Vessel of Hatred: A Deep Dive into Diablo 4’s Expansion
Blizzard is gearing up for the launch of Vessel of Hatred, the highly anticipated expansion for Diablo 4. This upcoming update promises a lot of fresh content, including a thrilling campaign set in the lush, mysterious region of Nahantu, the introduction of the Spiritborn class, and a variety of new mechanics like runes and mercenary companions.
Major Features of Vessel of Hatred
Blizzard has introduced substantial changes in the base game, enhancing the gameplay and mechanics in preparation for this expansion. Players will see class overhauls (like the Necromancer) and more powerful loot than before. These adjustments have transformed Diablo 4, making it almost unrecognizable from its original state, setting the stage for an easier transition into the new content. With every expansion, players can expect new classes, features, and mechanics, and skipping these updates might leave you feeling left out.
“The expansion marks a new chapter in the world of Diablo, bringing fresh content and mechanics that will push the boundaries of what’s possible within the game.”
When Can You Play Vessel of Hatred?
The official release for Vessel of Hatred is set for October 7, 2024 on Steam and Battle.net for North and South American players, with a global release a day later. Players using Battle.net can preload the game right now, while Steam users will need to wait until the official launch date.
Despite Microsoft’s acquisition of Blizzard, Vessel of Hatred won’t be available on Game Pass at launch. The base game might be there, but this expansion will require a separate purchase.
What’s New in Vessel of Hatred?
Here are some key highlights:
- New Region: Nahantu
A jungle region at the southern tip of the map, Nahantu is rich with secrets and provides an expansive playground for players to explore. - New Class: Spiritborn
The Spiritborn class channels martial arts and animal spirits. Resembling the monks of Diablo 3, Spiritborn players can summon massive creatures like centipede gods to devastate their enemies. - Mercenary Companions
Players can now recruit mercenaries to fight alongside them. These companions offer unique buffs and skills, making combat more dynamic and strategic. - New PvE Co-op Dungeon
A new endgame dungeon, The Dark Citadel, will challenge teams of two or more players, offering rewards and a unique currency for cosmetics and gear upgrades.
How the Spiritborn Class Works
The Spiritborn class brings a lot of complexity to Diablo 4. This martial arts-based class can summon animal guardians from the spirit realm to wreak havoc on foes. Like Druids, they can specialize in different animals, each with unique buffs and abilities. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each animal guardian offers:
- Eagle: Increased movement speed and enhanced ranged skills.
- Gorilla: Buffed defense and stronger melee attacks.
- Jaguar: Boosted attack speed and high mobility.
- Centipede: Life steal and poison-based abilities.
These varied skills allow Spiritborn players to mix and match abilities, making it a versatile and fun class to experiment with.
Mercenaries in the Expansion
With Vessel of Hatred, you’ll get access to four mercenary companions, each with unique abilities and traits:
- Raheir: A shieldbearer who creates protective barriers.
- Veryana: A melee fighter who gets stronger by slaying multiple enemies in rapid succession.
- Aldkin: A demon-transformed child with potent ranged attacks.
- Subo: A skilled archer, raining down arrows from a distance.
As you battle alongside these mercenaries, you’ll build trust (or rapport) with them, unlocking skill points, item caches, and better bartering options for unique gear.
Co-op Dungeon: The Dark Citadel
The Dark Citadel is a new co-op dungeon that requires a minimum of two players to complete. The dungeon is divided into sections, and its challenging bosses require teamwork and strategy to defeat. Completing the dungeon will reward players with an item cache and a special currency that can be used for cosmetics or rerolling gear stats.
Runewords: Craft Your Own Skills
In Vessel of Hatred, runes return, allowing players to craft their own custom skills. By combining different runes, you can create powerful effects, like using a healing potion to reduce skill cooldowns or turning your evade into a teleportation move like a sorcerer’s spell.
Runes will drop from enemies after they are unlocked during the campaign. The system encourages players to experiment and try out different combinations to maximize their combat effectiveness.
Will You Need the Expansion?
You don’t have to purchase the expansion to continue enjoying Diablo 4. However, owning Vessel of Hatred will unlock exclusive content like the new Spiritborn class, mercenaries, and the Nahantu region. Rod Fergusson, the boss of Diablo, has mentioned that everyone will have access to Season 6, which launches alongside the expansion, but owning the expansion will provide a much richer experience.
