Season 5 of Diablo 4 has started. Here on MeinMMO you will find everything about the start date, the season theme, the season mechanics, and all features.
Season 5 is upon us and brings new content, new items, revised bosses, a new endgame activity, and several “Quality of Life” improvements to the game. So far, the details have been well received, and players say: “The game keeps getting better.”
Season 5: End and PTR
When does Season 5 start? Season 4 ended on August 6, and then Season 5 started. It went live in the evening around 7:00 PM, and the patch was available for download about an hour earlier.
This time there was a preload of the patch. Season 4 came in May with a major patch, and a preload was not possible. Blizzard stated that they are discussing improving the process in the future and giving players more time to prepare with downloads.
When does Season 5 end? Season 5 is shorter this time because: It ends basically with the release of the “Vessel of Hatred” expansion. This will take place on October 8, and that’s when Season 6 starts.
Is there a PTR? Yes, a one-week test of the new features ran from June 25 to July 2. Blizzard discussed the PTR and the changes that followed in Season 5 during a livestream. You can find the highlights from the patch here:
Season 5: Theme and Features
What is the theme of Season 5? Season 5 is the “Season of the Infernal Hordes.” In a previous YouTube livestream, they explained that it is headed towards “Return to Hell.” The new feature “Infernal Hordes” is just a part of it.
The new season mechanic is the Hellbreach dungeons, which are suitable for farming XP, reputation, and loot. The dungeons are meant to remind you of the “Dopamine Tunnel” and prepare you for the endgame activity “Infernal Hordes.”
What’s included in Season 5? In the last “Campfire Chat” livestream, the developers reported on June 21 about numerous updates for Season 5. Blizzard has since also added the new features on the website. We summarize them for you.
New features in Season 5:
- New quest line: There is a new quest line that takes place after the events of the main story and is available in both the seasonal and eternal realms. After completing the quest line, you can fight the “Infernal Hordes” in the new endgame activity.
- New activity “Infernal Hordes” (translated “Höllenhorden”): You activate a “Hell Compass” and then fight against limited-time monster waves and against a boss. This earns you “Burning Ether,” which you can exchange for various rewards:
- You earn Hell Compasses through various endgame activities, such as endgame bosses, Hell Floods, Nightmare dungeons, and Whisper tasks. You can also craft them yourself. There are 8 levels for the compass, each bringing an increase in the number of waves and monster level.
- After completion, you can choose a reward chest that contains either equipment, gold, or materials.
- Reputation system: There will be a reputation system again, similar to that of the Iron Wolves in Season 4. This should allow you to level up faster, unlock seasonal quests, and receive loot and materials. Again, you will receive a “Magnificent Spark” at the end.
- Endgame bosses: The Beast in Ice can then be summoned like the other bosses using materials and no longer requires a Nightmare seal. Varshan only needs one body part instead of four to summon. You no longer need to leave and reset dungeons, but can re-summon the bosses directly at the pedestal after the fight. World bosses are expected to become stronger.
- New items: According to the developers, there will be 50 new uniques and legendaries. Uniques and Mythic Uniques can also be farmed in the “Infernal Hordes.” Additionally, all uniques will be revised to make them better and stronger.
- Mythic Uniques: Uber Uniques will become Mythic Uniques. They will then be purple and receive a new drop sound, making them easier to distinguish from other uniques. The drop chance for Mythic Uniques in non-boss locations will be increased.
- Class updates: The developers will make adjustments to the five classes. Furthermore, the classes will have more options for equipping weapons. For example, Necromancers will be able to wield axes.
- Tempering: The crafting system “Tempering” (hardening) will be revised. Items with larger affixes will receive additional hardening options. Specifically, if an item has 1 larger affix, you can harden it once more. If it has 2 larger affixes, you get two additional attempts – and so on.
- Experience gain: The additional experience you receive when defeating monsters that are above your level will be increased:
- Previously: Character at level 60 kills monsters at level 80 = gains experience for a monster at level 70 + bonus experience
- in Season 5: Character at level 60 kills monsters at level 80 = gains experience for a monster at level 80 + bonus experience
- “Quality of Life” updates: The time required to complete Whisper tasks is expected to be shorter. The number of Whisper tasks in Hell Floods is higher. The loot drops from the treasure goblin are expected to be of better quality. “Magnificent Sparks” and “Scattered Prisms” will no longer be automatically picked up; instead, they will be sent to your chest if you leave them behind.
Season 5: Tips and Best Classes
What should I do before the end of Season 4? You still have a few weeks until the current season ends. With it, your seasonal characters will move to the Eternal Realm, and all seasonal items will disappear. However, the thought cage from Season 4 will be firmly implemented in the game – with the item, you will make Hell Floods stronger and more rewarding.
Additionally, the cosmetic content from the Season Pass of Diablo 4 will no longer be available. You will only receive them during the ongoing season. If cosmetics are important to you and you like the style of the Battle Pass, you should collect them by August 6.
You should also complete (at least) the prologue of the campaign to access seasonal content. Find all Lilith statues, which provide you with permanent bonuses for all characters (not cross-over if you switch to hardcore mode, for example). Reveal the map, collect at least the teleport points in each city, and complete region progress for important bonuses at the start of the new season.
Which class is suitable? Diablo expert wudijo states in a YouTube video that Hunters emerge as winners after the changes with Patch 1.5.0. They receive many strong uniques and buffs. Following the PTR, experts presented the classes and builds that will be the strongest in the upcoming season. And after the patch notes for Season 5 were released, it became clear that especially Hunters and Sorceresses rank high on the tier lists. Based on that, we have created a summary for Season 5: Diablo 4 Season 5 Tier List: The best builds for all classes in the endgame
