Three player group - optimal setup?

[Yourgrounded]

So we are having a four day LAN when d3 is released, and we want to be somewhat efficient in our pick of classes. Due to examination periods/work we have not been able to do as much beta-playing and online research as we would have liked, so I figured I would ask my questions here where a lot of people know pretty much everything you could possibly know about the game at this point in time.

- We will be playing three people for four days straight after release, if possible we want to reach inferno (reach, not planning on clearing it four days after release) and have a somewhat good setup for clearing it in the future. One person is dead determined on playing a barb while the other two of us will play whatever is best for the group. Which classes would this be, and are those classes using different stats/gear so that we have a better option of gear while levelling up?

- Would we possibly benefit a lot more from including a fourth player via the internet/realID, considering we are only three at the LAN, but are considering the extra abilities a fourth, unique class could bring?

- How important is crafting during the actual levelling process to 60? Will it not be just fine to go back and pick it up after you reached the maximum level?

[Maes]

All I'd really go for is classes that use different gear (e.g. WD and wizard both use int gear, DH/Monk both use dex). Even though drops are individual you can all share loot together and get 3 chances at upgrades off every boss/rare mob.

Outside of that its all preference, the monk can heal a little bit but its also melee like the barb. The DH is great ranged damage. Wizard has a bit of CC and other control effects, but the WD can make an army to occupy mobs too. Just play what you like and enjoy the game, It will be around for years!

[Fuger]

I predict DH, tank barb, and Wizard will be the best setup.

[Deleted]

why does the other guy want to play barb? if its the same reason as me then he obviously wont be around for tanking hehe

[Cairhiin]

I'd probably at least go with a monk for the Matras, and general support.

[bossmonster]

I would either suggest Barb/Wiz/DH or Barb/WD/Monk. But ultimately you should play whatever comp you'd like, even if its 3 monks xD

[Cairhiin]

I would either suggest Barb/Wiz/DH or Barb/WD/Monk. But ultimately you should play whatever comp you'd like, even if its 3 monks xD

I have to agree with this. Play what you really like cause at the end of the day I don't think it matters too much. All classes bring enough unique stuff for them to be able to pull their weight. If you really wanna maximize and go full synergies then I'd take a Monk however.

[Fuger]

I have to agree with this. Play what you really like cause at the end of the day I don't think it matters too much. All classes bring enough unique stuff for them to be able to pull their weight. If you really wanna maximize and go full synergies then I'd take a Monk however.

There are more abilities than you can use. There can be 3 barbarians with cohesive group abilities. All three won't have the should to increase armor.

[Deleted]

Play what you like. Only thing I would restrict is no 2 of the same class or, as Maes said, no 2 that uses same main stat.

[Cairhiin]

There are more abilities than you can use. There can be 3 barbarians with cohesive group abilities. All three won't have the should to increase armor.

Yep, exactly. The three barbs could be totally different specs, and all three can bring unique abilities. I think people are staring themselves blind on the one perfect build, but reality is there's way more than one, and it also depends a lot on playstyle.

[Itko]

If you're planning to trade with other people / use the AH it really wouldn't matter at all imo. All classes can quite easily be changed into different 'roles' (as far as they exist), where needed.
If you're planning not to trade with other people but keep everything between the three of you I'd consider, as others have mentioned, 3 classes with 3 different 'gear requirements' as optimal.

Best bet is probably playing whatever you're most comforable with since that's the character you'll be able to keep alive the longest and do the most damage with. If that means 2 or even 3 of the same class, so be it.

[Maelstrom51]

I'd say Witch Doctor, Demon Hunter, and Barb. Having one of each gear type will make gearing the most efficient.

For team composition you have pets soaking up damage, along with the barb controlling mobs and keeping mobs off the other two. The WD does pretty great AoE damage, and the Demon Hunter's single target dps is through the roof, along with a few great defensive skills for the team.

[Yourgrounded]

Thank you all for the fast replies.

The person who is determined on playing a barb is basing his choice on the fact that he always goes back to a warrior like plate melee class no matter what he starts out with. In D2 he played a barb the entire time, in wow he raids on his warrior and his death knight so it is just the playstyle he prefers over anything else. He will be tanking/dpsing where needed.

