Image: Blizzard Entertainment
New patch notes for Diablo 4’s big 2.0 update have dropped.
Blizzard Entertainment has unveiled the patch notes for Diablo 4’s big 2.0 update, which will be playable on the Public Test Realm (PTR) from September 4 to 11. This update will launch in Season 6 with the game’s first expansion Vessel of Hatred on October 8, 2024.
While the patch notes are extensive, the big ticket item here is the return of Runewords - a mechanic from Diablo 2 that will allow players to power up their equipment even further. Other changes are also coming in the 2.0 PTR, including huge overhauls to character progression, World Tier difficulty levels and class skills.
Blizzard dove into these changes in a movie-length Campfire Chat stream:
Diablo 4’s 2.0 PTR patch notes reveal return of Runewords
Blizzard Entertainment’s 2.0 patch for Diablo 4 will be playable on the Public Test Realm from September 4 to 11, and it’s a big one. During a Campfire Chat developer livestream, the company announced the return of Diablo 2’s Runewords mechanic in this new update. This system will allow players to upgrade their equipment by combining Runestones to allow for different combinations. Players can only equip Runes on their gear if they have multiple gear sockets available.
This feature is changing a little in Diablo 4 for ease of use. First off, players will need up to two gear sockets to pair a Rune of Ritual (which triggers actions) with a Rune of Invocation (which grants effects) to form a Runeword. Each character can have a maximum of two Runewords equipped, but they cannot equip the same Rune more than once. This entire feature is also exclusive to the Vessel of Hatred expansion, and will be unlocked by playing through the campaign.
Once you’ve got a few Runes in your hands, you’ll be able to create your own skills by combining Runes of Ritual and Runes of Invocation in different ways. Performing actions like using Ultimates and potions will build up an ‘offering’ resource using the Runes of Ritual. The Runes of Invocation will then allow you to spend this ‘offering’ to trigger new skills, some of which may even allow certain classes to borrow other class abilities. For example, a Barbarian could cast Frost Nova while a Rogue could cast Petrify.
Even more Diablo 4 2.0 changes
Blizzard is looking to overhaul character progression in Diablo 4’s coming 2.0 update, in much the same way Season 4 overhauled itemisation. That starts with a big level squish: characters will now have a max level of 60, down from 100. This will allow all characters to start getting powerful loot and skills sooner, and at a much quicker pace than before. The game’s World Tier difficulty levels have also been changed to Standard and Torment difficulties.
All character classes are also getting new skills and passives, plus legendary items and two new Mythic Unique items. Skill trees have been updated to create new connections between ability nodes, and Ultimates buffed with new skill ranks. Glyphs can now be levelled in the Pit instead of Nightmare Dungeons, the latter of which will now drop Masterworking materials throughout dungeon runs.
In essence, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred is going to feel like a very different game thanks to an avalanche of new balance changes, an exciting prospect for players who might be returning after some time away. Vessel of Hatred launches on October 8, 2024. You can read the full 2.0 PTR patchnotes here.