• published the article Season 15 End/Season 16 Start Dates

    Season 15 End/Season 16 Start Dates

     

    Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment (Official Post)

    Hey everyone,

    In order to ensure a smooth transition between Seasons, and give players extra time to enjoy the Double Bounty Cache buff, we will be ending Season 15 on January 6. With this, Season 16 is scheduled to begin on January 11. 

    As a quick heads-up, we will also be resetting the current Era leaderboards on January 8, so you’ve still got some time to push for that final leaderboard placement before the rollover occurs!

    Good luck,
    - Tyvalir
    Posted in: Season 15 End/Season 16 Start Dates
  • published the article Multiple Diablo Projects to be Announced in 2019

    Multiple Diablo Projects to be Announced in 2019

     In a recent forum post, Diablo Community Manager Nevalistis revealed that multiple Diablo projects are set to be revealed next year.

     

    Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment (Official Post)

    We continue to read feedback and our internal discussions are ongoing. We have many plans for Diablo across multiple projects which we’ll be revealing over the course of the coming year. We are eager to share more about all of our projects, but some will have to wait as we prefer to show you, rather than tell you, about them. It's going to take some time as we strive to meet your expectations, but now, more than ever, we are committed to delivering Diablo experiences the community can be proud of.

     

    Diablo 4 Reportedly in Development Under Code Name "Fenris"

    In a recent article from Kotaku, 11 current and former Blizzard employees were interviewed about the Diablo franchise. In this article, it was revealed that Diablo 4 is reportedly under development, but won't be available until 2020 or later. To read more, check out the Kotaku article here.

    Fenris is, all of our sources have confirmed, the current incarnation of Diablo IV. Blizzard’s Team 3 has been working on this version of the game since 2016, and some who have seen it say they’re optimistic about the direction. “[Design director] Luis [Barriga] has a very strong vision for that game,” said a former employee, “one that a lot of people are excited about at Blizzard.”

    Posted in: Multiple Diablo Projects to be Announced in 2019
  • published the article Patch 2.6.4 PTR Preview

    Patch 2.6.4 PTR Preview

    Blizzard has shared a preview of the upcoming PTR changes, which include quality-of-life changes, class set balancing, and seasonal buffs.

     

    Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment (Official Post)

    We’re launching the Patch 2.6.4 PTR later this week for some rapid-paced testing, and we want you to have the full download before you jump in to provide feedback. Between long-requested quality of life changes, class set balancing, and a new game-changing seasonal buff, Season 16 is going to be quite the journey.


    PTR Details

    We will be conducting the Patch 2.6.4 PTR over the course of one week, starting Wednesday, November 21. During the course of the PTR, there may be periodic maintenances, outages, hotfixes, or minor patches.

     

    There will be two buffs active to help you on your PTR journey: increased Legendary drop rate and double Blood Shard drops. This should allow everyone to acquire any class set items (or supplemental items) that might be needed!

     

    Feedback should be provided in the PTR Feedback forum while bug reportsshould be provided in the PTR Bug Report forum; clearly separating these tracks allows our designers and quality assurance testers to hone in on the information they need most!

     

    PTR Goals

    With a huge number of class set changes and a game-breaking Seasonal buff, we know it will be very tempting to get your hands on as much as you can! To help guide your focus, we’d like to offer our insight behind what we’d most like to see tested.

    • Players pushing Greater Rifts as high as possible in both Seasonal and Non-Seasonal play
    • Experimentation with class set mix-and-matches, as made possible by the Season of Grandeur buff

    PTR Tips

    This PTR is a little different from ones we have conducted in the past (and it’s been a while since we last had one). Whether you’re a seasoned PTR veteran or this is your first go around, here are a few tips to get you started.

    • Because of the limited duration of this PTR, we ask that participants pick a particular portion of this update to focus on testing.
      • For example, if you’re primarily a Monk player, consider what changes impact the Monk specifically. What you like best, what you think may still need adjustment, and what you may want to see in the future (even if that may be beyond the scope of this patch) are all good questions to ask yourself.
    • Prior to the start of PTR, consider stocking up on items like Puzzle Rings and Bovine Bardiches.  Having these available after you import your character can make any necessary PTR farming much faster!
    • Try to break things! Just tell us when you do so we can make sure the 2.6.4 launch is as smooth as possible for all our fans.
    • When providing feedback, focus less on a solution and more on your experience. How did the changes make you feel? Was there something off you noticed? Did something seem wrong or insufficient? Suggestions are always welcome but identifying the issues themselves is most important.

    Patch Notes

    Last updated November 19 @ 10:00 p.m. PST.

    Below you'll find the preliminary PTR patch notes for patch 2.6.4. Please note that this isn't the final version of the patch notes and that some changes may not be documented or described in full detail.


    PTR PATCH 2.6.4 - v2.6.4.49286

    To provide feedback on patch 2.6.4, please visit the PTR Feedback forum.
    To report any issues you experience while playing, please visit the PTR Bug Report forum.
    For additional information on how to participate in the PTR, click here.

    • General
      • Quality of Life
        • Philosophy
          • For this patch, we wanted to include a few frequently requested Quality of Life changes and focused on better celebrating and indicating Primal Legendary drops.
        • Five (5) additional Armory tabs have been added for all characters, bringing the total to 10
        • Greater Rift Keystones are now stored in the Materials tab
          • Any existing Greater Rift Keystones in both inventory and stash have been automatically moved
        • Primal Legendaries are now marked by a red beam when they drop
        • Primal Legendaries on the ground are now indicated by a red pentagram icon on the mini-map
        • Primal Legendaries now have a red border and updated background on their icons
    • Greater Rifts
      • Philosophy
        • The gameplay of micro-managing Paragon points during the course of a Greater Rift doesn't feel like especially engaging gameplay, nor was it consistent with the other existing rules of entering a Greater Rift. In addition, the below change to matchmaking is to make it much easier for all players to find groups for Greater Rifts, as the previous window (only between Greater Rifts) is typically very small.
      • Paragon points can no longer be swapped while a Greater Rift is open
      • Players can now be matched into public games where a Greater Rift is open
        • Players who join in this manner will not be able to enter the active Rift
        • Players inside the Rift will be able to continue with no additional difficulty scaling until the run has been completed
    • Seasons
      • Season 16: Season of Grandeur
        • The buff for Season of Grandeur has been implemented
          • This buff gives all Seasonal players the legendary power from Ring of Royal Grandeur
          • This buff does not stack with additional Ring of Royal Grandeur (either equipped or in Kanai's Cube)
          • Unlike previous Seasonal buffs, this buff will not apply to Non-Seasonal players
        • When completing a Greater Rift level 70 solo for the first time in a Season, a Primal Legendary is guaranteed to drop from the Rift Guardian
    • Class Set Changes
      • Philosophy
        • We are taking another tuning pass across all class sets to improve class and set diversity at higher level Greater Rifts. Please note that these values are not final and we anticipate some adjustments to occur during the course of PTR.
      • All Classes
      • Barbarian
      • Crusader
        • Thorns of the Invoker
          • The (2) Set bonus has been increased from 140% to 350%
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 5400% to 15000%
        • Roland's Legacy
          • The (4) Set bonus has been increased from 3300% to 13000%
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 50% increased Attack Speed to 75%
        • Seeker of the Light
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 2000% Blessed Hammer damage to 12000%
      • Demon Hunter
      • Monk
        • Uliana's Strategem
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 2100% to 9000%
        • Inna's Mantra
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 150% to 1500%
        • Monkey King's Garb
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 1000% to 1500%
        • Raiment of a Thousand Storms
          • The (2) Set bonus has been increased from 100% to 400%
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 13000% Dashing Strike damage to 60000%
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 1300% Spirit Generator damage to 6000%
      • Necromancer
      • Witch Doctor
        • Spirit of Arachyr
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 4500% to 9000%
        • Helltooth Harness
          • The (2) Set bonus has been increased from 1500% to 3000%
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 4400% to 9000%
        • Raiment of the Jade Harvester
          • The (2) Set bonus has been increased from 560 seconds to 3500 seconds
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 1650 seconds to 10000 seconds
        • Zunimassa's Haunt
          • The (6) Set bonus has been increased from 5500% to 15000%
      • Wizard

    How to Particpate

    To participate in the public test, you must have a Diablo III game license attached your Battle.net account in good standing (i.e. one that hasn't been suspended or banned). In addition, you will also need to download and install the Blizzard Battle.net desktop app if you have not already done so.

    Step 1: Create a PTR account. To create a PTR account, log in to Blizzard Battle.net Account Management and double-click on your Diablo III game license; this will bring you to the game management page. On this page, click "Create a PTR account.

    If you've participated in any previous Diablo III PTR, the "Create PTR account" button may not appear. This is because you've already created a PTR account and can therefore skip this step.

    Step 2: Once you have created a PTR account, installed the Blizzard Battle.net desktop, and logged in with your Blizzard Battle.net credentials, select "Diablo III" from the main menu on the left-hand side of the application.

    Step 3: On the Diablo III screen, there is a drop-down menu right above the "Play" button (note that this may say "Install" if you do not have Diablo III currently installed). Select "PTR: Diablo III" from this drop-down menu before proceeding.

    Step 4: You should now have the option to install and play the patch.

    The PTR is available in all supported languages, and accounts from all regions are eligible to participate.


    PTR Character Copy

    The option to copy your existing Diablo III characters from your live account to the PTR will be available and can be done directly through the PTR client. However, only one region per account can be copied at a time. So, if you choose to copy characters from your account in a different region, any previously copied PTR characters will be lost.

    Step 1: Log into the live game and then log out.

    Step 2: Log into PTR client and create a level 1 character. After you're done, return to the main character screen.

    Step 3: Click on the "PTR Copy" button located in the upper right-hand corner. (The PTR Copy button will not appear in-game until you have created a new level 1 character.)

    Step 4: Select your region.

    Step 5: Click "Copy." This will copy all characters on your account from the selected region.

    Step 6: You will be disconnected from the PTR client.

    Step 7: Log back in. Your copied characters will be available for play.

