Acolyte of Chayula

Barbarian

Druid

Necromancer

Rogue

Sorcerer

Spiritborn


<p>Rob takes us through the mechanics behind a Pit Tier 150 clear completed by a <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/hydra-sorcerer-build/">Hydra Sorcerer</a> player in Diablo 4&#8217;s <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/">Season 9</a>!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How is This Even Possible?</h2>



<p>Thanks to stacking infinite Elemental damage, the player&#8217;s damage goes to the moon, as shown on the target dummies below.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Snimka-obrazovky-2025-07-06-o-14.22.24.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 82712"/></figure>



<p>We&#8217;ve had a similar bug with the Spiritborn in the past and with the Barbarian as well on the 2.3.0 PTR.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Power Behind the Bug</h2>



<p>This has to do with one of the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/horadric-spells-guide/">seasonal powers</a> called <strong>Smoldering Embers</strong> combined with the Element Aspect / <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Enlightenment" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Talents_Sorceress_51.webp" alt="Enlightenment"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Enlightenment</span></span></a> on the Sorc. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gameplay Footage</h2>



<p>While Rob doesn&#8217;t show a video of the Pit Tier 150 run (you can watch that <a href="https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1973fzNEKi/?spm_id_from=444.8.list.card_archive.click">here</a>), the mechanics are virtually the same.</p>



<p>Obviously, this is a bug and we don&#8217;t recommend anyone doing it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="HYDRA SORC BREAKS PIT 150! INFINITE DAMAGE Season 9 Diablo 4" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zk6SW_yOZIg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>The player has posted more details about the build and everything on <a href="https://www.inven.co.kr/board/diablo4/6033/41136">Inven</a>.</p>


Hydra Sorcerer Breaks Pit Tier 150 in Diablo 4 Season 9


<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 9</a> just started, but not everyone is having a good time, especially when it comes to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/how-to-farm-uniques-from-bosses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lair Bosses</a>. In a recent Reddit discussion, players shared their frustrations with these encounters, calling them &#8220;unfun,&#8221; &#8220;tedious,&#8221; and &#8220;visually unclear.&#8221; </p>



<p>But it is not just about complaining. Many people also offered concrete ideas for how to improve these fights while keeping them challenging and meaningful.</p>



<p>You can take a look at the original post here:</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/1lrl08h/tormented_bosses_are_not_fun_and_many_of_the/">Tormented Bosses are not fun and many of the mechanics need color changes</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Lyioux/">u/Lyioux</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">One-Shot Mechanics Everywhere</h2>



<p>A recurring theme in the thread is how unforgiving and unclear boss mechanics have become, especially in higher Torment levels. Even well-geared characters with over 12,000 HP, full armor, and max resistances are getting instantly deleted by attacks that are hard to see and react to.</p>



<p>&#8220;<em>This is an ARPG. This is not the way</em>,&#8221; one player wrote. &#8220;<em>When you&#8217;re geared for the content, one-shot mechanics should be few and far between and extremely well telegraphed</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p>Bosses like <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/the-beast-in-the-ice-boss-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beast in the Ice</a> and <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/uber-andariel-boss-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andariel</a> were singled out for attacks that either blend into the environment or trigger with little warning, making the experience feel more about guessing than skill. For example, Andariel has mechanics that are either exactly the same as the ground, or as your attacks (for example for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/necromancer/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Necromancer</a> blood spells). This makes it hard to even see the attacks in the first place.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forced Phases Kill the Fun</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Duriel-Burrow.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 64854" /></figure>



<p>Another major complaint is the forced invulnerability phases baked into many boss fights. Players note that this mechanic feels out of place in an ARPG, where building a powerful character should feel rewarding.</p>



<p>&#8220;<em>If I&#8217;m decked out and strong, I should be able to steamroll stuff. That&#8217;s part of the fun</em>,&#8221; one commenter said.</p>



<p>Instead, fights with bosses like Andariel or <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/uber-duriel-boss-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duriel</a> are broken up into scripted waiting periods, turning what should be an epic battle into a loop of burst → invulnerable → dodge → repeat. Even worse, these phases are not particularly engaging, they often just involve running in circles.</p>



<p>For example, Andariel is not hard to beat, but you are forced to go through her invulnerability phased, where you are stuck running in a circle killing each totem. It makes boss farming longer, but the rewards remain unchanged.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Long Battles, Low Rewards</h2>



<p>For a type of content that many players will farm hundreds of times per season, Lair Bosses do not feel worth the effort. Battles are longer and less exciting, but the rewards have not scaled accordingly.</p>



