In the original release of D2:ED Ba'al would drop unique class equipment (I got a hammer that I used for the rest of the game, though I had the fjords mostly cleared before I returned to Broken Valley). In DKS he only drops elder and epic class equipment.
That's a shame.

Why would they change that in DKS? A "demon of such caliber" should've been a bit more generous!
About the Gremory chest, any epic piece I found in it wound not stand against the ones I already had from the Flying Fortresses. And I forgot to say that the chest spawned a few item over level 26 but those were ranger items, mine is a dual-wielding battle mage. You're L37 before entering HoE? That's great! I don't think I'll reach 36 unless a good dose of wisdom.
I returned the potion of wisdom to my god-fearing alchemist, Wesson got your cuirass but the real loss is Myrthos! I gave vacca his gem back so no problem there. I think I'm good for go.
Thanks a lot buddy, really appreciate the help.