Diablo 4: 10 Items That Were Better In The Previous Games

Since its inception in 1996, the Diablo series owes its growth, player adoration and success to its addictive gameplay, dark atmosphere, and epic loot. Players in the game are constantly looking for hundreds of different items that significantly boost their characters' build. This helps gamers to face and conquer the demons from the burning hells of fire thereby preventing them from taking over the Sanctuary.

Diablo 4 gamers and Fans, describe the thrill and adrenaline of role-playing the hero in a fast-paced action game as being completely unmatched. But what if the items players need and frequently use to save the Sanctuary from demons are actually worse than in the previous games?

Stone of Jordan

In Diablo 2 and 3 The Stone of Jordan (SOJ) was one among the most sought after items which when combined with impeccable player skill could guarantee player success in the game. Basically, the SOJ was a rare ring that assumed the status of being labelled legendary because it increased the damage of all skills by a percentage, and also increased the maximum mana or resource of the wearer.

In Diablo 4, however, the SOJ is not as valuable as it was. The item’s damage boost has decreased quite a lot rendering it quite useless in battle against Lilith; a very powerful demon. This makes it much less reliable and less desirable than ever before.

Windforce

Windforce has been on most players radar as the most valuable bow because of its extreme damage and knockback effect, as a long war bow in Diablo 1 and as a hydra bow in Diablo 2 and Diablo 3. The item’s knockback effect with each shot made it ideal for crowd control and kiting.

Windforce in Diablo 4 has let down gamers since it no longer has its appraised knockback effect. Instead, when shot it merely stuns enemies for a short duration. This makes it less effective at keeping enemies at bay, and much less unique than before.

The Furnace

In Diablo 3 The Furnace was the go-to item for players whose focus was in dealing damage to the elites such as the crusaders. The item is simply a two-handed mace built with a passive effect that impressively dealt a percentage of the enemy's maximum health as fire damage with each hit. What particularly made it popular among players and fans is that it could easily melt through any enemy.

The Furnace in Diablo 4, is designed such that it is robbed off its extraordinary passive effect, and instead only has a chance to ignite enemies for fire damage over time. This not only makes it less potent against high-health enemies, it also makes it way less versatile.

Natalya's Set

Natalya's Set, initially designed exclusively for the Demon Hunter class in Diablo 3, featured a crossbow, cloak, ring, boots, and gloves. It provided valuable bonuses to enhance the skills and attributes of the Demon Hunter like increased mobility, damage output, and survivability.

However, in Diablo 4, Natalya's Set is no longer limited to the Demon Hunter class; it also is accessible to any class capable of using crossbows. This expands the availability hence making the set less specialized and consequently less appealing to devoted Demon Hunters.

Enigma

The runeword Enigma, known for its incredible effects in Diablo 2, allowed players to enhance their body armor by inserting three specific runes. Among its remarkable abilities were increased maximum life and mana, magic find and damage reduction, and the coveted power of teleportation. This item proved itself as one of the most versatile and formidable assets in the game.

The Enigma has been sadly subjected to significant changes in Diablo 4. Rather than bestowing teleportation like before, it now grants blink an ability that enables a short-range dash but comes with a cooldown period. While this alteration certainly alters its usefulness compared to its previous iteration, most gamers may argue that it also diminishes the exhilarating experience it once offered.

The Oculus

The Oculus, a wand unique to sorceresses in Diablo 2, stood out as one of the most powerful weapons. It provided significant skill bonuses, enhanced mana regeneration, and even had the ability to cast various spells upon enemy strike. In Diablo 3, The Oculus was replaced by another legendary wand bearing the same name but offering different effects. This new iteration boosted damage for those standing within an area of effect created by specific skills or allies.

Looking ahead to Diablo 4, The­ Oculus has not retained its uniqueness or appeal from Diablo 2 because developers have made it more class-specific and less generic, thereby making it weaker.

The Stormshield

Some players have expressed their disappointment with the changes made to the iconic Stormshield, one of the series' well-known items. The Stormshield has played a vital role in many builds, such as the hammerdin build, across Diablo 2 and 3. The shield offered excellent defense, block chance, and resistances.

However, in Diablo 4, significant nerfs have affected it. It has lost its unique properties and transformed into a generic legendary item. Both its block chance and resistances have been notably reduced and are now less dependable.

Thunderfury

The infamous sword in Diablo 3, Thunderfury, magnificently stood out among the best melee weapons for characters. Its remarkable attributes included high damage output, swift attack speed, and the superb ability to deliver lightning damage while slowing down enemies with each strike. Moreover, Thunderfury possessed a visually captivating feature: it emitted electrifying bolts that elegantly interconnected foes and allies alike.

Unfortunately for gamers, the Thunderfury has not retained its dominance In Diablo 4. The item has a weaker base damage, a lower proc coefficient and can only deal elemental damage.

Frostburn Gauntlets

The Frostburn Gauntlets hold legendary status, being a staple across all Diablo games. Their claim to fame lies in their remarkable ability to enhance cold damage, freezing enemies upon contact. In the earlier iterations of Diablo 1 and 2, these gauntlets reigned supreme, especially among Sorceress and Necromancer builds that favored icy spells.

In Diablo 3, the Frostburn Gauntlets lost their luster as they possessed underwhelming stats and failed to synergize effectively with other items or skills. Although still serviceable gloves in Diablo 4, they pale in comparison to their former potency and enjoyment.

Arkaine's Valor

Arkaine's Valor, a highly sough-after and celebrated chest armor that has constantly appeared in all Diablo games to date, holds a significant legacy. Originally owned by Arkaine himself, one of the esteemed Nephalem who bravely battled against the Prime Evils, this rare and ancient artifact enhances all attributes and skills, rendering it an incredibly versatile and powerful asset. In both Diablo 1 and 2, players coveted the remarkable prowess of Arkaine's Valor, particularly those e­ngaging in hybrid playstyles utilizing diverse skills and attributes.

As the series progressed into Diablo 3 and 4, the luster of Arkaine's Valor has dulled slightly due to its diminished defensive capabilities and lack of customization or synergy with other items or skills.