Diablo II is at its heart a cooperative romp through Sanctuary, but many heroes on the Internet Gaming Zone crave a sterner test: another player. Dueling is entirely optional, so no one is forced to fight, and a little courtesy keeps the pit friendly.

You cannot harm another player until you declare war. Open the Party panel (the default key is P), find the target's name, and click the Hostile button beside it. You must be at least level 9 before you can go hostile, and after you click there is a brief delay before the hostility takes effect. Once it does, you cannot take it back for the rest of that game.

Remember that town is a sanctuary. Blows landed inside the town walls do nothing, so both duelists must step outside the gate before the fight counts.

Agree on the rules before anyone swings. Veterans use a shorthand you will see in chat:

• NP - no healing potions during the bout.
• NT - no running back to town to heal or reset.
• First to a set number of kills, or best of three.
• No town portals, and no ambushing a player who is typing or trading.

Count off together, fight fair, and type gg (good game) when it is over. On a Hardcore realm think twice: death there is permanent, so a hostile duel can erase a hero forever.

Fighting players is not the same as slaying the Prime Evils. Keep these priorities in mind:

1. Push your resistances toward the 75 percent cap; a cold, fire, or lightning duelist will punish soft spots.
2. Stack raw Life through charms and gear, since damage dealt to players is heavily reduced and fights become wars of attrition.
3. Reach a solid Faster Hit Recovery breakpoint so you are not stun-locked.
4. Carry Cannot Be Frozen (a Raven Frost ring serves well) to keep your footwork.
5. Do not lean on life leech; it barely functions against other players.

Play clean, respect the rules, and may the better hero win. See you in the pit.