Abyssal Lich

Barbarian

Druid

Necromancer

Paladin

Rogue

Sorcerer

Spiritborn


<p>We have our first hotfix in quite a while! Blizzard have addressed the issue with Lunar New Year reward caches being unclaimable, so the caches should be fine now. </p>



<p>The Lunar Awakening event is live through February 26th and brings new shrines, XP bonuses, and <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/lunar-awakening-returns-in-diablo-4-with-new-rewards/">plenty of cosmetics for players to grab</a>. </p>



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            <img decoding="async" class="blizzard-logo" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/public/blizzard-icon-small.png" alt="Blizzard Logo" />
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        <div>
            <a class="source-link" target="_blank" href="https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/hotfix-1-february-13-2026-253/241851"><span class="white">(</span> Source URL <span class="white">)</span> </a>
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    <h3></h3>
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        <p>HOTFIX 1 &#8211; February 13 &#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>


Lunar New Year Rewards Fixes: Diablo 4 Season 11 Hotfixes, February 13th


<p>Set items are coming back to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a>, and <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 3</a> players are afraid that the same mistakes will be repeated.</p>



<p>However, 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">Discord Q&amp;A last night</a>, developers were asked directly how they plan to avoid repeating what some see as Diablo 3&#8217;s biggest issue. Sets were just dominating the meta in the end, and locking players into rigid, high-multiplier builds.</p>



<p>It seems that this time, Blizzard&#8217;s answer was to change the structure entirely.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sets Will Not Compete With Your Gear</h2>



<p>During the Q&amp;A, the devs explained that in Diablo 3, sets were tied to armor slots. If you were not wearing your full six-piece bonus, you were often leaving an enormous amount of damage on the table. That system made many builds feel mandatory rather than optional.</p>



<p>This is why they chose to take a different route for Diablo 4.</p>



<p>As we all know, sets are now part of the new <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-brings-set-bonuses-back-with-talismans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Talisman system</a>, which unlocks during 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">Lord of Hatred campaign</a>. Instead of replacing armor pieces, sets exist as Charms that you socket into your Talisman. That means they do not compete with your main gear slots at all. They are an addition to your build, not a replacement anymore.</p>



<p>Another important difference that the devs explained was flexibility. Instead of pushing players toward a large, &#8220;all-or-nothing&#8221; set bonus, the system allows for smaller combinations like 2/2/2. In other words, you can mix different sets instead of committing entirely to one.</p>



<p>Developers stressed that these sets are meant to change how a build plays, not just inflate damage numbers. The focus, at least for now, appears to be on interaction and playstyle rather than billion-percent multipliers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Different Approach Than Diablo 3</h2>



<p>When asked how Diablo 4 would avoid the problems seen in Diablo 3, the developers pointed out that the game is in a very different balance state. Sets are being introduced into a system already built around layered itemization and synergy. By isolating sets within the Talisman system and keeping them separate from armor slots, Blizzard is trying to prevent them from overtaking the rest of the gear ecosystem.</p>



<p>It is hard to know if that will hold long-term and how strong these set bonuses end up being at endgame. But structurally, this is clearly not a return to the Diablo 3 mistake.</p>



<p>For now, it looks like Diablo 4&#8217;s take on sets is more about expanding build options than defining them. Most players who played through Diablo 3 agree that it is a very good step forward for the game. Even if a few people are waiting to see how it really plays during Endgame, the overall feeling is already very optimistic!</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 talisman and charms example for set bonuses

Diablo 4 Devs Explain How Sets Will Avoid Diablo 3’s Biggest Mistake


<p>It is a busy time for the Diablo community. Yesterday, the team behind <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> held their casual chat (also known as Sanctuary Sitdown) in the official D4 Sanctuary Discord to answer questions following their <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/everything-announced-in-the-diablo-4-spotlight-stream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent spotlight event</a>. </p>



