f13.net

I can't decide between the Monk or the Wizard and I'm waffling between the two every hour.  I didn't get much beta experience, and I'm wondering if anyone can relay some of their insight of each class.

I love the wizard's utility and awesome visuals.  The monk just looks badass.  Hmm

Jay Wilson gives a brief overview of each class via IGN video: http://www.reddit.com/r/Diablo/comments/tlre7/jay_wilsons_guide_to_the_classes/

I was going to play a barbarian right up until I discovered I really, really love how the demon hunter plays. Scarf wearing douchebag is a go!

Monk felt more satisfying in a murdering dudes sense than the wizard for me, but I liked the wizard more than I expected, so I am no help at all! Whee!

If there's one with a pet and ranged damage, that.  If not, one with ranged damage.

All of them.

But I'll try Demon Hunter first. Bowazon is what I played most in D2 followed by Sorceress.

Monk for co-op with the missus, Witchdoctor for when I am alone.

Wizard. Not even a question I loved it so much in Beta.  

My 2nd class will probably be a WH though the early levels weren't fun the few times I tried it out.  It got better after L10, though.

My only play on the monk was prior to them getting reworked in the last few beta patches.  It seemed OK but I don't enjoy melee in these games as much as MMOs. Plus I didn't enjoy the spirit resource as much as the arcane or discipline ones.

Witch Doctor here. Though possibly trying petless if I can run without dogs/garg to allow for more cc and damage

I think all but the Barb can actually have a pet, and the monk is the only melee with a pet, but the Witch Doctor is generally considered the pet class as it can have up to 4 dogs and 1 gargantuan out at a time (both last until killed and have a one minute cooldown on re-summon). This leaves you with Wiz/WD/DH

DH/Wiz are usually considered pure dps classes and not really considered as a pet class (though they can each have a single pet/companion out the entire time). The WD can be pure DPS, but has some of the best options for crowd control and support, imo, as well as solid dps (estimation of dps is based on WD scaling as well as it did in open beta, so not 100% sure on that).

The stress test weekend gave me a chance to play everything.  I liked the Demon Hunter the best.

He said Demon Hunter had the most recent beta changes, and he was least familiar with Witch Doctor.  I don't know if either of these are good things.

Played everything to 13 in beta.

For me in order from first to last it will be Barb > Monk > Witch > Demon > Wizard

Want to see if playing a tank style role works for Barbarian in hardcore parties.

First run through will probably be with a monk, after that, who knows.

Monk.

I think Demon Hunter might be more my speed usually, but I didn't like it much in the beta.  Might try a Wizard if both of those peter out.

No clue.  I wasn't a huge fan of D2 (highest was an Amazon) and only played a little Witch Doctor in beta.  I mostly want to play something ranged, something that doesn't require too much clicking, and something that possibly won't be the most popular class.

I only had the chance to play during the stress test and  for a few hours, so everything is new to me. I'll play every class: my initial preference will probably go toward the Monk and the Demon Hunter.

Just dabbled a bit in beta with a Monk (since I knew I wouldn't be playing a melee class at first for release), but definitely a wizard. Loved the sorcerer or whatever in D2. AOE FTW.

Me thinks you are looking in the wrong genre here  :why_so_serious:

I didn't play beta and am almost completely unspoiled.  Judging by the descriptions though I'll probably go either Wizard or Monk during my first playthrough.  From what little I've seen they both look pretty satisfying.  I plan to eventually play all of them though.

Witchdoctor until my no good friend graduates his MBA program... then Monk with his Wizard most likely.

(http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/attachments/skins-552/58433d1245621448-hellscream-blp-barbarian.jpg)

Monk or Barbarian. I just kinda prefer melee classes. Maybe leaning towards monk since they're closest to my favorite class from D2, Paladins.

I will play a witch doctor first.

Got it narrowed down to Barb/Wizzie/DH. 

I've played a demon hunter and a wizard up to level 10? 11? in one of the beta-weekends. Apart from that I know absolutely nothing about the different classes. I did see a 15 second gameplay preview of a Monk which looked pretty cool, though - so I'll start with that.

Witch Doctor.

