IDK how much of it is mob nerfing and how much is power creep, but I’m killing warded bosses in <20 seconds and nothing is dangerous in the campaign. I’d like to propose we bring back some form of Masochist mode that lasts only for the campaign, meaning once you unlock Monoliths the Masochist effect drops off. You should still be able to share stash with non-masochist (or re-link stash once hitting Mono) but I’d love to see the added challenge of it come back in some form. Could even make for a fun new ladder, see how fast people can clear it deathless (can only hit ladder if deathless, so it’d include every Maso character regardless of SC or HC for purpose of ladder). If it got its own clear speed ladder, I suppose every Maso character would have to have a self find stash, but I’d still like the option to link to season account stash once you hit Monos and finish the campaign.
EDIT: Maybe this could also unlock Empowered Mono right away for players who want that? This game’s biggest flaw right now is how easy it is to make basically any half way coherent skill bar and passive investment into a viable build until you hit empowered and really get to test its endgame potential. I bet many veteran players would appreciate this. I, for one, really miss Masochist mode because of how hard it tested your build and gear, and LE’s systems make for so many ways to compensate and build up where you’re lacking.
Added via edit that Masochist mode should auto unlock Empowered right away. Once you have access to Monos, you’d lose the Masochist effect, but can “keep it going” so to speak by immediately jumping into Empowered.
There are the Cursed Boots in the cave at the start which make the campaign hard, but it’s an all or nothing option and uses up the boots slot. Perhaps this can be expanded with a couple of options “red pill, blue pill” style, potions/mushrooms that last until certain levels? Just an idea to be fleshed out. People can then have some control over difficulty of campaign. Game is great now at monoliths, and not too easy.
Well, that’s why Masochist mode worked. Having something like that as an option (without otherwise any changes in loot and such) would be amazing, and if they also allowed characters that complete Masochist campaign to immediately enter Empowered it would be a challenge from beginning to end. I’d argue they would need to tweak it down a bit, once you hit Maj’elka Divine Era the difficulty spikes noticeably with harder hitting and tankier enemies, I had a horrible time trying to kill Majasa when she first launched on my couple Maso characters still not end game.