    Please note that you can only copy characters from one gameplay region at a time. If you choose to copy characters from a different region, any previously copied PTR characters will be lost. In addition, you can only copy characters over to your PTR account once every 24 hours. Attempting to copy characters before this cooldown is up will result in an error.

    Posted in: Patch 2.6.4 PTR Preview
  • published the article New Video Released: The Future of Diablo

    The Future of Diablo

    In a new video from Blizzard, learn more about the future of Diablo with Associate Community Manager Brandy Camel. It looks like we'll be getting some Diablo announcements this year!

     

     

    Posted in: New Video Released: The Future of Diablo
  • published the article Diablo Patch 2.6.1 Now Live

    Diablo Patch 2.6.1 Now Live

    Patch 2.6.1 is now live. All Diablo Fans builds that were previously marked as PTR have been moved to Live.

     

    Originally Posted by Blizzard (Official Blog)

    Diablo III patch 2.6.1 is now live in the Americas for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One! Check out the full PC patch notes below to learn all about the latest changes. 

     

    PATCH HIGHLIGHTS

    • Class Set Revisions
      • We’ve taken a top-down look across all class performance in Greater Rifts, and made several changes to bring as many gameplay styles as close in line to each other as possible, with a focus on the most popular or requested builds.
    • Skill Changes
      • Several skills have had their overall power buffed, while others have been tweaked for improved playability and performance.
    • Item Revisions
      • Numerous Legendary items have seen tweaks, yielding increased power for players to enjoy.

    Important: Please note that you will not be prompted to download Patch 2.6.1 until the patch is live in your home region. If you are logging in from a European or Asian client, you will need to wait for this patch to release in that region before it can be installed. Additionally, if your home region is in the Americas, you will be unable to log into Europe or Asia using Global Play after Patch 2.6.1 is live until those regions have also patched.

     

    Diablo III Patch 2.6.1 - v2.6.1.47710

     

    CLASSES

    • Barbarian Skills
      • Battle Rage
        • Bloodshed
          • Has been redesigned:
          • Deal damage equal to 20% of your recent Critical Hits to enemies within 20 yards every 1 second.
          • Note: Bloodshed caused performance issues when encountering high enemy density, particularly when combined with Whirlwind, Pain Enhancer, and Gem of Efficacious Toxin.
      • Ground Stomp
        • Jarring Slam
          • Added a maximum threshold on the number of health globes that can spawn in a given time.
    • Crusader Skills
      • Blessed Hammer
        • Limitless
          • Has been redesigned:
          • Increase the damage of Blessed Hammer to 640% weapon damage as Holy and increase its area of effect by 20 yards.
          • Note: The extra projectiles created by this rune were causing performance issues in cases with high enemy density.
    • Monk Skills
      • Tempest Rush
        • Flurry
          • Reduced the maximum number of stacks from 500 to 100
    • Necromancer Skills
      • Command Skeletons
        • Commanding your Skeletal Warriors will break crowd control effects on them
        • Skeletal Warriors will no longer die after taking too many hits
        • Design Philosophy: When we were first designing Command Skeletons, we wanted to capture the feeling of being an undead commander by having skeletons regularly spawn around the Necromancer and charge into battle during combat. It created a cool visual, but as the class evolved through Set bonuses and Legendary powers, it became clear that this visual began to hinder gameplay for some builds. Skeletal Warriors now have the same defenses as all other pets in the game.
      • Devour
        • Voracious
          • Resource cost reduction stacks granted from this rune will now stack and are no longer overridden from multiple casts.
      • Simulacrum
        • Added a glow to the skill icon to indicate when Simulacrum is active.
      • Skeletal Mage
        • This skill will now display the duration of the oldest mage raised as a buff in addition to the total number of mages active
        • Design Philosophy: This change is largely to provide transparency to players on the duration of their mage armor. This will be especially useful to players using the Bones of Rathma set. It’s our goal that players will no longer feel compelled to refresh their Skeletal Mage counter when they’re already at max.
      • Bone Armor
        • Essence cost removed
        • Can now be cast while moving
      • Army of the Dead
        • Frozen Army
          • The pulsing damage from this rune has been spread out
          • Design Philosophy: This was done to ensure enemies within range are evenly hit and to better align with the visual. This will result in more targets being hit more consistently for the stated weapon damage amount.
    • Necromancer Passives
      • Fueled By Death
        • The movement speed bonus from this passive can now exceed the 25% cap
      • Life from Death
        • Added a maximum threshold on the number of health globes that can spawn in a given time.
    • Witch Doctor Skills
      • Soul Harvest
        • Adding a stack or refreshing Soul Harvest now refreshes all stacks of Soul Harvest.
    • Witch Doctor Passives
      • Creeping Death
        • Increased the duration of Haunt, Locust Swarm, and the damage amplification of Piranhas when this passive is active from 3600 to 19800 seconds
    • Wizard Skills
      • Arcane Orb
        • Frozen Orb
          • Create an orb of frozen death that shreds an area with ice bolts, dealing 393% 950% weapon damage as Cold
          • Increased projectile travel distance from 30 to 40
    • Bug Fixes
      • Fixed an issue which prevented Army of the Dead from sometimes triggering when the player is immediately afflicted by a monster’s crowd control after casting it
      • Fixed an issue where enemy monsters could heal themselves when striking another monster afflicted by Leech
      • Fixed a bug which caused Skeletal Mages to sometimes spawn up in the air
      • Fixed an issue where the firewall left behind by Arcane Orb – Scorch was not dealing damage
      • Fixed an issue which caused Skeletal Mages to lose their target when players used Command Skeletons to attack the same target
      • Fixed an issue which caused connection issues when players used a channeling skill while attempting to force move at the same time
      • Fixed an issue where your pets would double dip from the damage bonus granted by Wolf Companion
      • Fixed an issue where the advanced tooltip for Bone Armor - Dislocation did not correctly state the rune did Poison damage
      • Fixed an issue where Furious Charge would inherit the elemental damage type on your weapon when Vile Ward was equipped, as opposed to the damage type of the rune you chose
      • Fixed an issue where Bone Armor: Dislocation did not apply the movement and attack speed reduction provided by Rigor Mortis
      • Fixed an issue where Monk players could reset the Blood is Power cooldown for Necromancers allowing them to gain more cool down reduction than intended
      • Fixed an issue where Creeping Death was not correctly affecting the duration of the Piranha’s damage debuff
      • Fixed an issue where the tooltip for Spike Trap - Impaling Spines did not display its correct damage type
      • Fixed an issue where the tooltip for Bone Armor - Harvest of Anguish did not display its correct damage type

