By Jon Scarr
Blizzard is kicking off Diablo IV’s next season on December 11, and this one looks packed. Season of Divine Intervention brings the Lesser Evils back into the spotlight, updates core systems like itemization and combat, and adds a new Season Rank progression format.
Blizzard also released a massive deep-dive blog, but here’s the short version so you can jump in without sorting through thousands of words.
The Lesser Evils Return
Azmodan leads the charge this season, joined by Belial, Andariel, and Duriel. Each one twists a different activity, which should help shake up the usual grind. Azmodan even steps in as a world boss, and you can take him on in the Seasonal or Eternal realms.
These bosses don’t just appear as fights. They influence monster packs, add hazards, and even shift how enemies behave inside activities like Helltide, The Pit, and the Undercity.
A Reworked Item Journey
This season completely changes how you build your gear. Tempering is no longer random. You pick exactly which affix you want from a recipe. Masterworking now uses a linear “Quality” system that boosts base stats and affixes as it climbs toward a capstone bonus.
Once you commit to Sanctification, your item gets a final heavenly boost, possibly including bonus Legendary powers or Greater Affixes. Sanctification ends that item’s upgrade path, so it’s the last step in polishing your gear.
Smarter, Deadlier Monsters
Monster AI is getting a refresh across the board. Packs are less predictable and elites come with new affixes that force you to react instead of face-rolling everything. Defense has also changed, with a new Toughness stat helping you understand how much punishment you can take.
Season Rank Replaces the Old Journey
The familiar Season Journey now evolves into Season Rank. Each Rank requires you to complete a Capstone Dungeon before advancing, and the rewards include Skill Points, Paragon Points, cosmetics, and Heavenly Sigils. Renown no longer plays a seasonal role, which should streamline early leveling.
Divine Gifts
The angel Hadriel offers Divine Gifts that you slot into your character for bonuses. Each one has a reward path and either a Corrupted or Purified effect, depending on how risky you want things to feel.
Want the Full Breakdown?
Blizzard’s official blog covers every system and tweak. If you want the deep mechanics, full lists of affixes, or info on Tower and Leaderboards coming in early 2026, you can read the complete post here:
Personally, I like how focused this season feels. The buildcrafting changes look cleaner, and tying gameplay loops to the Lesser Evils should help shake Diablo IV out of its predictable flow. December 11 looks like a good time to jump back in.