Patch 2.0.1 will introduce our updated Paragon leveling system (often referred to as "Paragon 2.0"), adding even more end-game character advancement and replayability. This update will affect all Diablo III accounts across all regions as the patch is implemented, and is currently available for testing on the Patch 2.0.1 PTR and Reaper of Souls Closed Beta.
For those of you who haven't yet experimented with this new system, here's a first look.
What's Changing?
The initial implementation of the Paragon system introduced in patch 1.0.4 was designed to provide players with additional end-game progression, offering bonuses for experience gained past the standard level cap. This system was created to accompany and complement the more innate item-based progression in Diablo III, which is all about finding powerful artifacts and putting them to use against the demonic legions of the Burning Hells.
While the original version of the Paragon leveling system achieved its many goals, with time players would max out at level 100 and no longer feel rewarded for vanquishing evil. With patch 2.0.1, we're making three big changes to the Paragon system that are aimed at giving you greater control over your hero, promoting variety in build options, and offering more character customization than ever before.
Change #1: Goodbye Level Cap
The first change we're making with Paragon 2.0 is removing the level cap, so you will always be able to earn Paragon experience once you've reached max level. Play as much as you like you'll always be able to earn more Paragon levels!
Change #2: Shared Paragon Levels
The second change is that Paragon levels are now account-wide per game mode (i.e. Normal and Hardcore). All Normal heroes on an account will share a Paragon level. Similarly, all Hardcore heroes on an account will share a Paragon level. After patch 2.0.1 goes live, any Paragon experience you gain on your Normal or Hardcore heroees will contribute to your account's Normal Shared Paragon level or Hardcore Shared Paragon level, respectively.
We made this change so players wouldn't feel obligated to continue playing the same hero over and over again in order to maximize their farming efficiency. We want players to have fun with the game, to experiment with different classes, and to feel rewarded for their time investment, regardless of what hero they're playing. We also want everyone to fully enjoy the new content coming in Reaper of Souls including the Crusader class without feeling as though they've "wasted Paragon levels" on a previous hero.
While only max-level heroes can earn shared Paragon experience and contribute to your account's shared Paragon level, all heroes (regardless of level) will be eligible to receive Paragon Points our third major change to the Paragon leveling system.
Change #3: Paragon Points
As noted, the third change is that the rewards for gaining Paragon levels have drastically changed. In Patch 2.0.1, the static Magic Find, Gold Find, and class stat bonuses awarded for each Paragon level are being replaced by spendable Paragon Points.
In the new system, whenever you gain a Paragon level, you will receive a Paragon Point to allocate at your discretion. Paragon Points are earned in four separate categories: Core, Offense, Defense, and Utility, and the Paragon level you earn will determine the category in which that Paragon Point can be spent. Paragon level 1 will give you a point to spend in a Core stat, Paragon level 2 will give you a point in Offense, Paragon level 3 will give you a point to spend in Defense, and Paragon level 4 will give you a point to spend in Utility. Paragon Point progression for all future levels will follow this same pattern (sometimes referred to as round-robin).
In addition, each category also four different attributes. Spending points in these attributes will provide specific bonuses for your hero.
Core points can be spent on your class's primary stat, Vitality, Movement Speed, or bonus Class Resource.
Offensive points focus on increasing your damage output and efficiency, and include Attack Speed, Cooldown Reduction, Critical Hit Chance, and Critical Hit Damage.
Defensive points include stats that help improve your survivability. Options include bonus Life percentage, bonus Armor, Resist All, and Life Regeneration.
Utility points include more specialized stats that allow players to refine their builds. These points can be spent on boons like Area Damage, Resource Cost Reduction, Life on Hit, and Gold Find.
At present, all attributes in each category other than core stats (Strength, Intelligence, Dexterity, and Vitality) have a cap on the number of points that can be allocated to them, which also means there is a cap to the total number of Paragon Points you can accumulate in three of the four categories. By the time you reach Paragon 800, you will have maxed the number of points that can be allocated to the Offensive, Defensive, and Utility categories and all future Paragon levels you earn going forward will grant you a Paragon Point in the Core stat category instead.
Additional Details:
- The new Paragon system is account-wide; all heroes will benefit from the gained bonuses, including your newly created characters!
- Your account's Paragon Point pool is not shared between your heroes. Instead, heroes on your account will each get their own set of Paragon Points to spend independently (e.g. you can spend your Paragon Points differently for each hero). To provide an example, if your account's Normal Shared Paragon level is 100, all Normal heroes on your account will each get 100 Paragon Points to distribute as you see fit.
