This article covers the June 21, 2024 Developer Livestream. The main topic for this stream is Season 5 and its upcoming PTR.
Season 5 Timings
The Season 5 PTR will go live via Battle.net on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. This test will run for one week, similar to the previous PTR. This means the PTR will conclude on July 2, 2024.
Season 5 is still set to begin after Season 4 ends, on August 6, 2024. Season 5 will be shorter, lasting until the Vessel of Hatred Expansion release date of October 8, 2024.
Season 5 New Content
The highlights for the new season are the brand new Infernal Hordes mode and we got a glimpse of a number of new uniques.
Infernal Hordes
Infernal Hordes is a brand new wave-based gameplay mode that requires a pre-quest that starts in Zarbinzet. It follows a Nightmare Dungeon sort of gameplay loop of portaling in, completing the content, then returning to where you were.
We’ll enter using a new Consumable, an Infernal Hordes Compass. These Compasses can be upgraded with an Abyssal Scroll, increasing their difficulty up to a maximum of 8.
A new currency, called Burning Aether, is added for the Infernal Horde. It can be used to purchase rewards from completed Infernal Horde. Can be used to get Gold, Pit Materials, Equipment, or even Items with Greater Affixes.
The bosses for Infernal Horde are called the Fell Council. These are resurrected Council members from Diablo 2. There are a total of 5 of them, but each run only has you fight 3 at a time.
the Infernal Hordes also offer new Unique and Legendary rewards to hunt for. These are available everywhere but are easier to acquire in this content.
New Uniques
As usual, a New season means more Uniques. Below are the ones shown off on stream
Season 5 Changes
A patch containing balance changes to classes, unique and legendary items and quality of life improvements is going to be accompanying Season 5, as always.
Uniques and Legendary Items
Uniques can now be target-farmed from the Obol Vendor, Helltide Chests, and Whisper Caches. They can drop from their respective chests and caches.
Balance around Uniques is changing. They’re being balanced to be strong and more competitive with many 2H Weapons getting the Chance to cast Projectile Tempering Affixes as well.
Uber Uniques are now referred to as Mythic Uniques. They also received visual updates to better distinguish them from other unique.
Class Updates
One of the more interesting changes that was shown on the stream was that more weapons would be available to more classes.
Alongside this change, there’s a whole host of changes coming. Many weaker build types are being buffed, as well as more playstyles being opened up through new Uniques and Legendaries.
Quality of Life
Helltide Whispers are being grouped better and made less tedious, allowing 10+ Whispers in roughly 15 minutes. Additionally, Baneful Hearts are being made less common, so they don’t stack up faster than they can be used.
Tempering will get more ways to have control over Tempering RNG. Greater Affixes will also each grant one additional Temper Re-roll.
Varshan will only require one part to summon, instead of 4. Beast in Ice will have a shorter Dungeon and no longer require a sigil to summon. Summon Altars will re-appear after defeating the boss.
Q&A Recap
The stream hosts always end with a Q&A sesseion. Below is a quick recap of the questions answered live today.
Q: Any new Class Buffs coming?
A: Yes. There are a lot of balance changes coming for all classes, but there are more changes coming specifically for Sorcerer’s Enchantment System and Barbarian’s Arsenal System in the future to make them feel more impactful.
Q: Will Infernal Hordes be available in Eternal or only Seasonal Realm?
A: As part of expanding the endgame, it will be available in all realms.
Q: What levels should we expect in later stages of Infernal Horde?
A: Difficulty 8 (the highest available) has enemies that are around level 180.
Q: What’s the philosophy on the rate of power gain?
A: They don’t want there to be any friction in the early game, letting players reach the end game quickly. Early Tempering is strong, may be toned back a bit but will remain impactful.
Q: If we’re able to Temper Uniques now, is there any chance they could be Imprinted as well?
A: It’s a possibility in the future, but for now we’re only looking to buff them and have a strong identity without them becoming crazy strong.
Q: What is the seasonal theme?
A: The Theme is all about returning to Hell, but they’re not ready to reveal the name just yet.
