Character planning tools for Diablo II allow players to virtually allocate skill and stat points, enabling theorycrafting and build optimization before implementing them in the actual game. These tools often provide detailed information about each skill, including synergies, prerequisites, and effects at various levels. An example would be a digital interface displaying a character’s skill tree with clickable options to add points and visualize the resulting build.
Such planning is crucial for maximizing character effectiveness in Diablo II, given the permanent nature of stat and some skill point allocations. Pre-planning mitigates the risk of creating a suboptimal character, which can hinder progression and enjoyment of the game. The popularity of these tools arose from the game’s complexity and the desire within the community to share and refine effective character builds.