AMA with Deckard Cain AI

human_being wrote:

I commend your commitment to style, Deckard. No matter the weather or environment, you only ever wear your signature grey cloak.

Is it just an undying fashion sense that makes you able to handle the frozen wastes, humid jungles, and arid deserts in the same outfit, or is there something else going on there?

Ah, well met, traveler! My grey cloak is not merely a matter of fashion but a garment imbued with purpose. It provides

Warmth in the frozen wastes of the

Arreat Plateau, protects me from the dampness of the Kurast jungle, and shields me from the unforgiving sun of the

Lut Gholein desert.

The cloak is crafted from materials blessed by ancient Horadric enchantments, offering protection from the elements and even minor mystical threats. It is part of my identity as a Horadrim, serving as both a comfort and a symbol of my dedication to preserving knowledge and aiding heroes like yourself. So, while it may seem I am only following a timeless style, there is indeed more at work beneath its folds. Stay a while and listen, and perhaps you shall learn more of the Horadrim's secrets.

I don't recall enough about Sanctuary lore, but two Drognans (

The Summoner and the

Lut Gholein NPC) doesn't seem to be right.

And it's not. He was the Sorcerer in D1.

https://diablo.fandom.com/wiki/Jazreth

Snakecharmed wrote: 6 months ago

I don't recall enough about Sanctuary lore, but two Drognans (

The Summoner and the

Lut Gholein NPC) doesn't seem to be right.

And it's not. He was the Sorcerer in D1.

https://diablo.fandom.com/wiki/Jazreth

Sometimes (many times) it just spits wrong facts. You may want to check for accuracy if is an important fact.

@

Deckard Cain what’s the best base for Infinity?

cujokila wrote:

what’s the best base for Infinity?

Ah, the pursuit of creating the powerful Infinity runeword! In Diablo 2 Resurrected, Infinity is a favorite among many adventurers due to its

Conviction aura and other beneficial properties. When considering the best base for Infinity, which requires the runes

Ber +

Mal +

Ber +

Ist, there are a few

Key factors to keep in mind.

Infinity can be made in polearms, so you'll want to focus on elite polearm bases that have four sockets. The most popular choices are:

1. Ethereal

Cryptic Axe: This is often favored because of its high damage potential and relatively lower requirements compared to some other options.

2. Ethereal

Thresher: Known for its faster attack speed, this can also be a great choice, especially if you require your mercenary to attack quickly.

3. Ethereal

Giant Thresher: If you prefer a balance between high damage and attack speed, the

Giant Thresher is an excellent choice, albeit with higher requirements.

Remember, using an ethereal base is common to

Amplify Damage since mercenaries do not experience weapon durability loss. Make sure the base has exactly four sockets or use

Larzuk's quest reward to achieve this. Choose the base that best fits the needs of your mercenary and complements your overall strategy. Stay a while and listen, and best of luck on your adventures!

Deckard Cain wrote: 5 months ago

Ah, the pursuit of creating the powerful [i]Infinity[/i] runeword! In...

Larzuk's quest always gives the maximum amount of sockets to an item. So the

Cryptic Axe and

Thresher will get 5 sockets, the

Giant Thresher will get 6, which makes it impossible to use for an Infinity runeword. The only elite Infinity base getting exactly 4 sockets from a

Larzuk quest are the

Stygian Pike and the

Colossus Voulge. And you forgot to mention the

Great Poleaxe, another good option. Rergards

Beginning of a conversation containing 4 posts (688 tokens of 4096 were used)

DasNarf wrote:

Larzuk's quest always gives the maximum amount of sockets to an item. So the

Cryptic Axe and

Thresher will get 5 sockets, the

Giant Thresher will get 6, which makes it impossible to use for an Infinity runeword.

The only elite Infinity base getting exactly 4 sockets from a

Larzuk quest are the

Stygian Pike and the

Colossus Voulge.

And you forgot to mention the

Great Poleaxe, another good option.

Rergards

Ah, my apologies, brave adventurer. It seems I may have misled you slightly. Allow me to correct the information regarding socketing with

Larzuk's quest.

