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Most modern ARPGs fail because they can’t figure out the loot. For years, Diablo 4 was no exception. However, Blizzard has finally stopped tripping over its own feet. The latest season proves that they have finally cracked the code to making items exciting again.
Here is why Diablo 4 is currently having its best season yet.
The Return of the Paladins in Diablo 4
“Paladins” have finally arrived in Diablo 4. This fan-favourite class brings a holy arsenal to the battlefield. Players are currently crashing down on enemies with holy hammers.
Crucially, the Paladin replaces the standard “Mana” resource with “Faith”. While the class is a major draw, it is not the main reason the game feels revitalised. Instead, a massive shakeup to the item system is doing the heavy lifting.
Sanctification: A Game-Changing Crafting System
The real star of the season is “Sanctification”. This new crafting system allows players to gamble with their gear at a special forge. You roll the dice to add extraordinary bonuses to your items.
These are not just minor stat boosts. Sanctification can add effects from the best items in the game. Consequently, a forgettable pair of gloves can become the most powerful gear you own. For example, some players have managed to roll bonuses that grant +8 free points to every skill.
New sanctification can have some wild outcomes!
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However, there is a catch. Once you sanctify an item, you cannot modify it further. There is also a rare chance that the process replaces an existing stat. Despite these risks, the system makes every piece of loot feel like a potential gold mine.
Diablo 4 Fixing the Endgame Boredom
Previously, Diablo 4 loot lacked variance. Players with similar builds ended up with identical gear. Now, Sanctification ensures everyone builds their characters differently.
This change has completely shifted player behaviour. Instead of trashing full inventories of loot, players are now hoarding valuable “base” pieces to sanctify later. Blizzard even included an extra stash tab for those who pre-order the Lord of Hatred expansion to accommodate this new “loot hoarder” meta.
The Path to the Expansion
This season serves as a successful roadmap for the Lord of Hatred expansion coming next year. Blizzard has already teased the return of Diablo 2’s “Horadric Cube”. This will bring traditional recipe-based item crafting back to the franchise.
If Blizzard keeps Sanctification alongside the Cube, players might soon be able to craft gear from scratch that competes with the best items in the game. It took years to get here, but the reworks are finally paying off.
