Diablo 4 Season 5 PTR patch notes (June 25): New items, quality-of-life improvements, and more

The Diablo 4 Season 5 PTR is inbound for June 25, but its patch notes are already here. The main draw for the upcoming seasonal update is a continuation of the main quest. This is not to imply that it is without new post-game activities, as Infernal Hordes and the Fell Council add more avenues of end-game horizontal progression.

Without further ado, here are the new content and major changes coming with the next season. These are sourced from the official documentation in Blizzard's Diablo 4 Season 5 PTR patch notes blog post.

All new game mechanics and new content in Diablo 4 Season 5 PTR (patch notes)

New Eternal Questline: 'The Eyes of The Enemy'

Season 5 features a new story where enemies are cut down, alliances shift, and unlikely friends emerge from the shadows. The PTR has a new Questline that takes place after the events of the Main Questline. It is available on both Seasonal and Eternal Realms and will remain on the Eternal realm once Season 5 has concluded.

Head to Hawezar in World Tier III and investigate a disturbance among the cityfolk there. Completing this Questline will allow you to battle the Infernal Hordes, the new gameplay activity coming with Season 5. Note that you only have to complete this Quest once across your Account.

New Activity: Infernal Hordes

Helltides were only the beginning of the horrors lying in wait. Confront seemingly endless waves of Hell’s Legions in the Realm of Hatred, as the Infernal Hordes grow more powerful with each passing day.

The Infernal Hordes is an activity where you slay hordes while earning Burning Aether to unlock powerful weapons and rewards. Successfully slay the Hordes and you’ll be able to fight the powerful Fell Council.

Enter the Realm of Hatred by using an Infernal Compass
Hell Compasses can be found by defeating Endgame Bosses, Helltides, Nightmare Dungeons, and Whispers.
A Hell Compass will be granted to you upon completing the newest Eternal quest.
Infernal Hordes has time-limited waves, lasting 90 seconds each.
Collect Burning Aether during a wave to spend at the end of a successful Infernal run.
At the end of the 90 seconds, kill the remaining enemies and decide between three Infernal Offers. Once selected, the next wave will begin.
Successfully slay all waves in the Tier you are attempting to advance to the Well of Hatred then battle the Fell Council. Upon defeating the Fell Council, spend your Burning Aether on Spoils of Hell.

Infernal Offer

Upon defeating each wave, Hell will tempt you with an Infernal Offer.

The Infernal Offer gives you a choice of three different Boons & Banes that modify your run. Select one!
Ex: Elite damage increased, Elites grant increased Burning Aether
Choose wisely—Infernal Offers will stack across the duration of your Infernal Hordes run. Many can be active at the same time!
Infernal Offers are your chance to increase the difficulty in order to earn more Burning Aether, or select a more modest Infernal Offer if the intensity is too great.

Burning Aether

Earn Burning Aether by slaying Aether Fiends and Aether Lords, or by destroying Soulspires and Aetheric Masses.
Burning Aether is earned individually, regardless of playing solo or in a group. This lets you decide how to spend it at the end of your run.

Spoils of Hell

On a successful run, you’ll use Burning Aether to unlock Spoils of Hell. There will be four different Spoils of Hell available on completing your Infernal Hordes run.
Spoils of Equipment
Spoils of Materials
Spoils of Gold
Spoils of Greater Equipment
This Spoil of Hell guarantees an item with a Greater Affix!

Infernal Compass

There are 8 Tiers of Infernal Compasses, which scale in difficulty and World Tier.
Each Infernal Compass Tier increases the number of waves starting at five for Tiers I-III, increasing until a maximum of 10 waves with a Tier VIII Infernal Compass. It also increases the starting difficulty of Monsters, and increases the potency of your rewards while decreasing your number of revives.
Abyssal Scrolls can be earned and used to upgrade your Infernal Compass by upgrading their Tier. Infernal Compasses will only drop at Tiers I-III; Abyssal Scrolls will be needed to increase their level to a Max of Tier VIII.

Infernal Compasses can be used at the following levels and World Tiers:

Tier I: Available at World Tier III
Tier II: Available at World Tier IV. Includes Bonus Affixes which increase crafting materials, and Legendary and Unique Drop rates!
Tier III: Available at Level 100. Includes Bonus Affixes, and Spoil of Greater Equipment

Fell Priests

If you manage to survive the Infernal Hordes, the Fell Council await. Originally meant to protect us from the Prime Evil Mephisto during the events in Diablo II, these noble priests were corrupted and became Champions of the very demon they swore to oppose.

There are 5 Fell Council Members in total, each equipped with different unique abilities. Every time you face the Fell Council, there will be 3 different members to fight you – each three will be selected to fight you at random. Be wary of their unique abilities in the various combinations you’ll encounter them.
Once you inflict enough damage on the Fell Council, the Priests will become more frenzied in their attacks. Stay on your guard if you wish to live.
Upon defeating the Fell Council, you can spend your Burning Aether on the Spoils of Hell.

New Weapons

The forges in the Burning Hells burn the fiercest, leading to incredible possibilities for the weapons they produce.

Season 5 introduces new Legendaries, Uniques, and items.
These new Legendaries and Uniques can be earned by slaying enemies across Sanctuary, but have the best chance of appearing when playing the Infernal Hordes.

New Class Items and Tempering Recipes

All Classes

Tempering Recipes

Worldly Finesse - Offensive

+X% Critical Strike Damage
+X% Vulnerable Damage
+X% Overpower Damage
+X% Ultimate Damage

Barbarian

Unique Items

Unbroken Chain - Amulet

Casting Steel Grasp reduces Iron Maelstrom’s Cooldown by 5-10 seconds. Enemies damaged by Iron Maelstrom deal 15-30% less damage for 6 seconds.

