Diablo 2: Median XL Sigma

[Turisas]

https://www.median-xl.com/

Median XL: Sigma
Something that has for long been a myth for many people (including myself) is finally coming together. In this topic I'll try to explain what sigma is and what makes it so special, as well as some of the new changes / paradigms involved in it and how it has evolved throughout the years. Median XL: Sigma is basically a co-op project between the entire Median XL team. But... what exactly makes this patch any different to other ones?

It uses an enhanced engine. To briefly explain this, imagine Diablo II as an old building with people living in it. What median does is, change the people living in it, their clothes, etc. It adds new people with new patches and it removes people who behave badly. But there are limitations, some rooms have too many people in them, and things can get messy. The enhanced engine (or core, from now on) is the main feature of sigma, and what this does is replace the stairs with elevators, makes the rooms bigger, and a lot of other things that would normally not be possible.


Core Features
So, there are a lot of new features that are possible thanks to this new core. For example:

• Increased game resolution
• Addition of extra areas (*)
• Addition of new affixes / stats
• Improved Interface
• Bounty System (similar to D3)
• Automatic gold pick-up
• In-game drop filter
• Time events

(*) Ever wondered why Median replaces existing areas rather than adding new ones? Or why does act 4 have no uberquests? This is because of a limitation that doesn't allow you to add new areas to the game. This, however, will be possible in sigma.

And so much more. You can check this topic to see some of the core patch features. Note that a lot of it is a bit techy, but you will see some of these features reflected as comprehensive changes in the changelog when the time comes. Plus, if you don't like reading, you might as well check this topic to see some cool screenshots.

This has been a long time coming, the new engine alone will be a big deal.

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

Just saw this come up on my radar as well. Looks damn good.

 

[Soulstones]

So much work so that Blizzard can shut it down, considering that they are investing into D4 publicity and dont want any alternatives.

 

[deama]

Is there an option to increase mob spawns by a lot?

 

[Turisas]

Is there an option to increase mob spawns by a lot?

/players X works in singleplayer, but that iirc doesn't affect pack sizes - just HP/damage and drop rates. Not sure if spawn rates are easily configurable, been a long while since I last played MXL.

 

[deama]

Is there an option to increase mob spawns by a lot?

/players X works in singleplayer, but that iirc doesn't affect pack sizes - just HP/damage and drop rates. Not sure if spawn rates are easily configurable, been a long while since I last played MXL.

I just want bigger pack sizes, not hp bloat or drop rates.

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

I once packed a map too much. Every last bit of space was a mob. God that slowed the win Xp machine down. Zombie apocalypse. (They we’re also like 10x as tough). Was funny because we made our characters level 0 (and you miss so much).

 

[taxalot]

I do not remember the original Diablo 2 being so fast paced ?

 

[Gregz]

The original author of Median XL, Brother Laz, was a singular genius. The guys who have since replaced him aren't.

I hope I'm wrong, but despite these not unimpressive architecture upgrades, I question their ability to create compelling gameplay.

Ultimative was a step backwards (overly difficult, tedious, and frustrating). Here's hoping sigma isn't.

I do not remember the original Diablo 2 being so fast paced ?

Movement speed is modded to be much faster than vanilla, also those are end-game builds with extreme speed enhancing items, you don't start nearly that fast.

 

[TemplarGR]

So much work that only the 100 people who still play Diablo II will appreciate...

 

[Alpan]

The original author of Median XL, Brother Laz, was a singular genius. The guys who have since replaced him aren't.

I hope I'm wrong, but despite these not unimpressive architecture upgrades, I question their ability to create compelling gameplay.

Ultimative was a step backwards (overly difficult, tedious, and frustrating). Here's hoping sigma isn't.

I agree that Laz is rather exceptional (he went on to make similarly prominent mods for Skyrim) but could you elaborate on what you mean by Ultimative being inferior?

I am not well-versed in Median gameplay but am interested to try this newest version out once it releases.

 

[Turisas]

Movement speed is modded to be much faster than vanilla, also those are end-game builds with extreme speed enhancing items, you don't start nearly that fast.

Gotta get that PoE zoomer audience.

 

[Gregz]

I agree that Laz is rather exceptional (he went on to make similarly prominent mods for Skyrim) but could you elaborate on what you mean by Ultimative being inferior?

My answer won't be very satisfying. I've revisited this mod about 4 times over the last 10 years. I vastly enjoyed the original experience to later iterations. There was a marked decline when Laz left the project. I can't say which versions I played exactly because I don't remember.

Ultimative was the least enjoyable of the 4 versions I played. It seemed very much like the game difficulty had been overtuned to suit the expertise of the hardcore forum groupies, and not for players like myself who took a few years off between replays.

 

[bataille]

Movement speed is modded to be much faster than vanilla, also those are end-game builds with extreme speed enhancing items, you don't start nearly that fast.

Gotta get that PoE zoomer audience.

I think they have increased movement speed to make walking exactly as fast as running in vanilla. The reason for that was that old bug where if you're running, your defense bonus (or was it block chance?) gets lowered to 0. A ghetto fix for a problem they couldn't solve.

 

[Damned Registrations]

I'm hoping they also fixed the thing that made me turn away from Median the last time: the hp/damage/resistance caps that made them turn all the boss fights into samey bullshit where something had an invulnerability shield up 99% of the time and you had to hope your attack landed.

 

[ArchAngel]

Movement speed is modded to be much faster than vanilla, also those are end-game builds with extreme speed enhancing items, you don't start nearly that fast.

Gotta get that PoE zoomer audience.

Funny thing there is another popular mod called Path of Diablo that is mixing D2 and PoE but it does not have so many changes to base D2 game, more like some additions and making some unused skills better. That one is mostly played by PoE players when PoE seasons have been running for 1-2 months already and they are bored of PoE

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

I used to play round with the Scrabble mod. That was weird. Tried a couple of monster mods where you are a demon of some type.

I like the ones that expanded dungeon sizes. There still seems a limit on the number of maps just like the D1 was limited (no endless depth dungeons of mega size).

The auto pick up looks interesting. Here’s hoping crafting is detailed and complex. I still think it’s odd you couldn’t recover the anvil of fury in Tristram. I doubt it was destroyed considering what it’s made of.

D1 mobs in D2. Sometimes they look clunky

I always felt Act IV was getting the shaft on maps. Too short.