Part 7

Navigate the Diablo III main menu, from starting quests to using the auction house, and understand the progression through Normal and Nightmare difficulties.

The main menu of Diablo III serves as your lobby, offering a place to chat on different channels, customize your banner, and decide on a type of game to join.

From the main menu, you can:

1. Start Quest: This option will read "Start Quest" or "Resume Quest" depending on whether you are continuing a previous game or have just selected a quest. This allows you to start a private game alone at a specific quest. You can also open your game to the public, allowing anyone to join at any time.
2. Change Quest: This brings up a list of completed quests, with the option to jump between any difficulty you have reached. You can select a quest from here and then press "Start Quest" to begin it in a private game.
3. Public Games: This allows you to browse quests available for public games with other players. It shows the number of people in public games. You can only join quests within approximately 7 levels of your current level range. Selecting a quest and confirming will almost always instantly place you in a random group of 2-4 players.
4. Auction House: This option enables you to browse the real money auction house or gold auction house, where players post gear and items for sale. You can also post your own items for sale here.
5. Character Profile: At the center of the main menu is your currently selected character. You can swap characters by clicking the "switch character" button. Clicking your current hero brings up your profile, showing hours played with each class, progress through difficulties, individual characters, their 3D models, items, and stats. You can view other players' profiles by right-clicking their name and selecting "view profile".
6. Customize Banner: Next to your character is your banner display. Clicking it allows you to customize it to your liking, showcasing your achievements.

The party UI, located on the top left of the screen, displays followers and party members with their portrait, name, and health bar. Right-clicking a portrait offers options like inspecting or trading items.

The town portal spell, indicated by a blue icon between the ability hot bar and the menu bar, allows you to return to town almost anytime.

The chat box, found in the bottom left corner of the screen, allows you to chat with your party, link items and gear, and join any public channel chat from anywhere in the game, whether in menus or in-game. You can also view profiles of characters that appear, add them to your friends list, or invite them to your party.

Diablo III features several difficulty levels that increase the challenge:

• NORMAL: The starting difficulty, serving as a tutorial and a campaign to learn new skills and figure out your build. Enemies are not overly damaging and die quickly. Rare and champion enemies can have up to 1 bonus affix. This mode is generally easy, with occasional challenges.
• NIGHTMARE: This is where the game's difficulty significantly increases. Your character's main active skills are unlocked, and you need to focus on build, gear, and tactics. Enemies hit much harder and have more abilities.