Questions of Classic/non-expansion

Hi,

What are the key differences in Classic/Non-Expansion here compared to retail?

Is there any point in playing Classic? As I understand it, reaching 99 is impossible in 2 years, so no badges?

 

Hello, @lukata. Let's take your post in two pieces:

- no act 5;
- no runes (so no runewords), no NM, Hell Set/Uniques itens (no Viper, no Shako), no class-specific itens (no Occy, no Zaka);
- no charms, jewels;
- hirelings are restricted to your act (act 1 hireling are just active in act 1, act 2 hireling only in act 2 and so on);
- hirelings cannot use gears;
- monsters levels in classic are slightly lower in NM and Hell. (Hell Diablo is lvl 94 in Exp and lvl 90 in classic for ex.).

For sure. It is a new experience in the game, where you need to build your char with no overpowered itens, relying only on rares/normal uniques itens. You learn to value such itens, embrace the challenge and build a high-level char despite all of this (in HC, ofc).

But this is my personal feeling.

 

So far it's slow but fun, unsure what unique to keep or where to find only classic wiki...

 

Classic guides are hard to find nowadays, but I can help with some tips.

Unique itens to looking for is:

- Spectral Shard for Pala and Sorcy, Ume's Lament for Necro, Bonesnap for Barb and Wizendraw for Bowazon;
- Tarnhelm;
- Magefist;
- Goldskin, Silks of Victory;
- The Ward 50 all res;
- and ofc, SoJ.

There are some good temporaries like Hotspur, Bloodfist, Nightsmoke and Steelclash.

For rares, this is a wide area, but, in resume, keep an eye for:

- Mage/Ornate Plate with high %ed, life, fhr and nice resists;
- Low str req Boots with 30% frw, tri-resists(not poison), some MF;
- Low str req Belt with 24% fhr, huge life, nice resists;
- Gloves with nice dex/str, resists, ias, dual leech;
- Grim Shield 2 Pala, all res, high %ed;
- Martel de Fer 2 Barb, 200%ed, dual leech, nice AR.

Some Sets are worth to keep, like Iratha's, Sigon's, Death's and Hsaru's.

And keep any white Grim Shield, Mage Plate and Martel de Fer for Charsi's imbue for when your level (and your gold amount) is high enough.

 

Thanks, any cube recipes?

 

Just two are worth to memorize:

- 6 Perfect Skulls + 1 Rare Item = 1 Random Low Quality Rare Item of the same type: for reroll rares Mage Plates and Grim Shields dropped by Hell Diablo with crap stats;
- 3 Perfect Skulls + 1 Rare Item + Stone of Jordan = Add 1 Socket To a Rare Item: this is the only way to add a socket to an item in classic. You will lose a SoJ, is a pain, I know, but the goods news is that SoJ are easier to get in classic, since it has only 3 uniques possible rings (Nagel, Manald and SoJ). Ah, you cannot socket Uniques itens in classic, so save this recipe for the superb rares.

 

so only skulls are worth collecting, other gems just start ignoring later on

 

Yes, Diamonds are worth to get some for using in a shield until you find a decent The Ward and Topaz in a helm until you find a good Tarnhelm.

But you can always sell them for gold; and you will need gold in classic, for imbues and especially for gamble amulets, since only Hell Diablo can drop a +2 skill rare amulet in the game.

 

Hell Griswold always drops 6 flais

--- Double Post Merged, Sep 28, 2025, Original Post Date: Sep 28, 2025 ---

Well i died to lag while teleporting on hc classic in act3, not sure if i will attempt again, lost a lot of progress

 

Sorry about your loss. You can try SC next time, or if you want to continue in HCCL, send me a message. I have chars and itens here.

 

Thanks for the offer, but hardcore has too many ways to end your entire play, a simple lag during teleport, and puff you run is gone even sting chicken didn't save it this time.

--- Double Post Merged, Sep 28, 2025, Original Post Date: Sep 28, 2025 ---

It might be bad luck, but so far i haven't seen any body armor with sockets

 

In classic, body armors with sockets doesn't exist, just helms, shields and weapons.

 

I will be starting up on hccl soon and can help. hope to see you guys there!