Switch HC online questions

Hi all!

After coming back to D2 via Switch and messing around a while in offline softcore, the (very!) intermittent hardcore itch is returning. So I've decided (for reasons even I don't fully understand) to try an HC ladder character when the season launches. Now I'm trying to figure out what I feel like I need to know before that, and I'm still slightly lost. Any input you have on the following questions would be greatly appreciated!

For what it's worth, I'll still likely play almost entirely SSF. Few of my friends are playing it now, and only PC SC. I don't currently plan to engage very much with trade, maybe buy/sell the occasional uniques/runes or bulk jewels etc., but that might change with time.

1. Is there even much of a Switch HC Ladder community to begin with? How/where does it function (e.g., here, reddit, Discord...)? How badly is trade affected by the population?

2. What do I need to watch out for online? (Used to play a ton of PoE as well, occasionally HC, so I'm not worried about basics like trade scams and keeping my butt in town with unknowns, but not sure if there are D2R- or Switch-specific things I'm missing.)

3. What all can trigger d/c on Switch? Obviously shitty Wi-Fi or servers; didn't even think about sleep mode until I was testing a bit with an HCNL character and set it aside for half an hour. Is there any kind of server-side logout timer or the like that I should also look out for?

Thanks in advance for your input!

I guess the Silence answers #1.

Go for Ladder Number 1 on switch

I searched a bit online about it. Seems like there is not much of online on switch, just offline players on couch. The connection is very bad if you compare it to the others systems and you can even play only 4P.

Could be too frustrating to play online hc on switch i guess.

re. trading:

3 hc nl switch trades here, all crossplatform w. xbox and/or psn...

looking at traderie, about the same...

SayyadinaAtreides wrote: 4 days ago

2. What do I need to watch out for online? (Used to play a ton of PoE as well, occasionally HC, so I'm not worried about basics like trade scams and keeping my butt in town with unknowns, but not sure if there are D2R- or Switch-specific things I'm missing.)

Be aware of PKers. Some people like killing new HC players and there are a few "methods" you should know. There is even an "achievement" to collect ears on PS and steam, don't know if this is true for switch, too.

Only trust people who deserve your trust. Not every portal is safe, even if they say so. Just leave the game is people go hostile (unless you know what you doing).

Greys_Prey wrote: 3 days ago

Go for Ladder Number 1 on switch

I searched a bit online about it. Seems like there is not much of online on switch, just offline players on couch. The connection is very bad if you compare it to the others systems and you can even play only 4P.

Could be too frustrating to play online hc on switch i guess.

I play online d2r on switch via wifi, no issue. No lag or anything. It might be ur connection it seems. There is an occasion disconnection or timedout, but that is rare.

Either way, i agreed there isnt much of a community on switch online play but its there, just not alot.

Switch=best

No, there's not much of a community on Switch, and even less so on HC, and even less so on HCL.

I played HCL for a couple seasons and went back to offline SP because P7-P8 settings felt more rewarding.

Appreciate all the feedback. I expected the Switch community to be small, just...not quite this small hahaha.

d2rppa69 wrote: 2 days ago

Greys_Prey wrote: 3 days ago

Go for Ladder Number 1 on switch

I searched a bit online about it. Seems like there is not much of online on switch, just offline players on couch. The connection is very bad if you compare it to the others systems and you can even play only 4P.

Could be too frustrating to play online hc on switch i guess.

I play online d2r on switch via wifi, no issue. No lag or anything. It might be ur connection it seems. There is an occasion disconnection or timedout, but that is rare.

Either way, i agreed there isnt much of a community on switch online play but its there, just not alot.

I haven't had any unexpected d/cs, but there's been enough desync to feel like open beta PoE days. Luckily none have been dangerous so far, plus my horde will protect me (a little).

I do miss both static maps and not having to care if my Switch goes to sleep when something interrupts me, but I might need to just get over those as I play ladder more. But the p1 vs. p8 may eventually become more of a concern, once I reacclimatize myself to HC enough to be less of a coward hehe.

I was hesitant to comment but you've already experienced so I'll add +1 to the desync issues.

I've had some really stupid deaths that quickly remind me of why I don't try HC, even though I sometimes ask my friend if he'd try it with me.