Blizzard’s implementing sweeping changes to the Lair Boss system in Season 8 and we’re looking at how players will climb up the ladder!
- All bosses are free to summon in Season 8.
- Items that were formerly known as the “summoning items” are now living a new life as so-called Lair Keys.
During the S8 Campfire Chat, Blizzard revealed the following flowchart which explains how the system will work, adding that this will really put your build to the test!
Key Highlights
- Initiate Lair Bosses have an easier takedown.
- As you go up the ladder, the bosses become more difficult.
- If you’re unsure about your strength to face a Lair Boss, you can now jump in and try, as no summoning materials are required.
- The new system ensures a much better user experience.
- When a Lair Boss dies, each player must individually spend boss materials, called Hoard Keys, to open their Hoard.
- Lair Keys stack up to 9.
- All Initiate Tier Lair Bosses will not just drop the associated key for the next boss that they are linked to, but they’ll also drop
Stygian Stones, which can be crushed and turned into a Lair Key for any of the Greater Lair Bosses. - Any of the Initiate or Greater Lair Bosses has a chance to get a surprise Belial ambush, which is the key to getting the Betrayer’s Husk to challenge his Supreme Form.
- This new system puts a stop to chain farming. The developers didn’t like how you could just jump into any party and get a bunch of Uniques free. They want you to work for some of the loot in Diablo.
For more details on how the system works, check out our in-depth Lair Boss System guide.
