Gems, Runes, Charms and other goodies

[ChristophoclesX]

Anyone notice the "Star Topaz" from the demo? My theory is that sockets will have shapes like star, square, circle and can only fit the corresponding shape. Or perhaps star is a quality like chipped, flawed, etc?

As for runes, I'd like to see some returns from D2, like the major HR's for continuity's sake. If they are included, I want a much larger selection of words.

Also, I always thought charms were a bit over-powered in D2. One can hardly survive without a character torch and an anni. Should they return?

Perhaps Blizz will throw us something new to replace runes or charms. Any speculation? Perhaps a new mechanic like crafting your own potions. That would be sweet.

[onishin]

Runewords won't probably appear in D3. The lead designer doesn't like them.

[DaveLepard]

Not survive without Torch and Anni? You've gotta be kidding me? Go and tell that to the SP Forum, please.

[nicro tower]

I'd like to see the runes return as well, though maybe with new runewords.

Meh charms are nice, but maybe have a limit on them? If the magic on rings and amulets cancel themselves out after having too many, shouldn't the magic of charms do the same?

[Akse]

I guess they "confirmed" that runewords won't return.. but there are runes in the trailer at least so maybe they have some other use.

Charms are an annoyance.. I have mana charm, take that off for more room? Hmm don't think so I don't like my stats getting gimped. So eventually you will have just a minimal room for some items. Just make the items in a way that charms are not needed. Maybe sockets could play the role of charms.. more sockets so if you want that +20 hp you will socket it instead of a charm.

[nicro tower]

Charms aren't needed... look at classic...

But for continuity's sake, and because I like the charm graphics somewhat, I think we should have charms.

Put a limit on how many you can have, say 5 charms in the inventory, or have some dedicated slots for charms in the inventory, like trinket slots in WoW.

[strongdwarvenale]

I thought charms were annoying as well, but in the end they are useful. Maybe there won't be RW's in the early stages of D3, but I can imagine as more patches and eventually an expansion will appear, making the game progressively harder and more complex, Blizzard will bring them back or have new items that have similar abilities.

I think a charm inventory (maybe there's a leather strap you wear around your neck under your amulet that you can wear charms with) is a good idea, but also, if there are charms, there should be some rare ones as well.

[Arbedark]

Copy the Titan Quest Artifact idea.

You have 1 slot for a "charm" and it acts just like part of your equipment.

I'd like to see magic, rare, set and unique charms and have them represented on your character.

Maybe a Fur Pelt on a Barb's shoulders, a shrunken head hanging from a Witch Doc's belt etc.

[strongdwarvenale]

Yeah, the skins of the charms were lame. Shrunken heads etc. would be stylish.

[drool]

Charms were supposed to be annoying. The point of a small inventory and small stash was to force characters to limit what they could have. If you decided to fill it up with charms, then you wouldn't be able to carry anything else - the person who didn't fill it up will gladly pick up anything you leave behind.

Making charms have their own inventory or item slot completely defeats the purpose. It would be the same as adding another ring or amulet slot.

Either get rid of them completely or have them take up inventory space.

[Nimbostratus]

I think the game would be better off without charms, or with charms adding only minor bonuses (MF, GF, small amounts of AR/Defense, and maybe a bit of mana). Having no charms vs an inventory full of them shouldn't ever be as drastic as +9 <tree> and +4 all skills as it is in D2. I'm fine with the idea of them filling out gaps in your equipment, but being able to get nearly all of your resistances, half your stats, and most of your AR from charms is ridiculous.

And about charms intended to be annoying: Hello, stupid game mechanic. A game should never purposely try to annoy the player.

[samithedood]

what are artefacts from TQ? I like the idea of charms but i hate the inventory space it takes up. I think the charm inventory idea would be cool the more equipment slots the better (with correct balancing).

[Arbedark]

Charms were supposed to be annoying. The point of a small inventory and small stash was to force characters to limit what they could have. If you decided to fill it up with charms, then you wouldn't be able to carry anything else - the person who didn't fill it up will gladly pick up anything you leave behind.

Making charms have their own inventory or item slot completely defeats the purpose. It would be the same as adding another ring or amulet slot.

Either get rid of them completely or have them take up inventory space.

This would be fine.

IF DECENT STUFF ACTUALLY DROPPED REGULARLY.

Seriously. Torch, Anni, 7 Skillers, 8 Small charms.

Leaves you with 2x4 space to pick things up, and since drops are so spread out in Diablo, you can easily grab anything good with that sort of space. ID it and drop if its crap, or tp back to town in an instant.

As it stands its a no brainer whether to have inventory space or charms, charms all the way.

Adding an inventory slot for a single charm wouldn't be taking away the whole purpose of them, it would be streamlining the game design into something better, this way you have to choose which charm you want. More choice = good. Which as it stands is a whole lot more of a choice than in D2 charms? Yes please until I only have 2x4 left in my inventory...