Legendary Aspects

Aspect of Forward Momentum - Mobility

Knocking back an enemy grants 25-40% Movement Speed for 3 seconds.

Tempering Recipes

Slayer's Finesse - Offensive

Vulnerable Damage
Bonus Damage against Injured
Bleeding Damage

Druid

Unique Items

Björnfang's Tusks - Unique Gloves

Cataclysm is now guaranteed to strike anything in range and you deal 40-80%[x] increased damage for the duration of the effect. While Cataclsym is active, you gain unlimited Spirit.

Legendary Aspects

Aspect of the Rushing Wilds - Mobility

Casting a Companion Skill grants 5-15% Movement Speed for 5 seconds, up to 15-45%.

Tempering Recipes

Ultimate Efficiency - Resource

Cataclysm Cooldown Reduction
Lacerate Cooldown Reduction
Petrify Cooldown Reduction
Grizzly Rage Cooldown Reduction

Necromancer

Unique Items

Path of Trag'Oul - Unique Boots

Bone Prison traps a larger area and fires 20-35 Bone Splinters at enemies trapped within. Increase your Maximum Essence by 2 for 8 seconds each time these Bone Splinters hit an enemy.

Legendary Aspects

Aspect of the Unholy Tether - Mobility

Casting Golem's active Skill creates a bond between you for 6 seconds. While the bond is active, both of you are Unhindered and gain 25-40% Movement Speed.

Inexorable Reaper's - Mobility

Sever now dashes you forward to attack instead. It becomes a Mobility Skill and costs no Essence, but has a 22-7 second cooldown.

Aspect of Creeping Mist - Mobility

Gain 20-35% Evade Cooldown Reduction.
You can now Evade during Blood Mist, traveling twice as far. Entering or exiting Blood Mist resets your Evade Cooldown.

Imprisoned Spirit's - Offensive

When Bone Spirit explodes inside a Bone Prison, it explodes an additional time, dealing 40-70% of normal damage.
Bone Spirit now prioritizes enemies inside a Bone Prison.

Tempering Recipes

Necromancer Wall - Defensive

Skill Ranks of Necrotic Carapace
Skill Ranks of Drain Vitality
Minion Damage Reduction
Chance for your Minion Attacks to Fortify you for 3% Maximum Life

Rogue

Unique Items

Shroud of Khanduras – Unique Chest Armor

Dark Shroud grants Immune for 3 seconds, but your Evade Cooldown is increased by 9-3 seconds. Evading while Dark Shroud is active leaves behind an explosion that deals Shadow damage and pulls in enemies.

Legendary Aspects

Of Nebulous Brews – Mobility

Using a Healing Potion grants 35-50% Movement Speed for 3 seconds. After moving 30 meters, you spawn a Healing Potion.

Galvanized Slasher's – Resource

Lucky Hit: Damaging an enemy with a Mobility Skill has a 15-30% chance to fully restore your Energy. Your Maximum Energy is increased by 10-25.

Of Iron Rain – Offensive

Smoke Grenade has a 35-50% chance to create an Arrow Storm where it explodes, dealing Physical damage over 3 seconds. Your Arrow Storms continuously apply Vulnerable.

Breakneck Bandit's – Offensive

Flurry deals 15-30% increased damage and has a 20% chance to Stun enemies for 3 seconds with each hit.

Mired Sharpshooter's – Utility

Caltrops is now a Marksman Skill that periodically throws 5-20 piercing daggers over its Duration, each dealing Shadow damage and applying Vulnerable for 3 seconds.

Tempering Recipes

Subterfuge Expertise

Increased Smoke Grenade damage.
Increased Smoke Grenade Size.
Increased damage for each Dark Shroud Shadow.
Increased damage on Next Attack after entering Stealth.

Rogue Persistence

Increased Maximum Life Percentage gained while Dark Shroud is active.
Increased Maximum and All Resistance Percentage for 5 Seconds from Health. Potions.
Increased Skill Ranks of Second Wind.
Increased Skill Ranks of Aftermath.

Sorcerer

Unique Item

Axial Conduit - Unique Pants

Chain Lightning alternates between orbiting you and seeking up to 3 enemies. When it returns, it drains 6 Mana from you for each active Chain Lightning. After draining 66 total Mana, the bolt explodes for (270%-570%) Lightning damage.
Chain Lightning expires if you don't have enough Mana for it to drain.

Legendary Aspects

Aspect Of Tenuous Agility

Gain 5-15% increased Movement Speed. This bonus is doubled if you haven't used a Defensive Skill in 8 seconds.

Aspect Of the Firebird

Gain the Flame Shield Enchantment for free.
When Flame Shield activates, Meteorites fall around you dealing (50%-70%) Fire damage.

Lightning Rod Aspect

Chain Lightning has a 5-20% chance to chain an additional time when hitting Crowd Controlled enemies and Bosses, and will seek them as targets.

Aspect Of Elemental Acuity

Casting a Pyromancy, Shock, or Frost Skill increases your Mana Regeneration by 10-20% for 5 seconds, once per Element.
At maximum stacks, the total bonus is increased to 60-120% for 10 seconds, but all stacks expire after the duration.

Aspect Of the Orange Herald

Lucky Hit: Up to a 5-10% Chance when you damage an enemy with a Skill to reduce the Cooldown of your Ultimate Skill by 2 seconds. Can only happen once per Skill cast.

