Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred Review; Is it good? Playable?

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 Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred is coming in October. In our Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred preview, we brought together Nahantu, the Spiritborn class, and new content.


Firstly Announced at Blizzcon 2023and the time is approaching to enter Nahantu, a region on the eastern continent of Sanctuary that Blizzard hopes will appeal to all types of players. We 're updating our knowledge in our Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred preview, which we've compiled based on the information released so far.

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred Preview

Blizzard's legendary series Diablo 4 is entering a new era with the Vessel of Hatred expansion pack. This DLC, which will be released on October 8, 2024, brings a new breath to the dark world of Sanctuary. Vessel of Hatred brings fresh dynamism to the game with a new region called Nahantu and an entirely new class, Spiritborn .

Vessel of Hatred: Release Date and Platforms

The Vessel of Hatred expansion will be released on October 8, 2024, 16 months after the release of Diablo 4. It will be available on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PS4. Fans will explore Nahantu and witness Neyrelle’s efforts to destroy Mephisto once and for all.

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Spiritborn Class and Features

Introduced with Blizzard's new expansion, Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred , the Spiritborn class is preparing to offer players a unique experience. This class fights to protect the connection between the Spirit Realm and Sanctuary by summoning the Spirit Guardians they have sworn to protect. The Spiritborn are designed to offer fast, stealthy, and deadly gameplay.

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Spirit Guardian's Playstyle and Strengths

The Spiritborn's most distinctive feature is his connection with the Spirit Guardians . You can customize your gameplay by choosing one of four different Spirit Guardians, creating a combined battle strategy with their abilities:

  • Jaguar Rezoka: Focuses on high APM games and offers quick attacks.
  • Gorilla Wumba: Specializes in revenge and damage reduction.
  • Eagle Kwatli: Focuses on speed and agility while delivering precise attacks.
  • Centipede Balazan: Provides damage over time and poison abilities.

Mix and match the abilities of these Spirit Guardians to create an infinitely customizable playstyle. The Spiritborn stands out as a highly mobile class, with traversal and movement skills that work differently with each guardian.

Weaknesses and Limitations

The Spiritborn, while versatile, does come with some restrictions. This class can only use certain two-handed weapons: the Glaive, Quarterstaff, and Polearm . As such, it cannot equip some powerful items that other classes can use. Additionally, gameplay can be somewhat restricted with limited equipment slots; it can only equip 9 items at a time.

This class may be an ideal choice for players looking for flexibility and speed, but requires a more strategic approach than other classes due to its limited weapon and equipment options.

Nahantu District

With the Diablo IV expansion Vessel of Hatred , the Nahantu region returns as an area that long-time Diablo II fans will recognize. Nahantu was known as a region south of Kehjistan in the third act of Diablo II and included iconic locations such as Kurast and Travincal. Now, Diablo IV players are getting ready to rediscover this dark and mystical region.

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Mephisto and Nahantu: The Legend Returns

Fans of Diablo II will recognize Mephisto's deep connection to the Nahantu region. Known as the Prime Evil, Mephisto played a major role in Kurast and Travincal in Diablo II's third act. As such, the fact that Diablo IV's "Vessel of Hatred" expansion takes place in Nahantu presents an opportunity to resurface Mephisto's dark influences from the past. The expansion could see Mephisto return, even in soul stone form, reawakening the corruption that once plagued the lands and giving players the chance to face an entirely new demonic army.

Kurast and Travincal: The Dark Heart of Nahantu

In Diablo II, players encountered the dark influence of Mephisto while exploring the cities of Kurast and Travincal. After corrupting the priests of Zakarum and surrendering the region to demons, Mephisto sealed himself within the heart of Nahantu. In Diablo IV’s new expansion, this dark history could be revived and Nahantu could offer players an unforgettable adventure.

Mercenaries and New Endgame Content

Vessel of Hatred, the highly anticipated expansion for Diablo IV, brings not only new areas and stories, but also new features that will increase the depth of the game. If you're tired of fighting alone in the dark forests of Nahantu, you can now find a trusty friend by your side in the form of mercenaries.

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Mercenaries and Their Unique Abilities

This new expansion for Diablo IV offers players the opportunity to not fight their quests alone. Mercenaries are powerful allies who will fight alongside you in the thick undergrowth of Nahantu and help you complete your quests. Each mercenary is equipped with unique abilities that will give them an advantage in battle. Your mercenary will level up with you, becoming more dangerous as the game progresses.

New PvE Endgame Co-Op Event

Diablo IV is coming with a first-of-its-kind PvE end-game co-op event. Lurking in the shadows, this dungeon will require aspiring warriors to team up and defeat a variety of threats together. Filled with powerful enemies, this dungeon will offer great rewards to those who succeed.

Core Game Updates

With the launch of Vessel of Hatred, Diablo IV will also receive a variety of updates to core gameplay systems. Add new skills to your favorite classes, expand Paragon Boards, and empower your characters with legendary glyphs. There’s also a wealth of new content that adds depth to the game, including new dungeon types, added events, and rewards from the Tree of Whispers.

Pets

While trying to survive in the brutal world of Sanctuary, it’s hard to find a friend to follow you through the dark atmosphere of Diablo IV. Luckily, Blizzard has added pets to the game to add some cuteness to this chaotic world. Pets offer players a variety of benefits in Diablo IV’s first expansion, Vessel of Hatred.

