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Diablo 3 Basics

2012-06-03T07:29:42Z

Broccolii: /* Secret Level? */

[[Image:Diablo III Logo.jpg|left|150px]]
This is the '''Diablo 3 Basics''' page, which is the main '''Fact Sheet''' of known '''Diablo III''' information. This much-anticipated sequel to Diablo and Diablo II was announced at [[Blizzard]]'s [[WWI 2008]] in Paris, during 27-28 June, 2008. Regardless if you just heard that Diablo III is announced, or if you have been following some of the {{wl|[http://diablo.incgamers.com Diablo 3 news]}}, this page will get you up to speed!

If you are looking for the '''Basics Section''' of the wiki, you can find that in the '''[[:Category:Basics|Basics Category]]'''.

==Introduction==

Diablo III, while featured completely in '''3D''' with a 3D environment, will follow closely in Diablo II's track by using the classic isometric view, fast gameplay, and randomized content for high replayability. Some changes have been made in order to make the game more welcoming to new players, to ramp up the difficulty more smoothly, and to create a "deep and engaging" combat system. The Diablo III developers took inspiration from previous games in the series, as well as [[World of Warcraft]], and other different games such as ''Zelda'' and ''God of War''.

Remember that if you're a newcomer to Diablo, you can find more related articles in the '''[[:Category:Basics|Basics Category]]'''
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== Character Classes ==

Blizzard confirmed that the game would ship with five characters, then introduced them over the first three years of development. They are the [[Barbarian]], [[Demon Hunter]], [[Monk]], [[Witch Doctor]], and [[Wizard]]. All five classes will be playable in male or female versions. The gender difference is purely cosmetic; male and female characters have identical stats and abilities.

The classes are very distinct from one another in look and function. All items of armor have a different appearance on each class (there are even some inter-class gender differences, mainly in the chest armor for obvious reasons). The skills are even more different, with around 25 entirely unique [[active skills]] for each class. Many of the [[passive skills]] were shared between classes during development, but over time they all differentiated as well.

Though all five classes for Diablo III have been revealed, additional classes will be added in the [[expansion]]s. See the [[Other classes]] article for Blizzard quotes on their additional character ideas.

{|
! colspan="3" | Barbarian
|-
| [[File:Barbfemale.jpg|85px]]
| [[File:Barbmale.jpg|80px]]
| '''The [[Barbarian]]''' - The one returning class is still a mighty brawler, but he's gained countless new tricks, with only a few skills returning, and all of them modified in various ways.
* [[Barbarian Skills]]
* [[Barbarian passive skills]]
* [[Resource]]: - [[Fury]]
|-
! colspan="3" | Demon Hunter
|-
| [[File:Demon-hunter-art4.jpg|center|125px]]
| [[File:Demon-hunter-male.jpg|90px]]
| '''The [[Demon Hunter]]''' - The game's ranged weapon specialist, Demon Hunters are fast-moving archers with devastating offensive capabilities and a wide variety of tactical traps and demonic gadgets.
* [[Demon Hunter Skills]]
* [[Demon Hunter passive skills]]
* [[Resource]]: - [[Hatred]] & [[Discipline]]
|-
! colspan="3" | Monk
|-
| [[File:Monkfemale.jpg|85px]]
| [[File:Monkmale.jpg|85px]]
| '''The [[Monk]]''' - The follower of a thousand Gods, Monks from [[Ivgorod]] are holy warriors. Combining fast-hitting, melee-ranged martial arts with holy magics, auras, and defensive tactics.
* [[Monk Skills]]
* [[Monk passive skills]]
* [[Resource]]: [[Spirit]]
|-
! colspan="3" | Witch Doctor
|-
| [[File:Witchfemale.jpg|85px]]
| [[File:Witchmale.jpg|70px]]
| '''The [[Witch Doctor]]''' - A mysterious class from the jungles of [[Teganze]], the Witch Doctor wields a huge array of magical attacks, as well as the ability to mind control enemies and summon up pets to fight alongside him.
* [[Witch Doctor Skills]]
* [[Witch Doctor passive skills]]
* [[Resource]]: [[Mana]]
|-
! colspan="3" | Wizard
|-
| [[File:Wizardfemale.jpg|85px]]
| [[File:Wizardmale.jpg|70px]]
| '''The [[Wizard]]''' - An evolutionary improvement from the Sorcerer and Sorceress seen in previous Diablo titles. Wizards boast an impressive array of offensive spells that are useful for every situation, as well as defensive spells and escape abilities that combine to create this murderous [[glass cannon]].

* [[Wizard Skills]]
* [[Wizard passive skills]]
* [[Resource]]: [[Arcane Power]]
|-
|}

=== Skills ===
The [[skills]] and their presentation evolved greatly during the game's development, with the largest change coming late in the beta test, shortly before release. See the [[skill tree]] article for a full history. Characters can use up to six skills at once, and may cycle between them with only minimal [[cooldown]]s.

The biggest change from Diablo 2 comes from the [[runestone]] system, which enables every skill to be modified into five different forms, most of which are radically different in function from the base skill. This creates a vast number of possible builds, and with the easy [[respec]] system, players can try out all of the skills and rune effects, and switch between them as needed.

Each class has around 25 unique skills, which are unlocked at the rate of about one per level, from level 1 until level 30. Each skill has five rune effects which are unlocked every 5 or 6 levels, thus granting at least one and often three of four new abilities to try out every level up until the maximum level 60.

[[Passive skills]] are also unique to each class, and starting at level 10, they are unlocked one every few levels, all the way up to level 60. Characters can have up to 3 passive skills active, adding an additional [[passive skill slot]] at level 10, 20, and 30.

==== Skill Tree Respecs/Resets ====
In Diablo II prior to v1.13, a character was unable to change their skills and stats once they were allocated. If you made any mistake, the only solution was to [[reroll]]. This is changed in Diablo III, and characters can change around their skills as desired, with only minimal cooldowns to prevent this being done exploitatively.

====Stats/Attributes====
The biggest change to Diablo III [[attributes]] is their change to an automatically-allocated system. Players can not set their skill points, and instead gain 1 or 2 points in the four attributes with every level up. The Diablo III developers felt the stat allocation in Diablo II was a poor way to provide character customization since players either experimented and "ruined' their character with sub-optimal choices, or else followed a [[cookie cutter]] style of [[build]]. (This is less of a problem after v1.13 added stat and skill respecs to Diablo II.)

In the early days of Diablo III, an inventory-like game system called the [[Talisman]] was stocked with items called [[charms]], which added large bonuses to stats, but that system was shelved during development. Another system to add specific attributes was the [[enchants]] provided by the [[Mystic]], but that system and the Mystic were also removed during development. As a result, players can only modify their stats with equipment bonuses, including those from [[socket]]ed [[gems]].

The names and function of the stats changed several times during development as well. (See the [[attributes]] article for details.) Ironically, after experimentation with up to five attributes, including a system where each attribute granted more or less identical bonuses to each class, the developers returned to the classic four attributes of [[Strength]], [[Vitality]], [[Dexterity]], and [[Intelligence]]. The bonuses provided by these four differ considerably from their Diablo II form.

==== Skill Runes ====

[[File:Runes-hydra-all.jpg|thumb|350px|Hydra runestone effects.]]
Another system that underwent numerous changes during development; skill runes were items for most of Diablo III's development. These runes were small objects that were placed in skills, each of which had one socket. Once seated, the runestones changed the function of the skills, always improving them, in five different ways. Those runestones were called [[crimson]], [[alabaster]], [[indigo]], [[golden]], and [[obsidian]].

Though the skill rune effects remained, the item-based runestone system was entirely removed during the beta, and replaced with a system where all of the rune effects are built into skills. They are thus part of the interface, and are "unlocked" one at a time, usually around 5-9 levels apart. Thus a base skill such as the [[Demon Hunter]]'s [[Vault]] is unlocked at level 12, and the rune effects become available one at a time at levels 23, 31, 40, 48, and 53. (Figures subject to yet further change.)

==Monsters==
[[Image:Goatmen surround a Siegebreaker.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The [[Siegebreaker]].]]
Diablo III has a great array of '''[[monster]]s''', which can employ more intelligent behaviour to force players to use strategy during combat. In addition to the random [[boss]] encounters the series has made great use of, Diablo III adds numerous "mini-boss" encounters that make for more epic gameplay; an example is the scripted appearance of the [[Thousand Pounder]] as seen in the [[WWI 2008]] gameplay movie.

The scale of monsters is greatly increased in Diablo III; demons like the Siegebreaker are not uncommon, and appear in sizes unimagined in previous games in the series.

* '''The [[Monster|Monsters Article]]''' has much more information on the dozens of known monsters.
* Monster [[bosses]] are much improved and varied in Diablo III.
** [[Boss modifiers]] are new and improved as well, and there are many new and dangerous properties.

==Death==

Death is less of an obstacle to success in Diablo III than in previous games in the series. Dead players in Diablo III do not lose equipment or gold. They must wait a mere few seconds before waiting to be resurrected by another player in their party or restarting at the last [[checkpoint]] (not [[waypoint]]) they passed over. In addition, a player will lose a set percentage of their [[durability]] upon death (currently 10%) which will need to be repaired either at the [[Blacksmith]] or an appropriate vendor.

[[Hardcore]] mode is an option in the game, and as in Diablo II, dead HC characters stay dead forever. This will not be the case in the Arena, where Hardcore players will be able to duel as much as they like, without having to create softcore characters just to enjoy the arena fully.

One planned feature that didn't make it into the game were specially gruesome player fatalities, which some bosses were to have the ability to inflict when they killed players.

==Difficulty Levels==

There are four [[difficulty]] levels in Diablo III, [[Normal]], [[Nightmare]], [[Hell]], and [[Inferno]]. Each difficulty level repeats the same game content, but with monsters, items, and everything else increased in level to keep scaling up the challenge. Normal is designed to be fairly easy, especially early on, to usher new players into the game and teach them the ropes without too much challenge. Difficulty starts to increase in Nightmare and Hell, and characters should max out at level 60 around the end of Hell. This controversial design choice removes the [[grinding]] to [[max level]] play system seen in Diablo and Diablo II.

Inferno is where the developers are planning to make things really interesting, with the entire difficulty level vastly harder than Hell, and all balanced to a largely "flat" curve. This should allow players to find challenging and rewarding [[end game]] content anywhere in the game, rather than forcing players to [[run]] the same few end bosses over and over again, as was the case in Diablo II.

==End Game==

Diablo III was designed with the [[end game]] in mind. The entire Inferno difficulty level is meant as one big PvE end game, with a flat difficulty curve opening up the entire game to high level play. The developers have also considered various systems to reward players for playing normal areas, rather than simply "running" the same few bosses over and over again.

While Inferno is meant to be quite challenging, and best played in co-op parties, nothing in Diablo III is being designed to require parties, such as the raid content seen in [[WoW]]. Other end game goodies include special [[Achievements]], crafting recipes and items found only in Inferno, and the possible addition of additional high-end content via patches.

As Diablo III will *not* launch with any form of PvP, the long-anticipated [[Arena]] will not serve as an end game activity.

==Items==

[[Image:Barbarian swing.jpg|thumb|right|[[Barbarian]] swinging two magical axes.]]
Armor and weapons function much as they did in previous games in the series. Players find low level gear early on, and one of the major goals/enjoyments of playing is to find better quality gear and thus improve your character's performance. One big change to the appearance of armor is the elimination of exception and elite versions of gear. Unlike in Diablo II, Diablo III characters will not find the exact same looking armor repeated on each difficulty level. Instead there are 18 "tiers" of armor, organized into something the developers call [[gear sets]].

Each gear set has a distinctive, organized look, and thus a character wearing all (or most) of say, gear set 14, would have a cohesive, coherent appearance as the items would match each other. The developers have released numerous screenshots of the classes in complete gear sets, and they are stylish indeed. It's less clear, in advance of playing the higher levels, just how often (if ever) a character will have most or all of the same gear set on, or if characters will always be clad in a mixture of different level equipment.

Item quality is similar to that of Diablo II, with item scarcity progressing [[normal]] > [[magical]] > [[rare]] > [[set]] > [[legendary]] (the new name for unique items). There should be more mixing and matching at the highest levels, with rare, set, and legendary items of approximately-equivalent quality, depending on the random mods they spawn with.

As there are no [[runes]] to socket into equipment, there are no [[runeword]] items, at least in [[D3v]].

===Item Crafting===

[[Crafting]] returns in Diablo III, in a major game system that combines elements of the item crafting and item gambling systems from Diablo II. Players use the [[Blacksmith]] NPC [[Artisan]] to create semi-random weapons and armor, including (eventually) set items and legendary items. Each crafted item requires [[gold]] and [[materials]], and crafted items all have some pre-set and some random mods, making the item creation a gamble that player may wish to repeat many times, in hopes of spawning an item with better [[modifier]]s.