Tempering Recipes

Discharge - Weapon

+X% chance to cast an additional Charged Bolt (moved from Shock Augments).
+X% Teleport size (moved from Shock Augments).
+X% chance for Arc Lash to swipe twice.

Conjuration - Weapon

+1-2 Hydra Heads on Cast.
X% chance for another Ice Blade on Cast.
X% chance for another Lightning Spear on Cast.

Conjuration Fortune - Utility

+X% Hydra Lucky Hit Chance.
+X% Ice Blade Lucky Hit Chance.
+X% Lightning Spear Lucky Hit Chance.

Elemental Control - Utility

+X Skill ranks to Convulsions.
+X Skill ranks to Snap Freeze.
+X Skill ranks to Crippling Flames.

Existing Tempering Recipe Additions

+X Skill ranks to Conduction - Added to Sorcerer Motion.
+X Ice Armor Duration - Added to Frost Cage.

New Accessibility Items

Diablo 4 Season 5 adds some accessibility goodies for all players (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

In the Diablo 4 Season 5 PTR, there are three large quality-of-life and accessibility features the developers are looking for feedback on. These features are designed to allow players to easily navigate the world and find the destinations of their quests. They are work-in-progress features, so every piece of feedback helps us make adjustments prior to their official release in a later update.

Auto-Pin

This is a new feature that automatically drops a map pin on the destination of your selected quest or task from your in-game Journal. When a pin is dropped, your mini-map shows a route to follow to get to the chosen destination. This becomes the default when selecting quests, and further enables additional navigation features.

Audio Navigation Assistance

With this feature enabled, the player receives spatial audio pings that direct the player towards their placed pin on the overworld map. This feature, in conjunction with auto-pin navigation, allows players to navigate through quest content while having their destination tracked through audio navigation. For best results, we recommend using headphones for the immersive sound. Players can adjust both the volume and the interval of the ping to find a level that meets their needs.

Compass

The compass feature enables an on-screen HUD element that circles around the player and points towards their placed in-world pin. In combination with auto-pin, this provides consistent guidance to the player. Players can change the color of the arrow to match their particular needs and ensure it is clearly visible while slaughtering the denizens of hell.

These features can be enabled by using your Accessibility Menu with the in-game Settings.

Diablo 4 Season 5 PTR patch notes: All major changes

The developers are making some overall quality-of-life improvements to the way endgame boss fights are accessed.

Endgame Bosses

You no longer need to reset the dungeon to replay the same boss. Upon killing them, the summoning Altar reappears and allows you to use more resources to play them again.
Summoning Varshan now only requires Malignant Hearts. Trembling Hands, Blackened Femurs, and Gurgling Heads have been removed from the game.
Endgame Bosses now drop additional gold instead of Rare items.

Beast in Ice

The Beast in Ice boss fight now functions as a standard dungeon; you no longer have to craft a sigil to enter the fight.
Any leftover Beast in Ice sigils held by previous Seasonal Realm or Eternal characters can be used to summon Beast in Ice instead of using Summoning Materials.
The boss fight is now much closer to the entrance, so you’ll no longer need to progress through the Dungeon before the fight.
Sigil Dust has been removed as a material cost to summon.

Helltide and Whispers

We’ve significantly reduced the time it takes to complete Whisper bounties. We’ve now made it so that there are always enough Whispers to earn 10 Grim Favors within a given Helltide, should now take significantly less time to complete. Additionally, icons have been updated to be consistent with other Whispers.
Increasing your Threat now consistently scales with the health of slain Monsters.
We’re adjusting Baneful Heart drop rates as they were dropping too frequently to feel valuable.
Chance to get one from a Tortured Gift starts at 13%, and increases each time you fail to get one. Once you are rewarded a Baneful Heart, the chance resets to 10%.
Hellborne and the Helltide Assassin starts at 1% chance to drop a Heart, and also increases each time you fail to get one. It now resets to 2%.
The Cull Demons Whisper Bounty now includes Fallen, Cull Fallen Whisper Bounty now replaced with Cull Cultists.

Loot Rewards

Resplendent Spark awards for defeating Tormented bosses can now be earned separately on both Hardcore and non-Hardcore.
Resplendent Sparks and Scattered Prisms will no longer be automatically picked up. Additionally, these items can now be found in the lost items Stash if forgotten when they drop.
Unique and Mythic Unique Items can now be acquired through Whisper Caches, the Purveyor of Curiosities, and Tortured Gifts in Helltide.
The chance to find Mythic Uniques through all non-boss drop locations has been increased.

Treasure Goblins

The loot Quality from Treasure Goblins has been improved. They can now drop 1-3 Legendary Items and 2-6 Rare Items. The higher the number of Legendary Drops, the lower the number of Rare Drops. The opposite is also true e.g. if 2 Legendary Items drop, then 4 Rares will drop in addition.
Now drop 1-2 Elixirs and are guaranteed to additionally drop Common Ore, Herbs, Leather, and Gem Fragments.
Increased the amount of Gold that drops.
Examples:
Level 1 in World Tier I: 40k Gold
Level 100 in World Tier IV: 150k Gold
In World Tiers III and IV, Treasure Goblins also drop Forgotten Souls.
Additionally, they now have a 10/20/30% chance to drop 1-2 Scattered Prisms in World Tiers I and II/World Tier III/World Tier IV respectively.

