Token of Absolution

[Fett007]

Token of Absolution

Seeing as how many players thought that one respec was one too many, the possibility of having 3 quest respecs plus additional respec through the Token seems ridiculous. I'm kinda interested in getting a general consensus on what could done (easily, no new super duper uber levels) to make the token more useful. Given the drop rate on Essences (similar to Key drop rate), and the amount the players running Baal/Chaos, I think Tokens will be very common among high level characters. I also think Tokens will do absolutely zero to dissuade people from rushing. It will certainly be a lot easier/faster to get through normal and early NM using level 20 fireball/bash/magic arrow, but not as easy/fast as having someone else do it for you. It is definitely nice to have the option, but in the long run, I don't see it changing that aspect of the game much. All that being said, here are a few ideas:

1. Remove the quest respec from the Den of Evil. This would definitely add some value to the Token. Every time someone finds some loot (anni, torch, etc) that allows them to use less stat points, it might be worth 10 pgems or so to not have to hunt for Essences. I don't think it will be worth much more than that because the need to get back those extra ten points you put into strength usually isn't that pressing. In addition, most items that have those big boosts to stats are high end, which is typically the people who will already have Tokens.
2. Cubing the Essences together generates a random organ. Since the only end game content is to run bosses or run keys, this will at least contribute to that. I'd be more in favor of it generating a keyset than an organ so you still had to go whoop Lilith's ***.
3. Cubing the Essences together generates a random rune similar to a Hell Forge. Drop rates of Essences should probably be cut by at least a factor of 2. Since the new probability of finding really high runes is 0*4 = 0, this gives players the ability to find mid-high runes with some sort of frequency and start cubing up. It still takes 500+ Gul runes to cube up to Zod, but it now makes runes like Vex/Ohm/Lo attainable for the legit power gamer. My only problem with this is that it's still better time wise to rush a character to the Hell Forge for the same treat. But hey, more legit rune opportunities are always better.
4. "XX number of Tokens of Absolution have been sold to merchants." It would be great to have a legit means of enabling the Pandemonium event. Assuming that duping is fixed (HA!), it is likely that no one will ever see an Anni again. How on earth will you ever get an organized group of people to sell 80-120 legit SOJ on the same server? Tokens are another story though. Renegade runs could be popular again. Tokens would have good trade value. The light would shine down from the heavens upon the people and they would rejoice. Of course it couldn't shine on nerds locked in their nerd caves playing diablo, but it would shine on someone...

Obviously you can tell which one I favor...

 

[Sound]

Re: Token of Absolution

I was really happy to hear that a "series of new and challenging tests awaits me" in the game. I don't think respec is a very big challenge so the least they could do is to allow me to challenge myself against DClone. I've had number of annis but never actually fought the big guy. Oh well at least they did something with ctc on torch, I hope 5% is enough to make sure strafe doesn't drop games.

 

[stillman]

Re: Token of Absolution

I think it will keep dropping games; you'll just be deeper into the chaos run when it happens.

Anyway, am I to understand the token of absolution gives you a FULL respec with both stats and skills? I'm preplexed by this because it kills replayability. Kills it a lot.

Well Fett007, to answer your question, I think it was silly for them to even make more of these collectable quest item things when it has already been done. We already have keys, organs, the anni and torches, and standard of heroes which does nothing.

 

[omgwtfbbqpwned]

Re: Token of Absolution

Anyway, am I to understand the token of absolution gives you a FULL respec with both stats and skills? I'm preplexed by this because it kills replayability. Kills it a lot.

You also get the opportunity to fully respec both stats and skills each time you finish the Den of Evil quest, if you somehow missed that.

I.e. respec is possible anytime after level 1, considering that's the level most people finish DoE at.

 

[Jednowlosy]

Re: Token of Absolution

I think you should be able to respec as much as you wish.

Seriously, why not? if you're bored of your character, you don't need to go through the painful process of making a new one, rushing him... you can just respec.

Awesome move, Blizz. I love you : O Does it reset stats, too? or just skills? If it resets stats, it's even more awesome. You can upgrade your char after getting +20 crafted ring without the need to play with lacking str all the time if you are a perfectionist.

I am

 

[Greizer]

Re: Token of Absolution

I too am a shameless powerplayer and really like the endless respec. What's there to whine about, anyway? If you don't want to use it, then don't... For those of us who don't want to spend 8 hours rushing and leveling a new char to get two more points into Vitality, this is a great help indeed. One of the few things they got right with the patch imo; I hope they won't reverse this change due to excess whining.

That said, Dclone does need a new spawn mechanic. Has needed for, what, five+ years? (How long has he been around? I dunno.) I think SoHs would be better for that though.

 

[Moonshade]

Re: Token of Absolution

Blizzard finally gets something right and people start to complain. Nobody forces you to respec if you don't like it. For people who don't like respec you are free to start all over again a new character, seriously.

 

[KillaMike]

Re: Token of Absolution

Blizzard finally gets something right and people start to complain. Nobody forces you to respec if you don't like it. For people who don't like respec you are free to start all over again a new character, seriously.

that.

and i like that idea with spawning diablo in different way, then relying on dupers to sell sojes on specific IP

 

[Fett007]

Re: Token of Absolution

I hate to give them impression that I am totally against respecs. I think the definitely have their place and will eliminate a lot of tedium. With that being said though, I guess I have played this game enough where I don't feel like I need more than 3 respecs for any one character. I guess I find it hard to imagine that there are a lot of people left who are like "I want this guy to be a Hammerdin, now I want to try a Tesladin for awhile, now a Frost Zealot, now back to Hammerdin." I completely understand the idea of not wanting to save stat points: put them all in vitality, and when you need more str/dex, respec it.

