Blizzard has released the preload files for Diablo IV version 2.18/1.118, giving players early access to the upcoming Season of Hell’s Legacy content. This update prepares the game for its official launch on September 15 and introduces significant changes to itemization and class balance. Players can now download the new season's data ahead of the live release, allowing for immediate engagement with the new features.
New season brings legacy uniques and class balance shifts
The Season of Hell’s Legacy brings a new Prime Evil questline and Waking Nightmares encounters to the game world. It also adds eight new Soul Splinters tied to demons and artifacts, including Andariel, Azmodan, Belial, Duriel, Lilith, Na-Krul, Skarn, and the Black Soulstone. These additions expand the endgame progression systems and offer new ways to enhance character power through specific demon-related items.
Nine Legacy Unique items are being permanently added to the game, including Leoric’s Crown, Nemesis Bracers, Stone of Jordan, Squirt’s Blouse, Arioc’s Needle, Henri’s Perquisition, In-Geom, The Furnace, and Messerschmidt’s Reaver. The update also adjusts single-element resistance affixes to have seven times the value of All Resistance. Additionally, the cost to craft Royal Gems has been reduced from 30 to 10 Forgotten Souls, making these items more accessible.
Class balance changes include a reduction in Barbarian strength damage scaling from 1.1% to 0.8% per 10 Strength. Druids receive increased Willpower scaling, rising from 1.25% to 1.625% per 10 Willpower. The PTR patch notes indicate major buffs for Druid, Necromancer, Paladin, Rogue, Sorcerer, Spiritborn, and Warlock classes, with specific focus on Cold builds for Sorcerers and Cutthroat-focused builds for Rogues.
War Plans reputation is now shared across eligible alts on the same account, streamlining progression for players with multiple characters. The update ships globally on September 15, bringing these changes to all regions. We looked at Diablo IV earlier while tracking Blizzard's seasonal updates to understand the impact of these balance shifts.
Source: MP1ST
