Below are links to download HUv1.8. Each package includes the core files, change log and webpages with lots of item information. Once you've got your package:
- D2SE users should paste these files over the old files in their 1.7b folder or make a new HUv1.8 folder in their Mods folder, decompress their package into it, and start D2SE.
- Non-D2SE users should decompress their package into their Diablo2:LoD v1.10 folder, then run d2modsetup.bat, and then start D2.
- All users should double check that programs are being run with administrator privileges, compatibility for WinXP (or similar), etc. Don't be afraid to post or read in TechSupport if you're running into trouble.
- Review the webpages, they have a lot of information describing Uniques, Sets, Cube Recipes, White Weapons and Armor, Runewords, Gems and Runes, Boss stats, Monster properties (mostly the spells they counter-attack with), etc. If you want to use the javascript features of the Prefix and Suffix pages, then I don't recommend Chrome because the filter button will not collapse the table rows. If you have to use Chrome, then after filtering use the search feature to look for "Group", since that will appear only on the visible rows and let you jump quickly through a long list with lots of blank area.
NewMusic (380MB) vs OldMusic (130MB)Once upon a time, Soulmancer introduced some new music for boss fights and some town themes. Those new pieces of music are included in the NewMusic version, but note that these nearly triple the size of the download. If you choose OldMusic, then you'll still have the traditional Diablo2 music. Note that for some people, Diablo2 has a bug where it will mute your music volume without telling you, so if you have no music at all, then check your Options screen first. The OldMusic packages are named with "NoMusic" because they do not contain a Music folder (so D2 will use it's own).
The new music only comes with HighResolution.HighResolution vs NormResolutionNormResolution supports up to 800x600 while HighResolution (I think) supports 1024x768. The game screen radius at HighResolution is about 15% more than at NormalResolution. Most skills and effects were designed with NormalResolution in mind (their radius might seem painfully small on HighRes), but HighResolution has the advantage that you'll see monsters slightly earlier than Normal. This is the most arbitrary choice, pick one and have fun.
The new music only comes with HighResolution.HUv1.8 Download LinksHiRes OldMusic:
Dropbox ArimythHiRes NewMusic:
Dropbox ArimythNormRes OldMusic:
Dropbox ArimythPatch 1.8 Information:The best way to see what 1.8 is really like is just to play it. Anyways, 1.8 plays a lot like classic HU before 1.7. So you can forget about hidden passives/akara rings and pretty much the entire 1.7 metagame. However some things are the same:
The new maps and challenge area that came with 1.7 are still in 1.8.
Max res is 50, but can be raised to 55 with unique charms.
Features of 1.8Life for characters:
Paladin, Barbarian: 5 life per level / 3 life per vita
Amazon, Assassin, Druid: 4 life per level / 3 life per vita
Sorceress, Necromancer: 2.5 life per level / 3 life per vita
Mana for characters:
Sorceress, Necromancer, Druid: 4 per level / 3 per energy
Amazon, Assassin, Paladin: 2.5 per level / 2 per energy
Barbarian: 2 per level / 1 per energy
Rebalanced numbers on pretty much all skills and items
Max enhanced damage is now 255%
Health pots heal 60% hp over 6 seconds
Mana pots heal 200 + char lvl * 10 over 6 seconds
Removed damage synergies from spell damage skills; damage skills scale slightly with character level and base skill level
Drastically increased the strength and fortitude of bosses and especially act bosses compared to almost all recent versions of HU
Reverted hidden stat passives; what you see is what you get
Reduced the drops of "clutter" items. (this does not affect drop rates of other items)
Monster level scaling is reverted to the way it was before 1.7:
norm: 1-60
nm: 60-80
hell: 80-100
Boss rune drops:
Countess norm: eth - sol
Countess NM: ko - gul
Countess Hell: mal - Lo
Nihlathak norm: lum - ist
Nihlathak NM: um - sur
Nihlathak Hell: vex - cham
Sarina also can drop runes at an increased chance, but it is not guarenteed.
Notable skill changes:
Increased duration of most buffs, except Battle Orders/Enchant
Spirits unkillable and untargetable again
GA can pierce again
Vengeance and Stun have novas again
Ice blast releases mini ice bolts on hit
Impale and Berserk reduce the defense penalty with hard points
Fire Arrow, Cold Arrow and Magic arrow gain more arrows as they level up
Inferno now shoots multiple missles and hits once instead of doing damager per second
Static is now a nuke spell with a timer. It's similar to meteor shower, but lightning
Blade Fury does 1/2 weapon damage and gets up to 5 missiles
Blessed Hammer is now a level 1 skill
Smite is now level 12
Holy Shield smite damage is increased
Sacrifice deals 3/2 weapon damage
Bash deals 3/2 weapon damage
Concentrate deals 3/2 weapon damage
Berserk deals 3/2 weapon damage
Leap Attack deals 3/2 weapon damage
Impale deals 3/2 weapon damage
Buffed boots kick damage and increased kick skills enhanced damage %
Added more synergies between paladin auras and melee combat skills