Patch 1.0.3, the most substantial update to Diablo 3 since it’s launch, went live yesterday morning. Tons of important stuff happened:
- The attack speed nerf, which reduced existing values on items to nearly half of their original values, has rendered many builds nearly useless.
- Increased cost on repairs will reduce, if not eliminate, graveyard-zerging elites and bosses.
- Damage from monsters in Acts II, III, and IV in Inferno difficulty has been reduced. This. will make achieving enough damage reduction to not get 1-shotted a much more reasonable goal.
- Drop rates have been changed as per this table:
New drop rates for 1.0.3
| Item | Hell Act III/IV | Inferno Act I | Inferno Act II | Inferno Act III/IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iLvl 61 | 9 % | 18% | 19% | 24% |
| iLvl 62 | 2% | 8% | 12% | 16% |
| iLvl 63 | 0% | 2% | 4% | 8% |
This is a very important change, because it’s actually a nerf. The best gear previously had a much better than 8% chance to drop in act 3 and 4, and many previously viable farming routes are no longer worth running.
In general, the meta-game seems to be shifting away from “glass-cannon” builds.
Read the full patch notes here