Diablo 3 Skills & Stats

"Diablo, you old beast, what else is new? Changed anything about the skill system?
What do mean by 'Everything'...?!"

Indeed, it seems that the Diablo 3 Skill System isn't as much an update to the old one as a new, modern look at the concept of such. So, if you happen to be a long-time Diablophile like me, you may want to take a seat, grab a coffee and pay close attention as we try to sum up to breakdown the changes into a form that even the most nostalgic of you will understand.

And, for the love of God, stop raging at the very sight of change! Sometimes, change is good. Yeah, this is one of those times.

In Diablo 2 what you get was 1 skill point and 5 stat points per level, which are used to give you newer and improved skills and boost your passive power respectively.

This whole system is kind of "caged." What I mean by that is: if you want to build a powerful character you have to choose one path in which you'll spend ALL your skill-points (paths are series of skills that boost each-other, thus limiting your choice). This is usually done via looking up a build online and abiding it religiously.

Spending a few skill-points outside of the build quickly results in a weaker, inferior character, that is doomed in any form of PvP (Player versus Player) combat.

Same goes for the Stat System: if you want to have a competent character you'll have to abide certain, objectively overpowered builds.

While Diablo 3's Skill Tree may look visually similar, I can assure that it's a completely different beast. Blizzard takes a few chances with a new concept here, a concept they believe will "un-cage" the old Skill System. If you want to check it out, there's this so-called Skill Calculator on the official Diablo 3 website. You may want to press the gem at the end of the page while you're there (Easter egg). ;).

Much like in Diablo 2, one gets a number of skill/stat points per level, but what sets Diablo 3 apart is that you are free to re-allocate all of your stats whenever you please (sure, it's quite costly and, to an extent, quite risky, but what matters is that it is possible).

Another important addition is the Runestone System. There are five different types of runes one can find in Diablo 3. These runes are divided in levels from 1 (weaker) to 7 (stronger) and are a form of socket gems, the difference being that instead of going in items, they go in different skills and are forever bonded to the skill they are placed in. Every single one of these runes affects your character differently, allowing for further customization, which is legen... wait for it... dary!

All in all, the new system looks very promising and, personally, I see the changes as quite welcome while eagerly waiting for the Diablo III release. It won't be long now...