<p>&#8220;<em>Bosses are now spammable, unrewarding, and tedious, with nothing to show for the time spent,</em>&#8221; comments another player.</p>



<p>That is a tough pill to swallow, especially for players who are already pushing the most challenging endgame content like Pit 100 clears, only to feel punished for their power when facing lair bosses.</p>



<p>Most people will just get the uniques they need, and skip the Lair Bosses they do not need entirely. Some seem to go as far as taking builds that only use Bosses with no one-shot or invulnerability mechanic, just so they can farm their gear faster.</p>



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



<p>The community is not calling for a return to faceroll difficulty, but they are asking for a more thoughtful balance:</p>



<ul>
<li>Make boss telegraphs clearer with better visual contrast.</li>



<li>Let strong players skip phases if they deal enough damage.</li>



<li>Add actual mechanics to boss fights beyond one-shots. The boss does not need to have a one-shot mechanic to be interesting. It needs proper mechanics.</li>



<li>Scale rewards with difficulty and time investment. If you make bosses longer to farm, make them more rewarding.</li>
</ul>



<p>There is a shared desire to make boss battles feel like battles of skill, where players are rewarded for reacting well, building smart, and playing consistently. Not where they get one-shot because the boss&#8217; ability is the exact same colour as the floor.</p>



<p>While Diablo 4 has faced its share of criticism lately, this thread shows that many players still care deeply about the game. They just want boss fights to feel fun and fair. There is a global wish to help make the game better for both hardcore players and casuals.</p>


Why Diablo 4’s Tormented Lair Bosses Feel Off


<p>While <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> has improved some systems lately, especially <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/nightmare-dungeon-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nightmare Dungeons</a> for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 9</a>, players are now turning their focus to a major part of the game that feels neglected: the open world.</p>



<p>In a recent Reddit thread, they discussed how the open world, once advertised as a key feature of Diablo 4, has become largely pointless outside of Helltide events.</p>



<p>You can take a look at the original post here:</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/1lrkxsk/its_time_for_the_open_world_to_get_some_attention/">It&#39;s time for the open world to get some attention</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/megahorsemanship/">u/megahorsemanship</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">A Beautiful World That Feels Empty</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/d4-open-world-cover.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 82738" /></figure>



<p>Players agree that the open world is visually beautiful, full of tiny details and various different areas to explore. But once you have seen it all, there is no reason to explore anymore. One player wrote, &#8220;<em>If you&#8217;re just teleporting from one activity to another, all that beauty is wasted</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p>Others said the open world feels like an obstacle between you and the real content. Dungeons, bosses, and seasonal events offer better XP, rewards, and density, while regular zones remain low-density and unrewarding.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Players Are Suggesting</h2>



<p>For once, players did not just complain, they came together to offer Blizzard some very cool ideas for the open-world! Of course, any big update to the game will not happen overnight, but it may push them to change things up in a future expansion, for example:</p>



<ul>
<li>More Density
<ul>
<li>Zones like <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/nahantu-overview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nahantu</a> feel better simply because there are more enemies. Players want every area to be packed like the old Diablo 3 zones: full of chaos and rewards.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Better Cellars
<ul>
<li>Many see cellars as a wasted opportunity. They could be turned into proper mini-dungeons with rare modifiers such as gold hoards, unique mobs, or even hidden bosses.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Revamped Strongholds
<ul>
<li>What if strongholds became defendable bases? After clearing one, players could face waves of enemies trying to reclaim it, with rewards scaling over time. Lose once, and you lose it all. A high-risk, high-reward system.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Random Events &amp; Bosses
<ul>
<li>The map is too predictable. People are asking for random encounters, more world bosses, and roaming threats to bring surprise and danger back to traveling. This would give you a good reason to walk around the map trying to find rare things.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Meaningful Sidequests
<ul>
<li>You have zero reason to do the sidequests currently. They don&#8217;t give that much xp, and even less meaningful rewards. They feel like a loss of time, even tho some of them actually give you interesting lore information. But that is often not a good reason enough for most players to do those sidequests every season. With rare meaningful rewards, at least on the lore-related quests, this would make players actually go out of their way to explore and seek those out.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Divided Opinions on Open World in ARPGs</h2>



<p>Not everyone thinks the open world belongs in an ARPG. Some feel it slows down the pace of what is traditionally a fast, loot-driven genre. As one player put it:</p>



<p>&#8220;<em>Open world and ARPGs just don&#8217;t mix well. Players want efficiency, not scenic exploration</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p>Still, others think Diablo 4&#8217;s open world has potential. It just has not been fully realized. A more dynamic and rewarding world could get players to actually explore, not just teleport past it.</p>



