Diablo 2 - What server to pick in 2023[UPDATED June 2023]

Operating System     Windows® 10
Processor            Intel® Core i3-3250/AMD FX-4350
Video                Nvidia GTX 660/AMD Radeon HD 7850
Memory               8 GB RAM
Storage              30 GB
Internet             Broadband Internet connection
Resolution           1280 x 720

Operating System      64-bit Windows® 10 version 1909 or newer
Processor             Intel® Core™ i5-2500K or AMD™ FX-8350
Video                 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660 or AMD Radeon™ R9 280 - DirectX® 12 compatible system
Memory                8 GB RAM
Storage               SSD with 90 GB available space
Internet              Broadband Connection
Resolution            1080p native resolution / 720p render resolution, low graphics settings, 30fps

Lets Go!

If you r still reading this article, then you v passed the test for a traditional orientation, which means that you, like all normal people, are a loyal in your soul to Diablo 2.

So next I will make some classification of servers, point out the advantages and disadvantages of each, and it would be up to you to decide where you want to play.

Also if i wont bee too lazy, I'll try to make and keep everything up to date in the google spreadsheet. For suggestions/changes to the table lmk somewhere here.

All servers can be divided into:

• Official
• Unofficial

Official

These are well-known to you Europe/US West/US East/Asia. These are official servers. Ya need to buy a CD-Key to play here for two games: D2 и D2: LoD. Each costs about 15$, 30$ total.

Reset: at the end of May and end of October.

Online: high.

PvM: due to tons of bots that give you BO, Enchant, and even level up themselves PvM is kinda boring, but it's up to you to decide whether to use bots or not. Lately, there was a ban-wave so a lot of guys quit using them.

UPDATE (Dec 2017): Recently there was a ban wave. Now there are literally no bots. Items now have value they never had before. Say, Ber costs 2k fg at the season start.

PvP: High-lvl-pvp takes place in NL. Thanks to huge online players skill vary from total newbies to world's tier 1 players. by using bots you can make a duelable character in a pretty short time. Could take a couple of months but it would be free. It's also possible to make a char by using real money on d2jsp (takes ~30$).If you will have ping issues - you can install Battle Ping to reduce ping to playable values.

Trade: in-game or on d2jsp. Simple things like Shako/Mara can be purchased in 2-3 minutes.

Pros: huge online, easy trade, good PvP skill level on NL.

Cons: bots; requires payment. Chars expire after 90 days of inactivity. Don't mix with Reset, when characters are just moved to NL.

Host: France.

Install: buy CD-Key D2 and D2: LoD. Download game client via Battle.net: D2 and D2: LoD. Start installing and use bought CD Keys when asked.

Unofficial

It is all the remaining servers. They, in their turn, are divided into those, who need a mod to be installed (new items/skills/locations) and ones that don't, official-like (no mod needs to be installed).

• No mods
• Mods

No mods

Probably only 3 servers here that I know:

• Playground.ru
• Minimoo.eu
• Asgard

PG

It's a monopolist among all Russian servers - Playground.ru. About 90% of all Russian players hang out here.

Reset: once in 2-3 years.

Online: 300-500~.

PvM: really low drop rate ( v 1.11), so making a character takes years, and runes above Sur is a privilege. There is also a monopoly on Annihiluses.

PvP: very poor conditions cause 1.11 drop

Trade: poor. either in-game or on the forum or in VK group

Pros: mother-Russian-server

Cons: everything else :D lots of invisible changes that you need to guess on your own. Also no 50% dr cap, enchanted MA, multiple windows drop after a certain amount of time. In fact, this server can be assigned to mod one. It isn't there just technically.

Install: here

Minimoo

It's a Hungarian server with 1.14 patch, EU's analog. The difference is that there is hardly ever any online here. But if you want to find a small friendly company - you are welcome.

Host: Hungary.

Install: here

Asgard

Its a Russian free PvP-realm with hosts in Moscow and London. Any item with perfect affixes can be transmuted in cube via Cube recipes or taken from in-game accounts. Making a character of your dream takes like 10-15 minutes. Ping is ok for most part of Europe.

Host: Moscow, London, and NY.

Install: here

Mods

It's servers that need their own mod being installed to play on them. Usually has new items/skills/locations.

• Annihilus
• Europebattle.net
• Path Of Diablo
• Slash Diablo
• Project Diablo 2

Annihilus

Long story short: new items, new skills, new locations. There is a separate PvP realm (D2PK).List of all changes here.

Reset: once in 1-2 years.

Online: low.

Host: America (maybe Canada).

Install: here

Europebattle.net

Long story short: 10x runes drop rate, 10x until 93 level, some additions to original items, increased stash, and inventory. Maphack allowed.Changes: here

Reset: iirc once in 2 years.

Online: middle.

Host: Europe.

Install: here

Path Of Diablo

Long story short: mod from Path Of Exile developers. New items, new skills, new locations.Changes here

Reset: iirc once half a year.

Online: middle.

Host: Lots of host around the world including Russia.

Install: here

Slash Diablo

In a nutshell: server for those who like to compete for the conquest of the ladder and "who will be the first to make Enigma". MH is allowed. List of all changes here

Reset: don't know

Online: average

Host: USA

Version: 1.13c

Installation: here

Project Diablo 2

In short: New items, new skills, new locations. List of all changes here

Reset: I don't know

Online: high

Host: many hosts around the world with the ability to choose.

Version: its own mod with a launcher

Installation: here

Add-ons

These are well-known add-ons, totally changed games, dissimilar to LoD.

• Eastern Sun
• ZyEl
• Resurrection
• Median XL
• Underworld
• Grapes of Wrath

Median XL deserves special attention here. It is probably the only one that is still supported. All other mods are relics of the past. Modifications: here , there is also a "Download" button.

There are also many other, fan-made amateur mods/mini-mods. (for the link I do not vouch, there may be viruses, at your own risk)

There is also an option to play via IP address through Hamachi and Gameranger.

The choice is yours.

If any info written here isn't up to date or you have any suggestions (wanna add a server or change my mistakes) - mail me at [email protected]