Blizzard has now presented new information about the highly anticipated hack and slash Diablo 4 in a developer blog. They are addressing the core themes of the genre: loot and the level process in the endgame, the “Paragon” system.
What does Diablo 4 say about leveling? Blizzard is bringing back the “Paragon” system from Diablo 3, which is an alternative progression system after reaching the maximum level of level 50. Players will have the opportunity to customize their character exactly as they wish.
The Paragon system is Blizzard’s response to the criticism that items in Diablo are essential for character customization and that everything else hardly matters: that is set to change in Diablo 4.
Blizzard says:
- The first “Paragon” board will be unlocked for players of all classes starting at level 50
- Players start in the middle of this 1st board on the central field and can then move through the board
- When players reach a “Gate-Tier”, they can decide which new Paragon board they want to open at that point
The Paragon board as a complex skill system after level 50
How does it work exactly? On the board, there are many different tiles that fulfill different functions:
- “normal tiles” give a small stat bonus – these are apparently the “colorless, dark fields” in the image
- “magic tiles” provide various types of advantages – they are somewhat more powerful than normal tiles, but there are many of them – these are apparently the “brown” tiles in the image
- “rare tiles” bring significant advantages – these tiles also provide special benefits when a player has reached a certain value – these are apparently the few “yellow tiles” visible in the image.
- “legendary tile” – each board only has one of these tiles in the center of the respective boards, so they are only available in the Paragon boards that can be unlocked after the first board
As examples of the effects of the tiles, Blizzard shows this image:
There are also “socket” tiles, where players can use glyphs that provide special effects. The glyphs can be leveled in special dungeons, Blizzard says.
The +Skill items return in Diablo 4
What does Blizzard say about items? Regarding items and loot in Diablo 4, there is a clear statement, that the “+Skill” items will return. When players equip an item that gives them points for a skill they do not have, they gain access to this skill. This is intended to encourage experimentation.
It will even be possible to obtain skills that cannot be unlocked based on level yet – this could provide a significant power boost, according to Blizzard.
A new NPC allows the essence of items to be extracted.
“Transfer certain values from axes to amulets”
With legendary items, it will also be possible to “extract” certain effects and then transfer them to a new item. The old item will then be destroyed, but the ability will remain as essence and can be transferred to a new item.
It is, for example, possible to transfer a specific ability from an axe to another one-handed or two-handed weapon, or to add it to gloves, amulets, or rings. Depending on the item, that particular value can even become stronger – especially with two-handed weapons or amulets.
This will not be possible with unique items.
Additionally, Blizzard announces that certain types of monsters have a higher chance to drop a specific item type.
This is how the ideas are discussed: The first reactions on Reddit are very positive. Especially the complexity of the Paragon board is praised, it looks significantly more complex and exciting than in Diablo 2.
It must also be clear that players will have to make decisions on each board – the number of points they can distribute must be limited so that the decision has an impact.
Apparently, players want that in Diablo 4, they must decide how to design their character, rather than just being able to skill everything.
Diablo 4 is set to be a major title for Blizzard that will last for years:
Blizzard says: Diablo 4 will be a game for several years, giving hints about the release date
