Tome of Identify

I don't think there are any games I've played more than Diablo 2.
(Diablo 2 is even fun when you're a Mormon, because you go kill the devil!)

BUT there's this one inventory item that boggles my mind. The only thing that boggles my mind more than this inventory item, is that I know a person who ACTUALLY carries this item in their inventory when they play!

The item I'm speaking of is: Tome of Identify

In Diablo 2, you find "unidentified" items.
I played so much Diablo 2 in high school, that I wrote "unidentified" all over one of my math assignments, rather than "undefined".

"Unidentified" items have hidden, magical properties that can be revealed by:

• Scroll of Identify
• Deckard Cain

The scroll of identify is small, and takes up one inventory slot. Deckard Cain, you save really early in the game, and he identifies your crap for free.

Where does the Tome of Identify come in?
It takes up two inventory slots, and allows you to carry 20 scrolls of identify.

So let's talk strategy:
I'm impatient, pick up everything, bring it to town, and then sort it out. NOT carrying a Tome of Identify allows me to carry more crap, Deckard Cain is always easy to find in town, he identifies everything for free, and THEN I sell or equip my stuff.

If you're more patient, I guess you might actually think about what you pick up, deciding that some things are not worth bringing back to town and selling... but if that involves identifying things with "magical properties", that boost sale price? And you're going to town to sell valuable things anyway, wouldn't you just talk to Deckard Cain and get your things identified for free?

Which makes me think, Tome of Identify must really be designed for players looking to identify and equip items before they even get to town. I could see starting players having their eyes open for certain types of items, like their first ring or amulet... but how many things do you honestly need to identify, before you get back to town? Would "two" seem fair? Then why not carry two scrolls of identify? If you use one, you'll gain space in your inventory that the Tome of Identify would otherwise take up!

There is only one time I think Tome of Identify could honestly be useful and it's Act 5: you're late in the game, probably filthy rich, and soo lazy you can't be bothered to walk over to Deckard Cain when you visit town. In Act 5, he happens to be slightly more out of the way, when considering a path between town portals and the one shopkeeper who heals you. EVEN SO, if you're that lazy, the extra two inventory slots you'd gain NOT carrying a Tome of Identify might come in handy, saving you some trips to town!

I have a ton of respect for Blizzard (Diablo 2's developers) for including this item... really for no reason. I think it's intuitive, I could see starting players wanting a way to carry lots of scrolls, but eventually you've got to realize, there is NO reason to carry this around, certainly not after rescuing Deckard Cain right in the beginning of the game. Amiright?