[20 May 2009]

Good day. :)

LordVampire was so kind and made special calculator for viewing properties and skills of mercenaries in Battle for Elements mod. Thanks to him for this work! Please note that calculator sometimes determine melee damage in weird way.

You can download this calculator from our "Files" page.

[12 May 2009]

My dear players! :)

I have exciting news for you today.

Battle for Elements 1.50 has been released! This is a new base version so you will have to start over from the scratch as your previous characters will not be compatible with the new version due to basic changes. These were bad news but good ones overcome the pain. I have got many feedbacks on my previous work and almost all of them were considered while preparing the new version. You will get many pleasant surprises in the overall gameplay and even the storyline. Please see the full list of changes below.

Changes list:

• Global changes:
• All monsters and areas were extensively rebalanced!
• Adjusted difficulty settings, which result in an easier Normal difficulty, a slightly more difficult Nightmare difficulty, and a more challenging Hell difficulty.
• New Act I storyline! Look for tons of new items, monsters, and NPC monologues. Look for the special "++++++!!!++++++" signs in the beginning of monologues, and note also the gold color of the texts.
• New "Friendly Fire" doctrine. Now we have different FF skills on different game difficulties. Refer to 'Difficulty Modes & Friendly Fire.doc/pdf' for an explanation.
• 3DFX Glide video mode was added: Run D2VidTst.exe in root D2 folder, press "Run Test", and choose the 3dfx mods from the list after all tests were performed. Please note that the colors of some items, ambient light in some locations, and other such things were optimized for this video mode. If you don't like this video mode, you can change some parameters with gl32oglinit.exe or even run D2VidTst.exe one more time and return to your preferred mode.
• New features:
• Enlarged item graphics! Look for the "Right click for additional information" string on items. I began to add enlarged images for some items, but it is hard and long work, so every new version of the mod will contain several such images. Great thanks to Necrolis for coding this feature!
• No more VBS script! Now we have an EXE file to launch the mod. Thanks to Werdn for coding and to Ice_Instinct for the background art! :)
• Some User Interface elements were changed.
• "Rescue Deckard Cain" (A1Q4) quest reward on Normal difficulty was changed. Akara gives two rare rings, Ancient Key, and standard ruby now.
• 24 new monsters (7 unique)
• 21 new locations (by Cubaholic)
• New modifiers for runes, which means that all runewords have been changed as well.
• New soundtrack for "The Ancient Vault" location by Tony Flex.
• New Horadric Hypercube animation.
• Recipes for enabling/disabling death counter on your Talisman (See 'Cube Recipes.doc/pdf').
• Balance:
• Act 3 Cold mercenaries use Ice Blast instead of Frost Nova.
• Chance for gold drop was reduced, but its quantity was increased.
• Chance for drop of Regurgitator blood was increased.
• Some properties of "Safety" crafted items were nerfed.
• Potions of Resistance depend on character level now.
• Sentinel of Light (one-hit-kill monster in the Spider Cavern) was removed because the contest was won.
• Level of Firebolt retaliation from Goatmen was reduced from 5 to 4.
• Gargoyle�s Thorns aura strength was reduced on Normal difficulty.
• The Smith was weakened.
• Increased chance of exceptional items while gambling on Nightmare difficulty.
• Some statistical caps were raised.
• Multiple Shot has more arrows/bolts now.
• Chance to drop mana and healing potions was reduced (excepting drops from champions).
• Level requirement for Nature's Peace was reduced; properties of Bul Kathos Wedding Band were improved.
• Drop chance for runes was boosted.
• Drop quality from sparkling chests was boosted.
• Bug fixes:
• Fess' Marching Clothes set charm properties correspond to appropriate set bonuses now.
• Perspective for Tristram map was disabled.
• Day/night cycle in some dungeons was removed.
• Some animation modes for mercenaries were fixed.
• Favorite Talisman upgrading recipes using 10 Emotions and 10 Cells were changed to prevent one-HP bug when characters level up.
• Mystery Potions are not beltable anymore.
• Quest drop for Diablo was fixed.
• Range of Exotic weapons were fixed.
• Thorns, poison, and open wounds will now cause "on-death" events. So if you used Thorns to kill a monster, which must die in order to open a portal, then upon death the portal will now open.
• 32k HP character cap was removed.
• Some bugged Mystery Potions were replaced.
• Some in-game texts were edited (great thanks to Myrmidon for my-pidgin-to-common-English translation).

