My Unofficial Hellfire 1.02 Mod

[Hammerskjold]

Changing the items to retain oil effects might be possible with some advanced code alterations (perhaps using extra bytes that are always 00's in the item's trans or check codes, and having the code read those as oil applications might work), but that's quite a ways over my head at this time.

If it's too much of a bother, I personally would not worry too much. It's a nice to have (IMO a very nice to have), but not super critical if it's too much of a headache to do.

My concern with permanent oil effects is that it allows some characters that already do insane amounts of damage

That's a valid point with dmg+ oil. I think it would probably even out after a high enough char level, but in general dmg+ is not that hard to get as is. It's a nice enough balance IMO.

I think for me the accuracy+ oil becoming permanent is more intriguing.
Mostly for the Warrior IMO, that can benefit even from this small bump.

It's true the Gnat Sting becomes a fearsome short-range weapon when you add in the Rogue's character damage to all 3 arrows, and if Fast Attack did actually make it shoot faster I share the concern that it might become a bit too powerful. It would need some testing.

It is definitely interesting. Not just about Gnat Sting I mean, but bringing back D1 classic bow attack speed into HF. I think I wouldn't mind trying out a D1 classic style Needler with one of my high level HF Rogue.

On the other hand I enjoy HF's different pacing (no need to worry about Speed+ bows, a rogue's innate bow attack speed is enough for any and all bow etc). But I still enjoy how D1 classic handles bow speed.

'Tastes Great! No, Less Filling! No, Tastes Great! No! Less filling!'

... but vs non-resists an elemental bow still does more damage than Gnat's triple hit and is easier to aim. From afar where multiple hits are increasingly unlikely, elemental bows can still put out consistently better damage vs immunes, and easily double Gnat Sting's damage if the monsters are only resistant.

I appreciate your thoughtful analysis and number crunching. I think the key thing here is the aiming method.

Just to be sure that we're on the same page, we're talking about the somewhat counter-intuitive way of aiming it correct? The cursor point at the farthest edge of the monitor screen? I find it easiest with the corner screen, because the middle vertical and horizontal is not great IMO. Basically drawing an 'X' vs '+' on the screen.

I usually try to get the arrow pattern as parallel as possible, iirc the corner edges gives the tightest parallel pattern. Middle vert and horizontal doesn't, and the closer the cursor to the char (central point) the more the pattern forks out into a 'Y' pattern. Whereas I want it to be more like '|||'.

Positioning and the counterintuitive aiming is admitedly, a PITA sometimes. When it does work, IMO it works great. Personal playstyle also plays a not so small a part in this I think.

I have played with elemental bows, and I'll be upfront with this. I like 'em because they look purty.

I have seen occasional double hits with them, and the rare double then instakill (always satisfying for some reason). But it's mostly because they're so purty looking. I'm just vain (vane? har har...groan) when it comes to arrow types.

Anyhow, back on topic. Testing definitely won't hurt, and the possibility of bringing D1 classic bow speed into HF is very intriguing.

whereas a Sorcerer can clear a whole room full of threats with a couple spell casts.

Yep. Now I like everyone in the roster. Having said that, I do have personal favourites depending on my mood. Having said -that-, an unrestricted sorcerer is a walking artillery already. Nowadays if I want to play a magic flinger, I usually play a bard instead of sorc.

Since I figure I'll still be playing them on and off years from now, they're well worth a little care and polish to me.

I have TorchLight 2 on my comp, IMO the spiritual sequel to D2, and displays a pedigree of D1's team. I enjoy it.

I -still- have HF:F on my drive, and I spent last sunday night powerleveling a Bard.

If this was a board game, it would be hailed as a classic and undisputed success due to it's longevity. Since this is a video game, unfortunately there's still some stigma of having a game that is 'old' and still playable\enjoyable.

But that's another rant for another time.