After the test on the PTR, many players and experts were skeptical whether Diablo 4 can continue the upward trend with the new Season 5. Now more and more details about the changes are becoming known and bringing joy. Fans say: Blizzard listens to the players and builds on everything that Diablo 4 has done well in recent months.
What’s in Season 5:
- The big new feature of Season 5 is the “Infernal Hordes”, a roguelite mode with waves of opponents. You will massacre through enemies, collect buffs, and receive loot at the end.
- Additionally, there are numerous balance adjustments and quality improvements. For instance, it will be more pleasant to summon bosses and the world bosses will become significantly tougher.
- Season 5 starts on August 6. You can find all information about the release and contents of Season 5 in our overview.
Here was the criticism: After the good experiences from Season 4, Blizzard also brought the next season to the public test realm (“PTR”) so players could test it in advance. However, there was rather little enthusiasm during the first tests:
- The class balance is still not really good, a nerf for barbarians is ultimately more of a buff
- there seems to be a lack of exciting innovations that would truly characterize a season
- and finally, there was major concern that good features, like the thought cage from Season 4, would disappear again
Some experts said: Compared to the PTR of Season 4, the test of Season 5 is disappointing. Where there was much to discover in the previous season, here the excitement was gone after just one day or less.
The most criticism has been directed at the new mode. It is too exhausting considering that there is too little loot – which you only receive if you make it to the end. Otherwise, you walk away empty-handed and waste your time.
For expert Raxxanterax, for instance, the Infernal Hordes were the only real criticism. He believes that almost everything in Season 5 is an improvement, only the new mode is a flop.
Blizzard is apparently building on the changes from Season 4:
“I’m looking forward to Season 5 now”
Now Blizzard has shared some information about the upcoming changes between the PTR and the season release in advance. Experts Rob and DonTheCrown have already been able to show parts of the upcoming patch notes in their streams. Blizzard fulfills some of the biggest wishes of the fans, including:
- the thought cage remains in the game and is stackable up to three times
- the Infernal Hordes are being revamped – it’s easier to visit them, and the loot is more rewarding
- the classes are much more aligned with each other in terms of their power
In the community, especially the changes to unique items (“Uniques”) are well received. Uniques are getting a overhaul: They will receive additional affixes and their values are supposed to become stronger. According to Rob, the goal is for each build to carry 2-4 Uniques.
On Reddit, a user has already titled Season 5: “Loot Reborn, Episode 2 – Attack of the Uniques”. Overall, the changes that are known so far are well received:
I thought Season 5 would be a pretty weak season because we get the expansion and Season 6 shortly after, and I was okay with that. But after seeing the previews, it’s clear that the changes […] are truly impressive. I’m looking forward to Season 5 now.
That’s all I wanted to say. Good job. The game keeps getting better and better.
Defiant-Sun544 on Reddit
Nevertheless, there are critics who say that this is all not enough. Here, another user suggests that we should keep our expectations in check. What is known so far is just a small part of the official patch notes, which will be released later.
Season 5 will be the last season before the expansion Vessel of Hatred is released. Today, on July 18, the new class Spiritborn will be presented in a livestream at 8 PM. Some experts – including us – have already been able to preview the class, and some are already talking about it: “Everyone will want to play it” – Twitch streamer talks about the new class in Diablo 4, comparing it to WoW
