Personally i think there are far too many categories. in all seriousness, i would take a look at how the Speedrun.Com categories work for Diablo 2, people have been speed running that game for over 12 years. For instance, you could have a NG, NG+, NG Hardcore, NG+ Hardcore. Then lump all the classes in together, it is widely accepted that some classes will run it faster. Hardcore ,truly, should have its own category. Not to mention by NG rules, there is so much RNG involved in these runs its not funny. Having a category for each class simply dilutes the competition, when a clutch late-game legendary weapon-drop will shave a ton of time from a run, regardless of what class your playing as.
just some thoughts, :->
EDIT: how selfish of me to not even mention the console version of the game.
Running Normal, Softcore vs Hardcore makes no difference at all. I've done almost all my runs on Hardcore. There is 1 place where a death warp is useful, but I've only found out about it recently. It doesn't save a ton of time either way.
I think your main concern is that the game is stale to run. But, this is mainly caused by too much RNG, and not enough variation in strategy. Unfortunately, the overall best strategy for any category is simply memorizing map tiles. You effectively take a task which would result you in meandering between point A and point B, and make it a straight line. This is definitely the strongest place where RNG plays a role. You might know 1 arrangement of tiles better than another.
Overall, I do agree that there are way too many categories. However, I don't think it will increase the competitive nature of speedrunning this game. For me personally, I want a real NG category. Basically, how you start off a season. Throughout a run, you can use vendors, craft items, use stash, etc. You know, a real game run. If there was a way to actually reset the game appropriately, then we could do runs like that. But, I do not foresee Blizzard ever implementing it.
I put the Leaderboard for the NG Categorys together. But it wont change my thinking of seperate Class World Records e.g only because Louren has the WR 1:58:13 in Demon Hunter for me the WR for Barbarian will be 2:23:05 by Louren
How about making each class a subcategory? Having all classes in one leaderboard is pretty stupid imho as each class is different.
We need individual console categories, because the newer releases have better gear than the older ones. I am starting to speedrun the game on PS3 now.. I feel we should have the categories separated into release versions. I will be speedrunning Act 1-5 rift, keywarden and bounty. Would be nice to have a category to contribute these future runs for. Perhaps even a co-op category, or a category for non modded gear as the cheaters are everywhere now.
This is my PB for A1 Rift. Lets make this happen? I have a community of non modded PS3 runners who are also interested in this.
Would there be a possibility of adding a coop NG+ catagory, i have a team ready, we all theory craft the fastest possible builds and routes. Rules would be as other catagories, start when 1st person makes 1st action, ends when same person talks to tyrael. All record video for verification etc. Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaase? <3
Hello. Can you add a category for T13 rifts? I would like to push for the best time in a rift, also its more meta-relevant lol
Or t13 ng+s. I think this will support more creative building (maintaining mobility and damage simutaneously
Also ill prefer to make it so that no paragon points is allowed to be assigned(maybe except movespeed)
I think we have the right balance of categories now. Only thing I would be interested in seeing is a higher difficulty NG+ category, probably t13, but that runs into paragon and Caldesann's problems. The barrier for entry in that would just be incredibly high after a point. As for speed rifts, I think that would be similar except worse. The only good part is that they would be fast, but I don't think that's worth the trouble. If it's meta relevant, then do it for the meta. If they made an option to make a character with no shared gear/experience similar to season start, that would be a good alternative to the NG category, but until then, NG is close enough.
Personally, I don't have a lot of time to speedrun, but love the game. How about a level leaderboards? So all the acts seperately? This way speedrunning this game will become more accessible to people who don't have time for possible 1 or 2 hour runs. Just brainstorming here, so let me know what you think.