Today the first season of Diablo IV, Season Of The Malignant has arrived. With a new season comes new rewards and content for players to enjoy. There is a new quest line regarding the season, a battle pass to unlock, rewards for playing the season and more that we will talk about in the article down below!
Story Content
The new story content for the season is revealed in this trailer and with a short synopsis by Blizzard down below.
A new form of Lilith’s corruption has spread throughout Sanctuary, creating Malignant Monsters that roam the land overtaken with this infectious turmoil, minds lost and killing at random. Capture their power by turning the monsters’ hearts against them and unlock over 30 new Malignant Powers that can unlock new, unique bonuses.
New Powers: Malignant Powers
On the official Blizzard blue post and in a new video, they explain more about the malignant powers and how players can obtain them:
To keep up with the relentless animosity of Malignant Monsters, you’ll need to turn their Hearts against them. Slaying Partly Corrupted enemies, a type of Malignant Monster, will drop a Malignant Heart. These can be captured by performing a ritual with the Cage of Binding, an item acquired during the Season’s Questline. Partly Corrupted enemies are an unruly sort and won’t go down easily. Trying to capture the Heart will cause the Partly Corrupted enemy to be reborn as a Fully Corrupted enemy. If defeated, these amalgamations of rot will drop a version of the Malignant Heart that can be placed into special Infested sockets in your Jewelry in place of a Normal Gem.
The first season will introduce 32 Malignant Hearts across four categories that provide new, unique bonuses. As you encounter more menacing Malignant Creatures so too will the strength of their Malignant Hearts grow.
One of the best places to acquire Malignant Hearts are in the new Malignant Tunnels, highly replayable Dungeons teeming with fearsome foes to eradicate. Scour this dank system of tunnels for the catalyst of Malignant Monsters and go toe-to-toe against Varshan the Consumed, the newest Boss battle, if you dare.
New Characters
To be able to access Season of the Malignant content, you must first finish the main story campaign on either the Eternal or Seasonal Realm with at least one character. The Seasonal Realm is separate from Eternal Realm where your Launch character dwells, and is filled with sinister delights like the Season Journey, access to Battle Pass benefits, and the latest gameplay features specific to the season.
After the season is finished, your Seasonal character will be transported back to the Eternal Realm. All earned cosmetics and Legendary Aspects shall remain yours. Unfortunately you will have to give up items bound to the Season's grip, for Seasonal-specific items like Hearts and Cages are infallibly entwined with the Season of the Malignant.
Season Journey Rewards
In Diablo IV there are free rewards and premium rewards available for players, the free rewards are under what is called the Season Journey. The Season Journey is a free seasonal-specific feature where completing Chapters yields hellish new rewards—including new Legendary aspects, a Mastery Title, and a Scroll of Amnesia that allows you to respec your skill tree and Paragon Board for free. Plus, you'll earn Favor as you complete objectives in the Season Journey, which progress you through the Battle Pass tiers.
You will be able to use the Smoldering Ashes earned in the Battle Pass to upgrade your Seasonal characters with increased XP gains, better chances for rare materials when salvaging items, and more. All players are granted access to the Free Battle Pass, allowing you to earn Free Rewards—such as the enigmatic “Eldritch Monster” title, new transmogs to change your visage, and an all-new Mount Trophy.
Premium Rewards
If you have an upgraded edition of Diablo IV, you will already have an Accelerated Battle Pass, that contains everything available in the Premium Battle Pass, plus 20 Tier Skips and the On the Warpath Emote. Progress through the Battle Pass tiers and enjoy 63 additional unlockable Items, like the malignant inspired Coldiron Armor Set and Coldiron Barding Mount Armor.
To begin earning premium rewards like Awoken Armor Sets, the Warded Mustang Mount, Emotes, Headstones, Platinum, and much more—simply activate your Accelerated Battle Pass in the Seasons section while in-game and progress through the Season Journey to earn Favor.
In Depth Season Video
On the official Diablo Youtube page they also recently released a new 5 minute video that will explain everything you need to know as a player to be ready for the new season within. Check out the video down below.
What are your thoughts on the new Diablo IV season and all of its content and features? Are you going to be playing the new season? Are you not impressed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below! As always, stay tuned to Gamefragger.com for more video game and Diablo news!