As part of the gamescom 2024, Blizzard announced additional features for Vessel of Hatred, the first expansion for Diablo 4. And with that, a feature is being introduced that has been particularly requested by fans of group activities.
In a press release, Blizzard announced new features for Vessel of Hatred. The expansion begins on October 8, 2024, and brings new content for the endgame in Diablo 4, as well as changes to the base game. Additionally, a new area and a new class – the Spiritborn will be added to Sanctuary.
What feature for endgame content is coming to Diablo 4? Fans of group activities will likely be particularly pleased with the new feature for party searching. Since the release of Diablo 4, there has been continuous questioning about new group features in various livestreams from Blizzard and on social media.
In a post on Reddit, discussing the new co-op activity “Dark Citadel”, users write: Diablo 4 needs some kind of party finder. And with Vessel of Hatred, it seems according to the press release, a feature will be introduced that allows you to both search for and create a party.
In a new video, Blizzard introduces the new features and the area from “Vessel of Hatred”:
Party Finder for Endgame Activities
What is the feature for? According to Blizzard, the party finder allows you to create a party and find a suitable party for yourself. An image from the press release also shows various activities identified by their symbols that the party finder includes:
- Dungeons
- Nighmare Dungeons
- Hellish Hordes
- The Pit
- Hell Floods
In a YouTube livestream, the developers noted on August 21, 2024, that the feature will be permanently integrated into Diablo 4. A screenshot also shows that you can use the party finder feature for bosses and for the new endgame co-op activity, “Dark Citadel”.
The party finder can be accessed in various ways:
- through the map
- through the game menu
- through a preset action in the emote menu
You can also refine your search. In the example, it is shown that a party uses tags such as “Farming”, “Voice Chat Preferred”, and “Competitive”. This way, you can specifically find or create a group that matches your preferences – depending on whether you prefer to farm leisurely or grind competitively.
New Co-Op Activity and Mercenaries with Their Own Skill Trees
What other features are coming with Vessel of Hatred? At the “Opening Night Live” show of gamescom 2024, Blizzard presented a new trailer showcasing the mercenaries you can hire in Diablo 4 once the expansion launches. A press release provided further details on the features that will be coming to Diablo 4 in October.
Each of the four mercenaries is unique and has its own skill tree. You can customize your companions to take on a supportive or combat-oriented role – or both. The mercenaries gain “rapport” while accompanying you. Rapport allows you to trade with the mercenaries and obtain powerful loot.
There will be a new co-op activity called “Dark Citadel”. In it, you will solve cooperative puzzles in groups of two to four players and fight against bosses and other dungeon enemies. You can also earn weekly rewards that consist of cosmetics and loot.
Additionally, you can look forward to a new “Time Attack Dungeon” called “Under City of Kurast”, featuring multiple phases and new bosses, where you can level up and loot. The type and quality of loot will be influenced by special keys called “Spirit Attributes”.
Moreover, the progression system for your player characters will be updated, which represents a permanent change to the base game. In a livestream on August 29, players will learn more about the upcoming features in Vessel of Hatred and Season 6.
With Vessel of Hatred, the first new class will come into play – the Spiritborn. In a large event, Blizzard invited various experts for Diablo 4 from around the world to their home in July 2024. MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus was also able to test the Spiritborn from Vessel of Hatred for the first time before the official reveal. You can read more about it here: Diablo 4: I was at Blizzard and tried out the new class from Vessel of Hatred – This is what the Spiritborn can do
