Corruption Engulfs Sanctuary in Season of the Malignant
Corruption has taken hold of Sanctuary in Season of the Malignant, marking the first season of Diablo IV. Commencing on July 20 at 10 a.m. PDT, players can expect a range of exciting new features, including a Season Journey, Questline, Boss, Dungeons, Battle Pass, and more. In this article, we will provide a detailed preview of what’s to come. Stay tuned for another article on July 18, where we will delve even deeper into the new Season, unveiling 6 new Unique Items and 7 Legendary Aspects.
Season of the Malignant Theme
A deviant form of Lilith’s sinister machinations has spawned a new threat known as Malignant Monsters. These decayed abominations wander the realms of Sanctuary, attacking anyone they encounter without hesitation. Players will embark on a new Questline to investigate this mysterious malady, guided by Cormond, a former priest of the Cathedral of Light. Cormond will not only aid in the investigation but also train players in capturing the Malignant Hearts that power these vile creatures. By harnessing the captured hearts, players can unlock new powers that alter their builds. The unchecked malignancy within the armies of the Burning Hells poses a grave danger, and it is up to the players to eradicate it before Sanctuary falls under its control.
Transmuting Malignance into Vengeance
To combat the relentless animosity of Malignant Monsters, players must turn their own Hearts against them. Slaying Partly Corrupted enemies, a specific type of Malignant Monster, will yield Malignant Hearts. These hearts can be captured by performing a ritual using the Cage of Binding, an item obtained during the Season’s Questline. However, capturing the heart will cause the Partly Corrupted enemy to transform into a Fully Corrupted enemy upon defeat. Defeating these amalgamations of rot will yield a version of the Malignant Heart, which can be placed into special Infested sockets in the player’s Jewelry, replacing a Normal Gem.
The first season introduces 32 Malignant Hearts across four categories, each providing unique and powerful bonuses. As players encounter more formidable Malignant Creatures, the strength of their Malignant Hearts will increase. We have much more to share about the Season’s theme, and we eagerly await the opportunity to do so in the future.
One of the prime locations to acquire Malignant Hearts is within the new Malignant Tunnels. These highly replayable Dungeons are filled with fearsome foes waiting to be eradicated. Players must explore these dank tunnels, seeking the catalysts of Malignant Monsters. For those daring enough, a confrontation with Varshan the Consumed, the newest Boss battle, awaits.
How Seasonal Characters Function
With the onset of the Season of the Malignant on July 20, it is essential to familiarize oneself with the mechanics of Seasons.
To partake in Seasons, players must create a new character on the Seasonal Realm. There is no requirement to purchase a Battle Pass or any additional add-ons to access the Seasonal content. However, completion of the campaign on either the Eternal or Seasonal Realm with at least one character is necessary. Once the Campaign is completed, any Seasonal character will start the game with the following:
- The option to skip the Campaign.
- Immediate availability of the player’s Mount.
- Unlocked Altars of Lilith and corresponding Renown.
- Revealed areas of the map and corresponding Renown.
At the end of the Season, the character and their progress will be transferred to the Eternal Realm. All collected items, including those in the Seasonal stash, will also be transferred. Players can then continue playing with this character in Sanctuary, although Season-specific features such as Malignant Hearts will no longer be accessible.
Beliefs Behind Seasons
Seasons provide a unique opportunity for developers to introduce innovative gameplay mechanics into Sanctuary for a limited time. The reset nature of Seasons allows for the creation of exciting and fun Season themes without the need to balance them with past or future mechanics. It provides a fresh starting point, building upon the strong foundation of the Eternal Realm.
Seasons also encourage exploration and experimentation. Players are encouraged to try different classes or experiment with new builds for their favorite class. Seasons offer a chance to unleash creativity while battling against demonic forces.
Moreover, Seasons promote fair competition. Designed for new characters, they present challenges that can be conquered by players together. Everyone starts on an equal playing field, setting the stage for thrilling and fair gameplay experiences.
Earn Rewards with the Season Journey and Battle Pass
As players hunt down Malignant Monsters, collect their build-enhancing Hearts, and collaborate with Cormond to uncover the corruption’s source, they will earn rewards through the Season Journey and Battle Pass.
The Season Journey is divided into Chapters, each containing a set of tasks to be completed. Progressing through the Journey grants players various rewards suitable for champions of Sanctuary. These rewards include new Legendary Aspects, a Mastery Title, and a Scroll of Amnesia, which allows for a free Skill Tree and Paragon Board reset. Additionally, the Journey provides Favor, a resource used to progress through the Battle Pass tiers. Favor is earned naturally by playing the game, whether by slaying demons, completing quests, and more.
The Season of the Malignant Battle Pass consists of 90 tiers, with 27 free tiers and 63 premium tiers. Free tiers reward players with Smoldering Ashes, which can be spent on Season Blessings. These blessings provide bonuses to experience, gold, or Obols, depending on the chosen blessing. However, the bonuses from Season Blessings only last until the Season of the Malignant concludes.
By purchasing the Premium Battle Pass, players gain access to the rewards from the free tiers and unlock additional rewards, such as Awoken Armor Sets, Mount and Mount Armor bundles, and Platinum. Players can also choose to skip tiers by spending Platinum, although certain character level requirements must be met to claim Smoldering Ashes rewards.
Acquire Hellish New Looks from the Shop
The Shop introduces an array of new equipment, armor, accessories, and Mount and Mount Armor bundles that exude fiery style. Starting from July 20, players can visit Tejal, the shopkeeper, to peruse her collection. It’s worth checking back regularly, as Tejal will update her stock throughout the Season of the Malignant. One notable find from the far reaches of Sanctuary is the Mother’s Protection collection, depicted above for the Necromancer. Each class has a unique look available in this rare collection.
Prepare to immerse yourself in the Season of the Malignant, where corruption runs rampant, Malignant Monsters threaten Sanctuary, and the battle for vengeance begins. July 20th marks the beginning of an exhilarating journey filled with challenges, rewards, and a chance to shape your destiny in Diablo IV.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
