Diablo IV Kicks Off Season of Divine Intervention on December 11

Dec-04-2025

Diablo IV enters its next chapter with the launch of the Season of Divine Intervention on December 11 at 8:30 p.m. PST. This season brings the return of the Lesser Evils, major reworks to itemization, combat, and survival systems, and introduces the unbound angel Hadriel, who grants Divine Gifts to reshape your seasonal progression.

 

 

Lesser Evils Return: Azmodan, Duriel, Belial, and Andariel

Sanctuary faces a renewed threat as the Lesser Evils invade key activities:

Azmodan – Season's primary World Boss, appearing in the Overworld and summonable at special Summoning Altars. Azmodan unleashes magma waves and earthquakes, and defeating him requires mastering these mechanics. Rewards include Corrupted Essence, Activity Keys, and Lair Boss Keys.

 

Duriel – Invades Helltide. Instead of the Blood Maiden, players face Pangs of Duriel, mega-maggots, and meteor attacks. Defeating Duriel rewards Essence of Pain and Essence of Squalor, which can enhance loot and grant Purified bonuses.

 

Belial – Infiltrates The Pit, creating Belial Eyes that stun enemies and summon Belial Apparitions. Rewards include Essence of Lies and Essence of Shadows.

 

Andariel – Corrupts the Undercity, modifying Spirit Beacons for greater rewards. New Undercity Tributes ensure Andariel appears as the final boss. Rewards include Essence of Anguish and Essence of Screams.

 

Monster Combat Updates:

• Monsters feature improved, dynamic behaviors and distinct combat roles.
• Champion Packs replace traditional champions for more challenging encounters.
• Over 20 new elite affixes increase threat and tactical depth.

 

Divine Gifts: Strategic Bonuses and Risk/Reward

The angel Hadriel provides Divine Gifts, giving players the choice between risk and reward:

• Corrupted Gifts – Increase difficulty while providing standard rewards.
• Purified Gifts – Remove negative effects, enhance bonuses, and double rewards.

 

Unlocking Purified Slots:

Rank IV: Duriel

Rank VI: Andariel

Rank VIII: Azmodan

Rank X: Belial

 

Examples of Divine Gifts:

Essence of Pain: Pangs of Duriel drop socketables; Purified doubles drops and grants maximum Barrier every 20 seconds.

Essence of Lies: Fortify for 1% of Maximum Life per second; Corrupted version adds damage from Belial Eyes.

Essence of Sin: Boosts Armor; Corrupted version makes you vulnerable during World Boss fights.

 

Item Progression Overhaul: Tempering, Masterworking, and Sanctification

 

Tempering Changes:

• Affixes are now deterministic—players can select the desired effect.
• Ancestral items have a chance to upgrade to Greater Affixes.
• Tempering Charges can be restored indefinitely.

 

Masterworking Changes:

• Uses a Quality system (1–20) to improve base stats and affixes.
• Max Quality allows a Capstone roll to upgrade a non-Greater affix to a Greater Affix.
• Cost scales with Quality, emphasizing strategic investment.

 

Other Item Updates:

• Non-unique items now have 4 base affixes instead of 3.
• Sanctification can add legendary powers, increase Quality (5–25), or replace affixes with seasonal bonuses. Once applied, items are unmodifiable, making the choice a high-stakes decision.

 

Combat & Survival Systems Revamped

Defense & Toughness:

• Armor and Resistance now use a rating system with diminishing returns.
• Toughness shows total survivability against all damage types.

 

Healing & Potions:

• Potions heal 35% of total HP instantly and regenerate every 30 seconds.
• Fortify now acts as a secondary Life bar, draining to heal over time.
• Life on Hit, Life on Kill, and Life Regen values have been increased.

 

Monster Updates:

• Smarter monsters, dynamic reactions, and new Champion Packs.
• Monsters with affixes are more potent, and packs form less predictably.

 

Season Rank and Capstone Dungeons

Season Rank replaces the traditional Season Journey:

Ranks 1–6, each requiring a Capstone Dungeon.

Completing Rank 5 unlocks Rank 6 and rewards players with the Alefta Pet.

Season Rank rewards include Skill Points, Smoldering Ashes, Paragon Points, and Heavenly Sigils.

 

Capstone Dungeons:

1. Vault of the Crucible – Level 30, Hard
2. Hellish Descent – Level 50, Penitent
3. Enclave of Darkness – Level 60, Torment I
4. Den of the Apostate – Level 60, Torment II
5. Breach of Sin – Level 60, Torment III

 

New Unique Items

Barbarian: Chainscourged Mail – Cooldown refresh on Brawling Skills, increased damage per disabled skill.

Druid: Khamsin Steppewalkers – Movement bonuses, skill charge mechanics for Storm and Nature Skills.

Rogue: Death's Pavane – Dance of Knives generates knives to increase damage.

Necromancer: Gravebloom – Summons 3 smaller Golems with faster respawn and bonus attack speed.

Sorcerer: Orsivane – Damage bonus for unused Defensive Skills with associated Enchantment effects.

Spiritborn: Path of the Emissary – Movement triggers Core Skills and applies debuffs to enemies.

 

Prepare for the Season of Divine Intervention

With smarter monsters, revamped defensive systems, redesigned item progression, and the strategic layer of Divine Gifts, Season of Divine Intervention reshapes Sanctuary's endgame. Players will face Azmodan and the Lesser Evils, navigate Capstone Dungeons, and maximize Divine Gifts and Sanctification to dominate this season's challenges.

 

Season launches December 11, 8:30 p.m. PST—are you ready to embrace the divine?