<p>The talk focused mostly on the Lord of Hatred expansion, upcoming systems, and what the team learned from feedback. A lot of the discussion revolved around how <strong>Diablo 4 is moving away from raw power stacking</strong> and toward clearer, more understandable character building.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Skill Tree and Power Progression Rework</h2>



<p>The biggest news around the <strong>new skill tree</strong> was the devs&#8217; confirmations on the removal of the old passive-heavy structure. Instead of stacking layers of passive bonuses, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-skill-tree-rework-deepens-buildcraft-like-never-before/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the new skill tree</a> focuses on modifying how skills behave.</p>



<p>The goal is for builds to be easier to read and easier to adjust without needing spreadsheets. So instead, power progression will move toward:</p>



<ul>
<li>Items</li>



<li>Crafting</li>



<li>Legendary effects</li>



<li>Paragon</li>
</ul>



<p>All skills are getting new customization options to help fill the gap left by the old passives. This also helps the team balance builds more consistently, since the difference between strong and weak setups becomes easier to tune.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Sets Return Through Talismans</h2>



<p>We already know that <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-brings-set-bonuses-back-with-talismans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sets are making a comeback</a> (finally), but <strong>not as gear pieces</strong>. They are not tied to your armor slots this time. Instead, <strong>sets are part of the new Talisman system</strong>. This is great, as it simply means you do not have to choose between a cool legendary item and a set bonus.</p>



<p>The devs also mentioned that these sets focus more on changing your playstyle than just boosting damage numbers. For example, they teased a Druid set that gives you bear companions. You can also use Seals to modify these effects, even allowing you to mix and match smaller bonuses from different sets.</p>



<p><strong>The idea is to support playstyle variety instead of forcing a single best setup.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Endgame Becomes Player-Directed</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-endgame-is-getting-a-massive-rework/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new Warplans system</a> lets players choose how they want to spend endgame time. <strong>You select preferred activities</strong> and progress a dedicated activity tree tied to them. This system is meant to work for both casual and heavy players and to reduce the feeling of running content you do not care about.</p>



<p>Naturally, players were eager to discuss this new feature, too. Not much new info was given on it; however, what we did learn now is that this new mechanic might even bring back past seasonal mechanics like Blood Seekers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Items, Loot Filter, and QOL</h2>



<p><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 filtering is coming with Lord of Hatred</a> and is being improved so unwanted items can be hidden. Auto-salvage is not planned.</p>



<p>Other highlights from the devs related to the topic of upcoming quality-of-life include:</p>



<ul>
<li>Uniques will still unlock builds instead of acting as stat sticks</li>



<li>Salvaging matters less in late game to reduce clutter</li>



<li><strong>SSF</strong> mode is planned but<strong> not ready for launch</strong></li>



<li>Rebirth is being discussed internally</li>



<li>Combat readability is under review</li>



<li><strong>More itemization changes are coming</strong> (no further details on this yet)</li>
</ul>



<p>The team also confirmed that they are monitoring feedback closely, especially regarding stash management and item handling.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Warlock And Season 12 Soon</h2>



<p>If you are looking for more <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-warlock-class-reveal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">details on the Warlock</a> or Season 12, there is a much <strong>larger stream planned for March 5th</strong>. That is when we will get the full breakdown of the new class and the specific system updates for the next season.</p>



<p>You can check out the full community discussion recording of the Sanctuary Sitdown here:</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="Sanctuary Sitdown - February 12, 2026" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-enBX7e8yM?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><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sanctuary Sitdown &#8211; February 12, 2026</figcaption></figure>



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<p>More updates on Lord of Hatred can be found in our <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">Diablo 4 news hub</a>.</p>


Diablo 4 Dev Q&A Reveals Major Skill Tree And Item Changes


<p>During <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/everything-announced-in-the-diablo-4-spotlight-stream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo’s 30th Anniversary stream</a>, Blizzard unveiled new details about the endgame content arriving in <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">Diablo 4’s Lord of Hatred expansion</a>. Among these additions is <strong>Echoing Hatred</strong>, a unique Diablo 4 endgame event that <strong>players won’t always have access to</strong>, setting it apart from traditional endgame activities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Echoing Hatred in 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-Echoing-Hatred-1.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 122969" /></figure>