<p>It is a beautiful world that just demands to be explored. Players want more than pretty landscapes. They want reasons to explore, fight, and take risks. Blizzard has already shown it can rework systems (like Nightmare Dungeons), so maybe it is time for the open-world to get some of that love too.</p>


Why Diablo 4’s Open World Deserves a Little More Love


<p>Players who complete the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/latest-season-journey-for-diablo-4/">Season Journey</a> to 100% in the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/">ongoing season</a> will find themselves disappointed&#8230; again!</p>



<p>Similar to Season 8, there is no secret title for the dedicated players who max out the entire journey, as reported by Reddit user <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Shdwbane/">Shdwbane</a>.</p>



<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:500px" data-embed-height="546"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1ls1s1q/no_hidden_title_for_100_season_journey_season_9/">No hidden title for 100% season journey (Season 9)</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Shdwbane/">u/Shdwbane</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Secret Titles Are No More!</h2>



<p>The last time Blizzard implemented a secret title for completionists was in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/secret-title-for-completing-all-season-journey-objectives-in-season-6/">Season 6</a>, when players would receive the <strong>Zakarum&#8217;s Hope </strong>title for completing every Journey objective.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://preview.redd.it/hidden-title-for-completing-all-season-journey-objectives-v0-9qbfhq1jjkud1.png?width=1076&amp;format=png&amp;auto=webp&amp;s=39894815adb26cfdd5ed26729aa3af38d814be50" alt=""/></figure>



<p>However, with Season 7 onward, these titles have been entirely scrapped. Do you miss them?</p>


No Secret Title for Completing Diablo 4’s Season 9 Journey


<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/horadric-strongrooms/#horadric_jewels">Horadric Jewels</a> are a big part of player power in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/">Season 9.</a> The best and only sure-fire way is to craft them, which costs quite a few Horadric Phials and gem fragments. When you craft one, you&#8217;ll definitely want to hold on to it, so it&#8217;s a little tricky finding out how much they would salvage for. Well, unless you craft a really bad one by accident. Luckily for us but unluckily for them,<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/TheWorstDMYouKnow/">TheWorstDMYouKnow</a> did just that and crafted a Jewel before choosing a build and ended up scrapping it. So now we get to find out how much we get back! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Pretty Standard Amount</h2>



<p>After salvaging a Horadric Jewel, all you get back is 2000 Horadric Phials. That&#8217;s pretty normal considering the 3000 Phial cost. However, the 15000 of three types of gem fragments are just gone. And considering the relatively solid rate of Phial drops, that may just be the hardest-hitting part. At least if you plan to craft higher-level regular gems. </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/1lsmsr3/i_broke_down_a_horadric_jewel_so_you_dont_have_to/">I broke down a Horadric Jewel so you don&#39;t have to!</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/TheWorstDMYouKnow/">u/TheWorstDMYouKnow</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></p>



<p>So, careful when choosing what to craft, as it may cost you quite a bit to get something else! You also might get lucky and get one of the rare Jewel drops from Astaroth!                                                                                                                                                 </p>


Think Before You Craft: Salvaging Horadric Jewels Returns Less Than You’d Expect


<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 9</a> in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> has added a few changes to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/nightmare-dungeon-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nightmare Dungeons</a>, and players are actually loving it! On top of the escalating dungeons, new affixes were added to the game! You can now add goblins, Butchers, and other surprises to your runs.</p>



<p>A Reddit post this week started the discussion when one player found 10-15 Treasure Goblins in a single dungeon using a Nightmare Sigil. They realized they had one of the new Nightmare Dungeon affixes on their key: Treasure Breach. This one adds a certain amount of treasure goblins to the dungeon!</p>



<p>You can view the original post here:</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/1lrpj6q/nightmare_sigils_may_contain_a_dungeon_filled/">Nightmare Sigil&#39;s may contain a dungeon filled with goblins.</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Memphisrexjr/">u/Memphisrexjr</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">Goblins Everywhere But Not Everyone&#8217;s Impressed</h2>



<p>While the goblin-filled dungeons sound exciting, some players say the loot does not quite match the hype:</p>



<p>&#8220;<em>They hardly drop anything compared to their overland cousins</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p>&#8220;<em>I got a gold chest modifier in an Escalation dungeon, barely got anything from it</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p>Others pointed out that loot and XP drops are better on higher world tiers, and RNG still plays a big role. A few players reported in the comments that they actually got pretty good loot from the Goblins spawning with the new dungeon affix. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Surprise Butchers &amp; Other Monsters</h2>



<p>Goblins are not the only surprises. Some players reported running into Butchers and other mini-bosses. Even Kixxith made an apparition, adding more tension and variety to dungeon crawling.</p>



