Blizzard has made numerous updates to Diablo 4 since launch, and with the new expansion, the game is evolving once again.
If you took a break after release, during one of the seasons, or just need a refresher on the many changes, you’re in the right place!
Table of Contents
1. New Difficulty Levels
With the 2.0 patch launching alongside Vessel of Hatred, world levels will be removed. Diablo 4 is bringing back torment levels, which allow for better loot drops.
The best part of this system is that you can find all items on “Torment 1” without needing to increase the difficulty further. You’ll receive more loot, and with a bit of patience, everyone can obtain the best items.
2. Character Leveling Changes
When you log in with an old character, you might notice that your Paragon level is not visible. This is because you haven’t reached the new maximum level yet.
All heroes now level up to 60, giving you 10 additional skill points. You’ll also access the new Paragon system, which is now account-wide instead of character-specific. You can climb 300 more levels and allocate Paragon points across up to five boards.
3. New Skills for All Characters
Make sure to explore your characters’ skill trees, as many changes have been made. Blizzard has not forgotten the old classes and has introduced new active and passive skills.
Some classes now have powerful builds worth trying, like the Rogue’s Knife Dance and the Mage’s new Summon.
4. Loot No Longer Works ‘Only on Tuesdays’
At launch, Diablo 4 had a complex loot system, with many affixes only working under specific conditions. Players often joked about these items, calling them “items that only do damage every other Tuesday.”
Fortunately, those confusing items are gone. Blizzard has removed problematic affixes, making it easier to compare items without needing outside help.
Additionally, all items now have a chance for larger affixes. The new ancestral items have a higher item level, roll better stats, and can be improved more by the blacksmith. These items should be your focus in the endgame.
5. Adjust Your Equipment
Since Season 4, you can customize your items more effectively. With the tempering system, you can add new properties to your gear.
Using the right recipes, you can even obtain affixes that don’t normally appear on items. There’s a random element involved, and you have a limited number of attempts, but it’s worth the effort for extra damage multipliers.
You can also upgrade your items using a new resource from Nightmare Dungeons, which increases their item level and stats.
6. Easier Group Play for Everyone
If you want to tackle tougher content or prefer not to explore Sanctuary alone, Diablo 4 now has a group search feature.
Just specify what type of group you’re looking for, and you’ll get a list of players with similar goals. This is great for taking on Torment Bosses or spamming Nightmare Dungeons. You’ll also need this tool for the new Mega Dungeon in Vessel of Hatred.