    ITEMS

    • General
      • Many Legendary and Set items have had their drop chance increased
    • Legendary Items
      • Barbarian
        • Band of Might
          • After casting Furious Charge, Ground Stomp, or Leap, take 50–60% 60-80% reduced damage for 8 seconds
        • Bracers of Destruction
          • Seismic Slam deals 300–400% 400-500% increased damage to the first 5 enemies it hits.
        • Bracers of the First Men
          • Hammer of the Ancients attacks 50% faster and deals 150–200%400-500% increased damage
        • Fury of the Vanished Peak
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Seismic Slam damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
          • Reduces the Fury cost of Seismic Slam by 40-50% and increases its damage by 400-500%.
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Gavel of Judgement
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Hammer of the Ancients damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
          • Hammer of the Ancients returns 20–25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies. The damage of Hammer of the Ancients is increased by 600-800% and it returns 25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Girdle of Giants
          • Seismic Slam increases Earthquake damage by 80–100% 200-250% for 3 seconds.
        • Skull Grasp
          • Increase the damage of Whirlwind by 250–300% 300-400%
        • Standoff
          • Furious Charge deals increased damage equal to 200–250% 400-500% of your bonus movement speed.
      • Crusader
        • Blade of Prophecy
          • No longer rolls a bonus to Condemn damage as an inherent affix.
          • Two Condemned enemies also trigger Condemn's explosion and the damage of Condemn is increased by 600-800%.
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Bracer of Fury
          • Heaven's Fury deals 150–200% 300-400% increased damage to enemies that are Blinded, Immobilized, or Stunned.
        • Denial
          • Each enemy hit by your Sweep Attack increases the damage of your next Sweep Attack by 30–40% 100-125%, stacking up to 5 times.
        • Faithful Memory
          • Each enemy hit by Falling Sword increases the damage of Blessed Hammer by 50-60% 60-80% for 10 seconds. Max 10 stacks.
        • Fate of the Fell
          • Gain two additional rays of Heaven’s Fury.
          • Heaven's Fury gains two additional rays and has its damage increased by 375-500%
        • Frostburn
          • No longer smart drops for Crusader.
        • Frydehr’s Wrath
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Condemn damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
          • Condemn has no cooldown and has its damage increased by 600-800%, but instead costs 40 Wrath.
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Golden Flense
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Sweep Attack damage as an inherent affix.
          • Sweep Attack restores 6 Wrath for each enemy hit and has its damage increased by 225-300%
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Gyrfalcon’s Foote
          • Removes the resource cost of Blessed Shield and increases Blessed Shield damage by 275-350%.
        • Jekangbord
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Blessed Shield damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
          • Blessed Shield ricochets to 6 additional enemies and has its damage increased by 225-300%.
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • Demon Hunter
        • Dead Man’s Legacy
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Multishot damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
          • Legendary power now also increases Multishot damage, now reads Multishot hits enemies below 50-60% health twice and its damage is increased by 150-200%.
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Karlei’s Point
          • The damage of Impale is increased by 300-375% and Impale it returns 10–15 Hatred if it hits an enemy already Impaled.
        • Lord Greenstone’s Fan
          • Every second, gain 160–200% 300-400% increased damage for your next Fan of Knives. Stacks up to 30 times.
        • Manticore
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Cluster Arrow damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
          • Reduces the Hatred cost of Cluster Arrow by 40-50% and increases its damage by 250-300%.
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Yang’s Recurve
          • Multishot attacks 50% faster and its damage is increased by 150-200%.
        • Wraps of Clarity
          • Your Hatred Generators reduce your damage taken by 30–35%40-50% for 5 seconds.
      • Monk
        • Binding of the Lost
          • Each hit with Seven-Sided Strike grants 3–3.5% 4-5% damage reduction for 7 seconds.
        • Balance
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Tempest Rush damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
          • The damage of Tempest Rush is increased by 450-600% and when your Tempest Rush hits 3 or fewer enemies, it gains 100% Critical Hit Chance..
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Cesar's Memento
          • Enemies take 300–400% 600-800% increased damage from your Tempest Rush for 5 seconds after you hit them with a Blind, Freeze, or Stun
        • The Fist of Az’Turrasq
          • Exploding Palm's on-death explosion damage is increased by 250–300% 400-500%. 
        • Incense Torch of the Grand Temple
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Wave of Light damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
          • Reduces the Spirit cost of Wave of Light by 40–50% and increases its damage by 450-500%.
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Scarbringer
          • The damage of Lashing Tail Kick is increased by 300% 450-600% to the first 7 enemies hit
        • Spirit Guards
          • Your Spirit Generators reduce your damage taken by 30–40% 45-60% for 3 seconds.
      • Necromancer
        • Bloodsong Mail
          • While in the Land of the Dead, Command Skeletons gains the effect of all runes and deals 100–125% additional damage and gains the effect of the Enforcer, Frenzy, Dark Mending and Freezing Grasp runes.
        • Bloodtide Blade
          • Death Nova deals 20–30% 80-100% increased damage for every enemy within 15 25 yards..
        • Dayntee’s Binding
          • You gain an additional 40–50% damage reduction when there is an enemy afflicted by your Decrepify any of your curses.
        • Defiler Cuisses
          • Your Bone Spirit's damage is increased by 75–100% 400-500% for every second it is active.
        • Fate’s Vow
          • Army of the Dead now deals an additional 200-250% damage and gains the effect of the Unconventional Warfare rune.
        • Golemskin Breeches
          • Your Golem's damage is increased by 100–125% and You take 30% less damage while it your Golem is alive and the cooldown on Command Golem is reduced by 20-25 seconds.
        • Leger’s Disdain
          • Grim Scythe deals an additional 7–10% 65-80% damage for each point of essence it restores.
        • Lost Time
          • Your cold skills reduce the movement speed of enemies by 30%. In addition, your movement speed is increased by 4–5% 8-10% for 5 seconds. Maximum 5 stacks.
        • Maltorius’ Petrified Spike
          • Bone Spear now costs 40 Essence and deals 375–450% 550-700% increased damage.
        • Mask of Scarlet Death
          • When paired with the Revive: Purgatory rune, the mega-revived monster will drop the same number of corpses were used to create it on death.
          • This item will now attempt to give preference to the strongest monster to become the mega-revive when selecting a group of corpses.
        • Nayr’s Black Death
          • Each different poison skill you use increases the damage of your poison skills by 50–65% 75-100% for 15 seconds.
        • Scythe of the Cycle
          • Your Secondary skills deal 250–300% 350-400% additional damage while Bone Armor is active but reduce the remaining duration of Bone Armor by 4 seconds.
        • Steuart’s Greaves
          • You gain 40–50% 75-100% increased movement speed for 2 10 seconds after using Blood Rush.
        • The Johnstone
          • Each corpse consumed in the Land of the Dead gGrants a 50 stacks of Macabre Knowledge when Land of the Dead expires. Macabre Knowledge increases the damage of Corpse Lance and Corpse Explosion by 150–200% while outside Land of the Dead.
      • Witch Doctor
        • Bakuli Jungle Wraps
          • Firebats deals 150–200% 250-300% increased damage to enemies affected by Locust Swarm or Piranhas.
        • Mask of Jeram
          • Pets deal 75–100% 150-200% increased damage.
        • Staff of Chiroptera
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Firebats damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
          • Firebats attacks 100% faster, and costs 70-75% less Mana, and has its damage increased by 125-150%.
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • The Short Man’s Finger
          • Gargantuan instead summons three smaller gargantuans each more powerful than before that have their damage increased by 500-650%.
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • Wizard
        • Deathwish
          • While channeling Arcane Torrent, Disintegrate, or Ray of Frost, all damage is increased by 30–35% 250-325%.
        • Etched Sigil
          • Your Arcane Torrent, Disintegrate, and Ray of Frost also cast one of your other damaging Arcane Power Spenders which deal 125-150% increased damage every second.
          • While channeling Arcane Torrent, Disintegrate, or Ray of Frost, the damage of your Arcane Power Spenders is increased by 125-150% and you also cast one of your other damaging Arcane Power Spenders every second.
        • Halo of Karini
          • You take 45–60% 60-80% less damage for 3 5 seconds after your Storm Armor electrocutes an enemy more than 30 15 yards away
        • Nilfur's Boast
          • Increase the damage of Meteor by 200% 600%. When your Meteor hits 3 or fewer enemies, the damage is increased by 275–350% 675-900%
        • Orb of Infinite Depth
          • Each time you hit an enemy with Explosive Blast your damage is increased by 4% 8-10% and your damage reduction is increased by 15% 20% for 6 seconds. This effect can stack up to 4 times.
        • Ranslor’s Folly
          • Energy Twister does 225-300% more damage and periodically pulls in lesser enemies within 30 yards.
        • The Grand Vizier
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Meteor damage as an inherent affix.
          • Reduces the Arcane Power cost of Meteor by 50% and increases its damage by 30% 300-400%
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Triumvirate
          • Your Signature Spells increase the damage of Arcane Orb by 150–200% 300-400% for 6 seconds, stacking up to 3 times.
        • Unstable Scepter
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Arcane Orb damage as an inherent affix.
          • The damage of Arcane Orb is increased by 350-450% and its explosion triggers an additional time..
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
        • Wand of Woh
          • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Explosive Blast damage as an inherent affix.
          • The damage of Explosive Blast is increased by 300-400% and 3 additional blasts are triggered after casting Explosive Blast.
          • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • Set Items
        • Barbarian
          • Immortal King’s Call
            • (6) Set
              • While both Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients is active, you deal 400% 1500% increased damage.
          • Might of the Earth
            • (6) Set
              • Increase the damage of Earthquake, Avalanche, Leap, Ground Stomp, Ancient Spear and Seismic Slam by 1200% 5600%.
          • The Legacy of Raekor
            • (4) Set
              • Furious Charge gains the effect of every rune and deals 300% 1000% increased damage.
            • (6) Set
              • Every use of Furious Charge increases the damage of your next Fury-spending attack by 750% 2800%. This effect stacks. Every use of a Fury-spending attack consumes up to 5 stacks.
          • Wrath of the Wastes
            • (4) Set
              • During Whirlwind and for 3 seconds after, you gain 50% damage reduction and your applied Rends deal triple damage.
            • (6) Set
              • Whirlwind gains the effect of the Dust Devils rune and all Whirlwind damage is increased by 800% 3000%.
          • Bul-Kathos' Oath
            • (2) Set
              • Increases Fury Generation by 10 15
              • During Whirlwind you gain 30% 45% increased attack speed and movement speed
        • Crusader
          • Armor of Akkhan
            • (6) Set
              • While Akarat's Champion is active, you deal 600%1500% increased damage and take 15% 50% less damage.
          • Roland's Legacy
            • (4) Set
              • Increase the damage of Shield Bash and Sweep Attack by 2500% 3300%.
          • Seeker of the Light
            • (6) Set
              • Increase the damage of Blessed Hammer by 1250%2000% and Falling Sword by 500% 1000%.
          • Thorns of the Invoker
            • (2) Set
              • Your Thorns damage now hits all enemies in a 15 yard radius around you. Each time you hit an enemy with Punish, Slash, or block an attack your Thorns is increased by 35% 140% for 2 seconds.
            • (6) Set
              • The attack speed of Punish and Slash are increased by 50% and deal 800% 5400% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.
        • Demon Hunter
          • Embodiment of the Marauder
            • (6) Set
              • Your primary skills, Elemental Arrow, Chakram, Impale, Multishot, Cluster Arrow, Companions, and Vengeance deal 1200% 3000% increased damage for every active Sentry
          • Natalya’s Vengeance
            • (6) Set
              • After casting Rain of Vengeance, deal 500% 3500% increased damage and take 60% reduced damage for 10 seconds
          • The Shadow's Mantle
            • (6) Set
              • Impale deals an additional 40000% 50000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.
          • Unhallowed Essence
            • (6) Set
              • Your generators, Multishot, and Vengeance deal 40%100% increased damage for every point of Discipline you have.
        • Monk
          • Inna’s Mantra
            • (6) Set
              • Gain the five runed Mystic Allies at all times and your damage is increased by 125% 150% for each Mystic Ally you have out.
          • Monkey King’s Garb
            • (6) Set
              • Has been redesigned.
              • Lashing Tail Kick, Tempest Rush, and Wave of Light have their damage increased by 1000% for each stack of Sweeping Wind you have.
          • Raiment of a Thousand Storms
            • (6) Set
              • Your Spirit Generators increase the weapon damage of Dashing Strike to 12500% 13000% for 6 seconds and Dashing Strike increases the damage of your Spirit Generators by 1250% 1300% for 6 seconds.
          • Uliana’s Stratagem
            • (4) Set
              • Your Seven-Sided Strike deals double 777% its total damage with each hit.
            • (6) Set
              • Increase the damage of your Exploding Palm by 250%2100% and your Seven-Sided Strike detonates your Exploding Palm
          • Shenlong's Spirit
            • The damage of your Spirit Generators is increased by 1.5%2% for each point of Spirit you have
            • When reaching maximum Spirit, all damage is increased by 150% 200%, but you no longer passively regenerate Spirit and 65 Spirit is drained every second until you run out of Spirit
        • Necromancer
          • Bones of Rathma
            • (6) Set
              • Each active Skeletal Mage increases the damage of your minions and Army of the Dead by 625% 1000%.
          • Grace of Inarius
            • (6) Set
              • Bone Armor also activates a swirling tornado of bone, damaging nearby enemies for 750% 1000% weapon damage and increasing the damage they take from the Necromancer by 2750% 3750%.
          • Pestilence Master’s Shroud
            • (4) Set
              • Each enemy you hit with Bone Spear, Corpse Lance or Corpse Explosion reduces your damage taken by 2%, up to a maximum of 50%. Lasts 15 seconds.
            • (6) Set
              • Each corpse you consume grants you an Empowered Bone Spear charge that increases the damage of your next Bone Spear by 3000% 3300%. In addition, Corpse Lance and Corpse Explosion damage is increased by 1500% 1650%.
          • Trag’Oul’s Avatar
            • (6) Set
              • Your Life-spending abilities deal 3300% increased damage but cost twice as much Life. Your healing from skills is increased by 100%.
        • Witch Doctor
          • Helltooth Harness
            • (2) Set
              • Enemies hit by your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, or Wall of Death are afflicted by Necrosis, becoming Slowed, taking 1500% weapon damage every second, and taking 20% increased damage from your attacks for 10 seconds.
            • (6) Set
              • After casting Wall of Death, gain 1400% 4400% increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, and Wall of Death.
            • Note: The damage bonus for you against enemies affected with Necrosis causes performance issues when encountering high density. This change is not intended to be a nerf and, when coupled with the six-piece change, should be a net buff for the complete set. This change should not change the gameplay style of this set.
          • Raiment of the Jade Harvester
            • (2) Set
              • When Haunt lands on an enemy already affected by Haunt, it instantly deals 120 560 seconds worth of Haunt damage.
            • (6) Set
              • Soul Harvest reduces damage taken by 50% for 12 seconds and consumes your damage over time effects on enemies, instantly dealing 300 1650 seconds worth of remaining damage.
          • Spirit of Arachyr
            • (6) Set
              • The damage of your creature skills is increased by 2400% 4500%. Creature skills are Corpse Spiders, Plague of Toads, Firebats, Locust Swarm, Hex, and Piranhas. 
          • Zunimassa's Haunt
            • (6) Set
              • Enemies hit by your Mana spenders take 2500% 5500% increased damage from your pets for 8 seconds.
        • Wizard
          • Delsere’s Magnum Opus
            • (6) Set
              • Enemies affected by your Slow Time and for 5 seconds after exiting take 3500% 3800% increased damage from your Arcane Orb, Energy Twister, Explosive Blast, Magic Missile, Shock Pulse, Spectral Blade, and Wave of Force abilities.
          • Firebird’s Finery
            • (6) Set
              • Your damage is increased by 120% 200% and damage taken reduced by 3% for each enemy that is Ignited. This effect can stack up to 20 times. You always receive the maximum bonus whenever a nearby Elite monster is Ignited.
          • Vyr’s Amazing Arcana
            • (6) Set
              • You also gain Archon stacks when you hit with an Archon ability. Archon stacks now also reduce damage taken by 0.15% and have their damage bonus increased to 18%50%
          • Chantodo's Resolve
            • (2) Set
              • Every second while in Archon form you expel a Wave of Destruction, dealing 350% 1000% weapon damage to enemies within 30 yards
              • Every time you hit with an attack while not in Archon form, 350% 600% weapon damage is added to the Wave of Destruction, stacking up to 20 times
      • Other Items
        • Shields acquired by Necromancer players can now properly roll the +Max Essence affix
      • Bug Fixes
        • Fixed an issue where Mimics created from Rabid Strike were not correctly inheriting the player’s bonus damage from Lashing Tail Kick, Seven Sided Strike, Cyclone Strike, Exploding Palm and Wave of Light.
        • Fixed an issue where after dying, the pet damage bonus granted from Jesseth Arms could sometimes be lost if skeletons are re-commanded onto the same target.
        • Fixed an issue preventing the free Blood Nova granted by the Iron Rose from correctly granting the damage bonus from the Trag’Oul’s six-piece bonus.
        • Fixed an issue causing certain items to drop for the Necromancer which are not able to be equipped by the class.
        • Fixed an issue preventing Necromancer primary skills from taunting enemies when Boyarsky’s Chip is equipped.
        • Fixed an issue which prevented the +% Thorns damage bonus granted by Aberrant Animator from applying correctly to items such as the Spear of Jairo
        • Fixed an issue where you would not gain the buff from Crystal Fist when you had the buff from Channeling Pylon and Raiment of a Thousand Storms equipped
        • Fixed an issue with the (2) Set power of Vyr's Amazing Arcana where your Arcane Blast and Arcane Strike would not Freeze enemies unless you had the Slow Time rune chosen
        • Fixed an issue where the Wave of Destruction was doing slightly less damage than intended
        • Fixed an issue where the internal cooldown for channeled abilities on Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac would not scale with items that increased the attack speed of specific channeled abilities

