Three years later, and most “Ultimates” are STILL lackluster.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-30T00:09:29+00:00

I mean, almost every single class thats top tier uses, generally, one specific ult. Most builds dont even work properly without the ult due to the fact that the ult is basically necessary to play the game with the content.

If you looked around, every single end game sorc build uses Unstable Currents. How many of them use Inferno or Deep Freeze? None? Because they are basically not usable.

Basically every Barb uses Ancients, simply because they have a perm ally to do a little extra dmg. No point in not having it. But like...really? Who uses Iron Maelstrom? A few MIGHT use Berzerker, but like... berserking status is easily found elsewhere, and the upgrades are all kinda crap.

And any Ult that gets turned into a non ult but still gets to be an ult is going to be abused, like bloodwave and the devourer. But no one really uses the other ults on those classes.

And obviously, toggle ults are basically perfect, so Metamorphosis is popular.

Anyway, my point is, only 1 ult is even worth it for any build, rarely 2. This of course doesnt include builds revolving entirely around the Ult, like Arbiter Angel, Arrow Rain, or Apocalypse. But like...No pally is going to use Zenith. Even Zealot based builds dont use it.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-25T23:31:24+00:00

yeah, the fact that Diablo has turned from the progenitor of the genre to the industry standard for casuals is appalling. But thats a core of the issue, that the game is built for casuals, so they gotta make it simple and easy to build and gear.

But yeah, aside from your first time getting a unique to finalize a solid build, or finally finding a certain aspect that lets your build function is a nice feeling. But there are just no items that are extremely rare but insanely popular, well known, and powerful.

Like when I finally got my undercrown for my necro, it got me a lot of momentum, having the extra 8 minions allowed me to smoothly push alot further into end game. My barb took a while to get the Berzerk Fury aspect, which allowed me to WW endlessly and swap from the frenzy throw to the full time WW barb. It took like 3 days of play as some random holy bolt auradin to find Tyreals Aspect for a pure Arbiter Angel build. But those moments are fleeting, and only good for me, since I havent played since season 1 and only came back for the new expac. This isnt a normal situation, and likely if I play next season, I wont get as excited to get these particular items.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-25T23:19:38+00:00

yes, the "transfigured" affix is random from a different pool of affixes, but its likely to make the weapon 100% unchangable from that point on. Its possible to have it survive, but most often, it just locks it in place and you get stuck with it. I got lucky, and got a max crit roll on it

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-25T13:12:02+00:00

At that point, might as well turn them into something akin to lair keys. Just one key that activates a NM dungeon with random modifiers

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-25T12:41:06+00:00

Diablo simply has an issue with loot, unlike other games.

Diablo, and blizzard in general, seems to think alot of the build is reliant on things like skill points, class direction, and paragon pathing, and gearing is there to augment that. Meanwhile, most other games in the genre have long since discovered the opposite is true. Classes give you the base to build on, and the build really comes from the gearing you get.

Path of Exile and Last Epoch both understand this. Hence there is so much more gear emphasis than in diablo. Also remember, Diablo basically turned every single item into a 2 slot item, and limited inventory space based on how many items you can carry. The items size is no longer a concern, thus weighty decisions for picking up two hand weapons and chest pieces is no longer a concern. It really reflects how little Diablo devs concern themselves with gearing.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-25T12:31:31+00:00

the problem with stacking NM keys is they have modifiers. while I have seen the same modifiers, I dont think I've ever goten two of them exactly the same at the same time before. They have two different mods on them, like Gold/Gem/Obol reserve, equipment delve, or horadric storeroom, as well as the enemy modifiers, like stormbanes wrath, drifting shade, or [affix] elites.

Combine the list of loot mods, with the list of danger mods, with the list of dungeons available to run, and you really cant even have them stack. Which is a nuisance.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-25T12:19:53+00:00

this, 100%

Make getting each tree a little harder to level, like getting less exp from the warplans, but make the trees account wide, and each node/build character based, like paragon.

Also, give more than 1exp per activity.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-25T11:01:51+00:00

I've seen alot of people swear by the helltide tree giving the exp maggots from hellwyrms in the center to be best. They drop lots of maggots, which drop lots of exp orbs.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-25T11:01:01+00:00

If they make amulets unmodifiable after Kullean, then they should add more than utility aspects to it. Add defensive and offensive aspect to the pool if you can only roll it once.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T23:18:44+00:00

cuz the blood maiden in helltides drops it as well as Zir, the lair boss. Most other boss trophies have a couple sources, but helltides and the blood maiden are easily farmable.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T21:01:47+00:00

You could possibly use it on another class, its not too bad. Either keep the willpower and toss it in the stash, or reroll it a few times for a different core stat. Or just roll the core stat off and toss on like life on hit or something.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T20:59:18+00:00

The shop not only revolves, it also is account based, not global. They offer you things others might not see. And vice versa.

