Diablo 3 release announced - May 15th

[Xeogred]

Does having a companion around cut any exp you get?

I don't believe so, monsters get harder, so I believe the experience goes up as well. From what I felt, it seems that it took a longer time to solo my Monk to lvl 12 then it did to co-op my Barb to lvl 15. Perhaps it just feels more fast paced with 3 people pulling you in different directions.

I think he means running with one of the hirelings vs. running solo.

Yessir, so you don't know then?

I like having the Templer around when I'm playing Demon Hunter (and probably for my Wizard), have him as the tank to keep them busy as you keep your distance. But yeah I just wonder if having them around is cutting some of my exp. I didn't play a whole lot of 2 so I'm not sure how it worked there.

And yeah my friend and I beat the Skeleton King in like half the time it took me when I solo'd. Granted I do a lot of exploring and clear the maps, and we were just burning through it. I wonder if that's how Diablo is meant to be played... haha. I feel like I'm playing super slow compared to others, but oh well. My friends were right in that it definitely gets a bit tougher in Act II, so that's nice.

All the classes seem enjoyable and cool, not sure what I'll think about Witch Doctor though... lol. Honestly, they are kind of annoying in co-op because they alone clutter the screen so much.

[dsheinem]

And yeah my friend and I beat the Skeleton King in like half the time it took me when I solo'd. Granted I do a lot of exploring and clear the maps, and we were just burning through it. I wonder if that's how Diablo is meant to be played... haha. I feel like I'm playing super slow compared to others, but oh well. My friends were right in that it definitely gets a bit tougher in Act II, so that's nice.

All the classes seem enjoyable and cool, not sure what I'll think about Witch Doctor though... lol. Honestly, they are kind of annoying in co-op because they alone clutter the screen so much.

I am still about 20 hours in and at the end of Act 3 and things definitely ratchet up in difficulty - II is a cakewalk, comparatively. I, too, am running solo (with some NPC companions at times) and tend to "clear the map" as well. I get the sense that online Diablo co-op play is much more of a fast-paced/rush-to-the-exit ordeal. Since I am interested in the story for my first run through, that doesn't appeal to me.

[Stark]

And yeah my friend and I beat the Skeleton King in like half the time it took me when I solo'd. Granted I do a lot of exploring and clear the maps, and we were just burning through it. I wonder if that's how Diablo is meant to be played... haha. I feel like I'm playing super slow compared to others, but oh well. My friends were right in that it definitely gets a bit tougher in Act II, so that's nice.

All the classes seem enjoyable and cool, not sure what I'll think about Witch Doctor though... lol. Honestly, they are kind of annoying in co-op because they alone clutter the screen so much.

I am still about 20 hours in and at the end of Act 3 and things definitely ratchet up in difficulty - II is a cakewalk, comparatively. I, too, am running solo (with some NPC companions at times) and tend to "clear the map" as well. I get the sense that online Diablo co-op play is much more of a fast-paced/rush-to-the-exit ordeal. Since I am interested in the story for my first run through, that doesn't appeal to me.

I think that depends on your co-op partner. Phades and I tend to have an understanding that we clear the map and listen to story elements when we co-op.

[Xeogred]

And yeah my friend and I beat the Skeleton King in like half the time it took me when I solo'd. Granted I do a lot of exploring and clear the maps, and we were just burning through it. I wonder if that's how Diablo is meant to be played... haha. I feel like I'm playing super slow compared to others, but oh well. My friends were right in that it definitely gets a bit tougher in Act II, so that's nice.

All the classes seem enjoyable and cool, not sure what I'll think about Witch Doctor though... lol. Honestly, they are kind of annoying in co-op because they alone clutter the screen so much.

I am still about 20 hours in and at the end of Act 3 and things definitely ratchet up in difficulty - II is a cakewalk, comparatively. I, too, am running solo (with some NPC companions at times) and tend to "clear the map" as well. I get the sense that online Diablo co-op play is much more of a fast-paced/rush-to-the-exit ordeal. Since I am interested in the story for my first run through, that doesn't appeal to me.

Be sure to not accidentally "quick join" any of your friends like I did, when I was in Act II and they were in the final act... I can't believe the game lets you do that or didn't prompt me any kind of warning. So now my quest log is kind of funky and I have a place or two explored that I don't even know about. I had to go back in my journal and restart one of the quests in Act II to get things kind of back to normal. Annoying... lol.

[Jmustang1968]

Hmm I think all of normal is a cake walk. That's your time to absorb the story. I am currently on nightmare, and that isn't too bad either. I am hearing hell is where it gets interesting.

My solo character is my demon hunter who is at the end of act III on normal, and I mostly 1 shot all but the elite mobs...

[ZenErik]

Normal took me around 10 or 11 hours. Up to level 30 with a Demon Hunter. I think I'm going to start over as a monk

[dsheinem]

Normal took me around 10 or 11 hours. Up to level 30 with a Demon Hunter. I think I'm going to start over as a monk

how did you finish so quick? ignore story?

[jay_red]

Normal took me around 10 or 11 hours. Up to level 30 with a Demon Hunter. I think I'm going to start over as a monk

how did you finish so quick? ignore story?

Seriously, and my fiance and I are at 10 hours and are at level 16, we just got done with the torture dungeon (not sure what act we are in)

[ZenErik]

Normal took me around 10 or 11 hours. Up to level 30 with a Demon Hunter. I think I'm going to start over as a monk

how did you finish so quick? ignore story?

Nope. Definitely watched the story. But I played co-op. There is a lot more story in Diablo III than in II. I was pleasantly surprised.

I eagerly await an expansion pack.

[sabrage]

According to my profile, it took me three hours to beat the Skeleton King and reach level 10 as the Witch Doctor solo, and only an hour and a half to reach 14 and progress a good deal further (I'm at the torture dungeon as well...) with my Wizard. I'm planning on soloing the whole game with my Witch Doctor (or at least on Normal mode) so I don't mind skipping the story bits too much. But damn I could've sworn I played a lot more than that last night... Regardless, I'd much rather play the game in co-op, so if you have similarly leveled characters feel free to add me: Sabrage#1941. Just make sure to specify who you are or I'll decline.

You can check what Act you're on by clicking "Select Quest" from the main menu.