New contest!

As usual, we have a new contest included in new mod version. :) In two words: SEARCH for TREASURE!!!

[16 June 2008]

Hello, my dear players! :)

First of all I want to ask pardons for almost year without updates. Unfortunately, some my circumstances in RL kept me away from modding. But now I'm ok and can continue :) So, I release new 1.40 version of mod. I planned huge amount of changes for 1.40, but because of those RL issues many of changes go to 1.41. It is new base version and you need to download full package, all characters have remained in old world and they are incompatible with reality structure of new one. :)

Changes list:

• Global changes:
• Some serious characters' rebalancing. Please, note that characters from previous versions of mod are NOT compatible with this new version.
• Attention! There is one new monster in game that have "one-hit-kill" property! All hardcore players should be cautious!
• New:
• New contest!
• 7 new mercenaries.
• Act 1: Master Archer (Inner Sight, Burst of Speed, Magic Arrow, Multiple Shot, Strafe)
• Act 1: Javeliner (Inner Sight, Burst of Speed, Poison Javelin, Lightning Bolt, Plague Javelin)
• Act 2: Protective (Power Strike, Cleansing/Vigor/Sanctuary, Charged Strike, Fend)
• Act 2: Berserker (Power Strike, Holy Fire/Concentration/Holy Shock, Charged Strike, Fend)
• Act 3: Necromancy (Bone Armor, Teeth, Weaken, Bone Spear, Bone Spirit)
• Act 3: Druidic (Firestorm, Molten Boulder, Fissure, Twister, Shock Wave, Tornado)
• Act 5: Mental Warrior (Psychic Hammer, Shock Field, Blade Fury, Mind Blast).
• PlugY 8.00 (thank you, Yohann)!
• Crafted recipes were redone. See Cube Recipes.doc/pdf.
• Aura and Summons Charms now get additional required level per each charm upgrade.
• New User Interface elements.
• Some new monsters and wards were added.
• New area - Maze of the Light (by Cubaholic).
• I have raised hirelings endurance, so now hirelings have more useful auras.
• Balance:
• Chance to get elite item from gamble on Hell dificulty was decreased.
• Drop quality on Hell difficulty was increased.
• Stacked weapons have bigger stack.
• Bug fixes:
• Blade Fury and Molten Boulder don't have friendly fire feature anymore.
• Character can open portals to elemental planes in any form now.
• Game crashes in Valley of Ice Warriors were fixed.
• Final nova of Frozen Orb now deals damage when orb collide with obstacle.
• Ancient Vault have more appropriate automap now.
• Bug with too high required level of starting items was fixed.
• "Level 20 Vigor aura when equipped" property as partial set bonus on Fess' Marching Clothes set was replaced during HP fall bug.
• Killing Projection of Nihlatak don't cause appropriate quest to be done anymore.

And yes, new contest!

Well, now we go another way... No more hints! As well as no step-by-step documentation. :) All you need to know you will search in game. Also I don't want to reveal contest award... Go play and find! Good luck. ;)

[04 December 2007]

Hi all! :)

And again our mod (BFE of course ;) ) participate in Mod of the Year Awards contest (MotY) on ModDB. I invite you to vote for BFE by pressing this nice button below. It'll take you to my profile on ModDB. Find same button in my profile and press this one too. You done! Voted. ;) Thanks in advance. :)

Oh, and by the way, version 1.40 coming soon. ;)

[15 July 2007]

Hi guys an ladies! :)

Now I have really revolutional news for you. The main theme of the new version is customizable game difficulty! That's it - now you can take very different start from the very beginning... and rewards change accordingly!

Btw, don't forget to check new FF settings - it is really challenging now.

