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Blizzard’s PTR server for Diablo 4 2.0 is now over, but players who experienced the Vessel of Hatred aren’t sold on the game’s new Runesword system. Adapted from the system found in the series’ second game, the returning mechanic has been dubbed as a “boring” way of improving character strength.
Players aren’t sold on Diablo 4 Runewords
While players used the PTR to test massive game-breaking damage exploits and rapid levelling tricks, many simply explored the game’s new Runewords mechanic. Unfortunately, while the system can add some interesting abilities to characters, many have dubbed the system as “boring” due to its focus on power scaling.
In a discussion on the Diablo 4 subreddit, players discussed the current version of Runewords. While some believe the additions are good for the game overall, others complained that the interesting effects players can use just aren’t as useful as those that simply buff damage.
“Yet another layer of multiplicative power creep,” one player said. “Cool in theory, boring in practice, impossible to balance. There’s no reason to go with fun Runewords, because the boring one are just so much stronger.”
Players explained that the system is yet another addition to D4 that will need to be reworked on launch, despite its PTR testing. With very little runes adding any real benefit outside of Warcry and Petrify, builds using the system will be extremely similar to each other.
How could Blizzard improve Runewords
In its current form, the Runewords system has been criticised for being a simple way of introducing power creep, pushing damage numbers even higher. But how could the system be made actually interesting to use?
As many players explain, the addition of Ruenwords is only boring because it fails to incentivise it’s more fun effects. If Blizzard’s new system nerfed its new damage-focused runes and added more benefits to its quirkier additions, the mechanic could be made more fun.
In its current state, Runewords in Diablo 4 do just make for a rather boring power-creep to the game’s combat. With Blizzard already attempting to reduce base damage numbers, Runewords pretty much just brings the game back in line with its current state.
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