus increased from +20% to +40% baseline, and +10% to +15% per level
  • Tooltip Stun value will now properly cap at 10 seconds, which follows the core game’s Stun duration cap

Shock Wave

  • Maul synergy increased from 5% to 10%

Fire Claws

  • Damage increased by 75%
  • Removed synergy from Fissure
  • Removed synergy from Volcano

Summoning Skills

Oak Sage

  • Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
  • Physical Damage Resist in Normal Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%
  • Physical Damage Resist in Nightmare Difficulty reduced from 100% to 25%
  • Physical Damage Resist in Hell Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%

Heart of the Wolverine

  • Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
  • Physical Damage Resist in Normal Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%
  • Physical Damage Resist in Nightmare Difficulty reduced from 100% to 25%
  • Physical Damage Resist in Hell Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%

Spirit of Barbs

  • Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
  • Aura no longer returns a percentage of damage when hit. Now the aura will deal a flat amount of damage when the aura-effected targets are attacked.
  • Physical Damage Resist in Normal Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%
  • Physical Damage Resist in Nightmare Difficulty reduced from 100% to 25%
  • Physical Damage Resist in Hell Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%

Raven

  • Number of hits per Raven reduced from 12 to 5, and no longer increases per level (*Restored to original value)
  • Reduced the damage gain for skill ranges 2-8, 9-16, and 17-22
  • Attack Rating bonus per level increased from 15% to 30% (now also displays in the tooltip)
  • Modified the AI so that the Ravens attack more often
  • Damage level scaling significantly increased
  • Summon Spirit Wolf synergy added: +12% Damage per level
  • Summon Dire Wolf synergy added: +12% Damage per level
  • Summon Grizzly synergy added: +12% Damage per level

Summon Spirit Wolf

  • Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
  • Attacks now deal cold damage and chill for a duration (Provides utility with chilling and acts as an alternative damage type compared to Dire Wolves)
  • Damage level scaling increased by 10%
  • Base Life increased by about 80%
  • Life now increases by 10% per level
  • Updated the tooltip to display each synergy bonus value

Summon Dire Wolf

  • Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
  • Damage level scaling increased by 30%
  • Base Life increased by about 90%
  • Life synergy reduced from 25% to 15% (This is because the base life was increased, and Spirit Wolf and Grizzly now gain Life per level)
  • Updated the tooltip to display each synergy bonus value

Summon Grizzly

  • Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
  • Base Life increased by ~15%
  • Life now increases by 10% per level
  • Updated the tooltip to display each synergy bonus value

Poison Creeper

  • Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
  • Poison damage level scaling significantly increased
  • Life scaling increased by 100%
  • Rabies synergy added: +10% Poison Damage per level

Carrion Vine

  • Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
  • Life recovery has been reworked to be +1% Healing per level, instead of using a diminishing calculation ranging from 3%-12%

Solar Creeper

  • Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
  • Mana recovery has been reworked to be +3% Mana baseline with +1% Mana per level, instead of using a diminishing calculation ranging from 1%-8%

Summoning Skills

Raise Skeletal Mage

  • Percentage HP per level increased from 7% to 10%
  • Poison total damage scaling increased by about 750%. Poison duration no longer scales and now lasts 4 seconds
  • Cold damage scaling increased by about 50%
  • Lightning damage scaling increased by about 5%
  • The tooltip will now properly display the Life scaling per level

Blood Golem

  • Now gains Max Life per level
  • Damage scaling per level has been increased

Iron Golem

  • Thorns no longer return a percentage of damage when hit. Now thorns will deal a flat amount of damage when the aura-effected targets are attacked.

