Acolyte of Chayula

Barbarian

Druid

Necromancer

Rogue

Sorcerer

Spiritborn


<p>If you&#8217;ve been waiting for Leaderboards in Diablo 4, we&#8217;ve got some good news for you! While the wait is still not over, we finally know the feature <strong>will arrive with the new expansion in 2026</strong>.</p>



<p>What else can we expect in the new expansion? Well, the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/d4-roadmap-for-2025/">2025 roadmap</a> didn&#8217;t reveal much, but there will also be a new ranking system. </p>



<p>Even though we&#8217;ll have to wait until next year, this marks the first official confirmation of a Leaderboard system coming to Diablo 4!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Snimka-obrazovky-2025-04-08-o-19.45.30.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 64970"/></figure>


Leaderboards and Ranking System Coming to Diablo 4 in 2026 Expansion


<p>With the reveal of <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-2025-roadmap-quick-dive/">Diablo 4’s roadmap</a>, players have started to speculate about what lies ahead for the major expansion.</p>



<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:500px" data-embed-height="740"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1jwn7i1/diablo_loreheads_does_the_insignia_on_the_back_of/">Diablo lore-heads, does the insignia on the back of this banner reveal any clues about what/where the expansion could be?</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/CrystalGhourl/">u/CrystalGhourl</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Mephisto Connection?</h2>



<p>On the far right section of the banner, the symbol appears to be the Crown of Mephisto, which was last seen in the final cinematic of <em>Vessel of Hatred</em> when Akarat’s body rises from the black pool inside Travincal. This has led many to believe that Mephisto will continue to play a central role in Diablo 4 in 2026.</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="DIABLO 4 Vessel of Hatred Ending Cinematic" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bcdqBWhQg6U?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>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Expansion Setting: Westmarch Incoming?</h2>



<p>The possible Mephisto insignia in the banner could be hinting towards <em>Khanduras </em>as the next expansion’s location — more specifically, <em>Westmarch</em>. This city was featured in <em>Diablo III: Reaper of Souls</em>, and ties directly into the lore of the <em>Knights of Westmarch</em> — a Paladin-based faction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Paladins in Diablo 4?</h2>



<p>With Blizzard previously stating that new expansion’s classes will be tied thematically to the regions, a venture to Westmarch could heavily imply that a <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/is-the-paladin-making-a-comeback-in-diablo-4s-2026-expansion/">Paladin or Crusader-type class</a> is on the way. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Champ-Revolt1200.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 65864"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What&#8217;s Next?</h2>



<p>With such compelling evidence pointing towards the presence of Mephisto, Westmarch, and Paladins in Diablo 4, time will tell whether the teaser gave us blatant clues or whether we missed a major twist for 2026. Are the answers too obvious?</p>


Did Diablo 4’s 2025 Roadmap Just Tease Westmarch, Mephisto, and the Paladin for the 2026 Expansion?


<p>With <strong>Season 9 set to launch in July 2025</strong>, Blizzard recently teased a rework for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/nightmare-dungeon-tier-list/">Nightmare Dungeons</a> titled <strong>“Dungeon Escalation.”</strong> On Reddit, players started to think about what it actually might be and came up with some very interesting ideas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Could &#8216;Dungeon Escalation&#8217; Look Like?</h2>



<p>The idea reimagines Nightmare Dungeons as deeper, more dangerous, and more rewarding experiences designed to keep players crawling through layers of loot and chaos.</p>



<p>Here’s how the concept works:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>No More Sigils:</strong> Nightmare Sigils are removed from inventories. Instead, <strong>free Nightmare Dungeons</strong> randomly appear on the map.</li>



<li><strong>Targeted Loot:</strong> Each dungeon is linked to a specific equipment slot, increasing drop rates and Greater Affix chances for that gear type.</li>



<li><strong>Multi-Floor Progression:</strong> After defeating the dungeon boss, players unlock a <strong>larger second floor</strong> within the same environment, offering new enemies, loot, and another boss.</li>



<li><strong>Escalating Difficulty:</strong> Each new floor adds a <strong>random negative dungeon affix</strong>, allowing dangerous modifiers to stack over time (e.g., Volcanic, Stormbane’s Wrath, Drifting Shade).</li>
</ul>



<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:500px" data-embed-height="515"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1jwby3g/dungeon_escalation_here_is_some_input_for/">Dungeon Escalation? &#8211; Here is some input for consideration when it comes to Nightmare Dungeons</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Diaplusch/">u/Diaplusch</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Will Blizzard Listen?</h2>