The Blacksmith must first know the [[recipe]] to create the item, and these are taught to the Artisans by [[training]] them to higher levels, as well as by finding crafting [[plans]], including rare ones, as drops from monsters and chests.

===Armor and Weapon Types===

*[[Armor]]: [[helms]], [[shields]], [[Chest Armor|chest armor]], [[Hands|gloves]], [[Feet|boots]], [[rings]], [[amulets]], and [[belts]] return. Belts are now just another piece of armor; they do not have any special potion-holding function.
** New armor types: [[pauldrons (item type)|Shoulders]], [[Wrists|bracers]], and [[pants]].
** New class-specific armor types: [[Mighty Belts]] for the Barbarian; [[Cloaks]] for the Demon Hunter; [[Spirit Stones]] (helms) for the Monk; [[Voodoo Masks]] for the Witch Doctor, and [[Wizard Hats]] for the Wizard.

* [[Weapons]]: [[Axes]], [[Spears]], [[Polearms]], [[Swords]], [[Maces]], [[Bows]], [[Crossbows]], [[Wands]], [[Shields]]. (There are no throwing weapons in D3v, and many of these weapon types have class limitations -- Monks can not use bows/xbows, only Wizards and Witch Doctors can use wands, etc. See the individual items pages for full details.)
** New types of weapons: [[Fists]], [[Daggers]] (no longer a type of sword).
** New class-specific weapons: [[Mighty Weapons]] for Barbarians; [[Hand Crossbows]] for the Demon Hunter, [[Daibos]] and [[Fist]]s for the Monk, and [[Ceremonial Knives]] for the Witch Doctor.
*** Class specific weapons, off-hand only: [[Mojos]] for the Witch Doctor, [[Orbs]] for the Wizard, [[Quiver]]s for the Demon Hunter.

===Other Items Information===

* [[Runes]] are no longer found in Diablo III. They were never item socketables, but were socketed into skills, until a major system overhaul in early 2012.
* The [[inventory]] is much larger than it was in Diablo II, and after numerous permutations, it's settled on a large grid with all items either 1x1 or 1x2 in size.
* The [[stash]] in town is large (though it shrunk from 5 to 3 pages during beta testing), and is shared between all characters on the same account. (But not HC and normal characters.)
* All gold and item drops from monsters, chests, quests, etc, are specific to your character. You only see items you can pick up, and do not see items for other characters, nor do they see yours.
** Items dropped by a character are seen by all.
* Trading is supported, both between characters and in a much larger way through the Battle.net [[Auction House]], which has two version, the gold and the [[real money]] version.
* [[Potion]]s are much less common than in previous Diablo games. There are no mana or rejuvenation potions, just health, and they come with a long cooldown between uses. Potions are intended for emergency use only, and players must learn to survive with life leech, hit point regeneration from equipment, and by using the [[health globes]] that monsters drop. Successful players must be a bit more cautious than they were in previous games of the series.

==NPCs==

[[Image:Cain-concept1.jpg|thumb|right|75px|<span style="font-size:90%;">[[Cain]]</span>]]
As in previous games in the series, [[NPCs]] will feature importantly in Diablo III. Much of the game [[story]] will be given by the NPCs, and they will be more interactive, while their speeches will be shorter, more to the point, and can be listened to while playing; you are no longer forced to "stay awhile" to "listen."

[[Followers]]: Diablo III's answer to mercenaries from D2, the followers will have their own skillset and inventory that the player can customize.

[[Artisans]]: Are special NPCs who craft items and provide other essential services, as well as much dialogue and information about the game world and quests. They are the [[Blacksmith]] and [[Jeweler]], after the [[Mystic]] was removed during beta testing.

==Locations==

[[Image:Sanctuary World Map.jpg|thumb|225px|<span style="font-size:90%;">[[world map|Sanctuary world map]], with locations noted.</span>]]The [[world map]] of [[Sanctuary]] was actually released with the second Diablo game's manual, but a new and improved map has been made by Blizzard, outlining the continents and the major [[settlement]]s. Many of these locations will be visited in [[Diablo III]], including [[Tristram]]. Areas close by that were never visited in the previous games will also have a chance, like the [[Leoric Highlands]] and [[Westmarch]], and it's known that much of Act Three takes place in the Barbarian Lands around the [[Arreat Crater]].

The scorching deserts of the [[Aranoch]] will be revisited by the player when they have the opportunity to visit one of the largest capital cities in Sanctuary: [[Caldeum]]. The player will also explore the depths of the [[Archives of Zoltun Kulle]], ex-horadric mage.

We have been shown detailed pictures of [[Skovos]] (the land of the [[Amazon]]s), as well as [[Caldeum]] and Tristram. Skovos is confirmed to be excluded from the game, but the level of detail they are putting into the universe suggests either a big expansion pack, MMOs, or a film. [[Ureh]] is another area that has been shown off by the development team (and was showcased in the original cinematic trailer) which will not be in the release version of Diablo III.

Outdoor areas will be less randomized than dungeons, and the terrain will for the most part be static. Instead, a lot of random scripted events will take place, and some will even be really advanced. They can vary from an escort [[quest]], to a moldy tome, or a big, bad [[boss]] monster. You will also find interactive environments with dangerous traps, obstacles, and [[destructible]] elements. There will be "numerous" outdoor locations. These portions of the map that are randomised are called [[events]], and can even happen within randomised dungeons.

==Dungeons==

The land is filled with dungeons, as in Diablo II. Dungeons vary widely in size and design, and are promised to offer better randomization and variety than they did in Diablo II. Perhaps more critically, the development team has also stated that there will be many more varieties of dungeons than what was seen in Diablo II.

<gallery>
Image:Screenshot 20.jpg|<span style="font-size:90%;">[[Dark Berserker]]s and a [[Grotesque]] in the [[Forgotten Tombs]].</span>
Image:Screenshot 19.jpg|<span style="font-size:90%;">Several [[Walking Corpse]]s.</span>
Image:Screenshot 16.jpg|<span style="font-size:90%;">[[Witch Doctor]] who's [[Skull of Flame|flameskulling]] some [[Walking Corpse]]s.</span>
</gallery>

==Transportation==

As in Diablo II, travel is on foot. Unlike Diablo II, there is only one movement speed, rather than a walk and run option. This speed can be increased with item mods and some skills, and there is no stamina drain while moving. There are no [[mounts]] in Sanctuary, to ride about the world at a higher rate of speed.

The main method of speedy transportation in the game comes from [[waypoint]]s, of which there are dozens per act, many more than were found in Diablo II. Waypoints are tied to quests and there are multiple waypoints in connected areas, tied to each quest. For instance, a player can only use the waypoint to the start of an area, and then while clearing that area and deeper dungeons within it, additional waypoints will be encountered, for easy returns to town. This allows for more travel without cluttering up the waypoints menu with dozens of them, as well as preventing players from warping right to the end of a quest, Diablo 2 boss run style.

The [[town portal]] system evolved repeatedly during Diablo III's development. TPs were in as [[scroll]]s, then out entirely, then back in via the [[Stone of Recall]] system, then changed back to a town portal activated directly from the [[belt interface]]. See those pages for more details.

==Easter Eggs==

There are numerous small [[Easter Eggs]] already seen in Diablo III during the beta testing. These include funny item and monster names, developer names carved on headstones, inside jokes via the [[Achievements]], and more. There are certain to be many other discovered in the full game.

==Secret Level?==

It seems quite likely that some sort of [[Secret Level]] will be found in Diablo III, as an homage to the [[Secret Cow Level]] of Diablo II. Numerous hints have been seen, with jokes about rainbows and unicorns abounding in the game and from the developers, much of it spurred by the early [[art controversy]].
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=illRrH1V5Do Video of "Whimsyshire" Diablo 3's -Secret Pony Level]
* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?708777-The-secret-rainbow-level Rainbow Level forum thread from 2008]

==Art Changes==

Diablo III uses more color, or at least uses color more obviously, than previous games in the series, and this spawned numerous fan debates shortly after the title was revealed in June 2008. The early screenshots and gameplay movies sparked the [[art controversy]] and angry online petitions, which Blizzard reacted to by defending their design choices.
* The [[Art controversy]] article goes into great detail on this topic.

==Story Line==

[[Image:Cinematic 10.jpg|thumb|right|300px|<span style="font-size:90%;">Mystical comet overlooking a settlement in the western part of [[Sanctuary]].</span>]]The [[story line]] of the game takes place twenty years after a few powerful heroes saved [[Sanctuary]] from the demonic onslaught in [[Diablo II]]. Those events took place out of the sight of the common populace, and have become myth or legend over the intervening years. Most of the principles are dead or insane, and no one has had any sight of the Archangel [[Tyrael]] since he destroyed the Worldstone, triggering an explosion that erased [[Mount Arreat]] and shattered the Barbarians' civilization.

Since the destruction of the [[Worldstone]], those few humans (such as [[Deckard Cain]]) who did know of the danger to the world have been expecting an imminent demonic invasion, without the Worldstone to keep them in the [[Burning Hells]]. This has not happened because, and players will eventually learn, the two remaining lords of Hell, [[Belial]] and [[Azmodan]], have been building armies for a full-on invasion, intended to utterly destroy humanity.

Players will see small-scale demonic events, as in previous games, but the developers have promised that the scale of some aspects of the game, such as the siege on [[Bastion's Keep]], will be amazingly large; far bigger than anything ever previously seen in the series.

Additional information on the story line can be seen within the [[Black Soulstone Cinematic]].

===Character Personalities===

Unlike the blank cyphers that all characters were in previous games in the series, the individual characters in Diablo III will have personalities. The Wizard is young, brash, and headstrong. The Monk is powerful and quietly confident. The Barbarian is strong and stoic. The Demon Hunter is angry and reckless in her need for vengeance. And the Witch Doctor is spiritual, mysterious, and misunderstood by the populace at large.

The characters will behave accordingly, and inspire different replies and behavior from the NPCs. The [[Followers]] such as the [[Templar]] and [[Enchantress]] each have a distinct personality with a fleshed-out background and will not only banter to the player character, but also to other NPCs (and even to each other within the camp or town). The same holds true for other NPCs, such as [[Leah]], who may on occasion follow the player into the fray during a quest.

==Quests==

[[Quests]] in Diablo III are largely similar in form to those of Diablo II. The changes are to greatly increase the number of quests, and to vary them in type and style, and to create a sense that they were being "played" and not "told about". Numerous smaller [[events]] and adventures are spotted throughout the game, many of them randomly-generated each game, to add color and change up the gameplay.

Most large areas of the game, surface and dungeon, will also vary in content and form between games. Though the surface areas are non-random in their overall shape, there are randomized elements within them, which can yield mini-quests, bonus dungeons, or just open space and random monsters, depending on how the spawn works in a given game, which are called either [[adventures]] or [[events]], depending upon their magnitude.

Quests can be repeated in Diablo III through the game creation menu.

==Single Player and Multiplayer==

The main focus of Diablo III is co-op [[PvE]] style play. Up to four players (yes, just four) will join up in a game and play together, and players in the same game are now always friendly and in the same party. There is no non-consensual PvP in Diablo III, and no way to "go hostile" in a PvE game. (All PvP takes place in the Arena, a feature that will not be ready for use upon Diablo 3's launch.)

Game creation and group formation will be easier in Diablo III than in the past: it is mostly automated. Diablo III, being on "battle.net 2", is using a match-making system very similar to that which is seen in ladder play in [[StarCraft II]] or the dungeon finder in [[World of WarCraft]]. A player can choose a few options for their game, including whether or not they want it to be private, and which quest they would like to start on (if they don't wish to simply resume the quest they were last playing). Players can instantly join games in which people on their [[Friends List]] are playing.

Diablo III will take place over Battle.net. There is no offline mode: the game is online only. Diablo III is following in Starcraft's footsteps and will <u>not include LAN support</u>. Though Blizzard always claims that this is a benefit, enabling greater player connectedness, most players regard it as an annoyance implemented as a security feature, since all Diablo III play requires players to possess a Battle.net account and valid cd-key.

===Battle Arena===

[[File:Battle-arena-new-round1.jpg|frame|350px|A new round begins in the Battle Arena.]]
All [[PvP]] in Diablo III takes place in the [[Arena]]. Unfortunately, this feature will not be included when Diablo III ships, as the developers could not get it ready in time for the launch.[http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/blog/3828550/Diablo_III_PvP_Update-09_03_2012#blog] Players loved the PvP demos at Blizzcon 2010 and 2011, so there are high hopes for this system once it's enabled.