Fire Golem

  • Holy Fire level bonus per level increased from 1 to 2

Poison And Bone Skills

Bone Armor

  • Damage Absorbed per level increased from 10 to 15

Bone Spear

  • Teeth synergy increased from 7% to 8%
  • Bone Wall synergy increased from 7% to 8%
  • Bone Spear synergy increased from 7% to 8%
  • Bone Prison synergy increased from 7% to 8%

Bone Spirit

  • Teeth synergy increased from 6% to 8%
  • Bone Wall synergy increased from 6% to 8%
  • Bone Spear synergy increased from 6% to 8%
  • Bone Prison synergy increased from 6% to 8%

Curses

Weaken

  • Damage reduction now scales based on level, from just 33%, to now 33% and +1% per level

Decrepify

  • Tooltip updated to now show the status changes

Defensive Auras

Resist Fire

  • Tooltip now displays max resist bonus

Resist Cold

  • Tooltip now displays max resist bonus

Resist Lightning

  • Tooltip now displays max resist bonus

Offensive Auras

Blessed Aim

  • Tooltip now displays passive Attack Rating bonus

Holy Fire

  • Damage level scaling increased by about 70%
  • Salvation synergy increased from 6% to 10%

Thorns

  • Aura no longer returns a percentage of damage when hit. Now the aura will deal a flat amount of damage when the aura-effected targets are attacked.

Combat Skills

Sacrifice

  • Damage to self now reduces per level, from 8% to 8%-1%

Conversion

  • Maximum conversion chance increased from 50% to 90%

Smite

  • Tooltip now shows that the skill always hits

Holy Bolt

  • Removed synergy Blessed Hammer
  • Damage increased by 50%
  • Now pierces targets (Undead and Allies)
  • Prayer synergy increased from 15% to 20%

Fist of the Heavens

  • Casting Delay reduced from 1 second to 0.4 seconds
  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
  • Holy Bolts now pierce targets (Undead and Allies)
  • No longer forces you to attack when out of mana
  • Improved targeting functionality for auto acquiring enemies

Cold Skills

Frost Nova

  • Damage level scaling increased by about 25%

Blizzard

  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Frozen Orb

  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Frozen Armor

  • Base duration increased from 120 seconds to 144 seconds

Shiver Armor

  • Damage level scaling increased by about 25%
  • Base duration increased from 120 seconds to 144 seconds

Chilling Armor

  • Damage level scaling increased by about 200%
  • Duration bonus per level increased from 6 seconds to 12 seconds
  • Chill length bonus per level for level 16+ increased from 1 second to 2 seconds (matching Shiver Armor)
  • Defense baseline increased from 45% to 60%
  • Defense bonus per level increased from 5% to 7%
  • Frozen Armor damage synergy increased from 7% to 9%
  • Chilling Armor damage synergy increased from 7% to 9%

Lightning Skills

Nova

  • Static Field synergy added: +5% Lightning Damage per level

Thunder Storm

  • Static Field synergy added: +7% Lightning Damage per level
  • Duration baseline increased from 32 seconds to 144 seconds
  • Duration bonus per level increased from 8 seconds to 24 seconds
  • Tooltip updated to now display Radius

Energy Shield

  • Tooltip updated to display more information about the Mana consumed and the Telekinesis synergy

Fire Skills

Inferno

  • Base damage and level scaling increased by about 75% (also to compensate for the incorrect damage calculation in the past)
  • Warmth synergy increased from 13% to 16%
  • Controls are updated so that the skill now casts in free form and no longer locks onto one target at a time
  • Mana Cost baseline reduced from 7 Mana per second to 4 Mana per second
  • Range baseline increased by 75%

Blaze

  • Damage scaling increased by about 60%
  • Warmth synergy increased from 4% to 6%
  • Removed synergy from Fire Wall
  • Now also increases Run/Walk Speed by 2% per level
  • Tooltip now also displays Blaze duration

Fire Wall

  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Meteor

  • Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
  • Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay

Hydra

  • You can now spawn multiple hydras on controller when holding the button down
  • Casting delay removed
  • Limited max number of Hydra groups to 6

MERCENARIES

Hiring a Mercenary in Expansion mode will now always offer mercenaries that match your character’s Level, instead of having a randomized Level difference from your character’s Level.

