Abyssal Lich

Barbarian

Druid

Necromancer

Paladin

Rogue

Sorcerer

Spiritborn


<p>We have another batch of hotfixes today, focusing on Helltides and Living Steel chests in particular. </p>



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            <a class="source-link" target="_blank" href=""><span class="white">(</span> Source URL <span class="white">)</span> </a>
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    <h3></h3>
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        <p><strong>HOTFIX 3 &#8211; February 9, 2024 &#8211; 1.3.1</strong></p>
<h3><a class="anchor" href="https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/hotfix-3-february-9-2024-131/150797#bug-fixes-1" name="bug-fixes-1"></a>BUG FIXES</h3>
<ul>
<li>Fixed an issue with Living Steel chests not spawning within Helltides.</li>
<li>The Living Steel guardian has been removed</li>
</ul>
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Diablo 4 Patch 1.3.2 Hotfixes: February 9th


<p>Three-month seasons are the standard in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a>. In reality, however, most players feel finished after week two.</p>



<p>That is not just a vague complaint. In a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1n9gane/what_would_it_take_to_keep_you_engaged_for_an/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">recent discussion</a>, players broke down exactly where motivation drops off and what would need to change to keep them around for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the full season</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1n9gane/what_would_it_take_to_keep_you_engaged_for_an/">What would it take to keep you engaged for an entire Season?</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/CulturalNinja6/">u/CulturalNinja6</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The &#8220;I Am Done&#8221; Moment</h2>



<p>You finish your seasonal journey (now called <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/season-rank/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season Ranks</a>). Your build is online. For the time you have spent in the game, it is basically as finished and geared in Best-in-Slot items as it can be. You push some Pit tiers. Gear upgrades slow down. Then the question hits: What am I chasing now?</p>



<p>For a lot of people, that is fine. They like the burst. Go hard, hit goals, step away, come back next season. That rhythm works.</p>



<p>But there is also a group that wants something that keeps scaling in a way that feels meaningful, not just harder.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scaling Is Not Enough</h2>



<p>The conversation was not really about PvP or leaderboards. It was about structure.</p>



<p>Delve from <a href="https://www.poe-vault.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Path of Exile</a> came up often. Not just as a comparison, but as an example of scaling that feels like forward movement. You go deeper. Risk increases. Rewards scale with it. Layouts change enough to keep things interesting.</p>



<p>In Diablo 4, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/the-pit-of-the-artificers-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Pit</a> and boss rotations can start to feel like repeating the same room with bigger health bars. Difficulty goes up, but the experience often feels the same.</p>



<p>What players seem to want is:</p>



<ul>
<li>A mix of horizontal and vertical progression</li>



<li>Risk that clearly ties into better rewards</li>



<li>Less stop-and-go pacing from constant loading</li>



<li>A mode that feels like exploration, not repetition</li>
</ul>



<p>The frustration is not the difficulty itself. It is when challenge turns into a pure damage check instead of mechanical mastery.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Itemization Still Hits A Ceiling</h2>



<p>Itemization came up just as often.</p>



<p>Progression should feel rewarding from early campaign to endgame. Right now, early gameplay is often described as slow, with limited skill customization and builds that only feel complete late. Once your core pieces are in place, the game turns into chasing perfect rolls. <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/masterworking-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Masterworking</a> adds layers, but it does not always feel transformative.</p>



<p>There is frustration around skill-specific items narrowing build paths instead of opening them. A lot of affixes are described as unexciting or overly restrictive. Instead of broad, interesting stat combinations, items often revolve around very narrow modifiers tied to one specific skill.</p>



<p>The early progression feels rewarding. The late progression feels thinner.</p>



<p>Ideas that came up included:</p>



<ul>
<li>Slower but more meaningful leveling</li>



<li>Pinnacle bosses with unique mechanics and exclusive rewards</li>



<li>Exclusive rewards that are not just stat upgrades</li>



<li>Difficulty tiers that change gameplay, not just numbers</li>
</ul>



<p>Upcoming skill tree changes might help here. Right now, there is not enough detail to say how big that change will be.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Give Mid-Season A Purpose</h2>



<p>Another recurring idea was to give players a reason to log back in halfway through a season.</p>



