Below are my opinion on the state of the game from 2.0 onward, all are commented with builds that i've recently played for a honest "review"..
1) Build Diversity vs Build CompetencyPerhaps diversity isn't the right word for it, I feel like build "diversity" is there, more like build "competency" isn't there
For example, this build that was showcased last league,
<2.0> Holy Shock Psicrowner - Mini Guide, it uses clever interaction from paladin to boost INT for the holy shock damage, damage wise it's definitely falling behind, however for the coverage and if you are aiming to farm Fautz cozily while binging netflix? the build is 10/10, however the build is definitely shit at bossing though.
NOW, throw in Bowazon into the equation, if you are after 100% farming efficiency, you are better off rolling with bowazon instead of try-harding with a non-meta build
Why so? One huge thing about Median XL is that no build does everything, there are always caveats, therefor belladonna extract exist, intuitive? no, definitely no.
But when you compare both build taken for example, it's way easier to respec bowazon into bossing spec, as most gears stays about the same, while the Holy Shock Pala will need much more effort, not to mention that you need a great rune to actually getting the latter to roll.
With this in mind, i feel it's not worth my time trying another build, why waste my time if there's a try and true build? Hence my take on build diversity is there, they are simply just not competent enough.
2) Skill BalancingI love the direction of the skill tree overhaul that 2.0 brings, you need to make meaningful decision on skill investment, which is impactful, i like.
However balancing definitely needs work, for comparison, below are 2 characters that i've played in realm this season, i'm very sure someone could come up with more samples with the builds they've played.
1) Hunting Banshee Druid (lvl 120 - 49 signets) -
https://tsw.vn.cz/char/IceIcePanDuh2) Mind Ripple / Shuriken Flurry Assassin (lvl 115 - 18 signets)-
https://tsw.vn.cz/char/TuriaBoth are all equipped with Full TU and a piece of Honorific, while i absolutely adores the playstyle and screen visibility of Mind Ripple, the single target damage for Shuriken Flurry simply isn't there, she struggles even to kill Hell Act2 Andariel
Meanwhile the Hunting Banshee Druid practices the playstyle of summoning harvester ahead to distract enemies, and auto homing Hunting Banshee does the rest, as long as you don't go full retard and move strategically, you can even farm fautz with this setup (did it last league)
Now, to breakdown what's the main difference between this 2 characters? lets compare point to point
Druid has
a) Nature Tree > Barkskin - Huge Flat life and TCD
*(Especially the TCD scales greatly with each piece of sacred gears you upgrade)
b) Nature Tree > Harvesters - Summon on demand to tank/distract
c) Nature Tree > Bloom - Upgrades Harvesters to provide up to 60% movement speed
*(movement speed is often underrated but it's really great when you wanna min-max farming time and also maneuvering out of danger)
d) Seer Tree > Spiritual Alignment - Huge amount of cold spell damage
e) Reward Tree > Survival Instinct > 10 Phys Resist and huge amount of spell focus for 1 point, dude sign me up
f) Reward Tree > Symbiosis > good life regen and up to 15% avoid? nuff said.
Assassin has
a) Ninja Tree > Perfect Being smax gives you up to 70% avoid with class charm
a1) Psionic Tree > Pinnacle - 24 Pts to get +5 all skill, and up to 250 spell focus for 25 points, compares this to the 1 pointer at Druid Survival Instinct. bruh.
(This skill also reduce your Total defence by 50%, further lowers your survivability. you either avoid or you don't.)
a2) and no you don't get flat life
b) No summons on demand from tree
c) Ninja Tree > Shadow Refuge, phys resist and up to 90% movement speed,
(with the caveat of you being a range caster, but needed to get in melee to get this rolling)
d) Psionic Tree > 0.4% total damage of shuriken flurry, increases with each cognition from 75 cognition onward
*(damage is still far from good comparing to caster druid)
e) Reward Tree > Doom - lowers magic resist
f) Reward Tree > Prismatic Cloak - up to 9% Max Life and flat magic/elemental damage reduction.
Again i repeat, i love the direction, but yeah, needs work.