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Act 1 – Rogue Archer

  • Updated each stat/skill gains in each difficulty to match so that there is no disadvantage of leveling up a Hell difficulty mercenary versus a Normal difficulty mercenary.

Cold Arrow

  • Added Freezing Arrow

Fire Arrow

  • Added Explosion Arrow

Act 2 – Desert Mercenary

  • Updated each stat/skill gains in each difficulty to match so that there is no disadvantage of leveling up a Hell difficulty mercenary versus a Normal difficulty mercenary.
  • Nightmare and Hell difficulty now have all 6 different aura types available from the Hire menu, instead of separating them out by 3 per difficulty. Normal is unchanged.

Thorns (Combat – Nightmare)

  • Thorns aura level scaling increased and will now continue scaling up beyond the highest-level threshold up to max level.

Act 3 – Iron Wolf

  • Updated each stat/skill gains in each difficulty to match so that there is no disadvantage of leveling up a Hell difficulty mercenary versus a Normal difficulty mercenary.
  • Life baseline and scaling increased by about 25% (Now has Life similar to the Rogue Archer)
  • Defense baseline and scaling increased by about 40% (Now has defense closer to the Rogue Archer)
  • Resistances baseline and scaling increased by about 20% (Now has the highest resistances baseline compared to other mercenaries)

Cold

  • Now casts Glacial Spike more often
  • Glacial Spike level scaling increased
  • Frozen Armor level scaling increased

Fire

  • Removed Inferno
  • Added Fire Bolt
  • Increased chance of the Iron Wolf casting Fire Ball
  • Added Enchant – Now the Iron Wolf will cast Enchant on himself, the player, and nearby allies

Lightning

  • Added Static Field
  • Charged Bolt level scaling increased
  • Increased chance of the Iron Wolf casting Lightning

Act 5 – Barbarian Warrior

  • Updated each stat/skill gains in each difficulty to match so that there is no disadvantage of leveling up a Hell difficulty mercenary versus a Normal difficulty mercenary.
  • Life baseline scaling increased (Now has the most life compared to other mercenaries)
  • Defense baseline and scaling increased and the scaling at higher levels was reduced (Now has the highest defense baseline compared to other mercenaries)
  • Bash level scaling increased and will no longer be capped at level 80
  • Stun level scaling increased and will no longer be capped at level 80
  • Added Battle Cry

