In response to the criticisms surrounding Season 3, the developers wasted no time and significantly streamlined the season mechanics through an emergency hotfix. This week, another patch is set to smooth things over.
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Swift Response to Criticism
The developers of Diablo 4 swiftly reacted to the critiques of Season 3, deploying an emergency hotfix on Friday, January 26, 2024. This hotfix notably enhances the season mechanics surrounding traps, vaults, and the upgrade stones for the pet companion. Zoltun’s Protection buff in vaults now grants ten stacks per pearl instead of three, and traps now trigger with a delay or shoot their projectiles slower.
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Additionally, the hitbox of traps has been reduced. Therefore, you can now traverse vaults with fewer pearls and open additional chests. Through vault runs and crafting at the jeweler, the leadership and tuning stones of your squire companion will be easier to level. Instead of the previously announced several hours to reach level 10 stones, after the patch, many ambitious players will have most stones at level 10.
Streamlining Key Mechanics
Traps and the companion are the main focus of Season 3. To alleviate player frustration, these two mechanics have been significantly simplified. As seen in the video above, traps now play virtually no role in vault runs.
You can now invest your pearls in Malphas runs, whose hit points have rightfully been increased retroactively. Previously, the season boss was a one-shot for well-equipped level 100 heroes.
Read Also: Diablo 4: Unique Drops, Timer & More – Changes For World Bosses In Season 3
On the official Diablo forum, Community Manager PezRadar announced that in addition to emergency hotfix 1.3.0a, Patch 1.3.1 will also be deployed this week. The patch notes for this will be available early this week. The patch aims to implement further player feedback on Season 3. Previously, the patch notes for Patch 1.3.1 were released by the devs, but quickly deleted.
Communication Challenges
The latter somewhat reflects the communication surrounding Season 3. Apparently, the schedule for Season 3 of Diablo 4 was tightly knit, or the developers found themselves in a bind due to the holidays at the end of 2023. What do you think the second patch (1.3.1) for Diablo 4 will bring, and what would you wish for?