Weapons

Diablo 4 is now allowing more classes to use different weapon types. This includes updating innate affixes to be more useful across classes and adjusting their conditional requirements.
For instance, Sorcerers will now be able to use One-handed Swords and Maces.

General Balance Changes

Barbarian

Skills

Bash

Adjusted functionality: After bashing enemies 4 times, your next Bash will Clobber, Stunning enemies for 1.5 seconds. Clobber twice as often while using a Two-Handed weapon.
Enhanced Bash
Adjusted functionality: Clobbering an enemy grants you 20% Maximum Life as Fortify.
Battle Bash
Adjusted functionality: Clobbering an enemy generates an additional 10 Fury.

Flay

Enhanced Flay
Vulnerable duration increased from 3 to 5 seconds.
Combat Flay
Damage Reduction increased from 3% to 4%.
Maximum stacks increased from 4 to 5.
Buff duration increased from 3 to 6 seconds.

Endless Fury

No longer requires Two-Handed weapons.
Fury gain from Basic Skills increased from 10/20/30% to 12/24/36%.

Imposing Presence

Maximum Health reduced from 6/12/18% to 5/10/15%.

Legendary Aspects

Wanton Rupture Aspect

Frequency increased from every 40-25 seconds to every 30-15 seconds.

Aspect of Grasping Whirlwind

Now pulls in new targets three times as frequently.

Steadfast Berserker’s Aspect

No longer requires a Lucky Hit, and now always triggers.

Unique Items

Gohr’s Devasting Grips

Explosion size is now affected by increases to Whirlwind’s size.

Paragon Nodes

Hemorrhage Legendary Node

Now bonus Bleeding damage now caps at 45%.

Weapons Master Legendary Node

Fury gain increased from 4% to 8% of Maximum Fury.

Druid

Passive Rank bonus for Clarity affix added to Amulets.

Skills

Landslide

Damage per hit of Landslide increased from 37.5% to 70%.
Damage area increased from 1.5 to 2.
Doubled the amount of pillars.
Total damage increased from 70% to 280%.

Shred

1st Attack Damage buffed from 28% to 52%.
2nd Attack Damage buffed from 39% to 72%.
3rd Attack Damage buffed from 77% to 143%.

Pulverize

Damage buffed from 50% to 92.5%.

Tornado

Damage buffed from 35% to 65%.

Lightning Storm

Damage buffed from 40% to 74%.

Hurricane

Damage buffed from 187% to 346%.

Ravens

Can now be cast while moving.

Poison Creeper

Can now be cast while moving.

Lacerate

Damage area increased from 1 to 2.
Casting Lacerate now teleports to the target instead of starting at the caster.

Cataclysm

Lightning Strike rate is doubled.

Grizzly Rage

Cooldown for this ability now starts after Grizzly Rage ends.
Previous - Shapeshift into a Dire Werebear for 10 seconds gaining 20%[x] bonus damage and 20% Damage Reduction. Damage bonus is increased by 3% each second while in this form. Kills extend the duration by 1 second up to an additional 5 seconds.
Now - Shapeshift into a Dire Werebear for 10 seconds gaining 30%[x] bonus damage and 20% Damage Reduction. Damage bonus is increased by 3% each second while in this form, up to a maximum of 75%. Kills extend the duration by 1 second, but the duration cannot go above 10 seconds.

Debilitating Roar

Damage Reduction decreased from 70% to 40%.

Earthen Bulwark

Previous – Rocks surround you for 3 seconds, granting a Barrier that absorbs 45% of your Base Life in damage.
Now – Rocks surround you for 3 seconds, granting a Barrier that absorbs 45% of your Maximum Life in damage.

Cyclone Armor

Non-Physical Damage Reduction increased from 10% to 15%.

Passives

Shepherd

Previous – Core and Wrath Skills deal an additional 20% damage for each Companion you have.
Now – Companion Skills deal an additional 20% damage for each Companion you have.

Skinwalker

Previous – When you use a Shapeshifting Skill that changes your form, gain 2-5 Life. If you are at full Life, gain the same amount as Fortify.
Now – When you use a Shapeshifting Skill that changes your form, gain 5-20% Life. If you are at full Life, gain the same amount as Fortify.

Aftershock

Delay from second set of Landslides slightly decreased.

Lupine Ferocity

Reduced amount of hits from 6 to 3 to benefit from the effect.

Vigilance

Damage Reduction increased for each Skill Rank from 5% to 7%.

Iron Fur

Damage Reduction increased for each Skill Rank from 3% to 4%.

Heightened Senses

Damage Reduction increased for each Skill Rank from 2% to 3%.

Legendary Aspects

Metamorphic Stone Aspect

No longer removes Wrath skill tag from Boulder.

Paragon

Thunderstruck Legendary Node

Now has a maximum bonus capped at 40%.

Human Glyph

Damage bonus increased from 6.6% to 9.9%.
Damage Reduction increased from 10% to 15%.

Protector Glyph

Damage Reduction increased from 10% to 15%.

Werebear Glyph

Damage bonus increased from 6.6% to 9.9%.
Damage Reduction increased from 10% to 15%.

Werewolf Glyph

Damage Reduction increased from 10% to 15%.

Alos Read: Werewolf Tornado Druid build

Necromancer

Book of the Dead

Necromancer Minion attacks can now Overpower.
Minions are now more aggressive and will automatically engage nearby enemies.

Golem

Active ability - If the Golem is far from the targeted location, it will now leap to the target.
Iron Golem - Slam size increased by 56%.

Skills

Sever

Primary damage increased from 80% to 110%.
Secondary damage increased from 30% to 45%.
Lucky Hit Chance increased from 20% to 25%.