Changes list:

• New:
• Important one: Now you can to setup game difficulty at the start of every game session. This is not standard difficulties (Normal, Nightmare, Hell), but additional ones (Easy, Normal, Hard). The main difference between these difficulties is monster power and drop ratio, but not only.
• More missiles have Friendly Fire, so following missiles, skills, and effects have FF now:
• all explosive potions, arrows, bolts, javelins, throwing axes and knives
• Amazon: Magic arrow, Multishot, Strafe, Ice Arrow, Freezing Arrow, Exploding Arrow, Immolation Arrow, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Fury, Lightning Strike, Plague Javelin
• Assassin: Lightning Sentry, Blade Fury, Fists of Fire, Claws of Thunder, Blades of Ice
• Necromancer: Teeth, Bone Spear, Poison Explosion, Corpse Explosion
• Barbarian: War Cry, Howl
• Sorceress: Fire Bolt, Ice Bolt, Inferno, Fireball, Fire Wall, Ice Blast, Lightning, Chain Lightning, Glacial Spike, Meteor, Blizzard
• Paladin: Blessed Hammer
• Druid: Molten Boulder, Arctic Blast, Tornado, Volcano, Armageddon
• Crafted Diamond Needle was added as necessary item for runewords in crafted items.
• No more Private Inventory and keys at the starting. Character takes Favorite Talisman at once.
• New User Interface elements.
• Monster AR and damages now scale with /players X command on all difficulties.
• Balance:
• Experience character takes from monsters in optional location "Lost Valley of Ice Warriors" was reduced.
• Drop rate for Elemental Planes was enhanced.
• Monster density in "Ancient Vault" was reduced. Drop rate there was enhanced.
• Skill balancing: Holy Bolt, Fist of Heavens, and Sanctuary now damage any type of monsters, not only Undead. Though Sanctuary boni like To Hit and Enhanced Damage still work vs Undead only.
• Throwing Knives and throwing axes are cheaper now.
• Magic and rare jewels were enhanced.
• Bug fixes:
  
  • Wall's permeability in Ancient Vault was fixed.
  • Some UI and item graphics corrections.
  • Act 1 and 2 vendors crash was fixed.
  • Item souls price was fixed.

How to install:

Make sure that you have version 1.37 of mod installed to install this update pack. Unzip all files to Diablo2 root folder with files replacing.

Happy gaming. ;)

[03 May 2007]

New contest, as usual. ;)

And again I introduce no secret recipes. But also no secret item. It is secret runeword now! :)

You need to find one new runeword in game :)

The first one who will assemble this runeword will immortalize his/her victory in game!

If You have assembled this runeword AND You are first who done it:

You may send me character files by e-mail (the item with runeword should be in inventory). And this time I also don't want to reveal contest prize. It will be revealed only if contest will be won.

Oh, by the way, I have a hint for you, this runeword contains 6 (six) runes ;)

The winner will be announced here.

Good luck!

[03 May 2007]

Hi all! :)

Time goes, wheel turns, BFE becomes better :) Version 1.37 was released! This time it was a long break again. But we do not hurry up, isn't it? ;)

Changes list:

• New:
• Important: New feature - Friendly Fire. Some of ranged weapon as well as some of skills can harm allies now. You can see this in item or skill description as "(can harm allies)" line. Some of skills that have this feature also have raised damages to prevent making these skills useless. :)
• New contest! See details above.
• One special superunique monster (Stephen Colbert the Great Alchemist of Truthiness) was added in Act 5 as contest result. See details here.
• 7 new monsters.
• 2 new areas.
• New User Interface elements.
• Some new items (like Ancient Keys) were added.
• Some changes in Ancient Containers opening. You'll need to figure it out.
• Runewords were enabled for crafted items.
• Crafted items were improved (See Special Recipes in Cube Recipes.doc/pdf).
• Some new modifiers for high quality items were added.
• Balance:
• Random resistances/immunities for summons were removed.
• Some skills were rebalanced.
• Some unique items were rebalanced.
• Bug fixes:
• All mercenaries have proper names, icons, and sounds now.
• Oak Sage doesn't have physical immunity on Nightmare anymore.
• And again you can kill Cow King without banning your character from Moo Moo Farm.
• Some Favorite Talisman upgrade recipes were changed to prevent bug with "+X to Vitality" modifier on Talisman.
• Bug with missed quantity on socketed combo weapon (such as javelins etc.) was fixed.
• Bug with wrong sizes of Shadows (it was hard to select these monsters for attacking) was fixed.
• Some graphical glitches in Nihlathak Temple area were fixed (thanks to SheX).