<p>Blizzard has yet to clarify what “Dungeon Escalation” actually means, but if community ideas like this are anything to go by, players are hoping for something more layered, challenging, and immersive. What would you like to see for the coming rework of Nightmare Dungeons? </p>


What Is ‘Dungeon Escalation’? Diablo 4 Fans Imagine Big Changes for Season 9


<p>A Diablo 4 player beat Hardcore Lilith, but forgot to hit record. When they tried again, everything went wrong.</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:500px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1jwfn7o/i_think_i_really_need_a_hug/">I think i really need a hug&#8230;</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/General_abby/">u/General_abby</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>The story began when <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/General_abby/">General_abby</a> defeated Echo of Lilith on Hardcore for the first time, but when they checked, they had no video proof, so they tried again.</p>



<p>During the second attempt, Lilith bugged out and wouldn&#8217;t die.</p>



<p>On the third attempt, Lilith had almost no health left, but killed the player in one FINAL HIT. As a result, their Hardcore char was gone for good.</p>



<p>The final moment was caught on video. You can watch it here.</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="Diablo 4 HardCore ☠ - Forgot to press Record on my 1st time killing Lilith, so here&#039;s my 3rd attempt" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4OvaFGCgU7c?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>


This Diablo 4 Player Killed Lilith in Hardcore, Then Died Forever Trying to Record It Again


<p>Blizzard is thinking long-term when it comes to the future of Diablo. In a recent <a href="https://www.gamefile.news/p/chain-interview-marc-merrill-rod-fergusson-shuhei-yoshida-more">Game File chain interview</a>, Rod Fergusson, General Manager of the Diablo franchise, revealed that Blizzard has <strong>laid out a 10-year roadmap</strong> for the series.</p>



<p>When asked by Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill about the &#8220;next big inflection point&#8221; for the franchise, Fergusson made it clear that the team is in it for the long haul:</p>



<p class="has-text-align-left"><em><strong>Fergusson:</strong> <strong>“We&#8217;re here for the long haul. We&#8217;ve been doing long-range planning recently. And I&#8217;ve created a roadmap—a 10-year roadmap…it was actually a 12-year [roadmap]—I can see this, this, this and this and all these different things that we can do, [which] is really inspiring. And it&#8217;s really exciting. We’re focused on what players want…I can’t tell you much more than that.”</strong></em></p>



<p>While Fergusson didn&#8217;t reveal specific titles or features, the comment suggests that Blizzard isn&#8217;t just looking at <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-2025-roadmap-quick-dive/">short-term updates or seasonal content</a>; it is preparing for multiple new developments across the Diablo universe!</p>



<p>You can read the full interview over at <a href="https://www.gamefile.news/p/chain-interview-marc-merrill-rod-fergusson-shuhei-yoshida-more">Game File</a>!</p>


Rod Fergusson Confirms 10-Year Roadmap for Diablo


<p>Blizzard has released a new Lofi Beats episode under its Diablo Soundtrack series, perfect for slaying demons or simply zoning out! Titled <strong>&#8220;Diablo Lofi Beats to Slay Hatred to&#8221;</strong>, this is Episode 7 of the ongoing series and continues the trend of pairing Diablo melodies with chilled-out ambient beats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tracklist</h2>



<p>The tracklist includes:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Lingering Hatred</strong>: 00:00</li>



<li><strong>Five Hills</strong>: 11:56</li>



<li><strong>Samuk</strong>: 24:04</li>
</ul>



<p>These tracks blend the original compositions of Ted Ready with smooth Lofi remixes by RezoDrone (Jason Charles Miller &amp; Jamison Boaz) over visuals created by Losq Studios!</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="Diablo Lofi Beats to Slay Hatred to | Diablo Soundtrack Ep 7" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ulhc34Mzo-U?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>


Diablo Drops Lofi Soundtrack Episode to Fuel Your Demon Hunts


<p>Diablo 4’s Druid class offers a unique playstyle with shapeshifting into a werewolf or werebear, but visually, those forms are pretty limited. Aside from some slight fur color changes, there’s not much room for customization.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Time for a Visual Upgrade?</h2>