===Battle.net 2.0===

Battle.net 2.0 for Diablo III includes a [[Friends List]], numerous matchmaking and automatic game joining options, and limited [[chat channel]] support.

==Other Changes==

Among the things that are not listed under their own headline, there are a few other things to highlight about Diablo III:
* '''[[Chest]]s''' will no longer be locked.
* Monster corpses are no longer something that players can interact with. There are no corpse skills like Diablo II's {{iw|Corpse_Explosion Corpse Explosion}} or {{iw|Find_Item Find Item}}, and bodies on the ground will vanish after certain criteria have been met. However, dead bodies can be affected by [[physics]].
** There are no player corpses either, in the sense of lootable objects as they were in Diablo II. Like monsters, dead players are subject to the game's physics and can be blasted aside or out of sight by spells, and will vanish after a few minutes.

==Release Information==

This is a collection of all information available pertaining to the release of Diablo. Including [[release date]], [[system requirements]], [[Beta Test|beta testing]], price/payment methods and age [[rating]].

=== Release Date ===

Diablo III will be released on May 15, 2012. This date was revealed on March 15, 2012, after several delays that pushed the initial release window back from the "second half of 2011" and then "early 2012."

* See the [[release date]] article for full details.

=== System Requirements ===

See the [[System Requirements]] article for full details on minimum and recommended system specs for PC and Mac.

<center>
{|
| Windows Minimum Requirements:
* Windows® XP/Vista/7 (latest service packs) with DX 9.0c
* Intel Pentium® D 2.8 GHz or AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4400+
* NVIDIA® GeForce® 7800 GT or ATI Radeon™ X1950 Pro or better
* 1 GB RAM (XP), 1.5 GB (Vista/7)
* 12 GB available HD space
* DVD-ROM (required for retail disc versions only)
* Broadband* Internet connection
* 1024x748 minimum resolution

| Mac Minimum Requirements
* Mac® OS X 10.6.8, 10.7.x or newer
* Intel® Core 2 Duo
* NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT or ATI Radeon™ HD 2600 or better
* 2 GB RAM
* 12 GB available HD space
* DVD-ROM (required for retail disc versions only)
* Broadband* Internet connection1024x768 minimum resolution
|}
</center>

<center>
{|
|
PC Recommended System Requirements
* Windows® Vista/7 (latest service packs)
* Intel® Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5600+ 2.8 GHz
* 2 GB RAM
* NVIDIA® GeForce® 260 or ATI Radeon™ HD 4870 or better

|
Mac Recommended System Requirements
* Mac® OS X 10.7.x or newer
* Intel® Core 2 Duo
* 2 GB RAM
* NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M or ATI Radeon™ HD 4670 or better

|}
</center>

===Diablo Beta Testing===

The [[Diablo 3 beta]] test began in early September, 2011, and continued through the end of the year and into 2012. The frequency of patches and number of beta testers increased dramatically in early 2012, as the game neared completion and balancing changes grew more frequent. The beta test is expected to continue until a week or two before the release on May 15, 2012.

Prior to the start of the test, the developers had repeatedly said it would be a quick beta test, devoted largely to technical issues and Battle.net stress testing. That turned out to be very untrue.

===Retail Price===

The retail price for Diablo III is variable by region. It will be a "boxed" retail product (no monthly fees, just a one-off price) and priced similar to other AAA titles. Starcraft II (and other recent AAA titles by Activision) retailed for $60 USD, up $10 from the traditional $50 price tag, and it's virtually certain Diablo III will follow that route. Any pre-order for the game, currently, follows this trend.

The [[Collector's Edition]] of the game is retailing for $100 USD, plus any applicable taxes or service fees.

===Game Age Rating===

The '''[[rating]]''' of [[Diablo III]] is estimated to be aimed for gamers above the age of 15, while still trying to avoid USK 18+ in Germany, or other similar ratings that would hamper the sales of the game in that country. [[Blizzard]] have stated that they will censor out blood and other gore, as required to avoid "adult" ratings in various countries with more restrictive gore requirements than those found in the US.
* '''America ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Software_Rating_Board ERSB])''' - "M" Mature Rating (player should be at least 17 years old). No law enforcement.
* '''Europe ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEGI PEGI])''' - 16+ (player should be at least 16 years old). No law enforcement (for most countries).
* '''Germany ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unterhaltungssoftware_Selbstkontrolle USK])''' - USK 16+ (player should be at least 16 years old). Law enforcement of USK.
* '''Read more''' in the '''[[rating]]s''' article.

===Copy Protection and DRM===

It's unknown what type of copy protection (DRM) will be used on Diablo III, but with the new Battle.net changes and new Battle.net accounts, the game will likely only use a very light form of copy protection since the license is associated with the account. There is no offline play, and the odds of Blizzard requiring a player to have the disc in the drive is exceedingly minimal.

Blizzard hasn't bothered with much copy protection in the past, and will likely not bother with it at all in the future, in lieu of bringing their games completely onto battle.net. The only "piracy" that can occur in such a system is an emulation of the server, which makes for a pale imitation of the actual game. Once a player ties a game to their battle.net account, they can then download the game to install on their local machine at any point in time as well, circumventing the need for physical media, such as discs.

==Who's in Charge?==

Naturally, [[Blizzard Entertainment]] are the guys making Diablo III, but that isn't a surprise. The important people for this production is the relatively new Blizzard employee Diablo III Lead Designer [[Jay Wilson]], besides the regular team. For fans, you might want to keep a look out for [[Bashiok]], the new Diablo Community Manager and [[Leonard Boyarsky]] who is the Lead World Designer for Diablo III, and head of [[quest]]s & [[lore]] as well as designing the world of [[Sanctuary]].
* See the [[D3 Team]] article for info on dozens of Diablo III's developers.

==Expansions, MMO or Diablo Movie==

Whatever will come after [[Diablo III]] is unknown, but it seems apparent that Blizzard is confident [http://www.incgamers.com/Games/1935/features/90/Diablo-III-Inforview] that there '''WILL''' be expansions. They have mentioned that the story line will have a more "final" ending than in Diablo II, which possibly means making it better for an expansion, or perhaps a future MMO or a [[Diablo movie]]. Regardless, [[Jay Wilson]] has said that there is lots of potential for expanding the universe. What types of media this will come in is unknown: books, comics, manga, expansions, games or a movie...

[[Mike Morhaime]] said they would like to make '''Diablo III expansions annually'''[http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/diablo-3-will-have-several-expansions], and confirming plans for multiple expansions for the game.

==Further Information==

You can follow the links to each specific section for further details on Diablo III development and information. You can also use one of the following links for further information:
* {{wl|[http://www.diii.net/news Diablo III news]}} - The most coherent news listing for Diablo III.
* [[Media Coverage]] - All Interviews, Previews, Pictures, Videos and Articles from around the web.
* [[:Category:Basics|Diablo III Basics]] - A listing of articles with good information if you are new to Diablo III.
* [[Diablo III FAQ]] - Frequently Asked Questions
* [[Diablo 3 History]] - The history of Diablo III up until the announcement.

==References==

* [http://www.blizzard.com/us/press/080628.html Blizzard Press Release]

[[Category:Diablo III]]
[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]

Whimsyshire

2012-06-03T04:59:37Z

Broccolii: /* Videos */

Whimsyshire is the Diablo III Secret Level, a humorous area that's a direct homage to the Diablo II [[Secret Cow Level]].

The information and images on this page are spoilers. If you want to see the secret level with your own eyes, beware.

Scroll down to reach the content...

[[File:Easter-whimsyshire-enter.jpg|center|thumb|700px|The entrance to Whimsyshire.]]

==Whimsyshire Overview==

The secret level is a fully-playable area of the game. There are monsters (cute ones), gold and item drops, health orbs (which look like giant pink cupcakes), random and elite bosses, and even an amazing, baby's-blanket looking minimap.

Though the area is accessed through Act One, the difficulty is balanced to be equivalent to late Act Four. Thus a low level character will be slaughtered instantly, even in the normal difficulty version of Whimsyshire.

The secret level is not going to be a major portion of the gameplay; it's a fun treat and am amusement, but the developers didn't want to recreate the Diablo II Secret Cow Level, which was literally the most profitable area to play in during some early game patches.

==How to Enter==

To gain access to Whimsyshire requires five special ingredients, and a [[Plan]] to teach the [[Blacksmith]] how to craft them into the [[Staff of Herding]]. This object must be taken to the [[Cow King's Ghost]], a spectral bovine located on [[Old Tristram Road]], near that pit with the mysterious red glow from within.

After the Cow King's Ghost conversation, the glow changes to a rainbow color and it becomes a clickable dungeon entrance. As was the case with the Diablo II Secret Cow Level, characters must have defeated that difficulty level to enter the secret level, which is balanced to be about as difficult as Act 4.

===Required Ingredients===

Players must assemble the five ingredients and the Staff of Herding plan to enter the level.

* [[Black Mushroom]] -- Found rarely in a room on Cathedral level one, in early Act One.
* [[Leoric's Shinbone]] -- Found rarely in the fireplace in [[Leoric's Manor]], in late Act One.
* [[Wirt's Bell]] -- An Act II vendor ([[Squirt]])sells it for 100,000 gold on her Potions and Dyes tab.
* [[Liquid Rainbow]] -- Spawns in the [[Mysterious Cave]] in the Mysterious Chest in the Oasis, Act 2. Save the old man and he will open the chest.
* [[Gibbering Gemstone]] -- Random drop from [[Chiltara]] in the [[Caverns of Frost]], Act 3. It’s in the Ballistae fight area. If you get Ice Caverns exit out try again. The mob is random.
* [[Plan: Staff of Herding]] -- To teach the recipe to [[Haedrig]]. Drops randomly from [[Izual]], Act 4.

==Videos==

Three videos showing off the level in action.

<youtube>75Pk6i0PYOw</youtube>

<youtube>illRrH1V5Do</youtube>

Video with cow king and whimsyshire play footage

<youtube>cP8z2ZbOh4E</youtube>

This video shows the Cow King's ghostly conversation, then footage of the early battles in the level.

==Screenshots==

Various screenshots showing off portions of Whimsyshire.

<gallery>
File:Easter-ghost-cow-king1.jpg|Ghost of the Cow King.
File:Easter-whimsyshire-enter.jpg|Rainbow lighted entrance.
File:Easter-whimsyshire01.JPG|Purple unicorns "trap" the entrance portal.
File:Easter-whimsyshire03.jpg|Happy Clouds are clickable objects that may drop items.
File:Easter-whimsyshire04.jpg|[[Cuddle Bear]]s are dangerous enemies.
File:Easter-whimsyshire05.jpg|Random Unicorn boss pack.
File:Easter-whimsyshire06.jpg|Pink cupcakes are [[health orbs]] in Whimsyshire.
File:Shinbone.jpg|Leoric's Shinbone in [[Leoric's Manor]]. Used to craft the staff of herding.
File:Mushroom.jpg|Black Mushroom from the [[Cathedral]] (level 1).
File:Wirts-bell01.jpg|Wirt's Bell for sale from Squirt.
</gallery>

==Whimsyshire's Music==

The music played in the level is a famous piece of classical music for the piano, Ravel's ''Gaspard de la Nuit - Le Gibet''. (Video of [http://www.youtube.com/embed/3PQ-H1PjrWQ that composition here].) This was first revealed in the following video; the backwards playing begins around the 0:38 mark.

<youtube>ZX7C9gJfdGk</youtube>

[[category:humor]]
[[category:Easter Eggs]]

Ghom

2012-06-03T04:58:00Z

Broccolii:

<div style="clear:both;"></div>
{{Monsterbox
|game= Diablo III
|portrait= Portrait_The_Larder.png
|portrait-width= 230px

|bosstype= boss
|classif= Demons
|family= Bosses
|role= Boss
|life= Unknown
|mana= Unknown
|armor= Unknown
|resist= Unknown
|armament= Belly?
|dps= Unknown
|dmg_low= Unknown
|dmg_high= Unknown
|range= [[Melee]]
|speed= Unknown
|movement= Unknown
|modifier= Unknown
|spells= Unknown
|found= Act III
}}
'''Ghom''' is a new character to Diablo, and his title is the ''Lord of Gluttony''.

Not much is known about him besides that he is a servant of [[Azmodan]], and will be encountered in late [[Act III]]. He serves alongside [[Cydaea]], the ''Maiden of Lust'', and [[Rakanoth]], the ''Lord of Anguish''. Ghom appears to have been modeled after the original [[Thousand Pounder]] monster type.

[[File:Portrait_boss_ghom.png‎|left|frame|Ghom, the Lord of Gluttony.]]