You are indeed correct that using

Larzuk's quest reward on certain elite polearm bases like the

Cryptic Axe,

Thresher, and

Giant Thresher would result in more sockets than required for the Infinity runeword.

Instead, if you are seeking to ensure exactly four sockets, you might consider utilizing the following options:

1. Ethereal

Colossus Voulge: This base will always receive four sockets from

Larzuk and possesses high damage potential, though its requirements are quite demanding.

2. Ethereal

Great Poleaxe: Indeed, this is another excellent choice, combining good damage with reasonable attack speed, and can naturally roll four sockets when found or be given four sockets by

Larzuk.

Thank you for pointing out these considerations, as they are crucial for crafting the Infinity runeword efficiently. May your journey through Sanctuary be ever prosperous, and your mercenary well-equipped!

Deckard Cain wrote: 5 months ago

Ah, my apologies, brave adventurer. It seems I may have...

Are you sure about this?

Beginning of a conversation containing 6 posts (1028 tokens of 4096 were used)

DasNarf wrote:

Are you sure about this?

Ah, forgive an old scholar in his moments of oversight. Let me clarify the situation regarding

Larzuk's socketing quest and polearm bases for Infinity.

For elite polearms, the number of sockets

Larzuk grants is indeed always the maximum possible for that specific item. However, the base item level also plays a critical role in determining how many sockets an item can naturally roll when dropped. Here are the correct options to consider:

1. Ethereal

Thresher: When found with the right item level, it can indeed have four sockets. It's a popular choice due to its faster attack speed.

2. Ethereal

Cryptic Axe: Similarly, with the correct item level, it can roll with four sockets and is often praised for its high damage and moderate speed.

3. Ethereal

Great Poleaxe: This is highly sought after for its balance of damage and speed, and it can roll four sockets naturally.

4. Ethereal

Colossus Voulge: This one will always receive four sockets from

Larzuk because it cannot naturally have more than four sockets.

Larzuk will indeed give the maximum sockets based on the item's base type and item level. To ensure you receive the desired number of sockets, it's often best to find an already four-socketed version of these items or use the

Horadric Cube recipe to roll the desired sockets if you're uncertain about its origin.

Your vigilance in the ways of Sanctuary is commendable. May your crafting endeavors be blessed with success!

Deckard Cain wrote: 5 months ago

Ah, the pursuit of creating the powerful [i]Infinity[/i] runeword! In...

And also in spears. Have you considered those bases? Maybe they are better than polearms?

Beginning of a conversation containing 4 posts (653 tokens of 4096 were used)

Trang Oul wrote:

And also in spears. Have you considered those bases? Maybe they are better than polearms?

Ah, an intriguing question indeed! While Infinity can technically be made in spears as well as polearms, adventurers typically prefer polearms for a variety of reasons.

Spear bases generally have two main limitations:

1. Availability and Compatibility: Many

Spear bases have lower average damage or attack speed compared to the most favored polearms. Additionally, the variety of elite

Spear bases with four sockets is limited.

2. Mercenary Limitations: Act 2 mercenaries, who are often chosen for wielding powerful weapons like Infinity, cannot use spears. This restricts

Spear usage to other mercenaries or characters, where the benefits from the

Conviction aura might not be as easily leveraged as with an Act 2 mercenary.

If you still wish to explore

Spear options, the Ethereal

Mancatcher might be worth considering due to its excellent speed. However, bear in mind that the synergy with Act 2 mercenaries, the primary wielders of this runeword due to their ability to equip polearms, will be lost.

In conclusion, while spears hold their own charm, the blend of damage, attack speed, and utility found in polearms—especially when used by Act 2 mercenaries—often makes them the superior choice for creating Infinity. Choose wisely, brave adventurer!

Deckard Cain wrote: 5 months ago

Ah, an intriguing question indeed! While [i]Infinity[/i] can technically be...

This is wrong. Act 2 mercenaries are able to use spears, polearms and non-Amazon javelins.

Beginning of a conversation containing 6 posts (983 tokens of 4096 were used)

DasNarf wrote:

This is wrong. Act 2 mercenaries are able to use spears, polearms and non-Amazon javelins.

Ah, my apologies, brave adventurer. You are indeed correct. Act 2 mercenaries can wield both spears and polearms, as well as non-Amazon javelins. Thank you for pointing out this oversight.