RUNE WORDS

Insight

  • Now can also be used with Bows and Crossbows
New Rune Word
Allowed Items
Rune Order
Completed Stats
PlagueSwordCham + Shael + Um
  • 20% Chance to cast level 12 Lower Resist when struck
  • 25% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova on striking
  • Level 13-17 Cleansing Aura When Equipped (varies)
  • +1-2 All Skills
  • +20% Increased Attack Speed
  • +220-320% Enhanced Damage (varies)
  • -23% To Enemy Poison Resistance
  • 0.3% (0-29.7) Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
  • +25% Chance of Open Wounds
  • Freezes Target +3
  • PatternClawTal + Ort + Thul
  • +30% Faster Block Rate
  • +40-80% Enhanced Damage (varies)
  • 10% Bonus to Attack Rating
  • Adds 17-62 Fire Damage
  • Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
  • Adds 3-14 Cold Damage
  • +75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
  • +6 to Strength
  • +6 to Dexterity
  • All Resistances +15
  • Unbending WillSwordFal + Io + Ith + Eld + El + Hel
  • 18% Chance to cast Level 18 Taunt on striking
  • +3 To Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
  • +20-30% Increased Attack Speed (varies)
  • +300-350% Enhanced Damage (varies)
  • +9 To Maximum Damage
  • +50 To Attack Rating
  • +75% Damage to Undead
  • +50 Attack Rating Against Undead
  • 8-10% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
  • Prevent Monster Heal
  • +10 To Strength
  • +10 To Vitality
  • Damage Reduced By 8
  • +1 Light Radius
  • Requirements -20%
  • WisdomHelmPul + Ith + Eld
  • +33% Piercing Attack
  • +15-25% Bonus to Attack Rating (varies)
  • 4-8% Mana Stolen Per Hit (varies)
  • +30% Enhanced Defense
  • +10 Energy
  • 15% Slower Stamina Drain
  • Cannot Be Frozen
  • +5 Mana After Each Kill
  • 15% Damage Taken Goes to Mana
  • ObsessionStaffZod + Ist + Lem + Lum + Io + Nef
  • Indestructible
  • 24% Chance to cast level 10 Weaken when struck
  • +4 To All Skills
  • +65% Faster Cast Rate
  • +60% Faster Hit Recovery
  • Knockback
  • +10 To Vitality
  • +10 To Energy
  • Increase Maximum Life 15-25% (varies)
  • Regenerate Mana 15-30% (varies)
  • All Resistances +60-70 (varies)
  • 75% Extra Gold from Monsters
  • 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
  • Flickering FlameHelmNef + Pul + Vex
  • Level 4-8 Resist Fire Aura When Equipped (varies)
  • +3 To Fire Skills
  • -10-15% to Enemy Fire Resistance (varies)
  • +30% Enhanced Defense
  • +30 Defense Vs. Missile
  • +50-75 To Mana (varies)
  • Half Freeze Duration
  • +5% To Maximum Fire Resist
  • Poison Length Reduced by 50%
  • MistBow & CrossbowCham + Shael + Gul + Thul + Ith
  • Level 8-12 Concentration Aura When Equipped (varies)
  • +3 To All Skills
  • 20% Increased Attack Speed
  • +100% Piercing Attack
  • +325-375% Enhanced Damage (varies)
  • +9 To Maximum Damage
  • 20% Bonus to Attack Rating
  • Adds 3-14 Cold Damage
  • Freeze Target +3
  • +24 Vitality
  • All Resistances +40
  • NEW HORADRIC CUBE RECIPES

    1 Ral Rune + 1 Sol Rune + 1 Perfect Emerald + Normal Set WeaponExceptional Version of Set Weapon
    1 Lum Rune + 1 Pul Rune + 1 Perfect Emerald + Exceptional Set WeaponElite Version of Set Weapon
    1 Tal Rune + 1 Shael Rune + 1 Perfect Diamond + Normal Set ArmorExceptional Version of Set Armor
    1 Ko Rune + 1 Lem Rune + 1 Perfect Diamond + Exceptional Set ArmorElite Version of Set Armor

    SET ITEM BONUS CHANGES

    Arcanna’s Tricks

    • Increased +25 Mana to +50 Mana (2 Items)
    • Added Regenerate Mana 12% (3 Items)
    • Added +1 to All Skills (Full Set)

    Arctic Gear

    • Changed 6-14 Cold Damage to +2-198 to Maximum Cold Damage (+2 Per Character Level) (Full Set)

    Bul-Kathos’ Children

    • Increased +20 Fire Damage to +200 Fire Damage (Full Set)
    • Increased +25 Defense to +200 Defense (Full Set)
    • Added 10% Life Stolen Per Hit (Full Set)
    • Added +20% Deadly Strike (Full Set)

    Cathan’s Traps

    • Added Regenerate Mana 16% (2 Items)

    Civerb’s Vestments

    • Increased Fire Resist +15% to Fire Resist +25% (2 Items)
    • Added 25% Bonus to Attack Rating (Full Set)
    • Added 4-396 Defense (+4 Per Character Level) (Full Set)

    Cow King’s Leathers

    • Added 5-495 Defense (+5 Per Character Level) (2 Items)
    • Added +100 to Life (Full Set)
    • Added +1 To All Skills (Full Set)