Blight

Damage over time increased from 105% to 135%.

Blood Wave

Damage increased from 150% to 450%.

Passives

Shadowblight

Hits required reduced from 10 to 8.
Damage increased from 22% to 44%.

Hellbent Commander

Previous - Your Minions deal 15/30/45%[x] increased damage while you are Close to them.
Now - While you control at least 7 Minions, they deal 10/20/30%[x] increased damage.

Legendary Aspects

Blighted Aspect

Bonus damage after triggering Shadowblight 10 times reduced from 60-120%[x] to 35-50%[x].

"Developer’s Note: Blighted Aspect has been a disproportionately large source of damage for Shadowblight based Necromancers, giving far more power than we normally give for a single Aspect. To compensate for this change, we are increasing the baseline power of the Darkness Core Skills and Shadowblight with the goal of keeping these builds at approximately the same overall power level. "

Aspect of Bursting Bones

Bone Prison Burst damage increased from 9-12.2% to 75-120% of Weapon Damage.

Aspect of Empowering Reaper

Chance for Sever to create Blight increased from 10-25% to 15-30%.
Blight bonus damage increased from 40-100%[x] to 60-120%[x].

Aspect of Hungry Blood

Additional Blood Lance damage increased from 33-48% to 40-70%.

Aspect of Grasping Veins

Critical Strike Chance after casting Corpse Tendrils reduced from 10-25% to 5-20%.
Critical Strike Damage to enemies damaged by Corpse Tendrils reduced from 20-50% to 10-40%.
Critical Strike Damage bonus now lasts for 6 seconds, rather than indefinitely.

Cadaverous Aspect

Previous - Consuming a Corpse increases the damage of your next Core Skill by 5-10%[x], up to 25-50%[x].
Now - Consuming a Corpse increases the damage of your Core Skills by 3.5-6%[x] for 5 seconds, up to 17.5-30%[x].

Torturous Aspect

Previous - Iron Maiden is now also a Darkness Skill and deals Shadow damage. Enemies afflicted by Iron Maiden have a 10-25% chance to be Stunned for 1 second when they deal direct damage.
Now - Iron Maiden is now also a Darkness Skill and deals Shadow damage. Enemies have a 10-25% chance to be Stunned for 1 second when they take damage from Iron Maiden.

Unique Items

Blood Moon Breeches

Bonus Overpower Damage to Cursed enemies increased from 70%[x] to 100%[x].

Cruor's Embrace

Core Skill Damage Affix replaced with Ranks to Tides of Blood Passive.

Ring of Mendeln

Lucky Hit Chance Affix replaced with Summoning Skill Damage.

Deathspeaker's Pendant

Summoning Skill Damage Affix replaced with Movement Speed.

Paragon

Wither Legendary Paragon Node

Intelligence scaling is now capped at 1200 Intelligence.

Also Read: Minion Necromancer build guide

Rogue

Maximum Arrow Storms increased from 5 to 7.
Preparation
Previous – Every 75 Energy you spend reduces your Ultimate Skill's Cooldown by 5 seconds. Using an Ultimate Skill resets the Cooldowns of your other Skills.
Now – Spend 75 Energy to reduce your Ultimate Skill's Cooldown by 5 seconds. Ultimate Skills reset other Cooldowns and grant 15% Damage Reduction for 8 seconds.

Skills

Blade Shift

Damage increased by 50% (0.2 to 0.3).
Previous – Quickly stab your victim for damage and shift, allowing you to move freely through enemies for 4 seconds.
Now – Quickly stab your victim for damage and shift, making you Unhindered for 4 seconds.

"Developer’s Note: Unhindered allows you to move through enemies and prevents your Movement Speed from being lowered."

Fundamental Blade Shift
Enemies moved through needed to activate Daze reduced from 5 to 3.
Primary Blade Shift
Control Impairing Effect Duration Reduction increased from 20% to 30%.

Invigorating Strike

Damage increased by 20%.

Enhanced Twisting Blades

Return damage bonus increased from 30% to 35%.

Shadow Step

Damage increased by 11% (0.72 to 0.8).
Enhanced Shadow Step
Previous – Damaging an enemy with Shadow Step increases your Critical Strike Chance against them by 8% for 3 seconds.
Now – Damaging an enemy with Shadow Step Dazes and applies Vulnerable to them for 3 seconds.
Methodical Shadow Step
Previous – Enemies damaged by Shadow Step are Stunned for 2 seconds.
Now – After Shadow Stepping, you gain 20% Damage Reduction for 3 seconds.
Disciplined Shadow Step
Previous – Shadow Step's Cooldown is reduced by 3 seconds when it damages an enemy you have not hit with Shadow Step in the last 4 seconds.
Now – Damaging an enemy with Shadow Step Stuns them for 2 seconds and reduces its Cooldown by 3 seconds.

Dash

Damage increased by 25% (0.32 to 0.4).
Additional functionality: Dash Slows enemies hit by 30% for 3 seconds.
Enhanced Dash
Previous – Enemies damaged by Dash take 15% increased Critical Strike Damage from you for 5 seconds.
Now – Casting Dash increases your Critical Strike Chance by 10% for 5 seconds.
Disciplined Dash
Previous – Dash Slows enemies it hits by 30% for 3 seconds. Any enemy already Slowed will be Dazed for 2 seconds instead.
Now – At the end of Dash, Knock Down surrounding enemies for 2 seconds and deal 350% of its damage to them.
Methodical Dash
Previous – Dealing damage to Crowd Controlled enemies with Dash reduces its Charge Cooldown by 0.5 seconds, up to 4 seconds per cast.
Now – Dash has 1 additional Charge and its Charge Cooldown is reduced by 2 seconds.

