Diablo 4 Season 1: No New Class, But Plenty to Explore
The burning question on every Diablo fan’s mind leading up to the launch of Season 1 was: will there be a new class? The short answer is no. Diablo 4 Season 1, titled “Season of the Malignant,” does not introduce a new playable class. While this might be disappointing to some, Blizzard has packed the season with a plethora of new mechanics, items, and challenges to keep players engaged, and a new class is already on the way in a future expansion.
What to Expect in Diablo 4 Season 1
Instead of a new class, Season 1 focuses on introducing a new storyline centered around Malignant Hearts and Malignant gear. Players will encounter new enemies, unique bosses, and a host of new legendary and unique items, available across both the Eternal and Seasonal Realms. Season 1 provides a fresh experience without the need for a new class, focusing on a new gameplay loop that has players hunting for corrupted monsters to harvest their Malignant Hearts.
The absence of a new class in Season 1 isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It allows players to delve deeper into the existing five classes: Barbarian, Necromancer, Sorcerer, Rogue, and Druid. Each of these classes offers a unique playstyle, and mastering them is a significant part of the Diablo 4 experience.
The “Eternal” Realm vs. The “Seasonal” Realm
A crucial aspect of understanding Diablo 4 Seasons is the separation between the Eternal Realm and the Seasonal Realm. The characters you’ve been playing since the game’s launch reside on the Eternal Realm. To participate in Season 1, you must create a brand-new character on the Seasonal Realm. This reset ensures everyone starts on an equal footing with the new seasonal mechanics and content.
Once the season ends, your seasonal character and all of their items will be transferred to the Eternal Realm. This means you won’t lose the progress made during the season; instead, you’ll have a new character and loot to play with on the Eternal Realm after Season 1 is over.
Why No New Class in Season 1?
The decision not to introduce a new class in Season 1 allows Blizzard to concentrate on delivering a compelling seasonal narrative and refining the game’s existing mechanics. It gives the developers time to ensure a new class is balanced and polished before its release, rather than rushing something out for the sake of adding new content. Moreover, introducing a new class alongside a season can sometimes overwhelm players.
Furthermore, Diablo 4 is slated to receive a new class with its first expansion in 2024. This suggests Blizzard is planning to introduce a new class as part of a major content update, providing more depth and reasons to explore the game again.
Current Class Balance and Popularity
While there isn’t a new class in Season 1, it’s worth discussing the current class landscape. The Rogue has emerged as a consistently strong contender, with the Twisting Blades build being particularly potent for its rapid damage output. The Sorcerer, despite being a popular choice, has been described as the “worst class to play as” by some players due to certain performance issues. The Druid has also been mentioned as being less popular than other classes based on achievement stats, although this varies among different player communities. On the other hand, the Necromancer is often recommended for solo players due to their versatile skill set. The Barbarian has been recommended as the easiest class for beginners along with the Necromancer.
Focus on the New Seasonal Content
Season 1 invites players to experience the new Malignant mechanics, which include Malignant Hearts and Malignant gear. These new elements provide engaging challenges and offer powerful new items for players to hunt for, keeping the game fresh and exciting. In addition, new bosses and unique items add to the loot grind, encouraging players to try out different builds and experiment with new playstyles.
The Importance of Skipping the Campaign
One key piece of advice for players participating in Season 1 is to skip the campaign. To access seasonal content, you must have completed the campaign once on the Eternal Realm. After that, you can bypass the campaign when creating a new Seasonal Realm character, allowing you to jump straight into the new seasonal activities and maximize your time spent enjoying the new content.
Conclusion: Anticipating Future Updates
While Diablo 4 Season 1 doesn’t introduce a new class, the absence is filled with a wealth of fresh content and mechanics. The focus on Malignant Hearts, new items, and the seasonal narrative provides a compelling reason to dive back into Sanctuary. With plans for a new class in an expansion later next year, there’s still plenty to look forward to in the world of Diablo 4. The Season 1 content is sure to keep players engaged and excited until Blizzard drops more new classes in the future.
Diablo 4 Season 1 FAQs
What new features are introduced in Diablo 4 Season 1?
Diablo 4 Season 1 introduces Malignant Hearts and Malignant gear, new bosses, unique items, and a new seasonal storyline.
Do I need to create a new character for Diablo 4 Season 1?
Yes, you must create a new character on the Seasonal Realm to participate in Season 1. Your existing characters remain on the Eternal Realm.
What happens to my seasonal character after Season 1 ends?
Once the season ends, your seasonal character, along with all items in their inventory and stash, will be transferred to the Eternal Realm.
Will I lose my progress at the end of Diablo 4 Season 1?
No, you will not lose your progress. Your seasonal character and items will be transferred to the Eternal Realm.
Is the campaign required to access Season 1 content?
You must complete the campaign once on the Eternal Realm to access Season 1 content. However, you can then skip the campaign on any new seasonal characters.
What is the most popular class in Diablo 4?
According to achievement stats, the Sorcerer is the most popular class, though its performance is considered less than ideal by some. The Rogue has proven to be very strong and remains popular.
What is the least popular class in Diablo 4?
The Druid is often cited as the least popular class, though this varies between different communities.
What is the most powerful class in Diablo 4 Season 1?
The Rogue is generally considered to be one of the strongest classes, particularly with the Twisting Blades build.
What is the best solo class in Diablo 4?
The Necromancer is often recommended for solo play due to their versatile skills and ability to summon undead allies. Along with the Sorcerer and the Barbarian.
What is the easiest class to play in Diablo 4?
The Barbarian is often recommended as one of the easiest classes for beginners. As well as the Necromancer and the Rogue.
Is there a shared Paragon level across characters in Diablo 4?
No, there is no shared Paragon level in Diablo 4. Each character has their own independent Paragon progression.
Will Diablo 4 expansions be free?
No, Diablo 4 expansions are not expected to be free. Blizzard has confirmed there will be paid expansions alongside the free seasonal content.
When will a new class be added to Diablo 4?
A new class is expected to be introduced with the first expansion in 2024.
What carries over to my new character in Diablo 4?
Some progress is carried over between characters, including renown progress and map discoveries. This is to provide seasoned players with a boost in the early game.
Is the Blood Knight coming to Diablo 4?
No, the Blood Knight will not appear in Diablo 4. This character is exclusive to Diablo Immortal, despite both games featuring vampire-themed content.