Blizzard continues to support Diablo 4, its dark and intense action RPG, now celebrating the launch of Season 8. Over the previous seasons, Blizzard has gradually shaped the game based on player feedback. This new season puts a major focus on boss battles and harnessing their powers, offering a fresh layer of challenge and progression.
Seasonal Start – A New Character and Fresh Challenges
To kick off the new season, players can create a fresh Seasonal character. I personally went with the Spiritborn class — a favorite of mine since the launch of the game’s first expansion. The class offers a wide variety of skills and still feels incredibly satisfying to play.
Starting on Hard difficulty, leveling up is quite fast, especially if you engage with the many new Season 8 events, most of which are team-based. Blizzard had previously announced plans to slow down the leveling pace in this season, and while it’s still fairly smooth in normal difficulties, the Torment levels definitely feel more grind-heavy. Some players might enjoy this slower pace, while others who liked the fast leveling of previous seasons might find it frustrating.
The Return of Belial – A Legendary Boss Makes a Comeback
One of the highlights of Season 8 is the addition of three new endgame bosses. If you’ve played the Vessel of Hatred expansion, you’ll recognize two of them: Urivar and the Harbinger of Hatred. But the most exciting return is Belial, the Lord of Lies, who last appeared in Diablo 3 in one of the game’s most iconic boss fights.
Now, in Season 8, you’ll face Belial repeatedly, especially as you progress deeper into the seasonal story and endgame content.
Seasonal Quests and Green Leaf Events
Season 8 begins with a story arc focused on stopping Belial from regaining full strength. Players must complete special seasonal events marked with a green leaf icon on the map. These events reward unique resources that advance the storyline and grant valuable loot.
Each event typically includes:
- Fighting off waves of enemies
- Facing a mid-tier boss
- Battling a weakened version of Belial
While these encounters are exciting at first, their repetitive nature may wear on some players over time — especially since progressing through the season requires replaying these events multiple times.
Boss Battles and Unlockable Powers
Season 8 makes boss fights more important than ever. Once you reach Torment difficulty, you’ll be able to summon bosses and defeat them to unlock special abilities tied to each one. A total of 24 boss powers are available, some of which are new for this season. These abilities give players more options to customize and strengthen their builds.
The Lair Boss system has also been reworked. Previously, summoning bosses required gathering various items. Now, it’s simplified — all you need are special keys. The boss battles remain thrilling, and the final Belial fight is a true test of strength, pitting you against his most powerful form.
Battle Pass Overhaul and Cosmetic Rewards
The Battle Pass has also received a visual and structural update in Season 8. Gone is the linear progression system of past seasons. Instead, content is now divided into clearer categories, making it easier to track and unlock specific rewards.
The Battle Pass includes:
- High-quality character skins
- Premium currency for in-game purchases
- More accessible and better-organized seasonal missions
Final Thoughts – Diablo 4 Is Still Going Strong
With its mix of new features and familiar systems, Season 8 breathes fresh life into Diablo 4. The strong player activity on the servers and the team-based nature of many events show that the game still has a dedicated community. If Blizzard keeps up the support and delivers more seasons like this, Diablo 4 could continue thriving well into the future.
