Diablo 4 players are getting their first look at some massive overhauls coming next season with the rollout of update 2.5.0. The recently released patch notes for Diablo 4 update 2.5.0 detail how changes to Tempering and Masterworking will affect gear progression, while also introducing a new type of upgrade in the form of Sanctification. While it seems like Diablo 4 is taking great strides to fix the major issues with the Tempering and Masterworking systems, a new set of problems could arise from the introduction of Sanctification.

Alongside the changes to Diablo 4's Tempering and Masterworking mechanics, patch 2.5.0 also details reworks to some of the game's other systems, including improved monster difficulty, the Season 11 Divine Gift mechanics and new Lesser Evils invasion, and the return of Leaderboards in tandem with the new Tower dungeon. Following the popularity of Diablo 4 Season 10, it's an encouraging sign to see the game continue to implement positive changes in the next update. However, these mechanical reworks may not be sufficient to address the most significant criticism of the current gear upgrade system.

Players can test out these new mechanics via Diablo 4's PTR from October 21 to October 28.

Diablo 4's Upcoming Season 11 Patch 2.5.0 Fixes Tempering and Masterworking, But Introduces a New Problem

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The most frustrating part of upgrading gear in Diablo 4 is the randomness associated with Tempering and Masterworking. Under the current system, Tempering an item involves RNG around which affix from a given Temper Manual gets applied, with a limited number of chances to apply the desired one. Masterworking also features a level of randomness for every fourth rank when deciding which affix gets a 25% upgrade, creating a situation where players have to gamble on their upgrades and potentially spend a ton of resources just to get their gear in an ideal state.

Temper Manual in Diablo 4

Tempering Changes in Diablo 4 Patch 2.5.0

  • Tempering now lets players select the affix they want to apply.
  • Items can only have one tempered affix.
  • Tempering Charges can now be restored indefinitely.

Removing the RNG for Tempering is the biggest win of these patch notes. Allowing players to choose which affix gets imprinted on an item should make gearing up for Diablo 4's endgame much less of a chore, even if it means that only one affix can be tempered per item. With charges being restored indefinitely, players also don't have to worry about grinding for a Scroll of Restoration to reset the unwanted tempers on their gear, either.

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Masterworking Changes in Diablo 4 Patch 2.5.0

  • No longer increases an item's affix value, improves Quality instead.
  • 20 is the maximum Quality threshold, where players can roll one last time for a Capstone bonus.
  • Capstone bonuses upgrade a random non-greater affix into a Greater Affix, and can be re-rolled using Obducite and Neathiron.

Masterworking in Diablo 4 is changing drastically, but potentially for the better. Rather than focusing on upgrading affixes, patch 2.5.0 makes it so that Masterworking an item improves its Quality to add bonus damage, armor, or resistance stats to an item. This system still grants the ability to upgrade affixes somewhat, with the Capstone bonus of a Masterworked item turning a non-greater affix into a Greater Affix. While this system seems to be random, it can easily be re-rolled with existing Obducite and Neathiron materials, so it's not as much of a gamble as before.

How Sanctification Undermines Diablo 4 Patch 2.5.0's Gear Upgrading Rework

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The biggest potential wildcard of Diablo 4 patch 2.5.0's gear upgrade system is the new Sanctification mechanic. This mechanic makes an item unmodifiable and acts as the final step of a piece of gear's upgrade journey, offering some potentially game-changing affixes at a frustrating cost. Sanctification has the chance to:

  • Apply a bonus Legendary power
  • Improve an Affix into a Greater Affix
  • Add a bonus Affix from a pool of special Sanctification affixes
  • Replace an existing Affix with a random Sanctification affix
  • Make your item indestructible, preventing it from losing durability
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While these upgrades sound fantastic in theory, the method of obtaining them seems to fall back on the old habits that made Tempering such a pain. Sanctifying an item in Diablo 4 puts players once again at the mercy of RNG, with the added danger of bricking an otherwise perfect item due to the permanent nature of Sanctification. This system could be a controversy waiting to happen, especially if a player finds their dream Diablo 4 Mythic item, gets the tempers and Capstone bonus they want from Masterworking, only to have a suboptimal Sanctification applied that can't be undone. While the overall changes to this system seem like a boon for the game, Sanctification could be a new source of headaches for Diablo 4 players.

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9 /10

Diablo 4
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Action RPG
Hack and Slash
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
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Released
June 5, 2023
ESRB
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Blizzard
Publisher(s)
Blizzard
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Genre(s)
Action RPG, Hack and Slash