==Media==

Diablo 3 Ghom Boss Video. Normal [Demon Hunter PoV] Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV]

<center>
{|
| <youtube>nbLfCGBzBaE</youtube>
| <youtube>Bh-_EedqtBw</youtube>
|}
</center>



{{stub}}

{{Template:Monster navbox|boss}}
[[category:monsters]]

Belial

2012-06-03T04:56:35Z

Broccolii:

[[Image:Portrait Belial.png|thumb|150px|right|Belial, Lord of Lies.]]
'''Belial''', one of the [[Lesser Evil]]s, is confirmed to appear in [[Diablo III]], in [[Act II]].[http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/101/1017305p3.html]

__TOC__
==Belial in Diablo 3==
The Belial had once been a protege of Mephisto, honing his powers of deception under the Lord of Hatred's guidance. Eventually, he would turn on his mentor and manipulated Azmodan into leading a revolt against the Prime Evils, though this may have likely been indirectly encouraged by Mephisto himself. With the armies of Azmodan and Belial unified, the Prime Evils were cast out of Hell, though at the expense of a full third of Hell's demons. Azmodan and Belial were left to vie for power over the Burning Hells, a conflict Belial ultimately lost. Years later, much like the Prime Evils, Belial would turn his attention to Sanctuary and corrupting its populace. His influence over the mortal realm mirrors Mephisto's own of twenty years prior, as his power over Caldeum, capital of Kehjistan, becomes absolute.

[[Act II]] will be "a little bit more of an intrigue and deception-focused story, because Belial is in there."

==The Lord of Lies==
All greater and lesser evils of the [[Burning Hells]] have their own specific title or aspect, and Belial's is the Lord of Lies. Along with [[Azmodan]], Belial helped in a rebellion against the [[Prime Evils]] to seize control of Hell. From the [[Diablo I Manual]]:

::In their ignorance, the Lesser Evils began to believe that the Three were afraid to continue the war with Heaven. Frustrated by the cessation of the war, Azmodan and Belial saw the situation as their chance to overthrow the Prime Evils and take control of Hell for themselves. The two demon lords made a pact with their minor brethren, assuring them that the wretched plague of humanity would not deter the ultimate victory of the sons of Hell. Azmodan and Belial devised a plan to end the stalemate, achieve victory in the Sin War and ultimately ride the bloody crest of the Great Conflict straight into the very arms of Armageddon. Thus, a great revolution was set into motion as all of Hell went to war against the Three Brothers...

::The Brothers fought with all of the savagery of the Underworld, and to their credit, annihilated a third of Hell’s treacherous legions. In the end, however, they were overcome by the Horned Death led by the traitors Azmodan and Belial. The Prime Evils, weakened and bodiless, were banished to the mortal realm where Azmodan hoped that they would remain trapped forever. Azmodan believed that with the Three set loose upon humanity, the Angels would be forced to turn their focus upon on the mortal plane - thus leaving the Gates of Heaven abandoned and defenseless. Those few demons who still pledged allegiance to the Three Brothers fled the wrath of Azmodan and Belial, escaping to the realm of Man to seek out their lost Masters.

::As the warfires died out upon the battlefields of Hell, Azmodan and Belial began to argue over which of them held the higher authority. The pact that they had made quickly fell to ashes as the two demon lords took up arms against each other. The legions of Hell that remained were polarized behind either warlord, launching themselves into a bloody civil war that has lasted to this day...

While it's important to note that the information in the Diablo I manual is "open to interpretation" (or [[retcon]] as it is often referred to), it is also relevant to the plot of Diablo III.
[[Jay Wilson]] made this comment in a fansite interview[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/jay-wilson-diablo3.cc-interview-full-transcript/]:

<blue> If the player thinks they outsmarted the forces of Hell and evil and they basically won, well, they are in for a big shock. Because what they are going to discover in Diablo 3 is that things have gone pretty exactly the way Hell wanted them to go all along.</blue>

This could refer to plots laid out by Azmodan and Belial, or to the [[Worldstone]], or to both and more. It remains to be seen precisely what role the lesser evils will play in Diablo III.

==Media==

* View [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/media.php?do=tag&tid=belial| Belial video guides and walkthroughs].

Diablo 3 Belial Boss Videos. Normal [Demon Hunter PoV] Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV]

<center>
{|
| <youtube>Bet9bDqMIUw</youtube>
| <youtube>IQWLl49jzmY</youtube>
|}
</center>

==Reference==
* [http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/101/1017305p3.html IGN interviews Jay Wilson]
* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/jay-wilson-diablo3.cc-interview-full-transcript/ Diablo3.cc Interview with Jay Wilson]
* [http://www.thehealthygamer.com/2012/05/26/diablo-3-belial-walkthrough-hell-video-guide-with-transcript/ Diablo 3 Belial Walkthrough | Monk Solo Hell Difficulty | The Healthy Gamer]

[[File:Belial-BC2011.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Belial, Lord of Lies. Concept art shown at Blizzcon 2011]]

<gallery>
Image:Belial-BC2011.jpg|Concept art.
Image:Belial.jpg|Concept art.
Image:Belial3.jpg|Concept art.
</gallery>

{{Template:Monster navbox|demon}}
{{Template:Character navbox|Imp}}

[[Category:Lesser Evils]]
[[Category:Great Evils]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Demons]]
[[Category:Bosses]]

Cydaea

2012-06-03T04:55:26Z

Broccolii:

[[Image:Portrait Mistress of Pain.png|thumb|right|150px|Cydaea, Maiden of Lust.]]
The '''Maiden of Lust''' (previously known as the '''Mistress of Pain''') is a [[Diablo III]] [[monster]] that likely is a [[Boss]] of some sort. She is likely a [[Demon]] type monster.
<br>
<br>
==Diablo III Monster==
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
{{Monsterbox
|game= Diablo III
|portrait= Mistress_of_Pain2.jpg
|portrait-width= 230px

|bosstype= boss
|classif= Demons
|family= Bosses
|role= Boss
|life= Unknown
|mana= Unknown
|armor= Unknown
|resist= Unknown
|armament= Frontal Blades
|dps= Unknown
|dmg_low= Unknown
|dmg_high= Unknown
|range= [[Melee]] & [[Ranged]]
|speed= Unknown
|movement= Unknown
|modifier= Unknown
|spells= Explosive Projectiles<br>Sticky Slick
|found= Unknown
}}[[Image:Mistress of Pain.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Concept art with notes.]]The Mistress of Pain is a likely candidate to be a [[Boss]] type [[monster]]. Apart from having a title, a conceptual artwork depicting the Mistress of Pain lists several of her abilities - more than typical monsters have.

The Maiden of Lust is a demon with an upper body of a woman from the waist up and a body of a spider. She walks on six spider-like legs that appear to be made of soft flesh instead of the hard carapace found in spiders. The spider portion of her body also has a pair of bladed mandibles which are used for slashing attacks. Her upper body appears to be that of a beautiful human female but has claws on her hands and many sharp teeth. Her spider abdomen has large spinnerets that produce sticky silk which impedes player movement, as well as explosive projectiles that disperse in a cluster around the player.

Another artwork depicts her hanging by chains attached to her greaves, wearing dress-like attire and a serene expression. The significance of this has not been made clear.

===Spells and Abilities===
* '''Explosive Projectiles''' - projectiles that disperse in a cluster around the player.
* '''Sticky Silk''' - slows player movement





===Related Monsters===
There is no known related monsters to the Mistress of Pain.



==Background==
Besides the fact that she lives in something that looks like a sewer, hanging from chains with skulls dangling around her, in her pretty dress, nothing is really known about the Mistress of Pain. Seeing as she has a nice dress, it might be some corrupted human princess in ages back, who's still very aware of fashion, but no one can do anything besides speculating.

==Lore==
Rumor holds that Archbishop Lazarus loosed a silent terror in the caves near Leoric's Manor before he died. He labored for weeks over a group of unusually large spiders, and many of his servants quietly disappeared during this time... The largest creature led the others into the caves--none who have ventured there have returned.
<div style="text-align:right;">Deckard Cain</div>





==Development==
The Mistress was originally only shown with the chains, and called the "Spider Queen" by the Diablo 3 community, but a few crumbles of information became available when the denoted concept art was released. The first work must have been on July 2003 or earlier, since concept art by [[Peter Lee]] is dated to this time.



==Media==
You can find pictures in the Diablo 3 screenshot and picture gallery:
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/ Diablo 3 screenshots and pictures]
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=all&si=Mistress+of+Pain Mistress of Pain-specific gallery contents]

The Mistress is one of few new monsters that have received great attention by the Diablo 3 community. In this gallery, two pieces of fan art is also included with the official art:

<gallery>
Image:Mistress of Pain.jpg|Notated concept art by [[Peter Lee]].
Image:Mistress of Pain2.jpg|The Mistress alone in some sort of cellar.
Image:Mistress of Pain3.jpg|Wallpaper version of the notated concept. More chains...
Image:Mistress of Pain fanart.jpg|Fan art by Kaeros[http://www.diii.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1429]
Image:Delowyn MistressOfPainWIP.jpg|Mistress of Pain 3D model by [[Delowyn]].
Image:Delowyn Durance.jpg|The "Durance of Pain" by [[Delowyn]].
File:COS_Rainyia_MOP.jpg|Mistress of Pain [[Cosplay]] by [[Rainyia]].
Image:Maiden_ingame.jpg|Render of the Maiden's model.
</gallery>

Diablo 3 Cydaea Boss Videos. Normal [Demon Hunter PoV] Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV]

<center>
{|
| <youtube>linWI-C8kGA</youtube>
| <youtube>CHV_S_qVZq0</youtube>
|}
</center>

==Related Links==
* [[Peter Lee]] ([[D3 Team]] artist)
* [[Delowyn]] (Fan artist)




{{Template:Monster navbox|boss}}

Siegebreaker Assault Beast

2012-06-03T04:53:54Z

Broccolii:

The [[Siegebreaker Assault Beast]] is a large and powerful [[boss]] monster in [[Diablo III]]. He was revealed in the WWI 2008 gameplay movie.
<br>
<br>
==Diablo III Monster==
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
{{Monsterbox
|game= Diablo III
|portrait= Siegebreaker_Assault_Beast.jpg

|name= Siegebreaker<br>Assault Beast
|bosstype= boss
|classif= Demons
|family= Bosses
|role= Boss
|life= Unknown
|mana= N/A
|armor= Unknown
|resist= Unknown
|armament= Three-Blade Gauntlet
|dps= Unknown
|dmg_low= Unknown
|dmg_high= Unknown
|range= [[Melee]]
|speed= Slow
|movement= Slow
|modifier= None
|spells= Swipe<br>Charge<br>Trample
|found= [[Leoric Highlands]]
}}The Siegebreaker Assault Beast is the first large boss monster revealed in [[Diablo III]] and he blows away all of [[Diablo II]]s {{iw|Act_Bosses Act Bosses}} and {{iw|Uber_Monsters Uber Monsters}} added together, by sheer mass and power. He's so large that the concept of a single character fighting him is kind of laughable. It's like a mouse taking on a large dog, except that this dog has six legs with metal spikes on the front two. (On the other hand, the mouse has magical spells, armor, and weapons, so maybe it's not such a mismatch after all?)

Siegebreaker is purely a [[melee]] fighter, with an avalanche of a charging attack and a three-hit, punching attack that deals horrifying damage with the huge blades on the back of his hands. He has some sort of stomp or trample attack as well, one that tears up the earth and creates clouds of smoke from the earth in front of him.

===Fatalities===
[[Image:Mon-siegebreaker-decapitation.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Siegebreaker biting off a [[Barbarian]]'s head. A [[death|spectacular death]].]] Besides his gargantuan size and speed, the most talked about feature of Siegebreaker's appearance in the [[WWI 2008]] [[gameplay movie]] were the [[Death#Special_Death_Animations|fatalities]] he delivered to two of the four characters fighting him. The most memorable was the [[death]] of a [[Barbarian]] when Siegebreaker picked up the hero and outright bit his head off, then threw down the decapitated corpse with a howl of rage. In result of this action, Siegebreaker's jaw was covered with blood and body parts until the end of the battle. A [[Witch Doctor]] was similarly destroyed, not by a bite, but by a spike to the ground, after being picked up and howled at.