<p>One player said:</p>



<p>&#8220;<em>I went into a Dark Omen Sigil and got attacked by a Kixxith instead of the Butcher. I&#8217;m enjoying these new affixes!</em>&#8220;</p>



<p>Despite the mixed feedback on rewards, most players agree the new Season 9 affixes make Nightmare Dungeons feel more dynamic and unpredictable, which is a welcome change for Diablo&#8217;s endgame grind.</p>



<p>With goblins, hidden threats, and unique modifiers in the mix, dungeon grinding just got a lot more interesting!</p>


New Affixes Make Diablo 4 Dungeons Way More Fun


<p>We haven&#8217;t heard from the Butcher in a good long while. The scourge of earlier seasons, putting fear into non-op builds&#8217; bones, the big red demon was basically the face of Diablo 4 for quite a while. As the power kept creeping up each season, he became less and less of a threat and more of a mild nuisance, even if you weren&#8217;t rocking the very best build. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Return to Nightmare</h2>



<p>In Season 9, the other big red is back to at least some significance. He&#8217;s haunting Nightmare Dungeons these days, specifically those connected together in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/nightmare-dungeon-guide/">Escalating Nightmares</a>. There&#8217;s a special affix that appears on connected sigils that can spawn the Butcher in the Astaroth fight! <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/kurocero87/">Kurocero87</a> came up against exactly this and had a pretty hairy time defeating all three bosses: The Butcher, Astaroth, and the Amalgam of Rage! But it sure makes for an entertaining video! </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/1ls0vyr/butcher_spawning_in_on_boss_fight/">Butcher spawning in on boss fight?</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/kurocero87/">u/kurocero87</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 Butcher also isn&#8217;t the only help Astaroth can get with this affix, as players have reported being invaded by the Helltide assassin, Kixxarth! Luckily, his insane health pool from Helltides does not come with him, and he&#8217;s actually manageable. </p>



<p>So if you run into these extra bosses in your already double-boss fight with Astaroth, good luck! </p>


The Butcher’s Back! Diablo 4’s Latest Affix Turns Boss Fights into Chaos

<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/horadric-strongrooms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Strongrooms</a> are one of the newest additions to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 9</a>, but many players are still figuring out how they work, and how to clear them fast.</p>



<p>A recent Reddit thread has gathered some great advice from players who have tested different strategies. Here is a breakdown of what works best!</p>



<p>You can also take a look at the original post here:</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/1lq3kwt/best_way_to_clear_strongrooms/">Best way to clear strongrooms?</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Super_Alpaka/">u/Super_Alpaka</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">Pillars vs. Shrines: What Is the Difference?</h2>



<p>One of the biggest questions was: what is the point of pillars and shrines? When you enter a Strongroom, once you are inside the actual zone you have a timer and can run around completing either Shrines or Pillars. The game does not really tell you which one does what exactly, so here is a quick recap:</p>



<ul>
<li>Pillars = Spawn enemies AND drop attunement orbs (needed to level up the room).</li>



<li>Shrines = Only spawn more enemies. Good for density, but no direct progression.</li>
</ul>



<p>The result of this is: in solo play, just go for pillars. You will easily hit max level (Tier 6) as long as you kill quickly. In co-op, one player can handle pillars while others clear shrines to speed things up. You can only have one active Pillar at a time anyway, so while half the party takes care of Pillars, the other half can run around clearing shrines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which Buffs Should You Choose?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/d4-horadric-strongrooms-cover-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 78871" /></figure>



<p>When you first enter a Strongroom, you can pick between multiple &#8220;buffs&#8221; for your room, and yes, some do seem to be a bit better than others:</p>



<ul>
<li>More Ambushes pillar: A top pick. It spawns a ton of enemies and helps fill the attunement bar faster.</li>



<li>Demon Boss (T3+): Also great. It gives you a full level instantly when triggered.</li>



<li>Avoid pillars with negative effects (like weakened resistances or damage downs). They are not worth the hassle.</li>
</ul>



<p>Keep in mind that early choices do not really matter once you are well-geared. Just focus on killing mobs quickly and choosing the high-density options.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fastest Clear Strategy</h2>



<ul>
<li>Focus on pillars first, they will allow you to progress through Room Tiers faster.</li>



<li>Only activate shrines if you are in a group or want extra mobs.</li>



<li>With a strong AoE build, you can hit max attunement without doing much else. Just kill everything fast.</li>



<li>Do not stress over every room choice. Strongrooms are more about speed and clearing than long-term planning.</li>
</ul>



