Diablo II/Gameplay

As an RPG, Diablo II will take many hours to beat completely. Chances of getting great items are slim, and beating the game on the final difficulty will require a high level character (or slightly lower level party online). The various types of play will also change the game so make sure you read about modes if you're not sure where to start.

Modes
It is very important to note that characters cannot be moved between modes.

Single Player
Single player will get kind of dull, and bosses will be a pain until higher levels.

LAN
LAN is a good way to go if you want to play just a little bit every once in a while with a select group of friends. Connection via TCP/IP allows for less lag.

BNET
Battle.net (BNET) is where the true experience of Diablo II is. By allowing the interaction between an unlimited amount of players (not all in the same game at once) a trade economy exists; although as population has declined so has the ease of getting rare items.

Realms (servers) exist to split the world into groupings of players within global regions to reduce overall lag. USWEST is meant for the western states, as well as most of the Pacific rim including Japan (although the Asia server exists).

Difficulties
The game consists of four acts (five in the expansion). Upon completion of the final act, you have the option to restart at a higher difficulty level, effectively continuing your character progress as you play through a second time. There are three difficulties: normal, nightmare, and hell. On higher difficulties monsters acquire immunities and resistances and do much higher damage with higher life; in short, the difficulties are aptly named.

Classes

 * Main article: Diablo II/Classes

Five (seven in the expansion) different classes provide varied gameplay. Each class has a different set of skills and makes different use of stats.

Interactive objects

 * Shrines
 * Lootables
 * Doors