d3 Patch 2.7.1 PTR Patch Notes: June 24th

[Staff 1,490]

Blizzard released an update on the 2.7.1 PTR, as they continue to make adjustments before Season 24 release. Here are the updated patch notes with all the recent tweaks.

(Source)

Update on 6/24: PTR 2.7.1 has been updated. Please see below for changes and "Developer's Note" annotations in RED.

Developer's Note: We want to thank everyone who has participated in PTR and has shared their feedback through the forums and community channels. We hope you enjoy the changes and we want to hear more feedback so we can make additional adjustments before 2.7.1 and Season 24 release.

Our two-week PTR testing period for the 2.7.1 update begins June 17 and we're asking for your help to quell the tides of surging demons. Take a look at the preliminary patch notes below and start theorycrafting how you'll make the most of the Ethereals and new balance changes; Patch 2.7.1 will be arriving soon.

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Table of Contents

• PTR Focus Details
  • PTR Tips
• Patch Notes
  • Seasons
  • Items
  • Bug Fixes
• How to Participate in PTR
• PTR Character Copy

Please note that this is a preview for PTR content, which is subject to change.

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PTR Focus & Details

We’ll be conducting the Patch 2.7.1 PTR over the course of two weeks, starting Thursday, June 17. During this time there may be periodic maintenances, outages, hotfixes, or minor patches.

• There will be three PTR-unique buffs active to help you on your journey: increased Legendary drop rate, increased experience gains, and double Blood Shard drops. You can also buy new gear for testing from the special PTR vendor, Djank Mi'em, who will exchange Blood Shards for class-specific bags full of Legendary items and Ethereals that we'd love for you to test!
• Class and Balance Changes: To ensure that the most significant class changes receive an ample amount of attention, we'd love for you to focus testing and feedback on the set changes to the Monk's Inna's Mantra set, Crusader's Aegis of Valor set and the Necromancer's Masquerade of the Burning Carnival set.
• New Season Theme Testing: We're looking to gather feedback on the seasonal theme content featuring Ethereals.

So that we can efficiently review your posts, feedback should be provided in the PTR Feedback forum while bug reports should be provided in the PTR Bug Report forum.

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PTR Testing Tips

As with our previous PTRs, this testing period is short, so it's best to hit the ground running. Whether you’re a PTR veteran or newcomer, we thought we’d pass along a few tips to get you started.

• Because of the limited duration of this PTR, we ask that participants pick a particular portion of this update to focus on testing.
  • For example, if you’re primarily a Wizard player, consider what changes impact the Wizard specifically. What you like best, what you think may still need adjustment, and what you’d want to see in the future (even if that may be beyond the scope of this patch) are all good questions to ask yourself.
• Prior to the start of PTR, consider stocking up on items like Puzzle Rings and Bovine Bardiches. Having these available after you import your character can make any necessary PTR farming much faster!
• Try to break things! Just tell us when you do so we can make sure that the patch launch is as smooth as possible.
• When providing feedback, focus less on a solution and more on your experience. How did the changes make you feel? Was there something “off” that you noticed? Did something seem wrong or insufficient? Suggestions are always welcome but identifying the issues themselves is most important.

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Patch Notes

Below you will find the patch notes for the upcoming update for Diablo III, Patch 2.7.1.

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PATCH 2.7.1

Table of Contents:

• Seasons
• Items
• Bug Fixes

Note: All changes apply to all versions of Diablo III, including PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC unless otherwise indicated.

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Seasons

Developer's Note: Diablo II left us with fond memories when it released more than 20 years ago, and with Diablo® II: Resurrected^TM coming soon, we’d like to introduce a feature to honor that legacy. For this seasonal theme, our inspiration took shape by reimagining how Ethereal items could manifest in Diablo III. In Season 24, Ethereals are rare, powerful, and fleeting items, with 21 iconic weapons from Diablo II making a return.

New Season Theme: Season 24 introduces Ethereals, a new weapon-type that players will be able to acquire and hunt for in their upcoming seasonal journey. Ethereals will roll a powerful set of affixes, a random Class Weapon Legendary Power and a random Class Passive Power. Ethereals will have unique icons, names, item types, and sounds originally found in Diablo II. For additional details on Ethereals, check out the list below:

• Ethereals are account bound and can only be dropped by monsters, chests, and destructibles, but do not require your character to be level 70 to drop. Ethereals cannot be acquired through Kanai's Cube or from Kadala.
• Ethereal rarity drop rate is set between Ancient and Primal items.
• There are 3 unique Ethereals per class. Each Ethereal has fixed affixes and rolls one random Legendary Weapon power and one random Class Passive Skill.
• Only one Ethereal can be equipped at a time.
• Ethereals ignore item durability loss.
• Legendary Powers and Class Passive Skills rolled on Ethereals do not stack with the same power equipped through Kanai's Cube, Items or Skills.
• Ethereals cannot be Enchanted, Transmogrified, Dyed, Reforged, or traded.
• Ethereals can be augmented.
• Collecting all 21 Ethereals during Season 24 will reward players with the Feat of Strength, Ethereal Recollection. Players who accomplish this will have all Ethereal transmogrify options available for future seasonal and non-seasonal play. Please note that the reward functionality for Ethereal Recollection will not be available during PTR 2.7.1.
• Ethereals only drop in Seasonal play, and will not transfer to your non-seasonal character when the season ends.

