With Diablo 4’s next expansion, Lord of Hatred, getting closer as we are about to enter 2026, now seems like the perfect time for players to start theorycrafting and speculating about what comes next. One idea that keeps coming up lately is the possibility of a completely new item tier, tied to Talismans and a different take on set bonuses.
Nothing here is confirmed, but the discussion has picked up steam across Reddit and other community spaces, especially around how itemization could evolve beyond the current Mythic-heavy endgame.
Talismans As a New Take on Set Bonuses
Instead of bringing back traditional green set items, a lot of players believe Blizzard might introduce set-style bonuses through Talismans. The idea is that Talismans would simply act as a container for slottable charms, and certain combinations would unlock bonus effects the same way green set-items did in the past.
This would give players access to set-like power without locking them into specific armor slots. For many people, that flexibility is the main appeal. You get synergy bonuses, but you still keep control over your core gear choices.
Within the community, some players even think Talismans could come with their own item and drop color to clearly separate them from existing gear tiers.
A New Item Color and Real Chase Items?
One detail that triggered a lot of speculation is a new stash tab color option that does not match any current item tier. It is visible in the stash edit menu right after the Mythic purple and looks closer to the red used for Primals in Diablo 3.
That has players wondering if the expansion could introduce a new tier focused on perfect or near-perfect rolls rather than raw power. Something closer to a true chase item again, rare, exciting to see drop, but not mandatory for every build.
A lot of players miss that feeling. Mythics used to fill that role, but after multiple seasons, they have become far more common and, in many builds, almost expected.
Mixed Feelings About Sets and Mythics
As expected, though, not everyone loves the idea of sets returning in any form. Some players still associate sets with Diablo 3’s problems, where builds often boiled down to wearing the right set and nothing else.
At the same time, Mythic items are starting to draw similar criticism. Although they are powerful and exciting at first, a big portion of the community feels they have become too common and too dominant, pushing out more creative, unique setups.
That has led to a lot of discussion around build-defining items versus stat sticks. Mythics are generally seen as essential build pieces, but there are also players who feel they mostly just inflate numbers and crowd out variety.
Calls for More Slots, Crafting, and Real Chase Items
Beyond Talismans, players are also asking for bigger changes to itemization. A few common requests include adding more gear slots like shoulders or wrists, expanding crafting systems with something closer like the (once again) coming Horadric Cube, and giving players better ways to recycle unused uniques.
There is also a strong wish for true chase items again. Not just powerful gear, but items that feel rare and special to find, the kind of drops that feel exciting even if they are not perfect for your build.
At the same time, there is always the recurring topic of power creep. A new item tier can be exciting, but only if it does not immediately make everything else feel obsolete.
What This Says About Player Expectations
More than anything, these discussions show what players are hoping for from the expansion: more freedom, more customization, and fewer hard locks into one correct build. Having just a handful of good builds to pick from is just not fun. Especially if the meta evolves around mostly the same few setups for multiple seasons.
Talismans, new item tiers, and more crafting ideas all point toward the same thing. Let players experiment more, without turning the endgame into a checklist of mandatory gear.
Does This Also Point to a New Torment Tier?
Next to itemization, a big part of the playerbase also thinks this could lead to a difficulty overhaul. Torment 4 is reached quickly now, and the jump between Torment levels feels small once you are geared.
Because of that, it would make sense if the expansion introduced a higher tier or reworked endgame difficulty, where things like Talismans, new item tiers, or perfect-roll gear actually make sense as long-term goals.
The hope is not more numbers for the sake of it, but more room to progress without hitting the ceiling after just a few days.
For now, it is all speculation. But, as always, it is very interesting to see what the community is discussing and wishing for. So, hopefully Blizzard is listening.
For other updates on Lord of Hatred and more, head back to our Diablo 4 news hub.
