Diablo 4 is getting into the swing of things, it seems, with its inaugural ‘Season of the Malignant’ taking centre stage on July 20th. As we step into this treacherous season, expect fresh Legendary Aspects, Uniques, and an inventive mechanic, reminiscent of an attribute from Reaper of Souls. Amidst the razzle-dazzle of the newly unveiled Blood Knight class for Diablo Immortal, Blizzard has sneakily turned the spotlight on Diablo 4, detailing the surprises that Season 1 holds.
Mark the date, Diablo lovers! The ‘Season of the Malignant’ crashes into the scene on July 20th, promising to bewitch players with an elaborate seasonal storyline and spanking new gameplay elements. It’s no secret that Diablo 4’s socket system hasn’t garnered much love from the gaming community.
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Nevertheless, the latest season comes bearing a fresh take on Reaper of Souls’ Legendary Gems, introducing the concept of ‘Malignant Hearts’, Diablo 4’s answer to the beloved mechanic. These shiny trinkets form the crux of the season, offering players the chance to embed them into their gear for a good dose of power-ups.
Yet, unlike Legendary Gems, Malignant Hearts are here to stay once inserted, although replacement is an option. The endgame stages of Diablo 4 will feature a total of 32 Malignant Hearts up for grabs.
Adventurous players can seek out these precious Hearts in ‘Malignant Tunnels’, scattered across Diablo 4’s vast open world, or try their luck by battling Elite enemies imbued with the ‘Malignant’ trait. Be warned, though, only the aptly-named ‘Infested’ jewellery can host a Malignant Heart, so prepare for a bit of a grind to leverage the novel mechanic.
When exactly does the ‘Season of the Malignant’ kick off?
- Clear your gaming schedule for July 20th!
The Legendary Aspects from the ‘Codex of Power’ will be making a return, but players will have to undertake a seasonal journey to re-unlock them. While the campaign will provide many of these objectives, Malignant Hearts and Infested items only become available post-completion of the campaign with at least one character. Diablo 4’s Battle Pass offers 27 complimentary levels that yield crafting materials and cosmetics, applicable across all classes. The premium levels, however, are strictly a cosmetic affair.
In stark contrast to the ‘Codex of Power’, Diablo 4’s ‘Renown’ seamlessly transitions into the ‘Season of the Malignant’. To claim all available Renown bosses, area explorations, and Altars of Lilith for your seasonal heroes, a simple log in on patch day with a character is all that’s required.
To facilitate the process of resetting a character’s Paragon Board, Skills, and Passives, the handy ‘Scroll of Amnesia’ will make its appearance at a yet-to-be-announced date post-Season 1.
What’s more, ‘Helltides’ in Diablo 4 are getting a sizeable upgrade, with Uniques now available to loot from Helltide Chests. As tantalising as the Malignant Hearts seem, players aren’t overly thrilled about their exclusivity to Infested items, as opposed to any jewellery. But, all is not lost, as the developers have hinted that a popular seasonal mechanic may just earn a spot in the ‘Eternal Realm’ of Diablo 4.
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Diablo 4 is currently available across various platforms including Windows PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.