Blizzard’s Latest Update to Ease Masterworking Expenses and Improve Diablo Experience
Blizzard Entertainment has announced a new patch for Diablo 4, set to roll out on May 28. Patch 1.4.1 brings a slew of updates, with the most significant change being a reduction in the gold required for Masterworking items, a key aspect of the endgame introduced in Season 4, “Loot Reborn.”
Masterworking, which enhances the affixes of an item, previously required a hefty amount of gold, making it a costly endeavor for players. With the new update, while the gold cost for lower Masterworking ranks remains unchanged, higher ranks will see a substantial reduction. At the maximum rank of 12, the gold cost will decrease by 7.5 million per item.
Blizzard stated in the patch notes, “We want to make the main push for Masterworking to be focused on the acquisition of materials, and less focused on needing the gold. We want to avoid the possibility of having the materials available, but needing to take extra time to collect the gold.” Additionally, the update will make Masterworking accessible for all characters once it is unlocked by one character, and players will be able to transmute Masterworking materials directly without opening a materials cache.
The patch will also introduce other changes, including increased fire damage from Hellborne enemies in Helltides, improved drop rates for Scattered Prisms, and clearer armor cap information on the character stats page. Players will now find it easier to craft Uber Uniques, previously rare items, enhancing their gameplay experience.
Blizzard has addressed several bugs and gameplay issues in this patch. These include fixes for skill tooltips, inconsistencies in item stat comparisons, and various issues with Masterworking and Tempering mechanics. The drop rates for Scattered Prisms from treasure goblins and world bosses will be increased, and specific gameplay elements such as the Whisper bounty requirements for Hellborne enemies will be adjusted for better balance.
Fans of Diablo 4 have welcomed the “Loot Reborn” update, praising its enhancements on platforms like Reddit and Steam. The patch aims to make the endgame more enjoyable and accessible, aligning with player feedback and improving the overall gaming experience.
Blizzard’s commitment to refining Diablo 4 continues with these updates, ensuring that players have a smoother and more rewarding journey through Sanctuary. The first expansion for Diablo 4, “Vessel of Hatred,” is scheduled for release in late 2024, promising even more content and adventures for fans of the series.
Diablo 4 Patch 1.4.1 Notes: Key Highlights
Game Updates:
- Masterworking Costs Reduced:
- Ranks 1-4: Unchanged
- Rank 5: Reduced from 450,000 to 400,000 gold
- Rank 8: Reduced from 1,000,000 to 800,000 gold
- Rank 12: Reduced from 10,000,000 to 2,500,000 gold
- Accessibility Improvements:
- Masterworking now unlocks for all characters once achieved by one.
- Masterworking materials can be directly transmuted.
- Combat Enhancements:
- Hellborne enemies in Helltides will deal additional fire damage.
- The surge damage from Sorcerer’s Enhanced Charged Bolts increased from 30% to 45%.
- Quality of Life Improvements:
- Armor cap details added to character stats tooltip.
- Increased drop rates for Scattered Prisms from various sources, including world bosses and treasure goblins.
Bug Fixes:
- Addressed issues with tooltips, item stat comparisons, and skill effects.
- Fixed various gameplay bugs related to Helltides, The Pit, and Masterworking.
This patch is set to enhance the endgame experience for players, making Masterworking more accessible and less dependent on gold, while addressing several gameplay and quality-of-life issues. Players can look forward to these improvements when Patch 1.4.1 goes live on May 28.