Blizzard Reveals Details of Diablo IV’s Upcoming Patch 1.1.1
Blizzard Entertainment hosted a livestream on July 28 to discuss the much-anticipated 1.1.1 patch for Diablo IV. The developers provided insight into their plans for the update, and highlighted the changes players can expect when it releases on August 8, 2023.
The Diablo IV community has expressed discontent with recent changes made to the action RPG. A patch released prior to the game’s first season introduced sweeping alterations to classes and quality of life features, which were largely met with negative feedback. Players felt that the changes made the game more grind-heavy and less enjoyable. Recognizing the disappointment, Blizzard publicly acknowledged their missteps and vowed to avoid releasing such patches in the future.
While comprehensive patch notes will be released on August 2, the recent livestream shed light on some of the upcoming changes. Lead class designer Adam Z. Jackson announced that the Sorcerer and Barbarian classes will undergo significant revisions. The Sorcerer, in particular, will receive improvements to its late-game survivability to address the difficulties it faces in higher Nightmare Dungeon tiers.
Blizzard is also focusing on what they refer to as “kiss curse mechanics,” where players receive powerful benefits but also experience nerfs to balance the game. For example, an expected change to the Serpentine Aspect spell will increase its duration instead of reducing it.
The Barbarian class will also see early game improvements, such as enhanced Fury generation. Additionally, Unique items for Barbarians will have their effects swapped for more useful ones, enhancing the late game experience. While the other classes will receive updates, they won’t be as extensive as those for the Sorcerer and Barbarian. Druids, on the other hand, can look forward to increased Spirit gains.
Blizzard also discussed their vision for expanding build options in future updates. They aim to ensure that different playstyles, such as Overpower, Crit, and Damage Over Time builds, are relatively equal in power. The team plans to improve how skills and effects scale as players level up, potentially allowing for late game builds that utilize abilities often overlooked. Examples provided include Barbarians spawning earthquakes or dust devils, and Necromancers leaving damaging shadow trails.
Additionally, the developers intend to reduce the reliance on specific scenarios for skill functionality. For instance, changes will be made to the Sorcerer’s chain lightning skill to grant bonus damage when Enhanced Chain Lightning bounces off any target.
The contentious reversal of the dungeon teleportation time was announced during the livestream. Originally increased from three to five seconds to prevent players from escaping tough encounters and boss fights, Blizzard listened to community feedback and reverted the change back to three seconds.
Another complaint addressed was the perceived low drop rate of Legendary items from Treasure Goblins. Although the drop rate was actually 50 percent, Blizzard acknowledged player frustration and made adjustments. Starting from level 15, Treasure Goblins will now guarantee dropping a Legendary item.
The 1.1.1 patch will also bring quality of life updates. Monster density in Nightmare Dungeons and Helltides will be increased to provide a more intense gameplay experience. Bosses will have their health boosted, but players at level 35 and above will be rewarded with a guaranteed Legendary item drop. Legion events will also include a guaranteed Legendary drop.
On the technical side, the patch aims to address a specific VRAM issue for PC players, resulting in enhanced game stability.
Patch 1.1.1 is scheduled to release on August 8, with full patch notes set to be released on August 2. Diablo IV players can look forward to a more balanced and enjoyable experience with the upcoming changes.