Diablo Immortal’s first update in a new year-long saga, “The Taking,” is now available.
Revealed during Diablo Spotlight in February, “The Taking” marks the start of the year-long roadmap outlined at the same event. Setting gameplay updates aside, the story focuses on what the press release calls “the most cataclysmic events Sanctuary has ever known.” That description fits the stakes. The Maiden of Anguish, one of the seven Lords of Hell, has returned in an effort to claim the title of Hell’s strongest lord from her brothers. She begins her campaign in the Lut Gholein region and kicks off the year-long story arc, “A Nation in Agony.”
Returning to Diablo Immortal‘s gameplay, the developers have heard players’ complaints and have now introduced a brand-new PvP tournament. The Challenge of Equals is focused on promoting player skill and teamwork over just character progression, which was the direct complaint from fans. Signups begin on March 19th, with the tournament running from March 23rd to the 27th. All players will have their power normalized but will also retain their class identity, plus there are even “Elite Slayer Loadouts” available, which are just PvP loadouts curated from top PvP players.
For a limited time, between March 19th and April 16th, choice world bosses will have “Horrid Transformations,” which means they will be way deadlier than usual as they have new mechanics and higher aggression. If you manage to beat them, though, the rewards are worth it because there’s the chance to get Legendary Items, Normal Gems, and more.
The Diablo Immortal Battlegrounds PvP mode is also getting an overhaul in the new update, which reimagines the way PvP works across classic and convoy maps. Some of the little details include multi-phase battles that build towards the final climax, a new shared objective that will trigger a Greater Demon Encounter, and victories that feel faster without interrupting the natural game flow. There’s also one last bonus of a new legendary gem named the Leviathan Tomb, which rewards aggressive playstyles by increasing damage output and pressure as a buff called ‘Abyssal Depths’, which stacks the more criticals you get.
Sounds like the Diablo Immortal Sanctuary will have its work cut out for it in the coming year. Let’s hope the nation doesn’t stay in agony for long.
