Summary
During a Season 8 livestream, Blizzard reveals a huge update coming toDiablo 4, making major game balance changes for Belial’s Return. Blizzard has had no shortage of announcements forDiablo 4as of late, with members of the studio like Rod Fergusson providing fans with glimpses into what Season 8 will be bringing to the popular title.
One of the biggest changes to season 8 is with the battle pass, which is set to receive a major overhaul. ThenewDiablo 4Battle Pass systemwill be known as Reliquaries, with 4 available for players to work through. The first is going to be free with the remaining 3 requiring players to use 200, 500, and 800 Silver respectively. The new system allos players to claim rewards in any order they want, using Favor Tokens from quest rewards and drops from monsters being used. However, Season 8 also appears to have substantial changes planned thanks to the patch notes which have finally been revealed.
During aspecialDiablo 4Season 8 livestream, Blizzard also unveiled a substantial update launching on the same day as the new content. Update 2.2.0 places a large focus on game balance, improving characters like the Barbarian, which is seeing a buff to the Whirlwind skill. Lair Bosses are now more challenging and engaging, with Duriel getting new fight mechanics, Lord Zir seeing a damage buff, and plenty more. Loot and activity rewards were also a big focus of this patch to further improve the overall experience.
Naturally, a major piece of Update 2.2.0 is the arrival of new content, the biggest part of that beingBelial’s return toDiablo 4. For better or worse, this update gives the Lord of Lies a buff to health and damage following feedback on the test server, alongside a few new moves. One of the core mechanics of Season 8 is to collect 24 boss powers like Lilith’s Wave Blast to help take down Belial before he can distort reality.
In addition to all of these game changes, Season 8 is also bringing a special collaboration toDiablo 4with the popular mangaBerserkon May 6. During the event, players can acquire Behelits from defeating enemies, eventually trading those in for unique rewards, like the Hawks Destiny Back Trophy or Skull Knight’s Heraldry Mount Armor. In addition, the in-game shop will have premium armor based on characters from Berserk like Hawk of Light, Skull Knight, and even Guts.
Hammer of the Ancients
Legendary Aspects and Unique Items
Gift of the Stag
Passives and Effects
Aspect of Service and Sacrifice
Prime Death Trap
Items and Tempering
Trap Expertise tempering recipe moved from the Offensive to the Utility category.
Enchantment Master Legendary Node
Tempering
The Elemental Control Recipe has had levels of Convulsion replaced by levels of Static Discharge.
Belial, Lord of Lies
After PTR feedback, the final form of Belial, Lord of Lies was made meaner and more challenging.
Rip and Tear Aspect
Xan
Qax
Vex (+1 to all skills for 10s. Overflow: More ranks up to 3)
Lum (Gain max resource)
Aspect of Service and Sacrifice - Offensive Aspect
Unique items and Legendary Aspects
Wrath of the Berserker
Army of the Dead
Lair Boss Updates
All Lair Bosses have been updated to make their fights more challenging and engaging. This includes increased health and damage across the board, and changes to the fight itself.
Beast in the Ice
Diablo 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or explore an expansive end game and shared world where players can meet in towns to trade, team up to battle world bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play, cross-progression, and couch co-op on Xbox.This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.