Quizzed by a member of the community in January 2012, if death by decapitation was still in the game Blizzard relayed they were not.<ref>[http://blues.incgamers.com/Posts/10/1/40/819/146178/wtf-no-more-death-animations Death by Decapitation Removed] - Blizzard, 30/1/2012</ref>

<blue>Unfortunately we never managed to get these implemented. They were a really cool idea, but a pretty huge amount of work. The one we showed of the Siegebreaker was a scripted sequence we set up specifically for that video. It was never implemented, and never actually worked without someone sitting there typing in a bunch of commands to get it all to fire off properly. It's still something we'd like to do, though.</blue>

{{Clear|left}}
===Death Spawn===
[[Image:Mon-siegebreaker-corpse1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Life fire dies out.]]Another interesting trick of Siegebreaker's is his death animation. He crumbles down to pieces in a very pretty way, like a decaying, hollowed volcano, but then sends out five jets of red light, which swirl around the screen for a moment before crashing to earth. Where the lights land, in the cemetery where the battle took place, great numbers of [[skeletons]] spawn. It's not clear why a giant centaur-dog beast like Siegebreaker would spawn human skeletons when he dies, but it is certainly a cool effect.
<br><br><br>

{{Clear|left}}
===Spells and Abilities===
* Swipe
* Charge
* Trample
The array of abilities of the Siegebreaker is mainly for physical [[melee]] combat, and he(she?) does not have any magical abilities or spells. The swipe of his clawed hand will do significant damage to anyone caught in it, as will his charge and trample. You might get to experience some cool [[death|death animation]] sooner than you'd imagined...





===Related Monsters===
* [[Skeleton]] - Seems to spawn in great numbers when the Siegebreaker dies.



==Background==
Nothing is known of the backstory behind the Siegebreaker just yet. It seems like a special-breed [[demon]] for use in actual sieges, far more efficient than constructions steered towards a wall. In either way, it's obvious that the beast is meant to turn the tides during sieges, or very important battles.

==Diablo I & II Monster==
No monster even resembles the Siegebreaker in [[Diablo I]] or [[Diablo II]]. He's bigger than the {{iw|Act_Bosses Act Bosses}} of Diablo II.



==WWI Demo==
[[File:Mon-siegebreaker4.jpg|thumb|250px|Siegebreaker lurking in the distance.]]
Siegebreaker was the star monster in the WWI (June 2008) gameplay movie, and while Siegebreaker will be found in the final version of Diablo III, it's unlikely that the plot build up to his appearance, or the cemetery location for the final battle, will be present in the final game. The dungeon and other locations seen in the June 2008 WWI gameplay movie were created specially for that demo as part of Diablo III's debut, and are not necessarily indicative of the quests and events in the final game.

Prior to his charging battle appearance at the end of the demo, Siegebreaker is seen inside the dungeon that the Barbarian explores. During that opening segment of the demo, an NPC soldier is yanked through a wall by Siegebreaker's hand, and there are several moments when the ground shakes and rocks crumble and fall when Siegebreaker stomps past, just seen in the distance. These quest elements excited fans, but as with the other demo content, it should be remembered that these elements were created just for the demo, and may not be seen in the final game.
{{Clear|left}}
<youtube>-XkwZTHlBtw</youtube>

===Behind the Scenes===

[[Image:Mon-siegebreaker1.jpg|thumb|200px|Now he's a big one.]]Diablo III Community Manager [[Bashiok]] commented on the creation of the video demo in a forum post in April 2009. <ref>[http://blues.incgamers.com/Posts/1/1/4/10/17494/about-the-breaking-wall-that-kills-merc#postId_46726 Who or What Kills the Merc?] - Blizzard, 2/4/2009</ref>

<blue>It is indeed the siegebreaker's giant hand that grabs him. It was an extremely difficult and trying shot to create and capture. The way the interior and exterior sections were set up and shot it made it necessary to capture them uncut.

The hand shot just wasn't working that well, so we'd tweak it, hope that the physics would move the debris properly. Shoot, it didn't work right. Tweak it again, reshoot the entire interior run, something else might go wrong, etc. Over and over. In the end we had to settle with what would appear to most as a wall collapse simply because we didn't have time before the announcement to keep tweaking it and reshooting everything to make it more clear that it was a hand busting through the wall and grabbing him. Especially when the one we went with had some very perfect moments in it (zombie corpse landing on railing).

I'm glad that someone caught it though, a lot of work went into those animations, and unfortunately we just ran out of time to showcase them.</blue>

See a sequence of shots showing this [[scripted event]] on the [[Siegebreaker snatch]] page.

==Development==
Siegebreaker was the first true [[boss]] type [[monster]] to be shown to the eager Diablo community, and only a short fight with the [[Thousand Pounder]] was any indication of a "boss fight". It was the first ever boss to have [[death|fatalities]] when killing player characters.



==Media==
You can find pictures in the Diablo 3 screenshot and picture gallery:
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/ Diablo 3 screenshots and pictures]
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showgallery.php?si=siegebreaker&x=0&y=0&limit=&thumbsonly=0&perpage=24&cat=all&ppuser=&thumbcheck=0&page=1&sortby=&sorttime=&way=&cat=all Siegebreaker search in the gallery]

<gallery>
Image:Goatmen surround a Siegebreaker.jpg|[[Goatmen]] surround a Siegebreaker.
Image:Mon-siegebreaker-corpse3.jpg|Siegebreaker, dying.
Image:Mon-siegebreaker-corpse1.jpg|Death of Siegebreaker, closeup.
Image:Mon-siegebreaker1.jpg|Large scale living War Machine.
Image:Mon-siegebreaker-decapitation.jpg|Slafs!
Image:Siegebreaker.jpg|Pummelling a Barbarian.
</gallery>

Diablo 3 Siegebreaker Assault Beast Boss Video. Normal [Demon Hunter PoV]

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==References==

<font size="-3">
<references/>
</font>

{{Monster navbox|boss}}

[[category:bosses]]
[[category:SuperUniques]]
[[category:monsters]]

Azmodan

2012-06-03T04:52:58Z

Broccolii:

'''Azmodan''', or the '''Lord of Sin''' is one of the four [[Lesser Evils]]. Azmodan is a major enemy in Diablo III, appearing in at least one of the cinematics (the [[Black Soulstone cinematic]]), as well as in the game. No in-game view of Azmodan has been seen yet, but he's known to be the ultimate boss of [[Act Three]], where he serves as the leader of the armies invading Sanctuary through the [[Arreat Crater]].

==History==

[[Image:Portrait Azmodan.png|left|thumb|Azmodan's Diablo III profile image.]]

Azmodan, the Lord of Sin, is one of the seven Prime Evils. He's classified as one of the four Lesser Evils, along with [[Belial]], [[Andariel]], and [[Duriel]]. During the Eternal Conflict Azmodan won many battles against the High Heavens, and gained renown as the most capable battlefield commander of all the Lords of Hell; his ability to surpass Baal was only due to the latter's volatile nature and brashness in war.

As the Prime Evils turned their attention to the mortal world of Sanctuary, the Lesser Evils grew restless. Eventually, Belial, the Lord of Lies, manipulated Azmodan into leading a revolt against the Prime Evils. Azmodan is best known for events during the Sin Wars, when his alliance with Belial gave their combined demonic armies enough strength to defeat and banish the three Prime Evils into the mortal realm. (There is some speculation that the Prime Evils engineered their own exile and subsequent capture by the Soul Stones as an elaborate plot to ultimately gain more power.)

Azmodan and Belial's triumph was brief, for they fell back into war with each other as soon as they no longer had to cooperate against the Prime Evils. Azmodan's tactical acumen and overwhelming force allowed him to dominate the Civil War and defeat his rivals, including Belial.

From the early information we have about the [[plot]] of Diablo III, it seems that Azmodan has become ascendant in the Burning Hells, and is acting as the leader of the realm in leading a massive demonic army to invade [[Sanctuary]]; one of the key plot events of Diablo III.

===The Lord of Sin===

[[File:Azmodan-cinematic1.jpg|thumb|300px|Azmodan in the D3 cinematic.]]
Azmodan as a physical being is an incarnate of all seven of the deadly sins: wrath, greed, sloth, price, lust, envy, and gluttony. He also controls powerful demons who personify each of those sins, two of whom will be seen in the initial version of Diablo III.

One of these has long been known, Gluttony Incarnate, the [[Thousand Pounder]]. A second was revealed during a [[BlizzCon 2011]] panel as [[Cydaea]], the Maiden of Lust. (Formerly known as the [[Mistress of Pain]].

There's no word on the other five incarnate sins, but it's presumed they will appear in the Diablo III expansions. (Which might hint at future developments; would Azmodan's lieutenants still be formidable enemies if Azmodan himself has been utterly destroyed?)

===Belial and Azmodan in the Diablo I Manual===

Azmodan is featured alongside Belial in the [[Diablo I Manual]] when the civil war between the lesser and prime evils is explained:

::In their ignorance, the Lesser Evils began to believe that the Three were afraid to continue the war with Heaven. Frustrated by the cessation of the war, Azmodan and Belial saw the situation as their chance to overthrow the Prime Evils and take control of Hell for themselves. The two demon lords made a pact with their minor brethren, assuring them that the wretched plague of humanity would not deter the ultimate victory of the sons of Hell. Azmodan and Belial devised a plan to end the stalemate, achieve victory in the Sin War and ultimately ride the bloody crest of the Great Conflict straight into the very arms of Armageddon. Thus, a great revolution was set into motion as all of Hell went to war against the Three Brothers...

[[File:Azmodan-BC2011.jpg|thumb|300px|Concept art for Azmodan.]]
::The Brothers fought with all of the savagery of the Underworld, and to their credit, annihilated a third of Hell’s treacherous legions. In the end, however, they were overcome by the Horned Death led by the traitors Azmodan and Belial. The Prime Evils, weakened and bodiless, were banished to the mortal realm where Azmodan hoped that they would remain trapped forever. Azmodan believed that with the Three set loose upon humanity, the Angels would be forced to turn their focus upon on the mortal plane - thus leaving the Gates of Heaven abandoned and defenseless. Those few demons who still pledged allegiance to the Three Brothers fled the wrath of Azmodan and Belial, escaping to the realm of Man to seek out their lost Masters.

::As the warfires died out upon the battlefields of Hell, Azmodan and Belial began to argue over which of them held the higher authority. The pact that they had made quickly fell to ashes as the two demon lords took up arms against each other. The legions of Hell that remained were polarized behind either warlord, launching themselves into a bloody civil war that has lasted to this day...

==Media==

<gallery>
File:Azmodan-cinematic1.jpg|As seen in the Black Soulstone cinematic.
File:Azmodan by norsechowder-blizzcon2011.jpg|BlizzCon 2011 poster artwork.
Image:Azmodan-BC2011.jpg|Concept art.
Image:Azmodan2.jpg|Concept art.
Image:Azmodan3.jpg|Concept art.
Image:Azmodan4.jpg|Concept art.
Image:Azmodan5.jpg|Concept art.
Image:Azmodan6.jpg|Concept art.
File:Azmodan-pumpkin.jpg|Jack 'o lantern version, from 2011 contest.
File:Portrait boss azmodan.png|Boss portrait.
Image:Azmodan_ingame.jpg|In-game render of Azmodan.
</gallery>

Diablo 3 Azmodan Boss Battle Videos. Normal [Demon Hunter PoV] Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV]

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{{Template:Monster navbox|demon}}

[[Category:Lesser Evils]]
[[Category:Great Evils]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Demons]]

Diablo

2012-06-03T04:51:32Z

Broccolii:

'''Diablo''', the ''The Lord of Terror'', is the primary antagonist in the ''Diablo'' video game series developed by [[Blizzard|Blizzard Entertainment]]. He is the final boss in the first ''Diablo'' game, and the final boss in ''Diablo II'' prior to the release of the expansion pack. Along with his older brothers, [[Baal]] and [[Mephisto]], Diablo is one of the three [[Prime Evils]].

Disambiguation:
* [[Diablo II]]
** [http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Diablo Diablo's Stats]
** [http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Uber_Diablo Uber Diablo's Stats]
** [http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Pandemonium_Diablo Pandemonium Diablo's Stats]
* [[Diablo I]]
** [http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/D1_Diablo_%28monster%29 Diablo's stats] (Diablo I and Hellfire)
** [http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Diablo:_D1_Quest Diablo] (Quest)

{{clear-right}}
{{Charbox
|portrait= Diablo_3_portrait.jpg


|chartype= main
|title= Lord of Terror
|gender= Male (presumed)
|race= Demon
|status= Alive (presumed)
|occupation= [[Prime Evil]]
|affiliation= [[Burning Hells]]
|friends= [[Baal]], [[Mephisto]]
|foes= [[High Heavens]], [[Tyrael]]
|location= Unknown
}}

==Background==
[[File:Diablo_Sigil.jpg|thumb|left|Diablo's Sigil]]
[[File:Diablo_Archive_cover.jpg|thumb|right|Diablo, Lord of Terror]]
Diablo ruled the [[Burning Hells]] together with his two elder brothers, [[Baal]] and [[Mephisto]] for aeons. They were locked in an eternal war with the [[High Heavens]], and as always, hell had its own power struggles, primarily between the three [[Prime Evils]], and the four [[Lesser Evils]].

