After nearly two years on the market, the hit action RPG Diablo 4 is already set to receive its 8th seasonal update. During the latest Campfire Chat livestream, developer Blizzard Entertainment gave players an idea of what to expect from the upcoming patch. Although the current season of the game has primarily focused on adding witch-related gameplay mechanics, Season 8 is going to place an emphasis on boss battles instead. According to Blizzard, all endgame bosses in Diablo 4 will be overhauled to become more accessible and rewarding. New items called Lair Keys are going to replace Diablo 4's current summon system, and they're going to make it easier to locate and battle bosses in the game.
Like some of the previous seasonal updates, Season 8 will also add a new boss to Diablo 4 called Belial, the Lord of Lies. Originally featured as one of the main antagonists in Diablo 3, Belial is one of the Lesser Evils of the Burning Hells in Diablo lore, and his return in this season marks the end of a years-long absence from the series. The Belial boss fight in Diablo 4 has been described by Blizzard as both the "highest challenge" and the "highest reward," so, judging by this description, defeating him likely won't be an easy task. Difficulty aside, though, Belial's inclusion in Season 8 suggests that fans may be one step closer to experiencing a Diablo boss fight in Diablo 4, as well.
Diablo 4 Reveals Difficulty Changes for Season 8
Diablo 4 reveals some important changes coming to the game's difficulty in Season 8.
After Belial, Blizzard May Soon Add the Lord of Terror to Diablo 4
Diablo, the Lord of Terror, is One of the Most Dangerous Antagonists in the Diablo Games
Diablo, for those who are unaware, is the titular antagonist of the Diablo series. Also referred to as Al'Diabolos, the Lord of Terror, he is the youngest of the Prime Evils, a trio of powerful demonic entities that rule over the realms of the Burning Hells. Diablo, along with his two brothers, Mephisto and Baal, are in a war with the angels from Heaven and, in order to triumph, they seek to corrupt humanity and conquer Sanctuary, the world where humans live. Although they often work together, the Prime Evils don't get along that well and have typically betrayed each other throughout the series. Out of the three of them, though, Diablo is often considered the most dangerous.
Diablo Has Had a Prominent Presence in the Diablo Series Since its First Installment
As one would probably expect, Diablo made his debut in the first game in the Diablo series, Diablo 1. He served as the final boss of the 1996 RPG (this particular boss fight would later make an appearance in Diablo 3's Anniversary Dungeon). Afterward, the Lord of Terror showed up in both Diablo 2 and 3's main campaigns, this time as the final boss in the fourth acts of the two games. Although Diablo was initially the last boss players would encounter in Diablo 2 and 3, the expansions for both games added extra bosses which were even more challenging.
Diablo has also reared his demonic head in Diablo Immortal, Blizzard Entertainment's controversial free-to-play mobile game. Despite not being in the game at launch, the Lord of Terror was recently added to Diablo Immortal in a post-launch update entitled Shattered Sanctuary, which came out in December of last year. This incarnation of Diablo has more attacks and abilities than any prior version, so players have to be careful when confronting him.
Like With Diablo Immortal, Blizzard Could Add Diablo to Diablo 4 in a Future Season
To date, Diablo 4 is the only game in the entire Diablo series that doesn't feature Diablo himself. The Lord of Terror is only mentioned in passing throughout the game, but he never shows up as an actual boss. That could change in the near future, however, like it did with Diablo Immortal. If the announcement of the Belial boss battle is anything to go by, it's clear Blizzard Entertainment is not at all hesitant to add bosses from previous games to Diablo 4, even if it has major implications on the series' overarching lore. The addition of a Diablo boss fight to Diablo 4 may bring some lapsed players back, so hopefully, the company will include it in a future season.
Diablo 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
WHERE TO PLAY
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action-RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot.
Embark on the epic campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through a gripping story in a beautifully dark world, or explore an expansive end game: battle iconic bosses for powerful loot, fight back the encroaching onslaught of Hell in Helltides, master the Forge to create your ultimate weapons and progress powerful characters, with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.
Discover the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre. As the battle between the High Heavens and Burning Hells rages on, hatred devours Sanctuary as evil spreads and a new wave of cultists and worshippers arise to embrace Lilith’s coming. Only a brave few dare to face this threat and bring light to the all-consuming darkness.
Expansive Open WorldForge your own path through the corrupted lands of Sanctuary, an ever-growing, fully explorable world teeming with challenges, quests, enemies, and loot. Join your fellow adventurers, rescue and retake besieged towns, delve into nightmarish dungeons and uncover lost secrets as you fight back evil. The many zones of Sanctuary are yours to explore, and with rotating areas of extreme peril like World Bosses and Helltide, danger lurks at every turn.
Immersive Character DevelopmentCreate and customize your character to face the encroaching darkness. Choose from one of five classes and build your hero with skills, abilities and cosmetics, creating a champion that is uniquely your own. Grow stronger as you progress through powerful Skill Trees and develop even more unique end game specializations with Paragon Boards.
Legendary Gear, Epic BattlesDiscover and experiment with a vast arsenal of powerful weapons, armor and more to fight back against the demons threatening Sanctuary. Explore unique combinations, create your own upgrades and collect a plethora of powerful tools to battle in immersive, action-packed combat against the deadliest of enemies.
Seasons & EventsThe tales of Sanctuary continue to unfold. Create Seasonal Characters and join in fresh adventures - master new mechanics and take on the latest threats in each new Season. Complete harrowing feats of the Season Journey and earn new Battle Pass rewards. Plus, sharpen your swords and get in the spirit of the seasons when Limited-Time Events sweep through Sanctuary.
End Game UndertakingsThere’s even more Diablo® IV to explore as you reach higher levels and more fearsome World Tiers. Face the greatest challenge yet as you take on the most powerful demons in The Pit, steel yourself against Uber Bosses to reap uber unique rewards, fight back overflowing armies of Hell as Helltides emerge across Sanctuary, battle larger-than-life World Bosses, and master the Forge to create the mightiest weapons fit for a hero.
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