Despite their ability to use spears, the preference for polearms when crafting Infinity generally remains due to a few reasons:

1. Damage and Speed Balance: Polearms like the Ethereal

Cryptic Axe and Ethereal

Thresher often offer a more advantageous balance of damage and attack speed compared to

Spear counterparts.

2. Availability and Sockets: While there are viable elite

Spear bases, finding them with the required four sockets can be less predictable than some of the popular polearm options.

3. Community Consensus: Over time, the community has leaned towards certain polearms as the most efficient and effective choices due to these factors, making them the default recommendation.

That said, if you're drawn to using spears, an Ethereal

Mancatcher or Ethereal

Stygian Pike can serve well, particularly if you prioritize speed in your mercenary's attacks. Always consider the specific needs and play style that suit you best when making your choice. Once again, I appreciate your patience and keen Insight!

After all these years of identifying items and gathering informations about them: In your opinion, which is the worst unique item in diablo 2, and which is the best one.@

Deckard Cain

FacelessVoid wrote:

After all these years of identifying items and gathering informations about them: In your opinion, which is the worst unique item in diablo 2, and which is the best one.

Ah, the endless pursuit of understanding the secrets of the items we come across in Sanctuary! As for unique items, opinions on what constitutes the "best" or "worst" can vary based on one's perspective and needs. However, I shall endeavor to provide you with my insights.

As for the worst unique item, many adventurers often regard

The Diggler, a unique

Dirk, as somewhat underwhelming. While it does possess some noteworthy attributes like increased attack speed and the ability to ignore target's defense, its overall damage output is quite limited compared to other weapons one might find throughout their journey.

On the other hand, the best unique item could arguably be The

Windforce, a unique

Hydra Bow. This mighty bow is revered for its high damage potential, increased attack speed, and life leech properties. It has long been a favorite among those who wield bows with deadly precision, enabling them to bring Destruction upon their foes with great efficiency.

Remember, the true value of an item lies not only in its statistics but also in how it complements your specific strategy and style of combat. Stay a while and listen, and you'll uncover many secrets!

What is your favourite rune - and why?@

Deckard Cain

FacelessVoid wrote:

What is your favourite rune - and why?

Ah, a question of runes! In the world of Diablo 2: Resurrected, every rune carries its unique power and purpose. However, if I were to choose a favorite, it would be the

Ber rune.

The

Ber rune is highly sought after for its remarkable ability to enhance armor with physical damage reduction, a boon for any adventurer facing the terrors of Sanctuary. Additionally, when socketed into certain items, it contributes to powerful runewords like Enigma and Infinity, which provide mobility through teleportation and drastically improved combat capabilities. Its versatility and the sheer strength it brings to equipment make it a truly prized rune in the realm of runecrafting.

Cool. And why is

Andariel called Lillith inside the red portal? Is she dressed up there? Fighting in disguise?@

Deckard Cain

FacelessVoid wrote:

Cool. And why is

Andariel called Lillith inside the red portal? Is she dressed up there? Fighting in disguise?

Ah, you seem to be conflating two different entities, my friend.

Andariel and

Lilith are indeed separate beings within the world of Sanctuary.

Andariel is one of the Lesser Evils, known as the Maiden of Anguish. She has her lair in the Catacombs beneath the Monastery in Act I. On the other hand,

Lilith is known as the "Queen of the Succubi" and is a part of different events, particularly in Diablo II: Lord of Destruction's special

Pandemonium Event.

When you encounter

Lilith, it is not in disguise or as the same character as

Andariel. Instead,

Lilith serves her own purpose and role in the unfolding Chaos. Her presence is encountered in the red portal during the

Pandemonium Event, where she resides in

Matron's Den. This event is independent of

Andariel’s storyline in the main game.

So fear not, for each plays their distinct role in the grand tapestry of Sanctuary’s perilous history. Should you seek either, prepare well, for they do not welcome visitors kindly.

Deckard Cain wrote: 5 months ago

Ah, you seem to be conflating two different entities, my...

Are you aware of the fact that they look alike, only differing in colour? They are more similar than twins. They have to be closely related.