Diablo IV Season 1 – Season of the Malignant Overview
The first season of Diablo IV, known as the Season of the Malignant, follows the traditions set by previous games in the franchise. While some community members and developers are excited about the update, many players are skeptical about whether the Malignant will bring enough excitement. The question remains whether it is worth grinding and trying out Diablo IV Season 1.
The Overview of Diablo IV Season 1 – Season of the Malignant
To properly judge the season, we must understand how the season mechanic works. Significant updates often bring new features to the game to reignite players’ interest. However, the Season of the Malignant does not introduce many new elements. Players did not have high expectations for Season 1 since it is the first one for Diablo IV.
Diablo IV Season 1 introduces the theme of the “Season of the Malignant,” where the world of Sanctuary faces a dire threat known as “Malignance.” This sinister force corrupts both humans and creatures, spreading chaos and danger. Cormond, a former priest of the Cathedral of Light, plays a crucial role in combating this corruption and seeks the aid of courageous adventurers.
Players join forces with Cormond to confront the challenges posed by this insidious force. As Sanctuary becomes a realm of peril and malevolence, adventurers must unite to stand against the impending darkness. However, they will need to harness the power of the Malignant to combat the upcoming threat.
As expected, a campaign for the upcoming season provides context for the current theme. However, the main questline is short and can be completed in just a few hours. The lore of the whole season can be experienced relatively quickly.
The Introduction of Malignant Hearts
The Malignant Hearts mechanic is intriguing as it offers significant character boosts. However, the usefulness and effectiveness of these items vary for each class. Some classes have powerful Hearts that can be considered game-changing, while others have weaker ones.
The Necromancer and Rogue stand out as the classes with the best Malignant Hearts. Barbarians and Sorcerers, on the other hand, have slightly weaker sets of Hearts. Druids have moderately valuable drops, but they still compare unfavorably to the Necromancers and Rogues.
One drawback of this mechanic is how you acquire the Hearts. To obtain a Malignant item, you must use a cage to capture the Heart of a slain enemy. This action feels unnecessary and time-consuming, as simply dropping the loot would achieve the same result.
The Campaign
As previously mentioned, there is not much to expect from the upcoming quests in terms of excitement. They primarily provide context for the current situation in Sanctuary. Diablo IV relies on rich storylines and lore in addition to its gameplay, so the lack of an engaging season campaign may dampen players’ enjoyment. If you haven’t started the season yet, keep your expectations in check for this feature.
The Seasonal Journey
One of the more exciting aspects of this update is the Seasonal Journey. This feature provides players with a list of activities and goals they must accomplish during the season, serving as a tutorial for newcomers and contributing to progression in the battle pass. However, the Seasonal Journey does not have much connection to the Malignant Heart mechanic.
Season 1 Battle Pass
The most interesting aspect of this season is the Battle Pass (BP). While most of the Battle Pass content is paid, the free content still offers valuable rewards. However, the best rewards, including armor and cosmetics, are found in the paid content.
If you are willing to spend money, it is worth buying the paid content of the Battle Pass. Unlocking levels and receiving corresponding rewards can enhance players’ satisfaction with the season. You don’t need to complete the entire pass to feel accomplished; reaching Level 75 is sufficient for most players. If you want to fully enjoy the current Battle Pass, investing in the paid content is highly recommended.
Overall Review
If your goal is to quickly finish the Battle Pass, it may be worth playing the season early. However, if you can wait a few more weeks, additional patches may be introduced to improve class balancing and power creep. Starting right away is acceptable, but it might also be a good idea to hold off on starting your seasonal character.