2.5.0 PTR Patch Notes Season 11 Overview
The Tower brings Greater Rift Leaderboards Back
A crowd favorite, Greater Rifts and their associated leaderboards are finally coming to Diablo 4! The Tower is a new timed challenge, with small twists from its Diablo 3 counterpart. Climb the tower, make use of powerful shrines, and show your might on the Leaderboards.
Tempering Streamlined
Tempering is receiving a simplification in Season 11, with the removal of all randomness in the system. Items can now only have a single tempered affix, but players can freely add the exact affix without restrictions.
Masterworking
Masterworking is getting a big rework in the next Patch, and no longer increases the explicit affixes on items. Instead, Masterworking will now increase the Quality of an item, a new stat that increases the value of implicit Damage, Armor, and Resistance values.
At Maximum Quality, a Capstone Bonus upgrade becomes available that upgrades a random non-greater affix into a Greater Affix. This can be rerolled, but it won't be cheap!
Sanctification
Season 11 introduces a new Gear upgrade system with Sanctification. This is the final step in upgrading items, as Sanctifying items will make them unmodifiable. The outcomes from Sanctification are varied, including the application of bonus Powers and Affixes, among other effects. Players looking to perfect their gear will want to make heavy use of this new system.
Monsters are getting Smarter
Another significant update to combat is in the form of monster behavior. Details are sparse, but Blizzard has made note of giving each monster a role and identity, including dynamic responses in combat. In addition to the behavior changes, there are new monster affixes, Elite packs have gotten more dangerous, and more. The result: the forces of hell grow stronger, Wanderer.
Measure your Defense with Toughness
Defenses have gotten reworked in Diablo 4 Season 11, and one of the big ones is the addition of the Toughness stat. This stat is a new indicator for the defense of a character, summarizing the total reduction from Armor and Resistances. This comes alongside a rebalancing of defensive stats, adding Physical Resistance and Armor, affecting all damage passively.
Healing through Fortify
As part of the changes to Defenses, Fortify has been reworked as a Healing effect instead. When dropping under maximum Life, Fortify will be consumed to recover a portion of Life, giving players a new avenue to heal after battle.
React to Damage with Potions
Say goodbye to Potion upgrades going into the next Season. Potions, instead, are an instant-heal effect and will recharge slowly. To complement the instant-healing, affixes such as Life on Hit, Life Regeneration, and increased % Healing have all been improved.
The Lesser Evils Take Over Sanctuary
Hell rises across Sanctuary, and the Lesser Evils have taken control of various endgame activities. Face off against the Lesser Evils and their minions, overcome their new challenges, and reap the rewards of your efforts. With Duriel taking over Helltides, Belial's chaos in the Pit, Andariel's corruption spreading through the Undercity, and the return of Azmodan in Sanctuary, players will encounter fierce opposition at every corner.
Target Rewards through Divine Gifts
Every Season has its Seasonal Powers, but this time there's a huge difference. Instead of adding player power, Divine Gifts grant additional challenges and rewards for players brave enough to go up against the most difficult monsters ever seen in Diablo 4.
New Season, New Uniques
A new Diablo Season means new ways to play your favorite Class. With changes to combat and defenses in the base game, Uniques will play a crucial role in building a great character. In Season 11, every class receives a new Unique to build around and utilize.
Season Journey and Renown Overhaul
Part of the permanent changes to the game, the Renown and Season Journey system is receiving massive changes, and is now part of the new, renamed Season Rank system. Zone Renown is only permanent on Eternal Realms, with Seasonal Realms resetting progress. The additional Skill and Paragon points must be re-earned at the start of your journey. Altars of Lilith will no longer grant permanent power and instead will only give a moderate amount of experience and minor rewards.
Capstone Dungeons Return
Capstone Dungeons have returned as a test of your progress, unlocking Torment Difficulties and giving players a stress test of their characters. These will be exceptionally challenging, and while there are recommended levels, the best way to know if you're ready is to try them.
Welcome Back Booster Disabled for New Accounts
To avoid unintended usage of the Welcome Back Booster, it has been moved to the Training Grounds and can no longer be used by New Accounts to complete things like the Altars of Lilith automatically.
