Battle.net Issues

1) How do I use Battle.net?
First, initiate an internet connection. (If you use a modem, dial in to your internet service provider.) Once connected, start Diablo and select "Multiplayer" from the main menu. Select "Battle.net" and you'll be connected automatically.

2) Is Battle.net free?
There is no charge for using Battle.net, but you are responsible for the cost of having an internet connection.

3) I get an error when connecting to Battle.net
Battle.net attempts to patch (update) your game to the most recent version when you connect. Lately it has been very common for computers to reject the automatic update. This is likely why you are receiving the error, and the solution is to patch manually. Click here for patches.

PC
First, determine what game version you have. You can do this two ways.
One: By pressing the v key on your keyboard while you are within a game. (That is, you must be using a character rather than at a menu.)
Two: At the game's main menu (where you choose Single Player, Multiplayer, etc.), the version is displayed in the lower left.

If your game version is less than v1.07, it is safer to update to v1.07 first. From Blizzard's FTP site (link above), download the file labeled drtl107.exe and drtl109.exe. Without Diablo running, run (double click) drtl107.exe. After you've done completed patching to v1.07, run drtl109.exe.

If your game version is v1.07 or v1.08, download the file labeled drtl109.exe. Run (double click) the file without Diablo running.

Mac
Download the v1.09 patch.

4) "I can't find players." OR "People keep killing me." OR "People cheat outrageously."
This is common to all players. Diablo is seldom played compared to other Battle.net games. But you may be able to find players here on our forums.

5) The portal disappeared when I was doing the Lazarus quest!
This was a v1.00 bug. Fixed long ago. Follow the patching instructions above.

Gameplay Issues

1) Can I run?
No. Diablo has a well-defined pace and levels are relatively small (but quite packed with monsters). There's no need for running. FYI: All game controls can be found by pressing F1 while in a game.

2) Constantly swapping spells with the Sorcerer is annoying!
Hotkey shortcuts make spell-slinging much easier. Hotkeying is done by pressing S to display your list of known spells. Hover your cursor over a spell and press F5, F6, F7, or F8. Thenceforth, whenever you press that F-key you'll call that spell to the lower right spellbox.

Hotkeys must be re-set with each new game.

3) Where can I find cheats?
Not here. The Lurker Lounge does not exist to furnish methods of cheating to lazy players.

Other Issues

1) What is a mod? How can I make one?
Look to your left. Click the link labeled "Mods."

2) Can I use my single player characters in multiplayer?
No. You cannot "port" them to multiplayer either.

3) What is Diablo Spawn?
It's just the demo version of the game.

Hellfire (Diablo's Expansion)

1) What is Hellfire?
The only "authorized" expansion to Diablo, but it was not made by Blizzard. Sierra made it. Blizzard refused to give it Battle.net support, though it can still be played online if you download a modified hellfrui.dll or play a mod, such as "Hellfire: The Dark" or "Hellfire: Fixed." Hellfire and associated mods are playable over Kali.

2) Where can I find Hellfire?
Firstly, Hellfire was a retail game. It is not available for download.

Hellfire availability is extremely limited these days, and, unfortunately, Sierra doesn't carry it any more. First, check at your local software store. If it's not there, try internet auction sites such as ebay, half.com, and Amazon. You might also check online software retailers.

This is all the information I have. I delete all e-mails asking where to purchase or "download" Hellfire.

3) Can I use my Diablo 1 characters in Hellfire -- and vice versa?
You may be able to "port" Diablo characters from version 1.00 through v1.07 to Hellfire by re-naming the save file, but this does not work with v1.08 or v1.09. TAKE NOTE: These characters will not retain their equipment!

You cannot port Hellfire characters to Diablo.

4) How do I make command.txt?
For those who don't know, command.txt is used to activate Hellfire's easter eggs. This is covered below.

5) What does Hellfire add?
One "official" new class and two "easter egg" (bonus) classes. The Monk can block without need of a shield (except with bows), though he is best suited to barehanded or staff use. He is quite similar to the Rogue in terms of magical ability and hardiness. The Bard crosses a Sorcerer with melee class, creating a character capable of wielding two one-handed weapons at once (preferably swords) and slinging potent magic. The Barbarian trades magical ability (max Magic 0) for raw physical damage, sporting high vitality and a damage bonus for not using a shield (not with staves). For more information, see Jarulf's Guide (Downloadable Version, Online Version).

Hellfire also added two new areas. The first, the Hive (or Nest), is an "organic" area where monster toughness and level design is analogous to the Caves. The second area, the Crypt, is very similar to the first four dungeon levels in design, but monster toughness reflects that of Hell. Both dungeons are four levels deep and do not connect to the original 16 dungeon levels in any way. Sierra's biggest faux pas in designing these levels is an almost total lack of bosses (the Hive has two, the Crypt has one). As such, these levels are rather boring, particularly since the monsters don't vary much at all. Still, the Crypt remains a challenging area due to monster resistance combinations and mixing of Animals, Demons, and Undead.

The Crypt and Hive are rife with new monsters, but Sierra's attempt at creating a "Gothic" atmosphere falls short when it comes to sound effects. High-pitched squeals and squeaks cannot compete with the gloomy moans, grunts, and hisses of the original game.

Hellfire adds the option of playing Normal, Nightmare, and Hell difficulty for single player.

Hellfire adds a couple of new quests, some of which are "easter eggs." See Jarulf's Guide for information on the Hellfire easter eggs.

Oh, and new items! Sierra went to the trouble of adding a number of new unique items (twenty in total). What they didn't bother doing was ensure that the game can drop them! Nearly half of them cannot exist in mutliplayer and the rest are mind-bogglingly difficult to generate in single player. On top of that, many old D1 uniques no longer drop (in multiplayer) due to these new uniques. (In single player they become quite difficult to find.)

If Hellfire sounds bad to you, all is not lost. "Hellfire: Fixed" modification (made by friendly neighborhood Lurkers) was created to mend Sierra's mistakes and, I think, improves "vanilla Hellfire" in many respects while still remaining Diablo at heart. "Hellfire: The Dark" modification (made by Zamal and Zenda) also does an excellent job of improving Sierra's little accident. It doesn't attempt to retain the original Diablo. Instead, "The Dark" makes the game more difficult by redesigning monsters, items, and character classes. Zamal and Zenda did a first-rate job on "The Dark," and they're still improving it. Some players have even bought Hellfire just to play this mod. Now that's a compliment if I've ever seen one. You can find information on both of these mods in the Mods section.