The world of Sanctuary expanded greatly in the second title of the diablo franchisee. While the original game had already captivated players with its gameplay and the wonderfully dark world surrounding Tristram, the sequel brought crafting and other more mature gameplay mechanics with it. One of Blizzard’s remarkable inventions in diablo was the magical transmutation device, the Horadric Cube.
While it was exciting to plug items with runes and gems into a socket, the real magic happened with the Horadric Cube. This feature allowed players to craft new items from reagents and discover the secrets of this mysterious device of Horadrim origin. While Blizzard has decided to forgo Horadric Cube since Diablo 2the magic has been preserved with the introduction of the spiritual successor in Kanai’s Cube.
Introducing the Horadric Cube in Diablo 2
The Horadric Cube wasn’t just another craft or cooking item you can find in other role-playing games. Those would make it possible to make simple items with the right ingredients, such as turning wood and metal into an arrow. Instead, in addition to regular items, players can use Horadric Cube’s magic in Diablo 2 to convert items into new ones with unearthly properties.
The cube allowed a total of 12 item slots, which would limit the number of items. Even with the restrictions on slots, the combinations were almost limitless. While hundreds of different types of weapons, armor, gems, runes, and other items can be inserted, only a small fraction of the combinations would result in a new item. What made it even more exciting was that it allowed the creation of equipment with arbitrary properties. This meant that players could recycle items over and over in hopes of creating something truly powerful. Essentially, it offered players a gambling mechanism that was less predatory than what Diablo Immortal offers.
The return of the Horadric Cube in Diablo 4?
Blizzard has revealed that the franchise is returning to its popular Diablo 2 roots in the upcoming title. While much of this is artistic and story-driven change, Blizzard also revealed that runes and runic words from Diablo 2 are re-entered. This makes it very possible for Horadric Cube to make a comeback. Furthermore, Blizzard has confirmed that runes have a dual nature. Some runes will be conditional and others effective, increasing the way runes can interact with other items in Horadric recipes.
The Horadric Cube was hugely influential in Diablo 2but it could be an even more integral part of Diablo 4the lore. The device was introduced halfway through the game and was not needed in much of the game’s storyline. If Blizzard does bring the Cube back, it could be integrated into the core quest core.
In terms of lore, the Horadric Cube could be one of the main points of contact with the brotherhood of Horadrim, as the Horadric scholar Deckard Cain died in Diablo 3. In addition to Lilith making a comeback, there is another core diablo characters will likely play an important role in the upcoming title. One of them could be one of the founders of Horadrim and the creator of the first cube, Zoltun Kulle.
Combining the powers of the Horadric Cube and Kanai’s Cube
Blizzard introduced a new craft item called Kanai’s Cube in Diablo 3. Legend has it that it is the original version of Horadrim’s magic cubes. Blizzard didn’t take full advantage of the possibilities, though, and Kanai’s Cube lost some of the Horadric Cube’s mystery. Although the lore explains that Kanai’s Cube is the more powerful with potentially disastrous consequences, it does not live up to its potential in the game.
A cube is likely to be included in the last iteration of diablo in one form or another. At this point, it’s unclear whether Horadric or Kanai’s Cube will be reintroduced, or whether an entirely new cube will be added. While Blizzard has revealed post-release microtransactions and plans, there’s still a lot to talk about about the crafting system. One possibility is that Deckard will live on through Blizzard giving him his own Horadric Cube. He was, after all, the last of the Horadrim. This would allow Blizzard to create a new storyline around the newly added cube with powers that can expand over its predecessors.
Diablo 4 is slated for release in 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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