The remaining two people (me and my friend, the person playing barb is my brother) are not too fussed about what we play. I only personally played a WD through the beta, and since I did not put in much time into researching the classes I think I would have an equal amount of fun with any one of them. My preference is to succeed as a team rather than to play a specific toon because I like its playstyle.

We will be using the AH when needed, but I assume that you can do everything until inferno with equipment you pick up on the way or even craft after you hit 60. The drops will just be shared between us for the people who can use them.

[Riptide]

Yep, exactly. The three barbs could be totally different specs builds, and all three can bring unique abilities. I think people are staring themselves blind on the one perfect build, but reality is there's way more than one, and it also depends a lot on playstyle.

Obligatory this is not WoW comment. Also, fixed.

@ OP, I second the 1 dex 1 int 1 streg set up. But barb and monk are the 2 classes that are best to double up on.

[Cairhiin]

Obligatory this is not WoW comment. Also, fixed.

@ OP, I second the 1 dex 1 int 1 streg set up. But barb and monk are the 2 classes that are best to double up on.

You realize right that spec isn't a wow thing and that it can also apply to Diablo 3? You are after all specializing in 6 skills.

[Riptide]

You realize right that spec isn't a wow thing and that it can also apply to Diablo 3? You are after all specializing in 6 skills.

Google Diablo Specs(lol pc requirements) and Google Diablo builds. Let me know which gets you farther.

Hell, Google Diablo Specializations and you'll only find stuff commenting about D3 which has a lot of people influenced by WoW. Don't get me wrong I played both, but it's still a build not a spec. (Thousands of hours of d2.)

[A Day to Remember]

Google Diablo Specs(lol pc requirements) and Google Diablo builds. Let me know which gets you farther.

Hell, Google Diablo Specializations and you'll only find stuff commenting about D3 which has a lot of people influenced by WoW. Don't get me wrong I played both, but it's still a build not a spec. (Thousands of hours of d2.)

WoW specs are only 'Specs' because thats what the game calls them, they are the exact same thing as a build in diablo, get over yourself. (Thousands of hours of d2.)

[amishjello]

Monk with an emphasis on healing
Wizard with a some heavy hitting single target with 1 aoe
Barb, switching between 1h/shield and 2h. Focus on AoE and dmg reduction.

[Riptide]

WoW specs are only 'Specs' because thats what the game calls them, they are the exact same thing as a build in diablo, get over yourself. (Thousands of hours of d2.)

Yes, they are called talent specializations. Builds encompass more than just abilities but stats as well. Besides, google agrees with me, thus the majority. Which makes me right and you wrong. Knowledge is power, get some.

Also weren't you the one that said getting to 90 in d2 took weeks? lol people are already 97/98 on the ladder which reset the 2nd.

We're talking about Diablo, it's a build, not a spec. A tp/portal, not a hearthstone.

[Yoshimiko]

Normal - late nightmare I don't expect it to matter.

LAte nightmare on, I expect you'll want at least 1 pure control spec,1 hybrid, and 1 pure(and powerful) dps with survival.

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculato...jTQ!hZa!ZaZacb in pure MF gear & gold pickup range.
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculato...jgd!Uec!acZaaY Pure damage build.
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculato...dgX!bgW!bYZZca Hybrid.

Pure examples, in this case the WD would CC as much as possible, with the Wiz slightly helping him, while protecting the 3, the DH would just be laying on the damage - nukeing em from afar with 30 hatred / 825% damage in a small area.

With 80% grasp of the dead up, 100% of the time on any one group, Toad of hugeness taking out any non-boss enemy for 5 seconds, every 5 seconds, Hexing a target to cause them to take extra damage, with the greatness that is Mass Confuse - and a gargantuan to help on single target stuns/meat shield and the most powerful buff in the game - this guys pure use is to let the DH fight uninterrupted. Can easily pickup a dps spell here, should the control be overkill at any point or more damage be needed. Probably would replace Toad of Hugeness, or Hex - or both.

Wizard's pure use is protection. With Wave of Force, and Frost Nova - if anything gets past the the WDs defenses, you've got a wizard right here to help. With wonderful single target damage(ray of frost + Comet with cold blooded, omnomnom.), able to tank some serious damage(diamond armor), and Slow Time to protect everyone from projectiles.

'tis just my idea on what end-game groups will look like, if Inferno is as hard as I think it is. 1-2 Controllers, 1-2 supporters, and 1-2 pure dps.