How to install:

Make sure that you have version 1.36 of mod installed to install this update pack. Unzip all files to Diablo2 root folder with files replacing.

Happy gaming. ;)

[28 February 2007]

Well, details about new contest. ;)

No secret recipes this time!

You need to find one new item in game :) If you'll found this item then I think you'll know what I talking about ;)

The first one who will find this item will immortalize his/her victory in game!

If You have found the item AND You are first who found it:

You may send me character files by e-mail (the item should be in inventory). And this time I also don't want to reveal contest prize. It will be revealed only if contest will be won.

The winner will be announced here.

Good luck!

[28 February 2007]

Hi all! :)

I'm sorry for so long delay with new version, this terrible tcp/ip bug has grasped me for month. :( But all bad things sometime comes to an end. :) Version 1.36 was released! And again we have new things here, though bugfixes are main target of this update pack. Also we continued to enter new contests (only one for this version) ;)

Changes list:

• New:
• New contest!!! See details above.
• Act 3 Town map was changed.
• Moo Moo Farm map was changed.
• Some new modifiers for high quality items were added.
• Mercenaries graphics were changed to look as characters.
• Some new unique monsters were added.
• Weapons of God became Legendary Items. More Legendary Items were added.
• Balance:
• Favorite Talisman don't have "Reduces Vendors Prices" and "+% to Experience" properties anymore. It was senseless anyway and was resulted to exploit. :)
• Max price vendors pay you for your items is 50000 now on all game difficulties.
• Some character skills were rebalanced again.
• Some unique items were rebalanced again.
• HP of Diabloclone on Normal difficulty were raised, but level of Firestorm was reduced.
• Mimics drop was enhanced.
• Range for Exotic Weapons was increased.
• Rare blood (Council Member, Frog Demon, Overseer, Frozen Horror) drops more often now.
• Maximum levels of aura and summon skills on charms were raised to 24/16/8. See Cube Recipes. Required character levels for using these charms are same as required character levels for creating these charms.
• Bug fixes:
• Critical one: TCP/IP multiplayer mode was fixed.
• Korlic is visible now.
• Bug with wrong quantity of spirit wolves and dire wolves was fixed.
• Range for Corpse Explosion was fixed.
• Incorrect description on Cold Mastery was fixed.
• Aura of Countess and her sister don't have exploit anymore.
• Broken level-up modifiers on unique shields were fixed.
• Bug with enourmous damage on fire enchanted boss' death was fixed.
• I enabled firebolt retailation from goatmen again. Hope this time it will work. :)
• Innate bug with wrong damage and life displaying on Raise Skeleton and Raise Skeletal Mage skills was fixed.
• Bug with Megademons' animation glitch when they cast Poison Explosion was fixed.
• Some property strings for item descriptions were reduced to minimaze chances for famous 2048-symbols-on-item bug.
• Multiplayer bug with item personalization was fixed.
• Deckard Cain and Tyrael monologues at Act 4 were fixed ( Great thanks to Gravity for "pidgin english to english" translation :D ).

How to install:

Make sure that you have version 1.35 of mod installed to install this update pack. Unzip all files to Diablo2 root folder with files replacing.

Happy gaming. ;)

[26 January 2007]

Hi all! :) So... it happened!

Battle for Elements won first place as best RPG mod of 2006 year in Mod of the Year contest (MotY) on ModDB!

Best RPG mod in the 2006 Mod of the Year Awards

To be honour, I did not expect such result. After all, over 4000 mods took part in this contest (though not so many was RPG mods :D). So this was VERY pleasant surprise for me. :)

I want to thank you all, my dear players. This victory would be impossible without your support!

