Diablo 4 Season 11 is welcoming back Duriel, Belial, and Andariel with new seasonal mechanics! On top of their usual Lair Boss fights, they are invading existing activities! However, this has started to raise some frustration, especially for players who do not own the Vessel of Hatred expansion.
The Lesser Evils Take Over Existing Activities
Season 11 introduces a new change to Diablo 4’s main activities. Each of the classic Diablo bosses now corrupts a different mode in the Seasonal Realm:
- Duriel now infests Helltides, replacing the Blood Maiden encounter.
- Belial hides within The Pit, summoning his Eyes and even appearing as the final boss.
- Andariel burns through the Kurast Undercity. Beating her as the Undercity boss grants powerful seasonal rewards.
It is a really cool concept that makes the Lesser Evils a bit more relevant and active! But… there is a catch.
Andariel Locked Behind Vessel of Hatred
There is one issue that a few players pointed out, and that is Andariel’s content in Season 11 is exclusive to players who own the Vessel of Hatred expansion.
The reason is that during Season 11, as mentioned before, she appears within the Kurast Undercity, and that is only accessible with Vessel of Hatred. Players who only own the base game can still fight Andariel in her normal version, but not the special one that is tied to Seasonal reputation and progression.
That means for the first time, base game players are effectively locked out of part of the season’s content.
Players Raise Concerns
The issue was discussed on Reddit where one player suggested Blizzard should allow Andariel to spawn elsewhere, for example, in Helltides like Duriel, to avoid leaving base game players behind.
Others pointed out that Blizzard had already stated this would happen eventually. Back when Vessel of Hatred launched, the devs mentioned that future seasons could include expansion content. Now, that moment has come.
“Blizzard stated back when they released VoH that expansions may be required for future seasonal content.”
The reactions are mixed. Some players accept it as the natural direction of a live-service game, but others feel disappointed that Season 11 marks the start of gated seasonal progression.
For now, Blizzard did not plan any adjustments or alternate spawns for Andariel. But it is clear that future seasonal content will end up depending on owning the latest DLC.
Vessel of Hatred itself costs almost the price of the base game, so the growing gap between expansion owners and base-game players is starting to show. With the next expansion likely set for next year, Season 11 might be Blizzard’s quiet signal that it is time for everyone to move forward, or risk being left behind.