<p>Echoing Hatred is a new, <strong>hyper-rare</strong> event that challenges players to take on the strongest of Mephisto’s legions. Players can only access this mode by using a <strong>Trace of Echoes</strong>, making it especially rare. At the moment, Blizzard hasn’t revealed which <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-brings-set-bonuses-back-with-talismans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activities, endgame systems, or bosses</a> have the highest chance of dropping a Trace of Echoes. However, it’s reasonable to assume the new <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-endgame-is-getting-a-massive-rework/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">War Plans</a> offer a higher drop rate, especially since <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-immortal-reveals-warlock-class-and-2026-roadmap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blizzard is introducing them</a> alongside Echoing Hatred.</p>



<p>Once inside Echoing Hatred, players will face <strong>endless waves of enemies</strong> with steadily escalating difficulty. Each run is meant to feel different, pushing players to constantly adapt their endgame builds and strategies as the challenge ramps up.</p>



<p><strong>The longer you survive, the more punishing each wave becomes.</strong> Bosses can begin spawning in later waves, sometimes with multiple bosses appearing at once. Naturally, <strong>the higher the difficulty climbs, the better the rewards become.</strong></p>



<p>Because of this, it’s likely best to attempt Echoing Hatred only once your build is close to fully optimized. With no clear indication of how often a Trace of Echoes will drop, jumping in too early could mean wasting a rare opportunity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Can an Endless Mode Compete with the Rest of Diablo 4’s Endgame?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-4.webp" alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is D4-Echoing-Hatred-Loot.webp" class="wp-image 122971" /></figure>



<p>The big question is whether an Endless Mode like Echoing Hatred can truly keep up with the rest of <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4’s endgame</a>. Some fans are already concerned about how rare Trace of Echoes might be, potentially locking a highly anticipated mode behind heavy RNG, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4s-trade-market-is-imploding-and-dupers-are-to-blame/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">or worse, trading</a>.</p>



<p>Ideally, Blizzard will hopefully introduce alternative ways to obtain a Trace of Echoes in the future, such as allowing players to purchase one after completing a certain number of Echoing Hatred runs or by tying it to other long-term progression systems.</p>


Echoing Hatred Is Diablo 4’s New Endless Endgame Mode


<p>The Lunar Awakening event for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> is now Live! Now is your chance to earn some <strong>exclusive festive rewards</strong> while taking advantage of special <strong>Enhanced Shrine powers</strong> and <strong>bonus XP</strong> to help you breeze through <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 11</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Lunar Awakening 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-lunar-rewards.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 122088" /></figure>



<p>If you are riding off the hype of the recent <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/warlock-confirmed-for-every-diablo-game-in-massive-anniversary-reveal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warlock class announcement</a>, or were looking for a good opportunity to jump back into or start Season 11, now is the perfect time.</p>



<p>As for rewards, by progressing through 10 Ancestral Favor Reputation Levels, you can earn <strong>6 different Lunar-themed cosmetic rewards</strong> to unlock, including the Trag’Oul’s Consort mount.</p>



<p>Once you’ve climbed through the reputation levels, continue earning additional rewards in the form of Unceasing Gifts from the Ancestors.</p>



<p>Lunar Awakening-themed garments will also be available in Tejal’s shop. Head over to adorn your wanderer in elegant Armor Cosmetics like the Scholar of the Lonely Moon for the Sorcerer, and spruce up your trusty steed with the Dragon of the Lonely Moon mount armor bundle.</p>


Diablo 4 Lunar Awakening Is Live — Don’t Miss These Rewards


<p>In the middle of 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 Spotlight stream</a>, Blizzard may have shown something they have not officially announced yet: <strong>Torment V</strong>.</p>



<p>The moment happens when they are talking about <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-endgame-is-getting-a-massive-rework/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Echoing Hatred</a>. In the top corner of the screen, where your World Tier normally appears, you can briefly see &#8220;Torment V.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d4-torment-V.webp" alt="Torment V Diablo 4 Echoing Hatred" class="wp-image 122913"/></figure>



