[NGB] Playstyle - No Going Back

Diablo is an absolutely wonderful game. But every game, no matter how well built will eventually get a little stale. Many Diablo players out there have turned to alternate playstyles or variants to spice up the game. These are restrictions that players put on themselves or their characters to make the game more difficult or more enjoyable. I too have gone this route and come up with a playstyle that I call my own... NGB.

What is the [NGB] Playstyle?
Well, I wouldn't quite call it a variant, but it is a method of playing that adds a ton of excitement and countless hours to an already enjoyable game. I created this playstyle to bring the first two areas of Diablo [The Church and The Catacombs] back into play. Anyone who's played Diablo for any length of time knows that most characters just cruise through these levels without much of a thought. Personally, these are my favorite 8 levels in the game and I wanted to bring the joy and excitement back to them.

OK, what are the restrictions?
Basically, you're a Live off the Land, Eternal, Once Through character. A new character is created, does business in town, and enters the dungeon... NEVER TO RETURN. Any class can play this playstyle, but it does lend itself to a few characters. I'll get into that in a bit.

Each level must be completely cleared... chests, monsters, barrels, etc. [You don't have to use all the shrines/cauldrons, but you do have to clear the surrounding areas.] You can use any gear/items that you are lucky enough to find, but you are limited in what you can carry. You cannot store gear in town or on a certain dungeon level. Once you go down a level, you cannot return to the level for ANY REASON. [Hence the NGB, or "No Going Back" tag.]

Also, if you reach a point where your potions run out, or you simply can't defeat the hordes and you die, that's it, you're done. Start a new character and begin anew.

Levels cannot be replayed to gain experience/gear. You go from level 1 to level 2.... Personally I play this playstyle in Hellfire due to short gaming sessions. The save feature allows me to start right back where I was. If you're going to play this style in Classic Diablo or Hellfire Multiplayer, you'd finish a gaming session when you reached the end of an area [Church, Cats, etc.] and start the next session at the beginning of the next area.

When/if your character defeats Diablo, you may go on to the next difficulty and start in dlvl 1.

My Take
This playstyle will really get your heart pumping. Everything that you find in the dungeon [with the exception of gold] now has a real value. Should I use that pot or wait till I level? Should I take the chance of using my last Identify scroll on this buckler, or wait for something better. How can I take on Leo without Holy Bolt?

I hope you have a grand ol time with this playstyle. I sure do. Feel free to email me with suggestions/feedback.

Which character class should I play?
Well personally I prefer the Rogue for this playstyle as she's just so versitle. I've played with others as well, but there are some drawbacks with the other classes. Let's take a look.

Rogue
Pros: Extremely versitle, can attack from afar, good magic user, wonderful live off the land character.

Cons: None really.

Cons: Warriors have to get up close and personal and they are going to take damage, having enough pots may be a problem.

Cons: Mages rely on mana to do their dirty work. Without Adria for constant restocking these guys are going to have a real tough time. Also book selection in the dungeon can be quite scarce.

Cons: None really, but not quite as strong as the Rogue. Identify skill may make up for it.

Cons: Not a whole lot as far as magic support. You thought getting reading glasses was tough before?!?

Cons: I've never been a big fan of this class. May have trouble deeper in the dungeon.