The newest season of Diablo IV is almost here, with Blizzard set to release “Season of the Construct” on Jan. 23. The newest update for Diablo IV is scheduled to go live at 1 p.m. EST that day.
Whether you played “Season of Blood” or not, there will be some new things introduced in “Season of the Construct” for players to sink their teeth into.
From companions, to new questlines, dungeons, events, bosses and even gear and aspects, there is no shortage of reasons to fire up a new character next week.
So, what’s new in the third season of Diablo IV? Let’s break it all down.
Companions
For the first time in Diablo IV, players will have their own companion.
The Seneschal companion can help you fight enemies and its abilities can be customized by combining any of the 12 Governing and 27 Tuning Stones (more on those shortly).
Dungeons and events
Tired of running the same old dungeons? Well, you’re in luck with Season 3, as the game will introduce elemental Vaults, where players will deal with enemy Constructs and deadly traps and hazards. These dungeons can be reached through a new town hub called “The Gatehall.”
Rewards from these dungeons will include Tuning Stones, which enable you to customize and upgrade your seasonal companion.
In addition to Vaults, Arcane Tremors are new limited-time events in the open world, where players will be tasked with taking on enemy Constructs and a final boss, a Herald of Malphas.
Governing and Tuning Stones
Governing and Tuning Stones will be needed to customize the abilities of your companion. The former will be used for attacks while the latter will help strengthen those attacks and add utility.
Stones can be leveled to increase their power and improve upon their existing abilities. In order to do this, players must collect or craft duplicates of the ones they wish to level up and then fuse them to gain experience.
There’s a guaranteed drop of a random Tuning Stone after completing a Vault run, and Wardwoven Chests are another way to obtain them.
Both stones can drop from downed enemy Constructs in Arcane Tremors and Vaults, but that method only offers a small chance to get them.
In addition, Shattered Stones are a material that can be used to craft both. They drop from enemy Constructs and can be used at Jewelers.
Questline and boss fight
As was the case with Season 2, “Season of the Construct” will introduce a new questline for players to embark on, this time in the Kehjistan region.
Included in the questline is a new boss, Malphas, who is stationary. Malphas can also use the arena against players to aid in trying to bring them down.
Unique items and Legendary Aspects
Ready for some fresh gear and builds? Season 3 offers just that, with Diablo IV adding six new Unique items and seven new Legendary Aspects for players to utilize.
Quality of life changes
“Season of the Construct” will also give players some quality of life changes. Here are five of them:
- Persistent Helltide
- Skill tree respec mode
- Increased rates on items needed to summon the Beast in Ice
- Movement with W-A-S-D
- Improvements to UI when trading gold
- Extra stash tab
Leaderboards
Last but not least, this season will introduce the Gauntlet, where players will compete for a spot on weekly leaderboards, a feature players have been yearning for since launch.
Here’s more on that, per the game’s official website:
Prove your might in the Gauntlet, a new weekly challenge dungeon, to improve your rank and fight for a top spot on the Leaderboards. Only the Top 1,000 mightiest Wanderers of each playstyle–including Solo Class, Party, Normal, and Hardcore–will make their mark on the weekly Leaderboards, and only the Top 10 can claim a permanent home in the Hall of the Ancients.
Unfortunately, the Gauntlet won’t be available right away and instead will be introduced later in the season. An exact date is not yet known.