<p>Not a small event, finished in two evenings or even mere hours. Something that takes time and feels rewarding to stick with for weeks. That alone could stretch engagement naturally without forcing it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Kind Of Seasonal Game Is Diablo 4?</h2>



<p>Underneath everything, this feels like a question of direction.</p>



<p>Is Diablo 4 meant to be a seasonal sprint? Hit your goals, enjoy the power climb, move on. Or should there be a deeper layer that keeps pushing forward long after your build comes online?</p>



<p>Right now, the first two weeks feel strong and fun. What happens after that is where the debate really begins. Do you prefer finishing a season quickly and moving on until the next one begins?</p>



<p>What would keep you logging in past week two?</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more updates on Seasons and Lord of Hatred, head to our <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">Diablo 4 News Hub</a>.</p>


Why Diablo 4 Players Stop After Two Weeks


<p>The age-old Diablo 2 vs basically any ARPG that came after debate continues. This time, the topic is player count. The current <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 2 Resurrected</a> ladder season shows more activity than <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/">Diablo 4</a>.</p>



<p>The post spread across Reddit, but instead of celebrating it, <strong>people mostly argued about the comparison itself.</strong> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo2/comments/1rab8mf/whats_the_move/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here is the post</a> that started the discussion:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:500px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo2/comments/1rab8mf/whats_the_move/">What’s the move?</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/MHPhil/">u/MHPhil</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo2/">diablo2</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Timing Is More Important Than Numbers</h2>



<p>The first thing most replies pointed out was timing. And rightfully so:</p>



<p><strong>Diablo 2 just had a ladder reset and new content. Diablo 4 is near the end of its current season</strong> and waiting for the expansion. For most players, that already explains the difference. One game just reset, the other is between seasons.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d4-d2-steam-charts-feb21.webp" alt="Diablo 4 vs Diablo 2 Steam Charts February 21" class="wp-image 123941" style="border-radius:8px"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Steam activity during late season vs ladder reset</figcaption></figure>



<p>Players mentioned this happens every cycle:</p>



<ul>
<li>Ladder reset brings players back to D2</li>



<li>New season brings players back to D4</li>



<li>Both drop off later</li>
</ul>



<p>Because of that, most readers dismissed the image headline. That does not mean the information is fake, just taken at the most favorable moment for one game.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Steam Does Not Tell The Whole Story</h3>



<p>Another common response was platform data. Most comparisons rely on Steam numbers, but <strong>a large part of Diablo&#8217;s playerbase still plays through Battle.net.</strong></p>



<p>So even if such graphs or charts are technically correct, they do not represent the real population of either game.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Real Argument Started After</h2>



<p>After that, the topic moved away from numbers entirely and into the usual Diablo debate.</p>



<p>A lot of players still prefer Diablo 2 for atmosphere, itemization, and long-term progression.<br>Diablo 4 is the one people play for structure, accessibility, and scalable endgame.</p>



<p>Instead of replacing each other, people described them as different moods. One for slow character building, the other for shorter session-based play.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More About Identity Than Popularity</h2>



<p>By the end, most comments agreed on one thing. The argument happens every time someone posts numbers declaring a winner. For many players, <strong>both games being active is a good thing. The ideal outcome, so to speak.</strong> <strong>Different styles, different pacing, same series.</strong></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more hot topics and updates on Diablo, visit our <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/news/">Diablo 2</a> and/or <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">Diablo 4</a> news hub.</p>


Official Blizzard Warlock Image including Diablo 2 and Diablo 4

Players Push Back On Diablo 2 vs Diablo 4 Player Count Claims


<p>During a recent <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-dev-qa-reveals-major-skill-tree-and-item-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Discord Q&amp;A</a>, the developers behind <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> confirmed that stash changes are not planned for the upcoming Lord of Hatred, launching in April 2026.</p>



<p>For some players, that is disappointing, not because stash space is tiny, but because inventory problems have quietly become one of the game&#8217;s most persistent annoyances.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Real Issue Is Not Space</h2>



<p>Over time, Diablo 4 has added more and more stuff that has to be stashed in the same place:</p>



