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Ashes of Creation

Barbarian

Druid

Necromancer

Rogue

Sorcerer

Spiritborn


<p>Adam &#8220;Pezradar&#8221; Fletcher has officially stepped into a new leadership role within the Diablo franchise. Announced via his personal Twitter account, Fletcher is now the <strong>Head of Social Media, Community, and Influencer teams</strong> for Diablo.</p>



<p>Fletcher has long been a familiar face in the Diablo community, serving as a bridge between players and developers. His promotion signals a continued focus on engaging with players, influencers, and content creators as the franchise moves forward! </p>



<p>Congrats, Adam!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/adam-fletcher-is-now-head-of-social-media-the-community-and-v0-t9V0nDrv1BXU9wW56oysPECAvyboj_0RrDfI11L6YLg.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 61877"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Source: <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1jfxoxu/adam_fletcher_is_now_head_of_social_media_the/">Reddit</a></figcaption></figure>


Adam “PezRadar” Fletcher Takes on New Role as Head of Social Media, Community, and Influencer Teams for Diablo


<p>In Diablo&#8217;s long history, hearing <strong>&#8220;Fresh Meat!&#8221;</strong> was enough to send a chill down your spine. Since his first terrifying appearance in Diablo 1, The Butcher has symbolized surprise, chaos, and sudden death. But today, in Diablo 4, that fear is gone.</p>



<p>Once a deadly encounter capable of ruining your run, The Butcher is now little more than a random loot drop. Many players barely realize he&#8217;s spawned until they see <span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Axes_34.webp" alt="The Butcher's Cleaver"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Axe" data-item-quality="unique">The Butcher&#8217;s Cleaver</span></a></span> on the ground, silent proof that he was instantly deleted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why is The Butcher So Weak Now?</h2>



<p>The problem is simple: Blizzard never scaled The Butcher to match player power and with every season, player power grows. Blizzard<a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/season-5-adds-a-terrifying-new-version-of-the-butcher/"> last updated The Butcher in Season 5</a> when he was given a Lava charge ability.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BurningButcher.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p>But now, multiple seasons have passed and The Butcher remains locked at outdated difficulty levels.</p>



<p>The result? An encounter that should bring chaos now barely registers. There&#8217;s no fear, no retreat, just <strong>FREE LOOT</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Could Blizzard Fix This Iconic Encounter?</h2>



<p>One way to fix The Butcher&#8217;s relevance could be scaling his power to match the highest <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/the-pit-of-the-artificers-guide/">Pit</a> Tier a player has cleared. This change would make him unpredictable and dangerous again, reintroducing the excitement of a true mini-boss fight.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Should Random Bosses Like The Butcher Still Be a Threat?</h2>



<p>What do you think? Should Blizzard bring back the danger that made The Butcher Iconic? Let us know on <a href="http://x.com/icyveins">Twitter</a>!</p>


From “Fresh Meat!” to Forgettable — What Happened to The Butcher?


<p>During a GDC 2025 talk, Blizzard lead software engineer Patrick Ferland revealed that <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/gear-systems-and-itemization-overview/#greater_affixes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greater Affixes</a>, those powerful item bonuses players now chase like crazy, were actually a last-minute addition during development of the Loot Reborn season.</p>



<p><strong>&#8220;Literally, we had two weeks left in the development schedule when someone even proposed it,&#8221; </strong>Ferland said, as reported by GamesRadar+.</p>



<p>Luckily, thanks to Diablo 4&#8217;s flexible backend and data structure, the team was able to add the feature without risking the entire build falling apart. If you are not familiar, Greater Affixes are boosted versions of normal affixes. They always roll at the highest possible value and get a 1.5x multiplier on top. They also come with a special sound cue and icon, which makes them easy to spot in your loot pile, and very much worth hunting for. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/3-greater-affix-amulet-surprised-me-at-lv75-v0-5jji1w7bmk0d11.png" alt="" class="wp-image 32295" style="border-radius:8px"/></figure>



<p>While Diablo 4&#8217;s <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/gear-systems-and-itemization-overview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">item system</a> has taken its fair share of criticism, Loot Reborn definitely marked a turning point. It streamlined loot drops and made powerful items feel exciting again, especially with Greater Affixes in the mix. </p>