Barbarian - I played every class in the demo beta except Barbarian knowing that I would be spending most of my time playing one.

Demon Hunter to start but if a pet-less Witch Doctor works in harder difficulties that's what I may run.

I'm trying Wizard first based on how much I liked the Sorceress in D2.

Wizard here

Monk>Barb>Wiz>DH>WD

Didn't love the Necro in D2 which makes me assume I won't like the D3 equivalent pet class. Looking forward to playing them all in time though.

My least favorite class in D2 was the assassin followed closely by the Amazon.  So, yeah, no Demon Hunter until I'm bored of the other things, I think.

I plan on starting with Barbarian and then probably Sorcerer.

I'll start with a female witch doctor based mainly on aesthetics, especially the sounds, didn't enjoy the fem wizard talk.

Monk.

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think i might go Barb for first playthrough.  Nearly nothing beat the mobility fun of leap in the beta.  Leaping across pits, up and down ledges was just too much fun.

Witch Doctor, Wizard, can't really decide.

I'm goin for a wiz just for shear battlefield control.  A pet-based witch doctor is next sexiest.

Male wizard is hotter.

<cough>

Yes but he is also severely lacking in ability to summon a gargantuan toad.

The Demon Hunter may be seen as an equivalent of the Assassin, but in practice I beg to differ.  Maybe it's because of the way that skill execution and gameplay is newer/updated, and that I don't have to worry about arrows, but I really liked the DH compared to the Assassin.

I cannot deny this SCIENCE FACT.


And I agree with Luckton in that the DH didn't really feel very much like the D2 assassin at all. I didn't play that class very much, though, so it is possible I've simply completely forgotten in the many years that have passed since then. I don't remember especially loving the assassin, though, and I really rather like the DH, so uh ... take that as you will, I guess.

I notice a distinct aversion to my Barbarian brethren.

I liked the barbarian (and visually I adore her) but I found the monk melee more my speed or something, I dunno. And I was blindsided by the DH, I didn't like it at all the time I tried it at Blizzcon, so I didn't expect to like it in the beta-demo ... but it's the only one I played to the end because I really wanted to just ... keep playing it. The rest I ditched once I got a decent feel for the class. But the DH? I wanted to take my scarf-wearing douchebag further and further because WHEE THIS IS FUN.

All of them, but Monk first.

Monk first.  Leap attack is the only thing that makes me think about reconsidering.  In my fantasies the fact that you only need one of each character will give me the patience to get all five classes to 60, and then every good item I find will be useful! but I doubt I'll actually replay it that many times.

Monk > Wizard > Barb

Something ranged. Playing wizard this very moment, but will give the huntress a whirl too.

I tried Wizard, Monk, and DH during the open beta weekend.

Wizard was a blast (and I love me some spellcaster insanity), but as somebody who generally is not into melee characters, I was blown away by how much incredible fun Monk was.  Gonna be a tossup between those two for first/main character.

DH felt like it was lacking enough variety of skills in lv1-10 to really get a feel for the class and didn't grab me the same way.

Going to create a character for each class and play based on whichever badass weapons that drops. Cause playing with a good weapon makes such a big difference between feeling meh about the attacks and woah things start getting splattered.

Probably start with a wizard, they have great flexibility where weapons are concerned, being able to use practically all weapons except mighty weapons (barb) .... I'm such a min/maxer at heart....

Starting with a male wizard. Ray of Frost spam! Possibly witch doctor next.

I'm torn between Wizard and Barb; one will be my solo toon while the other I'll be duoing exclusively with a friend so realistically both are getting played.

My eldest has informed us she wishes to play this, so now I'm probably going to choose the guy who stands out there and tanks with his face.  I presume that's monk or barbarian?

Playing a barbarian woman as my primary character, and a demon huntress to fool around with friends. I gotta say I LOVE the accent of the barbarian girl: "I need more fooRy!". Cracks me up every time.

My Monk keeps getting nifty drops for other classes.  I think Wizard is next due to some of the recent ones...

Started a manly Wizard on the US servers, since statistics show that women find male Wizards hotter.

Tangentially related, who of you plays/considers playing a Hardcore character?