<p>Blizzard has not said anything about adding a fifth Torment level. But they have previously mentioned that more Torment tiers could be introduced in the future. So this does not come completely out of nowhere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is It a Real World Tier or Just Echoing Hatred?</h2>



<p>That is the big question. Echoing Hatred looks like its own structured endgame activity. So Torment V may be specific to that mode, rather than a new global World Tier for the entire game.</p>



<p>On the other hand, Lord of Hatred is bringing a lot of new content, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-warlock-class-reveal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">including Warlock</a>, War Plans, and more. If builds are getting stronger again, adding a higher difficulty tier would make sense, especially since many players already find Torment IV fairly easy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Community Is Split</h2>



<p>Players are <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1r2ogrs/noone_is_talking_about_the_torment_5_reveal/?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">already debating it</a>. Some argue that adding Torment V would just be a &#8220;band-aid fix&#8221; for power creep. Instead of balancing damage numbers down, Blizzard could just keep adding higher Torment levels over time. This is exactly what happened in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 3</a>, and it was not good.</p>



<p>Others do not see the problem. For them, Torment IV has not felt &#8220;aspirational&#8221; for a while. Outside of <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/the-pit-of-the-artificers-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pit</a>, much of the overworld content can feel trivial once your build comes together. A higher tier could bring back some challenge to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/helltide-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helltides</a>, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/nightmare-dungeon-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nightmare Dungeons</a>, and <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/tree-of-whispers-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whispers</a>, for example.</p>



<p>There is also the reality that nerfs tend to cause backlash. Adding a new difficulty tier is usually easier to accept than reducing player power across the whole game.</p>



<p>Right now, there is no confirmation. But the fact that it appeared during an official showcase makes it hard to ignore. If Torment V is coming with Lord of Hatred, it could signal a change in how <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> handles long-term difficulty scaling heading into the expansion.</p>



<p>For now, we will have to wait for Blizzard to clarify.</p>



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<p>Fore 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>


Did Blizzard Just Tease Torment V for Diablo 4?


<p>A lot has been <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/everything-announced-in-the-diablo-4-spotlight-stream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced during the Diablo 30th Anniversary Spotlight</a>, and one of the more interesting glimpses we got was when Blizzard showed us more details about the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-skill-tree-rework-deepens-buildcraft-like-never-before/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">upcoming Skill Tree changes</a>. The preview primarily focused on the Sorcerer&#8217;s <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Hydra" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Sorceress_83.webp" alt="Hydra"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Hydra</span></span></a> to demonstrate the upcoming <strong>skill tree overhaul</strong>, but we also spotted significant changes to the Barbarian, especially for <strong>Hammer of the Ancients</strong> (HotA).</p>



<p>Although Blizzard did not formally break down the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/barbarian/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barbarian</a> changes, the on-screen skill tree preview revealed <strong>multiple new upgrade branches</strong> for this very iconic ability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Current Hammer of the Ancients</h2>



<p>In the live version of Diablo 4, <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Hammer of the Ancients" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Barbarian_10.webp" alt="Hammer of the Ancients"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Hammer of the Ancients</span></span></a>:</p>



<ul>
<li>Slams a hammer down in a concentrated area</li>



<li>Has two upgrade paths: <strong>Furious</strong> and <strong>Violent</strong></li>



<li>Focuses primarily on Critical Strike scaling and Overpower synergy</li>
</ul>



<p>The skill currently enhances burst damage but does not significantly alter its core behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Branches Teased in the Spotlight</h2>



<p>The new skill tree appears to expand HoTA with multiple massive upgrade options. We do not see the base skill, so it is unknown for now if the base <strong>Hammer of the Ancients</strong> <strong>skill</strong> remains the same or not, but both upgrades, <strong>Furious</strong> and <strong>Violent</strong>, have been changed completely, and similar to all the other skills, a 3rd variant was added!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Seismic Quake Variant</h3>



