On April 29, Diablo 4 will kick off its highly anticipated Season 8, introducing a significant transformation to the game’s endgame boss system and a complete rework of the battle pass. This new approach, known as The Reliquary, aims to give players greater control over the rewards they earn, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
The Reliquary system breaks down rewards that were typically bundled within the traditional battle pass into various categories. The core seasonal Reliquary will be available for free and, particularly for Season 8, will feature a range of exciting rewards. Players can look forward to a new Town Portal cosmetic, a weapon cosmetic, mount cosmetics, and some of the game's premium currency, Platinum.
In addition to the core Reliquary, players will have the opportunity to access separate Reliquaries designed for cosmetic armor, weapons, and beasts (which include pets and mounts) that can be unlocked using Platinum. This new structure allows players to unlock rewards in any order they choose by utilizing a new currency called Favor Tokens, which can be earned through slaying monsters and completing quests.
Players can hold a maximum of 99 Favor Tokens at any given time, with items costing anywhere from two to ten tokens. Each Reliquary is designed to be more affordable than previous battle passes, making it easier for players to access the rewards they desire. Additionally, claiming all rewards from a given Reliquary will grant players a bonus reward that does not require any Favor Tokens to unlock.
For those seeking a more comprehensive experience, Blizzard will also offer a premium battle pass bundle that will include all of a season's Reliquaries for 1,000 Platinum—the same cost as prior battle passes. This gives players the option to invest in a package deal while still enjoying the flexibility of the new system.
In a group interview with GameSpot, Colin Finer, the associate director of game design for Diablo 4, elaborated on the rationale behind the changes to the battle pass. Finer stated, "When we were thinking about the battle pass, we had gotten a lot of feedback that it just wasn't in the spirit of Diablo. There was just a bunch of stuff that you didn't actually care about. You're grinding through a bunch of things and you didn't really have any agency. That didn't feel Diablo." He emphasized that the essence of Diablo is about player agency and customization, which is why the new battle pass system puts players in control of targeting the rewards they want.
Players may recall that the previous battle passes in Diablo 4 offered free seasonal power through Smoldering Ashes, which could be used to enhance Season Blessings—buffs that provided additional XP and other perks during the season. Although the old battle pass format is being retired, Smoldering Ashes and Season Blessings will now be integrated into the game's Seasonal Journey system, functioning just as they did before.
With these exciting changes, Season 8 of Diablo 4 promises a more tailored experience, allowing players to engage with the game on their own terms and enjoy a more rewarding gameplay journey.