    Infernal Tools

    • Added Maximum Mana 20% (Full Set)
    • Added Cannot Be Frozen (Full Set)

    Iratha’s Finery

    • Added +24% Piercing Attack (3 Items)

    Milabrega’s Regalia

    • Added Cannot Be Frozen (3 Items)
    • Added +2-198 To Lightning Damage (+2 Per Character Level) (2 Items)

    Naj’s Ancient Vestige

    • Added 1-148% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (+1.5 Per Character Level) (2 Items)
    • Increased Replenish Life +10 to Replenish Life +20 (Full Set)
    • Added +2 To Fire Skills (Full Set)
    • Added Increased Maximum Life 12% (Full Set)

    Sazabi’s Grand Tribute

    • Added Poison Length Reduced by 75% (2 Items)
    • Added +1 To All Skills (Full Set)
    • Added Damage Reduced by 16% (Full Set)

    Vidala’s Rig

    • Added 7% Mana Stolen Per Hit (2 Items)
    • Changed Adds 15-20 Cold Damage to +1-148 to Maximum Cold Damage (+1.5 Per Character Level) (Full Set)

    LEVEL AREA CHANGES

    • Players now must smash the Compelling Orb to enter the Durance of Hate, instead of killing the Council. This means the “Khalim’s Will” quest needs to be completed to use the Durance of Hate Level 2 waypoint.
    • Monster Levels in the following areas have been increased for Hell Difficulty:

    Area

    Previous Hell Level

    New Hell Level

    Act 1 – Underground Passage Level 28385
    Act 2 – Stony Tomb Level 17885
    Act 2 – Stony Tomb Level 27985
    Act 3 – Arachnid Lair7985
    Act 3 – Swampy Pit Level 18085
    Act 3 – Swampy Pit Level 28185
    Act 3 – Swampy Pit Level 38285
    Act 3 – Disused Fane8485
    Act 3 – Ruined Temple8485
    Act 3 – Forgotten Reliquary8485
    Act 3 – Sewer Levels 18485
    Act 5 – Abaddon8185
    Act 5 – Pit of Acheron8285
    Act 5 – Infernal Pit8385
    Act 5 – Drifter Cavern8485
    Act 5 – Icy Cellar8385

    GENERAL GAMEPLAY CHANGES

    • Arrow and Bolt max quantity increased to 500
    • Throwing weapon quantity has been increased by 50%
    • Character hit block will no longer apply while your character is playing a skill pre-cast animation (Block will still trigger for the skill’s post-cast animation).
    • Changed how attack speed is determined while dual-wielding weapons.  Swapping weapons between hands should no longer result in dramatically different attack speeds.
    • Character hit recovery will now have diminishing returns when being hit by another player.

    ITEM TOOLTIP CHANGES

    Old Tooltip

    New Tooltip

    Piercing Attack+X% Piercing Attack
    Quantity: [CURRENT STACK]Quantity: [CURRENT STACK] of [TOTAL]
    X% Chance of Open Wounds+X% Chance of Open Wounds
    X% Damage Taken Goes to Mana+X% Damage Taken Goes to Mana
    X% Chance of Crushing Blow+X% Chance of Crushing Blow
    Fire Absorb X%Fire Absorb +X%
    Cold Absorb X%Cold Absorb +X%
    Lightning Absorb X%Lightning Absorb +X%
    Magic Absorb X%Magic Absorb +X%
    X% Deadly Strike+X% Deadly Strike
    Hit Causes Monster to Flee X%Hit Causes Monster to Flee +X%

    BUG FIXES

    • Fixed an issue where Cloak of Shadows defense calculation was incorrect.
    • Fixed an issue where non-uber bosses were taking too little damage.
    • Fixed an issue where the Unbending Will Runeword was not correctly displaying some of its stats.
    • Fixed an issue where Civerb’s Vestments were granting more defense than intended.

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