<ul>
<li><strong>Hammer of the Ancients</strong> now quakes outward, dealing additional damage beyond the initial impact area.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d4-hota-skill-preview-1.webp" alt="Violent Hammer of the Ancients Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred Skill Preview" class="wp-image 122905" style="border-radius:8px"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Seismic Line Variant</h3>



<ul>
<li>HoTA forms a seismic line that deals damage in a forward path.</li>



<li>Enemies hit are slowed by 80% for 4 seconds.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d4-barb-hota-skill-preview-2.webp" alt="Furious Hammer of the Ancients Barbarian Skill Preview - Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred" class="wp-image 122906" style="border-radius:8px"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fire / Ancients Variant</h3>



<ul>
<li>Casting <strong>HoTA</strong> summons two Ancients that strike the same area.</li>



<li>If Burning enemies are hit, the attack explodes for additional damage.</li>



<li>HoTA converts to Fire damage.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d4-barb-hota-skill-preview-3.webp" alt="Hammer of the Ancients Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred Skill Preview - Violent HotA" class="wp-image 122904" style="border-radius:8px"/></figure>



<p>This represents a massive change from simple damage modifiers to entirely new functionality and elemental identity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Change Toward Transformative Skills</h2>



<p>The teased <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/barbarian/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barbarian</a> changes mirror what Blizzard demonstrated with the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/sorcerer/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sorcerer</a>&#8216;s <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Hydra" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Sorceress_83.webp" alt="Hydra"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Hydra</span></span></a>, which can now convert into a <strong>Frost Hydra</strong> and fundamentally alter its behavior. If every class receives similar branching options, this suggests a much deeper layer of build customization than previously available. Instead of choosing between minor stat bonuses, players may now select entirely different mechanical identities for the same core skill.</p>



<p>Full details are not shared yet, but the Hammer of the Ancients preview already gives us a bit of a closer look at how dramatically the <strong>Lord of Hatred</strong> skill tree overhaul may change class builds.</p>



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<p>For more on Lord of Hatred and the upcoming Season 12, visit our <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">Diablo 4 news hub</a>.</p>


Diablo 4 Teases Major Barbarian Skill Changes in Lord of Hatred


<p>The Lord of Hatred campaign is not just a set of missions or a gateway to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-endgame-is-getting-a-massive-rework/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4&#8217;s endgame</a>. It is the bridge between the dark events of <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 2</a> and the current struggles of Sanctuary. </p>



<p>Sanctuary&#8217;s <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-lore-bites-lesser-evils-diablo-4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">balance between Heaven and Hell</a> has always been fragile. Lilith may have been defeated, but her influence lingers, and <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-mephisto-lore-before-lord-of-hatred/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mephisto</a>, the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-lore-bites-prime-evils-never-truly-die/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prime Evil of Hatred</a>, stirs again. Corruption spreads across the sacred isles of Skovos, and it is up to players to rally both familiar and unexpected allies to stop him before he unleashes his full power.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Warlocks Evolve</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d4-warlock-lord-of-hatred.webp" alt="Warlock Diablo 4 Class Reveal Cinematic" class="wp-image 122796"/></figure>



<p>The campaign also highlights the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/warlock-confirmed-for-every-diablo-game-in-massive-anniversary-reveal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warlock&#8217;s evolution</a>. Feared and hunted, these masters of forbidden knowledge grow from their Diablo 2 roots through the Immortal timeline to their <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-warlock-class-reveal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">current form in Diablo 4</a>. In Lord of Hatred, Warlocks turn the forces of Hell into a weapon, bending demonic power to protect Sanctuary. </p>



<p>Their story links the new class into the overall lore, rather than just adding a new character.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Skovos and Sanctuary&#8217;s Origins</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d4-skovo-temis.webp" alt="Diablo 4 Skovo Temis entrance of the city" class="wp-image 122877"/></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-lore-bites-skovos-isles-diablo-4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skovos is deeply linked</a> to Sanctuary&#8217;s earliest history. You will encounter:</p>



