It feels like only wizards and necromancers appear in the leaderboards of the highest portal levels. The actual numbers support this, but also show astonishing changes in the best classes in Diablo 3. Why is it so hard to achieve perfect balance, and does Blizzard even want that? A look at the statistics.
Which leaderboards are actually being discussed? The endgame content in Diablo 3 is mainly defined by the great Nephalem Rifts (English: Greater Rifts). For several years now, players have been trying to solo reach the highest portal levels.
The realm of possibility has continuously shifted upward in recent years, mainly due to changes made by Blizzard.
What is Blizzard doing to continually push the limits? With each new season in Diablo 3, many changes are made to class abilities as well as bonuses from armor sets and other equipment. These changes enable players to reach ever higher portal levels. These balance changes recently kicked off Season 18 in Diablo 3.
What role does “balance” play in these considerations? In fact, Blizzard has to perform a tightrope walk here. A too strong class is likely to be favored by players to reach the highest portal levels in the leaderboard. For this reason, game developers strive to design all classes to be about equally strong to avoid advantages for certain classes. A look at the statistics of the past years shows that this has been achieved better at times than others.
What statistics were referenced? On the site eu.diablo3.com, statistics for the class-specific portal levels for 11 past seasons can be traced back to the year 2014. This way, all solo high scores of the great Nephalem Rifts can be displayed and compared. You can find the results of this evaluation in the following graphic (as of 08/30, 2:00 PM):
How can the graphic be interpreted? While the Barbarian and Demon Hunter were still unchallenged at the top in 2014, other classes have improved significantly in recent seasons. The feeling that the wizard and the necromancer have been at the top for some time can be supported by the numbers without a doubt. In a balance patch for Season 17, the Necromancer was the big winner.
However, it also shows something else:
- Indeed, the performance of different classes fluctuates significantly. Only the Witch Doctor can almost always be found in the lower realms.
- Since the beginning of recording, the individual classes have been able to gain an average of 80 portal levels, which equals a gigantic progress. At the same time, criticism has emerged, that Diablo 3 is becoming easier and easier.
- The differences between the classes have decreased in the past seasons. In Season 2014-1 there were still 13 levels between the best and worst class, whereas in the current season there are only 9. In some cases, the differences are even smaller.
And what does that say about the balance in Diablo 3? Although the wizard and the necromancer have been leading for some time, the differences are small. The Crusader has also been one of the top classes in past seasons. Furthermore, Blizzard has ensured in the past that the same class does not always play at the top, but has also ensured variety.
Specifically, the necromancer is also a special case. He has only been in the game for two years and is not coincidentally one of the strongest classes. Economic considerations on the part of Blizzard may play a role here, as the necromancer is available for purchase and is not a starter class.
That’s why the balance in Diablo 3 is not so important: Diablo 3 does not have a mode where players compete against each other. In that case, class balancing would be of much greater importance to avoid unfair advantages.
And to be honest, classes are fun in different ways. Each role is played differently and has individual strengths and weaknesses. Many players choose the class that they enjoy the most. And that’s a good thing.
What do you think about the whole balancing topic? Should Blizzard take action here? Or are you satisfied with how it is right now?