<p>Looking at World of Warcraft, it&#8217;s not a huge stretch to think about various shapeshifting forms. Custom skins could add more personalization and style, and the same could even apply to their pets or Necromancer minions who want their undead army to look a little more different. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-12-22_41_49-Fandrals-Flamescythe-Wowpedia-Your-wiki-guide-to-the-World-of-Warcraft-Mo.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 65755" style="width:633px;height:325px" width="633" height="325"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: <a href="https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/Fandral%27s_Flamescythe">Wowpedia</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is There Anything Official?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Right now we haven&#8217;t heard about any plans from Blizzard to add such a feature, but who knows what <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/blizzard-says-diablo-4-roadmap-isnt-complete-pleasant-surprises-still-coming/">other surprises</a> they might have in store for us? Could we see something being added during one of the upcoming <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-ip-crossovers-roadmap-tease-has-a-lot-of-potential/">IP crossovers</a>? We&#8217;ve already seen WoW-related armor skins, so why not some shapeshifting form action! <br><br>Would you want to see custom Druid forms or pet skins in Diablo 4? What kind of looks would you love to see added?</p>


Should Diablo 4 Add Cosmetic Forms for Druids and Necro Pets?


<p>After diving into <a href="https://www.poe-vault.com/poe2/">Path of Exile 2</a>, Diablo 4 players are starting to take notes, and they are not alone! While each ARPG has its own flair, certain quality-of-life features and creative mechanics from PoE are making them wonder: why can&#8217;t Diablo 4 have these too?</p>



<p>Here are some standout features from <a href="https://www.poe-vault.com/guides">Path of Exile</a> and Path of Exile 2 that Diablo 4 players would like to see in Diablo 4:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hardcore Characters That Convert to Softcore</h2>



<p>In PoE, when a hardcore char dies, it doesn&#8217;t vanish, but transfers to softcore. This encourages more players to take risks without the fear of losing it all. Diablo 4 could benefit from a similar approach, lowering the entry barrier for new HC players while preserving their time and investment (in some form).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Advanced Stash Organization</h2>



<p>Stash management in PoE is a dream compared to D4. With customizable stash tabs, item filters, and collector-focused organization, it&#8217;s easier to keep track of loot. Reddit user <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Zaraeleus/">Zaraeleus</a> said they would <em>gladly pay Platinum for upgraded tabs that offer similar utility in D4</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Recombination Crafting System</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.poe-vault.com/poe2/news/recombination-crafting-is-here-risky-item-creation-returns">Merging two pieces of gear into one</a> and praying for the perfect outcome is surprisingly addictive. While not always successful, it can be fun and rewarding. This feature adds depth to gear crafting in Path of Exile. It would be cool to see a similar feature in D4!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Player Hideouts and Decorations</h2>



<p>Hideouts in Path of Exile offer a unique way of expression for players. Players can design these places for themselves. We don&#8217;t have anything similar right now in D4.</p>



<p>While Diablo 4 remains a polished and accessible ARPG, there&#8217;s a lot Blizzard could borrow, or be inspired by, from the Path of Exile series!</p>



<p>For more ideas, check out the linked Reddit post.</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/1jxhk0p/things_i_love_after_playing_the_competition_poe_1/">Things I love after playing the Competition (poe 1 and 2)</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Zaraeleus/">u/Zaraeleus</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>


Diablo 4 Players Are Craving These Features Found in Path of Exile


<p>Earlier this week, Blizzard unveiled its first-ever roadmap for Diablo 4. The community’s reaction has been mixed, mainly concerned about having “Borrowed Powers” each season, rather than more long-lasting gameplay features.<br><br>In response to the feedback, <a href="https://x.com/PezRadar">Adam Fletcher</a>, now the<strong> Head of Social Media, Community, and Influencer Teams for Diablo</strong>, posted on X, reassuring fans that more is coming:</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">It isnt the full roadmap. More details as we get further in the year become less and less as those are still in development.  There are some good surprises that I think people will be pleasantly happy about coming up.</p>&mdash; Adam Fletcher (@PezRadar) <a href="https://twitter.com/PezRadar/status/1910045407746691186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Do We Even Want to Be Surprised?</h2>



<p>That raises the question: why wouldn’t Blizzard reveal everything up front to build hype for the rest of the year?</p>



<p>While surprises can be fun, many in the community are looking for more transparency and concrete reasons to stay excited about Diablo 4’s future. With players looking for meaningful updates, simply teasing “good surprises” may not be enough.</p>



<p>What do <em>you</em> think the surprises could be? And more importantly, what do you want to see added to Diablo 4?</p>


