Dark Tidings: Unveiling the Sinister Depths of Malignancy in Diablo 4

Diablo 4 Season 1: A Season of Malignance

Introduction

Diablo 4 Season 1, titled “Season of Malignance,” is set to bring a host of exciting new features and rewards to Blizzard’s popular RPG. With a fresh storyline, new build options, and terrifying enemies to conquer, players can look forward to an immersive and challenging experience. In this guide, we will explore all the major elements of Diablo 4 Season 1, including the start date, new content, and the innovative mechanic of Malignant Hearts.

The Start Date and Duration

Diablo 4 Season 1 is scheduled to begin on July 20, 2023, and will run for a period of three months, concluding around October 20, 2023. Players can download the season patch starting July 18, 2023, and will be able to experience the non-seasonal changes, such as class tweaks, at that time. Blizzard’s goal is to deliver four seasons each year, each lasting for three months, ensuring a steady stream of new content and excitement for Diablo 4 fans.

The Storyline: Malignant Hearts and the Fight Against Corruption

Season 1 of Diablo 4 introduces a captivating new side story that unfolds after the events of the main campaign. Players will join forces with Cormond, a former priest at the Cathedral of Light, as he embarks on a mission to rid the world of a sinister corruption known as Malignance. This mysterious corruption has been transforming beasts, humans, and demons into bloodthirsty monsters, posing a grave threat to the realm.

Malignant Hearts: Unlocking New Build Possibilities

At the heart of the Season of Malignance is the introduction of a new game mechanic called Malignant Hearts. Similar to gems, Malignant Hearts come in four different varieties, with three color-coded Hearts that fit into slots of matching color in your rings and other jewelry. There is also a universal Heart that can be placed in any slot. These Hearts grant specific buffs and abilities to your character, enabling new build possibilities and enhancing gameplay. For example, landing a critical strike with a specific Heart may imbue enemies with electricity, potentially altering your character’s role in multiplayer sessions.

Throughout Season 1, players will have the opportunity to find 32 different types of Malignant Hearts. As you progress further into the season’s story, you will encounter stronger Hearts. Additionally, certain types of gear have a chance to drop with slots of different colors, offering even more customization options. Any unwanted Hearts can also be salvaged to obtain valuable crafting materials.

Acquiring Malignant Hearts: The Hunt for Elite Foes

Obtaining Malignant Hearts requires players to take on tough new Elite foes. Defeating an Elite exposes its corrupt heart, which can be captured using a Cage of Binding. Once captured, the Elite will respawn as a more challenging foe, accompanied by new spawns. Defeating this upgraded version of the Elite will reward the player with their Malignant Heart.

In addition to Elite foes, certain areas will feature Malignant Tunnels. These mini-dungeons conclude with a Malignant Outgrowth, where players can use special items called invokers, crafted from salvaged Malignant Hearts, to activate nodes and spawn Elites. Defeating these Elites will yield Malignant Hearts that match the color of the corresponding node.

Data Transfer and Progression

While Diablo 4 Season 1 requires players to start a new seasonal character, some of the character data from the Eternal Realm, which represents the game’s endgame content, will carry over. This includes map exploration, regional renown points earned, and activated Altars of Lilith. However, aspects in your Codex of Power, XP, and gear will not transfer.

Blizzard recommends logging into the character that has made the most progress before the season update patch goes live on July 18. This will ensure that the progress is saved to your account and applied to all characters when you log in with them. For example, if you have a Barbarian who has explored a certain area and maxed out renown points there, the new seasonal character will have the same level of progress, including renown points, potions, and skill points. The same applies to new characters created in the Eternal Realm, allowing for a significant head start in terms of progression.

Season 1 Journey: Objectives and Rewards

Each season in Diablo 4 will feature a Journey, which consists of chapters containing various objectives. By completing these objectives, players can earn progress towards their battle pass, which in turn unlocks a range of rewards. The objectives encompass a wide array of activities, such as clearing cellars or defeating specific enemy types. The Journey is designed to offer flexibility, allowing players to focus on objectives that align with their playstyle and preferences. Completing Journey chapters will also grant rare items, including new Aspects that are not available through regular dungeon completion.

Battle Pass and Rewards

Diablo 4 Season 1 includes a battle pass system with both a free track and a paid track. It’s important to note that neither track offers items that affect gameplay. Instead, players will earn cosmetics, mounts, and armor for their mounts. Many of the character cosmetics are usable by all classes, providing a wide range of customization options.

To level up the battle pass, players will earn favor, the currency used for progression. Favor can be obtained by completing objectives, quests, defeating enemies, and earning XP. Seasonal characters also have the opportunity to earn battle pass favor by playing in the Eternal Realm.

In Conclusion

Diablo 4 Season 1: Season of Malignance promises an exciting and rewarding experience for fans of the franchise. With its new storyline, the introduction of Malignant Hearts, and the battle pass system, players will have ample opportunities to customize their characters, explore new build options, and earn exclusive rewards. The Season of Malignance is set to begin on July 20, 2023, and will run for three months, providing an immersive and captivating adventure for all players. So sharpen your blades, gather your courage, and prepare to face the Malignance that threatens the realm of Diablo 4.