I'm in act 2 hardcore w/ a  barb. I'm going to sleep.

If you are playing hardcore, add me, Hoax415#1261

I'll be running some HC, but don't think I'll be doing a blind run. Likely a Barb or Wiz for HC

I'll be running hardcore, probably split time (and slightly trailing) my regular dude.

Hardcore is if you die that's it?

Ick. Well at least I'd never get much invested in a character. Either that or I'd have to change my gameplay style to not get up to answer the door or my children or whatever.

I'll be playing a hardcore at some point, though I'll never talk the wife in to playing it with me so I'll have both.

Having fun with wizard. I do recommend turning on "Elective Mode" in the options menu.

Absolutely.

My internet is pretty rock solid, but I was playing Normal today and got a 10-second lag death...so you know, maybe no hardcore for a while.

Yeah I can never play hardcore with my current Internet connection and/or provider, as it randomly drops out multiple times a day.

Digging the wizard so far. Just killed the skeleton king (at level 9.5) and spent some time and gold in town. I LOVE the visual effect of Ray of Frost...hopefully it will be duplicated later on in a spell that is a bit more useful!  :grin: Wall of Force is pretty sweet too.

Oh yes, together with the auto-casting/continuous stream effect of the spell my sorceress feel like a walking plasma gun!

For anyone familiar with Starcraft 2, imagine a Protoss void ray wearing a skirt! Pew Pew!

Awww yeaaah.  :heart:


EDIT: By the way, I recommend playing with Quinton, my DH is dual wielding crossbows (looooool) because of him! *I* was getting fuck all for bow drops.

Loving the bejeezus out of Monk.  So much fun.  Played about 3.5 hours Monk/Wizard combo with my friend and it was a total blast.  It really started to feel very Diablo like at the end of act 1.  Perhaps the beginnign just felt stale to me because I did it like 25 times during beta  :awesome_for_real:

But seriously, they've absolutely nailed it.

DH is a couple slots down on my to-play list and I don't have that much stash space.  Seemed a pity to just grind up some nice looking crossbows for materials when somebody in the party could use 'em.

I kept getting nice wizard drops as monk, so now I have a lv11 wizard too.

I felt a little bad I was also getting fuck all for monk drops. If you had been a barbarian, I would've covered you in blues!

So I tried WD on a whim today and he's now my main.  Screw wiz.
I mean really, I throw giant jars of poisonous spiders at things!  If they get past that my ravenous zombie dogs chew on them whilst the souls of the dead grab them from below and my swarms of flaming BATS gnaw at them from above.  What a dynamic class.

The wiz beats it in control and dmg. though so far... which I guess technically pwns the WD.  However, I've just gotten a Fear ability so yah... doesnt look sexay but an awesome skill obviously.  Tough class to play.

No worries.  Playing in a group is massively better than solo, at least with decent people (haven't tried any random public games yet).

Four people just rocks.  Was in a party with Furiously, Ghambit, and a coworker of mine earlier today.  Crazy fun.  Wizard, Monk, DH, WD.

Just throwing this out there - I hate everyone lucky enough to be playing right now while the rest of the cool people are working. :oh_i_see:

Well, maybe this makes you feel better (kinda indirectly) -- I'm taking the week off (paid vacation), and my boss posts this today:

I'm just keeping this (http://www.error37.com/) webpage up at work. Almost like playing the real thing amirite?

Must be nice.  I'm not sure my manager even has a personal PC. 

That's pretty sick Quinton.

And yeah Murdoc, if only it was interactive so whenever you enter any account/pword info it popped up an error window to fully simulate the experience :awesome_for_real:

Disintegrate.  Level 21.   It was in Ray of Frost's place earlier in the Beta and they moved it.  I always felt it was because Wizards refused to use any other spells.