Ethereal Updates

Developer's Note: Based on the feedback we received, we wanted to improve balance across all classes, increase the diversity of Ethereals, and ensure each Ethereal conveys its own unique identity.

Crusader

• Astreon's Iron Ward
  • Added affix:+1 to Maximum damage per Paragon Level up to 800
• Khalim's Will
  • Added affix: Killing an enemy reduces the cooldown of Steed Charge by 1 second

Demon Hunter

• Buriza-Do Kyanon
  • Added affix: Hits against Frozen enemies are always Critical Hits
• Doomslinger

  • Added affix: Killing an elite pack increases movement speed by 30% for 7 seconds

• Windforce

  • Added affix + Maximum Discipline (Levels 1-70)

  • Added "Resource Cost Reduction" (Level 70)

Monk

• Bartuc's Cut-Throat

  • Added affix: Consecutive hits to enemies increases damage by 10% up to 100%

• Shadow Killer

  • Added affix: Reduce the damage of enemies hit by 25% for 5 seconds

Necromancer

• Soul Harvest
  • Reduced value of Maximum Essence (45-50 to 9-12)

  • Affix removed: Critical Hit Damage

Witch Doctor

• Arioc's Needle

  • Removed affix:+100% damage to all Witch Doctor skills

  • Added affix: +200% damage to all Decay skills

• Ghostflame

  • Removed affix:+100% damage to all Witch Doctor skills

  • Added affix: +200% damage to all Secondary skills

  • Adjusted damage range to be more consistent with other 1-Hand Ethereals

• The Gidbinn

  • Removed affix:+100% damage to all Witch Doctor skills

  • Added affix: +200% damage to all Voodoo skills

Wizard

• The Oculus

  • Added affix: Reduce the damage of enemies hit by 25% for 5 seconds

• Wizardspike

  • Added affix: Consecutive hits to enemies increases damage by 10% up to 100%

Season Rewards: Two unique new rewards, a portrait frame, and a pet will be granted to players who complete the Season 24 Guardian Journey. Please note that the reward content will not be available during PTR 2.7.1.

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Items

General

• Monk | Skill Change:
  • Mystic Ally | Fire Ally: Now splits into 2 splits instead of 5, but now all Fire Allies can split. Damage radius slightly increased and damage increased from 480% to 1920% weapon damage.
  • Mystic Ally | Earth Ally: Damage increased from 380% to 4500% weapon damage.
  • Mystic Ally Updates

    • Earth Ally Active Ability now works with Enforcer gem

    • Mystic Ally leashing radius has been reduced

    • Adjusted Attack Speed interaction with Mystic Ally

Developer's Note: We've adjusted the Mystic Ally leash to be shorter, which should help make the Mystic Allies more effective. We also addressed issues where some Mystic Allies did not benefit from Attack Speed and Enforcer Gem.

• Wizard | Skill Change:
  • Mirror Image: Mirror Image icon now displays a counter to display how many Mirror Images are active.

Item Changes

• Inna's Mantra 4-Piece Set: Gain the base effect of all four Mantras at all times. You gain 5% damage reduction for each Mystic Ally you have out. Your Mystic Allies no longer take damage.
• Inna's Mantra 6-Piece Set: Gain the passive abilities of the five runed Mystic Allies at all times. Attacking enemies creates your chosen Mystic Ally that lasts 15 seconds, up to 10 Mystic Allies. The damage of your Mystic Allies is increased by 950% 3000% for each Mystic Ally you have out.
• The Crudest Boots: Mystic Ally summons two Mystic Allies that fight by your side. They deal 300% to 400% 150% to 200% increased damage and are able to attack with their active forms longer.
• Bindings of the Lesser Gods: Enemies hit by your Cyclone Strike take 300% to 400% 150% to 200% increased damage from your Mystic Ally for 5 seconds. Split Fire Allies gain 5 times this bonus.
• Rabid Strike Update: Adjusted Rabid Strike interaction with The Crudest Boots and Bindings of the Lesser Gods Mystic Ally buffs

Developer's Note: We have enjoyed watching players discover the buffed LoD WoL build during PTR, but it was too strong due to an unintended interaction with Rabid Strike. We've moved some of the power from The Crudest Boots and Bindings of the Lesser Gods items to the Inna's Mantra 6-piece bonus. Rabid Strike no longer benefits from the Split Fire Allies bonus on Bindings of the Lesser Gods, and now benefits from The Crudest Boots increased damage. We hope these changes will allow both LoD and Inna's builds to be viable in a variety of Solo and Group scenarios.

Developer's Note: Inna's Mantra played similarly to other Monk sets and didn't have a strong identity. We want to see the Mystic Ally play a more important role, rather than simply providing a passive power boost.

