ZyEl: Trial by Fire Mod (Version 2.0)

Diablo2 Version	:	Lord of Destruction (ver 1.09b/d)

Original Author	:	Kato

E-mail		:	mlee2@victoria1.gov.bc.ca

Description	:
-----------------
***  This document is only intended as a brief Readme.  The formal
documentation for this Mod is contained in the ZyEl Readme.doc which
is in MS-Word XP format.  Sorry to those who don't have MS-Word. ***

I made this Mod to play the game the way I like to play it.  I've
played other Mods and found most to be over-powered and too easy.
Killing everything with a dagger gave me little satisfaction.  Nor
did I particularly like the Mods that added and changed too many
things such that the game no longer resembled the original game that
I enjoy so much.  The ZyEl Mod has a lot of changes, but I've tried
to balance the changes to make a challenging and playable game.

Collecting gold still matters (unlike Battlenet).  Your character
still needs to carry potions because they still matter.  The story's
still the same so everyone knows what the game is about.  And the
character classes are still the same although the skills have been
rebalanced along with the monsters.

One of the most significant elements in the Mod is the ability to
craft your own items through Cube recipes.  Using the various items
available in the game, you can create items to suit whatever need or
playing style you prefer.  If you can't find the magic item you're
looking for, you can craft it instead.  You just have to find the
ingredients.

This Mod's not a cakewalk.  I don't want to hear any whining about
how tough it is!  If you want an easier game, go back to "vanilla"
LOD or play some other Mod.


The Good News	:	(some things to spice it up)
-----------------
> Item drops are more generous than regular LOD
> New players start with no base equipment except the Cube and scrolls
> Quest rewards have been modified (improved)
> Increased stash, inventory and cube sizes
> Runes, gems, jewels and charms may be purchased from vendors
> Elixirs have been re-enabled
> Demon Keys have been re-enabled
> Cube scrolls have been added
> Merchant buyback limit has been increased
> Item repair and recharge costs reduced
> No experience penalty for dying
> Assassin class weapons now have Assassin skill bonuses
> Hammers have Barbarian skill bonuses
> Circlets have Sorceress skill bonuses
> Polearms have Druid skill bonuses
> Keys, Identify tomes, Town Portal tomes stack to 500
> Thrown potions stack to 500
> Thrown weapons have triple to maximum stack
> Magic arrows/bolts can be purchased from all vendors
> Added Unique arrows/bolts
> Characters gain 7 stat points per level
> Characters gain 2 skill points per level
> Characters can level up to level 5000 - yes, level five thousand
> Experience costs have been reduced for faster level up
> Skill level maximums have been increased from 20 to 100
> Belts, gloves, boots, charms, rings and amulets are now socket-able
> Thrown weapons are socket-able
> Charms are socket-able
> Added two new charm types - tall and quad
> Hirelings have new skills, higher attributes and faster levelups
> Shrines have longer effects and recharge more quickly
> Gambling for Rares and Uniques enabled
> More Unique items - 650 new items added
> Added Unique Jewels
> More Cube Recipes - over 3300 recipes now
> More Runewords - over 330 and they are listed in the ZyEl Readme.doc
> Spellcasters do more damage
> Spell casting delay timers cut in half
> Missiles travel 50% faster
> New Duriel map plug-in from Deathfile
> New Travincal map plug-in from Deathfile


The Bad News	:	(had to balance it out)
-----------------
> Arrows, bolts and keys do not drop from monsters
> Level requirements for gems and runes increased
> Stamina costs increased for run/walk
> Strength and Dexterity requirements for weapons and armor increased
> Merchants more greedy and give less on buyback
> Resistance penalties increased significantly
> Monsters are faster run/walk
> Monsters have more hit points
> Monsters have higher armor class
> Monsters have higher levels
> Monsters have higher attack rating
> Monsters inflict more damage
> Monsters are more abundant
> Some disabled monsters have been re-enabled
> New monsters have been added as well
> Skill level tiers have been changed to 3-5-10-15-20-25-30-35-40-45-50-55-60
> Monster spellcasters do more damage
> Monster missiles travel 50% faster
> All Act Bosses have been toughened
> Hell difficulty is Hell


