by Amelia Schaffer

Created on: November 25, 2010

The "Hellfire" for "Diablo" adds eight levels which serve as two large quests (plus several smaller quests), new items, and three new character classes. The Monk can be accessed normally, but the Bard and the Barbarian are hidden test characters and must be unlocked.

In order to play as the Bard, you must create the file "command.txt" with the text "bardtest" in the same folder as Hellfire. (The Barbarian only works with the Hellfire 1.01 patch; using the text "bardtest;barbariantest" will unlock both characters.) The Bard has the same graphics as the Rogue, since the character was left unfinished.

The Bard starts out with 20 strength, 20 magic, 25 dexterity, 25 vitality, 70 life and 35 mana. Her stats are well-balanced, and she has the highest magic and mana of all other characters but the Sorcerer. She gains +2 life and +2 mana for each additional level.

The Bard's maximum base stats, according to Jarulf's Guide, are 120 strength, 120 magic, 120 dexterity, 100 vitality, 221 life and 231 mana. The maximum possible stats, if the character gets precisely the right equipment to increase each stat by the maximum amount, are 370 strength, 360 magic, 360 dexterity, 340 vitality, 761 life and 865 mana.

Identify, the Bard's skill, works the same way as the Identify spell. It is useful for identifying items in the field so that she can use it immediately or drop it if it is worthless (and so that she can save the 100 gold it usually takes to identify an item).

The Bard has another useful ability: she can wield two one-handed weapons. This does leave her without a shield to block, but it also allows her to gain the bonuses from two different weapons, which can be useful for increasing stats or resistances. (The ability to wield two weapons was given to the Barbarian for "Diablo II.")

When a Bard wields two single-handed weapons, she is able to hit three enemies at once. If two other monsters are close enough when the Bard swings her sword, they are dealt one quarter of the damage. The unfinished character design is a big negative for the Bard, however, because the character can only be shown with one weapon. Instead of two swords, the Bard appears to wield a single, extra-powerful weapon.

The Bard can be a difficult character starting out because she is very equipment-dependent. She does not have the strength and quick attack speed of a Warrior, the magic of a Sorcerer or the dexterity of a Rogue, and can sometimes feel like a "jack of all trades but master of none." If a player can find good equipment, however, especially unique weapons with bonuses, her balance between strength and magic can be used well.

Originally published at Suite101.

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