3) ItemizationCutting down the bloat of SU/SSU/SSSU and runewords is a good direction in long term, however we are currently lack in balancing for TUs and Runewords
I feel like it's especially lacking in itemization while you are transitioning in-between TU > BiS gearing. Runewords used to fill this gap
Again, taking example from the 2 characters i've played in realm this league
1) Hunting Banshee Druid (lvl 120 - 49 signets) -
https://tsw.vn.cz/char/IceIcePanDuhNaiad King
Naiad King
Flamen Staff (4)
Two-Hand Damage: 6 to 7
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 18
Item Level: 1
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Strength)%
+1 to Druid Skill Levels
+6% Bonus Elemental Damage to Mark of the Wild
(21 to 30)% Duration Bonus to Mark of the Wild
+60 Spell Focus
+50% Damage to Undead
-(6 to 8)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-(6 to 8)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Fire Resist +(11 to 20)%
Lightning Resist +(11 to 20)%
Poison Resist +(11 to 20)%
Socketed (2)
Two-Hand Damage: 13 to 16
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 32
Item Level: 31
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Strength)%
+2 to Druid Skill Levels
+9% Bonus Elemental Damage to Mark of the Wild
(41 to 50)% Duration Bonus to Mark of the Wild
+90 Spell Focus
+50% Damage to Undead
-(11 to 13)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-(11 to 13)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Fire Resist +(31 to 40)%
Lightning Resist +(31 to 40)%
Poison Resist +(31 to 40)%
Socketed (3)
Two-Hand Damage: 22 to 27
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 46
Required Strength: 69
Item Level: 51
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Strength)%
+4 to Druid Skill Levels
+12% Bonus Elemental Damage to Mark of the Wild
(61 to 70)% Duration Bonus to Mark of the Wild
+120 Spell Focus
+50% Damage to Undead
-(16 to 18)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-(16 to 18)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Fire Resist +(51 to 60)%
Lightning Resist +(51 to 60)%
Poison Resist +(51 to 60)%
Socketed (4)
Two-Hand Damage: 27 to 33
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 138
Item Level: 77
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Strength)%
+6 to Druid Skill Levels
+15% Bonus Elemental Damage to Mark of the Wild
(71 to 80)% Duration Bonus to Mark of the Wild
+150 Spell Focus
+50% Damage to Undead
-(18 to 20)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-(18 to 20)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Fire Resist +(61 to 70)%
Lightning Resist +(61 to 70)%
Poison Resist +(61 to 70)%
Socketed (4)
The Celestial Crown
The Celestial Crown
Circlet (4)
Defense: 22 to 47
Required Level: 4
Required Dexterity: 14
Item Level: 1
+30 Spell Focus
+(7 to 12)% to Cold Spell Damage
-(2 to 3)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+(11 to 20) to Energy
Cold Resist +30%
Socketed (1)
Defense: 61 to 113
Required Level: 22
Required Dexterity: 29
Item Level: 31
+60 Spell Focus
+(15 to 20)% to Cold Spell Damage
-(5 to 6)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+(21 to 30) to Energy
Cold Resist +60%
Socketed (2)
Defense: 126 to 225
Required Level: 39
Required Dexterity: 69
Item Level: 51
+90 Spell Focus
+(23 to 28)% to Cold Spell Damage
-(7 to 10)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+(31 to 40) to Energy
Cold Resist +90%
Socketed (3)
Defense: 173 to 304
Required Level: 48
Required Dexterity: 147
Item Level: 77
+120 Spell Focus
+(31 to 36)% to Cold Spell Damage
-(11 to 13)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
+(41 to 50) to Energy
Cold Resist +120%
Socketed (4)
Queen of Glass
Queen of Glass
Ancient Armor (4)
Defense: (315 - 344) to (630 - 688)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 33 to 34
Item Level: 29
15% Cast Speed
-(6 to 8)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
+(76 to 125) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
Requirements -(11 to 15)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (899 - 969) to (1718 - 1852)
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 57 to 60
Item Level: 40
25% Cast Speed
-(11 to 13)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
+(176 to 225) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
Requirements -(21 to 25)%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2084 - 2224) to (3911 - 4173)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 175 to 186
Item Level: 67
35% Cast Speed
-(16 to 18)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(276 to 325) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(41 to 45)%
Cold Resist +(41 to 45)%
Requirements -(31 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
Defense: (3013 - 3202) to (5650 - 6005)
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 323 to 344
Item Level: 85
40% Cast Speed
-(18 to 20)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
+(326 to 375) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(46 to 50)%
Cold Resist +(46 to 50)%
Requirements -(36 to 40)%
Socketed (6)
Moonwrap
Moonwrap
Sash (4)
Defense: (16 - 18) to (20 - 21)
Required Level: 1
Required Strength: 25
Item Level: 1
5% Cast Speed
+3% to Spell Damage
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Cold Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (119 - 129) to (131 - 141)
Required Level: 17
Required Strength: 50
Item Level: 31
15% Cast Speed
+9% to Spell Damage
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (331 - 353) to (370 - 395)
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 125
Item Level: 51
25% Cast Speed
+15% to Spell Damage
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (493 - 524) to (542 - 576)
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 250
Item Level: 77
30% Cast Speed
+20% to Spell Damage
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Cold Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)
Wake of Destruction
Wake of Destruction
Greaves (4)
Defense: (90 - 102) to (135 - 152)
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 17
Item Level: 19
+(4 to 6)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(11 to 13)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Energy
Requirements -20%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (333 - 369) to (462 - 512)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 36
+(7 to 9)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(15 to 17)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(26 to 30) to Energy
Requirements -25%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (854 - 930) to (1152 - 1254)
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 158
Item Level: 59
+(10 to 12)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(19 to 21)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Energy
Requirements -30%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1274 - 1378) to (1713 - 1853)
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 272
Item Level: 85