<p>The story behind their last-minute addition is a great reminder that sometimes, the best parts of a game are born out of bold, late ideas. </p>



<p>For more details, you can check out the original article on <a href="https://www.gamesradar.com/games/diablo/blizzard-came-up-with-diablo-4s-most-powerful-item-modifiers-at-the-last-minute-literally-we-had-2-weeks-left-in-the-development-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">GamesRadar+</a>.</p>


Diablo 4’s Strongest Loot Feature Was Added Just Two Weeks Before Launch


<p>Blizzard has released a special cinematic trivia breakdown for the iconic &#8220;By Three They Come&#8221; reveal trailer from Diablo 4. Originally unveiled during the game&#8217;s announcement at BlizzCon, this cinematic set the dark, gothic tone fans have come to expect from the franchise!</p>



<p>In this new video, Blizzard shares production secrets, lore details, and fun facts about how the cinematic was brought to life, offering players a rare glimpse behind the scenes of one of Diablo&#8217;s most memorable cinematic!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="By Three They Come | Cinematic Trivia" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6j97hP5geNs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p><br>If you&#8217;re a fan of the lore and want to dive even deeper, be sure to check it out! <br>Do you like these behind-the-scenes videos? If so, which one would you like to see next?</p>


Blizzard Shares New Diablo IV Cinematic Trivia for “By Three They Come” — Behind-the-Scenes Details Revealed


<p>Since the introduction of Masterworking in Season 4: &#8220;Loot Reborn,&#8221; Blizzard has made Obducite an essential reagent for upgrading. Whether you are just trying to upgrade your gear or are fishing for those triple crits on a specific affix for your perfect item, farming this material efficiently is crucial. We’ll explore the most effective methods for farming Obducite and see what the strategies other players discovered.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where to Farm Obducite</h2>



<p>There are three primary ways to obtain the material:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Nightmare Dungeons</strong>
<ul>
<li>Running Nightmare Dungeons, particularly at higher difficulty levels, is a reliable way for farming.&nbsp;</li>



<li>You will also find other crafting materials during the run.</li>



<li>Speed gear is recommended for this method.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>



<ol start="2">
<li><strong>Infernal Hordes</strong>
<ul>
<li>Infernal Horde events can grant large amounts of Obducite.</li>



<li>Aim for 8 or 10-wave runs for the best drop rates.</li>



<li>You must use “Broken Compasses” to start an Infernal Hordes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>



<ol start="3">
<li><strong>Undercity of Kurast</strong>
<ul>
<li>With the “Tribute of Refinement” it is worth running the Undercity of Kurast.</li>



<li>The time-restricted gameplay style may not be for everyone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is The Best Farming Method?</h2>



<p>Now that we&#8217;ve covered the different ways to farm Obducite, let&#8217;s focus on the most efficient method for collecting it in large amounts.<br><br><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/hammilithome/">Hammilithome</a> tested what the best outcome would be and compared Nightmare Dungeons and Infernal Hordes.<br><br>His results showed: </p>



<ul>
<li>Infernal Hordes: 10 minutes per run, providing 1500-3000, averaging 150/min</li>



<li>Nightmare Dungeons: 3-5 min per run, providing 80-1200 per run, averaging 233/min</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1jeaxdt/obscudite_nm_vs_hordes_farming/">Obscudite &#8211; NM vs Hordes farming</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/hammilithome/">u/hammilithome</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>What is your favorite way to farm Obducite and can you be even faster? Share it with us on <a href="https://x.com/icyveins">X</a>.</p>


The Best Ways to Farm Obducite Masterworking Material


<p>With the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/vessel-of-hatred-overview/">Vessel of Hatred</a>, Blizzard introduced its first Raid – the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/dark-citadel-guide/">Dark Citadel</a> – in hopes of giving players a better and more fun, varied endgame loop. But was it really a success? How do players feel about it after more than six months? Let&#8217;s dive into it and do a recap.</p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">What and Where Is the Dark Citadel? </h1>



<p>Deep in the heart of Nahantu, the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/dark-citadel-guide/">Dark Citadel</a> is a cooperative dungeon designed for 2-4 players, with 4 being the recommended party size. To succeed, the group must work together to defeat a series of challenging bosses that demand good coordination. After reaching level 60, players can do a small quest to unlock access to the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/dark-citadel-guide/">Dark Citadel</a> and the Rise of Khazra Waypoint.</p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Can You Solo It?</h1>