    ADVENTURE MODE

    • Rifts
      • Reduced the number of deadends when Rifts choose the Temple of the Firstborn tileset
      • Increased the amount of experience and Rift progress granted by the Hematic Disciple
      • Increased the amount of experience and Rift progress granted by Blazing Guardians
      • Increased the amount of experience and Rift progress granted by Smoldering Constructs
      • Reduced the fog effect in the Shrouded Moors tilesets in Rifts
      • The large Temple of the Firstborn tileset can no longer be selected for Greater Rifts
      • The amount of experience and Rift / Greater Rift progress that Shock Towers provide has been increased
      • Shield Pylons no longer reflects damage back to attackers
        • Note: Reflecting damage back to attackers caused performance issues when encountering high density.

    CHALLENGE RIFTS

    • Increased the amount of materials that the Challenge Rift Cache drops
    • The Challenge Rift Cache now always drops 10 Death’s Breath

    MONSTERS

    • Bug Fixes
      • Fixed a champion spawn rate issue for certain monsters required for the achievement ‘We Are the Champions’. The following monsters were adjusted and should spawn with the same frequency as other champion packs:
        • Fallen Conjurer
        • Fallen Peon
        • Fallen Cur
        • Fallen Grunt
        • Fallen Overlord
        • Fallen Slavelord

     

    Posted in: Diablo Patch 2.6.1 Now Live
  • published the article Diablo at BlizzCon 2017

    Diablo at BlizzCon 2017

    The official Diablo blog has been updated with information on BlizzCon 2017.

     

    Originally Posted by Blizzard (Official Blog)

    A cold wind blows through Southern California, and soon it will bring all things Blizzard to the Anaheim Convention Center. Diablo is no exception, and whether you’ll be roaming the convention beside us or tuning in at home, we’ve got some treats in store for our beloved nephalem!

    For Attendees

    While it might not be a “big” year for Diablo this BlizzCon, we’re still excited to see our fellow players and celebrate all things Sanctuary with you!

     

    Heading to the con? You might have noticed we’re setting up a small demo area this year right at the front of the main floor! Swing by and try out our convention-exclusive Diablo III experience! Something strange stirs just inside the gates of New Tristram. . . . Choose your favorite nephalem hero and find out what lies in store in this unique, one-off adventure!

     

    Diablo at BlizzCon

     

    Via Virtual Ticket

    Pick up a Virtual Ticket and get a front-row seat to our exclusive Diablo content, including our two live Diablo panels! All viewers will additionally have access to a couple of unique BlizzCon pre-show videos, including our 2017 Year in Review and Necromancer cosplay content.

     

    Diablo at BlizzCon 

     

    Diablo BlizzCon

     

    This year, we’ll be diving into the specifics behind the VFX of the Necromancer live on stage! Join our developers on the Heroic stage on Friday, November 3 at 2:45 p.m. PT to learn more about the dark magic of visual effects needed to bring the necromancer, mastery of the dead, and curses to un-life and even see some of the techniques we use in action.

     

    On Saturday, November 4 at 2:45 P.M., join Community Manager Brandy Camel as she chats with a few of your favorite community members—C.J. ‘Rhykker’ Miozzi, Lynxaria, Stephen ‘Leviathan’ Stewart, and Anthony ‘BigDaddyDen’ Evans—about their experiences in Sanctuary, as well as what it’s like to create content for the Diablo III community. 

     

    Don’t forget about the Murkromancer! This necrotic and aquatic fellow will excitedly follow you through your adventures in Sanctuary, gathering your gold and mrrglglgrling all the way!

     

    Diablo at BlizzCon

     

    BlizzCon is a celebration of our players as well as our games. We wouldn’t be where we are without you, our community, and we hope you’ll celebrate another great year with us. The future has a lot to hold for the world of Sanctuary, but in the meantime, drop by and hang out with us at BlizzCon!

    Posted in: Diablo at BlizzCon 2017
  • published the article First Look: Patch 2.6.1

    First Look: Patch 2.6.1

    Blizzard has created a new blog post featuring upcoming patch 2.6.1.

     

    Originally Posted by Blizzard (Official Blog)

     

    The latest patch for Diablo III is on its way! Read on to learn more about incoming class set updates, skill changes, and balance passes coming in Patch 2.6.1.

    Class Set Revisions

    Following the release of the Necromancer, the theme of this patch is (appropriately) balance. We’ve taken a top-down look across all class performance in Greater Rifts, and made several changes to bring as many gameplay styles as close in line to each other as possible. Targeting the most popular or requested builds, we started with Class sets, and you can expect buffs coming your way no matter which hero is your favorite.

     

    While some sets, like Legacy of Raekor or Uliana’s Strategem, have simply received numerical tweaks in power, others have had minor functionality tweaks that make a big difference. For example, if you’re a big fan of spinning to win, you should revisit the Wrath of the Wastes set. In addition to getting a boost in damage, the damage reduction provided by the 4-piece set bonus now lasts an additional 3 seconds, making plenty of room to toss out a Rend without feeling too vulnerable.

     

    The Necromancer isn’t left out either; if you enjoy the bloody gameplay of Trag’Oul’s Avatar, the double-life cost from the 6-piece set bonus has been removed. Hardcore players may now feel a bit more comfortable experimenting with this set, enabling oodles of gore-tastic gameplay.

      

    Skill Changes

    While most of the incoming changes are focused on items, there were some skills that needed tweaks to improve their overall performance. Skills are the stage upon which balance is built, so we identified a number of them that would benefit from more careful tuning and improved in-game performance.

     

    For example, Crusaders with a hankering for hammers will find that the Blessed Hammer (Limitless) rune has been redesigned. The additional projectiles were causing performance issues in high density areas, so we’ve compensated by increasing both the rune’s base damage as well as its area of effect.

