Editing Diablo II (section)

===Multiplayer===
''Diablo II'' can be played multiplayer on a [[local area network]] (LAN) or the Blizzard's [[Battle.net]] online service. Unlike the original ''Diablo'', ''Diablo II'' was made specifically with online gaming in mind.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/faq/multiplayer.shtml |title=The Arreat Summit – F.A.Q.: Multiplayer |website=Classic.battle.net |access-date=September 15, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826062406/http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/faq/multiplayer.shtml |archive-date=August 26, 2010 }}</ref> Several spells (such as auras or war cries) multiply their effectiveness if they are cast within a party, and although dungeons still exist, they were largely replaced by open spaces.

Battle.net is divided into "Open" and "Closed" realms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/faq/realms.shtml |title=The Arreat Summit – F.A.Q.: Realms |website=Classic.battle.net |date=June 20, 2001 |access-date=September 15, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915142453/http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/faq/realms.shtml |archive-date=September 15, 2010 }}</ref> Single-player characters may be played on open realms; only Battle.net characters that are stored on Blizzard's servers may be played on closed realms as a measure against [[cheating in online games|cheating]], where they must be played at least once every 90 days to avoid expiration. Open games are subject to many abuses as the characters are stored on the players' own hard drives. Many cheats that were used on closed realms do not exist or work any longer.<ref>{{cite web|author=clownshoes |url=http://www.gamebanshee.com/news/97610-320000-cheaters-banned-from-battlenet.html |title=320,000 Cheaters Banned From Battle.net |website=Gamebanshee.com |date=April 21, 2010 |access-date=May 8, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608012955/http://www.gamebanshee.com/news/97610-320000-cheaters-banned-from-battlenet.html |archive-date=June 8, 2010 }}</ref> Hacks, bots, and programs which allow the player to run multiple instances of the game at the same time are not allowed by Blizzard. They are rarely used anymore. Blizzard cracked down on spambots which advertise sites selling Diablo II's virtual items for real-world currency.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://us.battle.net/forums/en/bnet/topic/20759202929 |title=Diablo 2 Fights Spambots &#124; Video Clip &#124; Game Trailers & Videos |website=GameTrailers.com |date=September 7, 2010 |access-date=May 8, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218022240/http://www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/diablo-2-spambots/349513 |archive-date=February 18, 2011 }}</ref>

As the game can be played cooperatively (Players vs. Environment, PvE), groups of players with specific sets of complementary skills can finish some of the game's climactic battles in a matter of seconds, providing strong incentives for party-oriented character builds. Up to eight players can be in one game; they can either unite as a single party, play as individuals, or form multiple opposing parties. Experience gained, monsters' hit points and damage, and the number of items dropped are all increased as more players join a game, though not in a strictly proportional manner. Players are allowed to duel each other with all damage being reduced in player vs player (PvP). The bounty for a successful kill in PvP is a portion of the gold and the "ear" of the defeated player (with the previous owner's name and level at the time of the kill).

The Ladder System is reset at various intervals by Blizzard to allow for all players to start fresh with new characters on an equal footing. Ladder seasons have lasted from as short as six months to over a year. When a ladder season ends, all ladder characters are transferred to the non-ladder population. Certain rare items are available only within ladder games, although they can be traded for and exchanged on non-ladder after the season has ended.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/beta/patchchanges.shtml |title=The Arreat Summit – Diablo II Patch 1.10 Beta |website=Classic.battle.net |access-date=September 15, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811224713/http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/beta/patchchanges.shtml |archive-date=August 11, 2011 }}</ref>

The game has been patched extensively; the precise number of patches is impossible to determine as Battle.net has the capability of making minor server-side patches to address urgent bugs. {{As of|July 2016}}, the game is in version 1.14d.<ref name="battle2">{{cite web|url=https://us.battle.net/forums/en/bnet/topic/20745244961 |title=Battle.net - English Forums -> Diablo 2 Patch 1.14D is Now Done And Running BUT what about patch notes? |publisher=Blizzard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702021743/https://us.battle.net/forums/en/bnet/topic/20745244961 |archive-date=July 2, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref> Through the patch history, several exploits and bugs such as item duplication have been addressed, as well as major revamps to the game's balance (such as the ability to redo skills and attributes). Not all patches have affected ''Diablo II'' directly, as several were designed to address aspects of the expansion to the game and had minimal effects on ''Diablo II''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=15443288961&sid=3000 |title=Battle.net – English Forums -> Diablo II 1.13 – Tell Us Your #1 Patch Note |website=Forums.battle.net |access-date=September 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726082803/http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=15443288961&sid=3000 |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>