<p>This is probably the most asked question, and the short and direct answer is no. Certain mechanics prevent solo progression, making a group essential. This problem got picked up by the Diablo 4 Reddit lately, pointing out that most players play for themselves and prefer not being pushed into content with others.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1jc2gbi/dark_citadel_to_be_done_in_solo/">Dark citadel to be done in SOLO</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/JmWallSeth/">u/JmWallSeth</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Especially at the end of a season it might be really difficult to find more players to complete the raid. The “Party Finder” remains underutilized by many, and Diablo 4 isn&#8217;t perceived as a social game. One potential solution, as suggested by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/WarOtter/">WarOtter</a>, could be allowing mercenaries to assist in completing the raid. Some players even claim they have yet to clear The <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/dark-citadel-guide/">Dark Citadel</a> due to these group restrictions.</p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">So Is There Any Point to It?</h1>



<p>Despite many negative aspects, which we will tackle in a bit, there are a few good and interesting concepts about having a raid in Diablo 4. Let’s take a look at them. </p>



<ul>
<li>While many players disagree with the group requirement, some players did enjoy playing with their friends.</li>



<li>Boss fights require coordination and the complexity of them is a welcoming change to the normal gameplay loop.</li>



<li>It provides an additional challenge after reaching level 60.</li>



<li>Though niche, the raid tells a unique story, adding depth to the game&#8217;s lore.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-03-18-20_13_59-ArtStation-Diablo-4-VoH-Dark-Citadel-Exteriors-concepts-Karine-Villette-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 61704"/></figure>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">What Didn’t Work Out? </h1>



<p>We already pointed out that it isn’t content for anyone who prefers to play solo, but what other problems does the first raid of Diablo 4 have?</p>



<ul>
<li>Not all players have the time or desire to coordinate with groups.</li>



<li>The “Party Finder” wasn&#8217;t accepted very well by the community, which leads to an even bigger problem of finding players for cooperative content.</li>



<li>Learning fights together alongside random players might not be very appealing to most.</li>



<li>Locking exclusive rewards, especially cosmetics, behind a raid is very frustrating.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></li>
</ul>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Learn More</h1>



<p>Want to dive deeper into The <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/dark-citadel-guide/">Dark Citadel</a> or need help defeating it? Check out our <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/dark-citadel-guide/">guide</a> to conquer the raid and claim victory!</p>


Did Raiding in Diablo 4 Work Out? A Look Back at the Dark Citadel


<p>The current meta for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/druid/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Druids</a> revolves around <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Cataclysm" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Druid_7.webp" alt="Cataclysm"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Cataclysm</span></span></a> and a snapshotting mechanic. Right now, with enough cooldown reduction, you can cast Cataclysm twice in a row and have all the bonuses from the first cast carry over to the second. This creates a huge power gap. If you manage to snapshot correctly, you are incredibly strong, but if you miss the window, you are much weaker.</p>



<p>Blizzard is addressing this issue in Season 8, as they do not want snapshotting to define the Druid&#8217;s power level. Instead, they are making several adjustments to other aspects of the class, including buffs to <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Stone Burst" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Druid_104.webp" alt="Stone Burst"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Stone Burst</span></span></a> and a brand-new <mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-unique-item-color">Unique Helm</mark> designed for Human Form builds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Unique: Gathlen&#8217;s Birthright</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Druid-new-unique-and-aspect.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 61474" style="border-radius:8px"/></figure>



<p>This new helm is meant for players who prefer staying in Human Form rather than shifting into Werebear or Werewolf. It introduces a new stacking mechanic, granting access to three Key Passives at once. Something never seen before for any of the classes.</p>



<p><strong>Affixes:</strong></p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Inherent:</strong> Anima of the Forest grants you 15% Attack Speed</li>



<li>+10.5-15% Willpower</li>



<li>+224-296% Willpower</li>



<li>+2-3 Ranks of Humanity</li>



<li>+17.5-23% Movement Speed While in Human Form</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Unique Power:</strong><br>While in Human Form, Critical Striking enemies with Nature Magic 400-200 times grants you Anima of the Forest for 10 seconds.<br>While infused with Anima of the Forest, you gain the <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Perfect Storm" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Talents_Druid_19.webp" alt="Perfect Storm"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Perfect Storm</span></span></a> and <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Earthen Might" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Talents_Druid_7.webp" alt="Earthen Might"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Earthen Might</span></span></a> Key Passives.</p>



