This post from Blizzard Community Manager Bashiok hits the nail on the head with what we've been saying about loot. If you want the good stuff you have to trade or buy and sell.
Diablo has always been a random number generator. You walk into a dungeon and it's randomly generated into a configuration. You pick up a piece of loot and it's randomly generated with a set of stats. This is how it was in Diablo 1 and 2 and in 3 it's a much greater beast. We have far more variety in stats than we did in the original Diablo and so the chances of you getting what you need from a random loot drop is so rare that if you set up your character with only random loot drops, and you were then able to complete higher level dungeons, if I were you I'd go and buy a lotto ticket!
Trade forums in Battlenet were nuts in Diablo 2 but I got a lot of my gear back then by monitoring for things in the chat and jumping into games with people to trade. The Auction House just provides an easy way to do that now.
What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Korriban. These datacrons, available to Sith Empire only players, are easy to spot compared to many other in the game. There are three datacrons to be found on Korriban.
Galactic History 15: Mandalore
Stat/Reward: Willpower +2 Waypoint: X: 530, Y: -163 Tips: You can see this datacron glowing almost instantly when you leave the taxi station, the first time you go to lower wilds.
What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Korriban. These datacrons, available to Sith Empire only players, are easy to spot compared to many other in the game. There are three datacrons to be found on Korriban.
Galactic History 15: Mandalore
Stat/Reward: Willpower +2 Waypoint: X: 530, Y: -163 Tips: You can see this datacron glowing almost instantly when you leave the taxi station, the first time you go to lower wilds.
Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:
The gray-skinned Taung species, which clashed with humans long before the formation of the Republic, had lost none of its fearsome reputation over the years. The Taung revered conflict in all forms, relishing the chance to test themselves against powerful enemies.
While the young Republic continued to expand, the Taung also sought out and colonized many worlds. Eventually they discovered an Outer Rim planet populated by enormous, vicious beasts called mythosaurs. The Taung took the world for their own, calling it Mandalore after their leader, Mandalore the First. The mythosaurs presented little challenge to the powerful Taung; in time, mythosaur bones were used to build Mandalore's first cities.
Galactic History 16: The Alaskan Conflicts
Stat/Reward: Endurance +2 Waypoint: X: 158, Y: 81 Tips: The datacron is next to the shuttle that will take you off the starting planet.
Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:
During the boom period of early Republic expansion, dissent arose from the unlikeliest of quarters: the planet Alsakan. Colonized by the first explorers from Coruscant long before the development of the hyperdrive, Alsakan had been a member of the Core Worlds for centuries.
But as the planet grew more powerful and influential, its Senators believed that Alsakan, not Coruscant, should be the capital of the Republic. A series of skirmishes called the "Alsakan Conflicts" broke out, slowing Republic growth as it tried to quell Alsakan's forces.
Despite the best efforts of Republic diplomats and generals, Alsakan remained belligerent, and seventeen such uprisings would occur over the next several thousand years. Later, the battle cruisers built during the Alsakan Conflicts would inspire the Republic's Invincible-class dreadnought.
Galactic History 17: The Duinuogwuin Contention
Stat/Reward: Red Matrix Shard Waypoint: X: -54, Y: 378 Tips: This datacron is in the open area right before you go into the tombs where the heroic quests are.
Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:
In their travels, the early Republic explorers encountered many bizarre and fascinating species. Most of these first contacts were peaceful, but while charting worlds in the Outer Rim, scouts encountered enormous, flame-breathing reptiles known as Duinuogwuin. The terrified scouts opened fire and fled the planet, eventually returning to Coruscant--only to discover they'd been followed. The Duinuogwuin began waging war against the capital in what would be called the "Duinuogwuin Contention."
Supreme Chancellor Fillorean, often criticized in the Senate for being hesitant and indecisive, ignored demands to mobilize the Republic Navy and attempted to communicate with the Duinuogwuin. To everyone's surprise, the Duinuogwuin were revealed to be intelligent and inherently peaceful. Supreme Chancellor Fillorean and the Duinuogwuin philosopher Borz'Mat'oh negotiated a treaty, and later even cooperated to found Coruscant's first university.
What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Ord Mantell. These datacrons, available to Republic only faction players, can be found on a hill, near a lake and buried in the sand. All in all there are three datacrons to be found on Ord Mantell.
Galactic History 12: The Birth of the Republic
Stat/Reward: Aim +2 Waypoint: X: -660, Y: -561 Tips:To get here head to the group area, it is on a hill there. Use the hill to the west of it to get to it.
What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Ord Mantell. These datacrons, available to Republic only faction players, can be found on a hill, near a lake and buried in the sand. All in all there are three datacrons to be found on Ord Mantell.
Galactic History 12: The Birth of the Republic
Stat/Reward: Aim +2 Waypoint: X: -660, Y: -561 Tips:To get here head to the group area, it is on a hill there. Use the hill to the west of it to get to it.
Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race.
You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:
For centuries, safe and reliable travel through hyperspace had been the biggest obstacle to galactic exploration. Finally, Corellian scientists managed to perfect hyperdrive technology on par with that of the ancient Rakata, allowing travel between the Core Worlds in mere days. Joined by trade and renewed communication channels, the Core Worlds signed an accord and united as the first Galactic Republic.
