KingOfPain's solo Ironman run in Diablo 1, in which he made it almost halfway through Hell Difficulty, is legendary among D1 variant players. That achievement could arguably be deemed the most impressive feat ever accomplished by anybody with that game.

Ironman is a specific exercise. In Diablo 1, you went down into the dungeon and played straight through. If solo, it was a hardcore experience: die and it's over. You get to spend your initial 100 gold, and that's about it. There were some supplemental rules, like a free ID of all leftover items at the end of each difficulty, and some conveniences to "recreate" blood fountains or purifying springs in town under certain conditions. To succeed, you not only had to survive, but also full clear (even the barrels) and manage your resources wisely. You had to clear each level before being allowed to move to the next, so no saving the Butcher for later, when he would be easier. You would have only the potions you found, no way to buy more. Conservation was essential to continuation.

Diablo 2 doesn't quite lend as well to that concept -- or perhaps it lends better, depending on your point of view. With mana regen, some life regen, plenty of wells and renewable shrines around, and skills like prayer or find potion, and with identify scrolls more common, the resource management end of things is much tamer, certainly through Normal. After that, it starts to become a more serious factor. Certainly, without any repairs, you run through a lot of weapons, a whole lot of weapons, but other gear will last you longer, particularly if you don't take too many hits.

After much deliberation, KoP has written up his version of Ironman for D2 and begun to play it with a Barbarian. He is currently into Act 2 of Nightmare, but his listing here at the Hall of Heroes reflects only his completion of Normal, thus far. Seeing as I am not managing his report, only linking to it, I will update his standing after he completes Act Two (and sends me a fresh portrait) -- assuming he survives. That update will bring a sharp rise in this hero's position in the listing.

- Sirian

Click Here to jump to Realms Beyond Diablo and read the exploits of Count KoPhanTom. Don't overlook the link at the bottom that will carry you on to his report from Nightmare Act One. Feel free to look around the rest of the site while you are over there. Then use your back button or bookmarks to return to my site, if you desire to navigate back here.

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