     

    Other changes were more straightforward. We noticed, for example, that Arcane Orb (Frozen Orb) could not benefit from either the Power Hungry or Audacity passives due to its ideal explosion range. We’ve increased its range to 40 yards to make the intent of this skill’s synergies clearer.

     

    Item Revisions

    Like the changes made to class set items, we’ve targeted many Legendary items to help with tuning. The large majority of these are number tweaks, but keep an eye out for a few exceptions with broader updates!

     

     

    Patch 2.6.1 is well on its way and will make game play options more diverse than ever! What classic build are you looking forward to revisiting? Is there a play style you’ve always wanted to try that you plan on giving a whirl? Let us know in the comments below, or ask your questions about the upcoming patch. We’ll see you in Sanctuary!

    Posted in: First Look: Patch 2.6.1
  • published the article Open Position: Diablo Fans Community Manager

    Diablo Fans is looking for a Community Manager to assist with creating news content, monitoring the site’s forums, and engaging with the Diablo Fans community.

    Posted in: Open Position: Diablo Fans Community Manager
  • published the article Diablo Lore: What is a Prime Evil?

    The Curse video team is taking a look at Prime Evil in their latest video creation.

    Posted in: Diablo Lore: What is a Prime Evil?
  • published the article Community Highlights: Challenge Rifts Poll, Diablo Tattoo, Blizzard Hiring

    Challenge Rifts Poll

    Reddit user Khorsus is asking fellow community members how often they play challenge rifts. Share your thoughts by voting in the poll below.

     


    Diablo Tattoo

    Instagram user optikboy shared an image of a Diablo tattoo by Mafakazz. You can view the original post on Instagram here.

     

    Diablo Tattoo


    Blizzard Hiring

    Blizzard is searching for a Senior Producer with a passion for Diablo for their Classic Games team. You can view the job posting here.

     

    Senior Producer

    Posted in: Community Highlights: Challenge Rifts Poll, Diablo Tattoo, Blizzard Hiring
  • published the article PTR Patch Notes 2.6.1 - v2.6.1.47041

    PTR PATCH 2.6.1 - v2.6.1.47041

    The following changes were made in the latest PTR patch.

     

    Originally Posted by Blizzard (Official Blog)

    CLASSES

     Witch Doctor Passives

    • Creeping Death
      • Increased the duration of Haunt, Locust Swarm, and the damage amplification of Piranhas when this passive is active from 3600 to 14400 seconds
      • Note: There is currently a bug preventing this passive from affecting Piranhas; this will be fixed in an upcoming PTR patch

    Wizard Skills

    • Frozen Orb
      • Increased projectile travel distance from 30 to 45

    Bug Fixes

    • (PTR Only) Fixed an issue with Battle Rage - Bloodshed where the damage from critical hits was not being scaled by the proc coefficient of the power doing damage
    • Fixed an issue where the advanced tooltip for Bone Armor - Dislocation did not correctly state the rune did Poison damage
    • Fixed an issue where Furious Charge would inherit the elemental damage type on your weapon when Vile Ward was equipped, as opposed to the damage type of the rune you chose

    ITEMS

    Legendary Items

    • Barbarian
      • Band of Might
        • After casting Furious Charge, Ground Stomp, or Leap, take 50–60% 60-80% reduced damage for 8 seconds
      • Bracers of the First Men
        • Hammer of the Ancients attacks 50% faster and deals 150–200%300-400% 400-500% increased damage
      • Gavel of Judgement
        • Hammer of the Ancients returns 20–25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies. The damage of Hammer of the Ancients is increased by 400-500% 600-800% and it returns 25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies
        • Note: The Legendary power on this item is currently not functioning; this will be fixed in an upcoming patch
    • Crusader
      • Fate of the Fell
        • Heaven's Fury gains two additional rays and has its damage increased by 150-200% 375-500%
      • Golden Flense
        • Sweep Attack restores 6 Wrath for each enemy hit and has its damage increased by 225-300% 
    • Witch Doctor
      • The Short Man’s Finger
        • Note: There is currently a bug which causes the new and old versions of the ring to not work when both are equipped; this will be fixed in an upcoming PTR patch
    • Wizard
      • Halo of Karini
        • You take 45–60% 60-80% less damage for 3 4 seconds after your Storm Armor electrocutes an enemy more than 30 15 yards away

    Set Items

    • Crusader
      • Thorns of the Invoker
        • (2) Set
          • Note: There is currently an issue which causes the actual Thorns increase to be 35% instead of 70%; this will be fixed in an upcoming PTR patch
    • Demon Hunter
      • Embodiment of the Marauder
        • (4) Set
          • Sentries deal 400% 100% increased damage and cast Elemental Arrow, Chakram, Impale, Multishot, and Cluster Arrow when you do
        • (6) Set
          • Your primary skills, Elemental Arrow, Chakram, Impale, Multishot, Cluster Arrow, Companions, and Vengeance deal 1200% 2100% 2400% increased damage for every active Sentry
    • Monk
      • Shenlong's Spirit
        • The damage of your Spirit Generators is increased by 1.5%2% for each point of Spirit you have
        • When reaching maximum Spirit, all damage is increased by 150% 200%, but you no longer passively regenerate Spirit and 65 Spirit is drained every second until you run out of Spirit
    • Necromancer
      • Pestilence Master’s Shroud
        • (4) Set
          • Each enemy you hit with Bone Spear, Corpse Lance or Corpse Explosion reduces your damage taken by 2%, up to a maximum of 50%. Lasts 15 seconds.
    • Witch Doctor
      • Helltooth Harness
        • (6) Set
          • Note: This set bonus is being temporarily disabled to fix an issue with the set. It will be re-enabled in a later PTR patch.
      • Raiment of the Jade Harvester
        • (6) Set
          • Soul Harvest reduces damage taken by 50% for 12 seconds and consumes your damage over time effects on enemies, instantly dealing 300 1200 seconds worth of remaining damage.
    • Wizard
      • Vyr’s Amazing Arcana
        • (6) Set
          • You also gain Archon stacks when you hit with an Archon ability. Archon stacks now also reduce damage taken by 0.15% and have their damage bonus increased to 18%25%
      • Chantodo's Resolve
        • (2) Set
          • Every second while in Archon form you expel a Wave of Destruction, dealing 350% 600% 1000% weapon damage to enemies within 30 yards
    • Bug Fixes
      • (PTR Only) Fixed an issue where the legacy version of the Legendary power on Dayntee's Binding did not upgrade to the new version of this item’s power in Kanai’s Cube
      • (PTR Only) Fixed an issue where you could equip the legacy and new version of the Legendary power on Gavel of Judgement at the same time
      • (PTR Only) Fixed an issue where every rune except for Shattering Throw was not benefitting from the increased damage from Akkhan’s Leniency
      • (PTR Only) Fixed an issue where where Lashing Tail Kicks cast by mimics spawned by Rabid Strike were not having their damage increased by Scarbringer
      • (PTR Only) Fixed an issue where the new version of Fate's Vow was not displaying the correct visuals per rune selected with Army of the Dead
      • (PTR Only) Fixed an issue where Fate's Vow was not providing the maximum bonus to Army of the Dead when used in Kanai’s Cube
      • (PTR Only) Fixed an issue where it was possible to reach zero HP and live when using Haunting Visions and Simulacrum

    ADVENTURE MODE

    Rifts

    • Increased the amount of experience and Rift progress granted by Blazing Constructs
    • Increased the amount of experience and Rift progress granted by Smoldering Constructs
    Posted in: PTR Patch Notes 2.6.1 - v2.6.1.47041
  • published the article Why are the Nephalem So Powerful?

    Why are the Nephalem So Powerful?

    The Curse video team has created a new Diablo video focusing on the strength of the Nephalem.

     


    D&D Beyond Launch

    D&D Beyond, the official 5th edition toolset for Dungeons & Dragons, has now officially launched. Check it out here.

     

     

    Posted in: Why are the Nephalem So Powerful?
  • published the article Patch 2.6.1 PTR Notes - New Items and Significant Item Changes

    Patch 2.6.1 PTR Notes

    A new patch has hit the PTR. We'll update as we have more information.


    New and Changed Item Passives


    DiabloFans Quote:

    • ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_528_x1 Reduces the Fury cost of Seismic Slam by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic} and increases its damage by 125%.
    • ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_594_x1 Reduces the Spirit cost of Wave of Light by {c_magic}[{VALUE1} * 100]%{/c_magic}. and increases its damage by 30%.
    • ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_607_x1 The damage of Explosive Blast is increased by 100% and 3 additional Explosive Blastsblasts are triggered after casting Explosive Blast.
    • ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_586_x1 Enemies hit by your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, or Wall of Death are afflicted by Necrosis, becoming Slowed, and taking [{VALUE1}*100]% weapon damage every second, and taking 20% increased damage from your attacks for 10 seconds.
    • ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_687_x1 Blessed Shield ricochets to {c_magic}{VALUE1}{/c_magic} additional enemies and has its damage increased by 200%.
    • ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_703_x1 Two Condemned enemies also trigger Condemn's explosion and the damage of Condemn is increased by 100%.
    • ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_707_x1 Gain two additional rays of Heaven's Fury.
    • ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_726_x1 Soul Harvest consumes your damage over time effects on enemies, instantly dealing 3001200 seconds worth of remaining damage.
    • ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_906_x1 Condemn has no cooldown and has its damage increased by 200%, but instead costs 40 Wrath.
    • P2_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_017 Multishot hits enemies below {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]% health twice and its damage is increased by 100%.
    • P2_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_041 Gargantuan instead summons three smaller gargantuans each more powerful than beforethat have their damage increased by 200%.
    • P2_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_059 The damage of Hammer of the Ancients is increased by 100% and it returns {c_magic}{VALUE1}{/c_magic} Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies.
    • P3_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_012 You also gain {VALUE1} Archon |4stack:stacks; when you hit with an Archon ability.
    • P3_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_018 Your Seven-Sided Strike deals double[(1 + {VALUE1})*100]% its total damage with each hit.
    • P4_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_017 The damage of Arcane Orb's is increased by 65% and its explosion triggers an additional time.
    • P4_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_018 While Akarat's Champion is active, you deal 600900% increased damage and take 1520% less damage.
    • P4_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_028 Reduces the Hatred cost of Cluster Arrow by {c_magic}[{VALUE1} * 100]%{/c_magic} and increases its damage by 80%.
    • P4_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_042 Firebats attacks 100% faster and, costs {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]% less Mana, and has its damage increased by 60%.
    • P4_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_067 WhenThe damage of Tempest Rush is increased by 200% and when your Tempest Rush hits 3 or fewer enemies, it gains 100% Critical Hit Chance.
    • P6_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_006 Your Life-spending abilities deal 3300% increased damage but cost twice as much Life. Yourand your healing from skills is increased by 100%.
    • P6_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_012 Each corpse you consume grants you an Empowered Bone Spear charge that increases the damage of your next Bone Spear by [{VALUE1}*100]%. In addition, Corpse Lance and Corpse Explosion damage is increased by 1500%.
    • P6_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_039 You gain {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]% increased movement speed for 210 seconds after using Blood Rush.
    • P6_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_047 Death Nova deals {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]% increased damage for every enemy within 1525 yards.
    • P6_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_062 Each corpse consumed in theWhen Land of the Dead grants a stackexpires, you are granted 50 stacks of Macabre Knowledge. Macabre Knowledge increases the damage of Corpse Lance and Corpse Explosion by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]% while outside Land of the Dead.
    • P6_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_064 While in the Land of the Dead, Command Skeletons gains the effect of all runes and deals {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]% additional damage and gains the effect of the Enforcer, Frenzy, Dark Mending and Freezing Grasp runes.
    • P6_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_069 Simulacrum now drains {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]% of your maximum life every second and lasts twice as long.
    • P6_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_071 Increases the maximum stacks of Bone Armor by {c_magic}{VALUE1}.
    • P6_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_072 You gain an additional {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]% damage reduction when there is an enemy afflicted by any of your Decrepifycurses.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_001 P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_001
      • string1 : Reduces the Spirit cost of Wave of Light by 50% and increases its damage by {c_magic}[{VALUE1} * 100]%{c_magic}.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_002 : The damage of Lashing Tail Kick is increased by {c_magic}{VALUE1}% to the first 7 enemies hit.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_003 : The damage of Tempest Rush is increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic} and when your Tempest Rush hits 3 or fewer enemies, it gains 100% Critical Hit Chance.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_004 : Two Condemned enemies also trigger Condemn's explosion and the damage of Condemn is increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic}.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_005 : Condemn has no cooldown and has its damage increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic}, but instead costs 40 Wrath.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_006 : Heaven's Fury gains two additional rays and has its damage increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic}.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_007 : The damage of Arcane Orb is increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic} and its explosion triggers an additional time.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_008 : The damage of Explosive Blast is increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic} and 3 additional blasts are triggered after casting Explosive Blast.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_009  : Each time you hit an enemy with Explosive Blast your damage is increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE}*100]%{/c_magic} and your damage reduction is increased by 20% for 6 seconds. This effect can stack up to 4 times.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_010 : Reduces the Hatred cost of Cluster Arrow by 50% and increases its damage by {c_magic}[{VALUE1} * 100]%{/c_magic}.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_011 : The damage of Impale is increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic} and it returns 15 Hatred if it hits an enemy already Impaled.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_012 : Multishot attacks 50% faster and its damage is increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic}.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_013 : Multishot hits enemies below 60% health twice and its damage is increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic}.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_014 : Firebats attacks 100% faster, costs 75% less Mana, and has its damage increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic}.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_015 : Gargantuan instead summons three smaller gargantuans that have their damage increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic}.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_016 : Reduces the Fury cost of Seismic Slam by 50% and increases its damage by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic}.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_017 : The damage of Hammer of the Ancients is increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic} and it returns 25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_018 : The damage of Energy Twister is increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic} and it periodically pulls in lesser enemies within 30 yards.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_019 : Army of the Dead deals an additional {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic} damage and gains the effect of the Unconventional Warfare rune.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_020 : The cooldown on Command Golem is reduced by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}] seconds and you take 30% less damage while your golem is alive.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_021 : Lashing Tail Kick, Tempest Rush, and Wave of Light have their damage increased by [{VALUE1}*100]% for each stack of Sweeping Wind you have.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_022 : Removes the resource cost of Blessed Shield and increases its damage by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic}.
    • P61_ItemPassive_Unique_Ring_023 : Blessed Shield ricochets to 6 additional enemies and has its damage increased by {c_magic}[{VALUE1}*100]%{/c_magic}.

    Official Patch Notes

    Originally Posted by Blizzard (Official Forums)

    CLASSES

    • Barbarian Skills
      • Battle Rage
        • Bloodshed
          • Has been redesigned.
          • Deal damage equal to 20% of your recent Critical Hits to enemies within 20 yards every 1 second.
          • Note: Bloodshed caused performance issues when encountering high enemy density, particularly when combined with Whirlwind, Pain Enhancer, and Gem of Efficacious Toxin.
    • Crusader Skills
      • Blessed Hammer
        • Limitless
          • Has been redesigned.
          • Increase the damage of Blessed Hammer to 640% weapon damage as Holy and increase its area of effect by 20 yards.
          • Note: The extra projectiles created by this rune were causing performance issues in cases with high enemy density.
    • Necromancer Skills
      • Command Skeletons
        • Commanding your Skeletal Warriors will break crowd control effects on them
        • Skeletal Warriors will no longer die after taking too many hits
        • Design Philosophy: When we were first designing Command Skeletons, we wanted to capture the feeling of being an undead commander by having skeletons regularly spawn around the Necromancer and charge into battle during combat. It created a cool visual, but as the class evolved through Set bonuses and Legendary powers, it became clear that this visual began to hinder gameplay for some builds. Skeletal Warriors now have the same defenses as all other pets in the game.
      • Devour
        • Voracious
          • Resource cost reduction stacks granted from this rune will now stack and are no longer overridden from multiple casts.
      • Simulacrum
        • Added a glow to the skill icon to indicate when Simulacrum is active.
      • Skeletal Mage
        • This skill will now display the duration of the oldest mage raised as a buff in addition to the total number of mages active
        • Design Philosophy: This change is largely to provide transparency to players on the duration of their mage armor. This will be especially useful to players using the Bones of Rathma set. It’s our goal that players will no longer feel compelled to refresh their Skeletal Mage counter when they’re already at max.
      • Bone Armor
        • Essence cost removed.
        • Can now be cast while moving.
      • Army of the Dead
        • Frozen Army
          • The pulsing damage from this rune has been spread out
          • Design Philosophy: This was done to ensure enemies within range are evenly hit and to better align with the visual. This will result in more targets being hit more consistently for the stated weapon damage amount.
    • Necromancer Passives
      • Fueled By Death
        • The movement speed bonus from this passive can now exceed the 25% cap
    • Bug Fixes
      • Fixed an issue which prevented Army of the Dead from sometimes triggering when the player is immediately afflicted by a monster’s crowd control after casting it
      • Fixed an issue where enemy monsters could heal themselves when striking another monster afflicted by Leech
      • Fixed a bug which caused Skeletal Mages to sometimes spawn up in the air
      • Fixed an issue where the firewall left behind by Arcane Orb – Scorch was not dealing damage
      • Fixed an issue which caused Skeletal Mages to lose their target when players used Command Skeletons to attack the same target
      • Fixed an issue which caused connection issues when players used a channeling skill while attempting to force move at the same time

