'Diablo 3' Patch 2.2 Adds Unlimited Health Potions And Legendary Items

"Diablo" fans generally agree that the third instalment to the action RPG series finally became worthy of its name after the "Reaper of Souls" expansion. By this time, Blizzard had fixed the contentious microtransactions and patched the game out enough times to make it a relatively more fun and stable gaming experience. As it turns out, everyone's favourite isometric RPG has received yet another patch. This time the update 2.2 for "Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls" is rather substantial, with deep adjustments that affect the core gameplay.

The patch 2.2 is applicable to all versions of the game across PC, PS4, PS3, Xbox One and Xbox 360 platforms, according to PC Gamer. The USP of the update is the addition of new Legendary items, which are rare overpowered items recognisable by their orange aura and tell-tale clang sound effect when dropped. Some of these new items include two new Legendary potions and gems, in addition to powerful armour sets for the Demon Hunter, Barbarian and Warrior classes. Apart from introducing new items, the patch also modifies attributes associated with existing Legendary items.

Eurogamer notes that some of the Legendary items could prove to be a great boon owing to their tremendous potency. For example, the Barbarian Skull Grasp ring boosts damage for the Whirlwind ability by a massive 300 percent. Then there's Inna's Mantra Monk set that allows the Mystic Ally clone to duplicate special attacks, which translates into double the firepower.

On the flip side, these updated benefits won't automatically be transferred onto players' existing Legendary items. Gamers already possessing these items will have to rediscover them to reap the improvements. Considering the fact that these items are supposed to be rare, that is a major annoyance for those who had been lucky enough to receive them in the first place.

The far-reaching game-wide changes go beyond mere items and power-ups. Core elements such as basic health potion mechanics have been overhauled as well. The quick access potions on the hotbar have now been transformed into bottomless health potions. These can replenish a maximum of 60 percent of health. As the name suggests, they can do that without ever running out. That also means the existing mechanics of looting and buying health potions have been scrapped. The aspect of looting has been optimised as well. Now, picking up a dropped item gathers up neighbouring items as well, thereby saving players from the tedium of multiple clicks.

"Diablo 3" has been steadily improving with each periodic patch. However, patch 2.2 brings in considerable changes that should make the game play better. After the success of the "Reaper of Souls" expansion, this seems to be another step in redeeming the franchise.

The initial lukewarm response to Blizzard's hack-and-slash RPG "Diablo 3" wasn't a shock, especially after the game ran into a host of launch issues. From game-breaking technical issues that locked most gamers out during the launch week to the outrage over the game's microtransactions, Blizzard started out on the wrong foot with one of its major franchises. The game has steadily been improved over its three-year lifespan through patches and rollbacks of annoying features such as the widely unpopular Real-money Auction House.

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Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Opening Cinematic (Credit: Diablo YouTube channel)