D2R’s aka H ** l Ultimate Difficulty Mode is no joke, players who go blindly are likely to suffer from enemies’ immunities as well as their damage. Here are tips and advice to help you progress.
You cannot directly launch the adventure in Hell mode. You need to have completed the entire Diablo 2 Resurrected campaign in Normal difficulty, then Nightmare difficulty before you can set foot in Hell mode. Things aren’t really going to joke anymore, enemies are at least level 67 with at least one element immunity. Enemies with two immunities are not uncommon there, which can be blocking for many builds. They also have a lot of health and they deal a lot of damage, resulting in a deadly combination. In return, unique items, very powerful rare items as well as high level Runes have a chance to be found. The game is therefore worth the candle. It is also an almost mandatory step to continue to level up your character. Here is a guide that will help you understand the differences in Hell Mode, and most importantly, how to deal with them in order to progress.
Progress in Hell Mode
Let’s start by clarifying that you don’t need overpowered gear to get by in Hell mode. On the other hand, you need a character with a well-thought-out build for this difficulty setting. If you attempt to solo a Witch with all of her talent points invested in the Fire tree, for example, you might have a really bad time. Long before you set foot in Hell, it is best to select a build that is suitable for this difficulty setting and the way you play, especially if you want to play solo. Note that you can reset your character’s build once per difficulty mode (unlike the old days of the original game), / you can play with whatever build you like and then respec with a version optimized for Hell mode when you get there.
Some examples of viable Hell Mode builds, even solo: Hammerdin, Bones or Summons Necromancer, Concentration / Berserker Barbarian
Playing in multiplayer gives you a lot more freedom in your build, since in the majority of cases the elements and sources of damage of the group will be varied, at least if you are playing with at least 3-4 players and more.
An important lesson to learn in Hell mode is that you have to accept that a particular monster, or even a specific type of monster may be too powerful for you, or that your build is just not suited to overcome it effectively. . In both cases, it is better to avoid said monster and progress without killing it (or them). You can also go to work on your build, your equipment and that of your mercenary in order to gain power or to have alternative means of attack in order to be able to manage them later.
There are plenty of class skills out there in which investing a point is enough to give you much wider options without compromising the overall power of your build.
Useful features in Hell mode
Don’t underestimate the elementary resistances for your character, a lot of things can kill you instantly in Hell, it can make a difference. You have a penalty of -100 elemental resistances in this difficulty setting, you must take this penalty into account in your equipment, having + 75% resistance to the elements will not be enough.
Here are some tips depending on your play style:
- Mêlée : Statistics of type Stinging blows (around 50%), Open Wound, and resistances will help you deal enough damage as well as survive. Plan attack techniques with at least an element or two in addition to physical damage, so that you can take down enemies who are immune to them. A technique that deals pure magical damage like Berserk is ideal in this case. The highly recommended characteristics are: Health drain, Attack speed, Recovery after a hit.
- From a distance : For spellcasters, skill increase bonuses are highly desirable, as are casting speed bonuses. For the Amazon, attack speed bonuses are very popular. Having more than one item is also strongly recommended. You will also need to properly equip your melee mercenary to help them withstand blows as well as weaken the enemy with abilities like Slashing Blow and Open Wound.
- Invocation : Classes that rely on their summoned creatures must first and foremost focus on the skill bonuses for said summons.
You can check out our list of Rune Words as well as the Horadrim Cube Recipes to see what items to keep and what you can craft to make your life easier.