<ul>
<li>Nightmare Dungeon keys</li>



<li>Boss summoning materials</li>



<li>Runes and Gems</li>



<li>Seasonal items</li>



<li>Gear</li>
</ul>



<p>None of these systems is bad on its own. But together, they create a ton of different types of loot that you have to stash in the same space. Players who like experimenting with builds often dedicate entire stash tabs to alternate gear sets. Runes occupy their own space. Boss materials stack up fast during endgame farming.</p>



<p>In the end, you have all your stash tabs full of a ton of different loot, nothing is really organized, and after farming for hours, it takes you ages to sort it all out manually.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Devs Are Listening</h2>



<p>Blizzard has already shown it is willing to adapt. The <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/after-years-of-requests-diablo-4-will-finally-get-a-loot-filter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">addition of a loot filter</a> proves that. But when asked directly about dedicated stash tabs or expanded storage systems, the response was clearly that nothing was planned for this expansion.</p>



<p>That does not mean the issue is ignored. It just means it is not part of Lord of Hatred. However, given that this has been asked for since the launch of the game, a lot of players are wondering why a major problem like this was not already addressed properly. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Players Actually Want</h2>



<p>On social media, <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1r38v1r/dedicated_stash_tabs_for_keys_and_materials/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">players have a ton of different suggestions</a>, and most of them are not extreme overhauls. A lot of the ideas going around are heavily inspired by other games:</p>



<ul>
<li>Dedicated tabs for keys and boss materials</li>



<li>Higher stack limits for frequently farmed items</li>



<li>Dedicated rune tab with proper organization</li>



<li>Armory-linked gear storage for multiple builds</li>
</ul>



<p>Some even argue that materials should function more like currencies and be stored account-wide, at least inside the seasonal realm.</p>



<p>In other words, players just want better organization. The more systems Diablo 4 layers in, the more important backend organization becomes. Without it, players end up spending more time sorting than slaying.</p>



<p>Lord of Hatred is bringing new content, new systems, and more loot. Eventually, Blizzard will have to change how that loot is stored.</p>



<p>For now, stash remains the same, but things like dedicated stash tabs might come in the future!</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more guides and information, check out <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our latest news</a>!</p>


Diablo 4 Not Updating Stash Is Still a Problem for Players


<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> has received yet another hotfix for Patch 2.5.3, with Blizzard addressing an issue that prevented some players from accessing cosmetics they had already purchased.</p>



<p>The February 19 hotfix specifically fixes a bug where certain cosmetics would not become available after being bought. Even if Blizzard did not go into detail about how many players were affected, anything involving paid items tends to get attention quickly, especially when they cannot be used.</p>



<p>This is the second 2.5.3 hotfix in less than a week. On February 13, Blizzard pushed out a separate fix to resolve an issue that blocked players from claiming <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/lunar-awakening-returns-in-diablo-4-with-new-rewards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lunar New Year event</a> reward caches.</p>



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            <a class="source-link" target="_blank" href="https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/hotfix-2-february-19-2026-253/242039"><span class="white">(</span> Source URL <span class="white">)</span> </a>
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    <h3>HOTFIX 2 &#8211; February 19, 2026 &#8211; 2.5.3</h3>
    <div class="blizzard-blue-post-content">
        <p>HOTFIX 2 &#8211; February 19, 2026 &#8211; 2.5.3</p>
<p><strong>Bug Fixes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Fixed an issue where some cosmetics wouldn’t be accessible after purchase.</li>
</ul>
<div class="codeblock-button-wrapper"></div>
<pre class="codeblock-buttons"><code class="hljs language-undefined" data-highlighted="yes"></code></pre>
<p>HOTFIX 1 &#8211; February 13, 2026 &#8211; 2.5.3</p>
<p><strong>Bug Fixes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Resolved an issue that prevented Lunar New Year event reward caches from being claimed.</li>
</ul>
    </div>
</div>



<p>There are no additional balance changes or gameplay adjustments included in these hotfixes, but it is always nice to see Blizzard reacting quickly, especially when it comes to limited-time rewards or paid items.</p>



<p>You should now be able to access the cosmetics you have bought and claim the Lunar New Year reward caches without issue, so go enjoy your new cosmetics!</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more guides or information, check out <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our latest news</a>!</p>


