Is the Arcane damage type really new?

[Azymn]

Someone else must've mentioned this already but I still see people talking about it like it's different. It seems like it's simply "magic" damage rebranded, like the Bone Spear/Bone Spirit/Magic Hammers were in D2.

Is it different somehow?

[NKlint]

Eh for those who aren't 100% up to speed on all the damage types ans skills, could you reference to what is causing this "arcane damage" in Diablo III?

[Azymn]

In one of the videos, a developer mentioned that fire, ice, and lighting were returning, as well as a 'new' damage type: arcane. I believe that's the basis for references to arcane damage (such as in the character speculation thread, for example). I don't know if they've mentioned any specific skills that use it yet.

[Sein Schatten]

Magic damage was IMO a bit missleading in D2. Magic damage, for me, is like all those elemental damage types. I guess they just renamed magic to arcane.

[konfeta]

He probably meant they are making it a more prominent part of the gameplay. Before, it was like what, 4 skills in the entire game that had magic damage? Now we will see it items with it. I don't mean uniques like Lightsabre/Azurewrath; but a property "of the Abrakadabra" or something.

[5zigen]

I think it will replace "magic" damage.

I think they will also have a resistance for it.

I think the WD skill Soul Harvest will be arcane.

[Sein Schatten]

I think it will replace "magic" damage.

I think they will also have a resistance for it.

I think the WD skill Soul Harvest will be arcane.

Me, too. I guess the only type which won't have a resistance is holy, if the pala/similar class is in the game.

[NKlint]

Well, there used to be Magic resistance in Diablo I but it was omitted in Diablo II for some reason. Maybe there will be player resistances to magic again in Diablo III. Perhaps this resistance might provide protection against curses or other non elemental damage spells.

[Sein Schatten]

Well, there used to be Magic resistance in Diablo I but it was omitted in Diablo II for some reason. Maybe there will be player resistances to magic again in Diablo III. Perhaps this resistance might provide protection against curses or other non elemental damage spells.

Well, mummys are immune to magic. Or was it only that mummy dude boss? I forgot.
edit: Yeah, Unraveler was the name of the mummies.

[Azymn]

Me, too. I guess the only type which won't have a resistance is holy, if the pala/similar class is in the game.
Is this speculation or have you heard about Holy damage somewhere?

I think it will replace "magic" damage.

I think they will also have a resistance for it.

I think the WD skill Soul Harvest will be arcane.
Adding Arcane resistance does seem most logical. I agree that Soul Harvest (and other distinctly blue magic attacks, like the skeletal summoner in the video) appear to be using Arcane damage.

He probably meant they are making it a more prominent part of the gameplay. Before, it was like what, 4 skills in the entire game that had magic damage? Now we will see it items with it. I don't mean uniques like Lightsabre/Azurewrath; but a property "of the Abrakadabra" or something.
I remember thinking that too, so I did a quick check for the skills that actually cause magic damage: Teeth, Bone Spear, Bone Spirit, Magic Arrow, Blessed Hammer, Psychic Hammer, Berserk, Sanctuary, and Holy Bolt. Only the Sorceress (ironically) and Druid have no Magic-based skills. I bet you're right about the items. That would tie in with player resistances.

Well, there used to be Magic resistance in Diablo I but it was omitted in Diablo II for some reason. Maybe there will be player resistances to magic again in Diablo III. Perhaps this resistance might provide protection against curses or other non elemental damage spells.
That is strange that they'd omit that as a resistance, considering how many skills use it.

[Sein Schatten]

Is this speculation or have you heard about Holy damage somewhere?

Speculation. Just seems like a good idea to have a low damage school which bypasses resistences.

[sicilian]

There's another thread floating around about the side effects of different kinds of damage (cold freezes, lightning stuns, etc). With fire seeming to provide some DOT, and lightning now including a stun mechanism, arcane might be the new flavor of pure spell damage. No special effect, just all punch with the highest potential firepower.