Summary
Diablo 4is preparing to launch Patch 1.2.3 across all platforms, which will bring a plethora of welcome changes as it sets the stage for the Abattoir of Zir. Despite its initial success, the latest Blizzard title had its fair share of controversies, as the initial direction ofDiablo 4was poorly received by players merely weeks after launch, with the frustration arguably reaching its peak during the debut ofDiablo 4’s Season of the Malignant. By contrast,Diablo 4’s Season of Bloodhas been near-universally liked by its target audience, and Patch 1.2.3 is meant to be the next step in this journey of course correction.
WhileDiablo 4’s itemization is slated for a revamp in Season 4, the game has seen the addition of new endgame bosses in Season 2 – and as a direct result, theextremely desirable Uber Uniques inDiablo 4can once again be reliably farmed. Though Nightmare Dungeons still comprise the majority ofDiablo 4’s endgame, Greater Rifts are making their debut through the Abattoir of Zir activity in Patch 1.2.3, which unlocks on December 5.
Diablo 4 Patch 1.2.3 Features Abattoir of Zir and Easier Glyph Leveling
Blizzard revealed the patch notesfor the upcoming update on the company’s official website, and while it’s not a full season in its own right, the addition of the Abattoir of Zir is slated to be the perfect capstone to a well-received season. However, there are also two major changes thatDiablo 4players are excited about: Treasure Goblins no longer disappear upon mounting, and glyphs from Nightmare Dungeons now level up faster by a significant margin. The latter change specifically ties into the new design philosophy of “respecting the player’s time,” as manyDiablofans experienced burnout during the initial launch and the subsequent Season of the Malignant.
Though the game still has issues, and the recentsurvey leak about theDiablo 4expansion packhas most players worried, the community feels that it’s in a noticeably better place than it was on release. Build diversity inDiablo 4is wider than ever before, and classes like the Sorcerer are no longer pressured to specialize in Cold Skills to tackle its endgame.
Ultimately, the live service format could end up savingDiablo 4in the long run, as its continued support has given developers enough leniency to tackle the game’s major problems. Of course, this support comes at the cost of an aggressive monetization model, asDiablo 4’s microtransactionshave gotten plenty of criticism from the gaming community as a whole. Patch 1.2.3 will let players test out their might in the Abattoir of Zir until January 23, the end date forDiablo 4’s Season of Blood.
GAMEPLAY UPDATES
Developer’s Note:After reviewing gameplay data and player feedback, we recognized that completing higher Nightmare Tiers was not as rewarding as we initially hoped for, with many players stopping their journey after reaching Tier 50. The experience increase to Glyphs at higher Tiers was made with the intent of incentivizing players to push their builds, making their arrival at Tier 100 feel that much more fulfilling. We will monitor how this change in experience pans out for players and encourage you to provide us with any feedback you have around this system.
Gameplay
Season of Blood
Developer’s Note:A previous Hotfix allowed players to walk through Blood Wells to access Potent Blood. This change reverts the ability to walk through Blood Wells, but in exchange, Potent Blood will no longer spawn in the middle of Blood Wells so it can be easily picked up.
User Interface and User Experience
Developer’s Note:If they choose to play through the Campaign, players that haven’t yet unlocked Mounts must complete the Donan’s Favor quest to unlock them. If the campaign is skipped, you must reach Level 25 before unlocking Mounts. The tooltip previously mentioned Quest completion only, which is irrelevant when skipping the Campaign.
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.