When the Archangel [[Inarius]] and the powerful demoness [[Lilith]] grew tired of this eternal war, they decided to create a refuge from it all, a [[Sanctuary]]. They, and other [[Demon]]s and [[Angel]]s, had children on Sanctuary, whom were neither demon nor angel, and significantly more powerful than either. These children were called the Nephalem, and Diablo found great interest in their lives.

The war with the heaven halted, seeing what would happen with Sanctuary. The High Heavens, with [[Tyrael]] and [[Imperius]] in the forefront wanted this "abomination" eradicated. Diablo saw potential in the massive powers of the nephalem, and the [[Sin War]] began. When Tyrael and the angels saw goodness in the humans, they were content to leave them to it, but the [[Worldstone]] would act as a dampener, making the nephalem less powerful, and became humans.

The Lesser Evils, too blinded by their hatred of Heaven, saw only the Prime Evils' meddling with Sanctuary as a distraction from the true war, and started a revolt in Hell. The Three were banished from Hell, and walked the earth of Sanctuary, spreading chaos in their wake.

Posing as [[Dialon]], the Spirit of Determination, Diablo secretly led a group of religious fanatics in attempt to establish control over the realm. After the plan failed, Tyrael created the [[Soulstone|Soulstones]] and charged the [[Horadrim|Horadric Order]] with the imprisonment of the Prime Evils.

[[File:Mon-leoric2.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Madness of [[Leoric]].]]
Diablo's soulstone was hidden underneath a Horadric monastery that later became [[Tristram]]. A few hundred years later, Diablo was strong enough to try and corrupt [[Leoric|King Leoric]]. The Lord of Terror invaded Leoric's dreams, attempting to possess the King. Leoric was able to resist Diablo's presence, but he was driven mad by the ordeal.

Diablo had already drawn in [[Lazarus|Archbishop Lazarus]], Leoric's most trusted adviser, and with Lazarus whispering into his ear, the mad king turned on his own people, executing those who disobeyed him, ordering his army into a suicidal war against the friendly neighbouring and previously allied kingdom of [[Westmarch]], and finally purging most of the townspeople from Tristram when his son, [[Albrecht|Prince Albrecht]], vanished. The horrible truth was that it was Lazarus himself who kidnapped the boy.

[[File:Diablo_1_portrait.jpg|thumb|right|Diablo himself]]
While Leoric was too strong for Diablo, Albrecht was not. The terror Albrecht felt in the tomb strengthened Diablo further, and he used Albrecht as his vessel. He inhabited the body and warped it in a demonic shape.

A hero travels through the Tristram labyrinths, catacombs, caves all the way down to Hell in order to confront Diablo directly and ultimately defeated him. The misguided hero drove Diablo's soulstone into his own forehead, hoping to contain the demon himself. He took it upon himself to bring the stone to the East and to imprison Diablo once more.

The [[Wanderer]] travelled the countryside, unleashing demons and horrors in his wake as he was slowly possessed by Diablo. Somehow, Diablo managed to bring the Lesser Evils back under his foot, and both [[Andariel]] and [[Duriel]] helped impair any attempt at catching up with Diablo's journey to release his brothers.

Surrendering control to the demon within, the Wanderer freed [[Baal]] and [[Mephisto]], eventually travelling to Hell where he completed the transformation into his true demonic form.

He was, however once again followed to Hell, where the pursuing heroes unlocked five seals to summon him in his Chaos Sanctuary. After defeating Diablo the heroes destroyed his soulstone, banishing him from Sanctuary back to the Burning Hells.

If this was a permanent death of Diablo or not is unknown, but such an evil rarely dies easily.

==Friends==
Diablo's two older brothers:
* [[Mephisto]]
* [[Baal]]

Diablo's favoured servant or pet is the spider demon [[Astrogha]].

{{clear|both}}

==Diablo Appearances==
===Diablo III===

[[File:Diablo-full-body1.jpg|thumb|Full body view from D3.]]
Aside from a brief appearance in the cinematic trailer, not much is known about Diablo's role in the upcoming sequel. Blizzard has revealed that [[Belial]] is the boss of Act Two, and [[The Black Soulstone cinematic]] revealed that [[Azmodan]] is the boss of Act Three.

This seems to leave the door open for Diablo to again represent Act Four, but it's not known how this might come about, since along with [[Baal]] and [[Mephisto]], [[Diablo]] was defeated and his [[soulstone]] smashed in Diablo II.

====Sheablo?====

Is Diablo III's Diablo a girl?

That shocking question was first asked in reaction to some confusing cinematic shots seen at BlizzCon 2009, and as more evidence has appeared since then, the weight of fan opinion seems to have swung in that direction.

* See the [[Sheablo]] article for full details.

<gallery>
File:Portrait boss diablo.png|In-game Diablo boss portrait.
Image:Portrait Diablo.png|Final in-game avatar.
File:Diablo-sculpt-samyang-blizzcon2011a.jpg|Diablo 3 digital statue.
Image:Diablo_3_portrait.jpg|Cinematic pose.
File:Diablo-dark-boxart.jpg|Dark Diablo box art.
File:Diablo-end-screen.jpg|Final game screen in Diablo III.
File:Diablo-blizzcon-poster.jpg|On the Blizzcon 2011 poster.
File:Diablo Glowei-blizzcon2010.jpg|Portrait by [[Glowei]].
File:Diablo-sheablo-cine1.jpg|Cinematic view. Female?
File:Diablo-head1.jpg|The iconic head from the game logo.
</gallery>

===Diablo II===
[[Image:Diablo_2_portrait.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The opening [[cinematic]] of ''Diablo II'' introduces us to the [[Wanderer|Dark Wanderer]], the warrior who defeated Diablo underneath [[Tristram]] and is now pursued by a group of heroes. The Wanderer travels the countryside, unleashing demons and horrors in his wake as he is slowly possessed by Diablo. Surrendering control to the demon within, the Wanderer frees [[Baal]] and [[Mephisto]], eventually travelling to Hell where he completes the transformation into his true demonic form. He is once again followed to Hell, where the pursuing heroes unlock five seals to summon him in his Chaos Sanctuary. After defeating Diablo the heroes destroy his Soulstone, banishing him from Sanctuary back to the Burning Hells.

{{clear|both}}

===Diablo I===
[[Image:Diablo_1_portrait.jpg|left|thumb|100px]]
The first encounter with Diablo occurs after a lone hero journeys deep beneath [[Tristram|Tristram's]] Cathedral in search of a demonic presence plaguing the countryside. Diablo had nearly possessed the former ruler of Khanduras, [[Leoric|King Leoric]]. Finding the king too strong willed to dominate completely, Diablo instead possessed his son, [[Prince Albrecht]]. The hero takes a portal directly to Hell in order to confront Diablo directly, ultimately defeating him. The misguided hero drove Diablo's soulstone into his own forehead, hoping to contain the demon himself.

{{clear|both}}

===Novels===
Diablo has appeared or been referenced in the following [[Diablo Novels|novels]]:
* [[Diablo: Legacy of Blood]]
* [[Diablo: The Black Road]]
* [[Diablo: The Kingdom of Shadow]]
* [[Diablo: Demonsbane]]
* [[Diablo: Moon of the Spider]]
* [[Diablo: The Sin War]] trilogy:
** [[Diablo: Birthright]]
** [[Diablo: Scales of the Serpent]]
** [[Diablo: The Veiled Prophet]]

==Media==
You can find pictures in the Diablo 3 screenshot and picture gallery:
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/ Diablo 3 screenshots and pictures]
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=all&si=Diablo Diablo-specific gallery contents]

<gallery>
File:Diablo_3_portrait.jpg|Diablo in [[Diablo III]]
File:Diablo Glowei-blizzcon2010.jpg|D3 Diablo portrait by [[Glowei]]
File:Diablo_2_portrait.jpg|Diablo in [[Diablo II]]
File:Diablo_1_portrait.jpg|Diablo in [[Diablo I]]
File:Diablo_Archive_cover.jpg|Cover of Diablo Archive
File:Diablo_vs_WoW.jpg|Diablo vs [[World of WarCraft|WoW]] humorous crossover
File:Patch_110_Hell_Frozen_Over.jpg|Diablo II Patch 1.10 wallpaper
File:Diablo_vs_Five.jpg|Epic battle between heroes and Diablo
File:Diablo_2_Holiday_2004.jpg|Holiday wallpaper
File:Diablo_Samwise.jpg|Diablo made by [[Samwise Didier|Samwise]]
File:Diablo_Sigil.jpg|Diablo's sigil
File:Diablo_ornament.jpg|An ornament related to Diablo
File:Three_Brothers.jpg|The three [[Prime Evils]]
File:Dark_Wanderer_skull.jpg|The [[Dark Wanderer]] turning into Diablo
</gallery>

Diablo 3 Diablo Boss Battle Videos. Normal [Demon Hunter PoV] Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV]

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==Reference==
* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/diablo-is-returning/ Diablo is Returning]
* [[Diablo I Manual]]
* [[Diablo II Manual]]
* [[Diablo II: Lord of Destruction Manual]]
* [[Diablo: Legacy of Blood]]
* [[Diablo: The Black Road]]
* [[Diablo: The Kingdom of Shadow]]
* [[Diablo: Demonsbane]]
* [[Diablo: Moon of the Spider]]
* [[Diablo: The Sin War]]

{{Monster navbox|boss}}

{{Character navbox|main}}

[[category:Possible NPCs]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Prime Evils]]
[[Category:Great Evils]]
[[Category:Monsters]]
[[Category:Demons]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]

Zoltun Kulle

2012-06-03T04:49:57Z

Broccolii:

[[Image:Portrait Zoltan Complete.png|right|thumb|150px|Zoltun Kulle]]
'''Zoltun Kulle''' was one of the original, founding members of the [[Horadrim]] who took a precipitous turn towards evil. A mage of immense power, at one time he was the most dangerous man in the world of Sanctuary. To confront this threat, the forces of Sanctuary teamed together and worked in vain to destroy Zolton Kulle, as he had already discovered the secret to immortality. As a working solution to this, his head was severed and buried in the desert while his body was imprisoned in an alternate dimension.<ref>Blizzcon 2011 - Diablo III Lore Panel. Comments by Kevin Martens.</ref>

{{stub}}

==Background==
Much of the background of Zoltun Kulle remains largely a mystery. The scholar, [[Abd al-Hazir]], however, possessed one of the texts written by this Horadric mage: ''[[Demonicus de Zoltun Kulle]]''. Abd al-Hazir used this text as a corroborating cross reference to the [[Vizjerei]] tomes he frequently consulted. However, the information in Vizjerei texts were highly suspect, as Abd al-Hazir describes:

:"As my readers are well aware, early Vizjerei writings are often little more than self-serving propaganda aimed at whitewashing heinous deeds committed by the mage clan."

How Abd al-Hazir came by this records is unknown.

==Brother of the Horadrim==

Zoltun Kulle was among the founding members of the Horadrim, alongside six other mages. Records passed down from [[Jered Cain]] to his descendant, [[Deckard Cain]], implied Zoltun Kulle was an accomplished member of the [[Ennead]] clain, implying implicit skill in transmutation, alteration and alchemy. While Kulle originally proved to be a noble and insightful addition to the Horadric brotherhood, the hunt for the three [[Prime Evils]] left him hollow and twisted. He endeavored to craft a soulstone empowered to contain the souls of angels and demons. While its creation may have originally been an attempt at repairing his broken spirit, an aspect of madness and hunger for power manifested itself. At some point in the throes of madness, Kulle was convinced that this singular [[Black Soulstone]] would prove critical in saving mankind from an unseen threat.

The remainder of the Horadrim learned of Zoltun Kulle's experiments. Under Jered Cain, the brotherhood hunted down their former comrade-in-arms. Although Kulle was acknowledged as being one of the most powerful beings in the world, the combined efforts of the Horadrim finally defeated him. The Black Soulstone, though left incomplete by Kulle, was never found.

Much to the chagrin of the Horadrim, Kulle's experiments had left him effectively immortal. They dismembered his body, isolating his head and draining his blood. Even so, Kulle's spirit remained restless and refused to leave the mortal plain.

==Rise of the Nephalem==
Centuries after Zoltun Kulle's defeat, the Prime Evils were released from their bondage and once more wreaked havoc on the world of Sanctuary. Diablo, Mephisto and Baal, empowered by the Soulstones that once bound them, rallied the armies of Hell and attempted to conquer humanity. However, a brave band of warriors retraced the steps of the Horadrim and defeated the Prime Evils one by one. In the end, only Baal, the Lord of Destruction, remained. He was successful at corrupting the World Stone, the monolithic artifact that hid the world from Heaven and Hell, as well as limited the power of humanity. After Baal's defeat, the archangel Tyrael obliterated the Worldstone. As a result, Baal's spirit was cast into the Black Abyss, and Sanctuary was unveiled to Heaven and Hell. Most importantly, its power restrictions over humanity were lifted, paving the way for the power of the [[Nephalem]] to resurface in humanity.

