Summary
Blizzard releases a new update forDiablo 4to adjust and fix a number of issues currently impacting Season 3 players. Blizzard originally revealedSeason of the Construct forDiablo 4a few weeks back, giving fans a look at what Season 3 is bringing to the table. Taking place in the Kehjistan region, players are facing off against a demon known as Malphas, who has taken over Zoltun Kulle’s lab stored with technology and constructs. In addition to delving into new dungeons called Vaults, players would also get access to their own allied construct known as The Seneschal, which could be customized to compliment various playstyles.
Unfortunately, Season 3 hasn’t been nearly as smooth as manyDiablo 4players have expected, especially coming off of the popular Season of Blood. After the launch of the season, fans have been fairly vocal at what isn’t working well in the season, including the construct companion feeling underwhelming and not worth the effort to level it up. Others have gotten frustrated with the Vaults feeling unfair with the traps coming off as too strong and hard to avoid consistently. Thankfully, Blizzard has heard these concerns and has begun the process of evolving the gameplay mechanics through the newest update.
In response to player feedback,Blizzard has begun making updates toDiablo 4based on feedback from fans to address concerns about the current season. The first change is with the Echo of Malphas, an end game level boss located in the Vault of the Loom dungeon. In addition to a buff to the health pool and a level increase from 85 to 100, Blizzard has added a new item called Ingeous Cores, so players can access the Uber Vault rather than having to spend Pearls of Warding. Alongside the boss buffs, the rewards players can earn have also been increased with more Legendary Items and improved odds for finding Unique Stones.
The other main focuses of theDiablo 4patch, outside of bug fixing, include quality of life updates to Vaults, Arcane Tremors, as well as much-needed buffs to The Seneschal. Blizzard has increased the Zoltun’s Warning stack from 300 to 999, and better yet, consuming one Pearl of Warding now grants 10 stacks instead of just 3. Blizzard also tweaked numerous gameplay elements, making Vaults more rewarding while removing some of the more frustrating aspects, like Obelisk Hazards having knockback effects.
As forThe Seneschal companion inDiablo 4, Blizzard attempted to make the companion more powerful by giving players more ways to earn Governing and Tuning Stones to help level it up faster. Part of that is tweaking the cost of crafting these stones, which is now set at 200 Shattered Stone and 20 Iron Chunks regardless of level. Completing Whispers can now reward Governing and Tuning stones, Seneschal Stone Caches now reward 2, and Son of Malphas will drop 2-3 after defeat. Finally, Experience requirements have also been reduced to allow them to be ranking up more naturally with the player’s leveling experience.
Diablo 4 Update 1.3.0a Patch Notes
Echo of Malphas
Developer’s Note:We have noticed players tended to use their Pearls of Warding for fighting Echo of Malphas instead of on Zoltun’s Warding. We are adding in Igneous Cores—a new item used solely to summon Malphas instead of Pearls—so players don’t have to choose between extra protection in the Vaults or fighting the boss. Additionally, we have made the fight against Malphas more difficult but also increased the rewards it provides.
The Seneschal
Developer’s Note:We’ve received feedback that the Seneschal does not feel powerful. The Seneschal becomes more powerful as it reaches max level, but we have noticed that many players have not had the chance to level up their Seneschal enough to experience this. We are introducing multiple changes to ensure players have more sources to earn Governing and Tuning Stones from so they can level up their Seneschal and unlock their new companion’s full potential.
Vaults and Arcane Tremors
We have made multiple quality-of-life changes to the player experience in the Vaults and Arcane Tremors.
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.