Diablo 4 Addresses Missing Cosmetics and Lunar Event Rewards


<p>The <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-lord-of-hatred-brings-back-the-horadric-cube/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horadric Cube is finally returning in Diablo 4</a> as part of the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/preorder-lord-of-hatred-to-unlock-paladin-early-in-diablo-4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lord of Hatred Expansion</a>. First introduced in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 2</a>, the Horadric Cube is shaping up to be a core endgame system, giving players powerful new ways to reshape, transmute, and craft their gear with far more control than before.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Horadric Cube Returns to Diablo 4</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d4-horadric-cube-transmute.webp" alt="D4 Horadric Cube weapon transmutation with glyphs" class="wp-image 122293" /></figure>



<p>The Horadric Cube has always been about bending RNG in your favor, letting players reroll stats, transmute materials, and fine-tune builds instead of relying purely on drops. <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/">D</a><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">i</a><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/">ablo 4’s</a> take stays true to that philosophy.</p>



<p>With the Cube, players can <strong>transmute random Affixes onto Common, Magic, Rare, or Legendary items</strong>, upgrading their rarity along the way. <strong>You can also reverse the process</strong>, stripping unwanted Affixes from gear that didn’t roll the way you hoped. In some cases, even a simple <strong>Common item can be upgraded all the way into a Unique of the same type.</strong></p>



<p>Once unlocked through the Lord of Hatred campaign, the Horadric Cube allows players to <strong>combine rare materials to enhance items further</strong>, unlocking additional properties and opening up deeper endgame customization.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Horadric Cube Recipes</h2>



<p>Datamined Horadric Cube recipe tooltips discovered ahead of the expansion’s release have already given fans a clearer look at what’s coming. One of the most notable mechanics allows players to <strong>combine multiple Uniques into a brand-new version</strong>. If you’ve been unlucky with rolls on a specific Unique, this gives you another shot without waiting for the perfect drop.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1r2rclu/d4_horadric_cube_recipe_tooltips/">D4 Horadric Cube recipe tooltips</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/constablecrab/">u/constablecrab</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>The same system appears to extend to Legendaries and <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-brings-set-bonuses-back-with-talismans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the new Talisman system</a> as well. There’s also an option to <strong>upgrade Rare gear directly into Legendaries</strong>, though this feature may see limited use since Legendaries are already fairly common during early leveling.</p>



<p>Overall, the Horadric Cube looks set to become one of Diablo 4’s most impactful endgame tools, offering players more agency, less frustration, and far more reasons to experiment with their builds. But fans aren&#8217;t 100% certain the Horadric Cube will fix Diablo 4&#8217;s <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/players-are-not-sure-diablo-4s-horadric-cube-will-fix-loot-fatigue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ongoing loot fatigue problem.</a></p>


Close-up image of the horadric cube in Diablo 4, Lord of Hatred expansion.

The Horadric Cube Could Finally Fix Diablo 4’s Endgame


<p>With the upcoming <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-lore-bites-where-is-diablo-lord-of-hatred/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lord of Hatred</a> expansion, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> is introducing a system inspired by the iconic <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-lore-bites-why-the-horadric-cube-was-never-meant-to-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horadric Cube</a> from <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 2</a>. The idea sounds promising! You can recycle unwanted items into new ones, upgrade lower-tier gear, and give duplicates real value.</p>



<p>A few <a href="https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/thanks-to-diablo-2-blizzard-mightve-found-a-way-to-fix-diablo-4s-loot-fatigue-in-its-next-expansion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">other outlets</a> went over the good parts of this system and how it will finally allow players to make proper use of the massive amount of loot we are getting. But it seems like <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Diablo/comments/1r7s96o/thanks_to_diablo_2_blizzard_mightve_found_a_way/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">not all players agree</a>. A big part of the community thinks that this may not be enough to fix Diablo 4&#8217;s biggest long-term issue: loot fatigue.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Promise of the Cube</h2>



<p>From <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/everything-announced-in-the-diablo-4-spotlight-stream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blizzard&#8217;s Diablo anniversary showcase</a>, we have seen that players will be able to combine items into new gear, reroll or upgrade uniques, potentially turn lower-quality drops into legendaries, and more. The Diablo 4 Cube really seems adapted to fit inside Diablo 4&#8217;s itemization and crafting systems.</p>