<p>This item is build-defining for Human Form Druids, making it possible to use three Key Passives at once by reaching 200 stacks of Anima of the Forest.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Skill and Aspect Changes</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stone Burst Buff</h3>



<p>The <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Aspect of Anticline Burst" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/aspects/offensive.webp" alt="Aspect of Anticline Burst"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-codex-text">Aspect of Anticline Burst</span></span></a> is getting a big buff:</p>



<ul>
<li>Previous: Stone Burst deals 10-30% increased damage and when cast at or above 75 Spirit, it reaches its Maximum Size.</li>



<li>Now: Stone Burst still deals 10-30% increased damage, but now it is guaranteed to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/overpower-status-effect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Overpowe</a>r when it detonates at Maximum Size.</li>
</ul>



<p>This should make Stone Burst much stronger, giving Druids another powerful Overpower option outside of Werebear builds.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Storm Strike and Lightning Changes</h3>



<ul>
<li><a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Fierce Storm Strike" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Druid_59.webp" alt="Fierce Storm Strike"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Fierce Storm Strike</span></span></a> will now <strong>always</strong> make enemies <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/vulnerable-status-effect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vulnerable</a> (instead of only having a 50% chance).</li>



<li>New <mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-legendary-item-color">Aspect of Impending Deluge</mark> will boost <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Storm Strike" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Druid_59.webp" alt="Storm Strike"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Storm Strike</span></span></a>&#8216;s damage by 50% and increase the damage the target takes from your other Skills by 20-40% for 6 seconds.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cyclone Armor Rework</h3>



<ul>
<li><a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Enhanced Cyclone Armor" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Druid_11.webp" alt="Enhanced Cyclone Armor"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Enhanced Cyclone Armor</span></span></a> will now make enemies <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/vulnerable-status-effect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vulnerable</a>.</li>



<li><a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Preserving Cyclone Armor" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Druid_11.webp" alt="Preserving Cyclone Armor"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Preserving Cyclone Armor</span></span></a> will pull in enemies instead of knocking them back, but damage reduction is reduced to 10% for 4 seconds (down from 30% for 2 seconds).</li>



<li><a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Innate Cyclone Armor" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Druid_11.webp" alt="Innate Cyclone Armor"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Innate Cyclone Armor</span></span></a> will slow enemies and increase the damage they take.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Changes</h3>



<ul>
<li>Spirit Boon Overload: Lightning bolts from Spirit Boon Overload will now trigger 35% of the time instead of just 1%.</li>



<li><a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Lightning Dancer's Aspect" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/aspects/offensive.webp" alt="Lightning Dancer's Aspect"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-codex-text">Lightning Dancer&#8217;s Aspect</span></span></a>: 
<ul>
<li>Now: Lightning Storm and Lightning Bolt Critical Strikes have a 50% chance to spawn 3 Dancing Bolts (up from only Lightning Storm)</li>



<li>Dancing Bolts now deal 30% increased damage.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li><a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Aspect of the Rampaging Werebeast" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/aspects/offensive.webp" alt="Aspect of the Rampaging Werebeast"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-codex-text">Aspect of the Rampaging Werebeast</span></span></a>: Critical Strike Damage per stack reduced from 10% (200% max) to 3% (60% max)
<ul>
<li>Now grants Multiplicative Critical Damage rather than Additive, which results in a higher overall damage bonus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



<p>These Druid changes in Season 8 address some of the frustrating and overpowered snapshot mechanics and introduce new build options, especially for Human Form Druids. Stone Burst buffs, Storm Strike changes, and new aspects and uniques are looking up to make the class feel more balanced.</p>



<p>Will you be trying a Human Form Druid or sticking to classic shapeshifting builds?</p>


Changes Coming to Druid in Season 8: No More Cataclysm Snapshotting


<p>Ever had a notification pop up on your map or store, but no idea what it is for or how to clear it? You are not alone. Blizzard has acknowledged that too many notifications are pulling players away from actually playing the game.</p>



