There are two main character types on the Diablo II Realms: Normal and Ladder. Players choose these character types when creating their characters via check boxes as they are naming their characters.

Any character that is not marked as a Ladder Character is a Normal Character. There are two types of Normal Characters:

Normal: Normal (also referred to as Core)(Non Hardcore)
Normal: Hardcore

Normal Core: Characters can only join games with other Normal Core characters. They cannot join games with Hardcore characters, or Ladder Characters of any type.

Normal Hardcore: Characters can only join games with other Normal Hardcore characters. They cannot join games with Core characters, or Ladder Characters of any type. To create a Hardcore Character you must finish the game on Normal Difficulty. [Learn more about Hardcore Characters.]

A Ladder Character is a special character type that is allowed to compete on the ladder. These characters are separate from Normal Characters with their own games and economy.

All characters created before 1.11 are considered Normal Characters. Characters created before 1.11 do not have the option of being Ladder Characters. You must create a new character after patch 1.11 is released, and mark it as a Ladder Character to create a Ladder Character.

Characters created before patch 1.11 will not be able to join games with these new Ladder Characters, although they will be able to play with other Normal Characters that predate the 1.10 patch or characters created after 1.10 that are not created as Ladder Characters. This means that for the duration of the ladder season - which is yet to be determined - these Ladder Characters will exist in a new separate economy from the other Battle.net Diablo II characters. After the ladder season is over, all Ladder Characters become Normal Characters. To be on the ladder for the next season, players must create a new character and mark it as ladder, after the new season has begun.

Only Realm Characters can be Ladder Characters.

Ladder Games Have Increased Difficulty
Ladder Games offer a more challenging type of gameplay than players will find in Normal Games. Monster AI speeds have been increased. Reaction times increased for Ladder Nightmare and Hell games. Basically every monster acts like a super unique.

There are two types of Ladder Characters:

Ladder: Normal (also referred to as Core)(Non Hardcore)
Ladder: Hardcore

Ladder Core: Characters can only join games with other Ladder Core characters. They cannot join games with Hardcore characters, or Normal Characters of any type.

Ladder Hardcore: Characters can only join games with other Ladder Hardcore characters. They cannot join games with core characters, or Normal Characters of any type. [Learn more about Hardcore Characters.]

[Read our Ladder F.A.Q..]

What's the advantage to creating a Ladder Character?
This is similar to starting out on a brand new realm. Players will be able to experience Diablo II like when the game was first released. When the Ladder Season first begins, players start at Level 1 and do not have powerful items. They also cannot use powerful high-level items or other high-level characters to help them level up faster. Players create a character in a brand new world (Ladder Character world) where everything (economy, levels) starts from the beginning. The main advantage of creating a Ladder Character is being able to join in on a totally new economy where powerful items are very valuable.

What if I don't play ladder or don't want to compete on the ladder?
Although they are called Ladder Characters, players do not have to compete on the ladder to play. You can simply play at your own speed and not worry about how you are ranked on the ladder.

Can I convert existing characters to Ladder Characters?
No, you must flag a character as a Ladder character when it is first created.

How long will the ladder season last?
This has yet to be determined.

What happens when the ladder season is over?
All Ladder Characters become either Normal Core or Normal Hardcore Characters depending on what type of Ladder Characters they are. If you want to be a Ladder Character for the next Ladder season you must create a new character and flag it as a Ladder Character.

Do I get to keep my Ladder Only Items when the season is over?
A: Yes. Any Ladder Only Items will be converted over when your character is converted to a Core character. These items can now be traded with other Core characters. That is the only way for Core characters to get ladder only items, as leftovers after a season is over.

Can you convert a Ladder Character to a Normal Character?
No. Blizzard does this automatically when the Ladder Season ends.

Does the ladder offer anything beyond a more stable economy?
Yes there are some items that can only be obtained with a ladder character such as some class specific and elite uniques. There are also some ladder-only rune words as well as cube recipes that can only be created by a ladder character. While these items can eventually make their way to non-ladder after a ladder reset, they can only be initially found or created by using a ladder character.