The Lord of Hatred expansion is not only adding a second new class and a region to Diablo 4. It is also increasing the level cap from 60 to 70, and that change alone has players talking about what endgame might look like afterward.
Admittedly, at first glance, ten levels does not sound huge, but in Diablo 4 progression, those levels sit right before the Paragon grind. That means the point where builds “come online” could change noticeably.
Where Builds Might Finally Click
Right now, most builds only begin to feel complete around late leveling or early Paragon. With an extra 10 levels, players will likely unlock important key mechanics earlier and spend less time in the awkward in-between phase.
Combined with the skill tree overhaul, this matters even more. Blizzard confirmed that some passives are removed and several effects previously tied to gear are moving into the tree itself. Instead of waiting for a specific drop, parts of a build can exist directly in the character kit.
So, from the sounds of it all, players expect this to:
- Reduce early gear dependency
- Make experimentation easier
- Lower the gap between starter and endgame builds
In short, builds might finally feel functional sooner instead of only after specific uniques.
Item Progression May Also Shift
Community discussion also focuses on item progression. Spotlight footage showed higher item power values and new interactions between skills and uniques. If leveling lasts longer and characters gain more base power before Paragon, loot pacing may need to change with it.
Within the Diablo 4 community, some players even suspect a soft progression reset similar to earlier updates, since the new level range and skill structure would otherwise compress gearing way too quickly.
Why Level 70 Is a Bigger Deal Than It Sounds
The level cap itself is not the real story. What matters is where it sits in progression.
Level 70 moves the line between leveling and endgame. If builds stabilize earlier and gear reliance changes, farming routes, Paragon pacing, and even seasonal balance could feel very different.
In the end, we have yet to see if Lord of Hatred might not just add more power, but also change when your character starts feeling complete.
For more Lord of Hatred and Season updates, check our Diablo 4 news hub.