Twenty years later, the remaining lords of Hell, Belial and Azmodan, began their plans to conquer Sanctuary. A party of Nephalem emerged to counter the armies of Hell. In time, the adventurers crossed paths with Adria, a witch and former resident of Tristram. She discovered the Black Soulstone of Zoltun Kulle and posited it would be pivotal in turning the tide against Hell. The Black Soulstone would be capable of imprisoning all the lords of Hell, saving the world from their corruption forever. However, the Black Soulstone had been left incomplete, necessitating the revival of Zoltun Kulle himself.

==Archives of Zoltun Kulle==
The [[Archives of Zoltun Kulle]] was an area that was teased during [[Blizzcon 2011]]. Portions of it were playable in the [[Blizzcon 2009]] floor demo and were the crumbling underground dungeons within the desert surrounding [[Caldeum]].

The subterranean complex is a place of great power, with the relics of an age long past still humming with magical energy. Ancient wards and defenses were placed to guard the imprisoned head of Zoltun Kulle from the ill-intentioned seeking to restore or disturb the once great, Horadric mage.

The Archives of Zoltun Kulle will feature into the main quest of Diablo III in some way, but the pretext for the heroes' exploration of these ruins is still a mystery.

[[File:ArchivesOfZK1-BC2011.jpg|center|thumb|600px|The Archives of Zoltun Kulle, lair of the twisted Horadric mage.]]

==Media==
<gallery>
File:ArchivesOfZK1-BC2011.jpg |Archives of Zoltun Kulle, concept 1.
File:ArchivesOfZK2-BC2011.jpg |Archives of Zoltun Kulle, concept 2.
File:ArchivesOfZK3-BC2011.jpg |Archives of Zoltun Kulle, concept 3.
File:ArchivesOfZK4-BC2011.jpg |Archives of Zoltun Kulle, concept 4.
File:ArchivesOfZK5-BC2011.jpg |Archives of Zoltun Kulle, concept 5.
File:Portrait boss zoltun.png |Portrait of Zoltun Kulle.
</gallery>

Diablo 3 Zultun Kulle Boss Videos. Normal [Demon Hunter PoV] Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV]

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==References==
<references/>

{{Character navbox|Imp}}

{{Lore navbox|manual}}

[[category:Characters]]

Maghda

2012-06-03T04:48:20Z

Broccolii:

[[Image:Portrait Jumper.png|thumb|150px|Maghda, Leader of the Coven.]]
'''Maghda''' is the leader of the [[Coven]], aligned with [[Belial]] in Diablo III.
She appears as a boss in Act II.

{{stub}}

==Media==

Diablo 3 Maghda Boss Videos. Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV] Hell [Demon Hunter PoV]

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==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Magda.jpg|Maghda concept art.
Image:Portrait_boss_magda.png|Magda boss portrait.
</gallery>

{{Template:Monster navbox|boss}}

[[Category:NPCs]]

Butcher

2012-06-03T04:46:40Z

Broccolii:

{{Template:Spoiler}}

[[File:Portrait_profile_Butcher.png|right|thumb|150px|Butcher's profile portrait.]]

The '''Butcher''' makes a return in Diablo 3. The {{iw|Butcher Butcher}} appeared in [[Diablo]] as the first quest boss. It's apparent, through datamining of Diablo 3 Beta files, that the Butcher will play a more important role in Diablo 3 as the Act One Boss.

Blizzard attempted to obfuscate the Butcher's identity in the game files during the Diablo III [[beta]] by assigning him a "code name", being "Withers", which like all of the Diablo III internal code names, was equestrian in nature. A "withers" is an anatomical term for a portion of a horse's shoulder area.

==The Butcher's Return==

''Note: This article, while based upon information within the game's files, is still speculation. Even if it is correct at the present time, it is subject to change at release of the game in part or whole.''

Many fans may wonder how a dead [[Demon]] can come back to life to plague the town of [[Tristram]] once again, but [[Diablo]] and the [[Skeleton King]] seem to have no issue doing so.
The return of the Butcher, within the realm of the game world, is a deliberate action by [[Magda]] and her [[Coven]], through the use of her [[Cultists]], to sacrifice the flesh and blood of living beings to resurrect this beast.

The Butcher's goal is to prevent the hero from moving on towards [[Caldeum]] with [[Leah]] and [[Tyrael]]. Magda acts as an extension of [[Belial]]'s will, and his will is to control the destiny of Tyrael. Magda is searching for his shattered blade in Act I, and she summons the Butcher to assist her in more physical means.

Beneath [[Leoric's Manor]] lies the [[Halls of Agony]], home of the Butcher, where the Coven has been actively taking people they've abducted from [[New Tristram]] and [[Wortham]] to be sacrificed in chambers like the one pictured below.

[[File:Butcher_summoning.jpg|center|thumb|550px|Summoning chamber. The meat must be fresh.]]

===The Butcher In-Game===

Not much is known about the Butcher within the actual game, outside of some snippets of dialogue and a few abilities he has.
There's [[lore]] entries leading up to his appearance as the final boss of Act I, as the player makes their way through the Halls of Agony, and [[Myriam]] will also warn players about the taste of rotten demon blood.

From notes by a [[Triune]] torturer:

:''I need more bodies! You think my summoners can just conjure up a demon whenever it pleases them? We must have blood—fresh blood, mind you—and human flesh to bolster our magic. I will be expecting a reply from you shortly.''

Second part:

:''Of all the abominable stalling! In case it was not clear, I need the sacrifices now. I have heard enough of your idle complaints that the villagers have fled from the Highlands, leaving no one left to sacrifice. You'd best come up with something or it's your hide we'll be flaying.''

Gossip option from Myriam the [[Mystic]], titled ''An Unnatural Beast'':

<youtube>0bR5kvA0bo4</youtube>

===Boss Fight Abilities===

[[Image:Butchers weapons.jpg|thumb|220px|The Butcher's weaponary]]
He's been upgraded in his downtime since Diablo I, although it does appear as if it will be a simple and straight-forward fight, similar to the [[Duriel]] fight in Diablo II with some twists.
In Diablo 1 his weapon was a massive butcher's cleave and he had some resistance to magic but no immunities. As an Act Boss expect him to be packing a far greater punch. The image from Cain's Journal shows a him wielding a massive beast-made battle-axe and sabre-like weapon with a couple of swords strapped to his back. It's not known if his attack will inflict physical damage only or have some other magical property to it. A good guess is an additional nasty knock-back and/or stun effect.

This is not a complete list of his abilities. The complete list won't be known until the game is released.

* Melee Attack: The Butcher attacks with his equipped weapon.
* Butcher's Sickle: The Butcher has an ability similar to the [[Barbarian]]'s [[Ancient Spear]] where he can throw a sickle at a player and "reel them in" to melee range.
* Floor fire: The Butcher (or the player) can activate a panel which will send up billowing flames from the floor, perhaps ironically throwing a firewall at the player as this was a common strategy to defeat the Butcher in D1, or it will continue to be a strategy to defeat him in Diablo III, depending on who is hitting the panel to activate the fire.

==The Butcher's Road to Return==

[[Image:Diary04-5.jpg|thumb|175px|The Butcher in [[Deckard Cain's Journal]]]] Although he wasn't particularly difficult to kill if you were the right character level he has become part of Diablo's popular culture with his [http://youtu.be/8wYyCISNkEI "Ahh, fresh meat!"] war cry he issues on bursting through the door. Such was his iconic status Blizzard released one special [[Diablo_III_shirts| Butcher t-shirt]] during Blizzcon 2009 and revealed another during a panel at San Diego Comic Con 2011.

In the second t-shirt, the Butcher appeared updated with huge horns and there was an entry in [[Deckard Cain's Journal]] with the same design of beast and these were enough to suggest that he will be making a return.

Once the Diablo 3 Beta went public and the files were datamined in earnest the image below was unnearthed. The image shows the portraits that the player earns after killing the four act bosses. The names were not displayed underneath but as the monsters are recognisable they were added for clarity.

[[Image:Act bosses.jpg|frame|center|In the premier league now - The Butcher - [[Belial]] - [[Azmodan]] - [[Diablo]]]]

There is a legendary item that bears his name, [http://us.battle.net/d3/en/item/butchers-carver The Butcher's Carver]. Blizzard maintain that the stats of Legendary items are subject to change but putting the statistics of the item aside, the graphic matches the other two images so it's likely that as his weapon and the weapon available to players are identical in look this could be one of your rewards for killing him. It would be disjointed to come by his weapon in some other manner.

The Butcher has two [[items]] associated with him in Diablo III, being [[Withers%27s_Carver| the Butcher's Carver]], and [[The_Withers%27s_Sickle| the Butcher's Sickle]].

==The Butcher in Previous Games==

The {{iw|Butcher Butcher}} appeared in [[Diablo]] as the first quest boss. He was found in a small square room somewhere on level 2 of the dungeon. Even before you open his door, a gruesome selection of bloody corpses can be seen hanging within, and most players make a thorough, wincing inspection of his room after the battle.

He did not appear in Diablo 2 giving him time to rest, recuperate and ready himself for Diablo 3.

==Media==

Diablo 3 Boss Battle Videos. Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV] Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV]

<center>
{|
| <youtube>A-ub3xweWLo</youtube>
| <youtube>8aiUNgZPQOc</youtube>
|}
</center>

==Butcher Gallery==

<gallery>
File:Merch-shirt-butcher1.jpg|Blizzcon 2009 T Shirt.
File:Sdcc-d3-butcher-tshirt2.jpg|Comic Con 2011 T Shirt.
File:Butcher.jpg|The Butcher in Deckard Cain's Diary.
File:Butcher2.jpg|Boss Kill portrait.
File:Portrait_boss_Butcher.png|The Butcher's carver in his boss encounter image.
File:Butchers weapons.jpg|Close up of his weapons.
File:D1-butcher.jpg|The Butcher in Diablo I.
File:Fiend_club_by_ctmoney.jpg|[[Fan art]] by ctmoney.
File:Ahh_fresh_meat_by_gildeneye.jpg|Fan art by Gildeneye.
File:Butcher_brittain_scott.jpg|Fan art by Brittain Scott.
File:Butcherscarver.jpg|[[Barbarian]] loosely holding the Butcher's Carver item.
</gallery>

{{Monster navbox|boss}}

[[Category:Monsters]]

Araneae

2012-06-03T04:45:08Z

Broccolii:

'''Araneae''' is the ''Spider Queen'', residing within the [[Spider Caves]] in [[Act I]].

[[File:Portrait boss spiderqueen.png|center|frame|The Spider Queen.]]

{{stub}}

==Media==

Queen Araneae Boss Battles. Normal [Monk PoV] Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV]

<center>
{|
| <youtube>wcGJhSjmVvs</youtube>
| <youtube>sjhIWsHfVoQ</youtube>
|}
</center>

{{Template:Monster navbox|boss}}
[[Category:NPCs]]
[[Category:Monsters]]

Leoric

2012-06-03T04:42:43Z

Broccolii: /* Media */

:''Were you looking for {{iw|King_Leoric King Leoric}}, the [[Diablo I]] boss?''
:''Were you looking for Aidan, the [[Dark_Wanderer|Dark Wanderer]]?''

'''King Leoric''', the '''Skeleton King''' or the '''Black King''' are all names for the same person: The king of [[Khanduras]] that grew mad from the attempted possession by [[Diablo]], and then cursed to a life of [[undead|unlife]]. The Skeleton King is [[undead]], a [[superunique]], and a [[quest boss]].

==Diablo III==
[[File:Mon-leoric1.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Leoric's ghost.]]
{{Charbox
|portrait= Leoric.jpg


|chartype= normal
|title= The King of Khanduras<br>The Black King<br>The Skeleton King
|gender= Male
|race= Human
|status= [[Dead]]/[[Undead]]
|affiliation= [[Khanduras|Kingdom of Khanduras]], [[Zakarum]]
|friends= [[Dark Wanderer|Aiden]] (firstborn son)<br>[[Albrecht]] (son)<br>[[Lazarus]] (advisor)<br>[[Lachdanan]] (commander)
|foes= [[Hero]]es
|location= [[Tristram Cathedral]]
|categories=
}}[[Image:Mon-skeleton-king1.jpg|thumb|150px|Leoric returns.]]
Leoric the Skeleton King returns in Diablo III. His undead bones have been reanimated, and once again he's raised an army of the undead and awaits any hero who might dare bring the warmth of life into his tomb, in the catacombs beneath Tristram. Leoric is one of the first quest bosses a new character encounters, and defeating him brought an end to the Blizzcon demo, the first playable version of Diablo III ever seen by the public. See [[The Skeleton King]] page for more details about the quest.