The newborn Republic began exploration of hyperspace routes in earnest, supported by daring Duros scouts and eventually established the Perlemian Trade Route. This route connected Coruscant to many worlds, including Ossus, where the Jedi Order's enclave had been established centuries before. The Jedi welcomed Republic scouts with curiosity and interest.
The head of the enclave, Master Haune Tiar, returned with the scouts to the allied Core Worlds. Impressed by what he saw, Master Tiar also foresaw the young Republic would need protectors. After conferring for several weeks, the Jedi pledged themselves as the Republic's guardians of peace and justice. The foundations for the modern Republic were laid.
Galactic History 13: The First Great Schism
Stat/Reward: Presence +2 Waypoint: X: -971, Y: 201 Tips: Simply head along the beach from the Volcano Camp. The Datacron is resting behind some rocks, near a small lake.
Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:
After the Force Wars, when the Jedi Order learned of the destructive power of the dark side, the Jedi devoted themselves to the path of the light. In the early days of the Republic, a young Kashi Mer Jedi named Xendor defied the order's code and began experimenting with dark side techniques. Incensed, the Jedi Order confronted Xendor and banished him from Ossus.
Xendor, now immensely powerful and full of rage, raised an army on the planet Lettow and led it against the Jedi. Not since the Force Wars had the Jedi fought their own. Xendor and the Legions of Lettow eventually fell in battle; his lover, Arden Lyn, was defeated by the Jedi Master Awdrysta Pina and placed into a strange stasis, sustained by the dark side. Although this first schism within the Jedi was over, it would not be the last.
Galactic History 14: The Fall of Tion
Stat/Reward: Red Matrix Shard Waypoint: X: 778, Y: 133 Tips: Follow the beach up north. There is a level 8 elite guarding it, and the Datacron is down a little hole in the sand just next to him.
Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:
The Tionese Cluster, once a great civilization ruled by the despot Xim, entered its fading years as the Republic began its ascension. The third great power in the galaxy, the Hutt Empire, was also thriving. The Hutts used their criminal influence to control entire worlds, extorting and enslaving their subjects. Fear of the Hutts drove many worlds to seek membership in the Republic; truthfully, far more than the Republic could safely allow.
Eventually, war broke out between the Tion Cluster and the Republic. Despite--or because of--the Tionese's lack of resources, the Republic found them a dangerous foe. In response, Republic spies quietly stirred up trouble between the Tion Cluster and their old enemies, the Hutt Empire.
Facing a war on two fronts, the Tionese submitted to the Republic. The worlds of the Tion Cluster gradually came under the Republic's banner, finally ending their long enmity.
What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on planet Tython. These datacrons, available to Republic only faction players can be found on top of remote mountain passes, near ancient statues, and guarded by a mysterious shaman. All in all there are three datacrons to be found on Tython.
Galactic History 09: The Force Wars
Stat/Reward: Endurance +2 Waypoint:X: -33, Y: -102 Tips: You have to go through the mountain pass (entrance -29,13). The above location is up on a ledge that appears to be inaccessible. You have to go around behind the datacron and the entrance to the cave that leads to it is at -34, -29.
Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:
What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on planet Tython. These datacrons, available to Republic only faction players can be found on top of remote mountain passes, near ancient statues, and guarded by a mysterious shaman. All in all there are three datacrons to be found on Tython.
Galactic History 09: The Force Wars
Stat/Reward: Endurance +2 Waypoint:X: -33, Y: -102 Tips: You have to go through the mountain pass (entrance -29,13). The above location is up on a ledge that appears to be inaccessible. You have to go around behind the datacron and the entrance to the cave that leads to it is at -34, -29.
Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:
On the planet Tython, an order of philosophers and researchers arose, studying the mysterious energy that permeates all things--an energy known as the Force. However, disagreements developed within the order about how this energy should be used, leading to the Force Wars that eventually engulfed the planet. A faction comprised of those who followed a more peaceful path left Tython and established itself on the planet Ossus; later, this faction called itself the Jedi Order.
At their new enclave, the Jedi refined a code that would guide them. They became a monastic warrior people, devoting themselves to the pursuit of peace and knowledge, rather than personal power.
In the wake of the Force Wars, the Jedi also had a new understanding of the Force. They saw that the Force, while naturally light, could be used for corrupt ends. Those who did not respect its power risked falling to the dark side.
Galactic History 10: The Tion Cluster
Stat/Reward:Willpower + 2 Waypoint: X: -648, Y: -72 Tips: Use a huge tilted pillar that forms a bridge to a hilltop. The Datacron is just to the left of the hilltop at the base of a statue.
Codec description:This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:
As the Core Worlds began to expand, another power in the Core was rising. The Tion Cluster, inhabited by the descendants of ancient sleeper ship crews, had developed a new hyperspace beacon technology based on fragments left by the Infinite Empire--far superior than the hyperspace cannons previously in use.
