Blizzard’s developers recently shared more insight into the big crafting changes coming in Diablo 4 Season 11. In interviews with creators Raxxanterax, Rob, and DuQ, the team explained why Tempering and Masterworking were redesigned, and what they are planning next for the game’s item systems.
Why Tempering and Masterworking Changed
Originally, Tempering was meant to make early item crafting more meaningful, “better to brick early than later,” as the devs put it.
But with time the systems became slightly outdated, and were not really giving the results intended. When you “bricked” your items, it just felt punishing. That is why Tempering is now fixed, allowing you to directly target the affix you want.
For Masterworking, the new system basically still works the same as the old method, just without all the extra RNG. However, the developers admitted they might have gone too far with this one, and are considering adding a touch more randomness or “hype” back into the system in future updates.
The Future of Crafting
Crafting is becoming a major focus for the team. The developers teased the idea of a full “zero to hero” crafting path, where even white, blue, or yellow items could serve as valuable bases for endgame gear.
They also confirmed that loot filters are in active development!
Sanctification as a Late-Game Experiment
The new Sanctification mechanic, that lets you gamble for powerful late-game item bonuses, is described as a “test.” It is meant as the ultimate endgame crafting system, and the team wants to see how players deal and enjoy systems like this, before adding any permanent content.
Overall, the developers seem focused on creating a crafting system that will feel rewarding for everyone, less frustrating, and without losing the exciting feeling of crafting something better!