Flurry

Lucky Hit Chance increased from 10% to 13%.

Enhanced Flurry

Previous – Each time Flurry damages a Crowd Controlled or Vulnerable enemy, you are Healed for 1% of your Maximum Life, up to 12% Maximum Life per cast.
Now – Each time Flurry damages an enemy, it has a 10% chance to apply Vulnerable for 3 seconds and deals 1% increased damage for 5 seconds after hitting a Vulnerable enemy, up to a total of 50%.

Advanced Flurry

Previous – Evading through an enemy will cause your next Flurry to deal 30% increased damage and Stun enemies hit for 2.5 seconds.
Now – Successive casts of Flurry increase its damage by 15% and reduce its Energy cost by 10%, up to 3 times.

Improved Flurry

Previous – Flurry deals 20% increased damage to Vulnerable targets. If Flurry hits any Vulnerable enemy, it will make all enemies hit by that cast Vulnerable for 3 seconds.
Now – Casting Flurry dashes you to the target and Heals 10% of your Maximum Life.

Caltrops

Damage increased by 13% (0.4 to 0.45).
Disciplined Caltrops
Critical Strike Chance bonus increased from 5% to 10%.

Dark Shroud

You can now only lose 1 Dark Shroud shadow every 1.5 seconds.
Enhanced Dark Shroud
Previous – Dark Shroud's shadows have a 14% chance to not be Consumed.
Now – Each active Dark Shroud shadow grants you 5% increased Movement Speed and also has a 15% chance to not be Consumed.
Subverting Dark Shroud
Previous – Each active shadow from Dark Shroud grants you 4% increased Movement Speed.
Now – You Heal for 10% of your Maximum Life when a Dark Shroud shadow is removed.
Countering Dark Shroud
You only need 1 active shadow to get the bonus Critical Strike Chance instead of 2.
Critical Strike Chance increased from 8% to 10%.

Smoke Grenade

Additional functionality: Smoke Grenade now deals 45% Physical damage, has a 25% Lucky Hit Chance, and its Skill Ranks now give increased damage and Cooldown Reduction.
Enhanced Smoke Grenade
Previous – Enemies affected by Smoke Grenade take 25% increased damage from you.
Now – Enemies hit by Smoke Grenade take 25% increased damage from you for 5 seconds.
Countering Smoke Grenade
Previous – Lucky Hit: Dealing direct damage to enemies affected by Smoke Grenade has up to a 25% chance to reduce its Cooldown by 1 second, or by 3 seconds instead if the enemy is Vulnerable.
Now – Hitting an Elite or Boss with Smoke Grenade reduces its Cooldown by 5 seconds.
Subverting Smoke Grenade
Previous – If an enemy is Vulnerable, Slowed, or Chilled then Smoke Grenade will Daze them for 20% longer.
Now – Smoke Grenade now deals Poison damage and applies another 45% Poisoning damage over 5 seconds.

Poison Imbuement

Poisoning Duration increased from 5 to 6 seconds.
Enhanced Poison Imbuement
Previous – Poison Imbuement's Poisoning Duration is increased by 1 second.
Now – Casting Poison Imbuement generates 30 Energy, increased by 2 for each Nearby Poisoned enemy.

Poison Trap

Damage increased by 36% (0.11 to 0.15).
Subverting Poison Trap
Poison damage bonus increased from 10% to 15%.
Countering Poison Trap
Chance to reset Imbuements increased from 30% to 40%.

Penetrating Shot

New functionality: Now deals 10% increased damage per enemy it pierces.
Enhanced Penetrating Shot
Previous – Penetrating Shot deals 10% increased damage for each enemy it pierces.
Now – Casting Penetrating Shot and hitting a Boss or Elite with it has a 25% Chance to fire an additional shot for free.

Rain of Arrows

Casting Speed has been increased by 30%.
Lucky Hit Chance increased from 2% to 4%.
Cooldown reduced from 55 to 50 seconds.

Passives

Concussive

Renamed to Unstable Elixirs.
Previous – After Knocking Back or Knocking Down an enemy, you gain 4% increased Critical Strike Chance for 4 seconds.
Now – Using a Healing Potion Stuns surrounding enemies for 2 seconds and increases your damage by 6% for 5 seconds.

Rapid Gambits

Previous – Your Evade Cooldown is reduced by 0.5 seconds when you Daze an enemy.
Now – Evading through an enemy Dazes them for 2 seconds. Your Evade Cooldown is reduced by 0.25 seconds when you Daze an enemy.

Trick Attacks

Previous – When you Critically Strike a Dazed enemy they are Knocked Down for 0.5 seconds.
Now – Dazing or Stunning an enemy increases your Critical Strike Chance by 2% and Critical Strike Damage by 2% for 5 seconds, both up to 12%.

Impetus

New functionality: Added visuals to show when the effect is ready.
Previous – After moving 12 meters, your next Non-Basic attack deals 7% increased damage.
Now – After moving 15 meters, your next Core or Ultimate attack deals 8% increased damage. While the damage bonus remains, your Agility and Subterfuge Skills deal 4% increased damage.

Malice

Previous – You deal 3% increased damage to Vulnerable enemies.
Now – You deal 4% increased damage to Vulnerable or Knocked Down enemies.