Oh, and by the way, version 1.36 coming soon. ;)

[25 December 2006]

New contest is won already!

I'm very glad again to congratulate Gravity, another person who won one of BFE' contests!

He has found "Composite Potion" recipe: /Potion of Fire Resistance/ + /Potion of Cold Resistance/ + /Potion of Lightning Resistance/ + /Potion of Poison Resistance/ = /Composite Potion/ and immortalized his victory in game! :) He has received the right to choose any nickname for new monster. This monster will be placed in Nihlatak Temple Entrance, will use Nihlatak graphic model (it is brother of Nihlatak actually), and his name will be "Stephen Colbert the Great Alchemist of Truthiness". This monster also will have some unique properties.

[11 December 2006]

Well, details about new contest. ;)

There are 1 additional secret recipe in the version 1.35.

Now this recipe requires 4 components. Great number I know. :)

All components are an items existing only in BFE.

Output of recipe is the hmm, well, I don't want to reveal this, because it'll be just a hint. ;)

The first one who will find this recipe will immortalize his/her victory in game!

If You have found the recipe AND You are first who found it:

You may send me character files by e-mail (output of secret recipe should be in inventory). This time I also don't want to reveal contest prize. It will be revealed only if contest will be won.

The winner will be announced here.

Good luck!

[08 December 2006]

Version 1.35 was released!

And again we have new things here, as well as balancing changes and bunch of bugfixes. Also we continued replacing of unique items and even entered new contest (unfortunately only one, see details below) ;)

Now I want to thank three persons who helped me a lot with this patch: Cubaholic, as author of all map changes in this patch, Necrofan, as generator of ideas, and Boojum, as usual mod's instigator. :) Also I want to thank SheX - Lost Mage of Wind for 4 skill icons.

Changes list:

• New:
• New contest!!! See details above.
• Special monument was added in Act 4 town as contest result. See details here.
• New map for Kurast (Act 3 town). Made by Cubaholic.
• New map for Tower Entrance (Act 1). Made by Cubaholic.
• New map for Monastery Entrance (Act 1). Made by Cubaholic.
• New map for Arreat Summit (Act 5). Made by Cubaholic.
• New map for Baal' Throne (Act 5). Made by Cubaholic.
• Countess and her sister have some nasty aura now. :)
• Druid helms are available at shops.
• New unique arrows/bolts were added.
• Some new magical properties were added (for unique items only).
• 9 new skills were added (for unique items only).
• All weapon unique items were changed.
• One new cube recipe for Favorite Talisman upgrade. See Cube Recipes.doc/pdf.
• Balance:
• I reduced item levels of most unique and set items so set and unique drop can become better now.
• Some character skills were rebalanced again.
• Drop probability of loq quality items was reduced.
• Superfluous version of Ancient Kaa the Soulless was removed from Arcane Sanctuary.
• Values of random resistances on normal difficulty were lowered.
• Hephasto don't have "Spectral Hit" property anymore, he have "Magic Resist" property instead.
• Diabloclone was weakened on Normal and Nightmare difficulties.
• Rare Extractor is cheaper now.
• Duration of stamina potion effect was increased by two times. Duration of following potion effects was reduced a bit:
• Potions of Fire, Cold, Lightning, Poison and Magic Resistance
• Potion of Accuracy
• Potion of Defence
• Potions of Strength, Dexterity, Vitality and Energy
• Potion of Missile Avoidance.
• Number of missiles in Dark Necromancers' Teeth was reduced to reduce lags, but damage was increased.
• Sarcophaguses now cast Decrepify on death instead of Poison Ball when struck to reduce lags.
• Elemental absorbs of Lister and Izual were reduced, so now you potentially can to kill them with magic.
• Megademons now cast Poison Explosion when struck instead of Poison Nova when struck to reduce lags.
• Wraiths now cast Ice Blast when struck instead of Frost Nova when struck to reduce lags.
• Level of Kaa's Unholy Bolt was reduced.
• Recipe "Any weapon + 3 beaker of blood of same monster = Same weapon with "+150% Enhanced Damage vs. appropriate type of monster" now have 150% value as you can see. :)
• Bonus to kick damage on "Ur" rune was reduced to 10.
• "Knowledge" rune requires character level 60 now.
• Bug fixes:
• Broken AI of some Fallens was fixed.
• Kain dialogue in act 5 was fixed.
• Some walkable tiles in Worldstone Chamber were fixed. Number of meteors here was reduced to reduce lags.
• Firebolt retailation from goatmen was disabled as broken properties to reduce lags. Sadly, I can't find reason of this bug, something with new videocards and/or drivers here I think.
• I removed Dragon Flight skill as possible skill for Shadow Warrior and Shadow Master. Hope it'll help to players to keep their summons alive longer.

