Blizzard Entertainment has been riding high with Diablo 4, experimenting with new features and gameplay mechanics. However, in its shadow lies a classic that has captivated fans for decades: Diablo 2. For those yearning for traditional ARPG action with a modern touch, Project Diablo 2 (PD2) Season 12 is the perfect remedy. This fan-driven initiative, which has kept the allure of Diablo 2 alive with ongoing updates, is about to introduce new content that promises to revitalize your gaming experience.
Over the years, it’s been evident that Blizzard has shifted its focus away from Diablo 2, offering only the occasional ladder resets and minor holiday adjustments. In stark contrast, Project Diablo 2 has emerged as a rich playground for fans, consistently introducing new items, uniques, and runewords. Moreover, every seasonal iteration features balancing updates that enhance weaker options and an expanded endgame inspired by Path of Exile, complete with intricate mapping systems, collaborative dungeons, and formidable uber bosses to challenge even the most well-built characters.
Marking five years of dedicated development, Season 12 is poised to revitalize one of the game’s less-utilized weapon categories: bows and crossbows. While players have historically leaned towards melee options or potent spells, PD2 is set to create a compelling reason to embrace ranged combat.
Instead of simply tweaking existing weapons, the PD2 team is innovating by introducing unique ammo types with various rarities and modifiers. For bows, players can look forward to Crude Arrows, Sharp Arrows, and Razer Arrows. Crossbows will feature Light Bolts, Heavy Bolts, and War Bolts. Each type of ammunition will offer distinct boosts, with arrows getting implicit damage enhancements and bolts providing shredding properties against enemy physical resistance.
What’s more, these new projectiles will come equipped with crafting recipes and specialized runewords, although further details on these enhancements will be revealed later. For now, the focus is on the unique characteristics of each projectile type, which will undoubtedly shake up gameplay dynamics.
Each type of arrow and bolt will have twelve unique options to choose from, with six dedicated to arrows and six reserved for bolts. For example, the ‘Tombsong’ arrows can summon four additional skeleton archers, augmenting their power and enhancing your effectiveness against undead foes. On the other hand, the ‘Frozen Sorrow’ bolts not only amplify your cold skills but also enable you to slow and siphon mana from your targets, creating a multifaceted combat approach.
The improvements don’t stop there. The PD2 team has revamped some existing spells and systems as well. A noteworthy update involves the Blizzard spell, which now deals area-of-effect damage at the point of impact, making it more viable for impactful damage-dealing. Additionally, corrupted zones will now have a higher probability of dropping valuable maps, and completing Anya’s ‘Hell Quest’ will reward players with three tier-one maps instead of just one.
Fans of fast-paced action will be delighted to learn that large charms can now roll with prefixes that grant increased cast rates and attack speeds, helping players maximize their efficiency in gameplay. Moreover, the introduction of a stash search feature promises to make inventory management smoother, allowing players to quickly locate essential items without tedious scrolling.
While a specific date for launching Season 12 remains unannounced, project lead ‘SenpaiSomething’ has indicated that news will be revealed during an upcoming developer stream set for November 8 at 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST / 6 PM GMT / 7 PM CEST. If you’re keen on following the evolution of this project, you can sneak a peek at all the unveiled arrow and bolt types through various community resources, including Reddit.
To dive into the captivating world of Diablo, a legitimate copy of Diablo 2 and its Lord of Destruction expansion is required. For those craving loot and adventure, this project serves as a fantastic alternative to Blizzard’s recent offerings.
What weapons do you prefer in ARPGs? Are you a staunch advocate for melee might, or do you favor the art of ranged combat? Join the conversation on the PCGamesN Discord and share your preferred weaponry in your ADPG of choice.