Alchemical Advantage

Previous – You gain 1% increased Attack Speed for each enemy you've Poisoned, up to 15%.
Now – Dealing Poison damage increases your Attack Speed and Lucky Hit Chance by 1% for 8 seconds, up to 5%.

"Developer’s Note: The maximum stack potential increases by 5% with each Skill Rank."

Second Wind

Previous – Every 100 Energy you spend grants you 5% increased Lucky Hit Chance for 5 seconds.
Now – Every 100 Energy you spend grants 15% of your Maximum Life as a Barrier for 3 seconds.

Aftermath

Previous – After using an Ultimate Skill, restore 30 Energy.
Now – While an Ultimate Skill is on your Action Bar, you Heal for 0.5% Maximum Life every second. After using an Ultimate, restore 25 Energy.

Weapon Mastery

Dagger damage to Healthy enemies increased from 5% to 6%.

Key Passives

Victimize

The Explosion damage of Victimize has been increased by ~50% to compensate for a bug fix, detailed below.

Momentum

Previous – Cutthroat Skills grant a stack of Momentum for 8 seconds if they either hit a Stunned, Dazed, or Frozen enemy, or hit any enemy from behind. While at 3 stacks of Momentum you gain 20% increased Damage Reduction, 30% increased Energy Regeneration, and 15% increased Movement Speed.
Now – Casting a Cutthroat Skill grants a stack of Momentum. Casting a Non-Cutthroat Skill removes a stack of Momentum. For each stack of Momentum, you gain 3% Damage Reduction, 3% Maximum Energy, 3% Energy Regeneration, 3% Movement Speed, up to 30%.

Sorcerer

Crackling Energy base damage increased from 20% to 30%.

Skills

Ice Armor

Max Life Base Shield amount increased from 25% to 40%.
No longer gains increased Shield based on damage.

Charged Bolts

Base damage increased from 30% to 38%.
Enhanced Charged Bolts
Explosion damage increased from 150% to 175% of Charged Bolt's damage.

Spark

Base damage per hit increased from 10% to 12%.
Enhanced Spark
Damage increased from 8% to 10%.
Glinting Spark
Previous: Spark grants 2% increased Critical Strike Chance per cast for 5 seconds, up to 8%.
Now: Spark grants 2% increased Critical Strike Chance per cast for 5 seconds, up to 8%. At max stacks, your Spark hits grant 1 Mana.

Blizzard

Base damage increased from 130% to 150%.
Enhanced Blizzard
Blizzard damage to Frozen enemies increased from 25% to 40%.

Hydra

Base damage increased from 14% to 16%.
Summoned Hydra
Burn damage increased from 60% to 100%.

Inferno

Base damage increased by 20%.

Flickering Arc Lash

Previous: Gain 6% Movement Speed for 5 seconds for each enemy hit with Arc Lash, up to 18%.
Now: Arc Lash grants 5 Mana if your swipe hits at least one enemy. When you hit 3 or more enemies or a Boss, your next swipe also deals 50% more damage.

Chain Lightning

Now tracks how many Chain Lightnings are out.
Greater Chain Lightning
Previous: Each time Chain Lightning bounces, it deals 5% increased damage for its duration.
Now: Each time Chain Lightning bounces, it deals 10% increased damage for its duration, up to 30%.
Chain Lightning Enchantment
Now has a 4 second Cooldown.
No longer tracks Mana or sends out Chain Lightnings if the instance of Mana Drain is from an Auto Cast skill.

Ice Armor

Max Life Base Shield amount increased from 25% to 40%.
No longer gains increased Shield based on damage.

Flame Shield

Cooldown begins when Invulnerability ends.

Enhanced Lightning Spear

Previous: After Critically Striking, Lightning Spear gains a 5% increased stacking Critical Strike Chance for its duration.
Now: Casting Lightning Spear spawns an additional Lightning Spear and increases their Critical Strike Chance by 15%.

Wizard's Blizzard

Previous: While Blizzard is active, your Core Skills cost 20% less Mana.
Now: While Blizzard is active, you gain 1 Mana Regeneration for every 20 Maximum Mana.

Teleport

Cooldown increased from 11 to 14.
Base damage increased from 25% to 35%.

Passives

Convulsions

Stun chance increased from 5% to 7%.

Crippling Flames

Immobilize chance increased from 5% to 7%.

Snap Freeze

Freeze chance increased from 5% to 7%.

Static Discharge

Chance to spawn Crackling Energy increased from 5% to 6%.

Shocking impact

Damage for each Rank increased from 40% to 50%.

Combustion

Base Burning damage increased from 20% to 40%.

Vyr's Mastery

Previous: Close enemies take 15% increased damage from your Shock Skills and deal 20% less damage to you. Critical Strikes increase these bonuses to 20% and 25% respectively for 3 seconds.
Now: When you Critical Strike an enemy with a Shock Skill you become Charged and take 25% less damage for 5 seconds. While Charged, Critical Strikes have a 10% chance to causes the damage to arc as Lightning damage to another Nearby enemy, or if there are no other targets you hit the target again for 250% of the damage.

"Developer’s Note: Shock Sorcerer is often highly incentivized to play in close combat. This rework aims to open up the Shock Sorcerer playstyle, allowing for both close and ranged options while maintaining the defensive capability of the original design that players love."

Legendary Aspects

Charged Aspect

Movement Speed bonus increased from 10-20 to 15-25.

Aspect Of Efficiency

Mana Cost Reduction increased from 10-25% to 35-50%.

Aspect of Engulfing Flames

Burning damage to enemies below 50% Life increased from 15-30% to 30-45%.