Leoric is found on a throne at the end of a scripted level. The player must fight through several blockades and traps to reach Leoric's room. Along the way, Leoric's ghostly form is encountered, during which he taunts you before blowing back through the floor and vanishing, just as a great number of undead emerge from all sides of a large room.

Once you do reach Leoric's throne, a bridge crumbles behind you leaving no escape; you must defeat Leoric to survive. Leoric's giant bones are found on a throne, and they remain motionless until a player produces [[The Crown of the Skeleton King]], a quest item found in the dungeon above. The crown restores Leoric to life, and he rises up, taunting the player wielding a massive two-handed maul. As soon as Leoric is activated squads of all types of skeletons come from the sides of the screen, and more are found throughout Leoric's throne room, if the player retreats from the dais on which Leoric's throne sits.

Leoric deals substantial damage with his massive club, but only swings once every few seconds, giving a player plenty of time to score hits on him between swings. It's a good idea to try to stay just out of range so you can dodge the attack, since it deals considerable damage.

Leoric also retains his ability to summon skeletons, and will do so during the fight, if given the opportunity. Most players at BlizzCon would fight Leoric for a moment, then run off and kill some of the skeletons he summoned to get a [[health globe]] or two, then return to the battle with Leoric.

Leoric dropped 4-6 rare items when killed in the Blizzcon build, but the game was much too far from completion then to use that as a prediction of how valuable he'll be in the final game.

==Background==
[[File:D1-mon-skeleton-king.gif|left|frame|[[Diablo I]] Skeleton King.]]
[[Image:Mon-leoric2.jpg|thumb|300px|The Madness of the Black King.]]
The tragic tale of King Leoric's fall is told in [[The Return of Terror]], a book by the [[Horadrim]], and through the quests and [[Tome]]s of lore found in the dungeons in the game.

Leoric was an Eastern Lord, who came down to [[Khanduras]], which was without a king, with knights and priests of the [[Zakarum]] and took the role upon himself. Despite some rumblings, he became known and loved by the people in the short time he ruled. He was a just and wise king.

He established his castle in the town of Tristram, near the ancient and decayed [[Tristram Cathedral|Horadric Monastery]]. Deep within the monastery laid the [[soulstone]] containing [[Diablo]]'s essence, and though trapped within the stone, Diablo was strong enough to send forth his spirit. The Lord of Terror invaded Leoric's dreams, attempting to corrupt and possess the King. Leoric was able to resist Diablo's presence, but he was driven mad by the ordeal.

Diablo had already drawn in [[Lazarus|Archbishop Lazarus]], Leoric's most trusted adviser, and with Lazarus whispering into his ear, the mad king turned on his own people, executing those who disobeyed him, ordering his army into a suicidal war against the friendly neighbouring kingdom of [[Westmarch]], and finally purging most of the townspeople from [[Tristram]] when his son, [[Albrecht|Prince Albrecht]], vanished. The horrible truth was that it was Lazarus himself who kidnapped the boy.

Leoric's most loyal knight, Sir [[Lachdanan]], finally led a revolt against the deranged tyrant, and after a pitched battle the King was cornered. His knights demanded explanations, but Leoric spit defiance to the end. Ultimately, Lachdanan was forced to commit regicide, plunging his sword through the King's heart. Bitter to the end, the dying Leoric called down a curse on his former servants, the power of which ultimately consumed them all.

Despite his madness, Leoric was given a royal burial, entombed beneath the Monastery in a special crypt. Diablo's growing power refused to let the king rest though, and the Lord of Terror was able to call Leoric back from the dead, granting his skeleton an unholy life and new powers. Leoric was unable to venture forth from his tomb, but he slay many adventurers who dared enter his lair, until he was finally dispatched by the hero who ultimately defeated Diablo, took the essence of the soulstone into his forehead, and became the [[Dark Wanderer]].

Leoric lay broken and still for two decades after those events, but rumor in New Tristram is that the Black King stirs, as evil men seek some sacred objects in the catacombs below the Monastery, and hope to call Leoric's spirit back to his bones, to join them in serving their unknown dark lords.

==Lore==
The Zakarum High Priests in Kurast proclaimed Leoric King of Khanduras many years ago. He ruled well until Diablo's influence drove him mad and the loyal knight Lachdanan was forced to slay him. Afterward, Diablo himself raised Leoric from the dead as the Skeleton King until the monarch's son, Aidan, vanquished him.
<div style="text-align:right;">Deckard Cain</div>

==Further Reading==
{{interwiki|half= }}

==Media==
[http://www.diii.net/gallery/showgallery.php?si=leoric See screenshots and concept art of the Skeleton King] in the Image Gallery.

<gallery>
File:D3 SkeletonKing.jpg|The Skeleton King artwork.
File:Mon-skeleton-king1.jpg|Skeleton King.
File:Mon-leoric1.jpg|Leoric's Ghost.
File:D1-mon-skeleton-king.gif|Diablo I incarnation.
</gallery>

Videos of King Leoric Boss Battle. Normal [Monk PoV] Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV] Hell [Demon Hunter PoV]
<center>
{|
| <youtube>UPonDOpdp74</youtube>
| <youtube>E3n_JaEM2QQ</youtube>
| <youtube>lG0rVyGLBMc</youtube>
|}
</center>

{{Monster navbox|boss}}

{{Character navbox|imp}}

[[Category:Bosses]]
[[category:quest bosses]]
[[Category:Undead]]
[[Category:Monsters]]
[[Category:Characters]]

Leoric

2012-06-03T04:42:14Z

Broccolii: /* Media */

:''Were you looking for {{iw|King_Leoric King Leoric}}, the [[Diablo I]] boss?''
:''Were you looking for Aidan, the [[Dark_Wanderer|Dark Wanderer]]?''

'''King Leoric''', the '''Skeleton King''' or the '''Black King''' are all names for the same person: The king of [[Khanduras]] that grew mad from the attempted possession by [[Diablo]], and then cursed to a life of [[undead|unlife]]. The Skeleton King is [[undead]], a [[superunique]], and a [[quest boss]].

==Diablo III==
[[File:Mon-leoric1.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Leoric's ghost.]]
{{Charbox
|portrait= Leoric.jpg


|chartype= normal
|title= The King of Khanduras<br>The Black King<br>The Skeleton King
|gender= Male
|race= Human
|status= [[Dead]]/[[Undead]]
|affiliation= [[Khanduras|Kingdom of Khanduras]], [[Zakarum]]
|friends= [[Dark Wanderer|Aiden]] (firstborn son)<br>[[Albrecht]] (son)<br>[[Lazarus]] (advisor)<br>[[Lachdanan]] (commander)
|foes= [[Hero]]es
|location= [[Tristram Cathedral]]
|categories=
}}[[Image:Mon-skeleton-king1.jpg|thumb|150px|Leoric returns.]]
Leoric the Skeleton King returns in Diablo III. His undead bones have been reanimated, and once again he's raised an army of the undead and awaits any hero who might dare bring the warmth of life into his tomb, in the catacombs beneath Tristram. Leoric is one of the first quest bosses a new character encounters, and defeating him brought an end to the Blizzcon demo, the first playable version of Diablo III ever seen by the public. See [[The Skeleton King]] page for more details about the quest.

Leoric is found on a throne at the end of a scripted level. The player must fight through several blockades and traps to reach Leoric's room. Along the way, Leoric's ghostly form is encountered, during which he taunts you before blowing back through the floor and vanishing, just as a great number of undead emerge from all sides of a large room.

Once you do reach Leoric's throne, a bridge crumbles behind you leaving no escape; you must defeat Leoric to survive. Leoric's giant bones are found on a throne, and they remain motionless until a player produces [[The Crown of the Skeleton King]], a quest item found in the dungeon above. The crown restores Leoric to life, and he rises up, taunting the player wielding a massive two-handed maul. As soon as Leoric is activated squads of all types of skeletons come from the sides of the screen, and more are found throughout Leoric's throne room, if the player retreats from the dais on which Leoric's throne sits.

Leoric deals substantial damage with his massive club, but only swings once every few seconds, giving a player plenty of time to score hits on him between swings. It's a good idea to try to stay just out of range so you can dodge the attack, since it deals considerable damage.

Leoric also retains his ability to summon skeletons, and will do so during the fight, if given the opportunity. Most players at BlizzCon would fight Leoric for a moment, then run off and kill some of the skeletons he summoned to get a [[health globe]] or two, then return to the battle with Leoric.

Leoric dropped 4-6 rare items when killed in the Blizzcon build, but the game was much too far from completion then to use that as a prediction of how valuable he'll be in the final game.

==Background==
[[File:D1-mon-skeleton-king.gif|left|frame|[[Diablo I]] Skeleton King.]]
[[Image:Mon-leoric2.jpg|thumb|300px|The Madness of the Black King.]]
The tragic tale of King Leoric's fall is told in [[The Return of Terror]], a book by the [[Horadrim]], and through the quests and [[Tome]]s of lore found in the dungeons in the game.

Leoric was an Eastern Lord, who came down to [[Khanduras]], which was without a king, with knights and priests of the [[Zakarum]] and took the role upon himself. Despite some rumblings, he became known and loved by the people in the short time he ruled. He was a just and wise king.

He established his castle in the town of Tristram, near the ancient and decayed [[Tristram Cathedral|Horadric Monastery]]. Deep within the monastery laid the [[soulstone]] containing [[Diablo]]'s essence, and though trapped within the stone, Diablo was strong enough to send forth his spirit. The Lord of Terror invaded Leoric's dreams, attempting to corrupt and possess the King. Leoric was able to resist Diablo's presence, but he was driven mad by the ordeal.

Diablo had already drawn in [[Lazarus|Archbishop Lazarus]], Leoric's most trusted adviser, and with Lazarus whispering into his ear, the mad king turned on his own people, executing those who disobeyed him, ordering his army into a suicidal war against the friendly neighbouring kingdom of [[Westmarch]], and finally purging most of the townspeople from [[Tristram]] when his son, [[Albrecht|Prince Albrecht]], vanished. The horrible truth was that it was Lazarus himself who kidnapped the boy.

Leoric's most loyal knight, Sir [[Lachdanan]], finally led a revolt against the deranged tyrant, and after a pitched battle the King was cornered. His knights demanded explanations, but Leoric spit defiance to the end. Ultimately, Lachdanan was forced to commit regicide, plunging his sword through the King's heart. Bitter to the end, the dying Leoric called down a curse on his former servants, the power of which ultimately consumed them all.

Despite his madness, Leoric was given a royal burial, entombed beneath the Monastery in a special crypt. Diablo's growing power refused to let the king rest though, and the Lord of Terror was able to call Leoric back from the dead, granting his skeleton an unholy life and new powers. Leoric was unable to venture forth from his tomb, but he slay many adventurers who dared enter his lair, until he was finally dispatched by the hero who ultimately defeated Diablo, took the essence of the soulstone into his forehead, and became the [[Dark Wanderer]].

Leoric lay broken and still for two decades after those events, but rumor in New Tristram is that the Black King stirs, as evil men seek some sacred objects in the catacombs below the Monastery, and hope to call Leoric's spirit back to his bones, to join them in serving their unknown dark lords.

==Lore==
The Zakarum High Priests in Kurast proclaimed Leoric King of Khanduras many years ago. He ruled well until Diablo's influence drove him mad and the loyal knight Lachdanan was forced to slay him. Afterward, Diablo himself raised Leoric from the dead as the Skeleton King until the monarch's son, Aidan, vanquished him.
<div style="text-align:right;">Deckard Cain</div>

==Further Reading==
{{interwiki|half= }}

==Media==
[http://www.diii.net/gallery/showgallery.php?si=leoric See screenshots and concept art of the Skeleton King] in the Image Gallery.

Videos of King Leoric Boss Battle. Normal [Monk PoV] Nightmare [Demon Hunter PoV] Hell [Demon Hunter PoV]
<center>
{|
| <youtube>UPonDOpdp74</youtube>
| <youtube>E3n_JaEM2QQ</youtube>
| <youtube>lG0rVyGLBMc</youtube>
|}
</center>

<gallery>
File:D3 SkeletonKing.jpg|The Skeleton King artwork.
File:Mon-skeleton-king1.jpg|Skeleton King.
File:Mon-leoric1.jpg|Leoric's Ghost.
File:D1-mon-skeleton-king.gif|Diablo I incarnation.
</gallery>

{{Monster navbox|boss}}

{{Character navbox|imp}}

[[Category:Bosses]]
[[category:quest bosses]]
[[Category:Undead]]
[[Category:Monsters]]
[[Category:Characters]]