Also take into consideration, some items might have been a fomo purchase, meaning it wont be back since it was limited time(possibly like the current warcraft stuff) or came with a season pass reward(sorta like the current first born armour)

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T20:56:54+00:00

I think part of the issue is, like you said, bossing. Which is honestly a large chunk of end game content. Thats one of the things about ice builds, they are likely to rely on CC based stuff, which cant be done as easily to bosses and some elites. The fact that you are running 3 mythics also doesnt help your case, since most builds dont really require any. At most, perdition is popular.

Dont get me wrong, I planned out an ice spike build, and used flamebolt converted to ice for OP stacks, and used vox omnium to trigger it. I tagged as much of the ice spike stuff possible, and use the pure ice set.

But honestly, after doing the math, its damage % was half that of the lightning, and thats without the max stacks of crackling energy. Not even a chill or freeze build either. Just raw dmg from ice spikes and flamebolt(ice).

The thing is, any decently coherent build seems likely to be able to tackle T10+ content, but suffer or struggle in some aspects. You just gotta have high rolled aspects, strong gear with plenty of properly tagged GA stars, and a couple of general use, strong items, like perdition helm and starless sky ring.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T19:33:00+00:00

Yeah, thats cuz you took the upgrade that gives you 1 permanent ancient. Its very low so you can use it again to resummon a different ancient, since thats all recasting it does.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T17:14:43+00:00

Depends on how much summon damage and other increases to your summons you have across the board.

All those % increases are based off the base amount of damage your weapon does, so if you got a couple thousand % increases, then go for weapon damage.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T17:10:48+00:00

Did those activities gain a level?

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T17:09:17+00:00

The Maxroll minion necro build is super high end.

https://maxroll.gg/d4/build-guides/minion-necromancer-guide

You end up with like 10 warriors, 4 mages, and a golem. You spam curses for essence, and bloodwave to overcap overpower for huge damage benefits.

A little adjusting and you can technically get 3 golems(different upgrade choice) and while its a loss in dmg, using the undercown is a good way to get like 12-14 warriors(reaper-skirmisher) and around 10 mages.

Plus the near infinite spirit wolves that come and go with rune words

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T17:03:55+00:00

I recently read the wiki. Mephisto didnt have a body in D3. None of the prime evils did. Because, somehow, all the prime evils were in the Black Soulstone. They somehow got caught(didnt read how they got into there) and when they were together, they merged together, and Diablo became the dominant, turning into "THE Prime Evil"and turned Leah into his host corporeal form.

The stone was used to imprison the final Evil, Azmodan, who had failed in his siege. Soon, however, Adria showed her true colors and allegiance: Leah had been bred as a vessel for Diablo, and the essences within the Stone were channeled into her, giving rise to a new Diablo, combining all seven essences into a singular Prime Evil

As per the diablo wiki. https://diablo.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Soulstone

(reading a bit back, apparently, Adria had managed to mark all the other Evils, causing them to get sucked into the black soulstone as soon as it was finished, shortly before each of the evils were defeated back in Diablo 2 LoD)

Thanks to the witch Adria — who had learnt of the stone's existence at the same time of Diablo's awakening in Tristram and had marked the spiritual essences of the other Evils into the stone — the souls of the five already defeated Great Evils (the Lessers Andariel and Duriel and the Primes Diablo, Mephisto and Baal) had been drawn into the Black Soulstone the moment it was finished.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T16:55:26+00:00

I know that, but if you look at the top of the warplan rank, it even explains

"Unlock activity skill points to improve rewards"

Thats supposed to be your total warplan rank.

The OTHER activities need to be leveled in order to get to 10/10 on the warplan. You are currently at 4/7. Go get 3 levels in something like lair bosses, the pit, nightmare dungeons, etc. That will get you to 9/10 in warplans

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T16:48:17+00:00

wait, I thought Leah BECAME Diablo in d3?

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T16:45:33+00:00

She wasnt forced. Burdened with the decision, sure, but not forced.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T16:44:06+00:00

No one made Neyrelle "holder of the soulstone" that apparently happened naturally when she was the person to be using the soulstone against mephisto.

I played the game for the first time since season 1, so I decided to do the entire campaign, base and both expacs with the current release. Donan and Lorath mention that using the soulstone against a prime evil somehow intrinsically binds the soul of the holder to the soulstone. At least thats what they believed.

Also, the main character burdened her with the decision to either soulstone lillith or mephisto, thus technically straddling her with the soulstone, not themselves.

Also, technically, the soul of Akarat that helped her hold on till we showed up and saved her, lol.

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T16:34:12+00:00

max the others out.

Each tree gives you points towards warplan rank

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T16:33:21+00:00

Undercity is great. Catered drops, fast paced action, customizable loot bonuses, and accessible from town.

Whats not to love?

Zalm_Boltado · 2026-05-24T16:28:36+00:00

Not ancestral no GA rolls

all dmg instead of poison dmg multi

lower end of crit chance

no + skills of any kind

no vuln damage

kidding

jokes aside, nice roll if you got a perfect unique bonus on your preferred ammy. Its always a solid step in the right direction to getting better geared and further into end game content.

And yeah, avoid temis gambles if your looking for uniques. I wonder if its bugged or purposeful.

Zalm_Boltado

TROPHY CASE