<ul>
<li>The Firstborn, Sanctuary&#8217;s first civilization</li>



<li>The Askari and their legacy</li>



<li>References to the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-lore-bites-prime-evils-never-truly-die/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prime Evils</a></li>



<li>Ancient wars that changed the world</li>
</ul>



<p>Temis, Skovos&#8217; capital, is both a narrative focal point and a main Endgame hub. Beyond exploring lore like the Blessed Mother and Heavenly Father, it becomes a central point for endgame systems once the campaign ends.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Campaign Completion Unlocks Core Systems</h2>



<p>Several new features are linked to completing the campaign. This means that not only will you learn a lot, but it is also the only way to access the new features like <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-brings-set-bonuses-back-with-talismans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Talisman</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">the Horadric Cube</a>, and even the new endgame content like War Plans. Once the story ends, the city of Temis becomes a convenient <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-endgame-is-getting-a-massive-rework/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hub for all activities</a> as well. </p>



<p>Each system will be somehow integrated into the Campaign&#8217;s story. It is not just content added on the side. Everything will have a lore-related explanation for why they exist and why you can use them.</p>



<p>Basically, the campaign not only <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-lore-bites-where-is-diablo-lord-of-hatred/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advances the story</a> but also introduces players to the tools they will need for the endgame. It gives some context for the systems that you can now use, even for the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-warlock-class-reveal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warlock class</a>!</p>



<p>By mixing lore, character, classes, and gameplay systems together, the Lord of Hatred campaign connects Diablo&#8217;s legacy with Diablo 4&#8217;s endgame, making the journey meaningful on both story and mechanical levels.</p>



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<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>


Lord of Hatred Campaign Diablo 4 Skovo Temis

Lord of Hatred Campaign Bridges Diablo 2 Lore and Diablo 4 Systems


<p>Some players who purchased the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/news/diablo-2-resurrected-reveals-reign-of-the-warlock-expansion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reign of the Warlock</a> expansion for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 2 Resurrected</a> are reporting that their promised Diablo 4 rewards have not appeared.</p>



<p>The expansion includes cross-game cosmetics for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a>, but multiple people say those items are currently missing.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d2-cosmetics-warlock.webp" alt="Diablo 2 reign of the warlock cosmetics" class="wp-image 122775"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Is Missing</h2>



<p>If you got yourself the Diablo 2 Resurrected expansion <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/reign-of-the-warlock-overview-for-diablo-ii-resurrected" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reign of the Warlock</a>, and you want to wear the new Diablo 4 cosmetics already, chances are some of those might be missing. Players are reporting that they purchased the D2R expansion on Battle.net, and even if the same Battle.net account was used for both games, the Diablo 2 Resurrected access works normally, but the <strong>Diablo 4 cosmetics (pet and wings) are not appearing in the wardrobe</strong>.</p>



<p>It seems that the Horadric Cube decoration for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/wow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World of Warcraft</a> was successfully delivered, so that means that the cross-game entitlement system is partially functioning, but it seems to be bugged only for Diablo 4.</p>



<p>Another report mentioned purchasing the expansion on Battle.net while playing Diablo 4 across console and Steam, with no rewards showing up there either.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Blizzard Responds</h2>



<p>Blizzard has already acknowledged the issue.</p>



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            <a class="source-link" target="_blank" href="https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/didn%E2%80%99t-get-pet-and-wings-on-d4-for-purchasing-warlock-expansion/241726/18"><span class="white">(</span> Source URL <span class="white">)</span> </a>
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    <h3>Didn&#8217;t Get Pet and Wings on D4 for Purchasing Warlock Expansion</h3>
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<p>Just sharing that we’re investigating this issue. Thank you all for your reports, looking to have this resolved as soon as possible.</p>
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<p>The quick response is very appreciated by everyone!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What to Do If You Are Affected</h2>