Disintergrate/Ray of Frost=the reasons I'm playing Wizard.  :drill:

Disintergrate
Lvl 26-Convergence:  Widen that beam O'Death!
Lvl 30-Chaos Nexus:  40% wpn dmg to nearby enemies, isn't a damage field nice?
Lvl 39-Volatility:  Enemies killed by the beam have a 35% chance to explode, causing 395% wpn dmg to all with 8 yards
Lvl 48-Entrophy:  Turns into a cone!  And not a delicious icecream cone, a bitter tasting 178% WD cone of pwnage!
Lvl 59-Intensify:  Set phasers to overload, ramping damage up to 201% WD!

Oh HELL yes. That will be all kinds of fun!

Starting to see the shortcomings of my lil girl wizard in Field of Misery. Her magic missile doesn't do well against groups, but the shock spell is clownshoes, so I died a couple of times until I learned to freeze, run away, forcewave, run away, etc. I need a big AOE with low mana ARCANE POWER cost.

Yea - the difficulty seems to ramp up by a large factor right there. I got hit twice and was dead.

Watch out for the fucking trees.  Those blooms they drop will take 10-20% health every second when they sprout. At least it seemed that way when it got wtfpwn'd by two gang banging me.

For wizards having AOE problems.. hit level 11  - Runed Arcane Orb.   :heart:

Shot is too unpredictable, don't bother with it.  You're a young wizard, embrace the 'omgwtfRUN' of it.

So, Monk: I've been playing it for 10 levels so far and ok, it's quite repetitive, but I LOVE the sense of "impact" (as it should be) the class gives when you fight.

Yeah, I keep trying to switch it up and then almost die. So I'm sticking with teleporting AoE punches and knockback kicks with AoE heals, which is still freakin' awesome.

Think I'll play a non-HC hunter for when I don't want adrenaline spikes from mouseclicks.

Thank you, now I feel like I'm playing instead of waiting for UPS to arrive. Still.

Witchdoctor is fucking ridiculous. Dogs and toads are AoE silliness.

Monk is pretty fun. They definitely toughened up the enemies from the beta so they don't just fall over in 1 hit now.

I'm kinda annoyed they removed so many weapons from the early item tables for the blacksmith. Actually, I'd kill for some blues to salvage at all, because they aren't wanting to drop.

So far I've only tried the monk but I'm enjoying being the Jackie Chan of the underworld. Looking forward to trying the Demon Hunter.

Try to avoid grouping with more than one witch doctor, there is shit flying everywhere and there are so many dogs and frogs and spiders and shit that I basically just stand in the middle of what APPEARS to be a group of mobs and swing my axe until everything stops moving or runs back to stand by the witch doctors.

On the other hand, my barbarian is <3.

Yeah, WD is turning out to be even better than I thought it would be so far. I've gone with leaping spiders/charging zombie/fire bats (runed with dire bats) and soul harvest (runed for +mana) and things just melt. Only lvl 15 using the +mana passive and it's a good time. Cant wait for grusome feast + soul harvest + dire bats :grin:

Yah, I do believe I'm WD for life at this point.   But to echo Sjofn, the class is too flashy to have more than one.   I'll probably go with more of a control build down the road.

I love WD even though it's a little weak in the early levels. It blows up stuff nicely.

Started off with a Wiz and didn't like it too much at the start.  Picked up a Monk and holy shit it's awesome.

demon hunter.

I'm at 30% Magic Find on my barbarian. He's going to be my run through everything a million times lootwhore. Started him off on Normal non-hardcore. He'll move up through the difficulties, but once he's going, I'll start in on my actual HC Characters.

Have a Shadow Demon Hunter (whatever, fucking Archer/Rogue thing) named Vayne also. She smells black magics.

Barbarian to start with, other classes as needed for using awesome loot that drops.

Monk class is just so satisfying.  Before the servers took a shit last night, I got the teleport rune.  My brother in law was like "Fuck you, get back here!".  I was zipping all over the map.  Lulz.

Really liking Barbarian, mass aoe death with cleave and rend and revenge.

A little early to start poking at stuff, but right now I see no reason to ever not use a one handed weapon and a shield.  Every two hand I've found is a very minor upgrade, and using two 20dps weapons gives me about 4 higher dps than one of them and a good shield.

Demon Hunter goes like this.  Spam Chakram and watch everything die.  Vault back or forward depending on if anything is still alive.  Spam Chakram.  Get upgraded Twin Chakram.  Giggle.

