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Diablo 2, originally released in 2000, is an iconic game that set the standard for action RPGs, and it's been a beloved title for decades. Whether it was the iconic soundtrack, the sense of dark fantasy, or the complex itemization, Diablo 2 carved out a niche that players couldn’t resist. Fast forward to August 13, 2021, and Blizzard's Diablo 2 Resurrected brought the game back into the spotlight with updated HD graphics and some quality-of-life improvements like auto-gold pickup and shared stash tabs. While these changes were welcome, the game still carries some baggage—mechanics that have been in place since the original release but have since become outdated or, frankly, frustrating.

Can confidently say that Diablo 2 is one of the greatest games of all time. However, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. As much as I love Diablo 2, I do believe it still has room for improvement. In this article, I'll explore the aspects of Diablo 2 Resurrected that could benefit from modernization while retaining the core essence of the original game. Let’s dive into the six areas that I believe could improve the game immensely.

1. Stamina: A Mechanic that Needs to Go

Stamina in Diablo 2 is, without a doubt, one of the worst mechanics in the game. It’s a mechanic that limits the action in an action RPG—a genre where constant movement and combat should be the focus. Here’s the issue: stamina doesn't really serve a positive purpose and only ends up being a frustrating obstacle for players.

For those unfamiliar, stamina is essentially a bar that determines how long you can run in the game. Once the stamina is depleted, you’re forced to walk or wait for it to regenerate. This mechanic makes absolutely no sense in a game like Diablo 2, where mobility is key. What’s even more absurd is that stamina becomes irrelevant by the time you hit late-game. Characters with high vitality don’t even need to worry about it, and teleportation-based builds like the Sorceress completely bypass stamina, further highlighting how unnecessary this mechanic is.

What frustrates me even more is that players have to keep carrying around stamina potions just to sustain running, but those potions are a hassle to carry and not a fun mechanic to engage with. In fact, there are several items and abilities that interact with stamina, and they should just be redesigned to offer more useful bonuses, such as resistance to various elements like fire or lightning.

In my opinion, stamina should be completely removed. The game would be better off without it, and it would eliminate an artificial barrier that adds nothing to the game. It doesn’t provide any real challenge, nor does it enhance the strategic depth of the game. Removing stamina would streamline the experience and make for a more fluid gameplay loop.

2. Monster Immunities: An Unnecessary Roadblock

Monster immunities have always been a controversial topic in Diablo 2. For those who might not know, monster immunities make certain monsters completely immune to specific types of damage. For example, a fire-based Sorceress might tear through most of the game with her powerful fireball skills, but she can’t even scratch a simple Fallen, one of the weakest monsters in the game, because of its fire immunity.

Why does this exist? In my eyes, it’s lazy game design. It doesn’t add any strategic depth; it’s just an artificial roadblock to slow down players. While other games in the Diablo series, such as Diablo 3 or Diablo 4, have ways to counter these challenges through skill-based mechanics, Diablo 2 has always used monster immunities as a lazy solution to make fights harder.

Sure, there are ways to bypass immunities—such as using expensive D2R items that break these immunities—but this shouldn’t be required. Not only is this frustrating for players, but it also makes many builds completely unviable in some areas of the game. While Diablo 2 Resurrected introduced Thunder Charms to make monster immunities easier to break, it’s still not a perfect solution.

My proposed fix would be to simply reduce the number of immunities and replace them with high resistances instead. For example, instead of making a monster completely immune to fire, why not make it 75% resistant to fire? This would still pose a challenge but wouldn’t render specific builds completely useless. The challenge would then come from your ability to overcome those resistances rather than fighting an invisible wall.

3. Quality of Life Changes: Stash Tabs and Item Stacking

Now, let’s talk about some quality of life improvements that have been long overdue. First off: more stash tabs. Diablo 2 has a complex and rich itemization system. Not only do you collect unique items, but you also gather runes, jewels, and other miscellaneous items that take up precious space. The fact that we have such limited stash space is an ongoing pain point for players. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to create mules just to store my runes or gems.

A simple fix would be to double the current stash tabs to make managing all your gear and resources a little more convenient. This change would make the game far less cumbersome when it comes to managing your inventory and would make the gameplay experience a lot smoother for players who love hoarding valuable items.

The second quality of life change I’d like to see is the ability to stack items, specifically runes, gems, and potions. In 2025, this is a no-brainer. Players should be able to stack similar items on top of each other, be it runes, potions, or gems. Imagine not having to create a whole mule account just to store your runes or carry around a full inventory of potions that you rarely need. A stack size of 50 or more would make life so much easier for Diablo 2 players. It would clear up so much inventory space and give us more room to store important items, allowing for smoother gameplay overall.

4. Asset Refresh: New Content for Old Fans

One of the most exciting updates in Diablo 2 Resurrected was the addition of new rune words, such as Bullwark and Mosaic, both of which brought new playstyles and build diversity to the game. But we need more. Diablo 2 is an old game, and while I love it as much as the next player, the introduction of fresh content and mechanics is key to keeping the game alive.

We could see new rune words, new types of items, or even the reintroduction of cut content. Diablo 2 has a wealth of unused assets, including monsters like the Dark Guard and Elemental Demons. These were once part of the concept art and files, but for various reasons, they didn’t make it into the final game. Why not bring these cut monsters into the game as part of a new zone with unique challenges and rewards?

Similarly, new unique items could be added to bolster the itemization and make the hunt for loot even more exciting. Some of the rarest items in Diablo 2 are often underwhelming, like Theo’s Might, which is incredibly rare but doesn’t really offer much in terms of gameplay. Improving these items to make them more desirable would help freshen up the game’s economy and itemization system.

5. Teleport: Balancing a Powerful Mechanic

Teleport is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and broken abilities in Diablo 2. The Sorceress can zip around the map, easily bypassing obstacles and enemies, while most other characters lack any similar mobility. It’s not surprising that after every ladder reset, the first thing most players do is create a Sorceress and teleport their way to endgame content.

The problem is that this imbalance severely limits build diversity. Some characters, like the Summon Necromancer, struggle without access to teleport, and obtaining it requires expensive items like Enigma, which are not easy to come by.

To address this, I propose two possible solutions. First, introduce a new rune word for helmets that grants teleport, allowing non-Sorceress builds to gain some mobility. Second, why not introduce a new high- and low-level rune with teleport charges? These runes would offer more predictable ways for non-Sorceress builds to teleport, making the game feel more balanced and allowing for more character diversity.

6. Endgame: More Challenges, More Content

Lastly, let's talk about the endgame. While Diablo 2 is known for its item hunting and loot grind, there’s very little in terms of structured endgame content. Once you reach Hell difficulty and farm for that perfect gear, the game can feel repetitive.

Introducing more challenging endgame zones or events could provide players with something new to aim for. Diablo 2 has a wealth of unused content, like the Blood Knights and Dark Paladins, that could make for a perfect addition to the game. What about new, difficult dungeons with unique bosses and rewards? This would provide more variety and more reasons to keep playing long after reaching max level.

Conclusion

While Diablo 2 Resurrected is undoubtedly an excellent remake of a classic game, there are still areas where the game can evolve without losing its essence. From removing frustrating mechanics like stamina, to addressing the balance of teleport, to adding more endgame content and improving item management, these changes could make the game feel more modern while staying true to what made Diablo 2 great.

Don’t expect Diablo 2 Resurrected to radically change—after all, it’s meant to be a nostalgic experience for long-time fans. But small improvements and updates, such as those mentioned, could bring even more players into the fold, ensuring that Diablo 2 stays alive for years to come.