Diablo IV’s Season 4 Is Called Loot Reborn, Going Live on May 15

Diablo IV is entering its fourth seasonal content on May 15. Titled ‘Loot Reborn’, the action RPG will be given massive changes, specifically on the game’s itemization as well as new experiences to Helltide, one of the game’s common endgame activities.

Here’s a rundown of the significant changes coming when season 4 goes live:

• Itemization Updates: How players engage with items has been fundamentally changed to improve the existing itemization system. Base affixes have been reduced and are going to be simpler going forward. The goal is to make items easier for players to parse through and determine if they are useful, and the item can then be upgraded and customized to fit a specific build.

• Tempering: A new system that allows players to customize gear that they find. To access Tempering, head to the blacksmith and choose a recipe to temper from. A random affix from that recipe will then be attached to the gear. Players will be able to find recipes from almost all of the content throughout Sanctuary.

• Codex of Power: The Codex has received a big change based on feedback. Going forward every single legendary will be added to the Codex of Power to allow players to continually imprint the best version of that legendary onto your gear. No longer will players need to carry around aspect crystals in their inventory.

• Greater Affixes: A new and rare type of affix will be available in the form of Greater Affixes and can be found on Ancestral drops in World Tier 4. These Greater Affixes roll bigger values than what is normally available for that affix. 

• Masterworking: Once a player has an item with all the affixes they want in it, they can go through the process to upgrade those affixes to even higher values. Once a player feels their build is complete and they have the best items, they can test themselves in the Pit.

• The Pit: Players who have maximized their build can challenge this new end game system and unlock rare crafting materials to further masterwork their gear. 

• Helltides: Helltides are ramping up this season with a variety of new activities. Players will now encounter more cultists conjuring demons and doomsayers created from unfortunate people caught in the tide. Those that manage to survive long enough in the updated Helltides will face off against the Hellborn, former heroes of Sanctuary who have aligned with the demons of Hell. Take down these Hellborn to earn materials that will allow you to engage with Accursed Rituals.

• Accursed Rituals: These are botched rituals from cultists that players can activate to draw in demons and monsters for an all-out battle. Survive the onslaught of demons and you will be paid a visit by the Blood Maiden, a brand new Helltide mini boss and the ultimate challenge in this new experience.

• Iron Wolves: The Iron Wolves have taken up the fight against Hell and they seek the head of the Blood Maiden. Join up with them and progress through the Call of the Wolves Seasonal activities to earn honor. This honor will unlock access to rewards that empower your Seasonal Journey.

This is a significant change coming to the game, but this will be the first season and changes will be adjusted based on a recent PTR to test the changes coming to season 4.

Tormented Souls and New Endgame boss - Andariel

All summonable bosses will now be available starting at level 200 as Tormented Echoes. These bosses can still be summoned the normal way but these versions will require more resources to do the summon. In turn, the rewards for beating these Tormented Eachoes will be greater and all items dropped from them will be item level 925. For an added reward, beating your first Tormented Echo will drop one Resplendent Spark and will be account bound.

For season 4, Andariel will be a new endgame boss that will rival another endgame boss Duriel as she too will have a chance at dropping the rare Ubber Unique items. You can find her in the east of Tasarak, in Hanged Man’s Hall. Those who want to summon Andariel will need summoning materials from Lord Zir and Beast in Ice.

Developer livestream focused on Season 4

Blizzard is set to present Season 4 in more detail in a developer livestream happening on May 2. Here, the team will present the new system features, balance updates, and what they’ve learned in the recent public test ream (PTR). Those joining the stream will be associate director of community Adam Fletcher, associate game director Joseph Piepiora, lead live class designer Adam Jackson, lead live game designer Colin Finer, and lead seasons designer Deric Nunez.

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