Itemization in Diablo IV

Following along with my last review of the December update on paragon levels, we are diving into what we know about itemization in Diablo IV thus far.

Initial Item Previews

In the first item previews shown in the June 2020 Quarterly update we got two images unveiled:

In this first image previewed we have a few tidbits of information:  The theme of a great war and alignment system placed on items. The

items shown have either an Angelic, Demonic, or Ancestral Power requirement to gain certain stat bonuses.

We also notice that the Staff has Weapon Attack while the pants have the Defense stat on them.  Along with this, we get +1 rank to call of the wild requiring 25 Angelic Power.  Kind of odd for a rank to be listed since they confirmed it in the most recent update that bonuses to skills (ranks) would be implemented.  A big thing I see is no level or stat requirements listed on items in this update.

The next image shown has a plethora of Legendary items showing off a variety of modifiers that are in both Diablo II and Diablo III.  This includes:

• Crushing Blow
• Immobilize chance
• Cooldown reduction
• Slow
• Critical Strike
• Different bonuses granted by Legendary items similar to Diablo III

The December 2020 update included four images to disassemble:

The first image is pretty much what we saw in the last update showcasing a normal, magical, and rare item.  We see weapons now show an attack speed rating that wasn’t listed in the June 2020 update.  This was detailed in the quarterly update that weapon attack speeds are all the same.  Items also were showcased to show they have inherent characteristics like how blunt weapons in Diablo II have 50% enhanced damage to undead always.

We see in the preview that a Staff has resource regeneration built-in and an on-hit effect of immobilize chance.  Oddly though as quality level goes up the base regeneration and immobilize chance goes down which seems to be counter to what you would normally see:  better base

stats as quality level increases.  The Weapon Attack does not change, which I think is great as Diablo II did this by having a base value that was improved only if the increased damage prefix was present.

The third image is full of Legendary items again like the second image unveiled from the June 2020 update.  The biggest change we see is that Rings and presumably Amulets

both got an Attack Rating added to them.  Looking more closely we notice that the four main stats (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Willpower) got added to items as well.  Are you ready for an Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac?

The last image we have previewed in December 2020 shows off 3 Unique items.  The items have the normal mods from other items as well as unique abilities on them.  We also notice a couple other things when looking below the flavor text:

• Cannot Salvage
• Limited One Equipped
• Druid (class-specific unique or item?)
• Sell Value greatly increased from any other item previewed, with rings and amulet next highest amount.

Further Refinements

Our December 2021 quarterly preview update included a couple of new images with further refinements

Damage Per Second was added to an item as well as the Damage dealt and attack per second like is present in Diablo 3.  Level requirements also were displayed.  This item they also confirmed the +Individual Ranks (skills) even though they were on items as early as the June 2020 update.

The second and third image is showing the essence system to extract a legendary ability.  You then can apply that essence to a different item gaining that specific legendary essence’s effect.

Interesting to note that it cannot be placed into a unique item. This could provide a huge boost to players seeking rare or magical quality items that push the boundaries of great stats for a character.

Overview of what we know and my thoughts on it:

We know that the monster families will have a better chance at dropping certain items as

detailed in hunting for items portion of the December 2021 update.  This adds a bit of cool farming mechanic to the game that is similar to treasure class drops in Diablo II.  This is a great feature that hopefully is implemented correctly that it is just a better chance in that area and items can still be found off anything that meets its level requirement to drop.

I’m happy that the Angelic, Demonic, and Ancestral power is being removed, but do hope it finds a way to come back.  Maybe an alternate advancement line in addition to the paragon board.  Character alignment would thematically fit in an RPG and Diablo’s storyline.  Origin traits if you will.

The biggest thing I saw that I liked thus far: The essence from Legendaries being able to be placed in good non-unique stuff.  This opens a ton of doors for itemization, and I love turning powerful magical items into even better ones (+3 skilltab/+suffix for circlets with 2os for example).  A lot of good information, but still just surface-level details until we see more and get our hands on the game.

At the same time, this could all become too much like Diablo 3.  A couple of mods (Critical Damage, Critical Chance, Attack Speed) as primary and everything else is just increased damage by massive numbers with the others not doing much.  I’ve noticed a lack of resistance on items as well overall with the one exception being the Tunic of Perilous tread as it offers 24% Cold Resistance on them.

Until knowing the inner mechanics, I’m going to be optimistic in the itemization of Diablo IV and hope they get it right by leaning on what is found in Diablo II as the route to success.  From what I read and reviewed; it appears that Blizzard’s development team are adhering generally to that measuring stick with some QOL touchups to better represent a future Non-LCS.