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In Diablo 2: Resurrected, the Standard of Heroes is one of those items that seems to have faded into the background. As it stands, this item serves no practical purpose beyond being a symbolic trophy after defeating the mighty Ubers to obtain the coveted Hellfire Torch. But what if this little-used item could be given a fresh role in the game, making it an invaluable tool rather than a forgettable keepsake? What if the Standard of Heroes could play a new role, one that enhances gameplay without breaking the game's delicate balance?

What is the Standard of Heroes?

For those who might not be familiar, the Standard of Heroes is a byproduct of conquering the Ubers, the hardest challenge in Diablo 2: Resurrected. After assembling keys, defeating the minibosses, and eventually facing off against Uber Mephisto, Uber Baal, and Uber Diablo, players are rewarded with the Hellfire Torch—a powerful charm. Alongside this, they also receive the Standard of Heroes, a trophy item that has no real use beyond being a memento of their accomplishment.

In the past, the Standard of Heroes held a sort of prestige, a mark that you had conquered one of the game’s toughest challenges. But nowadays, with countless guides and optimized strategies available online, the Ubers fight has become less of a mystery and more of a routine for dedicated players. As a result, many players let their Standards of Heroes vanish into the void, left behind in game lobbies as they focus on farming torches for trading or improving their own builds.

Finding a New Purpose for the Standard

The idea for repurposing the Standard of Heroes came to me during a live stream, where I brainstormed with fellow fans of the game. The goal was to find a practical use for the item that would enhance gameplay but wouldn’t upset the game’s balance. Given that players often end up with multiple Standards after repeated Uber runs, any new functionality needed to be impactful but not game-breaking.

One particularly intriguing idea borrowed a concept from Diablo 4, despite the community's mixed feelings about that game. In Diablo 4, there was an item called the Profane Mine Cage, an elixir that temporarily boosted monster levels and drop rates in certain areas. This mechanic allowed players to increase the challenge and rewards in Hell Tides, making it a valuable tool for those seeking a higher risk and reward scenario.

Translating This to Diablo 2: Resurrected: Terror Zones

So, how could this concept be adapted for Diablo 2: Resurrected? While we don’t have Hell Tides in Diablo 2, we do have Terror Zones—a feature that scales monster levels in specific areas, making them viable for high-level play. This makes Terror Zones a perfect candidate for a reimagined use of the Standard of Heroes.

What if consuming a Standard of Heroes could raise the level of monsters in a Terror Zone by 10 levels? This would make Terror Zones more challenging for players, but it would also increase the potential experience gain from defeating these tougher enemies. Such a boost would be particularly attractive to groups of players looking to maximize their experience gains or challenge themselves with harder content.

Limiting the Power: Party Requirement and Use

To prevent this change from being too powerful or exploitable, there would need to be some limitations:

1. Party Requirement: The level boost from using a Standard of Heroes would only apply if the player is in a game with a full party of eight. This would encourage cooperative play and prevent solo players from farming high-level Terror Zones with ease. Given that some platforms like the Nintendo Switch have lower player caps, the effect could also be adjusted for parties of four or more. This requirement ensures that the boost isn't used purely for solo grinding, keeping the cooperative spirit alive.

2. Single-Use Per Game: The level increase would only last for the duration of a single game session, meaning players couldn’t stack effects across multiple games. This way, players would need to decide carefully when to use their Standards, adding a strategic layer to their gameplay. It would also maintain the value of the Standards as a limited resource.

3. High-Level Requirement: To prevent low-level players from abusing the power of the Standard, the item should remain usable only by characters at level 90 or above. This ensures that only seasoned players, who have already earned their place in high-level content, can take advantage of the increased challenge and rewards.

Doubling Monster Density: A Riskier Proposal

During the brainstorming session, another idea emerged—doubling the monster density in Terror Zones when using the Standard of Heroes. While this would undeniably increase the challenge and potentially the rewards, it also comes with significant risks. Increasing the density of monsters would effectively double the drop rate, as players with high area-of-effect (AoE) damage skills could wipe out twice as many enemies in the same time frame.

This might sound appealing at first, but doubling the density could disrupt the game’s economy by flooding the market with items. Instead, a more modest density increase—perhaps 1.25x or 1.5x—could provide a middle ground. It would give players a noticeable but not overwhelming boost in the number of enemies to fight, keeping the balance intact while making the use of the Standard of Heroes feel impactful.

Strategic Use in the Economy

With this change, Standards of Heroes could become a valuable trade commodity. Players who don't intend to use them might trade their Standards for high-level runes or unique items, adding a new layer of depth to the in-game economy. Players would also have to think carefully about when and where to use their Standards—saving them for high-reward zones like Chaos Sanctuary or the Cow Level, where the extra challenge could yield the greatest benefits.

A Balanced Boost to the Endgame

Overall, adding this new functionality to the Standard of Heroes could be a win-win for the Diablo 2: Resurrected community. It would make an underutilized item relevant again, providing a small but meaningful boost that enhances endgame content without fundamentally altering the game’s balance. Players who want an additional challenge would have the opportunity to push their skills further, while those looking for efficient leveling could benefit from the experience boost in full-party Terror Zones.

But what about potential drawbacks? Admittedly, any change to a beloved classic like Diablo 2 comes with risks. Some players might worry about shifting the meta or breaking the spirit of the original game. However, given that this change would only affect players who actively choose to use the Standard, and considering that it would maintain the cooperative focus of the game, the risk of disrupting the game’s core appeal seems minimal.

Conclusion: A Second Chance for the Standard of Heroes

Revamping the Standard of Heroes to boost monster levels in Terror Zones or slightly increase monster density offers a new purpose for an otherwise forgotten item. It’s a change that respects the game’s legacy while adding a fresh twist to endgame play. Whether players choose to save their Standards for strategic moments or trade them to others, this shift could breathe new life into the item and encourage more dynamic gameplay.

So, what do you think? Would you use the Standard of Heroes to tackle tougher Terror Zones? Would you prefer a different approach, or do you have ideas for other changes that could bring new depth to Diablo 2: Resurrected? Share your thoughts and let’s keep the discussion alive!