Exactly, you've done normal. The higher levels are impossible without the AH unless you are the 1 in a billion who gets exactly the drops they need. The game is that hard. The fact you said 'sail through the game' shows how little you know, even the builds that have now been nerfed couldn't sail through it.
Ah yes, I know nothing of Diablo
I never played D1 or D2 to death... o wait... yes I did.
The higher levels aren't impossible, you just have to go back and farm for the gear you need. Which is what most people did in D2 if they wanted to progress. You however
bought your way ahead of the curve by buying top end hand picked gear instead.
That's not how I have ever played Diablo, nor do I want to start now.
You simply won't be able to progress beyond normal without buying some better gear.
Haha, if you say so.
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End of the day if you want to use the AH that's up to you, I was just stating my feelings on the matter. Personally, I don't like it, and I think it ruins the fun of relying on drops and 'making do with what you have'. That's just how i've always played, and what I personally think Diablo is all about, finding the shiny shiny!