    ITEMS

    General

    • Many Legendary and Set items have had their drop chance increased

    Legendary Items

    • Barbarian
      • Bracers of Destruction
        • Seismic Slam deals 300–400% 400-500% increased damage to the first 5 enemies it hits.
      • Bracers of the First Men
        • Hammer of the Ancients attacks 50% faster and deals 150–200%300-400% increased damage.
      • Fury of the Vanished Peak
        • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Seismic Slam damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix. 
        • Reduces the Fury cost of Seismic Slam by 40-50% and increases its damage by 400-500%.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • Gavel of Judgement
        • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Hammer of the Ancients damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix. 
        • Hammer of the Ancients returns 20–25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies. The damage of Hammer of the Ancients is increased by 400-500% and it returns 25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
          • Note: The Legendary power on this item is currently not functioning; this will be fixed in an upcoming patch
      • Girdle of Giants
        • Seismic Slam increases Earthquake damage by 80–100% 200-250% for 3 seconds.
      • Skull Grasp
        • Increase the damage of Whirlwind by 250–300% 400-500%
      • Standoff
        • Furious Charge deals increased damage equal to 200–250% 400-500% of your bonus movement speed.
    • Crusader
      • Blade of Prophecy
        • Two Condemned enemies also trigger Condemn's explosion and the damage of Condemn is increased by 350-450%.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • Bracer of Fury
        • Heaven's Fury deals 150–200% 300-400% increased damage to enemies that are Blinded, Immobilized, or Stunned.
      • Denial
        • Each enemy hit by your Sweep Attack increases the damage of your next Sweep Attack by 30–40% 100-125%, stacking up to 5 times.
      • Faithful Memory
        • Each enemy hit by Falling Sword increases the damage of Blessed Hammer by 50-60% 60-80% for 10 seconds. Max 10 stacks.
      • Fate of the Fell
        • Gain two additional rays of Heaven’s Fury.
        • Heaven's Fury gains two additional rays and has its damage increased by 150-200%.
      • Frydehr’s Wrath
        • Condemn has no cooldown and has its damage increased by 450-600%, but instead costs 40 Wrath.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • Gyrfalcon’s Foote
        • Removes the resource cost of Blessed Shield and increases Blessed Shield damage by 400-500%.
      • Jekangbord
        • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Blessed Shield damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
        • Blessed Shield ricochets to 6 additional enemies and has its damage increased by 300-400%.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
    • Demon Hunter
      • Dead Man’s Legacy
        • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Multishot damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix. 
        • Legendary power now also increases Multishot damage, now reads Multishot hits enemies below 50-60% health twice and its damage is increased by 125-150%.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • Karlei’s Point
        • The damage of Impale is increased by 60-80% and Impale itreturns 10–15 Hatred if it hits an enemy already Impaled.
      • Manticore
        • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Multishot damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
        • Reduces the Hatred cost of Cluster Arrow by 40-50% and increases its damage by 250-300%.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • Yang’s Recurve
        • Multishot attacks 50% faster and its damage is increased by 125-150%.
    • Monk
      • Binding of the Lost
        • Each hit with Seven-Sided Strike grants 3.0–3.5% 4-5% damage reduction for 7 seconds.
      • Balance
        • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Tempest Rush damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix. 
        • The damage of Tempest Rush is increased by 450-600% andwhen your Tempest Rush hits 3 or fewer enemies, it gains 100% Critical Hit Chance.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • The Fist of Az’Turrasq
        • Exploding Palm's on-death explosion damage is increased by 250–300% 400-500%. damage reduction for 7 seconds.
      • Incense Torch of the Grand Temple
        • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Wave of Light damage as an inherent affix. Can still roll 10-15% as a random affix.
        • Reduces the Spirit cost of Wave of Light by 40–50% and increases its damage by 450-500%.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • Scarbringer
        • The damage of Lashing Tail Kick is increased by 300% 450-600%to the first 7 enemies hit.
    • Necromancer
      • Bloodsong Mail
        • While in the Land of the Dead, Command Skeletons gains the effect of all runes and deals 100–125% additional damage and gains the effect of the Enforcer, Frenzy, Dark Mending and Freezing Grasp runes.
      • Bloodtide Blade
        • Death Nova deals 20–30% 80-100% increased damage for every enemy within 15 25 yards.
      • Dayntee’s Binding
        • You gain an additional 40–50% damage reduction when there is an enemy afflicted by your Decrepify any of your curses.
      • Defiler Cuisses
        • Your Bone Spirit's damage is increased by 75–100% 400-500%for every second it is active.
      • Fate’s Vow
        • Army of the Dead now deals an additional 200-250% damage and gains the effect of the Unconventional Warfare rune.
      • Golemskin Breeches
        • Your Golem's damage is increased by 100–125% and You take 30% less damage while it your Golem is alive and the cooldown on Command Golem is reduced by 20-25 seconds.
      • Leger’s Disdain
        • Grim Scythe deals an additional 7–10% 65-80% damage for each point of essence it restores.
      • Lost Time
        • Your cold skills reduce the movement speed of enemies by 30%. In addition, your movement speed is increased by 4–5% 8-10%for 5 seconds. Maximum 5 stacks.
      • Maltorius’ Petrified Spike
        • Bone Spear now costs 40 Essence and deals 375–450% 550-700% increased damage.
      • Mask of Scarlet Death
        • When paired with the Revive: Purgatory rune, the mega-revived monster will drop the same number of corpses were used to create it on death.
        • This item will now attempt to give preference to the strongest monster to become the mega-revive when selecting a group of corpses.
      • Nayr’s Black Death
        • Each different poison skill you use increases the damage of your poison skills by 50–65% 75-100% for 15 seconds.
      • Scythe of the Cycle
        • Your Secondary skills deal 250–300% 350-400% additional damage while Bone Armor is active but reduce the remaining duration of Bone Armor by 4 seconds.
      • Steuart’s Greaves
        • You gain 40–50% 75-100% increased movement speed for 2 10seconds after using Blood Rush.
      • The Johnstone
        • Each corpse consumed in the Land of the Dead gGrants a 50 stacks of Macabre Knowledge when Land of the Dead expires.Macabre Knowledge increases the damage of Corpse Lance and Corpse Explosion by 150–200% while outside Land of the Dead.
    • Witch Doctor
      • Bakuli Jungle Wraps
        • Firebats deals 150–200% 250-300% increased damage to enemies affected by Locust Swarm or Piranhas.
      • Mask of Jeram
        • Pets deal 75–100% 150-200% increased damage.
      • Staff of Chiroptera
        • Firebats attacks 100% faster, and costs 70-75% less Mana, and has its damage increased by 150-200%.
      • The Short Man’s Finger
        • Gargantuan instead summons three smaller gargantuans each more powerful than before that have their damage increased by 500-650%.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
          • Note: There is currently a bug which causes the new and old versions of the ring to not work when both are equipped; this will be fixed in an upcoming PTR patch
    • Wizard
      • Orb of Infinite Depth
        • Each time you hit an enemy with Explosive Blast your damage is increased by 4% 8-10% and your damage reduction is increased by 15% 20% for 6 seconds. This effect can stack up to 4 times.
      • Ranslor’s Folly
        • Energy Twister does 225-300% more damage and periodically pulls in lesser enemies within 30 yards.
      • Triumvirate
        • Your Signature Spells increase the damage of Arcane Orb by 150–200% 300-400% for 6 seconds, stacking up to 3 times.
      • Unstable Scepter
        • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Arcane Orb damage as an inherent affix.
        • The damage of Arcane Orb’s is increased by 350-450% and its explosion triggers an additional time.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
      • Wand of Woh 
        • No longer rolls Legendary-strength bonus to Explosive Blast damage as an inherent affix. 
        • The damage of Explosive Blast is increased by 300-400% and 3 additional blasts are triggered after casting Explosive Blast.
        • Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.

    Set Items

    • Barbarian
      • Immortal King’s Call
        • (6) Set
          • While both Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients is active, you deal 400% 750% increased damage.
      • Might of the Earth
        • (6) Set
          • Increase the damage of Earthquake, Avalanche, Leap, Ground Stomp, Ancient Spear and Seismic Slam by 1200% 3000%.
      • The Legacy of Raekor
        • (4) Set
          • Furious Charge gains the effect of every rune and deals 300% 500% increased damage.
        • (6) Set
          • Every use of Furious Charge increases the damage of your next Fury-spending attack by 750% 1500%. This effect stacks. Every use of a Fury-spending attack consumes up to 5 stacks.
    • Crusader
      • Armor of Akkhan
        • (6) Set
          • While Akarat's Champion is active, you deal 600% 900%increased damage and take 15% 20% less damage.
      • Thorns of the Invoker
        • (2) Set
          • Your Thorns damage now hits all enemies in a 15 yard radius around you. Each time you hit an enemy with Punish, Slash, or block an attack your Thorns is increased by 35% 115% for 2 seconds.
        • (6) Set
          • The attack speed of Punish and Slash are increased by 50% and deal 800% 1600% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.
    • Demon Hunter
      • Embodiment of the Marauder
        • (6) Set
          • Your primary skills, Elemental Arrow, Chakram, Impale, Multishot, Cluster Arrow, Companions, and Vengeance deal 1200% 2100% increased damage for every active Sentry.
      • Natalya’s Vengeance
        • (6) Set
          • After casting Rain of Vengeance, deal 500% 750%increased damage and take 60% reduced damage for 10 seconds.
      • Unhallowed Essence
        • (6) Set
          • Your generators, Multishot, and Vengeance deal 40%70% increased damage for every point of Discipline you have.
    • Monk
      • Monkey King’s Garb
        • (6) Set
          • Has been redesigned.
          • Lashing Tail Kick, Tempest Rush, and Wave of Light have their damage increased by 600% for each stack of Sweeping Wind you have.
      • Uliana’s Stratagem
        • (4) Set
          • Your Seven-Sided Strike deals double 777% its total damage with each hit.
        • (6) Set
          • Increase the damage of your Exploding Palm by 250%1800% and your Seven-Sided Strike detonates your Exploding Palm.
    • Necromancer
      • Pestilence Master’s Shroud
        • (6) Set
          • Each corpse you consume grants you an Empowered Bone Spear charge that increases the damage of your next Bone Spear by 3000%. In addition, Corpse Lance and Corpse Explosion damage is increased by 1500%.
      • Trag’Oul’s Avatar
        • (6) Set
          • Your Life-spending abilities deal 3300% increased damage but cost twice as much Life. Your healing from skills is increased by 100%.
    • Witch Doctor
      • Helltooth Harness
        • (2) Set
          • Enemies hit by your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, or Wall of Death are afflicted by Necrosis, becoming Slowed, taking 1500% weapon damage every second, and taking 20% increased damage from your attacks for 10 seconds.
        • (6) Set
          • After casting Wall of Death, gain 1400% 1700%increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, and Wall of Death.
          • Note: This set bonus is being temporarily disabled to fix an issue with the set. It will be re-enabled in a later PTR patch.
        • Note: The damage bonus for you against enemies affected with Necrosis causes performance issues when encountering high density. This change is not intended to be a nerf and, when coupled with the six-piece change, should be a net buff for the complete set. This change should not change the gameplay style of this set.
      • Raiment of the Jade Harvester
        • (2) Set
          • When Haunt lands on an enemy already affected by Haunt, it instantly deals 120 480 seconds worth of Haunt damage.
        • (6) Set
          • Soul Harvest consumes your damage over time effects on enemies, instantly dealing 300 1200 seconds worth of remaining damage.
    • Wizard
      • Firebird’s Finery
        • (6) Set
          • Your damage is increased by 120% 200% and damage taken reduced by 3% for each enemy that is Ignited. This effect can stack up to 20 times. You always receive the maximum bonus whenever a nearby Elite monster is Ignited.
        • Vyr’s Amazing Arcana
          • (6) Set
            • Increased number of Archon stacks gained when hitting with an Archon ability from 1 to 2. 

    Other Items

    • Shields acquired by Necromancer players can now properly roll the +Max Essence affix

    Bug Fixes

    • Fixed an issue where Mimics created from Rabid Strike were not correctly inheriting the player’s bonus damage from Lashing Tail Kick, Seven Sided Strike, Cyclone Strike, Exploding Palm and Wave of Light.
    • Fixed an issue where after dying, the pet damage bonus granted from Jesseth Arms could sometimes be lost if skeletons are re-commanded onto the same target.
    • Fixed an issue preventing the free Blood Nova granted by the Iron Rose from correctly granting the damage bonus from the Trag’Oul’s six-piece bonus.
    • Fixed an issue causing certain items to drop for the Necromancer which are not able to be equipped by the class.
    • Fixed an issue preventing Necromancer primary skills from taunting enemies when Boyarsky’s Chip is equipped.
    • Fixed an issue which prevented the +% Thorns damage bonus granted by Aberrant Animator from applying correctly to items such as the Spear of Jairo.