+(13 to 15)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(23 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (4)
2) Mind Ripple / Shuriken Flurry Assassin (lvl 115 - 18 signets)-
https://tsw.vn.cz/char/TuriaZenith
Zenith
Cestus (4)
One-Hand Damage: 6 to 7
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 5
Required Dexterity: 31
Item Level: 10
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
10% Cast Speed
+(4 to 8)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 20) to Strength
+(11 to 20) to Energy
Requirements -20%
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: 13 to 14
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 24
Required Dexterity: 37
Item Level: 31
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+(1 to 2) to Assassin Skill Levels
15% Cast Speed
+(6 to 12)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(21 to 30) to Strength
+(21 to 30) to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 20 to 23
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 42
Required Dexterity: 51
Item Level: 51
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+(2 to 3) to Assassin Skill Levels
20% Cast Speed
+(8 to 16)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(31 to 40) to Strength
+(31 to 40) to Energy
Requirements -60%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 23 to 27
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 52
Required Dexterity: 51
Item Level: 77
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
25% Cast Speed
+(10 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(41 to 50) to Strength
+(41 to 50) to Energy
Requirements -80%
Socketed (3)
2x
The Allseeing Eye
The Allseeing Eye
Coronet (4)
Defense: 58 to 106
Required Level: 6
Required Dexterity: 17
Item Level: 1
+1 to All Skills
+10% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(31 to 50) Defense
(4 to 5)% to Strength
+3 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (1)
Defense: 144 to 225
Required Level: 23
Required Dexterity: 36
Item Level: 31
+1 to All Skills
+15% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(71 to 90) Defense
(8 to 9)% to Strength
+5 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (2)
Defense: 262 to 399
Required Level: 41
Required Dexterity: 85
Item Level: 51
+2 to All Skills
+20% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(111 to 130) Defense
(12 to 13)% to Strength
+8 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (3)
Defense: 337 to 514
Required Level: 49
Required Dexterity: 183
Item Level: 77
+2 to All Skills
+25% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(131 to 150) Defense
(14 to 15)% to Strength
+10 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (4)
Dragon's Blood
Dragon's Blood
Light Plate (4)
Defense: (241 - 284) to (487 - 573)
Required Level: 8
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 19
4% Chance to cast level 8 Wrath on Melee Attack
15% Cast Speed
+(19 to 30)% Damage to Demons
+(11 to 15)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 15)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Vitality
+(16 to 25) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (2)
Defense: (806 - 915) to (1526 - 1733)
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 65
Item Level: 36
6% Chance to cast level 18 Wrath on Melee Attack
25% Cast Speed
+(43 to 54)% Damage to Demons
+(16 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(16 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(41 to 45) to Vitality
+(36 to 45) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2057 - 2268) to (3809 - 4199)
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 228
Item Level: 59
8% Chance to cast level 32 Wrath on Melee Attack
35% Cast Speed
+(67 to 78)% Damage to Demons
+(21 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(21 to 25)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 55) to Vitality
+(56 to 65) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (5)
Defense: (3094 - 3380) to (5716 - 6245)
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 455
Item Level: 85
10% Chance to cast level 45 Wrath on Melee Attack
40% Cast Speed
+(79 to 90)% Damage to Demons
+(26 to 30)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(26 to 30)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 60) to Vitality
+(66 to 75) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (6)
Moonwrap
Moonwrap
Sash (4)
Defense: (16 - 18) to (20 - 21)
Required Level: 1
Required Strength: 25
Item Level: 1
5% Cast Speed
+3% to Spell Damage
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Cold Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (119 - 129) to (131 - 141)
Required Level: 17
Required Strength: 50
Item Level: 31
15% Cast Speed
+9% to Spell Damage
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (331 - 353) to (370 - 395)
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 125
Item Level: 51
25% Cast Speed
+15% to Spell Damage
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (493 - 524) to (542 - 576)
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 250
Item Level: 77
30% Cast Speed
+20% to Spell Damage
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Cold Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)
Wake of Destruction
Wake of Destruction
Greaves (4)
Defense: (90 - 102) to (135 - 152)
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 17
Item Level: 19
+(4 to 6)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(11 to 13)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Energy
Requirements -20%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (333 - 369) to (462 - 512)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 36
+(7 to 9)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(15 to 17)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(26 to 30) to Energy
Requirements -25%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (854 - 930) to (1152 - 1254)
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 158
Item Level: 59
+(10 to 12)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(19 to 21)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Energy
Requirements -30%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1274 - 1378) to (1713 - 1853)
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 272
Item Level: 85
+(13 to 15)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(23 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (4)
The main take away is Druid has way more spell focus and a good amount of cold pierce right out of the gate, meanwhile physical/magical spell falls behind, like alot.
It's either the current TUs synergizes enough with your skill tree to hard carry you to set/bis, or it doesn't, needs more balancing.
) I always used mercs when I tried out builds that are pretty much garbage in early game and only show potential later on. They were one source to bring less viable builds to midgame at least. With mercs dieing a lot more frequently now, build diversity is suffering. Instead you pick a different build with the class you want to play, only to respec once you've managed the slow early start.
