I played this game up and down too, like everybody else. When I found myself doing baalruns at 3am, I know I had become like all the other guys on BNet and dropped it
At the beginning however, I kept an eye out for people that went slow and were playing like they experienced it the first time and tried to gather them into parties. Was fun that way.
I only ever played paladins (had necro and assasin too, but they didnt keep me interested) and the most fun I had with my healer build (not sure if bug or intended but it IS possible to stack healthgain auras since meditation triggers one, too...) which, of course, got me nothing but flak on BNet.
Personally I have to say... even with a perfect party full of nice folks and just the right amount of light RP... the bland taste of d2 probably will not go away for me. Altough... admittedly... I still have to kill the ubars....
edit:
It just occured to me there are two conditions, and when both are met, Ill join you guys.
1) We need some peeps.
2) We need a ladder reset. Seriously, I like ladder resets. If im notified in time to get the game installed (not a good idea to do it an hour before the fun starts...) and patched I'm in for the first few runs. Of course, again, with my "healer build".
Love it or not, but you cannot deny the advantages of an everlasting, always running mana battery in the party. The health thing is nice, too, but Id estimate it doesnt really pay off without big enough a buffer, which you only get from druid and barbarian buffs, I believe.