The developers behind Diablo 4 at Blizzard have divulged some of their favorite and most effective character builds during the game's development. Despite an extended development period and numerous beta tests, the highly-anticipated Diablo 4 is finally on the brink of release. While the latest installment of the franchise emphasizes a more open and collaborative world for players, the fundamental gameplay loop of creating a character and gradually improving through loot and leveling up remains a crucial aspect of the experience.
Customization is an even greater part of the game this time, with more extensive skill trees for Diablo 4's five starting classes. Players had a chance to sample these classes during the beta tests, but certain specializations, such as the Druid, were locked and inaccessible. In the full game, players will have complete access to all active and passive skills, and Diablo 4 even allows players to respec skills or the entire tree if they wish to experiment with different builds or better match their gear and items.
One aspect of the character customization in Diablo 4 that has been well received is the ability to create unique builds. This feature has not only been popular among players during the beta, but also among the developers at Blizzard. During a recent interview, some of the Diablo 4 developers shared their favorite builds that were created during the game's development. For game director Joe Shely, his favorite build was the Frost Sorcerer. This build utilizes the freeze mechanic in Diablo 4 to prevent monster death mechanics, such as nullifying explosions or other hazardous situations. By playing as a Frost Sorcerer, players can gain more control over the battlefield and avoid taking lethal damage.
Lead Class Designer Adam Z. Jackson faced a challenging decision in selecting a favorite, but ultimately chose the Elemental Druid for its powerful Tornado skill. When upgraded to a high level, this skill can be cast multiple times, unleashing a storm of destruction across the screen.
Melissa Corning, the lead game producer, shared a similar perspective to Joe Shely and praised the Frozen Orb Sorcerer for its ability to freeze enemies and control the battlefield. Corning also hinted at various legendary items that boost the Frozen Orb skill, adding exciting effects that trigger each time it is cast.
Ash Sweeting Vickey, the dungeon producer for Diablo 4, emphasized the importance of builds that can deal significant damage over long distances. Among the builds that she highlighted were the Hydra Fireball build for the Sorcerer class and the Rapid Fire Rogue.
Players who have pre-ordered the Deluxe and Ultimate versions of Diablo 4 can start building their dream class soon, as the game's release is just around the corner. Apart from early access to the game, they also have the opportunity to participate in a Hardcore Race, which is available for a limited time only. If the players manage to reach level 100 with a Hardcore character, their names will be added to the statue of Lilith on the Blizzard campus. The game will be available on June 6, 2023, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: PCGamesN
