<aside> 💡 Competitive Analysis on Armory/Loadout Systems with the following Business Goal:

Increase the number of builds players try each season by removing the friction of changing builds </aside>

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🎮 Table of contents

📔 Project Overview

To evaluate and compare the Armory/Loadout systems of Path of Exile and Lost Ark to identify best practices, user pain points, and unique features. The goal is to inform the design of an optimized Armory system for Diablo IV that encourages players to try multiple builds each season by reducing friction when switching builds.

Hypotheses, goals & research questions

Hypotheses	Goals	Research questions
Adding suggested or recommended starting builds would encourage users to try new builds and experiment	To provide clear insights into How Path of Exile and Lost Ark handle build management and what features are most effective	1. How easy it is for players to switch between builds?
Making these builds easy to swap from one to the other would reduce player friction when changing builds	To Identify specific areas where Diablo IV can improve its Armory System to reduce friction in switching builds and increase seasonal experimentation	2. How flexible is the system in supporting diverse builds and play styles?
Provide ability to further customize each build would allow for more freedom to experiment with builds	To offer actionable recommendations that align with Diablo IV’s design philosophy and player goals	3. What unique features or approaches does each game offer that could be valuable for Diablo IV?
		4. How well does the Armory System Integrate with other aspects of gameplay?

Competitor Analysis

Company Name	Diablo IV	Path of Exile	Lost Ark
Users
Primary Target audience	Hardcore ARPG enthusiasts who value fast-paced, loot-driven gameplay, detailed character customization, and challenging combat. This audience consists of fans of previous Diablo games, as well as players looking for a dark , immersive ARPG experience with a high emphasis on replayability.	Hardcore ARPG players who enjoy deep, complex build customization and challenging endgame content. This audience is typically experienced with ARPG mechanics and values high customization and experimentation.	MMORPG players who prefer a mix of action RPG elements with an emphasis on PvE, cooperative gameplay, and social interaction. This audience seeks a blend of story-driven content, progression, and endgame activities.
Secondary target Audience	Casual and mid-core ARPG players who may be new to the franchise but are drawn to Diablo IV’s accessible gameplay and visually polished world. These players may appreciate the social and cooperative elements, like group dungeons and world events, but may not delve as deeply into advanced build mechanics as the primary audience.	Gamers interested in highly customizable builds and strategic planning, but who may also be attracted to competitive PvP elements and seasonal updates.	Players transitioning from traditional MMORPGs who are interested in a faster-paced, action-focused gameplay experience. Secondary appeal also extends to players looking for a visually polished game with extensive class options.
Customer reviews	"Diablo IV captures the dark and gritty atmosphere of Diablo II, while improving on modern ARPG mechanics. The open-world and shared events are refreshing.”
"The skill tree and build options offer solid customization, but it could benefit from more ways to quickly experiment with different builds.”	"Incredible depth in build customization, but overwhelming for newcomers.”
"Seasonal leagues and challenges keep the game fresh, but some mechanics feel overly complex.”	"Great graphics and combat; feels satisfying and engaging, especially for PvE.”
"Excellent social elements, but progression can feel grindy.”
Product
Feature List	- Players can save a limited number of builds that include skills, gear, and talent points, allowing them to switch configurations.

Players have a limited number of slots for saved builds, which can restrict experimentation with multiple configurations. | - Loadout system supports skill gems, passive trees, and item slots.
Players can save gear sets, but there’s no in-built Armory system; players rely on third-party tools for saving and loading builds. | - Offers an in-game Preset system for saving skill and gear configurations.
Players can create different builds for specific activities, such as PvE and PvP. | | Product Unique Features | - Diablo IV’s seasonal content often introduces new items and skill adjustments, encouraging players to modify and experiment with loadouts regularly.
The Armory system matches the game’s dark, atmospheric visuals, providing a sense of immersion and thematic cohesion within the interface. | - Deep customization with skill gem sockets, passive skill trees, and ascendancy classes | - Preset system is activity-based, allowing for different setups for PvE, PvP, and raids Some gear changes automatically depending on selected preset, creating a streamlined experience. | | Product strengths | - The Armory system, combined with the extensive skill tree and paragon board, allows for a range of character customization, catering to both PvE and PvP preferences. | - Unmatched depth in build variety, allowing for highly specialized configurations. | - Streamlined system for switching between builds based on activity type. | | Product weaknesses | - The restricted number of saved loadouts can feel limiting for players who want to try multiple builds, especially as the game evolves with seasonal updates.
Resetting skill points and creating new builds can be costly in terms of in-game resources, which may discourage frequent experimentation. | - Lack of an in-built loadout system, requiring third-party tools, which can be overwhelming. | - Restrictive presets make it harder to experiment with unconventional builds. | | UX/UI | | | | | Usability / Flexibility / Ease of Use | Moderate. Switching between builds still requires several steps, which can be frustrating during gameplay, particularly if a quick loadout swap is needed in high-pressure situations. - Players can load an existing setup with ease, but creating a completely new build from scratch, especially with new skills and paragon points, is more resource-intensive and time-consuming. | Difficult. Switching builds often requires manual swapping of gear, skill gems, and passive tree adjustments, with no quick-swap options. | Moderate. The preset system simplifies build switching but is limited by predefined activities, making it less flexible. | | Overall Look & Feel | Armory system aligns with the game’s dark, gothic aesthetic. The UI is clean with visual elements that fit the game’s moody, immersive world. The Armory/Loadout system is user-friendly and relatively intuitive, but the cost and complexity involved in creating and experimenting with new builds can make it feel a bit rigid. | - Complex and data-heavy; skill trees and build planning screens can appear dense and intimidating.
Highly technical and rewarding for experienced players, but overwhelming for casual players. Relies on community tools for a more user-friendly experience. | - Clean and activity-oriented, with well-organized presets.
Streamlined and functional, especially suited for players who focus on specific content types like PvE or PvP. It feels limited in flexibility but effective for its purpose. |

Visual Research

Path of Exile

Video 1 - Builds in Path of Exile