<p>In the latest <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-season-8-official-preview-belial-returns-boss-powers-endgame-boss-rework-and-much-more/#Patch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PTR patch notes</a>, they introduced a fix:<br><em>&#8220;The pip on the Map tab in the game menu will no longer appear if the only new item is a Cosmetic.&#8221;</em></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/D4MapPip.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 61463" style="border-radius:8px"/></figure>



<p>For those unfamiliar, the &#8220;pip&#8221; is that little dot or exclamation mark that appears on menu tabs when there is something new. This update means if the only new thing is a mount, transmog, or other cosmetic, the pip will not show up on the Map tab anymore. This should help reduce unnecessary distractions and make it easier to spot important updates, like new quests or events.</p>



<p>It is a small change, but a welcome quality-of-life improvement. Hopefully, it is just the start of a larger effort to clean up <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a>&#8216;s notification clutter!</p>


Fewer Annoying Map Notifications in Diablo 4


<p>Whisper Caches in Diablo 4 Season 8 have been nerfed, now granting XP upon claim instead of being stashable for powerleveling. However, this change <strong>DOES NOT</strong> apply to Eternal realms, where players can still gain <strong>2.2 million XP per cache</strong>. This was confirmed by Derpazoid9 on the Season 8 PTR.</p>



<p>While not the most efficient leveling method, it remains a useful strategy for those preparing characters for the next expansion. If you&#8217;re looking to max out your characters, this could still be a viable option, especially before potential future nerfs.</p>



<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" data-embed-height="316"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1jc49vh/psa_caches_collecting_in_eternal_pre_22_still/">PSA: Caches collecting in Eternal pre 2.2 still give xp when opened on PTR</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Derpazoid69/">u/Derpazoid69</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote>


Whisper Caches Nerfed in Season 8, But Eternal Realms Still Provide Massive XP


<p>If you haven&#8217;t heard of the American host and comedian Conan O’Brien, who is mostly known for his late-night talk shows, and most recently for hosting the Oscars, then it might be about time to find out.<br><br>At the latest SXSW festival, he took the stage to host a panel with none other than Blizzard President <a href="https://x.com/Joh_Burg">Johanna Faries</a>. They talked about various topics, like the returning <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/wow/news/blizzcon-is-back-blizzard-confirms-return-on-september-12-2026/">Blizzcon 2026</a>, and also jokingly mentioning that he should be a part of the Diablo games.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conan the Necromancer</h2>



<p>Talking about the possibility of being in a Blizzard game he said:<br><strong><br></strong>“I want to be in the next <em>Diablo. </em>I want to be a demon or necromancer. My wife, when she met me, thought I was a necromancer. If I’m in Diablo, people will get to decide if I live or die very quickly”<br><br>Farries responded with “We’ll get the writers on this.”<br><br>The official Diablo IV account quickly picked up on it and humorously called him “NecrO&#8217;brien”.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NecrO&#39;brien <a href="https://t.co/5qqbYlmYco">pic.twitter.com/5qqbYlmYco</a></p>&mdash; Diablo (@Diablo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Diablo/status/1899611356632146072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Or is it Conan the Goblin?</h2>



<p>Even Reddit took notice and got very excited about the chance of him becoming a funny, but iconic character in the game. The best idea came from user NthPower who wants to see him as a goblin who is yelling taunts to the player while running away.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Diablo/comments/1jagnov/comment/mhliu8f/">Comment</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/gorays21/">u/gorays21</a> from discussion<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Diablo/comments/1jagnov/conan_obrien_wants_to_be_diablo_in_diablo_5/"></a><br> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Diablo/">Diablo</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">He came, he saw, he Doomhammered</h2>



<p>Not only did he talk about the gaming industry and how he fits into it, but he also received a very special gift from <a href="https://x.com/Joh_Burg">Johanna Faries</a>. It was nothing less than a copy of the iconic weapon “Doomhammer” from <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/wow/">World of Warcraft</a>.</p>



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<p>What do you think about such an iconic figure becoming a part of the game?<br>Should he even have his own side quest where we hunt him down? Let us know on <a href="https://x.com/icyveins">X</a>.</p>


Adam “PezRadar” Fletcher Takes on New Role as Head of Social Media, Community, and Influencer Teams for Diablo

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