<p>On paper, this means fewer &#8220;trash&#8221; items and more meaningful crafting opportunities. Instead of salvaging a ton of gear, players can now gamble for better outcomes.</p>



<p>That sounds like a direct response to complaints about endgame loot feeling overwhelming and meaningless. You combine this with the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/after-years-of-requests-diablo-4-will-finally-get-a-loot-filter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loot Filters</a> being added with the expansion as well, and suddenly, it sounds like all your loot problems disappeared!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">But Players Say That Is Missing the Point</h2>



<p>Many commenters argue that loot fatigue is not caused by too much trash, but it is caused by constant incremental upgrades. In Diablo 4&#8217;s endgame:</p>



<ul>
<li>You are often hunting the same item</li>



<li>With the same affixes</li>



<li>Just slightly higher numbers</li>
</ul>



<p>That creates what players describe as the cause of the fatigue. In contrast, Diablo 2 often allowed players to find an item that would last for dozens of hours. A rare drop felt like a leap in power, not a 2% buff. As one commenter put it: </p>



<p>&#8220;<em>In D4, you&#8217;re constantly forced to get stronger. In D2, you decide when you want more power.</em>&#8220;</p>



<p>That difference in philosophy, scaling difficulty vs. fixed progression, is at the heart of the debate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Legendary Problem</h2>



<p>Another common criticism is the fact that legendary items no longer feel legendary. When orange beams are everywhere, rarity loses impact.</p>



<p>Several players argue that Diablo 4&#8217;s high drop rates were designed to make sure you have constant engagement, but the side effect is that powerful items do not feel special. Even Unique items do not really feel special anymore. They are necessary for most builds to work, but at the same time, you get so many so easily that they do not feel Unique anymore. And regarding Mythics, they sure are rare, but most players do not even bother chasing after them because you could farm 20h per day and never even see one. Either way, it is not really exciting anymore.</p>



<p>Adding cube crafting may give trash a second life, but it does not automatically make drops more exciting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Class-Locked Loot Debate</h2>



<p>A side discussion also resurfaced around class-based drops. Some players miss the feeling of finding gear for other classes, something that encouraged rerolling in Diablo 2. </p>



<p>In Diablo 4, most drops are tailored to your current class, and that reduces surprise and cross-build experimentation. Even when you play with friends, unless you all play the same class, you can never find an item for them and trade it, for example.</p>



<p>For these players, the problem is not crafting depth, but it is reduced loot diversity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Can the Cube Fix It?</h2>



<p>The most cautious voices argue that the Horadric Cube could simply add extra work. Instead of salvaging trash, you now process it through recipes, hoping for a better roll.</p>



<p>If crafting is not powerful enough, it feels pointless. If it is too strong, it invalidates traditional loot farming.</p>



<p>That balance will likely determine if the new Horadric Cube changes the endgame loop or just complicates it.</p>



<p>Another issue that can arise is the fact that you will have to go manually through unecessary amount of &#8220;trash&#8221; loot to see what is worth throwing into the cube or not. That brings players back to hours of stash management, and the rewards might not match the efforts. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Bigger Question</h2>



<p>This debate is not really about one system. It is about whether Diablo 4 wants to feel like a steady treadmill of micro-upgrades, or a game where big, meaningful power spikes define progression. </p>



<p>The Horadric Cube may help.</p>



<p>But if the underlying philosophy does not change, players argue the fatigue could remain, just with a new interface.</p>



<p>However, it is important to remember that we have only seen a small part of how Diablo 4&#8217;s Horadric Cube will actually function. The spotlight presentation barely scratched the surface of the system. We still do not know all of the recipes, how powerful those will be, or how accessible they all are.</p>



<p>The Cube could add important changes, or it could end up feeling just like another system added on top for not much in return.</p>



<p>For now, it is simply too early to draw conclusions. We will need more detailed system breakdowns and some testing through a PTR before players can truly judge if the Horadric Cube changes Diablo 4&#8217;s endgame.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more guides or information, check out <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our latest news</a>!</p>


Players Are Not Sure Diablo 4’s Horadric Cube Will Fix Loot Fatigue


<p>A few days ago, this simple question on Reddit ended up starting a big nostalgia debate: <br><strong>Who is the best summoner the Diablo series ever had?</strong></p>