The Tion Cluster was gradually conquered by an arrogant and powerful pirate prince, known to history as the despot Xim. Using the new hyperspace technology, he despoiled world after world, taking slaves and ruthlessly expanding his territory. His rule of the Tion Cluster lasted for thirty years and saw the conquest of hundreds of thousands of planets.
Xim might have continued his rule unchallenged even longer, but he chose to expand his empire into a new area of space, one already inhabited by the powerful Hutt Empire.
Galactic History 11: The Tionese Face the Hutt Empire
Stat/Reward: Blue Matrix Shard Waypoint: X: -93, Y: 925 Tips: you have to follow the path starting at X: -113 Y:88 Z:819 past a few fleshraiders, through a two story ruin and into a small settlement. The matrix shard is to the right with a kneeling shaman in front of it.
Codec description:This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:
Seeking to expand his territory, the ancient Tionese despot Xim began exploring the Si'Klaata Cluster--and for the first time, encountered a force that could challenge him. This region belonged to the Hutt Empire. Although young, the Hutt Empire had already grown immensely powerful through its criminal enterprises, helped by the long lifespan of the Hutts.
The Hutts correctly assessed the threat Xim presented and poured resources into fighting him near the planet Vontor. Despite their strength, the Hutts were not certain of victory until they discovered the Si'Klaata Cluster was home to several other powerful species, including the Nikto, Klatoonians and Vodrans. In a typical gambit, the Hutts managed to persuade these three species to sign the Treaty of Vontor, which bound them to the Hutts in perpetual slavery.
With these additional forces, the Hutts overwhelmed Xim at the third Battle of Vontor. Xim died a Hutt prisoner, leaving his vast holdings and territory free for the taking.
Bioware have just released a promo video for patch 1.3. The video tells us nothing really new but does provide some extra details about the new features. The video has received many dislikes and as I go over the details, you mind understand why. The changes are:
Legacy perks Group Finder Character transfer Scaling social gear
First, have a quick watch of the video (bottom of this post). As you will see the Legacy perks are specific to each individual character, and they don't come cheap.
Looking at the warzone perks, the first one costs 20k and gives you a 2% XP perk to leveling in warzones. Another 30k will add an extra 2%, to the total of 4%. Each level seems to go up by 10k and add an extra 2%. So you'll be able to achieve a maximum of 10% bonus XP after spending approximately 200k. If you want to level another alt in PvP you'll have to spend another 200k. Please keep in mind that this is a guestimate as they only show us the costing of the first two.
Now is it just me or does that seem a little steep for such a pathetic return? 10% is not going to make much difference. I have three characters past act 2 and several others well on their way and I, like a lot of other players, am finding it really hard to have to re-do the standard missions found on most worlds. As it is at this stage, just to complete your class quests you have to level PvP for hours or re-do missions you've done 3 or 4 times already. I've been alternating characters to get the most out of rested XP, but it's still at the painful stage of going through this stuff for the 4th and 5th time for me. Don't get me wrong, I love the class missions and I am thoroughly enjoying every second of the story lines but I'm finding the leveling to be way more time consuming than it was originally in Beta.
Group Finder seriously should have been in the game from the start so although I'm pleased to see it being added, it's an "about time" feature, not a "wow" feature.
Character transfers are definitely going to help the lower populated servers and I hope that Bioware do the right thing and give everybody who has been gimped for months on dead servers the opportunity to move for free.
As for scaling social gear, since my main character is a Jedi Consular I can tell you now, this is broken before it's released. Currently all social gear is light armor but yet my Jedi Conuslar is still stuck in his fuggly rakata gear. As none of the promised armor bonuses transfer to other gear Bioware made a big deal about the customization abilities in patch 1.2. Apart from war hero and black hole gear, no other items in the game mods transfer. So if you're thinking of decking out yourself as a Sandperson, be prepared to loose your bonuses if you're not in the absolute state of the art gear.
I may seem a little bit annoyed about this last point, but it's one of the many options that Beta testers disputed. The change to lock-down epics was made about a month prior to the game being released. I had to do multiple videos to demonstrate the changes on mods as they were released in Beta. The community tried to advise Bioware but they did not listen and five months later we're still paying the price by having Jedis look like punces with wings on our sleeves in order to have our earned set bonuses. Unless the change is made to retro-fit older mods, this will plague the ability for players to customize themselves properly for some time.
Finding help and tips on Diablo III is nothing short of painful. The amount of gold spam sites trying to convince you to click on buttons in order to sell you crap is pathetic. So what we've done is gathered all the useful tips and information we could find in the forums and also in the fabulous Reddit Diablo III community. There is more out there but this is a very good start.
If you've got a tip, or any useful information that might help other players please leave a comment on this post or on the Tips page and I will add it.
Classes and Combat
General
•The Guard ability can now be reapplied if the player dies with it activated. Previously, players sometimes received an error indicating that their target was already guarded.
Sith Inquisitor
General
•Lightsaber Charge's audio effects no longer loop indefinitely.
Trade forums in Battlenet were nuts in Diablo 2 but I got a lot of my gear back then by monitoring for things in the chat and jumping into games with people to trade. The Auction House just provides an easy way to do that now.
