Balancing an Action RPG - Adjusting as the Essential Measure

As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming launch of Diablo 4's Season 3, we can expect major changes to all the classes that will shake up the meta. These changes will likely include nerfs to the overpowered builds such as the Ball Lightning Sorcerer and HotA Barbarian. In this blog post, we will delve into why nerfing these outliers is a necessary evil, even though players typically dislike having their power diminished.

Season 3 Developer Update Livestream

During a recent livestream on January 18th, the developers of Diablo 4 discussed the upcoming changes for Season 3. One of the game's Lead Class Designers, Adam Jackson, explained their current balancing philosophy and the reasons behind the need for nerfs. Jackson highlighted the importance of maintaining a fresh and dynamic game environment, where players are encouraged to experiment with new builds and playstyles.

According to Jackson, if a single build dominates the game for an extended period, experimentation dwindles and all builds become similar. This lack of diversity is detrimental to the long-term health of the game. Additionally, if nerfs are not implemented, a continuous power creep occurs, resulting in immeasurable and unbalanced damage.

• Buff Underperformers, Don't Nerf Overperformers

The community often argues against nerfing and suggests buffing underperforming builds instead to level the playing field. However, history from Diablo 3 proves that this approach can lead to a never-ending cycle of power increases. In Diablo 3, underperforming classes were frequently buffed to match the strongest classes, which ultimately resulted in extreme power creep and imbalanced gameplay.

To address these issues, the developers of Diablo 4 focus on regular meta shake-ups through nerfs and adjustments. While nerfing may cause initial dissatisfaction, it plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and preventing the game from becoming stale.

Diablo 3's Balancing Issues

Diablo 3 previously encountered significant challenges when it came to balancing. The developers primarily buffed underperforming builds, resulting in a constant increase in power over time. This power creep caused damage numbers to reach trillions and damage multipliers to soar to the tens of thousands, leading to an imbalanced game experience that received heavy criticism from the community.

Notably, Diablo 3 ended up with 20 difficulties due to the need to accommodate the power creep. While multiple difficulty options may seem appealing, the excessive number of difficulties demonstrated the repercussions of taking this philosophy to the extreme.

Diablo 4's Abattoir of Zir - Balancing Endgame Content

Diablo 4's Season 2 introduced the Abattoir of Zir as new endgame content, designed to challenge even the most powerful builds. To maintain the integrity of this pinnacle experience, the developers chose not to nerf overpowered builds mid-season. Consequently, the Abattoir was balanced around these outliers, posing a significant challenge for non-meta builds.

If the overperforming builds had been nerfed before the release of the Abattoir of Zir, it would have been easier to balance the content and offer a challenging experience to a broader range of classes and builds.

Blizzard's Learnings for Diablo 4 - "Communicate Early, Communicate Often"

Blizzard has learned from the past and altered their approach to nerfing in Diablo 4. They now emphasize the importance of early and frequent communication with the community. By discussing upcoming changes and explaining the reasoning behind nerfs, Blizzard aims to foster a conversation and prepare players for the adjustments.

This proactive communication allows players to avoid feeling blindsided and provides them with a better understanding of the developers' intentions. It is an essential step towards making nerfs more palatable for the average player.

Conclusion

Nerfing is an integral part of maintaining the long-term health and balance of a game like Diablo 4. While it is challenging to strike the perfect balance and avoid completely destroying a build's viability, ongoing adjustments are necessary. The goal is to achieve a range of balanced builds rather than a single dominating outlier. Class balancing remains an ongoing process, and player feedback and opinions play a vital role in shaping the future of Diablo 4.