<p>With these small tips, you should be able to clear those little Strongrooms rather fast! For more information on the system itself, you can also check out our in-depth guide:</p>




        <a target="_blank" class="custom-button" href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/horadric-strongrooms/">
            <span>Horadric Strongrooms Guide</span>
        </a>

Best Way to Clear Strongrooms Fast in Diablo 4


<p>It seems some players are receiving some paid store items to their accounts without even noticing it!  And some are pretty awesome too. </p>



<p>We&#8217;ve actually seen this type of thing before, but it&#8217;s still unclear whether it&#8217;s a bug or an intnded soer of giveaway, as Blizzard have never commented on it. In this particular case, we have <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/limyg0113/">limyg0113</a> wondering how they got a pretty great mount from a store bundle, when they definitely didn&#8217;t buy it nor collect it from a free offer. The mount in question is the Nether Lion in its base state. It&#8217;s one part of four in a bundle worth 2100 Platinum, with the other being mount accessories. </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/1lr876m/randomly_have_a_item_from_a_purchasable_set_no/">Randomly have a item from a purchasable set. No idea how I got it.</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/limyg0113/">u/limyg0113</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>But this isn&#8217;t an isolated case either, as other players report getting pieces of the bundle as well. Some got the mount armor, some the mount itself. This isn&#8217;t the only bundle this has happened with either, as players report getting Barbarian transmog without ever having picked it up. There are actual free cosmetics giveaways, both with free items for everyone and random specific store ones becoming free. However, those always need to be claimed by players directly and it&#8217;s pretty clear when you do. </p>



<p>One theory goes that this is the same model as the current Bast Reliquary mount, Ferrukal, Thrall of Iron, and that perhaps the game added both. However, we don&#8217;t know whether any of the players who reported getting the Nether Lion actually unlocked the Beast Reliquary. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-07-05-07_38_50-Discord-Overlay.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 82649"/></figure>



<p>So it does seem this one&#8217;s a bug. So go on over to the store and check out if you got some freebies! </p>


Got a Free Mount You Didn’t Buy? Diablo 4 Players Are Seeing Surprise Store Gifts


<p>Based on the latest <a href="https://helltides.com/pit">Pit Tier rankings</a>, we&#8217;re looking at which classes are currently performing best in Season 9!</p>



<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/">Season 9</a> has been live for a few days, and now&#8217;s a good time to look at how the individual classes are performing after the 2.3.0 patch that brought many class balance changes. If you haven&#8217;t created a seasonal character yet, this information could help you decide on which class to play.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Current Pit Tier Rankings for Season 9</h2>



<p>As you can see, the top 3 classes for Season 9 so far are Spiritborn, Sorcerer (namely the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/hydra-sorcerer-build/">Hydra Sorcerer</a> build), and Necromancer. </p>



<p>Rogue is the only class that has not surpassed a Tier 100 clear.</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Spiritborn</strong> &#8211; Tier 110 by Elf in 10:59.</li>



<li><strong>Sorcerer</strong> &#8211; Tier 106 by Mekuna in 11:02.</li>



<li><strong>Necromancer</strong> &#8211; Tier 106 by LordxSaura in 13:53.</li>



<li><strong>Druid</strong> &#8211; Tier 102 by 暗黑 cleared in 9:32.</li>



<li><strong>Barbarian</strong> &#8211; Tier 100 by 透明 cleared in 14:10.</li>



<li><strong>Rogue</strong> &#8211; Tier 97 Clear by M1PY in 10:39.</li>
</ol>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-14.56.09.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 82470"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Top 3 Runs</h2>



<p>In the first position, we&#8217;ve got Elf with their Tier 110 Spiritborn clear that took nearly 11 minutes. It&#8217;s refreshing to see the Spiritborn at the top for once.</p>



<p>You can watch the clear on <a href="https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1KE3jzvEgN/">bilibili</a>. We won&#8217;t embed it here because the platform doesn&#8217;t have autoplay disabled by default.</p>



<p>In second place is Mekuna with the Hydra Sorc build and a Tier 106 run.</p>



<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://clips.twitch.tv/embed?clip=ColdbloodedLivelyCaterpillarTooSpicy-Od0sOwi0YY2-286o&#038;parent=www.icy-veins.com&#038;autoplay=false" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" height="378" width="620"></iframe>



<p>Finally, closing the top three, we&#8217;ve got LordxSaura playing a Shadow DoT Necro with a Pit Tier 106 clear that took 13 minutes and 53 seconds.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Shadow DoTs are back! PIT 106 Day 3 Season 9!" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p5z4BoBLV0k?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>


Hydra Sorcerer Breaks Pit Tier 150 in Diablo 4 Season 9

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