I have both Diablo 2 and LOD, the expansion. Should I have installed both instead of just Diablo 2? Would it do anything for my game? I understand that two new characters are available and other small changes, but is it anything significant?

The LOD expansion gives you more graphics options - IIRC, Diablo 2 couldn't do 800x600, where LOD can.

There are also lots more 'unique' magic items, and more things you can put in slotted items.

Finally, there's a whole new chapter, beyond Diablo himself, that's easily as big as each of the earlier chapters - no cheapskate option at Blizzard!

I'm currently playing a level 9 Druid - nice poison vines and rolling meteor spell! I've not got as far as the Monastery yet.

I've finished the game in the past playing as a Barbarian. Though I have to admit that the hack-n-slash dog piling style of the Barbarian suits me better than the stand-offish position of the magic users.

Gremlin

I highly recommend the expansion, it also allows you to keep your hired companion from one city all the way through the other acts and even into nightmare and hell mode, and they level up with you.

I've been making my way through the catacombs after the cathedral. The going is definitely tougher. Big spiders---ugh! I had to do every room in catacomb level 2 before I found the waypoint. Always a relief when that is done. I just leveled to 13. On to catacomb level 3 and eventually the big boss.

Andariel has been defeated. After all the work reaching her, she wasn't that tough. She conveniently came to the catacomb stairs so I could run up and heal easily. On to Act 2 after a good night's rest.

Hi,

Well I had to install Diablo II before it would let me install Lord of Destruction.

Well playing with my Necromancer yesterday I got as far as Andariel and couldn't get her yet so have to uplevel him more before I go back.

Sure do need a lot of Anditode potions to stay alive with her but I have gotten her before in preveious games and will again.

I am going to finish Diablo 2 and then install LOD. I would love to have the larger stash and 800x600. It will give me something to look forward to when I finish the first game.

Trying to level up before going on to act 2. It's hard, lots of hack and slash--little reward. I found that Tristam is a good place to level faster. I've killed Blood Raven several times for good loot. Nearly to level 14.

I believe you can take your current character and convert them to an expansion set character. That would have the advantage of the 800x600 and the larger stash.

That said, I don't know if you can take your current character, convert to an expansion character *and* maintain the information about what quests you've finished.

I finished the Den of Evil. I love the beams of light piercing the dark when it's been cleared. On my way out, I find there's a special totem that makes your fighting better... Oh well, next dungeon I'll know.

Hi,

Still up leveling my Necromancer because I want to use a higher damage Axe I gambled for with the trader in town and I need one more number on my strength to be able to use it. It has 2 fire gems in it so it will be a really nice present for Andariel when I go after her.


Can't wait to be able to summon a Fire Golem. Hmmmm.

In the Cold Plains, level 7 and climbing.

I can't wait till I get the person who can identify items for me. I have the tomb and regularly buy scrolls, but what a bummer. I'm pleased town portal actually allow you to return to the original spot.

I haven't tried gambling with him. If the rewards are good, I'll have to try it.

I've finally leveled to 14, so headed to a new land. I found out that each time I killed Blood Raven, my experience would drop.

Yes you can. It's a full conversion.

Gremlin

After checking into the gamble option, I deduce that it is taking a risk and buying something which is not identified. Most of his inventory I couldn't afford and I wasn't interested in the things I could afford. At the prices he wants, they must have a lot of magic attached.

Later--I did take a gamble on a belt. Paid 3000+ for a belt worth a couple hundred. Bad deal.

The new home area is much larger but I haven't found a healer. Lots of manna shrines but they are not as nice as a healer. Went out in the desert to level up some more. The enemies are tougher but leveling is faster. They also dropped some nice armor.

Edit--finally found the healer. Have done most of the tomb in the desert and am at level 15 and can start the first quest in the sewers now.

Wow, Pokey, you're moving fast, I usually like to be level 17 or 18 before Lut Gholein. Watch out for those fire archer skeletons in the sewers!

The sewer quest is finished. Easy except for the boss. I suspect the next quest won't be so easy. Nearly to level 16.

Hi,

Well the gamble is a random risk. You may get a really nice or even rare item or you may get junk. I have gotten some nice stuff and now and then try to see what I get. Its only money and I don't do it all the time.

I am now level 17 and still not able to get that you know what. She just hits me a couple of times and I am done for. Have to keep trying and I know I got her before so have to do it this time. Jeeze what a pain to keep dying.

Can't beleive you got her at an earlier level Pokey. You must have been luck.

Magic, I just cleared out most of her minions and then she chased me to the stairs. I would get a couple hits in with my superior sceptor with all the upgrades I got in a quest, and then run upstairs to heal. Prayer was a help there. Then I went back down the stairs, a couple hits and repeat. Didn't take that long. Are you using magic? I only used melee.

I am in Dry Hills getting ready for the assault on Halls of the Dead. Also trying to make more use of my different skills by hotkeying them and bouncing between them.

Just finished Blood Raven quest last night. I have to be careful what time I start a new area, it was way too late when I went to bed because I wanted to finish the burial grounds before shutting off the game. Now that I know you'll always start back in town (or town equivalent in this case), it can be kind of important to clear something out once before shutting down.

Mind you, it seems like if I want more experience, I can just head back that way next time and there will be plenty of experience to gain again.

I finished the Halls of the Dead and have the cube. There didn't seem to be any tough boss at the end. I kept looking for one and stumbled over the cube. I lost my best weapons in Dry Hills. Didn't pay attention and died. Rather than leave the game and collect my body. I was determined to show them. I died quickly two times more and wasn't able to recover my superior sceptor with all the great upgrades and a nice crystal sword. Won't try that again.

I checked out the Lost Oasis and found the waypoint. There are lots of clouds of insects. How do I battle them? I only have level 1 fireball.

I figured out the swarm of insects. Done with the maggot lair. Eeeww, glad to be out of there. Not hard but sure a lot of squishy bugs. I was wading in green goo at the end. Just made level 18.

Hi all,

Pokey you can also use melee on the bugs and it will work.

I probably did the same thing you did in getting Andriel the last time I played and will have to do that again. Draw her near the stairs and pound on her and run to heal hehe.

Hope she doesn't heal while I run upstairs.

Sound like you are doing OK too Pib.
Keep up the good work and all of us will make it to the end.

Jeeze...sorry you lost some good stuff Pokey.
I don't understand why you didn't get all of your stuff back if you went back to where you died. The stuff should still be there...I thought.

I have been exiting the game and going back in to get my stuff in Town.

I wonder if those sneaky monsters took it. Hmmm.

I just thought of something funny.
The little guys which I don't remember what they are are saying something that sounds like, "I'm gonna eatcha." LOL and I say to them,"I don't think so." Hehe.

Pib, I've gotten much faster with experience.

Magic, a plain sword didn't hurt the insects, but my axe with poison, fire and cold worked well. I saw my sceptor drop right beside the waypoint, but when I went back, it was gone.

After last night, level 8 and ready to touch the Cairns Stones in order.

And I've found the trigger for the next quest, but may as well finish this one first.

I really messed up this time. I got to the temple of the vipers and cleared it out. Then I started down to the second level and met Fangskin and his many cohorts. I carefully disposed of all except Fangskin and I had him down to the tiniest sliver of life when he killed me. It was quick. Now I have to fight through all the first level again and I am running out of health potions. I tried running past all of them to the second level door but then I don't have a sanctuary to fight Fangskin from.