Aspect Of Abundant Energy

Previous: Crackling Energy has a 35-50% chance to chain to an additional enemy.
Now: Crackling Energy has a 35-50% chance to deal 40%|x| increased damage and chain to an additional enemy.

Aspect Of Splintering Energy

Previous: Casting Lightning Spear always spawns an additional Lightning Spear and increases your damage with Shock Skills by X for Y seconds.
Now: Critical Hits with Lightning Spear cause Lightning to arc from it dealing X damage to its target and up to 5 other enemies. This damage is increased by your Critical Strike Damage Bonus.

Aspect of Binding Embers

Previous: Flame Shield lets you move unhindered through enemies. Enemies you move through while Flame Shield is active are Immobilized for X seconds.
Now: Flame Shield grants you unhindered for its duration. Enemies you move through while Flame Shield is active are Immobilized for X seconds.

Aspect Of the Frozen Wake

Ice Spike damage increased from 60%-80% to 80%-100%.
Now has 15% extra damage to Ice Spikes instead of 15% extra Chill.

Aspect Of the Frozen Tundra (Deep Freeze)

Ice Spike damage increased from 60%-80% to 100%-120%.

Glacial Aspect

Now has 15% extra Chill with Ice Spikes instead of 15% extra Damage.

Paragon

Burning Instinct

Burning Instinct Critical Strike bonus reduced from 1% per 25 Intelligence to 1% per 50 Intelligence and now caps at 40%|x|.

Ceaseless Conduit

Crackling Energy damage reduced from 3% per 20 Intelligence to 1% per 25 Intelligence and now caps at 60%|x|.

Elemental Summoner

Now caps at its damage bonus at 30%|x|.

Icefall

Damage with Frost Skills increased from 15%|x| to 18%|x|.

Unleash Glyph

Increased the damage bonus from 7% to 8%.
Increased the Mana Regeneration from 7% to 25%.

Tempering Updates

The following Tempering Affixes have been moved from existing Tempering Recipes onto new Recipes in the Utility Category.

"Developer’s Note: We are looking to expand what Affixes are available within the Utility Category to bring more depth and variety to Tempering."

Barbarian Innovation – Barbarian Utility Recipe
Earthquake Duration - from Wasteland Augments
Kick Vulnerable Duration - from Furious Augments
Frenzy Duration - from Berserking Augments
Flay Duration - from Bleed Augments
Nature Magic Innovation – Druid Utility Recipe
Hurricane Size - from Storm Augments
Lightning Storm Duration - from Storm Augments
Petrify Duration - from Earth Augments
Cyclone Armor Active Size - from Nature Magic Wall
Rogue Innovation – Rogue Utility Recipe
Invigorating Strike Duration - from Basic Augments
Twisting Blades Return Time Reduction - from Core Augments
Flurry Size - from Core Augments
Heartseeker Duration - from Basic Augments

User Interface and User Experience

Floating Combat Text has been updated to be more consistent and be more legible.
Settings for Floating Combat Text have been added to allow players to further customize what sort of floating text they want to see.
The Stats window now has a highlight for when the Armor Cap has been reached.
The sections in the Stats window can now be collapsed and expanded as desired.
Mythic Unique Items now have new visual effects and have a unique look in the Inventory for them to stand out more.
Legendary Aspects can now be favorited and filtered while interacting with the Occultist.
Shift-clicking a skill will now add 5 points (or as many as possible) to it in the Skill tree.
The notification for unlocking and upgrading Aspects has been improved to be more prominent.

Miscellaneous

Tortured Gifts in Helltide no longer contain Obols.
This season's Nightmare Dungeon rotation remains the same as the previous season.
World Bosses are now more resilient to damage.
Experience rewards for side quests, including Priority Quests(i.e. Gem Crafting Quest) and Class quests, have been increased.
Skills that grant Immunity, e.g. Flame Shield and Blood Mist, now only go on cooldown once the Immunity effect ends.
Potions can now be used while Crowd Controlled.
Certain tutorial quests, e.g. the quest for crafting a gem, are now tracked account-wide for completion status.
Various Dungeons have had tweaks to their layouts to further streamline them.
More Weapon Types are now available to more Classes.
Druids can now use Polearms, 1-handed Swords, and Daggers.
Necromancers can now use Maces and Axes. This includes Butcher's Cleaver being usable for Necromancers.
Sorcerers can now use 1-Handed Swords and 1-Handed Maces. This includes Azurewrath and Doombringer being usable for Sorcerers.
Inherent Affixes on multiple Weapon Types have been changed.
Axes inherent Affix changed from Damage to Healthy Enemies to Damage Over Time.
Wands inherent Affix changed from Lucky Hit Chance to Vulnerable Damage.
Scythes inherent Affix changed from Life on Kill to Summoning Damage.
Staffs inherent Affix changed from Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies to Damage Over Time.
Bows inherent Affix changed from Damage to Distant Enemies to Critical Strike Damage.
Polearms inherent Affix changed from Damage to Injured Enemies to Vulnerable Damage.
Focus and Totem inherent Affix changed from Cooldown Reduction to Lucky Hit Chance.

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About the author

Sambit Pal is an esports Journalist on Gaming and MMO at Sportskeeda. He has Master's degree in English Literature. In his spare time, he is an amateur sleuth trying to trace the Riven Mafia in Warframe, and a recovering Bethesda modding addict. He also secretly enjoys action Roguelites, a severe lack of gitting gud notwithstanding.

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Edited by Siddharth Satish