Diablo IV: 5 Best Features Announced So Far

While we wait for an official Diablo IV release date, we thought we'd bide our time by examining the best Diablo IV features that have been announced. Some of these are wholly new concepts, such as the open world, which has never been featured in the franchise's previous titles. While others are reimagined features, that adapt or expand on their typical format. Regardless, there are tons of new features coming to Diablo IV, and we're excited for them all.

Though we want to discuss them all, these are the five announced features that have us the most enthusiastic. All of these additions should change the way Diablo IV is played and make it a relatively fresh experience. That's why it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with how they will work, so you can already start pre-planning your class. Just try not to become overwhelmed since there is a lot to unpack here, so let's get started.

5. Classes

As per usual, Diablo IV will come with five starting classes. The first three that were revealed early on are Sorceress, Barbarian, and Druid. Then to build the usual hype, Blizzard dropped the last two classes later, which are Necromancer and Rogue. These make up all five classes in the game, which are all based on prior character classes from previous games in the series. Some people are on the fence about this, but we’re rather ambitious.

First of all, despite the classes being recycled, they're all fan favorites which we can't complain about. We also know that these classes are being completely redesigned in terms of their playstyle and abilities. For example, the Necromancer, who has been a “floater” in past games, is undergoing a thorough re-work to make him more relevant and active in combat. Plus, with the new skill tree and character customization, it's doubtful that these classes will play and feel the same as in the past. Granting the opportunity to build a playstyle that's true to you, but still something completely new.

4. Skill-Tree & Ability Customization

Following on from the discussion of classes, Unlike previous Diablo games, Diablo IV will not have pre-defined class designs based on items and equipment. Instead, it will focus on a literal skill tree that lets you choose your character's abilities, with a variety of routes. These will be a combination of active and passive abilities that may be enhanced with skill points. With the skill abilities, you can activate new skills and further upgrade them. The same goe's for passive skills, however, they are more focused on character upgrades, rather than abilities.

Both skills and passives feature a dynamic root system with multiple options, thus allowing you to customize your character's playstyle, abilities, and stats. To go with that, your stat build also coordinates with your skill and passive tree. So, depending on how many points you put into your Strength, Intelligence, and so on, you will receive boosts to your abilities and passive stats.

So, regardless of whether classes are reused from previous games, it's quite unlikely that they'll play similarly. Your character can match your playstyle while still providing a unique experience. As far as Diablo IV's new features go, this one's got us really excited.

3. PvP

PvP was something fans longed for in Diablo III, and while developers promised it would appear, it never did. That will change with Diablo IV, which will add PvP as a new feature. However, rather than being implemented as a game mode, PvP will be organically interwoven into the open-world environment. This is done by the use of “Plains of Hatred,” which are PvP areas, distributed throughout the open world.

PvP was something we saw in Diablo II and expectedly fans adored it. It allowed you to test your characters' build against others and offered us something to look forward to other than grinding levels and quests. This should be even more of a dynamic experience this time around with the new skill tree. As a result, each player will have their own distinct fighting style, making each match-up a new and reasonably dynamic experience each time. So, we're somewhat enthusiastic about this coming to Diablo IV because it will undoubtedly be one of the best features.

2. Character Customization

For the first time in the franchise's history, Diablo IV will feature complete character customization. Now, you can say “Previous Diablo games offered character customization,” but it was bleak, generic, and not completely realized. To counter this, Diablo IV, like most RPG games these days, will have an excruciatingly large amount of character customization. Most of the time this is a daunting and tedious task upon launching, but we're all for it.

When you play a character that you believe matches you, the role-playing becomes more immersive, especially in a grind-oriented RPG title. You can customize all the way down to your skin tone, hair color, and accessories to cover a small portion. Additionally, there are tons of personas, armor sets, and brand-new art for the five distinct classes. So, in addition to your character playing differently from everyone else's, no two characters will look the same.

1. Open World

One feature we are seeing for the first time in the Diablo franchise is an open-world environment. If you’re familiar with the previous three titles, you’ll know they’re pretty linear dungeon crawlers. But that will change this time around. The Devs note this will begin as a narrow path, that will eventually break off into multiple paths, allowing you to freely roam about and choose where you want to go. Regardless, they all converge together near the end for the final act.

For example, after the opening introduction players can venture off into three separate regions. Those are, Scosglen, the Fractured Peaks, and the Dry Steppes, and you’re free to do them in any order you see fit. The devs have also mentioned that there would be diversions and events within these regions, though they have refrained from calling them side quests. So you may opt to aid a villager or participate in an event, which can unlock additional tasks and objectives, such as a new world boss appearing on your map.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other features for Diablo IV that we should know about? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!