Seasons in Diablo 4 are a thing of beauty, with major new drops meant to keep the action fresh for the hardcore demon slayers. Seasons 1-3 are over, so prepare for Season 4 and all the hell that awaits.
So when exactly can you expect this latest seasonal update to hit? What new features and gameplay changes are coming down the pike? And just how drastically are they shaking up the loot grind this time around? Let’s dive into all the juicy details!
Season 4 Release Date
Season 4 of Diablo 4 was originally set to begin its unholy reign on April 16. But Blizzard ultimately put off it for about a month to give themselves time to implement feedback from the public test realm (more on that soon).
Season 4 will now officially premiere on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024. By the way, that’s almost exactly four months since the last Season of the Construct began back on January 23.
The update will normally start the season around 10 am PT/1 pm ET. If Blizzard sticks to their usual three-month rotation, Season 4 should run until mid-August before Season 5 takes over.
Public Test Realm (PTR) Sneak Peek
For PC players, it means getting hands-on with upcoming updates before they launch. From April 2nd to April 9th, the Diablo 4 public test realm gave people an early look at Season 4’s new features.
Unfortunately, console warriors were left out in the cold, as the PTR is currently only available on Battle.net. For those who participated, it provided the opportunity to elevate a test character to maximum level and equip them with top-tier gear. This enabled a comprehensive exploration of the forthcoming endgame content adjustments in Season 4.
More importantly, it gave Blizzard a chance to collect feedback and data based on the PTR build. That directly influenced the small delay to May 14th, giving the devs extra time to implement any necessary tweaks before the new season’s full release.
The Big Loot System Overhaul
Let’s talk about the marquee new headliner for Season 4—a total rework of how loot and item affixes function in Diablo 4. The overall goal is to prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to the gear grind.
For starters, both Legendary and Rare items are having their maximum number of affixes reduced. Legendaries will be capped at 3 affixes while Rares will have just 2. The tradeoff? Those remaining affixes will pack way more of a punch and be more tailored toward specific builds.
You’ll also only start seeing those highly coveted Sacred (World Tier 3) and Ancestral (World Tier 4) items at the appropriate difficulty tiers. No more lucking into them too early!
But don’t worry, you’ll still be able to bolster your gear over time thanks to two new systems – Tempering Manuals and Masterworking.
Tempering Manuals are new items that drop from enemies, containing bundles of affixes revolving around different builds or archetypes. You can take those Manuals to a blacksmith to apply one of those affixes randomly to an existing item. Just be aware that the Tempering does have durability, so you can reroll a limited number of times.
Masterworking, on the other hand, is the new long-term endgame item customization grind. By gathering rare materials from activities like the newly added Pit of Artificers, you’ll be able to slowly and incrementally upgrade the ranks of your item affixes.
Other Season 4 Goodies
While the loot revamp is easily the biggest shakeup, there are plenty of other fresh content and quality-of-life improvements coming in Diablo 4 Season 4.
The Helltide events, for instance, are getting an overhaul with a new threat meter that builds as you slay more demons. Once you hit the highest tier, you’ll be “Hell-Marked”, drawing the full force of hell’s armies down upon you in a total frenzy. Those looking for that extra endgame challenge should get a kick out of it.
There’s also a new super boss entering the fray named Andariel. This big baddie will share the same loot pool as the existing Duriel encounter. However, you’ll need to gather special summoning ingredients by defeating the Beast in Ice and Lord Zir first.
Last but not least, Diablo 4’s classes are going under the balancing microscope for Season 4. Expect a fresh new round of updates, nerfs, and system overhauls for all classes – not just incremental damage or health tweaks. The Barbarian class, for example, is losing its inherent 10% damage reduction in favor of making that stat more rare to find overall.
The Season of Refined Hellfire
Summing it up, Diablo 4‘s Season 4 is about refining the endgame experience into a leaner, more rewarding loot pursuit. Some players may lament having fewer affixes upfront. The new Tempering and Masterworking mechanics seem primed to make each powerful item feel much more earned and customizable.
Sure, the start date delay to May 14th is a bummer for eager demon slayers. But the extra polish could go a long way toward ensuring this new loot paradigm hits the ground running and hooks people in for the long haul. After all, what’s one more month when you’re dealing with the eternal struggle against the Lords of Hell?
Whether you’re an ultra-hardcore veteran or a fresh-faced newcomer, get hyped! Season 4 of Diablo 4 is bringing the endgame loop we’ve all been dying for. Just remember to stock up on wrist braces, because the grind is about to get apocalyptic.