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Cute Pets and Their Practical Abilities

You might expect animals to be blood-soaked and wild-looking in the wilds of Sanctuary, but Blizzard has gone the opposite way and added cute, friendly pets. These pets will follow you around loyally and collect in-game items like gold, herbs, ores, and crafting materials. So instead of you having to run around everywhere, the pets will do the work for you.

Players who log in to the game have already received an in-game quest to unlock pets. Once you complete this quest, you can set off on an adventure with the adorable dog Asheara . For those who want more options, there are additional pets that can be unlocked by pre-purchasing the Vessel of Hatred expansion pack.

Extra Pets Included with Vessel of Hatred

If you pre-order the expansion, you’ll have the chance to choose from pets like Snow Leopard Alkor , Tiger Natalya , and Dog Hlrati . However, if you’re having trouble choosing between these cute friends, you can get them all by pre-ordering the Ultimate Edition.

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred System Requirements

The Vessel of Hatred system requirements have been optimized to allow players to dive into the dark world of Sanctuary without compromising the fluidity of the game. The DLC has the same requirements as the base game, so if you can play Diablo IV, you should be able to play this expansion without any problems. However, you may still want to check if your computer can handle this dark and exciting expansion. (For reference, see the officialSteampage has been taken.)

Minimum Requirements:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K / AMD FX-8350
  • Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660, Arc A380 or AMD Radeon R9 280
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4
  • Storage: 90GB SSD
  • Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit

Recommended Requirements:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-4670K or AMD Ryzen 1300X
  • Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970, Intel Arc A750 or AMD Radeon RX 470
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • Storage: 90GB SSD
  • Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit

Vessel of Hatred Trailers: What to Expect

Vessel of Hatred has released three official trailers so far, immersing players in the dark atmosphere of Nahantu and hinting at what the expansion will bring.

The first trailer was unveiled at BlizzCon on November 3, 2023, showcasing the mystical and eerie atmosphere of the Nahantu region. The trailer begins with a female voice chanting incantations, which are followed by a deep, gravelly male voice. The trailer continues with a shot of a forest, revealing a giant primate-like stone head and castle-like structures, emphasizing how dangerous and dark a place Nahantu is.

The second trailer was released on June 9, 2024, and follows a young woman named Neyrelle as she navigates through the terrifying experiences of an infected body of water. In the trailer, the figure introduced as Neyrelle's mother is revealed to be a demon in disguise. Neyrelle pays a heavy price for her decision to imprison Mephisto, and by the end of the trailer, she is rowing alone to her fate.

The third trailer focuses on the all-new Spiritborn class. This shamanic-inspired, agile and powerful warrior defeats his enemies with spiritual magic. A sentence in the trailer sums up the Spiritborn philosophy: "While the mortal world was designed to break us - our hearts, our minds, our bodies - there is something else that makes us brave." This new class brings a different combat style and gameplay dynamic to Diablo IV.

The fourth trailer is focused entirely on the mercenaries. The trailer showcases the skills of the Pale Hand, as the group calls itself, and will give players the opportunity to choose 1 of the 4 members of the group. The members are the Barbarian, Witch, Archer, and Demon Child. The trailer gives us a brief look at the characters and their abilities, as well as a bit of visual backstory for each of the mercenaries available.

Pre-Order

The expansion brings brand new adventures and rewards to the dark world of Diablo IV. Pre-orderers will receive exclusive perks and rewards to unlock the secrets of the forests of Nahantu. All content you can get by pre-purchasing this expansion.

Vessel of Hatred Pre-Order Bonuses and Editions

Prepare to embark on an epic adventure through the forests of Nahantu, spread across Sanctuary, when you pre-order the Vessel of Hatred expansion. But this is just the beginning; the rewards that come with pre-ordering will make this dark journey even more memorable.

The Ultimate Edition includes:

  • Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Expansion Pack
  • Nahantu Veilwalker Spiritborn Armor
  • Alkor, Snow Leopard Pet
  • Mother's Lament Legendary Jewel for Diablo Immortal
  • Hratli, Dog Pet
  • Nahantu Battle Cat Mount and Armor Pack
  • A Premium Battle Pass Token
  • 3,000 Platin
  • Natalya, Tiger Pet
  • Nahantu Uncharted Armor Pack (5 class armor set)
  • Wings of Faith Cosmetics
  • Nahantu Themed City Portal

Deluxe Edition includes:

  • Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Expansion Pack
  • Nahantu Veilwalker Spiritborn Armor
  • Alkor, Snow Leopard Pet
  • Mother's Lament Legendary Jewel for Diablo Immortal
  • Hratli, Dog Pet
  • Nahantu Battle Cat Mount and Armor Pack
  • A Premium Battle Pass Token

Standard Edition includes:

  • Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Expansion Pack
  • Alkor, Snow Leopard Pet
  • Mother's Lament Legendary Jewel for Diablo Immortal

Diablo IV Expansion Pack + Base Game

For those who have yet to fight against Lilith's prophesied return, there is a special bundle that includes the base game of Diablo IV. This bundle gives you both the base game and the Vessel of Hatred expansion, along with additional bonuses such as the Mother's Lament Legendary Jewel for Diablo Immortal .


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