<p>Players compared every pet class across the series, from skeleton armies to exploding chickens, and the answers ended up surprisingly consistent.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:500px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Diablo/comments/1r5wfmh/who_is_the_greatest_summoner_in_diablo_series/">Who is the greatest summoner in Diablo series?</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/gorays21/">u/gorays21</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Diablo/">Diablo</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Community Favorite: Diablo 2 Necromancer</h2>



<p>Even after all these years, it appears that most players still see the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/necromancer-class-and-builds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 2 Necromancer</a> as the &#8220;real&#8221; summoner.</p>



<p>The reason for this is simple. You did not control a companion – you commanded an army.</p>



<p>Skeletons, mages, revives, curses, golems. You filled the screen with minions and let chaos happen. A lot of the players who commented under the post said that this was their first real pet build in any ARPG, and nothing since has fully replaced that feeling.</p>



<p>It may not be the most complex version anymore, but it is still the one people picture when they think &#8220;Diablo summoner&#8221;.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Most Fun: Witch Doctor</h2>



<p>If Necromancer wins the fantasy category, the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d3/witch-doctor-class" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 3 Witch Doctor</a> wins pure gameplay enjoyment.</p>



<p>Players kept bringing up the same things again and again:</p>



<ul>
<li>jars of spiders</li>



<li>zombie bears</li>



<li>exploding chickens</li>



<li>swarms of fetishes everywhere</li>
</ul>



<p>For many, it was the most creative class Blizzard ever made. And although it felt too goofy for a portion of the Diablo 3 playerbase, a lot of them loved exactly that contrast. Either way, people still talk about it more than a decade later.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Modern Summoners and the Warlock</h2>



<p>Later Necromancers <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d3/necromancer-class" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in Diablo 3</a> and <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/necromancer/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> were seen as powerful, but different.<br>Minions survive better, and builds had an overall nicer flow, yet players miss the massive armies.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/warlock-class-and-builds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new Warlock</a> caused quite a discussion as well. It seems that, instead of commanding a swarm, you fight with a small group of powerful demons that act more like elite companions. Effective, but a very different fantasy.</p>



<p>Druids (from <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/druid-class-and-builds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 2</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/druid/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a>) also got some appreciation, but most players agreed that their pets feel secondary to shapeshifting. Their minions are mostly seen as added support to various builds, rather than a full summoner playstyle.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Pattern</h2>



<p>No matter how you turn it, the discussion kept circling back to one idea: <strong>Players associate summoners with numbers.</strong> Large armies leave a stronger impression than a handful of powerful companions, even if the modern versions play a lot better moment to moment.</p>



<p>And <strong>after more than twenty years, the Diablo 2 Necromancer still defines that image.</strong></p>



<p>So, to reiterate, in terms of different themes, the winners are:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Best fantasy:</strong> Diablo 2 Necromancer</li>



<li><strong>Most fun mechanics:</strong> Witch Doctor</li>



<li><strong>Modern comfort:</strong> newer Necromancers and Warlock</li>
</ul>



<p>What do you think? Are you looking forward to the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-warlock-class-reveal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warlock coming with Lord of Hatred</a>? Which minion class will forever be your favorite? Which has the best class fantasy?</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more fun Diablo topics and game updates, visit our <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/news/">Diablo 2</a> or <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">Diablo 4</a> news hub.</p>


Who is the greatest summoner in the Diablo series?

Across All Diablo Games, One Summoner Still Wins Today


<p>When <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> launches its second expansion, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/everything-announced-in-the-diablo-4-spotlight-stream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lord of Hatred</a>, on April 28, 2026, it will not just add a new region and two classes. It will change progression, endgame systems, and build customization across the entire game.</p>



<p>With everything that gets added or modified, a lot of players want to know what happens if you do not buy Lord of Hatred. Can you still compete at the highest level?</p>



<p>Here is what you will have access to in the base game, and what will be specific to Lord of Hatred.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Is Confirmed Expansion-Only</h2>



<p>Similar as it was with Vessel of Hatred, some features are clearly locked behind the expansion purchase. The main thing is access to the two new classes, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/paladin/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paladin </a>and <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-warlock-class-reveal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warlock</a>. They will most likely be meta for at least the first season after the expansion releases. And with the new leaderboard, it might be impossible to reach the same level with older classes. </p>



