Upon the launch of Diablo III back in 2012, gamers found no trace of the popular Necromancer class from Diablo II. Taking the character's place as the one with the creepy vibe was the Witch Doctor, which featured skills similar to the Necromancer of Diablo II such as summoning creatures and casting curses.
However, after a leaked image which showed the Necromancer possibly being added to the title, Blizzard announced at BlizzCon 2016 that the popular class is finally coming to Diablo III as part of the Rise of the Necromancer pack some time next year, the price of which has not yet been revealed.
The Difference Between Witch Doctor And Necromancer
According to designer Travis Day, one of his biggest priorities with the Necromancer was distinguishing it as much as possible from the Witch Doctor, which cannibalized some of the design space previously found in the Necromancer for Diablo II. One such example is the skill Confuse, previously a skill for the Necromancer in Diablo II but now owned by the Witch Doctor in Diablo III.
One of the major differences between the Witch Doctor and the Necromancer is that, while they both have the ability to summon minions, the Witch Doctor is more passive in using them for battle, while the Necromancer will be more active as players will be able to directly control the monsters they create.
Making their return along with the Necromancer to Diablo III are summoned skeletons and golems, but among the new skills that the class will have is Command Skeleton. While the monsters the Witch Doctor summons run around and attack enemies, the Necromancer can use the skill to have the skeleton army focus their attacks on a single enemy.
There is also the matter of difference in theme between the Witch Doctor and the Necromancer. While the Witch Doctor is a lighthearted version that focuses on "creepy crawlies," the Necromancer is a grim and dark character that has its design based on bones, blood and corpses.
Diablo III Necromancer Skills And Design
The directions of the design for the Necromancer in Diablo III can be seen in the skills that are being carried over from Diablo II. Among these skills are the Bone Spear, Decrepify, Blood Golem and the massively popular Corpse Explosion, which can be spammed in the game.
In addition to skills, bones and blood will also be connected to the equipment of the Necromancer. In the Diablo III panel of BlizzCon 2016, one of the revealed armor sets for the class is a full suit of blood armor that comes with beating hearts that pump blood throughout the pieces of the set.
Testing The Diablo III Necromancer
Destructoid's Chris Carter was able to get some playtime with the Diablo III Necromancer, and while not all skills were available, it gave a glimpse of a faithful recreation of the popular Diablo II character.
Carter praised the animation that has been put into the skills of the Necromancer. The skill Siphon Blood, which drains energy from opponents to earn MP, shows the Necromancer pulling the souls out of enemies, while the skill Blood Rush shows the skin momentarily ripping off from the Necromancer.
However, Carter, like most players, expected at least a new expansion for Diablo III and not just a character pack and a Diablo homage. To keep players interested in the game and in the franchise, Blizzard will need to launch something good next year.