- All heroes will be able to contribute to Shared Paragon levels equally. There are no bonuses or burdens for Paragon leveling multiple heroes of the same class.
- Be sure to experiment! You can reset your Paragon Points at any time without having to pay a single gold coin. Respecs occur on the hero level, not the account level, so respeccing on one hero will not reset your Paragon Points on other heroes.
To provide an example, here's a new level 1 hero. This hero will begin with a Shared Paragon level of 127 as well as 127 Paragon Points, which can be allocated at will to the four different categories.
Transitioning to the New System
Heroes who have gained Paragon experience under the old system will transition seamlessly to the new system. When Paragon 2.0 goes live with patch 2.0.1, we'll being adding up all the Paragon experience on each of your heroes and then using that combined total (the total amount of Paragon experience you have, not the total number of Paragon levels) to determine your Shared Paragon level. Again, this will be broken down by game type Normal and Hardcore.
Players can distribute their earned points through the Paragon interface, accessed by clicking the "Paragon" button located in your hero's character sheet.
Additional Details:
- Please note that legacy Paragon levels will not convert to Paragon 2.0 levels on a one-to-one ratio, and that the number of Paragon levels is not being totaled, just the amount of Paragon experience.
- The Paragon experience curve has changed with patch 2.0.1 as well. With the transition to Paragon 2.0, your Shared Paragon level will be at least as high as the highest Paragon level hero on your account.
- We have also decided that the valiant deeds of Hardcore heroes who died beyond level 60 deserve commemoration. Dead Hardcore heroes will contribute their cumulated Paragon experience to an account's Hardcore Shared Paragon level total.
- After Paragon 2.0 goes live, if you are level 60 and do not have the Reaper of Souls enabled on your account, you will continue to earn Paragon experience in the new system. This is because you are still technically at the level cap. However, if you are level 60 and decide to enable the expansion on your account, you will stop earning Paragon experience. This is because the expansion increases the level cap to 70. Once you reach level 70, you will start to accrue Paragon experience again from where you left off. (So, basically: Only max-level characters will be able to earn Paragon experience. If you don't have the expansion, max-level = 60. If you have the expansion, max-level = 70.)
- Under Paragon 2.0, if a character dies or is deleted, the amount of Paragon experience it contributed to your Shared Paragon level will not be lost. This is a benefit of having Paragon experience stored at the account level, rather than at the character level.
- Lastly, you will keep the portraits you have already earned in the first version of the Paragon system.
Try Paragon 2.0 on the PTR
You can experience the new Paragon system coming in patch 2.0.1 on the PTR. Check out how your heroes feel with new stats, play around with different stat builds by spending Paragon Points, and check out the new Paragon progression curve. Once you've tried it out, visit the PTR forums to leave your feedback we'd love to hear what you think!
Blizzard Quote [source]
...but the minions of Hell grow stronger.
Lore seekers and theorycrafters, take note: the Crusader class page and skill calculator are now available in the Diablo III Game Guide!
The Crusader Class Page
The Crusader class page is a vast repository of sacred knowledge, containing key details about these unyielding champions of the Light. On the page, you will find a litany of practical information including core class mechanics, character background, unique equipment, a resource overview, an armor progression preview, combat screenshots, artwork, and more.
Updated Skill Calculator
In addition to these high-level highlights, the class page also provides a comprehensive breakdown of Crusader skills and abilities. If you're looking to challenge Malthael's armies in Westmarch and beyond, be sure to explore the Active, Passive, and Progression sub-pages to learn more about the divine powers your Crusader can wield. We also encourage you to experiment with new builds using our updated Skill Calculator!
For more information about Crusader lore and history, click here. For a sneak peek at the upcoming Crusader short story, "The End of Her Journey," click here.
To learn about other recent changes made to the Game Guide, click here.
Blizzard Quote [source]
While some players might revel in the nitty gritty of combat skills and techniques, others like myself have an insatiable taste for the flavorful histories that round out (and give context to) the heroes of Sanctuary.
Our newest champion is no exception, and story developer Robert Brooks has been hard at work weaving a tale of intrigue about the Crusader and her mission. His narrative will not only give you an inside look at how this nephalem's journey comes to pass, but also an understanding of who she is as an individual.
To give you a glimpse of the crusade to come, we've prepared a special sneak peek of "The End of Her Journey," available below. Enjoy!
Anajinn was reading through a thick tome when he entered the library. "Anajinn, or whatever your name is, you need to leave now." She glanced up at him and turned a page, tracing along the text with her gauntleted fingers as she read.
"I heard some angry words out there," she said.
