Belial Returns with New Powers System
The upcoming season brings Belial back to Sanctuary with a new seasonal storyline called "Lord of Lies." Players will meet two new characters – Sayeena, a retired Vizjerei mage, and Jarius, a Cathedral of Light knight – who will help combat Belial's deceptive influence.
The most significant addition is the Boss Powers system, allowing players to collect abilities from 24 different bosses across Sanctuary. Each power features a Main effect and a Modifier effect, with players able to equip one Main power and three Modifier powers simultaneously.
These powers drop from World Bosses like Wandering Death and Ashava, as well as from new Apparition Bosses and reworked Lair Bosses. Strategic combinations of these powers will enhance various character builds in unique ways.
Apparition Incursions and Lair Boss Rework
A new world event called Apparition Incursion will appear frequently across Sanctuary. Players must defeat Apparition Monsters marked with Belial's green eye to summon one of ten Apparition Bosses, each dropping a unique Boss Power.
The Endgame Boss system has been completely reworked and renamed to Lair Bosses, now organized into three tiers:
- Initiate: Beast in the Ice, Grigoire, Lord Zir, Varshan, Urivar
- Greater: Andariel, Duriel, Harbringer of Hatred
- Exalted: Belial, Lord of Lies
Players must be on Torment I difficulty or higher to challenge these bosses, and a new Hoard system requires specific Lair Boss Keys to access rewards.
What new items can players collect in Season 8?
Season 8 introduces new Unique Items for each class, including Bane of Ahjed-Den (Barbarian gloves), Gathlen's Birthright (Druid helm), and Sanquivor, Blade of Zir (Necromancer two-hand sword). Each class also receives a new Legendary Aspect to enhance their builds.
Reliquaries Replace Battle Pass
Perhaps the most revolutionary change is the replacement of the traditional Battle Pass with a new Reliquaries system. This player-driven approach allows adventurers to choose the order in which they unlock rewards using Favor Tokens earned through gameplay.
Four Reliquaries will be available:
- Belial's Return (free): Mixed rewards including Platinum
- Weapons (200 Platinum): Weapon cosmetics
- Beasts (500 Platinum): Mount and Pet cosmetics
- Armor (800 Platinum): Armor sets for each class
Each Reliquary contains a piece of the Guise of the Deceiver armor set as a Bonus Reward. Players can purchase individual Reliquaries or a bundle for 1,000 Platinum.
Season Blessings have moved from the Battle Pass to the Season Journey, which rewards the Iris the Cat pet upon completion. These Blessings provide various gameplay advantages, from increased reputation gains to improved chances for special encounters.
Mark your calendars for April 29, 2025, when Diablo IV Season 8 launches at 10 a.m. PDT, with new shop items following at 12 p.m. PDT the same day.