With Diablo 2: Resurrected, an absolute ARPG classic has received its remaster. MeinMMO tells you what you need to know when looking at the game for the first time.
What do I find here? While the release of Diablo 2 was a bit bumpy, we provide you with tips on how to get into the game more smoothly.
We give you general tips for Diablo 2 and the first hours of the game, so you can find your way and avoid possible mistakes. We try to address the most important questions that a beginner in Resurrected might have.
There might also be some tips for advanced players that can help you. However, veterans will likely already know all of this. But you are welcome to share your own tips for newcomers in the comments.
Deeper guides on advanced topics can be found soon on MeinMMO. If you are still deciding whether you should even check out Diablo 2, visit our checklist for the release of Resurrected.
Tips for Getting Started and Act 1: Hardcore, Difficulties, Classes, and Skills
What difficulty levels are there? In Diablo 2, you can play on 3 different difficulty levels. As a beginner, only the normal difficulty is available to you, where a newly created character starts:
- Normal – no special features, you are about level 40 after completing the game. You do not lose XP upon death
- Nightmare – unlocked after mastering the game on “normal”. You start anew in Act 1, keep your level and equipment, but lose resistances and other attributes. Enemies are tougher and the areas are larger. You lose 5% XP upon death
- Hell – unlocked after “Nightmare”. Enemies are even stronger, mostly immune to a certain effect, and you lose more XP when you die. Only in “Hell” can you fight the super bosses
What is Hardcore? When creating a character, you can choose whether to play “Hardcore” or “Softcore”. In Hardcore mode, you receive different titles, but upon death, your character is permanently dead. You cannot play it anymore.
We strongly recommend the Softcore mode for newcomers.
What can the classes do? You can choose from a total of 7 classes in Resurrected, as all classes from the expansion are also playable – even from the start. The classes are:
- Amazons: Fight with spear and bow and utilize elemental magic for enhancement.
- Assassins: Prefer to fight in close combat with traps, bows, or claws.
- Barbarians: Use large axes in close combat and war cries to buff themselves and allies.
- Druids: Are equipped with nature magic, can summon animals, and transform.
- Paladins: A type of tank that fights with weapon and shield and uses auras for enhancement.
- Necromancers: Create living dead as servants and fight with poison and curses.
- Sorceresses: Utilize magical powers to defeat enemies with various elements.
If you can’t decide, we have a quiz here to help you choose a class in Resurrected. If you have already made a decision, feel free to participate in our survey or let fate decide what you should play:
Can I reset skills? Yes. In each act, you can reset your abilities once for free or in Hell difficulty by using a special item.
With this knowledge in mind, you should pay attention to how you skill your character, but you can still experiment relatively freely at the beginning. The “correct” builds only become really important from Nightmare or Hell.
How many potions can I carry? Unlike in Diablo 3, you still consume your potions in Diablo 2. You initially have 4 slots, each capable of holding a potion of any size.
Once you find a belt, you unlock 4 more slots, but these can only hold one potion each. The first 4 slots are still used for activation, which you control via hotkeys.
Can I also play solo? Yes, Diablo 2 offers both a solo and even an offline mode. Both solo and cooperative play have their advantages:
- Solo: You can take your time and do not have to share. Offline, you also do not need premium subscriptions like PS Plus or a general internet connection.
- Co-op: You can cover a larger area and benefit from buffs from other players. However, enemies become stronger with each additional adventurer in the group.
You also have mercenaries available – NPCs that accompany you. Remember that you can equip them with new items via the menu to make them stronger. If a mercenary dies, you can resurrect them in town or hire a new one.
Can I play with a controller? Yes. Thanks to the remaster, Diablo 2 also comes to PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch and thus receives controller support. This even works on PC and makes the controls a little easier. If you are still looking, we have some tips for you:
- These are the ideal controllers for Diablo 2 Resurrected on PS4 and PS5
- These are the ideal controllers for Diablo 2 Resurrected for Xbox and PC
What is the Horadric Cube? With this item, which you receive in Act 2, you can do various things. The cube allows you to upgrade items or unlock super bosses later.
Additionally, you can use it as a temporary storage space, as it can hold more items than it takes up slots in your inventory. A detailed guide to the Horadric Cube will soon be available here on MeinMMO.
What are rune words? You will find special runes early in the game that function like gems and can be socketed. While you can use these runes as they are, you should save them for later.
If you insert the runes in a certain order into an item, you create a “rune word”. This transforms the item into something particularly powerful. We will also explain how rune words work here on MeinMMO soon.
With our tips, you should be well prepared for your first hours in Diablo 2. Because even for newcomers, checking out the game is worthwhile, especially since you won’t mind altered details that might annoy purists. You can dive into one of the most popular ARPGs of all time without any concern:
Playing Diablo 2 for the first time after 21 years – Why is it so fascinating?