"There's a man… a paladin. He says you're a heretic," Reiter said.
She laughed. "I suppose he would." Her eyes never left the book. Reiter stammered incoherently for a moment. "Did he threaten to kill me?" she asked.
"Well, not… Yes." Reiter tried to make his voice firm. "He's waiting outside for you now."
"Nice of him to send you to warn me."
She continued to read. Reiter shifted uncomfortably. "Aren't you going to… face him?"
"Eventually. If he's still there," she said. "I have a lot of reading left. Maybe he'll find something better to do."
Reiter felt utterly helpless. Dragging her out seemed like a bad idea. Still, he pressed forward. "Anajinn, I want you to leave my inn. Right now." She didn't immediately respond, and Reiter exploded. "What is wrong with you? What is in that book that's more important than a man trying to kill you? Why in the Hells have you come back to my inn?"
Anajinn sighed and set down her book, sitting up straight. Her armor clacked together lightly. "Your father asked my master—"
"The real Anajinn? The first one?" Reiter interrupted without thinking.
She didn't seem to take offense. "Her, yes. But she wasn't the first. Anajinn began her crusade a couple centuries ago," she said. Reiter blinked at that, but she moved on. "Your father asked all about our crusade. He didn't share that with you?" Reiter shook his head, lips pressed together. "Then I'll be brief. I'm searching for something to save my faith."
"From… what?"
Anajinn's smile was sad. "Decay. Corruption."
"So why does this paladin hate you so much?"
"Would you be happy to have someone tell you your faith is flawed at its core? Doomed to rot and cause untold suffering and pain?" She sighed. "I don't think this paladin outside is of high rank. Knowledge of the crusade is suppressed to all but the leaders of his order. If he were one of them, he would not wait patiently."
"What would he do?"
"He would level your inn to kill me." Anajinn's expression hardened. "I don't know whether I can talk sense into him. If I can't, I'll likely need to leave town. So until I'm ready to leave, I'm going to finish my reading."
"But he threatened to kill me too!" There. It was out.
A pause. "Did he?"
"Well, not in so many words…"
Anajinn cut him off. "But you felt threatened." It wasn't a question. Anajinn closed her book. "Then I will leave immediately. I don't want you to feel at risk because of me.
"But this book," she said, holding it up. "Would you be willing to sell it? I can pay a fair price."
Reiter stared at her.
Are you excited to read more? We are too and look forward to releasing "The End of Her Journey" by Robert Brooks in its entirety on diablo3.com next week!
In the meantime, be sure check out the other class short stories we've published (if you haven't already):
Blizzard Quote [source]
Diablo III patch 2.0.3 is now live in the Americas. Check out the full patch notes below to learn all about the latest changes.
Patch 2.0.3 Hotfixes are available here.
Important: Please note that you will not be prompted to download patch 2.0.3 until the patch is live in your home region. If you are logging in from a European or Asian client, you will need to wait for this patch to release in that region before it can be installed. Additionally, if your home region is in the Americas, you will be unable to log into Europe or Asia using Global Play after patch 2.0.3 is live until those regions have also patched.
Diablo III Patch 2.0.3 - v2.0.2.22427
Visit our Bug Report forum for a list of known issues.
To learn about recent hotfixes, click here.
Table of Contents
GENERAL
- The area of effect for the Fire Trenches in the Halls of Agony now better match their animations
- There is now a short delay before Fire Trench damage is dealt
- Followers
- Enchantress
- Bug Fix: Fixed an issue where Erosion was causing Electrified to proc too frequently
- Enchantress
BOSSES
- Act Bosses now always drop a rare quality item
- The Skeleton King no longer drops a Legendary item after using the "Reset Quests" button for level 60 characters
- This bonus has been moved to Diablo for level 60 characters
CLASSES
- Wizard
- Active Skills
- Hydra
- Bug Fix: Hydras should now properly dissipate when the owner dies or leaves the game
- Familiar
- Increased the internal cooldown attack rate to roughly match the player's attack speed to a maximum of approximately 2 attacks per second
- Magic Weapon
- Skill Rune - Deflection
- Added an internal cooldown to the proc rate to be roughly once per attack
- Skill Rune - Deflection
- Hydra
- Active Skills
CRAFTING
- Blacksmithing
- Level 1-60 crafted Legendary and Set pieces now require 2 Fiery Brimstones to craft
- All low level crafted Legendary and Set pieces now require at least 1 Demonic Essence to craft
- Bug Fix: Fixed an issue where Legendary crafting recipes were rolling Rare level stats
- In addition, a pass was made to ensure all Legendary crafted items are rolling with 6 total affixes
ITEMS
- New Affix added: +Max Spirit for Monks
- This affix rolls on Fist Weapons, Spirit Stones, and Combat Staves
If you are experiencing technical issues with the patching process, connecting to Battle.net after installing the patch, or errors while playing a newly-patched game, please visit our support site or post in the Technical Support forum for assistance.
