Two iconic franchises collide to bring in maximum blood and guts.
Blizzard has finally revealed the details for the previously-teased Diablo IV and Diablo Immortal collaboration with Kentaro Miura’s dark fantasy magnum opus: Berserk.
It’s a crossover that makes almost too much sense; Berserk’s bleak, blood-soaked world fits right into the cursed landscapes of Sanctuary. The collaboration will include limited-time cosmetics straight out of the manga, combat challenges, new shop bundles, and a strangely adorable new pet to accompany you in battle for Diablo IV. Diablo Immortal's Berserk crossover will feature a new boss fight, a challenge event, new loot, and log-in rewards.
What is Berserk?
Any longtime anime and manga fan will know exactly what Berserk is and how it’s a cultural phenomenon, thanks to its masterful storytelling about the tragic tale between two of its most iconic characters: Guts, the Black Swordsman, and Griffith, the Hawk.
But if you’re not familiar with the series, here’s what you need to know before diving into the collaboration:
Berserk is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by the late and great Kentaro Miura, and has been serialised since 1989, first through Hakusensha’s now defunct Monthly Animal House, before continuing publication through its replacement, Young Animal.
After Miura’s passing in 2021, Studio Gaga and Kouji Mori stepped in to collaborate on finishing up Berserk in his memory. Currently, there are a total of 42 volumes for the series.
Dark Horse Comics, in conjunction with Digital Manga Publishing, licensed Berserk for a North American release in 2011, and describes the story as:
His name is Guts, the Black Swordsman, a feared warrior spoken of only in whispers. Bearer of a gigantic sword, an iron hand, and the scars of countless battles and tortures, his flesh is also indelibly marked with The Brand, an unholy symbol that draws the forces of darkness to him and dooms him as their sacrifice. But Guts won't take his fate lying down; he'll cut a crimson swath of carnage through the ranks of the damned -- and anyone else foolish enough to oppose him! Accompanied by Puck the Elf, more an annoyance than a companion, Guts relentlessly follows a dark, bloodstained path that leads only to death...or vengeance.
Diablo IV x Berserk suits you up in iconic armour
The Diablo IV x Berserk collaboration, which will last from 7 May to 3 June AEST/UTC+8 will include an event where slaying elite enemies will yield players Behelits, which will then be used to earn Berserk-themed cosmetics. The cosmetics are as follows:
- Hawks Destiny Back trophy
- Skull Knight’s Heraldry Mount Armor
- Brand of Sacrifice Marking
- Foretold Eclipse Headstone
Once players avail all of the items in the Reliquary, they will earn the Od of the Berserker Emblem, which is described as “a potent symbol that aligns with the unflinching violence of its wearer.”
More information regarding this event can be gleaned from Blizzard’s blog post breaking down the details.
In addition to this event, iconic armour that featured in both the anime and manga will be available for purchase in the in-game shop, and are as follows:
- Berserker Armor (Barbarian): Guts’s Berserker armour which first appeared during the Falcon of the Millenium Empire Arc (Chapter 222).
- The Skull Knight (Necromancer): the armour worn by the mysterious and enigmatic foe of the inhumans, the Skull Knight.
- The Hawk of Light (Rogue): the original armour worn by Griffith during the Golden Age Arc, when he was still the leader of the Band of the Hawk.
- The Struggler (Rouge): Guts’s original armor prior to the Falcon of the Millenium Empire Arc.
Besides the armour, a new pet bundle will also be introduced, and will include the fan-favourite Chimimimoryo astral creature lovingly named by the fandom as Schnoz. Schnoz will be accompanied by the Mask Rakshas Mount Trophy.
A new mount and armour bundle, called The Warhorse of the Hawk and inspired by Griffith’s re-emergence as the leader of the new Band of the Hawk, will include the Fantasia Mount, Fantasia’s Bridle, Reborn Band of the Hawk Mount Trophy, and God Hand’s Gift Mount Trophy.
Diablo Immortal x Berserk thrusts you right into the Eclipse
The Diablo Immortal and Berserk crossover, which will occur from 1 May to 30 May AEST/UTC+8, will pit players into an event titled “Struggler’s Path”. The event will feature:
- A boss fight featuring the menacing Nosferatu Zodd, an immortal warrior who relishes in the thrill of battle: Players will have the ability to face an even more powerful Zodd if they have the Crimson Behelit Gem.
- Struggler’s Bane: enter the profane sacrificial ceremony of the Eclipse, and fight multitudes of demonic creatures, including a new unique boss waiting to execute the Godhand’s bidding.
- The Crimson Behelit Gem: a new Legendary Gem that can grant a variety of buffs when activated.
- Golem Familiar: Schierke’s Golem Familiars are joining the fray as sturdy constructs ready to protect you from even the deadliest enemies. Throughout the duration of the Struggler’s Path event, the first summoned Familiar is guaranteed to be a Golem. The Golem is also customisable.
New armour will also be added as the “Broken Band’s Armament”, and will feature the following:
- The Berserker Armor
- Hawk of Light
Similarly, weapon cosmetics themed after Berserk will be made available, totalling 8 skins for each class, including Guts’s signature weapon: the Dragon Slayer greatsword.
A log-in rewards campaign will be active throughout the duration of the event, and will net players the following rewards:
- 1x Struggler’s Path Weapon Cosmetic
- Crimson Behelit Legendary Gem
- Eclipse Portal Cosmetic
- Eclipse Frame
- 10x Legendary Crests