    ADVENTURE MODE

    Rifts

    • Reduced the number of deadends when Rifts choose the Temple of the Firstborn tileset.
    • Increased the amount of experience and Rift progress granted by the Hematic Disciple.
    • Reduced the fog effect in the Shrouded Moors tilesets in Rifts and Greater Rifts.
    • Shield Pylons no longer reflects damage back to attackers.
      • Note: Reflecting damage back to attackers caused performance issues when encountering high density.

    PTR ONLY

    D’jank Miem

    • Players can exchange Blood Shards with this vendor for bags containing Legendary items

     

     


    Item Flavor Text

    DiabloFans Quote:

    • P61_Unique_CombatStaff_2H_003_x1 : Fills the air with calming fragrances as your opponent feels the weight of your displeasure.
    • P61_Unique_Fist_013_x1 : Each scar left in its wake is a sin forgiven.
    • P61_Unique_Belt_03 : All that was ever found of Uliana after her disappearance.
    • P61_Unique_BarbBelt_EQ : No belt is too big. Except this one.
    • P61_Unique_Ring_02 : Unscrupulous merchants have often duplicated this much sought-after ring to sell to the unwary.
    • P61_Unique_Polearm_01 : With this, one warrior can hold back an army.
    • P61_Unique_Fist_009_x1 : The corrupt magistrate of Az'Turrasq punished petty crime at a whim in the name of order. Innocent and guilty alike were crippled or killed by the hundreds during his terrible reign.
    • P61_Unique_Bracer_107 : Against the will of the Patriarchs, Cesar kept a lock of her hair, weaving it into his bracers. They filled him with calm, just as she always had. He never spoke of her again, but neither did he forget.
    • P61_Unique_CombatStaff_2H_001 : "We must walk the middle way between chaos and order, and not allow our emotions to sway us." —Tenets of the Veradani
    • P61_Unique_Sword_2H_012_x1 : The Boosenian smiths forged swords with a technique centuries beyond their time. Few craftsmen have been able to replicate the quality of their work.
    • P61_Unique_Shield_007 : A veritable wall of wood and iron denying those who would seek to do you harm.
    • P61_Unique_Orb_003 : The Triumvirate is composed of the three basic elements of creation.
    • P61_Unique_Sword_2H_007_x1 : The Blade of Prophecy was lost until a champion worthy to carry it into battle emerged.
    • P61_CruShield_norm_unique_01 : Frydehr was near death, his wounds outnumbered only by his foes. It was then that he discovered that the depth of a crusader’s wrath is far greater than anyone had ever suspected.
    • P61_Unique_Bracer_104 : Those that cannot see the truth of the Light will suffer its wrath.
    • P61_Unique_Shield_106_x1 : Those who deny the Light will be forced to reckon with its power.
    • P61_Unique_Flail_2H_103_x1 : "When the unholy creature stalking Harstead was finally slain, the town's clergy commissioned the construction of this massive weapon. Adorned with a weight fashioned in the fiend’s terrible visage, the flail was meant to serve as a warning to any fell invader." —Rennold's Catalogue of Arms
    • P61_Wand_norm_unique_02 : “Yet another item allegedly taken from Vyr’s armory after his demise. It uses the inherent instability of Arcane power to enhance its destructive efficiency.” - High Councilor Valthek’s Compendium of Exotic Weaponry
    • P61_Unique_Wand_101_x1 : Long before Xiansai's unification, in a time of legend, the mercurial mage Woh and his companions whisked their way across the land in a magical pagoda, righting wrongs and putting an end to strife. Woh has since been reincarnated many times, but in each incarnation, this wand invariably finds its way back to its master's hand.
    • P61_Unique_Orb_004 : “There were three - Borax the barbarian, Patel the wizard, and Zatheria the demon hunter. They drew on their unwavering bond to each other to keep from falling to the twisted lord and his minions. Tired, cornered, and near death, they readied themselves for their final assault.” - Chronicles of the North
    • P61_Unique_XBow_001 : The flying quills of the manticore's tail are filled with lethal toxin.
    • P61_Unique_Dagger_101_x1 : Those who argued with the Demon Hunter Karlei quickly learned that she could make her point with devastating effect.
    • P61_Unique_Bow_104_x1 : A terrifying Demon Hunter from Xiansai, Yang was known for his resourcefulness, his prowess at multishot, and his icy contempt for failure.
    • P61_Unique_Quiver_007 : "Marteks would not flee before their superior numbers. He knew the time of his death was at hand. He stood his ground, loosing arrow after arrow as he was slowly overwhelmed." —Tales of the Wasteland
    • P61_Unique_Belt_007 : "Unbearable creatures of the night plagued the Bakuli Jungle region. They were dangerous and not easily seen. It was a wonder that we all survived." -Account of Tapeks, Krum, Astraelly, Tanooki, Franklin, Kuan, and Tiget, the last known group of adventurers to pass through alive.
    • P61_Unique_Staff_001 : Without the correct tools, forming energy into Firebats can be taxing.
    • P61_Unique_VoodooMask_102_x1 : Long ago, a powerful witch doctor named Jeram waged a one-man war on the khazra after they slew his family. To pursue his vendetta, Jeram crafted this terrible mask, capable of calling all manner of beasts and the walking dead to his service. Those who came across the ruined khazra villages—with their dead half devoured, swollen with venom, and scorched by fire—knew it could only be Jeram's work.
    • P61_Unique_Ring_01 : This finger belonged to an Umbaru priest who had lost his legs and would summon smaller gargantuans to carry him to rituals. Although he has long since gone to Mbwiru Eikura, his finger remains a conduit to his strange practices.
    • P61_Unique_Mighty_2H_006 : Korr took all his anger and despair and poured them into the creation of a weapon that would speak to the majesty of Arreat for ages to come.
    • P61_Unique_Bracer_100 : “These bracers appear to utilize primal forces channeled from the ground itself. Interesting, to say the least.” -Abd al-hazir
    • P61_Unique_Mighty_2H_001 : A mighty symbol of Tyrael, the archangel of Justice, though never actually used by him. Stolen from the Courts of Justice in the High Heavens by renegade angels.
    • P61_Unique_Bracer_105 : “I do not care if these were forged in long dead furnaces by the Ancients themselves. They help me crush my enemies; that is all that matters.” -Aletur of Sescheron
    • P61_Unique_Bracer_108_x1 P61_Unique_Bracer_108_x1
      • string1 : Ranslor, the chief crafter to the High Vizjerei, was concerned that the power contained within these bracers would prove too much for even the most seasoned warrior, so he scoured waterfront taverns for unfortunate souls to test them. After several catastrophic failures, he was so certain he had solved the problem he tried them himself. The bracers were found by his assistant in a pile of ash.
    • P61_Unique_Scythe2H_01 : In an unparalleled display of summoning prowess, Master Necromancer Maltorius raised the tallest golem in history--until this spike was cut from it.
    • P61_Unique_Phylactery_01 : The hourglass glows with the essence of several lives that ended too soon.
    • P61_Unique_Phylactery_03 : The face within the center of the cross is the shrunken visage of an ancient priest of Rathma. He appears to be judging you unfavorably.
    • P6_Unique_Phylactery_03 (0) : The face within the center of the cross is the shrunken visage of an ancient priest of Rathma. He appears to be judging you unfavorably.
    • P61_Unique_Scythe2H_02 : The favored weapon of Master Necromancer Ordan, renowned teacher of the Priests of Rathma. He was so devoted to this weapon that he would rather part with his life than have it leave his side.
    • P61_Unique_Scythe2H_04 : A weapon of mysterious origins that seems to cut more deeply when you're cutting it a little close in battle.
    • P61_Necro_Unique_Helm_22 : "This helm belongs to those who are dead. All who have worn it have died, and all who wear it yet shall follow." —Unknown
    • P61_Necro_Unique_Pants_21 : Clad in the flesh of a golem, you begin to feel a greater affinity with them.
    • P61_Necro_Unique_Pants_22 : Walk as though you are one with the night.
    • P61_Necro_Unique_Boots_21 : "Stand your ground firmly enough, and your foes may start to question their own standing." —Steuart the Bold
    • P61_Unique_Scythe1H_03 : "The Great Cycle of Being always begins anew... but not for you." —Master Necromancer Jostan
    • P61_Unique_Flail_1H_105_x1 : Clearly a weapon of great renown, this flail once belonged to Sir Tomas, the Gyrfalcon. This knight was heralded for his bravery and speed, and he took the gyrfalcon as his coat of arms, soaring to victory many times beneath its wings.
    • P61_Unique_CruShield_102_x1 : "Centuries ago, the mysterious and morbid warrior Jekang found staunch allies among the crusaders of Zakarum. He fought alongside that order for many years, and when he left for lands unknown, he made a parting gift of his grim tower shield." —Rennold's Catalogue of Arms
    • P61_PTRVendor_Necromancer : The words are illegible from the elements and what appear to be claw marks.

    Item Names

    DiabloFans Quote:

    Posted in: Patch 2.6.1 PTR Notes - New Items and Significant Item Changes
  • published the article Pink Smoke Effect, Westmarch Workshop, Necromancer Cosplay

    Pink Smoke Effect

    In a recent blue post, we learned that Blizzard is looking to tone down the pink smoke weather effect in a future patch. The image below, created by u/_KRYPT_, demonstrates what the map could look like with a less aggressive effect. 

     

    Pink Smoke Effect


    Westmarch Workshop

    In the latest episode of the Westmarch Workshop podcast, Leviathan and Neinball check in on Season 11.

     


    Necromancer Cosplay

    With only three weeks to prepare for PAX South, DeviantArt user JAFantasyArt created this amazing Necromancer cosplay.

     

    Necromancer Cosplay

    Posted in: Pink Smoke Effect, Westmarch Workshop, Necromancer Cosplay
  • published the article Saddest Stories in Diablo Lore

    The Curse video team has put together a video of The Saddest Stories in Diablo!

    Posted in: Saddest Stories in Diablo Lore