Blizzard Says Diablo 4 Roadmap Isn’t Complete—“Pleasant Surprises” Still Coming


<p>As part of <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-2025-roadmap-quick-dive/">Diablo 4’s roadmap</a>, Blizzard teased new IP collaborations coming in Season 8 and 10. For a franchise that’s focused again on its dark, gothic universe, the idea of bringing elements outside of the Blizzard franchise into the Diablo universe is a surprising move, but one with a lot of potential.<br><br>While details are still unknown, Game Director <strong>Brent Gibson</strong> did give a few hints at what might await us in an <a href="https://youtu.be/az6Fe7ZwT8c">interview with Rhykker</a>:<br><br><em>“We want to stay true to the brand and the dark identity [of Diablo]. The goal is to come out with a whole lot of new cosmetics that fit within the Diablo universe. A good example would be the World of Warcraft skins we already did, but we want to branch out more than that.”<br></em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Past Crossovers: A Quick History</h2>



<p>While the Diablo franchise hasn’t traditionally been known for many crossovers, we have already seen some inside of the Blizzard universes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">World of Warcraft x Diablo</h3>



<p>D4 most recently had a crossover featuring many heavy World of Warcraft-inspired transmogs, like the Lich King, Kael’Thas, or even Garrosh. Diablo Immortal also featured its own WoW crossover event, “Azeroth Unleashed”, which brought themed cosmetics and a special event into Sanctuary. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-08-10-01_06_35-Diablo-IV.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Diablo Immortal &#8211; Seasonal Themes &amp; Events</h3>



<p>Outside of the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/forums/topic/80306-diablo-immortal-x-wow-crossover-event-frostmourne-in-sanctuary/">WoW events</a>, Immortal also has also played around with looser seasonal themes that stretch the typical Diablo tone.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/NT0N39CLHZUV1719424160569.png" alt=""/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Overwatch </h3>



<p>Overwatch 2 launched several Diablo-themed skins, including Demon Hunter Sombra, Barbarian Zarya, and Inarius Pharah. While none of them affected Diablo 4, it still shows that Blizzard is open to experiment.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXck18MueAfYNJ48NBh0CZWLpKYHJLXbC_PkvLxO92tIpbvDX3xfKWvl15g6lQ1dM5gxToL0nq5G0PiXiiw26xEl5YntYKzE8UomMKGqaU1CBSv09YxTFN4WlflejQQRLmBjJmM4?key=HoqvX7yFeMRHqHIwgpkpiHm5" alt=""/></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s also well known for its IP crossovers in general, but the ones it featured are hardly fit for Diablo. Or maybe&#8230;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://pub-f354ec240bea480db7320bd0e29d972e.r2.dev/sites/2/2024/12/OW2-af3b179f97dae2886d70.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Kind of Crossovers Could Fit Diablo?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Gibson emphasized how important it is to keep the “dark identity” of Diablo 4 when anything is being brought into Diablo 4. This most likely rules out any cartoonish style games, but it doesn&#8217;t mean all external inspirations are off the table.<br><br>Lets go a bit crazy with what could work:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dark Souls / Elden Ring Inspired Cosmetics:</h3>



<p>Gritty medieval armor, cursed blades and a dark lore would make a perfect example for what would fit into Sanctuary.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/8-best-armor-sets-in-dark-souls-ranked.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1140&amp;h=&amp;dpr=1" alt=""/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: <a href="https://gamerant.com/dark-souls-best-armor-sets/">Best Armor Sets In Dark Souls, Ranked</a> by <a href="https://gamerant.com/">GameRant</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Castlevania:</h3>



<p>A Belmont-inspired vampire hunter transmog? Or Dracula-themed armor? Sounds good to us!&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Witcher:</h3>



<p>Who wouldn&#8217;t love to see a Geralt inspired transmog? Maybe even a Gwent-themed back trophy as a small gimmick.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bloodborne:</h3>



<p>Even though we already mentioned Dark Souls and Eldin Ring, we couldn&#8217;t skip Bloodborne. The Victorian theme would line up perfect with the aesthetics of Diablo 4’s dark theme.</p>



<p>Blizzard could also continue with more crossovers from their own IPs, perhaps some darker-themed Starcraft transmogs and pets, or more World of Warcraft armor that lean into the Horde vs Alliance style. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfzCjc3FsVnjjmUAth9PMr4eZAlptHwzF-BtCunAuQDui5h7rW_opWG08Vz-n3-qcedLxEjdasc8ME5WkR3OxtT9Rj_JQAvjlZkisYx4rjnse64WEQ7D1P_Ex-p_ZE_Vh69PqCTeA?key=HoqvX7yFeMRHqHIwgpkpiHm5" alt=""/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Will Crossovers Work in Diablo 4?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>For now, all signs point to them being purely cosmetic, likely tied to the new Reliquary (Battle Pass 2.0), seasonal bundles, or limited shop rotations. Blizzard has been careful to avoid any impact on gameplay, and there’s no reason so far to think that will change.<br><br>Still, if done right, these collabs could add some variety to player appearances, without breaking any immersion. <strong>Maybe they are going to surprise us and will add some small in-game events instead of purely cosmetics.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h2>



