Diablo 2

Updated: 03/05/2023 by Computer Hope

Diablo 2 overview

Diablo 2

Type: Role-Playing Game
ESRB Rating: Mature
Release Date: 06/29/2000
Developer: Blizzard North
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment

One of the most anticipated computer games for 2000, Diablo II is the sequel to the popular computer game Diablo. Like the majority of Blizzard games, you will not be at all unsatisfied with Diablo II, as it is all that is expected and more.

In Diablo II, you have the capability of playing five all-new character classes with unique attributes and abilities. There are four different towns, wilderness areas, a new combat system, and hundreds of new items.

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows - Apple - Linux

Windows System Requirements
Operating System: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4 with Service Pack 5, Windows 2000
Processor: Intel Pentium 233 MHz
Memory: 32 MB RAM (single player)
64 MB RAM (multiplayer)
Graphics Card: Glide and Direct 3D compatible video card, with at least 8 MB Video RAM and running 64 MB System RAM
DirectX: DirectX 7
Sound Card: We recommend a 100% Sound Blaster compatible sound card
Hard Drive Space: 650 MB (single player)
950 MB (multiplayer)
CD/DVD Drive: 4X CD-ROM
Controls: Keyboard & Mouse
Multiplayer: 28.8 KBps or faster modem
Up to 8 players over TCP/IP network or Battle.net
Internet connection required for Battle.net play

New features

Below are some of the new features that Computer Hope found very useful and helpful that were not found in the original Diablo.

  • Improved characters and character classes, including new spells and skills.
  • Much faster load time between zones.
  • Much more detailed character map (character now reflects the majority of the armor worn).
  • Capability of up to 8 players in one game over Battle.net, opposed to 4 in the original Diablo.
  • Improved weapons and other items, including new features such as the socketing capability.
  • Gold is now stored in its own box instead of stored in your inventory boxes.
  • Players' characters are now stored on server, helping to prevent cheating.
  • Capability of purchasing NPCs (computer players), allowing for additional help for yourself.
  • New personal stash box allowing players additional inventory in town; can store up to 100,000 gold and is saved with your character.
  • Better customization of shortcut keys and mouse buttons than Diablo.
  • New feature (by default the Alt button) that allows players to view all items on ground.
  • Capability of moving the map to different portions of the screen allowing the player to have a better view but still see the map.
  • Much larger areas and towns outside of the dungeon.
  • Teleports, once activated, quickly maneuver from location to location.
  • Capability of running or walking. Also, stamina added to make player rest or consume potion to increase stamina to continue running.
  • Improved Battle.net look and feel.
  • As your player skills increase or you join games with more skilled players, the creatures and areas increase in skill allowing for much more fun and difficult games and great re-playability.

The above are just some of the most noticeable game play differences. There are others not included in the above list, such as Diablo II still has great graphics, look and feel, and easy navigation tools available.

Screenshots

Diablo 2 lightning attack Diablo 2 inventory
Diablo 2 fighting Diablo 2 map

Information about gems

Gems are a new and unique feature to Diablo II. Gems, once socketed into armor or weapons, can be a huge advantage to the player's character. Once socketed into the item, the gems make the once not magic weapon magical, adding special capabilities to that item.

Throughout the game you will find a total of seven different gems: Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Skull Gem, and Topaz. Each of these gems have a capability of being in five levels of quality: chipped, flawed, normal, flawless, and perfect.

To increase the quality of your gems, the player must find Gem Shrines. If used, one gem is randomly selected and the quality of the gem is upgraded. If the player does not posses a gem, they are given a chipped gem.

Gem shrines are very rare and are randomly placed in Diablo II. Unlike other items in Diablo II, these gems cannot be bought from a NPC and can only be found or bought from another player in the game.

Gem Information
Amethyst Color: Purple
Helmet: Additional strength
Shield: Additional defense
Weapon: Additional attack rating
Diamond Color: Grey
Helmet: Additional attack rating
Shield: Additional resistance to all
Weapon: Additional damage vs. the undead
Emerald Color: Green
Helmet: Additional dexterity
Shield: Additional poison resistance
Weapon: Additional poison damage
Ruby Color: Purple
Helmet: Additional life
Shield: Additional fire resistance
Weapon: Additional fire damage
Sapphire Color: Blue
Helmet: Additional maximum mana
Shield: Additional cold resistance
Weapon: Additional cold damage
Skull Gem Color: Grey (shaped like a skull)
Helmet: Heals life
Shield: Attacker takes additional damage
Weapon: Steals life and manna from creature being attacked
Topaz Color: Orange
Helmet: Additional magic find
Shield: Additional intelligence
Weapon: Attackers take additional damage per hit

Each of the above ratings will vary depending on the quality of the gem that is socketed.

Finally, once a gem is socketed into any item, it cannot be removed and placed into another item or upgraded.

The Horadric Cube

Horadric CubeThe Horadric Cube is obtained on the second chapter of Diablo 2 and will be commonly used after it is obtained.

Below is a listing of known combinations of items that can be transmuted in the cube.

Items Item gained after transmuted
2 quivers of arrows 1 quiver of bolts
2 quiver of bolts 1 quiver of arrows
6 gems + 1 sword 1 socketed long sword
1 spear + 1 quiver of arrows A stack of javelins
3 health potions + 3 mana potions 1 rejuvenation potion
3 amulets 1 ring
3 rings 1 amulet
3 gems (must be same type, e.g., three chipped diamonds). Upgraded gem (will be next level up to the three gems placed in cube).
1 ring + 2 topazes 1 coral ring (grants resistance to lighting).
Tip

You also need to transmute items to complete quests in Diablo 2.

Keyboard shortcuts

Below is a listing of the available shortcut keys in Diablo 2:

Key(s) Action
Esc Activates or deactivates the Esc menu.
H Displays help screen.
A (or C) Toggles Character Attributes screen.
B (or I) Toggles Backpack Inventory screen.
P Toggles Party screen.
M Toggles the message log.
Q Toggles the Quest log
Enter Opens / Closes In-Game chat overlay
Tab Toggles the Automap
Home Centers the Automap
T Toggles skill tree screen.
S Toggles mouse button skill button overlay.
F1 - F8 Sets or uses left / right mouse button skills. (highly recommended).
~ Toggles the display for belts larger than 1 x 4.
1, 2, 3, and 4 Uses the potion in slot 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Ctrl Hold down to run.
R Toggles the autorun on / off.
Shift Holding down causes character stay stationary during attack.
Alt Displays all items currently on the ground (highly recommended).
Spacebar Cancels all screens to view just normal view.
Numeric keypad 0-6 0 - Player's character says "Help."
1 - Player's character says "Follow me."
2 - Player's character says "For you."
3 - Player's character says "Thanks."
4 - Player's character says "Sorry."
5 - Player's character says "Bye."
6 - Player's character says "Die."
N Clear text messages.
Print Screen Takes screenshot and places the screenshot in the Diablo 2 directory as screenshotx.jpg.
Z Toggles display of part member portraits in the top left corner of the screen.

MOUSE BUTTONS

Button Action
Left
  • When clicking a spot on the ground, character moves to that spot.
  • Click a monster to attack.
  • Pick up/drop items.
  • Activate shrines.
  • Open doors/chests.
  • Interact with NPCs.
Right
  • Use skill or ability on creature.
  • Drink potion.
  • Activate scroll or tome.
Middle mouse (mouse wheel) Default action turns on/off map.
Wheel (up/down motion) Quickly scroll through hot keyed skills and abilities.

Technical support