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Blizzcon Begins, Diablo 3 Wizard Class Unveiled

Posted by Soulskill on from the zap dept.

Blizzcon is officially underway today, starting with a presentation showcasing the Worldwide Invitational tournament held earlier this year. A company spokesman went on to talk about the tournaments being held for World of Warcraft 3v3 Arena, Warcraft 3, and Starcraft 2, followed by word that Starcraft 2 was not yet ready for beta, but that Blizzcon attendees would be included in the first round of testers when the beta program starts. The big news of the presentation, though, was the unveiling of the Wizard class — the third such class to be announced, along with the previously mentioned Barbarian and Witch Doctor. Read on for some more details.

The trailer illustrating the new class showed actual gameplay demonstrating the Wizard's spells and abilities, some of which hearken back to the Sorceress in Diablo 2. Attacks such as Meteor and Chain Lightning seem to be returning, and several new spells were seen, including one invoking a spherical shield that seems to alter the flow of time within it, allowing the Wizard to dodge projectiles and approaching enemies with ease. Another spell sends tornadoes storming through the room. Here's Blizzard description of the class from their press release: "The wizard is a wielder of the elements and a master manipulator of time, who combats the hordes of the Burning Hells by launching environment-shattering lightning bolts, channeling explosive arcane energies, and creating pockets of space outside of the normal flow of time."

13 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. Your sound card by bonch · · Score: 5, Funny

    Your sound card works perfectly.
    Your sound card works perfectly.
    Your sound card works perfectly.
    Enjoying yourself?
    Your sound card works perfectly.
    Your sound card works perfectly.
    Your sound card works perfectly.
    It doesn't get any better than this!

  2. I like the first word non-link.... thats classy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Blizzcon, no link provided.

    Because if you don't have the bookmark, you must be a noob. Right?

  3. Casting spells? The hell? by Shinmizu · · Score: 5, Funny

    The trailer illustrating the new class showed actual gameplay demonstrating some of the Wizard's abilities -- including the casting of spells

    The hell? Can't Blizzard keep any of their lore consistent? Next thing you know, they'll have a "Fighter" class that uses melee weapons or some crazy shit like that.

    1. Re:Casting spells? The hell? by tenton · · Score: 2, Funny

      He's called a barbarian and they already showed him off. :P

      I'm waiting for the long ranged weapon class (maybe a ranger? How about an elf ranger?) and some sort of defensive style class (a knight, perhaps?).

  4. Re:Totally new - the Wizard! by Vexor · · Score: 2, Funny

    The classes are probably being reworked because of the shattering of the world stone at the end of D2's expansion. Crazy stuff is happening.

    --
    ~Vexed and loving it!
  5. Re:Wizardry Classes? by pjt33 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, but you'll have to learn to run through walls to even get on the train that takes you there.

  6. Here you go: by geekoid · · Score: 4, Funny

    Places that teach magic:

    http://www.chiropracticschools.com/

    http://www.ncnm.edu/

    http://www.homeopathyschool.com/

    woowoo! all aboard the woo woo train.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  7. Wha? by geekoid · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Starcraft 2 was not yet ready for beta"

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tim5nU3DwIE

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  8. Re:Totally new - the Wizard! by Daimanta · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Sounds a little like... I don't know... a sorceress? Except for that cute "pockets of space outside the normal flow of time". That sounds like Star Trek."

    Yeah, the Wizard has awesome abilities like "enhanced tachyon field", "inverse neutrino pulse" and "transporter accident".

    --
    Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
  9. Re:Totally new - the Wizard! by justinlee37 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sure, you're right, a Sorceress could use a sword. But that's besides the original poster's point that an open-ended character progression system would be more engaging.

    Get back to me when a Sorceress can put talent points into Barbarian War Cries.

  10. Re:A WoW arena tournament??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    A: Any shut-in, fat virgin would be lucky to grind some pants.

  11. Re:Totally new - the Wizard! by greyspectre · · Score: 3, Funny

    Reroute all mana to the main deflector dish?

  12. Re:Totally new - the Wizard! by MRe_nl · · Score: 3, Funny

    The Wizard has awesome disabilities too, such as
    "WIZARD NEEDS FOOD. BADLY!".

    --
    "Kill 'em all and let Root sort 'em out"