A Diablo IV's new class - Rogue.
The fourth of five classes in the game, the Rogue is a dexterity-based character who wields a bow or crossbow for ranged attacks while also using swords and daggers in melee combat. Such a diverse skillset additionally informs the Rogue class' movement and abilities. For example, the character is incredibly agile, capable of dashing in and out of conflicts to deliver quick stabs when necessary. Meanwhile, their special abilities range from throwing out a flurry of daggers at point-blank range to raining down a storm of arrows from above. Blizzard showcased all of this and more with Diablo IV gameplay clips during its "Diablo: What's Next" . Yet, it appears there's still more to learn about the newly announced character class.
Speaking with Screen Rant, Lead Systems Designer Piepiora revealed that area of effect traps are still a work-in-progress for Diablo IV's PvP. Above all else, the developers want to ensure Rogue's traps aren't an ability that players employ for trolling tactics online. Strategically planting traps for ambushes and the like will be encouraged, Piepiora explained; however, certain systems are in place to guarantee Rogue's traps won't go off while the player is a long distance out of range. The developer additionally divulged that traps are currently proving difficult to spot in certain areas. This, too, represents a gameplay element that needs further iteration. Piepiora noted the following:
"In of the trap visibility, it's something we're playing with right now. At the moment, the trap gets pretty difficult to spot, particularly in grass and other foliage, if you're a Hostile player and trying to hit other players with the trap. They don't last for an extraordinarily long time. If you try to lay one and then run away a long distance, it will eventually fade out. Right now, it is definitely possible to stumble into these while a little further away. It's something we're going to continue to iterate on and play with as we're going through the development process. It's something we need to make sure feels quite right. Say, if you want to lay an ambush in the classic sense, there's opportunities and options for you as part of that."
It'll be interesting to see how well Blizard is able to tune Rogue's trap mechanic ahead of launch. If the right balance isn't struck, this particular character class could quickly become one the player-base finds disruptive. Of course, the other classes are probably receiving similar refinements throughout production.
In addition to Rogue, Blizzard has publicly unveiled three other classes for Diablo IV - Barbarian, Druid, and Sorceress. As noted previously, there's at least one more class left to showcase, though it's a mystery as to when the studio will unleash said details. Fans still have plenty to look forward to this year, however, thanks to the late 2021 release of Diablo II: Resurrected on consoles and PC.
Diablo IV is currently in production for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One platforms, but Blizzard has yet to announce the title's launch date.
