Diablo 4 is an upcoming action role-playing video game that is set to be the fourth installment of the Diablo series. The game is currently being developed by Blizzard Entertainment and is expected to be released sometime in 2023. After the highly successful release of Diablo 3, many fans are looking forward to seeing how Blizzard has evolved the game with the upcoming release of Diablo 4. While the game will still feature many of the same elements and mechanics that were present in the original series, there are a few major changes that have been announced that are sure to shake up the game in a major way.

 

• Armor
• World Bigger
• Various events
• Customization
• Evade ability
• End-game systems
• Codex of Power
• Skill tree system
• Paragon system
• Clans
• Respawn
• Personal Loot
• Consumables
• Crafting
• Transmogrification
• PvP and PvE
• World Tiers
• Seasons Journey
• In-game shop

 

 

Armor

One of the most notable changes is the inclusion of armor to reduce magic damage, a role that was previously reserved for resistances. Armor in Diablo 4 will provide 50% of its reduction to both physical and magic damage, and its power is correlated to a new system called item power, akin to item level in World of Warcraft. Monsters in Diablo 4 will also have armor that will scale with their level, and the developers must be sure to ensure the player's power will out-skill the monster's armor so that the game doesn't become too difficult.

 

World Bigger

The world in Diablo 4 will be much larger than before, with regions 10 to 20 times bigger than any in prior Diablo games. The open world will also feature dynamic weather, day and night cycles, and certain class skills can even change the weather temporarily. Players will explore over 100 different settlements, towns, and strongholds, with friendly towns featuring waypoints, vendors, quests, and other players to trade with. Strongholds will be overrun by monsters and must be cleansed in order to turn into friendly towns, and they will be instanced for just the player and their party until they are cleansed.

 

Various events

Players will also encounter various events in the open world, from escort quests to defending key areas from attackers, world bosses and even a dedicated player-versus-player zone called the Fields of Hatred. The campaign in Diablo 4 will be a 35-hour, non-linear experience and many of the quests players will encounter will involve helping the simple folk and their villages. Lore books will also be returning, which serve as a storytelling device and will give players xp upon picking them up.

 

Customization

Diablo 4 is also introducing some big changes to the game's customization, such as the lack of runes and rune words at launch, and the fact that the Diablo monster won't be making an appearance right away. Despite these changes, Blizzard has promised to deliver an immersive and exciting experience with Diablo 4, and players can expect to experience the full game when it launches later this year.

 

Evade ability

One of the most interesting new features is the Evade ability. By pressing the space bar, players can perform a short-distance dash, allowing them to evade attacks. This is especially useful as monsters have abilities that can stun or blind the player for a few seconds, giving them plenty of time to perform the Evade.

 

End-game systems

The end-game systems are also expanded in Diablo 4, with the new Renown system. Renown is earned by completing various tasks such as unlocking waypoints, completing side quests, finding altars of Lilith, liberating strongholds, and more. As players progress, they will unlock Renowned milestones, rewarding them with bonus experience, Diablo 4 gold, skill points, extra potion charges, and Paragon points.

 

Codex of Power

The Codex of Power is another new end-game system, where players can imbue legendary aspects on rare or legendary items by unlocking them through dungeons and finding them in the open world. The primary stats also have a primary and secondary bonus, with the bonus being the same for all classes. For example, Intelligence increases all resistance, regardless of class.

 

Skill tree system

The skill tree system has also been completely revamped, with players now able to put a maximum of five points into skills, as well as upgrades and passives. Additionally, they can refund a single point or their entire skill tree for gold, although it is free early on when characters are still learning.

 

Paragon system

The Paragon system has also been updated. Unlocked at level 50, it will provide players with a huge amount of end-game customization, with each tile on the Paragon board having a different rarity, granting better bonuses. Additionally, two game modes are currently planned, Normal and Hardcore, with Offline play and Solo Self-Found not yet confirmed. For those interested in grouping up, groups can be formed with up to four players, with an XP buff based on the number of players in the group.

 

Clans

The most notable of these is the introduction of clans, which come with a clan banner and a clan bank for storing and sharing items. Clan leaderboards are also being explored, although their implementation has yet to be confirmed. 

 

Respawn

When you die in Diablo 4, you will respawn at your last checkpoint with all of your equipment. This is a huge improvement over Diablo 2, which required you to retrieve your corpse to get your gear back. Your inventory is now organized into four different tabs: Equipment, Consumables, Quest Items, and Aspects. Each item takes up the same amount of space, which is different from both Diablo 2 and 3. 

 

Personal Loot

Players will also have their own personal loot, so you don't have to worry about loot thieves. The itemization system has been tweaked as well. Creature types now have increased chances of dropping certain items, such as bandits dropping maces, crossbows, and boots, and Drowned dropping pants. Additionally, each weapon type has inherent characteristics which cannot be modified. 

 

Consumables

Consumables will also be available in Diablo 4, such as Stamina Potions and Thawing Potions. There is also a new gambling system, which uses Ovals, the currency earned through completing world events, to purchase items. Gems are also making a return, but their stat bonuses depend on the item they are placed in. 

 

Crafting

Crafting is back in Diablo 4, although it works differently than in Diablo 2. Instead of combining items, specific materials must be found by slaying monsters or in the open world. Crafting will not yield the most powerful items, but item modification will be more important. Players can also salvage their gear at the Blacksmith. 

 

Transmogrification

Transmogrification is also returning, allowing players to change how their gear looks. Elite and Champion Monsters are back, with Champion Monsters only appearing in Nightmare Difficulty. Elite affixes, like Mortar, Frozen, and Waller, are being joined by Enhancing Affixes, which improve a monster’s base powers. World Bosses are also being added, with a unique Stagger System that causes Crowd Control effects to fill up a Stagger Bar. 

 

PvP and PvE

PvP and PvE are also being added, with players dropping an Ear when killed and Hardcore players able to keep their character if they die through PvP. A new World Objective system, the Tree of Whispers, is also being added, with rewards such as experience, Diablo 4 gold, and Grim Favors (which can be exchanged at the Tree of Whispers for loot and experience). Nightmare Dungeons are being added as well, with rewards such as more powerful Nightmare Sigils and increasingly rare items. 

 

World Tiers

Instead of difficulty modes like in Diablo 2 and 3, Diablo 4 will have World Tiers, with World Tier 1 and 2 available from Level 1 and World Tier 5 (Torment) unlocking as you progress and clear specific content. Hell Tides will also begin to appear after reaching World Tier 3, with monsters dropping Cinders, a currency used to open Hell Tide chests that reward items exclusive to a single item slot. 

 

Seasons Journey

The biggest addition is the Seasons Journey which will be similar to that of Diablo 3. Players will be able to complete objectives and gain rewards such as set items, pets, and cosmetic items. A new feature called the Season Pass will also be available, with players able to purchase a paid version which includes premium tiers and cosmetic items. Additionally, season boosts will be available to accelerate player progress during an active season.

 

In-game shop

Diablo 4 will also feature an in-game shop where players can purchase cosmetic items with real money. Unfortunately, some features from previous games will not be included in the game. This includes followers, mercenaries, charms, an auction house, single-player, and offline play. However, the developers have stated that these features are all subject to change, so the game may still feature them in the future.

 

Conclusion

Diablo 4 looks to be an exciting and action-packed game that is sure to please the millions of fans of the Diablo series. From the intense dungeon-crawling gameplay to the new features such as shared-world multiplayer and new classes, there's plenty to look forward to with the upcoming release of Diablo 4. While the game is still in development, these major changes have been announced and are sure to make an impact on the gaming experience when the game finally releases.