Blizzard has just released a developer update video chockful of updates coming toDiablo 4Vessel of Hatred, one of which changes World Tiers in a way some may not have expected. Throughout the video, the developers discuss the changes coming which are based on player feedback, but the most eye-catching change is the removal of World Tiers, a system added with Diablo IV that required players to unlock higher difficulty levels before bringing their characters into them.
Players will still have to unlock the highest difficulty tiers, Torment 1-4, but the firstfour difficulty tiers will now always be playableon any character. Also featured weremajor adjustments to Paragon progression, which is now completely separate from character level and shared across all of a player’s characters on a given server. Other changes includemoving the leveling of Glyphs from Nightmare Dungeons to The Pit of the Artificier,and a guaranteed Legendary item every time you kill a Loot Goblin or The Butcher!
Diablo 4: Vessel Of Hatred Release Date, Preorder Bonuses, & How To Get Prepared For The DLC
Diablo 4’s first major expansion, Vessel of Hatred, may be its biggest content update yet. Here’s what to expect from the upcoming DLC.
Splitting and Streamlining Player Progression in Diablo IV
How These Changes Affect Leveling Up in Vessel of Hatred
The World Tier system, added atDiablo IV’s launch, required players to reach certain levels and clear “capstone” dungeons to unlock World Tiers beyond Tier 2. In the upcoming patch, however,all characters can now move freely between the first four difficulties; Normal, Hard, Expert, and Penitent.
Previously, characters earned Skill Points to use in their class tree up to level 50, receiving a Paragon Point every 25% of a level as they progressed past that to level 100. Now, a player’sParagon Level will be separate from the character level and shared across all characters on the same realm, be it Seasonal, Eternal, Hardcore, or Normal. Players will now earn character Skill points from levels 1-60, and receive Paragon levels for any progress they make beyond the new level cap.
For any current players with Eternal characters higher than level 50,Paragon levels will be rewarded retroactivelyto make up for the level squish, giving them a head start to explore theother new changes to Paragon Boardsfeatured in the developer update.
Blizzard is Finding the Fun Based on Player Feedback
Some of These Changes May Feel Familiar to Diablo 3 Fans
Long timeDiablofans will note that more than one of these changes bringsDiablo IVback in line with the previous entryin the franchise. The more accessible difficulty tiers should feel very familiar to anyone who has playedDiablo 3, as should Glyph Rank progression’s movement fromDiablo IV’s Nightmare Dungeons tothe new Pit of the Artificier.
Many of the more complicated new systems and features inDiablo IVwere advertised as areturn to the older gameplay philosophiesofDiablo II. While recapturing the franchise’s true glory days isn’t a bad idea,I believe these new changes that streamline systems and get players to the fun faster is healthier for the game than chasing that hardcore, old-school feeling. Be sure to check out our article withall the information you need to prepare for the launch ofDiablo IV: Vessel of Hatrednext week!