However, it seems to me like a waste to have bosses drop new cube-able items only to allow it to give you one more respec (or unlimited respecs, I haven't tried). I just feel like they went through a lot of work to give us the same goodie twice, and it would have been easy to make it two different goodies.

Maybe the consensus is that you should be able to use the Token for respec, cube it with one of each Pgem for a mid-high rune, or sell it for Dclone :thumbup:

 

[droid]

Re: Token of Absolution

Or at least have it so the token only lets you "reclaim" 1 skill point or 5 stat points, instead of a complete across-the-board respec. Then, with the expected drop rates, at least it's a commensurately difficult endeavor to completely respec a char.

 

[fledgeling]

Re: Token of Absolution

It will just make everyone to run for high levels (probably using bots) - you will need one level 95 character instead of two level 94s - because you can easily respec.
So all those (botted) level 99 hammerdins will simply respec every time they want.

The game becomes easier and easier with each iteration (iron maiden removed, lol)

 

[Greizer]

Re: Token of Absolution

Or at least have it so the token only lets you "reclaim" 1 skill point or 5 stat points, instead of a complete across-the-board respec. Then, with the expected drop rates, at least it's a commensurately difficult endeavor to completely respec a char.

Why should it be difficult? I have grinded for five years already; now kindly let me have my respec please. For me the game is about getting better and better items and chars, not about endless grinding for a totally predictable result.

Edit: There's also the angle that you can use lower tier skills and then respec later, if they truly have fixed rushing that is. Tbh I'll miss rushing if it's gone, but respecs do alleviate the problem considerably. Now I only need one of each char, unless I want to play two different builds simultaneously. I can't fathom why it wasn't like this since the beginning: once you've seen the lore once, you've seen it for all time. The first time I was fighting evil when collecting the Horadric Staff, etc; the second and the trillion after, I was simply grinding for a predictable result (mf is unpredictable grinding and that I can tolerate, although trading is where the fun really is for me).

 

[droid]

Re: Token of Absolution

You have to re-equip when you respec, anyway, so its not like this will let people change their builds willy-nilly unless they keep two full sets of gear in their stash...

 

[ruk]

Re: Token of Absolution

obviously it's ridiculous, i wouldn't mind if it was remotely difficult to get but the essences drop like candy from what i've seen..

 

[Ed from Russia]

Re: Token of Absolution

I often play solo (I enjoy old-style leveling) and certain builds are impossible to level through Normal. I love the option to respec. It also allows you to try some new things and change later if you get stuck.

I don't care how it's built in; I'm fine with the Den of Evil quest. One respec would have been fine with me, 3 is fine as well.

 

[ancalagon]

Re: Token of Absolution

It's fine as it is.

I play sorceresses so respecs are very much needed because I want to test as many hybrids as possible to handle hell immunities! And they are useful for any character, its not like you are going to respec all the time, serious players have to think through how they gonna respec their character and then probably stick with that character for a few months, and then lo! the option to respec after they are done with that build.

 

[fledgeling]

Re: Token of Absolution

And btw. removing the respec quest from anya will mess up classic players; they cant do baal. On the other hand classic would require some skill at least...

Has anyone tested:
1) If the restat leaves the "quest" stat/skill points and the hp from the bird?
2) Do the parts drop in classic? (this would be stupid, because only 3 would drop)

 

[rawgue]

Re: Token of Absolution

The ability to give you respec is nice but i'd like them to be far more rare drops 1/400 (?). If you are so stupid to completely ruin your build 3 times that you can't kill the bosses then just restart your char.

Now that respecing is here i truly appreciate it, you lose no progress or level to try a different build if you are bored with your current one. $

 

[ancalagon]

Re: Token of Absolution

And btw. removing the respec quest from anya will mess up classic players; they cant do baal. On the other hand classic would require some skill at least...

Classic requires quite some skill as it is, no pampered by jewels charms runes runewords or any elites and exceptional uniques in classic No high damage hammers, fireball, orb/blizzard, lightning, smite, whirlwind, etc either in classic. No Infinity for light sorcs! And rubbish mercenaries for other characters! You cant reach a lot of fcr and ias breakpoints either in classic. There are far more limited options for stuff like %DR, passive -enemy res, %skill damage, CB, OW, DS, life tap proc (there isnt life tap proc in fact) from items in classic! Enhanced Defense and damage affixes are lower than in LoD. AND THE BEST OF ALL IS THERE IS NO ENIGMA!!! Its a totally different experience.

And what do you mean remove the respec from anya? You get it from akara.

If you are so stupid to completely ruin your build 3 times that you can't kill the bosses then just restart your char.

Yeah respeccing is cool like that, but the need to respec got nothing to do with stupidity, maybe someone wants to test different builds without having to level up each and every toon.

 

[KillaMike]

Re: Token of Absolution

Classic requires quite some skill as it is, no pampered by jewels charms runes runewords or any elites and exceptional uniques in classic No high damage hammers, fireball, orb/blizzard, lightning, smite, whirlwind, etc either in classic. No Infinity for light sorcs! And rubbish mercenaries for other characters! You cant reach a lot of fcr and ias breakpoints either in classic. Its a totally different experience.

i know hammer dins with 50 fcr bp and 13k in classic....