Blizzard Quote [source]
Last week, we asked followers of @Diablo to send us their burning questions about Crusader lore and history.
After pouring through all the wonderful tweets we received in response, we then worked with lead writer Brian Kindregan and Blizzard historian Justin Parker to provide answers to some of your most popular inquiries below. Check it out!
Answer: A heavily armored, deeply driven warrior is traditionally depicted with a flail or mace. Maces generally learn towards the clergymen or clerical type of character, and the Crusader definitely leans more towards the martial side of things. Plus, they’re just awesome!
Answer: The Crusaders are searching for anything that might redeem their faith. They don’t know what form it will take, whether an item, a lost text, or perhaps an ally. However, they do strongly believe in signs and symbols, and a falling star raining down on a small town not yet explored by their brethren could be a very good lead.
Answer: As detailed above, the Crusaders are very different than Paladins! While it’s true that the etymology of the term "Crusader" has its origins in the term "cross" and carries some real world connotations, it has grown in meaning (at least in the English language) to represent a faithful soldier of any kind, particularly those who devote themselves to a powerful cause or life-long task. This is exactly the kind of mission the Crusader is on, and their faction as a whole can certainly describe their journey as a "crusade."
Answer: Crusaders generally recruit their apprentices in the wilderness or working-class parts of a city. When they identify a child who exhibits talent with the Light, they often negotiate with the child’s family to start the apprenticeship. Rich families are less likely to initiate their children into such endeavors, so Crusaders usually come from peasant or lower class families.
Answer: When the Crusaders departed on their journey, they weren't heard from again. They didn't keep in contact, and Akkhan's belief that the rest of the church was corrupted kept them from communicating with the other sects. As a result, only very high level members of the Zakarum church are aware of the Crusaders' existence. Crusaders respect other devout and pure worshipers of their faith, but are wary of those who may have been corrupted. Depending on their Order and rank, some Paladins might react poorly or not at all to a Crusader.
Answer: In the Swamplands to the east, many male Crusaders (and some female!) would buzz their heads to reduce the chance of carrying lice infestations. Gross, we know, but for some that was a less cumbersome option than having to bathe more thoroughly and regularly between battles. Ain't nobody got time for that!
Answer: Mostly, from the same place Paladins do! The Crusaders follow the tenants of the old Zakarum faith closely, which in its simplest form states that all humans have the Light somewhere within them. While many Crusaders often show signs of their ancient nephalem heritage, simply being born with strong affinity to the Light is not enough. Crusaders train extensively throughout their apprenticeship to master their innate abilities.
Answer: Akkhan only knew some force was corrupting his beloved faith. He had no way of knowing the cause was Mephisto, and therefore couldn't act directly. He believed everyone above him in the Zakarum hierarchy was corrupted in some way, and without any real knowledge the best he could do was form the Crusaders to find the answer and solution to that corruption.
Answer: Not at all! As adherents to the Zakarum faith, they believe in the ascent of man, and that the melding of demon and angel produced the only truly balanced beings in creation.
Answer: Crusaders are incredibly experienced veterans. As they often spend their lives on the move, in the wilderness and city alike, they take part in thousands of fights from epic battles to back alley brawls. They see allies and enemies alike fall in combat. Even the very act of becoming a Crusader involves seeing your master die. Despite the core of seriousness and discipline that drives them deep within, they've been around too long and seen too much to take anything aside from the crusade itself seriously. This allows them to generally be relaxed individuals, and they enjoy witty conversation whenever possible. Excitement comes only from the thought of ending their crusade.
Answer: Many Paladin orders have been disbanded at this point. Some have formed into new orders, such as the Templars, while others have gone rogue or freelance. Others have simply died. The Knights of Westmarch have become a largely secular order, separated from the Zakarum faith and more focused on the defense of Westmarch from physical harm rather than spiritual. In Reaper of Souls, Lorath Nahr is a newly introduced character who has close ties to the Knights of Westmarch. If you'd like more information on this particular group, I recommend speaking to Lorath in-game once the expansion launches, or reading through Storm of Light by Nate Kenyon.
Thank you to everyone who sent us questions! We look forward to sharing even more information about the Crusader class all this week—so stay tuned!