The attack speed of two one-handed weapons for a monk at least was a huge boon.

So far, DH. Pretty fun, will probably roll a monk though.

Also, if I ignore you there is a 50% chance it may be my son/daughter leveling for me ;) Was nice to be level 6 already after I got the babies to bed....

Im going to start in on Hardcore tonight. I took a WD through the game yesterday, and think I'll do that again on HC. I felt pretty safe for most of the game, even not knowing what was coming or what all my skills could do. My basic skill setup was Darts (shards) Groping Eels, Poison Skull Thing (with the passive that reduces damage enemies deal) Soul Harvest, Gargantuan, and Spirit Walk. My 2 other passives were the chance to spawn fetishes and the increased damage/mana cost one. I found that when grouping or fighting bosses, the Witch Doctor Fetish Shaman skill that buffs attack speed is insane. The big reason I want a WD in hardcore is that I think any sort of farming group/runs will want a WD for the buff.

Anyone else interested in HC or have some thoughts on it?


As a sidenote, It took me about half the game to realize how awesome Soul Harvest is. Having a 5stack up more then doubled my damage, and with some attention you can pretty much keep a 5 stack up nearly all the time. Comparing notes with a demon hunter I randomly grouped with, I think WD is intended to have Soul Harvest up. I had ~175 dps listed in act 3, and he had ~375. Once I got 5 stacks of Soul Harvest, I was just north of ~400.

I started with a wizard last night and managed to get her to lvl 14 before the server shit the bed.  I loved the laser beam spell (frost something or other) and the big slow moving ball of death.  I'm probably going to try a WD tonight to see if I like playing the "pet" class.  I know a few people here at work that are playing a WD and they're all raving about it. 

I'm going with a Wizard. Level 11 so far, I'm on the next adventure after the Skeleton King.

I love love love Frost Ray. I use it on things that would die to a Magic Missile.
It's also very nice for kiting.


I've discovered that spending money to train up the Smith artisan gives him "Journeyman" recipes, which you can't even wear until level 15. FYI.

Early levels of WD are a bit goofyuninteresting.  But that's all I had time for, considering how late the servers came back up for me (I told schild "going to bed" the second the servers let me in).  Class indecision is a killer when you don't have much time to play.  Of course, the runed darts that you start off with just get retarded if you have a decent weapon.

Love the guy's voice acting, however.  Goofy voodoo guy ftw.

I'm not sure who else, but Hoax and I are around level 30 (Monk + Barb). Thinking of starting a DH there instead of normal just 'cause I find it way more engaging. Until my first character dies.

I can see Nightmare+ being an issue and really having to focus on defense, but for now 50/50 DPS/CC seems to work well.

It gets better.  You can use exploding FROGS after a few levels.

God I love spamming those things.  Even in town.

I never liked the troll voodoo bullshit in WoW, but for whatever reason it works really well here. However, I do want to hear my character, just once, scream YOGA FLAME! when he unleashes fire bats.  :grin:

WD spells look crazy and fun but I don't want to bother keeping Soul Harvest up.  Are there any skills you would sub in to make up for no Soul Harvest or is it a must have with the DPS bump?

Whoever voices / wrote for the witch doctor made him incredibly polite and thoughtful.  I imagined more twitchiness from a guy vomiting fire bats.

Only managed to play long enough to get a wizard to 5.  Probably what I'm going with but I'll have to try the others out first.

I don't think the WD has anything else like Soul Harvest. Once you get to 32, you can rune it so it lasts for 1 min. It can be annoying to try and keep up, but it gives you an insane buff. On the other hand, you can still dish out some major damage without it. Packs might take a few extra casts of your spell of choice, but they still go down right quick. Big Bad Voodoo provides a huge attack speed buff (think one of the frenzy shrines, but even better) but its on a 2min cooldown.

Definitely interested. So far only 19 on my wizard, so want to spend some more time getting a feel for the class and familiarity with the content before dipping my toes into HC.

Barbarian for me! Just like Diablo 2.

Likewise here for my Monk

Same here.  Warrior -> Barbarian -> Barbarian for all 3.

