How To Prepare For The Next Diablo IV Season
Every new season of Diablo IV is a bit of a spectacle. Alongside a handful of quality-of-life improvements, gameplay mechanics, additional armor and weapon sets, cosmetics, and occasionally, new abilities and powers that enhance our favorite classes tenfold, we’re always in for something exciting. New powers embolden us to launch headfirst into all-new enemies, but before we can reach that point, there’s time to prepare.
A bit of prep goes a long way when it comes to fighting against demons, serpents, and all manner of monsters lurking in the darkness. In Diablo IV, a brand-new season means a fresh start for everyone, with almost equal ground in the beginning. But, you can set yourself up for success, starting the game with a mount, additional skill points, and more!
1. Activate All Altars of Lilith
Across every region of the game, you'll find hidden statues honoring Lilith. These Altars of Lilith offer permanent buffs to your stats, making your character more potent from the get-go. However, finding them all takes time. It can take a few real-world hours to track down every Altar; even then, you’ll likely want to source a map online pointing you in the correct direction. But trust us when we say it’s worthwhile. You’ll unlock rewards such as:
+2 Strength
+2 Dexterity
+2 Intelligence
+2 Willpower
+5 Murming Obols Capacity
+1 Paragon Point
These buffs are crucial to starting your season strong, so be sure to activate as many Altars as possible before diving into your new character.
2. Achieve Max Region Renown
By grinding your way to the fifth and final level of renown for each region in the game, you will unlock:
Skill Points
Potion Capacity
Max Obols
Paragon Points
Upon starting a new seasonal character, these boons become immediately available. You can open the map shortly after creating your character, unlock each reward, and have a significant starting boost that puts you ahead of the curve. It’s one of the best ways to make sure you're well-equipped for the challenges ahead, especially in the early stages of the new season.
3. Unlock Your Horse (If You Haven’t Already)
Have you seen the size of Sanctuary? The game was already massive before Blizzard added Nahantu as part of the Vessel of Hatred expansion. It took a long, long time to traverse the winding paths through the Fractured Peaks and Scosglen, especially on foot. But with a horse, those distances felt manageable.
If you’re new to the game and haven’t completed the main campaign yet, go ahead and run through that first. You can speed through it in short order, specifically looking for the quest Donan’s Favor, which unlocks your mount in Act Four. After you complete this quest and the campaign, you can choose to skip the campaign when creating a new character, unlocking your mount right from the start. Once you spawn, head to the Stable Master to equip your desired mount, armor, and cosmetics. Not only does this save time, but it’s an essential step for smooth exploration and combat.
4. Join a Clan
While you can play Diablo IV solo, tackling dungeons and public events without a party, it’s easier to grind to max level when you have a stable group to play with. Sure, a friend or two may suffice, but a clan offers much more potential. There are countless clans constantly recruiting that provide a helpful and welcoming environment for new and returning players alike.
If you’re an enterprising player, you can also start your own clan, customizing its name, heraldry, summary, and settings, focusing on Casual, Hardcore, PvE, PvP, Leveling, or Social aspects. A stable group of allies goes a long way in Sanctuary, especially when it comes to handling the harder challenges in the game.
5. Study Up on the Classes
First off, let’s get this out of the way: There is no wrong class in Diablo IV. Yes, you can follow the meta and opt for an overpowered build that pushes The Pit and PvP to the extreme, but you’ll find satisfaction in playing any class in the game; after all, we all have our favorites. For instance, I’m a Barbarian main through and through.
It’s impossible to tell what the meta will be in the upcoming season, which starts on April 25, 2025, but we can make some educated guesses. The new Spiritborn class will likely take the lead, followed closely by Necromancer and Barbarian. Regardless of the meta, it’s worthwhile taking the time to study the basics of each class. Learn their skill sets and talents, and have a few build ideas in mind depending on how the meta shakes out when the new season kicks off.
And hey, if you find Diablo IV a bit too overwhelming at times, it won’t be long before you can fall into a nostalgia-driven grind with the OG Diablo on Game Pass!
With the new season starting soon, now is the time to ensure you’re ready for whatever challenges await in Sanctuary. From unlocking mounts and activating Altars to joining a clan and choosing the right class, the groundwork you lay before the season kicks off will ensure a smooth transition into the new content. Get prepared, get ready, and dive into the new season with the best possible start!