<p>For now, if you are missing rewards, all you can do is confirm you are logged into the correct Battle.net account, try restarting both the Battle.net client and Diablo 4. It might be that because of the number of players login in yesterday, some got their rewards late. If nothing appears after that, all you can do is wait for further updates from Blizzard.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Update</h2>



<p>The issue has now been fixed!</p>



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            <img decoding="async" class="blizzard-logo" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/public/blizzard-icon-small.png" alt="Blizzard Logo" />
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            <a class="source-link" target="_blank" href="https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/didn’t-get-pet-and-wings-on-d4-for-purchasing-warlock-expansion/241726/80"><span class="white">(</span> Source URL <span class="white">)</span> </a>
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    <h3>Didn’t get pet and wings on D4 for purchasing Warlock expansion</h3>
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        <p>We have fixes working in the background and capturing reports of these items now working. For those tracking this channel, please drop a note here to confirm if this has been fixed or still an issue.</p>
<p>For now, we’re asking players to restart their client and check their pet/wings inventory.</p>
    </div>
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<p>For more guides and information about Diablo 4, you can <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">check out our latest news</a>! And for those who are more into Diablo 2, you can <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">head over here</a>!</p>


Diablo 2 resurrected reign of the warlock cosmetics for d4

Diablo 4 Players Report Missing Rewards From Reign of the Warlock


<p>Players finally got to learn more about 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">upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion</a> for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> during the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/everything-announced-in-the-diablo-4-spotlight-stream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">30th anniversary livestream</a>. One of the biggest things coming in the next expansion is the Talisman, and with it comes the return of set bonuses. That&#8217;s right, after years of waiting, <strong>set bonuses are finally coming to Diablo 4.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Talismans Bring Set Bonuses Back 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/Diablo-4-Talismans-Charms.webp" alt="Diablo 4 Talismans" class="wp-image 122855" /></figure>



<p>That&#8217;s right, Blizzard has confirmed that the Lord of Hatred expansion will return the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d2/news/diablo-2-resurrected-reveals-reign-of-the-warlock-expansion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">classic Diablo 2 Charm system</a>, pairing it with the set bonuses of <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 3</a>. Overall, blending the two systems together into one powerful fusion.</p>



<p>When you reach the endgame, players will eventually unlock access to a Talisman slot for their character. Currently, at the time of writing, we do not know how easy or difficult it is to unlock the Talisman, if it has any upgrades, or every bonus it provides. However, we know that after equipping it, Charms will start to drop.</p>



<p>Charms work similarly to their own gear slots, or sort of like Runes, with affixes and powers on each Charm. They come in multiple rarities and will provide a variety of bonuses such as <strong>stats, buffs, or extra Skill ranks</strong>. But the real power comes when you start equipping multiple Charms from the same set.</p>



<p>In the announcement, we saw one example of a <strong>Talisman set bonus</strong>, via the Marksman Basic Skill build. This set bonus grants its user a buff called &#8220;Vengeance,&#8221; which <strong>grants movement speed</strong> and <strong>multiplicative damage</strong>, which stacks up to 5 times. Equipping more of the same Charm further adds additional effects and buffs, such <strong>as an automatic Dark Shroud shadow</strong> and extra damage reduction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Power of Charms</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-2.webp" alt="Diablo 4 Talismans &amp; Charms" class="wp-image 122858" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/could-seasonal-sets-bonuses-actually-work-in-diablo-4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Originally, it was theorized that set bonuses may return to Diablo 4</a> through the Talisman system, and thankfully, we were right. But there&#8217;s potentially more power that could be implemented through this system. And fans are already beginning to question whether some of these sets will be permanent or rotate out each season.</p>



<p>It&#8217;s unlikely for Blizzard to have class sets define each season, much like how Diablo 3 does, so while there&#8217;s a lot of potential here, there&#8217;s a strong chance it won&#8217;t overly define the seasonal meta. On the other hand, these sets could help save some struggling builds; we will just have to wait and see.</p>


Lunar New Year Rewards Fixes: Diablo 4 Season 11 Hotfixes, February 13th

Diablo IV News