In keeping with tradition, Wizard all the way, just as I've done since Diablo 1.

Started a WD... WOOOO 2 Yellows on the SK!

Man, everyone took off for work or something. I mean, I only got to play 45 minutes or so on release day because of work and a side-job I had to do and that put me like 10 levels behind everyone. :(

I'm in the same boat.  I finally got to play some last night, but only up to level seven or so.  Then I'm moving this weekend and I don't have an internet connection until the 22nd.   Maybe I can camp out at the local coffee shop or something and catass there, using their wifi.   :oh_i_see:

What little I got to play of the monk was fantastic though.  It's such a satisfying melee character.

Still higher than I am... then again, I figure to be playing this a long time so I am dragging my ass a bit. That and my buddy in Chicago is waiting to graduate from his MBA program before he jumps in, which is not till June 10th, so my DH will go neglected till then.

Man, everyone took off for work or something catassed. I mean, I only got to play 45 minutes or so on release day because of work and a side-job I had to do servers were down/RL and that put me like 10 levels behind everyone. :(

If you're only 10 levels behind, just jump into a game with one of us.  You catch-up quickly because of the xp/ level increase and the additional person always helps more than hurts. (unless that person is level 1 and you're level 30+, I imagine)

Really the range is that big? I thought I'd just be snuffing it every ten seconds.

That's just based on me dragging my wife's wizard around behind my own at level 22.  Had to play a little more cautiously than I normally do but it was doable.

I jumped into a game as the 3rd person as a level 5 WD and they were 15ish.  I died a few times but it was doable (resurrection achievements for everyone!).  The XP didn't seem any faster than on my own, though, so it seemed like it is just for the company/people to hide behind (unless I exceeded some level gap penalty).

You went from 5 to 7 before I even noticed what level you were, dude!

That would have happened that fast on my own!

There was certainly more loot, though.

Be prepared- there is a good chance I will be jumping into someone's game later with my wizard. I was trying to keep the storyline straight, but I am now duoing my barb with a buddy, so I will see the storyline there. This frees my wiz up for pure loot whoring goodness.

 :awesome_for_real:

Still playing Wiz mostly - pro tip, 2 wizards grouped is *awesome*. Calapine & I tore Act III a new one yesterday.

Also been playing a monk, which took some getting used to. Having the 10% run speed buff makes soloing a lot faster, in fact I prefer the monk solo so far, much faster for completing quests.

I also started a demon hunter because I wanted another ranged class to group with a friend of mine who's playing a barb and my wiz had out-leveled him too much.

Finished the Normal game on Monk.  Going to be doing more Monk in nightmare and finish up Normal on Wizard.  Still loving Monk.  So. Much. Fun.

I think I'm going keep going with my Demon Hunter instead of Witch Doctor.  WD is kind of a pain in the ass to play, although I suppose he'll get easier in a couple levels.  Got both through Magda last night.   Just seem to be having more fun with the DH. 

I'm finding that I'm playing my WD almost as a DH with an annoying buff I need to keep up, a decent snare, some pets that die instantly, and a bunch of spells I hate using.  Just a really oddly balanced class early on.

Act 3 is rad.  It is EXACTLY what I want from a Diablo game- hundreds of mobs to blow up!   :drill:

I seem to have played this the way I usually do... I now have one of everything!  :awesome_for_real:

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/31210803/d3_chars.jpg)

... I'm envious of you I have to say

Just played the first Public Game at Inferno difficulty, full group of 4. It's a butcher run...no hickups, Warden is a pushover...

Butcher fight: Around 20% health everyone but me is dead. I manage to hang on and finish him, then ress the groupmates. Players in chat: "You are a hero!"

Made my day. I am so proud of myself, I could explode!  ;D ;D

Wow!

Phyre and I attempted the Butcher like three times before we got him down prior to his floor-fully-erupting-bullshit-rage-timer. Poor Phyre had to watch from his gravemarker for most of the fights...

So congratz on dropping him - I know how that fight goes. :)

The timer on that fight is complete horseshit.

i see what you did there ;)


Bah! Come back to EU side! It's all stable and everything now :p