• Aegis of Valor 2-Piece Set: Attacking with Fists of the Heavens empowers you, allowing Heaven's Fury to deal 125% increased damage for 5 seconds. Stacks up to 3 times.
• Masquerade of the Burning Carnival 6-Piece Set: Bone Spear cast by you and your Simulacrums deals 6000% increased damage.

Developer's Note: Aegis of Valor and Masquerade of the Burning Carnival have been overperforming for several seasons. We're adjusting these sets in the interest of competitive variety.

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Bug Fixes

General Fixes

• Removed "Carlos' Sword of Testing" from Kanai's Cube powers list.

Developer's Note: Carlos says hi.

Fixed several legendary powers that were rolling incorrect versions on Ethereals

• Iron Rose
• Nayr's Black Death
• Lost Time
• Scythe of the Cycle
• Leger's Disdain
• Bloodtide Blade
• Standoff
• Faithful Memory

Fixed typos in some Ethereals

• Astreon's Iron Ward
• Gimmershred

Misc Ethereal fixes 

• Fixed a bug where Ethereals did not benefit from Barbarian Weapons Master, Necromancer Dark Reaping, and Demon Hunter Archery passives.
• Fixed a bug that allowed Kadala to give Ethereals
• Fixed a bug where Ethereals did not benefit from Barbarian Weapons Master passive
• Removed "Heavenly Strength" from passives that can roll on Crusader Ethereals
• Updated the glow behind Ethereal name on tooltips

Inna's Mantra Bug Fixes

• Fixed a bug causing Inna's Mantra to not be listed on the "Solo Monk - Inna's Mantra" Leaderboard
• Fixed a bug that allowed more Mystic Allies to spawn than intended

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How to Participate

To participate in the public test, you must have a Diablo III game license attached to a Battle.net account in good standing (i.e. one that hasn't been suspended or banned). In addition, you will also need to download and install the Blizzard Battle.net desktop app if you have not already done so.

• Step 1: Restart the Battle.net desktop app.
• Step 2: Navigate to the Diablo III tab on the left-hand menu.
• Step 3: On the Diablo III screen, there is a drop-down menu right above the "Play" button (note that this may say "Install" if you do not have Diablo III currently installed). Select "PTR: Diablo III" from this drop-down menu before proceeding.
• Step 4: Click Install to begin the installation process.

Your PTR account will be created automatically if you do not already have one. The PTR is available in all supported languages, and accounts from all regions are eligible to participate. For additional assistance with installing and launching the PTR, click here.

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PTR Character Copy

The option to copy your existing Diablo III characters from your live account to the PTR will be available and can be done directly through the PTR client. However, only one region per account can be copied at a time. So, if you choose to copy characters from your account in a different region, any previously copied PTR characters will be lost.

• Step 1: Log into the live game and then log out.
• Step 2: Log into PTR client and create a level 1 character. After you're done, return to the main character screen.
• Step 3: Click on the "PTR Copy" button located in the upper right-hand corner. (The PTR Copy button will not appear in-game until you have created a new level 1 character.)
• Step 4: Select your region.
• Step 5: Click "Copy." This will copy all characters on your account from the selected region.
• Step 6: You will be disconnected from the PTR client.
• Step 7: Log back in. Your copied characters will be available for play.

Please note that you can only copy characters from one gameplay region at a time. If you choose to copy characters from a different region, any previously copied PTR characters will be lost. In addition, you can only copy characters over to your PTR account once every 24 hours. Attempting to copy characters before this cooldown is up will result in an error.

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As this is a test server, please anticipate uneven game performance, and note that restarts and downtime may occur without warning. Thank you, and we look forward to your feedback!

[Draketh 86]

LoD WoL was looking a bit too crazy, but I'll still probably go Monk next Season even with the changes. It still seems really fun! 😄

[Starym 3,801]

46 minutes ago, Draketh said:

LoD WoL was looking a bit too crazy, but I'll still probably go Monk next Season even with the changes. It still seems really fun! 😄

I'm conflicted at what to play. OBVIOUSLY it's another LoD season for me, since that's really the only fun I can get out of D3 anymore (you know with actual builds that evolve and not just BAM set), but what class to go with... I also have the call to Monk every.single.season.

[Draketh 86]

1 hour ago, Starym said:

I'm conflicted at what to play. OBVIOUSLY it's another LoD season for me, since that's really the only fun I can get out of D3 anymore (you know with actual builds that evolve and not just BAM set), but what class to go with... I also have the call to Monk every.single.season.

I've actually only done a LoD build once during a Season, and it was due to it being the whole theme of Season 17, so it'll still feel fresh regardless of the class. But my call is usually Demon Hunter, so I'm ready for something new in that department as well!

[Darkhold 0]

So necro is super crapped on again this season. It wasn't enough to kill AotD last season but now bonespear is nerfed a solid 10 tiers and necro ethereal has the ONLY nerf?! So no s24 necros. Thx blizzard for ruining the class!