Diablo 4 continues to evolve, and Season 5 promises to be one of the most exciting yet. Although shorter due to the upcoming Vessel of Hatred DLC, this season is packed with significant updates and new content that will keep players engaged. From new legendary and unique items to the introduction of a wave-based survival mode, Season 5 offers a plethora of changes and improvements.
New Quest Line and Endgame Activity
Season 5 brings players back to Hell with a new quest line set after the main story. This quest is available on both the Seasonal and Eternal realms, and completing it unlocks the new endgame activity, The Infernal Hordes.
The Infernal Hordes
The Infernal Hordes is a wave-based survival mode inspired by roguelike games. Players face endless, increasingly challenging hordes of enemies. Between waves, players choose between three ‘Infernal Offers,' each providing a powerful boon and a dangerous bane, enhancing the risk/reward dynamic. Surviving long enough culminates in a battle against the Fell Council, reminiscent of Diablo 2, with the reward being access to the valuable Spoils of Hell.
Legendary and Unique Items
One of the standout features of Season 5 is the introduction of over 50 new legendary and unique items. This significant expansion refreshes the loot pool and offers new mobility and utility options for various classes. Notably, Necromancers gain new methods to increase their mobility. Additionally, all classes now have access to a broader range of weapon types, providing more versatility in builds.
Quality of Life Updates
Blizzard is implementing numerous quality-of-life updates in Season 5, aimed at improving the overall gameplay experience.
Repeated Boss Fights
Endgame bosses can now be fought repeatedly without the need to reset dungeons. This change allows for more efficient farming and quicker progression.
Simplified Farming
The process of summoning Varshan has been streamlined, now requiring only Malignant Hearts instead of a full collection of body parts. This adjustment makes it faster to farm Varshan and obtain the associated rewards.
Rebalanced Whisper Bounties
Whisper bounties have been rebalanced during Helltides, making it faster to farm Grim Favors. Additionally, uniques and mythic uniques (previously known as uber uniques) can now be obtained from Whisper Caches, the Purveyor of Curiosities, and Helltide Tortured Gifts, increasing the chances of acquiring ultra-rare endgame items.
Accessibility Enhancements
Season 5 introduces several accessibility options to make the game more user-friendly.
Auto-Pin New Quests
An ‘auto-pin new quests' option automatically places a map pin on your current destination when you activate a quest, eliminating the need to manually place them.
On-Screen Compass and Audio Navigation
An optional on-screen compass and audio navigation assistance have been added to help players navigate more efficiently and reach their destinations with ease.
PTR Schedule
The Diablo 4 Season 5 PTR (Public Test Realm) runs from June 25 to July 2. It is available to all players with a Battle.net account on PC. Players with the Season 4 PTR client installed will see it update to the Season 5 PTR upon its launch.
Season Duration and Future Plans
Due to the upcoming Vessel of Hatred DLC, Season 5 will be shorter than usual. However, Season 6 will begin alongside the expansion, ensuring a fresh start for all players when Vessel of Hatred arrives in October.
Conclusion
Despite its shorter duration, Diablo 4 Season 5 is shaping up to be one of the most significant updates yet. With a wealth of new content, including a new quest line, the Infernal Hordes endgame activity, a vast array of new legendary and unique items, and numerous quality-of-life improvements, players have plenty to look forward to. Prepare Diablo 4 Gold and Diablo IV Items for an exciting journey back to Hell and get ready to test your skills against the Infernal Hordes.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a new player, Season 5 offers something for everyone. Dive into the PTR to get an early taste of what's to come and start planning your builds and strategies for the challenges ahead.
MMOexp Diablo 4 Team