<p>On top of Paladin and Warlock, the expansion also comes with the following content:</p>



<ul>
<li>The new region <strong>Skovos</strong></li>



<li>The continuation of the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/lord-of-hatred-campaign-bridges-diablo-2-lore-and-diablo-4-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">main campaign</a></li>



<li>The new endgame activity <strong><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/echoing-hatred-is-diablo-4s-new-endless-endgame-mode/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Echoing Hatred</a></strong></li>



<li>The <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-endgame-is-getting-a-massive-rework/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>War Plans</strong> endgame</a> progression system</li>



<li>20+ additional transformative Skill choices exclusive to expansion owners</li>



<li>The <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-devs-explain-how-sets-will-avoid-diablo-3s-biggest-mistake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new Talisman and Charm</a> system</li>



<li>The return of the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-lore-bites-why-the-horadric-cube-was-never-meant-to-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horadric Cube</a></li>
</ul>



<p>If you want access to the new story arc leading to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-mephisto-lore-before-lord-of-hatred/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mephisto&#8217;s final confrontation</a>, experiment with Paladin&#8217;s Oath system and Arbiter Form, summon hordes of demons with the new Warlock, or plan your Endgame path with the War plans, the expansion is mandatory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Will Be Available to Everyone?</h2>



<p>Most of the base system changes will be available even if you do not purchase the new expansion. Things like the new skill trees or level cap increase, for example, and additions like Loot Filters, do not depend at all on the expansion. </p>



<p>The following content will be added to the base game:</p>



<ul>
<li>A full <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-skill-tree-rework-deepens-buildcraft-like-never-before/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skill Tree rework</a> for all eight classes</li>



<li><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-level-70-cap-changes-build-progression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Level cap increase to 70</a></li>



<li>A new <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/did-blizzard-just-tease-torment-v-for-diablo-4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Torment difficulty</a> tier</li>



<li>A long-requested <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/after-years-of-requests-diablo-4-will-finally-get-a-loot-filter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loot Filter</a></li>
</ul>



<p>These features affect progression and build optimization, and it would simply not be fair to make them expansion-only. If the level cap increase is tied to Lord of Hatred, then non-expansion players would be capped below the new endgame ceiling. In a game built around scaling damage and min-maxing, that would create a clear performance gap.</p>



<p>Regarding the skill tree, the changes include over 80 additional options per class. You also get expanded customization like element changes and mechanical modifications.</p>



<p>However, expansion owners receive 20+ additional &#8220;transformative choices.&#8221;</p>



<p>This means that base-game players get the rework but not the full depth. So far, it is unknown exactly what those transformative choices are and if they will impact builds.</p>



<p>The problem will be around War Plans, the Horadric Cube, and Talismans. Similar to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/vessel-of-hatred-overview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vessel of Hatred</a> that had the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/mercenaries-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercenaries </a>and the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/runewords-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Runewords</a>, those are major systems that will be locked to the expansion. Mercs and Runes did not affect those without access to them much in the end. But it feels like Talismans, at least, might be a bigger problem. </p>



<p>Base players might be locked out of what is Diablo 4&#8217;s version of set items. This means missing out on a ton of builds, most likely. However, so far we do not have many details about the new systems, so it is hard to really judge if this will be an issue or not. </p>



<p>There is also a ton of content that has not been announced yet, and things like <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-paladin-fishing-lord-of-hatred-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fishing</a>, which we can assume everyone will have access to, but it could also be exclusive to the Skovos zone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Do You Need Lord of Hatred to Stay Competitive?</h2>



<p>Based on currently announced features, if you care about reaching the absolute top-end of Diablo 4&#8217;s progression system, the answer is likely yes. If you play more casually, the base game will probably remain functional and complete, but not fully optimized.</p>



<p>It also depends if you want to play the new classes or not, and even just for the story, you will need the expansion. However, you can also keep in mind that expansions always end up being reduced at some point, so you can also wait and see how it lands before buying it at a reduced price. </p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more guides and information, check out <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our latest news</a>!</p>


Do You Need Lord of Hatred to Stay Competitive in Diablo 4?