How to install:

Make sure that you have version 1.34 of mod installed to install this update pack. Unzip all files to Diablo2 root folder with files replacing.

Happy gaming. ;)

[21 November 2006]

Hi all! :)

Ok, I want to say that our mod (BFE of course ;) ) participate in Mod of the Year contest (MotY) on ModDB. I invite you to vote for BFE by clicking to this big terrible image below. Thanks in advance. :)

Oh, and by the way, version 1.35 coming soon. ;)

P.S. May be you have noticed that I added my webmoney accounts to download page. If you like BFE then feel free to send me few bucks and support development. ;)

[08 September 2006]

And yes, version 1.34 was released!

I've done many balance changes as well as bunch of bugfixes and (of course) several new things. For example, all armor type unique items were changed.

And again I am grateful to Boojum, who helped me a lot with this upgrade pack and I'm sure that his imagination will not be exhausted in the next patches too. :)

Changes list:

• New:
• Automap for Tristram was added.
• One new recipe for adding Endurance on Favorite Talisman was added. See "Favorite Talisman Upgrade" section in Cube Recipes.doc.
• Some new magical properties were added (for unique items only).
• You can kill Cow King without banning your character from Moo Moo Farm.
• New version of Mimics.
• All armor unique items (torso, helms, boots, gloves, belts, and shields) were changed.
• Balance:
• I removed random resistances/immunities for Shadows in Lair of Fenris so now these guys can't be spawned as immune to anything. Same with Tomb Gurdians.
• Minions of Szark the Burning don't have Fire Wall on strike/when struck anymore. Also level of this Fire Wall was reduced.
• Ancient Kaa the Soulless don't have Might aura anymore.
• Level of Teeth skill for Dark Necromancer was reduced.
• Damage of champions was reduced a bit.
• Monster drop was rebalanced, must be better now.
• Some monsters AIs were improved again.
• Some character skills were rebalanced again.
• Magic Extractor is cheaper now.
• I reduced base kick damage on boots a bit.
• Monster Blood drops more often on Nigtmare and even more on Hell difficulty.
• Freezing effect was removed from Frost Nova.
• Bug fixes:
• Wrong damage calculation for WhirlWind at negative percentage was fixed.
• Missed item types for some of unique items was fixed.
• Ranges of some aura skills was fixed.
• I tried to fix some bosses with 1 HP. :)
• Antidote potions work now.
• "Jera" rune have weapon effect description now.
• Bug with incorrect displaying of spirit wolves life was fixed.
• Bug with wrong requirements on Easy Colder and Colding Easer runewords was fixed.
• I removed small glitch when your character can pass from Cathedral to Catacombs from other side of wall.
• Bug with unwalkable areas in Elemental Plane of Air was fixed (I hope).
• Critical one: Random bug with "Missile firing too far" game crash after Baal killing was fixed.

Happy gaming. ;)

[01 September 2006]

Well, guest book was added, so now you can say something here.

Feel free to post anything you want about mod. :)

Oh, and by the way, version 1.34 coming soon. ;)

[07 Jule 2006]

New site has launched!

Great thanks to Necrofan for technical realization. :) Well, site is still under construction a bit (for example there is no page for Hypercube Recipes), but nevertheless you can use this as information source about mod as well as for mod downloading.

Welcome to all! :) Be my guests. ;)

DIABLO2: LORD OF DESTRUCTION MOD BATTLE FOR ELEMENTS - ALL THE INFO ABOUT IT