<p>While IP crossovers in Diablo 4 may not have been the most expected feature teased on the roadmap, they could surprise players with some welcoming fresh variety, loosening up the normal gameplay loop of the season.<br><br>Which crossovers would you like to see? And should Diablo 4 stay true to its dark visual identity at all costs? </p>


Diablo 4 IP Crossovers: Roadmap Tease Has a Lot of Potential


<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-2025-roadmap-quick-dive/">Blizzard’s 2024 roadmap</a> for Diablo 4 teased two major and long awaited features planned for 2026: a <strong>Ranking System</strong> and <strong>Leaderboards. </strong>While we don&#8217;t know any details about them, we can still speculate what it might look like based on Diablo 3’s Leaderboards and a recent developer interview. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ranking System vs Leaderboards</h2>



<p>A recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az6Fe7ZwT8c">interview between Rhykker and Game Director <strong>Brent Gibson</strong></a> gave us some small ideas on what the Ranking System and Leaderboards might look like, and it sounds like Blizzard is aiming to appeal to both casuals and competitive players.</p>



<p><strong>Rhykker:</strong> <em>“What’s the difference between a ranking system and a leaderboard?” </em><em><br></em><br><strong>Brent Gibson:</strong> <em>“They are two entirely different things that are meant to complement each other&#8230; Leaderboards speak to the elite&#8230; a place where the best of the best can show off&#8230; But we don’t want to isolate it to just those players. There’s a lot of casual players out there that just want to know, ‘Hey, am I doing good?’&#8230; We want a ranking system that gives every casual a sense of progress and value, and then graduating the elite into the leaderboard and giving them a space to really press hard.”</em></p>



<p><br>This approach seems to be a shift from Diablo 3’s purely competitive Greater Rift leaderboards, which catered towards min-maxers. Instead, Diablo 4 appears to be laying the foundation for a more <strong>inclusive progression path</strong> and something that rewards effort across all skill levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Could the Ranking System Look Like?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>While we didn&#8217;t get any specific answers, Gibson&#8217;s response suggests the ranking system could track overall player performance across various aspects of the game. This might take the form of a seasonal progression ladder, milestone-based achievements, or even individual ranks tied to specific activities like Nightmare Dungeons, PvP zones, or Helltides. Diablo 3 had a <a href="https://us.diablo3.blizzard.com/en-us/rankings/era/19/rift-barbarian">limited version of this</a>. It covered the Greater Rifts, of course, but also had sections for Season achievement score, the Season Journey, and more. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-11-21_51_01-Barbarian_-Overall-Rankings-Diablo-III-Mozilla-Firefox.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 65540"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Diablo 3 leaderboards.</figcaption></figure>



<p>This approach would provide casual players a sense of personal progression, with climbing tiers, potentially unlocking cosmetics, earning titles, or other rewards, even if they are not pushing top-tier leaderboards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Leaderboards for the Elite</h2>



<p>Meanwhile, the mention of “graduating the elite” into the leaderboards suggests a return to something like Diablo 3’s Greater Rift rankings. A place where pure efficiency, build optimization and execution are the most important. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://i.postimg.cc/fL1FF9Pv/D4-Ladder-old1200.jpg" alt=""/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One of Diablo 4&#8217;s Gauntlet lederboards.</figcaption></figure>



<p>We could be looking at:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Class-based leaderboards</strong></li>



<li><strong>Activity specific rankings</strong></li>



<li><strong>Time based clears </strong>with modifiers or affixes</li>



<li><strong>Hardcore-specific ladders</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>This would give more competitive players the long requested content they’ve been missing in Diablo 4 for a long time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A System for Everyone?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>What&#8217;s interesting about Gibson’s answer is the intent to build a bridge between casual and more competitive players, something that Diablo historically struggled with. Diablo 3’s Greater Rifts leaderboards were catered towards the top players, while casual players felt left behind.<br><br>In contrast, Diablo 4 may aim to provide multiple ways of achieving competitive goals, may it be on the leaderboard or in a system catered towards personal progression.</p>



<p>What would you like the rankings/leaderboard system to cover? Should it just be for the absolutely best builds?</p>


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