<p>The <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/everything-announced-in-the-diablo-4-spotlight-stream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lord of Hatred expansion</a> is not only adding a <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-warlock-class-reveal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second new class</a> 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.</p>



<p>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 &#8220;come online&#8221; could change noticeably.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:500px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1r2tp3c/level_cap_raised_to_70_in_lord_of_hatred/">Level cap raised to 70 in Lord of Hatred</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/MontyGames101/">u/MontyGames101</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where Builds Might Finally Click</h2>



<p>Right now, most builds only begin to feel complete around late leveling or early Paragon. With an extra 10 levels, players will likely <strong>unlock important key mechanics earlier</strong> and spend less time in the awkward in-between phase.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>So, from the sounds of it all, players expect this to:</p>



<ul>
<li>Reduce early gear dependency</li>



<li>Make experimentation easier</li>



<li>Lower the gap between starter and endgame builds</li>
</ul>



<p>In short, <strong>builds might finally feel functional sooner instead of only after specific uniques.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Item Progression May Also Shift</h2>



<p>Community discussion also focuses on item progression. Spotlight footage showed higher item power values and new interactions between skills and uniques. <strong>If leveling lasts longer and characters gain more base power before Paragon, loot pacing may need to change with it.</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d4loh-level-cap-increase-spotlight.webp" alt="Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred Level Cap increase showcased during the spotlight stream on a Talisman Charm" class="wp-image 123370" style="border-radius:8px"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New level cap displayed on item during the Diablo 4 spotlight showcase</figcaption></figure>



<p>Within the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> 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.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Level 70 Is a Bigger Deal Than It Sounds</h2>



<p>The level cap itself is not the real story. What matters is where it sits in progression.</p>



<p>Level 70 <strong>moves the line between leveling and endgame.</strong> If builds stabilize earlier and gear reliance changes, farming routes, Paragon pacing, and even seasonal balance could feel very different.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more Lord of Hatred and Season updates, check our <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">Diablo 4 news hub</a>.</p>


Diablo 4 Level Cap Increase Might Change When Builds Come Online


<p>During a <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-dev-qa-reveals-major-skill-tree-and-item-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent Discord Q&amp;A</a>, Blizzard developers addressed a question many long-time players have been asking for months, if not years: Will past <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seasonal content</a> ever return?</p>



<p>The answer was not a simple yes or no, but it was more interesting than that.</p>



<p>Rather than rerunning entire seasons, the team confirmed they are exploring ways to bring back specific mechanics and concepts players enjoyed, integrating them into the base experience, but in new forms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Seasonal Content as a Testing Ground</h2>



<p>Since its release, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> has operated on a seasonal model, introducing new mechanics, exploring them for a few months, and then largely retiring them. This keeps each season feeling unique, but it also means that some of the most creative systems disappeared.</p>



<p>According to the developers, that philosophy may be evolving. Instead of viewing seasons as isolated experiments, Blizzard appears to be treating them as &#8220;design laboratories,&#8221; with standout mechanics potentially returning into the permanent game through updated systems.</p>



<p>One of the examples mentioned was Sanctification returning as a <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-lore-bites-why-the-horadric-cube-was-never-meant-to-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horadric Cube Recipe</a> called Transfiguration.</p>



<p>This means that they will not just copy-paste the mechanic, but try and intergrate things into the base game.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Good Way to Keep Good Content</h2>



<p>This change addresses one of the biggest player frustrations: the feeling that strong ideas vanish too quickly. When a seasonal mechanic works, players invest time into understanding it. Builds are crafted around it. Strategies form. And then, a few months later, it is gone.</p>



<p>By bringing back some mechanics and integrating them into the permanent content of the game in a normal way, it gives more value to the seasonal mechanics. It also means that:</p>



<ul>
<li>Seasonal ideas do not automatically disappear</li>



<li>Popular mechanics can evolve instead of expire</li>



<li>Development resources are not locked into one-cycle experiments</li>
</ul>



<p>That does not mean full seasonal reruns are coming. The developers did not suggest entire seasons would return intact. It also does not mean that every single mechanic that players loved will come back in another form, either. It simply means that Blizzard tries to find ways to keep beloved content a little bit more permanent.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more guides and information, check out <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our latest news</a>!</p>


Diablo 4 Patch 1.3.2 Hotfixes: February 9th

BUG FIXES

Diablo IV News