Diablo 4 Bringing Back Popular Diablo 3 Feature
Blizzard has confirmed that Diablo 4 Season 12 is re-adding the beloved Killstreak system, which last appeared in Diablo 3. This upcoming feature will first be tested in the Diablo 4 2.6.0 PTR, before coming into the main game as a key feature for Season 12, giving players even more rewards for maintaining a Killstreak.
Killstreaks were first introduced in the form of Streak Bonuses in Diablo 3. Players could gain extra experience by continuing to slaughter their enemies in quick succession, and could even earn some Legendary items that provided further bonuses to these streaks. There were four different types of Streak Bonuses in the previous game: Massacre, Mighty Blow, Destruction, and Pulverized. For each, players would need to fulfill various requirements in the popular action RPG, and would earn different rewards as a result. Although Streak Bonuses were quite a small feature, they were well-regarded in the community, and many gamers had been calling for their return in Diablo 4.
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Diablo 4 is Adding Killstreaks in Season 12
As per the new patch notes for the 2.6.0 PTR, Killstreaks are back in Diablo 4 Season 12. According to Blizzard, the feature “changes the way you play across every activity in the game.” When several enemies have been killed in quick succession, the Killstreak pop-up will keep track of how many. This triggers a Killstreak timer, which players must gain additional kills or deal direct damage to refresh and keep it alive. Once this timer depletes, the Killstreak is over. Players can progress their Killstreak through five different tiers: Killstreak, Carnage, Devastation, Bloodbath, and Massacre. At the end of the Killstreak, players are awarded experience and seasonal reputation, the amount of which is based on the total number of monsters slain throughout. There’s also an extra bonus added based on the Killstreak tier reached. If a player dies during a Killstreak, it ends immediately with no reward.
The response to the upcoming Diablo 4 feature over on Reddit was overwhelmingly positive. “So glad Killstreaks are finally back! Seriously missed these from D3 while leveling,” one user said. Another had an idea to make it even closer to its Diablo 3 equivalent, saying, “I wish they would add voices to characters after killing many monsters similar to D3.” Gamers will just have to wait and see if Blizzard has any further plans up its sleeves to expand the feature based on the feedback in the PTR.
Players don’t have to wait long at all to get their hands on the new Killstreak system. The upcoming 2.6.0 PTR will be available from February 3, at 10 AM PST, running until the same time on February 10. That’s a full week to try out the features in Diablo 4 Season 12, albeit before they’re properly balanced for the full release. One thing the patch notes don’t mention is whether the Killstreaks are a permanent addition to the game, or whether they’re another Diablo 4 seasonal mechanic. Over the last few seasons, there have been a few occasions where players have wanted seasonal mechanics made permanent, but game balance simply doesn’t allow for it. However, the Killstreak mechanic doesn’t seem totally overpowered, so it will be interesting to see if it eventually sticks around as a core feature beyond Season 12.
Blizzard has already stripped back the expectations for Diablo 4 Season 12, claiming it is “designed as a more focused, streamlined season that supports our broader roadmap toward launch of The Lord of Hatred expansion on April 28.” Despite the smaller scale, the 2.6.0 PTR patch notes do confirm that there will be “more surprise features” revealed closer to the full launch of Season 12. With the planned launch of Diablo 4‘s Lord of Hatred expansion in April, it’s going to be another massive year for Blizzard’s action RPG, which continues to go from strength to strength.
- Released
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June 5, 2023
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact